Obituaries in Kansas Newspapers (arranged by city)
Ann K. Opdycke (1908-2002)
RUSSELL - Ann K. Opdycke, 94, Russell, died Sunday, Dec. 29, 2002. Mrs. Opdycke was born Ann K. Fritschen on Jan. 31, 1908, at Dorrance. She was a homemaker and a schoolteacher. Survivors include her husband, Ford A. of the home; a son, Steven of Russell; a daughter, Peggy Brewer of Fayetteville, Ark.; two sisters, Veronica Lind of Sunland, Calif., and Elizabeth Oates of Buehler; seven grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren. The funeral was Thursday at the St. Mary's Catholic Church, Russell. Burial was in the church cemetery. Pohlman's Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.
Aneta Jo Peterman (1941-2003)
Aneta Jo Peterman, 61, Ellsworth, died Thursday, Jan. 2, 2003, at the Ellsworth County Medical Center. Mrs. Peterman was born March 3, 1941, at Langley to John Mitchell and the former Erma Kindt. She had lived in Ellsworth since 1981, moving here from Oklahoma City. She was a homemaker and a member of the United Methodist Church. She married Raymond Dean Bisterfeldt in 1964 in Ellsworth. He died Jan. 17, 1968. She married Eugene Peterman April 22, 1968, in Ellsworth. He survives. Also surviving are two sons, Eugene Peterman Jr. of Holyrood and Steven Michael Peterman of Manhattan; three daughters, Christina Ann Willems of Kingsburg, Calif., Carolyn Jo Dawson of Oklahoma City, Okla. and Bonnie Sue Ploutz of Ellsworth; two sisters, Barbara Hubbard of New Iberia, La., and Lou Ann Ritterhouse of Albert; a brother, George Mitchell of Marquette; 10 grandchildren; and a great-grandchildren. She also was preceded in death by twin sons, Benjamin Mitchell and Thomas Alan, in 1975. The funeral was Saturday at Parsons Funeral Home, the Rev. Jim Newkirk officiating. Burial was in Ellsworth Memorial Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the American Lung Association or the Methodist Church.
Arden F. Schoenig (1912-2003)
SALINA - Arden F. Schoenig, 90, Salina, died Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2003. Mr. Schoenig was born Sept. 28. 1912, at Bushton. He was an instructor at Washington High School, Kansas City, Kan. He was preceded in death by his wife, Maxine, Dec. 20, 2002. Survivors include two sons, Richard of Oceanside, Calif., and David of Salina; a daughter, DeeAnn Meister of Maummelle, Ark.; two sisters, Annbelle BeDillon of Phoenix, and Naomi Jones of Grassy Valley, Calif.; 10 grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren. Private burial was in Glenwood Cemetery, Walnut. Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association. Ryan Mortuary, Salina, handled arrangements.
Naida L. Stinson (1915-2003)
ST. LOUIS - Naida L. Stinson, 87, St. Louis, died Thursday, Jan. 2, 2003. Mrs. Stinson was born Naida L. Brownell on Sept. 9, 1915, in Topeka, Kan., to Herbert and Nellie Brownell. She lived in Wilson, Kan. from 1944 to 1999, where she and her husband owned and operated the Wilson World newspaper from 1944 to 1954. She married Dale Stinson Sept. 2, 1938, in Topeka. He survives. Other survivors are a son, Terry (Jane) of Phoenix; a daughter, Jean (Roger) Naney of St. Louis; a brother, Herb (Betty) Brownell of Lincoln, Neb.; a brother-in-law, Lee Stinson of Dodge City, and three granddaughters, Cathy Stinson of New London, Iowa, Kristen McSwain of Alexandria, Va., and Shannon Naney of St. Louis, Mo. A memorial service will be conducted at a later date at the Wilson Methodist Church with inurnment in the Wilson Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the church, Box 459, Wilson, Ks. 67490. Kriegshauser West Mortuary, St. Louis, handled arrangements.
