Virginia Ade, 105, passed away peacefully in Salina, Kansas on Sunday, October 16, 2022.
Virginia was born on July 19, 1917. She was the daughter of Harry and Hazel (Meyer) Mason.
She attended Pleasant Hill School and graduated from Abilene High School. She worked at Duckwalls in Abilene. After graduating, she taught at Scotia School, which was located just west of Holland, Ks for four years.
Virginia married Ezra Ade at the First Baptist Church in Carlton, Ks on May 14, 1939. They were married for 71 years before Ezra’s death. They lived and farmed in the Carlton area for many years before moving to Salina.
Virginia was an active member of the Carlton Baptist Church doing local, association, regional, state, and national church work. She was a Sunday school teacher, a member of the American Baptist Women’s Ministries. Ezra and Virginia traveled a lot visiting many Christian Centers, schools, colleges, children’s homes, churches and missionaries doing church work. Virginia worked with the youth of the church, as she served 2 years as sponsor at the World Involvement Congress, the Baptist Guild Girls Conference, and 14 years as counselor at the Citizenship Seminar at Rock Springs 4-H Camp. Virginia and Ezra also traveled the country as Virginia served the Dickinson County Farm Bureau as the County Woman Chairman. She was named 5th District Woman Leader of the year in 1974 in which she served 14 years. She was a member of State Youth Power Committee working with Ag in the classroom.
Virginia and Ezra served as Community and project leaders of the Carlton Trailblazers 4-H Club for over 40 years. The Kansas Commission on the Bi-Centennial of the United States Constitution recognized Virginia for special service and dedication to the citizens of Kansas in the celebration of the 200th anniversary of the United States Constitution and the Bill of Rights. She was also a member of the Carlton E.H.U.
Virginia was a very talented person. Combining Ezras’s wood working and Virginia’s painting, they had participated in many art and craft shows. Virginia initiated the establishment of the community and senior citizens center in Carlton. She was a member of the Retired Teachers, Republican Women, Christian Women, National Association of Tole and Decorative Painters, Home Circle Art Club, Kansas Authors Club and was historian of family, church, school and cemetery. She painted pictures, wrote music and poems, played the piano and organ. She also began a memorial service for the Woodlawn Cemetery in which is still going on today. Virginia, Ezra and their son, Dennis, would travel to various states just to search for family members. Virginia always enjoyed entertaining neighbors, family, and church friends. She spent many hours helping cut quilt squares, helping young girls learn the basic cooking and baking skills.
One of Virginia’s biggest accomplishments was the chairman on a committee of five, who spent hours on writing and putting together the Carlton Area History Book which included the towns of Carlton, Elmo, and Holland, all of Dickinson County. The book was a big success and is still being used today because it not only contains the history but also information for the areas listed. She also played a big part in making the Gypsum History book.
Virginia was a woman of great faith, a loving wife, parent, and a wonderful Aunt. When Ezra and her lived at the farm, every night she would take her beloved dog, Deva, and walk down the lane and raise her arms to the heavens and recite the bible verse, Psalm 121: 1 & 2. “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.”
She was preceded in death by her husband, Ezra in 2010, her parents, and sister, Frances Haney.
Survivors include her son, Dennis L. Ade, Salina, Ks, formerly of Hutchinson, Ks and many nieces and nephews.
Services will be Monday, October 24, at 10:00 a.m. at the First Baptist Church of Gypsum, KS. Burial will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery. There will be no visitation.
Memorials may be made to the Community Foundation of Dickinson County in care of Ryan Mortuary; 137 N. 8th St; Salina, Ks 67401.
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