Burdett – Shirley Ruth Saxton, 76, passed away December 4, 2015 at the Diversicare of Larned.

She was born June 29, 1939 in Larned, Kansas the daughter of Harry H. and Rose Ella Seitz Saxton. Below is the obituary written by Shirley.

As I, Shirley Saxton, look back over the journey of my life I am reminded of the faithfulness of God. I was blessed by being born into a Christian home. I trusted Christ as my Savior at the age of 7. In my teen years I nurtured my relationship with Christ through parental influences, reading the Bible and Christian literature.

Following graduation from Burdett Public High School in spring of 1957 I enrolled in Sterling College, Sterling, KS in the fall of 1957. I graduated from Sterling College in the spring of 1961 with a BA degree in biology.

In the fall of 1961 I enrolled in the School of Medical Technology at Methodist Hospital in Peoria, IL. One year later I graduated, passed my registry exam and was employed as a medical technologist for a year at Methodist Hospital.

In the fall of 1963 I returned to Kansas where I was employed as a medical technologist in a hospital in Hutchinson, KS and later in a clinic there. I was employed for two years in Hutchinson before leaving for Liberia, Africa by ship in the fall of 1965.

At missionary Radio Station ELWA, near Monrovia, Liberia I served as a missionary medical technologist in the laboratory of the small newly built ELWA Hospital. There I set up the hospital laboratory and later a clinic laboratory across the street. I greatly appreciated the help and advice of a Christian medical technologist in the Chicago, IL area. And I also initiated a training program to train Liberians in laboratory procedures.

After serving at ELWA Hospital and Clinic for fifteen and a half years I returned to Burdett, KS in May of 1981 to be a caregiver to my mother and other extended family members in the Kansas area. I left the ELWA labs in the capable hands of a missionary medical technologist and her lab trained Liberian staff.

While living in Burdett I have been a volunteer in my community as an EMT, 4-H project leader, a Sunday school teacher, VBS, Awana and part time Jr. Church leader. Occasionally I substituted in the Burdett K-5 elementary school.

I lived with my single brother, Marvin, on the farm where we grew up. Marvin farms in the area. Our older brother Sheldon, wife Katie and family make their home in Oregon.

I praise God for His faithfulness in leading me every step of my journey with Him. 1 Thess.5:24.

Funeral service will be 11:00 a.m. Friday at the Beckwith Mortuary Chapel, Larned with pastors Irv Jennings, Bob Osburn, and Doug Ellison presiding. Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday at the Beckwith Mortuary, Larned. Burial will be in the Brown's Grove Cemetery, Burdett, KS.

In Lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the SIM- ELWA (Eternal Love Winning Africa) or the Burdett EMS, both in care of the Beckwith Mortuary, P.O. Box 477, Larned, KS 67550. Personal condolences may be left at www.beckwithmortuary.com.