Opal Henderson, age 94, of Manhattan, Kansas, died Thursday, February 18, 2010, at the Meadowlark Hills-Lyle House in Manhattan. She was a longtime resident of Wichita, Kansas prior to moving to Manhattan in 2007.

Mrs. Henderson was born on April 8, 1915, in Hoxbar, Oklahoma, the daughter of Joseph Frederick and Elizabeth (Garner) Cox.

She graduated from Kiowa High School in Kiowa, Kansas in 1933 following which she earned her degree as a Registered Nurse from Wesley Hospital. Later she graduated from Ottawa University in Ottawa, Kansas where she earned a Bachelors of Arts degree in 1977.

Mrs. Henderson was a Registered Nurse for the Wichita school system for 28 years. Her professional memberships included the Wichita Nurses Association and the Kansas School Nurses Association.

An active resident of the Wichita community, her memberships included the St. Paul’s United Methodist Church where she was active with the United Methodist Women and where she volunteered for numerous church related activities. Her civic interest included a longtime membership in the Wichita Botanica Gardens, where she served as a volunteer. She also held membership in the Wichita Art Museum which included volunteer duties. Upon moving to Manhattan she became a member of the College Avenue United Methodist Church.

Mrs. Henderson was an avid flower gardener,and she enjoyed growing tomatoes which she shared with her friends and neighbors. She loved to entertain family and friends, and she enjoyed movies, theater, Shockers Baseball, camping, travel, family reunions, and block parties. Mrs. Henderson took pride in her cooking, and she and her husband, Lloyd, were host to may holiday celebrations in their home. On such occasions she would share her cooking recipes for such favorites as chicken and homemade noodle gravy served over mountains of mashed potatoes, and at Christmas time it was always freshly made peanut brittle. She always had time for her children and grandchildren, and she made many friends because she was a good listener.

On April 8, 1936, she was united in marriage to James Lloyd Henderson in Towanda, KS. He preceded her in death on June 22, 1982. She was also preceded in death by her siblings: James Cox, Cora McGee, Jesse Cox, Manford Cox, Hugh Cox, Ivajo Cox and Maurice Cox.

Mrs. Henderson is survived by one son: Donald T. Henderson and his wife Gloria of Alamogordo, New Mexico and two daughters: Janice A. Reitz and her husband Leland of Manhattan, Kansas and Linda J. Downtain and her husband Duane of Overland Park, Kansas. Also surviving are seven grandchildren: Mark and Susan Henderson, Amy Bakke, Max and Nathan Reitz, and Rachel and Emily Downtain and thirteen great grandchildren.

Memorial services will be held 10:30 a.m. Friday, March 19th, 2010, at the College Avenue United Methodist Church, 1609 College Avenue, Manhattan, Kansas with Reverend Larry Fry officiating. Private inurnment will be in the Kiowa Cemetery in Kiowa, Kansas.

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Memorials have been established for the Wichita Botanica Gardens and the Meadowlark Hills Foundation. Contributions may be left in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, Kansas 66502.