Marianne Wachter's Obituary
Marianne Wachter, 93, of Pittsburg, KS, died at Ascension Via Christi Hospital, Monday, April 22, 2024. She was born April 14, 1931, to Frank and Alexandria (Roitz) Smardo in Frontenac, KS.
She was a graduate from St. Mary’s High School and attended Pittsburg State University, where she was a member of Alpha Sigma Alpha sorority.
On June 16, 1951, she married Joseph Wachter at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, the same church where she was baptized and where her parents were married.
Marianne became associated with Coldwell Banker, Jim Bishop and Associates, where she worked as a broker associate with the firm for 25 years. She was twice honored as Realtor of the year by the Pittsburg Board of Realtors. Through her activity as a Realtor, she became interested in the historic home she and her husband bought and restored, spending many years of dedicated efforts to bring their home to a beautiful state. Because of the Victorian home they owned, they became members of several historic preservation societies. They collected antiques to furnish and decorate their home, they also opened their cherished home to several open house tours. Marianne loved to entertain frequently and hosted many receptions and loved to entertain friends and family.
She was a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, Pittsburg, and Kansas Board of Realtors, National Association of Realtors, Little Balkans Heritage Society where she served as secretary and president; the Hotel Stillwell Board where she served on the original board and several terms after that. She was a member of PEO, chapter AQ; Thursday Bridge Club; Wednesday Morning Study Club. She was very artistic and enjoyed sewing, painting, playing piano and also bell choir.
Marianne and her husband Joe of 72 years enjoyed traveling and looking for the next adventure.
She is survived by her husband Joseph of Pittsburg, KS, daughter Mary Jo Warmuth of Overland Park, KS, Kurt Wachter and his partner Bridgette Evans of Girard, KS, 2 grandchildren, Natalie Oliver of Overland Park, KS, Emily Wachter of Pittsburg, KS, 2 great-grandchildren, Jacob Oliver of Overland Park, KS, Alexanderia Williams of Overland Park, KS, 2 brothers, Frank Smardo
of Pittsburg, KS, and Dave Smardo of Denver, CO.
Marianne was preceded in death by her parents.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1 pm on Friday, April 26, 2024, at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church with Father Andrew Labenz as Celebrant. Burial will follow in Highland Park Cemetery.
A rosary will be recited Thursday, April 25, 2024, at 6 pm at Bath-Naylor Funeral Home in Pittsburg. Family will receive friends following the Rosary from 6:30-7 pm.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the S.E.K Humane Society; these can be mailed or dropped off at the funeral home, 522 S. Broadway Pittsburg, KS 66762.
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