Twyla R. McDowell

Twyla 74, passed away peacefully on January 12, 2013. She was born in Sheldon, IA to William and Fannye Vanderplas. When Twyla was three years old she moved with her family to Long Island, KS. She grew up and received her education at Long Island High School graduating with the class of 1955. In 1958 she graduated from Fort Hays State College with Nursing Degree. Twyla worked as a head nurse at the Rose Medical Center and Aurora Community Hospital ; she then returned to Rose Medical Center as a patient advocate. Twyla then worked at Park Place, a retire-ment care facility, and ended her career as a surgical nurse at Gates Clinic. Twyla loved the outdoors, her gardening and needle work. She was supported by her family and a strong network of friends, many were from her work as a nurse. She is survived by her brother Billye J. (Shirley) Vanderplas of Phillipsburg, KS and sister Valeri (Ron) Mork of McPherson, KS. She will also be missed by her many, many friends. A Memorial Service to celebrate her life will be Wednesday, January 16, 3:00 PM at Horan & McConaty Family Chapel, 1091 South Colorado Boulevard, Denver. Donations, in lieu of flowers, are suggested to Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, 1500 Rosecrans Ave., Ste. 200, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 or www.pancan.org. Please share your memories of Twyla by selecting the Guestbook link below.