Sue Sanchez

Sue Brown Sanchez, a full-blooded Sac and Fox woman, beloved mother, grandmother, sister, wife, and matriarch, walked on from this world at the age of 78. She leaves behind a powerful legacy of strength, resilience, and unwavering love for her family, her people, and the life she built through determination and courage.

Sue was born on July 9, 1947, during a challenging period in American history when many Native American families were living through the harsh realities of federal relocation policies and the social discrimination that followed Native people across the country. These were years when Native identity was often misunderstood or dismissed by the wider society. Yet through those hardships, Sue carried herself with quiet dignity, strong determination, and great pride in who she was as a Sac and Fox woman.

Many of the struggles seen in Native communities today are connected to historical and intergenerational trauma. For generations, Native families experienced forced relocation, the removal of children to boarding schools, the loss of land, and laws that attempted to erase Native culture, language, and spiritual practices. These experiences disrupted families and communities and created deep emotional and psychological wounds that often carried forward from one generation to the next.

Like many Native people of her generation, Sue grew up in a world shaped by those struggles. Without always realizing it, the stress and pain created by that history sometimes showed itself through difficult patterns such as alcoholism, drug abuse, domestic conflict, and other challenges that families struggled to overcome. These were not simply personal failings, but part of the larger historical systems that disrupted Native life and community balance. Even so, Native people have always shown great resilience, reclaiming culture, language, ceremony, and traditional teachings as pathways toward healing and strength for future generations.

From an early age, Sue learned the value of perseverance. She grew up in a world where opportunities were not always equal and where Native families often had to work twice as hard just to stand on their own feet. Rather than allowing those challenges to define her future, Sue met them with strength and resolve. Her life became a testament to the resilience of Native women who carried their families forward through difficult times.

Throughout her life, Sue worked hard in many roles that reflected her independent spirit and strong work ethic. She worked in the aircraft industry during a time when women were increasingly entering the workforce and helping support their families.

Later, she became a hairdresser, a profession that suited her warm and welcoming personality. In that role, she enjoyed visiting with people, sharing laughter and stories, and creating friendships with those who sat in her chair. Many people remember the kindness she showed through simple, everyday conversations.

Sue was also known for her wonderful sense of humor and her gift for storytelling. She found joy in making others laugh and had a way of sharing funny memories and everyday stories that brought people together.

Known for her sharp sense of humor and outspoken personality, Sue was often the life of the party. She did not take nonsense from anyone, but she also had a deeply generous heart and would help anyone in need. She especially loved attending the Sac and Fox Pow-Wow and remained proud of the traditional Sauk ways she was raised with.

In time, Sue demonstrated her independence and determination by operating her own cleaning business. Running a small business required long hours and dedication, but Sue faced those responsibilities with strength and pride.

While Sue’s work ethic was remarkable, her greatest role in life was that of mother, grandmother, and family matriarch. Her children and grandchildren were the center of her world.

Sue also opened her home and her heart to others in need. She served as a foster parent to Amber and Cody Brady, caring for them and offering them the same kindness and support that she gave her own family.

Sue lived through decades of change in this country and remained proud of her heritage and the strength of her people.

Sue was preceded in death by her beloved son, Robert Nelson Meek Jr., her mother Edith Walker Brown, her father Herman Brown Sr., and her brothers Herman Brown Jr. and James Spoon.

She leaves behind her loving husband of 40 years, Sylvester Sanchez.

She is also survived by her sister Connie Schrader of Wichita, Kansas; her children Seneca Blaisdell, Harold A. Meek, Melanie Perez Johnson, and Sean Perez; and her grandchildren Ryan Meek, Terrence Meek, Skylar Perez, Stevi Johnson, and Shoshana Johnson.

She is also remembered by many nieces, nephews, cousins, extended relatives, friends, and members of the Sac and Fox community.

Sue Brown Sanchez lived a life that reflected the resilience of Native people and the quiet power of a mother’s love.

Though she has now journeyed on to the next world, her memory will remain alive in the hearts of her children, grandchildren, and all those who knew her.

Her life, courage, and spirit will forever be honored and remembered.