Lucille Kibler

Lucille Emma Sophie Kibler, 81, of Seneca, KS died at the Stoneybrook Retirement Community, Manhattan, KS as the result of a stroke on Saturday, Dec. 11, 2010. Lucille had been a resident of Stoneybrook and was recovering from a previous stroke in 2008.

Lucille was born to Henry and Minnie Gerstenkorn of Athol, KS, Aug.17, 1929. She was baptized and confirmed at the St. John Lutheran Church of Athol, KS. She graduated from Athol Rural High School No. 2, and attended Secretarial School in Kansas City, MO until called home to help care for her mother. On Sept. 4, 1950, Lucille married Robert Lloyd Kibler of Bel Aire, KS. While in Athol, Lucille worked on the family farm, was a telephone switchboard operator, wife, and a mother of two daughters. Lucille and Robert moved to Seneca, KS in 1959, and became parents of two additional daughters and a son. Lucille loved helping people, was an active member in the community, and was never afraid to take on a new challenge. In addition to being a wife and a mother to five children, Lucille tried her hand at multiple tasks, including teaching Sunday School at the First Lutheran Church in Sabetha, KS; selling cosmetics, providing laundry services for the Nemaha Valley Community Hospital, providing photography and editorial services for the Seneca Courier Tribune, as a retail sales clerk, providing public outreach for the Pony Express Museum, as a secretary for the Rural Development Association of Northeast Kansas, and as the Nemaha County administrator for the Northeast Kansas Community Action Program. Lucille enjoyed her time with friends, which occasionally included a night out at the local casino for games and a meal. She enjoyed reading and music. She was a person of strong faith, who always saw the bright side of things, and was always ready to give a helping hand to those in need.

Lucille is survived by her Sister Lela Panter -Colby, KS; Daughters Cynthia (Frank)-Chesapeake VA, Cheryl-Manhattan, KS, Christine (Charles)-El Cajon, CA; Son Robert Jr.-Boise, Idaho; Grandson Shaun (Meagan)-Virginia Beach, VA; and numerous nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her mother Minnie; father Henry; husband Robert; Sisters Marie and Clara; Brother Arthur; and daughter Candance (Jerome).

Visitation will be held from 7:00-9:00 PM, Wed., Dec. 15, at the Popkess Funeral Home, 814 Castle Street, Seneca, KS. Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 PM, Thursday, Dec. 16, at the Popkess Memorial Chapel, with internment to follow at the Seneca Public Cemetery. Family will receive guests after the services at the Settle Inn until 4:00 PM.

The family suggests contributions to the American Stroke Association, 7272 Greenville Ave., Dallas, TX, 75231 http://www.strokeassociation.org For additional information, contact the Popkess Memorial Chapel at 785-336-2155.