Obituaries in Kansas Newspapers (arranged by city)
Ruth Elizabeth Sipe 1911-2001
Ruth Elizabeth Sipe, 89, of Great Bend, died April 4 at Central Kansas Medical Center, St. Rose Campus in Great Bend. She was born Aug. 17, 1911, in Great Bend, the daughter of Harley Cecil "Buzz" and Hazel Grace Duncan Johnson. She married
Velton "V.R." Sipe on May 8, 1932, at Ness City. He died Dec. 23, 1988. A resident of Great Bend, coming from Ness City, Kiowa and Medicine Lodge, she was a teacher, co-owner/operator of Sipe's Drug Store and a homemaker. Mrs. Sipe was a member of First Presbyterian Church, Church Women's Organization, Presbyterian Naomi Circle, Garden Club, Order of the Eastern Star and Parnassus Music Club, all of Great Bend. Survivors include one daughter, Mary Pat Thomson of San Antonio, Texas; two grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one brother, Leo Richard Johnson; and one sister, Lillian Messner. Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at BryantChristians Funeral Home Chapel in Great Bend with the Rev. Tom Robson officiating. Burial will be at Great Bend cemetery. Friends may call until 9 tonight and from 9 a.m. until service time Saturday, all at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to Shriner's Hospital for Children, in care of the funeral home.
Floyd E. Neptune 1910-2001
CONCORDIA - Floyd E. Neptune, 90, died April 6 at Central Kansas Medical Center, St. Rose Campus in Great Bend. He was born Oct. 14, 1910, in Huscher, the son of Oliver and Eva Reeves Neptune. He married
Ruby Viola Revell March 11, 1932, at Concordia. She died Feb. 10. A resident of Concordia, he was a farmer for most his life in the Clyde and Concordia area. Neptune was a member of First Christian Church of Concordia. Survivors include one son, Steven Neptune of Great Bend; one daughter, Eva Riggs of Fosston, Minn.; two sisters, Sylvia Huber of McPherson and Ina Mae Parratt of Hastings, Neb.; eight grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the church with the Rev. John States officiating. Burial will be at Nelson cemetery in Huscher. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday at Chaput-Buoy Funeral Chapel in Concordia. Memorials are suggested to Concordia Senior Citizens or Life Line at Cloud County Health Center, both in care of the funeral home.
Nina Jeanette Fabin 1930-2001
SALINA - Nina Jeanette Fabin, 70, died April 4 at Salina Regional Health Center, Santa Fe Campus in Salina. She was born April 23, 1930, in Dallas, Iowa, the daughter of Coleman and Ester Moline Ruggles. A resident of Salina since 1996, she was a drug and alcohol counselor at several institutions in Kansas and Oklahoma for more than 20 years. Mrs. Fabin was a Women's Army Corps veteran of the Korean War, stationed in Yokohama, Japan. Survivors include five sons, Mark Fabin of Salina, Brad Fabin of Fort Wayne, Ind., Ross Fabin of Ellinwood, Craig Fabin of Columbia, Mo., Robert Jessin of Onawa, Iowa; one brother, Gene Ruggles of San Diego, Calif.; one sister, Dorothy Gibson of Hemet, Calif.; and seven grandchildren. Memorial service was Saturday at Ryan Mortuary in Salina with the Rev. Paul Robbins officiating. The body was cremated.
Levi Vernon Steinert 1922-2001
HOISINGTON - Levi Vernon Steinert, 78, died April 6 at Hoisington Rehabilitation Center in Hoisington. He was born April 19, 1922, in Russell County, the son of George Jr. and Natalie Bauer Steinert. A longtime resident of Hoisington, he was a retired self-employed painter. Steinert was a member of the Lutheran faith. He was a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7428 of Hoisington. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II, receiving the Purple Heart. Survivors include one son, Doug Steinert of Hoisington; one daughter, Ramona Cousins of Hoisington; two brothers, George L. Steinert of Grove, Okla., and Loren C. Steinert of Junction City; one sister, Elvera Humphrey of Chula Vista, Calif.; six grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one son, Franklin Steinert; one brother, Leon Steinert; and one great-grandchild, Victoria Woods. Graveside service will be at 11 a.m. Monday at Fairview cemetery in Galatia with the Rev. Kelly Taylor-Schaus officiating. The family will meet at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home in Hoisington at 10:30 a.m. and drive in procession to the cemetery. Friends may call from 2-9 tonight and 9-10:30 a.m. Monday, both at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to donor's choice, in care of the funeral home.
