Waneta Adela Vogel Steimel, 94, of Salina, died Friday, Jan. 15, 2016. Waneta was born Oct. 27, 1921, on a farm near Wright, Kan., the daughter and oldest child of Martin and Adela (Weber) Vogel. She graduated from St. Andrew Grade School and earned her high school diploma.
Waneta Vogel married Herman Steimel, of Spearville, Kan., on Jan. 15, 1946, at St. Andrew Catholic Church. They made their home in Dodge City with Herman working for the Colorado Flour Mills. They moved their family to Claflin in 1951 to continue his work for the company. From their marriage, Waneta and Herman had six children, three sons and three daughters.
Waneta and Herman lived in Claflin nearly 50 years. They owned and operated S & H Lumber Company and retired in 1984. They moved to Salina in 1999 and became members of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church. Waneta was a lifetime member of the Daughters of Isabella and Immaculate Conception Church Altar Society, lifetime member and past president of the VFW Auxiliary in Claflin, and member of several church and community committees. She loved cooking, visiting with friends and neighbors, card-playing, gardening and family get-togethers.
Surviving family includes two sons and three daughters with their families, Robert (Lorene) Steimel, of Concordia, Carol (David) Ahlvers, of Salina, Lyle (Barbara) Steimel, of Dallas, Sharon Steimel (Steve) Thomas, of Hays, and Rosalee Steimel, of Salina. Waneta has 14 grandchildren, Della (Jay) Strait, Pam (Scott) Weiderholt, Deborah Steimel (Joe) Clair, Charles (Sarah) Steimel, Carrie Steimel, Leslie (Andy) Amick, Nolan (Lindsay) Ahlvers, Jessica Steimel, Adam (Katrina) Steimel, Kimberly Steimel, Daniel (Elizabeth) Steimel, Kelly (Dave) Lohrmeyer, Eric Thomas, and Drew Thomas. She has 27 great-grandchildren, Kirsten, Zachary and Keidra Strait; Mason, Henry, Kaleb and Simon Weiderholt; Maggie, Dylan, Fiona and Liam Clair; Catherine and William Steimel; Glenn Lee and Easton Steimel; Adaela, Genevieve and Roman Amick; Harley and Wyatt Smith; Jacob Neal; Elise Steimel; and Ryan Giebler, Hannah, Luke, Eli and Noah Lohrmeyer. Waneta is survived by her two sisters, Dorothy Rueb and Margie Conrardy.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Herman; son, Glenn; and daughter-in-law, Maridell.
Mass of Christian burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 19, at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, Salina, with Father Keith Weber officiating. Burial will be in Mount Calvary Cemetery, Salina.
A rosary will be said at a vigil at 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 18, at the church. Memorials may be made to St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church in Salina, and the Sisters of St. Joseph in Concordia.
Visitation will be from 1-5 p.m. Monday at Ryan Mortuary, 137 N. Eighth, Salina 67401, and from 6-8 Monday at the church.