Greta Marie (Waggoner) Paxson, 86, Penokee, Kansas died Tuesday,
February 15, 2022, at the Graham County Hospital, Hill City. She was
born December 14, 1935, to Galen and Agnes (Hildebrand) Waggoner at the
family farm home south of Morland, the second of three children. She had
an older sister Anita, and a younger brother Tim.
Greta went to Shiloh School in rural Graham County, from first
through eighth grade. After her dad’s first heart attack, when Greta was
in seventh grade, she did chores and fed cattle before going to school.
She attended high school in Hill City. When Greta was a freshman and
Anita a senior, they roomed together during the school week. After
Anita’s graduation, she stayed the next three years with Cora Trexler, a
very sweet lady, who had just lost her husband.
Greta loved music. She played the baritone saxophone and was a
member of the Hill City High School Dinner Band. Her most memorable
music experience was playing a concert for the Topeka Correctional
Facility. That band received a one rating at the Kansas High School
Music Contest. She always received ones for her state saxophone solos.
Greta began dating Bob Paxson their sophomore year. What a great
time they had! Bob drove a 1941 blue Ford four-door car. When school was
dismissed, Greta loaded up all her girlfriends and paraded through the
streets in that ’41 Ford while Bob was at sports practices. After Friday
night games, Bob always took her home, no matter how late his games
lasted. In April of their senior year Bob gave her an engagement ring.
She and Bob graduated from Hill City High School in May of 1953. Bob’s
dad had told Bob he couldn’t get married until all the fall farm work
was done. When it was completed, they were married October 31, 1953, in
Penokee at the Methodist Church.
The couple rented a small, four room farmhouse with a half
basement. Greta took a great deal of pride in keeping her house just so.
They milked cows, raised chickens, and farmed some with his parents.
Their first daughter, Laurie was born April 11, 1957, just after a huge
blizzard which produced between 36 and 40 inches of snow. The farm was
without electricity for 23 days. Water and heat were available, but
there was no way to cook. They survived though, along with their new
daughter and 300 baby chicks they kept in the house! Their second
daughter, Audrey was born May 26, 1958.
In August of 1963 Bob and Greta started building their dream home.
Greta cooked and fed lunch to all the carpenters. They never missed
taking a break in the afternoon to enjoy Greta’s pies or cinnamon rolls.
The family moved into their new home November 22, 1963. They always
remembered that date because it was the day President Kennedy was
assassinated, a very happy day for them, but a sad day, too.
The family was complete with the birth of their third daughter,
Roberta, December 4, 1969. From 1970 to 2000 Greta drove a school bus
for Morland USD 280. She had many stories to tell through the years as
she picked up three generations of school children. Her homemade banana
bread was always a hit when she handed it out as an after-school snack
while the children were heading home. Greta liked farming with her
husband and could run almost every piece of equipment. She drove a
tractor and truck with the best of them. Greta had many talents. She was
an excellent seamstress and a great cook. Her theory was, “It’s always
better to have lots of leftovers than not enough food.”
Greta enjoyed dancing. It was very important that all her
grandchildren learned to dance. There were always dancing lessons in the
kitchen, from the waltz to the “Boot Scootin’ Boogie”. She was a
long-time member of the Helping Hands Club. Greta never missed an
opportunity to play cards whether it was with neighbors, grandchildren,
or friends. She also liked gambling in Topeka and Dodge City, and she
was extremely lucky. She did share her winnings with Bob who was always
around to help spend part of it.
You never had to second guess Greta. She always told it like it was
and sometimes where to get off. She was Bob’s best friend and always a
part of any decision making.
Greta was preceded in death by her parents, her daughter Audrey,
her granddaughter Amber, and her brother Tim. Survivors left to cherish
her memory include her husband Robert “Bob” Paxson of the home; her
daughters Laurie Ketterl and husband Bernard of Eagle, Nebraska, and
Roberta Oborny of Hays; her sister Anita Middleton of Hill City; 10
grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.
“God bless you, Honey. Now you are home. May you rest in peace.”
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