Dolores Lebbert

Dolores C. Lebbert, 80, of Topeka, died February 26, 2013 at Plaza West Health Center. She was born in Leavenworth, Kansas on February 10, 1933 the daughter of Hugo Henry and Rose Mary (Fellman) Lebbert. Dolores worked as an EEG technician at Osawatomie State Hospital from 1951 to 1961, then moved to Topeka to work at the Kansas Neurological Institute. While working at KNI, in 1963, Dolores organized Catholic confirmation there for the handicapped. In following years, and with the help of priests in the Archdiocese, this work grew and she founded the Religious and Education Activities for the Community Handicapped (REACH) program in 1973. For over 20 years until 1996, REACH was sponsored by the Archdiocese of Kansas city, Kansas for whom she went to work. REACH assisted religious and community involvement for many handicapped persons in the church through programs established in parishes. Dolores started REACH programs in a number of cities in the midwest and south. Dolores, and the many that helped her, did a great deal for many handicapped people. She was a member of Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church. She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, John Edward Lebbert and Henry Lebbert, and four sisters, Catherine Lebbert in infancy, Grace Eloise Lebbert, Rose Mary Beurman and Theresa D. Swiderski. She is survived by her sister-in-law, Kay Lebbert of Topeka, six nephews and her close friend, Sr. Ann Moylan, SCL of Topeka. Dolores will lie in state at the Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home on Sunday after 2:00 p.m. where a Parish Rosary will be prayed at 5:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday at 10:00 a.m. at Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church. Interment will follow in Mt. Calvary Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made in her memory to the Most Pure Heart of Mary Ministry to the Aging and sent in care of Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home, 800 SW 6th Ave., Topeka, Kansas 66603. Online condolences and fond memories may be left at www.brennanmathenafh.com.