Wilma "Jean" Augustus Vanbeber's Obituary
Wilma “Jean” (Augustus) VanBeber passed away on September 14, 2023. She was 95 years old. Jean was the daughter of Don and Goldie Augustus and was raised on a farm near the Brush Creek area of Cherokee County, Kansas. She received her early education in a one-room country schoolhouse and in 1946 graduated from Cherokee County Community High School in Columbus.
On July 2, 1949, Jean married Henry VanBeber. Together, they built a home on Cherry Creek Farm near Hallowell and raised their three children, enjoying Saturday night steak dinners and strip pit fishing adventures.
In 1972, she and her family moved to Columbus upon the purchase of her beloved home at 510 West Walnut Street where she spent the next 30 years restoring the historic residence to its original charm. She was the perfect hostess, preparing wonderful holiday and birthday dinners in the formal dining room complete with china, crystal, and silver settings. She loved making the home magical for Christmas, starting weeks in advance.
Early in her professional life, she worked at the Cherokee County Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation (ASC) office. Later, she served as a Director of the Columbus State Bank, of which her husband Henry was a co-owner. However, she was most recognized in the community for her natural skill as an exceptional seamstress and home decorator, which she used to good advantage to build a successful custom drapery business. Following her retirement, she enjoyed exploring her family genealogy, traveling, and fishing at her cabin at Grand Lake, especially when grandkids visited.
Jean was a member of PEO Chapter V, serving as president. A lifelong member of the First United Methodist Church of Columbus, Jean also served in leadership roles in United Methodist Women. Her faith in God and Christ were unwavering, giving her family much comfort knowing that Jean has received her well-deserved reward.
For the 10 years immediately preceding her death, Jean lived in McLean, Virginia with her daughter, Dianne, and family. She was beloved within her adopted community for her beautiful smile and sweet character.
Jean will be remembered by her family for instilling in them the qualities of hard work, resilience, education, love of God, forgiveness, and the power of positive thinking, all of which were exemplified by the way she lived her life.
Jean was preceded in death by her mother and father, her husband and her sister Zelma Kelly. She is survived by her three children Hance (Anne) VanBeber of Arlington, TX, Dianne (Jay Watkins) VanBeber of McLean, VA, and Eric VanBeber of Overland Park, KS, and her grandchildren Claire VanBeber, John Henry VanBeber, and Caroline Watkins of New York, NY, Katie VanBeber and Mimi VanBeber of Lawrence, KS, and nephews Keith Kelley and Kenneth Kelley of Cherokee County, KS.
Graveside Services will be 11:00am Saturday September 30, 2023 at the Park Cemetery in Columbus, KS with Pastor Dorcia Johnson officiating. In lieu of flowers the family asks expressions of sympathy to be in the form of memorials to the Alzheimer’s Association. Friends may drop off or mail memorials to Bath-Naylor Funeral Home 611 S. East Avenue Columbus, KS 66725. Condolences may be left at www.bathnaylor.com. Arrangements and services are under the direction of Bath-Naylor Funeral Home of Columbus, KS.
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