Marie Gertrude Sterbenz Barrett passed away at the young age of 99 on June 15th. Marie was born on January 9, 1911 in Olpe, Kansas to George Alex and Eva Anna Kelling Sterbenz, and graduated from Osawatomie High School in 1929. Following high school graduation, she worked at J.C. Penney in Osawatomie as a sales clerk and bookkeeper for 12 years. Marie and Earl Lynn Barrett were married on April 6, 1937, and had three daughters.

Marie was very active in her church and community. She served as President of the St. Philip Neri Altar Society and later President of the Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women. In addition she volunteered in numerous other church activities, including choir director, rummage sale, and various church dinners. She also served for many years as the sponsor of Sub-Debs (a local girls' organization), as a 4-H leader, on the Election Board for over 50 years and Osawatomie Alumni secretary for several classes.

She enjoyed many activities, including fishing (She once caught a 20-pound catfish.), playing bridge, traveling, sewing, crocheting, knitting, cooking and gardening. Her talent as a seamstress resulted in her making most of her daughters' clothes and in teaching sewing and tailoring classes. She had a large garden, which included many fruits, vegetables and flowers. After the girls were grown, she continued to run the firecracker stand which the girls started in 1954.

She was preceded in death by Earl, her husband of 57 years, 2 brothers and 4 sisters. She is survived by her three daughters: Karen Caylor of Shawnee, Kansas; Janice Brissette of Greencastle, Pennsylvania and Rita Abernethy of Leawood, Kansas; 9 grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren, and one sister, Katherine McDougal of Alexandria, Louisiana.

Rosary will be at Eddy-Birchard Funeral Home on Friday, June 18 at 5:30 followed by visitation from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. Funeral Mass will be held at St. Philip Neri Church at 10:30 AM on Saturday, June 19. Inurnment in the Osawatomie Cemetery. Memorials can be made to Kansas City Hospice, St. Phillip Neri Church or Osawatomie Alumni Scholarship Fund.