Alice Marie (Ronnebaum) Priest, 87, peacefully passed away Sunday, October 22, 2017, at Sabetha Community Hospital.

Alice was born, February 4, 1930, the daughter of Louis and Marie (Frehe) Ronnebaum in Seneca, Kansas. After graduating from St. Peter and Paul High School in 1947, she attended St. Anthony Murdock Memorial Hospital’s nursing program in Sabetha. During her schooling she interned in various hospitals including Wichita and Salina. She graduated with her Registered Nursing (RN) degree in 1950 and began her career in Fairfax, Missouri. Her 50 year career included private duty, surgical, and clinical nursing in Sabetha with Dr. Hunnicutt, Dr. Montgomery, Dr. Brown, and later Dr. Kennally and Dr. Wenger as well as many other specialty physicians. She is remembered by parents and kids alike for her quality care and “giving the best shots.”

Alice married Cedric N. Priest on November 28, 1951 in Sabetha. They settled on a farm south of Sabetha and raised their four children. Together they attended and participated in many school, church, and community activities. Alice served as a 4-H community leader and chaperoned many FFA events. She was on the KANZA Mental Health board for many years, a member of the St. Augustine Altar Society, and the VFW Ladies Auxiliary. After her retirement, Alice continued to volunteer at the Sabetha Community Blood Drive, church activities, and the Hospital Guild. She also enjoyed playing cards, needlework, reading, and attending social gatherings. Her door was always open, and she often welcomed family, friends, and visitors with her home-baked cookies or cinnamon rolls.

Alice’s greatest pleasure was attending her grandchildren’s numerous activities including sports games, musicals, fairs, graduations, weddings, and baptisms. She was quick to celebrate birthdays and other milestones. Her collection of cards, newspaper clippings, and pictures documented the close connections she had to family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Cedric; her parents; a brother, Kenneth Ronnebaum; and a sister Gladys Kokenge.

Survivors include: a sister Mary Lou Voet; two sons, David Priest, Bill Priest and wife Kim; two daughters Maggie Haag and husband Carl, Barb Clowe and husband Mike; and eight grandchildren, Kelly Priest and Michael Paynter, Kerry Priest, Laura Miller and husband Nate, John Priest and wife Trista, Jacob Haag and wife Amanda, Abbey Lund and husband Colby, Chelsie Eisenbarth and husband Heath, and Neil Clowe.

She was blessed with four great grandchildren Ethan Haag, Emma Lund, Charlotte Priest, and Elliot Eisenbarth, and the newest baby Haag arriving in the spring.

Mass of Christian burial will be Thursday, October 26, 2017 at 10:30 a.m. at the St. Augustine’s Catholic Church of Fidelity, south of Sabetha. Rosary will be recited Wednesday, October 25, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. with a visitation to follow until 8:30 p.m. at Popkess Mortuary in Sabetha. Interment will be made at the Sabetha Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Alice Priest Nursing Scholarship and Sabetha Community Hospital, sent in care of Popkess Mortuary, 823 Virginia, Sabetha, KS 66534. www.popkessmortuaries.com