Anna Mae (Turner) Kimple

Anna Mae Kimple, 95, of Lyons peacefully concluded her journey on this earth on June 25, 2020 at the Lyons Good Samaritan Center. Anna Mae was born at home on a farm northwest of Plevna, Kansas on July 31, 1924. Welcoming her to this world were her parents, Mary Edith Pells Turner and James Leonard Turner, along with her brother William Leonard. Anna Mae showed an early interest in music and received vocal as well as instrumental instruction. She graduated from Plevna High School in 1942. As Anna Mae started classes at Sterling College, she met the love of her life, A.J. Kimple, in the cafeteria line. War would soon separate them and after A.J. left, Anna Mae began her career as a music teacher. Following A.J.'s safe return several years later, the two were married in Plevna on August 13, 1946. They then moved to Emporia where both were students and Anna Mae received a BS in Music from Kansas State Teachers College in 1947. Returning to Lyons, they began a family and a life together on the farm east of Lyons. In addition to being a farm wife, Anna Mae was a devoted member of the Lyons First United Methodist Church and various local clubs and organizations including Music Club, Tes Trams, Li-Ar-Mu, EHU and 4-H. She continued to teach music in public schools and reached many students throughout Rice County over the years. In addition, she gave private piano lessons into her 80s. Anna Mae was also a 12-year cancer survivor. Anna Mae was preceded in death by her parents, her brother, her husband A.J. and one great grandson, Teddy Paul Jones. Surviving are her three daughters: Mary (John) Jones of Wichita; Barbara (Ken) Diamond of Scottsdale, Arizona; and Helen (Pat) Kelley of Edmond, Oklahoma. Grandchildren are: Jeff (Natalie) Jones of Claremore, Oklahoma; Andy Jones of Wichita; Shayna (Marc) Diamond-Atonna of Phoenix, Arizona; Shannon (Ana) Kelley of Burleson, Texas; and Von (Alane) Kelley of Evergreen, Colorado. Also surviving are 10 great grandchildren, brother-in-law Keith (Marilyn) Kimple of rural Lyons and many loving nieces and nephews. The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to Kavae Kroetsch and the entire staff of Lyons Good Samaritan Center for the excellent care and concern they showed Anna Mae these past few years. You were there when we couldn't be. Thank-you. A private family graveside will be held with a memorial service at a later date. Visitation will be from 10:00 A.M. until 7:00 P.M., Tuesday, June 30, 2020 at Birzer Funeral Home, Lyons, with family present from 5:00 until 7:00 P.M. Memorials may be given to the First United Methodist Church, Lyons, for maintenance on the organ and piano; or the Rice County 4-H Council, for the A.J. and Anna Mae Kimple Memorial for the sheep and horse project winners in care of Birzer Funeral Home, Lyons.

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