Marjorie Augusta Wegeng Gronniger

Marjorie Augusta Wegeng Gronniger died January 3, 2015 at Lawrence, KS.

Mass of the Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, January 8, 2015 at Holy Family Catholic Church in Eudora. Burial will follow at Holy Family Catholic Cemetery.

She was born April 5, 1919 in Norborne, MO to William Augustine Wegeng and Mary Susan Hofmann Wegeng. She graduated from Norborne High School in 1937 and was married to John L. Gronniger, Jr. on August 26, 1946. To this union four children were born: Kay Madden (partner, Marcia Motsinger), Kansas City, MO; J.P. Gronniger, Eudora, KS; Martha Gronniger, Lawrence, KS; and Maureen Gronniger, Lawrence, KS. Marjorie was predeceased by her parents; a brother, Eldon Wegeng; and a sister, Rosemary Hockemeier. Other survivors include her sisters Elizabeth Backes (Carrollton, MO); Judith Goetting (Norborne, MO); Carol Ruegg (Kearney, MO); a sister-in-law, Vanda Wegeng (Richmond, MO); and a brother-in-law, Abbie Hockemeier (Richmond, MO). She is also survived by 26 nieces and nephews.

John and Marjorie farmed in Linwood, KS for 12 years before moving to Eudora in 1963. They ran John’s 66 Service Station in Eudora for a number of years before John’s passing in 1977. After her husband’s death, Marjorie attended the University of Kansas graduating with distinction in 1983 with a journalism degree. She served as treasurer of the City of Eudora for 33 years but continued to write the minutes for the Eudora Planning Commission and Board of Appeals for another 7 years. She also served on the Eudora School Board from 1991 to 1995.

Marjorie loved Holy Family Catholic Church and volunteered to help there any chance she had. She was active in St. Theresa’s Society, the Building Committee, the Pro-Life Committee, and she worked with Family Promise. She helped set up and serve every funeral dinner the parish had and attended Mass nearly every day.

She took a genuine interest in her community and in everyone around her. She loved to read, travel, garden, and write letters to the editor (usually on political topics!). She was incredibly involved in life, and she was still driving, canning, and writing friends until her last 2 months. She was our mom and we loved her.

A rosary and visitation will be held from 5:00 – 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, January 7, 2015 at Warren-McElwain Mortuary – Eudora Chapel

Memorials may be given in her name to the Holy Family Church Building Fund and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary.

21 Condolences

  1. Karen Locke on January 5, 2015 at 1:11 pm

    Dear Martha, Our hearts go out to you and your family at this time of profound loss. May your mama rest in peace. And may you find comfort in knowing that you were a loving daughter and great friend to her. We are very sorry for your loss. Love, Karen and Tom



  2. Genny Davidson on January 5, 2015 at 3:27 pm

    I remember her as being the sweetest woman. Condolences to the family.



  3. Cindy Erwin Flippo on January 5, 2015 at 4:07 pm

    Martha its been years since I have seen you but wanted you to know you are in my thoughts and prayers. Was sad to hear of your mothers passing, I hope you can surround yourself with wonderful memories and the comfort of friends and family as you go through this difficult time.



  4. Anonymous on January 5, 2015 at 4:16 pm

    No one tried harder to make people happy, she will truly be missed,
    all our love to the family, we are very sorry for your loss.
    Alice and Jim Benson



  5. Dodie Ortega on January 5, 2015 at 5:24 pm

    We enjoyed sharing the neighborhood with your Mom. I remember the time when Bob mowed her yard and she told him how much she appreciated it but that was the only exercise she got!! She said if ever she couldn’t she would let him know. Lovely Lady, we will miss her. So sorry for your loss.



  6. anonymous on January 5, 2015 at 6:03 pm

    I never met her, but what an incredible woman! I just read her obit and what an amazing life she lead! What an inspiration! Prayers to your family/friends.



  7. Brian Winslow on January 5, 2015 at 6:58 pm

    Dear Gronniger family, I was your Mom’s Hair Stylist for several years,and was she was a dear friend, I will miss her terribly. We always had fun visiting and catching up on all the news whenever she came in. She spoke often of all of you,,and what you were doing, and always had a gleem in her eye. I always looked forward to Saturday afternoons when I knew she would be coming because I knew it would be a fun time. She knew I loved her cinnamon rolls, and never forgot me if she was baking! She always asked about my family and what was going on in my life. She was such a caring and generous person. Our world needs more people like her. Your mom was a wonderful asset to our lives and community and she will be sorely missed by all that knew her. I know you will miss her most of all. Take Care, and thanks so much for everything. Brian



  8. Ben Erwin on January 5, 2015 at 7:00 pm

    Martha I am so sorry to hear of the passing of your mother. May you and your family feel the tender hands of GOD as he holds and comforts you,,, always remember the the wonderful memories.



  9. Lonnie Erwin on January 5, 2015 at 7:16 pm

    My wife Sharon and I would like to send our condolences.



