Fawna Barrett

Fawna Fairy, third child of Ralph E. Arasmith and Ida Joy (Colson) Arasmith was born April 14, 1933, in Brownscreek Township, Jewell County Kansas, and died Jan. 12, 2022, at Salina Regional Health Center at the age of 88 years.

She was educated at a rural school, Jewell Elementary, and she graduated from Jewell High School in 1951. In 1953, she earned a 60-hour teaching certificate at Fort Hays State University, Hays, Kan. Education continued throughout her life by taking special classes, earning continuing education credit through the library and voracious reading. Her family received encouragement to study and they visited places of historical interest. Fawna taught five years in Jewell County schools.

Her first marriage to Jackie R. Wilson ended in divorce. She assumed the responsibility of raising their three sons, Gregory Jack, Bruce Eldon, and Ferris Clare with lots of support from her parents. A special memory- Fawna and her boys enjoyed helping her mother with the Old Settlers Celebration every year, making the orangeade, lemonade and hamburgers.

In 1961, Fawna was married to Gene L. Barrett at the Randall United Methodist Church. They had 44 years of happiness. Gene adopted the three boys and three more children, Kyle Gene, Seleise LaVon, and Natalie Joy were born to this couple.

In addition as a helpmate on the family farm, Fawna was active in many organizations. She was a member of the Randall Community Church, associate member of the Jewell Trinity United Methodist Church. Randall Progressive Study Club, United Church Women, Trinity UMW and Randall Public Library Board. She served with the Concordia District UMW Mission Team, including four years as president. As a representative of the Mission Team, she spoke at several churches and taught a number of mission studies to local UMW units. Additionally, it's rumored Fawna may have had an affiliation with more than just a couple of coffee clubs across the area.

Occupations through the years included teaching, substitute school cook, Randall librarian for 20 years, freelance writer and advertising manager for the former Jewell County Republican and the Jewell County Post. She covered many events as a reporter for the newspapers. Her descriptive column, "Panorama," was a favorite of hers and of the readers.

During her 33 years they had children in school, Fawna attended many events, both scholastic and sports. They were highlights in her life. Later, she loved to have the grandchildren visit in her home. Her "made-up" bedtime stories were requested frequently.

She moved to Solomon, Kan., in 2021 and became active in the Solomon United Methodist Women and the Solomon Presbyterian Women groups.

Preceding her in death were her parents, her two brothers, Ferris Ralph and Clare Kingsley, and her husband, Gene.

Survivors are: Greg Wilson, Bruce (Cindy) Barrett, Ferris (Susan) Barrett, Kyle Barrett, Seleise Barrett and Natalie (David) Wood, and multiple grandchildren, great, and great-great- grandchildren, as well as a large extended family.

The family requested masks be worn at all times during the inside funeral service.

Visitation was Sunday, Jan. 16, at Kleppinger Funeral Home from 1 to 7 p.m., with the family receiving friends from 5 to 7 p.m.

Her funeral was at 10 a.m., Monday, Jan. 17, at the Trinity United Methodist Church with Pastor Jim Rice officiating.

Burial followed the funeral at the Randall Cemetery, Randall.

Memorials are suggested to the Trinity United Methodist Church or the Randall Community Center.

For online condolences, please visit nuttermortuary.com.