Linda Marie Vetter Henry
Obituary
COFFEYVILLE — Linda Marie Vetter Henry, 54, died on Friday
(May 18, 2012) at her home in Coffeyville.
She was born on July 13, 1957, to Maurice and Bonnie Vetter
in Newton. She grew up and attended the Newton public school system, graduating
from Newton High School in 1975. She was graduated from Bethel College in North
Newton in 1979.
She was married to David Abel from 1979 until their divorce
in 1986.
On Nov. 11, 1995, she married Patrick Henry in Coffeyville.
Her first teaching job was in Valley Falls for the 1979 to
1980 school year. In 1980, she began a long teaching career at Wichita Heights
High School in Wichita. In 1996, she began teaching at Labette County High School
in Altamont. She became assistant principal in 1999, moving to an
administrative position her last several years, before retiring in 2008.
Linda was the consummate debate and forensic coach until she
moved into the administrative area. Linda was a champion debater in high school
and college, as were so many of the students she taught. She was the National
Forensic League coach of the year for Student Congress in 1990 and again in
1991. She was the recipient of numerous other teaching awards, including among
the finalists for Teacher of the Year in Kansas several times.
Besides debate and forensic, she was the yearbook advisor at
Wichita Heights from 1984 to 1996. She also was the assistant drama director at
Wichita Heights from 1981 to 1989. It probably goes without saying, but she was
a brilliant speaker. Her coaching skills were nothing short of inspirational.
She loved to sew, doing seamstress work for school productions, and in later
years an obsessive quilter to the end. She was an excellent photographer, and
loved to travel.
She also was an avid genealogist doing research in both the
leading libraries in Salt Lake City and Fort Wayne, Ind. She compiled not only
extensive history of her family, but her husbands, and just about anybody she
met if the topic turned that way.
She was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2002. It
progressed slowly until late 2006 when it accelerated, forcing her to retire a
few years later. During the years 2002
to 2006, she balanced her professional career with taking care of her husband
who was seriously ill. Linda soon lost the ability to talk and to walk, and the
disease always got worse. Her spirit was indomitable, her mind and intellect as
sharp as ever at the end, and she never made an accommodation with the disease.
She was an epitome of the professional educator, and the
caring wife. Rest in peace, Linda!
She is survived by her husband, Patrick of Coffeyville; her
mother, Bonnie Vetter of Newton; her sister, Helen England and her husband, Tim
of Wichita; and her brother, Ken Vetter and his wife, Donna of Augusta. Her
extended family includes Mark Henry of Olathe, Abrielle Henry and Jason Peckham
of Firestone, Colo., Heather Rippetoe of Nevada, Mo., and Kim George of Newton;
and three grandchildren, Elle Henry Peckham, Kate Henry Peckham of Firestone,
Colo., and Madison Henry of Nevada, Mo.
She was preceded in death by her father.
A memorial service celebrating Linda’s life will at 11 a.m.
today (May 22, 2012) at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Seventh and Elm Street in
Coffeyville, with Mother Antoinette Tackett presiding. Inurnment will be in
Fairview Cemetery in Coffeyville.
The family suggests memorials to Harry Hynes Memorial
Hospice, National Parkinson’s Disease Foundation, Parkinson’s Disease
Foundation, or the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.
Contributions may be left with the funeral home or mailed c/o David W. Barnes
Funeral Home, 306 North Cline Road, Coffeyville, KS 67337-1207.
To leave a message for the family, please visit www.dwbfh.com.
David W. Barnes Funeral Home in Coffeyville is in charge of arrangements.
