Eloene Lois “Ellen” Cunningham passed away on Wednesday, August 4, 2021,
at the Solomon Valley Manor in Stockton, Kansas at the age of 92. She
was born on June 14, 1929, at the family farm in Rooks County to James
and Caroline (Smith) Albright.
Ellen was a lifelong resident to Rooks County and attended Stockton
High School. After school she married Linus Rogers. The couple was
blessed with four children: David, Patti, Loie, and Jim. She spent her
early years raising the children and taking care of the home until they
became old enough to go to school. She then started work at the
courthouse in the Treasurer’s Office and later became a Probate Judge
Assistant, and then a Probate Judge. After the years working for the
county, she became a bookkeeper for a local Ford dealership until she
and Linus became owners of K & R Tanking Service. Before Linus’s
passing in 1992, they sold the dealership and retired. Ellen and Linus
loved to square dance weekly, even several times a week with the
“Swingin’ Wheels” square dancers. She league-bowled for 40 years and was
also a member of the Ladies Auxiliary for many years.
In 2002 Ellen married DeVane Cunningham and the couple enjoyed
almost 20 years together. They enjoyed traveling and just enjoying their
retirement together. Ellen stayed busy with her friends and family. She
cut and permed hair for friends and the kids, took care of some local
elders, was very involved in her grandchildren’s lives, and when she had
some time to herself, she sewed, crocheted, admired the butterflies she
attracted with the milkweed she grew, and played the piano.
She is preceded in death by her parents, James and Caroline
Albright; siblings, Donald Albright, Lela Doughty, and Ruth Albright;
son-in-law, Jerry Sterling; and one great-grandson, Christian Sterling.
Ellen is survived by her children, David (Merena) Rogers of Nixa,
MO, Patti (Jerry) Sterling of Stockton, KS, Loie (Jim) Lewin of Salina,
KS, and Jim Rogers (Lorna) of Stockton, KS; sister, Ruth; ten
grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren.
A Funeral Service will be held on Monday, August 9, 2021, at 2 PM at
the funeral home in Stockton. Visitation will also be held Monday at
the funeral home from 10 AM until service time.
In Lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Solomon Valley Manor
and may be sent in care of Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home, 723 North
First, Stockton, KS 67669.