Mildred J. McCaffrey, 83, of Baileyville, KS, died Saturday afternoon, October 13, 2001, at the home of her son and daughter-in-law Edward and Mary McCaffrey, in Springdale, AR.

She was born March 8, 1918, in Seneca, KS, the daughter of Joseph B. and Helen Gress Kramer. Her mother died when she was a baby, and she was raised by her aunt and uncle, George and Rose Gress.

On July 28, 1938, she married Vernice “V.V.” McCaffrey in Atchison, KS. They lived on the McCaffrey homestead north of St. Benedict for several years. They lived in several cities in Kansas and also in Beatrice, NE. In 1947 they moved to Baileyville. Her husband, Vernice died January 24, 1995.

She was a member of Sacred Heart Church, the Altar Society, the Quilting Group and the Benedictine Oblates, all in Baileyville.

Survivors are six sons, Edward McCaffrey of Springdale, AR, Eugene McCaffrey of Folsom, CA, Galen McCaffrey of Enterprise, AL, Dan “Pete” McCaffrey of Weston, MO, Rich McCaffrey of Hamburg, NY, and Tim McCaffrey of Springhill, KS; six daughters, Verna Barry of Raymond, NE, Ginny McCord and Mary McCaffrey, both of Topeka, Bette McCaffrey of Torrance, CA, Nina Jelsma of Sioux Falls, SD, and Karen Dierks of Arlington, NE; four brothers, Art Kramer of Seneca, Omer Gress and Melvin Gress, both of Yakima, WA and George P. Gress of Kansas City, MO; a sister, Rosemary Olberding of Kansas City, MO; 21 grandchildren and a great-grandson.

Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by three children, Jean Marie McCaffrey on January 11, 1940, Robert John McCaffrey on October 18, 1953, Gerald McCaffrey on February 17, 1955; and a sister, Sadie Waller.

Mass of Christian burial will be 11 AM Wednesday at Sacred Heart Church at Baileyville. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Rosaries will be prayed at 2 & 7 PM Tuesday at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca.

Memorials may be given for Sacred Heart Church or the Circle of Life Hospice, and sent in care of the family.