In Memory Of
Ellen Louise Gaines
1928
2023
Ellen Louise Gaines
October 1, 1928 — January 27, 2023
Ellen Louise (Howerton) Gaines, age 93, passed into eternal glory on January 27, 2023 in Olathe Hospice House.
She was born October 4, 1928 in Wichita, KS to Harley and Nettie Howerton. When Ellen was a young child the family lived with her grandmother in Iola, KS. Her father began moving them from town to town to be able to provide for his family by working in commercial laundries. Because of the moves, Ellen attended a different grade school each year. In her junior high years the family was able to move back to Wichita, KS. Ellen was able to attend the same junior high and high school and graduated from Wichita High School North. After graduation she worked at the 5 &10 cent store, until a friend got her interested in going to Kansas City Bible College in Overland Park, KS.
She made another move to go to college and graduated with a religion degree. Bigger than graduation was meeting and marrying the love of her life, Floyd Harrison Gaines on August 27, 1950.
For 72 years Ellen has been a wonderful, Christian wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Ellen has been a Godly influence on her family and friends. She was also a gifted singer. She sang in the college girls trio, duets with her husband and church choirs. When she married Floyd the college music professor told him he was taking away their nightingale.
Later on Ellen attended Emporia State College to become a librarian. She worked at the Hutchinson Library for 19 years. After retiring Ellen and Floyd began traveling. They spent the next 13 winters soaking up the sun in Arizona, always coming home in the spring for Ellen to tend to and grow her flowers.
Ellen's life eventually came full circle when they moved back to the Overland Park area to live in Greenwood Terrace in Lenexa. They began attending the Church of God Holiness in Overland Park that is part of the bible college Ellen had graduated from.
Surviving family include her husband, Floyd, her son Randel ( Brenda) Gaines of Olathe, KS, her sister OraLee ( Roland) Dirks of Hutchinson, KS, her grandchildren Ryan (Andrea) of Littleton, CO, Leah (Jeremy) of Prairie Village, KS, and Robert (Brittany) of Colorado Springs, CO, great-grandchildren Elizabeth, Juliana, Micah, Maria, Katherine, Anna, Alexander and Gabriella. She is also survived by her nephew and nieces Wayne (Becky) Dirks of Tecumseh, KS, Clay (Debbie) Dirks of Wichita, KS, and Cindy (Brian) Fry of Hutchinson, KS.
Memorials are suggested to the Kansas Christian College, 7401 Metcalf Ave., Overland Park, KS 66204
To leave a condolence for Ellen's family, or to share a special memory, click on the "Share Memories" button above.
She was born October 4, 1928 in Wichita, KS to Harley and Nettie Howerton. When Ellen was a young child the family lived with her grandmother in Iola, KS. Her father began moving them from town to town to be able to provide for his family by working in commercial laundries. Because of the moves, Ellen attended a different grade school each year. In her junior high years the family was able to move back to Wichita, KS. Ellen was able to attend the same junior high and high school and graduated from Wichita High School North. After graduation she worked at the 5 &10 cent store, until a friend got her interested in going to Kansas City Bible College in Overland Park, KS.
She made another move to go to college and graduated with a religion degree. Bigger than graduation was meeting and marrying the love of her life, Floyd Harrison Gaines on August 27, 1950.
For 72 years Ellen has been a wonderful, Christian wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Ellen has been a Godly influence on her family and friends. She was also a gifted singer. She sang in the college girls trio, duets with her husband and church choirs. When she married Floyd the college music professor told him he was taking away their nightingale.
Later on Ellen attended Emporia State College to become a librarian. She worked at the Hutchinson Library for 19 years. After retiring Ellen and Floyd began traveling. They spent the next 13 winters soaking up the sun in Arizona, always coming home in the spring for Ellen to tend to and grow her flowers.
Ellen's life eventually came full circle when they moved back to the Overland Park area to live in Greenwood Terrace in Lenexa. They began attending the Church of God Holiness in Overland Park that is part of the bible college Ellen had graduated from.
Surviving family include her husband, Floyd, her son Randel ( Brenda) Gaines of Olathe, KS, her sister OraLee ( Roland) Dirks of Hutchinson, KS, her grandchildren Ryan (Andrea) of Littleton, CO, Leah (Jeremy) of Prairie Village, KS, and Robert (Brittany) of Colorado Springs, CO, great-grandchildren Elizabeth, Juliana, Micah, Maria, Katherine, Anna, Alexander and Gabriella. She is also survived by her nephew and nieces Wayne (Becky) Dirks of Tecumseh, KS, Clay (Debbie) Dirks of Wichita, KS, and Cindy (Brian) Fry of Hutchinson, KS.
Memorials are suggested to the Kansas Christian College, 7401 Metcalf Ave., Overland Park, KS 66204
To leave a condolence for Ellen's family, or to share a special memory, click on the "Share Memories" button above.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Ellen Louise Gaines, please visit our flower store.
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