Obituaries in Kansas Newspapers (arranged by city)
Nona J. Balderson-DeArmond 1949-2001
WICHITA - Nona J. Balderson-DeArmond, 52, died Jan. 17 at her home in Wichita. She was born May 22, 1948, in Vinita, Okla., the daughter of Robert E. Lee and Martha Louise Osborn Breshears. She married
David C. Balderson. A resident of Wichita, and former resident of Great Bend, she was a retired Commerce Bank assistant and bank manager. Survivors include her husband of the home; two sons, Patrick Tetrick and Mike Tetrick, both of Wichita; one daughter, Lisa Tetrick of Valley Center; one stepson, Brian Balderson of Wichita; one stepdaughter, Nicole McCoy of Wichita; her mother, Martha Louise Pitzl of Wichita; two brothers, Roger Leon Breshears of Wichita and Kevin Breshears of Belle Plaine; one sister, Arla Wilmore of Falcon, Colo.; grandmother, Ruby Springwater of Big Cabin, Okla.; and eight grandchildren; Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Resthaven Mortuary in Wichita. Burial will be at Resthaven Garden of Memory in Wichita. Friends may call from 6:30-8:30 tonight at the mortuary. Memorials are suggested to the Make-AWish Foundation or the Ronald McDonald House, both in care of the mortuary.
James Samuel Adams 1908-2001
LARNED - James Samuel Adams, 92, died Jan. 19 at Larned Healthcare and Living Center. He was born March 25, 1908, at St. John, the son of Charles S. and Hermio Brene Adams. He married
Helen Lucille McMorran Feb. 25, 1933, at Sedgwick. A resident of Larned since 1946, he was an electrician and radio and television technician. Adams was a member of Presbyterian Church in Larned. Survivors include his wife of the home; one son, John Charles Adams of Larned; two grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by two sisters, Anita Spencer and Mildred McAdoo. Funeral will be at 1:30 p.m. Monday at the church with the Rev. Jack Singer officiating. Burial will be at Larned cemetery. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. today at Morell Funeral Home in Larned. Memorials are suggested to Larned Emergency Medical Service or Alzheimer's and Related Disorders Association, both in care of the funeral home.
Dolores Janet Fricks 1927-2001
Dolores Janet Fricks, 73, died Jan. 19 at Central Kansas Medical Center, St. Rose Campus in Great Bend. She was born May 19, 1927, in Otis, the daughter of Dan and Lydia Muth Brack. She married
Oscar G. Fricks Feb. 21, 1948, in Great Bend. He died June 6, 1989. A lifetime resident of Great Bend, she was a retired certified nurses' aide and caregiver. Mrs. Fricks was a member of Hart's Corner Missionary Baptist Church. Survivors include one son, Steve Fricks of Great Bend; one daughter, Faye Schartz of Great Bend; three brothers, Wilbur Brack and Dan Brack of Farmington, N.M., and Tom Brack of Great Bend; four sisters, Evelyn Deines of Ellinwood, Marilyn White of Royce City, Texas, Wilma Cody of Welaka, Fla., and DeAnna Robinson of Lee's Summit, Mo.; four grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. She was preceded in death by one son, James Allen Fricks; one brother, Orville Brack; and one sister, Bonnie Flowers. Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at the church with the Elder A.J. Owens officiating. Burial will be at the Great Bend cemetery. Friends may call until 9 tonight and from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday, both at Bryant-Christians Funeral Home in Great Bend, and from 9:30 a.m. to service time Tuesday at the church. Memorials are suggested to the church, in care of the funeral home.
Bill Michaelis 1940-2001
RUSSELL - Bill Michaelis, 60, died Jan. 18 at his home in Russell. He was born Jan. 29, 1940, in Russell, the son of Walter and Rachel C. Keil Michaelis. He married
Darlene B. Brown April 25, 1964, in Russell. A resident of Russell, worked in the home improvement business with Eddie Heffel prior to working for Russell water department as superintendent. Michaelis was a life member of the Veteran of Foreign Wars 6240 in Russell. Survivors include his wife of the home; one daughter, Brenda Michaelis of Grand Island, Neb.; two brothers, Donald Michaelis of Liberal and Larry Michaelis of Lyons; three sisters, Delores Hanhardt of Bison, Elaine Paulson of Salina and Shirley Roth of LaSalle, Colo. He was preceded in death by one brother, Vennard Michaelis; and four sisters, Melba Kuhn, Patricia Dumler, Sharon Mitchell and an infant. Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Monday at Pohlman's Memorial Chapel in Russell with the Rev. Henry Hartman officiating. Burial will be at Russell City cemetery. Friends may call until 9 tonight and from 9 a.m. to service time Monday, both at the mortuary. Memorials are suggested to American Cancer Society, in care of the mortuary.
