Zahniser services

Mrs. Zahniser died Wednesday, July 14, 2004, at Independence Regional Health Center.

She was born on April 14, 1933, in Perry, Iowa, the daughter of James N. and Mary Louise Mussell Parker.

She grew up in Iowa, and attended Graceland College. She earned a master’s degree in history from Florida Atlantic University and a master’s in special education from the University of Iowa and Kansas University.

Mrs. Zahniser was a homemaker. She also supervised a community senior center and helped develop programs for the elderly. She worked with the Learning Disabilities Institute at KU and completed many of the requirements toward her doctorate. She wrote articles for publication in a number of sources.

She volunteered at the Community of Christ Temple, organizing visits by congregations.

Mrs. Zahniser also was a teacher of special education students for more than 20 years, many of those years in schools in the Lawrence area.

She and her family lived in Wyoming, Missouri, Florida, Illinois and Iowa. She moved to Lawrence in 1981, and moved to Lee’s Summit in 1993.

She married Stan Zahniser on Oct. 5, 1952. He died in 1981.

Survivors include two daughters, Terry McDermid, Joplin, Mo., and Nadine Bennetts, Olathe; two sons, Steve Zahniser, Lawrence, and Alan Zahniser, Lee’s Summit; two sisters, Dixie and Marja; and nine grandchildren.

The family will receive friends from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. today at the church.

The family suggests memorials to Outreach International or Graceland University.

Geo. C. Carson and Sons Funeral Home, Independence, is handling arrangements.

Online condolences may be sent at www.carsonfuneralhome.com.