Twila Rector, 96, passed away on December 26, 2025, at Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice in Wichita, Kansas. She was the daughter of Margaret and Emmett Oltjen. She was born July 25, 1929, on a farm near Robinson, Kansas. Twila was baptized, confirmed, and married at Upper Wolf Lutheran Church in rural Robinson. Her education began in a one-room school and then on to Robinson High School. In her teen years, she joined 4-H.
She went to Kansas State College, Manhattan, Kansas, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in 1951. Twila taught Home Economics at Blue Rapids, Kansas, for three years.
Ralph Rector, her college sweetheart, of Rosalia, Kansas, became her husband on July 19 1953. Two boys, David and Steven, were born to this union. Employment for Ralph took them to Leavenworth, Kansas. She taught for a short time at Salt Creek Valley school, then taught sixth grade for 24 years at David Brewer school in Leavenworth. Twila was a member of the teachers' sorority, Delta Kappa Gamma, She worked with students learning English as a Second Language (ESL).
They were members of Trinity Lutheran Church in Leavenworth, KS from its inception, and she volunteered at the Trinity House. They were a 4-H family and Twila was a project leader for the club. She was family centered and scrapbooking was her hobby.
Twila was preceded in death by her husband, her parents and four siblings: Robert (Carolyn) Oltjen, John Oltjen, Marilyn (James) Anthony, and Max (Marilyn) Oltjen, Survivors include sons Dr. David (Becky) Rector, Richland, Washington, and Steven (Janice) Rector of Wichita Kansas, two grandchildren, Brian Rector of West Hollywood, California, and Lydia Rector (Larry Collins) and one great-granddaughter, Coral Rector of Bozeman Montana
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Trinity House, Leavenworth or the Leavenworth County 4-H Council ⁃ Rector Funds.
Funeral service at Trinity Lutheran Church, Leavenworth, Ks., Friday, January 2, 2026 at noon.
Interment will be at Sunset Memory Gardens, 16731 Springdale Road, Leavenworth, KS, following the service. Arrangements entrusted to Davis Funeral Chapel.
