Obituaries in Kansas Newspapers (arranged by city)
William Dean Haggard
February 8, 1954 - January 6, 2005
Bill passed away peacefully at home. Private family services were held Sunday, January 9, 2005 at Antioch Pioneer Cemetery.
His gentle, kind and loving spirit will be missed by all who his life has touched, especially by his parents Forrest and Eleanor Haggard of Lenexa, KS, his brother W. A. “Skipper” Haggard of Tucson, AZ, his Sister Katherine Ann Haggard Perry and husband, Joe, of Leawood, KS, his nephew Peter Phillips of Kansas City, MO, and his cousins James A. Haggard and wife, Jan, of Aurora, CO.
Bill worshiped at the Circle of Faith Christian Church, was a member in the Ancient Form Masonic Lodge, was a Knight Commander Court of Honor of the Scottish Rite, volunteered at the WildCare Wildlife Refuge, and was an Eagle Scout.
Bill was always a genuine person and made an adventure of the everyday aspects of life. He was a care-giver to his father who has ALS and helped his family and neighbors with their daily lives. Bill enjoyed southwestern culture, movie night with his nephew, and loved all things involving nature and the out of doors.
Bill’s love of nature, plants, animals, and trees will be remembered by a memorial fund to benefit the Overland Park Arboretum. Donations may be sent to Bill Haggard Memorial Fund at the Friends of the Arboretum, P. O. Box 26147, Overland Park, Kansas 66225.
JOAN BICHELMEYER GRIMM
Joan Bichelmeyer Grimm, 66, of Shawnee, passed away at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday December 22 at Lakeview Village in Lenexa. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, friend and a patron of the arts throughout the State of Kansas.
Born March 23, 1938, in Kansas City, Kansas, she was the first of the 10 children of John F. and Mary H. (Matson) Bichelmeyer. She graduated from St. Joseph High School in 1956, and attended Loretto Heights Academy in Denver Colorado. Before she began her marriage and family, Joan worked as a stewardess for TransWorld Airlines.
Joan married C. Louis Grimm on December 27, 1958 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Shawnee, Kansas, where they were faithful members throughout their lives.
Joan was an avid photographer and lover of music. She was a member of the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church Resurrection Choir, a benefactor of the Ottawa Suzuki Strings and the Kansas City Youth Symphony, and supported KANU Public Radio Station in Lawrence through service and contributions. She was also co-author of the book “Country Boy, City Boy,” which was a chronicle of her father’s life.
Joan is survived by five children: Michael L. Grimm of Overland Park, Kansas; Douglas A. Grimm of San Antonio, Texas; Mary K. Grimm Dyche of Shawnee, Kansas; Andrew A. Grimm of Shawnee, Kansas; and Anne M. Grimm of Hamilton, New Zealand; and by nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. She is also survived by eight brothers and sisters: Judith K. Sumpter of Lenexa, James N. Bichelmeyer of Shawnee, Joseph M. Bichelmeyer of Shawnee, Jerome L. Bichelmeyer of Shawnee, Jean M. Jenkins of Emporia, Jane C. Wetzel of Westwood, Mary B. Lucas of Mission Hills, and Barbara A. Bichelmeyer of Bloomington, Indiana.
Joan was preceded in death by her husband, mother, and brother John G. Bichelmeyer, and her father who passed away fourteen hours before her.
A double funeral mass will be held for Joan and her father John at 10 a.m. Monday, December 27, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Shawnee. Burial will follow the funeral mass at St. Joseph's Cemetery.
Friends may call from 1 to 4:00 p.m. Sunday, December 26, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church.
In lieu of flowers, please send contributions to the Joan Grimm Memorial in care of the Ottawa Suzuki Strings, P.O. Box 99, Ottawa, Kansas 66067.
ANTHONY (TONY) VICTOR GRIMM
Anthony (Tony) Victor Grimm of Shawnee, KS, was born on June 22, 1937 in Kansas City, MO. He met his maker on January 24, 2005 at St. Joseph Medical Center. The wake services will be held at the Amos Family Chapel of Shawnee on Thursday, January 27 from 6-8 PM. Services on Friday at 1 PM at the chapel with burial at Shawnee Cemetery. The family suggests contributions to the American Heart Association. He graduated from Shawnee Mission North High School in 1955 and was in the U.S. Navy from 1955 to 1964. He graduated from the University of Kansas in 1964 with a Bachelors Degree in Electrical Engineering. He then worked for Honeywell as an Electrical Engineer for the past 40 years.