William J. Veitch (1914-2002)
SALINA - William J. "Bill" Veitch, 88, Salina, died Saturday, Dec. 28, 2002. Mr. Veitch was born Sept. 27, 1914, at Kanopolis. He was a sheet-metal worker for General Air in Salina, retiring in 1979. He was a member and an elder of the First Presbyterian Church, Salina. He was a member of the Sheet Metal Workers International, Masonic Lodge of Ellsworth, American Legion of Salina and Salina Elks and was a Kansas University alumni. He also had served as a Boy Scout leader of Troop 2 in Salina and was a chief petty officer in the Navy during World War II. Survivors include his wife, Frances; a son, Dr. William R. of Colorado Springs, Colo.; two grandchildren; a great-grandchildren; and a special friend, Jane Roane. The funeral was Dec. 31 at the First Presbyterian Church. The private burial was in Gypsum Hill Cemetery, Salina. Memorials may be made to the church.
Marilin Ann Anderson (1934-2002)
LINDSBORG - Marilin Ann Anderson, 68, died Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2002, at the Lindsborg Community Hospital. Mrs. Anderson was born March 8, 1934, at El Dorado to Burton F. and Doris F. Buckner Arp. She was a former funeral director and co-owner of Anderson Funeral Home, Lindsborg, and a former reservations clerk for the Best Western Holiday Manor at McPherson. She was a lifetime area resident and a member of the Trinity United Methodist Church, Lindsborg and a volunteer at the Save & Share Thrift Store in McPherson and the Lindsborg Community Hospital Auxiliary. She married Allen L. Anderson April 22, 1956, at Wichita. Survivors include three daughters, Laurie Donley of Ellsworth; Lesa Berglund of McPherson, and Lynn Tidmus of Winter Garden, Fla.; a brother, Michael Arp of Mulvane; seven grandchildren; a great-grandson; a niece and a nephew. The funeral was Monday at the Trinity United Methodist Church, Pastor Ken Busse officiated. Interment was in the Elmwood Cemetery, Lindsborg. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Salina or the Lindsborg Community Hospital Auxiliary in care of the Hays-Christians Funeral Home, P.O. Box 386, Lindsborg, Kan. 67456-0386.
Ruth E. Huebner (1915-2002)
BUSHTON - Ruth E. Huebner, 87, died Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2002, at the Good Samaritan Center, Hays. Mrs. Huebner was born June 13, 1915, in Ellsworth County to Oscar and Anna Homburg Wilkens. She was a homemaker and a long-time resident of Bushton, moving to Hays in March 2002. She was a member of the United Methodist Church, the UMW and Bushton Community Development, all of Bushton. She married Adrian Leroy Huebner May 23, 1938, at Lorraine. He died April 2, 1987. She also was preceded in death by two brothers, Kenneth Wilkens and Theodore Wilkens, and a sister, Fran Blum. Survivors include two sons, Ron Huebner of Peoria, Ariz. and Dennis Huebner of Hays; a brother, Harold "Red" Wilkens of Hutchinson; and nine grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. The funeral was Monday at the United Methodist Church, Bushton, the Rev. Janet Myers officiating. Cremation will take place after the service. Memorials may be made to the church or Bushton Community Development, Inc., in care of the Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, P.O. Box 146, Hoisington, Kansas 67544.
Robert Lee Peters (1932-2002)
Robert Lee Peters, 70, died Saturday, Dec. 28, 2002, at his residence in Ellsworth. Mr. Peters was born Sept. 3, 1932, at Kansas City, Kan., to John Peters and the former Lucille Weakley. He lived most of his life in the Kansas City area, where he was a brick layer for Klausen Masonry and a member of Brick Layers Union No. 15. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army in the Korean War. He recently moved to Ellsworth. he married Bernice Cavlovich Sept. 19, 1951, at Excelsior Springs, Mo. She died in 2002. He also was preceded in death by three brothers and two sisters. Survivors include three sons, Robert Jr. of Seattle, Wash., Ricky of Ellsworth and Randall of Kansas City; and three granddaughters. There will be an private inurnment at Mount Calvary Cemetery, Kansas City, the Rev. Perry Martin officiating. Memorials may be made to the KSU Center for Basic Cancer Research. Parsons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Hazel Steele (1921-2002)
YATES CENTER - Hazel Steele, 81, rural Yates Center, died Friday, Dec. 27, 2002. Miss Steele was born Feb. 4, 1921, at Yates Center. She worked for Union Gas Co., retiring in 1986. Survivors include two sisters, Luetta Havlik of Kanopolis and Leona Williams of Rosedale, Calif. The funeral was Tuesday at Campbell Funeral Home, Yates Center. Burial was in Askren Cemetery in northwest Woodson County. Memorials may be made to Woodson County Historical Society or the American Heart Fund in care of the funeral home, P.O. Box 188, Yates Center, Ks. 66783.
