Arlene Kirchhofer, 87, long-time resident of Kansas City, died March 3, 2011.

Mrs. Kirchhofer was born Aug. 4, 1923, in Peabody, to Charles E. and Nora (Cole) Whisler. She married her high school sweetheart, Jack Kirchhofer, in December 1942, and together they had three children.

Jack and Arlene lived in Peabody and Hutchinson until the mid-1950s, when they moved to Kansas City. Arlene worked for many years at Pyramid Life Insurance Company in Mission, but most loved her volunteer job as supervisor of the kitchen at Trinity United Methodist Church.

Arlene was happiest when she was baking or sewing. Friends and family often received her thoughtful handmade gifts.

She is survived in death by her son and daughter-in-law, Jack and Loretta Kirchhofer of Wakarusa; her son, Dale Kirchhofer of Kansas City, Mo.; and her daughter and son-in-law, Janet and Robert Buckingham of Kodiak, Alaska.

Arlene leaves six grandchildren, Veronica Elliott, Eric Kirchhofer, Gretchen Hawks, Jacqueline Mickelson, Jennifer Huntsman, and Zachary Lowe; and 13 great-grandchildren.

Jackie helped care for her grandma in the weeks before her passing.

Arlene was preceded in death by her parents, husband Jack, as well as her sister, Winey Whisler Lee, and brothers Richie, Quintis, and Guinn Whisler.

Services will be 10 a.m. March 9, 2011, at the Mary Butler Meyers Funeral Home, 6300 Parallel Pkwy, Kansas City KS 66102, and (913) 334-6300.

The family received friends 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.

Burial will be 2:30 p.m. at Prairie Lawn Cemetery, Peabody.

Condolences may be expressed by visiting: http://www.marybutlermeyers.com.