Lillian V. Gibson

Lillian Verda Gibson, 89, of McPherson, Kansas, passed away at 6:30 p.m., Thursday, June 12, 2014 while in the company of family members, at Cedars Health Care Center. Lillian was born in Copeland, Kansas on October 1, 1924, a daughter of Amanda Mae (Unruh) and John J. Ratzlaff.Lillian attended grade school in Walsh, Colorado and attended McPherson Junior High and graduated McPherson High School, McPherson, Kansas in 1942.Lillian was a member of First Congregational United Church of Christ McPherson, Kansas where she served her church in many capacities through the years. Lillian was a homemaker and worked for Woolworth Dime Store. Lillian was the last living member of the Buzzing Bees Club, Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, and a life member of the VFW Post 2715 Ladies Auxiliary, both of McPherson, Kansas. Lillian loved to travel, and go dancing. Family and her grandchildren were very important to her. Lillian Verda Ratzlaff was united in marriage to Ernest LeRoy Gibson on July 1, 1945 at Wichita, Kansas. He died on April 9, 1983.She is survived by her daughters, Carol Ann Van Nordstrand and Connie Lynn Duske and her husband Dean, of all of McPherson, Kansas; her 5 grandchildren: Todd David Culver, Simeon Van Nordstrand, Darin Dean Duske, Sarah Mia Van Nordstrand, Ashley Carol Duske; her 8 great-grandchildren: Samatha Culver, Sommer Culver, Jada Van Nordstrand, Slater Culver, Jaylee Crosby, Alyssa Bryant, Ashlyn Bryant, and Dylan Bryant; several nieces and nephews, other relatives and a host of friends.She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Ernest, sisters, Edith Hartman and Evelyn Jantz; brothers, Merlin 'Butch' Ratzlaff and LeRoy 'Lee' Ratzlaff.Friends are invited to call on Tuesday, June 17, 2014 from 4 to 7 p.m. with family present from 5 to 7 p.m. at Glidden - Ediger Chapel, McPherson, Kansas. The funeral service will be held at First Congregational United Church of Christ, McPherson, Kansas, at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, June 18, 2014 with Reverend Rachael R. Pryor officiating.The final resting place will be at the McPherson Cemetery McPherson, Kansas. Members of the V.F.W. Post 2715 Ladies Auxiliary will provide member services. Family request donations to First Congregational United Church of Christ in memory of Lillian and they can be sent in care of the Glidden - Ediger Funeral Home; 222 West Euclid Street; McPherson, Kansas 67460.