Dolores "Dee" St. John

Dee passed away on Sunday, April 14, 2024, at the age of 87, from pancreatic cancer. She was a resident of St Joseph Place in Overland Park, Kansas.

She was born on November 21, 1936, in Newton, Kansas. She was the only child to Paul and Rosella (Bruner) Widowsky. Dee was preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, Steve St. John. She is survived by her daughter, Julie (Greg) Marsh of Shawnee, Kansas and son Steve (Melissa) St John of Ottawa, Kansas; grandchildren Erika, Cooper and Ty Marsh of Shawnee, Kansas and Eden and Drue St. John of Ottawa, Kansas; her sisters-in-law, more like sisters, Linda (Rich) Proehl of Parsons, Kansas, and Karen St, John White of Siloam Springs, Arkansas.

Dee grew up in Newton, Kansas, where she graduated from Newton High School in 1954. She went on to attend Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas and obtained her teacher’s certificate. She moved to Kansas City in 1957, where she started teaching elementary school at St Pius X in Mission, Kansas, and met Steve. They married October 7, 1961, and resided in the Kansas City area for numerous years building, owning, and operating their own Dairy Queen. They moved to Emporia, Kansas in 1971, where they lived until 2018 before moving to DeSoto, Kansas, to be closer to family. While in Emporia, Dee was a homemaker. She supported Steve in his business endeavors and worked for Hallmark for 25 years. She was often seen at the Dillon’s grocery stores setting cards for Hallmark.

Dee was a proud member of the Emporia chapter of Beta Sigma Phi International Sorority for more than 45 years. During this time, she spent many hours volunteering and performing community services within the city, all while making some lifelong friendships with the sorority sisters and memories that she always cherished.

“Grandee” “Grandma” enjoyed taking her grandkids to visit the Emporia Zoo and ride the little train as often as she could! Memorial donations can be made to Emporia Friends of the Zoo, 75 Soden’s Grove, Emporia, Kansas 66801.

Cremation is planned with a private family celebration.