Elizabeth Ann Edmund

Elizabeth Ann George Edmund was born October 28, 1920 in Marceline, MO at the local hospital.

She began her journey to heaven on Sunday, September 21, 2008, leaving behind three daughters: Sheri Lynn Edmund Harvey (Fred) of Sparks, NV, Kimberly Ann Edmund O'Brien of Cheney, KS and Lisa Gail Edmund Jackson (John) of Austin, TX and seven grandchildren: Sarah and DeAdre Harvey, Erica, Kathryn and Will Jackson and Patrick and Shane O'Brien; one niece, Hannah Adair (Jimmie) of Lebanon, MO and one nephew, William Bunch (Iva) of Baxter, MN and numerous great-nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents John Harvey George and Hannah (Hier) George, her sister Dorotha Lancaster, two brother-in-laws, Denzel Bunch and Tracy Lancaster and one nephew, George Albert Bunch.

Her one brush with fame was growing up in "Main Street America". Roy and Walt Disney based their design of the street in their many amusement parks on that street. They were older than her, but she would see them and hear of their various mischief making about town. When the new Walt Disney Elementary School was finished, Walt sent his artists to decorate the school.

She started riding her Welsh pony, Billy Boy when she was three and he was five. This started her lifelong passion for horses. She showed him once when she was ten at the American Royal in Kansas City, MO, taking third place in halter class.

She was into all sorts of sports growing up: swimming, tennis, and basketball. Her basketball team was state champions her junior and senior years of high school. She was salutatorian of the 1938 Marceline High School class. She was Charter President of Junior Federated Club in Marceline, MO.

She spent two years at William Jewel in Liberty, MO where she joined Beta Sigma Omicron (later merged with Zeta Tau Alpha) Sorority and starred in "Our Town". She transferred to the University of Missouri-Columbia. She was president of Women's Residence Hall. She graduated in 1942 with a BS in English and Speech.

She met her future husband, John while attending William Jewel. She asked him out on their first date to a sorority Valentines Dance in 1939. They married on November 21, 1943 as he was shipping out to the South Pacific.

She taught French, English and Speech in Ironton, MO from 1942-1946. When John came home, they moved to Kansas City, MO. She taught at Northeast Junior High School and Southwest High School , Kansas City, MO from 1948-1952.

John graduated from dental school and they moved to Hays, KS to set up his practice.

While in Hays they had their three daughters. She was active in the First Baptist Church, serving as Sunday School teacher for 12 years and on the Finance Committee; Saturday Afternoon Club (of the General Federation Women's Clubs); organizer of Centennial Club, Girl Scout Leader and Neighborhood Chair for Sunflower Council of GS of USA; Hays branch of AAUW; chair for 10 years of its committee for Presentation of Children's Plays; President of Lincoln Elementary School PTA, Vice-President of Hays Junior High PTA; Member of High Plains Mental Health Assn., Past Worthy Matron of Hays Chapter #228 O.E.S.; District Aide to Kansas Grand Chapter of O.E.S.; Advisory Board Member of Hays Assembly #32, International Order of Rainbow for Girls and served as Associate Mother Advisor and acting Mother Advisor of same, charter member of Smokey Hill County Club, Secretary Founder of Baptist Student Campus Center of FHSU.

She was active in the Hays Square Dance Club, Garden Club, Sewing Club and Bridge Club.

She finished her MS in Speech Pathology in 1968 at FHSU. She taught both General Speech and Speech Pathology from 1968-1982, attaining associate professor before retiring. They retired to their farm in Topeka that has been in her family since October 1, 1858.

In Topeka, she was an active member of First United Methodist Church, active in various circles and President of First UMW, Dinners for 10 and the YOMAC Sunday School Class. She continued her O.E.S. activities with Beulah Chapter #34 and Social Order of Beauceant Chapter #24. She joined Chapter DN of P.E.O. later dimiting to Chapter GJ. She was a VISTA Volunteer for two years. She enjoyed Aqua Therapy for many years with John.

She was listed in Personalities of the West and Midwest. Her honors were Sigma Alpha Eta; International Platform Speakers.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m., Thursday, September 25, 2008 at the Klasse Chapel at First United Methodist Church, Topeka. Interment will follow at Meriden Cemetery, Meriden, KS. Mrs. Edmund will lie in state after 3 p.m., Wednesday at the Penwell-Gabel Parker-Price Chapel, 245 NW Independence, Topeka, KS. O.E.S. services will be conducted by Beulah Chapter #34 Wednesday at 6 p.m. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. The family will also receive friends an hour prior to the service at the church. Memorial contribution may be made to First United Methodist Church, 600 SW Topeka Blvd, Topeka, KS 66603. "STAR" Project of P.E.O., 8311 SW 33rd, Topeka, KS 66614. and Midland Hospice Care, 200 SW Frazier Circle, Topeka, KS 66606-2800.