One day in 1945, Pet Keshena, a freshman at Shawano High School, arrived home and told her mother that Miss Kemmeter instructed the students to learn a 5 minute speech. Pet went on to be a two time winner of the Wisconsin Individual Forensic Championship. She used her oratory skills to star in the Menominee pageants. Pet, along with her niece, Lynn Skenandore, and many other Menominee's from throughout the reservation presented plays at the historic Woodland Bowl during the 1950's.
Pet was united in marriage to Wayne Martin in March of 1951. The couple had seven children and spent nearly 48 years together. Wayne preceded her in death on March 1, 1999. Pet enjoyed playing bingo, reading, playing solitaire, following politics and a good brandy old fashioned. She also loved road trips, both short and cross country, which often included a story or two.
The death of Petronell closes a generation's era within the Keshena family and the Menominee Tribe. She was the youngest and last surviving child of the late Frank and Nell (Besaw) Keshena and the great-great-granddaughter of Chief Keshena, a signer of the treaties between the Menominee Tribe and the US Government.
Pet is survived by: four children, Melanie Martin, Mary (John) Martin-Smith, Joseph (Eva Johnson) Martin and the Honorable Mercedes Martin; four grandchildren, Mandy Villa, Megan Lohuis, Henry (Amanda) Kitson and Franny Kitson; seven great-grandchildren; four sisters-in-law, Frances "Jeannie" Pyawasy, Grace "Jiggs" Martin, Clara "Dolly" Stone and Jeannine Keshena. She is further survived by numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by: her husband, Wayne; three daughters, Sally Kitson, Jane Martin and Elizabeth Martin; three brothers, Joe Keshena, Gordon Keshena and Francis "Zeke" Keshena; three sisters, Rita Keshena, Dolores Boyd and Joan Harte; and her long-time companion, Arthur "Chappy" Chapman.
A memorial mass for Petronell will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, March 24, 2017 at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Keshena with Rev. Joel Jores officiating. Visitation will be held at the church on Friday from 9:00 am until the time of the mass.
