Mary R. Palmberg

Mary Rowene Palmberg, 92, of Topeka, passed away Monday morning, April 9, 2012 at Stormont-Vail Hospital. She was born in Wabaunsee County, KS on December 6, 1919.

She was the daughter of Charlie Orestes and Gertrude Lorene (Curry) McMaster. A graduate of Eskridge Rural High School, she received a Bachelor of Science degree in Home Economics from Kansas State College of Agriculture and Applied Science in 1941.

On September 5, 1943, she married Earl Albert Palmberg. He died on April 13, 1992. She was also preceded in death by her brother Gerald Orestes McMaster on July 7, 1997.

Mary Rowene Palmberg was a proud homemaker, devoted mother and grandmother. She was a member of the Central United Presbyterian Church, Topeka Home Economists in Homemaking, Topeka Kiwanitas, and the Stormont-Vail Auxiliary. A loyal supporter of Kansas 4-H, she enjoyed judging at county and 4-H fairs. She performed volunteer work at Stormont-Vail, enjoyed serving as an exam proctor for the Kansas State Board of Nursing from 1969-1994, and worked as a substitute teacher for Topeka School District 501 from 1968-1974.

Survivors include children Thane R. (Edith) Palmberg of Lawrence, Kent E. (Marsha) Palmberg of Topeka, Janet Elise (Ted) Piechocinski of Terre Haute, IN; seven grandchildren, including Britton Palmberg, Wade Palmberg, Braden Palmberg, Valerie (Palmberg) Ast, Scott Palmberg, Matthew Lyman, and Brooke Lyman; and five great-grandchildren with two more expected soon. She will also be missed by many nieces and nephews.

A funeral ceremony will be 3 pm, Saturday, April 14, 2012 at the Penwell-Gabel Mid-Town Chapel, 1321 SW 10th Ave., Topeka. Interment will follow at West Lawn Memorial Gardens. Mary Rowene will lie in state from 3-8 pm, Friday, at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to The Kansas 4-H Foundation, 116 Umberger Hall, Manhattan, KS 66506, The Topeka Presbyterian Manor, 4712 SW 6th Street, Topeka, KS 66606, or the Stormont-Vail Foundation, 1500 SW 10th Ave., Topeka, KS 66604.