William T. Wilkoff 1918-2001
ST. JOHN - William T. Wilkoff, 82, died April 6 at Stafford District Hospital. He was born Dec. 29, 1918, in Youngstown, Ohio, the son of Albert and Leah Wilkoff. He was a graduate of Wichita State University and attended seminary at Southern Methodist University. He married
Kathryn M. Wilkoff Dec. 29, 1946 in Hutchinson. A resident of St. John, coming from Newton, he was a minister from 1955 to 1981 and a college instructor. Wilkoff was a member of First United Methodist Church of St. John, Kansas Methodist West Conference, Newton Masonic Lodge and Chaplain of Newton Chapter of Hospice. He was a pastor, preaching at Moundridge, Hesston and St. John. Survivors include his wife of the home; one son, Mark O. Wilkoff of Alexandria, Va.; one daughter, Kathryn A. Tanner of St. John; and one grandson. He was preceded in death by one brother, Howard Wilkoff; and one sister, Janet Wilkoff. Funeral was at 10 a.m. today. Burial was at Fairview Park cemetery in St. John. Memorials are suggested to Leisure Homestead or the church, both in care of Minnis Chapel of St. John.
Carol Mary Esfeld 1924-2001
Carol Mary Esfeld, 77, of Great Bend died April 8 at Central Kansas Medical Center, St. Rose Campus in Great Bend. She was born Jan. 16, 1924, in Hutchinson, the daughter of Stanley J. and Anna K. Strobel Rychlec. She married
Joseph E. Esfeld Aug. 28, 1950, in Enid Okla. A resident of Great Bend, coming from Hutchinson, she was treasurer of Esfeld Construction Inc. and an employee of Scheufler's and Great Bend Air Base Corp of Engineers, all of Great Bend. Mrs. Esfeld was a member of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, Altar Society, Veterans of Foreign Wars Ladies Auxiliary and American Legion Ladies Auxiliary, all of Great Bend. Survivors include her husband of the home; one son, Joseph E. "Bert" Esfeld Jr. of Great Bend; two daughters, Beverly Cross of Great Bend and Mary Jo Esfeld of Pawnee Rock; one brother, Robert L. Richley of Great Bend; one sister, Kathryn Hunt of Great Bend; and five grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one son, Junior Bombardier; one daughter, Carol Ann Bombardier Rychlec; three brothers, Aloysius "Bud" Rychlec, Billy Rychlec and Junior Rychlec; and two sisters, Vickie Rychlec and Mary Ann Rychlec. Rosary will be at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the church. Memorial service will be at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the church with the Rev. Angel Dy officiating. Burial will take place at a later date at St. Francis Xavier cemetery in Seward. There will be no visitation. Memorials are suggested to Leader Dogs for the Blind, Dominican Sisters Retirement Fund or the church, all in care of Bryant-Christians Funeral Home in Great Bend.
Lyman 'Butch' Kruckenberg 1950-2001
TOPEKA - Dr. Lyman "Butch" Kruckenberg, 50, died April 4 at Topeka Hospital. He was born April 26, 1950, in Great Bend, the son of Lyman and Esther Keil Kruckenberg Sr. He is a 1968 graduate of Great Bend High School and earned a bachelor's degree in biology from Sterling College. He is a 1983 graduate of the Kansas State University School of Veterinary Medicine. He married
Virginia Sue Eaton on Nov. 22, 1969, in Great Bend. A resident of Topeka, coming from Great Bend, he was a veterinarian. Survivors include his wife of the home; his mother and father of Great Bend; three sons, Kris Kruckenberg of Overland Park, Brian Kruckenberg of Olathe and Casey Kruckenberg of Manhattan; one brother Martin Kruckenberg of Buhler; and one sister, Jenny McLeland of Wichita. Services were April 6 in Topeka and April 7 Ellis. Cemation and funeral arrangements were handled by Penwell-Gabel Mid-Town Chapel in Topeka.
