Artemisia Elizabeth Hollenbeck

Artemisia Elizabeth Hollenbeck, 74, died on Tuesday, November 5, 2024 at her home in Olathe, KS. She was born on April 8, 1950 in Cheyenne, Wyoming to Edward Andrew and Uarda (Sherry) Hibbard. 

She grew up in Eureka, KS with her many siblings and cousins. She loved water skiing on Eureka Lake and played the baritone saxophone in her high school marching band.

After high school she attended Cottey College, graduating with an associate’s degree in 1969. She later attended the University of Kansas where she met Eugene Corcoran. They were married in 1974 and had one daughter, Mary. They later divorced.

After her divorce, she attended Emporia Teacher’s College and graduated with her teaching degree in 1983. She moved to Olathe to work as a special education teacher in the Olathe Public Schools. She taught at Oregon Trail, Indian Trail and opened Olathe Northwest High School before retiring in 2009. She was a huge advocate for public schools and students with disabilities, creating hands-on, project-based learning opportunities decades before those were the norm and spending many years volunteering with Special Olympics. 

Misia enjoyed playing the piano, visiting the Lake of the Ozarks with friends and family, and traveling when the opportunity arose. Most of all, she loved spending time with her three grandchildren and spent numerous hours at soccer games, watching choir, band or orchestra concerts, and applauding many amateur theatre performances.

She is survived by her brothers Edward Andrew (Hank) Hibbard, Blake Hibbard and Joe Hibbard; her sister Cythnia Hibbard; her daughter Mary Vanhooser (Aaron) and her grandchildren Parker, Nathaniel and Taylor.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

A gathering of family and friends will take place from 3 p.m. - 5 p.m. on Friday, November 8, 2024, at Penwell-Gabel's Olathe Chapel. A private burial will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions in Misia’s memory be made to the Olathe Public Schools Foundation.

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