Edith L. Christy

Edith L. Christy, age 89, of Garnett, Kansas, passed away on Thursday, January 12, 2023, at Richmond Healthcare and Rehab in Richmond, Kansas.

Edith Lucille Umbarger was born on August 20, 1933, in Casey, Illinois. She was the third of ten children born to William T. and Mildred Ruby (Swisher) Umbarger. She graduated from Garnett High School in 1952.

She was united in marriage to Richard W. Christy on September 5, 1953, in Garnett, Kansas. This union was blessed with three daughters, Joanne, Susan and Katharine. They first made their home in Garnett before moving to Kansas City, Kansas, returning to Garnett in 1964. Edith and Dick owned and operated the Gambles store in Garnett until its closing in 1988. Edith then worked as a custodian at Irving school before working as the activities coordinator at the Anderson Hospital Long Term Care facility. Edith was an avid gardener, she spent countless hours in the garden and the greenhouse in their backyard. She was a wonderful cook but you couldn't ask her for the recipe because everything was made from memory. Edith was a lifelong member of the Garnett First Christian Church, she served as the Sunday School Superintendent for many years, in addition to numerous other roles throughout the years.

Edith was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 55 years, Richard Christy on January 2, 2009; grandson, Wesley Wingham; five brothers, Gary Umbarger, Ronnie Umbarger, Jerry Umbarger, Bill Umbarger, and Robert Umbarger; and one sister, Norma Allen.

She is survived by her daughters, Joanne Eden and Jack of Lawrence, Kansas, Susan Wingham and Allen of Madison, Indiana, Kathy Friesen and Dan of Olathe, Kansas; seven grandchildren, Angela McCain, Sheila Garza, Elizabeth Robinson, Rebecca Yoder, Andrea Richards, Richard Friesen, and Randall Friesen; fourteen great grandchildren, Carson Rutherford, Lane Yoder, Jada Yoder, Elizabeth Garza, Victoria Garza, Richard Garza, Abigail Garza, Kaelyn McCain, Brooklyn McCain, Jessica Friesen, Sylvia Friesen, Rylee Friesen, Hazel Friesen and Sophia Hunter; one sister, Barbara Graham of Glendale, Texas; two brothers, Curtis Umbarger and Mary Ann of Garnett, Kansas, and David Umbarger and K.D. of Cortez, Colorado; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM, Thursday, January 19, 2023, at Feuerborn Family Funeral Service, Garnett, Kansas. Burial will follow in the Garnett Cemetery. Edith's family will greet friends from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, Wednesday evening at the funeral home. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.feuerbornfuneral.com