Obituaries in Kansas Newspapers (arranged by city)
Kellan Thomas Soukup
GREAT BEND — Kellan Thomas Soukup, son of Richard T. and Nicole “Nikki” R. Soukup of Great Bend, was stillborn Friday, Feb. 13, 2004, at the Central Kansas Medical Center. Survivors include two sisters, Addie and Sydney of the home; the maternal grandparents, Ken and Diana Roberts of Great Bend; the paternal grandparents, Ernest and Patricia Soukup of Wilson; maternal great-grandmother, Ann Cole of Great Bend; maternal great-grandfather, Calvin Roberts of Woodward, Okla.; maternal great-grandfather, Don Schamaun of Great Bend; maternal great-grandmother, Lila Bowman of Great Bend; and paternal great-grandmother, Mary Soukup of Wilson. He was preceded in death by a maternal step-grandfather, Jack K. Cole; a maternal step-grandmother, Delma Roberts; paternal grandparents, Adeline and Leonard Soukup; and paternal great-grandfather, Edward Soukup. A private family service was conducted, the Rev. Ken Hathaway officiating. Burial was in the Great Bend Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Soukup Children’s Education Fund in care of Bryan Funeral Home, 1425 Patton Road, Great Bend 67530.
Dorothy Marie Titus (1919-2004)
WEAVERVILLE, Calif. — Dorothy Marie Titus, 85, died Monday, Jan. 26, 2004, at the Trinity County Hospital, Weaverville. Mrs. Titus was born Jan. 1, 1919, near Dorrance, Kan. to Augustine and Mary A. Soukup Schneider. Following graduation from Dorrance High School in 1936, she worked as a waitress until joining the Navy WAVES. She was stationed in Pensacola, Fla., from 1943-45 during World War II. After the war, she moved to San Francisco, Calif., where she was a cashier at the Bank of America, and later owned and operated the 49’er Motel in Weaverville She was a member of the St Patrick’s Catholic Church Legion of Mary and the Golden Age Center of Weaverville; the Miraculous Medal Association; and a charter member of the Women’s WWII War Memorial. She married Llewellyn R. “Lee” Titus July 9, 1955, in San Mateo, Calif. He lives at the Good Samaritan Retirement Village in Ellsworth, Kan. Other survivors include several nieces and nephews, including Linda Strella of Ellsworth; and Tom Weber and Sylvia Lilak, both of Wilson, Kan. She was preceded in death by brothers Henry Schneider and Richard Schneider and sisters Alice Weber and Helen Steinle. A memorial mass is planned at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, with Father Jerome Morgan officiating. Burial will be in Wilson’s Catholic cemetery. Memorials may be made to the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Cemetery Fund, Wilson; Trinity County, CA Local Chapter of the American Cancer Society; St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Weaverville; or the Miraculous Medal Association in care of Foster Mortuary, Wilson, Ks.
George H. Katzenmeier (1910-2004)
George H. Katzenmeier, 93, Ellsworth, died Sunday, Feb. 8, 2004, at the Ellsworth County Medical Center. Mr. Katzenmeier was born June 1, 1910, at Ellsworth to George Sr. and Anna Schneider Katzenmeier. He was a lifetime resident of Ellsworth and a member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church. He retired from the state highway department, where he was a road foreman for 30 years. He married Betty Obermueller Oct. 9, 1938, in rural Lincoln. She survivies. Other survivors include three sons, Roy of Abilene and Ronald and David, both of Ellsworth; a daughter, Marion O’Brien of Ellsworth; a sister, Helen Stratmann of Holyrood; 11 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Alfred and Ray; and a sister, Florence Schultz. The funeral is today (Thursday) at 10 a.m. at the Immanual Lutheran Church, Pastor Philip Hoppe officiating. Burial is in Ellsworth Memorial Cemetery. Visitation was from 1 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Parsons Funeral Home and from 9 a.m. to service time today at the church. Memorials may be made to the church or the Ellsworth County Food Bank.
Betty J. Frehse (1925-2004)
LORRAINE — Betty J. Frehse, 78, Lorraine, died Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2004, at the Great Bend Health and Rehab Center. Mrs. Frehse was born July 17, 1925, in Marion County to Gerhard P. and Elizabeth Siemens Ewert. She moved from Hillsboro to Lorraine in 1957. She was a homemaker and a member of the St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, Holyrood. She married Carl Frehse Feb. 17, 1957, at Hillsboro. He died in 1999. Survivors include two sons, Douglas and Ray, both of Lorraine. The funeral was Saturday at the St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, Pastor Deborah Rains officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery. Memorials may be made to the church or the Heartland Cancer Center, Great Bend. Parsons Funeral Home, Ellsworth, was in charge of arrangements.
