Omalee Clemence Garten

Omalee Clemence Garten, 95, died Monday, November 25, 2013 at her home in Garden City. She was born May 3, 1918 in Denver, Arkansas to Frank Madison and Minnie Boyles Clemence. The youngest of 12 children, she graduated from The School of the Ozarks, at the time a private high school for students of promise willing to work for their room, board and tuition during the depression. She received her undergraduate degree from Missouri State Teaching College in Warrensburg, Mo, and a MS in English from the University of Kansas.

On May 11, 1941, she married Perry Garten in Olathe, Kansas. During WWII she worked at Remington Arms, a munitions factory in Kansas City. She also taught in the high school in Raymore, Mo. After the war the family relocated to Atchison, Kansas where she also taught in the high school. From 1951 until 1983 she taught in the public school system of Atchison County, the majority of which was teaching college prep English courses at Atchison County Community High School in Effingham.

Omalee was a member of the Union Church in Effingham, Ks. She and her husband Perry raised registered Polled Hereford cattle and in 2007 were inducted into the Kansas Polled Hereford Association Hall of Fame for their contributions to the breed. In 2010 they moved to Garden City to be closer to family.

She is survived by her husband Perry of the home; a daughter Danna (Bill) Jones of Garden City; a son Perry Garten II of Aurora, Co.; granddaughter Leah Schaller of Garden City; and grandson Wes Garten of New Orleans, La. Omalee is preceded in death by 11 brothers and sisters and her parents.

Funeral Service: 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 27, 2013 at Garnand Funeral Home in Garden City with Von Hunn officiating.

Interment: Valley View Cemetery in Garden City.

The family requests memorials to the Finney County Humane Society or the Kansas Special Olympics both in care of Garnand Funeral Home of Garden City.