Margaret C. "Marge" Bedlan

Margaret (Marge) Clara Reiter was born December 18, 1923 in Beloit, Kansas, the daughter of john Michael (Jack) Reiter of Beloit, Kansas and Anna Pauline Eilert of Scottsville, Kansas. She was one of 10 children in the family. Marge finished one year of high school before quitting to earn money and help care for her aging grandmother. On April 3, 1945 she married Leo Edward Bedlan and to this union four sons were born. Marge and Leo farmed by Belvidere and Strang before moving to Shickley. While in Shickley she ran a local café, worked at Busse’s grocery store and cooked at the local school. She also worked in Geneva at Sunset Home, Casey’s, goodwill, and the Fillmore County Hospital, where she was known for her homemade pies on Fridays. Marge was very devoted to her catholic faith. On may 13, 2009 she moved to Heritage Crossings in Geneva, and she passed away on Saturday, October 19, 2013 at the age of 89 years, 10 months, and 1 day. She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband Leo; sister Wauneta Linton; and brothers Paul and Felix Reiter. She is survived by her four sons and their families: Gene Bedlan of Shickley and special friend Toni Rutherford of Geneva, Bob and Marge Bedlan of Shickley, Kenny and Karen Bedlan of Omaha, and Jim Bedlan of Reno, Nevada; and nine grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren. She is also survived by her five sisters: Charlotte Gagna of Colorado, Geneva Winkle of Glen Elder, Kansas, Leona and husband Bob Adams of Vinita, Oklahoma, Mary and husband Jerry Crissman of Glasco, Kansas, Louise and husband Cletus Manhart of Silver Lake, Kansas; and one brother, Mike Reiter of Henderson, Colorado; as well as a host of relatives and friends. A Funeral Mass for Marge was held on Tuesday, October 22, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. at the St. Joseph Catholic Church with Father Tom Walsh officiating. Maryann Najmon accompanied the congregation in the singing of “Now Thank We All Our God,” “Soul Of My Savior,” “Holy Holy Holy,” and “Holy God, We Praise Thy Name.” Pallbearers for the service included Ryan Bedlan, Nick Bedlan, Tim Bedlan, Rueben Engle, Mark Olson, and Lane McDuffee. Honorary bearers included Stacey Olson, Lisa Engle, Kim McDuffee, Angela Zicarelli, Lori Bedlan, and Amy Bedlan. Interment was held following the mass at the St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, rural Shickley. Memorials are directed to the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Geneva.

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Margaret C. "Marge" Bedlan

December 18, 1923 - October 19, 2013