Elizabeth Christina Kendall

© The Guthrie News Leader

Friday, April 2, 2004

Elizabeth Christina Kendall, 89, went to be with Jesus on Wednesday, March 31, 2004. "Bett's" health had declined steadily after breaking a hip 1 1/2 years ago. She was living at the Crescent Care Center.

"Bett's" was born June 24, 1914, near Crescent to Harry and Frieda (Redfield) Koch and was christened in Hillsboro, Ill., during a family visit. Her father was a farmer in the Columbia Neighborhood northwest of Crescent. At age 12 her family moved to Guthrie so the children could attend high school. After high school she attended Central State College and obtained a teaching Certificate. Her first teaching job in rural southeast Logan County she met and fell in love with her future husband George. Three sons were born to their union.

After the boys graduated from high school, she returned to school at the University of Oklahoma and received both BS and MS in foreign language. Elizabeth taught German and Spanish at Northwest Classen High in Oklahoma City and Langston University. Elizabeth was an inspiration and mentor to many students in her 18 years of teaching.

Upon retiring Elizabeth wrote a weekly news column for the Guthrie Daily Leader with lots of "newsy" historical and at times revealing accounts of rural Logan County folklife. She taught a German class to students at St. Mary's in Guthrie and was generous in her financial support as well.

Elizabeth was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, George; her parents; a brother Carl; and sister Olga Thoringon.

Her marriage was blessed with three sons. They are John of the home farm near Meridian, George and wife Carolyn of Jay, and Steve and wife Joan of Edmond; three grandsons; William John Kendall of Laguna Niguel, Calif., David Kendall of Roswell, N. M., and Joey Kendall of Norman; and two great-grandsons, Will and Max Kendall of Laguna Niguel, Calif.

Her positive attitude was kept through many hardships on the farm and family mishaps.

She was a member of the West Guthrie Methodist Church but often attended Mass with sons Steve and John in Guthrie or Crescent.

Funeral Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 3, at the West Guthrie Methodist Church, Guthrie, Rev. Roger Pitt officiating. Burial will follow at the Cooper Cemetery west of Meridian with Fr. Denis Hanrahan of St. Mary's Catholic Church officiating.

Visitation for friends and family will be Friday, April 2, until 8 p.m. Services are under the direction of Smith Funeral Home, Guthrie.