Bertha Ann (Schmidt) Cates

With great sadness, we are announcing the death of our mother, Bertha Ann (Schmidt) Cates at the age of 94 at her Wichita, Kansas residence. Mom was born on the family farm in the rural farming community of Emmeram, Kansas, north of present-day Walker, Kansas, on November 22, 1928. Bertha Ann was the youngest of seven children, 5 boys and 2 girls, born to John J. and Pauline (Mermis) Schmidt. The family moved to Russell, Kansas, in 1941, when the government bought their land for the Walker Air Force Base. Upon Bertha's graduation in 1947 from Russell High School, she met N. A. (Bill) Cates, from Sand Springs, OK as he was working in the Russell area in the oil drilling business. They married in March 1948, and moved to Cochabamba, Bolivia with Foster Wheeler Corp building facilities for the government. In August of 1950 their first child, a son, was due so they returned to the United States living in Russell, Kansas, for Phillips Petroleum. In the mid-'50's, two daughters were born. Phillips Petroleum moved the family in 1950 to Plainville and Mom remained there until 2018. Bertha then found residence in Wichita to be closer to her children and grandchildren. In 2006, upon dad's death, a chapter of their lives closed on a 58 year partnership and marriage. Those years seen Bertha and Bill create a business for the boating public and established a marina and restaurant at the newly built State Park-Webster Reservoir. Our mom was a dynamo as she worked outside the home at several of Plainville businesses over those years, as well as being Bill's right hand at the Plainville Boat Shop from the first days the doors opened. They spent time boating, motorcycling, RVing and flying their Piper Cherokee around the Midwest visiting friends and family. Bertha was also a pilot (right seat), as she said, "just in case". Bertha was preceded in death by her parents, John J. and Pauline (Mermis) Schmidt; her five brothers and one sister; along with her husband, Bill, in 2006. Survivors include a son, N. A. "Buck" and Connie Cates of Wichita, KS; daughter, Karen Rachel of Fort Scott, KS, and daughter, Mary and Doug Werner of Fort Scott, KS. She has six grandchildren, eleven great grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren. Rosary and Memorial services to be held at Downing & Lahey, West Maple, Wichita, KS, at 10:00 am, Thursday, May 11, 2023. In lieu of flowers please send donations to Sacred Heart Catholic School, 206 N. Washington Street, Plainville, KS 67663.