Loretta Lickteig

Loretta Lickteig, age 88, of Garnett, Kansas, passed away on Tuesday, August 20, 2024, at St. Luke's North Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri.

She was born on February 6, 1936, at Greeley, Kansas. She was the eighth of ten children born to William Joseph and Essie Josephine (Raitinger) Lickteig. Loretta grew up on the family farm near Greeley, attending St. John's school before graduating from Greeley High School with the class of 1954.

Following high school Loretta began working at Paola, Kansas in the office of Fluor. Loretta worked a total of 60 years before retiring at the age of 78. She started working for Taylor Forge/Gulf Western on March 1, 1959, as a Secretarial Stenographer and was promoted to an Estimator in August 1964. In March 1973, she was promoted to Junior Engineer and in March 1974 Engineering Assistant. In March 1978, Loretta was promoted to Product Designer, and in 2013 her job title changed to Gas Product Designer, a position she held until her retirement on September 20, 2014.

Loretta was strong in her Catholic faith. She was a lifelong member of St. John's Catholic Church and the Altar Society.

Loretta possessed many talents and always selflessly shared her gifts with family and friends. She was famous for her cinnamon rolls and sugar cookies. It seemed as if she could do anything, if she didn't know how to do something, she taught herself how to do it. Loretta willingly lent her talents wherever they could be utilized. Some of her contributions included sewing, quilting, taking photographs of family events, painting portraits, and making floral arrangements for family weddings. She enjoyed traveling with family. Several trips were accompanied by her brother, Fr. Tony (and some grubby kids). Throughout her life, Loretta seemed to be the lucky winner of raffles and drawings. One of her highlights was winning a lifetime pass to Starlight Theater in 1957 as she was the two millionth customer. That honor also earned her a kiss from Liberace. In her retirement she looked forward to visiting with her friends at the local coffee group, aka the Cane Club. In her younger years she enjoyed bowling. Her easy going personality and love of family made Loretta a special aunt to all of her nieces and nephews. She attended countless school and sporting events. Family gatherings will not be the same without her. Loretta was everything to her family and her family was everything to her.

She is survived by two brothers, Father Anthony Lickteig of Leawood, Kansas; Walter B. Lickteig of Greeley, Kansas; sister, Wilma Peine of Garnett, Kansas; and beloved nieces and nephews.

Loretta was preceded in death by her parents, William and Essie Lickteig; two brothers, Robert Lickteig and Paul Lickteig; four sisters, Helen Miller, Florine Hermreck, Eva Bastian, and Rita Peterson. She was also preceded in death by her companion of many years, Patrick Collins.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00AM, Monday, August 26, 2024, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Greeley, with burial following in the St. John's Cemetery. Loretta's family will greet friends following the rosary at 5:00 PM, Sunday evening at the church in Greeley. Memorial contributions may be made to the St. John's Altar Society or to the St. Rose School and left in care of Feuerborn Family Funeral Service, PO BOX 408, Garnett, Kansas 66032. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.feuerbornfuneral.com.