Margaret Anspach, 94, of Parsons, passed away at 12:23 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, at the Good Samaritan Society of Parsons surrounded by her loving family.
She was born Nov. 18, 1930, at Hepler to Elmer D. Ellis and Lula (Hixon) Ellis. She attended the Pleasant Valley country school in the Fort Scott area and graduated from Fort Scott High School.
Margaret married Robert L. “Bob” Anspach on July 1, 1949, in Fort Scott. While living in Fort Scott she worked at the Key Works Clothing Co. The Anspachs came to Parsons in the early 1950s and she worked for Reliance Clothing in Cherryvale and Mercy Hospital, Parsons State Hospital and Labette County Medical Center, all in Parsons. In the late 1960s and early 1970s she managed Bike’s – Rusty Drive Inn. In 1974 she began employment with the Parsonian Hotel and remained there until 2002.
Margaret enjoyed working in her flower gardens, reading, television game shows, crossword and puzzles. For many years she attended the Parsons Farmers Market, exhibiting numerous fabric crafts, highlighting embroidered linen towels and homemade quilts. She was quite the handywoman and tackling a home project of any kind was a joy. Over the years she made numerous trips to visit family. Some highlights were attending concerts, county and state fairs and simply sharing good meals and playing cards and board games. Her mission in life was to support and love her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
Surviving are a son, David Anspach of Parsons; two daughters, Kathy Hoover (Steve) and Martha Jane Morgan (John), all of Parsons; seven grandchildren, Chris Anspach (Stephanie), Amy Tharp (Mike), Charlie Cole (Danielle), Melissa Morris, Kimberly Cole, Tony Yanez (Cassy), Amy Johnson (Jay) and Heather Adkins; 18 great-grandchildren, Chelsea Janzen (Daniel), Grant Morris, Mason Morris, Garrett Tharp (Carmen), Jake Tharp, Samantha Betts (Donivan), Britne Gobert (Aiden), Zackery Adkins, Dalton Adkins, Alexandria Morelien (Christian), Tonie Nelson (Adam), Nathan Yanez, Christian Smith (Peighton), Alex Smith, Cody Smith (Skylar), Kramer Kennedy, Kylee Collier (Braton), Keaton Kennedy (Jaelin); and nine great-great-grandchildren, Braxton and Summit Bretts, Gabriella and Zachery Gobert, Clay Morelien, Maddox Nelson, Avery Smith, Inola Smith, Emiyah, Adelyn and Maveryck Kennedy.
Margaret was preceded in death by her parents, Elmer and Lula (Hixon) Ellis; her husband, Robert “Bob” Anspach, on Feb. 21, 1994; her son, John Anspach; son-in-law, Don Cole; brother, Frank Ellis; and sisters, Bernetta Rhodes and Louise Crandon.
The service will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 26, at the Carson- Wall Funeral Home with Pastor Mike Tharp officiating. A private burial will follow at Memorial Lawn Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. The family suggests memorials to the Proud Animal Lovers Society (PALS). They may be left at or sent to the funeral home, P.O. Box 942, Parsons, KS, 67357.
Leave online messages at www.wallfuneralservices.com.