Mary Ann Zamrzla (1908-2004)
WILSON — Mary Ann Zamrzla, 95, died Saturday, Feb. 7, 2004, at Hoisington. Mrs. Zamrzla was born April 9, 1908, in Ellsworth County to Frank and Josephine Dolchek Charvat. She was a lifetime resident of the area, where she was a homemaker and a member of the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church and the St. Wenceslaus Altar Society. She married James E. Zamrzla Oct. 19, 1937, at Wilson. He died in 1996. She also was preceded in death by seven brothers and a sister. Survivors include a daughter, Mary Ann Princ of Wilson; three sons, James L. of Russell and Gene E. and John R., both of Wilson; a brother, Leo Charvat of Independence; 10 grandchildren; and eight greatgrandchildren. The funeral was Tuesday at the St. Wenceslaus Church, Wilson, Father Jerome Morgan officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery. Memorials may be made to the church.
Robert Urbanek (1948-2004)
WILSON — Robert C. Urbanek, 56, Wilson, died Friday, Feb. 6, 2004, at the Ellsworth County Medical Center, Ellsworth. Mr. Urbanek was born Feb. 5, 1948, in Ellsworth to Kenneth and Irene Janda Urbanek. He was a lifetime resident of Ellsworth County, where he worked as a farmer-stockman. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and the St. Bernard’s Catholic Church, Ellsworth. He married Sandra Bettenbrock Oct. 20, 1984 in Ellsworth. She survives. Other survivors include two sons, Garrett and Blaine, both of Wilson; a brother, Gary Urbanek of Ellsworth; and his mother, Irene Urbanek of Ellsworth. He was preceded in death Jan. 31, 2004, by his father. The funeral was Monday at the St. Bernard’s Catholic Church, Father Daniel Scheetz officiating. Burial was in Ellsworth Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Wilson Opera House of the Ellsworth County Historical Society. Parsons Funeral Home, Ellsworth, was in charge of arrangements.
Charles J. Florian (1919-2004)
WILSON — Charles J. Florian, 84, Wilson, died Saturday, Jan. 24, 2004, at the Wilson Nursing Center. Mr. Florian was born June 9, 1919, at Lucas to Jerry and Marie Tlamka Florian. He worked in the communications business, moving to Wilson in October 1968, where he owned and operated Florian Hardware. He was retired from Cashco. He was a member of the ZCBJ Lodge of Wilson and the Wilson United Methodist Church. He married Vera Eloise Warner June 2, 1936, at Wilson. She survives. Other survivors include three sons, Jerry and Jim E., both of Wilson and Jeffery A. of Russell; two daughters, Barbara Scheureman of Topeka and Debbie A. Whitmer of Wilson; and two sisters, Sylvia Echer of Lucas and Alice Dishman of Lexington, Neb. He was preceded in death by a brother, Frank Posusta; a sister, Mary Gerber; two grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. The funeral was Wednesday at the Wilson United Methodist Church, Pastor Kristine Bair officiating. Burial was in Lincoln City Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Wilson United Methodist Church or Wilson Nursing Center.
Bert Harmon (1918-2004)
Ellsworth native Bert Harmon, 85, died Monday, Jan. 26, 2004, at the Staten Island University Hospital, Prince’s Bay. Mr. Harmon was born April 10, 1918, in Ellsworth. He was reared in Ashcreek township on the family farm and attended Ashcreek county school. He lived for a time on the family farm following service in the U.S. Navy. He served as a seaman first class aboard the USS Cincinnati, patrolling the Pacific Ocean. He was discharged in 1940. A year later, he was drafted into the U.S. Army. He served as a technical sergeant with the 429th Artillery Battalion, being stationed in different combat locations in the South Pacific until his discharge in 1945. Mr. Harmon worked as an A mechanic for the former Brooklyn Union Gas for about 15 years, retiring in 1984. He was a member of the Mariners Harbor Post and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Survivors include his wife of nearly 60 years, the former Jean DeCataldo; two sons, Bert “Buddy” and David; three daughters, Jeanette Larson, Mary Ann Storniolo and Lori Ann Terranova; a brother, Kenneth Harmon; a sister, Mabel Slechta; 10 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. The funeral was Friday at the St. Michael’s Church. Burial will follow in St. Peter’s Cemetery, West Brighton, N.Y. Casey Funeral Home, Castleton Corners, N.Y
Erika Maria Johnson (1938-2004)
Erika Maria Johnson, 65, died Friday, Jan. 30, 2004, at her home in Ellsworth. Mrs. Johnson was born July 9, 1938, in Muchen, Germany, to Atelier and Berta Eckert Carlhuth. She moved to Ellsworth from Abilene. She was a nurse’s aide for 17 years at the Abilene Nursing Center, retiring in 1998, and a homemaker. She was a member of the First Baptist Church, Wilson. She married Everett Johnson June 1, 1973, in Colorado Springs, Colo. He survives. Other survivors include three sons, Klause Schoupful of Munich, Germany, Salvador Reyes III of Ellsworth and Eric Theodore Johnson of Pittsburg; two daughters, Patricia Ann Reyes of Bakersfield, Calif., and Angela Reyes of Colorado Springs; and many grandchildren. The memorial service was Tuesday at the First Baptist Church, Pastor Ed Ferrell officiating. The body was cremated. Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association. Parsons Funeral Home, Ellsworth, was in charge of arrangements.
