Catherine Irene Peuser

Catherine Irene Mayer Peuser, age 86, passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 25, 2009 at her home in Paola, Kansas. Her last weeks were marked with a steady stream of visits from loving family members and friends. All who knew Irene remember her as a center of family gatherings and activities throughout her life. She consistently demonstrated her care and concern for others. Irene was born to Carl and Ethel Viola Chambers Mayer in Kansas City, Missouri on March 2, 1922. She grew up in Lenexa, Kansas on a small orchard farm, commuting to Shawnee Mission (North) High School by streetcar. She was a member of the National Honor Society and graduated in 1940. Irene worked as a legal secretary and was personal secretary to the owner of Ken Smith Golf Clubs, a manufacturing business located in downtown Kansas City, Missouri. She met her loving husband of 64 years, Bill Peuser; at her sister Virginia"s wedding. They dated before the start of World War II and married on January 20, 1945 while Bill was on 30 day temporary leave from military duty in Italy. After the war, Bill and Irene made their home in Paola, Kansas, where she became a homemaker and the mother of three children. While raising the children, Irene worked with her husband as office manager of their business, Bill Peuser Chevrolet and Buick in Paola. Irene was a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church, where she was organist, choir director and active in the Altar Society for many years. Irene enjoyed playing bridge and golf and was never happier than when spending quality time with her family and many friends. Irene was preceded in death by her parents, sister Virginia Buckley, brother Gene Mayer and great grandson Nicholas Everhart. Survivors are husband Bill of Paola, son Stephen (Elizabeth) Peuser of Salida, Colorado, daughter Lisa (Alan) Everhart of Paola, son Bill Peuser of Charleston, South Carolina, brother Lou (Rebecca) Mayer of Lake of the Ozarks, brother Ralph (Jeannine) Mayer of Platte City, Missouri, sister Joanna Williams of Overland Park, Kansas and brother Jerry Mayer of Palm Springs, California, grandchildren Mark (Ruth) Everhart, Gretchen Everhart, Michael Everhart, Reed Peuser, Kaelen Peuser and two great grandchildren, Ashley and Emery Everhart. Services will be held Saturday, January 31 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Paola. There will be a short visitation at 9:15 a.m., rosary at 10:00 a.m. and the funeral service will begin at 10:30 a.m. with graveside services to follow at Holy Cross Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Holy Trinity School, 601 E. Chippewa, Paola, Kansas 66071.To leave condolences go to penwell-gabel.com Holy Trinity Catholic Church Service: Saturday, January 31, 2009 10:30 AM Visitation: Saturday, January 31, 2009 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM Rosary 10:00-10:20AM