Gretchen Mithen

Gretchen Brunner Mithen, of Wamego, passed away November 21, 2013 at the Good Shepherd Hospice House in Manhattan. She was born July 3, 1940 in Wamego to Benjamin Brunner Jr., MD and Florence Muckenthaler Brunner, RN. She was united in marriage to Thomas S. Mithen on May 14, 1983 in San Antonio, Texas. She was preceded in death by her parents and husband. She is survived by Tom’s children, Scott and Isabel; her brother Ben Brunner and his wife Jo Ann; and nephews Kiel, Matt and Eric. Gretchen graduated from St. Bernard’s Grade School and Wamego High School, attended Mount Saint Scholastica College and Kansas University, and received medical technology certification from St. Luke’s Hospital, Kansas City, Mo. She received further certifications in Blood Banking from Wesley Medical Center, Wichita, KS. She practiced in laboratories in the field of medicine throughout much of her career, including Wamego City Hospital and hospitals in New York, Louisiana and Texas. Being a lifelong learner, Gretchen received further certification as a steno mask court reporter serving in primarily medical related hearings. Upon returning to Wamego, Gretchen became a member of the Wamego Study Club and was active in St. Bernard’s parish. She was an avid gardener and enjoyed her bridge friends more than the game. Ultimately Gretchen was the consummate care giver to all, especially her husband and mother. She was their champion and provider. Her passion gave them both additional enjoyable years. Not a bad legacy. Memorial Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, December 21, 2013 at the St. Bernard’s Catholic Church of Wamego. Inurnment will follow at St. Bernard’s Cemetery. A visitation will be held prior to her mass beginning at 9:00 a.m. with a Rosary being recited at 10:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to St. Bernard’s Building Fund or the Good Shepherd Hospice House of Manhattan and may be left in care of the Stewart Funeral Home, Wamego, KS, PO Box 48, 66547.