Catherine “Katie” Eberle, 103, of WaKeeney, KS, passed away on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, at Trego County-Lemke Memorial Hospital. She was born June 22, 1923, in Trego County, KS, to John and Thresia (Augustine) Weber, Sr.
On September 23, 1941, she married Alfred “Fritz” Eberle at St. Mary Catholic Church in Ellis, KS. They shared 31 years of marriage before his death on July 14, 1972. Katie continued farming until moving to WaKeeney in 1976, where she worked at Robert's Plant & Flower, Trego County-Lemke Memorial Hospital, and Trego-WaKeeney State Bank.
Katie enjoyed baking, gardening, and serving others. To help support her family, she made wedding flowers, baked wedding and birthday cakes, and prepared homemade noodles for local grocery stores until retiring at age 90. She often recalled baking her first cakes in cardboard boxes because she could not afford cake pans. She also crocheted afghans for each of her fourteen children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
A devoted member of Christ the King Catholic Church and the Altar Rosary Society, Katie spent more than 30 years decorating her church. Her Catholic faith was the foundation of her life, and she faithfully prayed the Rosary.
Katie is survived by her sons, LeRoy (Jacky) Eberle of WaKeeney, KS, Ken (Sherry) Eberle of Ellis, KS, Ron (Ellen) Eberle of Grainfield, KS, Mel (Gail) Eberle of Oakley, KS, Dennis (Marilyn) Eberle of WaKeeney, KS, Larry Eberle of WaKeeney, KS, and Terry (Kathy) Eberle of Cheyenne, WY; her daughters, Twila Bliss and companion Frank Kaiser of WaKeeney, KS, Marilyn (Willie) Wildeman of WaKeeney, KS, Gloria Eberle and companion Ron Valigura of Topeka, KS, Debbie (Mervyn) Sasso of Aurora, CO, and Bonnie (Bill) Windholz of WaKeeney, KS; her son-in-law, Floyd Weigel of WaKeeney, KS; 39 grandchildren; 97 great-grandchildren; 40 great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; her daughters, Sylvia (Victor) Kinderknecht and Linda Weigel; and her son-in-law, Glen Bliss.
A Vigil Service and Rosary were held July 31 at Christ the King Catholic Church in WaKeeney. Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated August 1 at St. Mary Catholic Church in Ellis. Interment followed in St. Mary Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to Walk-A-Thon for Health Trego/Gove County, Trego County-Lemke Memorial Hospital, or Mass Intentions and may be sent in care of Schmitt Funeral Home, 336 N. 12th St., WaKeeney, KS 67672.
Full obituary posted at www.schmittfuneral.com.