Kathryn Maylene "Kat" Brown

Kathryn “Kat” Maylene Brown, 20, of Fort Washakie, Wyoming, passed away on March 5, 2026, in Johnstown. Born on June 14, 2005, in Lander, Wyoming, to Brandon James Brown and Naomi Sue Yellowbear, she was raised in Ethete, Wyoming, surrounded by a large and loving family. Kathryn attended school in Ethete, Arapahoe School, and Fort Washakie, where she earned her high school diploma. She had a quiet passion for reading and mathematics and was known among those who knew her as a dedicated bookworm who loved to learn.

Deeply rooted in her Catholic faith, Kathryn found great meaning in attending church services, participating in sweats, and joining ceremonial Sundance gatherings, where she received her Indian name. These spiritual traditions were a cherished part of her life, which she happily shared with her mother and extended family. She also held a profound love for animals and worked with them at Lander Pet Connection. Later, she worked at NAPA in Lander, taking pride in learning mechanical skills that followed her mother’s example and her family’s strong work ethic. She spent time as a teacher’s aide at the Fort Washakie preschool, where her caring and gentle nature quickly won the hearts of the children.

Kathryn cherished the outdoors and often went hunting, fishing, and horn hunting in the mountains with her father, uncles, and brothers. In quieter moments she enjoyed painting portraits on canvas, playing games on her Xbox, and listening to music. Above all, she loved her family deeply and was especially devoted to her godson, Kalvin Royce Yellowbear, who was the light of her life.

She is survived by her father, Brandon James Brown; her grandparents Byron Yellowbear Sr., Jean Yellowbear, and Annette Valade; her brothers Benny Yellowbear Moss, Jesse Moss, Syncier Onegoose Yellowbear, Patton Teran, and Malachi Mejia; her sisters Mabel Mary Sunrhodes, Tazlynn Jenkins, Tylene Oldman, Magpie Perry, Patience Engavo, and Missy Engavo; and many extended family members and friends who loved her dearly. She was preceded in death by her mother, Naomi Yellowbear; her paternal grandfather Gary Brown; grandmother Katherine; maternal great-grandparents Mary E. and Philip Bear; grandfather Daniel Oldman Jr.; grandmother Ruth Biglake; sister Sassite Underwood; and brother Charlie Washington.