Eulalia Sanger, of Quinter, Kansas, died peacefully Monday morning, June 29, 2020, at the Gove County Medical Center in Quinter. She was 94 years and five days at the time of her death.
She was born Eulalia Mae Crist, June 24, 1926, in the farmhouse of her parents, Rev. D. (Daniel) Floyd and Nellie Mae (Jamison) Crist, in rural Quinter. She was their middle child and only daughter. She looked up to and respected her older brother, B. (Burton) Wayne, while always watching after and protecting her younger brother, D.A. (Daniel Albert). Growing up and staying on this same farmstead until she left for college, Eulalia helped with the gardening (vegetables, fruits and flowers), chickens, farm chores, harvest meals, sewing, and putting up the garden produce. Being the daughter and granddaughter of Brethren preachers, Eulalia was very involved in the Quinter Church of the Brethren. She held fond memories of her growing-up years, playing with her many cousins and friends, as both sets of grandparents, and many uncles and aunts lived in the Quinter area.
Eulalia was a life-time member of the Quinter Church of the Brethren, remembering well the first white wooden-framed church in which she attended Sunday school and church, and taught the younger children when she was in high school. She would accompany her mother, Nellie, to quilting, Ladies' Aid meetings, and Love Feast preparations, watching all the goings-on. She remained very active in the life of the church. In her adult years, she served six years as Board Chair, as well as attended the women's work activities, and participated in the monthly class dinners and adult Sunday school.
She attended both grade school and high school at Quinter, then left home to attend McPherson College, graduating in 1948 with a degree in English Literature. While at college, Eulalia met Merrill Sanger upon his return to McPherson College to finish his secondary education following his service in CPS. They were united in marriage on August 3, 1947, in the first wooden-framed Church of the Brethren at Quinter.
Following graduation from college, Merrill and Eulalia moved back to Quinter and farmed. They were blessed with five children and raised them on the farm west of Quinter. Eulalia found her greatest joy in staying busy with growing a large garden and putting up the produce, helping with the farming, serving God by being involved in the church, being active in the Athenaeum Club, teaching school, and being surrounded by her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She went back to school at Fort Hays College to receive her teaching degree and taught grade school for 27 years, mainly in USD 292, teaching three generations of students.
Eulalia was preceded in death by her parents, Floyd and Nellie Crist; husband, Merrill David Sanger; eldest infant daughter, Rhonda Faye Sanger; and grandson, Michael Spencer Tilton.
She is survived by her children: Geneva (Bruce) Krehbiel of Pratt, KS, Charla (Don) Tilton of Quinter, Brenda (Gerald) Berggren of Lindsborg, KS, and Stan (Jeanette) Sanger of Lawrence, KS; 15 grandchildren and spouses, and 20 great-grandchildren.
The private burial service in the Quinter Cemetery will be Friday, July 3, 9:30 a.m. The public memorial service will be 10:30 a.m., at the Church of the Brethren, Quinter, followed by a luncheon and fellowship. Memorials to the Quinter Church of the Brethren may be sent to Schmitt Funeral Home, 901 South Main, Quinter, KS 67752.
Memorial contributions are suggested to Church of the Brethren, Quinter. Donations may be sent to Schmitt Funeral Home, 901 South Main, Quinter, KS 67752.
Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.schmittfuneral.com