Sallie Munson

Sallie Munson passed away on June 24, 2024 at the Sedgwick County Nursing Home in Julesburg at the age of 98.

Sallie was born on Aug. 22, 1925 in Norphlet, Ark., the daughter of W.H. Murphy and Maggie Elva Sullivan. She grew up in a large family with three sisters and six brothers. Sallie attended school in Norphlet, graduating in 1942. After high school, she attended secretarial school in El Dorado, Ark. In 1944, she went to work for a local lawyer for a short time, then went to work for the War Dept. in Washington, D.C. In 1944, while on the train to Washington, D.C., she met a soldier from Sedgwick who was stationed on the East Coast. That meeting would change her life forever.

Sallie married that soldier, 2nd Lt. Layton Munson, in her hometown of Norphlet, on Nov. 4, 1944. She continued working for the War Dept. while Layton returned to Army duty with the Signal Corp on the East Coast. Layton was sent overseas six weeks after marriage, serving in England, France and Germany.

After Layton returned from the war in September 1945, the couple could finally start their married life together. They returned to Sedgwick and bought the farm that adjoined his birthplace on the high hill five miles south of Sedgwick. They resided on their farm for the next 69 years and became parents to five children: twins Sharon and Shirley were born in 1947, Joan in 1948, Janet in 1950 and Swain in 1953.

  Sallie was a member of the Prairie View Club on the South Table during the 1950s. She was a member of the Sedgwick Presbyterian Church, the center of her life. She was a Sunday School teacher and Supt. of the Sunday School for many years. Sallie was an active Presbyterian Women's Association member, holding many positions over the years. Besides raising her family and church activities, Sallie enjoyed sewing, doing hand work and embroidery, quilting, gardening and tending her flowers.

Layton and Sallie enjoyed many trips over the years, mainly back to Arkansas to visit Sallie's family, but also trips west to California, where Layton had participated in Mojave Desert maneuvers during WWII and Louisiana.

Sallie is survived by her children Sharon and husband Rich Cobourn, Powell, Wyo., Shirley Salyards, Sedgwick, Joan and husband Darrel Salyards, Cheyenne, Wyo., Janet McGaughey and spouse Jim Long, La Junta, and Swain Munson, Sedgwick. Sallie's legacy also lives on in her large family of 11 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren, 14 great-great-grandchildren; brother-in-law Charles Bales, Arkansas, along with many nieces and nephews. The strength of these family ties is a testament to the love and unity that Sallie fostered.

Sallie is preceded in death by her husband Layton in March 2016; grandson Michael McGaughey; son-in-law; parents; six brothers and three sisters.

Funeral services were held June 28 at Well Of Hope Church in Julesburg with Pastor Larry Nail officiating. Interment followed at the Sedgwick Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to either Sedgwick County Nursing Home or the Sedgwick Presbyterian Church. Condolences may be shared at prairiehillsjulesburg.com.

Prairie Hills Funeral Home of Julesburg is in charge of arrangements.