Cora Mae Reynolds

Cora Mae Reynolds passed away on Monday, April 13th 2026, at the remarkable age of 92, surrounded by her loved ones.

She was born on November 12th, 1933 in Nash Oklahoma, the daughter of Floyd and Marcella Hayes (Gibson). Growing up she attended Nash high school in Nash, Oklahoma and then went on to further her education at Enid Business College where she graduated in 1953 with a degree in Business Administration.

After graduating, Cora worked for Champlin Oil in Enid, Oklahoma. While Cora’s brother was in the Army, he introduced Cora to one of his Army friends, Kenneth Anschutz, and the two began corresponding. They fell in love and were married on May 12th, 1962 at St. John’s Lutheran church. The two of them moved to Topeka, Kansas where Cora worked at Merchants Bank until she and Ken decided to start a family and had two children, Steve and Sharon. Cora and Ken shared many wonderful years together until Ken’s passing in April of 1994.

In her spare time, Cora enjoyed sewing, knitting, and crocheting. In fact, she made both Steve and Sharon’s clothing as they grew up. Once her children were older, she returned to work as an administrative assistant for several employers until she retired from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas.

While on a Christian dating, site, Cora caught the eye of Philip Reynolds III. He traveled from his current home in Colorado to meet Cora at her home in Kansas, and the two immediately hit it off. They married on March 26, 2011 in Pueblo, Colorado and joined their families together. Both growing up as country kids, Cora and Philip shared the enjoyment of traveling the countryside, often exploring the beautiful areas of Colorado. They spent a wonderful 15 years together. Cora always said Philip was the best thing she ever found on the internet!

Cora is survived by her loving husband, Philip Reynolds, two children, Steve Anschutz and Sharon (Sean) Balmain, step-children, Rose Wertz, Philip (Lillian) Reynolds, Jim (Beth) Reynolds, Shane (Elisa) Reynolds, and Gregory (Missy Reynolds), brothers, Floyd “Eddie” Hayes, Billy (Debbie) Hayes, Stanley Hayes, and Debbie (Barrett) Norris, as well as many step-children, strep great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews – all of whom will miss her very much.

She is preceded in death by her parents, her first husband, Kenneth Anschutz, her older brother Billy George Hayes, her sister-in-law Katy Hayes, her sister-in-law Juanita Hayes, nephew Mark Hayes, and niece Peggy Dean.

A funeral service will take place on Monday, April 20th, 2026 at 11:00AM at Penwell-Gabel Funeral Home, 1321 SW 10th Avenue, Topeka, KS 66604. A visitation will take place one hour prior to service time. Private family interment will take place at Memorial Park Cemetery in Topeka, Kansas at a later time.

The funeral service will be livestreamed and will begin 15 minutes before service time. To register to watch the service, please click the following link: Cora Reynolds Livestream Funeral Service

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to either Helping Hands Humane Society or Lutheran Hour Ministries.

Donate to Helping Hands Hands Humane Society: Helping Hands Humane Society Donation Link

Donate to Lutheran Hour Ministries: Lutheran Hour Ministries Donation Link

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