Frances E. Strathmann (1916-2002)
SALINA - Frances E. Strathmann, 86, died Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2002, at Salina. Mrs. Strathmann, a housewife, was born Aug. 7, 1916, in rural Lincoln County to Thomas Crawford and the former Beulah Long. She attended Fort Hays State University for a year. She was preceded in death by her husband, John Strathmann. Survivors include a sister, Ruthetta Berthelson of Salina, and many nieces and nephews. The funeral was Friday at the Hall Funeral Home Chapel, Lincoln. Burial was in the St. John Lutheran Cemetery.
Brent Len Trowbridge (1958-2002)
LYONS - Brent Len Trowbridge, 44, formerly of Lyons, died October 2002 at Boynton Beach, Fla. Mr. Trowbridge was born Sept. 8, 1958, at Lyons to Darrell and Ravena Hubbard Trowbridge. He lived in Lyons before moving to Boynton Beach in 1985. He was an oil driller in Sterling and later worked in Florida drilling water wells. Survivors include his former wife, Mary Laudick Nuss of Bushton; a son, Justin Trowbridge of Manhattan; a daughter, Jenny Trowbridge of Bushton; a brother, Craig of Greenland, N.H.; a sister, Stacy Sheridan of Ellsworth; the maternal grandparents, Raymond and Sally Hubbard of Little River; and a granddaughter, Olivia Trowbridge of Bushton. He was preceded in death by his parents and paternal grandparents, Martin and Flora Trowbridge.
Genevieve Borman (1912-2003)
Genevieve Borman, 90, died Saturday, Feb. 22, 2003, at the Winfield Resthaven Nursing Home. Mrs. Borman was born April 9, 1912, at Wilson to Richard S. Weinhold and the former Bertha Ensign. Most of her life was spent in Ellsworth County, where she was graduated from Ellsworth High School in 1930, taught at the Golden Belt Grade School for four years, and served as Ellsworth County treasurer for 15 years. She was a member of the Ellsworth Order of Eastern Star and the Excelsior Lutheran Church, Wilson. She moved to Win-field in 1999. She married Dell Borman April 26, 1934, at Wilson. He died in 2000. She also was preceded in death by five brothers and three sisters. Survivors include three sons, Delbert D. of Oakley, Duane C. of Morrell and Larry of Winfield; eight grand-children; six step grandchildren; and 20 great-grand-children. The graveside service is today (Thursday) at 1 p.m. in the Excelsior Lutheran Church Cemetery, Sister Diane Wagner officiating. The casket will be closed. Friends may sign the guest register from 8 to 11 a.m. to-day at Parsons Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to the Excelsior Cemetery Fund or the Lighted Cross Fund.
Ernest Hoch (1917-2003)
WILSON — Ernest Hoch, 85, Wilson, died Monday, Feb. 17, 2003, at the Wilson Nursing Home. Mr. Hoch was born Nov. 21, 1917, at Wilson to Charles Hoch and the former Antonia Nejdl. He was a lifetime resident of Wilson, where he was owner/operator of Hoch Lumber Company. He was a member of Msgr. John F. Mc-Manus American Legion Post, Wilson Lions Club and the First Presbyterian Church. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army who served in World War II. He married Roselle Balls in 1947 at Hays. She survives. Also surviving are two sons, Stephen of New Strawn and Robert of Garden City; a brother, Rudolph of Wilson; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. The funeral was Feb. 19 in the Foster Mortuary Chapel. Burial was in Wilson City Cemetery with military honors by members of the American Legion. Memorials may be made to the Wilson Nursing Center or American Legion.
Eva J. Miller (1918-2003)
WESKAN — Longtime Weskan resident Eva J. Miller, 84, died Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2003, at the Manor of the Plains, Dodge City. Mrs. Miller was born Aug. 21, 1918, at Kanopolis to Henry Thompson and the former Ethel M. Sturgis. She was graduated from Kanopolis High School in 1936 and received a lifetime teaching certificate after two years of college. She taught at rural schools in the Kanopolis area before moving to Weskan in 1938. She married Conrad Miller June 2, 1943 at Weskan’s Bethany Lutheran Church. He died in 1953. Mrs. Miller returned to college, graduating in 1960 from Fort Hays State University with a degree in education. She retired from teaching after 34 years at Weskan Elementary School. In addition to the Bethany Church, she was active in the AAUW and the Area Agency on Aging. She also was preceded in death by four sisters and a brother. Survivors include a daughter, Jennette Berry, and her husband, Jay, of Fremont, Neb.; two sons, Dr. Gary R. Miller and his wife, Judy, of Dodge City, and Dennis D. Miller and his wife, Annie, of Lubbock, Texas; six grandchildren; and two great-grand-children. The funeral was Friday at the Bethany Lutheran Church, Pastor Joanna Norris Grimshaw officiating. Burial was in Stockholm Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the church or to USD 242, Weskan, in care of Koons Funeral Home, 211 N. Main, Goodland, Ks. 67735-1555.
