Theda Dayton Obituary

Theda Elnora Dayton

At age 96, Theda Elnora (Bowman) Dayton entered into rest Sunday, December 28, 2014 at Flint Hills Care Center of Emporia, Kansas.

Theda was born Tuesday, May 28, 1918 in Kent, Iowa to George Ephriam and Laura Ida (Westerbeck) Bowman. As a child, she moved with her family to Ames, Iowa after her father lost his hog business to cholera. She graduated from Ames High School and married William Stanley Dayton on September 11, 1938 in Ames, Iowa. After marriage, they resided in Chicago, Illinois; Lamar, Colorado; Lyons, Kansas; and Emporia, Kansas where she remained for the remainder of her life. She was a very active member of the Methodist-Episcopal, First Methodist , and First United Methodist churches throughout her life. In addition, she was a member of Wesleyan Service Christian Guild (WSCS), United Methodist Women (UMW), United Methodist Wednesday Church Circle, Cosmopolitan Club, and several Bridge clubs.

Theda and her husband were co-owners and managers of Mountain State Hatchery in Lamar, Colorado; Wells Hatchery in Lyons, Kansas; and Daytons' Toys, Hobbies, and Crafts in Emporia, Kansas. After the last business and building were sold in 1977, Theda worked as a sales clerk at The Villager for 23 years.

Theda was an avid reader, a sharp dresser of clothes and jewelry, and a person of deep faith and unconditional love for her children and everyone she met.

Theda was preceded in death by her parents; husband (1978); Lawrence "Larry" Bowman Dayton (1988); and sister, Sedalia "Sue" Robbins. She is survived by her daughter, Beth Ellen Dayton of Emporia; a niece and her three children and their children; three nephews and their five children and their children.

Cremation has taken place with eventual internment of the cremains at Memorial Lawn Cemetery of Emporia, Kansas next to her husband. A memorial service will be announced and held at a later date. Memorial contributions may be given to the Emporia First United Methodist Church UMW and/or organ fund and sent to either Charter Funerals or the Emporia First United Methodist Church.

Please sign this guestbook at Obituaries.LJWorld.com.