Loretta (Bollig) Billinger, age 97, of WaKeeney, passed away on Sunday, Aug. 16, 2020, at Trego County Lemke Memorial Hospital, Long Term Care. She was born Aug. 1, 1923 to Jacob and Anna Marie (Graf) Bollig in Ogallah.
She attended St. Mary’s Catholic school in Ellis and Ogallah grade school.
Loretta married Edwin P. Billinger on June 4, 1946 at St. Michael Catholic Church in Collyer, and they were happily married until his passing in February 2012.
She was a member of St. Michael Altar Society, VFW Auxiliary, and the adopted grandmother of Christ the King CYO. She enjoyed gardening, knitting, crocheting, baking, cooking, and playing games and cards. Loretta was a housewife and lived south of Collyer on the family farm for 50 years before moving to WaKeeney in 1996. In 2008, she moved to LTC in WaKeeney, which became her second family.
Loretta is survived by her sons Kenneth (Marilyn) Billinger of Norman, Okla., Randy Billinger of Broomfield, Colo., and Glennis (Beth) Billinger of WaKeeney; daughters Frances (Roger) Dick of St. John, and Karen (Romie) Brown of LaVista, Neb.; grandchildren Joni, Juli, Justin, Kayla, Cody, Romie Jr., Hilary, Bryce, Erik, Christopher, and Lauren; 20 great-grandchildren; eight great-great-grandchildren, and sister Armella (Van) Mangels of Liberal.
Loretta was preceded in death by both parents; stepfather Mike Pfeifer; her beloved husband; granddaughter Jackie Ward; brothers Balthasar Bollig, Herbert Bollig, Charles Bollig, Julius Bollig, Rudolph Bollig, and Norbert Bollig; and sisters Euphrosina Bollig, Mary Kroeger, and an infant sister.
Visitation will be from 6 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 20, 2020, at Schmitt Funeral Home, with a vigil service to follow at 7 p.m.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 21, 2020, at St. Michael Catholic Church in Collyer, with Father Charles Steier as celebrant. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
Memorials are suggested to St. Michael Catholic Church, Trego Hospital Endowment Foundation (for long-term care), or masses. Donations to the organization may be sent to Schmitt Funeral Home, 336 N. 12th St. WaKeeney, KS 67672.
Condolences may be left for the family by visiting www.schmittfuneral.com