Survivors include his wife of 36 years, Elsie M. Grimm of Shawnee, KS; daughter, Cathleen L. Murry and her spouse Chester M. Murry of Overland Park, KS; son James A. Grimm and his spouse Melissa Grimm of Kansas City, KS; daughter Mary E. Hays and spouse Ryan Hays of Kansas City, MO; grandchildren, Roxanna Mainster, James Stuart, Cassandra Murry, Joshua Grimm, and Caleb Grimm. He is also survived by his mother Agnes Grimm, sister Carole Faltermeier, brothers Donald Grimm, Ronald Grimm, and Gary Grimm. He was preceded in death by his father Antone (Tony) Grimm and his brother Warren Grimm.
WILMA ARLENE GRIEBLING
Wilma Arlene Griebling of Kansas City, and formerly of Mason City, Iowa, died peacefully on Wednesday, March 23, 2005, at St. Joseph’s Health Center, Kansas City, MO, following a brief illness. Her family was at her side.
Wilma was born in Mason City, Iowa, on July 29, 1913. She was the youngest of eight children born to Norwegian immigrants Sophia Louise Sjobakken Mellang and Cornelius Lindor Mellang. She grew up in Mason City, graduated from Mason City High School in 1932, and then attended Mason City Junior College.
On July 2, 1938, Wilma married James William (Jim) Griebling. They built their home in Mason City and initially owned and operated a local ice cream store until her husband went to work for the United States Postal Service. The couple had three children, James Tomas Griebling, Jana Louise Griebling Root, and Tomas Lindor Griebling. Her family was always the greatest joy in her life.
She was the executive assistant to Dean Beam in the administrative offices of the Mason City Junior College (now NIACC). She also worked as the office manager with several Mason City businesses including the chuck Busch Insurance Agency, United Home Bank, and FibraCo.
Wilma spent most of her professional career as a legal secretary working with Judges Mason and Stone in Mason City until her retirement from the bench. She then worked for many years as a private legal secretary with Mr. Fred Ontjes, a prominent Mason City attorney, who practiced law until his death at the age of 91.
For more than 10 years, she served as the director and curator of the Kinney Pioneer Museum in Mason City, a museum dedicated to preserving the history of North Central Iowa. During her tenure, the museum significantly increased its collections and exhibition space, and saw dramatic increases in attendance at special events including antique auto shows, ice cream socials, and historical reenactments.
Wilma was dedicated to community service, and served in a number of leadership positions including President of the Friends of the Mason City Library, membership chair of the Mason City Woman’s Club, and volunteer with the Mason City Red Cross. She was active in the League of Women Voters, and she was a state delegate of the Iowa Republican Party. She served as a notary public, and frequently assisted with absentee voting efforts. She served in all of the Board of Director positions, including Chairwoman, of the North Iowa regional chapter of the National Association of Letter Carriers Auxiliary, and was the chapter delegate to several of their national conventions. She also served on the Board of Directors for Public Health Nursing in Cerro Gordo County (IA).
In July of 2003, Wilma and Jim moved to the Kansas City metropolitan area to be closer to their youngest son, Dr. Tomas Lindor Griebling, Assistant Professor and Vice-Chair of Urology and Faculty Associate in the Center on Aging at the University of Kansas Medical Center.
She enjoyed keeping in touch with her numerous long-time friends in Mason City, and getting to know many new friends and neighbors in the Kansas City area.
She loved music and the fine arts, and encouraged her children to pursue their artistic talents. When she was growing up, Wilma played bass saxophone in an all-girl, all-saxophone dance banc that performed throughout the North Iowa area. As a young woman, she was involved in the early development of Mason City Little Theatre (now Mason City Community Theatre). She was a very strong parent-student advocate and often volunteered in activities with the Mason City schools.
An avid gardener, she took great pride in the flower gardens surrounding her homes in both Mason City and Kansas City. Her other favorite pastimes included reading biographies, traveling with her family, and attending theater and music events. She was extremely proud of her Norwegian heritage, and incorporated Scandinavian traditions in family holiday gatherings and her daily life.
