of Harrison, AR

March 14, 1927 - September 13, 2016

Louise Kilgore departed this life for her Heavenly home Tuesday, September 13, 2016. Louise Burdine arrived on a cold morning on March 14, 1927, to become the 6th of 10 children born to Cylvester and Sally Jane (Cheatham) Burdine. She survived the great depression, living a farm girl's life in Vendor, Arkansas. She loved school, but worked hard on her family's farm.

Louise was a devout Christian and a charter member of Big Creek Assembly of God Church in Vendor. After graduating from Deer High School, she continued her education at Draughon's Business College in Springfield, Missouri. She would later return to college as one of the first students at North Arkansas College in Harrison at the age of 47. Louise worked several years at Security Bank in Harrison before becoming a switchboard telephone operator at the Boone County Telephone Company.

Louise moved to Kansas City, Missouri in her mid twenties where she was introduced by cousins; Lela Burdine Kilgore and John Kilgore, to her future husband, Kenneth Gus Kilgore. Only two weeks after meeting, Gus and Louise were married and began what would be a 61-- year life adventure. They were never apart until Gus's death July 4, 2014.

Louise and Gus built a family with 3 children, Sylvia, Elaine, and Ken. Their dream of raising their children in the country came true in 1963 when they moved to a farm just outside of Harrison. Louise was the proverbial homemaker. She created meals from food reserved from the farm, She gardened into her eighties, always loyal to organic gardening methods. She created her children's wardrobes from clothes she sewed from inspiration of designers. She inspired and led her children to develop strong work ethics, love of family, and faith in God. Louise loved to write and dreamed of becoming a famous author. She loved seeing her name in print in homemaker stories she frequently published. She taught her children many Gospel songs as she sang continuously while she worked,

Louise was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Kenneth Gus Kilgore; six sisters, Voda Sims, Gladys Hefley, Edith Thompson, Kathryn Wheeler, Amy Sexton and Cly Burdine; and two brothers, Charles Burdine and James Burdine.

She is survived by 3 children and their spouses, Sylvia and Gordon Rorrer of Harrison, Elaine and Larry Odle of Fayetteville, Arkansas, and Susan and Dr. Ken Kilgore of Mountain Home, Arkansas; 8 grandchildren and their spouses, Matthew and Annie Odle, Adria Louise and Aaron Bueg, Adam and Kelly Kilgore, Erika Kilgore, Gregory Odle, Olivia and Charles Menschik, Alex and Whitney Kilgore, Abe Kilgore and Aaron Kilgore; 5 great-grandchildren, Amelie Louise Bueg, Andy Odle, Adam Odle, Charlie Menschik and Augustus "Gus'' Bueg.

Louise is also survived by her sister, Bernice Blevins, of Harrison; her brother-in-law, Gerald Kilgore, of Kansas City; as well as a host of cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

Open visitation was at Roller-Christeson Funeral Home Friday, September 16, 2016.

Funeral service was Saturday, September 17, 2016, at Big Creek Assembly of God Church, Vendor, Arkansas.

Pallbearers were Adam Kilgore, Abe Kilgore, Alex Kilgore, Matthew Odle, Charles Menshick and Aaron Bueg.

Interment was in Smith Cemetery at Vendor, Arkansas.

Louise's family wish to express their deepest gratitude to the staff at Newton County Nursing Home for their unwavering devotion and care of Louise and for bringing her joy and peace in her final days of life.

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