Cynthia L. (Upchego) Upchego Bates

Cynthia L. Upchego Bates was born on May 30, 1947 in Ft. Duchesne, Utah to Hon. Henry and Elaine (Wanzitz) Upchego. Cynthia passed away on April 24, 2024 in Watonga, OK at the age of 76. Cynthia was a survivor of Residential Schools. She graduated from Stewart Indian School in Carson, NV and graduated from El Reno Junior College with a nursing degree. Cynthia worked for IHS in Watonga and at Watonga Hospital for 19 years, also earning employee of the year there as well. In her later years, she worked at Lucky Star Casino, where she also enjoyed going to play. She loved to color, do puzzles and crossword puzzles. Cynthia was a member of the Catholic faith as a young girl, and a member of the Northern Ute Tribe.

Survivors Include: her children, Waylan Upchego and wife Nikole of Geary, OK, Leslie Bates of Watonga, OK, and Melvin Bates, Jr and wife Marilyn of Watonga, OK, her grandchildren, Jaycie Owings, Jacks Bates, Randi Upchego, Brooklyn Upchego, Lea Peck, Emma Marcos, O.J. Birdshead, Christian Castleberry, Harper Berry, Sonny Gunner Bates, Leslie Bates, Jr., Cory Bryant Tyson Bates, and Melvin Daniel Bates, III, her 12 great grandchildren, her siblings, Angelita Chegup of Neola, UT, Ansel Chegup of Salt Lake City, UT, and Feron Wyasket and wife Jolene of Arcadia, UT, numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Cynthia was preceded in death by her parents, Hon. Henry Upchego and Elaine Wanzitz Upchego, her siblings, Amelia Upchego Collins, Theron Wyasket, Theodore Wyasket, Florence Wanzitz, and her grandparents.

Wake: All Tribes Church, Monday, 7:00 PM- 9:00 PM, April 29, 2024, Geary, OK

Services: Whirlwind Mission of the Holy Family, Tuesday, 11:00 AM, April 30, 2024, Watonga, OK

Officiating: Deacon Pat Gonzalez

Burial: Sunset Cemetery, Geary, OK

Services  under the direction of Turner Funeral Home, Geary, Oklahoma. Condolences may be sent to the family at turnerfuneralhomes@gmail.com, or you can find us on facebook.com (Turner Funeral Homes).

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