Virginia A. Luty

Virginia Ann (Horn) Luty passed away peacefully on January 12, 2025, at Hoeger House Rehab Center in Olathe, KS, at 82 years of age. Born August 28, 1942, to Luther and Verda (Krehbiel) Horn, at McPherson Hospital in McPherson, KS, Virginia graduated from McPherson High School in 1960. On Valentine’s Day of her senior year, Virginia was engaged to her high school sweetheart, Robert Luty. Virginia and Bob married on July 23, 1961, at the First Baptist Church in McPherson. The young couple welcomed three children into their home and hearts, bringing them up in the First Christian Church. When the youngest started school, Virginia returned to college. In 1978 she received her BA, summa cum laude, from McPherson College in Elementary Education. 

For 25 years, from 1978 to 2003, Virginia served the McPherson community as an exceptionally gifted teacher. Hundreds of sixth graders benefited immeasurably from her dedication to her calling. She worked tirelessly, including many overtime hours at home, creating an engaging curriculum and then sharing it with her students with passion and flair. Virginia was recognized as Teacher of the Year in 1987. She was a founding member of the USD #418 Board of Trustees Community Education Foundation, and served two years on the Foundation’s board. Virginia served on the McPherson College Alumni board from 2005-09, and two years as president. In 2017, she was honored to receive the Citation of Merit Award from McPherson College. 

As a homemaker, Virginia enjoyed cooking and celebrating, especially the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. Homemade Christmas candies were her specialty, sharing platefuls of peppernuts and bonbons with family, friends and neighbors, a tradition she enjoyed handing down to her family. Virginia was an excellent seamstress, an expert knitter, and her beautiful scrapbooks will be treasured by future generations. She was a tennis player and a founding member of the McPherson Women’s Tennis Association. She and Bob became two of the first pickleball enthusiasts in McPherson.

Virginia and Bob treasured visiting their children and grandchildren, trips to Europe, special cruises to Alaska and Belize, and a 50th anniversary family trip to Myrtle Beach. Virginia loved being with her 16 grandchildren, encouraging and supporting them. In retirement, Virginia greatly enjoyed her book club, Friendship Club, BUNCO group, pickleball, and sharing her knowledge of McPherson history as a docent on the Visitors Bureau Trolley Tours. 

Virginia’s family and all who knew her are grateful for the gift of her life, and the warmth, character and conviction with which she lived. She is deeply missed by her loving husband of 63½ years, Robert Luty; and her family Jeffrey (Mary Kate) Luty of Olathe, KS and their children Jordan, Ben (Laura) and Kate; Denise (Brent) Klaske of Rossville, KS and their children Philip, Elise, Catherine, Rose, Thomas, Rachel (Phil) Murphy, Stephen, David, Jack and Leo; Jo Luty of Oceanside, CA and her children Braxton (Neil), Juliet (Christian), and Isabel (Colin) Picard; and great-grandchildren Lillie and Dean Murphy.

Virginia was preceded in death by her son Brock Luty, parents Luther & Verda Horn, brother Dale Horn, and his wife Beverly.

The funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, Feb. 1st at the First Christian Church in McPherson, KS. 

Memorial donations are suggested to Good Shepherd Hospice of Olathe KS or the First Christian Church of McPherson in care of Stockham Family Funeral Home, 205 North Chestnut, McPherson, KS 67460.