Joyce Nagel (1917-2003)
HOLYROOD — Joyce Nagel, 85, Holyrood, died Saturday, Feb. 22, 2003, at the Wood-haven Care Center of Ellinwood. Mrs. Nagel was born Oct. 2, 1917, at Lilbourn, Mo. to George W. Ford and the former Lula Stokes. She lived in Barton County from 1937 to 1964, when she moved to Holyrood, where she was a municipal court judge. She also was a volunteer for many years at the Good Samaritan Retirement Village in Ellsworth. She married Martin Henry Louis Nagel Nov. 21, 1937, at Holyrood. He died in 1987. She also was preceded in death by a son, Terry; a sister, Pauline DisBennett; and a grandson, Martin Lynn Hawks. Survivors include two granddaughters, Fawnia Miller of Ellinwood and Marcelle Hawks of Long View, Texas; and four great-grand-children. There will be no public services. The body was cremated. Memorials may be made to the Good Samaritan Retirement Village or to a charity of the donor’s choice. Parsons Funeral Home, Ellsworth, was in charge of arrangements.
Lena E. Stoltenberg
HOLYROOD — Lena E. Stoltenberg, 102, died Thurs-day, Feb. 20, 2003, at Ellsworth. Services are pending with Parsons Funeral Home, Ellsworth.
Edith Ziegler (1912-2003)
GRAINFIELD — Edith Ziegler, 91, Grainfield, died Monday, Feb. 17, 2003, at the Gove County Medical Center’s Long Term Care Unit at Quinter. Mrs. Ziegler was born Jan. 10, 1912, on a farm near Wilson to Harvey and Lavina Grill Hetzel. Her parents moved to Gove County in 1916, to a farm southeast of Quinter. She was a member of the St. Agnes Catholic Church and the Christian Mothers of Grainfield. She married Henry A. Ziegler July 26, 1932, at Collyer. In 1940, they moved to a farm south of Grainfield, where they raised their family. They retired from farming in 1968 and moved to Grainfield. Her husband, died in 1999. She also was preceded in death by a son, Delbert, in 1967; a grandson, James; a great-granddaughter, Jennifer; an infant brother, Glen Earl; a brother, Harold; and two sisters, Ruth Eckels and Leota Deines. Survivors are a son, Douglas, and his wife, Olinda, of Grainfield; three daughters, Deloris Wasinger and her husband, Harold, of Garden Grove, Calif., Norma Zerr and her husband, Alex, of Grainfield, and Louise Wildeman and her husband, Harvey of Quinter; 11 grandchildren; and 23 great-grandchildren. The funeral was Saturday at the St. Agnes Catholic Church, Father Mark Berland officiating. Burial was in Grainfield Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the St. Agnes Catholic Church Education Building or to the masses in care of Schmitt Funeral Home, 901 S. Main, Quinter.
James A. Zier (1945-2003)
LINCOLN — James A. Zier, 57, Lincoln, died Monday, Feb. 17, 2003, at Salina. Mr. Zier was born Nov. 4, 1945, at Ellsworth. He was a law enforcement officer and a farmer and a member of the St. John’s Lutheran Church, Lincoln, and the National and Kansas Rifle Associations. He is survived by his wife, Sharon, of Lincoln; and a daughter, Gaylene Vaun Zier Ryan of Melvern. The funeral was Feb. 20 at the St. John’s Lutheran Church. Burial was in the church cemetery. Memorials may be made to the church. Hall Funeral Home, Lincoln, was in charge of arrangements.
