Alberta Schwatken

Alberta Florence Schwatken, age 86 of Independence, Kansas passed away Monday, August 16, 2010 at the Mercy Hospital in Independence, Kansas. Celebration of Life Services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, August 20, 2010 at the First Baptist Church with the Reverend Jim Blocher officiating. Burial will follow in the Oak Hill Cemetery under the direction of the Potts Chapel in Independence, Kansas. Visitation hours will be held from 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Thursday, August 19, 2010 with the family receiving friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Potts Chapel in Independence, Kansas. The family has suggested memorials to the First Baptist Church and contributions may be left at the Potts Chapel in Independence, Kansas. Alberta Florence Schwatken was born August 6, 1924 in Cherryvale, Kansas to Frank and Etta Mae Myers Hinkle. She grew up in Altamont, Kansas and attended school in Altamont. After school Alberta went to work at the Ammunition Plant in Parsons, Kansas. On October 10, 1943 Alberta married Wilbur A. Schwatken Sr. The couple moved to Elk City, Kansas in 1946 where they began farming. Alberta was a homemaker and drove school bus for Prairie Ridge School. Alberta was a member of the First Baptist Church, the Golden Rod Social Club, she was a deaconess at the First Baptist Church, she worked on the fellowship committee and was in the Mercy Hospital Auxiliary. Survivors include two sons Norman Schwatken of Abilene, Kansas, Wilbur and wife Veva Schwatken of rural Elk City, Kansas one sister Amy Schroeder of Independence, Kansas Grandchildren Wilbur wife Liz Schwatken of Sycamore, Kansas, Susan husband Jason John of Fredonia, Kansas, Becky husband Jeremy Neuenschwander of Fredonia, Kansas, Sara Schwatken of Ames, Iowa and Sheryl Boldt of California four great grandchildren Sarah, Taiylor, Jakob and Joseph and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Wilbur in 1973 one daughter Karen Boldt, parents, one brother and one sister.