Cynthia Aken

Cynthia HorseChief Aken, 74, was born in Hominy, Oklahoma on December 24, 1949, and started her journey on August 11, 2024, with her husband Jim by her side in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Cynthia attended Hominy High School and earned a bachelor’s degree from Oklahoma State University and a master’s degree in education from the University of New Mexico. Cynthia and Jim were married on July 3, 1971, and they lived in Albuquerque but also spent time with family in Osage County. Cynthia enjoyed traveling. She told stories about visiting Rome and seeing the Vatican. She liked to go to the movies and concerts, and she loved horses. She would accompany Jim on hunting trips to Africa. Cynthia loved jewelry. She had a beautiful collection of jewelry and was known to give them as gifts. She had a generous nature but was also stern and commanding which earned her respect among family members and colleagues. Cynthia held several jobs and certifications including English as a Second Language (ESL) and Special Education. She was an educator for many years teaching math, social studies, and special education at public and Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) schools in Albuquerque, Grants, Laguna, and Fort Wingate, New Mexico and El Paso, Texas. Her years working with Native students held a special place in her heart. Cynthia leaves many loving memories cherished by relatives, loved ones, and friends.

Cynthia is preceded in death by great grandparents Charles Wah-Hre-She and Hlu-Lah-Me; grandparents George and Josephine Kipp; parents Alfred HorseChief, Sr. and Freda Lee Kipp; sister Hazel Annette Moore; and brother Stacey Pratt. Survivors include Cynthia’s husband Jim Aken of Albuquerque, NM; brother Alfred Horsechief of Pawhuska, OK; and brother Sammy Evanoff of Tulsa, OK. 

Prayer service is on Thursday, August 15 at 7:00 pm. Indian services is on Friday, August 16 at 9:00 am and a church service is at 10:30 am at the Friend’s Church. Arrangements were made by Powell Funeral Home in Hominy, Oklahoma