Pauline Mary Hayden Nunemaker passed away January 17, 2018 at Presbyterian Manor, Lawrence, Kansas at the age of 93.
She was born March 21, 1924 in Lawrence to Will H. and Mary R. Hayden.
She grew up on a farm at Hayden’s corner with her four sisters. She attended Oak Ridge School in Grant Township and Graduated from Liberty Memorial High School, Lawrence KS in 1941.
Pauline married Eugene (Gene) W. Nunemaker on December 20, 1941.
Pauline held many clerking positions while Gene was stationed in Northern Africa and Italy during WWII. After his return, Pauline and Gene, along with Pauline’s parents, purchased Bismarck Grove and began farming and cattle feeding. Pauline did the farm recordkeeping for Bismarck Grove Feedyards, Hayden & Nunemaker, and Nunemaker-Ross, Inc. She also helped form and manage Bismarck Gardens. She and Gene were co-owners of the Lawrence Livestock Sale Barn where Pauline was a clerk.
Pauline was never idle. She painted lovely landscapes and was an avid quilter and made hundreds of quilts that she gave to her friends and family. When her children were young she sewed all the clothing for herself and her daughters and was proficient at tatting and needlepoint. Pauline and Gene hosted a Norwegian couple attending the University of Kansas, Arvid & Irmelin Skjold who they considered their Norwegian kids. She traveled extensively with Gene and later with her sisters and children throughout the United States and many overseas destinations including Norway, Russia, China and much of Europe. She was a skilled and serious bridge player belonging to many clubs and greatly enjoyed her nightly games of bridge after supper with her sisters.
Pauline faced great tragedy in her life including the 1951 flood when Gene and Pauline lost nearly all their possessions. The greater tragedy was the death of her daughter, Virginia in 1969 of leukemia.
4-H and the Extension service were important to her. Pauline belonged to Jayhawk 4-H Club as did her children, grandchildren and now her great-grandchildren. Pauline and Gene were 4-H community leaders, Douglas County 4-H Family of the Year and were proud to present the Nunemaker Citizenship award to honor their daughter, Virginia, at the Douglas County Fair. Pauline was a 50 year member of Oak Ridge Extension Homemakers and held many county offices and served as Kansas President of Extension Homemakers.
Pauline is survived by 3 of her children Diane Nunemaker, Mary Ross (Pat), Kent Nunemaker (Debra), Grandchildren, Virginia Meyer (William), Karen Bray (David), Krystale Neitzel (Lowell), Lyle Nunemaker (Shelley). Great Grandchildren are Evan and Wyatt Sutton, Jerod and Nathan Bray, Tuff and Mayson Neitzel and Curtis Hasbrouck. She is also survived by her four sisters Martha Milleret, Lucille Hansen, Della Hadley and Vera Dellwig, and many nieces and nephews.
Pauline is preceded in death by her daughter, Virginia, husband, Gene, grandson, Steven Derouin and great-grandson Gus Neitzel.
A visitation will be Sunday, January 21, 2018 from 3-4 pm, at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home. Private family burial will take place at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be made to Douglas County 4-H Foundation or Douglas County Visiting Nurses, sent in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, 601 Indiana St. Lawrence, KS 66044.