Nina Mae Wycoff 1927-2001
ST. JOHN - Nina Mae Wycoff, 73, died Jan. 17 at Central Kansas Medical Center, St. Rose Campus in Great Bend. She was born Feb. 18, 1927, in Paragould, Ark., the daughter of Floyd and Ophelia Estopy. She married
N. Guy Wycoff April 17, 1946, in Radium. A resident of the Radium community for 44 years, she was a homemaker, farmer and past owner of Dixie Cream Donut Shop in Goshen, Ind. Mrs. Wycoff was a member of Eden Valley Church of the Brethren and past Rebekahs, both of St. John, and past member of Extension Homemakers Unit and Progressive Club, both of Radium. She received her pilot's license in the 1950's. Survivors include her husband of Seward; one son, Todd Wycoff of St. John; three daughters, Karen Wycoff of Tulsa, Okla., Erenda Mercer and Susan Tucker, both of St. John; two sisters, Rena Schmitt of Arnold, Mo., and Virginia Kiefling of Winnipeg, Canada; two step-brothers, Jerry Estopy of Texas and Galen Estopy of Arkansas; and five grandsons. She was preceded in death by one infant brother. Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Monday at the church with the Revs. Matt Spurgin and David Albright officiating. Burial will be at Pawnee Rock cemetery. Friends may call until 7 tonight at Minnis Chapel in St. John. Memorials are suggested to the church, in care of the funeral home.
Katherine E. Godfrey 1916-2001
Katherine E. Godfrey, 84, died Jan. 21 at Central Kansas Medical Center, St. Rose Campus, in Great Bend. She was born Aug. 21, 1916, in Ness City, the daughter of Jacob and Agatha Leiker Gabel. She married
James R. "Jimmy" Godfrey July 16, 1934, in Great Bend. A resident of Great Bend since 1943, coming from Hutchinson and Russell, she was a retired teacher's aid for the handicapped at Washington School. Mrs. Godfrey was a member of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church and the Altar Society, both in Great Bend. Survivors include her husband of the home; one son, James "Dick" Godfrey of Salina; two daughters, Patricia Ann Horn of Polo, Mo. and Jean Wegner of St. Charles, Mo.; one brother, Jake Gabel, Jr. of Casper, Wyo.; three sisters, Pauline Leiker of Wichita, Rose Melcher of Los Angeles, Calif., and Odella Gardner of Casper; 10 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by three brothers, Alex Gabel, Frank Gabel and Joe Gabel; and four sisters, Germaine Kreutzer, Ann Colegrove, Clara Lieker and Dorothy McIntire. Altar society rosary will be at 4 p.m. Tuesday at Bryant-Christians Funeral Home in Great Bend. Parish rosary will be at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home with the Revs. Angel Dy and Warren Stecklein officiating. Burial will be at the Great Bend cemetery. Friends may call until 9 tonight and from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday, both at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the Catholic School Endowment Fund, in care of the funeral home.
Mildred Eugenia Suellentrop 1917-2001
Mildred Eugenia Suellentrop, 83, died Jan. 20 at Garden Terrace of Overland Park. She was born May 28, 1917, in Barton County, the daughter of Conrad and Amelia Keil Baker. She married
Marcus J. Suellentrop April 12, 1939, in Great Bend. A resident of Overland Park for two years, coming from Great Bend, she was a homemaker. Mrs. Suellentrop was a member of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church and Altar Society, both in Great Bend. Survivors include her husband of the home; three sons, John Suellentrop of Sunrise Beach, Mo., the Rev. Anthony Suellentrop of Medicine Lodge and Timothy Suellentrop of Overland Park; one daughter, Ann Martin of Overland Park; two sisters, Elsie Myers of Lenexa and Irene Persful of Houston, Texas; and three grandchildren. Altar society rosary will be at 3 p.m. today at Bryant-Christians Funeral Home in Great Bend. Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the church with the Revs. Anthony Suellentrop and Angel Dy officiating. Burial will be at the Great Bend Cemtery. Friends may call until 9 tonight at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Association or the Golden Belt Home Health and Hospice, both in care of the funeral home.
