Mr. Severson

Wayne Edwin Severson, aged 85, passed away peacefully in his sleep at the Sweet Life at Brookdale, Overland Park, KS on October 23, 2013 from complications due to long term Diabetes. He was a devoted husband and father, raising three children. He was born at home on December 13, 1927 in Des Moines, IA to Leonard and Ethel Severson. The youngest of four, he grew up on a family farm, riding horses, tending the animals and garden. He attended both Iowa State University and Southwestern University in Georgetown, TX and went into the Navy in 1946 as an officer. He became a naval aviator and was stationed in Atlantic City. This was a fortuitous posting as he met his future wife, Martha Ann Elizabeth "Betty" McAnney there near the Boardwalk. They married on December 16, 1950 in Betty's childhood home in New Gretna, NJ. As a young naval couple Wayne and Betty lived in various places including Atlantic City and Pensacola, FL. In 1953, Wayne began his career as a commercial airline pilot with Trans World Airlines and the family later moved to Kansas City in 1966. This would be his permanent home until 2013. When Wayne discovered he was diabetic he lost his pilot's medical certificate and was unable to continue flying. This did not end his love and involvement with aviation. He remained an employee of TWA until 1983 working at the Breech Training Academy and the downtown Flight Operations Center teaching flight safety to pilots, flight attendants, employees of other airlines and Air Force One personnel. At this time, he also purchased an apartment community in Overland Park, KS providing housing to residents and doing odd jobs around the property for the next 45 years. This "second" job was a labor of love and he always considered the residents as extended family members.
During his 85 years, Wayne enjoyed traveling and visited many places around the world and across the country for both work and pleasure. He and Betty enjoyed 61 loving years together until her passing in 2012. He was fortunate to have a full life that included travel, exciting and varied employment during the "golden" age of aviation as well as a devoted and loving family. He is preceded in death by his wife Betty, his son Wayne R. Severson, his grandson Alexander Hudson, his parents and siblings. He is survived by son Len Severson (Melissa), daughter Cory Hudson, grand-daughter Christina Hudson, many nieces and nephews, as well as numerous long term and devoted friends. Family and friends are invited to attend a memorial service celebrating Wayne's life at D.W. Newcomer's Sons Overland Park Chapel, 8201 Metcalf Ave, Overland Park, on Monday, October 28, 2013 at 10 a.m. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to the TWA Museum at 10 NW Richards Rd., Kansas City, MO 64116,(816)234-1011, twamuseumat10richardsroad.org/.

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