Flora Montague

Flora Edith Montague, 87, died on March 13, 2023 at Richmond Healthcare in Richmond, Kansas.  She was born October 1, 1935 at home, 2 ¼ miles east of Highway 59 on Rock Creek Road, Ottawa, Kansas, in the Latimer School community, a daughter of Henry Russell and Ruth Gladys Curtis Swank.  Edith attended 2 years at Latimer and went to church at Union Chapel Methodist Church. 

At the age of 7, the family moved to Princeton, Kansas on John Brown Road 2 ¾ miles East of Highway 59.  Flora then went to Tawney School one year then went to Princeton Grade School and Princeton High School where she graduated from both. 

On October 16, 1955, Flora married Duane J. Montague at Princeton United Methodist Church and they made their home in the Richter Community.  They were fortunate to have 42 years of marriage before the death of her husband. 

Flora was active in her community, was member of Harmony Home EHU.  She was Secretary & Treasurer for the club.  She enjoyed being a 4-H clothing leader for Juniors Judges for 13 years.  She taught sewing from 7 years of age through high school.  She was the first project leader to teach 4-H Boys to sew.  That year she had one of the four boys go to the State Fair in Hutchison, with his bathrobe and received a Blue ribbon for it.  By the way the boy was James Berr and from Ottawa. 

Flora worked for H.D. Lee Company and Pro Fit Cap Company, where she also served as Treasurer for Local Union for each Company.  She worked for Soark sewing sport clothing.  Then she worked for Micro Source where she prepped papers to go on micro film for 6 ½ years. 

By this time Flora started her own sewing business, Fashions by Flora in her own home.  She had a great time sewing for her customers and her self and grandkids.  Flora had the privilege of having her Brother-in-law Daryl Montague and her husband Duane build her sewing table for her new business.  Flora spent hours in her sewing rooms, as it was her hobby and job for money.  Flora did alterations of all kinds.  Duane would spend time in evenings with her in sewing room by helping to rip out a hem or zipper so she could get more sewing done.  Duane would also help to cut out a set of drapes.  Flora was a subcontractor for Draperies by Dorothy in Topeka, Kansas.  Flora had the privilege of sewing sheers and drapes for Lamb – Roberts Funeral Home in Ottawa, Kansas.  After her husbands death Flora got a little dog and it was a watch dog and company for Flora, always in her doggie bed in whatever room Flora was in. 

Flora enjoyed teaching children grades 4-6 at Sunday School at the Pomona Methodist Church and served on the Memorial Committee. 

Flora enjoyed taking pictures of family members and put them in the family genealogy books. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Ruth Swank; her husband, Duane Montague; and 4 brothers, Robert Earl Swank, George Hurley Swank, Charles Swank, and Edgar Swank.

She is survived by three daughters, Julia Ann Wagner of Jacksonville, FL, Roberta Jo Vaughn and husband, Ron, of Baldwin City, KS, and Darlene Kay Mille and husband, Kenny, of Pomona, KS; a son, Jeffery Paul Montague of Vassar, KS; grandchildren, Kendall Mille and wife, Sarah, Winston Mille and wife, Ashley, Kenneth Wagner, Kyle Wagner, Stephanie Nelson and husband, Britt, Carey Watts and husband, Jason Cornett, Merle Lee Montague and wife, Cassandra, and Becky Montague and Sherman; great-grandchildren, DJ Mille, Karina Mille, Keziah Mille, Elyse Mille, Eden Mille, Hayden Kenneth Mille, Dalton Francis Mille, Tegan Helen Mille, Madaline Mae Wagner, Alex James Watts, Anthony Douglas Watts, Eton Crawford Nelson, Ridge Calvin Nelson, Beau Russell Cornett, Kendrix Maddox Montague Peppers, Kyndyll Lynn Montague, and Harper Montague; step-great-grandchildren, Stacy Walstrom and husband, Bryan, Mindy Skea and husband, Matt, Nick Hoffman, Amber Hoffman and Eric Vogeler, Brayden Kitt, and Madison Krom; step-great-great-grandchildren, Coban Honey, Cursta Gehring, Magan Walstrom, Tyler Walstrom, Chase Vogeler, and Aubrey Vogeler; and two sisters, Louise Hamilton and husband, Dean, and Irene Tinsley.

Funeral Services will be 11:00 a.m., Thursday March 23, 2023 at Lamb-Roberts-Price Funeral Home, Ottawa, KS.  To celebrate Flora’s life, a visitation will be held from 9:30 a.m. until the start of service Thursday, March 23, 2023 at Lamb-Roberts-Price Funeral Home, 325 S. Hickory St, Ottawa, KS 66067.  Memorial contributions may be made to Prairie Paws Animal Shelter and sent c/o Lamb-Roberts-Price Funeral Home, P.O. Box 14, Ottawa, KS 66067. Condolences may be sent to the family through www.lamb-roberts.com.

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