Obituary of Noreen M. Kaus-Crabill

IN LOVING MEMORY OF NOREEN M. KAUS-CRABILL Noreen Marie Kaus-Crabill, daughter of A.M. "Babe" and Josephine (Nusse) Hickert, was born March 27, 1926, at her parent's home in Decatur County, Kansas, and passed away at her home in Norton, Kansas, surrounded by her loving family on June 5, 2020, at the age of 94. Noreen was the firstborn of five children. She was raised on the same family farm during the "dirty thirties," which brought so many challenges for so many families. Noreen attended grade school at the New Almelo Catholic school. She went to public school her freshman year of high school in Jennings, Kansas. For the remainder of her high school years she attended Leoville Catholic school, graduating with the class of 1944. Noreen married Ben Kaus on July 30, 1945, and to this union 13 children were born in 20 years. They lived in Leoville and Selden before moving to Norton in June of 1950, to the house where Noreen continued to live until her death. Raising 13 children in the three bedroom/one bathroom house was a challenge at times, but they made it work. Ben passed away November 5, 1980, after 35 years of marriage. During most of that time, Noreen was a stay-at-home mom, raising her own children and babysitting for so many others. In 1971, Noreen went to work at Valley Hope in the kitchen where she remained for 20 years, retiring in 1991. In 1976, she became the head of the dinner committee at church which took care of the funeral dinners and the Bazaar dinners which she continued for 22 years, retiring in 1998. Noreen was also a caregiver for her mother for many years until her passing in 2002, at the age of 97. On January 24, 1998, Noreen and Verl Crabill were married. Verl passed away June 16, 2009, after 11 years of marriage. Noreen continued to live in her home until the time of her death. Noreen was a member of the St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Norton where she was an active member of the choir. She was also a member of the Altar Society where she served as president for three years. She taught church CCD classes and was a church council member for three years. She made many quilts for the church bazaar, doing all of the embroidery and quilting work. Survivors include: her twelve children, Mary Jo (Frank) Ruff, Stilwell, Kansas; Charlie (Donna) Kaus, Manhattan, Kansas; Kay (Don) Tacha, Colorado Springs, Colorado; Carol Lawson, Norton; John (Brenda) Kaus, Norton; Anita (Randy) Marintzer, Hays, Kansas; Don (Cheryl) Kaus, Norton; Gary (Linda) Kaus, Manhattan; Tina (Jack) Turner, Alma, Kansas; Jane (Robert) Wyatt, Norton; Bob (Deb) Kaus, Norton; and Rod Kaus, Hays, Kansas; one brother, Fred (Majella) Hickert, Hays; one sister, Charlene Goscha, Oakley, Kansas; 32 grandchildren, 62 great-grandchildren and nine great-great-grandchildren; other relatives and many friends. Noreen was preceded in death by her parents, her husbands, Ben and Verl, one son, Daniel Kaus, one son-in-law, Dean Lawson, and two brothers, Quentin and Jerry. ROSARY SERVICE – Monday, June 8, 2020 – 7:00 p.m. PLACE – Enfield Funeral Home – 215 W. Main – Norton, KS 67654 MASS OF THE CHRISTIAN BURIAL – Tuesday, June 9, 2020 – 10:30 a.m. PLACE – St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church – Norton, KS INTERMENT – Norton Cemetery – Norton, KS VISITATION – Monday, June 8, 2020 – 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home in Norton. MEMORIALS – Catholic Charities in Salina, KS and St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Norton.