Eugene Scott Weesner 1930-2001
HAYS - Eugene Scott Weesner, 71, died Jan. 20 at Hays Medical Center. He was born Jan. 15, 1930, in McCracken, the son of Ralph and Selma Rothe Weesner. He graduated from La Crosse Rural High School in 1949. A lifelong resident of Rush County, he was an electrical contractor and worked for the city of La Crosse Light Plant. Weesner was a member of La Crosse United Methodist Church. He was an Airman Second class in the U.S. Air Force. Survivors include one sister, Alice O. Pokorny of Hays. Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Janousek Funeral Home in La Crosse with military honors. Burial will be at La Crosse City cemetery. Friends may call until 8 tonight, with the family receiving friends from 2-4 p.m. today, both at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the American Diabetes Association or the American Heart Association, in care of the funeral home.
Elfreda 'Freda' A. Walker 1918-2001
LARNED - Elfreda "Freda" A. Walker, 82, died Jan. 20 at her home in Larned. She was born March 17, 1918, in Great Bend, the daughter of August and Anna Gagelman Werhahn. She married
James M. Walker Feb. 19, 1954. He died Dec. 10, 1992. A resident of Larned since 1954, she was a retired store clerk at Dillons and a homemaker. Mrs. Walker was a member of United Methodist Church in Larned. Survivors include one son, Ken Walker of Larned; one stepson. Jerry Walker of Pebble Beach, Calif.; one stepdaughter, Glenda Kirby of Overland Park; one brother, August "Gus" Werhahn of Great Bend; two sisiters, Mildred Mull and Mable Hiss, both of Great Bend; six grandchildren; and six great grandchildren. Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Morell Funeral Home in Larned with the Rev. Charles Grant officiating. Burial will be at the Larned cemetery. Friends may call until 8 tonight, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday and until service time Wednesday, all at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the church or Golden Belt Home Health and Hospice, both in care of the funeral home.
Galand F. Boyd 1941-2001
HUTCHINSON - Galand F. Boyd, 59, died Jan. 20 at Hutchinson Hospital. He was born April 18, 1941, in Watertown, N.Y., the son of Harold and Reata Young Boyd. He married
Berna Dean Brooks March 5, 1985, in Las Vegas, Nev. A resident of Hutchinson for 35 years, coming from Great Bend, he was the former owner of B and K Body Shop. Survivors include his wife of the home; his mother of Honolulu, Hawaii; and one sister, Mary Flores of Honolulu. He was preceded in death by one brother, Richard "Red" Boyd. Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Heritage Chapel in Hutchinson. Cremation has taken place. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday at the chapel. Memorials are suggested to Hospice, in care of the chapel.
Melvin Strecker 1924-2001
SYLVAN GROVE - Melvin Strecker, 76, died Jan. 20 at Salina Regional Health Center, Santa Fe Campus. He was born Sept. 6, 1924, in Barton County, the son of Fredrick Jr. and Amalia Stettinger Strecker. He married
Melba Karst May 2, 1948, in Milberger. A resident of Sylvan Grove since 1954, coming from Lincoln County, he was a farmer. Strecker was a member of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Lucas. Survivors include his wife of the home; two sons, Delvin A. Strecker of Concordia and Ronald M. Strecker of Ellinwood; one daughter, Charlotte J. Herrman of Salina; one brother, Roy Strecker of Sylvan Grove; one sister, Helen Walter of Russell; and seven grandchildren. Funeral will be at 2 today at the church with the Rev. James Wagner officiating. Burial will be at Sylvan Grove cemetery. Friends may call until service time today at the church. Memorials are suggested to Gloria Dei Elevator Fund or Lincoln County Emergency Medical Technicians, in care of Rodrick and Minear Funeral Home in Sylvan Grove.
