Marguerite Etzel

Marguerite Etzel, 101, of Topeka, passed away at her home on December 11, 2009.

Marguerite was born on August 5, 1908 in Willard, Kansas the daughter of Robert James and Margaret Ann (McCoy) Best.  She married Henry John Etzel on September 25, 1928 in Topeka, Kansas.  Mrs. Etzel was a homemaker and a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church and the Altar Society at the church.

Mrs. Etzel worked for a period of time for Pelletier’s Department Store in Topeka and enjoyed babysitting her grandchildren.  She spent time with her sisters in a home-owned business of making fabric dolls.  They traveled to Ireland together to celebrate their success.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Henry in 1966, her parents, six sisters Sophia Evans, Catherine Berberick, Mildred Rees, Irene Donnelly, Regina Best and Rosie Appelhanz and four brothers, Robert, Vernon, Roland and Joseph Best.

She was also preceded in death by her daughter Rosann Etzel and two sons, Henry Etzel Jr. and Kenneth Etzel.

She is survived by one sister, Rita Best of Topeka; two sons, Robert (Mary Jane) Etzel of Bella Vista, Ark., and Dennis (Grace Eberwein) Etzel of Topeka, a daughter-in-law Ronna Etzel of Topeka, eight grandchildren and fourteen great grandchildren.

The family wishes to extend its appreciation to Barbara Mays, Helen Zwonister, Ronna Etzel and Stacey Lawton for their excellent and compassionate care.

Marguerite will lie in state at the Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home on Monday after 2:00 p.m. where the family will receive friends from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. and rosaries will be recited by the Altar Society at 4:30 p.m. and the Parish at 5:00 p.m.  Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church.  Interment will be in Mt. Calvary Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Sacred Heart/St. Joseph Parish or to the charity of the donor’s choice in Marguerite’s name and sent to Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home, 800 SW 6th Ave., Topeka, Kansas  66603.

Online condolences may be made at www.brennanmathenafh.com.