Obituaries in Kansas Newspapers (arranged by city)
Levon 'Lee' W. Pruner 1922-2001
ELLINWOOD - Levon "Lee" W. Pruner, 78, died April 30 at Central Kansas Medical Center, St. Rose Campus in Great Bend. He was born Oct. 2, 1922, in Zenith, the son of Archibald Thomas and Inez Hayes Pruner. He married
Rosaleen Marie Heyen on Nov. 22, 1947, in Stafford. She died in 1985. A resident of Ellinwood, coming from Woodward, Okla., he was a retired production superintendent of Kaiser-Francis Oil Company, both in Woodward and Ellinwood. Pruner was a member of Immanuel United Church of Christ in Ellinwood. He was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II. Survivors include one son, Barry L. Pruner of LaMesa, Calif.; one daughter, Susan M. Curtiss of Ellinwood; one brother, Eddie Pruner of Hutchinson; and three grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one son, James Dean Pruner; one brother, George Pruner; and one sister, Cecil White. Funeral will be at 1 p.m. Thursday at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Ellinwood with the Rev. David Flagor officiating. Burial will be at Feldhut cemetery in Stafford County. Friends may call until 8 tonight and from 9 a.m. to noon Thursday, all at Kimple Funeral Home in Ellinwood. Memorials are suggested to St. Joseph's School Endowment Fund or Ellinwood School/Community Library Foundation, both in care of the funeral home.
Andrew William Stramel 1909-2001
DODGE CITY - Andrew William Stramel, 91, died April 30 at Trinity Manor in Dodge City. He was born Dec. 15, 1909, in Buffalo Park, the son of John L. and Lena Stegman Stramel. He married
Arlie Irene Sorem April 18, 1933, in Nonchalanta. She died Jan. 5, 1999. A resident of Dodge City, coming from Jetmore, he worked at Fairmont Creamery in Dodge City and then built and operated Stramel Grocery Store in Dodge City. Stramel was a member of Sacred Heart Cathedral, Knights of Columbus, Moose Lodge and the Senior Center, all of Dodge City. Survivors include five son, Melvin Stramel of Detroit, Mich., Claire Stramel of Omaha, Neb., Andrew Stramel Jr. of Tampa, Fla., Clyde Stramel of Loveland, Colo., and Kenny Stramel of Lakewood, Colo.; two daughters, Florence Hines of Spearville and Dorothy Gabel of Fowler; two brothers, Ernie Stramel of Wichita and Hilary Stramel of Phoenix, Ariz.; one sister, Tillie Robertson of Mason, Ariz.; 26 grandchildren; 54 great-grandchildren; and three great-great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by four brothers, Malcolm Stramel, Mike Stramel, Albert Stramel, and Carl Stramel; and five sisters, Louise Stramel, Josephine Stramel, Ida Stramel, Elizabeth Stramel and Katie Stramel. Rosary will be at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the church. Funeral Mass will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the church with the Rev. John Strasser officiating. Burial will be at Fairmount cemetery in Jetmore. Friends may call until 8 tonight, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday and from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, all at Beckwith Funeral Home in Jetmore. Memorials are suggested to Sacred Heart Grade School Endowment Fund, in care of the funeral home.
Ruth Virginia Clark 1918-2001
HUTCHINSON - Ruth Virginia Clark, 82, died April 30 at Presbyterian Manor in Salina. She was born May 6, 1918, in Hutchinson, the daughter of Eugene Wesley and Linnie Foster Moore. She was a 1937 graduate of Hutchinson High School. She married
Miles John Clark Nov. 21, 1937, in Hutchinson. He died Oct. 15, 1992. A resident of Salina, coming from Great Bend and Hutchinson, she worked for Dillons in Hutchinson and was a homemaker. Mrs. Clark was a member of First Assembly of God Church in Hutchinson. Survivors include two daughters, Phyllis Breckon and Ginny Denney, both of Salina; one brother, John Moore of Hutchinson; one sister, Florence Holmes of Hutchinson; eight grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and one great-great grandchild. Funeral will be at 3 p.m. Friday at Fairlawn Mausoleum in Hutchinson with the Rev. Kevin Roach officiating. Burial will be at the mausoleum. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday at Elliott Mortuary in Hutchinson. Family will receive friends from noon to 2 p.m. Friday at the mortuary. Memorials are suggested to Presbyterian Manor of Salina or Hospice of Salina Inc., both in care of the mortuary.
