Katherine Jordan Service

DEATH NOTICE FORM FROM: PENWELL-GABEL MID TOWN CHAPEL
TOPEKA, KANSAS



1. Full Name: Katherine Jordan Service Age: 98 Years Sex: Female

3. Date of death: Passed away peacefully Thursday afternoon January 15, 2004

6. Date of birth: In NE Oakland, now part of Topeka at the Kelsey homestead on December 5, 1905

6.b. Parents: the only child of Frank & Ida Mae Sowle Jordan

7. Background: She was always proud to add December 5 was the same date as the founding of Topeka. She
was a proud life long resident of Topeka. She attended the Harrison School and graduated from Topeka High
School in 1923, continuing on for two years to the Episcopalion girls school known as the sisters of Bethany Junior
College at 9th and Polk in Bethany Square. She went on to receive her Bachelors of Music Degree at the
University of Kansas in 1927. She began taking violin lessons at the age of 7 under the direction of Gladys Gaw
whom she admired very much. She began her teaching career at Highland Park before it was a part of the city. She
taught music in several rural schools including Dover, Rice, Tecumseh, Auburn and Belvoir. She met her life long
friend, Leonard Wood who was her principal at Dawson and Belvoir for fourteen years. She was a charter member
of St. Augustine's Angliean Church, the Topeka Music Teachers Association, the Topeka String Project, Suzuki
Talent Education of Topeka, a member of the Topeka Symphony Orchestra for 32 years and Alpha Delta Kappa
Epsilon Chapter. She started as a tiny musician in her first recital in 1913. She became one of the matriarchs of
the Topeka Symphony Orchestra. She continued to teach private piano and violin lessons until 2002 which she
began at the age of 14. After her retirement from public schools in 1971, she traveled the world over including
Japan, Turkey, Morocco, Italy, England, Africa and many other destinations. While in Japan she met and studied
with Shiniki Suzki. She married her high school sweetheart Robert Orlan Service in October of 1948 at Grace
Episcopal Cathedral in Topeka. Mr. Service also played and taught violin. They worked together in a string
ensemble which performed on WIBW Radio during the 1930's. He preceded her in death on November 12, 1964.

8.c. Immediate survivors:
Her care giver and friend Mary Jane Nichols of Topeka
Betty Mann of Syracuse, NY
Jerry Johnson of Auburn, Ks.
Jean Tyra of Tuolumne, CA
She left a legacy of history for family and friends to cherish. Her care giver and friends would like to express their
gratitude to Dr. Robert W. Holmes, M.D., her caring physician and advocate and to her friends at Atria
Hearthstone.

9. Service time, day, date, place: Services will be at 11:00 a.m, Tuesday at Penwell-Gabel Mid Town
Chapel.

10. Burial: Topeka Cemetery Topeka, Kansas

11. Visitation times, place: Mrs. Service will lie in state after 2:00 p.m. Monday at Penwell-Gabel Mid Town
Chapel where the family will receive friends from 7:00-8:00 p.m.

13. Memorial contributions, if any: In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to HASTA
(Heart of America Suzuki Tearchers Association) c/o Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel, 1321 S.W. 10th Ave.,
Topeka, Ks. 66604 or to the Topeka Symphony Orchestra, P.O. Box 2206, Topeka, Ks., 66601 or to St.
Augustine's Anglican Church, 1332 S.W. 17th St., Topeka, Ks. 66604

14. Funeral home in charge: Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel, 1321 SW 10th Ave., Topeka, Kansas
66604
Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.penwellgabel.com
Director: Brian M. Voigt 354-8558