Graveside services for Christine E. Hird Isern, 81, Lawrence, will be at 2 pm Tuesday at Memorial Park Cemetery. A visitation will be held Monday from 5:30 to 7:30 pm at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home. Casual attire.
Christine Elizabeth (Hird) Isern was born 3/28/37 on Easter Sunday to Harold H Hird and Bonnie Buchheim. A turbulent start, she was relinquished at birth because her mother was not expected to survive. Her mother did survive and she was raised by her biological parent’s. She wrote, “Growing up an active little brat, I gave my parents a lot of expenses with broken bones”. Christine a.k.a Betty Hird spent lots of time on the Buchheim family farm.
She attended Lawrence schools and graduated in 1955. She attended KU between 1955-1958 and again in 1977-1978. She majored in communications, sociology and law studies.
She married Lawrence Isern after meeting him at a KU Football game. They were married March 28th 1958 on her birthday. Larry often spoke of the beautiful eyes looking up at him in the stands. They were married for 37 years at the time of Larry’s Death November 2nd 1995.
Her daughter Ganis was born in 1959 and Trina in 1968.
Over the years she worked for Charleton Insurance Agency, State of Kansas Physics Department, Mortons Building Materials, Urban Renewal, Pendleton Law Office, Douglas County Senior Services, Lawrence Memorial Hospital and finally for Don Strole and Sally Kelsey Attorney’s at Law. Christine loved working with people and attempted to help people in various ways. She was President of WestPerry Park Neighborhood Association, served on the Lawrence School District Districting Committee and served 6 years on the Lawrence City Traffic Commission. She was active PTA member and enjoyed party planning at the schools. She Was an active participant in the Class of 1955 reunion committee and cherished her friends.
She adored her daughters, grandchildren (Chase, Quincy and Keiron Langston) and many friends, often telling people they were the flowers in her life. When Larry became ill with Multiple Sclerosis in 1984, Christine both cared for him and worked until his death in 1995. She kept active with Lawrence High School Class of 1955 activities and shopping. Christine always had a project on which she was working, a cause for which to fight for or a bargain to be found. Following Larry’s death, Christine enjoyed working as a legal secretary; until she was forced retire in 2011 due to failing health. Into her 80’s she would often tell doctors that she wanted to go back to work because she found it so rewarding. In her failing health she enjoyed daily long car rides until she could not longer make it to the car.
In recent years Christine was frustrated with limitations brought on by COPD and asthma. She was cared for by her daughters, Trina and Ganis and had help of Linda Lash and Lisa Chamberlain and staff of Keep Living at Home.
She died Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018, at LMH surrounded by her loving family. She is survived by her daughters Ganis Himes and Trina Langston (Pete); grandsons, Chase, Quincy and Keiron Langston and “Sweetie” her beloved cat.
The family suggests memorial contributions to the Lawrence Humane Society, send in care of the funeral home.
Christine was a lovely lady with a deeply kind heart. It was wonderful to know her, and I will miss her. My condolences to all the family.
Trina,
So sorry for your loss. Even when you are expecting it, it’s always a shock when it happens. We will keep you all in our prayers.
Wayne and I are very sorry to hear of Betty’s passing. Our sincere sympathy to all of her family. Betty is one of my dear friends and classmate of mine. We attended New York elementary school where we enjoyed some really fun times together. We often reminisced about those times. We both graduated with the LHS class of 1955. Betty knew my sister, “Jeri” who passed away this month and she too is buried in Memorial Park cemetery in Lawrence. My heart is heavy. May God bless you all with his everlasting love.
Trina, I am so sorry to hear about your loss. Your mother was always so sweet and gracious to a bunch of rowdy little girls. I know she will be so missed by you and your family. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Christine will have quite a party in heaven! Will be missed.
Trina and all family, my heart hurts after having talked with Trina about your Mom’s passing. There are no words to say but I can offer a friendship to you and tell you that grief is hard. I lost my Dad on November 19, 2012, just a few days before Thanksgiving which was one of my family’s favorite days of the year. I still miss my Dad & could never think of the inevitable day when my Mom will join my Dad in Heaven. So I do know your Mom let my Mom pray with her and she told my Mom she had accepted Jesus as her Savior and as a Christian, I know I will see my family again and it will be forever. Jesus loves each of you and He is the one who will ease your pain. I hope you’ll consider letting Him be that Savior who would love you better than anyone through this time of grief. Finally, read these words about grief:
“Grief never ends … but it changes. It’s a passage, not a place to stay. Grief is not a sign of weakness, nor lack of faith. It is the price of love.” ~ Unknown Author.
So sorry for your loss. When she was able I enjoyed our shopping together. I wish we had more time together. She had a lot of health programs and my self I seem to be having my share too. Bless her family.
Trina and Family, Our thoughts and prayers are with you all, Christine was such a nice lady, enjoyed getting to meet her when chase and jacob were small.
Christine was a close friend and legal secretary for my father, Judge Bill Pendleton, and the two stayed in touch until he died three years ago, through daily phone calls, visits, helpful acts, and deep affection. Christine became my longtime friend too. Though she often talked with pride of her daughters, Trina Langston and Ganis and their families, it was only a couple years before Dad died that my husband Mike Ambrose and I finally met Trina and her two youngest boys, Quincy and Keiron. Instantly, they became family to me, just as Christine had become. Trina was an amazing, devoted caretaker to her mother for a long time, and taught her boys to visit many folks at nursing homes, including my dad, and Forrest Budd, and Ken Pine. I was blessed to have talked with Christine just two days before she died, and I knew it would be the last time. She was a unique thread in the tapestry of my life, having known my dad, my mom, Mom’s parents, my little brother Martin, and many others dear to me. RIP, dear Christine. You were always kind to me and to my father, and you will never be forgotten.
May Chris rest in peace now that her very long courageous battle with ill health is finished. Her classmates at Lawrence High School will always remember her wry sense of humor and dedication to whatever she put her mind to do! I send my sincere condolences to her daughters, grandchildren, family and friends.