Obituaries in Kansas Newspapers (arranged by city)
LeLand ‘Ray’ Parker (1939-2005)
GARFIELD — LeLand “Ray” Parker, 65, died Monday, March 14, 2005, at the Hutchinson Hospital. Mr. Parker was born Oct. 24, 1939, in Lyons to Garland Boyd and Margaret Leona Bloom Parker. In 1997, he moved to Garfield from Larned, where he had lived since 1966. He was a retired firefighter and security officer with the Larned State Hospital. He had attended the Baptist Church, Haven, and was a member of the Larned Volunteer Fire Department and the Kansas State Firefighter Association and was active in the Boy Scouts of America at the local and district levels. He married Stella Louise Wood June 7, 1959, in Hutchinson. She survives. Other survivors include three sons, Carl of Garfield, Kenneth of Kanopolis and Gary of Colby; a daughter, Marilyn Chism of Larned; two sisters, Doris Redinger of Burton and Talma Miller of Great Bend; and six grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a twin brother, Lloyd “Roy;” a sister, Margaret Deloris Maxon; a
grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. The funeral was March 17 at the Beckwith Mortuary Chapel, Larned, with Pastor Ken Walker officiating. Burial was in Larned Cemetery. Memorials may be sent to the Larned Volunteer Fire Department or the Garfield EMS in care of Beckwith Mortuary, Inc., P.O. Box 477, Larned, Ks. 67550.
Elden V. Coffey (1921-2005)
DUBLIN, Ga. — Elden V. Coffey, 83, died Monday, March 7, 2005, at the Veterans’ Hospital, Dublin. Mr. Coffey was born June 14, 1921, to Vern and Tillie Dolecek Coffey, who lived in Wilson, Kan. He was a World War II veteran who earned the rank of master sergeant through service overseas in New Guinea and Australia. He attended the University of Nebraska. Survivors include a sister, Colleen Banks of Carnesville, Ga.; two nephews; a niece; and other relatives.
Loneva Mae Rathbun (1924-2005)
LORRAINE — Loneva Mae Rathbun, 80, Lorraine, died Tuesday, March 8, 2005, at the Via Christi Regional Medical Center, St. Francis, Wichita. Mrs. Rathbun was born Dec. 31, 1924, in Bristow, Okla., to Ocie and Jesse Dillard Smith. She lived most of her life in Lorraine, where she was a homemaker and a clerk at Paul Peters Grocery Store. She was a member of the First Baptist Church. She married Clyde Hap Rathbun Dec. 3, 1942, at Ellsworth. He survives. Other survivors include a daughter, Carol Walker of Brookville; two brothers, Charles Smith of Tecumcari, N.M., and Tommy Smith of Houston, Texas; four grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a son, Charles Rathbun, in 1967. The funeral was Saturday at the First Baptist Church, Pastor George Redington officiating. Burial was in the Lorraine Baptist Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the church or the Ronald McDonald House Midtown, Wichita. Parsons Funeral Home, Ellsworth, was in charge of arrangements.
Joan Ella Shaw (1925-2005)
KANOPOLIS — Joan Ella Shaw, 79, Kanopolis, died Friday, March 11, 2005, at Ellsworth’s Good Samaritan Retirement Center. Mrs. Shaw was born April 16, 1925, in Plymouth, England, to Christina and Thomas Price. She was a lifetime resident of Ellsworth County, where she was a homemaker and a member of the Civic Club and the American Legion Auxiliary, both at Kanopolis. She married George P. Shaw Dec. 18, 1944, in Perth, Australia. He died in 2004. She also was preceded in death by a daughter, Barb Salyers, in 1978, and a son, Kevin, in 2004. Survivors include a son, Warren Shaw of Ellsworth; three daughters, Caroline Nowlin of Kanopolis, Nancy Cumberland of Bennington and Lorna Atkins of Iola; two brothers, Doug Price and Ron Price, both of Perth; a sister, Pat Smith, also of Perth; 17 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. The funeral was Monday at Parsons Funeral Home, Ellsworth, Pastor Stephen Holmes officiating. A private inurnment will be conducted later. Memorials may be made to the Good Samaritan Retirement Center.
