Bessie N. Letourneau

Letourneau, Bessie N., 87, died Wednesday, February 18, 2015. Rosary will be at 6:00 P.M., Friday, February 20, 2015; Funeral Mass will be at 10:00 A.M., Saturday, February 21, 2015, both at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church. Bessie was born January 3, 1928 in Gage, Oklahoma to Marvin H. Fore and Fern (Rogers) Fore. Bessie attended grade school and high school in May, OK. She attended Oklahoma Junior College in Woodward, OK and received an associates degree in business. In 1948 she met Raphael Z. Letourneau. They were married August 20, 1949. Over the course of the next 18 years, she gave birth to 11 children. Being a mom was her greatest joy. Bessie returned to the work force in 1973 as office manager for Wichita Hematology Group. She retired in 1984. Bessies hobbies included reading, quilting, and playing bridge. She was active in Serra Club, serving as president in the 2002-03 term. Bessie was also active in American Mothers and was chosen Kansas Mother of the Year in 1996. Bessie was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Ima Fern Fore; brother, Harrel John Fore; grandson, Michael Phillip Volmer. She is survived by her husband, Raphael Letourneau, Sr.; children, Don (Deborah), Nancy (Phil) Volmer, Judy (Eric) Forsse, Mary (Pete) Mora, Karen (Gregg) Oblinger, Ray Jr. (Vicki), Kevin (Deanne), John, Renee (Dennis) Keffer, Sister Ann CSJ, Kent (Christina); 26 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren. Memorials have been established with: Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice, 313 S. Market St., Wichita, KS 67202; Dear Neighbor Ministries, 1329 S. Bluffview Dr., Wichita, KS 67218. Downing Lahey Mortuary East.