Lorraine Marie Bechtold, 98, of rural Hiawatha, surrounded with family, passed away peacefully April 22, 2021, at Hiawatha Community Hospital.

She was born September 29, 1922, at Everest, Kansas, the oldest child born to the late Albert Herman “Dutch” and Ethel Mary Freeland Rosenhoover and has lived in the northeast Kansas area her entire life.  Lorraine grew up at Everest, attending Everest Grade School prior to graduating from Everest High School in May 1940.  She later worked to obtain a degree in nursing in February 1944 from St. Joseph School of Nursing, St. Joseph, MO.  She worked as a registered nurse many years several places:  SBA Hospital in Topeka, KS, Horton Hospital, and a short period at Brown County Infirmary.

Mrs. Bechtold was a dedicated member of St. Leo’s Catholic Church of Horton prior to becoming a member of St. Anns Parish in Hiawatha.  Lorraine was active in the Altar Society at Church, and had assisted in the money counting there for many years.  She volunteered for NEK Home Health & Hospice; loved to raise a flower & vegetable garden; enjoyed quilting, sewing, reading.  All this being said, her family was the #1 priority!

Lorraine married Jack Francis Bechtold, August 28, 1944, at Everest.  They farmed and raised livestock for several years near Horton until moving to Hiawatha in 1975 to enjoy their retirement years.  He died July 1998.

Survivors include her children:  Susan Gilkison of Wichita, Mary Bechtold of Topeka, Galen Bechtold (Luci) of Port St. Lucie, FL, Bruce Bechtold (Judy) of Horton, Jay Bechtold, also of Horton, Jane Walsh (Casey) of Denton; a sister Beverly Fuhrman of Castorville, TX, 23 grandchildren, 48 great-grandchildren, and 4 great-great-grandchildren.  Good friends to Lorraine include George and Sharon Wilhelm, Helen & Toby Melster, and Eldana Nichols.

She was also preceded in death by a sister Rita Henning, brother in law Carl Henning, brothers: Charles Rosenhoover, sister in law Betty Rosenhoover, Ralph Rosenhoover, grandson Gary Wayne Schaefer, grand-daughter Kelsey Jean Bechtold, son in law Richard Gilkison, daughter in law Kim Bechtold, and brother in law Robert “Bob” Fuhrman.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 27, at St. Anns Catholic Church in Hiawatha.  Father Dan Gardner will be the celebrant.  Interment will follow at Mt. Hope Cemetery, Hiawatha.

Friends may call at Chapel Oaks Funeral Home, Hiawatha after 10 a.m. Monday where the parish rosary will be recited at 6 p.m. that evening follow by visitation until 8.

MASKS ARE ENCOURAGED TO BE WORN

Memorial contributions are suggested to Lorraine Bechtold Memorial Fund to be designated later by the family, sent in care of the funeral home, 124 S 7th St., 66434.

Please remember the family during this critical time with a card or note of remembrance www.chapeloaksfuneralhome.com    Livestreaming also done thru the website as well