James W. Brough 1921-2001
HAYSVILLE - James W. Brough, 80, died April 25. He was born Jan. 12, 1921, in Great Bend, the son of Leroy and Melba Clark Brough. He married
Betty Brough. A resident of Haysville, he was a postal clerk. Survivors include his wife of the home; two sons, Dennis Brough of Broomfield, Colo., and Victor Brough of Colorado Springs, Colo.; five grandchildren; and two great grandchildren. Graveside service will be at 3 p.m. Friday at El Paso cemetery in Derby. Memorials are suggested to Disabled American Veterans or Veterans Administration Center, both in care of Broadway Mortuary in Wichita.
Lois 'Bonnie' Meitler 1920-2001
ELLSWORTH - Lois "Bonnie" Zachgo Meitler, 80, died April 30 at Ellsworth County Medical Center. She was born June 14, 1920, in Lincoln County. She married
Clarence Meitler. He died in 1970. A lifelong resident of Ellsworth County, she was a homemaker. Survivors include six sons, Dick Meitler of Great Bend, Daryl Meitler of Ulysses, Chuck Meitler of Lockhart, Texas, Dean Meitler and Danny Meitler, both of Plainville, and Don Meitler of Wichita; nine daughters, Judy Werner of Plainville, Alice Oller of Holyrood, Carolyn Gehring of Zurich, Linda Faris of Stockton, Vicki Wiles and Cindy Miller, both of Ellsworth, Debra Iwig of Topeka, Kathy Ashbaugh of Salina and DeAnn Thrun of Wakeeney; three brothers, Wilbert Zachgo and Donald Zachgo, both of Lincoln, and Kenneth Zachgo of Hunter; 47 grandchildren; 53 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-granddaughter. She was preceded in death by two grandsons, Scott J. Reinert and Larry A. Meitler; and one great-grandson, Larry A. Meitler. Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Harrison-Hall Funeral Home in Lincoln with the Rev. Dr. Jim Morford officiating. Burial will be at Vesper cemetery in Vesper. Friends may call from 2-8 p.m. Thursday with the family receiving friends from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, all at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the Cerebral Palsy Foundation, in care of the funeral home.
Gordon R. Hildebrand 1940-2001
STAFFORD - Gordon R. Hildebrand, 60, died May 1 at his home. He was born Sept. 5, 1940, in Stafford, the son of Herman and Lucile DeWerff Hildebrand. He was a 1958 graduate of Stafford High School and a 1963 graduate of Kansas State University with a degree in agricultural education. He married
Glenda Ragsdale July 2, 1966, in Stafford. A lifelong resident of Stafford, he was a farmer and rancher. Hildebrand was a member, deacon, Sunday school superintendent, trustee and Baptist Youth Fellowship sponsor, all of Calvary Baptist Church, Southwestern Association Youth Camp manager, and eight year member of the USD 349 board of education, all of Stafford. He was a 12-year board member of Zenith Co-op, former Stafford County FHA commissioner, member of the Stafford County extension council, and member of the boards of Southcentral Kansas Farm Management and East Cooper Township. Survivors include his wife of the home; one son, Joe Hildebrand of Overland Park; two daughters, Kim Paulsen of Stafford and Sara Hildebrand of Sterling; his mother of Stafford; two brothers, Arnold Hildebrand and Norman Hildebrand, both of Stafford; and two grandchildren. Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Friday at the church with the Revs. David Vetter and Elton Kirstein officiating. Burial will be at Stafford cemetery. Friends may call from 1-8 p.m. Thursday at Minnis Chapel in Stafford. Memorials are suggested to the church or Southwind Hospice, both in care of the chapel.
