Gretchen E. Kille

Gretchen Eileen Kille, 100, of Ottawa, Kansas passed away Saturday, September 25, 2021, at Rock Creek of Ottawa. Funeral services will be held 2:00 P.M., Wednesday, September 29, 2021, at Dengel & Son Mortuary, Ottawa. Family will meet with friends from 1:00 to 2:00 P.M., on Wednesday prior to service hour. Internment Highland Cemetery, Ottawa, Kansas. Gretchen was born Saturday, February 26, 1921, at Iowa City, Iowa, the daughter of Dr. Gilbert LeRoy and Caroline (Schneider) Berry. She moved to Blackwell, Oklahoma at three years of age and lived in several places while Jack, her husband, was in the military. They eventually landed in Ottawa, Kansas in 1947. Gretchen graduated from Blackwell High School with the class of 1939 and attended Northeast Oklahoma Junior College. She was united in marriage to 2nd Lt. Jack Clayton Kille September 27, 1941, at Stockton, California. He preceded her in death March 3, 1988. Gretchen was also preceded in death by her parents and son, Jack Kille, Jr., brother, Jack Berry and grandson, Charles Kille. Survivors include four children, Charlie Kille of Ottawa, Michael Kille (Debbie) of Topeka, Patricia George (Timothy) of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, and Peggy Kille of Ottawa; thirteen grandchildren, twenty-eight great grandchildren and one great great grandchild. Gretchen was a lifelong homemaker. She worked as a salesclerk at J.C. Penny in Ottawa in the early 1970’s and owned and operated Kille Car Wash in Ottawa in the 1960’s and 70’s. She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Ottawa and delivered meals for Meals on Wheels for many years. Gretchen was an avid Bridge player and enjoyed wood working, painting, dancing, traveling and golf. She always looked forward to spending time with her family, grandchildren and was a lover of animals. MEMORIALS: The family suggests memorial contributions to Prairie Paws Animal Shelter c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067.