Shawnee resident Lorena "Bug" Grant Ponkilla, 70, died Monday, February 27, at a local nursing home.

She was born March 8, 1935, in Pawnee to Fred and Amelia Gokey Grant.

Mrs. Ponkilla attended Haskell Institute in Lawrence, Kansas, St. Gregory's College and Seminole State College.

She had worked for Shawnee Public Schools.

Mrs. Ponkilla was a member of Sallateeska Baptist Church and the Sac and Fox Nation.

Her husband, James Ponkilla Sr., son, James Jim Ponkilla Jr., brother, Ulyssis Grant, three sisters, Viola Spoon, Freda Blanchard and Elsie Grant preceded her in death.

Survivors include her four children, Loretta Ponkilla of Stroud, Jeffery Ponkilla of Shawnee, Brenda Ponkilla of Shawnee and Gordon and Tonette Ponkilla of Stroud; twenty grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren and extended family; two brothers, Chester and Jerome Grant; two sisters, Elizabeth Exendine and Christene Rolette and numerous other relatives and friends.

Mrs. Ponkilla will be at Sallateeska Baptist Church until service time.

Services will be 6:00 p.m. Thursday at Sallateeska Baptist Church with the Rev. Mike Wester officiating.

Burial will be 10:00 a.m. Friday at Wakolee Family Cemetery.

Services are under the direction of Walker Funeral Service.

Published March 1, 2006.