Viola (Kuhn) Staab, 91, Hays, formerly of Catharine, died Thursday, December 15, 2016 at Brookdale Senior Living in Hays.
She was born June 1, 1925 on the family farm west of Pfeifer, Kansas the daughter of Alex and Katherine (Meyers) Kuhn. On October 20, 1948 she married Elmer Staab in Pfeifer. He preceded her in death. Viola was a farm wife, mother and later employed at the Vagabond Motel for many years. She was a member of St. Catherine Catholic Church and the Altar Society Christian Mothers. She enjoyed playing pinochle, and also gardening, canning, and tending to her dogs, cats, and chickens. She was an excellent cook and baker, baking hatsia, pies, sugar cookies, and a variety of other items for Christmas. Her grandchildren loved her pancakes and chicken noodle soup.
Survivors include three sons; Robert “Bob” Staab and wife Linda of Hays, Patrick J. “Pat” Staab and wife Karen of Hays, Charles W. “Chuck” Staab of Hays, three daughters; Catherine “Cathy” Legleiter and husband James of Louisville, KY, Janie Trimmer of Windsor, CO, and Doris Pilatus and husband David of Hays, fourteen grandchildren, fourteen great grandchildren, and one great great granddaughter, two sisters; Irene Finley and Barb Kuhn, both of Salina, two sisters-in-law; Wilma Kuhn and Gerda Kuhn, both of Salina, and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Elmer, six brothers; Leonard, Sylvester, Celly, Albert, Leo, and Joe Kuhn, two sisters-in-law; Eleanor and Melba Kuhn, and a brother-in-law; Woody Finley.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 am on Tuesday, December 20, 2016 at the St. Catherine Catholic Church in Catharine. Burial will follow in St. Catherine Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4:00 pm until 8:00 on Monday and from 8:30 am until 9:30 on Tuesday, all at the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine St. An Altar Society Christian Mothers rosary will be at 6:30 pm followed by a parish vigil service at 7:00, all on Monday at the funeral home.
Memorials are suggested in Viola’s memory to Hospice of Hays Medical Center or to the St. Catherine Cemetery fund, in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be left for the family at www.haysmemorial.com or via email at haysmemorialchapel@gmail.com.