Agatha Viola Farnum

Lake, MI

Agatha “Gay” Farnum lost her battle with Alzheimer’s disease on December 4, 2010. She was born the eldest of 12 children on January 10, 1925, in Penida, IN. Gay retired from the Lansing School District in 1986 after 23 years of service as a Matron in the girl’s locker rooms working at Pattengill, Otto and Dwight Rich. She was preceded in death by her husband of 53 years, Vernon F. Farnum, in 1996 and siblings, Dorthy Fonger, Helen Wemus, Mary Dollar, Sally Simmons, Joe Johnson, Raymoud Harris and Gerold Harris. Surviving are her children, David (Judy) Farnum of Springport, MI, Kenneth (Linda) Farnum of Dimondale, MI, Mary Jo (Darryl) Taylor of Lansing, MI, William (Cheryl) Farnum of Lake, MI, and Michael (Patti) Farnum of Nashville, MI; 22 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; several step grandchildren and great grandchildren; several adopted foster grandchildren and great-grandchildren; brothers, Marion and Jim Harris both of Allegan, MI; sisters, Norma Harris of Allegan, MI, and Judy Leonard of Plainwell, MI; sister-in-law, Camilla Kliensteker of Kalamazoo, MI; and special friend, Barb Suska of Lansing, MI. Memorial services will be held Friday, December 17, at 4 p.m. at the Gorsline-Runciman Funeral Homes, 900 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing. The family will receive friends at the funeral home 1 hour prior to the service. Those desiring may make contributions to Alzheimer’s Association, Michigan Great Lakes Chapter, 310 N. Main St., Suite 100, Chelsea, MI, 48118, in memory of Agatha V. Farnum.