Minnie Jean Dale New, 85, of Overland Park, Kansas passed away on Saturday, February 10, 2024. She was born on January 13, 1939, near Sage, Izard County, Arkansas. She was the daughter of the late John Dale and Willie Carmen Finley Dale. She was a 1956 graduate of Mount Pleasant, Arkansas High School. In 1960, she married Robert New. Raised on a family farm in the Arkansas Ozarks, she learned the value of hard work from an early age, the importance of family, a love of the land, and doing for others. She worked in the Shawnee Mission School District in cafeteria food service for many years, where she made life-long friends. Throughout her life, she stayed connected with her roots, visiting family and friends in Arkansas several times each year. She was an adventurous spirit, an amazing mother and grandmother, and a devoted friend to many. She was greatly loved by her family and will be deeply missed.
Minnie Jean is survived by her husband, Robert New of Overland Park, KS, son Barry New (Meg) of Raleigh, NC, daughter Kristi Locke (Matthew) of Overland Park, KS, four grandchildren: Parker New (Caroline) of Leawood, KS, Conner New of Charlotte, NC, Ryan Locke of Wichita, KS, and Lindsey Locke of Overland Park, KS; a sister Peggy Thurnau (Everett) of Sidney, AR, and a brother Johnny Dale (Connie) of Sidney, AR, and numerous nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her parents and ten brothers and sisters.
A visitation for Minnie Jean will be held Saturday, February 17, 2024, from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM, followed by a funeral service at 11:30 AM at McGilley & Hoge Johnson County Memorial Chapel, 8024 Santa Fe Drive, Overland Park, KS 66204. A burial will occur following the funeral, at Lenexa Cemetery, 8805 Pflumm Road, Lenexa, KS 66215.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to the Olathe Hospice House or to a favorite charity.
