KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Frances E. Reust, 84, of Kansas City, Mo., formerly of Parsons, died at 5:18 p.m. Wednesday, April 27, 2011, at Garden Valley Manor in Kansas City, Mo. She had been in failing health.

She was born June 30, 1926, in Chaska, Minn., to Henry and Marie (Leikam) Wiederkehr. As a child, her family moved to Silver Lake where she graduated high school. Prior to marriage, she lived in Topeka, where she worked in a bank.

On Feb. 5, 1949, she married Wilbur L. “Bill” Reust in Topeka. While Mr. Reust was employed with the Fleming Co. from May 1949 to February 1960, they lived in St. Joseph, Mo., one year; and then Kansas City, Mo. The family continued to live in Kansas City while he was employed by Associated Wholesale Grocers from February 1960 until his retirement in June 1975. In June 1976, they moved to Parsons, where they were owners and operators of the former Olson’s Grocery Stores in Parsons, Erie and Chanute. After operating Rooster’s Thriftway stores for 20 years, the couple retired and sold the stores.

Mr. Reust preceded her in death on Aug. 2, 2004. Following his death, she continued to live in Parsons until her health began to fail. At that time, she moved to Kansas City, Mo., to be near family.

She was a member of Wesley United Methodist Church in Parsons. She enjoyed gardening and spending time with her grandchildren and attending their activities.

Survivors include a son, Andy Reust and his wife, Georgia, of Steamboat Springs, Colo.; a daughter, Sandy West and her husband, Gene, of Kansas City, Mo.; 13 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and a brother, Lloyd W. Wiederkehr and his wife, Jeanette, of Waverly.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by two sons, Randall and William Reust.

A graveside service will be at 2 p.m. today at Memorial Lawn Cemetery in Parsons. The family will receive friends from 1 p.m. until service time today at Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Parsons.

Online condolences may be left at www.forbeshoffman.com.