Eileen Frances Mull, 102, passed away peacefully on Nov. 24, 2024 in Salina, Kansas.
She was born on Sept. 3, 1922, to John J. and Helena (Geerdes) Barenberg in Herndon, Kansas. Eileen was the 4th of 12 children in the family. She grew up on their family farm in Herndon and graduated from Herndon Rural High School in 1940.
After high school she attended St. Francis Hospital School of Nursing in Wichita, Kansas, graduating in 1943. She then joined the love of her life, George A. Mull, in Marysville, California where he was stationed. They were married on Jan. 13, 1944 at St. Joseph Catholic Church.
After George was discharged, they settled back home in Wichita. Eileen worked as a nurse at St. Francis. She and George had two sons before moving to Great Bend, Kansas in 1958, and then they welcomed another son into the family. Eileen was a nurse at St. Rose Hospital until moving to Salina in 1966.
In Salina, Eileen was hired as a head nurse for St. John’s Hospital, but she valued time with patients over administrative duties. She retired after 21 years in 1987. After retiring, Eileen was a nurse at Drury Place Retirement Center and volunteered as a reading mentor at Stewart Elementary. She dearly loved helping children learn and become successful readers.
After moving to Salina, George and Eileen became parishioners at St. Mary Queen of the Universe Catholic Church. Here they raised their boys in their strong Catholic faith and became involved in various committees. Eileen was a member of St. Mary’s Ladies Guild, Alter Society, Time, Talent and Treasure Committee, Health Ministries and St. Mary’s Quilters. She also belonged to the District of Kansas Nurses’ Association and served on their board.
Eileen’s strong, deep faith and love of God and her family was the foundation of her caring and dedicated life as a mother, grandmother and nurse.
She loved playing cards, quilting, growing roses in her flower garden, and cooking/baking. She also adored spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
One of her favorite things to celebrate was Midnight Mass at Christmas. She loved putting together a large breakfast at their house with homemade cinnamon rolls for family, friends and neighbors to enjoy after Midnight Mass.
Eileen lived at McCall Manor for 11 years, after George’s passing. She enjoyed the residents and staff immensely. It felt like home for her. She then moved to Brookdale-Fairdale Senior Living for her new home for the next 7 years. Again, she loved the friends she made and thought so very much of the staff.
George, her husband of 57 years, passed away in 2001 at the age of 83.
Eileen was also preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Alvina, Rosemary, Lucille, Dorothy, and Carol Jean; brothers, Ernie, Gene, Chuck, and Dennis; 4 sisters-in-law, including best friend Cecilia Mull, and 5 brothers-in-law; and 3 nieces and nephews.
Eileen is survived by her 3 sons, Doug (Jean) Mull of Salina, Jerry (Diana) Mull of Texas, and Mike (Bobbi) Mull of Salina; her 8 grandchildren, Sara McAsey, Nathan (Jamie) Mull, Brendan (Angela) Mull, Jordan Mull, Alex Mull, Annie (Matt ) Woodruff, Chad (Rachel) Hermes, and Ashley (Bruce) Evans; 17 great- grandchildren; her sister, Mary Anne Marney of Wichita; brother, Maurice (Donata) Barenberg of Kansas City; and sister-in-law, Nancy Barenberg of Urbana, Illinois; and 31 dear nieces and nephews.
Visitation and a Vigil will be Friday, November 29th, at Ryan Mortuary from 5:30 – 8:00 p.m. with a Rosary at 7:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, November 30th, at St. Mary Queen of the Universe Catholic Church. The burial will be at Mount Calvary Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to St. Mary’s or Mass Intentions.
The family would like to sincerely thank the wonderful staff at Brookdale-Fairdale and Interim Hospice in Salina. They were very compassionate, thoughtful and caring to our mother.