Bessie Leona Woodard

Bessie Leona (Kruger) Woodard, 89, Topeka, passed away at home on Thurs., July 9, 2009. She was surrounded by her loving sons at the time of her passing. She was the daughter of Charles and Carrie (Ridgeway) Kruger. She had lived most of her 89 years in the Topeka Area. She worked 19 years at the old Supply Depot at Forbes Air Base. After taking time off to raise her family she returned to the work force as a housekeeper, working for the Ramada Inn Hotel and Hearthstone Retirement Center. She retired in 2004 at the age of 83 from Lexington Park Retirement facility. Bessie was a member of the Oakland Church of the Nazarene. She is survived by her two sons: Larry Woodard of Kansas City, MO, and Leon Woodard of Topeka; a sister: Louise Brubaker of Topeka. She was preceded in death by 4 brothers and a sister: Jeff, L.L. Mutt, Alfred Fritz, and Donald Kruger along with Ora Martin. Graveside services will be at 10:00 AM, Sat., July 18, 2009, at Prairie Home Cemetery, NW 35th & Menoken Road. Bessie will lie in state after 3:00 PM, Fri., at Penwell-Gabel Parker-Price Chapel, 245 NW Independence, where the family will receive friends from 7:00 to 8:00 PM. In lieu of flowers donations may be made the Helping Hands Humane Society, 2625 NW Rochester Road, Topeka, KS 66617. To leave a special message for the family online, visit www.PenwellGabel.com.