George Zvolanek (1915-2003)
OSBORNE — George Zvolanek, 87, died Friday, Feb 21, 2003, at the Osborne County Memorial Hospital. Mr. Zvolanek was born March 12, 1915, at Wilson to Joseph Zvolanek and the former Her-mina Houdek. He was a U.S. Army veteran who served in World War II. He moved to Os-borne after he retired from be-ing a welder-farmer. He married Lillian Mattas Dec. 23, 1947, in Ellsworth. She survives. Other survivors include three sons, Bill J., Terry L. and Larry G., all of Osborne; a brother, Richard Zvolanek of Holyrood; and three sisters, Hermina Zvolanek of Salina, Libby Preston of Wichita, and Anna Beth Bath of Loveland, Colo. He was preceded in death by a son, Dick. The funeral was Monday at the Foster Mortuary Chapel, Pastor Elaine Lord officiating.
Lennie S. Cox (1917-2003)
SALINA — Lennie S. Cox, 85, Salina, formerly of Wichita, died Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2003. Mrs. Cox was born Lennie Starr Hartman May 9, 1917, at Kanopolis. She was a homemaker. She was preceded in death by her husband, Glen. Survivors include a daughter, Linda Hottman of Salina; a son, Ron of Summit, N.J.; a twin sister, Lu Arnett of Grover City, Calif.; four grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. A memorial service is planned in March. Private burial was Thursday at Lakeview Memorial Gardens, Wichita. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Salina. Lakeview Funeral Home, Wichita, was in charge of arrangements.
Joe Dauber (1926-2003)
BUNKER HILL — Joe Dauber, 76, Bunker Hill, died Thursday, Feb. 13, 2003, at his home. He was born May 26, 1926, on the family farm north of Bunker Hill in Russell County to Joseph T. Dauber Sr. and the former Frances Kepka. He was graduated from Bunker Hill High School and attended Fort Hays State University for two years before returning to the family farm. As a farmer-stockman, he raised purebred hereford cattle and was a lifetime member of the American and Kansas Hereford Association. He also was active in the Democratic Party for many years, was a 4-H leader and volunteer, a former president of the USD 407 school board and former manager of the Russell County Fair. Other memberships included the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Dorrance; and the Knights of Columbus and VFW, both in Russell. Mr. Dauber was a U.S. Army veteran who served in World War II. He was president of the Bunker Hill Polka Club and the Midwest Polka Club. He and his wife also helped organize many of the polka dances at the Holyrood American Legion building. Mr. Dauber was a Pioneer and later a Garst seed dealer for 45 years. His first wife, the former Kathleen Hammeke, died in 1984. He also was preceded in death by his parents and an infant brother. He married Julie Oswald Stahl in 1991 in Hays. She survives. Other survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, Todd J. and Melissa of Garden City; a daughter and her husband, Trudy and Richard Line of Overland Park; three sisters, Edna Schulte of Victoria, Josephine Schulte of Hays and Roseanne Gleason of Kinsley; and seven grandchildren. The funeral was Saturday at the St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Russell, Father Jerome Morgan of Wilson officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery with military honors by the Holyrood American Legion. Memorials may be made to the St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, Russell, or the St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery, Dorrance. Pohlman’s Mortuary, Russell, was in charge of arrangements.
Gertrude Novotny (1906-2003)
Gertrude Novotny, 96, died Monday, Feb. 10, 2003, at Woodhaven Care Center in Ellinwood. Mrs. Novotny was born July 8, 1906, at Bushton, the daughter of James Curtis and Ida Jane (Rishel) Cook. Mrs. Novotny was a homemaker. She was a lifetime resident of Ellsworth and Rice counties. Mrs. Novotny was a charter member of the Ellsworth Home Extension Unit, and she was also a member of the United Methodist Women and the United Methodist Church in Ellsworth. She was married Sept. 9, 1925, in Geneseo to Louis Novotny. He died in 1990. She also was preceded in death by a daughter, Lorelle Wagner, in 1974. Survivors include two sons, Larry Novotny of Bushton and Stuart Novotny of Solomon; and six daughters, Alyce Pflughoeft of Ellsworth, Leeona Barkow of Ellsworth, Jayne Hill of Bushton, Thelma Janssen of Leoti, Karen Hoffman of Overland Park, and Judith Long of Wichita; 24 grandchildren; and 35 great-grandchildren. The funeral was Friday, Feb. 14, at the United Methodist Church in Ellsworth, the Rev. Jim Newkirk officiating. Burial was in Ellsworth Memorial Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the United Methodist Church.
