Blessed are those who mourn for they will be comforted

      Flora's story has reached Arizona! A special person was able to hand over a copy of it to a woman met while traveling, who is in distress over the loss of her son. The woman struggling with her own loss was touched by Flora's story as well as the person being willing to give of her own time and caring to a stranger that could use some.

These kind of stories are so inspiring and we hope to hear more and share them here. Sharing Flora's story isn't the Gospel, but it could be a precursor to sharing the Gospel, or getting someone to consider the Gospel. Going up to someone and shoving a Bible in his or her face and confronting about the Gospel doesn't always end up well, but sharing a story like Flora's (and it can be other things in your own life as well) can help to direct someone to wanting to hear more about this Jesus, that compelled people like Flora.

The Mustard Seed

     Peggy at the Mustard Seed Christian Bookstore has reported that many have come by the store to ask for a copy of Flora's story which is great! We're so glad that those last few weeks of her life continues to be inspiring and exciting to read about. Hopefully many will not stop at reading HER story, but also read the most important story of her life, that of course being the Gospel, the story of Jesus.

     Beyond all question, the mystery of godliness is great: He appeared in a body, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory 1 Timothy 3.16

Funeral Service, Center Bethel Union Church, Parsons, Kansas

     Funeral Service celebrating Flora's life and devotion to God on September 16, 2011 at Center Bethel Union Church located in Parsons, KS
Flora McKee Funeral Service, Parsons, KS from Les Allard on Vimeo.

     An 8 year old girl was inspired to paint a portrait of Jesus Christ, and that work has touched thousands since. This painting was discussed by Flora and her son as being "His likeness" when they talked directly after her Heaven experience. Is it an accurate likeness of Jesus? Regardless, the painting certainly has something about it that stirs the imagination about our Saviour, if nothing else it inspires our thinking to Him from a point of childlike wonderment. And from reading His Word, I get a sense that is something He'd like to see out of us more often.

"Prince of Peace" by Akiane Kramarik  

Honor your Mother and Father..

'Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God has commanded you, that your days may be prolonged and that it may go well with you on the land which the LORD your God gives you.'

Deut 5.16

    In Les' rendition of Flora's story, "Walk in the Clouds" there was a sentence that was in an early draft that had been intended for omission prior to releasing 'to the public.' The sentence had to do with a personal issue between my family and my Mother, and wasn't necessary in relaying the increased Love that Flora had shown to me in the last few weeks of her life.  The sentence was noticed by some of my family and found offensive to my dismay. The sentence has since been omitted in the official online edition though it still remains in the printed copies. I regret that anyone would have been offended though I contend that such a focus misses the point of the overall story, that being a Mom's love for her Son-in-Law and that her passing came at a particularly inopportune time in my life (if there is such thing as an opportune time).

May you still be blessed by her story regardless of my inadequacy at proofreading.

~Les Allard

Flora's Slideshow

The slideshow shown at Flora's visitation, just a small selection of photos representing her being a Mother, and Grandmother and Wife.

Flora's Heaven Experience added

     If you look along the navigation bar (look up, you'll find it) you will see "Walk in the Clouds" which will bring you to Les Allard's rendition of the events of Flora's last few weeks including her "Heaven Experience" when she was brought back to us for a short time. Others' versions will be added,  and likely will be there or at least somehow accessible via this blogspot. There is also a "Contact" page, and who knows what might show up there someday.

      Per request we will try to get the slideshow for you online as well as the actual funeral service for Flora for those of you that couldn't make it.
We appreciate you all praying for the family, and hope you'll consider setting a few moments of your time to add a comment about Flora's impact on you. You should be able to simply click the word "comment" below a post and leave your comment.
And to spread the spirit of Flora even farther, consider clicking on the bar below a post where you see icons for social networking sites like Facebook or Twitter.

Thank you for caring about Flora. And thank you for caring about spreading the Good News of Christ. He was The Cure for Flora's cancer, as He is the Cure for the World.

She was always a bright spot for me, and her mother was a prayer partner! We know where she is now though, and aren't ya just a little bit jealous? [inferring  Heaven]

-visitor, giving condolences.

     Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.

 2 Timothy 4.8

Livestock Marketing Association notice about Flora

Funeral services Friday for Flora McKee, wife of Kansas market owner Mark McKee
     Funeral services will be at 1:30 p.m. Friday in Parsons, Kan., for Flora McKee, who with her husband, Mark, owned the Parsons Livestock Market, Inc.  She died Sept. 12 after a long illness, at the age of 57.
     Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. Thursday night at the Carson-Wall Funeral Home, 112 North 26th Street in Parsons. The funeral will be at the Center Bethel Church, located at the corner of 18000 Road and Queens Road, just south of Parsons. Burial will be in the North Edna, Kan., Cemetery.
     A native Kansan, she graduated from El-Saline High School in Salina, Kan. She later attended Calvary Bible College, Three Hills, Alberta, Canada. She and Mark married in 1973.
     Terry Chapman, the region executive officer who services the McKee’s market, said “Flora was an integral part of the business at Parsons, in addition to being the office manager.  She was always gracious, always had a positive attitude, and I never saw her lose her temper with anyone.”
     Memorials are suggested to Bible Impact Ministries, and can be sent in care of the funeral home, P.O. Box 942, Parsons, Kan., 67357. Online condolences may be left at www.wallfuneralservices.com.

Flora McKee - Notice from Wall Funeral Services

November 24, 1953 -September 12, 2011


According to Wall Funeral Services, Parsons, KS
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Flora McKee, 57, of Edna, KS, died at 4 a.m., Monday, September 12, 2011 at the Landmark Hospital in Joplin. She had been battling cancer the past four years. Flora and her husband, Mark McKee, are owners of the Parsons Livestock Market.

She was born November 24, 1953, at McPherson, Kansas to Jake and Florence (Balzer) Penner. The family lived in Inman and then in Salina, where she graduated from the El-Saline High School. She also attended the Calgary Bible College at Three Hills, Alberta, Canada.

On October 6, 1973 she married Mark McKee at Salina. They have lived in the Edna area since their marriage. They worked together in the operation of the Livestock Market on US59 Highway north of Parsons. She attended the Center Bethel Church near Parsons and was devoted to her family and was the loving grandmother of four grandchildren.

Survivors include her husband – Mark McKee, of the home; her son – Jason McKee, his wife Jamie and their children Caleb and Chloe, of Owasso, OK; her daughter – Monica Allard, her husband Les and their children Lucas and Lily, of Willard, MO;her father – Jake Penner, of Edna; her mother-in-law – Beverly McKee, of Edna; two brothers – Jay D. Penner and his wife Rose, of St. James, MO; Al R. Penner and his wife Ruth, of Edna; and several nieces and nephews.

Preceding her in death was her mother, Florence Penner and her father-in-law, Denzil McKee.

Funeral services will be at 1:30 p.m., Friday, at the Center Bethel Church, south of Parsons at 18,000 and Queens Roads. Burial will be in the North Edna Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the Carson-Wall Funeral Home in Parsons from 6 to 8 p.m., Thursday.

Memorials are suggested to Bible Impact Ministries. They may be left at or sent to the funeral home at Box 942, Parsons, KS 67357. Online condolences may be left at www.wallfuneralservices.com