Obituary of Linda Marie Vetter Henry

Coffeyville - Linda Marie Vetter Henry, 54, died Friday, May 18, 2012 at her home in Coffeyville, KS. She was born July 13, 1957 to Maurice and Bonnie Vetter in Newton, Kansas. She is preceded in death by her father. She is survived by her husband, Patrick of Coffeyville; her mother, Bonnie Vetter of Newton; her sister, Helen England has her husband Tim of Wichita, and her brother, Ken Vetter and his wife Donna of Augusta. Her extended family includes Mark Henry of Olathe, Abrielle Henry, and Jason Peckham of Firestone, CO; Heather Rippetoe of Nevada, MO, Kim George of Newton; and three grandchildren, Elle Henry Peckham, and Kate Henry Peckham of Firestone, CO, and Madison Henry of Nevada, MO. She grew up and attended school the Newton public school system, graduating from Newton High School in 1975. She graduated from Bethel College in North Newton in 1979. She was married to David Abel from 1979 until their divorce in 1986. On November 11, 1995 she married Patrick Henry in Coffeyville. Her first teaching job was in Valley Falls, KS for the 1979-1980 school year. In 1980 she began a long teaching career at Wichita Heights High School in Wichita. In 1996 she began teaching at Labette County High School in Altamont. She became assistant principal in 1999, moving to an administrative position her last several years, before retiring in 2008. Linda was the consummate Debate and Forensic Coach until she moved into the administrative area. Linda was a champion debater in high school and college, as were so many of the students she taught. She was the National Forensic League coach of the year for Student Congress in 1990 and again in 1991. She was the recipient of numerous other teaching awards, including among the finalists for Teacher of the Year in Kansas several times. Besides Debate and Forensic she was the Yearbook advisor at Wichita Heights from 1984 to 1996. She was also the assistant drama director at Wichita Heights from 1981 to 1989. It probably goes without saying, but she was a brilliant speaker. Her coaching skills were nothing short of inspirational. She loved to sew, doing seamstress work for school productions, and in later years an obsessive quilter to the end. She was an excellent photographer, and loved to travel. She was also an avid genealogist doing research in both the leading libraries in Salt Lake City, UT, and Fort Wayne, IN. She compiled not only extensive history of her family, but her husbands, and just about anybody she met if the topic turned that way. She was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2002. It progressed slowly until late 2006 when it accelerated, forcing her to retire a few years later. During the years 2002 to 2006 she balanced her professional career with taking care of her husband who was seriously ill. Linda soon lost the ability to talk and to walk, and the disease always got worse. Her spirit was indomitable, her mind and intellect as sharp as ever at the end, and she never made an accommodation with the disease. She was an epitome of the professional educator, and the caring wife, Rest in peace, Linda! A Memorial Service celebrating Linda's life will at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, May 22, 2012 at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 7th and Elm Street in Coffeyville with Mother Antoinette Tackett presiding. Inurnment will be in Fairview Cemetery in Coffeyville. The family will accept friends on Sunday evening from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the home, 514 W. 5th St. in Coffeyville. Friends may also sign the register book on Monday from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the David W. Barnes Funeral Home in Coffeyville. The family suggests memorials to Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice, National Parkinson's Disease Foundation, Parkinson's Disease Foundation, or the Michael J. Fox Foundation For Parkinson's Research, contributions may be left with the funeral home or mailed c/o David W. Barnes Funeral Home, 306 North Cline Road, Coffeyville, KS 67337-1207. To leave a message for the family please visit www.dwbfh.com. David W. Barnes Funeral Home in Coffeyville is in charge of arrangements.