Marie Armbruster was born in rural Trego County, KS, on February 27, 1922, to the late Fred and Elizabeth (Fabrizius) Maier. She passed away Sunday, May 15, 2011, in the Trego County Lemke Memorial Hospital at WaKeeney, KS, at the age of 89.


As a child, Marie was baptized March 26, 1922, in the Zion Lutheran Church and confirmed June 26, 1938, in the Immanuel Lutheran Church at WaKeeney. She lived with her family on their farm south of Voda and attended rural schools.


On February 2, 1960, Marie was united in marriage to Fredrick F. Armbruster in the Immanuel Lutheran Church at WaKeeney. Marie worked side by side with Frits, farming and raising cattle on their farm northeast of Ogallah in the Riga area until they moved to the Independent Living in WaKeeney in 2007. In earlier years, Marie worked as a housekeeper for Dr. Bice and later worked as a salesclerk for J. C. Penney Department Store. Frits passed away April 16, 2007.

Marie was a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in WaKeeney. She loved to quilt, crochet and was a marvelous cook and always provided goodies to the family.


Survivors include a brother, LeRoy Maier and wife, Constance, of Oakley; Jeremy and the staff at Trego Manor; and a host of special nieces and nephews.

Those preceding her in death were her husband, Frits; five brothers, Henry, Ismael, Emanuel, William, and Rudolph Maier; and two sisters, Frieda and Dollie Maier.

Visitation is 6-8 PM Tuesday, May 17, 2011 at Schmitt Funeral Home, WaKeeney. Services for Marie will be held 10;30 AM, Wednesday, May 18, 2011 in Bethlehem Lutheran Church at WaKeeney.

Memorials are suggested to Bethlehem Lutheran Church or Trego Manor and can be sent in care of Schmitt Funeral Home, 336 N 12th, WaKeeney, KS 67672.