Myrtle Mae Bookless

Myrtle Mae Bookless, 92, was called home to be with her heavenly Father on January 28, 2026 at Lindsborg Community Hospital in Lindsborg, KS. Myrtle was born on January 18, 1934 in Garden City, KS to parents William and Ella (McGonigle) Burgin. She was the wife of the late Eldon Bookless, and attended the Evangelical Covenant Church in Lindsborg.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband: Eldon; infant sister: Esther Marie Burgin; and sisters: Thelma Jo Burgin, Donna Syverson, Eva Mott, and Ruth Redd.

Myrt spent her growing up years working long hours on her family's tree nursery and attending school in Hutchinson, KS where she was actively involved in the vocal music program. She married Eldon on April 6th, 1952 and they enjoyed 62 years together.

While raising three daughters, they worked as farm laborers until 1964 when they bought a drive-in restaurant in Lindsborg. B's Tasty Spot kept the whole family busy and many residents employed for 21 years. In the last years of owning the business, Eldon became a mail carrier and Myrt went back to school to fulfill her lifelong dream of being a nurse. She earned her LPN license and then went on to graduate from Asbury School of Nursing in 1980. She enjoyed working 14 years in internal medicine in McPherson, 3 years in private home care in Lindsborg, and then worked the Flu Clinic in Salina for 12 years.

Her childhood summers were spent living with her beloved Grandma Mae from whom she learned to garden, butcher, preserve food, bake, and sew. All of these skills prepared her for being a homemaker and brought her much joy. Myrt spent hours sewing for the generations of her family, and for Christian missions. For a wedding gift, each grandchild was made a quilt of their choosing. Samaritan's Purse received 102 homemade dresses for distribution, and the local crisis pregnancy centers received 100 blankets for baby gifts.

Myrt loved her family deeply. She and Eldon enjoyed years of traveling, family camping, and were wonderful parents who invested in their children and grandchildren. Myrt kept scrapbooks for each daughter and grandchild, and at age 91 still insisted on hosting family gatherings. Perhaps her greatest labor of love was the hour she spent every night praying for her children, their children, other relatives, and her friends needs. She longed for God's blessing on their lives.

Myrtle is survived by her children: Lynn Strange (Richard) of Salina, KS, Donna Grant (Gary) of McPherson, KS and Reva Esh (John) of Lindsborg, KS; Grandchildren: Zachery Strange (Dinah), Jeremy Strange (Anna Hofer) Aaron Nelson (Martha), Holly Nelson (Carlos Ortiz), Amy Nuxoll (John), Katie Stiebens (Jared), and Cassandra Whitehead (Zebedee). She also has 12 great-grandchildren (with one on the way), and 3 great-great-grandchildren.

Friends and family will be received Thursday, February 5, 2026 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Crick-Christians Funeral Home, 103 N. Washington Lindsborg, KS.

A funeral service will be held Friday, February 6, 2026, 11:00 AM at Evangelical Covenant Church in Lindsborg, KS, with Pastor Jeff Waugh officiating. Burial will follow at Salem Community Church Cemetery, 5602 N. Salem Rd in Nickerson, KS.

A live-stream of the service will be available on https://lindsborgcov.sermon.net/20808340.

Memorials may be made to Lindsborg Evangelical Covenant Church. Memorials may be sent in care of Crick-Christians Funeral Home, 103 N. Washington, Lindsborg, KS 67456.

Online condolences can be made at www.crick-christiansfuneralhome.com/.