Katherine Neis Obituary

Katherine Louise Reetz Neis, died December 27, 2018 surrounded by her loving family at Medicalodges in Eudora. She was born on January 29, 1920, at the family home in Fall Leaf, Kansas, northwest of Eudora. She was the oldest child of William A. and Frieda M. (Schwartz) Reetz. She attended grade school in the Fall Leaf area and graduated from Eudora Rural High School in 1939. On August 12, 1941, Katherine was united in marriage to William F. Neis. They raised six children on the family farm southeast of Eudora. Katherine was a life-time member of St Paul United Church of Christ of Eudora where she sang in the choir.

Katherine was a home-maker, talented seamstress, and great cook. She loved to garden and be outside helping her husband farm. For many years, she volunteered as a 4-H leader specializing in cooking and sewing. She served as a room mother for her children in the Eudora Schools. During the 1940s and 1950s, she was active in the African Violet Club. Katherine joined the Minerva Rebekeh Lodge #3 in Eudora in 1940 serving as District President and District Deputy among other positions. For many years, she was the oldest member of this lodge.

Throughout her adult life, she was a blood donor for both the Douglas and Johnson counties blood units. In later life, she did volunteer work for the Douglas County Senior Center receiving the Douglas County Super Senior award in 1998. She was also active in the Eudora and DeSoto Senior Centers for many years. For seven years, Katherine volunteered at the Veterans Hospital in Leavenworth working in the pharmacy. In 1994, she received the Douglas County Farmers Award from the Douglas County Conservation District.

Katherine is survived by two sons William C. (Joann) Neis and Jerry (Kim) Neis of Eudora, three daughters, Marsue (Mike) Frame of Clayton California, Linda (Gary) Elston of Lawrence and Patricia (Joe) Johnston of St George, Kansas. She had 15 grandchildren, 33 great grandchildren, 9 great-great grandchildren and one on the way. She is also survived by one sister, Lorene (Howard) Cox of Fall Leaf and many nieces and nephews. Katherine was preceded in death by her husband of 45 years, William F. Neis, a daughter Marianna Harmon, two brothers, Alvin and Elmer Reetz and one sister, Lila Self.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, January 8, 2019 at Warren-McElwain Mortuary-Eudora Chapel. Burial will follow in Eudora Cemetery. The family will greet friends on from 6-8p.m. on Monday, January 7, 2019 at the mortuary.

Memorial contributions may be sent to American Cancer Society or to the Medicalodges Activities Fund and may be sent in care of the mortuary. Online condolences may be posted at warrenmcelwain.com. The family would like to Thank Medicalodges and Good Shepard Hospice for their loving support.