Wilma was preceded in death by her parents, grandparents, four brothers, three sisters, and her cousin Martha Steensland of Lawler, IA.
She is survived by her husband, James William Griebling of Kansas City, MO; her son James Tomas Griebling and his wife Phyllis of Pequot Lakes, MN and La Feria, TX; her daughter Jana Louise Griebling Root and her husband Dennis of Mason City, IA; her son Tomas Lindor Griebling, MD, of Shawnee, KS; five grandchildren: Christopher Griebling of Hastings, MN; William (Bill) Griebling of Red Wing, MN; Sarah Guilgot of Hastings, MN; Matthew Root of Huntington Beach, CA; and Dagne Root of Edwards, CO; six great-grandchildren; a nephew, Claire Mellang and his wife Helen of Bloomington, MN; a cousin, Anna Webster and her husband Bob of Lawler, IA, and several other cousins.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 26, 2005 at 3:00 pm at Unity Temple on the Plaza, 707 W. 47th Street, Kansas City, MO. Plans for a subsequent memorial service in Mason City, IA are currently pending. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Wilma’s honor to the Kansas City Good Samaritan Project, 3030 Walnut, Kansas City, MO, 64108, or the Muse Norris Hospice of North Iowa, 232 Second Street SE, Mason City, IA, 50401. The Amos Family Funeral Home, 10901 Johnson Drive, Shawnee, KS is in charge of arrangements (913) 631-5566.
BENNY V. GREEN
Benny Green, 84, of Shawnee, KS passed away March 25th, 2005 at Shawnee Mission Medical Center. Services will be held Tuesday March 29th, at 10:00 a.m. at the Amos Family Chapel of Shawnee. Friends may call Monday March 28th from 7-8:00 p.m. at the chapel. The family suggests donation to Kansas City Hospice.
Benny was born November 15th, 1920 in Oklahoma City. He served in the Army Air Corps in the Asiatic Theatre during World War II earning two Bronze Stars and the Distinguished Flying Cross. He married Nadine Klempnauer July 17th, 1949. Benny continued working at Green’s Florist in Kansas City, KS until his retirement in 1987. Benny is survived by his wife Nadine; his sons Ken Green (Cyndi) of Shawnee, Gary Green (Sue) of Holden, MO, Steve Green (Carol) of Merriam, and Fred Green (Cheri) of Kansas City, MO. He also leaves 8 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.
LUCILLE M. “RUSTY” GELPI
Lucille M. “Rusty” Gelpi, 84, Lenexa, KS passed away Thursday, March 31, 2005. Funeral Mass will be 1:30 p.m., Saturday at the Resurrection Mausoleum, Lenexa, KS. Visitation 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., Saturday at the Mausoleum. The family requests no flowers and suggests contributions to Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 13520 W. 92nd St., Lenexa, KS 66215.
Mrs. Gelpi was born in Hays, KS. She worked for the Army Surgeon at the Pentagon’s War Department during WWII. Lucille was a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Patrick Gelpi. Survivors include a son, Philip and his wife Toni Gelpi of Overland Park, KS; three daughters, Christine and her husband Roy Baker of Bella Vista, AR, Patti Michaels of Shawnee, KS and Tina Gelpi of Ft Myers, FL; two sisters, Marietta Riedel of Hays, KS and Estelle Schroller of Hays, KS; one brother, Elmer and his wife Lenore Goetz of Hays, KS; four grandchildren, Jon and Justin Michaels and Michael and Elizabeth Gelpi.
LAWRENCE H. FULGHAM
Lawrence Fulgham, 85, Louisville, MS passed away January 14, 2005 in Louisville. Graveside services will be at 1:00 PM, Tuesday, January 18 at Pleasant View Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions to Jo Co 4H Dog Club College Scholarship Fund, 13480 S Arapaho Dr., Olathe, KS 66062.
Lawrence was preceded in death by his wife, Mattie Pearl (Blankenship) Fulgham, parents, Arthur and Etta (McMinn) Fulgham, step-son, Tommy Smith, sisters Edna Oswalt and Lesli Mae Gill, and brothers, Rook and Eugene Fulgham. He is survived by his daughters, Linda (David) Rayburn, and Glinda (Jim) Salyer; son, Richard (Dianne) Fulgham; step-son, Barney Smith; brother Noah Lee Fulgham; seven grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, and seven great-great grandchildren.
