Obituaries in Kansas Newspapers (arranged by city)
Mona Faye Thompson (1924-2005)
DODGE CITY — Mona Faye Thompson, 81, died July 17, 2005, at the Good Samaritan Center, Dodge City. Mrs. Thompson was born April 4, 1924, at Ellsworth to Bruce Henry and Anne Sheridan Allen. A Dodge City resident since 1981, formerly of Brighton, Colo., she was the owner and office manager of K&M rental for 25 years, retiring in 1995. She married Keith Thompson Aug. 30, 1951, at Russell Springs. He died May 28, 1996. She also was preceded in death by a daughter, Gailynn Cockerham, and a sister, Ruth Anne Anderson. Survivors include a son, Stephen McIntosh Thompson of Dodge City; a daughter, Colleen Thompson of Tucson, Ariz.; a sister, Edith Merica of Dodge City; four grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Memorial service was July 20 at the Burkhart-Ziegler Funeral Chapel, Dodge City, the Rev. Dick Robbins officiating. Internment was at Scroggins Mausoleum in Maple Grove Cemetery, Dodge City. Memorials may be sent to the Good Samaritan Center or Hospice of the Prairie, both in care of the funeral home, 1901 North 14th Ave., Dodge City, KS 67801.
Lillian Zvolanek (1924-2005)
OSBORNE — Lillian Zvolanek, 81, died Thursday, July 21, 2005, at the Parkview Care Center, Osborne. Mrs. Zvolanek was born April 2, 1924, at Wilson to Joseph and Fanny Beron Mattas. She was a homemaker and a member of the Osborne County Historical Society. She married George Zvolanek Dec. 23, 1947. He died in 2003. She also was preceded in death by a son, Dick. Survivors include three sons, Bill J., Terry L. and Larry G., all of Osborne; nine grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. The funeral was Tuesday at Foster Mortuary Chapel, Pastor John Cousins officiating. Burial was in Wilson City Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Osborne County Historical Society.
Virginia L. Barta (1924-2005)
Virginia L. Barta, 80, Ellsworth, died Friday, July 15, 2005, at the Ellsworth County Medical Center. Mrs. Barta was born July 23, 1924, at Wilson to James and Mary Zbornik Vlcek. She was a lifetime resident of Ellsworth County, where she was a homemaker and also worked at the Grocery Store and as a cook at the Good Samaritan Retirement Village. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church. She married Frank E. Barta July 23, 1946, at Wilson. He died in 1979. Survivors include two sons, Robert D. and Alan W., both of Ellsworth; a daughter, Julie K. Huff of Manhattan; a brother, James Vlcek of Russell; a sister, Marilyn Cross of Hobbs, N.M.; a step-sister, Adaline Root of Eugene, Ore.; six grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. The funeral was Tuesday at the First Presbyterian Church, Pastor Leonard Goering officiating. Burial was in Ellsworth Memorial Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the church or the American Cancer Society. Parsons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Velma Borell (1919-2005)
WILSON — Velma Borell, 86, Wilson, died Saturday, July 16, 2005, at the Ellsworth County Medical Center. Mrs. Borell was born May 12, 1919, in Chicago, Ill., to Henry and Dora Bisterfeldt Miller. She was a lifetime resident of this area, where she was a homemaker and a member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church and Friends of Reading. She married Alvin Borell Sept. 25, 1945. Survivors include four sons, Orlen of Turpin, Okla., Jan of Hagerstown, Md., and Joel and Philip, both of Wilson; two daughters, Margaret Borell and Allison Ford, both of Wilson; three sisters, Arline Stoppel of Wilson and Margaret Miller and Helen Buckley, both of Dodge City; and a brother, Edwin Miller of Wilson. The funeral was Tuesday at the Immanuel Lutheran Church, Pastor Jim Wagner officiating. Burial was in the Wilson City Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Ford Theater Company in care of Foster Mortuary, 610 24th St., Wilson, 67490.
