Delta Delta Delta - University of Kansas

TRI DELTA DISPATCH 4 CHAPTER ETERNAL Jan Willson Kaven '51 entered Chapter Eternal on December 30, 2013. She is survived by her children, Michael and Anne. Jan enjoyed the outdoors and hiking. Her favorite pastimes included ballroom dancing with her husband, Byron, golfing, and gardening. Jacqueline Chinn Dodge '53 entered Chapter Eternal on March 8, 2013. She was involved throughout her life in the Delta Delta Delta alumnae organization and was active in church and community volunteer groups. She was an avid and accomplished gardener who always knew how to coax a bloom from her roses and spent countless hours knitting things for family and friends. She is survived by her husband, Dale, three daughters, and eight grandchildren. Kathie Gardner Nash '64 entered Chapter Eternal on July 29, 2014. She was most proud to be a stay-at-home mom and grandmother. Most recently she worked alongside her husband as a trade show manager for Learning Curve International. She was a member of Knox Presbyterian Church of Naperville. Kathie is survived by her husband of 47 years, Robert; sons, Bo and David; and grandchildren: Alex, Evan, Will, Katelyn, and Zachary. ALUMNAE NEWS Shirley Kyle Axon '48 teaches an improvisation modern dance class. She resides in Ann Arbor, Mich. E-mail: shirleyaxon@comcast.net Chloe Warner Childers '49 has been a senior women's pickle ball instructor at Greely Senior Activities Center from 2012 to 2014. She resides in Greely, Colo. Judith Heller Seifert '57 attended the University of Kansas graduation ceremony in May to see her granddaughter, Lyndall Robinson, receive her degree. "What a thrill it was for me to watch her walk down the Hill." Judy lives in Kansas City, Mo. T he pansy, the pine, the letters—it's all become a family tradition. The legacy began when Pat and Merle Zeller's five daughters, Kathie Zeller Cook '71, Susie Zeller Wolf '73, Nancy Zeller Sebree '76, Betsy Zeller Argotsinger '79, and Terri Zeller Byrd '82, all joined Theta Omega. It became a tradition when seven granddaughters also selected Delta Delta Delta. Although none of the women felt pressured to join, each discovered a special bond and sense of pride through their membership. For Megan Wolf '08, Susie's daughter and younger sister of Natalie Wolf Blume '99, her connection to Theta Omega began at a young age. "I have had a connection to Delta Delta Delta, particularly Theta Omega, since I was a little girl," Megan said. "When I was 10 years old, I would come up to KU and spend the night with my sister in the chapter house. These were some of my favorite memories, and I always pictured myself joining Delta Delta Delta. However, I never felt pressure from my family while going through recruitment. They would have supported me in any decision and wanted me to make the right choice for myself. Ultimately, I just felt so comfortable at Delta Delta Delta and knew that I would be happy there. It was one of the best decisions I made in my life." The family is already close, but their shared Tri Delta experience has brought them even closer. "My family is very tight‑knit to begin with, but I do think our connection to Delta Delta Delta only strengthens our bond," Megan said. "It is fun to walk the halls of Theta Omega and see the composite pictures of my mother, aunts, sister, and cousins lining the walls. We share our memories and compare our experiences of living in the house. Our family has a unique situation, and I think each one of us feels special to be a part of the legacy." As a nursing student, Susie only spent three years in Lawrence. However, Theta Omega remained an important part of her life as her sisters, daughters, and nieces all developed a love for Delta Delta Delta. ONE LETTER, ONE LEGACY Zeller Family Is 12 Strong in Delta Delta Delta "My dad always joked that he paid for a good part of the Tri Delta house," Susie said. "I felt a special bond with my older sister when I pledged and felt so proud of both of my daughters when they pledged too. We feel a sense of pride that so many of us share this bond." Outside of Theta Omega, the Zeller legacy has extended to Theta Iota at Kansas State and Gamma Upsilon at Valparaiso University. Although each membership was unique, they find many similarities in their memories as undergraduates. "I feel that all of my family members shared similar experiences," Megan said. "I saw this firsthand in my sister and cousins and have heard many stories from my mom and aunts. Many of us held positions as officers, made lifelong friends, and loved the experience of living in the sorority." Zeller Family Tree: Merle and Pat Zeller had five daughters who all pledged Delta Delta Delta at the University of Kansas: Kathie Zeller Cook, Susie Zeller Wolf, Nancy Zeller Sebree, Betsy Zeller Argotsinger, and Terri Zeller Byrd. Susie's daughters, Natalie Wolf Blume and Megan Wolf, and Kathie's daughter, Erin Cook Peavey, all pledged at KU. Brother Jim Zeller and wife Mary Zeller's two daughters, Molly Zeller Farwell and Katie Zeller, also pledged Delta Delta Delta at KU. Nancy's daughter, Courtney Sebree Garlich, pledged Tri Delta at Kansas State University, and Betsy's daughter, Jenny Argotsinger, pledged Tri Delta at Valparaiso. Bottom row left to right: Betsy Zeller Argotsinger '79, Kathie Zeller Cook '71, Terri Zeller Byrd '82, Susie Zeller Wolf '73, and Nancy Zeller Sebree '76. Top row: Jennifer Argotsinger, Valparaiso '09, Erin Cook Peavey '05, Katie Zeller '14, Natalie Wolf Blume '99, Megan Wolf '08, and Courtney Sebree Garlich, Kansas State '05. Alumnae Update (Continued on page 6)

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