Dessie M. Rather

Dessie Rather, 85, died on Friday, July 14, 2017 at Country Place Senior Living, Chanute where she had resided since February.

Dessie was born on September 19, 1931 at Kaw City, Ok. She was the second of three children and received her elementary education in rural Kaw consolidated school. She graduated from Newkirk, Ok. High school in 1949 and from William Newton Memorial School of Nursing in Winfield, Ks, 1952. She was baptized into Christ in 1952.

Dessie married Wilbur Rather in Winfield on January 14, 1953. They moved to Independence in 1957 where she was employed at Mercy Hospital and later as office nurse for a surgeon.

She was a member of the American Red Cross, Women of Zion and Zion Lutheran Church.

In addition to her parents, Dessie was preceded in death by Wilbur.

Survivors include two sons Ron (Terri) of Lyons, Keith (Linda) of Chanute, grandson, Jonathan Rather (Staci) of Chanute; step grandson Clayton Slipke, great-granddaughter Josie; Brother Leroy Stonehocker of San Angelo, Texas and Sister Clyla Sumrall (Jimmy) of Independence.

A graveside service will be at the Mount Hope Cemetery at 10 a.m. on Wednesday 19, 2017 with
Pastor Theodore Cook officiating.

Memorial remembrances are suggested to the Zion Lutheran Church and they may be left or mailed to Wickham Family Funeral Home, 216 East 4th Street, Cherryvale, Kansas 67335.