Loretta M. Luder

Loretta Mae Luder, 85, died November 23, 2020 in Wichita, Kansas.  She was born May 18th, 1935, to Raymond and Isabel (Burton) Hamilton in Mingo, Kansas.  Loretta was preceded in death by her husband James on September 24, 2020. She was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Colwich, Kansas.

Loretta grew up in Irving, Kansas and graduated from high school there in 1953.  She met her husband Jim while living and working in Manhattan, Kansas, and they were married October 9, 1954.  Loretta was a devoted wife and mother to their seven children and loving grandmother to eighteen grandchildren and twenty great-grandchildren.   She also spent many years working alongside her husband as part-time bookkeeper for the family business, Luco Manufacturing in Strong City, Kansas.

Most important to Loretta were her faith, her family, her friendships and her flowers, and she nurtured them all.  Wherever Loretta and Jim lived she was active in the local Catholic Church and Altar Society.  She cultivated friendships in each place, usually assembling an eclectic and informal “coffee club” in short order.   A gifted and prolific letter writer, Loretta was a faithful correspondent, and many of her friends and family cherish letters that reflected her innate joy and wisdom.  She was also blessed with a green thumb, and she was known for her elaborate flower gardens and enjoyed participating in garden clubs wherever she had the opportunity.  To all those who knew her best, Loretta was a generous-hearted woman of dependable integrity and deep faith. 

In addition to her husband Jim, Loretta was preceded in death by her parents Ray and Isabel, brothers Meddie, Everett, Roy, Robert, James and Gordon, and grandson Edward “Rob” Koger, Jr.  Loretta is survived by her brother Stanley (Marilyn) Hamilton of Indianapolis, Indiana and her sister Bonnie (Harold) Tremblay of Okeechobee, Florida.  She is also survived by her seven children: Dr. Jacob Kim (Debra) Luder, Sparta, MO; Kay (Edward) Koger, Wilmore, KS; Diana Luder, Murphy, North Carolina; Dr. Everett Kirk (Theresa) Luder, Buena Vista, VA; William (Sandy) Luder, Cottonwood Falls, KS; Dr. Barbara Luder, Wichita, KS and Robert (Tayna) Luder, Overland Park, KS.  She is also survived by 17 grandchildren: Kris Cummings, Kory Luder, Kari Baumgarner, Kyle Luder, Jared Koger, Jenna Simmons, Beth Luder, Christian Luder, Rose Luder, Cassandra Luder, Matt Luder, Sarah Luder, Rachel DeWitt, Laura DeWitt, Ryan Luder, Eric Luder, Emily Luder, 20 great-grandchildren, and many, many nieces and nephews. 

Rosary Service will be at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 1 at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, Strong City, Kansas.  Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 2:00 p.m. with Father Andrew Seiler officiating.  Burial will follow at St. Anthony’s Cemetery.  Memorials are suggested to St. Anthony Building Fund or Botanica, The Wichita Gardens, in care of Brown-Bennett-Alexander Funeral Home, Box 220, Cottonwood Falls, Kansas 66845.  

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