Erma Bernice Ryckert

Erma Bernice Ryckert, 78, Lenexa, Kansas, passed away Saturday, June 13, 2009 at the Kansas City Hospice House after a yearlong battle with cancer.

Bernice was born January 12, 1931 in Olathe, Kansas to Emiel and Mary (Soetaert) Styaert. She was a 1949 graduate of Shawnee Mission High School. She was a member of the Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Lenexa Historical Society, VFW Women's Auxiliary, Kansas City Belgian-American Club, funeral dinner committee at church and worked occasionally at the Johnson County Election Board. Bernice enjoyed traveling throughout the world, along with working outdoors, particularly with flowers.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters, Mary Edds and Louise Compton and three brothers, Albert, John and Henry Cashier. Survivors include her husband of 57 years, Joseph E. Ryckert; two daughters, Diane Paden and husband, Gary, Lenexa, Kansas and Mary Penny and husband, Howard, Merriam, Kansas; son, Paul Ryckert, Overland Park, Kansas; two sisters, Margaret Graham, Oro Valley, Arizona and Emma DeCaeny, Overland Park, Kansas; five grandchildren, Matthew Paden and his wife, Shauna, Melissa Franzen and her husband, Tim, Daniel Ryckert, Alissa Ryckert and Bianca Ryckert; and one great granddaughter, Alexa Franzen. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial contributions to either the Holy Trinity Catholic Grade School, Lenexa, Kansas, Lenexa Historical Society or the Kansas City Hospice House.

Visitation and Funeral Service

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 a.m. Thursday, June 18, 2009 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church; burial in Resurrection Cemetery, Lenexa, Kansas. Friends may call from 6:30-9:00 p.m. Wednesday, June 17, 2009, at the Amos Family Chapel of Shawnee.