Gayle Summers

Gayle Summers, 60, of Junction City, Kansas, passed away May 12, 2008, at North Kansas City Hospital as the result of injuries sustained in an automobile accident in Kansas City, Missouri. She was surrounded by loving family members and friends as she joined her heavenly family. Born Myrna Gayle Tolbert on November 6, 1947, to J.W. and Louise Tolbert, in rural Gideon, Missouri, Gayle graduated in 1965 from Gideon High School.

Gayle married her high school sweetheart, John Summers, on May 1, 1966, after he pursued "one of the most beautiful women from the Bootheel of Missouri." They recently celebrated their loving, caring marriage and enduring friendship of 43 years.

John's military service during the Vietnam era brought them to Fort Riley where they loved the area and chose Junction City as their home. Their first daughter, Kristi, was born on September 2, 1970, followed by their second daughter, Stephanie, on April 9, 1973. Gayle was a giving, caring mother. Her unconditional love for her daughters has been an inspiration to many and provides a model for generations to come.

Gayle was an active young mother involved with Jaycees, Beta Sigma Phi, and PEO. Gayle expressed her interests and talents in numerous ways. As the girls grew older, Gayle opened a ladies' dress shop, The Klothes Kloset, which brought Gayle and family much joy. With this endeaver Gayle was able to share her impeccable detail to style and fashion. In 1991, Gayle went to work at Geary County Hospital. At the time of her death she was Director of Patient Financial Services. Gayle was a valued, dedicated professional who contributed her knowledge and talents to Geary County Hospital for 17 years.

Gayle is survived by her loving family, her husband John of Junction City, daughter Kristi Knoth of Kansas City, Mo., daughter Stephanie and husband Chuck of Junction City, Kansas, and son-in-law Kurt Knoth of Kansas City. Gayle was the very proud "GIGI" to Dylan, Jesse, and Kalli Knoth of Kansas City, Mo.; Austin and Chase Culver of Junction City, Kansas.

She is survived by her mother, Louise Tolbert, of Malden, Missouri, along with her brothers and their spouses Lee and Barb Tolbert and Jack and Phyllis Tolbert of Gideon, Missouri; her sisters and spouses Tammy and

Jack Corder of Jefferson City, Missouri, and Sandy and Harold Murphy of Little Rock, Arkansas. Gayle spent Mother's Day with her surviving mother-in-law, Geraldine Summers, in Springfield, Missouri. Many other close family members mourn her passing including her very special Aunt Thelma Orick of Malden, Mo., Uncle Vernon and Aunt Mary Tolbert of Gideon, Mo., nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, cousins, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law. Many loving friends in Kansas and Missouri join her extended family rejoicing in her memory.
She was preceded in death by her father, J. W. Tolbert, her brother, Duke Tolbert, her grandparents Roy and Matilda Swann, Malden, Mo., and James W. and Ida Mae Tolbert, Gideon, Mo. Also preceding her in death was a treasured sister-in-law, Sue Summers Willcut, and her faithful father-in-law, Louis Jeriel Summers.

Visitation and celebration of her life with family and friends will be from 6 to 8 p.m. tonight, with a vigil and rosary service at 7:30 p.m. at Penwell-Gabel Johnson Funeral Chapel, 203 N. Washington Street. A memorial Mass will be at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, May 15, 2008, at St. Xavier's Catholic Church with Father Al Brungardt officiating. Inurnment will follow at a later date in Malden, Mo. Memorial contributions may be made to Geary Community Healthcare Foundation or St. Xavier's Catholic Church in Junction City, Kansas.