Ida Mae Wallace

Ida Mae Wallace of Wichita, Kansas passed away on May 9, 2024 at the age of 73 after a months-long battle with pancreatic cancer. Ida was a devoted friend to many, a loving mother to her two children (and all their friends), and a doting grandmother.

Ida was born on July 16, 1950 to George and Annabelle (Teed) Greenawalt in Titusville, Pennsylvania. After her mother passed away, Ida was adopted by family members Walter and Gladys (Teed) Volkstadt. Ida shared fond memories of her childhood in Titusville, and despite living separately from her siblings, she maintained connections with them throughout her life. Ida attended Catholic primary schools and graduated from Titusville High School. She went on to earn her beauty school diploma from the New-Penn Beauty School in Warren, Pennsylvania.

Ida married James (Jim) F. Wallace, Sr. in Titusville, Pennsylvania on September 29, 1979.  Shortly after their marriage, the couple moved to Dallas, Texas for Jim’s work in the restaurant industry. Eventually, the couple moved to Big Spring, Texas where they started their family and their family business. The family lived in Big Spring until 1997 when they relocated to Garden City, Kansas. Eventually Ida moved to Wichita, Kansas and remained there until shortly before her death.

Over the years Ida held many jobs and various roles. In Texas, she was co-owner of the family business, Donuts, Etc. After moving to Kansas, she worked in the food service industry and various retail positions. Her proudest roles, though, were as mother, grandmother, helper, and friend. Anyone who knew Ida knew that she loved to help others, and her generosity left an indelible impression on the many people she met over the course of her life. During her children’s middle school and high school years, Ida’s home often became the second home for many of her children’s friends. In her later years, Ida managed community activities and events in her apartment building and held the position of “Club President” for several years. The friends she made while living at the Somerset apartments were some of the most important relationships she held in her life, and she is grateful to each of them for their support and love over the years.

Although Ida did not attend a regular church home, she maintained a steady and abiding faith in Christianity. Ida’s favorite verse was Psalm 23 and her children read this verse to her shortly before she took her last breath. Ida fought pancreatic cancer quietly, gracefully, and with relatively little complaint despite being in considerable pain. Ida and her family are grateful to the nurses, CNA’s, and various staff at the University of Kansas Cancer Center and Medical Center who helped her and her family in the final weeks of her cancer battle.

Ida was preceded in death by her husband, James F. Wallace Sr; her adopted mother and father, Walter and Gladys (Teed) Volkstadt; her biological parents, George and Annabelle (Teed) Greenawalt; and her parents-in-law, Harry Wallace and Muriel Reve (Gildart) Wallace. She is survived by her children, Jennifer (Wallace) Babitzke, James F. Wallace, Jr.; her son-in-law, Dustin Babitzke; her two grandchildren, Jacob Wallace and Aria Babitzke; her brothers, George Greenawalt, Robert Greenawalt; her sisters, Mary (Greenawalt) Hunter and Patricia McCollum; her sisters-in-law, Avis Wallace and Anita Wallace; her brother-in-law, Charles Wallace; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Ida requested to be cremated and that her ashes rest in a garden of flowers in a private ceremony with her family. The family has planted a memorial garden for Ida and will hold a private dedication with invited family members. In lieu of flowers, Ida requested that family and friends donate to the following organizations:

 Pancreatic Cancer Action Network: https://pancan.org/honormemorial-gifts/

or through

the mail at 1500 Rosecrans Ave., Suite 200, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266

 American Heart Association: https://www.heart.org/en/get-involved/ways-to-give

Ida’s illness and passing have been a shock to her family and friends, but she would want us to be reminded of these words from Psalm 23: 1-3: “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He

makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness, For His name’s sake.  Ida is no longer in pain and is enjoying the fruits of heaven at last.