Elsie Kay (Hege) Challans Obituary
Elsie Kay Challans of Newton, Kansas, age 81 years, passed into the arms of her Savior Jesus peacefully on Thursday morning, December 1, 2022, at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita.
She was born December 22, 1940, in rural Halstead, KS to Charles R. and Minnie M. (Giersch) Hege. Throughout her life she resided in Newton, Lyons, Salina and rural Halstead, KS.
Elsie attended Newton High School and Barton County Community College. She loved her family well. She was so fond of her many friends and frequently would spend time on phone calls with
them, and in previous years, would have a weekly “coffee crew” she met with in Salina. She adored Christmas, was a voracious reader and loved Cardinal birds as well as growing and nurturing
flowers, especially Clematis vine.
Elsie worked for 26 years as a paraprofessional with special needs children in the USD 405 (Lyons), USD 401 (Chase) and USD 305 (Salina) school systems. She loved her work and was
dedicated to helping children with special needs reach their highest potential.
On October 7, 1958, she married Robert R. Challans at the Sister Frieda Chapel, Newton, KS. Robert and Elsie celebrated 64 years of marriage in 2022. She dedicated her life to raising 3 sons
and rejoicing in her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Elsie is survived by her husband, Robert of Newton: 3 sons, Robert F. Challans of Hesston, KS; Mark W. (& Cindy) Challans of Smolan, KS and Dr. Phillip (& Jama) Challans of Wichita, KS.
Elsie came from a large family of 10 children and is also survived by brother Richard Hege of Newton, KS and sister Delores (& Fred) Sexauer of DeSoto, TX. Elsie was extremely proud of her
5 grandchildren; Daniel, Lacey, Caley, Brandon and Sky and 6 great grandchildren; Mallorie, Mike, Miles, Makenna, Marshall and Nash.
She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers Donald Gene and Kenneth (Kenny Earl) and sisters Mary Alice Zimmer, Betty Lou Lea, Linda Bemiss, Charlene Reidlinger and Ruth Ann Cole.
Funeral service will be 2:00 p.m., Saturday, December 10, 2022, at Petersen Funeral Home Chapel,
Newton, KS with Pastor Jonathan Whitley of Heartland Community Church, Wichita, presiding. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Family and friends are invited to gather at The
Breadbasket Restaurant, Newton, KS at 3:30 pm for food and fellowship.
Private family interment will take place, at a later date, at the Fairview Pioneer Cemetery, rural Halstead, KS.
Memorial donations may be made to and left with Petersen Funeral Home and will go to help in the fight against autism.
