Burdett - Ella F. Van Meter, 83, died September 18, 2006 at Larned Healthcare Center, Larned, Kansas.

She was born May 6, 1923, to Charles Dewey and Elizabeth A. Browne Fagen, in the J.C. Browne family home, a stone house, on the Pawnee River, north of Burdett, Kansas. A longtime Burdett resident moving to Larned Health Care Center in February 2005, she was a homemaker and local historian.

She was a member of the United Methodist Church, and United Methodist Women organization, a Charter member and Officer of the American Legion Auxiliary, all of Burdett; she was an active supporter of the Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts of America.

On January 1, 1945, she married Louis B. Van Meter at Burdett. He died March 28, 2006.

Survivors include: two sons, David and wife Brenda Van Meter, Larned, John and wife Michelle Van Meter, Newton, Kansas; a daughter Jane and husband Robert Orton, Gig Harbor, Washington; a sister, Mary and her husband Paul Stegman, Larned; six grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and a host of nephews and nieces and friends.

She was preceded in death by a sister, Barbara Fagen Olsen.

Funeral will be Friday at 2:00 p.m. at the Mary C. Norris United Methodist Church with Pastor Mary Ohlemeier presiding. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday at the Beckwith Mortuary Chapel, Larned. Burial will be in the Browns Grove Cemetery, Burdett, Kansas.

Memorials may be sent to the Burdett City Library or American Red Cross, or the charity of your choice in care of Beckwith Mortuary, Inc. P.O. Box 477, Larned, KS 67550.

This notice may be viewed and condolences left at www.beckwithmortuary.com