Blanche Eleanor Petracek Maggard 1918-2001
LA CROSSE - Blanche Eleanor Petracek Maggard, 82, died Jan. 19 at her daughter's home near Hutchinson from heart failure. She was born April 13, 1918, in Jennings, the daughter of Frank and Rosa Cilek Petracek. She graduated from Jennings High School in 1935. She attended Strickler's Business School in Topeka and attended Kansas State University. She married
Lloyd O. Maggard June 21, 1942, in Jennings. He died May 28, 2000. A resident of La Crosse, she established Rush County Locker Service with her husband in La Crosse, worked in the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service office in Rush County and served as a secretary at La Crosse Grade School. Mrs. Maggard was a member of First Christian Church in La Crosse. She was a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary, and volunteered in Second Chance Thrift Store, Meals on Wheels, the local food bank and youth organizations. Survivors include one son, Roger Maggard of Anchorage, Alaska; two daughters, Linda Conrad of Hutchinson and Carol Garbacik of Philomath, Ore.; one sister, Mildred Harper Wolfe of Colorado Springs, Colo.; and two grandchildren. She was preceded in death by seven brothers, Herbert Petracek, Stanley Petracek, Julius Petracek, Harry Petracek, Frank Petracek, Rudolph Petracek and Alfred Petracek; and three sisters, Nettie Skubal, Ruth Tacha Wade and Sylvia Peters. Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Friday at the church with the Rev. Troy Schroeder officiating. Burial will be at La Crosse cemetery. Friends may call from 2-9 p.m. Thursday at Janousek Funeral Home in La Crosse. Memorials are suggested to the church or Second Chance, both in care of the funeral home.
Harold Franklin Sterba 1939-2001
Harold Franklin Sterba, 61, died Jan. 21 at Central Kansas Medical Center, St. Rose Campus in Great Bend. He was born May 25, 1939, in Clifton, the son of Ludwick Frank and Florence Musselman Sterba. He married
Kathy Vogtman April 26, 1964, in Clifton. She died May 27, 1994. A resident of Great Bend since 1989, coming from Trousdale, he was a truck driver for Groendyke Transport. Survivors include two sons, David L. Sterba of Wichita and Grady Sterba of Great Bend; two daughters, Lori Sterba and Lisa Sterba, both of Great Bend; one brother, Daryl Sterba of Clifton; two sisters, Lois Richert and Marcine Sterba, both of Clifton; and four grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one sister, Dorothy Lou Sterba. Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at Kinsley Mortuary in Marysville with the Rev. Dale McCoy officiating. Burial will be at Marysville cemetery. Friends may call from 1-8 p.m. Wednesday at Great Bend Family Mortuary in Great Bend. Memorials are suggested to American Diabetes Association, in care of Great Bend Family Mortuary.
Katherine E. Godfrey 1916-2001
Katherine E. Godfrey, 84, died Jan. 21 at Central Kansas Medical Center, St. Rose Campus in Great Bend. She was born Aug. 21, 1916, in Ness City, the daughter of Jacob and Agatha Leiker Gabel. She married
James R. "Jimmy" Godfrey July 16, 1934, in Great Bend. A resident of Great Bend since 1943, coming from Hutchinson and Russell, she was a retired teacher's aide for the handicapped at Washington School. Mrs. Godfrey was a member of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church and Altar Society, both in Great Bend. Survivors include her husband of the home; one son, James "Dick" Godfrey of Salina; two daughters, Patricia Ann Horn of Polo, Mo., and Jean Wegner of St. Charles, Mo.; one brother, Jake Gabel Jr. of Casper, Wyo.; four sisters, Mary Frances Gabel of Wichita, Pauline Leiker of Wichita, Rose Melcher of Los Angeles, Calif., and Odella Gardner of Casper; 10 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by three brothers, Alex Gabel, Frank Gabel and Joe Gabel; and four sisters, Germaine Kreutzer, Ann Colegrove, Clara Lieker and Dorothy McIntire. Altar Society rosary will be at 4 p.m. today at Bryant-Christians Funeral Home in Great Bend. Parish rosary will be at 7:30 tonight at the funeral home. Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the church with the Revs. Angel Dy and Warren Stecklein officiating. Burial will be at Great Bend cemetery. Friends may call until 9 tonight at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to Catholic School Endowment Fund, in care of the funeral home.
