Marilyn "Nonie" Dess

Marilyn “Nonie” (Peters) Dess, age 90, of Keshena, passed away on Tuesday February 24, 2026, at home surrounded by her family. She was born on May 16, 1935, in Keshena to the late Mitchell and Catherine “Grandma Studie” (Dick) Peters. Nonie attended St. Josephs Boarding School. She quit school after 8th grade to help raised her siblings as her mother had recently become widowed and along with that she was always called upon to help with the Summers family. All her life it was family first, her kids, grandkids and great grandkids were most important and welcomed them all anytime. Although she quit school at an early age she always worked and worked hard to provide for her family. In 1963, Nonie married John Dess where they moved to Arizona to work and go on to raise a family. Unfortunately, John passed away leaving her to become a single mother. In 1978, she moved her and her children back home, while home she met another love, Ronald “Ji” Frechette, adding a son to the family.

Nonie’s favorite place when not home was the casino and when she won, she would always share with her kids and when she didn’t win, she would say as long as I enjoyed myself, in other words-mind your business!

Left to cherish her memory are her children, John (Michelle Keshena) Dess, Jr., and his children, John III (Elizabeth), Natana (Joe), Derrick (Jessica) and Neesha; Robert (Kemawin) Dess and their children, Wahpahnesew, Diondre, Peqtahseh (Schuylar) and Blaze; Terrilyn Dess and her children, Colin (Bambi), Cody, Markala (Mark) and Ron “Bucka”; Ron “Pasq” (Kelly) Frechette, Jr., and their children, Joseph, Kaylean, Ron III (Tiana), Kileigh and Cedar. She is further survived by 39 great-grandchildren, her siblings, Willard “Buzz” (Rorah) Peters and Andrea “Handy” Vasquez; and special sister, Jean Besaw.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Mitchell and Catherine; husband, John Dess, Sr.; significant other, Ronald “Ji” Frechette; siblings, Emelda (Bob) Tyler, Lyle Peters, Roger (Joyce) Peters, Veronica “Cookie” Peters and Roberta “Robin” (Jim) Smith; grandson, Brennan Waupoose, infant great-grand twins, Aupaumut and Marcella Dess; and special sister, Bea Wilber Corn.

Funeral mass will be held at 1:00 pm on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, at St. Michael Catholic Church in Keshena with Fr. Hanz Christian officiting. Visitation will be held on Wednesday at the parish hall from 9:00 am until the time of service. 

The family would like to thank the hospice nurses along with niece Renee Blanco, granddaughter, Diodre Shawano for the help and care given in her time of need and her neighbor, Laura Waupoose for always checking on Nonie. It is appreciated beyond words.