Letha Arline Figgins

Letha Arline Figgins was born on Sunday, July 16, 1916, in rural Quenemo, Franklin County, Kansas. She was the daughter of Walter Frank and Louise May (Weis) Dehn. Letha lived south of Quenemo until her marriage, then moved to within seven miles of Ottawa. In 1956, she moved into Ottawa, where she made her home, until her death Thursday, October 13, 2005, at the age of eighty-nine years. She attended North Tequa and Middleton rural schools and graduated from Quenemo High School with the class of 1934. She received a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Ottawa University in 1965 and Master's Degree from Kansas State Teacher's College of Emporia in 1971. Letha was an elementary school teacher forty-four years, teaching six years at Middleton #9, southwest of Quenemo; two years at Chippewa, southwest of Ottawa; from 1942 to 1966 at Spring Creek, northeast of Ottawa; and Lincoln Grade School in Ottawa, from 1966 to retirement in 1979. Letha was a devoted member of First Baptist Church; Rebekah Lodge; Elm Grove Extension Homemaker Unit, past president; Association for Childhood Education; past president of Franklin County Teachers' Association and past president of Ottawa Education Association; was nominated for Master Teacher Award; and was first runner-up Kansas State Teacher of the Year. She was also a member of, and held various offices in, Business and Professional Women and American Association of University Women; was a charter member of Alpha Delta Kappa-Sigma Chapter, serving as president three times; Friendship Club and served as president of Ottawa Area Retired Teachers' Association from 1994 until 1996. She volunteered at church, teaching Bible School ten years, Sunday School two years, at Ottawa University in different services, and as a Phone Friend. On August 31, 1940, Letha was united in marriage with Byron E. Figgins in rural Quenemo, Kansas. He survives of their home. She is also survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Geri Sue and Jim Bauman of Topeka, KS; two granddaughters and their husbands, Cindy and John McQuillen of Wamego, KS, Debra and Steve Braun of Hutchinson, KS; grandson and his wife, Steven and Rhonda Bauman of Topeka; two great-granddaughters, Kaleigh and Rebecca Braun; and three great-grandsons, Joshua and Jordan Bauman and Benjamin Braun. She was preceded in death by her parents and sister, Grace Middleton. SERVICES: Funeral services will be held from First Baptist Church in Ottawa at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, October 17, 2005. IN STATE: Mrs. Figgins will lie in state from 1 to 9:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, and 8:30 to 11:00 a.m. Monday at the Dengel & Son Mortuary, where the family will meet with friends 7 to 8:00 Sunday evening. CEMETERY: Woodlawn Cemetery in Pomona, Kansas. MEMORIALS: Memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church, c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067.