Winnifred Piepergerdes

Winnifred Piepergerdes, 73, of Independence, MO passed away December 22, 2004 at her home following an 18-year battle with cancer. A visitation will be held from 6-8:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 26, at the Speaks Suburban Chapel. The service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday at the chapel, with the burial at Mound Grove Cemetery. Contributions may be sent to the Susan G. Koman Breast Cancer Fund or the John Knox Hospice. Mrs. Piepergerdes was born February 16, 1931 at the Independence Sanitarium and Hospital in Independence, MO to Earl T. and Faith (McCall) Higdon. She graduated from Osborn Missouri High School and Graceland College, Lamoni, Iowa. Following her graduation from Graceland she worked for a short time for the FBI in Washington, D.C. Additional employment was with Agricultural Extension Service at the University of Missouri, Nelly Don Garment Co., Vendo Manufacturing Co. of Kansas City, MO, Lamoni Stake, Santa Fe Stake and Blue Valley Stake offices of the Community of Christ. She retired from Graceland University as Division of Nursing secretary after 15 years of service. She served 2 years as secretary of the Pony Express Hitchhiker RV Camper Club and enjoyed spending the winters as a "Winter Texan.� She was a member of the Community of Christ Church and served as branch secretary, recorder, girls leader, Cub Scout Den Mother and Sunday School teacher. In recent years she was a volunteer at the church archives for 10 years. Her survivors include her husband of 52 years, Lawrence Henry Piepergerdes; one son, Robert Piepergerdes and daughter-in-law Lori of Liberty, MO; one daughter Susan Klaus and son-in-law David of Kearney, MO; six grandchildren, Daniel and Matthew Klaus, Cara, Amie, Leah, and Hana Piepergerdes; one brother, William T. Higdon of Lamoni, Iowa; and one sister, Mary Seeley of Liberty, MO. She was preceded in death by her parents and one sister, Betty Graeff.