Bessie D. Newman

Bessie D. Newman, 81, went to be with the Lord on November 3, 2009 while at Midland Hospice House after battling Congestive Heart Failure. Her two daughters and twin sister were by her side. She was born on July 29, 1928 in Valley Falls, Kansas to Curtis and Margaret (Marshall) Newman. She was the youngest of seven children, and was preceded in death by her brothers Robert, Roy, Leonard, and Curtis Coy Jr. Bessie graduated from Valley Falls High School in May 1946. She married Donald L. Newman on August 2, 1946 in Atchison, Kansas and the new couple made their home in Topeka. Bessie took care of the home and raised their three children until 1968 when she went to work for Sears Roebuck and Company as a Sales Associate. She worked at Sears and helped Don in the evenings with paperwork for his business, while keeping the house organized. In 1995 she retired from Sears to have more time to spend with her husband and family. Bessie loved helping people, travelling and raising flowers. After her retirement, she travelled the country on many sightseeing trips with Don, Essie and a friend. The four of them lived life to the fullest until Don became too sick to travel. Bessie cared for Don single-handedly during his last years while battling Alzheimer's. He preceded her in death on February 19, 1999. After his death, she cared for her grandson Dustin many times while both his parents were away from home while serving in the U.S. Army. Bessie most recently made her home at Presbyterian Manor in Topeka. Survivors include her brother, Frank Newman; twin sister, Essie Bays; son, David Newman and wife, Linda; daughter, Terry Boltze; and daughter, Vicki Key and husband, Dan. She is also survived by her two grandsons, Jason Boltze and Dustin Key, as well as many nieces, nephews and friends. Bessie was a wonderful wife, mother, sister, aunt, grandmother and friend, and will be truly missed by all those whose lives she touched. Family and friends may say goodbye on Saturday, November 7, when funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. at Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel. Visitation will be on Saturday from 9:00-10:00 a.m. at Jellison Chapel at Presbyterian Manor and also from 12:00-1:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Maple Hill Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Topeka Presbyterian Manor, Good Samaritan Fund, 4712 SW 6th, Topeka, KS 66606. To leave a special message for the family online, please visit www.PenwellGabelTopeka.com