Jacque Lu Lichtenberger
August 14, 1932 – January 29, 2023

Jacque Lu Lichtenberger, a cherished wife, mom and grandma, passed away Sunday, Jan. 29,
2023. She recently celebrated her 90 th birthday with her family, including her great-
granddaughter. Jacque was the matriarch of her family, taking care of her mother, father,
aunts, uncles, husband, children and grandson throughout much of her life.
Jacque was born in Scott City, Kansas, in 1932, the only child of Hoyt Keeton Rippee and Helen
Fletcher. She lived most of her life in Wichita where she met James "Jim" S. Lichtenberger, her
sweetheart at East High School, who became the love of her life. They married in 1951 and had
three children. Jim died in 2007.
When Jim enlisted in the U.S. Navy in the 1950s and served aboard the U.S.S. Juneau, Jacque
moved to Virginia Beach and Philadelphia to be closer to him when he returned stateside. They
moved home together to Wichita where they raised their children. Jacque worked as a
secretary at Riverlawn Christian Church, KAKE-TV and elsewhere in Wichita.
A devoted mother, Jacque spent much of her life supporting her daughter and two sons in their
education, activities and sports, spending countless hours at baseball games and practices. She
saw all three of her children off to college and was proud to see them graduate. Jacque did the
same for her only grandson, supporting his education, and was thrilled to dote on her 3-year-
old great-granddaughter in recent years.
Later in life, Jacque survived cancer and focused on healthy living, vitamins, nutrition, and
enjoying nature. She was an avid walker along the river and loved visiting Wichita's Botanica
gardens. She enjoyed keeping her own beautiful flower garden and growing vegetables at
home.
Jacque is preceded in death by her husband Jim and son Tim. She is survived by daughter Marla
Sue Zongker of Alexandria, Virginia; son Mike Lichtenberger (Henrietta) of Wichita; grandson
Brett Zongker (Brian Westley) of Washington, D.C.; great-granddaughter Linden Westley
Zongker; and extended family.
A funeral service is planned Thursday, Feb. 2, at 1 p.m. at Old Mission Mortuary, 3424 E. 21 st
Street North in Wichita, to celebrate Jacque's life.
The family suggests memorial donations in Jacque's honor to the Mental Health Association of
South Central Kansas, 555 N. Woodlawn, Suite 3105, Wichita, KS 67208, or to Botanica Wichita,
701 Amidon St., Wichita, KS, 67203.