Rinda Utes Gilpin, 63, of Chetopa, Kansas died at her home on Monday, March 3, 2014, from complications of diabetes and heart disease.
She was born December 19, 1950, in Pittsburg, Kansas to Harry and Dawn Purdum Utes. Her mother died December 20, 1950 and she was raised by her father and her paternal grandmother, Bertha Utes, until her father married Rosalie Dunn of Chetopa, Kansas in 1954. She attended school in Joplin, Missouri before moving to Chetopa in l958. She graduated from Chetopa High School in l968 and later attended Pittsburg State University.
She worked as an anesthesia technician at Freeman West in Joplin, Missouri and later at East Medical Center in Tyler, Texas. In the 1990's, she owned and operated Auntie Bee's flower and gift shop in Chetopa, Kansas and most recently had been employed at Amazon in Coffeyville until she retired due to ill health.
She attended church in Chetopa. Rinda was a talented and creative lady who enjoyed flea markets, collecting antiques, jewelry and gemstones. She was known for her skills in floral arranging, arts and crafts. Her pasttimes included working in her flower garden and watching old movies. Her biggest joy was her family and participating in activities with her grandchildren.
Rinda married Gale Parker, of Carthage, Missouri in 1971 in Chetopa, Kansas; they were later divorced. In 1988, she married Terry Gilpin of Edna; they were later divorced.
Survivors include two sons, Jeff Parker (Natasha) of Pflugerville, Texas, and Greg Parker of Plano, Texas; five grandchildren: Zachary Kidwell, Emily Parker, Christina Jackson, Greg Parker, Jr. and Gracie Parker; two sisters, Betsy Koontz (Larry) of Pratt, Kansas and Judy Fulton (Jack) of Leavenworth, Kansas, cousins Ron Krefft (Donna) of California, Valerie Schlatter of Kansas, Mary Rhea of Indiana, Warren Purdum of Kansas, Dawn Brethour of North Carolina and Neatice Warner of Texas, as well as many nieces, nephews, and a host of friends. Rinda was a wonderful mother, grandmother, sister and friend and her smile will be missed by all.
She was preceded in death by her parents and three infant brothers, Charles, Michael, and Harry Utes, Jr . Cremation has taken place under the direction of Bath-Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Chetopa.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, March 16, 2014 at the Bath-Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Chetopa. All friends and family are invited to attend.
Memorials are suggested to the American Diabetes Association. These may be left at or mailed to Bath-Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P. O. Box 346 Chetopa, Kansas 67336.
Online condolences may be left at www.forbeshoffman.com. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Rinda Sue Gilpin, please visit our flower store.
She was born December 19, 1950, in Pittsburg, Kansas to Harry and Dawn Purdum Utes. Her mother died December 20, 1950 and she was raised by her father and her paternal grandmother, Bertha Utes, until her father married Rosalie Dunn of Chetopa, Kansas in 1954. She attended school in Joplin, Missouri before moving to Chetopa in l958. She graduated from Chetopa High School in l968 and later attended Pittsburg State University.
She worked as an anesthesia technician at Freeman West in Joplin, Missouri and later at East Medical Center in Tyler, Texas. In the 1990's, she owned and operated Auntie Bee's flower and gift shop in Chetopa, Kansas and most recently had been employed at Amazon in Coffeyville until she retired due to ill health.
She attended church in Chetopa. Rinda was a talented and creative lady who enjoyed flea markets, collecting antiques, jewelry and gemstones. She was known for her skills in floral arranging, arts and crafts. Her pasttimes included working in her flower garden and watching old movies. Her biggest joy was her family and participating in activities with her grandchildren.
Rinda married Gale Parker, of Carthage, Missouri in 1971 in Chetopa, Kansas; they were later divorced. In 1988, she married Terry Gilpin of Edna; they were later divorced.
Survivors include two sons, Jeff Parker (Natasha) of Pflugerville, Texas, and Greg Parker of Plano, Texas; five grandchildren: Zachary Kidwell, Emily Parker, Christina Jackson, Greg Parker, Jr. and Gracie Parker; two sisters, Betsy Koontz (Larry) of Pratt, Kansas and Judy Fulton (Jack) of Leavenworth, Kansas, cousins Ron Krefft (Donna) of California, Valerie Schlatter of Kansas, Mary Rhea of Indiana, Warren Purdum of Kansas, Dawn Brethour of North Carolina and Neatice Warner of Texas, as well as many nieces, nephews, and a host of friends. Rinda was a wonderful mother, grandmother, sister and friend and her smile will be missed by all.
She was preceded in death by her parents and three infant brothers, Charles, Michael, and Harry Utes, Jr . Cremation has taken place under the direction of Bath-Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Chetopa.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, March 16, 2014 at the Bath-Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Chetopa. All friends and family are invited to attend.
Memorials are suggested to the American Diabetes Association. These may be left at or mailed to Bath-Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P. O. Box 346 Chetopa, Kansas 67336.
Online condolences may be left at www.forbeshoffman.com. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Rinda Sue Gilpin, please visit our flower store.
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