Obituary of Bertie-Leigh Compaan

IN LOVING MEMORY OF BERTIE-LEIGH COMPAAN On November 22, 2015, Bertie-Leigh Compaan, faithful wife, adoring mother, doting Grammy, and gracious woman of God, left this world for her heavenly home to be reunited with her Lord and Savior and the love of her life to rejoice for all eternity. Bertie-Leigh, daughter of William Henry and Elsie Elora (Wayne) Waters, was born December 28, 1926, in Robinson, ND. She attended Elementary School in Robinson and graduated from High School in Sherburn, MN. She attended Jamestown College, Jamestown, ND and in 1948 graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education. She began her teaching career as an English teacher at two North Dakota high schools. Bertie-Leigh was united in marriage to her college sweetheart, Kenneth Compaan, on June 30, 1951 in Jamestown, ND. They lived in Carrington, ND prior to moving to Norton, KS in the summer of 1966. In Kansas she resumed her teaching career, serving as an elementary school music teacher. She was a music therapist at Norton State Hospital for many years. She was a long-time member of First United Methodist Church in Norton where she sang in the choir, played in the hand bell choir, was an organist, and served on various committees. She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, Federated Women's Club, and served for several years as president of the Norton County Arts Council. She enjoyed musical theater and performed with a local Norton County Theater group. Bertie-Leigh enjoyed music and the arts and helping others enjoy them, too. Several years ago she moved into Whispering Pines Assisted Living Center, Norton, transferred to Pioneer Manor, Hugoton in 2015, and most recently had moved to Good Samaritan Society Nursing Home in Liberal, KS. Bertie-Leigh leaves behind daughter Melody and Johann Teten, Tuttle, OK; daughter Jamie and Donald Fitzhugh, Topeka, KS; son Mark and Tracy Compaan, Liberal, KS; son Jon Compaan, Burlington, KS; daughter Roberta Gitchel, Emporia, KS and foreign exchange daughter, Sarah Garattoni, Grenoble, France. Grammy will be missed by her grandchildren, Ted, Brian & Jennifer Teten, Dakota, Ethan & Ariana Compaan, and Ashley, Luke & Kyle Gitchel. Surviving sisters are Orpha Neustel, Beulah, ND and Elora Kaufman, St. Augustine, FL; sisters-in-law, Ruth Strutz, Jamestown, ND and Vickie Compaan, Redmond, WA and many nieces, nephews and valued friends. She was preceded in death by her husband of 42 years, Kenneth; parents, Henry and Elsie Waters; brother, Gerald Waters, and sisters, Lettie Waters and Mina Whittenberg. FUNERAL SERVICE – Monday, November 30, 2015 –10:30 A.M PLACE – First United Methodist Church – Norton, Ks VISITATION – Sunday, November 29, 2015 –5:00 – 7:00 P.M. PLACE – Enfield Funeral Home – Norton, Ks MEMORIALS – Norton Thrift Store Salvation Army