Edna W. Hollis

Edna Wilma (Spohn) Hollis, 91 years old, a long-time resident of Fredonia, KS, passed away on February 17, 2018, at the Olathe Medical Center in Olathe, Kansas, following a short illness. Edna was born in Fredonia, the first child of Charles Albert Spohn and Lenora (Carpenter) Spohn. She was preceded in death by her father and mother, her two brothers, Charles Russell Spohn and Robert James Spohn, and her former husband, William (Bill) Joseph Hollis.

She graduated salutatorian from Fredonia High School class of 1944, attended the University of Kansas, and began raising a family. In 1966 she received her bachelor’s degree in English and then her Masters’ Degree of English, Literature and Language in 1967 from Pittsburg State University.

Her long career in teaching included Southern State College, Magnolia, AK, Cottey College, Nevada, MO, and finally Lewis and Clark Community College, Godfrey, IL, from which she retired in 1991 after 30 years, first teaching and then culminating her career as Director of the Liberal Arts Division.

In retirement she returned to Fredonia to be near her mother and brothers. She worked as a substitute teacher in the Fredonia Public Schools for a short time, played in the bell choir at United Methodist Church,served as a member of the Fredonia Library Board, and volunteered with Meals on Wheels.

Edna is survived by both of her children and their spouses, Steven and Audrey(Sutherland-Spencer) Hollis of Florissant, MO, and Susan and Fujio (Koji) Nakao of Pomona, KS; two grandchildren, HeidiLenore Baker and Vanya Lynn Hollis (Dina Palivos); a great-grandson, Milo Hollis Palivos; and Steven’s (by marriage) five daughters, spouses, and ten grandchildren; and her niece, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Monday, March 12, 2018, at 1:00 pm, at Wickham Funeral Home, 510 North 7th Street, Fredonia, KS, with burial on a later date in the Fredonia Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, Edna had asked that donations be made to the Fredonia Public Library, 807 Jefferson Street, Fredonia, Kansas 66736. Memorials can also be mailed to the funeral home.