Marjorie Theodora Zabel

Marjorie Theodora Zabel, 92, a lifetime resident of Westmoreland, Kansas, passed away Friday, August 12, 2011 at the Westy Community Care Home. She was born on April 1, 1919 at Westmoreland, Kansas, to Franklin Theodore and Mary Alice (Duncan) Siddens. Marjorie married Herbert C. Zabel (also of Westmoreland) on May 20, 1942 in Westmoreland. He preceded her in death in August of 2006. She was also preceded in death by her parents, husband, and sisters-Velma Siddens of Westmoreland and Frances (Rudy) Pierce of Kansas City, KS. Marjorie is survived by her two sons - Herbert and his wife Elizabeth (Betty) of Decatur, Illinois and Robert and his wife Lenore of Overland Park, Kansas; four grandsons - Wayne and his partner Gary Bornstein of Wilton, Connecticut, Glenn and his wife Pamela of Decatur, Illinois, Brian and his wife Karen of Muncie, Indiana, and Rob and his wife Emily of Temecula, California; one granddaughter - Shelley Zabel of San Diego, California; one great-granddaughter Annie, one great-grandson Nathon, and one great-great-granddaughter Audrey of Glenn and Pamela, one great-grandson Brennan and one great-granddaughter Juliette of Wayne and Gary, two great-granddaughters Bailey and Jameson of Brian and Karen, and one great-grandson Benjamin of Rob and Emily; one brother-in-law Joseph Zabel of Westmoreland; three nieces - Dorothy (Pierce-Finch) and her husband Mark Potter, Tammie (Zabel) and her husband Mike Salsbury, and Patty (Zabel) and her husband Bill Council; and two nephews - Richard Pierce and his wife Vickie, and Michael Zabel and his wife Kelda. During World War II, Marjorie followed Herb to several states after his enlistment in the Army, once working in a shell-making plant in Louisiana to help support the World War II effort. Marjorie was an extremely fast typist and used her skills in several positions at Westmoreland businesses for a number of years. She was employed at Kansas State University’s Department of Extension Information at Umberger Hall in Manhattan until her retirement on May 31, 1984. She was a member of the United Methodist Church in Westmoreland. Marjorie loved gardening (even cutting grass), flowers, travel, and visiting casinos. She enjoyed transporting her sons and their friends to the creek for swimming and fishing, and she attended countless basketball and baseball games and all other activities of her sons. She was very close to her two sisters and was always interested in the growth and activities of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, as well as all other family members. Marjorie had many, many friends during her lifetime. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, August 16, at the Westmoreland United Methodist Church, with no visitation planned. Burial will follow in the Westmoreland City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that contributions be made to the Westy Community Care Home, and may be left in care of the Stewart Funeral Home of Wamego, P.O. Box 48, 66547.