Wordless Wednesday

Jeanne D. Cowles

Jetmore – Jeanne D. Cowles, 81, died April 12, 2009, at home in Medicine Lodge.

She was born June 14, 1927, at Jetmore, the daughter of James Sinclair and Ona Mae Neeley Cole. A longtime area resident, she was a homemaker.

She belonged to the United Methodist Church, Ladies Red Hat Society and the G.A.B. Club, all of Jetmore.

On April 6, 1946, she married Kenneth E. Cowles at Dodge City. He died June 16, 2004.

Survivors include: two daughters, Bonnie Bailey, Medicine Lodge and Kathy Hixon, Tahlequah, Oklahoma; five Grandchildren and eight Great Grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by a sister, Vivian Lonnberg.

Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the United Methodist Church, Jetmore, with Rev. Marvin Ewertt presiding. Friends may call from 9a.m. to 8p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday at Beckwith Funeral Home, Jetmore. Burial will be in the Fairmount Cemetery, Jetmore.

Memorials may be sent to the Hospice Care of Kansas, in care of the funeral home.

Loretta Catherine McFadden

Larned – Loretta C. McFadden, 77, died April 4, 2009 at St. Joseph Memorial Hospital, Larned.

She was born January 3, 1932 at Burdett, Kansas the daughter of Earl Glen and Ethel May McLeod Webster. A resident since 1956 moving from Leadville, Colorado, she was a owner and Beautician at Bob’s Barber and Beauty Shop, Larned.

She was a member of the First Baptist Church, Larned Country Club, Ladies Golf Association, all of Larned and the D.A.R. On August 31, 1952, she married Robert Lawrence McFadden at Rozel. He died February 2, 2007.

Survivors include: four sons, Robert E., Peck , Kansas, David W., Larned, W. Craig, Austin, Texas, D. Kevin, Austin, Texas; a brother, Robert Hadley Webster, Euless, Texas; a sister, Theora May Sooby, Loveland, Colorado; five grandchildren, Robert J., Jamie, Justin, Jared McFadden, and Heaven Leland; and three great-grandchildren, Skylar, Aydenn Leland, and Dawson McFadden.

She was preceded in death by her husband, two brothers Glenn Henry Webster and William Ira Webster.

Funeral will be at 2 p.m., Wednesday at the Beckwith Mortuary Chapel, Larned with Rev. John Hester presiding. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday and 9 a.m. until service time Wednesday at the mortuary. Burial will be in the Larned Cemetery, Larned.

Memorials may be sent to the First Baptist Church, Rozel, Larned Country Club or the American Lung Association in care of Beckwith Mortuary, Inc., P.O. Box 477, Larned, KS 67550. Condolences may be left at www.beckwithmortuary.com

And Now, A Tale of Two Edna's

Now this story can be a little confusing, so try and keep up.

Edna May Becker (my grandmother) was born 8 Jun 1898 in Great Bend, Barton Co., Kansas. She was the daughter of Johann (John) Joseph "Joe" and Emma Cornelia (Strait) Becker. She was the youngest of nine children born to Joe and Emma Becker. On 23 Dec 1914, she married Ray Ross Smith in Great Bend, Barton Co., Kansas. They had 11 children: Leo Undine, Maurine Maxine, Ellis Wayne, Veva Delfreda, Ray Ross, Jr. (my dad), Wilmer LaVerne, Cecil Eugene, Nola Katherine, Shirley Ann, Carolyn Jean and John Franklyn.

Edna Mae Smith (my Aunt) was born 6 Nov 1892 in Hoisington, Barton Co., Kansas. She was the daughter of John Franklin and Emma Delphenia (Baldwin) Smith. She was the youngest of nine children born to John and Emma Smith. On 17 Sep 1913, she married Albert Leo Becker in Great Bend, Barton Co., Kansas. They had one child, Winnis Albert.

So, what's so confusing about all this?


Well, Edna May Becker married Edna Mae Smith's brother, Ray Ross and Edna Mae Smith married Edna May Becker's brother, Albert Leo. Got all that?

Did you notice the other weird thing about all this? Edna May Becker and Edna Mae Smith were both the youngest of nine children. Check out my story "A Tale of Two Emma's".

A Tale of Two Emma's

Emma Delphenia Baldwin (my great-grandmother) was born 26 Mar 1855 in Seymour, Wayne Co., Iowa. She was the daughter of William Alonzo and Clarissa Rebecca (Cook) Baldwin, Sr. Emma grew up in Seymour. On 19 Jan 1873, she married John Franklin Smith in Appanoose Co., Iowa. They had nine children: Etta Delphenia, William Orvis, Viola Anastasia, Alvie Adolphus, Franklin Phosent, Clara Ellen, John Orton, Ray Ross (my grandfather), and Edna Mae. In 1879, the family moved to Kansas where they homesteaded northwest of Great Bend, Barton Co., Kansas. In 1919, they moved into Great Bend. She became a member of the Christian Church in Hoisington, Barton Co., Kansas. John Franklin died 16 Nov 1923 in Great Bend, Barton Co., Kansas and was buried in Walnut Valley Cemetery, Barton Co., Kansas. Emma died 20 Oct 1947 in Great Bend, Barton Co., Kansas and is buried in Walnut Valley Cemetery alongside her husband, John Franklin.

Emma Cornelia Strait (my great-grandmother) was born 10 Sep 1867 in Springfield, Sangamon Co., Illinois. She was the daughter of James S. and Rachel (King) Strait. She came to Kansas in 1878 with her parents. She was a member of the Baptist church. On 26 Aug 1884, she married Johann (John) Joseph "Joe" Becker in Hodgeman, Ness Co., Kansas. They had nine children: Joseph Frederick, William, Nannie, Mable Mary, Mathilda, Albert Leo, Lewis Lewelling, Esta Leona and Edna May (my grandmother). Emma died 3 Dec 1920 in Eureka Twp., Barton Co., Kansas and was buried in Woodlawn Cemetery (now Great Bend Cemetery). Joe d. 15 Sep 1944 in Great Bend, Barton Co., Kansas and is buried alongside his wife, Emma.

Notice anything weird about this information (besides the fact that they are both named Emma)? How about the fact that they each had nine children.