Kathryn LaRose Duncan

Kathryn LaRose Duncan, 72, of Washburn, Mo., died Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2018, in her home following an illness. She was born Jan. 23, 1946, in Enid, Okla., to Wayne and Mavis (Chisolm) Pack.

She had lived in Washburn, Mo., the past 30 years, moving from Rogers. Ark. She earned a bachelor's degree in Special Education and was a Certified Early Childhood administrator. She had also completed NOVA certification. She began teaching while in high school. She taught 36 years, ended her teaching career at Ozark Mountain Christian School in Washburn. Prior to that, she taught at Benton County Christian School, in Rogers, Ark.

She was a member of Mountain Bible Church, Washburn, Mo., where she served as church pianist and was active in the AWANA children's ministry. She had a heart for missions and had made a mission's trip to Beijing China through World Missions Alliance in Branson, Mo. She and her husband were foster parents, opening their home to more than 40 children. She loved to read and study the Bible and authored a blog titled Kathy's Ponderings. She also enjoyed photography.

She married James Duncan on March 30, 1968, in Miami, Okla. As a Navy man's wife, she traveled all over the United States.

She was preceded in death by one son, Timothy David Duncan, and her parents.

Survivors include her husband, James of the home; a son, Ralph Edward Duncan, Washburn, Mo.; one daughter, Elizabeth Colleen Duncan, Oklahoma City, Okla.; four brothers, Kinny Pack, Azle, Texas, Kent Barnes and Tony Barnes, both of Oklahoma and Randy Barnes, Sand Springs, Okla.; and her birth father, Kenneth Barnes, Sand Springs, Okla.

Visitation was from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 6, 2018, in Mountain Bible Church, Washburn, Mo.

Funeral services were at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 6, 2018, in Mountain Bible Church, Washburn, Mo., with pastor Paul Duncan officiating.

Graveside services were at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 6, 2018, in Messer Cemetery, Galena, Kan.

Arrangements were under the direction of Derfelt Funeral Home, Galena, Kan.

Mary Fabbri Martinkewiz

Mary Fabbri Martinkewiz, 81, died Oct. 1, 2018. She was born Oct. 28, 1936, in Chicago, Ill., to Angelo and Angela Fabbri, who were immigrants from Italy.

Her mother arrived in the U.S. just 10 months before Mary showed up. With this background, Mary was a bit puzzled by the country's current immigration squabbles. Being the only Italian girl in a Polish neighborhood and starting school without English seemed normal conditions.

Her Chicago childhood included extensive ballet training and other big city activities. This part of her life changed drastically when her Dad passed away when Mary was almost 16. Mary, her Mom and brother Chet moved to Michigan's Upper Peninsula to gain the help of family members. After high school in Crystal Falls, it was off to Michigan State for a couple of years. Marriage to Dave Martinkewiz followed in 1956, then to Seattle in 1958. Following years found them in Topeka, Kan., Lawton, Okla., and then Tulsa for 30 years. Degrees from Tulsa University and Northeast Oklahoma State paved the way for 25 years as a speech Pathologist in Tulsa Public Schools.

While all this was going one, she raised three sons, Alan born in 1957, Keith born in 1958, and Greg born in 1962. Guiding them with love and good sense, the result was all with college degrees, good marriages to exceptional daughters-in-law, six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

A 1992 retirement to Beaver Lake, Ark., provided the opportunity for continued activities including water sports, bridge, a ladies performance dance group, varied social activities, family interaction, completing 50 years in TTT (a send to girls camp sorority), golf, two months a year on South Padre Island, groups to help other folks and travel. She managed to visit all 50 states and all continents except Antarctica. The lack of Antarctica was a regret.

August 2018 found her enjoying a special event. A Martinkewiz Family Reunion of Mary and Dave, the three boys, and their complete families was held at Beaver Lake. A group of 25 gathered with Mary smiling in the midst of it all.

