Edna May Kattenberg

Edna May (Carper) Kattenberg of rural Lebanon, Kansas, was born September 24, 1921, on a farm north of Lebanon, Kansas, to Edward Paul and Esther May (Noble) Carper, and died Wednesday, January 26, 2011, at her home, with her family at her side, at the age of 89 years, 4 months, and 2 days.

Edna was educated in the Red School District No. 40, and graduated from Lebanon High School, Lebanon, Kansas. Edna taught at the Price School for two years after graduating from high school.

She married her high school sweetheart Ernest Lyle Kattenberg on November 27, 1940, at Lebanon, Kansas. God blessed them with 70 years of marriage. They were married in a double ring ceremony with Clarence and Julia Allen, and the families remained close throughout the years. To this union four children were born – Donna, Robert, Waunetta and Martha.

She was baptized in 1952 at the Odessa United Methodist Church, by Reverend Brown and was an active and faithful member of the Odessa Church until it closed in 2005, when they transfered their membership to the Esbon United Methodist Church.

Edna loved her family and enjoyed making quilts and cooking many special meals for her children and grandchildren. She always had time to offer a listening ear and gave sound wisdom based on God’s word.

She was preceded in death by her parents; one brother; son, Robert and daughter, Donna.

Edna is survived by her husband – Ernest L. Kattenberg of the home; two daughters - Waunetta and husband Don Mullen of Lebanon, Kansas, and Martha and husband, Curtis Peterson of Smith Center, Kansas; daughter-in-law - Joyce Kattenberg of Phoenix, Arizona; and son-in-law - Fred Johnson of Cheyenne, Wyoming; nineteen grandchildren; thirty-two great-grandchilren; two sisters – Mary Kiefer of Fall City, Nebraska, and Verda Franklin of Smith Center, Kansas; four brothers – Don and wife Lorene Carper of San Antonio, Texas, Delbert Carper of Chula Vista, California, Ivan and wife Norma Carper of Colorado Springs, Colorado, and Owen and wife, Shirley Carper of Newton, Kansas; and a host of other relatives and friends.

A celebration of life service for Edna May Kattenberg was Saturday, January 29, 2011, at 10:30 a.m., at the United Methodist Church, Esbon, Kansas, with Pastor Laura Fricker officiating. Music was performed by Wanda Thummel, organist and quartet of granddaughters – Jenna Enochs, Janelle Schulte, Vanessa Weltmer, and Hilary Peterson. Casket bearers were: Bryan Johnson, Jeff Johnson, Joseph Johnson, Terry Johnson, Aaron Peterson, and Seth Peterson. Honorary casket bearers were: Duane Hughes, Phil Penn, Larry Enochs, Adrian Schulte, Steve Weltmer, Dave Trojanovich, and Dan Baroni. Interment was in the Odessa Church Cemetery, in rural Esbon, Kansas. The family suggests memorials to either Esbon United Methodist Church or Smith County Hospice.

Melby Mortuary, Mankato, Kansas, was in charge of arrangements.