Loretta Lechner

L oretta C. Lechner, 86 of Sabetha, Kansas passed away on Saturday, January 10, 2015 at the Sabetha Community Hospital.  She was born on February 2, 1928 in Apache, Oklahoma to Fred and Eula (Lawson) Muse.  She was the third child on the family of five girls and four boys.  She met and married Richard Lechner while he was stationed at Fort Sill, Oklahoma.  They were stationed in France and Germany for most of the 50’s and early 60’s.  It was during this time that Loretta embraced France; the people, the food, the culture and became fluent in the language.  On returning from Europe, the family of three boys and one daughter resided in Junction City while Richard was stationed at Fort Riley.  Upon his retirement from the military, they moved to Emporia, Kansas.  Wen living in Emporia, they were active in Sacred Heart Parish.  Before his sudden death in 1987, Loretta and Richard enjoyed traveling to visit family.  She moved to Sabetha in 1994 to be near her daughter’s family.  She was an avid flower gardener, enjoyed reading and playing Joker Marbles with friends at the Nutrition Center in Sabetha.  In the last few years of her life she shared in the fellowship and worship at the Fairview United Church of Christ while remaining strong in her Catholic faith.

Loretta was preceded in death by her parents; seven of her siblings; her husband of 40 years, Richard and two of her sons, Michael and Paul.   Survivors include her children, Gerald Lechner and his wife, Sheila of Junction City; Lorie Kennally and her husband, Kevin of Sabetha; a sister, Leigha Davenport of Elkhart, Indiana and eight grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

In Lieu of flowers, her family requests that memorial contributions may be made to Sabetha Community Hospital or the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ sent in care of Popkess Mortuary, 823 Virginia Sabetha, Kansas  66534.