Resting peacefully beneath a blanket bearing images of her seven beloved grandchildren, Kay Durham, 69, Lenexa, Kansas, passed away May 27, 2023, at Olathe Hospice House in Olathe, Kansas, after a long illness.  Born Arlene Kay Cowan Nov. 1, 1953, in Nebraska City, Nebraska, she was the daughter of Ralph and Lena (Bond) Cowan. She grew up in Langdon, Missouri, Peru, and Auburn, Nebraska, graduating in 1971 from Auburn High School, where her future husband, Michael Durham, was her prom date. They reconnected later that year, sometimes meeting at a park where he’d serenade her on the guitar with “You Are My Sunshine. ” They were married April 6, 1974.  The couple settled in Lincoln, Nebraska, where Kay worked at Havelock Bank, and they became active members of Capitol City Christian Church. The Durhams raised three children in Lincoln, moving the family to Lenexa, Kansas, in 1993.  Kay worked as the office manager for Cruise Albums and other businesses in Overland Park, Kansas. The Durhams were active in Legacy Christian Church, where Kay volunteered in the nursery and children’s ministry and enjoyed couples’ retreats, float trips and other class activities. Her interests included sewing, cooking, flower gardening, and especially spending time with her grandchildren.  Survivors include her husband of 49 years, Lenexa, Kansas; daughter Gaylene Murphy (Mike), Olathe, Kansas; sons Bryan Durham (Christina), Paola, Kansas, and Scott Durham (Michelle), Eudora, Kansas; grandchildren Jack and Jordan Murphy; Colby, Jaxon and Ella Durham; and Lauren and Brecken Durham; sister Lorene Strahm (Larry), Sabetha, Kansas; brother Marvin Cowan (Janet), Springfield, Oregon; aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews; and her church families at Legacy Christian Church and Capitol City Christian Church.  She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother and sister-in-law, Edward and Sue Ann Cowan; her in-laws, Melvin and Martha Durham; and other relatives.  A memorial service will be held at Legacy Christian Church, 10150 Antioch Road, Overland Park, Kansas, on June 10, 2023, at 11 AM. Inurnment will be in Forest Memorial Cemetery in Oskaloosa, Iowa. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to Leukemia & Lymphoma Society or Team Valor Missionary at Legacy Christian Church.  

Memorial Service
06/10/2023
11:00 AM
Legacy Christian Church
10150 Antioch Road,
Overland Park, KS

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Arlene Durham Obituary | Cremation Center of Kansas City