In Memory Of
Thelma E. "Elaine" Ward
1938
2024
Thelma E. "Elaine" Ward
December 1, 1938 — August 24, 2024
Thelma Elaine Ward, 85, of Topeka, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family, Saturday, August 24, 2024.
She was born December 1, 1938, in Hutchinson, Kansas, the daughter of Robert and Audrey (Kelley) Barnes. She graduated from Hutchinson High School in 1956. She lived in Burrton and Hutchinson, KS until 1975, when she moved to Topeka.
Elaine worked for Pegues in Hutchinson, KS. She also worked for American States Insurance Company in Hutchinson and Topeka. She worked for Jardine Insurance Company and Brier Payne Meade Insurance Company as a claims adjuster until she retired in 2000. Then she worked part-time as a reader for the Kansas Legislature for 15 years.
Mrs. Ward was a member of the Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, of Topeka.
Elaine married Robert D. Watkins in 1957 in Hutchinson. They later divorced but remained friends. She met Gary L. Ward, and they were married in 1978 and again in 1981. He preceded her in death on January 1, 2011.
Survivors include son, Larry D. Watkins, daughters, Linda D. Mulvihill and Bonnie A. (Clint) Wyatt, grandchildren, Zachary (Lynne Chen) Wichman, Kelli Wichman and Shawn Watkins, and one great-grandchild, Jayla Benton.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Gary, infant twin brother and sister, Lawrence and Florence Barnes, and brothers, Robert R. Barnes, Lester E. Barnes, Albert E. Barnes and LaVerne Barnes.
Elaine was an extremely self-sufficient person. She enjoyed reading especially the Bible, watching movies, helping others, and walking.
Elaine’s wishes were for cremation. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, September 6, 2024 at Dove Cremations & Funerals Southwest Chapel, 3700 SW Wanamaker Rd, Topeka, KS 66610. The service will be livestreamed at the scheduled service time. Click here to view the service. The family will receive friends 30 minutes before the start of the service. Interment of the cremated remains will be at Prairie Home Cemetery in Topeka, Kansas.
Memorial contributions may be made to Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 3625 SW Wanamaker Rd, Topeka, KS 66614 or to Midland Hospice Care, 200 SW Frazier Cir, Topeka, KS 66606.
To share a memory of Elaine or leave a special message for her family, please visit the guestbook below.
She was born December 1, 1938, in Hutchinson, Kansas, the daughter of Robert and Audrey (Kelley) Barnes. She graduated from Hutchinson High School in 1956. She lived in Burrton and Hutchinson, KS until 1975, when she moved to Topeka.
Elaine worked for Pegues in Hutchinson, KS. She also worked for American States Insurance Company in Hutchinson and Topeka. She worked for Jardine Insurance Company and Brier Payne Meade Insurance Company as a claims adjuster until she retired in 2000. Then she worked part-time as a reader for the Kansas Legislature for 15 years.
Mrs. Ward was a member of the Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, of Topeka.
Elaine married Robert D. Watkins in 1957 in Hutchinson. They later divorced but remained friends. She met Gary L. Ward, and they were married in 1978 and again in 1981. He preceded her in death on January 1, 2011.
Survivors include son, Larry D. Watkins, daughters, Linda D. Mulvihill and Bonnie A. (Clint) Wyatt, grandchildren, Zachary (Lynne Chen) Wichman, Kelli Wichman and Shawn Watkins, and one great-grandchild, Jayla Benton.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Gary, infant twin brother and sister, Lawrence and Florence Barnes, and brothers, Robert R. Barnes, Lester E. Barnes, Albert E. Barnes and LaVerne Barnes.
Elaine was an extremely self-sufficient person. She enjoyed reading especially the Bible, watching movies, helping others, and walking.
Elaine’s wishes were for cremation. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, September 6, 2024 at Dove Cremations & Funerals Southwest Chapel, 3700 SW Wanamaker Rd, Topeka, KS 66610. The service will be livestreamed at the scheduled service time. Click here to view the service. The family will receive friends 30 minutes before the start of the service. Interment of the cremated remains will be at Prairie Home Cemetery in Topeka, Kansas.
Memorial contributions may be made to Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 3625 SW Wanamaker Rd, Topeka, KS 66614 or to Midland Hospice Care, 200 SW Frazier Cir, Topeka, KS 66606.
To share a memory of Elaine or leave a special message for her family, please visit the guestbook below.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Thelma E. "Elaine" Ward, please visit our flower store.
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