Glenda Jo Draper

Glenda Jo Draper passed away at 7:40 a.m., Thursday, October 24, 2024, at Richmond Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center in Richmond, Kansas.

Visitation will be held from 10 am to 11 am, Monday, November 4, 2024, at Dengel & Son Mortuary – Paola Chapel, 305 N Pearl Street, Paola, Kansas 66071. Funeral service will follow at 11 am. Interment will take place at the Lane Cemetery following the funeral service.

Glenda was born on June 14, 1937, and was the third child of Russell and Mary Springer. She had two older brothers, Robert and Richard. When Glenda was a little girl, she thought the flags flying on Flag Day were just for her birthday. She wasn’t aware of Flag Day at the time.

Glenda grew up in Kansas City, Missouri. When she was 14, her dad died of a massive heart attack at home, after which Glenda and her mother Mary lived  alone. Glenda graduated from Southeast High School in June of 1955. In October of 1955, her mother Mary, married Lee J. Fawver. While Mary and Lee were on their honeymoon, Glenda met Jerry Draper. Jerry took Glenda out three time and told her, “if you don’t talk to me on the next date, I am never coming to see you again.” Needless to say, Glenda talked. The couple were married on June 9, 1956.

They were blessed with two children, Mindie and Monte. The family lived in Olathe, Kansas until November of 1967, when they moved to rural Lane. After moving to Lane, Glenda began working for The McQueary Law Firm in Osawatomie, and worked there for many years. Glenda being a K.C. girl, disliked the country life immensely (like Mrs. Douglas on Green Acres) as the house was very small and needed a lot of tender loving care. As the years went by however, the house was added on to and remodeled and Glenda came to love it. After the children were raised, Jerry and Glenda went camping. They started out in a slide in camper, then a small motor home, before finding a class “A” motor home that they loved. Every summer as soon as the hay was in, they left the heat and humidity of Kansas behind for the cool mountains of Ouray, Colorado., where they enjoyed jeeping on the mountain trails. Jerry and Glenda celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with their family in June of 2006. In September of 2009, Jerry passed away from cancer and the motor home trips were over. Glenda however, continued to travel with friends and family over the years.

Not only were Jerry and Glenda blessed with summer vacations, but the family was growing. Monte and Pam got married in April of 1980. Mindie and Dean quickly followed in August of 1980. Grandchildren came along starting with Eric and Neil in November, just two weeks apart in 1981; Megan in October of 1984, Whitney in September of 1986, and Blake September of 1988 and Amanda Jo in August of 1990.

Glenda is survived by her two children, Mindie (Dean) Diediker; Monte (Pam) Draper, all of Lane, Kansas. Grandchildren and great grandchildren, Eric and Jessica Draper of Paola (Stratton, Nora, Maizy); Neil and Jackie Diediker of Topeka; Megan and Kyle Lewis of Adrian, Mo (Easton); Whitney and Brandon Willey of Osawatomie (Rachel, Deana, Johnnie, and Anna); Blake and Lacey Draper of Louisburg (Lily-Jo and Barrett); Amanda Jo and Nathaniel McGee of Osawatomie (Elliette and Brynlee).

Glenda is also survived by many nieces, nephews, and friends. Glenda wished to express a very special thank you to a very special niece, Jodonna Oeltjen, for all her love and kindness.

The family wishes to express a special thank you to all who helped care for Glenda during her stay at Richmond Healthcare and Rehabilitation center in Richmond; Kansas Palliative and Hospice Care, as well as Prairie Wind Hospice Care.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made payable to Prairie Wind Hospice Care, c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary 305 N Pearl Street, Paola, Kansas 66071.