James P. Healey (1924-2005)
PERRYTON, Texas — James P. Healey, 81, Perryton, Texas, died Thursday, July 14, 2005. Mr. Healey was born Feb. 21, 1924, at Wilson, Kan., to John and Caroline Kanuar Healey. He grew up in Wilson and lived in the Perryton area since 1959. He worked for National Gas Pipeline and was a member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church of Perryton. He married Irene Soukup Oct. 28, 1947, at Ellsworth, Kan. She survives. Other survivors include two sons, Jim of Spearman, Texas, and Tim of Maple Hill, Kan.; a daughter, Juliana Sursa of Tucumcari, N.M.; three sisters, Marjorie Soukup of Lindsborg, Kan., Rosanna Thompson of Lenexa, Kan., and Mary Lee Molz of Deerfield, Kan.; nine grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. The funeral was Tuesday at the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, Wilson, Father David Metz officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery. Memorials may be made to Hospice Volunteers, 3101 Garrett Drive, Perryton, Texas 79070. Foster Mortuary, Wilson, was in charge of arrangements.
Edna F. Hoffhines (1921-2005)
SALINA — Edna F. Hoffhines, 84, Salina, formerly of Delphos, died Wednesday, July 13, 2005. Mrs. Hoffhines was born Edna F. Carleton on June 20, 1921, in Beloit. She was a homemaker and worked at the Delphos Republican, Keim’s Grocery and Hoffhines Recreation, all at Delphos. Her husband, Raymond E., died in 2004. Survivors include four sons, Robert, Michael and Ross Hoffhines, all of Salina, Edward Hoffhines of Ellsworth; a daughter, Deanna Cleveland of Salina; 10 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren. The funeral was Saturday at Shields Funeral Home, Minneapolis. Burial was in Delphos Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Salina. Condolences may be sent to sheildsfuneralhome@sbcglobal.net.
Willard F. Janssen (1914-2005)
GENESEO — Willard F. Janssen, 90, Geneseo, died Tuesday, July 12, 2005, at the Salina Regional Health Center. Mr. Janssen was born Dec. 30, 1914, in rural Geneseo to Henry F. and Esther M. Bronleewe Janssen. He was a lifetime resident of the Geneseo area, where he was a farmer-stockman. He was a member of the United Methodist Church and the Lions Club, both in Geneseo, and a former member of the Geneseo School Board, the Geneseo Booster Club and the Kansas Livestock Association. He married Lois Kimple July 30, 1941, at Lyons. She survives. Other survivors include a daughter, Janet Splitter of Lorraine; three sons, Justin Janssen of Sheridan, Ind., and Jeffrey Janssen and Jack Janssen, both of Geneseo; a sister, Althea Byerlee of Tigard, Ore.; 10 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a brother, William Janssen; and three sisters, Inez Jansen, Martha Trenary and Sylver Adams. The funeral was Saturday at the United Methodist Church, Geneseo, the Rev. Lyndelle Linde officiating. Burial was in Geneseo Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the United Methodist Church or Salvation Army in care of Sillin Funeral Home, 214 West Ave. South, Lyons, Ks. 67554.
Edith Kratzer (1919-2005)
Edith Kratzer, 85, Ellsworth, died Thursday, July 14, 2005, at the Good Samaritan Retirement Village. Mrs. Kratzer was born Nov. 18, 1919, at Allen to Frank and Florence L. Spencer St. Bonnett. Since 1939, she lived in Ellsworth County, where she was a homemaker and a retired certified nurse’s aide at the Ellsworth hospital. She also was a member of an Extension homemaker unit, the Ellsworth Senior Center quilters and the Evangelical Free Church. She married Francis Kratzer April 19, 1940, at Frederick. He died in 1994. She also was preceded in death by a brother, Billy St. Bonnett; a granddaughter, Sheila Soetaert in 2003; and a great-grandson, Dalton Ploutz in 2005. Survivors include a son, Francis “Junior” Kratzer of Geneseo; four daughters, Betty Splitter of Sylvan Grove, Barbara Logan of Claflin, Patricia Hirsch of Glasco and Lois Pruitt of Geneseo; a sister, Ethel Bearce of Kansas City, Mo.; 17 grandchildren; and 23 great-grandchildren. The funeral was Monday at the Evangelical Free Church, Pastor Tom Richards officiating. Burial was in Geneseo Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the church or cemetery. Parsons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Dianna ‘Choo Choo’ Petrie
A graveside memorial service for Dianna R. “Choo Choo” Petrie will be at 9 a.m. Saturday, July 30, 2005, in the Kanopolis Cemetery, Pastor Eddie Milbradt officiating. Memorials may be made to the family.
