Thelma J. Sumner

Thelma June Sumner, age 92, of Garnett, Kansas, passed away on Monday, March 20, 2017, at Parkview Heights in Garnett. She was born on June 25, 1924, at Olivet, Kansas. Thelma was the youngest of four children born to Joseph and Margaret (Jeton) Greeve. Due to the death of her mother when she was one, her grandparents, William and Margaret Lack of Ottawa, raised Thelma. She grew up in Ottawa, attending school there. Thelma married John E. Sumner, Sr., on November 17, 1941, at Ottawa, Kansas. This union was blessed with two children. While John served in the Army during WWII, Thelma lived near and worked at the Sunflower Munitions Plant. When John returned from the war, they made their home near Olivet, later moving to Ottawa in 1949. Due to John's work in construction, they moved to Wamego, Ottawa, Williamsburg, Garnett, and Burlington, before returning to Garnett in 1965. They lived in the Anderson and Franklin Counties for the rest of their lives so they could be near family. Thelma worked as a seamstress, working at H.D. Lee and Warner Manufacturing. She then worked at ANCO Cheese for several years, stacking 50 lb. blocks of cheese. After the death of her husband, she worked as a cashier at Wal-Mart in Ottawa until the age of 83. She was a member of the First Southern Baptist Church of Ottawa. Thelma was crafty and enjoyed fabric painting, quilting, crocheting, embroidery, making jewelry and sharing her talents with family. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were one of her greatest sources of joy. She will be remembered for her strong-willed and sometimes, fiery personality. Thelma was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, John Sumner, Sr. on January 13, 1993; brothers, Frank and Fred Greeve; and sister, Daisy Yockey. She is survived by her son, John Sumner of Garnett, Kansas; her daughter, Janice Foltz and husband Larry of Garnett; ten grandchildren; thirty-eight great grandchildren; and two great great grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M. on Saturday, March 25, 2017, at the Feuerborn Family Funeral Service Chapel in Garnett, Kansas. Burial will follow in the Garnett Cemetery in Garnett, Kansas. Memorial contributions may be made to First Southern Baptist Church of Ottawa, or to Parkview Heights. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.feuerbornfuneral.com .