Orvel ‘Orv’ Ray Hildebrandt (1934-2005)
BOISE, Idaho — Orvel “Orv” Ray Hildebrandt, 70, died Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2005, at St. Luke’s Heart Institute Hospital, Boise, Idaho. Mr. Hildebrandt was born April 6, 1934, at Ellsworth, Kan., to Herman August William and Estella May Hildebrandt. He was raised near Lincoln. He served in the U.S. Army and worked heavy equipment in Idaho, Utah, Washington, California, Nevada, Montana, New Mexico, Colorado and Kansas. He also raised livestock. He married Viola Hager Dec. 10, 1960, in Astoria, Ore. He married his second wife, Gayle Marie Bourgo, June 13, 1969. She survives. Other survivors include two step-children, Michelle Lynn Shillito and Michael Carl Seidl; an adopted daughter, Julie Ray Hildebrandt-McArdle; a son, Daniel Ray Hildebrandt; a sister, Margie Brull; and seven grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Eldon Morris Hildebrandt; and a grandson, John Thomas McArdle. The memorial was Feb. 24 at his crypt in a mausoleum at Forest Lawn Cemetery, Gresham, Ore. A second memorial was conducted Sunday at Hall Funeral Home, Lincoln, Kan.
Hester Oveda Zvolanek (1925-2005)
HOLYROOD — Hester Oveda Zvolanek, 79, Holyrood, died Saturday, March 5, 2005, at the Good Samaritan Retirement Village, Ellsworth. Mrs. Zvolanek was born Sept. 8, 1925, at Minneapolis to Joseph John and Daisy Babb Wolfe. She was a lifetime resident of the Bennington and Holyrood areas, where she was a homemaker and a member of the American Legion Auxiliary. She married Glen Bancroft Feb. 3, 1946, at Lincoln. He died in 1954. Her second husband was Wilbert J. Zvolanek, who she married Aug. 5, 1956, at Ellsworth. He died in 1998. Survivors include two daughters, Earlene Watson of Emporia, and Glenda Strahan of Salina; a son, Todd Craft of Worcester, Mass.; two sisters, Esther Rogers of Atoka, Okla., and Doris Thompson, of Newark, Texas; a brother, Joe Wolfe of Alamogordo, N.M.; seven grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren. The funeral was Tuesday at Parsons Funeral Home, Ellsworth, Dr. Jim Morford officiating. Burial was in Bennington Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Ellsworth’s Good Samaritan Retirement Village.
Hannah K. Brown (1914-2005)
HOISINGTON — Hannah K. Brown, 90, died Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2005, at the Cheyenne Meadows Living Center, Hoisington. Mrs. Brown was born March 8, 1914, in Russell to John H. and Anna E. Rieb Stoppel. She lived in the Wilson area most of her life, where she was a homemaker. She retired in Hoisington several years ago. She married Chester L. Brown Sept. 23, 1935, in Great Bend. He died in 1974. Survivors include two sons, Jim Brown of Dorrance and Lyle Brown of Susank; and two daughters, Darlene Michaelis of Grand Island, Neb., and Ilene Osborn of Russell. The graveside service was Saturday in Wilson City Cemetery, Pastor Kris Bair officiating. Memorials may be made to the Make A Wish Foundation in care of Foster Mortuary, 610 24th Street, Wilson, Ks. 67490.
