Obituaries in Kansas Newspapers (arranged by city)
Ruth Frances Smith 1909-2001
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. - Ruth Frances Smith, 91, died Jan. 9 in Oklahoma City. She was born March 9, 1909, in Great Bend, the daughter of Jess A. and Lily Mae Kriete Powelson. She married
Horace Lee Smith in Great Bend. He died April 29, 1962. A resident of Oklahoma City since 1993, she was a homemaker. Survivors include one daughter, Carla Von Feldt of Great Bend; four grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. Graveside service will be at 11 a.m. Friday at the Great Bend cemetery with the Rev. Don Paden officiating. Friends may call until 9 tonight and 9-10:30 a.m. Friday, both at Bryant-Christians Funeral Home in Great Bend. Memorials are suggested to the Alzheimer's Association, in care of the funeral home.
Edmund 'Lee' Earegood 1924-2001
HOISINGTON - Edmund "Lee" Earegood, 76, died Jan. 10 at Hoisington Rehabilitation Center. He was born April 8, 1924, in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich. A resident of Great Bend for 20 years, coming from Larned, he was employed by Doerr Metal Company in Larned. Survivors include four sons, David Earegood of Missouri, Donald Earegood of Great Bend, Jerry Earegood of California and Charles Dean Earegood of Larned; 10 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one grandson, Christopher Earegood. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Friday at the Hoisington cemetery with the Rev. Carl Willis officiating. Friends may call until 8 tonight at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home in Hoisington. Memorials are suggested to the Clara Barton Foundation, in care of the funeral home.
Alva G. Johnston 1914-2001
HOISINGTON - Alva G. Johnston, 86, died Jan. 9 at Clara Barton Hospital in Hoisington. He was born May 17, 1914, in Altamont, the son of Joseph E. and Oava Wood Johnston. He married
Mildred Manley April 21, 1940, in Oswego. A resident of Hoisington since 1958, coming from Edna, he was a grinder for Kansas Brick and Tile of Hoisington. Johnston was a member of the Assembly of God Church in Hoisington. Survivors include his wife of the home; one daughter, Maybeil Smith of Rockford, Ill.; two brothers, Dale R. Johnston and Wayne Johnston, both of Oswego; three sisters, Eunice Whetston of Chetopa, Bessie Mayo of McComb, Okla., and Wilma Collins of Shawnee, Okla.; three grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Ralph Johnston and Eugene Johnston; and one sister, Margaret Johnston. Funeral will be at 11 a.m. Friday at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home in Hoisington with the Rev. Matthew Pool officiating. Burial will be at the Hoisington cemetery. Friends may call until 8 tonight and from 9 a.m. until service time Friday, both at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the donor's choice, in care of the funeral home.
Velma Gladys Parish 1917-2001
ST. JOHN - Velma Gladys Parish, 83, died Jan. 9 at St. Francis Hospital in Topeka. She was born April 3, 1917, in Hudson, the daughter of Richard Max and Wilhelmina K.M. Teichmann. She was a 1935 graduate of Hudson High School. She received her teacher's certificate from Fort Hays State College. She married
John Arlie Parish Feb. 11, 1937, in Big Bow. He died Nov. 2, 1999. A resident of Great Bend since 1987, coming from the Eden Valley Community, she was a homemaker and teacher at Riley Grade School in Stafford. Mrs. Parish was a member of Eden Valley Church of Brethren and EHU, both in Eden Valley Community of rural St. John. Survivors include two sons, Steve Parish of Yorba Linda, Calif., and Wally Parish of Shoreview, Minn.; one daughter, Dixie Womack of Topeka; one brother, Walter Teichmann of Hudson; three sisters, Elsie Doellefeld Daniels of St. Louis, Mo., Esther Mueller of Hutchinson and Rosine Parish of Great Bend; six grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; and four step-great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one son, Arlyn Parish; two brothers, Hugo Teichmann and Otto Teichmann; and two sisters, Ida Nonamaker and Lorena Teichmann. Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at the church with the Revs. Dick Ogle, Matt Spurgin and Sammy Venkatsammy. Burial will be at the Fairview Park cemetery of rural St. John. Friends may call until 7 tonight at Minnis Chapel in St. John. Memorials are suggested to Capper's Foundation in Topeka, in care of the chapel.
