Alice May (King) Yellowbank

Alice May Yellowbank, nee King, peacefully passed away during the night, in the comfort of her home, in Oden (Alanson), Michigan, on August 8, 2025. She was born on December 12, 1933, in Petoskey, Michigan, and was 91 years of age.

Alice was raised in Petoskey with her family and spent time with her grandmother Grace-ba Adaline King in Cross Village. As a teenager, Alice spent 3 years in a TB hospital near Detroit and moved to Detroit as a young woman. After having seven children, she went back to school and got her GED. She obtained her first driver’s license and started college. She then had her eighth and youngest child. A few years later, in 1978, she earned a Masters Degree in Education Administration from the University of Chicago.

Alice was immensely proud to be a citizen of Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians (LTBB). She possessed an intrinsic motivation to be of service to the Anishinaabek (native American people). She dedicated her career to serving Anishinaabek communities of Chicago, Lansing, and her home area of Petoskey-Harbor Springs. Alice contributed in many ways as a volunteer, on committees and boards, through employment, especially in the area of Indian Education. She served on the LTBB Tribal Council from 1995 through 2009, as well as the LTBB Education Commission, Housing Commission, Gaming Committee, and Traditional Tribal Burial Board. She dedicated much of her life to development and advancement of policy and services for Anishinaabek.

Alice loved attending ceremonies and was a lodge nookomis of the Three Fires Midewin. She was a dedicated mother who gave unwavering, unconditional, and selfless love and support for her children and family members. She was always willing to share her wisdom, experience, encouragement, and assistance. Alice was an avid sports fan, and especially loved the Detroit Tigers, watching games and sporting tee shirts. She enjoyed doing beadwork for her grandchildren and adored observing her little great-grandchildren. She also loved going to powwows, watching dancers and hearing the songs.

Alice is preceded in death by her parents, William Solomon King, of Cross Village and Alberta King, nee Green, of Bay Shore; by her husband, Robert Ulysses Yellowbank, Sr. of the Hochunk nation; by her brothers John King, William Francis King, Jr. and Jesse James King; by her sisters Mary Jane King and Grace Marie Zerbe; by her eldest son Reginald Karl Dodge, Jr.; by her son-in-law Archie Lawrence Kiogima, Jr; and by her great-grandson Aasiniinhs Reginald Gasco.

She is survived by her sisters Delores Ann Pierzynowski and Carol Jean McFall; and by her children Regina Alice Kiogima (Archie-ba), Curtis Lee McFall, Sr., Carla Jean Osawamick (Lionel), Johnny B. McFall (Kelli Pamp), Carter Clifton McFall (Linda), William Solomon McFall, and Robert Ulysses Yellowbank, Jr. (Michelle Shopteese), as well as 14 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, and 6 great-great-grandchildren.

Alice was blessed to have the specialized and attentive care provided by her daughter-in-law, Michelle Shopteese, throughout the last stage of her life. Michelle ensured an excellent quality of life and home-hospice.

The family also extends special acknowledgement to Sunrise Rustics of Pellston who hand-crafted a special all-wood cedar casket, and to Stone Funeral Home of Petoskey who provided the highest quality of attentive service, as to accommodate her specific Anishinaabek funerary customs and Alice’s burial in LTBB’s Zhaawshkwaande-Gokaan green cemetery. The family appreciates all the assistance, miigwech, thank you.