Lola Maria (Soelter) Pageler

Lola Marie Pageler, formerly of Wamego, KS, died Friday, April 15, 2011, in Westminster, California, where she had been living for the last several years. She was 95 years old. Lola was born in Wamego, Kansas, on September 7, 1915, to Adolph Soelter and Emma Soelter. She had an older sister, Ione Soelter Balderson, and two younger brothers, Glenn Soelter and Dale Soelter – all of whom preceded her in death. She grew up on the family farm, three miles south of Wamego, where her family was active in the community and in the Wells Creek Church. She graduated from Wamego High School and later from Clarks Business College in Topeka. After college Lola worked for Baldersons, Inc., as their office manager. It was here that she met her husband, Carl Pageler. They were married September 5, 1939. He preceded her in death in February, 1988. Lola was an active and contributing resident and business woman of Wamego. During the years her children were in school, she took leadership roles in many community organizations, including the Presbyterian Church, where she was one of the first women elders; the YWCA; and the Wamego High School Music Boosters, among others. In addition to her community work, Lola was a trophy-winning golfer and an active member of the Wamego Country Club. For many years Lola, with the help of Carl, owned and managed the Gambles Hardware Store in Wamego. When Carl retired from Baldersons, they sold their Gambles store; and Lola became a realtor. Working for Clem Guth, Lola won many Century 21 sales awards throughout the years. She later became a real estate broker and bought and managed the Kaw Valley Real Estate Agency. In 2005 Lola sold the family home she and Carl built in 1952; she closed the real estate agency; and she moved to California to be closer to her family and to her vacation home in the San Diego area. Lola is survived by her son Donald Pageler and his wife Eva, of Westminster, California; by her daughter, Linda Hayes Schroeder and her husband Edward Schroeder, of Los Altos, California; and by her grandson Matthew Hayes, of San Francisco, California. She is also survived by seven step grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, July 9, 2011 at the Stewart Funeral Home of Wamego with the family greeting friends beginning at 10:00 a.m. Inurnment will be in Wamego City Cemetery. Following services, there will be a reception for friends to visit the family at the house Carl and Lola built in 1952, (1103 West 8th St., Wamego). Memorial contributions are suggested to the Wamego Presbyterian Church, in care of Stewart Funeral Home, PO Box 48, 66547.