Mary “Katie” Catharine Strahm

Topeka – A memorial service for Mary Catharine “Katie” Strahm, 79, Topeka, will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Rochester Community Church of the Brethren in Topeka. Burial will follow at 2 p.m. in Sabetha Cemetery.Mrs. Strahm died Friday, Feb. 3, 2006, at her home.She was born Oct. 4, 1926, in Overbrook, the daughter of Mahlon and Mary Turner Little. She attended a one-room schoolhouse in rural Franklin County and later graduated from Wyandotte High School in 1944. She earned a bachelor’s degree from McPherson College and a master’s degree in foreign language from Emporia State Teachers College. She was also a Fulbright Scholar to Bogota, Colombia.Mrs. Strahm taught at several schools, including Topeka High School, for more than 20 years. She was a member of Rochester Community Church of the Brethren since 1959, Topeka Center for Peace & Justice, the Topeka Alliance for Central America, McPherson Alumni Assn., Interfaith of Topeka, Topeka Area Retired Teachers and Kansas Retired Teachers.She married Leland Strahm on Dec. 26, 1949. He died in 1997. She then married Elvin Frantz in 1998. He survives.Other survivors include a son, Mahlon, Lawrence; two brothers, Ivan Little, Shawnee, and Joe Little, Oklahoma City; two sisters, Dorothy Brandt, Baywood Park, Calif., and Sally Cox, Louisville, Ky.; three step-daughters, Mariana Frantz, Kathleen Garrett and Peggy Frantz; three grandchildren; and a great-grandson.A daughter, Mary Lee Strahm, died earlier.The family suggests memorials to the church, Topeka Center for Peace & Justice or a charity of the donor’s choice, sent in care of Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel in Topeka.Online condolences may be sent at www.PenwellGabel.com.