Margaret Lillie Bleier

Margaret Lillie Bleier, co-founder and co-owner of Bleier's IGA, passed gracefully into heaven after 102 astonishing years on Earth. Rarely did one encounter a kinder, more gentle soul. There was not an ounce of malice in her bones and she truly radiated joy and love with every action. Anyone who met her always walked away with a smile (which could also be from one of her many witty remarks). Her life epitomized the American dream. She had a quaint and humble upbringing on a small farm in Alta Vista, Kansas. It was there she would build character with hard work and develop a sense of humor growing up with eight siblings in a small farmhouse. Not far away lived her future husband of 63 years, Leslie Wolfe Bleier. She married Les in April of 1941 and their journey together would take them across the US to California where she worked in a refinery with him, hitch hiking up and down the coast when they needed to travel. After saving money for several years, they stumbled upon an opportunity to buy a small grocery store in Junction City, Kansas. They seized the moment which thrust their lives into the new adventure of business ownership. Les and Margaret proved to be savvy entrepreneurs which afforded them many years of success in the grocery business. Through years of hard work and perseverance, coupled with sound decisions, they continued to grow their business over the course of nearly 40 years. They ultimately settled on their final (and largest) store in Wichita, Kansas in Westway Shopping Center. Bleier's IGA was a household name for many years for those living in south Wichita. It was the pride of joy of their lives until selling the store to siblings in 1979 to retire. Margaret loved fishing and spent many years with her husband on the water (although she admitted to never learning to swim). She also loved to entertain and genuinely enjoyed the company of all people. Les and Margaret hosted many social events and their house was often the central hub around which the family would typically gather.

The family would like to offer special gratitude for the care takers in Margaret's final chapter of life. In the last four years, Karen Coy and Diana Criss looked after Margaret with love and compassion while enhancing her life beyond what we thought possible. She lived a full and exciting life - experiencing Riverfest, boat rides, car shows, concerts, casinos, and even riding a camel at the age of 99. We are forever grateful for the true happiness it brought her in the final years. Margaret was preceded in death by her siblings: Edwin, George, Boyd, Leo, Mary, Calvin, and Lila. She was also preceded in death by her son, Barney, and her husband, Les. She is survived by her youngest brother, Bud (spouse Curly), three grandsons: Chad, Scott (spouse Lynzee), and Brian along with four great grandchildren: Briniya, Kane, Caden and Brenna. It is hard to adequately describe someone who personified such pure serenity and bliss. The lens through which Margaret viewed life showed her only the best of the world and gave her an attitude that embodied positivity, caring, laughter, compassion, and elation which she shared with us all. I am certain the lives she touched will continue to carry the torch of her infectious smile, wit and joyful personality and it will burn for many years to come. Visitation will be from 1 - 8 pm Thursday, April 8, Culbertson-Smith Mortuary, 115 S. Seneca. Funeral service 10 am Friday, April 9, Bethany Lutheran Church, 1000 W. 26th St. South. Graveside service 2:30 pm Friday, Alta Vista Cemetery, Alta Vista, KS. A memorial has been established with Bethany Lutheran Church, Wichita, KS 67217. View tributes at smithfamilymortuaries.com.