In MEMORIAM
Expanded Eulogies
“In Memoriam” listings are expanded paid obituaries, phrased as the family requests, and may include enhanced information or photographs that might not fit within free death notices.
Bessie Michaelis
Bessie May McNinch was born Oct. 2, 1920, the fifth child of George Bitler and Clara May (Rogers) McNinch at Arnold, Kansas. She departed this life on March 3, 2017, at her home in Peabody, Kansas.
Bessie attended Arnold grade school and high school, graduating in 1938. She participated in sports including tennis and basketball, which she really enjoyed. After high school, she went to Kansas City to cosmetology school and for a time worked at Rockhill Beauty Shop.
Bessie married LeRoy Michaelis on Oct. 19, 1941, at which time she became a farm wife. Three children were born to this union, Larry Dean, Wilma Darlene, and Sharon May.
Bessie enjoyed working in the yard and her flowerbeds. She loved it when the first flowers of spring arrived. She was always ready to help people that needed help and she would reach out to help them.
In later years, Bessie enjoyed traveling and cruising, during which time she made many friends and acquaintances. Even though it was difficult at times with her hearing and mobility problems, she was always ready to go. “Let me know what time I need to be ready,” she would say.
Bessie enjoyed going to the senior center and helping out and playing cards. She looked forward every year when it was time to make the peppernuts.
Bessie is survived by two daughters, Wilma Broyles of Logan, Kansas, and Sharon Oursler and husband, Frank, of Peabody; daughter-in-law Pat Michaelis of Hays, Kansas; eight grandchildren, Ron Michaelis, Valerie Williams and husband, Nathan, Kimberly Read and husband, Chris, Natalie Martin and husband, Brian, Teresa McGonigal, Tammy Britton, Rob Oursler and partner, Shawna, and Jim Oursler and wife, Kris; nine great-grandchildren, Michaela Williams, Brett and Brock Martin, Kristin Marple and husband, Brandon, Devon McGonigal, Derian Britton, Madison Britton, Dalton Britton, and Ella Oursler; two great-great-grandchildren, Landyn McGonigal and Madalynn Marple; and many nephews, nieces, and friends.
Bessie was preceded in death by her parents, George and Clara McNinch; her son, Larry Michaelis; a great-granddaughter, Kara Britton; her siblings, Mary Kaler, Harold McNinch, Bertha Senter, and Harlan McNinch; and also several nephews and nieces.
Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, March 7, 2017, at Peabody Christian Church, Peabody. Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, March 8, at Utica Cemetery, Utica, Kansas. Visitation with the family was Monday, March 6, at the funeral home.
Memorials have been established for Peabody Senior Center and Good Shepherd Hospice, in care of Baker Funeral Home, 114 N. Sycamore St., Peabody KS 66866.