Billie Jean Nolder

Billie Jean Nolder, 89, former longtime Manhattan, Kansas and currently Wichita, Kansas resident, passed away March 23, 2016, at Avita Rolling Hills Senior Living in Wichita. Jean was born July 25, 1926 in Chickasha, Oklahoma, the only child of Lloyd and Cora (Branch) Henry. She grew up in Comanche and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. She graduated from Central High School in Oklahoma City and attended Oklahoma University School of Nursing, graduating as a registered nurse in 1948. Jean married Floyd M. Nolder on February 24, 1952 in Oklahoma City. They lived in Manhattan from 1952 until relocating in Wichita in 2008. They raised 2 children while living in Manhattan, Sandra Annett and Ronald Alan. Jean worked in a number of nursing settings in Manhattan and for Dr. Hastey, OB/GYN, assisting in the delivery of countless babies in the late 1950s. She assisted in the development of the first LPN program offered through the Manhattan Area Vocational Technical School and provided nursing supervision at Kansas State University during the Department of Engineering Environmental Research tests in the late 1960s to early 1970s. Jean worked for over 20 years at Memorial Hospital in Manhattan and was House Supervisor for a number of years prior to her retirement in 1990. She was an active member of Epsilon Sigma Alpha, was involved in countless philanthropic activities and a member of several local organizations. Jean and Floyd were active members of the First Christian Church in Manhattan and while raising their children, they were involved with attending Manhattan High sporting events and with the Manhattan Marlins swim team. Jean is survived by her husband, Floyd; daughter and son-in-law, Sandra and Bo Rader, all of Wichita; son and daughter-in-law, Ron and Nancy Nolder of Oklahoma City, OK; grandchildren, Lt. Alexandra Rader USMC (Allie), Mikaela Rader, Noranne (Tamie), Rich (Kim), Eric (Cindy) Zimmerman, Joy Wheatley, and six great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents and a daughter, Patty Lou. The family has decided that no public or memorial service will be held. Memorial contributions may be made to Good Shepherd Hospice in Wichita or the Parkinsons Foundation of the Heartland. Arrangements by Downing & Lahey West in Wichita. Condolences or special messages for the family may be sent to www.dlwichita.com or Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, Manhattan, KS.