Denise C. Apt

Denise C. Apt, 84, of Iola, Kan., died Monday, Nov. 3, 2014, at her home. Denise "Denny" was born Dec. 10, 1929, in Maywood, Ill., the daughter of Lester Richard and Margaret E. (Fawcett) Coleman. Denny grew up in the Chicago, Ill. area. She attended Iowa State University and the University of Arkansas, where in both cases she was the only female engineering student. A profound love of Arkansas was born as a youngster bareback riding through the hills and fields of Northwest Arkansas. On a horse ride, a young man from Kansas sighted her! She married Frederick G. Apt, Jr. in Siloam Springs, Arkansas June 8, 1951. Thus this love of the magical hills of Arkansas developed into a loved second home for Denny and Fred, in Bella Vista, Arkansas, where she leaves numerous friends and acquaintances. They made their home in Iola for most of their married life. Denny was a dedicated community servant who touched many lives through her various educational involvements. She was President of the USD 257 Board of Education for 12 years, elected to the State Board of Education for three years and that led to an appointment of an unfulfilled term to the Kansas House of Representatives. She chaired several Education and Agricultural committees during her three additional terms. Governor Mike Hayden appointed her as his Aide on Education. She also served on numerous educational and agricultural advisory committees in the years following her terms in the legislature. One of her most favored accomplishments was the introduction of the Kansas Wildlife Art & Stamp Series. She was recognized as Iola's BPW Woman of the Year, by Ducks Unlimited for contributions to Wildlife Conservation, and by Kansas Agri-Women for numerous contributions to Agriculture and the women agriculture program, among her too numerous to mention recognitions and awards. Her parents, her husband and son, Richard C. Apt, preceded her in death. Survivors include one son, Frederick G. Apt III & wife, Janet of Iola; one daughter, Barbara Bukaty & husband, Dan of Overland Park, Kan.; five grandchildren, Aleaka Morgan & husband, Carlton, Shawnee, Kan.; Derick Apt & wife, Callie, Salt Lake City, Utah; Jeremy Apt & wife, Monica, Mission, Kan.; Preston & Harrison Bukaty, Overland Park, Kan.; five great-grandchildren, Bennett, Coleman & Rowen Morgan, and Stella & Frederick Apt. Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 6, 2014, at Waugh-Yokum & Frskel Chapel in Iola. Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 7, 2014, at First Presbyterian Church in Iola, with burial to follow in Highland Cemetery, Iola. Memorials are suggested to Allen County Community College Endowment Assn. or First Presbyterian Church and may be sent to Waugh-Yokum & Friskel Chapel, 16 N. Buckeye, Iola, Kan. 66749. Go to www.iolafuneral.com to sign the guestbook online or leave a condolence.