  10. Jennifer Baldridge on January 5, 2015 at 8:22 pm

    Ms. Gronniger was a beloved neighbor for several years. Even after we moved away from 14th and Main in Eudora, she and my mother corresponded for years. I think they wrote as recent as last year. What a beautiful smile and heart behind the smile. I still remember her laugh, too. What a life she lived. Full of zest and energy. We send her family our love. –The Baldridge’s.



  11. Wayne & Dayleen Baldridge on January 5, 2015 at 8:27 pm

    Marjorie was good neighbor to the Baldridge family. We lived at 1401 Main across the street. She was always friendly and continued to correspond up until last Christmas. We moved from there in 1985.
    “Those who believe in, rely upon and commit to Christ shall have eternal life.”



  12. Donna Oleson on January 5, 2015 at 11:02 pm

    I don’t even know where to begin. I loved your Mother, she was such a wonderful inspiring women. The 25 years I worked with her she was so great to work with. Such was an intelligent, dependable and dedicated employee for the City of Eudora. She was so caring, a good listener, and a joy to be around. So involved in the Community, Church and other organizations. Oh how I loved getting her canned beets at Christmas time.
    One of the things I admired about Marge was how she was always so prompt in sending such wonderful thank you notes (even for the littlest of things anyone would do for her). She even baked pies for my St. Paul Church when it came time for us to work the concessions at CPA. But there is one thing I know in my heart that she is celebrating with that beautiful smile in Heaven.
    My condolences and love to the Gronniger family, She was a wonderful lady and will be missed by many!



  13. Renee Shackelford on January 6, 2015 at 7:47 am

    Marge was such an inspiration. She is the only person I’ve ever met that could genuinely see the positive in each and every situation.
    I had the pleasure of working with Marge for the past 9 years. Never once did she ever complain but always came in with a smile and always asked how our children were doing.
    While visiting her at LMH during her post-operation rehab, she expressed how she felt the Lord had just lifted her up and she was ready to be home with the family for Thanksgiving.
    Truly the most inspirational Godly woman I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing. She will truly be missed!
    God bless you Marge!



  14. Anonymous on January 6, 2015 at 8:08 am

    Martha, our love and thoughts are with you during this time. Your mom was an inspiration. Our condolences to you and your family.
    Lou and Jenny Volpe



  15. The Katzfey Family on January 6, 2015 at 12:14 pm

    Kay, Patrick, Martha, Maureen, and the rest of the Gronniger Family are in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time of Marge’s passing.



  16. Jean Ann Winkle (Rohe) on January 6, 2015 at 10:23 pm

    I am truly sorry for the lose of Mrs. Gronniger, she will always be one of my favorite people. She inspired me to go back to college and I graduated in 2001 from KU. Kathleen, Pat, Martha, and Maureen I know you will feel her with you forever, she was a powerful person and will be a powerful guardian Angel. Maybe your mom and my mommy can have some long chats. Eternal peace Mrs Gronniger and prayers for all of you.



  17. Mary Motsinger on January 6, 2015 at 11:12 pm

    Kay, Marcia and family – I am so sorry for your family’s loss. My heart goes out to you. I heard so many wonderful stories of Marjorie’s feisty spirit and zest for life. The way she was there for others, and lived each and every moment, not wasting a single second. Such a blessing to have her in your lives for the time you were given. I pray that during this difficult time, you are able to find peace and comfort in the lovely and many memories you shared with such a wonderful woman. You and yours are in my mind and heart, my thoughts and prayers. Love, Mary Motsinger Jr., and Family



  18. Debbie Kellogg on January 7, 2015 at 7:54 am

    Maureen, Prayers go out to you and your family as you celebrate your mom’s life. Bless her sweet spirit, for her caring, loving ways, and for giving you both grounding and wings!



  19. Debbie Kruse Whitmore on January 10, 2015 at 8:25 pm

    I was so sorry to read about the death of your mom in the Norborne paper. Marjorie was my mom’s 1st cousin, Kathleen Wegeng Kruse, daughter of John & Emelie Wegeng. I met Marjorie at my Grandma Wegeng’s funeral and really enjoyed talking to her. She was a very kind and interesting woman. Mother talked often about her childhood growing up next door to Bill’s kids. She had many fond memories of her cousins. My brothers & I know the deeply felt loss of losing a Mother and we wanted to send our condolences.
    Debbie Kruse Whitmore, Dwight Kruse, Dwain Kruse



  20. Janet Wozniak on February 5, 2015 at 12:41 am

    So sorry to hear about Mrs. Gronniger. She was always so kind & helpful when I went down to pay my city bills. She was always helping everyone and always kind. Sorry for your loss.



  21. Wendy Churchill on March 29, 2015 at 1:45 pm

    I didn’t know Marjorie, personally so well, but I know that my Mother (Marsha Adkinson) always had wonderful things to say about her visits with her. She brought a lot of joy to my Mother’s life, as friends do. For this I am very thankful, that she was a dear friend and it was always good to hear my Mom tell me how she really enjoyed Marjorie’s spunk and vivacious attitude.



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