Delores M. Ryser Vertin, 95, of Wathena passed away Sept. 12, 2026. She was born Sept. 5, 1931 in Haddam Ks, the daughter of Nevin and Mildred Weber Ryser.
The family moved to Wathena in 1943. She attended Bellemont one-room schoolhouse north of Wathena and graduated from Wathena High School in 1949.
Delores attended Gard Business University in St. Joseph and worked at Swift & Co. as a stenographer and part-time switch board operator. Later she worked at Fleek's Market in Blair and The Kansas Chief newspaper in Wathena.
On Nov. 18, 1950, Delores married Leo Vertin at St. Joseph Catholic Church rectory in Wathena. He preceded her in death on April 6, 2014. She was also preceded in death by a daughter, Denise Coursen, on Jan. 29, 2026, son-in-law Jerry Root in 2012, her parents and brother and sister-in-law, Bill and Rosie Vertin Ryser.
Delores was baptized and joined St. Joseph Catholic Church in Wathena on Sept. 23, 1956. A devout Catholic she was a member of St. Ann's Altar Society and had served as a sacristan, greeter and eucharistic minister for 30 years.
She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother and enjoyed spending time with her family. Delores volunteered at the Wathena Keen-Age Center and served as treasurer of the site council. She enjoyed gardening, flowers, sewing and playing cards at the senior center.
She is survived by 7 children: Pam (Rick) Boyd, Paula (Larry) Bahr all of St. Joseph; Kevin (Lori) Vertin and Karla Root of Wathena; Alan (Trudy) Vertin of Platte City, Mo; Rich (Linda) Vertin of Troy; Brent (Brenda) Vertin of Westminster, Co; 15 grandchildren: Nicholas Boyd, Ben (Amanda) Coursen, Damian (Courtney) Bahr, Shanin (Brandon) Frazee, Eric (Bridget) Bahr, Michelle (Scott) Ide, Christie (Skyler) Barron, Sandy (Christopher) Koehler, Kalee Feek, Blaise Vertin, Karlee Vertin, Brian (Alicja) Gaul, Brett (Megan) Gaul, Alexa Vertin and Kyle Vertin; 5 step grandchildren; numerous great grandchildren and step great grandchildren.
Pallbearers will be her grandsons: Damian Bahr, Eric Bahr, Ben Coursen, Brian Gaul, Brett Gaul, Blaise Vertin. Honorary: Nick Boyd, Kyle Vertin.
The rosary will be prayed Thursday evening, Sept. 17, at 6:00 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church with visitation to follow from 6:30-8:00.
Mass of Christian Burial will be Friday, Sept. 18, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Wathena. Friends may call after 9:00 A.M. Thursday, at the Harman-Rohde Funeral Home in Wathena, Kansas.
Burial: Mount Calvary Cemetery, Wathena, Kansas. Memorials may be made to St. Joseph Catholic Church youth group. www.harmanrohde.com
