Athena M. Fry

Athena Maxine Fry, 99, of Frankfort, Kan., died Sunday, September 30, 2018 at the Frankfort Community Care Home.Visitation was Tuesday, October 2 from noon to 8 p.m. at the Padden Funeral Chapel in Frankfort. The family received friends 5 to 7 p.m.A funeral service was held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, October 3 at the United Methodist Church in Frankfort. Rev. Jim Akins officiated. The musicians were Janet Plegge and Steve Gleason.The pallbearers were Rick Johnston, Kurt Larson, Jim Brenner, Jeff Haskett, Ryan Gnagy and Lance Anderson.The honorary pallbearers were Jarred Wanklyn, Kenny Fox and Zach Wanklyn.Burial was in the Frankfort Cemetery.Athena was born June 5, 1919 at Kansas City, Mo., to Edger Westenhaver and Elsie Orr Ferris. She was the oldest of seven children. On June 7, 1939, she married Floyd Edward “Edd” Fry at Seneca, Kan. They had three children, Lila, James and Carol.Athena was a homemaker and loved hosting family get togethers. She enjoyed feeding and watching birds and squirrels, especially the black squirrels.She was a faithful member of the American Legion Auxiliary for 71 years and served as a chaplain for many years. Athena enjoyed making cedar wreaths decorated with poppies to place on the Veterans monument during the Memorial Day Service. She also belonged to the Woman’s Relief Corp for many years and made cedar wreaths decorated with American flags to represent WRC.Being over 99 years old and watching her close friends pass away, Athena was blessed to have many young friends from town stop to visit with her regularly.She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Floyd Edward “Edd’ in 2006; siblings, Lorain Westenhaver, Ervin Ferris, Wilbur Ferris, Willa Mae Pagel, Marshaleen Owen and Melvin Ferris; and great-grandson, Josh Zirger.Survivors include her children, Lila Cockerill, Marysville, James (Helen) Fry, Rossville, and Carol (Barrie) Gnagy, Tecumseh; nine grandchildren, Rick Johnston, Tena Larson, Carol Lynn Johnston, Amanda Anderson, Sue Brenner, Lori Haskett, Sandi Fry, Ryan Gnagy and Stacy Guffey; twelve great-grandchildren, Ashley Swearingen. Brandon Johnston, Brayden Johnston, Kurtis Larson, Jennifer Anderson, Lance Anderson, Justin Brenner, Caley Brenner, Jane Haskett, Lucy Haskett and Taylor Guffey; and ten great-great-grandchildren, Abby Lister, Bailee Lister, Bristol Swearingen, Lizzy Swearingen, Oakley Larson, Kale Larson, Jordyn Dyke, Phoenix Anderson, Jamison Brenner and Abbott Brenner.A memorial fund has been established to the Frankfort Care Home or Meadowlark Hospice. Contributions may be sent in care of Padden Funeral Chapel. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Athena M. Fry, please visit our flower store.