Etola Fern Strong, 96, of Atchison, KS died on Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024, at the Atchison Medicalodge.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Wednesday, Jan. 10th, 2024, at the Atchison United Methodist Church with Rev. Cyd Stein officiating. Burial will follow in the Sunset Memory Gardens of Atchison. The family will receive friends from 10:00 am until time-of-service Wednesday, at the church. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Atchison United Methodist Church Building Fund and may be sent in care of the Becker-Dyer-Stanton Funeral Home who is entrusted with the services. Condolences to the family may be left online at www.beckerdyer.com.

Etola was born on May 12, 1927, in Rushville, MO., the daughter of Clarence and Ruby (Martin) Ruble. She graduated from Atchison High School in 1944. Etola worked at the Exchange National Bank and was the first female to become a Vice President for the bank. Following her retirement, she worked as the bookkeeper for the Atchison Wholesale Grocery. Etola was a member of the Atchison United Methodist Church, a former member of the Riverbend Promenader- Square Dance Club. She enjoyed sewing, embroidery, doing crossword puzzles, and watching KU Basketball with her grandson.

She was married to Marvin Thomas Strong on Jan. 9, 1946, at the parsonage of the First Christian Church. Mr. Strong preceded her in death on Nov. 21, 2001. Survivors include two daughters Marta (David) Myers, Atchison, KS, Becky (Scott) Howarth, Creston, IA, a son Derek (Kathy) Franklin, Atchison, KS, eight grandchildren Thomas Myers, Jennifer Young, Rhiannon Tessum, Brenna and Katie Howarth, Monica Franklin, Brent Franklin, and Grant Franklin, and seven great grandchildren. Her parents, husband Marvin, and daughter-in-law Kelly Franklin, preceded her in death.