Olga Rose Gillett (1920-2005)
LARNED — Olga Rose Gillett, 84, died Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2005, at St. Joseph Memorial Long Term Care in Larned. Mrs. Gillett was born Oct. 18, 1920, near Conway to Alfred T. and Frieda Siemsen Lueck. She was graduated in 1940 from Holyrood High School and eventually moved to Larned, where she was a member of the First Christian Church. She married Chester E. Gillett Dec. 22, 1946, at Ellinwood. He died in 1987. She also was preceded in death by a son, David Gillett, and a grandson, Steven Gillett. Survivors include three brothers, Wilbur Lueck of Santa Anna, Calif., Harlan F. Lueck of Lexington, Neb., and Lloyd M. Lueck of Wichita Falls, Texas; and three grandsons. The funeral was Feb. 10 at Morell Funeral Home, Larned, Pastor Dan Lundgren officiating. Burial was in the Larned Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the church or the long term care center in care of the funeral home.
Myrtice Marie Plinsky (1920-2005)
LINCOLN — Myrtice Marie Plinsky, 84, Lincoln, died Saturday, Feb. 26, 2005. Mrs. Plinsky was born Sept. 12, 1920, in rural Lincoln County to August and Marie Behrens Buttenhoff. She was a Farm Service Agency office clerk and homemaker. She also was a member of the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League and a Sunday school teacher for many years at the St. John Lutheran Church. Survivors include two sons, Robert of Osage City and Richard of Lincoln; two brothers, Harold Buttenhoff and Paul Buttenhoff, both of Lincoln; four sisters, Almira Sloate of Topeka, Margaret Bolte of Lincoln, Ruth Place of Ellsworth and Joy Weber of Perry, Okla.; four grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents and husband, Oscar Plinsky. The funeral was Tuesday at the St. John Lutheran Church, the Rev. Gerald Radtke officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Lincoln County Hospital. Hall Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Frank H. Ploutz (1924-2005)
RUSSELL — Frank H. Ploutz, 80, died Thursday, Feb. 24, 2005, at the Wheatland Care Center, Russell. Mr. Ploutz was born May 9, 1924, at Holyrood to Frank Herman and Theresa Hartwig Ploutz Sr. He was reared on a farm in Ellsworth County and served in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II. He farmed in the Ellsworth area for a few years before going to work as an oilfield roustabout in 1950. He also worked a few years on the construction of Interstate 70 near Russell. He is a life member of Russell’s VFW Post 6240. He married Betty Jean Windholz Jan. 10, 1955, in Raton, N.M. She survives. Other survivors include four daughters, Caroline Orcutt of Rush, Colo., and Raileene Ramsey, Pamela Ramsey and Valerie Ramsey, all of Russell; four sons, Jack of Douglass, Justin of Rozel and Jeffery and James, both of Russell; a sister, Leona Haden of Ellsworth; 18 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and a great-great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by his parents; an infant brother; two sisters, Victoria Zavensky and Irene Duryee; and a grandson, Heath Orcutt. The funeral was Saturday at Pohlman-Heise Memorial Chapel, Russell. Burial with full military honors followed in the Michaelis Cemetery, south of Russell. Memorials may be made to the Russell VFW Post in care of the mortuary.
Virginia J. Standage (1916-2005)
HAYS — Virginia J. Standage, 88, Hays, died Sunday, Feb. 27, 2005, at St. John’s of Hays. Mrs. Standage was born April 15, 1916, in Ellsworth County to William and Flora Rolfs. She was graduated from Geneseo High School. She later lived in Plainville, where she was a member of the First Christian Church and the Dorcus Club. She married John E. Standage Jan. 4, 1935. He died in 1974. She also was preceded in death by three brothers; a son, Rolf; and her parents. Survivors include a son, Ferrill of Hays; a brother, Glenn Rolfs of Geneseo; four grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. The funeral was Wednesday at the First Christian Church, Pastor Mark Huntley officiating. Burial was in the Plainville Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the church in care of Moore-Overlease Funeral Chapel, Plainville.