Dorothy Gladys Stout 1911-2001
DIGHTON - Dorothy Gladys Stout, 89, died May 1 at Lane County Long Term Care Unit in Dighton. She was born May 8, 1911, in McCracken, the daughter of Henry Fayette and Martha Jane Neal Whipple. She graduated from Beeler High School. She married
Herbert H. Stout June 29, 1930, in Beeler. He died Sept. 13, 1972. A resident of Dighton, coming from Finney and Ness counties, she was a teacher, farm wife and homemaker. Mrs. Stout was a member of First Christian Church of Dighton, Willing Workers Sunday School class, Christian Quilters group, J.O.Y. Center, Stitch and Chatter Club, Bronco Camoers Club and former member of Spring Creek EHU. Survivors include two sons, Lee Stout of Haysville and Ronald Stout of Sioux Falls, S.D.; one daughter, Donna Whipple of Beeler; two sisters, Velma Wancura of Dighton and Ethel Detter of Defiance, Ohio; 11 grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by two brothers, Glen Monroe Whipple and Virgil Thomas Whipple; one sister, Opal Birdsong; one granddaughter; and one great-granddaughter. Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at the church with the Revs. Mike Grogan and Kerry Grogan officiating. Burial will be at Dighton Memorial cemetery. Friends may call until 8 tonight at Boomhower Funeral Home in Dighton. Memorials are suggested to the church in care of the funeral home.
Julius Radke 1918-2001
Julius Radke, 82, died May 4 at Central Kansas Medical Center, St. Rose Campus. He was born June 24, 1918, at Milberger, the son of Fred and Lena Boxberger Radke. He married
Pauline Habiger She preceded him in death. A lifelong resident of Great Bend, he was an oil production foreman. Radke was a member of the Bow Hunter's Club, Veterans of Foreign Wars and Eagles Lodge and was included in the Fast Pitch Softball Hall of Fame in Topeka. He was a veteran of World War II. Survivors include one daughter; Jewell Lena Garrison of Great Bend; one sister Josephine Waber of Yelm, Wash.; five grandchildren, Jason Cavender, Beau Cavender, Kayci Cavender, Aspen Linenberger, all of Great Bend, and Dawn Cavender of La Crosse; five great grandchildren, Ethan Cavender of Russell, Lakin Likes, Logan Likes and Lacey Kelly, all of La Crosse; and Harley Cavender of Great Bend; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by four brothers, Leon Radke, Rollie Radke, Raymond Radke and Ray Radke; three sisters; Hilda Martin, Molly Hickle and Olga Oakley. Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Monday at St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Great Bend with the Rev. Shannon Tiller officiating. Burial will be at Hillcrest cemetery in Great Bend. Friends may call today from 4-8 p.m. at Fryburger Mortuary in Great Bend with a flower reading at 7:30 tonight. The family will receive friends today from 6-8 p.m. Memorials are suggested to the Hoisington Tornado fund, in care of the funeral home.
Charles A. Leet Sr. 1921-2001
JETMORE - Charles A. Leet Sr., 79, died May 5 at Hodgeman County Long Term Care Center in Jetmore. He was born Sept. 28, 1921, at Chebanse, Ill., the son of Charles Daniel and Ada May Stoltz Leet. He married
Hermine Jo Janssen May 15, 1943, in Fort Sill, Okla. He married
Martha Charles in Hutchinson. She died Oct. 31, 1995. A resident of Jetmore, he was an appliance and television salesman. Leet was a member of the Methodist Church and the American Legion. He taught and called square dancing for over 30 years in Kansas, Oklahoma, Nebraska and Colorado. He was a veteran of World War II and received the Silver Star. Survivors include two sons, Charles Leet Jr. of Jetmore and Richard Leet of Ness City; one sister, Jobie Walsh of Grayville, Ill; eight grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Fairmount cemetery in Jetmore with the Rev. Mitch Reece officiating. Friends may call until 8 tonight, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday and from 9 a.m. until service time Wednesday, all at Beckwith Funeral Home in Jetmore. Memorials are suggested to Hodgeman County Long Term Care Center in care of the Funeral Home.
