Roberta Kunz Schmale

Roberta Kunz Schmale, 93, died Saturday, May 17, 2008, at St. Catherine Hospital in Garden City.
    She was born July 3, 1914, to Frank and Matilda (Kunz) Schmale at Fairbury, Neb. 
    She had been a Garden City resident since 1919 and graduated from Garden City High School in 1933. After graduation, she became a national lecturer for the Townsend Plan, which in part brought about the Social Security Act, as it is known today.  During World War II, she worked at the Garden City air base. After the war, she and her sister, Dorothy, were in the catering business until she opened the Specialty Haus and Wedding Center, from  which she retired at the age of 90.
    She was a charter member of St. James Lutheran Church, a member of the Women's Church Organization, a Sunday school teacher and a church organist for 40 years. She was also a charter member of the Women's Chamber of Commerce and a member of the National Bridal Service, the American Association of Retired Persons and the Finney County Historical Society.  She enjoyed traveling.
    She is survived by three sisters, Pia Maupin, Dorothy Schmale and Isabelle Bonebrake, and a brother, Frank Schmale, all of Garden City; and numerous nieces and nephews.
    She was preceded in death by her parents, three sisters; Helen Schmale, Lydia Schmale and Edna Mae Lanam; and a brother, Albert Schmale.
    The funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at St. James Lutheran Church, Garden City, with the Rev. Anthony Striffler presiding. Burial will follow at Valley View Cemetery, Garden City.
    Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. today at Roberta's home, 1102 N. 9th, Garden City.
    Memorials are suggested to St. James Lutheran Church in care of Garnand Funeral Home, 412 N. 7th St., Garden City, KS 67846.  Personal condolences may be e-mailed to garnandfh@sbcglobal.net.