Geneva Manning
1918 - 2018
Obituary
Geneva A Manning, 99, rose to her home
with Jesus on Monday (June 4, 2018) at the home of her daughter,
Kathy (Gronau) Terral, where she had resided since December 2017. She
passed away following a slow health decline. Geneva was born Sept.
13, 1918, the only child of John and Clara (King) Fluke. She lived
east of Newton until age 8, when the family purchased land three
miles east and three miles south of Newton.
Geneva graduated from Newton High
School in 1937 and attended Emporia State Teachers College, where she
received her teaching certification. She taught school at Excelsior
and Norris Schools from 1938 to 1943. While attending Emporia State
Teachers College, she met Byron Manning and they were married May 13,
1943. After living briefly in Burns, they moved to the farm directly
south of her parents where they spent their lives farming, raising
fat cattle and running a dairy.
Byron and Geneva raised three daughters
who have many happy memories of their childhood. They are Kathy
Manning (Gronau) Terral and husband Pastor James Terral III of
Girard, Karen Manning Wilson and husband Dr. William Wilson of rural
Newton, and Rita Manning Lyon and husband Richard A. Lyon of Olathe.
Byron and Geneva had eight
grandchildren: Scott Gronau and wife Allison of Pittsburg, Dr.
Kimberly Wilson Flaming and husband Steve of Shawnee, Michael Gronau
and wife Emily of Girard, Kevin Lyon and wife Catharine of Fort
Worth, Texas, Briana Wilson Kircher of Olathe, Melinda Wilson Newell
and husband Pete of rural Newton, Jamie Lyon Kennedy and husband
Talley of Olathe, and Joni Wilson Pfeifer and husband Alan of rural
Newton. They had 20 great-grandchildren and four step-grandchildren.
Geneva and Byron were active in the
First Presbyterian Church of Newton, where both served in many
capacities through the years. Geneva was known for her work in the
kitchen and, until unable to do so because of health, rarely missed
working a church or funeral dinner.
They served as 4-H community leaders
for many years, including serving in many capacities at the Harvey
County Fair. Byron and Geneva were known in the community to provide
any and all neighbor children a ride to the Newton High School games,
the fair, the school social or any fun activity they may not be able
to attend otherwise.
Geneva drove a bus for Newton Public
Schools for 30 years, where she received many accolades for her safe
driving. She enjoyed hearing from many of her riders long after they
became adults and often drove their children in her later years.
Geneva lived a long, happy life serving
her Lord, her family and her community. She leaves a legacy of happy
memories and many who loved her.
Geneva was preceded in death by her
parents; her husband, Byron; and a son-in-law, Orin P. Gronau, all of
whom welcome her into her new, heavenly home.
Visitation will be from 5 to 9 p.m.
Wednesday (June 6, 2018), with the family receiving friends from 6 to
8 p.m. at Petersen Funeral Home, Newton. The service will be at 10:30
a.m. Thursday (June 7, 2018) at the First Presbyterian Church, 900
Columbus Ave., Newton. Burial will be in the Greenwood Cemetery,
Newton.
