Kay Frances Beech, 72, Chanute, died Friday, October 2, 2009, at Neosho Memorial Regional Medical Center.

She was born Aug. 14, 1937, in Rural Erie to William K. and Nadine Yockey Whitworth. She graduated from Chanute High School in 1955.

She married Max L. Beech on Aug. 20, 1955, in Chanute. They just celebrated 54 years together.

She worked as a secretary/receptionist for Chanute Fertilizer and GEO Churchill.

She enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and KU Basketball.

Survivors include her parents, William K. and Nadine Whitworth, Chanute; her husband, Max, Chanute; two daughters, Cheri Berg and her husband Dale, Lawrence, and Shelly Beech, Lenexa; grandchildren, Sgt. Matthew A. Berg and his wife Nina, Oceanside, Calif., Sarah Berg, Lawrence, and Isaac Beech, Lenexa; and a brother, Yancy Whitworth and his wife Sue, Overland Park.

Funeral will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Ambassador Christian Church, 4001 Johnson Road, Chanute. Burial will follow in Shaw Cemetery under the direction of Penwell-Gabel Gibson Chapel.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Contributions to Cherry Street Youth Center may be left with the funeral home.

To leave a special message for the family on-line, visit www.PenwellGabelChanute.com.