Mary C.t.a. Brinker, 82, of Centralia, KS, died Wednesday, October 13, 2004 at the Nemaha Valley Community Hospital in Seneca. She was transferred there from Life Care Center of Seneca where she had been a resident since September of 2003.

She was born July 29, 1922, in Oldenburg, Germany, the daughter of John and Anna Moser Suther. She was the step-daughter of Clemens Suther. She came to the United States when she was three years old. She was raised on farms near Marysville and Frankfort. The family also lived at Bigelow, which is now covered by the waters of Tuttle Creek Reservoir. In 1941 she graduated from Frankfort High School.

On January 17, 1942, she married Lawrence W. Brinker at the Annunciation Catholic Church in Frankfort. They lived in Lillis, Fidelity, and farmed near Centralia before moving into Centralia. Her husband preceded her in death on December 12, 1973.

Mary was employed cleaning houses and businesses in Centralia for many years. She was the housekeeping supervisor at Countryview Estates Care Home, now called the Life Care Center, in Seneca for several years.

She was a member of Sts. Peter & Paul Church and the St. Ann’s Altar Society at the church in Seneca. Mary loved to sew both by hand and with the machine. She quilted and made baby quilts for her grandchildren. Taking care of her lawn and flowers also gave her pleasure.

Survivors are two daughters, Dorothy Wiltz and Mary Kathryn “Katy” Huerter, both of Topeka; a brother, Henry Suther of Frankfort; a sister, Clara Erdman of Topeka; four grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by brothers Frank, Walter, and Albert Suther; and sisters, Alvina Rogers and Lucy Ann Suther.

Mass of Christian burial will be 10:30 AM Friday at Sts. Peter & Paul Church in Seneca. Burial will be in the Centralia Cemetery, Centralia, KS. The rosary will be prayed at 7 PM Thursday at Lauer Funeral Home.

Memorials may be given for Life Care Center of Seneca or for the Nemaha Valley Community Hospital and sent in care of the family.