Logan Smith 1918-2001
BUNKER HILL - Logan Smith, 83, died May 5 at the Beverly Health Care Center in Lucas. He was born Jan. 27, 1918, in Dexter, the son of Carl Logan and Ethel Marion Jacka Smith. He married
Vera Mae Glazier July 15, 1941 in Ness City. She died March 7, 1981. A resident of Bunker Hill since 1954, he was a heavy equipment operator, mostly as a cat skinner in the oil field business. Smith was a life member of Veterans of Foreign War Post 6240 in Russell. He was a U. S. Army veteran of World War II. Survivors include one son, Dallas Smith of Russell; two daughters, Janet Cable and Julie Meyer, both of Russell; one brother, Grant Smith of Colby; one sister, Pauline Green of Chautaqua; nine grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by three sisters, Gertrude Nimz, Laura Lutters and Audrey Jean Hilmes. Service will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Pohlman's Mortuary Memorial Chapel in Russell with the Rev. Earl Haggard officiating. Graveside service will be at 3 p.m. Tuesday at the cemetery in Ransom. Friends will call until 9 tonight and from 9 a.m. until service time Tuesday, all at the mortuary. Memorials are suggested to the Alzheimer's Association in care of the mortuary.
Eleanor I. Nordstrom 1903-2001
BUSHTON - Eleanor I. Nordstrom, 97, died May 7 at Ellsworth County Medical Center. She was born Sept. 29, 1903, in Bushton, the daughter of Albert and Matilda Korf Volkland. She married
Carl O. Nordstrom Nov. 29, 1928, at Bushton. He died June 26, 1988. A lifelong resident of Bushton, she was a homemaker, private violin and piano teacher, and church organist. Mrs. Nordstrom was a member of First United Methodist Church and United Methodist Women, both of Bushton. Survivors include one son, Carl Dwight Nordstrom of San Diego, Calif.; one daughter, Marilyn Kirkpatrick of Bushton; three grandchildren; and five great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by two brothers, Otto Volkland and Oscar Volkland; two sisters, Nettie Matthael and Mabel Nedderman; and one grandson, Timothy Alan Kirkpatrick. Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at the church with the Revs. Barbara Parker, David Trott and Joseph M. Dokken officiating. Burial will be at Bushton cemetery. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home in Hoisington, and from 10 a.m. until service time at the church on Thursday. Memorials are suggested to the church, in care of the funeral home.
Harold N. Beck 1917-2001
RUSSELL - Harold N. Beck, 83, died May 4 at Russell Regional Hospital. He was born June 6, 1917, at Bloomington, the son of Aaron and Janie McColl Beck. He married
Audine Wilson on March 18, 1942, in Hays. She died Nov. 16, 1990. A longtime resident of Russell, coming from Longmont, Colo., he was an oil field worker. Beck was a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion, both of Russell. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II. Survivors include two sons, Rodger Beck of Carter Lake, Iowa, and Robert Beck of Ellinwood; one daughter, Cynthia B. Fetner of Longmont; one brother, Dean Beck of Geneseo; and two sisters, Amy Hodson of Grand Junction, Colo., and Audrey Muxlow of Gravois Mills, Mo.; eight grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by four brothers, Don Beck, John Beck, Eugene Beck and Glenn Beck; and three sisters, Sarah Meade, Oma Beck and Ruth Beck. Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at Pohlman's Memorial Chapel in Russell with the Rev. Glenn Tombaugh officiating. Burial will be at Russell City cemetery. Friends may call from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday and from 9 a.m. until service time Thursday at the mortuary. Memorials are suggested to National Kidney Foundation, in care of the mortuary.
Albert L. Dixon 1956-2001
SAN DIEGO, Calif. - Albert L. Dixon, 44, died April 25 in San Diego. He was born Nov. 14, 1956, in Watten, Mich., the son of Gerald and Helene Dixon. A resident of San Diego, he grew up in Great Bend. Survivors include his parents of Stony Point, N.Y.; one brother, Gerry Dixon of Stony Point; and one sister, Arlene Exferd of Boise, Idaho. Graveside service will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at Brown Grove cemetery in Burdett with the Rev. Don Paden officiating. There will be no visitation. Bryant-Christians Funeral Home of Great Bend is in charge of burial arrangements.
