Dolores Vathauer

Dolores A. Vathauer, age 89, of Barnes, passed away on Friday, February 21, 2025, at the Linn Community Nursing Home.

Dolores was born on December 7, 1935, in Barnes, to Alvin H. and Marie A. (Hatesohl) Rodick. She graduated from Greenleaf High School. On April 18, 1954, she married Dean R. Vathauer at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, he passed away on July 29, 2017.

Dolores was a member of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, the St. Peter’s Ladies Aide, Lutheran Women’s Mission League, and had sung in the church choir.

Dolores loved her Lord, showing this by her faithful church attendance and her daily devotions at home. Her door was always open and anyone was welcome. Her pantry was a “grocery store” so she was always ready to bake bread, pies, and what the family all knew as “cold cookies” which were her chocolate chip cookies that could be found in the freezer at all times. She enjoyed baking pies and was often asked to bring her potato salad to a potluck or church meal, the family always enjoyed her goulash and fried potatoes. She enjoyed quilting and made every child and grandchild their own quilt. What she called her spare time was spent keeping the house clean, the farmyard painted and freshly mowed, and attending grandchildren’s ball games or watching a game on TV and playing the piano. Dolores’s greatest joy was her family and friends, especially holding a grandchild or great grandchild for the first time. You would always find Dolores busy, with a smile on her face and humming her favorite songs.

Survivors include her four children: Bob (Libby) Vathauer of Manhattan, Jeannette (Rick) Pendleton of Topeka, Jim (Arlyss) Vathauer of Clay Center and Scott (Janece) Vathauer of Barnes, twelve grandchildren: Stacy (Mike), Jenny (Mike), Jerod (Jessica), Daniel (Jenna), Cody (Kayla), Colton (Tayler), Travis, Cole (Shannon), Brady (Amanda), Frannie (Damian) and Tyler (Kim), and by thirty great grandchildren.

Preceding Dolores in death were her parents Alvin and Marie, her husband Dean, a son Mark, a grandson Cody Campbell, and three brothers: Lloyd Rodick, Harold Rodick and Alvin Rodick.

Viewing is from noon to 8:00 pm, Thursday, February 27, 2025, with visitation between 6:00 and 8:00 pm, at Christie-Anderes Funeral Home in Waterville.

Funeral services are at 2:00 pm, Friday, February 28, 2025, at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, south of Barnes, with Pastor Randy Jahnke. Kathy Otney is the musician. Hymns are to include: “Beautiful Savior”, “Lord Take My Hand”, “Savior Again To Thy Dear Name We Raise”, and “Nearer My God To Thee.” Casket Bearers are: Jerod Vathauer, Cole Vathauer, Travis Vathauer, Brady Vathauer, Cody Ramsey, Colton Ramsey, Daniel Vathauer and Tyler Vathauer. Honorary Bearers are Stacy Vermetten, Jenny Einspahr, and Frannie Helmes. Burial is in St. Peter’s Lutheran Church Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, and may be sent in care of Christie-Anderes Funeral Home at PO Box 61, Waterville, Kansas 66548.

Christie-Anderes Funeral Home, Waterville, in charge of arrangements.