Josephine R. Stover

Josephine was born September 10th, 1908, to Frank and Nellie Doyle Haneberg at Ionia, Kansas, the second child of a family of six children. She left this earth to make her final journey to her place in Heaven on April 3rd, 2009 at the age of 100 ½ years.

Left to mourn her passing and to celebrate her long and eventful life are her children and their spouses: Robert and Rita Stover, Aurora, Colorado; Chuck and Roberta Stover, Salina, Kansas; Charlene and Joe Yager, Cave Creek, Arizona; Don Stover, Beloit, Kansas; and Georgette Stover, Beloit, Kansas. She is also survived by one sister Florence Briney, McPherson, Kansas; 18 grandchildren, 37 great-grandchildren and 11 great–great grandchildren as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

She was predeceased by her husband Charles in 1975, her parents Frank and Nellie Haneberg; her sisters Mary Stover, Katherine Schmitz and Frances Irwin and one brother John Haneberg; son-in-law Larry Hewitt, a great grandson Luke Stover, and granddaughter-in-law Kim Stover and grandson-in-law Joel Vigil.

Josephine married Charles J. Stover in Beloit, Kansas on April 17th, 1927 at St. John's Catholic Church, and to this union was born Robert Leo, Charles Michael, Charlene Marie and Donald Richard Joseph. Josephine and Charles lived on the Stover family farm, southeast of Beloit until they purchased a farm 31/2 miles north of Solomon Rapids where they moved in 1936. In 1972, Josephine and Charles moved from the farm to 510 E. Court St. Beloit, KS. Josephine moved to Hilltop Assisted Living Apartments in April of 2005 where she resided until her death.

Josephine was a member of St. John's Catholic Church, Charter Member of the Catholic Daughters of America, St. John's Ladies Guild, Lifetime member of the V.F.W. and Beloit Elks Lodge, Pleasant View EHU, Ladies Social Club, San Souci Club, UB Retirement Club of Beloit Youth Center, member of the Mitchell County Senior Center Board. During her lifetime, she worked as the School Lunch Supervisor at St. John's Catholic School from 1951 to 1962; worked for Payne Motor Company as their bookkeeper for 2 years; worked as a hospital assistant and cottage parent at the Beloit Youth Center for 15 years, retiring in October of 1983. After retiring, Josephine took a Nurses Aide Course and worked in Long Term Care for 5 years, then did private nursing for 2 years, retiring the second time to do some traveling which she always enjoyed. She especially enjoyed going on the Guaranty State Bank day bus trips, taking her last trip with them when she was 97 years old.

Josephine enjoyed gardening and her yard was always full of beautiful flowers. She loved to plant tomatoes each spring to share with family, neighbors and friends. The thing that she valued most in life was her family, as evidenced by the numerous photos that she displayed around her home. She delighted in taking photos of every occasion and shared them with anyone who dropped by. She always had her door open to anyone who wanted to come for a visit and treasured those moments above all. She rarely missed sending a card to every member of her family and friends on their special occasions.
Josephine will be missed by everyone who knew her but most of all by her family. Even though she lived to be 100 ½ years of age, it seems to us left behind that her life was way too short. We were all blessed to have known her and to enjoy her sharp wit. She was a very special lady. Goodbye for now, dear one. Tell everyone in Heaven hello and save a place for the time when we come to stay.

The Funeral Mass will be celebrated by Father Joseph Kieffer at 10:00 A.M. Tuesday, April 7, 2009 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. Burial will follow in St. John's Cemetery. Memorials may be given to St. John's Memorial Trust Fund. Friends may call from 9:00 A.M. until 8:00 P.M. Monday at the McDonald Funeral Home where at 6:30 P.M. the Parish Vigil and Rosary Service will be held.