Helen E. Kottmann (1919-2004)
LYONS — Helen E. Kottmann, 84, died Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2004, at the Good Samaritan Center, Lyons. Mrs. Kottmann was born Feb. 18, 1919, at Lorraine to John F. and Margarete Kasier Rolfs. She lived in Martinsville, Va. before moving to Lyons in 1947. She was a 1937 graduate of Lorraine High School who attended the University of Kansas and Kansas State University, a homemaker and a member of the First Baptist Church, Helping Hands Missionary Circle, Lyons, Kansans for Life and American Baptist Women. She married Louis D. Kottmann June 2, 1940, at Lorraine. He survives. Other survivors include a son, Louis Kottman Jr. of Great Bend; two daughters, Elizabeth “Liz” Miller of Scott City and Mary Lynn “Lyn” Britton of Viroqua, Wisc; 11 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Margaret A. Dix; a brother, Roland Rolfs; a sister, Gertrude Rolfs; and a granddaughter. The funeral was Saturday at the First Baptist Church, Lyons, the Rev. Gary Karas officiating. Burial was in Lyons Municipal Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the church in care of Sillin Funeral Home, Lyons.
Katherine Miller (1920-2004)
SALINA — Katherine Miller, 83, Salina, died Monday, Jan. 26, 2004. Mrs. Miller was born Katherine Brungardt Oct. 6, 1920, in Graham County. She was a secretary for USD 307 for 20 years, retiring in 1985. Survivors include her husband, Dwight N. of Salina; two sons, David Foster Miller of Ellsworth and Daniel Lee Miller of Bourbonnois, Ill.; two daughters, Mary Kristine Miller of Lawrence and Nona Mae Miller of Salina; nine grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. The funeral was Friday at Roselawn Heights Memorial Chapel. Burial will be in Roselawn Memorial Park. Memorials may be made to USD 307 or Talking Book Service in care of Roselawn Mortuary, 1307 S. Santa Fe, Salina 67401.
Margaret L. Russell (1920-2004)
KANOPOLIS — Margaret L. Russell, 83, Kanopolis, died Saturday, Jan. 31, 2004, at the Ellsworth County Medical Center. Mrs. Russell was born Oct. 30, 1920, at Kanopolis to Joe and Anna Vondra Kaspar. She was a lifetime resident of Kanopolis, where she owned the M&H Cafe and was a member of the United Methodist Church, United Methodist Women, and American Legion Auxiliary Post 329. She married Frank Russell July 17, 1942, at Ellsworth. He died in 1967. She also was preceded in death by a son, Joe, in 1947. Survivors include a son, Gary Russell of Kanopolis; a daughter, Judy Munoz of Kanopolis; a sister, Kathryn Whitfield of Pittsburgh, Penn.; nine grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren. The funeral was Tuesday at the United Methodist Church, the Rev. Gene Langhofer officiating. Burial was in Ellsworth Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the church. Parsons Funeral Home, Ellsworth, was in charge of arrangements.
Dorothy M. Titus
WEAVERVILLE, Calif. — There will be a memorial service at a later date for Dorothy M. Titus, 85, Weaverville. Mrs. Titus, who was born Dorothy Schneider, died Monday, Jan. 26, 2004. Foster Mortuary, 610 24th Street, Wilson 67490 is in charge of arrangements.
