Bernita Ann Walters, 87, Catharine, died Wednesday, April 21, 2021, at HaysMed.
She was born March 11, 1934, in Victoria, the daughter of Edmund and Eva (Weigel) Schuetz. On July 13, 1955, she was united in marriage to Alfred J. “Fritz” Walters in Catharine, and they celebrated 56 years of marriage before he preceded her in death on November 2, 2011. She was a cook at Catharine Elementary School for over 30 years. Her memberships included St. Catherine Catholic Church, Hays Daughters of Isabella Circle #254, VFW Post #9076 Auxiliary, and the St. Catherine Christian Mothers Altar Society. She enjoyed reading, watching KU basketball, completing wordsearches, and using her iPad. She made homemade noodles, enjoyed cooking, yearly Christmas baking with her grandchildren, and teaching them how to bake traditional German desserts.
Survivors include two sons: Mike Walters and wife Barb of Colby and John Walters of Hays, three daughters: Donna Almond of Amarillo, TX, Judy Wedermyer and husband Mel of Lawrence, and Rebecca Pfannenstiel of Hays, three half-sisters: Lois Ludwick and husband Craig of Stilwell, Glenda Schuetz of Hays, and Ruth Hoffman husband Dave of Hays, seven grandchildren: Stacey, Julie, Todd, Dustin, Jace, Elizabeth, and Nichole, seven step grandchildren: Brandon , Travis, Kelsi, Nikki, Stephanie, Eric, and Amanda, 12 great grandchildren: Katlyn, Ashlyn, Aidan, Braden, Briley, Dallas, Preston, Macie, Mila, Marlow, Elliott, and Finley, and ten step greatgrandchildren: Ava, Kinley, Kadence, Chevelle, Braxton, Madison, Hailey, JaJuan, Beckett, and Kamdyn.
She was preceded in death by her parents: Edmund and Eva, her stepmother: Germaine Schuetz, her husband: Fritz, a brother: James Schuetz and wife Bernita, a son-in-law: Jerry Almond, and a step great grandson: Brooks Reynolds.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 am on Saturday, April 24, 2021, at St. Catherine Catholic Church, with Fr. Earl Befort officiating. Burial will follow in St. Catherine Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5:00 pm until 8:00 on Friday and from 8:30 am until 9:30 on Saturday, all at Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home. A VFW Auxiliary rosary will be at 5:30 pm, Daughters of Isabella rosary at 6:00 pm, and a vigil service at 6:30 pm, all on Friday at the funeral home.
Memorials are suggested to the Cancer Council of Ellis County, St. Catherine Catholic Church, or to the Harold Dorzweiler Cancer Memorial Fund. Condolences and memories of Bernita may be shared with the family at www.haysmemorial.com