Cassie Belle (Henrich) Mather

Cassie Belle (Henrich) Mather, age 94, of Blue Rapids, went to Heaven, on 26 May 2018 at the Foundation Park Alzheimer’s Care Center of Toledo, Ohio.Cassie was born to Walter and Lillian (Hula) Henrich on 13 April 1924 in Blue Rapids, Kansas, the youngest of 10 children. She was a junior in high school when one of her sisters and a boyfriend dropped by, and with them was a soldier, named Everett Vern Mather, who was stationed at Fort Riley Kansas. He and Cassie started seeing each other. When Everett (1921-1998) was to be shipped out for World War II, he proposed to her, and they were married in Blue Rapids, Kansas, on November 6, 1942. However, since no one else in the family had graduated from high school, she promised her mother that she would graduate, and she fulfilled this promise in May, 1943. During this time, she developed a love for music, but since there was no money for an instrument, she took voice lessons. She began to sing in church, and for many of the weddings and funerals in Blue Rapids. She continued this ministry as long as she was physically able to do so.Many will remember Cassie as a long-time resident of Blue Rapids. She loved Blue Rapids, and was very involved in her church, many clubs, and community activities. At one time, she even ran for mayor of the city. She worked at the Blue Rapids Times for 36 years where she was first Assistant Editor and then Editor. But, many readers, including her family who were often her subjects, will remember her best for her “Cassie’s Column,” which appeared weekly with all the other local news.Preceding her in death, were her parents, ahd her beloved husband and constant friend Everett Mather, were five sisters, Susie Buchholz, Elizabeth Ghan, Emma Nider, Ruby Broman, and Rosa Ross; four brothers, Theodore “Ted” Henrich, William “Bill” Henrich, Jess Henrich and Clinton “Pete” Henrich, and one grandson, John Mather.Surviving are her three sons and wives Gerry and Jan Mather of Toledo, Ohio; Roderick and Teri Mather of Newton, Kansas; and Gregory and Zona Mather of Odessa, Missouri as well as eight grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, and family and friends.Funeral services are at 10:00 am, Monday, June 4, 2018, at New Hope Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Blue Rapids. Burial will be at Prospect Hill Cemetery, north of Blue Rapids.The family requests that, instead of flowers, donations be made to the Blue Rapids Historical Society, they may be sent in care of the funeral home at PO Box 61, Waterville, Kansas 66548.