Velma Thielen (1925-2005)
DORRANCE — Velma Thielen, 80, Dorrance, died Saturday, Feb. 26, 2005, at the Wilson Nursing Home. Mrs. Thielen was born Jan. 23, 1925, at Dorrance to William H. and Emma Teppe Garrett. She was reared in Dorrance and lived on a farm near there following her June 12, 1948, marriage at Russell to Paul J. Thielen. She was a homemaker and farmwife and a member of the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church and the Altar Society. Survivors include two sons, Fred Thielen and Jack Thielen, both of Dorrance; a brother, Everett Garrett of Wilson; and a sister, Wilda Anschutz of Topeka. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband in 1979; and a sister, Wilma Thielen in 2000. The funeral was Wednesday at the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Fathers David Metz and James Grennan officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery. Memorials may be made to the church in care of Pohlman-Heise Mortuary, 610 N. Maple St., Russell, Ks. 67665.
Elva I.Bettenbrock (1918-2005)
Elva I. Bettenbrock, 86, died Sunday, April 24, 2005, at the Salina Regional Health Center. Mrs. Bettenbrock was born Sept. 10, 1918, in Ellsworth County to Carl F.F. and Elva O. Fry Schultz. She was a lifetime resident of Ellsworth County, where she was a homemaker and a member of Ellsworth’s United Methodist Church and Methodist Women’s Circle. She married William Carl Bettenbrock Nov. 27, 1937, at Salina. He died in 1991. She also was preceded in death by a son, Frank, in 2001. Survivors include two sons, Carl of Geneseo and Dale of Ellsworth; two daughters, Barbara Smith of Salina and Sandra Urbanek of Wilson; 15 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren. The funeral was Wednesday at 2 p.m. at Parsons Funeral Home, Pastor Chad Young officiating. Burial was in Buckeye Cemetery, rural Kanopolis. Memorials may be made to the United Methodist Church or the Wilson Nursing Center.
Edward Foran (1913-2005)
Edward Foran, 91, Ellsworth, died Thursday, April 14, 2005, at the Ellsworth County Medical Center. Mr. Foran was born Dec. 16, 1913, in Lincoln County to Timothy and Mary Schrandt Foran. He lived his entire life in Lincoln and Ellsworth counties, where he farmed and was a member of the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church and the St. Wenceslaus Knights of Columbus. Survivors include his wife, Blanche H. Homolka Foran of Ellsworth; a son and daughter-in-law, Roger and Cathy Foran of Ellsworth; two brothers, Bernard and Owen, both of Ellsworth; three grandchildren; and two step-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Joe and Bill; and a sister, Katherine. The funeral was Monday at the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, Wilson, Father Dan Scheetz officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Ellsworth County Medical Center or the Good Samaritan Retirement Center. Foster Mortuary, Wilson, was in charge of arrangements.
Isabelle M. Fritschen (1908-2005)
WILSON — Isabelle M. Fritschen, 96, died Saturday, April 16, 2005, at the Wilson Nursing Center. Mrs. Fritschen was born July 26, 1908, to Joseph and Mary Thielen Hirt. She was a lifetime resident of the area, where she was a teacher and a member of the St. Joseph Catholic Church, the St. Joseph Altar Society, KNEA, Daughters of Isabella and the Fort Hays State University Alumni Association. She married Leonard Fritschen July 13, 1935, at Russell. He died in 1994. She also was preceded in death by three brothers, Bethel, Louis and Matt; and a sister, Loretta Doubrava. Survivors include two sons, Richard L. Fritschen of Hutchinson and Larry Fritschen of Kansas City, Mo.; a daughter, Jeanette Welch of Olathe; nine grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren. The funeral was Friday at the St. Joseph Catholic Church, Fathers Dan Scheetz and James Grennan officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery. Foster Mortuary, Wilson, was in charge of arrangements.
