Our beautiful, loving, and spirited Mom, Ethel Mae, 88, passed away on June 29, 2015. She was born on September 2, 1926, on her parents' farm in Scipio, KS. She was the youngest of 12 children (9 girls and 3 boys). Ethel moved to Kansas City at the age of 17, with her sister Hilda, to explore the big city, and lived here the rest of her life. She worked for the War Department in her early years, then Federal Aviation Administration, and retired at the age of 55 from the Federal Government. After caring for her grandchildren for three years, she eventually went to work for Special Beginnings Early Learning Center, retiring at the age of 79.

Ethel married the love of her life, James R. Meyer, on April 3, 1948. They were married for 45 years and had three children: Cindy (Mark) Einhellig, Sandy (Ron) Rollheiser and Randy Meyer. Ethel raised her three children in her beloved Catholic religion, teaching them how to pray, how to love God and others, and how important it was to honor Mary, the Mother of Jesus.

Ethel Mae enjoyed dancing, spending time at her Lake of the Ozarks home, and attending every school, sports, and special event of her grandchildren that she could. Her family was her reason for living and she loved every one of her siblings, nieces, nephews, children, and grandchildren so much!

She was predeceased by her parents, John and Anna Strobel; her husband, James R. Meyer, her precious grandson, Justin Einhellig, and 9 brothers and sisters. She is survived by her three children; Cindy, Sandy and Randy, her five beautiful grandchildren, whom she loved dearly-Jenna (Yusshy) Mendoza, Scott Rollheiser, Janine Einhellig, Katie (Blake) Bohmann and Madison Meyer; her adorable great grandson, Ian Michael Mendoza; and, two sisters, Bernice Rockers and Hilda Patton.

Ethel's children send a grateful thank you to the staff at Homestead of Lenexa for taking such great and loving care of her over the past two and a half years. And a special thank you to Kenny, who frequently and lovingly lifted her out of her wheelchair to dance with him to her favorite George Strait song, I Want to Dance with You. We love all of you so much! You are the best! And a special thank you to the all of the wonderful staff of Grace Hospice who also took care of her over the past 15 months, especially in her final days. You are all angels!

Services

Ethel's visitation will be held at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 11300 W. 103rd St, Overland Park, KS, on Friday, July 3, at 9:00 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial will follow beginning at 10:00 a.m. which will be officiated by her nephew, Fr. Alfred Rockers, and concelebrated with Fr. Tony Lickteig. Burial will follow mass at Resurrection Catholic Cemetery, 83rd and Quivira, Lenexa, KS.

Contributions

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to:

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

501 St Jude Place

Memphis, TN 38105

OR

Holy Spirit Catholic Church

11300 W 103rd St

Overland Park, KS 66214