Diocese mourns death of Sister Thomasine Driver, CSJ

Sister Thomasine Driver, CSJ, age 91, a retired elementary school teacher and principal, entered eternal life on Feb. 12. Born on a homestead in Baca County, Colo., Barbara Esther Driver moved to Dodge City with her family in the 1920s. She graduated from Sacred Heart Elementary School and St. Mary of the Plains Academy, both in Dodge City. Barbara entered the Congregation of St. Joseph on March 19, 1934, and received the name Sister M. Thomasine. She pronounced her final vows as a Sister of St. Joseph on August 15, 1939.

With the exception of two years as novice director for her congregation, from 1935 to 1981 Sister Thomasine served as a faculty member or principal of schools in the following parishes: St. Patrick, Kingman, St. Patrick, Parsons, St. Thomas, Kansas City, Kans., St. John the Divine, Kansas City, Kans., Sacred Heart, Pratt, Sacred Heart, Arkansas City, St. Anthony and St. Mary Cathedral Elementary, Wichita, St. Felicitas, San Leandro, Calif., St. Mary, Derby, and St. Teresa, Hutchinson. Sister held a BS degree from St. Mary College, Leavenworth, and a Master of Science in Education from Creighton University, Omaha.

From 1981 to 1994 Sister Thomasine ministered as a sister visitor at Pratt Regional Medical Center, and Halstead Hospital.

In addition to the members of her religious congregation, Sister Thomasine is survived by her brother, Dr. Thomas Driver, Lakewood, Colo., nieces, nephews and friends.

A wake service for Sister Thomasine was held Feb. 17; the Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated for her on Feb. 18, both in Resurrection Chapel at Mount St. Mary Convent, with interment in the Mount St. Mary Convent Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to CSJ Dear Neighbor Ministries, 3700 E. Lincoln, Wichita, KS 67218.

Claudia Maria Martinez, 21, of St. Anthony Parish, Liberal, died Feb. 12, 2008. Claudia was a life long resident of Liberal. She graduated in 2005 from Liberal High School, and in 2006 graduated from Southwest Kansas Area Vo-Tech School. She was attending Seward County Community College, and was employed as a cashier at Wal-Mart Tire and Lube Express. She was born July 7, 1986, in Liberal, the daughter of Eliseo Martinez - Chavez and Maria G. Zavala Martinez. Survivors include her mother, and father; a daughter, Sofia G. Martinez; two sisters, Sanjuana Ortega and Clarita Z. Martinez; four nephews, and a niece; grandfathers Jose G. Zavala, and Jose Martinez. Father Jaime Medina presided.

Cecelia C. Oeding, 90, of St. Patrick Parish, Kingman, died Jan. 30, 2008. She was a homemaker and former co-owner and operator of Oeding Equipment Company. Survivors include two sons, Leon and Norman; eight daughters, Carol Ouellette, Marie Kusterman, Doris Unruh, Marilyn Wells, Sharon Lynch of Dodge City, Clara Seay, Nancy Fure, and Becky Luntsford; one sister, Betty Colegrove; 23 grandchildren; and 31 great-grandchildren. Father James Weldon presided.

Anahy Maria Garay, 2, of Prince of Peace Parish at St. Rose, Great Bend, died Feb. 10, 2008. She was born Feb. 17, 2005, the daughter of Benjamin Garay and Viviana Flores. Father Wesley Schawe presided.

August “Gus” J. Demel, 82, of Holy Family Parish, Odin, died Feb. 10, 2008. He was a farmer and stockman. He was a member of Knights of Columbus No. 2630 and had served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He is survived by his wife, Katherine Hickel; seven sons, Vernon, Gary, David, Maurice, Dale, Kurt, and Kirby Demel; two daughters, Carol Nichol and Sharon Eichkorn; two brothers, Stephen Demel and Jerome Demel; two sisters, Viola Axman and Irene Mattas; 21 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren. Father Dwight Birket presided.

Sharlene A. Reichard, 67, of Prince of Peace Parish at St. Patrick, Great Bend, died Feb. 9, 2008. She had worked in dry cleaning and then was a cook for the Senior Center. She was a member of the Altar Society. Survivors include three sisters, Carol Davis, Marilyn M. Post, and Janet Weseloh. Father Reginald A. Urban presided.

Carl M. Fehrenbach, 95, of Sacred Heart Parish, Ness City, died Feb. 16, 2008. He was a farmer and stockman. Survivors include a brother, Frank. Father Henry Hildebrandt presided.

Alice Rosemary Heinz, 85, of St. Nicholas Parish, Kinsley, died Feb. 16, 2008. She was a homemaker. Survivors include two sons, Craig and Henry III; a daughter, Darla Stegman; a sister, Jean Corrine Rhorer; 11 grandchildren; and 19 great-grandchildren. Father Nicanor Ferangco presided.

Pauline A. Berscheidt, 95, of Prince of Peace Parish at St. Patrick, Great Bend, died Feb. 19, 2008. She was a homemaker. She belonged to the Altar Society. Survivors include two sons, Gordon and Paul; a sister, Kitty Cranton; seven grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and a great-great-granddaughter. Father Reginald A. Urban presided.

Leonard E. Klusener, 75, of Prince of Peace Parish at St. Rose, Great Bend, died Feb. 19, 2008. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War with the rank of sergeant. He is survived by his wife, Evelyn C. Gomez; a son, Edward Klusener; five daughters, Virginia Mascarenas, Katrina Evers, Mary McVey, Donna Stueve, and Brenda McNary; four sisters, Christina Klusener, Bernadine Homolka, Mildred Prideaux, and Delores McDowell; 17 grandchildren; four step grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Father Wesley Schawe presided.

Margaret Jeanne Curtis, 63, of Sacred Heart Parish, Ness City, died Feb. 19, 2008. She was a dietitian and worked at the Ness City Leisure Years Center. Survivors include her husband, Jim Curtis; a daughter, Margaret Ballard; two stepsons, Michael and Delvin; a brother, Donald Lindsey; three sisters, Donna Jackson, Bonnie, Elizabeth Sherman; and eight grandchildren. Father Hildebrandt presided.