Aurelia Marie (Marintzer) Escher, 102, of Topeka, KS, died Monday, March 25, 2024. She was born on November 14, 1921, in Herndon, KS, to Joseph and Mary Katherine (Huss) Marintzer, and was the youngest of eight children.
Aurelia attended St. Mary’s Catholic School and was in the last high school class to graduate from there in 1939. Upon graduating high school, she went to nursing school at St. Anthony’s in Denver, CO, and received her Registered Nurse Degree in 1943. In 1944, Aurelia joined the Army and underwent training in Arkansas, Colorado and eventually New Jersey in preparation for deployment overseas. She was stationed in an Army hospital near London for a year and a half taking care of both American and German soldiers. After the end of the war, she spent an additional six months in Paris. Her rank was that of First Lieutenant.
Aurelia returned to the States in 1946, and married Francis William Escher on August 12, 1947, in Herndon, KS. They had five children and lived almost their entire married lives in their hometown until eventually moving to Topeka to be near their children.
Aurelia was preceded in death by her husband, parents and siblings. She is survived by her children, Gary and wife Linda, of Topeka, KS, Mary Jo and husband Bruce Erickson, of Rio Hondo, TX, Daniel and wife Betty, of Topeka, KS, Ann and husband Tom Palmer, of Sabetha, KS and Mitchell and wife Susan of Lee’s Summit, MO; 16 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren.
Aurelia was an outgoing woman who enjoyed long conversations and visits with family and friends. She demonstrated kindness, a positive outlook on life, a great sense of humor and many other cherished qualities. She loved her family unconditionally and devoted as much time as possible to them throughout the years. In addition to her family, one of her greatest joys was making beautiful fresh flower arrangements to place before the altar of the Blessed Mother in St Mary Assumption Church, in Herndon.
A Rosary will take place at 9:00 a.m. and Memorial Mass at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, April 4, 2024, at St. Mary Catholic Church, Herndon, KS, with burial in the church cemetery. Memorials may be made to St. Mary Catholic Church and sent in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 391, Colby, KS 67701. For information or condolences visit baalmannmortuary.com