Helen Foos 1910-2001
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - Helen Foos, 90, died Jan. 10 at Brighton Gardens of Colorado Springs. She was born Aug. 31, 1910, in Leoti, the daughter if Jacob and Christina Schwindt Scheuerman. She married
Clarence Foos Nov. 14, 1928. He preceded her in death. A resident of Rush County, she was a homemaker. Survivors include two daughters, Evelyn H. Morrsion of San Juan, Texas, and Connie T. Watts of Colorado Springs; six grandchildren; six great grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. She was preceded in death by four brothers, Soloman Scheuerman, Paul Scheuerman, Lester Scheuerman and Clifford Scheuerman; and one sister, Luella Gregor. Funeral will be at 11 a.m. Monday at Janousek Funeral Home in La Crosse with the Rev. Maurice Schaus officiating. Burial will be at LaCrosse cemetery. Friends may call from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and f Sunday, both at the funeral home.
Irvin Martin Debes 1918-2001
Irvin Martin Debes, 82, died Jan. 11 in Great Bend. He was born Sept. 15, 1918, in rural Ellinwood, the son of Anthony and Clara Debes Debes. He married
Theda Gertrude Sparkman Jan. 15, 1942, in Great Bend. A life-long resident of Barton County, he was a farmer and oil well pumper. Debes was a member of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, and a past member of Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion, all of Great Bend; and a past member of Knights of Columbus in Ellinwood. Survivors include his wife of the home; two sons, Johnny L. Debes of Littleton, Colo., and Fred D. Debes of Great Bend; three sisters, Susan Schloctermeier of Ellinwood, Minnie Felke of Kansas City and Helen Johns of Denver, Colo.; four granddaughters; and eight great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one brother, William Debes; and one sister, Terese Ross. Altar society rosary will be at 3 p.m. Sunday, with a vigil service at 7 p.m. Sunday, both at Fryberger Mortuary in Great Bend. Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Monday at the church with the Rev. Angel Dy officiating. Burial will be at the Great Bend cemetery with military honors by the U.S. Army of Fort Riley. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday at th mortuary. The family will recieve friends at 6 p.m. Sunday at the mortuary. Memorials are suggested to the Holy Family School Tuition Fund, in care of the mortuary.
Gladys Hull 1911-2001
LINCOLN, Neb. - Gladys Hull, 89, died Jan. 11 in Lincoln. She was born March 28, 1911, in Lincoln, the daughter of Ralph William and Olive Irene Richardson Hall. A resident of Lincoln, she was a first-grade teacher at Sheridan Elementary School for 13 years. Mrs. Hull was a member of the Methodist Church. Survivors include one son, Dean Kemper of Lincoln; one daughter-in-law, Mary Bowen of Lincoln; one brother, Ralph Hall of Lincoln; one sister-in-law, Elaine Hall of Lincoln; and one sister, Viola Engel of New Smyrna, Fla.; four grandchildren; and two step-grandsons. She was preceded in death by her husbands, Dean Kemper Bowen and Woodrow W. Hull; one daughter, Sharee; and one sister, Alice. Funeral will be at 1 p.m. Friday at Roper and Sons Chapel, 4300 'O' Street, in Lincoln. Burial will be at Wyuka cemetery.
Gene Johnson 1926-2001
EL DORADO - Gene Johnson, 74, died Jan. 10 in Wichita. He was born April 29, 1926, in Hughesville, the son of Roy C. and Myrtle L. Stockwell Johnson. He married
Mary Batesel Oct. 8, 1960, in Great Bend. A resident of El Dorado, he was a pumper for Cities Service Oil Company. Johnson was a member of the New Challengers Sunday School Class and the Cities Service Retirees. He was a U.S. Army veteran serving in the Pacific Theatre with the heavy artillery. Survivors include his wife of the home; three sons, Terry Johnson of El Tigre, Venezuela, Brad Johnson of Burns and Loren Johnson of Augusta; six grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Funeral will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Carlson Funeral Home in El Dorado. Graveside services and burial will be at 2 p.m. at Toronto (Kan.) cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the American Heart Association or the Butler County Oil Museum, in care of the funeral home.
