Detta Maxine (Gustafson) Methe was born in Ragan, Nebraska, October 11, 1929 to Arthur Albin and Lois Bessie Gustafson and rejoiced with eternal life with Jesus Christ on March 21, 2018. Services at 10:00 am, Tuesday, March 27, 2018 at Resthaven Chapel, 11800 West Highway 54, Wichita, Kansas.
Detta grew up in central Nebraska surrounded by her loving parents, sister Phyllis, and many loving aunts, uncles, and cousins. During her youth she attended First Baptist Church. She graduated from Kearney High School, Kearney, Nebraska in 1947. After graduation, Detta worked preparing abstracts at the Barney Law Office in Kearney. She married Joseph A. Methe, June 17, 1951 and moved to Shephard Air Force Base, Wichita Falls, Texas. She was employed as a secretary to the chief of medical services at the Shephard Air Force Base hospital.
Upon Joseph’s discharge from the Air Force in 1955, Detta and Joseph moved to Wichita, Kansas which remained their home for 63 years. Soon after, the first of four children were born. Detta was active in PTA and served as room mother for many years delighting the students and teachers with decorated cupcakes with sugar mold animals, a skill she learned from taking cake decorating courses. She made very creative hats at the hat shop for the PTA school carnivals. Each family birthday as children was celebrated with a cake specially decorated by Detta. Detta was a faithful member of Dawson United Methodist Church and Glenn Park Christian Church. She served as a Sunday School teacher, prepared communion, cuddled babies in the church nursery, prepared meals for those in need, helped prepare funeral dinners, and designed beautiful floral arrangements for the sanctuaries.
Detta was employed as an Executive Secretary for the Farm Credit Banks and retired after 20 years of service. Education was very important to Detta, and one of her main goals in working diligently at Farm Credit Banks for many years was to help her children attend college and technical school. We remain forever grateful for her unwavering encouragement and support.
Detta had a heart for God and a heart for those in need. She faithfully supported her church, Union Rescue Mission, The Salvation Army, Disabled American Veterans, and the Humane Society.
After retirement, Detta and Joseph traveled to many destinations in the United States and Europe. Detta enjoyed gardening and became an avid photographer and watercolor artist. She loved nature and animals of all kinds, especially Laddie, an abandoned border collie she adopted and Mandy a border collie adopted from a rescue organization.
She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and friend.
Detta is survived by her husband Joseph Methe. Four children: Brian Methe (Marie), Rene Stringer (Tim), Lisa Van Dusen, (Jon), and Jeff Methe (Shellee). Seven grandchildren: John Methe, Michelle Methe, Paul Methe, Nathan Stringer (Tiffany), Sarah Stringer, Kristin Hartman (Josh), and Lauren Schwarz (Tyler). Three great grandchildren: Josiah Methe, Hunter Schwarz, and Ava Schwarz.
In lieu of flowers, donations to The Salvation Army, Union Rescue Mission, or Kansas Advocates for Better Care http://www.kabc.org will be greatly appreciated.
“In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself: that where I am, there ye may be also.” (John 14:1-3)
