Although she rarely spoke about her forefathers, who were leaders in the Potawatomi Indian tribe and some of the earliest inhabitants of the Chicago area, Mae Kenar was very proud of her American Indian ancestry, family members said. “She had great respect for those who came before her, but was on the quiet side and preferred to let the males in her family take the lead role,” said her daughter Elaine Reniche. “When I was young I didn’t think to ask her many questions about her family, and when I finally did, she had a hard time remembering the details.” Mrs. Kenar, 98, of Glen Ellyn, formerly of Chicago, the great-great-granddaughter of a Potawatomi chief, died of pneumonia Sunday, Sept. 26, in Wynscape Nursing & Rehabilitation in Wheaton. Born in Hartford, Mich., Mrs. Kenar grew up near Dowagiac, Mich., where for a while her family lived in a teepee. Her father, Frank J. Hamilton, was a leader in the Pokagan band of the Potawatomi Indians and her mother, Alice Ceceila Rapp, was the great-granddaughter of Leopold Pokagan, a Potawatomi chief. When Mrs. Kenar was in the 4th grade, her mother died during a stillbirth and Mrs. Kenar became a surrogate mother to her younger siblings. She later lived with nuns in the Chicago area before marrying Peter Mokas, who died in 1948. She later married William Kenar, who died in 1985. During much of her life, Mrs. Kenar lived in Chicago’s Wicker Park neighborhood, where she raised her children and was active in the American Indian community. “She was a very loving mom, who passed along things about her background and culture,” said her daughter. “She was an excellent basket weaver, with some very interesting superstitions that she shared with us along the way.” Several years ago Mrs. Kenar attended an American Indian festival in Silver Creek, Mich. with her son, which family members said rekindled an interest in her ancestors. “She began to realize all over again the contributions of her ancestors and the mark they left, particularly in the Chicago area.” Up until a month ago, Mrs. Kenar was still active for her age and would climb several steps to enter her home. “She led a long, full life and was really healthy for most of it,” said her daughter. Family members said Mrs. Kenar was the eldest elder of the Pokagan band. Other survivors include her son, William P. Mokas; four grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Mass will be said at 10 a.m. Thursday in St. Matthew Catholic Church, 1555 Glen Ellyn Rd., Glendale Heights.
