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Lena Sue (Wolfe) Squirrel, born on September 6, 1948 and passed away in Muskogee, Oklahoma on September 10, 2021 at the age of 73 years and 4 days. She was the daughter of Irene (Soap) Wolfe and Albert Wolfe.
A lifelong Stilwell resident, Lena attended Maryetta School and graduated as an Indian in 1966. Graduating from Haskell College with a secretarial degree a few years later, Lena began work with the Cherokee Nation complex in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. It was during these years that she met and married Jim Squirrel jr. From this a son, Jim Squirrel III, and a daughter, Brandee Leighane, were born.
Unfortunately, the marriage didn’t last. But Lena proved resilient raising two children as a single mother. At times she took on two jobs to ensure her family had everything they needed. She started in August 1981 as a secretary for the City Clerk of Stilwell. She would work for the city in some capacity until her retirement. On the side, she completed her needed credits and graduated from Flaming Rainbow University with a bachelor's degree in Behavioral Science.
She was a lifelong Baptist, and a member of Calvary Southern Baptist Church.
Lena was a fluent Cherokee Speaker. She was also able to read and write the Cherokee Syllabary
When needed, she would take another job, a convenient store cashier, meter reader, but her love was being a home health aide for 10 years. Daily visits with elderly people, seeing to their needs, cooking supper for them, doing laundry, always brought a smile to her face.
One of her hobbies was sewing and playing bingo. She always had her bingo bag at the ready, with assorted daubers of different colors. She loved sports of all kinds and partial to football and tennis. Lately though, softball became her favorite, and with the success OU has had, she had a dream come true by attending the national women's college championship this past summer, as OU would go on to win the championship.
Because of her lifelong service to the city, upon retirement, the mayor proclaimed that July 29, 2011 was LENA SQUIRREL DAY! During her retirement, Lena spent her time watching Gunsmoke and all the old westerns, she said it would take her back to watching with her mom. Lingering problems with her foot limited Lena from doing all that she wanted, but she proved strong by doing what she could, which included crossword puzzles, reading, and an occasional trip to ball games.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Albert and Irene Wolfe, sister Marilyn Pritchett, brother Andrew, and infant brother baby Wolfe, and nieces Melanie Pritchett, Frances Duncan Daugherty, and Lisa Ann Duncan.
She is survived by a loving family that includes her children: Jim Squirrel and wife Kyra of Stilwell, OK, and Brandee Squirrel of Stilwell, Ok. She also had five grandchildren in Karen, Katie, Kimberly, Kylie, and Joshua Squirrel and two great grandchildren in Scarlett Athena Squirrel and Jackson Jason Reel. Siblings: Charles Lee Wolfe of Dallas, Texas, Herbert Dale Wolfe of Fayetteville, Arkansas, sister Lillie Duncan and husband Frank, and Nancy Boyd and husband Melvin, all of Stilwell, and a host of nieces and nephews.
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