Elizabeth Compton

Marie Elizabeth (Neuenswander) Compton passed away on April 21, 2015 at the age of 96. She was born in Alba, Missouri to Rev. Irvin Leo and Bethany Emma (Swartz) Neuenswander on April 19, 1919. She was the oldest of twelve children. Her father was a Methodist preacher, so for many years their family moved every three years to many small towns in Missouri, Oklahoma, but mainly Kansas. Elizabeth went to school in Willis and Allen, Kansas. She played the cello and the trombone. Elizabeth graduated as valedictorian from Welda High School in 1937, and from Iola Junior College in 1939. She taught school for one year at Liztown, near Colony, Kansas. On August 4, 1940, she married Finley Edward Compton of Neosho Falls, Kansas. They lived in or near Neosho Falls all of their married life, while raising a large family. She was an avid gardener and loved to cook, sew, crochet, and quilt. In 2002, Elizabeth moved to Iola, Kansas. The last few years of her life, she enjoyed being a resident of Windsor Place at Iola. Elizabeth is survived by sons: Finley Lee Compton, Augusta, KS, Charles Edward (Dotty) Compton, Perry, IA, Joseph Wayne Compton, Iola, KS, Donald Paul (Mary) Compton, Dallas, TX, Glen Eugene (Vicki) Compton, Mt. Jewett, PA, and David Allen (Lisa) Compton, Grapevine, TX; daughters: Nancy Ann Stever, Augusta, GA, Mary Helen Shields, Sarasota, FL, Wilma Jean (Jim) Rose, Wichita, KS, Nellie May (Edwin) Myers, Whitewater, KS, Ella Louise Compton, Garland, TX, Marjorie Kay (Nicolah) Khachutain, Wichita, KS and Betty Lucille (Glen) Cunningham, Iola, KS; 56 grandchildren, over 100 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild. Other survivors include her brothers, Dr. William (Anita) Neuenswander, Baldwin City, KS, and Dr. Dan (Connie) Neuenswander, Topeka, KS; and sisters Emily Grunday, Edwardsville, KS, Evelyn (Ralph) Bunnel, Colony, KS, Betty Bidinger, Lawrence, KS, and Ruth (Tom) Farrell, Dallas, TX. She was preceded in death by her husband, Finley Compton; two sons, John Irvin and William Irl Compton, one daughter, Ruth Marie Coltrane, Garnett, KS; one grandson, Joshua Irvin Coltrane, Garnett, KS; sisters, Jean Bubna, Helen Neuenswander and Nancy Ann Neuenswander, and two brothers, Paul Neuenswander and John Neuenswander. VISITATION: 6:00-8:00 p.m., Friday, April 24, 2015, at Waugh-Yokum & Friskel Chapel in Iola. FUNERAL SERVICE: 10:00 a.m., Saturday, April 25, 2015, at First Christian Church, 1608 Oregon Road, Iola, KS 66749. BURIAL: Geneva Cemetery, northwest of Iola MEMORIAL CHOICES: First Christian Church or Dallas Theological Seminary Memorial gifts may be left with the Waugh-Yokum & Friskel Memorial Chapel of Iola, which is in charge of arrangements. To sign the guestbook online or leave a condolence, go to www.iolafuneral.com .