Marlene K. “Mollie” (Atkinson) Haberer, 82, of Russell, Kansas, passed away Wednesday, July 17, 2024 at the Via Christi St. Francis Hospital in Wichita, Kansas with her loving family by her side.
Mollie was born December 10, 1941 in Marquette, Kansas. She was one of five children born to John and Ruby (Liss) Atkinson. She grew up in Marquette and graduated from Marquette High School in the Class of 1959. She then attended Kansas Wesleyan University where she graduated with a degree in Elementary Education. She would later serve on the Board of Trustees at KWU. Her time at KWU held a special place in her heart as it was there that she made cherished friends and memories that would last a lifetime.
Mollie met, fell in love, and was united in marriage to Eric Haberer on July 24, 1964 in Marquette. They made their home on the farm north of Russell. This union was blessed with three children; Denise, Paul and Matthew. Both Eric and Mollie enjoyed following their kids and grandchildren’s sports and activities closely. This brought immeasurable happiness into their lives.
Mollie started her elementary teaching career in Salina followed by a year in the Luray School District before moving to USD 399 in Natoma, Waldo, and Paradise where she worked for 25 years. Mollie took great pride in being an educator and later she returned to Ft. Hays State University to obtain a Reading Specialist Degree. So many will remember Mollie fondly for her kindness and patience.
Beyond her professional accomplishments and family life Mollie is a member of the Paradise Valley Grace Church in Paradise, Kansas. She also dedicated herself to various causes close to her heart including volunteering with the Russell Regional Hospital Auxiliary while also working at the conference level with the United Methodist Church as well as local church activities.
More important than her life achievements is the fact that Mollie was considered by those who knew her to be a kind-hearted, gracious, Christian woman who fiercely loved God, her husband, family and community.
Mollie’s surviving family include her husband of almost 60 years, Eric of the home; daughter, Denise Archer (Kevin) of Colwich, Kansas; son, Paul Haberer (Manuela) of San Antonio, Texas; daughter in law, Gabi Haberer Brown; twin sisters, Karen Pricer (Dan) of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and Sharen Resendes (Joe) of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; and six grandchildren; Calin Archer, Bret Archer, Julie Archer, Sophia Haberer, Levi Haberer and Aiden Haberer.
Mollie was preceded in death by her parents; son, Matthew Haberer on June 9, 2021; and nephew Stephen Resendes.
Celebration of Mollie’s Life will be held at 10:30 AM, Monday, July 22, 2024 at the Paradise Valley Grace Church in Paradise, Kansas. Burial will follow at the Fairport Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM, Sunday, July 21, 2024 at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, with the family present to greet friends from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established with the Kansas Wesleyan University or the Paradise Valley Grace Church. Contributions and condolences may be sent to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, who is in charge of these arrangements.