Gladys Belle (Heinze) Olds (1921-2005)
Gladys Belle (Heinze) Olds, 83, was born Aug. 13, 1921, on a farm near Dubuque, Kansas, and died at her home in Wilson, Sunday, April 24, 2005, at 4:30 p.m. Her parents were Frederick David Heinze (born Aug. 15, 1895; died Oct. 18, 1985) and Della Marie (Janne) Heinze (born Jan. 4, 1900; died April 8, 1969) Gladys was baptized Oct. 2, 1921, at the Immanuel Lutheran Church, Dubuque, and was confirmed in the same church June 16, 1935, by the Rev. Arthur Finkbinder. Gladys attended Rolling Prairie Hills Grade School, Dubuque, and also attended Wilson High School, living with her aunt and uncle, Viola and Ray Shaw. She graduated from Wilson High School in 1938. Gladys married Francis M. Olds Aug. 9, 1941, at the Immanuel Lutheran Church, Dubuque. They lived in Wichita from 1941 to 1942 while Francis worked at Boeing Aircraft until he enlisted in the U.S. Army. A daughter, Peggy, was born Dec. 21, 1942. In February 1943, Gladys and Peggy joined Francis in Guthrie, Kentucky. In November 1943, Gladys and Peggy returned to Wilson, when Francis was shipped to the European Theater to serve in World War II until 1945. After the war in November 1945, they made their home in Wilson, and owned and operated Olds Motor Company, an automobile sales and service center for Chrysler, Plymouth and Dodge. A son, Alan, was born May 11, 1948. Gladys worked as a bookkeeper for the business from 1945 to 1985 and also worked at Shaw’s Grocery for seven years during the 1950s as a cashier. Gladys and Francis were married 63 years and enjoyed their retirement years, spending several months of each year, first in Texas and then in Mesa, Arizona, for 18 years. Gladys was an avid quilter and a charter member of the Quilters Point of View in Mesa. She also enjoyed being a member of the Immanuel Lutheran Sewing Group, Sorosis Federated Study Club, ALCW Women of the Church, American Legion Auxiliary and numerous bridge clubs. Gladys was also a member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church, Wilson, and an associate member of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Mesa. Gladys enjoyed square dancing with her husband for 45 years and was a member of the Kansas Square Dance Association, Central Kansas Square Dancers, Cheyenne Twisters and Country Cousins. They also organized square dances for the Wilson Czech Festival. Gladys was preceded in death by her parents, Fred and Della Heinze; two sisters, Leona Riley and Hilda Betz; and two brothers, Earl Heinze and Dean Heinze. Survivors include her husband, Francis, of the home; a daughter and son-in-law, Peggy Soeken and husband, Ron of Lorraine; a son and daughter-in-law, Alan and wife, Wilma of Wilson; five grandchildren, Kristin Webb, Sandra Barton, Cinda Lohmann, David Olds and Sarah Olds; a sister, Elva Willson of Osborne; a brother-in-law, Ed Betz of Salina; a sister-in-law, Betty Heinze of Wilson; two aunts, Viola Shaw and Toots Janne, both of Wilson; and four great-grandchildren, Kelsey, Jacob, Joe and Alex. The funeral is today (Thursday) at 11 a.m. at the Immanuel Lutheran Church, Wilson. There is a private family burial. Visitation was from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Foster Mortuary.
Kent Allen Bachar (1941-2005)
DORRANCE — Kent Allen Bachar, 63, Dorrance, died Wednesday, April 13, 2005, at the Medicine Lodge Hospital. Mr. Bachar was born Aug. 30, 1941 at Russell to Paul Milford and Nenah Bell Stephens Bachar. He was reared in the Russell area. He worked in the oilfields, had an 11-year career with the railroad, owned and operated a dump truck service and subcontracted with Venture Corp. of Great Bend for many years. He lived in WaKeeney and Hays before moving to Dorrance 13 years ago. He married Janet J. Rodriguez Nov. 20, 1994, in Bullhead City, Ariz. She survives. Other survivors include two twin sons, Michael of Hays and Matthew of Schoenchen; a daughter, Lori Hutchinson of Paradise; his mother and step-father, Nenah and Jess Hummel of Russell; a step-son, Jon Johnson of Dorrance; a step-daughter, Dreama Poudel of Russell; a brother, James Bachar of Virginia, Ill.; a sister, Pauline Berry of Talala, Okla.; and five grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his father, Paul Rachar, March 16, 1992. A service of remembrance was Saturday at the Otterbein United Methodist Church, Russell, the Rev. Earl J. Haggard officiating. Burial was in the Russell City Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Children’s Mercy Hospital, Kansas City, Mo., in care of Pohlman-Heise Mortuary, 610 N. Maple, Russell, Kan. 67665.
