Reta Mae (Stephens) Carey Rutherford passed away March 4, 2024 at the Legend at Capital Ridge Nursing Home in Topeka, KS. She was born December 13, 1936 in Lenora, KS to Levi and Blanche (Breeden) Stephens.
Reta grew up south of Clayton, KS and attended school in Jennings, KS. On February 27, 1953, Reta married Charles F. Carey in Clayton, KS. She worked as a Clerk at Mayo’s in Clay Center and then she worked at Exchange Bank in Lenora until her retirement. She later married Kenneth Rutherford on April 3, 2010. Reta was a member of Rebekah’s and the United Parish of Lenora. She enjoyed reading, playing cards, traveling, and camping.
Reta is survived by her children: Marilyn Kay Darling (Jewell) Murray of Topeka, KS, Robert Alan Carey of Morland, KS, Cindy Sue Lyne (Eugene) Newman of St. George, KS, and Steve Leon (Michelle) of Salina, KS; sisters, Margaret Gartrell and Coleen Brooks; five grandchildren: Jason (Rachelle) Lyne of Long Beach, WA, Jessica (Eric) Dieckhoff of Olathe, KS, Megan (Joseph) Ulmer of Topeka, KS, Ashley Carey of Phoenix, AZ, Pierce (Joe) Carey of Baltimore, MD; seven great grandchildren; one great-great grandchild and her special friend Ralph Berhardt. She was preceded in death by her parents; husbands, Charles Carey and Kenneth Rutherford; daughter, Glenda Gail Lindsey; siblings: Harold Stephens, Robert Stephens, and Darlene Robbin.
Funeral services will be held 10:00 am Saturday, March 9, 2024 at the United Parish of Lenora. Burial will follow in the Lenora Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5-7:00 pm Friday, March 8, 2024 at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the United Parish of Lenora and sent in care of Plumer-Gobber Funeral Home, 215 W. Main St., Norton, KS 67654. Condolences may be left at www.plumergobber.com