Some of the goodbyes will occur at 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 5, in the Lost Bridge Community Church, on Whitney Mountain in Garfield, Ark.

A reception is to follow at the NEBCO Fire Station No. 1 in Garfield.

Donations, if desired, to a favorite charity is preferred to gifts or flowers.

A follow-on birthday party, on or before her birthday of Oct. 28, 2018, is in initial planning. It will be full of good memories and hopefully not too rowdy.

Arrangements were under the care of Rollins Funeral Home of Rogers, Ark. www.rollinsfuneral.com

Audrey Ramona Pedersen

Audrey Ramona Pedersen, 78, of Pea Ridge, died Sept. 29, 2018 due to an accidental fall. She was born April 6, 1940, in Webster, South Dakota, the only child of Casper and Evelyn Johnson (nee Kampen).

She attended St. Olaf College where she met Donald B. Pedersen and they were married May 4, 1963. She completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Minnesota, receiving her Bachelor of Arts degree cum laude in 1962. She graduated from the University Arkansas with a Master of Music degree. In 1994, Audrey became a church musician and choir director, continuing until her death. She was a specialist in rearranging music for small and often unbalanced church choirs.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her grandson, Dillon Jones; and daughter, Holly Pedersen.

Survivors include her husband Don; sons, Theodore Pedersen and wife Ayda of Duluth, Minn., and Roger Pedersen of Fayetteville, Ark.; daughters, Barbara Harmon and husband Wesley, Paula Pedersen, Donna Davis and husband Jason, all of the Fayetteville area; eight grandchildren;and several very special cousins in America and Norway.

A memorial service celebrating her life will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 13, in Brightwater Memorial United Methodist Church.

A reception will follow in the fellowship hall.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Brightwater Memorial United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 2320, Rogers, AR. 72756 or through Paypal at [email protected]. Online condolences may be made at siscofuneralhome.net.

Jo Ann Staats

Jo Ann Staats, 64, of Garfield, died Oct. 3, 2018, in her home. She was born Nov. 12, 1953, in Bentonville to Benjamin Staats and Angie Jackson.

She was a lifelong resident of northwest Arkansas, and worked as a florist. She enjoyed flowers, working in home health care, and her great-grandbabies.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Survivors include her two children, Amanda House (Scott) of Garfield and Wayne Oberg of Pineville, Mo.; one sister, Debbie Speer (Phil) of Pineville, Mo.; five grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and her dog, Lance.

Graveside service will be at 10 a.m. Monday, Oct. 8, in Bentonville Cemetery.

Arrangements were by Epting Funeral Home.

Condolences: www.eptingfuneralhome.webs.com.

Shirley Kay Tacker

Shirley Kay Tacker, 68, of Pineville, Mo., died Oct. 5 in her home. She was born Sept. 21, 1950, in Bentonville to Daryle Leo Greene and Zora Lavaun Dean Greene.

She was raised in Pea Ridge and wed Larry Tacker May 29, 1968. She worked 11 years at Cobb Vantress, then retired from the accounts receivable clerk for Harris Bakery. She enjoyed quilting, gardening, raising livestock and her cats and dogs. She was a member of First Baptist Church in Garfield and attended The Ridge Church in Pea Ridge.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Survivors are her husband Larry of the home; a son, Daniel Tacker of Pineville; a daughter, Elizabeth Tacker (Amanda) of Bentonville; two brothers, Kenneth Greene (Judy) of Pea Ridge and Russell Greene of Fayetteville; a sister, Polly Ruth Elliott (Danny) of Sherwood, Ark.; five grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 2-4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 7, in the funeral home.

Graveside service is set for 10 a.m. Monday, Oct. 8, in Ruddick Cemetery in Garfield with Pastor Bonnie Austin officiating.

Arrangements are by Sisco Funeral Home in Pea Ridge.

Online condolences may be made at siscofuneralhome.net.