November 5, 1925 ~ February 15, 2009
Elma Mae Wyckoff was born on November 5, 1925 to Norman and Letha Wyckoff at her grandparents home near Caldwell on the “Ranch” as it was called. She was the oldest of four children. Growing up she attended Doster School in Bluff Township. She moved in with her grandparents John and Mary Jane Wyckoff in Caldwell so she could attend Caldwell High School. Later she lived with Lois Burns and then later in a big two story house where Owen and Helen Rader lived. She graduated in 1943 from Caldwell High School.
Growing up she spent a great deal of time helping her Daddy do chores, milking the cows, feeding the pigs, and gathering the eggs. When she was older she would run the tractor in the field. She had fond memories of neighbors getting together in the winter when they would play cards and the children would play games. Every summer they had a get together and made homemade ice cream. In the summers she would spend time with her grandparents at their filling station east of Tonkawa, Oklahoma. Her grandfather would take her to the reservation where she met and played with the Indians that lived there. On Thanksgiving her family went to her grandmother Roberta Williams home in Milan, Ks. and at Christmas they went to the Wyckoff family dinner. Both were special times
for Elma.
When she lived with her grandparents she attended the Caldwell Assembly of God. She was active in the 4-H club. She loved cooking, sewing and had a lamb. One time there was a milking contest where a milk bottle had to be filled and she was the only one to accomplish this, winning $10.00 and a pin that could be worn on her jacket.
During High School she worked at a café run by Nellie Teague. After graduation she moved to Wichita and worked at Boeing where she learned to buck rivets on the gun turrets. She worked at the Shahan Drugstore in Caldwell and then got a job at the Cozy Dine Café. Then she started working at J.C. Penney.
In 1945 she bumped into a handsome man on Main Street. On May 19, 1946 Elma Mae Wyckoff and Kerris Ray Powell were united in marriage. That fall they started farming and feeding Polled Hereford cattle. From 1951 to 1955 Kerris built several houses and barns. Elma was supportive in all that he did. She was active in the Presbyterian Church and belonged to the Caldwell Delphian Club, Gingham Gals EHU and the Westminister Guild.
On January 24, 1948 a daughter, Lynn Elaine was born and a son, David Nolan was born on May 3, 1951 to the happy couple. Elma was very involved with her children. She was a 4-H leader for many years and never missed attending her children’s events. She loved working in the yard, sewing and baking. She read and did lots of crafts. Elma loved taking pictures. She sold Avon several years and when her children graduated she worked in a rest home in Caldwell. She helped Kerris on the farm and in 1982 they moved to Caldwell.
They purchased L & L Electric and changed the name to KERPOW Electric and appliances. The business was closed 1985. She was active in WM’s at the Assembly of God and had a card ministry. When the kid’s club first started she was actively involved with that ministry. She loved kids. She had seven grandchildren, Misty, Michael, Kevin, Arcine, Sarah, Erin and Garret and she adored each one. She loved playing with them and even after they graduated they would come home and play cards with her and Kerris. Then came the great grandchildren L.A., Teagan, Marek, Liam, Amber and Brandon. She and Kerris
would help babysit with L.A. and Teagan and attended some of Amber and Brandon’s events. She enjoyed seeing Marek when he visited.
Elma and Kerris were married 60 years before Kerris died in 2006. After his death Elma moved to the Presbyterian Manor in Arkansas City, Kansas. Elma passed away Sunday, February 15, 2009 at the South Central Kansas Reginal Medical Center in Arkansas City, Ks at the age of 83.
She was preceded in death by her husband Kerris Ray Powell, her parents, Norman and Letha Wyckoff , a brother Norman Wyckoff Jr. and a brother-in-law Harold Harper.
Survivors include a daughter Lynn Thompson and her husband Leonard of Wichita, son David and his wife Pat of Caldwell; seven grandchildren, Misty Magnusson and her husband Steve of Wichita, Kerris Michael Powell of Stillwater, Oklahoma, Kevin Powell of Overland Park, Ks., Arcine Thompson and his wife Tammy of Caldwell, Sarah Griggs and her husband Dan of Arkansas City, Ks., Erin Powell of Topeka, Ks. and Garret Thompson and his wife Elizabeth of Wichita, Ks.; six great grandchildren, Arcine Robert “L.A.” and Teagan Thompson of Caldwell, Marek Magnusson and Liam Thompson of Wichita, Ks. and Amber and Brandon Griggs of Arkansas City; two sisters Velda Dorene of St Peters, Mo. and Marilyn Ester of Tucson, Arizona and many nieces and nephews.
Friends may call at the mortuary from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday; 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Saturday February 21, 2009 and 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sunday February 22, 2009. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 A.M. Monday, February 23, 2009, in the Assembly of God with Rev. Alan Albright officiating. Interment will be in the Caldwell City Cemetery. Memorials may be given to the Assembly of God, Alzheimer's Assn. or to the Good Samaritan Fund of the Presbyterian Manor.
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Condolences
Kristy Winter (Goodman)
Family and Friends - 02/17/2009
Misty and family, so sorry for your loss, you are in my thoughts and prayers. I remember waiting on your grandparents when they would come into the Harvest Home and they were always such sweet people.
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Janon Keown Cairns
Family and Friends - 02/18/2009
Lynn, David & Family I am so sorry to hear of Elma Mae's passing. I remember her fondly and will miss the great smile she always gave me when I ran into her in Caldwell. I'll remember all of you in my prayers.
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Sharon McConnell
Family and Friends - 02/19/2009
Sorry to hear about your mother. You are in our thoughts and prayers. The McConnell Family
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Dale and Janeen Berline
Family and Friends - 02/20/2009
So sorry to hear of your loss. You are all in our thoughts and prayers. Dale and Janeen
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Dianne (Williams) Doty
Family and Friends - 03/05/2009
I'm a little jealous of my dear cousin, Elma Mae. She's always with Jesus, never in pain, has no tears, and is laughing all the time. I know you miss her terribly, Lynn, but just think, one of these days you will be with her forever in eternity!
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Sandra Ryland Leight
Family and Friends - 01/28/2010
My deepest sympathy for your loss. I remember Ronnie from High School, though he was a few years older. He will surely be missed by all those who knew him.
