Dorothy Ellen Kernes Huffman passed on to glory on October 11, 2009, at the age of 98 years, 1 month and 18 days. She was born in St. Joseph, MO on August 24, 1911, the third of 9 children. Her family had a colorful history. Her grandfather's wife was a Cherokee who had escaped from the Trail of Tears. Her mother had been an orphan who came to Missouri on the Orphan Train. As a girl, Dorothy excelled in school, music and starred in the school plays. After graduating from Benton High School, she married Galen Raymond Huffman on June 7, 1931.

They were blessed with 2 children, Carole Jeannine and Galen Ray. She felt called to the ministry and attended Bethany Bible School for one year. She served the St. Joseph Church as interim pastor and continued to minister the rest of her life, teaching Bible studies, preaching, visiting the sick, performing weddings, baptisms and funerals. Her last sermon was given in Quinter at the age of 88. She was a great party planner and a life long quilter, a blessing to all. She and Galen owned a hobby store for many years, and she had a weekly TV show demonstrating crafts. She was active in Women's Christian Temperance Union, and served as the state president for a term. All her work for the Lord was done with no monetary compensation, while caring for her family. In her spare time she wrote poetry, which has been compiled into a book.


Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband Galen, four brothers, Bernard, Kenneth, Leonard and Byron Kernes, and three sisters, Deloros, Nadine and Betty Jean.


She is survived by her daughter, Carole Crist of the Quinter Long Term Care Home, and husband, D. A.; her son, Galen Ray and wife, Karen, of Quinter; a sister, Peggy Benton of El Paso, TX; seven grandchildren, Dan Crist and wife, Janice, of Quinter, Kevin Crist and wife, Mary, of McPherson, Jana Pote and husband, David, of Wichita, Scott Huffman and wife, Eileen, of Lawrence, Eric Huffman of Hays, Penny Callantine and husband, Jason, of Inkom, ID, and Jeffrey Huffman and wife, Shawna, of Lawrence; thirteen great-grandchildren, Rachel and Mark Crist of Lawrence, Alyese Crist of Quinter, Jordan, Joshua, and Jacob Pote of Wichita, Courtney, Jessica, and Timothy Huffman of Lawrence, Matthew and Audrey Callantine of Inkom, ID, and Patrick and Stephen Huffman of Lawrence; and many nieces and nephews. 1


Services for Dorothy will be held Saturday, October 17, 2009 at 10:00 A.M. in the Church of the Brethren at Quinter, KS.


Memorials are suggested to the church and can be sent in care of Schmitt Funeral Home, 901 S. Main, Quinter, KS 67752.