Sophia Stecklein, 94, Hays, died Thursday, Feb. 28, 2013, at Hays Medical Center.

She was born Dec. 16, 1918, in Victoria to Henry and Mary (Lang) VonLintel. Her mother died during childbirth, and she was raised by George and Margaret Dinkel.

She married Jacob C. Stecklein on Nov. 16, 1937, in Victoria. He preceded her in death March 24, 1993. She was a farm wife and homemaker.

She was a member of St. Nicholas of Myra Catholic Church.

Survivors include two sons, George Stecklein and wife, Juleen, Hays, and Jude Stecklein and wife, Rachel, Sylvan Grove; a daughter, Mary Ann Mermis, Hays; two half-brothers, Gilbert VonLintel and Otto VonLintel and wife, Rita, all of Hays; two half-sisters, Venitta Wolf and husband, Ernie, and Catherine Pfannenstiel, all of Hays, and Joanna Murta of St. Charles, Mo.; her grandchildren, Deborah Braun and husband, James, and their children, Renee Unrein and husband, Lance, Jason Braun, and Andrea Braun, Sondra Klaus and husband, Neil, and their children, Adam Klaus and Amber Klaus, Bonnie Mermis and friend, Dan Walker, and his daughter, Danielle Walker, Jennifer Mermis and husband, Keith, and their children, Tanner, Conner, Nicholas, Haley and Preston Mermis, Douglas Stecklein and wife, Stephanie, and their children, Chris, Joshua and Haley Stecklein, Steven Stecklein and wife, Liz, and their children Katie, Sophie, Lilian, and Vivian Stecklein, Michael Stecklein and wife, Carrie, and their children, Julianne and Allison, George Stecklein, Karen Rogers and husband, Dallis, and their son, Jace Rogers, Kim Stoecklein and husband, Chad, and their children, Nora, Oliver and Jack Stoecklein, and Scott Stecklein; and two great-great-granddaughters, Miley and Macy Unrein.

She was preceded in death by a son-in-law, Vernie Mermis; two brothers, Ben and Linus VonLintel; two half-brothers, Lawrence and Norbert VonLintel; two step-brothers, Clem and Alfred Dinkel; and five sisters, Angela Richmeier, Lonie Huser, Agnes Brungardt, Tecla Brungardt, Mary Rohleder and Regina Brungardt.

Services will be at 10 a.m. Monday at St. Nicholas of Myra Catholic Church, Hays; burial in St. Joseph Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 2 to 8 p.m. Sunday and from 9 to 9:30 a.m. Monday, both at Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine.

A vigil will be at 6:30 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.

Memorials are suggested to St. Nicholas of Myra Catholic Church or Thomas More Prep-Marian High School in care of the funeral home.

Condolences can be sent to the family at www.haysmemorial.com.