Edith Marie Dye

Edith Marie Steel Dye, 95 years old, passed to the Lord due to natural causes on August 26, 2020, in Manvel, TX, where she had been a resident at Six Palms Assisted Living for many years. She was born in Bedford, Iowa, on October 18, 1924, to J. Robert and Nelle Norlin Steel and was the youngest of five children.

Edith graduated from Bedford High School at the beginning of WWII in the spring of 1942. She acquired secretarial skills in high school and immediately followed her drafted brother John to Ft Hood Texas, to start work as a secretary for the US Army. While at Ft Hood she met her husband-to-be Raymond Lincoln Dye at a local dance. When Ray departed for Europe in 1943, she moved to Washington D.C. to work as a secretary in the newly opened Pentagon. Ray served with General George Patton in his combat dash across France in 1944. Ray was wounded in southern Holland on October 30, 1944. Ray was awarded a Silver Star and Purple Heart for his combat heroism. He was returned to a Spokane, Washington, hospital where Edith joined him, and they were married on February 21, 1945.

The newlyweds returned to Ray's hometown of Parsons, Kansas. They then lived for a short period in Great Bend, Kansas, before settling in Goodland, Kansas, to raise their family. Edith and Ray ran Ray's Lunch/Café/Restaurant and several other restaurants in Goodland from 1952 to1980. Edith, in addition to raising the family, was the bookkeeper for the businesses, the pie baker and trainer of all the waitresses over the years.

Edith was a member of the First Christian Church of Goodland for more than 50 years. She led her family to know the Lord by serving as Sunday School teacher, Bible School teacher, various Women's Circles and leadership roles in church organizations. Edith also volunteered at the Goodland Hospital Auxiliary. She enjoyed quilting and knitting. She was also an avid reader, having checked out most of the books in the Goodland Library. She loved growing flowers; at one time, maintaining her own greenhouse attached to their home. She also enjoyed playing Pinochle and Bridge with friends – and taught her children how to play poker!

Edith's quiet manner and positive outlook in family leadership meant she led by example. She was an inspiration to all who knew her. She is a much loved Mother and friend, and we will always miss her!

Edith is preceded in death by her beloved husband Ray who passed away in January, 1993. She is also preceded by her parents and her siblings: Dorothea Holt, Jane Riedle, Helen Hardie, and John Steel and their spouses.

Edith is survived by her five children. Raymond Leslie Dye, wife Dana Dye, Colorado Springs, CO; Patricia Marie Rannila, Houston, TX; Cathy Jane Fugate, husband Douglas Fugate, Flower Mound, TX; Jana Susan Kelley, husband, Douglas Kelley, Missouri City, TX; Rebecca Ann O'Donnell, husband Larry O'Donnell, Garland, TX.

She is also survived by her seven grandchildren: Dori Dye Shaffer (Steve), Denton Dye (Mary Beth), Drew Fugate (Lauren), Claire Kelley Elson (Aaron), Cole Fugate, Kelley O’Donnell Thibeadeau (Jonathan) and Christopher O’Donnell (Melissa). She is also survived by 11 great grandchildren: Morgan, Avery, Kelsey, Preston, Khalil, Kingston, and Raymond Dye; James and Archer Shaffer; Lillian and Evelyn Elson.

Edith’s remains will be interred at the Goodland, Kansas Cemetery at a later date with a family graveside service.

Those wishing to send remembrances may do so to the First Christian Church in Goodland, Kansas.