Olive A. 'Goggie' Honderick 1904-2001
HAYS - Olive A. "Goggie" Honderick, 96, died April 4 in Hays. She was born July 18, 1904, in Rush Center, the daughter of Harry and Dora Smith Button. She attended La Crosse High School. She married
Ernest E. Honderick Nov. 9, 1921. He died June 1, 1983. A resident of Hays in 1998, coming from Bison and La Crosse, she was a farmer and homemaker. Mrs. Honderick was a member of United Methodist Church of La Crosse. Survivors include two daughters, Patricia Lee Schutte of Great Bend and Marilyn Jo Grove of Chatham, N.J.; four grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by three brothers, Roy Button, Vern Button and Clarence Button; and one sister, Elva Button-Matlock. Memorial services will be at 2:30 p.m. April 16 at the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home with Dr. Glenn Tombaugh officiating. Private burial will be at the La Crosse City cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the church, in care of the funeral home.
William J. Raymond 1927-2001
LIEBENTHAL - William J. Raymond, 74, died April 6 at his home. He was born March 27, 1927, in Boston, Mass., the son of Joseph Daniel and Margaret Mary Dunphy Raymond. A resident of Rush County, he was a retired Marine and truck driver. Raymond was a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, Marine Corps League and National Rifle Association. He was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran of the Korean War and Vietnam War. He received the Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal, China Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Star, Korean Service Medal with three Bronze Stars, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (Lebanon), Vietnam Service Medal with one Bronze Star, United Nations Service Medal and Presidential Unit Commendation Ribbon, Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon Bar, Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. Survivors include one son, William Sean Raymond of Vacaville, Calif.; and one sister, Charlote Mitchelle of New Bedford, Mass. Memorial service will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at St. Joseph's cemetery in Liebenthal with the Rev. Benjamin Martin officiating. Burial will be at Leavenworth National cemetery. There will be no visitation. Memorials are suggested to the National Rifle Association, in care of Janousek Funeral Home in La Crosse.
Jack Dean Brown 1940-2001
Jack Dean Brown, 60, of Great Bend, died Feb. 12 at his home. He was born May 8, 1940, the son of Willard and Deloris Correll Brown. He married
Karen Eileen Hewitt Sept. 17, 1971, in Salina. She died June 27, 1995. A resident of Great Bend, coming from Salina, he was an employee of Marmie Ford, Lincoln, Mercury Inc. Brown was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church of Great Bend. Survivors include three sons, Terry Brown of Smith Center, Rick Brown of Beloit and Jeff Brown of Great Bend; four daughters, Vickie Larson Long of Smith Center, Billie Clinesmith of Hugoton, Lisa Brown of Halstead and Eva Brown of Great Bend; three sisters, Charlene Machen of Concordia, Carol Farmer of Indianapolis, Ind., and Sharon Brown of Denver, Colo.; and nine grandchildren. Inurnment of ashes will be at 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Bethany cemetery in Harlan. Minnis Chapel of Stafford is in charge of arrangements.
Larry Scott Unger Clemans 1969-2001
ST. JOHN - Larry Scott Unger Clemans, 32, died April 7 at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita. He was born Jan. 17, 1969, in Morrison, Ill., the son of Michael Lee and Susan J. Blake Clemans. He was a 1988 graduate of Harrison High School in Colorado Springs, Colo. A resident of St. John, he was a volunteer worker. Clemans was a member of Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, volunteer at the Sandyland Shepherds Center, both of St. John; and he was a volunteer with the Special Olympics. Survivors include his parents; stepfather, Kent Blake of St. John; stepmother, Cindy Anderson Clemans of Elko, Nev.; two grandmothers, Jessie Clemans of Polson, Mont., and Marjorie Garvin Swartz of Anchorage, Alaska; one brother, Jonathan Bryant of Idaho Falls, Idaho; three sisters, Kimberly Skinner of Frankfort, Germany, Jessica Lynn Clemans of Honolulu, Hawaii, and Kalie Clemans of Elko; two stepbrothers, Tyler Blake of Garden City and Judd Blake of Wichita; and two stepsisters, Erica Westhoff of Plano, Texas, and Rachelle Dickson of Wichita. Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at Minnis Chapel in St. John with Bruce Bartlett and Grant Swartz, uncles of the diseased, officiating. Burial will be at Fairview Park cemetery. Friends may visit from 1-7 p.m. Thursday at the chapel. Memorials are suggested to Sandyland Shepherd Center, in care of the chapel.
