Ethie P. Farmer, 86, of Erie, and a former Parsons resident, died at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, March 2, 2013 at the Prairie Mission Retirement Village in St. Paul. She had been in failing health.

She was born on Jan. 29, 1927 at Erie to Manford and Cora Ratliff Bonine. She attended Erie Schools and graduated from Erie High School in 1944. While in high school she worked at Glasner Produce, Dr. E.C Bryan, and R.B. Smith Attorney at law. She moved to Parsons in 1945 with her mother.

She and Albert E. Farmer were married on March 24, 1946 at the Erie Christian Church Parsonage. They later divorced. They then reunited in marriage on June 17, 1953 at the Central Avenue Christian Church in Parsons. He preceded her in death on August 17, 2000.

She was employed for 30 years at the Kress Co., at Fred Ronald Manufacturing for two years, at the Broderick Co. as a credit coordinator for eight years, and at Stevens Fabric Care for eight years before retiring in 1995.

She was a member of the First Christian Church where she had served as financial secretary and participated in Disciples Women’s Group. She also was a member of SCOOP and AARP. She had recently attended the Galesburg Christian Church.

She collected thimbles and bells. She enjoyed her family, scrapbooking, sewing, crafts, quilting, and playing Mexican train dominos with her family and at the Senior Center.

She is survived by five grandchildren, Tracy Brownewell, and her fiancé Randy Barton of Leadwood, Mo., Craig Brownewell of Lebanon, Mo., Tiffany Yarnell and her husband, Kevin, of Erie, Kevin Brownewell and his wife, Nikki, of Parsons, and Sean Howard of Parsons; 13 great-grandchildren, Rebekah Browne-well, Craig Brownewell Jr., Haley Brownewell, Kinzie Brownewell, Ashlyn Brownewell, Hunter Brownewell, Shelby Brownewell, Erin Barton, Sydney Proffitt, Trevor Yarnell, Brayden Yarnell, Ethan Yarnell, and Caleb Yarnell; numerous nieces and nephews; and a host of cousins. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Jone Howard on July 19, 1990, five brothers, and three sisters.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 6, at the Carson-Wall Funeral Home in Parsons.¬† Burial will follow in the Memorial Lawn Cemetery.¬† The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 7 to 8 this evening.¬† Memorials are suggested to the First Christian Church, Galesburg Christian Church, or to the American Cancer Society and these may be left at or mailed to the funeral home 112 N. 26th St., P.O. Box 942, Parsons, KS 67357.¬† Online condolences may be left at www.wallfuneralservices.com” www.wallfuneralservices.com.