Kathleen "Kassie" Wheeler, aged 63, passed away in her beloved home August 8, 2026. Born on the Flathead Reservation, Kassie was always extremely proud to be Indigenous and carried the core values of giving to others, humor through everything, and sharing love through food through her entire life.

A trailblazer, Kassie left the reservation to pursue a career in computers and electronics, despite growing up without electricity, exemplifying her fearlessness in the face of adversity. While pioneering a career as often the first woman and Indigenous person in technical roles, she also found room to share her love of animals and the outdoors, proudly volunteering at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado Springs. This was also where she became a single parent by choice, once again blazing new pathways to pursue artificial insemination in the 90s, determined to carve a new life for her emerging family.

After moving to Washington, Kassie continued her career in technology and achieving her Associate's degree, before retiring early and caring for her community with the same vigor she had always approached her work. She brought joy to many children, serving as Santa Claus each year at a local charity Christmas party, cooked food for nearby food pantries, led cooking classes, provided free technical support to local organizations, and lovingly hosted many exchange students while also getting to achieve her lifelong dream of homeownership and enjoying time in her garden.

Kassie is survived by a large community of people who adored her including four siblings(Galena Unten, Joe Wheeler, Megan Wheeler and Tami Bundrock), a litany of nieces and nephews, her child (Naduah Laker), her best friend (Barbara "Barbie" Lane), and innumerable people touched by her food, kindness and generosity.

Kassie's legacy of strength, determination, care, laughter, perseverance, commitment to community, and deep and abiding love of coffee will be remembered and cherished by all who knew her.