Obituary

Lynn Maurine Eldridge went to the Lord her Savior on May 2, 2026. Lynn was born in Newton, Kansas on November 17, 1943, daughter of Joseph A. and Maurine McCann Murphree. Lynn was married to her college sweetheart Jim Tollefson for 14 years before separating in an amicable divorce. Lynn later married Donald Eldridge, a businessman from the San Fransico, California area, where she lived until moving to John Knox Village, Lee’s Summit, Missouri in 2015 to be closer to family. Lynn leaves behind her brother Stephen E. Murphree and his wife Sandy, Estes Park, CO; niece Nicole Murphree and her husband Justin and Son Ethan, Ft. Collins, CO; and nephew Nate Murphree and his wife Cora, Thorton, CO. Also surviving from the Lee’s Summit area are first cousin Barbara Bruner Johnson (Gerald) and first cousin once removed Karla Barnhill (Joey). Also surviving is her adopted California family of High School Best Friend Jerry Wiebe (Ron) and their children Julie (Mike) Novak and Scott (Christy) Wiebe and their children. Lynn was affectionally referred to as Aunt Lynn by all.

Lynn graduated from Newton High School in 1961 and went to Kansas State University where she was a member of the Chi Omega Sorority. Following graduation from Kansas State University in 1966, Lynn taught at elementary schools in Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma and Illinois before she and Jim relocated to New York where she became an international flight attendant for TWA, flying primarily between New York and European countries. Lynn ended her work career as a homemaker.

Lynn was a traveler, visiting over 20 countries. Lynn was a member of PEO Chapter JZ and was involved with many of the activities at John Knox Village.

Lynn was most passionate about her dogs; Juni, Heidi and Holly, all who preceded her in death. Her “fur babies” brought her hours and hours of enjoyment.

Lynn was generous with her resources supporting multiple charities with different missions: health care; animal rescue; third world developing countries; food pantries; and shelters.

Lynn was a devout Christian with amazing knowledge of the Bible and maintained her association with Twin Lakes Church, Aptos, California until her death.

Lynn will be cremated and her remains will be mixed with her dogs remains to be together in eternity.

A private life celebration for family and friends will be held at the John Knox Village Chapel.