Penny R. Farris, Marquette
Penny Rae Farris, age 68 and a resident of Marquette, KS, died Sunday September 26, 2021. Penny was born on June 2, 1953 in Iola, KS to Richard Elvin Gerdsen and Blanche Irene (Marsh)Rose.
She and her older brother Richard Leon Gerdsen attended high school in Lakin, Kansas. Later Penny became a long-time resident of the Wichita, KS area where she worked several years in the aircraft industry and gave birth to her daughters Kali Saleen Stourhaug (1976) and Tia Thayer Carter (1978). Later Penny became stepmother to Toni Michelle Everett and adopted Derek Dwight Sanderson and Kylie Raelynn Sanderson.
In 1993 Penny began her more than 25 years of working for the United States Postal Service, becoming a career employee in 2004, as postmaster in Murdock, KS. After meeting Don, Penny took the postmaster position in Marquette where she was still working. Penny was a very loyal and dedicated employee which often times led her to travel to countless offices to cover and train employees.
In 2012, Penny met her husband Donald Lee Farris, they were married July 26, 2019. When Penny met Don she welcomed his sons Donald Lee Dubois Farris and Nicholas Farris, along with their wives and children into her family. Together Penny and Don loved to go camping and to visit friends and family. Penny was an avid collector of Wizard of Oz memorabilia and would take trips to Florida to take in all the Disney World parks every chance that she could. Penny was very proud of her family, especially all of her grandchildren and loved to tell anyone about them.
She is survived by her husband Don Farris; mother Blanche Rose; brother Richard Leon Gerdsen (Diane); four of her children, Kali Storhaug (Vincent) of Melbourne FL, Tia Carter (Mark) of Jennings KS, Derek Sanderson (Kim) of Palmer AK and Toni Everett of Wichita KS; stepsons Donald Lee Dubois Farris (Justine) and Nicholas Farris (Rachel); 22 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her father Richard Elvin Gerdsen and her daughter Kylie Sanderson.
Family will be receiving friends and family Thursday October 7 from 6-8 p.m. at Crick-Christians Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be held Friday October 8at 10 a.m. at the Crick-Christians Funeral Home in Lindsborg, KS. Family is asking for casual dress attire.
Memorials may be made to Crick-Christians Funeral Home in care of the funeral home, 103 N. Washington, Lindsborg, KS 67456.