Lillace C. Tegethoff

Lillace C. Tegethoff, 89, of Morrowville, KS, died Sunday, March 10, 2013 at the Republic County Hospital Long Term Care in Belleville, KS. Visitation was Thursday, March 14, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., at Ward Funeral Home in Washington. The family received friends 5 to 7 p.m. A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, March 15, at the Morrowville Christian Church. Rev. John Leckliter and Rev. Doug Ingmire will officiate. Burial will be in Mahaska Cemetery. Lillace was born on May 25, 1923 to Charles Ray and Stella Mae (Benne) Terpening at rural Morrowville, Kansas. She graduated from Morrowville High School and received a teaching certificate from the State of Kansas. Lillace enjoyed teaching and taught school in a one room school house, north of Morrowville. One month she spent her entire months’ pay ($30) on a set of China. She worked as a dental assistant in Washington, with Montgomery Ward in Fairbury, NE and as a cafeteria manager for Mahaska High School. She married Leo Tuma on December 26, 1941, and they were blessed with three children. Leo preceded her in death on June 19, 1982. On November 26, 1983, Lillace married Robert Tegethoff at the Morrowville Catholic Church. Lillace attended the Morrowville Christian Church and the Morrowville Catholic Church. Many Sundays, she and Robert would attend both services. Cooking for her family, was one of her many enjoyments. Sunday dinners at her parent house, along with a few games of cards, were always special. Lillace liked to raise a garden, especially tomatoes, she enjoyed riding horses, hunting mushrooms, playing bingo and singing and dancing. Many winters, she and Robert spent time vacationing in Yuma, AZ. Lillace will be remembered for her genuine kindness, smile, strength, courage, and her love and devotion to her family and friends. Preceding her in death were her parents; her first husband, Leo; brothers, Vance Terpening, Lloyd Terpening; and sisters, Norma Frager, Laurel Wells and Thelma Sothan. Survivors include, husband, Robert Tegethoff of Morrowville; sons, Leslie (Cherry) Tuma of Brookings, SD, Larry (Michelle) Tuma of Overland Park, KS; daughter, Lindia (Pat) Badie of Omaha, NE; step-children, Mary Ann (Steve) Griffith and Greg Tegethoff; six grandchildren and five great grandchildren. A memorial fund is established in her name, to be designated at a later date. Contributions may be sent in care of Ward Funeral Home. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Lillace C. Tegethoff, please visit our flower store.