Gerva E. Sunneberg

Gerva E. Sunneberg, 86, of Topeka, KS, died February 19, 2024, at McCrite Plaza in Topeka.

A rosary service was held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, February 24, at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Axtell followed by a funeral service at 11:00 a.m.

Burial was in St. Bridget Catholic Cemetery, north of Axtell.

Gerva was born February 27, 1937, at Pawnee City, NE, the tenth child of Clement and Marie (Mitchell) Sunneberg.  In 1954, she graduated from St. Peter and Paul High School in Seneca.  In August of 1954, she entered the convent of Mt. St. Scholastica in Atchison, KS, where she was known as Sister Mary Carmel.  In 1969, she earned a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Benedictine College in Atchison.  She taught elementary school in Kansas, Iowa and California schools for 14 years.  In 1976, she earned her master’s degree in religious education from Seattle University in Seattle, WA.  She then worked as Director of Religious Education at several parishes in Kansas including Eudora, Westphalia, Osage City, Shawnee Mission and Topeka.  Gerva was employed at the Menninger Foundation in Topeka as the Director of Staff Training and Development for 19 years.  As her last and favorite job, she was a nanny.

Gerva never married but maintained a long and close relationship with her best friend, Carl Crumpton, who shares her love of writing and family get-togethers.  She loved Christmas and being Santa (St. Nick).

She was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Esther, Rosemary, Joan, Alberta and Bernita; brothers, Gerald and Bob; and best friend, Carl.

Survivors include her siblings, Bill (Elsie) Sunneberg, Pawnee City, NE, Norene (Gene) Lackey, Lincoln, NE, Regis (Jane) Sunneberg, Topeka, and Janice (Jerry) Heinen, Topeka; 45 nieces and nephews; and many great and great-great nieces and nephews.

A memorial fund has been established to McCrite Plaza, Health Center Activity Department. 1610 W 37^th St., Topeka, KS 66611.  Contributions may be sent there directly.

The Axtell-Landreth Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.