Zelma M. Carriger

Zelma M. Carriger, 84, of Topeka, passed away on Monday, April 23, 2007 at a Topeka care facility. She was born on April 19, 1923 on a farm near Longton in Elk County, KS, one of twin daughers born to Johnnie E. and Mabel E. Bretches Murphy. Her twin died shortly after birth. She grew up in Elk County, attending a one room elementary school and graduating from Elk Falls High School in 1941. After high school, she came to Topeka to enroll in job training as a photographer. There she met William A. Carriger. They married in 1942. They were divorced in 1970. She spent most of her life as a homemaker. She was a longtime member of Central church of Christ, teaching the First Grade in Bible school for over 40 years. She was preceded in death by her twin, Thelma Pearl Murphy; her mother, Mabel Bretches Murphy; her father, Johnnie Emerald Murphy; her stepmother, Elsie Fransisco Murphy; two half-brothers, James Edwin Murphy and Robert Dean Murphy. She is survived by her children; Mary Gardner and her husband, Jack, of Sanger, Texas and William A. Carriger, Jr. and his wife, Diana, of Tecumseh, Kansas; and her four grandchildren; Sarah J. Gardner of Carrollton, Texas; Michael E. Gardner and his wife, Mellissa of Denton, Texas; Michelle L. Carriger of Providence, Rhode Island; and Gregory J. Carriger and his wife, Shanon of Lawrence, Kansas. The funeral service will be held at the Central church of Christ building, 1250 S.W. College Ave., at 4:00 p.m. Thursday. Burial will follow in Penwell-Gabel Cemetery. The family will receive friends one hour prior to service time at the church. Zelma will lie in state after 3:00 p.m. today at Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions be made to Tallgrass Christian Camp, P.O. Box 482, Bonner Springs, KS 66012, or to the Central church of Christ Building Fund, 1250 S.W. College Ave., Topeka, KS 66604.