She agreed to one date, but Lee knew he had to double down (and he also knew there was no way he could show up to take Otto’s daughter out on a date on a motorcycle), and so he made sure to buy a brand-new Oldsmobile the next day. Lee spotted Barbara in the moonlight, hard at work sweeping the lot at A&W Drive In, and he took a chance and asked her for a date. Lee had the good fortune to meet the beautiful Barbara his wife of more than 50 years while draggin’ Main Street in Newton in the 1960s. Lee also taught himself auto mechanics, much to the dismay of his daughters (as there was never an excuse to buy a new car). Using his ability to teach himself anything, Lee became an early computer programmer in the 1980s his computerprogramming career spanned for decades, and he worked at both Farmland Industries in Hutchinson, KS, and his alma mater, Wichita State University. Notwithstanding his enjoyment of the outdoors, as a young man, Lee had the vision to see that computers were the future.
Lee looked forward to the Kansas autumn auction season every year, and, even if he bought a little too much, it was always astonishingly organized in the incredible double-decker garage that he designed himself. Lee enjoyed Kansas fall weather, the Kansas Jayhawks, the mountains in the West, chopping firewood, building or repairing anything, big red barns, wildlife (especially wolves), classic country music, Westerns, and especially his own (many) garages. Lee was a true-blue country boy who was blessed with a genius-level IQ and a stubborn but tenacious spirit. (Luckily for his family, although he never did learn to ask for permission, he eventually learned to ask for forgiveness.) Lee went on to obtain an Associate of Science degree from Hutchinson Junior College in Hutchinson, KS, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Wichita State University in Wichita, KS. Lee attended Halstead High School in Halstead, KS, but, like any good rebel, he made sure to get kicked out. Lee was born the first (and rowdiest) of three boys to Milton and Mary Pownell on August 10, 1948, at Halstead Hospital in Halstead, KS. Memorials may be made to Meridian Baptist Church for Missions and left with Petersen Funeral Home.Lee Pownell, 73, passed away peacefully surrounded by family and toe tappin’ to Johnny Cash on February 24, 2022, in Newton, KS. Burial will be in the Greenwood Cemetery Newton, Kansas.
Visitation will be at Petersen’s Funeral home Sunday, February 13, 1-5PM with family 3-5PM. She is survived by her husband of 60 years, Rev Jerroll Martens daughter Robin Martens of Wichita son Rod and Holly of Wichita granddaughters India, Sydni and Audrey and great granddaughter, Anais.įuneral service will be held at Meridian Baptist Church, Newton, Kansas, Monday February 14 at 11AM. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her only sibling, Mrs. Her own health issue made her sensitive of others with the same. She cared deeply for her immediate family as well as extended family. She was a helpmate in each of the churches where they served. She was trained in music and loved the songs of the Christian faith. Her life was given in ministry to her husband and family and as pastor’s wife for 60 years. Nursing was indeed a ministry for her, and many testified of her kind and tender care. She received the RN in nursing degree from Baptist School of Nursing and attended Bob Jones University. She received Christ as her Savior in early youth and dedicated her life to Him. She was born Maat Trumann, Arkansas to Jimmie and Frances Owens. Carolyn Martens, 82, of Newton Kansas went home to be with the Lord February 7, 2022, after an extended illness.