Pauline Inskeep

Pauline (Paula) Inskeep, 91, passed away October 30, 2019 at Parkview Care Center in Osborne.  She was born July 12, 1928, in Dante, Virginia, to Monroe and Sarah (Holbrook) Smith.  Paula had a twin brother, Paul. She was born a coal miner's daughter.

She graduated from Dante HS in 1945 at 16 years old. She moved to the 'Secret City' of Oak Ridge, TN where she worked on the 'Manhattan Project' (atom bomb).

Paula met Keith Inskeep while living in KC, MO, attending Midwestern Airline school. On December 21, 1950, Paula and Keith were married in front of a justice of the peace and lived in Overland Park.

Paula knew that she married a farm boy and would one day become a farmer's wife. But she thought she had many years to enjoy city life in Overland Park. However, they returned to Cawker City to farm with his father Lester and brother Warren in 1952.

Keith had a farming accident in 1970 in which he suffered severe brain damage. Paula continued to raise the children and cared for a disabled husband while also taking on the role as the farm manager; continuing to manage the farm until she was placed in a rest home in January of 2019.

Keith and Paula were privileged to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary in 2000. They were the parents of Janet (deceased), Debra Blasko, Susan and Julia Inskeep of Cawker City; Nancy Irven (Carl) of Lecanto, FL, and Thomas Inskeep (Jolene) of Webb City, MO.

Paula is also survived by 6 grandchildren; Rachel Blasko of N.KC, MO, Chandra Feldman of Glen Elder, Andrew Feldman (MacKenzie) of Irvine, CA, Tyceon, Tryton and Taybor Inskeep of Webb City, MO, and one great-grandson, Lennon Blasko of N.KC, MO.

Paula is preceded in death by her husband Keith (2002), daughter Janet (1951) her parents, brothers James, Sam and Paul and sisters Edith, Virginia, Dorothy, Mary Bell and Betty Jane. Paula was the last surviving sibling.

A celebration of life will be held January 18, at 11 a.m. at the Cawker City Senior Center. A light lunch, open to the public, will be served. The service will consist mostly of stories about Paula so please come prepared to share yours.

Cremation was chosen so there will be no visitation. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Post Rock Humane Society or the Cawker City Senior Center.