Stephanie Reimer, 67, died in the company of her daughters on the morning of Saturday, November 26, 2011, in Newton, Ks., after a prolonged illness.
Born Stephanie Donice Fortney to Don and Naomi (Davis) Fortney on August 11, 1944, Stephanie graduated from Wichita North High School in 1962. She attended college in Houston and graduated as a Registered Nurse, a career she pursued for more than 40 years. Stephanie developed a passion for working with newborns, eventually opening and directing the neonatal intensive care unit at Humana Hospital in Dodge City, Kansas. Stephanie later worked as a nurse at Riverside Hospital in Wichita, Kansas and Halstead Hospital. Most recently she retired from Wesley Medical Center as an oncology nurse.
Stephanie loved to spend time in the mountains, often travelling to her family’s Colorado cabin. She pursued her love of the outdoors locally as a Master Gardner. She especially loved growing flowers, but she often served as a resource to family and friends who had questions about any kind of gardening. Stephanie also had an enduring love of animals, often rescuing abandoned dogs and cats, raising birds, and, at one point, nursing a warren of rabbits to health with an eye dropper.
Stephanie is survived by her daughter Robin Metzler and husband Scott of Newton, Kansas, her daughter Shannon Adams and husband Kyle of Olathe, Kansas, seven grandchildren and one great grandchild.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother Steve Fortney.
Memorials may be sent to Caring Hands Humane Society, where Stephanie volunteered, 1400 SE 14th, Newton, KS. 67114.
Private family services will be held.
Arrangements are by Broadway Colonial Funeral Home, Newton.