In Memory Of
Rita Sophia Kongs Feldkamp
Baileyville, Kansas
04/10/1921 - 03/13/2019
Rita Sophia Kongs Feldkamp, 97, Seneca, died on March 13, 2019, at the Life Care Center in Seneca.
She was born April 10, 1921 on the family farm, the fourth of Louis and Anna Kramer Kongs’ eight children. She grew up one mile east of St Benedict on the Kongs homestead, attended St Mary’s grade school, and graduated from St. Benedict’s High School in 1939.
After graduation Rita worked several years in Kansas City, Mo., for families with young children. While working for the McGreevy family in January 1947, she risked her life to save an unconscious 4-year old Gail McGreevy from drowning in a frozen pond.
On June 15, 1948, Rita married Conrad “Con” Feldkamp at Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Seneca with her brother, Father Vincent Kongs, performing the ceremony. Rita and Con lived and farmed two miles east of Baileyville for over 55 years. Her beloved husband died December 2003. She was a caring and thoughtful person who loved nature, cherished children, and gave to family and friends the “golden egg” of kindness and delight.
Rita was a long-serving member of the Sacred Heart Altar Society where she was an officer and also sang in the adult church choir for many years. After moving to Seneca from the farm in August 2007 she attended Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church but kept her membership at Sacred Heart parish in Baileyville.
As an original member of the Happy Hours Club, Rita met monthly for over 60 years with the neighborhood ladies. Friendships within this roll call of neighbors lasted decades, including a close family connection with Lela Kongs Tangeman, both sister and neighbor. Her hobby was photography and compiling pictures of family and friends into individual family albums. Rita was fond of nature of all kinds and also enjoyed scrapbooking for many years.
Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by brothers Walter Kongs (1982); Father Vincent Kongs (1992); Donald Kongs (1997); Louis Kongs, Jr (2017); and by sisters Eulalia “Lela” Tangeman (2004) and Sister Susan Kongs, Community of St. Joseph (2012), Dorothy Ronnebaum (2017) and by twin grandsons John and Joseph Feldkamp (1968) and granddaughter Melissa Feldkamp (1980).
Four sons survive: Colonel (ret) Alan (Sandy) Feldkamp, Monument, CO; Duane (Marci) Feldkamp, Effingham, KS; Loren (Nancy) Feldkamp, Tonganoxie, KS; Brian (Joni) Feldkamp, Baileyville, KS; and Rita’s delight, 12 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren.
The rosary will be prayed at 2 & 7 P.M. Friday, at the Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca. Mass of Christian burial will be 10:30 A.M. on Saturday, March 16, 2019 at Sacred Heart Church, Baileyville.
Rita will be laid to rest next to her beloved Con at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Baileyville.
Memorials may be dedicated to the Sacred Heart Cemetery, Baileyville.
The rosary will be prayed at 2 & 7 P.M. Friday, at the Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca.
Mass of Christian burial will be 10:30 A.M. on Saturday, March 16, 2019 at Sacred Heart Church, Baileyville.
The rosary will be prayed at 2 & 7 P.M. Friday, at the Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca.
Mass of Christian burial will be 10:30 A.M. on Saturday, March 16, 2019 at Sacred Heart Church, Baileyville.
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Sympathy & prayers to the family. Enjoyed your Mother when I helped with Mass @ Life Care. She always had something to say. Enjoy the memories. Gary & Marilyn Evans
Aunt Rita held a very special place in my heart. I have been very proud to have her as my Godmother and looking at pictures the other night I found some that I will treasure forever. Rest in peace Aunt Rita and all my sympathy to everyone. Arlene Cafarelli
Hugs and prayers to Rita’s family. I had forgotten my Mom was a bridesmaid in your Mother and Dad’s wedding until I was going through the pictures. My Mom thought a lot of Rita and Rita always asked about my Dad after Mom had passed when I’d see her. Rest in peace Rita.
Rita will be missed by many. Such a thoughtful and sweet woman. My mom always enjoyed the Happy Hours Club with her. After being gone for fifty five years I was fortunate enough to see her at Life Care recently. She remembered me well, and recalled the old days in the neighborhood. Such a kind soul she was. Thank you for sharing the wonderful pictures! God bless you To Rita and family.
Will miss Rita very much. Always enjoyed coming home from college to work at Life Care and getting to visit with Rita. She had the best stories and such an amazing heart. Thinking of you all!
You have my sympathy on the loss of your mother. I remember Rita as a very friendly and hardworking woman.
So sorry for your loss. Prayers and thoughts are with you at this time.
Please accept our deepest sympathy for your loss.
I was so sorry to hear of Rita’s passing. Rita was such a delightful person, always had a smile on her face. She was such a good friend to my mom. May She Rest In Peace!
It’s 11:30 am on Saturday, May 16, 2019. The celebration of Aunt Rita’s life and loves at her funeral Mass is perhaps just ending. Her new life with her family in heaven has already begun. I can only imagine…as the song so beautifully says. I can also imagine the family gathering and wish I was there. To share the many rich stories of this wonderful woman. The story of her sweetheart husband and show she had to steal their first kiss…the image of the two sisters podding peas in our yard and chatting happily about everything…the courage in youth as she saved the child she loved…the courage in being the “last” in her family, as she faced her own dying…Aunt Rita, you will live forever in our hearts. Love to all the family.
Our condolences to Alan, Duane, Loren, Brian and their families. Rita was a wonderful lady that we came to know well as we became acquainted with the extended Feldkamp family through our close friendship with Al and Sandy over the last 25 years. We were blessed to have known Rita and to have spent time in her presence on the family farm and her Seneca apartment where she always made us feel as though we were a part of the family. With loving memories of Rita and our heartfelt condolences to the entire Feldkamp family, we sadly say goodbye to the sweet Lady that was Rita Feldkamp. Paul and Tammi
Aunt Rita was such a wonderful person. I will always remember her bright smile and quick step. I was sorry to miss the service, but was out of town and couldn’t make it. She and her family were all in my thoughts. She lived a full life, and will be remembered with love.
Sorry that John & I couldn’t attend Rita’s rosary as we were out of town. She sent the nicest cards to us after our kids were born cutting out the birth announcements from the paper and including them in the card. Rita was always so kind and considerate every time I seen her, asking about our family, etc. She knew and remembered everyone. She was a very special lady! Treasure the memories.
So sorry for your loss! We didn’t know that she passed. If we had Kent and I would have been there!!!!!!!!!! Of course this is typical. Again our condolences for your loss. Prayers, Kent and Melissa Ronnebaum