Lola Mae Gilkison, 95, died Friday November 4, 2022, at Aldersgate Village in Topeka, Kansas.
She was born February 26, 1927, in Larned, Kansas, the daughter of William Melvin and Verna Ellen Broadbooks Barrett. Lola Mae married John J Gilkison on February 9, 1947, in the Radium Methodist Church in Radium, Kansas. John preceded her in death on January 1, 2015, just a month short of their 68th anniversary.
She was also preceded in death by her parents, sister Opal (Kenneth) Dimond, brother Russell (Babe) Barrett and infant twin sisters Eileen and Irene Barrett and nephew Patrick Dimond,
Survivors include her children, daughter Marsha (Kent) Palmberg of Topeka, Kansas and son Chris (Jayme) Gilkison of Lake Jackson, Texas; five grandchildren Braden (Dawn) Palmberg of Topeka, Valerie (Jeff) Stebbins of Topeka, Scott (Candace) Palmberg of San Antonio, Texas, Karissa (Craig) Chott of St. Louis, Missouri, and Tyler (Ashley) Gilkison of Austin, Texas, six great-grandsons, four step grandchildren and nine great-step-grandchildren.
Lola Mae graduated from Radium High School in 1945. She was employed at the City Clerk’s Office and First National Bank and Trust Company, both in Larned until her retirement from the bank in 1992. She was a member of the Li-Ar-Mu Club, First United Methodist Church and United Methodist Women, all of Larned. Lola Mae and John moved to Aldersgate Village in Topeka, Kansas in 2012 after being Larned residents for over 68 years.
Lola Mae was dedicated to her family and friends. She showered them with letters and cards and never forgot a birthday or an anniversary. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren treasure the $2 dollar bills she steadfastly gave them at birthdays and Christmas. On one memorable event, the family created a poster of a $2 bill with her picture on it. She taught all of her grandchildren to play Pitch and Kings on the Corners. She will be lovingly remembered.
Cremation has taken place and a service will be held at the Larned Methodist Church at a later date. Memorials may be sent to the First United Methodist Church, Larned or the donor’s choice in care of Beckwith Mortuary, PO Box 477, Larned, Kansas 67550.