Iva Lee Palmer
Iva Lee Palmer, nee Twyman, 80, of Belleville, IL, formerly of Hutchinson, KS, born October 8, 1931, in Hooker, OK, passed away Friday, March 2, 2012, at her residence.
Lee earned a bachelor of arts degree in teaching from Colorado State College in Greeley, CO. She was the first and only one of her siblings to graduate from college. Lee began her teaching career in Elkhart, KS, and Hutchinson, KS, where she was a very popular teacher. After a few years of teaching, she returned to her hometown of Boise City, OK, married Dale Edward Palmer, and taught business classes at the high school. In 1966, she opened The Flower Shop, a flower and gift shop in Boise City, which she operated until 1972, when she moved to Prescott, AZ, and returned to teaching at a two-teacher school in Skull Valley, AZ. In 1980, Lee returned to Hutchinson, KS, where she found work in the federal Title I Program at Lincoln School. She remained at Lincoln School for the rest of her teaching career and was named “Educator of the Year” in 1988. She always had a creative teaching style and made learning fun for her students. After retirement, she continued to teach by substituting at other schools in the Hutchinson school system.
Mrs. Palmer was a longtime member of First Church of God in Hutchinson, KS, where she was a member of the choir and participated in many church activities. She was an avid fan of golf and the St. Louis Cardinals.
Lee was preceded in death by her former husband, Dale Palmer, who died in 2007; her parents, George Portor and Jewell Edna, nee Havens, Twyman; a sister, Patricia Jane Ohnick; a brother-in-law, William Donald White; a sister-in-law, Velma Twyman; and a niece, Sherry White.
Surviving are her daughter and son-in-law, Denise Michelle and Mark Juen of Belleville, IL;
a sister, Yvonne Margaret White of Hutchinson, KS;
a brother, John Wayne Twyman of Boise City, OK;
a brother-in-law, Mick Ohnick of Meade, KS;
and nieces and nephews.
Lee’s family would like to extend special thanks to the staff of Hospice of Southern Illinois, especially Nancy, Susan, Mary Jo, and Ranette, and special thanks also to Loretta of Allstaff Nursing.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Church of God, 704 N. Jefferson, Hutchinson, KS 67501, or to Hospice of Southern Illinois, 305 S. Illinois St., Belleville, IL 62220. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.
Funeral: Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, March 16, 2012, at Penwell-Gabel Cemetery (formerly Rayl’s Hill Cemetery) in Hutchinson, KS. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 17, 2012, at First Church of God, Hutchinson, KS, with Pastor John Carney officiating.
I am so sorry to all of the family. Mrs. Palmer was my 6th grade teacher. She was a very special lady. She had a special way with all of her students. She was very sweet! She will be missed dearly.
Megan White , Mount Hope, KS, 67108
Denise and Family,
What can you say about a wonderful friend? You will have so many memories to cherish as time passes. I had some wonderful times at Lee's house my three years in Hutch and on return trips back. She was truly a wonderful, caring and giving person. I always loved her laugh and her sense of humor. She will be missed.
Cindy
Cindy Wittman, Ulysses, KS, 67880
Lee was always so much fun to be with and had a wicked sense of humor. I remember her teaching me to to make grapevine wreaths. Denise, your mom was a very special lady & will be missed!!
Jenny Brendel, Hutchinson, Ks, 67502
Denise, I enjoyed working with your mother at Lincoln. She was a great lady and always had a smile. Thoughts and prayers for you and all your family. God Bless. Lorene
Lorene Willis, Frontenac, Kansas, 66763
Mrs. Palmer was my 4th grade teacher at Lincoln Elemenary. I remember fondly my years at Lincoln. I was sad to hear that she has passed, but she is in a better place now. My prayers go out to her friends and family.
Dawn James, Buhler, Kansas, 67522
I was so sorry to hear about the passing of Mrs. Palmer. She taught all three of my daughters at Lincoln Elementary in the early 1990's. I would see here at the grocery store and she would always ask about the girls. God bless your family at this difficult time.
Linda Burdette, Hutchinson, Kansas, 67501
I am a former student of Miss Twyman/Mrs. Palmer. She was my teacher in the early 1960's in Boise City, OK. I fondly remember her. She had a great sense of humor and made learning fun. But she demanded respect and got it. The Palmer family was very near and dear to my family. My mother worked at their store. My sister & I wrapped Christmas presents for their customers for years. I'm very sorry for your loss. And I am very thankful our lives touched. Her picture looks just like I rember her, but she was a red head back then.
Patricia (Boodie) Collins Hale, Guymon, OK, 73942