Zella Marie (McKinley) Roeder, only child of William & Johanna (Jeurink) McKinley, was born April 28, 1932 in Prairie View, Kansas. She left this earthly life to meet her heavenly Father on November 6, 2018, at the age of 86.
As a young girl Zella was baptized in the Prairie View Reformed Church and later became a member of the Presbyterian Church in Phillipsburg. She grew up and attended schools in Prairie View, graduating with the high school class of 1950. She furthered her education at Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas, earning her Bachelor's Degree in 1964 and later, her Master's Degree.
She was united in marriage to Vernon Carl Roeder on August 17, 1952 in Prairie View. Two children blessed this union, a son, Douglas and a daughter, Kim.
Zella's passion and lifelong career was teaching. She taught in the Prairie View schools for five years, Stuttgart school for a year, and then in the Phillipsburg school system for twenty-nine years, retiring after a total of 35 years.
She served on the Phillipsburg City Library Board and served seven years on the Phillipsburg City Council. Zella was a member of the Kansas Association of Retired Teachers, Delta Zeta Sorority, Delta Kappa Gamma, NEA, KNEA, National Association of Wheat Weavers, and was a lifetime member of the Fort Hays Alumni Association. She was also named the 2014 Grand Marshall of the Phillipsburg Rodeo Parade, a highlight to her past and a job she took very seriously.
In her spare time Zella loved to read and after her retirement she enjoyed working part-time at some of the local flower shops. She became an expert at making rose bowls and was fiercely protective of her work area & decorating doo-dads, marking them with "Do Not Touch!" signs, and then letting anyone who ignored the warning know that she meant business! Her organizing skills were meticulous, but she had trouble finding her glasses which she wore most often on top of her head. After a long day she loved sitting around with friends & co-workers and having teeny, weeny shots. She also enjoyed traveling to Grand Lake, CO with her friends and family.
Zella never lost her love for the many children who passed through her classrooms over the years. It was not uncommon for her to take on the role of volunteer mom, grandma, counselor, or confidante to any child who needed help or assistance in any way. After retiring she continued to attend many school activities, sports competitions and class reunions, which kept her in close contact with many of her former students.
One thing you could always count on was seeing Zella and Vernon in the stands supporting all of their grandchildren at their many sporting and school events. Zella treasured her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and they, in turn, adored their "Gigi". She was notorious for calling family members on their birthdays (very early in the morning) and singing to them. She will be fondly remembered for her generous and caring nature, her strength of convictions (or stubbornness), her smile and sense of humor, and her heartfelt wish for everyone to "pay it forward".
She was preceded in death by her parents; her son, Doug, on May 12, 1984; and her husband, Vernon, on April 15, 2000.
Survivors include her daughter, Kim Yoxall, of Kansas City, KS; six grandchildren: Jason Yoxall & wife, Adrienne; Kristen & husband, George Doll; JoAnn Yoxall & companion, Gus Garcia; and Michael, Greg and Jamison Yoxall; seven great-grandchildren: Alyse & Layla Yoxall; Brayden, Brody & Baylor Doll; and Ally & Abel Yoxall; and her other daughter from another mother, Brenda Chanley of Phillipsburg.

Funeral services will be held Wed. November 14 at 2:00 p.m. in the United Presbyterian Church, Phillipsburg, with Pastor Chris Davis officiating. Burial will follow in the Emmanuel Lutheran Cemetery, Stuttgart.

Visitation will be from noon to 9:00 Monday and 9:00 to 9:00 Tuesday at the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, Phillipsburg, with the family receiving friends from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Phillipsburg Library or the United Presbyterian Church.