Almetha Marie Mendenhall

Almetha Mendenhall, a beloved mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, joined her husband Eldon Mendenhall in heaven on January 12, 2026, passing away at Prairie Senior Living Complex in Colby, Kansas. Born on September 2, 1931, the second oldest child of Richard F. and Magdaline (Kreutzer) Brungardt, she grew up on a farm south of Hoxie, Kansas with her siblings Pauline, Marcella, Paul, Marvin, Viola, Imogene, Mary, Leo, and Thelma.

On September 11, 1951, she married Eldon Mendenhall in Grainfield, Kansas. Together they raised four children in Oakley, Kansas.

A woman of many interests, she was an active member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Oakley. She was a 60-year member of Oakley VFW Ladies Auxiliary. She spent many years teaching sewing and cooking in the local 4-H club. She enjoyed travels with friends and family, particularly she favored trips where she could pull the one-armed bandits. She had many family reunions, gatherings and enjoyed cooking for the holidays.

She loved to sew, needle work and quilt. She loved polka dancing and dancing in general. She really loved pitch and was so lucky (or maybe she made her own luck).

Almetha is survived by siblings, Imogene Thomas, and Mary Smith; four children, Allen (Sue) Mendenhall Louisville Ohio, Linda (Dwayne) Wolf Grinnell, Kansas, Bruce (Kaycee) Mendenhall North Platte, Nebraska, and Carla (Kent) Dible Colby Kansas; eight grandchildren; seventeen great grandchildren; three great-great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Almetha is now reunited in heaven with her parents, her husband Eldon, and her siblings Pauline Randolph, Marcella Bullard, Paul, Marvin, Viola Jacobs, Leo, and Thelma Krallman who preceded her in death.

The visitation will be held from 5-7:00 pm at Baalmann Mortuary, Oakley on Thursday, January 15, 2026, with a Vigil to follow at 7:00 pm. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, January 16, 2026, at 2:30 pm, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Oakley. Interment to follow in the Oakley City Cemetery. Memorials may be made to St Joseph Catholic Church or Prairie Senior Living Complex and may be mailed in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 391, Colby, KS 67701. For information or condolences visit baalmannmortuary.com