Obituaries

SISTER MARY CLARE GAPPA, SCL... Sister Mary Clare Gappa, 84, a Sister of Charity of Leavenworth for 66 years, died on Jan. 22, 2023, at Ross Hall in Leavenworth, Kan. She entered the religious Community on Aug. 19, 1956. After she entered, Sister Mary Clare taught for 24 years in schools in the Midwest and West. She was a skilled educator with unmatched creativity and compassion for all. Later, and after much discernment, Sister Mary Clare began her ministry as a pastoral associate at Coronation of Our Lady Parish in Grandview, Mo. One of her many responsibilities was teaching RCIA classes. For the next three decades, she would walk with adults on their conversion journey, sharing her passion and knowledge of the Catholic Church. Sister Mary Clare humbly embraced her service to others, the Catholic faith, and her SCL Community.

Oliver I. West Jr., 78, Leavenworth, passed away Tuesday, January 24, 2023.

Verna M. Fleming, 97, Leavenworth, passed away on Monday, January 24, 2023, at her residence.

Mildred E. Fleenor passed away January 16, 2023 at the age of 94. Mildred Elaine Bumann was the third child of eleven children born to Raymond and Edna (Hamann) Bumann in Battle Creek, Iowa on October 3, 1928. She graduated from Ida Grove High School in 1946. When her husband transferred to Lansing, Kansas with Farmland Industries in 1972 she worked at the J.C. Penney Company in Leavenworth. In 1975 they returned to Ida Grove, Iowa. She was preceded in death by her husband James Fleenor. She is survived by her children Mason (Diane) Fleenor, Ida Grove, Ia, Joanne (Steve) Spurgin, Denton, Tx, Kathy (Ellis) Edmonds, Leavenworth, KS, Jeff (Sharyl) Fleenor, Pella, Ia. and thirteen grandchildren. Funeral services will be Friday, January 27 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Ida Grove, Ia. Arrangements were made at ChristiansenVan Houten Funeral Services.

Michael Lee Wood, 68, of Lansing died Tuesday, January 17, 2023. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m.