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 </figure>Raymond Dale Lambert passed away peacefully Saturday, February 15, 2020 
at St Francis Hospital in Wichita, Kansas. He was born on August 19,1927
 to Newell and Mildred (Baker) Lambert on their farm two miles north and
 one mile west of Thornburg, Kansas. Dale was the third of six children.
 His siblings were Dwayne, Velda, Joe, Elsie Mae, and Sharon. Dale was 
proud of his Thornburg heritage and it was there that many of his life 
lessons were learned. His parents instilled a strong work ethic, the 
importance of family and a love for the Lord. He attended Pleasant 
Hill and Thornburg schools. He was raised and baptized in the Thornburg 
Evangelical United Brethren Church that his great grand-parents had 
helped form.
He graduated from Smith Center High School in 1946. That same year 
he was employed by Fred Simmons who was part owner of Simmons-Olliff 
Furniture and Mortuary. This was the beginning of a 45 year career in a 
business of which he would eventually be the major share-holder. As a 
mentor, Fred was a major influence in Dale’s life by setting an example 
 of professionalism in running a business and setting a standard of 
treating people with dignity and respect and of giving back to the 
community. Dale graduated from The St. Louis School of Mortuary Science
 in 1950.
While in high school Dale met Kay Duvall. They were married December
 24,1949 and they were the parents of three children, Kent, Kinda, and 
Kris. 
The family moved to Kensington, Kansas in 1957 where Dale managed 
the Simmons-Olliff furniture store and mortuary. He became a partner in 
the business in 1959. They spent 27 years in Kensington, serving a 
wonderful community and forming life-long friendships.
Dale and Kay moved back to Smith Center in 1984 where they managed 
the funeral Home and furniture store until Dale retired in 1992. 
After retirement Dale and Kay liked to travel and continued to be 
involved in the Smith Center community attending school and church 
activities. They found great joy in their grandchildren, Chris and Amy. 
 Many hours were spent traveling to and from Salina to watch church and 
school programs, and sports. They were “Grandad and Grandma” to many of 
their grandkids friends.
Kay passed away from cancer on March 12,1996. Dale lost his wife and
 partner of 46 years. They had worked together to build a strong and 
loving marriage, to raise their children, and to grow a successful 
business. 
Dale moved to Wichita when he married Norma Tomlinson Stoddard on 
August 9, 1997. Norma, her daughters, Sharon, Sandra, and Stephanie, and
 their families brought many blessings to Dale’s life. They enjoyed 
traveling and keeping up with all their grand-kids and great-grand-kids
 activities. They welcomed and brought both their families together for 
Thanksgiving Dinner for many years. 
Dale was a sports fan all his life and was a fierce competitor. He 
played baseball on various local teams and football in high school. He 
was an excellent bowler and won the Kansas State Seniors Championship in
 1989.
 He coached his son’s baseball team and announced the football games
 for Kensington Goldbugs for many years. He loved watching his favorite 
teams; The Royals, The Chiefs, and KU basketball. He was passionate 
about golf and was always trying to improve his game. He played almost 
every day, when weather permitted, at the Hesston Golf course.
Throughout his life Dale was active in several organizations. He was
 the President of the Chamber of Commerce of Smith Center, the 
Commercial Club of Kensington, and the Kensington Lion’s Club. He was 
also on the Board of Directors for Lion’s Club. He served on the City 
Council in Kensington and also served as their mayor. He was the 
Chairman of the Board for the Methodist Church in Kensington and in 
Smith Center. He was on the Kensington School Board. And He also served 
on the Kansas State Board of Funeral Directors. 
Dale was preceded in death by his parents; wife Kay (Duvall) 
Lambert; brothers, Dwayne Lambert and Joe Lambert, sisters; Velda Schenk
 and Sharon Lambert; brothers-in-law, Lynn Schenk, David Miller, Ralph 
Tucker, Harley Keller, Paul Smith, and Johnny Hooper; sisters-in-law, 
Melberta Lambert, Beverly Lambert, and June Miller.
Dale will be missed by his wife of 22 years, Norma; children, Kent 
(Pat, Kinda Lambert, Kristin Lambert, Sharon(Lee)Stucky, Sandra (Randy)
 Appel, and Stephanie Miller; sister, Elsie Mae (Marvin) Kugler; 
brother-law, Thaine (Donna)Tomlinson; sisters-in-law, Nadine Tucker, 
Elaine Keller, and Reva Smith; 9 grandchildren,15 great-grandchildren; 
and numerous nieces and nephews. 
 In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hesston 
Golf Course, 520 Yost Dr. Hesston, Ks. 67062, Riverlawn Christian 
Church, United Methodist Church of Smith Center, 301 E Kansas Ave., 
Smith Center, Ks. 66967 or Thornburg Church, 15092 50th Rd., Smith 
Center, Ks. 66967.