James “Jim” A. Asher, 92, passed away February 10, 2019, at Vintage Park of Atchison, Kansas.

Mass of Christian burial will be Thursday, February 14, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Benedict’s Church with Fr. Jeremy Heppler, OSB as celebrant. Interment will follow in Mt. Calvary Cemetery. A parish rosary will be recited on Thursday, Feb. 14, at 9:30 a.m. at the church with visitation to follow until 11:00 a.m. The Arensberg-Pruett Funeral home has been entrusted with final care. Memorial contributions are suggested to St. Benedict’s Abbey, St. Benedict Catholic School or Atchison Hospital Auxiliary and may be left in care of the funeral home. Online condolences to the family may be left at www.arensbergpruett.com.

He was born August 4, 1926, in Webber, KS.

Jim proudly served in the United States Army from 1944 until his honorable discharge in 1946.

He married Pat (Cunningham) on April 7, 1951. They made their home in St. Joe until moving to Atchison in 1963. She preceded him in death October 17, 2015.

Jim and Pat were awarded the Cross of the Order of St. Benedict in 1997 and the Parent Alumni Award in 2002 from Benedictine College.

Jim was an Assistant Administrator at the Sister’s Hospital in St. Joseph, Missouri, before moving to Atchison in 1963 and becoming the Administrator of the Atchison Hospital, a position he held for 28 years. During this time, he oversaw the construction of Cray Senior Manor and the Ramsey Medical Building.

Jim was active in the Atchison community. He was a member of the Kiwanis Club, the Kansas Hospital Association Board, St. Benedict’s Catholic Grade School Endowment, and Pineview Country Club.

He is survived by his seven children, Jim (Maureen), Martin (Aggie), John (Jeannie), Mary, and Robert, all of Atchison. Paul (Dianne) of Prairie Village and Liz (Dave) Gruenbacher of St. Louis. He has 13 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

Atchison County District Court will be closed Thursday, February 14th from 10:30 a.m. to 12 noon to attend the funeral.