Obituary of Sylvia Palmer

Sylvia June Palmer passed away on Thursday, February 11, 2014 at the Grace Manor Care Center in Burlington. She was 95 years old. Sylvia June (Rogers) Palmer was born December 7, 1918, to Claude Walter Rogers and Jane Brennan (from Belfast, Ireland) at Syracuse, Nebraska. Sylvia’s mother planned to travel to America on the Titanic, but the family friend who wanted her to work at his implement company in Syracuse offered to pay her way if she would come sooner.. she did. In 1925, Sylvia and her sister, Beulah, and parents moved by train to their 160 acre farm east of Arriba, called Saugus, Colorado. Sylvia attended all grades in Arriba schools. Her mother passed away when she was eleven. A stepmother, Hester Holmes, was added to their family in 1931. Sylvia graduated from Arriba High School in 1936. She then worked in the office of the superintendent of schools for one year, and then in the courthouse at Hugo, Colorado. Sylvia met Eugene Raymond Palmer at a Christian Endeavor Youth Rally at Flagler, Colorado. They were married August 31, 1941, at Vona Church of Christ, where they started their ministry together. In 1942, they moved to Blunt, South Dakota, where they ministered. Eugene taught at the Bible College and Sylvia took classes there for one year. They also had a Sunday afternoon ministry in Highmore, South Dakota at that time. Their next ministry was at Lamar, Nebraska and during that time, their first son, Roger, was born at Imperial, Nebraska. From there, they ministered in Burlington, Colorado, then a second ministry in Vona, where their second son, Paul, was born at the home of a lady Sylvia was visiting. During their sons’ youth in Vona, Sylvia operated the telephone office there with the family living on the premises. Sylvia was the last “Vona Joe’s Telephone Company” operator until the system went “dial” and was taken over by Plains Telephone Association. She taught Roger to operate the switchboard for her when she needed to be away momentarily.. he was just a child. The family was in Vona for about 30 years. In retirement years, Sylvia and Eugene accepted brief ministries in Meeker and Mesa, Colorado and in Deming, New Mexico. They returned to Vona ministry. Sylvia cared for her father in their home until his death. After Eugene’s death in 1986, Sylvia made three trips to China to visit missions she supported and helped teach bible school and do other mission work with Hong Kong Christian Mission and Devoted Missionary, Wing Wong. Sylvia would never leave Vona because of the church work she was so devoted to and because her determination that the doors remain open. With the help of Lila Taylor and Frances Carter, this was possible. The family is deeply appreciative of their loyalty and that of the many who made a special effort with repairs to the building and to checking on special needs. The family is truly grateful to the wonderful staff at Golden Wheat in Stratton, Sylvia’s home for a time. Also, special thanks to all her caregivers at Burlington Hospital and Grace Manor Care Center and to Minister David Williams and the Burlington Christian Church for their special encouragement. Sylvia is survived by hers sons: Roger (Wanda) of Gering, Nebraska and Paul (Sandra) of Opal, Wyoming. Granddaughters: Paula Richards, Brenda Miller, Shauna ( Jon) Kawaguchi. Grandson: Philip (Kim) Palmer. Ten Great Grandchildren and one great great grandchild. Also surviving: Sister, Beulah Richardson, half-brother, Paul (Margaret) Rogers, half-sister Donna (Steve) Brown and numerous nieces and nephews. Preceding Sylvia in death: her parents, husband, step-mother, half-brother Claude Rogers, Jr. and half-sisters Marilyn Henningson and Betty Smith.