MCHAM, SYLVIA RASMUSSEN, 89, was born on April 30, 1932 to Karl Richard Rasmussen and Edith (Latta) Rasmussen in Emporia, Kansas.  She moved to Wichita, at an early age, for her father to pursue employment in the aircraft industry.  Sylvia is a graduate of East High and attended Wichita State.  A family secret, that Sylvia and Gene would not allow talked about, was that they were carnies.  Sylvia was helping her friend's family sell tickets at the carnival.  David (Gene) McHam ran the tilt a whirl, a ride owned by his family.  They met at the carnival and the rest was a 53-year ride on the tilt-a-whirl. While at the carnival they danced to Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys and Hank Williams. Sylvia loved to dance with Gene.

Sylvia owned and operated Dog Voted Boarding Kennels for over 40 years.  She was a true dog whisperer.  She loved animals and they loved her.  She was a show quality groomer.  She like to killed Gene once when he was helping her bathe a dog.  Gene decided that if the dog was white a little bluing would make the dog whiter.  Imagine his surprise and her chagrin when he dyed the dog bright blue!

Sylvia was an avid bridge and poker player and she loved golf.  According to her recollections she never left Vegas anything but a winner!!!

Sylvia was preceded in death by her husband David (Gene) McHam.  She is survived by her daughter Karla Hart (Charles).  Her grandchildren Benjamin (Kyra) Hart, Andrew Hart and Reagan Hart (Idan Maor). One beloved great granddaughter Candace (Daisy) Virulchanya Hart.

Oh yes!  And her greatly loved, red Doberman, Big Mike (Michael).

In lieu of flowers family asks that memorials be made to the Andover Public Library, 1511 E Central Ave, Andover, KS 67002 .