MC COLLUM, Ruth "Arlene" (Knapp) - b. October 24, 1928 - d. March 3, 2008

[patyrn]

Ruth "Arlene" McCollum, age 79, of Fall River, Kansas, passed away Monday, March 3, 2008, at St. Francis Hospital in Wichita, Kansas.  Arlene was born on October 24, 1928 in rural Elk County, Kansas, the daughter of Harry and Alva (Perry) Knapp. 

Arlene was a graduate of Severy High School with the class of 1947.  On February 18, 1951, Arlene was united in marriage to John McCollum at the Elk County Courthouse in Howard, Kansas. Arlene worked side by side with John on their dairy farm near Fall River, Kansas.  Together they were part of the founding members of the Mid-America Dairy Farmers, which is now known as Dairy Farmers of America.  Arlene loved to attend the Dairy Meetings every year in Springfield, Missouri.  At home she loved to collect recipes and cook big meals for her family.

Survivors include four sons, Randy McCollum, Ronnie McCollum, Frank McCollum, and Donnie McCollum, all of Fall River, Kanss; two daughters, Jill McCollum of Lewis, Kansas and Karen Van Winkle of Corning, Kansas; one sister, Naomi Lacy of Wichita, Kansas; two sisters-in-law, Joyce Knapp of El Dorado, Kansas and Betty Phillips of West Richland, Washington; eight granddaughters, Amanda, Allie Theresia, Kodie, Aadrian, Brenda, Karrie, and Crystal.

Arlene was preceded in death by her husband John on August 5, 2002, her parents, and two brothers, Melvin and Darrell.

Funeral services wil be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday,  March 8, 2008, at the First Baptist Church in Severy, Kansas.  Vistation will be held at the church Saturday from 11:00 a.m. until service time.  Interment will be at the Twin Grove Cemetery in Severy, Kansas.  The family suggests memorial contributions to the American Diabetes Association and may be sent to Countryside Funeral Home, P.O. Box 247, Fredonia, Kansas  66736.  Arrangements are under the direction of Zimmerman Funeral Home, Howard, Kansas.  Onlne condolences may be left at www.countrysidefh.com.

(taken from the Countryside Funeral Home website)