ROSALIE KAKKAK
Rosalie Kakkak, 66, of Black River Falls, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family after a long battle with cancer. She was born August 17, 1960 in Keshena, WI, to Velma “Babe” Tucker and Sylvester “Pake’ Kakkak.
Rosalie worked for a time at Ho Chunk Headstart, before returning to school and earning her GED. After earning her GED she worked briefly as a tribal police officer. Later, she worked for a number of years as a hall monitor at the Menominee Indian High School and maintenance at Menominee Human Services in the evening, before beginning her career as a clerk for the Ho- Chunk Nation Tribal Courts.
Rosalie enjoyed spending time with her family. She was the type of woman who would give you the shirt off of her back and never held a grudge. She loved everyone’s children and you could often find the neighborhood kids coming to her place to visit with her children or grandchildren. She was a very loving aunt and grandma to many, but could still put the fear of God in them when she needed to. Her rules were non-negotiable, and her temper was legendary, but her affection, when given, was absolute and fierce.
Rosalie loved listening to her scanner to know exactly what was going on. She loved riding in the woods and always had a cigarette in her hand. She was also known as a softball player and volleyball player, naming her signature move “The Kakkak Chop”.
Rosalie is survived by lifelong partner, Alvin Greengrass; daughters Kelly Greengrass and Alana Greengrass; son Alvin Greengrass Jr. (Toni Pettibone); grandchildren Isaias, Ezequiel, Abiel, Ava, Olivia, Dashai, Kayla, Shawn, Lyndon; great-grandchildren Adias, LeeRoy, and Malakai; sister Gail (Buzz) Bowman; brothers Lyle (Kathy) Tucker and Dale Kakkak; brothers-in-law Donald (Cindy) Greengrass, Wayne (Lois) Peters; sister-in-law Deborah Lowe; and numerous nieces, nephews, and other grandchildren. She was also a second mother to Valerie Pamonicutt, Kim (Aaron) Hill and Leah (Brian) Pamonicutt who she took in after the passing of her sister, Mary.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Velma Tucker and Pake Kakkak; her stepfather, Lyle “Buddy” Tucker; in-laws Donald and Eunice Greengrass; brothers Guy Kakkak, Roger Kakkak, Jojo Melotte; sisters Mary Kakkak and Leslie Tucker; sisters-in-law Karla Greengrass, Barb Houser, Carmela Root; brothers-in-law Small Man Neconish, Buckskin Peters; both maternal and paternal grandparents, as well as numerous aunts and uncles.
A Celebration of Life Cookout was held at Alvin and Rosie’s home, W8748 Mission Road, Black River Falls, Sept. 24, from noon until 4 p.m. Friends called for visitation at the home starting Tuesday until the beginning of the Celebration of Life.
The Buswell Funeral Home assisted with arrangements.