Margaret Billinger

Margaret (Spies) Billinger passed away on Friday, March 16, 2018 at Via Christi Village in Hays, Kansas at the age of 87. She was born on July 24, 1930 in Hays to the late August Spies, Sr. and Anna (Braun) Spies. On October 3, 1949 she was united in marriage to Adolph Billinger in St. Peter, Kansas. They were blessed with three girls, Diane, Linda, and Cindy. Margaret was a loving farm wife, mother, and grandmother. Famous for her angel food cakes, dressings, and homemade noodles, she enjoyed cooking and baking, and always made sure that nobody left her table hungry. Not one to sit idle, she had a sense of humor that could light up the entire room, and was never without several things to talk about, often at the same time. She was a member of St. Ann’s and Sacred Heart Catholic Churches along with the Saint Ann’s Solidarity. She was a Rosary Prayer Leader, loved attending Mass and being a vibrant part in the life of the church and faith. She had a personal ministry of sending cards, letters, and notes to family, friends, and neighbors, whenever she thought they might need extra prayers or a word of encouragement. Margaret is survived by her daughters Diane Gross and husband Paul of Gorham, Linda Brin and husband Arlen of Zurich, and Cindy Balthazor and husband Dennis of Palco; Brother William “Bill” Spies and wife Karen of Arvada, CO; sisters Martina Werth of Hays, and Elaine Cisneros of Omaha, NE; grandchildren David and Jennifer Mongeau, Lisa and Jason Nyp, Marla and Ryan Verlinde, Mark and Kate Mongeau, Jason and Megan Brin, Jeff Brin, Justin and Cathy Brin, Jessica and Dallas Lehmann, Steve and Sarah Balthazor, Sara and Karim Touijer, Dana and Zurab Tsereteli and James and Heather Balthazor; and 26 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-granddaughter. She was preceded in death by her parents August and Anna Spies; husband Adolph Billinger; brothers Celestine Spies, Wilfred Spies, Daniel Spies, and August Spies, Jr.; sisters Anna Knoll, Glory June Partch, and Abilena Billinger; and great-granddaughter Parker Balthazor. Our Lord Jesus told us, “If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will move mountains.” Greater than a mustard seed, Margaret’s faith was a constant source of strength for herself, and all of her friends and family, as she daily prayed for the mountains each one of us faced. Our own lives will forever bear witness to her faith, as even now she intercedes on our behalf, to help us move the mountains we do not yet see. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30am on Tuesday, March 20, 2018 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Plainville. Burial will follow in St. Ann’s Cemetery in Zurich. Visitation will be from 2:00-4:00pm on Monday at the funeral home with Ladies guild Rosary at 3:00pm, and from 6:00-8:00pm at the church with Prayer Vigil at 7:00pm. Memorials are suggested to the Sacred Heart Catholic Church or Sacred Heart Catholic School and may be sent in care of Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home, 320 SW 2nd Street, Plainville, KS 67663.