Frances E. Erpelding

Frances E. Erpelding, 98, Topeka, Kansas, and formerly of Emporia, Kansas, died Wednesday, April 16, 2014 at Saint Francis Hospital, Topeka.

Frances Elizabeth Trear was born at the family home in Maydale, Kansas (southeast of Olpe) on April 13, 1916, the daughter of William V. and Mary F. (Keine) Trear. She married Sylvester J. Erpelding at Saint Mary’s Catholic Church, Maydale, on June 12, 1940. He died July 30, 1982 in Emporia.

Surviving family members include: four daughters, Sylvia Miller (Larry) Olpe, Sharon Kenagy (Gary), Topeka, Cindy Rowe (Howard, deceased), Bend, Oregon, and Carol Shimeall (Mike) Olathe, Kansas, grandchildren, Brian Miller (Frances), Lynnette Miller, Mickey Arnold (Bill), Wes Miller (Andra), Bill Shimeall (Gloria), Scott Kenagy (Susan), Dan Kenagy (Julie), Troy Gallagher, Jules Schmitz (Matt), and Sonia Paulson (Nathan), step-grandchildren, Randy Rowe (Tracy) and DeAnna Rowe; great-grandchildren, Mandy, Samantha, Ben, Faith, Hope, Erika, Lucas, Jake, Jessica, Joel, Grant, Kalie, Kyle, Ben, Caroline, Tristan, Brock, Jonah, Kyleigh, Jordy, Ana, Caroline, Sophie, Noah, Michael, Matthew, Savanna, Charlie; and great-great-grandchildren, Joshua, Jaylen, Braxton.

Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by a son, Donald G. Erpelding, and a grandson, Rusty Miller as well as her brothers and sisters.

Frances was a beautician, farmwife, homemaker, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother. She was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Emporia, and Mother Teresa of Calcutta Catholic Church, Topeka.

She enjoyed her vegetable and flower gardens, feeding the birds, zoos, travel, and reading. She loved playing cards, dominos, sewing and crocheting. She never missed a Royals game if she could help it. We called her the baby whisperer as she could sooth and charm any baby. She treasured her family and her many friends, and was devoted to her faith.

The Rosary will be recited at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Emporia, at 9:00 A.M. on Monday, April 21, 2014. The Mass of Christian Burial and celebration of her life will follow at 10:30 A.M., also in the church. Interment will follow at Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery, Emporia.

The family will receive friends between the Rosary and Mass at the church.

Memorials have been established with Sacred Heart Catholic Church (Emporia), Mother Teresa of Calcutta Catholic Church (Topeka), and Emporia Friends of the Zoo. Contributions may be sent in care of the funeral home.