Althea Dawn “Bea” Eaton

Althea “Bea” Dawn Tapahonso Eaton, 50, left this world to be reunited with her beloved husband on March 26, 2021.

A viewing will be held for Lawrence family and friends from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.  Tuesday, March 30, 2021 at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, 601 Indiana. Funeral and burial services will be held on April 2, 2021 in New Mexico.

Althea was born on February 28, 1971 in Shiprock into a large and loving family on the Navajo Nation. She attended school in Ojo Amarillo where she met her future husband, Fredrico Eaton in the 4th grade. The two graduated from Kirtland High School and later moved to Lawrence, KS, where they married. Althea graduated from Haskell Indian Nations University with a bachelor’s degree in Business. Althea and Fredrico remained in Lawrence where they raised their children. Fredrico died on April 1, 2017 in Lawrence, KS.

Althea immersed herself into her work at Haskell, where she quickly became an integral part of a welcoming student support network. She meticulously managed the student post office and campus printing center for 15 years. Students knew her as a caring and supportive “Auntie” figure on campus who got to know students by name. She also offered her services to Haskell by helping her co-workers and colleagues on committees and various projects on campus. The Haskell community will miss her deep support and dedication.

Althea worked in and around Lawrence, KS since 1994. She worked for the Social Security Administration and EMR, Inc. before joining Haskell. Her life in Lawrence is marked by her wonderful network of friends who quickly became family. Many of those connections are tied to her love of her Denver Broncos. Her departure leaves a huge void in all of the lives Althea touched, influenced, and helped shape.

Althea is preceded in death by her husband, Fredrico Eaton; her maternal grandparents, Eugene, Sr. and Lucille D. Tapahonso; and her father, Henderson Talk.

She is survived by her children Joshua Floyd and Amber Skye; her mother, Marie Tapahonso; her sister Dorothea (Bob) Fox; and her nephews and nieces, Haley, Ethan, Ian and Kylie. She is also survived a close-knit Navajo family that includes 24 brothers and sisters (cousins); a number of nieces and nephews; and a handful of grandchildren.

Messages & Condolences

From Gloria Graves...

Our sincere condolences to Althea’s family. I enjoyed working with her on some committees at Haskell. She was a hard worker. We both lost our loved one few days apart in 2017. I lost my sister and she lost her husband three (3) days later. I am thankful she was there for me and I ,in turn, was there for her when she needed. She will be greatly missed.

Gloria & Perry Graves

From Sandy Cooper...

I was shocked and saddened to read of Althea’s death. She has been one of my Mary Kay customers for years, so I didn’t know her well, but I liked her a lot. She loved her kids, Josh and Amber, and she liked her job and teaching others how to do it. She was also sweet and kind. We need more people like her. My prayers go out to her family at this sad time. You are back with your beloved husband, Althea.

From Kerry Cuny...

Sending prayers to Althea’s family. Such a sweet person. Was so kind and helpful. Another Haskell Angel added to the long list. RIP Althea

From Eric Anderson...

I am in shock at the loss of such a wonderful human being. She was always kind, patient, helpful, and a shining light at Haskell. My deep condolences go out to her children and other family. Althea will be sorely missed in all of our lives.

From Danelle McKinney...

My prayers go out to Amber and Josh and the rest of the family during this time. Althea was one of the hardest workers at Haskell. She always had a smile on her face, and was willing to drop whatever she was doing to help out. I will miss her at the new student gathering days, as she could get the whole room laughing and putting big smiles on our faces so students could feel welcome at Haskell. Althea was also our neighbor, and many times we both would bum rides to work together. My heart hurts because she could put you in a good mood in an instant. She always, always ALWAYS put her students first, and she taught her work study students well. A few times Althea would be at karaoke night and would cheer everyone on. I could go on and on, but she will definitely be missed.

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