Daisy Stever Congdon

is honored with a Large Paver from Rachael, Jane and Ray Bert.

Daisy Stever was born October 22, 1885 in rural Newton, and died November 19, 1967. She married Lisle Congdon on November 5, 1915. She was the daughter of Mary Ella Danks Stever and Lewis Stever. She was one of nine children, seven girls and two boys. Her mother died of typhoid fever when Daisy was nine years old.

She worked her way through Sedgwick High School and Fairmount College (now Wichita State University). In college, she was active in sports, debate, and helped form a new sorority, Alpha Tau Sigma. She became its first president. This is now Delta Gamma. She taught school in Kansas and kindergarten for several years in a private school in Youngstown, Ohio. She earned her Master's degree from the University of Chicago.

She was a member of the Plymouth Congregational Church and was moderator and taught kindergarten for 25 years. She formed a rhythm band there.

Daisy was founder of Sedgwick Y.W.C.A. and president plus other offices; founder and charter member and president of Get Together Farm Bureau (E.H.U.); Kansas Federation of Women's Clubs, 5th District, President of KFWC and, for years, Literature Chairman and Junior Club Chairman for KFWC. She organized many Junior Clubs in Kansas. She also was a member of Athena Club, O.A.O., Tri Psi, P.E.O. chapter A.G., D.A.R., Kansas Mothers Association, County Chairman of Polio Drive, County Chairman for Red Cross, and solicitor for United Fund, Heart Fund, and Cancer Fund.

In 1922, she helped start a kindergarten in the Sedgwick school system. She was a Girl Scout Leader and Troop Committee Chairman. She started the Girl Scouts when she thought the girls of Sedgwick needed a troop. She was responsible for securing the Girl Scout House in Sedgwick.

Daisy shared her home and collections of antiques. Her outstanding collection of paisley shawls were shared in programs called "A Pageant of Shawls." This she presented at schools, churches, community, and study groups over the state.

She was always a teacher who guided thoughtfully and well. She inspired and helped many girls to go to college. Her daughters are Mary Margaret Alderton and Rachael Jane Bert (Mrs. Ray).

She loved books, music, pictures, flowers, and lovely things of yester year. She surrounded herself with these and shared graciously with others. Her hospitable home was generously available to those near and far.

September 5, 1998