Collette Fenlason, President and Publicity

I was born in Maine, where my family roots stretch back over seven generations and 230 years, predating Maine's statehood. As a child, my family relocated to Schertz, Texas, and later moved to Wichita. I attended Wichita State University, where I studied vocal music, and Missouri Western, where I earned a degree in Elementary Education and discovered my passion for genealogy after completing a course in genetics and DNA. Most of my career was spent teaching third grade at Cleveland Elementary in Oklahoma City. In 2013, I returned to Wichita to be closer to my family. In my free time, I enjoy reading, gardening, cooking, sewing, and embroidery.

Kathleen Wright, Vice-President

I grew up around Lawrence, Kansas. I was always fascinated by the history of that area, particularly stories of Missouri Ruffians, William Quantrill and John Brown. I am writer and have maintained a journal since I was 8 years old. I graduated from the University of Kansas with a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism, and later with a Master’s degree in Social Work. I retired in 2020 after working in the addictions field for 20 years and moved to Wichita to be near my son and grandchildren. I have a passion for genealogy and after I attended one of the monthly programs given by WGS, I knew it was an organization of which I wanted to be a member. I am currently working on a story about growing up in the 60s and 70s, as well as documenting interesting and “notorious” family members.

Pam Brillhart, Treasurer

I am first and foremost a wife and mother of four children, eleven grandchildren, and seven great grandchildren. I have had a love of genealogy since I was twelve years old and held family group sheets for the first time! My current project is encouraging others to add their ancestor’s photos to FamilySearch and Ancestry for descendants to put a face to their names. I love to read many different types of books and especially the scriptures. I graduated from WSU in 2011 with a Bachelors in Business Administration with a Major in Accounting and Minors in Finance and Management. I belong to the Little Arkansas Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and have served as the Regent for the last six years. I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and have served in many different positions.

Lois Carr, Secretary

Phyllis Schanbacher, Registrar

I am retired from the Wichita Public School District after 27 ½ years of substituting and working in an office. I am the mother of 3, grandmother of 8 and great grandmother of 6. They are the light of my life. I enjoy volunteering at my church, helping my family, Genealogy, quilting and friends. I have been able to prove my family for the DAR and am a member of the National Society Descendants of American Farmers. I started my genealogy trip in 1973. I enjoy taking the trips the Society has to offer and have found lots of help, friends and fun with the group.

Janell White , Exchanges and Publications

I grew up in a small town in Nebraska, genealogy was all around me. Back then, it never crossed my mind to document all the genealogical information I heard coming from family members or to ask questions of the older generations. My research has unveiled a lot of unknowns and provided many roadblocks. My goal is to break down those roadblocks and discover more information on a grandfather who immigrated from Prussia in the 1880’s. I retired in 2017 after 25 years as an Administrative Assistant in the business master’s programs at Friends University. I have a daughter, two sons and ten grandchildren. My husband and I have been members of the Wichita Genealogical Society for several years. After retirement I felt I had the time to do more family research and wanted to do volunteer work.

Randi Thimesch, Director of Technology

I am a native Kansan. I grew up in Turon, attended high school in Kingman, then got married and moved to Wichita. My interest in family history began when I was very young. I remember hanging over the front car seat, pestering my mother for more stories about her growing up in the sand hills of Reno County. I began working more diligently on my family’s past when I decided to join Daughters of the American Revolution. It was an easy journey thanks to a great aunt who did all research and documentation. Imagine my surprise when I also learned I am a descendant of many founding families like Anne Bradstreet, who is considered the first published female poet of the New World. I am working to set aside blocks of time dedicated to writing my family stories and organizing my photos with the intent of donating them to Reno County Historical Museum and Wichita Public Library’s genealogical collection. 

Program Chair - OPEN

Position description here.

Postal Director

Bio coming soon

Lois Waln, Special Projects / Research

I lived in Nebraska, Kansas City, Kansas and Iowa before moving to El Dorado and graduating from Circle High School.  I received my bachelor's degree from Emporia State University and my master’s in business administration from Friends University.  I spent nearly 30 years working for Cessna Aircraft Company in aftermarket parts inventory management, Process-Based Management, and was the Director of Administration for the Service Centers when I left.  I then worked in aftermarket parts management for five years with Bombardier until I retired in 2017.  My family was always very interested in history and preserving family records, so I grew up with that mindset.  My younger brother is a professional genealogist, so did all of the work on our tree.  I have been creating family trees for others to encourage their interest in genealogy.  I spent about 20 years transcribing family letters, diaries, newspaper articles, etc. and published a four-volume set for my family in 2009.  I have also volunteered to transcribe the 1950 census and have been a Find a Grave volunteer for over 20 years.

Jason Felihkatubbe, Education & AVC Editor

Jason Felihkatubbe (Choctaw) has been doing genealogical research for over 25 years and his focus is Native American Indian genealogy, with an emphasis on the southeastern peoples–Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Muscogee, and Seminole in Indian Territory/Oklahoma. Apart from research, he has offered lectures and classes on Native American Indian genealogy and culture. He is a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists. He has been involved with the USGenWeb Project for over 16 years.

Vickie Everitt, Library Liaison

Having been born and raised in West Central Minnesota, I have also lived in numerous places including Germany for 3 years.  I have worked as a social worker for more than 13 years.  My husband is active-duty Air Force and we have two grown sons.  After assisting our oldest with a family history project, I wanted to attach proof documents to the stories our family told.  Researching for sixteen years, I have found my ancestors are mostly from the Ostfreisland part of Germany and Netherlands.  I am now searching for my husband's family who have English, Mexican, African American and Native American roots.  A couple of my genealogy accomplishments is receiving my certificate from Boston University for Professional Genealogy and being president, vice president/programs in the Greene County Genealogical Society.  My goals while in Kansas, are to trace a trail/timeline following some of the early railroads which my husband's great-grandfather worked.

Shelley Bradbury, Historian

I am a native Kansan, born in Wichita and raised in the Sumner County area with deep genealogical roots going back four generations here in Kansas. I returned to Wichita 30 years ago and worked in the aircraft industry along with adjunct teaching for Southwestern College, in their satellite campuses and online courses. I have an undergraduate degree from Newman University and a masters’ degree from Friends University. I have one fiancée, three children, nine grandchildren, two great-children, and two golden doodles. And, I play pickleball two to three times a week. So, I’m busy even though I am fully retired! I fill my days with many activities but one of the most engaging and fulfilling is working on genealogy. In the 1970s and 1980s, my Mother, along with my Father, who drove her around the country to various county courthouses and cemeteries, gathered an impressive compilation of our family genealogy – without the internet. It was an on-going topic of conversation and connection with my parents that I will always treasure. Every visit with them over the years included discussions of her latest “find” or brick wall encounter. I am continuing this tradition. Even, sometimes finding those elusive ancestors.  I also belong to the Sumner County Historical and Genealogical Society and, last but not least, I especially enjoy my involvement with the Wichita Genealogical Society!