Kenneth S. Urbanek (1923-2004)
Kenneth S. Urbanek, 80, Ellsworth, died Saturday, Jan. 31, 2004 at Hutchinson Hospital. Mr. Urbanek was born Nov. 5, 1923, to Charles F. and Emma Jiricek Urbanek He was a lifetime resident of Ellsworth County where he was a farmer stockman and a member of the Knights of Columbus and the St. Bernard’s Catholic Church, both in Ellsworth. He married Irene Janda Nov. 28, 1944, at Wilson. She survives. Other survivors include two sons, Gary of Ellsworth and Robert of Wilson; a brother, Harold Urbanek of Spokane, Wash.; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. The funeral mass was Tuesday at the St. Bernard’s Church, Father Daniel Scheetz officiating. Burial was in Ellsworth Memorial Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the church. Parsons Funeral Home, Ellsworth, was in charge of arrangements.
Willard W. Masopust (1916-2004)
KANSAS CITY — Willard W. Masopust, 88, Tonganoxie, died Sunday, March 21, 2004, at Providence Medical Center. Mr. Masopust was born Jan. 18, 1916, in Ellsworth to Louis and Christina Petrezelka Masopust. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II with the 635th Tank Destroyer Battalion He retired as a truck driver from the Yellow Freight Co., Kansas City, Mo. He was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, American Legion Unit No. 41, and the Good Shepherd Thrift Shop volunteers, all of Tonganoxie, and the Leavenworth County Historical Society. He married Frances Younger June 3, 1943, at Collyer. She preceded in death in 1994. He is survived by a son, Michael Masopust, Leavenworth; two daughters, Gaye Rose Erwin, Wichita, and Paula Rollins, McLouth; a sister, Marie Sibley, Tonganoxie; eight grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. The funeral was Thursday, March 25, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Burial was in Sacred Heart Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Masopust family 4-H memorial or to American Legion Unit No. 41, in care of the Quisenberry Funeral Home, Box 993, Tonganoxie, Kan. 66086.
Willard David Noren (1927-2004)
OBERLIN — Willard David Noren, 76, died Tuesday, March 16, 2004, at his farm west of Oberlin. Mr. Noren was born Nov. 11, 1927, on a farm southwest of Oberlin to David T. and Esther Amanda Carlson Noren. He farmed for most of his life, from the time he was a small boy helping his father, until the day he died. He was a member of the Herndon Covenant Church and served on the church board, and taught Sunday School and led Bible studies for many years. He also served on the Decatur Coop board of directors and the Chamber of Commerce. He sang at church events, funerals and other functions over the years. He married Esther V. Benda at the Herndon Covenant Church, northwest of Herndon. She survives. Other survivors include a son, Steve of rural Oberlin; two daughters, Judy Thelander of Salina and Alice Robson of Ellsworth; a brother, Edwin Noren of Cadillac, Mich.; a sister, Geneva Christensen of Westminster, Colo.; seven grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; and a sister, Evelyn Noren, who died in the Belgian Congo, Africa. The funeral was Saturday at the Herndon Covenant Church, rural Herndon, Pastor Keith Reuther officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery. Memorials may be made to the church. Paul’s Funeral Home of Oberlin and Selden was in charge of arrangements.
Joshua Shultis (1987-2004)
MARQUETTE — Joshua Shultis, 16, Marquette, died Wednesday, March 17, 2004. Mr. Shultis was born June 24, 1987, in Salina. He was a sophomore at Smoky Valley High School, Lindsborg. He was preceded in death by his mother, Kari Swanson Shultis. Survivors include his parents, Allen and Candy Shultis of the home; his grandparents, Leon and Donna Swanson of Lindsborg, Joyce Shultis of McPherson and Roy Shultis of Rosemond, Calif.; two brothers, Wesley Shultis of Marquette and Cody Alstatt of San Diego; and three sisters, Karissa Shultis and Chendra and Caitlin Alstatt, all of Marquette. The funeral was Saturday at the Salemsborg Lutheran Church, Smolan. Burial was in the church cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Marquette Education Fund or the USD 400 Trust Fund in care of the Science Department. Olson’s Funeral Home, Marquette, was in charge of arrangements.
Dorothy Somer Charvat (1913-2003)
A memorial Mass is planned at 10:30 a.m. April 3 for Dorothy Somer Charvat at the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, Wilson. A memorial has been established in Wilson for the preservation of the Czech culture and heritage and the restoration of historic buildings and landmarks.
