Dorcas R. Severance

Dorcas Rae (Speer) Severance, Beloit, Kan., died Dec. 30, 2009, in Wichita, Kan. She was 78.

The second of four children, Dorcas was born Feb. 24, 1931, on the family farm near Clearwater, Kan. She was the daughter of Levi Wendell and Effie Rae (Jacques) Speer. She attended country schools and was valedictorian of her class at Clearwater High School. During high school she was chosen national president of the Junior Red Cross. A gifted musician, she studied flute with Paul Tack at the University of Wichita.

Dorcas attended Kansas State University, and graduated in 1952. An outstanding student, she earned her degree in dietetics. She was a member of the Pi Beta Phi sisterhood, and was selected to Mortar Board senior women's honorary.

At K-State she met Robert J. Severance, Jr., and they were married June 8, 1952, a month after Dorcas graduated. They moved to their home north of Asherville, Kan., in 1955, and were living there when she sustained the fall that led to her death.

Dorcas was a joyous and gifted wife and mother, and created a home that was filled with love and music. She and Bob reared five children—Jean, Sara, Rachel, Jim, and Fred—on Shady Oaks Farm, with Dorcas driving the tractor during haying and helping load pigs for sale. The family had a 1948 school bus that had been converted to a camper, and camped all over the United States. Eila Huovinen, an American Field Service student from Finland, became part of the family in 1970.

Dorcas was gifted at hospitality, and regularly hosted dinners for extended family and friends. Christmas Day always included a special meal, and over the years hundreds of persons who would not otherwise have had family meals spent the day with the Severances.

In 1970, Dorcas became dietitian of the Mitchell County Hospital. She was on the hospital staff until her retirement in 1986, then was a consulting dietitian with Gerwick & Associates.

In 1973, Dorcas and Bob both attended graduate school at Kansas State University, commuting to Manhattan every day while maintaining full-time jobs and continuing to farm. Dorcas earned her master's degree in dietetics and institutional management and became a registered dietitian.

She was an active member of many women's groups—the Beloit Music Club, Chapter K of the P.E.O. Sisterhood, Athena Federated Study Club, and most recently a book club.

Alongside her family in importance in Dorcas's life was her faith in God and her active participation in the United Methodist Church. She was a member of the Beloit United Methodist Church, and a long-time district and conference officer of the United Methodist Women. She was the organizer of countless church dinners, and taught Sunday School classes.

Music was a priority in the family's life. Dorcas was a professional-quality flutist, and played throughout the community. She also was part of a recorder group and played in the church handbell choir. She and Bob shared their joy in music with their children, and in 1978 the family was named the Kansas Musical Family of the Year.

Dorcas died Wednesday, December 30, 2009, as her family sang hymns at her bedside. Surviving to celebrate her life are her husband, Robert, Beloit; five children--Jean (Tim) Ney, Bonner Springs; Sara (Lyle) Weinert, Winfield; Rachel (Richard) Smith, Lawrence; Jim (Claudia) Severance, Lenexa; and Fred Severance, Beloit; 14 grandchildren--Katie (Steve) Douglas, Basehor; Joshua (Carol) Ney, Lawrence; Nathan Weinert, Washington, D.C., Joel, Peter, and Robert Weinert, all of Winfield; Benjamin, Josiah, Elizabeth, Hannah, and Jonathan Smith, all of Lawrence; Alexander, Lauren, and Claire Severance, all of Lenexa; and four great-grandchildren—Grace Douglas, and Lily, Abel, and Marion Ney. She also is survived by a brother, Edward (Lenora) Speer, Stanwood, Iowa; and two sisters, Laura (Bill) Varney, Manhattan, and Klonda Speer, Rosemont, N.J.

Memorials are suggested to the Mitchell County Historical Society, to the parish nurse program of the Beloit United Methodist Church, or to any cause that would have pleased Dorcas.

Funeral Services will be at 10 AM Saturday at Beloit's First United Methodist Church with Pastors Glenn Fogo and Gordon Tasker officiating. Burial will follow in Elmwood Cemetery. Memorials may be given to the Church Parish Nurse Program or the Mitchell Co. Historical Society. Dorcas will lie in state from 1:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. Friday at the McDonald Funeral Home where the family will receive friends from 6:30 P.M. until 7:30 P.M.