Virginia Mae Kerschen (nee Brand), 99 of Leawood, KS (previously St. Louis, MO), peacefully slid into Heaven with her devoted husband of 78 years, Eldon (Bud) and daughter, Deanna. At her side.

Virginia was born October 15,1926 to Genevieve Engelbrecht Brand and Mathias (Matt) Brand. She was a graduate of Sacred Heart College (now Newmann University} in Wichita. She was a medical technologist in the American Society of Clinical Pathologists. She maintained her certification for fifty years, while she alternated between work and being a stay-at-home mom.

Virginia closed out her years of medicine at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, working in blood research with Dr. Gaston. Her specialty was Factor 9 coagulation. Dr. Gaston had Virginia teaching this to new interns!

Virginia was known to everyone for her gourmet cooking, green thumb, incredible singing voice, immaculate housekeeping, dedication to liturgy and choir for fifty-three years, and her intense pride in her family.

Virginia is survived by her husband of 78 years, Eldon (Bud) Kerschen; daughter Deanna Mana (Frank); grandson Tony Mana (Kristin); two great grandsons Collin and Chase Mana, and beloved nieces and nephews. (Brand, Simon, Breitenbach, Hinds).

Visitation will be Wednesday May 27th at St. Michael the Archangel, 14251 Nall Ave, Leawood KS 66223 from 9:30AM to 10:30 AM followed by Funeral Mass at 10:30 AM.

Interment at Resurrection Cemetery Mausoleum,  8300 Quivira Rd, Lenexa KS 66215 at 1:30 PM.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations can be made in Virginia’s memory to:

Great Plains ASPCA ( www.greatplainsspca.org )

St Jude’s Research Hospital ( www.stjude.org )

Tunnel 2 Towers ( www.t2t.org ).