Verna Eula Metz 1920-2001
ST. JOHN - Verna Eula Metz, 80, died Jan. 11 at Pratt Regional Medical Center in Pratt. She was born May 23, 1920, in Milfay, Okla., the daughter of John H. and Sallie McCann. She was a graduate of Oxford High School. She married
Morrison Green "Bud" Metz Feb. 21, 1947, in Great Bend. He died Aug. 7, 1980. A resident of St. John since 1947, coming from Mead, she was a sales clerk for McIntire Pharmacy in St. John and worked at Boeing Aircraft during World War II. Mrs. Metz was a member of First United Methodist Church and BPW, both of St. John. Survivors include one son, John E. Metz of Wichita; one brother, Elmer McCann of Sedan; two grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one brother and four sisters. Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Monday at Minnis Chapel in St. John with the Rev. Lewis Hearne officiating. Burial will be at Fairview Park cemetery. Friends may call until 7 tonight at Minnis Chapel in St. John. Memorials are suggested to Sandyland Shepherd's Center in St. John, in care of the funeral home.
Leola Elverta 'Bertie' Kufeld 1907-2001
FORT COLLINS, Colo. - Leola Elverta "Bertie" Kufeld, 93, died Jan. 12 at Columbine West Nursing Home in Fort Collins. She was born Nov. 26, 1907, in Abilene, the daughter of Emanuel Edward and Sadie Engle Wagaman. She married
Roland Kufeld June 8, 1929, in Great Bend. He died Sept. 1, 1978. A resident of Fort Collins, coming from Great Bend, she was an artist. Mrs. Kufeld was a member of First United Methodist Church in Great Bend and PEO Chapter GS in Fort Collins. Survivors include one son, Roland C. "Ron" Kufeld of Fort Collins; two grandchildren; and four great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one son, Stephen B. Kufeld; and one sister, Evelyn Ringer. Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Bryant-Christians Funeral Home in Great Bend with the Rev. Jana Baxter officiating. Burial will be at Great Bend cemetery. Friends may call from 1-9 p.m. Tuesday and from 9 a.m. to service time Wednesday, both at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the church, in care of the funeral home.
Howard Wilson Zook 1914-2001
ROZEL - Howard Wilson Zook, 87, died Jan. 11 at Central Kansas Medical Center, St. Joseph Campus, in Larned. He was born Jan. 10, 1914, in Pawnee County, the son of Charles and Viola Grubb Zook. He married
Norma Eileen Cook June 8, 1938, in Larned. A lifetime resident of Pawnee County, he was a farmer. Zook was a member of United Methodist Church, Lion's Club and organized the 4-H Rozel Hustler, all of Rozel. Survivors include his wife of the home; three sons, Howard Michael Zook of Garden City, John B. Zook of Tierra Blanco, Mexico, and Mark Zook of Longmont, Colo.; four daughters, Sharron Brown of Great Bend, Carmen Franz of Warrensburg, Mo., Dolretta Hagerty of Larned and Zella Sanner of Spring Valley, Calif.; three brothers, Charles A. Zook of Lakewood, Calif., Willard Zook of Azle, Texas and Ronald Zook of Turner, Ore.; one sister Hazel Query of Panorama, Calif.; 14 grandchildren; 19 great grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by one brother, Estel Zook; and one sister, Wilma Jennings. Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday at Beckwith Mortuary Chapel with the Rev. Rob Schmutz officiating. Burial will be at Pleasant Valley cemetery. Friends may call until 8 tonight and until service time Monday, at the mortuary. Memorials are suggested to the Burdett Emergency Medical Service or the Rozel United Methodist Church, both in care of the mortuary.
