Eleanor Marie Bair, 96, of Burden, Kansas, passed away Tuesday evening, May 12, 2026, at her home.

Born May 16, 1929, in Winfield, Kansas, she was the daughter of Arthur and Clara (King) Goodrich. Her family earned extra income during World War II by moving to Georgia then to Louisiana where they set up a photo studio. Eleanor’s job at 13 was to tint the black and white photos with color. She became very good at her job. The soldiers and locals loved getting their pictures taken. After a few years, the family moved back to the family farm and Eleanor attended Cambridge High School, graduating in 1947. She then attended Southwestern College, majoring in Accounting.

She was united in marriage to Orville Leonard Bair on April 17, 1949, at the Goodrich home in rural Cambridge. The couple made their home in rural Burden where they farmed, raising chickens, pigs, and cattle. In 1959, they started Bair’s LP Gas Service and Eleanor served as bookkeeper. In 2005, the couple retired. Orville preceded her in death on June 5, 2007.

Eleanor was a member of First Baptist Church in Burden and the Grouse Creek Farm Unit. She enjoyed her huge garden of flowers and veggies. Summers were busy with canning, mowing, and animal care. She was known for big Sunday family dinners and the best chicken and noodles around. Eleanor also loved scrapbooking family history.

Her family includes her son Roger Bair and wife, Kim of Burden; her daughters, Linda Raftopoulos and husband, Roulie of Wichita; Melissa Fraley of Burden; her son-in-law Darrell Wasinger of Winfield; her 13 grandchildren, Leticia, Gina, Sarah, Susan, Stacie, Shelly, Eric, Sheena, Michelle, Tiffany, Tara, Tami, and Riley; and her 25 great grandchildren.

In addition to her parents and husband, Eleanor was preceded in death by a daughter Rita Wasinger, a sister Betty Franks, a brother Jim Goodrich, a son-in-law Rick Fraley, a granddaughter Kimberly Raftopoulos, and a grandson-in-law TJ Prater.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM, Friday, May 22, 2026, at Miles Funeral Service in Winfield. Interment will follow at Burden Cemetery. A visitation is scheduled at Miles Funeral Service on Thursday from 4 to 8 PM. The family will greet visitors during this time.

A memorial has been established in Eleanor’s name to the Legacy Regional Foundation for the benefit of the Orville Bair Family Scholarship. Contributions may be made through the funeral home.