Leo B. Charvat (1920-2005)
COFFEYVILLE — Leo B. Charvat, 84, Coffeyville, died Wednesday, April 6, 2005. Mr. Charvat was born May 22, 1920, at Wilson to Frank and Josephine Dolechek Charvat. He was a mechanic. Survivors include his wife, Adaline R., of the home; a son, Leo Dean of Lincoln, Neb.; a daughter, Jolene Campbell of Cockeysville, Md.; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. The funeral was Monday at the Holy Name Catholic Church, Coffeyville. A graveside service was Tuesday at the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Cemetery, Wilson. Memorials may be made to Holy Name Catholic Church. David W. Barnes Funeral Home, 209 N. Douglas, Sedan 67361, handled arrangements.
Jenny Lynn Jesseph (1979-2005)
CHASE — Jenny Lynn Jesseph, 25, Chase, died Friday, April 15, 2005, near Lyons as the result of an automobile accident. Miss Jesseph was born Dec. 25, 1979, at Lyons to Carl and Robin Patterson Jesseph. She was graduated from Chase High School in 1998 and attended Barton County Community College, Great Bend. She was a cook at the Chase Cafe. Survivors include a son, Dalton Lee Rose, of the home; her parents; two sisters, Lacey Jesseph of Lyons and Roxie Jesseph of Chase; her grandfather, Dee Jesseph of Miami, Okla.; and her grandmother, Joanne Patterson of Chase. She was preceded in death by her grandfather, Robert Patterson; and grandmother, Peggy Jesseph. The funeral was Tuesday at Sillin Funeral Home, Lyons, Johnnie Hardie officiating. Burial was in the Raymond Hilltop Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Dalton Lee Rose Education Fund.
Maxine Kratzer (1918-2005)
KANOPOLIS — Maxine Kratzer, 86, Kanopolis, died Saturday, April 16, 2005, at the Ellsworth County Medical Center. Mrs. Kratzer was born Dec. 3, 1918, in Junction City to John W. and Nell C. Powell Smith. She was a homemaker, moving from Lorraine to Kanopolis in 1976. She was a member of the United Methodist Church, Kanopolis. She married Bernard Kratzer Dec. 21, 1937, at Frederich. He died in 1990. Survivors include a son, Larry Kratzer of Holyrood; a daughter, Sharon Schears of Buena Vista, Colo.; five grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. The funeral was Wednesday at Parsons Funeral Home, Dr. Jim Morford officiating. Burial was in Ellsworth Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the United Methodist Church, Kanopolis.
Alice Evelyn McCall (1926-2005)
SALINA — Alice Evelyn McCall, 78, Salina, died Sunday, April 17, 2005. Mrs. McCall was born Dec. 15, 1926, at Kanopolis to Lindon and Lila Merrill. She worked at Beech Aircraft and farmed with her husband, Earl. He died in 1988. She also was preceded in death by a daughter, Julia McCall, in 1953. Survivors include two daughters, Lourena Korinek and Gloria McCall, both of Salina; a son, Lindon E. of Andover; two sisters, Blanche Mize of Great Bend and Madeline Tipton of Oklahoma City; seven grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. The funeral is 1 p.m. today (Thursday) at Ryan Mortuary, Salina, the Rev. Troy Bowers officiating. Burial is in Carneiro Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church of Salina or the Carneiro Methodist Church. Ryan Mortuary, Salina, is in charge of arrangements.
