Maria (Riet) Stonger, 77, a retired clergy member, passed away April 13, 2015, in El Dorado, Kansas.
Maria Johanna Knetsch was born on April 5, 1938, in Leiden, The Netherlands. In 1955, when she was 17, her family immigrated to the US, settling in Wichita, Kansas, where Riet lived the remainder of her life. For some years after arriving in the US, Riet worked as a keypunch operator for KG&E in Wichita. In 1961 she married Roelof Bos, who also came from The Netherlands. Roelof worked for Chance Manufacturing in Wichita for many years. Two children blessed their marriage: Marsha and Roger. Riet married Ray Stonger in 1987. Both Roelof and Ray preceded her in death.
As a member of Epworth UMC in Wichita, Riet became increasingly involved in church work and ministries. She went on to complete the course of study at St. Paul School of Theology in Kansas City, earning her license as local pastor. She served as pastor at Wichita Cedar Chapel UMC, Haviland UMC and Douglass/Rock UMC. Retiring in 2003, Riet remained active in the ministries of Central UMC in Wichita.
Riet was preceded in death by her parents, Reinier and Maria Knetsch of Wichita. She is survived by her children; Marsha Bos and Roger (Gaitrie) Bos; grandchildren, Breonna, Colt, Ilona and R.J.; brothers, Piet (Dottie) Knetsch (Shivaun, Alexis, Tori) and Rene (Lynne Glaeske) Knetsch.
Visitation will be the hour leading up to the funeral service. Funeral service will be Saturday, April 18, at 10 a.m., at Hillside Funeral Home, 935 N. Hillside, Wichita. Graveside service will follow immediately at White Chapel Memorial Gardens, Wichita.
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