Althea Marie (Cordell) Fordham, 95, formerly of Havensville, KS, passed away Thursday, December 4, 2025 at Eastridge Nursing Home in Centralia, KS.

Althea Marie, oldest child of Glenn Sanford and Gladys (Hickman) Cordell was born July 20, 1930 in Holly, Colorado. She attended middle school in Granada, Colorado in a school her father was proud to help build. She moved with her family to Kansas to a farm south of Soldier in 1944. She graduated from Soldier High School in 1948.

She married Marvin Dale Fordham on June 21, 1948 in Holton, KS. He preceded her in death in 2008 after sharing 60 years of marriage. She was also preceded in death by a sister, Gladys "Beryl" Fisher Askren, brothers, Willard LeRoy, Sanford "Earl" and Lawrence "Larry" Ralph Cordell. Sister-in-laws, Frances (Earl) Cordell, Audrey "Jean" (Elden) Cordell, Kathryn "Kathy" (Lawrence) Cordell and 2 infant great-grandchildren.

Althea was a lifelong member of the Bucks Grove Methodist Church, Bucks Grove Ladies Guild and Havensville Historical Society.

She previously owned and operated A & M Market in Havensville from 1962 to 1975 then was employed at Walmart in Holton for 15 years before her retirement. She was devoted to her family and especially loved spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. They caught and cleaned many fish together.

Survivors include her brother, Elden Leon Cordell of Havensville, KS; three sons, Dale Eugene "Gene" (Kathy) Fordham of St. Marys, KS, Marvin "LeRoy" Fordham and Thomas "Tom" Wayne (Kay) Fordham both of Topeka, KS; two daughters, Linda Kay Horgan (Tim) of Wheaton, KS and Susan "Susie" Marie Achten (Jim) of Wetmore, KS; 12 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, 4 great-great-grandchildren and twin great-granddaughters on the way.

Funeral Service will be 10:30 A.M. Wednesday, December 10th, 2025 at the Mercer Funeral Home in Holton. Burial will follow at Bucks Grove Cemetery. Family will greet friends one hour prior to the service. Althea will lie-in-state from 9:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. Tuesday, December 9, 2025 at the funeral home. Memorials may be given to the Bucks Grove United Methodist Church c/o Mercer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 270, Holton, KS 66436.