Agnes Arlene Amis

Arlene Amis, 89, of Wichita, Kansas, woke up in Glory at 7:00am on April 24, 2025, with “Heaven” on her lips. She is survived by her children, Tim (Gayle) Baxter, Craig (Karen) Baxter, Ann (Bob) Hett, and Jeanne (Jeff Vincent) Amis; her grandchildren, Luke (Kanyawe) Baxter, John (Kristin) Baxter, Joseph Baxter, Chris (Jamie) Baxter, William (Brandy) Baxter, Lelah (Ryan) Ediger, Lauren (Taylor) Hoppock, Ian (Ashley) Hett, Michelle (Ben) Casto-Yerty, and Paul Casto; and twenty-three great-grandchildren, Shinju, Sakura, Timothy, Wyatt, Bennett, Gracie, Mason, Abrielle, Ella, Ayden, Faye, Maximus, Rylan, Liam, Leland, Avery, Caroline, Andrew, Shipley, Dawson, Jackson, Creed, and Victor. Arlene was preceded in death by her husband, Gilbert Amis; her parents, Elmer and Agnes Ropp; her sisters, Marge Ramsey and Glennis Neufeld; and her brothers, Alan Ropp, George Ropp, Gene Ropp, and Bill Ropp; as well as numerous extended family and friends.

Arlene was born on October 10, 1935. She grew up in and around Halstead, Kansas. After graduating high school, she moved to Bentley, Kansas, and became a wife and mother. When her three children started school, she held jobs at a chicken hatchery, the Bentley Post Office, and finally the main post office in Wichita, where she met Gilbert. They married on a beach in Hawaii and lived happily in Willo-Esque until retiring and settling in one of their favorite vacation spots—Sun City West, Arizona. The leisurely outdoor lifestyle suited them, and they remained active until Gilbert succumbed to liver cancer. Arlene moved back to Wichita and found solace in the nearness of her children and grandchildren. She cared for neighbor children in her home for many years, loving them like they were her own. A talented artist, she enjoyed painting, creating, and crafting.

At sixty-five years old, Arlene accepted her brother’s invitation to join a work camp mission trip to Peru, awakening her soul to a passion for serving the people of South America. She traveled on mission trips to Brazil and Chile, even climbing Machu Picchu on her second trip to Peru in her late 60s. She was gifted a plane ticket to Israel in 2002 and always considered visiting the Holy Land her “trip of a lifetime.” Later that year, a leukemia diagnosis ended her work camp participation, but she had found new life in helping others, so she determined to turn her attention to local service opportunities. She volunteered for several years at Victory in the Valley’s Hospitality Room, where she used her gifts of hospitality and encouragement to provide comfort for cancer patients. She also became more involved at her church, participating in every small group available to her and serving in many capacities from greeter to children’s ministry helper to Bible study leader. She thrived in serving people and considered it a great honor to be the hands and feet of Christ to those she encountered.

Arlene moved to Larksfield Place in 2015 and flourished in that community. She loved people and made friends easily, and she was very intentional about welcoming new residents. Many ladies joined the Bible study she hosted, which quickly became one of her favorite mornings of the week. She joyfully tended the little flower garden outside her sliding door and always made sure the courtyard birds were well fed, often with the help of her great-grandchildren.

Arlene cared deeply for those around her. Many have been impacted by her compassionate heart and dedication to loving others like Jesus by serving them. Arlene leaves behind a profound legacy of faith, love, and perseverance. “Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.” –Proverbs 31:31