Gail Farnham

Gail Burnett Farnham, 96, of Independence, MO passed away Monday, September 19th at Rosewood Health Center. Services will be 10:00 a.m. Friday, September 23, 2005 at Carson-Speaks Chapel. Visitation will be 6-8:00 p.m. Thursday in the chapel with burial in Memorial Park Cemetery, St. Joseph, MO. Gail was born September 8, 1909 in Woodward, IA to Milo and Adeline (Tidball) Burnett. Gail grew up in a family strong in the Christian tradition who became converts to the RLDS Church when Gail was a child. Her father instructed her future husband, Robert Farnham, in church doctrine when they dated while Gail was still in High School. Gail had a professional quality soprano voice and took the lead in all the High School plays. After their marriage, Robert became increasingly active in church work and she devoted her talents to her husband and her children, bringing the special music to the services where Robert preached. When he went under full-time church appointment in 1946, the family participated together in this endeavor. In later years when Robert retired from administrative church work and became the Chaplain at the Independence Sanitarium and Hospital, she counseled and entertained the nursing students. Even later, they traveled across the northern states and Canada together as Robert gave Patriarchal ministry to the scattered Saints and congregations with Gail�s support. Then in full retirement, Robert was the prime developer of the Association of Restoration Patriarchs, and Gail entertained the Patriarchs and their wives, counseling the wives on occasion. Both Gail and Robert were always greatly interested in their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, and their children testify that they gave unqualified full support to all their worthwhile endeavors. He and her husband were considered guides, models, and towers of strength.




Mrs. Farnham is survived by her son and daughter-in-law Dr. Milo and Paula Farnham, daughter and son-in-law Dr. Roxana and George Hawkins; grandchildren Robert W. (& Lynda) Farnham, Mark E. (& Marika) Farnham, M.D., Rachel M. (& Vim) Horn, Jill C. (& Mark) Etter, Bradley C. (& Dawn) DeSelms, Kendall P. (& Cindy) DeSelms, D.O., Sherri G. (& Ron) Johnson, 28 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Robert S. Farnham, son Robert B. Farnham, daughter Helen J. Farnham, 2 brothers and 2 sisters.