“God is love and she who abides in love abides in God and God in her.” (1John 4:16)
Marianne Ladenburger loved life – both its blessings and its challenges. “Abundance” became her focus following her cancer diagnosis in December 2014. Marianne taught by example how to live, to love, and to let go of all, including the life she loved so very much, to possess Eternal Life with the Spirit, whom she most related to as God. The Spirit’s fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control were the gifts of being in her presence.
Marianne was born February 11, 1930, to E.A. Baalman and Leoba Robben Baalman on the family farm near Menlo, KS. She graduated from Sacred Heart High School, Wichita, in 1948. She married Willus P. Ladenburger in Seguin, December 28, 1949. She died October 8, 2016 in her home. She is survived by children Dixie, and husband Murray Heinrich of Fairway, KS; Bob Ladenburger and wife Susie of Denver, CO; Cheryl and husband Bobby Patrick of Calgary, Alberta; Jay Ladenburger and wife Susan of Topeka; and Pat and husband Keith Kennedy of Hoxie, KS. Current events, politics, the importance of education, and the Golden Rule were among the many topics of conversation at three sit-down meals each day while the children were growing up. Cooking, gardening, and sewing clothing for her three daughters were a few talents of her early years of marriage in Grainfield. She loved the fruits of her yearly garden…lettuce, green beans, cucumbers, and tomatoes best of all! In 1979, Marianne returned to school and became an LPN. She loved nursing and pediatrics was her favorite. She quilted, tole painted, scrapbooked, tended her flower gardens and traveled with Willus during the late 80’s and 90’s. Willus died in 2002. In 2008, ever the seeker, Marianne moved from Grainfield to Topeka. She played lots of bridge, enjoyed the symphony and theater, participated in Osher classes, and enjoyed many new friends. She traveled the country to participate in family happenings, graduations, weddings, vacations, and to stay connected!
Marianne is also survived by fourteen grandchildren, who were the delight of her life: Jason Heinrich, Jonas Heinrich, Sarah Ladenburger Dominick, Anne Ladenburger Feighner, Ali Ladenburger, Drew Patrick, Angie Patrick, Jessie Patrick Provience, Jenna Kennedy Sloan, Jill Kennedy Schoendaler, Kyle Kennedy, Megan Ladenburger Howard, Paige Ladenburger Wynne and Rachel Ladenburger Irons; and fifteen great grandchildren under the age of six: Landon, Henry, Rowan, Peter, Skye, Sophia, Brynn, Teddy, Hannah, Austin, Owen, Alvy, Beatrice, Eli and Oliver.
In honor of Marianne, we ask ourselves, “Am I treating others, as I would like to be treated?” Marianne will be greatly missed!
A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, October 14, 2016 at the St. Agnes Catholic Church, 266 Cedar Street, Grainfield, Kansas 67737. Visitation will take place at the church one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow in the Grainfield Cemetery. Everyone is invited to join the family for a luncheon following the interment at the St. Agnes Education Center.
Memorial contributions may be made to Catholic Relief Services, P.O. Box 17090, Baltimore, Maryland 21297, Midland Hospice, 200 SW Frazier, Topeka, Kansas 66606 or a charity of your choice.
