Hildegard Pearl

St. Marys-Hildegard J. Pearl, 80, passed away Sunday, November 23, 2014 at St. Francis Hospital in Topeka. She was born October 18, 1934 at Marysville, the daughter of Arnold and Emma Kampers Taphorn. Hildegard graduated from Marysville High School. She moved to Topeka after graduation where she worked for Santa Fe Railroad. She was a homemaker and farm bookkeeper for over 2 decades. She also worked outside of the home and retired from Silver Lake Bank. She enjoyed family gatherings and attending her grandchildren's activities the most. Hildegard was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in St. Marys. She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary and the St. Marys Literary Club and had been president of both organizations. She had been a member of a Catholic bowling league in Topeka. Mrs. Pearl was preceded in death by her parents; a brother Gregory Taphorn; a son Johnny and a godson Steve Lampe. On April 12, 1958 she was united in marriage to Gerald T. "Jerry" Pearl at St. Gregory's Catholic Church in Marysville, after they met through the CYO. He survives of the home. Other survivors include eight daughters, Colleen (Jim Meyer) Monhollon, Rossville, Cathy Pearl, Manhattan, Christy (Dave) Ronsse, St. Marys, Gerry Lou (Dan) Marstall, St. Marys, Mary (James) Wurtz, Paxico, Ginger (Jerry) Flach, Paxico, Angie Leuthold, Wamego and Michelle (Ryan) Martin, St. Marys; three sisters, Annie Nemec, Topeka, Thelma Haefner, Berryton and Elsie Lampe, Parkville, MO; four brothers, Eddie and Francis Taphorn both of Marysville, Robert Taphorn, Pekin, IL, and Jimmy Taphorn, Beattie; 16 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren with one on the way. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 A.M. Saturday, November 29, 2014 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in St. Marys. Hildegard will lie in state on Friday, November 28, 2014 at the church after 4:00 P.M. where there will be a rosary recited at 7:00 P.M. Interment will be in Mt. Calvary Cemetery, St. Marys. Memorial contributions may be made to the Immaculate Conception Church Step Renovation Project or to the charity of the donor's choice and sent in care of Piper Funeral Home, 714 Maple St., St. Marys, Kansas 66536.