Arvella Elaine Riat

Arvella Elaine Riat, 82, of Wamego, Kansas passed away on May 11, 2013, in Lake City, Iowa. Arvella was born in Phillips County, Kansas on December 2, 1930, to Louie and Hilda (Suhr) Rahjes. She graduated from Agra High School in 1948 and moved to Manhattan, Kansas in 1951. She worked at Fort Riley, Kansas until she was married to William E. “Bill” Baker on August 29, 1954, they had three sons; Mark, Kevin and Jim. Arvella and Bill were married until 1961 when Bill was involved in a fatal truck accident. She then remarried James Riat on August 11, 1973. They had one daughter, Ann Marie. Arvella worked for the Army ROTC at Kansas State University from 1964-1974. She enjoyed time with family, especially her grandchildren, sewing, flowers, playing Bridge and traveling. She was also actively involved in St. Bernard’s Catholic Church. She was a wonderful mother and grandmother. Arvella is survived by her husband James; one brother: Wesley Rahjes (Martha); one sister: Darlene Miller (Dean); two sons: Kevin Baker (Jo) and Jim Baker (Jayne); one daughter: Ann Marie Riat (Rob); daughter-in-law; Liz Baker; eight grandchildren and other family and friends. Arvella was preceded in death by her parents, Louie and Hilda Rahjes and son Mark Baker. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, May 17, 2013 at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church of Wamego. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Arvella will lie in-state at Stewart Funeral Home of Wamego on Thursday beginning at 1:00 p.m., where a visitation will begin at 6:00 p.m. with a rosary being recited at 7:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Community Health Ministries or the Lake City Pool Project and may be left in care of Stewart Funeral Home, PO Box 48, Wamego, KS 66547.