MOUND VALLEY — Almeda M. Closs, 95, of Parsons, a former rural Mound Valley resident, passed away at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024, at the Good Samaritan Society of Parsons.
She was born on May 27, 1929, at Parsons to Arthur and Corresta (Woodmansee) Stevenson. She grew up near Mound Valley and attended Pleasant Hill School and Labette County Community High School, graduating in 1947. She was national 4-H winner for sewing and fashion in Chicago. Then she attended Kansas State Teacher’s College in Pittsburg, where she obtained a bachelor’s degree in education in 1951.
Almeda taught home economics at McCune High School for 27 years until the school closed in 1979. She also served as the Kansas FHA district adviser and served on the Kansas State FHA advisory committee.
She loved being outdoors, tending to her flowers, gardening and feeding her birds. Almeda had a green thumb with her house plants. She had a passion for sewing and mending. Her knowledge and memory of current events, history, family ancestry and former students were outstanding. She enjoyed Kansas City Chiefs football, puzzles, playing the piano and organ. She was a member of the Wesley United Methodist Church for over 50 years.
She married Fredrick W. Closs Jr. on May 27, 1952, at Mound Valley. He preceded her in death on Feb. 17, 1993.
Almeda is survived by her sons, Fredrick W. Closs III of Arcadia and Arthur Closs and his wife, Paula, of rural Mound Valley; her grandchildren, Lola Mayhall and her husband, Wayne, of Forney, Texas, Caitlin Closs of Mound Valley, Rosanna Closs of Pittsburg and Fredrick Closs IV and his wife, Lea, of Lewiston, Maine; her great-grandchildren, Madi Mayhall and Lily Mayhall of Forney, Texas, Derek Scholes of Weir, Shelby Scholes of Weir, Sara Scholes of Pittsburg and Brent Scholes of Pittsburg; her sister, Mary Soodsma and her husband, Jim, of rural Mound Valley; and her nephew, Steve Soodsma and his wife, Patricia.
In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her daughter, Roberta Closs; her sister, Marjorie Stevenson; and her nephew, Paul Soodsma.
A graveside service will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the Fort Scott National Cemetery at Fort Scott with Chaplain Randy Beeman officiating. Burial will follow the services. Friends may sign the register and view at their convenience at the Carson-Wall Funeral Home. The family suggests memorials to the Wesley United Methodist Church Sunday school, and these may be left at or mailed to the funeral home, 112 N. 26th St., P.O. Box 942, Parsons, KS, 67357.
Leave online condolences at www.wallfuneralservices.com.
See Obituaries on Page 3.
