Guwendola (Gwen) Herron

Marian Guwendola (Gwen) Herron, 97, died Monday, April 28, 2014, at the Good Samaritan Home in Dodge City.  She was born on September 15, 1916 in Spearville, Kansas, the daughter of Glenn Henry and Clara May (Hugg) Johnson.

Gwen was raised in Spearville and graduated from high school there in 1934. She attended Fort Hays State University, and later worked in Dodge City at W.W. Virtue Dry Goods Store and Eckles Department Store.  While working in Dodge, she met Raymond C. Herron of Cimarron, whom she married on October 24, 1939.  They moved to Cimarron as newlyweds, where he worked as an elevator man.

Ray was called to active duty in the U.S. Army in 1941 and spent four years serving mostly in Europe.  Gwen moved back to Dodge City during that time, where she worked at Bangs Jewelry Store.  After the war ended, Gwen and Ray settled permanently in Dodge City and worked together on running the family farm for the next 26 years.  Ray died in 1971, but Gwen continued to be involved with farm operations in partnership with Carl Yeager, until she retired with over 40 years of farm experience.

Gwen was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Dodge City for more than 50 years, serving on various committees including a term as Deacon.  She was a longtime member and past chapter president of Chapter CF, P.E.O., and a member of Eastern Star.  For the past five and one-half years she has been a resident of the Good Samaritan Home in Dodge City.

She is survived by two sons, David Herron of Union City, California, and Steven Herron and wife Lorene of Dodge City, by her niece Barbara and husband Norman Spohr of Dodge City and their children, by Marsha Yeager of Dodge City, wife of Carl (recently deceased), and their children, by cousins Patty and Allen Smith and their children, and by numerous other relatives.  She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and her sister, Loretta "Billie" Barhydt Brown. Gwen was a wonderful daughter, sister, wife, mother, aunt, honorary grandma, and friend to many people in this area, and she will be missed by all who knew her.

The funeral will be held at the Swaim Funeral Home, 1901 Sixth Avenue, Dodge City, Kansas on Monday, May 5, 2014 at 3:00 P.M. There will be no visitation.  Memorials can be made to Kansas P.E.O. Sunflower Grants, or to the Good Samaritan Home, Dodge City, in care of the funeral home. Thoughts and memories may be shared in the online guest book at www.swaimfuneralhome.com.