Samuel Mages

Samuel Mages, 74, Missionary, died Monday, December 15, 2025.

Rosary will be at 10:00 am, Funeral Mass will be at 10:30 am, Monday, December 22, 2025, both at St. Andrew Catholic Church, 10893 Saint Andrew Road, Wright, Kansas.

He was born March 7, 1951, in Dodge City, Kansas. The son of Gerald and Joan Mages (Butler). From a young age he felt a call from the church and to mission work. He held a master’s in divinity and religious education serving in St. Louis, Missouri and Denver, Colorado as an associate pastor. Following his return to Kansas he worked in the Wichita area at the Saint Anthony Family Shelter as a live in manager.

His calling led him to devoting 14 years to mission work in Mexico and 2 years in Costa Rica. The missionary work he did provided assistance to the needy with food, clothing, medicine, scholarships, houses built, homeless prevention, cottage industry, work with orphans, and establishing a medical clinic.

In his final years he worked at Aero-Mach Labs, Inc.

He is proceeded in death by his parents, Joan and Gerald Mages. He is survived by his brothers, James Mages of Hays, KS, Larry Mages of West Hollywood, CA, Lyle Mages of Tahlequah, OK, Bruce Mages of Houston, TX; sisters, Linda Lenz of Custer, SD, Susie Karout of Henderson, NV, Karen Houtwed of Grand Island, NE; uncles, Pat Butler of Manhattan, KS, Donald Butler of Fort Collins, CO, and Gerald Butler of Gerard, KS; 17 nieces and nephews; 26 great-nieces and nephews.

Close at hand was always a zipper bag full of balloons to hand out to little ones and the young at heart.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established with St. Anthony Family Shelter, 256 Ohio St., Wichita, KS 67214.

Services in care of Downing & Lahey Mortuary – East Chapel, Wichita, KS.