WICHITA—Elaine L. Reichenberger, died Wednesday, May 6, 2026. Services are: Rosary, 7:30 p.m., Friday, May 8, and Funeral Mass, 10 a.m., Saturday, May 9, both at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church.
Elaine was born July 17, 1947, in Wichita, Kansas, to Herbert and Hortence Winter. After graduating from Andale High School, she worked as a secretary in Wichita before marrying her husband, Gordon, in 1967 and starting a family in 1968. They moved to Wichita in 1970 and spent the next several decades raising seven children.
Elaine was a devout Catholic who prioritized instilling the faith in her children. She was a selfless mother and grandmother and had a special instinct for protecting those who needed it most. Elaine loved all dogs and the companionship they brought to her life. She appreciated watching all sports, especially the KU Jayhawks and KC Chiefs. She honored her family’s legacy of farming by being an excellent steward of her pasture and farm ground throughout her life. Elaine loved where she lived, the warmth of summer, and enjoying a toddy with her husband on the back porch.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Herbert and Hortence; husband, Gordon; and grandson, Levi Ward.
She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Ross and Jessica Reichenberger; daughter and son-in-law, Pam and Sean Richardson; daughter and son-in-law, Tina and Doug May of Overland Park, Kansas; daughter and son-in-law, Lisa and Brent Holman; daughter and son-in-law, Jill Ward and Todd Wolters; daughter and son-in-law, Tara and Josh McIntosh; daughter and son-in-law, Abby and Adam Burrus; grandchildren, Kristen Schweninger, Kally Sponsel, Connor and Reece May, Seth, Samantha, Seger, and Shane Holman, Harper and Maddox Reichenberger, and Sloane, Maren, and baby Burrus; great-grandchildren, Addilyn and Brooks Schweninger, Evie and Owen Sponsel, and Nora Holman; brother, Herbie Winter of Colwich, Kansas; and sisters, Mary Rose Helten of Lonetree, Colorado, and Rita Sims of Wichita, Kansas.
Memorials established with American Red Cross – Blood Services, 707 N Main, Wichita, KS, 67203, and Kansas Humane Society, 3313 N Hillside St, Wichita, KS, 67219.
Services in care of Downing & Lahey West Mortuary. Share tributes online at www.dlwichita.com.