Robert Brown (1921-2004)
BUSHTON — Robert Brown, 83, Bushton, died Thursday, March 11, 2004, at the Rice County Hospital, Lyons. Mr. Brown was born March 6, 1921, in Wallace County to Robert Lee and Clara M. Nelson Brown. He worked for the Civilian Conservation Corps and served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, seeing action in the Pacific Theatre of Africa, Italy and Sicily. In 1962, he moved to Bushton, where he was an operator and maintenance worker at Enron. He was a member of VFW Post 6485, Ellsworth, and American Legion 200, Holyrood. He married Doris Peppiatt July 2, 1949, at Ellsworth. She survives. Other survivors include a son, James R. of Richmond, Okla.; two daughters, Cheryl A. Brown of Santa Rosa, Calif., and Michelle Brown of Hill City; two brothers, Marion of Abilene and Kenneth of Boulder, Colo.; a sister, Marjorie Burt of Edwardsville; and five grandchildren. He was preceded in death by five brothers and five sisters. The funeral was Tuesday at Parsons Funeral Home, Ellsworth, the Rev. Janet Myers officiating. Burial was in Bushton Cemetery with military honors. Memorials may be made to the First Responders of Bushton.
Charles A. ‘Charlie’ Brotton (1921-2004)
SALINA — Charles A. “Charlie” Brotton, 82, Salina, died Saturday, March 13, 2004. Mr. Brotton was born to Charles A. Sr. and Nellie F. Hankinson Brotton May 7, 1921, in Salina. He was a pump operator for 30 years for Northern Natural Gas. He was preceded in death by his parents, a step-father, Jerry Thomas; his wife, Bessie Brotton; a brother, Gene Thomas; and twin sisters, Marge Thomas-Gans and Peg Thomas-Cowan. Survivors include two daughters, Barbara Smith of Ellsworth, and Kathyrn Gruber of Abilene. The memorial service was Tuesday at Ryan Mortuary, 137 N. Eighth, Salina 67401, the Rev. Paul Robbins officiating. Inurnment was in Gypsum Hill Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Charles Brotton Memorial Fund to benefit the family of Randy Pilcher of Bennington, who was diagnosed with ALS or to a charity of the donor’s choice. Condolences may be offered at www.ryanmortuary.com
Dixie Marie Bruhl (1931-2004)
Dixie Marie Bruhl, 72, Ellsworth, died Wednesday, March 10, 2004, at her home in Ellsworth. Mrs. Bruhl was born July 14, 1931, in Hannibal, Mo., to William Christy Turnbough and the former Anna Lou Misner. She was a homemaker who moved to Ellsworth in 1996 from California. She married Willard D. Hamilton in 1950 in Hannibal, Mo. He died in 1969. Survivors include a son, Chris Hamilton of Frederick; and LeeAnn Emmons of Ellsworth; seven grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. The family had a private inurnment. Parsons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Richard Lee Bryan (1924-2004)
SALINA — Richard Lee Bryan, 79, Salina, died Wednesday, March 3, 2004. Mr. Bryan was born Dec. 7, 1924, at Kanopolis. He was a driver for the Kansas Department of Transportation. Survivors include a twin sister, Rachel Welk of Valley Center; a sister, Virginia Svara of Layton, Utah; and a brother, William J. of Salina. The funeral was March 6 at Cornerstone Community Church, Salina. Inurnment will be at a later date in Ellsworth Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Cornerstone Community Church or the Smoky Hill Rehabilitation Center. Ryan Mortuary, 137 N. Eighth, Salina 67401, was in charge of arrangements.
Freda E. Focht (1924-2004)
EL DORADO — Freda E. Focht, 79, El Dorado, died Wednesday, March 10, 2004, at the Susan B. Allen Memorial Hospital. Mrs. Focht was born March 27, 1924, at Lincoln to John Elmo and the former Alvina Wacker Hildebrandt. She lived in Derby and Ellsworth, where she operated a restaurant, before moving to El Dorado two years ago. She also worked 49 years as a sheet metal worker for Boeing Aircraft. She was raised as a Lutheran. She married Charles Focht Nov. 19, 1952, in Wichita. He died in 1998. Survivors include a son, Daniel of El Dorado; three daughters, Carolyn Simon of Bellefontaine, Ohio, Connie McKenzie of Wichita and Christine Green of Newalla, Okla.; two sisters, Zelma Tanzer of Ellsworth and Lorena Hedrick of Topeka; 12 grandchildren; and 25 great-grandchildren. The graveside service was Friday in Ellsworth Memorial Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Susan B. Allen Memorial Hospital in care of Carlson Funeral Home, El Dorado.
