Sharlene Wisespirit-Frank

Sharlene Wisespirit-Frank, age 57, died Saturday, May 8, 2010. She was born on January 27, 1953 to Owen and Betty Bow Wisespirit in Schurz, Nevada.

Sharlene was close to her brother, Leonard. She thought they were twins because not only did they look alike but they shared the same birthday with just a year in between. She missed him so much when he passed away. Now they are together once again.

Sharlene grew up on the Moapa Indian Reservation and graduated from the Sherman Indian boarding school. On her graduation day, all the girls were supposed to wear gold graduation gowns, but she didn't want to. She wore a purple dress because she thought everyone looked too similar. She said that it was her "hippy movement" and proud moment to be "herself".

She lived off of the Reservation for 9 years, living in Las Vegas, Nevada and in California. She was married twice in her life: first to LaMar Anderson, and then in 1987 she met and married Anthony Frank. During the past 23 years together they have built their family and have supported each other in 12 years of sobriety. They always believed there was a reason for everything and that their future was to become parents to Lonita, Vincent and Marcia Bushhead.

Sharlene and Anthony traveled the Pow-Wow Highway and to all of their grandchildren's sports activities. Her cheering was always the loudest. She had a green thumb and was always working in her garden. She loved shopping at Savors and enjoyed making her grandchildren's regalia. They loved to travel/cruise together, listening to oldies music and Santana concerts.

She worked as a surveillance operator, office aide and took a few courses in Business at the community college. She was a current board member of the Moapa Indian Housing Authority. In 2005, she was nominated as "Mother of the Year" by Lonita Bushhead and was recognized by Mayor Oscar Goodman of Las Vegas with a plaque and a special dinner. In 2009, with Anthony's support, she became a Born Again Christian.

Survivors include her husband, Anthony Frank; three daughters: Melissa Mayo, Dawn Anderson, Carrie Anderson; one sister: Arrion Henry, all of Moapa, NV; three brothers: Merlin, Michael and Tony Wisespirit, all of Poplar, MO; three grandchildren: Destiny Anderson, Jordan Davis and Shaye Featherhat; five nieces, two nephews, and Lonita, and Marcia Bushhead of Moapa , NV and Vincent Bushead of Salt Lake City, UT.

She was preceded in death by her mother and father, five brothers and three sisters.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, May 13, 2010 at 3 p.m. at the Moapa Paiute Tribal Building followed by a Traditional Indian Sing. The Interment will be Friday morning, May 14, 2010 at 6 a.m. at the Moapa Indian Cemetery under the direction of Moapa Valley Mortuary.