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This Book of Memories memorial website is designed to be a permanent tribute paying tribute to the life and memory of Verlee Frantz. It allows family and friends a place to re-visit, interact with each other, share and enhance this tribute for future generations. We are both pleased and proud to provide the Book of Memories to the families of our community.

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Obituary for Verlee Frantz

Verlee Frantz
Frantz, Verlee, 83, retired Derby teacher, passed away Thursday, September 21, 2017.

A celebration of Verlee’s life will be held at 2:00 pm, Saturday, September 30, 2017 at Woodlawn United Methodist Church, 431 S. Woodlawn, Derby. A private graveside service was previously held at Hillcrest Cemetery in Derby.


Verlee (Reist) was born on a farm in Grundy Co., Iowa in 1934 to Robert (Jim) and Bernice Reist. The Brethren Church was central to Verlee’s upbringing, along with helping out with chores on the farm and being involved in many school activities. She graduated from Eldora High School in 1952. She attended McPherson College, where she met Bill Frantz. They were married in 1954. Soon after their marriage, they were separated due to Bill being drafted into military service, where he was stationed in Ft. Knox, KY.

Verlee stayed behind and began her teaching career in Hutchinson, KS. The separation didn’t last long; Bill and Verlee missed each other terribly. Verlee moved to Ft. Knox to be with him. It was there that their oldest daughter, Kathy, was born in 1957. Shortly after Bill’s military training was complete, the young family returned to KS, where Verlee resumed teaching, and Bill began his career in the insurance industry.

The family was living in Haysville, KS when their youngest daughter, Kelly, was born in 1967. Shortly thereafter, the family moved to Kansas City due to Bill’s job promotion. In June of 1975, the family moved to Derby. It was here that Verlee spent the second half of her life. During all of her moves throughout the state of KS, Verlee continued to teach, retiring in 1993, after 39 years of teaching.

Verlee LOVED retirement. She and Bill frequently ate at local restaurants each evening, and she became more involved in her hobbies - cross-stitching, quilting, reading, shopping, and talking on the phone. Verlee loved home-decorating (especially at Christmas), sweets (particularly chocolate), Free Pie Wednesdays at Village Inn, lounging in her pink bathrobe, talking and laughing with friends, and spending time with her family, especially her grandson, Kenny.

Verlee had a self-deprecating sense of humor. She loved to laugh, and had a quick smile, particularly if a joke was a bit off-color. Those who knew her describe Verlee as being a good listener, kind, funny, gracious, well-mannered, and a lady who liked pretty things.

Verlee was preceded in death by her parents Jim and Bernice, husband Bill, brother Gordon Reist, and sister Virginia Herndon.

She is survived by her daughters, Kathy Frantz (Shirley Anderson), Kelly Gifford (Jerry); grandson, Kenny Gifford, brother, Victor (Herberta) Reist; in-laws; nieces and nephews; and many wonderful friends.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Foundation of America, www.alzfdn.org.
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