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Elizabeth "Elsie" Clara Stueve, 88, of Hiawatha, Kansas, passed away peacefully with her family at her side on January 27, 2026, at the Hiawatha hospital. She was born on December 22, 1937, in Corning, Kansas, to Raphael and Florence Tanking Gudenkauf.  One of six sisters, Elsie grew up in rural Seneca, Kansas, graduated from Sts. Peter and Paul High School, and worked at the local bank.

On May 30, 1960, Elsie married the love of her life, Glenn Stueve. They initially made their home in Clyde, Missouri, then moved to Sabetha, Kansas, in 1963, and finally settled in Hiawatha in 1972.  They were blessed with eight children: Tony (Barb) Stueve of Hiawatha, Kansas; Kevin (Karen) Stueve of Gardner, Kansas; Mary (David) Carter of Manhattan, Kansas; Tim (Cherie) Stueve of Alameda, California: James (Janise) Stueve of Olathe, Kansas; Jean (Tim) Abeita of Lawrence, Kansas; Margaret (Jason) Baker of St. Joseph, Missouri; and Ann (Buddy) Lloyd of Tulsa, Oklahoma.  In addition to Glenn and her children, Elsie leaves behind 23 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren, each of whom was blessed by her warmth, humor, and unwavering faith. She is also survived by her sisters, Mary Grace Elder of Overland Park, Kansas; Phyllis Broxterman of Baileyville, Kansas; and Joyce Klingele of Basehor, Kansas.  Elsie was preceded in death by her parents, her sisters Gladys Koelzer and Marilyn Carlson, and her infant granddaughter Marie Stueve.

Elsie was a formidable Scrabble opponent during family gatherings and a voracious reader. A skilled seamstress, she lovingly hand-made a quilt for each of her children and grandchildren to celebrate their high school graduations. She took great care in restoring the painted woodwork in her home to its original beauty and found joy in tending a large garden. An avid baker, Elsie filled her kitchen with the warmth of multiple loaves of bread each week, along with countless cookies, pies, and cakes. She was proud of her work in the offices of James Scherer, CPA, and of her membership in the Sorosis Club. Elsie will be remembered for her deep devotion to the Catholic Church and for the love she shared so generously with everyone who knew her.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Morrill Public Library in care of Chapel Oaks Funeral Home, 124 S 7th St., Hiawatha 66434.

A recitation of the Rosary will be held on Monday, February 2, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. at Chapel Oaks Funeral Home with a family and friends visitation to follow.

A funeral Mass will be held at St. Ann's Catholic Church in Hiawatha on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. with Father Joseph Asante as the celebrant.  Burial will follow at Mt. Hope Cemetery, Hiawatha.

Friends may call at Chapel Oaks Funeral Home, Hiawatha, after 9 a.m. Monday.

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