Serena Eastburn

Funeral services for Serena Wiechert Eastburn, 94, Lawrence, KS, will be held at 4 p.m. Monday, March 26, 2012 at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Lawrence.  Private inurnment will be at a later date at the Mt. Hope Cemetery in Independence, KS.  She died on Friday, March 23, 2012 at the Lawrence Presbyterian Manor.

She was born on September 6, 1917 in Iowa County, Iowa, the youngest of eight children of George and Anna Sandersfeld Steinke.  She had lived in Lawrence since 1999 after moving from Coffeyville, KS.               

She had worked for twenty years at the Information Counter at the Campus Activities Center at Wichita State University. She retired in 1981.

Mrs. Eastburn was a member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Lawrence.

She was married to Norman Wiechert on June 6, 1937 and they lived in Independence, KS and Wichita, KS where they raised their family. He preceded her in death on November 12, 1975. She then married Clarence Eastburn on April 10, 1982 and they lived on a farm near Coffeyville, KS.  He preceded her in death in October 1998.

Survivors include a son, Allen Wiechert and his wife Sandra, of Lawrence, KS, a step daughter, Cheryl Wolfe, of Carmel, CA; two grandchildren, Kirstin (husband, Gerry) Wiechert Novak, Brendan (wife Debbie) Wiechert, and David Alden; two step-grandchildren, Lisa Wolfe and Shawn Wolfe; six great grandchildren and a large extended family.  She was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Vernetta Wiechert and a granddaughter, Megan Wiechert Alden.

The family suggests memorials to Immanuel Lutheran Church or to the Good Samaritan Fund at Lawrence Presbyterian Manor. These may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary in Lawrence.
 

6 Condolences

  1. Marcia Ackerman and Dan Devlin on March 24, 2012 at 11:48 am

    My mom was so happy to have another fun southeast Kansas gal as her roommate at Presbyterian Manor. Our family loved visiting with Serena and sharing memories of Kansas life. Her smile and laughter will be missed.

    Our thoughts are with you.
    Marcia Ackerman Devlin and Family



  2. Ron/Marleen Schmidt on March 25, 2012 at 5:39 pm

    Aunt Serena was an angel on earth. She was a blessing to us when my sister passed. I will always remember her laugh. I am sure you all have like remembrances of her as well. God’s Blessings to you and your family.



  3. Andrea (Van Dyke) Verbanic on March 25, 2012 at 8:38 pm

    My son Ryan and I lived across the sidewalk from Serena for several years in Lawrence. Ryan is 13 now and refers to Serena as his best friend up until age 5. We played outside every night and Serena was always outside with us. She was a wonderful lady! I will email a picture of Serena wearing part of Ryan’s Spiderman costume to the funeral home. I know you will miss her!



  4. Tamara Kappler on March 26, 2012 at 7:24 am

    I am Harlan and Verona Schmidt’s granddaughter and Ron and Marleen Schmidt’s daughter. I have heard a lot of stories about Serena and have vague memories of her from my childhood. However, what I remember most was how much my grandparents looked forward to seeing her and how much their time together meant to them. My thoughts and prayers are with you.



  5. Ed and Sandy Ficken on March 29, 2012 at 6:41 am

    We treasure our memory of being with her at her retirement party, our visits at her homes and her stays with us over the years. Always lots of laughter. Allen and Sandra, she was so very proud of you and your accomplishments and those of your children and families. Our love thoughts and prayers continue with you. Ed and Sandy



  6. Cintia on April 15, 2012 at 6:39 am

    I liked the Sandals Royal Hicacos it is a resort spa and ADULTS ONLY!!!!!! 16 years miunmim age it is a 5 star located near the top end of the beach strip at Veradero. You could just lay on the beach or by the pool and fry but they did have other activities to do as well. Also you could take the tourist bus 5CUC per person and go into the tourist area of Veradero.The other adults only one we like is the Breezes Jibacoa resort it is way out in the country, therefore you see a little more of what Cuba really looks like. Like Sandals there are activities to do around the resort, at the Breezes they have funny money that you get when you participate in activities that can be use to bid on things in the weekly auction. At the Breezes there were motor scooter tours that you could take BUT the guy was telling me that they are cutting back on the tours to just 2 or 3 days a week and the rest of the time they are self guided/ rentals. Breezes is a 4 star resort and the food is not as good as the Sandals but it is good and there is lots of it. The best thing about Breezes is eating you meals on the veranda and having fresh Orange juice in the morning at the sandals crepes for lunch and supper with ice cream and mamosos with breakfast (champagne OJ)In both places the entertainment staff try to keep things moving but if you just want to sit back and do nothing well heck you ARE on holidays.



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