Golda Marie Pope, 89, of Hutchinson, KS, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on December 2, 2023. She was born on April 25, 1934, in Agenda, KS, to James Vernon Walker and Orpha Evelyn (Kramer) Walker.
Golda was a 1952 graduate of Concordia High School and received her Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from the University of Kansas in 1957.
On June 27, 1959, Golda married Russell Hindle Pope, in Overland Park, KS. They shared nearly 64 years of marriage before his death on March 8, 2023.
She is survived by: children, Mary (John) Denny of Hutchinson, KS, Rachel (Paul) Wakefield of Hutchinson, KS, Matthew (Elaine) Pope of Hutchinson, KS, Ellen (David) Stebbings of Attleboro, MA, James (Wendy) Pope of Hutchinson, KS, and Steve (Amy) Pope of Colorado Springs, CO; 19 grandchildren; and 44 great-grandchildren; and many extended family members. Golda was blessed and grateful to have such a large and loving family.
She was preceded in death by: her parents; husband, Russell; and brother, James Walker.
Golda had a servant’s heart and poured herself out for others. Her love language was cooking and she made popcorn, cookies, and meals for many, many people. When Golda wasn’t in the kitchen, you could find her in the garden. She took great joy in growing and giving away produce. No matter what she was doing, Golda did her work “heartily, as unto the Lord.” She was a wonderful model of hard work, perseverance, and faithfulness and had a knack for finding and helping those who needed a friend. You couldn’t be around Golda long before she would start sharing her Jesus. She was a bold witness and discipled many in the faith including her children, grandchildren, and countless staff at Kansas Bible Camp. Other passions were books and hymns. Golda was an avid reader and loved poetry, committing many poems to memory and writing several of her own. Next to her Bible where she would read at the dining room table there was always a stack of various hymn books.
Golda used her nursing degree at Golden Plains Health Care Center and Good Samaritan Society, Hutchinson, KS, and in caring for her aging parents, in-laws and aunts, and her husband, Russell, over the span of 35 years. It was a drive given to her by God.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, December 9, 2023, at Hutchinson Gospel Chapel, 2005 Hendricks Street, Hutchinson, KS, with Jeremy Goering officiating. A livestream of the service will be available on the Hutchinson Gospel Chapel Facebook page. A private family burial will take place at Fairlawn Burial Park, Hutchinson, KS.
Memorial contributions may be made to Kansas Bible Camp, in care of Elliott Mortuary and Crematory, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.
The family would like to acknowledge the hospice nurses from Traditions Health for their compassionate and loving care.