Eda Bidinger

87, passed away peacefully at Midland Hospice House in Topeka on October 13, 2018. June was born June 21, 1931 in Maryville Missouri, to Eda and Maurice Tate. She graduated from Liberty Memorial High School in Lawrence in 1949. June was a member of the Lone Star Church of the Brethren. She married Franklin Bidinger in 1953 and they had two sons, Mike and Kit. They later divorced. June worked for Hallmark Cards in Lawrence for many years, and also worked at American States Insurance in Topeka. She later worked as the first female maintenance worker at Santa Fe Railroad, from which she retired in 1991. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Bruce, and her son Mike, who passed away in 2009.

June was a unique and free-spirited person who loved spending time with friends and family. She played competitive slow and fast pitch softball for 26 years and loved dancing, gardening, sewing and shopping. June was a kind hearted, loving and generous person who will be deeply missed by all who knew her. She always had a smile on her face and offered kindness and conversation to everyone around her. She is survived by her son, Kit of Topeka, brother, Lanny Tate of Lawrence, granddaughters Misty Stofer (Eric) of Lawrence, Leslee Kennedy of Topeka, Emily Brewer (Jordan) and Elizabeth Kennedy of Kansas City, three great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

A memorial service celebrating June’s life will be on Nov. 3, 2018 at 11:00 am at First Congregational Church, 1701 SW Collins Ave in Topeka.