Geraldine "Gerry" A. Cowardin, 104, left us Oct. 2, 2013, at Hutchinson Regional Medical Center. She was born March 28, 1909, at Caney, Kan., to Edith and George W. Parker.

She had six siblings; all are deceased. She grew up in Galena, Kan., attending schools in Galena and Riverton. She married Jewell Banning in 1928. He passed in 1938. She married Mike Cowardin March 23, 1947, and shared 38 wonderful years. He passed Feb. 12, 1985. Together they loved bluegrass music. She was a resident of Hutchinson since 1952. Her work through the years included cutting tobacco leaves and rolling cigars, operating a lathe turning out 50mm shell caps in a defense plant during WWII, and 25 years at the 4-H dining room at the Kansas State Fair.

As a homemaker, she was involved with EHU, HDU and several clubs. A real love was crafts and arts. She spent many hours at Delos V. Smith Senior Center doing scratch art. She is survived by: son and daughter-in-law, H. Duane Banning and Joan; five grandchildren, Doug Banning and Brenda of Tulsa, Okla., Diana and Mark Nelson, Duane and Stephanie Banning, Dan Banning, all of Hutchinson, Donna and Aaron Bachman of Wichita; ten great-grandchildren, Skylar Banning, Alisha Rank, Jason Banning, Eric Banning, Andrew Nelson, Matthew Bachman, Aimee and Amanda Nelson, Ryan and Nathan Bachman; two step-great-grandchildren, Karly and Ashlyn LaOrange of Idaho Falls, Idaho. She was preceded in death by her parents; siblings; husbands, Jewell and Mike; and a son, James R. Banning.

Funeral service will be 1 p.m. Monday, Oct. 7, 2013, at Elliott Chapel, Hutchinson, with Father Joseph Eckberg officiating. Burial will be in Penwell-Gabel Cemetery and Mausoleum, Hutchinson. Friends may call from noon to 9 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday, with family to receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday, at Elliott Mortuary. Memorials may be made to Dillon Living Center, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.