Nellie Mae Burlingham

Nellie Mae (Nelle) Burlingham of Ottawa, Franklin County, Kansas passed away Saturday, July 12, 2008, at Olathe Medical Center. She was 98 years old. The daughter of Harley and Mabel (Martin) Cox, she was born in Overbrook, Kansas, on Monday, January 17, 1910. Nelle graduated from Overbrook Rural High School in 1927 and Christian College in Columbia, Missouri in 1930 with a teaching degree. She taught in one-room rural schools in Shawnee, Douglas and Osage counties for ten years. On May 18, 1940, Nelle married Charles E. Burlingham. They lived in Richmond, Kansas, before moving to Ottawa in 1943. He preceded her in death on February 8, 1990. She was a member of First United Methodist Church of Ottawa and its women's societies. Surviving are her son, James E. Burlingham, Layton, UT; daughter, Nancy A. Miller and her husband, Gregg, Lenexa, KS; grandson, Michael J. Meyers and his wife, Jana, Overland Park, KS; sister, Betty Towle, Oklahoma City, OK; and many nieces and nephews. Nelle's quick wit, funny stories, sheer determination and constant optimism amused and amazed those who had the opportunity to spend time with her. She was loved very much and will be greatly missed. Friends may pay their respects to Mrs. Burlingham at the Dengel & Son Mortuary from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Thursday to the service hour, where the family will meet with friends from 7 to 8:00 Thursday evening. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, July 18, 2008, at the Mortuary. Interment will follow at Overbrook Cemetery, Overbrook, Kansas. The family suggests memorial contributions to First United Methodist Church Youth Camp Scholarship Fund, c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067.