Betty Ann Klaus Schaffer 1944-2001
LA CROSSE - Betty Ann Klaus Schaffer, 56, died Jan. 13 at her home. She was born May 29, 1944, at Hays, the daughter of Nicholas and Louise Helen Befort Klaus. She was a graduate of Hays High School. She married
Dennis Schaffer June 6, 1964, in Liebenthal. A resident of La Crosse for 36 years, coming from Munjor, she was a convenience store owner. Mrs. Schaffer was a member of St. Michael's Catholic Church of La Crosse. Survivors include her husband; one son, Calvin Schaffer of Eureka; three daughters, Gale Fischer of Ellis, LeAnn Woods of Garden City and Sarah Burk of La Crosse; two sisters, Mildred Klaus of Ellis and Elsie Dreher of Hoisington; and 12 grandchildren. She was preceded in death by two brothers, Dean Klaus and Kenneth Klaus; and one sister, Patricia Beakey. Rosary will be at 7:30 tonight at Janousek Funeral Home in La Crosse. Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the church. Burial will be at La Crosse City cemetery. Friends may call from 2-9 tonight at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to Hays Hospice of Hays Medical Center or the church, both in care of the funeral home.
Wayne Dean Fischer 1928-2001
MAPLE HILL - Wayne Dean Fischer, 73, died Jan. 12 at his home in Maple Hill. He was born Aug. 18, 1927, the son of Reinhold G. and Caroline Tieperman Fischer. He married
Delores Gagelman. They divorced. He married
Katherine Friesen in 1963 in Topeka. They were divorced. A resident of Maple Hill, coming to the Topeka area in 1963 from Hudson, he was was a truck driver and former co-owner of Capital City Moving and Storage. Fischer was a member of Peace United Church of Christ in Hudson, American Legion Post 180 in Great Bend and Republican National Committee. He was a U.S. Navy veteran of the Korean War, serving on the USS Tingley and the USS Yarnall. Survivors include one son, Brian Fischer of Great Bend; two daughters, Dana Lloyd of Ellinwood and Lora Cushard of Murrayville, Ga.; one stepson, Eric Friesen; five stepdaughters, Janet Friesen, Karie Snyder, Lorin Friesen, Leanne Jowers and Marcile Dean; two sisters, Reta M. Schreiber of Great Bend and Alice M. Nichols of Gunnison, Colo.; and six grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one daughter, Brenda Jo Fischer. Funeral will be a 11 a.m. Tuesday at Penwell-Gable Funeral Home in Topeka. A second funeral service will be held at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday at the church in Hudson, with the Rev. George Redington officiating. Burial will be at Peace cemetery in Hudson. Friends may call from 5-9 p.m. Tuesday and 9 a.m. until noon Wednesday at Bryant-Christians Funeral Home in Great Bend. Memorials are suggested to the church, in care of Bryant-Christians Funeral Home.
Virginia Marguerite Holmes 1923-2001
HOLYROOD - Virginia Marguerite Holmes, 77, died Jan. 12, as the result of an automobile accident near Chapman. She was born Nov. 22, 1923, at Lyons, the daughter of Walter and Mary Motter. She married
Harold D. Holmes April 25, 1941, at Kingman. He died Aug. 16, 1973. A resident of Holyrood since 1946, coming from Hutchinson, she was a homemaker and cook at Holyrood schools. Mrs. Holmes was a member of St. Paul's United Church of Christ and American Legion Auxiliary, both in Holyrood. Survivors include two sons, Gary D. Holmes of Stafford and Charles D. Holmes of Topeka; two daughters, Barbara J. Shelton of Foster City, Calif., and Margaret Ann Jones of Holyrood; one brother, Leonard Motter of Washington; 13 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by two brothers; and four sisters. Funeral will be a combined service with that of Phyllis M. Jones at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the church, with the Revs. Mary Lou Klein and Jack Sweany officiating. Burial will be at Hillcrest Memorial Park cemetery in Great Bend. Friends may call from 2-4 p.m. Tuesday, when family will greet friends, at Parsons Funeral Home in Ellsworth. Memorials are suggested to the church or Great Bend Humane Society, in care of the funeral home.
