In Memory Of
Cynthia Fern Vahsholtz
1945
2022
Cynthia Fern Vahsholtz
July 25, 1945 — January 17, 2022
Cynthia Fern Vahsholtz, 76, of Topeka, passed away Monday, January 17, 2022.
She was born July 25, 1945, in Amarillo, Texas, the daughter of James Daniel and Evelyn Orla (Thomas) Gilchrist. She graduated from Topeka High in 1963 and attended Washburn University until 1966.
Cindi was employed by the Kansas Historical Society, retiring in December of 2012. She previously worked for the City of Overland Park.
Cindi's mother passed away when she was four years old and it was then that she and her father moved from Amarillo to Topeka to live with her paternal grandmother until her death four years later. She was very fond of her aunts, Lola, Lyda, Vera, Grace and Ann, who were all active in raising her, especially after the death of her father in 1960.
Cindi married Lester Vahsholtz on June 9, 1967, at St. John's Lutheran Church in Topeka; they divorced in March of 1990. Survivors include her children, Tim Vahsholtz (Jennifer Whitney) of Topeka and Jennifer Villeneuve (Michel) of St. Catharines, Ontario; grandchildren Taylor Reynolds, Michael Reynolds (Elysia) and Ben Reynolds (Gabriela), all of Topeka, Katie Fuchs (Kyle) of Coon Rapids, MN, Sophie Vahsholtz of Philomath, OR; great-grandchildren Nathan, Adalyn and Leah and one on the way; step-grandchildren Clayton (Maryann), Cameron, and Collin Werner, all of Johnson County, KS; and Paige and Ashton Villeneuve of St. Catharines, ON. She was preceded in death by her mother and father; twin brothers Thomas and James, as well as her beloved aunts.
Cindi enjoyed playing the accordion from when she was a child when her father gifted her first accordion. She enjoyed a lifelong love of music, playing the accordion, piano and organ, playing while she was able. She had been a very accomplished accordionist, teaching at Betty Meggino's School of Accordion in Topeka for many years in the 1960s. She was also a member of the three-piece Oompa Band at Bethany Lutheran Church of Overland Park in the 1970s and 80s, playing for their annual Octoberfest.
Aside from music, she also enjoyed sewing, making holiday dresses and party dresses for herself and her daughter throughout their lives. Additionally, she enjoyed needlework, creating many beautiful pictures that hang throughout her home, and crocheting, making countless beautiful Afghans for family and friends, including several for each of her grandchildren. She also loved reading, cooking and baking. She especially enjoyed Kansas history and has a large collection of books and cookbooks. She was a supporter of the International Fund for Animal Welfare and St. Jude's Children's Hospital.
A visitation will be held on Friday, January 21st from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Private interment will be at Memorial Park Cemetery in Topeka. Memorial contributions may be made to the Topeka High Historical Society, 800 SW 10th Avenue, Topeka, KS 66612 or the Kansas Historical Society, 6425 SW 6th Avenue, Topeka, KS 66615-1099.
Dove Cremations and Funerals Southwest Chapel is assisting the family.
To leave a message of condolence for Cindi's family or to share a special memory of Cindi, visit the guestbook below.
She was born July 25, 1945, in Amarillo, Texas, the daughter of James Daniel and Evelyn Orla (Thomas) Gilchrist. She graduated from Topeka High in 1963 and attended Washburn University until 1966.
Cindi was employed by the Kansas Historical Society, retiring in December of 2012. She previously worked for the City of Overland Park.
Cindi's mother passed away when she was four years old and it was then that she and her father moved from Amarillo to Topeka to live with her paternal grandmother until her death four years later. She was very fond of her aunts, Lola, Lyda, Vera, Grace and Ann, who were all active in raising her, especially after the death of her father in 1960.
Cindi married Lester Vahsholtz on June 9, 1967, at St. John's Lutheran Church in Topeka; they divorced in March of 1990. Survivors include her children, Tim Vahsholtz (Jennifer Whitney) of Topeka and Jennifer Villeneuve (Michel) of St. Catharines, Ontario; grandchildren Taylor Reynolds, Michael Reynolds (Elysia) and Ben Reynolds (Gabriela), all of Topeka, Katie Fuchs (Kyle) of Coon Rapids, MN, Sophie Vahsholtz of Philomath, OR; great-grandchildren Nathan, Adalyn and Leah and one on the way; step-grandchildren Clayton (Maryann), Cameron, and Collin Werner, all of Johnson County, KS; and Paige and Ashton Villeneuve of St. Catharines, ON. She was preceded in death by her mother and father; twin brothers Thomas and James, as well as her beloved aunts.
Cindi enjoyed playing the accordion from when she was a child when her father gifted her first accordion. She enjoyed a lifelong love of music, playing the accordion, piano and organ, playing while she was able. She had been a very accomplished accordionist, teaching at Betty Meggino's School of Accordion in Topeka for many years in the 1960s. She was also a member of the three-piece Oompa Band at Bethany Lutheran Church of Overland Park in the 1970s and 80s, playing for their annual Octoberfest.
Aside from music, she also enjoyed sewing, making holiday dresses and party dresses for herself and her daughter throughout their lives. Additionally, she enjoyed needlework, creating many beautiful pictures that hang throughout her home, and crocheting, making countless beautiful Afghans for family and friends, including several for each of her grandchildren. She also loved reading, cooking and baking. She especially enjoyed Kansas history and has a large collection of books and cookbooks. She was a supporter of the International Fund for Animal Welfare and St. Jude's Children's Hospital.
A visitation will be held on Friday, January 21st from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Private interment will be at Memorial Park Cemetery in Topeka. Memorial contributions may be made to the Topeka High Historical Society, 800 SW 10th Avenue, Topeka, KS 66612 or the Kansas Historical Society, 6425 SW 6th Avenue, Topeka, KS 66615-1099.
Dove Cremations and Funerals Southwest Chapel is assisting the family.
To leave a message of condolence for Cindi's family or to share a special memory of Cindi, visit the guestbook below.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Cynthia Fern Vahsholtz, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Visitation
Friday, January 21, 2022
6:00 - 8:00 pm (Central time)
Dove Cremations & Funerals - Southwest
Guestbook
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