Erla Mae Casner, age 90, died March 5, 2020, at Guest Home Estates, Fort Scott, Kansas.
She was born October 26, 1929, in Mapleton, Kansas, daughter of William Fred Bloesser and Lula Mae Wellington Blosser.
She married Merle LaVerne Casner on Oct. 26,1947, in Fort Scott, Kansas. He preceded her in death June 10, 2017.
Erla graduated from Fort Scott High School with the Class of 1948.
She studied organ under Professor Ronald Dawson and then Dr. John Ditto at the Conservatory of Music at the University of Missouri in Kansas City.
She served twenty-four years as organist at the First Church of God in Fort Scott. She also served as substitute organist at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Fort Scott. She performed several recitals at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church on the pipe organ for Good Ol’ Days. She was a member of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Pittsburg, Kansas.
She is survived by two sons: Mark Casner and wife Donna, and Keith Casner both of Fort Scott, four grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and sister Fern Wratchford of Fort Scott.
Besides her husband, Merle, she was preceded in death by her brother William Bloesser and grandson, Raef Casner.
Father Dave Jenkins will officiate funeral services for Erla at 2:00 p.m., Thursday March 12, 2020, at the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home.
Visitation will be from 1:30 p.m., Thursday until the service at 2:00 p.m.
Burial will be held at Fort Scott National Cemetery at a later date.
Memorials may be made to the St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, Pittsburg, Kansas and may be sent to, or left in the care of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, P.O. Box 309, 15 W. Wall St., Fort Scott, Kansas. 66701. Condolences may be submitted to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com.