Mrs. Lillian Esther Roosevelt

Lillian Roosevelt of Sedan, KS, passed away November 17 at the St. John’s Jane Phillips Medical Center in Bartlesville, OK after suffering a heart attack on November 13. Lillian (Simmons) Roosevelt was born December 8, 1945, near Kimball, Kansas, the daughter of Tom and Dorothy (Hopeman) Simmons. The family moved near Galesburg in late 1947. She attended school at Galesburg, graduating in 1964. She earned an associate's degree from Labette Community College. She married Stephen P. Roosevelt at the Galesburg United Methodist Church on November 5, 1967, and recently celebrated 54 years of marriage. A son, Michael Edwin, was born to this union in 1970. Lillian and Steve lived in Augusta for many years, with Lillian working at the Augusta Gazette after Mike started school. Lillian attended the Andover United Methodist Church where she managed the Sunday Nursery. She grew this program from just a couple of babies to over a dozen during the late 70’s and into the 80’s. In the late 80’s, Lillian went to work at the WSU childcare center, taking care of babies in the infant room. Childcare continued to be a passion for Lillian, and after they moved to Sedan in 1994, she continued to advocate and be involved in childcare in the community. Lillian was always upbeat despite many health issues. She enjoyed helping others and her town, Sedan. She was president of the Sedan United Methodist Women and Little Scholars Preschool at the Sedan UMC. She also sang in the church choir. She helped with fundraising for these organizations. Visiting nursing home residents, riding her three-wheel bicycle around Sedan picking up recyclables and discarded items, and helping with the recycling program was important to her. Survivors include her husband, Steve, of the home, a son, Michael (Rachelle); three grandsons: Jacob (Miranda) Cecchini-Roosevelt, Levi (Nicole) Roosevelt, and Samuel Roosevelt. Also, surviving are two sisters, Nancy Dague of Galesburg, and Lucille Janssen, rural Parsons, and one brother, John Simmons, rural Parsons. She was much loved by Steve’s family, Brothers-in-law Charlie (Janeen) and Dave (Harolyn) Roosevelt, and by many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, sister, Shirley Aiken, and her brother, Earl Simmons. A celebration of life service will be scheduled in January 2021. Lillian’s interment will be at the Kansas Veterans Cemetery in Winfield KS. Memorial Gifts can be made to the Sedan United Methodist Church youth programs or the Sedan Area Ministerial Alliance Food Pantry, 302 N. Chautauqua, Sedan KS 67361.

Mrs. Lillian Esther Roosevelt

December 8, 1945 - November 17, 2021