Flora J. Hankins Booth 1912-2001
LA CROSSE - Flora J. Hankins Booth, 89, died April 8 at Rush County Memorial Hospital in La Crosse. She was born Feb. 23, 1912, in Dexter, the daughter of Charley L. and Madelsa Thompson Hankins. She was a 1930 graduate of Cambridge High School. She attended Arkansas City Junior College and Pittsburg State Teachers College. She married
Oran Booth Aug. 6, 1933, in Medicine Lodge. A resident of Otis, coming from Cambridge, she was a school teacher and homemaker. Survivors include her husband of the home; three sons, Arthur Booth of Eustace, Texas, Richard Booth of Clearwater and James "Jim" Booth of New Strawn; one daughter, Arlene Thompson of Otis; one brother, Vernon Hankins of Winfield; three sisters, Fern Steward of Winfield, Avis Rhodd of Dexter and Martha Welch of St. John; 10 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by two brothers, Carl Hankins and Cleo Hankins; and one sister, Winnie Brubaker. Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at Miles Funeral Service in Winfield. Burial will be at Kansas cemetery in Cambridge. Friends may call until 9 tonight at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to Cambridge Senior Citizens Center and Cambridge Presbyterian Church, both in care of the funeral home.
Robert D. Peterson 1938-2001
LARNED - Robert D. Peterson, 62, died April 10 at Via Christi Regional Medical Center, St. Francis Campus in Wichita. He was born April 17, 1938, in Joplin, Mo., the son of Archie and Bertha Palmquist Peterson. He married
Wilena Frankenstein Nov. 24, 1974, in Eden Okla. A resident of Larned, coming from Lindsborg, he was a licensed mental health technician specialist for the Larned State Hospital. Peterson was a member of United Methodist Church of Larned and the Larned Country Club. Survivors include his wife of the home; four sons, Corey Peterson and Larry Peterson, both of Topeka, Jerry Peterson and Terry Peterson, both of Wichita; four daughters, Wendy Berg of Galva, Machelle Clark of Andale, Melissa Rosendahl of Anthony and Marnette Peterson of Emporia; 13 grandchildren; and two great grandchildren. Memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Friday at the church with the Rev. Charles Grant officiating. Inurnment will be at Elmwood cemetery in Lindsborg at a later date. Friends may call until 8 tonight, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, and 9 a.m. until service time Friday, all at Beckwith Mortuary in Larned. Memorials are suggested to the American Heart Association or Bethany Home Retirement Center, both in care of the mortuary.
Mancel J. 'Bud' Curtis 1911-2001
ELLINWOOD - Mancel J. "Bud" Curtis, 89, died April 9 at the Ellinwood District Hospital. He was born Oct. 30, 1911, in rural Hudson, the son of Edwin John and Carrie Schilling Curtis. A resident of Ellinwood, coming from Hudson, he was a farmer and stockman. Survivors include three sisters, Muriel Faubion of Hutchinson, Elizabeth Girsch of Henderson, Nev., and Norma Smith of Bella Vista, Ark. He was preceded in death by one twin sister, Ethel Carrier; and two brothers, Edwin Curtis and Gustus Curtis. Graveside service will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Trinity cemetery in Hudson. There will be no visitation. Memorials are suggested to Ellinwood District Hospital Memorial Fund, in care of Minnis Chapel in Stafford.
