Glory Kay Hemmingway, 85, of Topeka, Kansas went to the arms of her heavenly father on May 26, 2025. She was born in Portis, Kansas on April 7, 1940 to John and Fern Bodge. Her favorite family trip was to the opening of Disneyland, where she met her father’s long time friend, Walt Disney. She graduated from Portis High School and received her teaching degree from Emporia State University, where she met her husband of over fifty years, Gary Lloyd Hemmingway. Glory Kay was a loving wife and mother to their three children, Doug Hemmingway, Reaona Hemmingway, and Kathleen (Hemmingway) Duval.
Glory taught for several years until Gary went into the army. After he was discharged, they moved to Augusta, where she owned a dress shop, Kay’s Mode O Day, which she sold in 1977 prior to moving the family to Hutchinson. She worked in retail stores like Montgomery Wards in Hutchinson, and Lancelots and Dillards in Wichita before starting her home based business doing sewing and alterations. She enjoyed talking about sewing cheer leading outfits and orchestra dresses for students at Wichita Northwest High School. She also made numerous wedding and bridesmaid gowns, railroad club vests, and men’s suits. After leaving Wichita, the couple lived in McCook Nebraska before moving to Topeka to be closer to their daughter, Kathleen, and granddaughters, Brista and Kristina.
Among her other talents were playing piano and painting. Along with Gary, she participated in the activities and shows for several model railroad organizations in Wichita, McCook, and Topeka, including the National Model Railroaders Association. Glory sewed railroad club vests for each organization and helped Gary edit the Brass Pounder newsletter for the Topeka Model Railroaders. From 1999 to 2005, Glory and Gary sponsored foreign exchange students through AYUSA. They also joined Kansas Authors Club in 2009 where they shared stories they wrote about their childhood experiences.
Glory retired from sewing in 2011. Widowed in 2012 when Gary died from cancer and leukemia (MLS), she enjoyed having her children and grandchildren near her. During her lifetime, she survived being ran over by a Model A, Russian measles, falling out of a tree, rheumatic fever, being a long time diabetic, and went through three bouts with breast cancer. Ironically, she was diagnosed with leukemia (MLS), in April 2025 and quietly passed away at Midland Hospice House on May 26, 2025.
Glory was predeceased by her parents–John and Fern Bodge, sister–Ilene (Bodge) Graney, and brother–Marion Bodge. She is survived by her son–Douglas, daughter–Reaona, daughter–Kathleen (Shane); five grandchildren, Brista (Steve), Kristina (Blake), Tyler, Brandon and Alison; and five great-grandchildren, James, Zoey, Elijah, Luca, and Amelia.
A memorial internment service will be held on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, at Grace Episcopal Cathedral, 701 SW 8th Ave, Topeka, Kansas at 10:00 am. There will be a reception prior to the service at 9:00 am. In lieu of flowers, please send memorial contributions to Grace Cathedral, American Diabetes Association, or the American Cancer Society.
