Ellen M. Burnette, 98, passed away Tuesday, April 19, 2022, at Leisure Homestead. She was born January 1, 1924, in St. John, the daughter of William and Anna (Schultz) Schmidt. She married Glenn Hawver on July 8, 1945 in Cunningham. Glenn died October 21, 1968. Ellen married Raymond Burnette on March 17, 1973. He died January 30, 1993.
Ellen graduated from Stafford High School in 1942 and moved to Wichita to be a Rosie the Riveter during WWII. In 2021, she received the Congressional Gold Medal that honored the women who joined the workforce during the war.
She retired from nursing at the Stafford Hospital in December 1992 after 20 years of service.
Survivors include her children: Lyle Hawver, Rex (Penny) Hawver and Glenda Hernandez; Grandchildren: Amy (Joe) Saum, Jeremy Hawver, Erin (Neal) Balfour, Travis (Kit) Hawver, Richard (Dalton) Hernandez and Seaton Hernandez. Great grandchildren: Christopher Saum, Madison Saum, Tylar Wertenberger, William Balfour, Layla Balfour, Morgan Hawver, Elliott Hernandez and Hensley Hernandez.
She was preceded in death by her parents: William and Anna Schmidt. Siblings: Grace Clothier, Alvin Schmidt, Ruth Morelan, Ann Spencer, Dorothy Anderson, Norman Schmidt and Wiley Schmidt. Son: Troy Hawver and grandson Nicholas Hawver.
Funeral services will be 10:30am, Friday, April, 22, 2022 at Minnis Chapel, Stafford Kansas. The family will receive friends from 5:00 - 7:00 pm Thursday evening at Minnis Chapel. Burial will be at the Stafford Cemetery.