Frank W. Stifter

2009-044 Frank W. Stifter, age 94, longtime resident of Greeley, Kansas, passed away May 7, 2009 at the Golden Heights Living Center in Garnett, Kansas. Frank William Stifter was born July 16, 1914 in Kansas City, Missouri, the son of Frank and Catherine (Sokel) Stifter. At the age of 6 months his parents moved to a farm east of Greeley. Their neighbors were Joe and Maery Hastert, he later married their daughter, Rosemarie. For the first year of school Frank walked 2 1/2 miles to a rural country school. When he started school he had to learn English, as he only spoke German. He then attended St. John's Catholic school. Frank learned to play the guitar and would play and sing at family gatherings. After leaving school he worked for farmers. He would earn a dollar a day, and seventy five cents a day in the winter. Frank later moved to Lawrence, Kansas where he worked as a mechanic, and helped build the Armory there. Frank's first car was a 1925 Model T Coupe. On November 18, 1941 he was united in marriage with Rosemarie Hastert in St. John's Catholic Church in Lawrence. This union was blessed with 10 children. The first three were born at home, the rest were born at the Anderson County Hospital. In September, 1942 he was called to serve our country during World War II and served in the European Theatre seeing action in England, France and Germany. He was honorably discharged in December, 1945. He then farmed and milked cows until November, 1965 when he went to work at BEHM in Osawatomie, KS, as a sandblaster. He worked there until 1976. After retiring, he spent his time raising big gardens. Frank was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Catherine Stifter, one son, Dennis Stifter in 1964, and a brother Fred "Fritz" Stifter. Frank is survived by his wife, Rosemarie Stifter of the home; sons, Ed Stifter of Greeley, Roy Stifter and wife Marlene of Greeley, John Stifter, of Garnett, Danny Stifter and wife Jeanine of Greeley; daughters, Kay Pedrow and husband Ronnie of Garnett, Rita Hughes, of McLouth, Kansas, Dorothy Morrell and husband Dan of Blue Mound, Kansas, Connie Wittman and husband Bob of Garnett, Mary Jo Stifter of Richmond, Kansas; and a sister, Theresa Dalton of Lane, Kansas; 22 grandchildren; 33 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great-grandson; and numerous nieces and nephews. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 AM, Monday, May 11, 2009 at St. John's Catholic Church, Greeley, Kansas. Interment will follow in the St. John's Cemetery. The family will greet friends following a Rosary service at 6:00 PM, Sunday at the church. Memorial contributions may be made to the St. John's Church building fund. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.feuerbornfuneral.com .