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Obituary for Effie Jo Wade
1924 - 2011
Penwell-Gabel - Ford-Wulf-Bruns Chapel
2405 Woodland
Coffeyville, KS 67337 620-251-3100
First United Methodist Church, Coffeyville, Kansas
Coffeyville, Kansas
Effie Jo Wade, 87 of Coffeyville, KS died on March 25, 2011 at the Coffeyville Regional Medical Center.
The daughter of Coffeyville manufacturers Ray and Mellie Jensen, Effie Jo was born on February 20, 1924 in Nowata, Oklahoma. She was the niece of Bill and Effie Jensen, her namesake. Raised in Coffeyville, Effie Jo set a record as the youngest female pilot in the state. She made her first solo flight at Jensen Airport on her 16th birthday, continuing a legacy of women pilots in the area.
She graduated from Coffeyville’s Field Kindley High School in 1941 and Monticello College in Missouri in 1943.
Cupid’s arrow struck in 1939 when Effie Jo was introduced to Bernard Leon Wade of Akron, Ohio. They married on October 15, 1943 and raised sons Richard and William in Coffeyville. Bernard and Effie Jo were the founders of Funk Manufacturing, along with Joe and Howard Funk. She was a member of Eastern Star, P.E.O. and Daughters of the American Revolution. She was also a lifetime member of Coffeyville Country Club. With a love for golf, Effie Jo was Women’s Golf Champion in 1975 and 1976, and made 2 holes in one in her golf career. She and Bernard are longtime members of the First United Methodist Church.
When not on the golf course, Effie Jo enjoyed spending time with her family, traveling, reading and visiting her home with Bernard at Shangri-La, Grand Lake, Oklahoma.
Effie Jo is preceded in death by brothers Kresten Jensen II and Richard Jensen. She is survived by her husband Bernard, brother JB Jensen and wife Donna of Coffeyville, Kansas, son Richard Wade and wife Susan of Portland, Oregon and son William Wade and wife Beverly of The Woodlands, Texas. She is loved by grandchildren Tracy Strand and husband Barry, Brian Wade and wife Maija, and Allison Hess and husband Jeremy. A third generation will miss Effie Jo, including great-grandchildren Garrett and Grady Strand and Marshall Wade. Strong, beautiful and caring, Effie Jo was an inspiration to all who knew her.
The family will receive visitors on Tuesday, March 29, 2011 from 5 - 7 PM at the Penwell-Gabel Ford-Wulf-Bruns Chapel. A Funeral Service will be on Wednesday, March 30, 2011 at 2 PM at the First United Methodist Church with Rev. John Collins officiating. The burial will take place immediately following at Fairview Cemetery.
The family suggests memorials to the Red Cross in lieu of flowers through Penwell-Gabel Funeral Home & Crematory.