Marie T. "Teri" Kier

Marie Teresa “Teri” Kier, 94, of Washington, KS, died Wednesday, July 1, 2015 at Washington. Visitation was from noon until 8 p.m., Sunday, July 5 at Ward Funeral Home in Washington. The family received friends from 4 to 6 p.m. A funeral service was at 10:00 a.m., Monday, July 6, at the United Methodist Church in Washington. Dr. Bill Bryant officiated. Gina Miller was pianist and the music was "Amazing Grace", "How Great Thou Art", "Old Rugged Cross", "Just As I Am", and "Because He Lives." Pallbearers were Nicholas Kier, Mickey Stratton, Rick Dean, Steve Graham, James Fenton and David Fischer. Honorary pallbearers were Pete Becker, Richard C. Johnson, Tom Hyland, Dr. James Schumacher, Dr. John Schumacher and Milton Arganbright. Burial was in the Washington City Cemetery. Teri was born on August 28, 1920 at Elk Point, SD, to Armand and Mary Louise (Girard) Benjamin. She graduated from St. Joseph’s School of Nursing in 1942. Teri served as a registered nurse at Armour and Company and was also a second Lieutenant in the Army Nurse Corps in WWII. On February 24, 1944, she was united in marriage to Charles Edward Kier at Camp Polk, LA. They moved to Mankato and operated his father’s grocery store before moving to Washington and opening Kiers IGA in 1951. The existing store was built in 1974 and Teri retired from the grocery business in 1980. Teri loved politics and religion, she was a devout Christian. She enjoyed bowling, golf and bridge. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Charles on October 25, 1959; son, Tom in 2011; brothers, Robert Benjamin and Roland Benjamin; sister, Dorothy DeRoche; and granddaughter, Christina Koester in 1999. Survivors include her daughters, Mary (Pete) Becker, Ashby, NE, Rev. Margaret (Mick) Stratton, Ft. Worth, TX, and Nancy (Terry) Beeman, Topeka; sons, Jim (Patti) Kier, Gatesville, TX, and John Kier, Newton; daughter-in-law, Linda Kier, Beattie, KS; grandchildren, Daniel Pianalto, Marla Brauer, Nicholas Kier Pianalto, Dr. James Fenton, Angela Grace Pfeiffer, Travis Kier, Julie Kier Carter, Jill Beeman, Katie Boling, Charlie Kier, Grant Kier, Holly Kier, Gregory Smith-Kier, Jonathon Smith-Kier, and Brett Kier; step-grandchildren, Ashley, Julie, Amy, Matt, Hannah, and Cayden; and several great-grandchildren. The family wishes to thank all the Homestead staff for all the love, support, and care they gave their mother. Also for the kind and considerate treatment given to the family. A memorial fund is established to the Washington County Hospital, Meadowlark Hospice or Homestead Nursing Home. Contributions may be sent in care of Ward Funeral Home, Washington. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Marie T. "Teri" Kier, please visit our flower store.