Fern M. Monroe, 94, formerly of rural Altamont, died at 3:48 p.m., Tuesday, August 21, 2012, at the Parsons Good Samaritan Society where she had resided since October of 2010.
The first of six daughters, she was born September 18, 1917, to Talmadge DeWitt "Bill" Marshall and Dorothy (DeVaney) Marshall on a farm southwest of McCune, Kansas.
In 1928, the family moved to a farm south of Zion Hill. In 1932, at the age of 15, Fern's father died. Living on a farm with limited income, the family managed to survive with the help of loving neighbors. Her mother, a former school teacher, home-schooled her the first year. She then attended Stover Country School and was a 1935 graduate of Labette County Community High School in Altamont. After graduation from high school, she took the Normal Training exams and started teaching all grades the next year in a rural, one-room school.
Fern supported the family almost entirely until her sisters, two and four years younger, followed the same teaching pattern. Their summers were spent furthering their education at Kansas State Teachers College in Pittsburg, where Fern earned her Bachelor's degree in 1959.
She and Duane Monroe were married March 22, 1942, at the United Methodist Church in Altamont. After teaching 40 years, the last 23 years at Ellis School, Fern retired in 1980 and became active in the Parsons chapter of AARP in 1981, holding most offices. She was awarded the Community Service Award in 1996, at that time the Secretary-Treasurer of the AARP Past President's organization. In earlier years, she also held all offices in Alpha Delta Kappa Sorority, was a member of the Altamont ABW White Cross ladies group, met once a month socially with retired teachers, and helped organize ten class reunions.
She was a member of the Zion Hill Church where she had served as Sunday school superintendent, bible school teacher, pianist, and helped to organize and conduct numerous summer Vacation Bible Schools. She loved to travel overseas with three younger sisters. Through the years they toured England, Ireland, France, Belgium, The Netherlands, Italy, Austria, Switzerland and, for her 80th birthday, they traveled to Hawaii for two weeks.
Survivors include:
One Son – Duane Monroe, Jr. rural Altamont, KS
One Granddaughter – Carmen Michelle Monroe Skiatook, OK
Two Sisters – Ruth Evans Riverton, KS
Lois Balkenhol Emporia, KS
Numerous Nieces and Nephews
She was preceded in death by her husband, Duane Monroe, Sr., in 1988; and three sisters, Doris Mein, Marjorie Geren and Leah Sprecker.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, August 24, 2012, at the Bath-Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Altamont. Burial will be in Pleasant Valley Cemetery near Oswego. Friends may call at their convenience at the funeral home from 1-8:00 p.m., on Thursday or until service time on Friday.
Memorials are suggested to The 506 Foundation, Inc. These may be left at or mailed to Bath-Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 325, Altamont, KS 67330.
Online condolences may be left at www.forbeshoffman.com. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Fern M. Monroe, please visit our flower store.
The first of six daughters, she was born September 18, 1917, to Talmadge DeWitt "Bill" Marshall and Dorothy (DeVaney) Marshall on a farm southwest of McCune, Kansas.
In 1928, the family moved to a farm south of Zion Hill. In 1932, at the age of 15, Fern's father died. Living on a farm with limited income, the family managed to survive with the help of loving neighbors. Her mother, a former school teacher, home-schooled her the first year. She then attended Stover Country School and was a 1935 graduate of Labette County Community High School in Altamont. After graduation from high school, she took the Normal Training exams and started teaching all grades the next year in a rural, one-room school.
Fern supported the family almost entirely until her sisters, two and four years younger, followed the same teaching pattern. Their summers were spent furthering their education at Kansas State Teachers College in Pittsburg, where Fern earned her Bachelor's degree in 1959.
She and Duane Monroe were married March 22, 1942, at the United Methodist Church in Altamont. After teaching 40 years, the last 23 years at Ellis School, Fern retired in 1980 and became active in the Parsons chapter of AARP in 1981, holding most offices. She was awarded the Community Service Award in 1996, at that time the Secretary-Treasurer of the AARP Past President's organization. In earlier years, she also held all offices in Alpha Delta Kappa Sorority, was a member of the Altamont ABW White Cross ladies group, met once a month socially with retired teachers, and helped organize ten class reunions.
She was a member of the Zion Hill Church where she had served as Sunday school superintendent, bible school teacher, pianist, and helped to organize and conduct numerous summer Vacation Bible Schools. She loved to travel overseas with three younger sisters. Through the years they toured England, Ireland, France, Belgium, The Netherlands, Italy, Austria, Switzerland and, for her 80th birthday, they traveled to Hawaii for two weeks.
Survivors include:
One Son – Duane Monroe, Jr. rural Altamont, KS
One Granddaughter – Carmen Michelle Monroe Skiatook, OK
Two Sisters – Ruth Evans Riverton, KS
Lois Balkenhol Emporia, KS
Numerous Nieces and Nephews
She was preceded in death by her husband, Duane Monroe, Sr., in 1988; and three sisters, Doris Mein, Marjorie Geren and Leah Sprecker.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, August 24, 2012, at the Bath-Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Altamont. Burial will be in Pleasant Valley Cemetery near Oswego. Friends may call at their convenience at the funeral home from 1-8:00 p.m., on Thursday or until service time on Friday.
Memorials are suggested to The 506 Foundation, Inc. These may be left at or mailed to Bath-Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 325, Altamont, KS 67330.
Online condolences may be left at www.forbeshoffman.com. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Fern M. Monroe, please visit our flower store.
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