Emma E. Van Vleet

Lifelong Goodland, Kansas resident, Emma Ella (Everett) Van Vleet, 88, died Friday, September 22, 2023, in Goodland at Topside Manor.

She was born on January 19, 1935, in the upstairs bedroom of her grandparents’ house at 531 W. 10^th, Goodland, Kansas where her parents also lived. She was the daughter of Roy and Julia P (Smalley) Everett.

She attended school and graduated from Sherman Community High in 1953.

On July 8, 1955 she married Harold L. Van Vleet and they made their home in Goodland. She was a stay-at home mom until September 1969 when she went to work for the School District as a lunch room cook. In May 1992, after cooking for 22 years, she retired to spend time with Harold who was also retired by then.

She was a life-long member of the First Christian Church, being active in youth programs during her school years and teaching Kindergarten Sunday School for many years. Attending summer camp at Camp Christy near Scott County Lake was one of her special memories. She was a member of Royal Neighbors, Daughters of Rebekah, and the VWF Auxiliary. She was active with the Senior Center from 1995 until her death.

Preceding her in death are her husband and parents, sister Nellie Bowman, son-in-law Mark K. Brunworth, granddaughter Julia Van Vleet; brothers-in-law, Malcolm Van Vleet, Richard Van Vleet, Ronald Van Vleet, Merlyn Blue, Otho Welcher and Kenneth Smith, and sisters-in-law Patsy Van Vleet, Julie Van Vleet, Marjorie Van Vleet and Wilma Blue.

Surviving family includes her son George Van Vleet and his wife Mary Ann of Goodland; daughters Dianna Briney and her husband Mike of Hays; Susan Brunworth of Richmond, Missouri; son Robert Van Vleet and his husband Gennaro Scopo of Aurora, Colorado; six grandchildren Kristin Herl and her husband Jeremy of Hays; Allan Briney and Ashley Flowers of Dodge City; Justin Van Vleet and his wife Crystal; Brandon Van Vleet and his wife Eryn, all of Goodland; Ella Ho and her husband Andrew of Lee’s Summit, Missouri; Alea Miller and her husband Cullen of Kansas City, Missouri; five great-grandchildren Tailynn and Ryker Van Vleet, Kamleigh and Lane Van Vleet, Quinn and Vance Herl and Jackson Ho; one sister-in-law Esther Smith of Carthage, Mississippi.

Memorial contributions may be designated to the First Christian Church Youth Camp or to the Kansas Honor Flight and may be left at the services or mailed to Koons-Russell Funeral Home, 211 N. Main Ave., Goodland, KS 67735.