Letha Wubbenhorst

Letha Pauline Wubbenhorst, 93, passed away on October 5, 2019 in Sacramento, CA. She was born October 27, 1925, in Horton, KS to Glen and Alice (Wittwer) Kniffin.

Letha graduated from the Original Shawnee Mission High School in Shawnee, KS. After graduating she worked as a County Health Care Aid traveling with the nurse to the rural areas to administer immunizations to the school children. She also worked for Hallmark Cards.

After WWII, she met the love of her life Bill Wubbenhorst. Bill and his friend, Carl Green, were at the Beer Joint in Shawnee when Letha walked in with her brother Lyall. Bill saw her and said to Carl, “That’s going to be my wife.” He was in love at first sight and proposed to her before he even knew her name. It took Letha 6 weeks to think about it, and she said yes. They were married April 2, 1946 in Excelsior Springs, MO. Bill tried to get married on April Fools but couldn’t get the car. They were married for 73 years and Bill still carries her picture from that time in his wallet. She and Bill lived in the Overland Park area until moving west for warmer weather. By the time their third child came along they moved to Tucson, AZ, and Bill was working in the construction trade.

Letha was a homemaker until her youngest child was in Junior High School. At that time they were living in Los Angeles where she went to work for James Talcott, Inc. She was a Clerk Supervisor and a Dun & Bradstreet Liaison. In 1990, when she retired, her and Bill built a home in Yerington, NV, where they raised their grandson Chris.

In Nevada, Letha loved working outside. She enjoyed her orchard and garden, especially the lavender roses. Her and Bill spent a lot of time canning vegetables and fruit from their garden. Two of her specialties were apple butter and Grandma’s Chocolate Cake.

In 2005, her and Bill moved back to their roots in Kansas City, MO, each had a brother, nieces, nephews, and their son Bill Jr. They spent many evenings having dinner and playing cards with their families.

In 2015, they moved back to California and lived with their daughter and son-in-law, Joyce and Sam Stephens, in Sacramento until her death.

Letha loved animals; Her mother once stated, “There aren’t any strays in our neighborhood, because Letha brought them all home.” Animals were attracted to her. They knew she was their protector with a kind and loving heart for them.

Letha was kind and accepting of everyone she met. Her smile was infectious and those who met her loved her.

She was preceded in death by her parents, their daughter Linda Kaye Barrett and granddaughter, Tina Denise Barrett, brothers; Warren Kniffin, Lyall Kniffin, Wayne Kniffin, Bernard Kniffin, and sister Lorene Alley.

She is survived by her husband of 73 years, William (Bill) Wubbenhorst Sr.; daughter Joyce Stephens (Sam), sons William Wubbenhorst Jr. (Lori), and James Wubbenhorst, grandchildren; Jennifer, Lyndi, Chris and Matt, great grandchildren; Vanessa, Marlana, AJ, Mikey, Marlyn, Emmi, Carson, Noah and Cooper, the stepchild of Bill Jr; Cara (Collin) and great grandchildren Max and Jillian, along with the many step grandchildren and step great grandchildren of Joyce and Sam, whom she loved all as her own.

A visitation will be held from 2:30-3 PM, with graveside service at 3 PM, on Friday, October 18, at Johnson County Funeral Chapel and Memorial Gardens, 11200 Metcalf Ave, Overland Park, KS 66210.