Hazel Marie Konantz Stapleton

With her three daughters by her side, Hazel Marie Konantz Stapleton, 87, died late Wednesday evening April 7, 2010, at Aberdeen Village, Olathe, Kan. She was born Feb. 1, 1923, in Fort Scott, the daughter of Bruder and Hazel Marie (Bicknell) Konantz.

She graduated from Fort Scott High School and the University of Kansas, where she met and married H. Jack Stapleton. She taught biology in Salina shortly after she was married, and following World War II, she and Jack returned to Fort Scott where they lived and reared their family until her health required nursing care in 2004. Her husband Jack preceded her in death March 3, 2003.

Hazel was an inspiration to her family and a wide circle of friends for many years. Her joy for life, generous spirit, amazing sense of humor and abundant kindness were shared with all she encountered. She was involved in numerous community organizations and was a life-long member of the First United Methodist Church in Fort Scott. She previously had been active in PEO, the Order of the Eastern Star, and American Legion Auxiliary for 55 years.

Hazel's greatest commitment was to her family. As a devoted daughter, mother, grandmother, sister, and aunt, she influenced the lives of many. She laughed about being in PTA for life and spent most of her adult life loving, supporting and keeping track of her children and grandchildren. Hazel enjoyed listening to and playing music, playing cards, reading, and spending time with her many friends. She will be greatly missed.

She is survived by her five children and their spouses, Dr. Bruder Stapleton and his wife Barbi, of Seattle, Wash., Susan Foster and her husband Melvin, Becky Sandhaus and her husband Ron of Leawood, Kan., Drs. Jack and his wife Anne Stapleton of Iowa City, Iowa, and Mary Lauber and her husband Larry of Shawnee, Kan; nine grandchildren, Hillary Stapleton Peterman and her husband Steve, Read Stapleton and Loralee, Heather Foster Stephens and her husband Chris, Dr. Matt Foster and his wife Mary, Evan Sandhaus, Derek Sandhaus, Sam Stapleton, Molly Stapleton Calabria and her husband Matt, and Emma Stapleton; seven great-grandchildren, Haleeand Colton Jones, Chris Stephens, Riley and Jack Peterman, and Max and Will Stapleton; and her sister, Marilynn Miller of Hastings, Neb.; and two nieces and three nephews. In addition to her husband, Jack, she was preceded in death by her parents.

The Rev. Paul Babcock will conduct funeral services 1 p.m. Monday April 12, at the First United Methodist Church with burial following at the Evergreen Cemetery. The family will receive friends Sunday evening April 11, from 7:30 until 8:30 p.m., at the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church and may be left in the care of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, 15 W. Wall Street, P.O. Box 309, Fort Scott, KS 66701.

Online condolences may be e-mailed to expressions@konantz-cheney.com.