Kathryn RedCorn Lynn

Kathryn Jenny Red Corn, XU-THA'-DOI - Hu-La-To-Me (Good Eagle Woman), a respected Osage leader, cultural historian, educator, and public servant, passed away on January 21, 2026, at The Journey Home Hospice in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, at the age of 85.

Kathryn was born on January 5, 1941, in Pawhuska, Oklahoma, to Harold Ambrose Red Corn, whose Osage name was Ki-he-un-tah of the Tzi-zhu-wash-ta-ghi (Gentle Sky) Clan, and Emma Louise Gray Red Corn, whose Osage name was Pa-hui-gthe-zhe of the Deer Clan. Kathryn was a proud member of the Tzi-zhu-wash-ta-ghi (Gentle Sky) Clan.

Her paternal grandparents were Raymond Red Corn Sr., whose Osage name was Tse-moie of the Tzi-zhu-wash-ta-ghi Clan, and Bertha Hudson. Her maternal grandparents were Clarence Gray, whose Osage name was Wah-kun-tse-a of the Deer Clan, and Jenny Garfield Gray, whose Osage name was He-in-ke-um-pah of the Tzi-zhu-wash-ta-ghi Clan.

Kathryn's Osage name was Hu-La-To-Me, meaning Good Eagle Woman. It was bestowed by her uncle Wakon Iron (also known as George Red Corn), the younger brother of her grandfather Raymond Red Corn Sr. The name reflected her nature - observant, principled, vigilant, and guided by responsibility and vision.

Kathryn's life reflected a deep commitment to education. She attended Indian Camp Elementary School and Pawhuska High School and later pursued higher education at the University of Colorado, the University of Oklahoma, and Boston College. Her lifelong respect for learning informed both her professional work and her belief in preparation as a path to opportunity.

A woman of faith, Kathryn was a faithful member of the Osage Baptist Church, where she quietly and consistently contributed to the welfare of the congregation and supported the spiritual life of the community.

Much of Kathryn's professional life was devoted to preserving Osage history, strengthening tribal institutions, and expanding opportunity for Native people. She served for 17 years as Director of the Osage Tribal Museum, retiring in 2015. Under her leadership, the museum became a vital center of cultural preservation and education. She guided and helped develop some of the institution's most enduring projects, including the 2,229 Allottee Exhibit, the 1908 Osage Reservation Territory Map, the Osage Timeline, and the Osage Ten bronze bust project honoring early Osage leaders. Through this work, she ensured that Osage history was preserved by Osage people and presented with accuracy, dignity, and depth.

Kathryn also dedicated herself to Osage governance and stewardship. She served on the Osage Minerals Council during the 1st Osage Minerals Council (2006-2010) and later the 3rd Osage Minerals Council (2014-2018). From 2016 to 2018, she made history as the first woman to serve as Second Chairperson of the Council. Her leadership was known for clarity, decisiveness, and an unwavering commitment to protecting the Osage Mineral Estate for future generations.

Her public service extended into education and health advocacy. Kathryn was especially proud of her role as a founder of the Headlands Indian Health Careers Program, an initiative she helped envision and launch in the mid-1970s to address the severe shortage of American Indian health professionals. Working alongside philanthropist Peter McCormick, she helped design a rigorous summer program to prepare American Indian students for careers in medicine, health, and science. The program emphasized strong foundations in science, mathematics, communication, and study skills, while introducing students to Native physicians and health professionals as mentors and role models. The success of the program, and the many Native doctors, nurses, dentists, and health professionals it helped launch, remained a source of deep pride throughout her life.

Kathryn's service to the Osage people also extended into ceremonial life. She served as a cook for the Pawhuska District during the In'lonschka dances, an important and respected role within the Osage ceremonial dances held each June. In addition, she faithfully carried out her mother's wishes by maintaining the Red Corn-Gray camp for more than 50 years for the Pawhuska Osage In'lonschka dances, welcoming family and community members with a place to dress for the dances, share meals, and sit together visiting and laughing.

In 2015, Kathryn was honored by the Osage Nation's Elder Nutrition Program during its annual Honor the Elders Luncheon, recognizing her years of service and dedication to the Osage community.

Kathryn was known for her sharp intellect, strong will, and commanding presence. When she entered the room, people paid attention. She had strong opinions, expressed plainly and without apology, and she was often right - a fact acknowledged with affection by those who knew her best. Her wit was quick, dry, and incisive, and she had a gift for delivering a perfectly timed observation.

Despite her formidable presence, Kathryn's life was deeply rooted in family. She was especially close to her brothers, often spending long late-night phone calls sharing stories, memories, and laughter. Those conversations mattered to her, and family bonds were central to her life.

She adored her grandsons, nieces, and nephews and had a rare ability to make each one feel like the center of attention when she spent time with them. She listened carefully, remembered details, and showed up fully.

Above all else, the light of her life and the center of her love was her daughter, Juli Cote. Kathryn's devotion to Juli was unwavering and unmistakable. Her pride in her daughter was evident to all who knew her, and being Juli's mother was her greatest joy.

Kathryn is survived by her daughter, Juli Cote, and son-in-law, Geoffrey Cote Sr.; her grandsons, Geoffrey Cote Jr., Christopher Cote, Andrew Cote, and David Cote; her older brother, Clarence Raymond "CR" Red Corn; and many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends who will deeply miss her.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Harold Ambrose Red Corn and Emma Louise Gray Red Corn, and her brothers, Charles Harold Red Corn, James Lacy Red Corn, and Andrew "Bud" Red Corn.

Services:
Visitation and viewing will begin Thursday, January 22, 2026, at Kathryn's home in Pawhuska Indian Camp, where she will lie in state, and family and community members are welcome to pay their respects.
Funeral services will be held Monday, January 26, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at the Osage Baptist Church in Pawhuska. Burial will follow at the New Osage Tribal Cemetery.

Kathryn Jenny Red Corn leaves behind a legacy of leadership, cultural preservation, education, ceremonial service, faith, humor, strength, and love. Her work continues to shape institutions, sustain traditions, and open doors for future generations. Her voice, intellect, and presence will be deeply missed, but her spirit endures - carried forward by her family, her community, and the people she served.