Gwen Maree Wingrave

Gwen Maree Wingrave, age 88, a resident of Howard Twilight Manor passed away Wednesday, December 7, 2011. She was born on August 21, 1923 on a farm in Elk County, Kansas the daughter of Burns and Wilhemina (Shell) Gragg. Gwen was a graduate of Severy Rural High School class of 1941 and the Wichita Business College. On April 15, 1944 Gwen was united in marriage to Harlan Clark Wingrave in Mineral Wells, Texas. They moved to Louisiana after Harlan finished basic training. Gwen and Harlan moved to Camp Shanks, New York for two weeks until Harlan sailed for England. With Harlan serving in World War II, Gwen returned to Wichita and began working for the Veterans Administration until transferring to the Manhattan office in 1946. With Harlan returning home they remained in Manhattan until September 1947 when they moved back to Wichita. October 1949 they moved to Emporia and bought the Emporia Novelty Company and renamed it Emporia Music Service. Gwen worked as the office manager for their company. As office manager, she traveled extensively throughout Kansas while Harlan was President of the Kansas State Music Association in 1950 and later in 1973 throughout the USA when Harlan served as the national President of the Music Operators of America. In 1975 Gwen and Harlan returned to the Severy area and began farming. Gwen was a member of the Emporia Garden Club, Vacation Bible School teacher, Cub Scout Den Mother and a Brownie Scout Leader. Gwen is survived by her son James Wingrave of Wilmington, Delaware; her daughter Janelle Wills of Destin, Florida; her sister Zoe Ann Gragg of South Carolina, five grandchildren, James M. Wingrave, Melanie Padron, Chadwick Wingrave, Jeremy Ross and Nicole Nesrsta and four great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents and husband Harlan. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, December 13, 2011 at 10:30 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Severy, Kansas with Pastor Charles Cryderman officiating. Visitation will be held Monday, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Interment will be at South Lawn Cemetery. Contributions can be made to the National Parkinson Foundation. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.countrysidefh.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Countryside - Zimmerman Funeral Home in Howard, Kansas.

Gwen Maree Wingrave

August 21, 1923 - December 7, 2011