Lorene Pauline McPheter

    MEADE – Lorene Pauline McPheter, 87, died Thursday, May 8, 2008, at the Meade District Hospital, Meade.
    She was born April 22, 1921, at Fowler to Joseph A. and Mary (Schwab) Gerber. On June 22, 1946, she married LeRoy K. McPheter at Fowler. After their marriage, the couple made their home in Meade. He preceded her in death on Aug. 6, 1996.
    She was raised in Fowler and attended the local school system.
    She and her husband, LeRoy, began their business partnership, owning and operating McPheter Pontiac-GMC in Meade for 45 years. On June 22, 1996, the couple celebrated 50 years of marriage. 
    One of the accomplishments of LeRoy and Lorene was the Avenue of Flags at Graceland Cemetery, Meade. LeRoy was commander of the VFW, and Lorene was the president of the VFW Auxiliary when they began the Avenue of Flags. A beautiful asset to the cemetery.
    She was a member of Saint John the Baptist Catholic Church, Meade; Daughters of Isabella 499, Fowler; Women of the Moose 1161 and VFW Auxiliary, both of Dodge City; Epsilon Sigma Alpha International; Member at Large Kansas; and Family Community Education.
    Survivors include two sons, Gordon L. McPheter, Hampton, Va., and Robert W. McPheter, Meade; a daughter, Kay M. Hurst, Dodge City; two brothers, Carl J. Gerber, Fowler, and Eugene Gerber of Fort Collins, Colo.; a sister, Coletta Low, Fowler; seven grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
    She was preceded in death by a brother, Alvin Gerber, and two sisters, Florence Blick and Dorthy Eisenbart.
    Vigil services will be at 7 p.m. Sunday at Saint John the Baptist Catholic Church, Meade. Holy Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Monday at the church, with Father Angel Dy presiding. 
    Friends may call from 1 until 5 p.m. Sunday at Fidler-Orme-Bachman Mortuary, Meade.  Inurnment will be in the Graceland Cemetery, Meade, at a later date.
    The family would welcome memorials to Daughters of Isabelle in care of Fidler-Orme-Bachman Mortuary, Meade.
    Personal condolences may be given to the family at www.fidlerormebachmanmortuary.com.