Gertrude A. Droge

Gertrude A. "Gertie" Droge, 87, of St. Benedict, Kansas, died Tuesday, February 27, 2001, at her grandson, Greg and Denise Deters' home southwest of Centralia, Kansas, where she had lived for the past four years.
     She was born August 11, 1913, on the family farm west of Centralia, Kansas, the daughter of William and Mary Holan Koch. Later the family moved to a farm north of Centralia where she attended a rural school.
     On May 12, 1931, she married Raymond J. Droge at Sts. Peter & Paul Church in Seneca. They lived in the St. Benedict Community. Her husband preceded her in death on September 14, 1978.
      She was also preceded in death by an infant son, James Droge in 1948, and a grandson, Darrell Droge on September 15, 1973.
     She was a member of St. Mary's Church, and the Altar Society at the church in St. Benedict.
      Survivors are two sons, Ray A. Droge and Craig Droge both of Topeka; three daughters, Norma Jean Wojciechowski of Waterville, Ohio, Reva Deters of Seneca, and Diane Laub of Topeka; a brother, Lawrence Koch of Seneca, a sister, Lucy Deters of Seneca; nine grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren
      Besides her husband, son, and grandson, she was preceded in death by five brothers, William, Andrew, Louis, Wauncel, and Ralph Koch, and two sisters, Florence Feldkamp and Lena Barber.
      The mass of Christian burial will be 10:30 A.M. Saturday at St. Mary's Church at St. Benedict. The burial will be in the church cemetery. The rosary will be prayed at the Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca on Friday at 2 and 7 P.M.
      Memorials may be given for the Alzheimer's Association or St. Mary's Church Restoration Fund and sent in care of the family.