Kathryn “Kat” Maylene Brown, 20, of Fort Washakie, Wyoming, passed away on March 5, 2026, in Johnstown. She was born June 14, 2005, in Lander, Wyoming, to Brandon James Brown and Naomi Sue Yellowbear.
Kathryn was raised in Ethete, Wyoming, surrounded by her large and loving family. She attended school in Ethete before continuing her education at Arapahoe School and later Fort Washakie, where she received her high school diploma. Kathryn enjoyed reading and math and was known as a bookworm who loved learning.
Kathryn was Catholic and enjoyed attending church services, sweats, and ceremonial Sundance gatherings where she received her Indian name. She treasured these spiritual traditions and enjoyed sharing them with her mother and family.
Kathryn had a deep love for animals and worked with them at Lander Pet Connection. She also worked at NAPA in Lander and took pride in learning mechanical work, following in the footsteps of her mother and her family’s strong work ethic. Kathryn also spent time working as a teacher’s aide at the Fort Washakie preschool, where she formed special bonds with the children who adored her caring and gentle nature.
She loved the outdoors and especially enjoyed hunting, fishing, horn hunting, and walking in the mountains with her father, uncles, and brothers. Kathryn also enjoyed painting portraits on canvas, playing games on her Xbox, and listening to music when she wanted to relax.
Above all, Kathryn loved her family deeply. She was especially devoted to her God- son, 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 numerous 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.
A Vigil Service with a Rosary will be recited at 7:00 p.m., Friday, March 13, 2026, at Eagle Hall with wake to follow. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, March 14, 2026, at St. Stephens Catholic Church with Father Andrew Duncan officiating.
Interment will follow at Yellow Calf Cemetery.
Online condolences may be made at www.TheDavisFuneralHome.com
Services are under the direction of Davis Funeral Home.