Compiled and written by David R. Schleper, 2023
Katherine Marie Brewer was born on December 31, 1979. Her parents were Joseph Walter Brewer (1950-2001) and Angela Mary Majerus Brewer. Her grandparents were Wilater Oliver Joe Brewer (1923-2008) and Lois Jean Pendleton Brewer (1929-1994); and Richard Mathias Majerus (1935-2018) and Mary Wermerskirchen Majerus.
Her great-grandparents were John Francis Brewer (1893-1977) and Estella Ella Bails (1895-1955); Earl Urke Pendleton, Sr. (1891-1963) and Elizabeth Jane Westman Leith (1898-1975); Frank Majerus (1897-1986) and Catherine “Katie” Ann Theis Majerus (1894-1995); and Joseph Mathias Wermerskirchen (1901-1974) and Laura Susan Schmitz Wermerskirchen (1907-2001).
Katherine’s great- great-grandparents were Hiram Peter Hy Brewer (1866-1944) and Evaline Ellen Young Brewer (1870-1903); Ellsworth Bails (1862-1944) and Augusta Mae Eskew Bails (1875-1949); Bentwood Bert Myron Pendleton (1868-1939) and Carrie R. Sampson Pendleton (1872-1907); Thomas Arthur Leith (1865-1944) and Sara Lee Winona Dow Westerman Leith (1863-1912); Dominick Majerus (1868-1959) and Susanna Siebenaler Majerus (1869-1924); Valentine Theis (1864-1916) and Mary Elizabeth Hahn Theis (1865-1942); Phillip Wermerskirchen (1860-1942) and Joseph Mamer Wermerskirchen (1870-1948); and Franz “Fran” Schmitz (1873-1947) and Elizabeth “Lizzie” Ring (1878-1956).
Katherine Marie Brewer married Damon Knight. Damon Knight and Katie Brewer-Knight had nine children: Chaskae, Keith, Miakoda, Thundercloud, Brielle, Azidya, Enapay, Bellarosa, and Mahpiya.
Family meant everything to Katie. Her kids were her reason for everything! She was also business driven and was always forward-thinking. She enjoyed family celebrations, worked hard, and celebrated harder.
Katie emulated her father and grandparents and wouldn’t take no for an answer. Katie was proud, loyal, resilient, and funny in her tough Katie way. She would say, “I’m never overdressed for the occasion, everyone is underdressed.”
“Katie welcomed us into her home with open arms,” said Julie Wagner. “Very kind and beautiful person. I’m glad I got to meet her!”
Jan Kislenger remembered, “Katherine always made me feel part of her extended family. Sharing photos. Texting late at night when she would be up with a baby. Sharing her family memories including Enapay’s birth, and inviting me for holidays, welcoming me to her home. Katie was a very kind loving person.”
Katherine Marie Brewer-Knight, age 43, of Shakopee, Minnesota, member of the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community in Prior Lake, Minnesota, journeyed to the Spirit World on Friday, August 4, 2023, in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Traditional All-Night Wake and Funeral Service were held at the Tiowakan Spiritual Center, 14625 Prairiegrass Dr. NW, Prior Lake.
As Kelli Mlsna noted, “We will miss you dearly. Katie Miss Lady. The original one!!”
For more information about Tínṫa Otuŋwe and the Dakota, Hoċokata Ti [ho-cho-kah-tah-tee] the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community’s (SMSC) cultural center and gathering space, is worth visiting. The public exhibit, “Mdewakanton: Dwellers of the Spirit Lake,” enhances the knowledge and understanding of the Mdewakanton Dakota people and their history. Hoċokata Ti is at 2300 Tiwahe Circle, Shakopee, MN 55379. (952) 233-9151.