Rae Herren

Letha Rae Herren, 90, of Alma, Kansas died on September 12, 2023 at KU Medical Center after a brief illness.

Rae was born December 18, 1932 to Arnold and Elizabeth (Hochhaus) Steinmeyer at their home south of Alma.  She attended a one room school house close to the farm and then graduated from Alma High School in 1950.

Rae and Melvin Herren were wed on July 16, 1950 at St. John Lutheran Church.   He preceded her in death on December 3, 2021, after 71 years of marriage.

Rae worked outside the home during her early marriage, however, gave her life to child rearing and caregiving when they started their family.  She was the mother who drove to every ball game after feeding team members, sewed all the cheerleader uniforms, worked the concession stands, sewed and knitted clothes for her family and others, grew all their food and preserved it, all while keeping a spotless house and ensuring their family grew up knowing the Lord.  She worked tirelessly for her family and friends in the community often providing food and clothing for others.  Once her children were raised she became one of the first volunteer EMT’s in Alma, eventually working for AMR and retiring at the age of 70.  She then kept herself busy with landscaping and gardening her beautiful yard during the warmer months and hand quilting exquisite quilts during the cold months.  Early mornings found her doing crosswords puzzles and Wordle to keep herself sharp.  Finally, she was a caregiver for Mel, keeping him alive through her tenacity and strength of character.

Rae’s legacy is her children and their families:  Kim of Alma, Kent of Tulsa, OK, Karen (Tim) of DeSoto, and Keith (Jennifer) of Camarillo, CA.;  7 grandchildren;  2 great grandchildren.  Also surviving are her siblings, Grace Wilson of Mesa, AZ, Vonnie Suelter of Aurora, MO, and Lee Steinmeyer of Wheaton, KS.  She was preceded in death by her husband of 71 years, Mel; her grandson, Kyle Herren; and her sister, Dana Henderson.

Her legacy of strong Christian values, love and selflessness for her family, orderliness, cleanliness, and gardening will live on.

Funeral services will be held Monday morning (September 18, 2023) at 11:00 at St John Lutheran Church in Alma with Pastor Robert Grimm. The family will greet friends prior to the service beginning at 10 am in the Memorial Hall at St John Lutheran.  

Memorials are suggested to St John Lutheran Church and may be sent in care of Campanella and Stewart Funeral Home, P. O. Box 48,  Wamego, KS 66547.