Virginia R.Wempe Studer

Virginia R. Wempe Studer was born in Seneca, Kansas on October 24, 1918, the youngest daughter of Robert and Fannie Wempe, the owners of Wempe Dairy. She graduated from St. Peter & Paul High School and married Robert E. Studer on June 30, 1937 at Decatur, Illinois. They farmed south of Sabetha, and then purchased their own farm at Seneca. They moved back to Decatur and she worked at General Electric Co. and they also owned and operated a 16 unit apartment house. After 10 years, they moved to Topeka and purchased the Allan Apartments on 10th Street, later known as Rose Villa Retirement Home. She worked at Sears Roebuck for 24 years in the power tool and hardware department, retiring in 1984.

Surviving are a son, Allen Robert; grandson, David Studer; granddaughter, Tara Regan; great-grandchildren, Jakob, Fallon, Patrick, Luke and Brennan; step-granddaughter, Casey and a sister, Pauline Wisdom.

Virginia was a member of Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church, the altar society, Sears Retirement Club and Crystal Ballroom Dancers.

Lively, energetic and always likeable, her request to family stated: "Put my dancing shoes on my feet when you bury me, I want to dance my way to heaven."

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 am Monday, September 23 at Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church. Burial will follow in the Mt. Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4-6 pm Sunday at Penwell-Gabel Mid-Town Chapel.