Ann Elizabeth (Stoppel) Gilbreath, 90, of Russell, Kansas, passed away Sunday, April 26, 2020, at Main Street Manor in Russell.
Ann was born January 12, 1930, on a farm south of Dorrance Kansas. She was one of five children born to Alexander and Bertha (Galyardt) Stoppel. The family then moved to Lucas Kansas where she attended school and graduated from Lucas High School. Shortly after graduating from High School, Ann moved to California where she went to school and lived in Southern California until 2015, when she moved back to Kansas to be near family.
Ann was united in marriage to Jack Gilbreath. They divorced later in life. Jack preceded her in death. Ann was known as "Aunt Betty" or "Betty Ann" to her family in Kansas. In California, all her friends knew her as "Ann". Ann was a Secretary for many businesses in California until her retirement. She also was a Hostess for Wine Shows and Tastings in California. She enjoyed traveling and spending time with family and friends, and going out to eat. She also enjoyed entertaining when her family came to visit her in California.
Surviving family include two brothers, Harold Stoppel (Betty) of Hutchinson, Kansas and Melvin Stoppel (Janice) of Russell, Kansas; brother-in-law Ben Griffin of LaFayette, Georgia, and several nieces, nephews and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, and two sisters, Lucille Steinert and Carol Jean Griffin, two nieces, Alane Radke and Darlene Henry, and two nephews, Alfred Steponick and Keith Stoppel.
A Graveside service will be held at 1:00 P.M., Thursday, April 30, 2020, at the St. John Lutheran Cemetery in Russell, Kansas. Friends may view her at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary from 9:00 AM to Noon on Thursday. Condolences may be sent to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, who are in charge of these arrangements.