Mia Schraeder Korbelik

Mia Schraeder Korbelik, 73, passed away peacefully on Sunday November 2, 2025 (All Saints Day) at Plymouth Congregational Church shortly after worship in Lawrence, Kansas. She was born on April 25, 1952, at Trinity Hospital in Dodge City, Kansas, to Gail Glen Schraeder and Ora Mae Schraeder.

Mia graduated from Dodge City High School in 1970 and went on to attend Saint Mary of the Plains College in Dodge City. There, she met Barney Korbelik, and the two were married on December 21 1970. After graduating in 1978, Mia began her career as a teacher at Hanston High School, where she taught Language Arts for nine years.

After their first son, Hunter, was born Mia and Barney chose to leave their farmhouse in Hanston and return to Dodge City to raise their son near family. Mia worked at Saint Mary of the Plains College as Assistant Director of Development and later the Director of Development. Following the closure of the institution in 1992, the family relocated to Iowa, where Mia served as Director of Development at Iowa Wesleyan College in Mt. Pleasant. Eventually, the family returned to Dodge City.

Mia found her calling as Director of Development for United Methodist Mexican American Ministries, a position she held for 12 years. After the organization restructured, Mia resigned but continued her dedication to service as Executive Director of the Crisis Center of SW Kansas. Mia served on the Sunflower Foundation Board from 2008 to 2015. She was employed  with the United Way of Dodge City and was later a long-time volunteer.

Her commitment to education and community led her to run twice and  win—a seat as Trustee for Dodge City Community College, a role she embraced with passion for five years. She was deeply saddened to resign from this position when she and Barney moved to Lawrence in 2021 to ensure access to consistent medical care.

Mia and Barney shared a good life filled with family, and adventure. Together they traveled widely, enjoying an Alaskan cruise, visits to China, Japan, and Korea, a great winter vacation in London, relaxing vacations in Cancun, Antigua, and Jamaica and several trips to see Broadway shows.

After moving to Lawrence, she and Barney joined Plymouth Congregational Church. She was a member of Chapter DZ PEO in Dodge City and later, Chapter HZ in Lawrence. Mia became a loyal Kansas City Chiefs and KU Sports fan. Barney and Mia shared their love and home with many beloved pets over the years. She loved to read and watch movies and appreciated art and music.

She is survived by her husband of 54 years, Barney Korbelik; son Hunter Scott Korbelik and wife Cassandra Walter of Alexandria, Virginia; son Quinn Hutchinson Korbelik and his wife, Stephanie, and their son Parker James Korbelik (b. 2023) of Kansas City, Kansas; and her sisters Bernadette Porter, Escondido, California, and Gina McCullough, Olathe, as well as many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Gail and Ora Mae Schraeder.

Cremation has taken place. A Celebration of Life will be held at Plymouth Congregational Church, Lawrence at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 15, 2025.

The family would welcome memorials to the Plymouth Congregational Church, 925 Vermont St., Lawrence, KS 66044 or in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, 601 Indiana St., Lawrence, KS 66044.