ABBYVILLE - Glenna Rose (Rumford) Dellenbach graduated to Heaven to meet Jesus on Thursday, December 28, 2017, at the age of 95. She drew her last earthly breath surrounded by family and friends at her home near Abbyville, Kansas.
Glenna was born April 14, 1922. She lived in rural Abbyville her entire life, but reached out to vast numbers of people in a global way. She was a mother to the motherless, a grandmother and great-grandmother to those who had none.
Following graduation from Abbyville High School in 1940,Glenna attended hair dressing college and worked in Hutchinson as a 'Rosie the Riveter' during World War II, building ailerons on bombers.
On October 14, 1945, she married Dean Dellenbach and became a homemaker and farm wife. After marriage to Dean, she perfected the art of entertaining graciously and generously, often feeding 25 or more people around their table. One of her greatest talents as a cook was baking pies. She loved baking birthday pies for friends and family, always remembering their favorite pie from her vast repertoire.
Glenna and Dean's marriage and family were blessed by three children and spouses: Keith and Linda Dellenbach, Abbyville, LuWana and Larry Davisson, Plevna, and Denice and Kevin Blew, Clarence, Mo. Dean passed away January 19, 2002, and Linda Dellenbach passed away on February 3, 2015. Glenna is also survived by: sister, Evelyn (Rumford) Garrison; sister-in-law, Lola Rumford; five grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; many loving nieces, nephews, and cousins; and countless youngsters at Shiloh Christian Children's Ranch in Missouri that called her 'Grandma' and 'Great-Grandma'.
Glenna lived with the life theme of 'the joy of the Lord is my strength', and her energy seemed limitless. She was a tireless worker for the Lord and member of the Abbyville Community Church. She was an active member of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union (W.C.T.U.) and passionate about sharing its message, particularly at the Kansas State Fair. Primarily through Glenna's efforts, the W.C.T.U. booth has continued at the Kansas State Fair for over 100 years. Quite recently, at 95 years of age, she flew to a W.C.T.U. convention in Pennsylvania.
Glenna enjoyed sharing in the creation of beautiful quilts that are keepsakes for many friends and family members. She loved the social aspect of hand-stitched quilting, and rarely worked alone on projects.
She was also preceded in death by: her parents, Charles Floyd Rumford, Sr. and Rose (Ehling) Rumford; brother, Charles Floyd Rumford, Jr.; granddaughter, Lydia Blew; and brother-in-law, Keith Garrison.
A celebration of Glenna's life will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, January 2, 2018, at CrossPoint Church, 1410 East 30th Avenue, Hutchinson. Burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery, Hutchinson. Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, January 1, 2018, at the Abbyville Community Church.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Shiloh Christian Children's Ranch, Freedom for Liberty, or Abbyville Community Church (missions), in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.