Grace C Neff

Grace “Susie” Neff passed peacefully in her sleep on Friday, February 27, 2026, in Rogers Arkansas with her devoted husband, Larry, by her side. She was born on October 6, 1941, in Eureka, Kansas to Kenneth and Viola May (Williams) Preston. Three other children were born of this marriage, Sharon Rose (Preston) Taylor, James Paul Preston, Bobby Ray Preston. Susie was the second oldest of them.

Susie attended grade schools in both Eureka, KS and Wichita, KS. She went to Allison Intermediate and West High School in Wichita, KS. She also went to Emporia State University for 1.5 years.

Susie was baptized at St Christopher’s Episcopal Church in Wichita. Growing up, Susie loved to fish with her dad. She often told us that her dad was very strict, there was no talking while fishing. One time she heard him say, ‘Grace, don’t move!’ She said she had no idea, but a snake was coming right towards her. Her dad took a big rock and killed the snake! She also loved to play with her dog, Tippy. She loved all animals – and even once had a funeral for some dead ants!

When Susie was in high school, she worked at Dockum Drug Store in Seneca Square. Susie worked there with her long-time friend Carol Oberg. They didn’t want the boys to know their real names, so they used ‘Susie Q’ and ‘Daisy Mae’ on their name tags. There was also a Dillions grocery store in Seneca Square that Larry worked at. He often would stop by Dockum’s to get a soda. He asked Susie if he could take her home from work, and she said she would have to ask her dad who said it would be ok. After their first date, Larry came home and told his mom that he found the girl he would marry someday. Of course his mom had to go see who this girl was, so she went to Dockum’s Drug Store. Susie had no idea, but heard about this years later!

Larry and Susie were married on June 1, 1958, at West Side Church of the Nazarene where her parents were members. Susie was 16 and Larry was 18. They were married for 67 ½ years. She was the love of his life, and Larry was the love of her life. Larry and Susie had two children – Scott Lee Neff (deceased January 2025) and Jeffrey Lynn Neff.

Susie and Larry were members of St Christopher’s Episcopal Church and were Confirmed there in 1966. She was a member of St Christopher’s Altar Guild. They lived in Kansas City, Glasco, Emporia, and Wichita, with most of their lives spent in Wichita.

Susie worked as a legal secretary starting in her Senior year of high school (1959). She worked at Eisenbise, Wallace & Rustin, Attorneys at Law and Boeing. She retired from Boeing in January 1999. She was highly regarded and a hard worker. She often told the story about one of the attorneys she first worked for & his wife took her to lunch, asking her if she would come back.

Susie was a very caring and loving lady who welcomed everyone. She would do anything she could to help others, never asking for anything in return. She loved to garden (both flowers and vegetables) and often canned or froze produce from their garden, sharing with friends and family. She was an amazing cook and made things from scratch. She was well-known for her Texas Apple Pie! She also loved to gamble and go camping, especially traveling in their RV when she and Larry retired. Camping at Tablerock Lake with family and friends was an annual trip that we all enjoyed with Susie. She made the best fried catfish when the boys had good luck fishing! Susie water skied until she was in her upper 60’s, and went snow skiing for the first time when she was 68!

Susie was preceded in death by her parents; all three of her siblings and her son, Scott Neff. She is survived by her husband, Larry L. Neff; her son Jeffrey L. (Nancy) Neff, Kim Neff and six grandchildren: Kyle (Melanie) Neff, Courtney Neff, Jake (Brittney) Neff, Taylor (Bre) Neff, Bryce (Rebecca) Neff, and Elena (Ian) Phares. She also has 6 great-grandchildren: James, Lydia, Hadley, Harlow, Hutton, Tobias and a 7th on the way.

A visitation will be held on Tuesday, March 3, from 5-7 pm and funeral services will be held on Wednesday, March 4 at 10 am, both at Resthaven Mortuary, 11800 W Hwy 54, Wichita, Kansas 67209.