Obituaries

Virginia Carlene Wake, 80, Leavenworth, Kan., died Saturday, January 7, 2023, at her home. She was born October 11, 1942, in Kansas City, Kan., the daughter of Thomas and Velma Lane Stroud. Virginia was affectionately known as “Dinny” by much of her family. After graduating from Washington High School, she studied and graduated from Providence Hospital Sisters of Charity School of Nursing in 1963. Virginia was united in marriage to Walter Lee Wake on April 25, 1964. She helped with the family dairy farm in Leavenworth and worked as a nurse at St. John’s Hospital. After having children, Virginia was a stay-at-home mother for her three sons. She was a devoted mother caring for her children’s health needs, was active in church Bible study, United Farm Wives, 4-H, and in her children’s school as a volunteer and room mother. Virginia always demonstrated compassion for all children, not just her own. Virginia completed a re-entry to nursing course upon her children entering college and worked as a nurse at the Veteran’s Administration Hospital in Leavenworth until her retirement in 2007. She was a tireless worker, wife, and mother who always put others needs before her own. Even as she was faced with multiple health issues in her later years, she rarely asked for help or complained, and she was always more concerned for others. Survivors include her husband of 58 years, Walter “Lee”, her son Kevin Wake (Jeffery Psota), brother Robert (Bob) Stroud (Theresa), and many family members and friends. She is predeceased by sons David Lee Wake and John Vincent Wake, her parents and sister Patricia Stroud. To honor Virginia’s memory, the family suggests memorial donations to Uriel Owens Sickle Cell Disease Association of the Midwest (444 Minnesota Avenue, Suite 300, Kansas City, KS 66101) or to High Prairie Church (26480 187th St., Leavenworth, KS 66048). Visitation services will be Thursday, January 12 from 4-6 p.m. at Davis Funeral Chapel, 531 Shawnee Street, Le

Lewis Chalfant Ketcham Lewis Chalfant Ketcham passed away on December 27 with his wife, Barbara, by his side. He now joins his parents, Margaret and Doyle, who preceded him on this journey.