Josephine "Jo" (Vahling) Werth

Josephine “Jo” Werth

Josephine “Jo” Werth, 95, Hays, died Thursday, March 9, 2017 at the Via Christi Village Long Term Care.

She was born October 17, 1921 in Norton County, Kansas the daughter of John and Frances (Swingler) Vahling.  Growing up on the family farm, she milked cows, butchered chickens, and learned to cook and bake.  On May 8, 1950 she was united in marriage to Victor J. Werth in New Almelo, Kansas.  They celebrated nearly 42 years of marriage before he preceded her in death on March 19, 1992.  Jo was a nurse at the original St. Anthony’s Hospital and at Hadley hospital for many years.  She was a farmwife, a homemaker, and a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church.  Her yard was her pride and joy, and she enjoyed cleaning, cooking, baking, going for walks, and watching sports on television.  She was very faithful and prayed the rosary often.

Survivors include a son; Ron J. Werth of McCracken, Kansas, a daughter; Mary Jo Werth and Jr. Fisher of Hays, three grandchildren; Amy (Caleb) Hudson of Ellis, Lori (Travis) Hearne of Bucklin, KS, and James (Jen) Werth of Hays, two step grandchildren; John George of LaCrosse, and Wade George of Rush Center, eight great grandchildren; Luke, Eli, and Noah Lohrmeyer of Ellis, Hunter and Gunnar Hearne of Bucklin, and Laine, Emerson, and Hadleigh Werth of Hays, a step great grandchild; Preston Palmer of Hays, and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, a son; James Werth in 1976, and by three brothers and five sisters.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 am on Monday, March 13, 2017 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 1805 Vine Street. Burial will follow in the St. Joseph Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 4:00 pm until 8:00 on Sunday and from 9:00 am until 9:45 on Monday, all at the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine Street.  A parish vigil service and rosary will begin at 6:30 pm on Sunday at the funeral home.  Memorials are suggested in Jo’s memory to nursing students at both Fort Hays State University and North Central Kansas Technical College.  Condolences may be left for the family at www.haysmemorial.com