Ethel M. Perry

Ethel M. Perry, 90, died February 20, 2021, in Wichita. Ethel Mae Winter was born April 1, 1930, on a farm near Andale to Albert and Josephine (Wetta) Winter. She graduated from Andale High School in 1948 as valedictorian of her class. On June 3, 1952, she married Preston "Pete" Perry in Andale. He died August 7, 2009, in Wichita. After high school and before getting married, she worked at Boeing. She also worked at Strong Oil Co. and the Wichita Catholic Diocese education office, retiring in 1995. She was a member of St. Patrick and St. Jude Catholic Churches. She and Pete taught the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (R.C.I.A.) at St. Patrick and were members of Harvest House at St. Jude. She was a member of the Altar Society and was also a CCD teacher. She did so much for her family: served as a Den Mother and Girl Scout Leader, sewed, attended her children's performances and sporting events, and was an excellent cook. She enjoyed history, bridge, and her grandchildren. She took pride in her farmland and actively followed the commodities market. She lived at Via Christi Assisted Living from 2011 to 2019 and at Brookdale East Wichita since 2019. She is survived by eight children: Janet Murphy of Las Vegas, Nev., Lisa Perry (Jim Helmick) of Wichita, Mark (Carol) Thoma-Perry of Kansas City, Mo., Peggy (Tom) Waggoner of Fairway, Kirk Perry of Overland Park, Julie (Robert) Bachman of Wichita, Kay Perry of Spokane, Wash. and Erin (James) O’Donnell of Albuquerque, N.M.; a sister, Mary Lue Koenigs of Wichita; 13 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her siblings: Francis Winter, Raphael "Butch" Winter, Alvin Winter, Dorothy Clasen, Helen Thome, Edna Rettenmaier, JoAnn Koenigs, and great-grandson, Isidore Pfeifer. The Rosary will be 10:30 a.m. on Wed., Feb. 24th, followed by the Funeral Mass at 11a.m., both at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church. Masks are required. Memorials have been established with St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church, The Lord's Diner and Alzheimer’s Association. Downing & Lahey Mortuary West.