Former State Representative Denny Apt, Iola, died Monday, Nov. 3, 2014, at her home.
Apt, 84, was appointed to the Kansas House of Representatives in 1981 and served an additional three terms up until 1988.
She was a dedicated community servant who touched many lives through her various educational involvements. She was President of the USD 257 Board of Education for 12 years, elected to the State Board of Education for three years, and chaired several education and agricultural committees during her tenure as a legislator. Gov. Mike Hayden appointed her as his aide on education. She also served on numerous educational and agricultural advisory committees in the years following her terms in the Legislature.
Denise “Denny” was born Dec. 10, 1929, in Maywood, Ill., the daughter of Lester Richard and Margaret E. (Fawcett) Coleman. Denny grew up in the Chicago area. She attended Iowa State University and The University of Arkansas, where in both cases she was the only female engineering student.
A profound love of Arkansas was born as a youngster bareback riding through the hills and fields of northwest Arkansas.
On a horse ride, a young man from Kansas sighted her! She married Frederick G. Apt, Jr., in Siloam Springs, Ark., June 8, 1951.
Thus this love of the magical hills of Arkansas developed into a loved second home for Denny and Fred, in Bella Vista, Ark., where she leaves numerous friends and acquaintances.
They made their home in Iola for most of their married life.
One of her most favored accomplishments was the introduction of the Kansas Wildlife Art and Stamp Series. She was recognized as Iola’s BPW woman of the year, by Ducks Unlimited for contributions to Wildlife Conservation, and by Kansas Agri-Women for numerous contributions to agriculture and the women agriculture program, among her too numerous to mention recognitions and awards.
Her parents, her husband and son, Richard C. Apt, preceded her in death.
She is survived by a son, Frederick G. Apt III and wife, Janet, Iola; a daughter, Barbara Bukaty and husband, Dan, Overland Park; five grandchildren: Aleaka Morgan and husband, Carlton, Shawnee, Derick Apt and wife, Callie, Salt Lake City, Utah, Jeremy Apt and wife, Monica, Mission, Preston and Harrison Bukaty, Overland Park; and five great-grandchildren, Bennett, Coleman and Rowen Morgan and Stella and Frederick Apt.
Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Friday at First Presbyterian Church in Iola. Burial will follow at Highland Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Waugh-Yokum & Friskel Chapel in Iola.
Memorial gifts to the Allen County Community College Endowment Association or First Presbyterian Church may be left with the funeral chapel.
To sign the guestbook online or leave a condolence, go to www.iolafuneral.com.
Denise C. Apt
