IN MEMORIAM
EXPANDED EULOGIES
Theda Wolford
Services for Theda Louise Wolford, 96, Hartford, who passed away Sunday, April 9, 2023, at Emporia Presbyterian Manor, were 2 p.m. Saturday, April 15, 2023, at Hartford Methodist Church.
She was buried next to her husband, Billie, in Hartford Cemetery.
The family received friends 6 to 7:30 p.m. Friday at Hartford Methodist Church.
Theda was born Feb. 2, 1927, in Ottumwa, the oldest of seven children of Leonard and Opal Summa Siebuhr.
She attended Hartford High School and graduated with the Class of 1945.
Theda married the love of her life, Billie Stanton Wolford, on Aug. 12, 1945 in Hartford. They made their home southeast of Emporia in 1952.
In 1958, they began milking cows and built a Grade A dairy farm in 1972 that remained operational until 1997.
Theda cultivated her love of animals, raising pigs for many years with gentle care and lots of love.
In 1962, they purchased the hardware store in Hartford. Theda and Bill worked side by side for 34 years before Bill’s passing on Oct. 1, 1995.
Theda soldiered on and continued to operate the hardware store, retiring after more than 50 years of community service.
Theda and Bill were instrumental in establishing Hartford Harvest Days and contributed to the community whenever they could.
Theda served as the grand marshal of Hartford Harvest Days in 2007.
They were both members of Hartford Methodist Church.
Theda will live on in the hearts and memories of her daughter, Michal Ann Russell, and her husband, Robert, of Tecumseh, and five sons, Clyde Wolford and his wife, Denise, of Emporia; Craig Wolford and his wife, Kara, of Hartford; Nelson Wolford and his wife, Cherry, of San Angelo, Texas; Dana Wolford of Durham; and Emil Wolford and his wife, Saowalak, of Hartford.
Other survivors include 10 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; a great-great- grandson who is on the way; sisters Elaine Smith of Emporia and Audrey Zigler of Columbus, Georgia; numerous extended family members; and a community of dear friends.
Theda also was preceded in death by three brothers, Leonard, Buford and Eldon, as well as a sister, Carma Grace Hollar.
Memorial contributions may be made to the church and sent in care of the Jones VanArsdale Funeral Home at Box 43, Lebo KS 66856.
Condolences may be expressed at vanarsdalefs.com.