Bertha D. “Peggy” Clemens Ford, 86, of Seneca, KS, died Wednesday, July 10, 2002, at the Sabetha Residential Care Center in Sabetha, KS. She had been a resident there since June 28, 1999.

She was born July 11, 1915, at St. Joseph, MO, the daughter of Albert J. and Sylvia Rose Chilcoat Wende. When she was five years old, the family moved to a farm west of Oneida, KS. She attended the Oneida School for three years, the Morning Star School southeast of Oneida, and graduated from Oneida High School as valedictorian of her class in 1933. Following high school, she worked in area homes taking care of newborns. She also worked in homes in Kansas City, KS.

On February 27, 1937, she married Alvin F. Clemens in Sabetha at the home of her friends, the Reverend and Mrs. Cotton. They farmed southwest of Kelly until they moved into Seneca in 1965. Peggy worked as a cook at several restaurants. She was employed by Dr. Jerome Hermes at his chiropractic clinic in Seneca for ten years and retired in 1976. Her husband Alvin Clemens died May 19, 1975.

On November 18, 1976, she married Floyd R. Ford at Seneca. They lived in Wetmore. He preceded her in death on June 18, 2000.

She was a member of the United Methodist Church at Wetmore, and a former member of the churches at Sabetha and Seneca. She was a Sunday School teacher at Seneca for many years. She was a member of the United Methodist Women at the churches, and the Seneca Business & Professional Women’s Club.

Survivors are a son, Daniel Clemens of McPherson, KS; a step-son, Lynn Ford of Topeka; two step-daughters, Virginia Eisenbarth of Liberty, MO, and Jean Wilson of Salina, KS; three brothers, Raymond Wende of Seneca, Robert Wende of Spokane, WA, Donald Wende of Phoenix, AZ; a sister, Darlene Campbell, of Sabetha; a granddaughter and seven step-grandchildren.

Besides her husbands, she was preceded in death by two sisters, Betty Thieme and Helen Herbstreith, and a brother, William Wende, who died in World War II.

Funeral service will be 10 AM Saturday, July 13, at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca. Burial will be in the Seneca City Cemetery. Family will meet with friends from 6 to 8 PM Friday at the funeral home.

Memorials may be given for the United Methodist Church in Seneca, Wetmore, or Sabetha and sent in care of the family.