Minnie Michaelis Rufenacht, age 98, died on October 25, 2018 at the Ness County Hospital, Ness City. She was born on March 7, 1920 on the farm in Trego County the daughter of Joseph and Regina Reitmeyer Flax.

She was a homemaker and farm wife and a lifetime resident of Trego and Ness Counties. She was a member of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church and the Leisure Years Center, both of Ness City.

On November 25, 1936 she married Arthur L Michaelis. He preceded her in death on February 12, 1985. She later married Ray Rufenacht on February 12, 1992. He preceded her in death on July 14, 1996.

She is survived by her daughter, Shirley Schweitzer, and her husband, Darrel, of Lake Wappapello, Missouri; three sons, DeWayne Michaelis and his wife, Sandy, Wade Michaelis and his wife, Gayla, both of Ness City and James Michaelis and his wife, Deanna, of Bazine; 9 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandson; three step-children, Dale Rufenacht (Cindy), Della Steffan (Gerome), and Howard Rufenacht and their families; and long time caretaker and family friend, Donna Ellis. She was preceded in death by her parents, both husbands, one son, Jerry Michaelis, three brothers, John, Frank, and Carl Flax, 5 sisters, Rosie Stieben, Betty Eaton-Shipley, Pauline Smith, Francis Ashenbrenner, and Helen Costa; and one granddaughter, Tracy Michaelis.

Funeral Service will be on Tuesday, October 30, 2018, 10:30 a.m. at Fitzgerald Funeral Home, Ness City followed by burial in the Ness City Cemetery. Viewing will be held at the funeral home on Monday from 9:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. with the family present from 7:00 – 9:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to the Ness City Leisure Years, Our Redeemer Lutheran church, and The Kansas Center for Autism.

Memories and words of support maybe be left for the family at www.fitzgeraldfuneral.com.