Esther Agnes Wydick (1928-2005)
HAYS — Esther Agnes Wydick, 76, died Wednesday, July 13, 2005, at the Good Samaritan Center, Hays. Mrs. Wydick was born Nov. 26, 1928, at Ness City to Jake and Lucy Schoendaller Munch. She worked in the restaurant business for many years and was the former owner of the J&W Cafe, Ness City. She lived in Hays for two years and was a member of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church. Her first husband was Adam Paul Dechant, who died in 1985. She married John Wydick in April 1969. He died in 2002. She also was preceded in death by a daughter, Barbara Ann Dechant; a granddaughter, Angela Marie Dechant; two sisters, Petronella Ellis and Leona Schmalzried; and seven brothers, Richard, Baronius, Johnny, Lavern, John Jacob, Frank and Pete Munch. Survivors include two sons, Darrell Dechant of Hays and Ronald Dechant of Grainfield; three sisters, Donna Hopper and Wilma Drake of Ness City and Isabel Kelly of Los Animas, Colo.; a step-son, John R. Wydick of Nampa, Idaho; two step-daughters, Mary Sevy of Nampa and Karen Britton of Ellsworth; 22 grandchildren; and 28 great-grandchildren. The funeral was Saturday at the Scared Heart Church, Ness City, with Father Warren Stecklein officiating. Burial was in Sacred Heart Cemetery, Ness City. Memorials may be made to the Altar Society of the Sacred Heart Church or the Good Samaritan Center in care of Fitzgerald Funeral Home, P.O. Box 96, Ness City, Ks. 67560.
Christina A. Achterberg (1911-2005)
LINCOLN — Christina A. Achterberg, 93, Lincoln, died Monday, July 4, 2005, at Ellsworth. Mrs. Achterberg was born July 31, 1911, at Ellsworth to Carl and Emilie Schultz Choitz. She was a homemaker. Survivors include a brother, Reinhold Choitz of Ellsworth; a sister, Caroline Schwerdtfeger of Ellsworth; four grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and a great-great-grandchild. She was preceded in death by her husband, Wilbur, in 1981; a son, Leroy, in 1996; and a daughter, Lila Barta, in 1993. The funeral was July 7 at the St. John Lutheran Church, Lincoln, the Rev. Gary Wolf officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery. Memorials may be made to the church or to the Lutheran Hour Ministries. Hall Funeral Home, Lincoln, handled arrangements.
Wilda E. Anschutz (1920-2005)
Wilda E. Anschutz, 85, a longtime resident of Dorrance, died Saturday, July 9, 2005, at the St. Francis Medical Center, Topeka. Mrs. Anschutz was born Jan. 5, 1920, on the family farm near Dorrance to William H. and Emma Teppe Garrett. She grew up in the Dorrance area, attended Dorrance schools and was a member of the First Lutheran Church of Dorrance. She married Wilbert Anschutz Oct. 23, 1941. He died in 1992. She also was preceded in death by her parents; an infant brother; her twin sister, Wilma Thielen; and another sister, Velma Thielen. Survivors include a daughter, Mona Rae Benteman of Topeka; a brother, Everett Garrett of Wilson; two grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. The funeral was 10 a.m. Wednesday at the First Lutheran Church. Burial was in Dorrance Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the church or to Kelly House of Topeka in care of the Pohlman-Heise Mortuary, 610 N. Maple St., Russell, Ks. 67665.
Nanette R. Cook (1949-2005)
Nanette R. Cook, 55, Ellsworth, died Wednesday, July 6, 2005, at the Salina Regional Health Center. Mrs. Cook was born Nov. 15, 1949, in Ellsworth to Paul Nicholas and Helen Spears Stoppel. In 1978, she moved from Moundridge to Ellsworth, where she was a certified nurse’s aide at the Ellsworth hospital. She was baptized at the United Methodist Church, Kanopolis. She married Donald M. Cook Jan. 25, 1969, at Ellsworth. He died in 1988. Survivors include a son, Kelly Cook of Liberal; a daughter, Melissa Cook of Kanopolis; a brother, Larry Stoppel of Moundridge; a sister, April Miller of Kanopolis; and a half-sister, Geri Janda of Ellsworth. The funeral was Saturday at Parsons Funeral Home, Ellsworth. Burial was in Kanopolis Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the family of Nanette Cook.
Myrtle Nora Thornton (1908-2005)
Myrtle Nora Thornton, 96, Ellsworth, died Sunday, July 10, 2005, at Cheyenne Meadows Living Center, Hoisington. Mrs. Thornton was born Dec. 4, 1908, at Dora, Mo., to Robert and Dora Wheat Maynard. She lived most of her life in Ellsworth, where she was a homemaker and a medical aide for the Good Samaritan Retirement Village, retiring after 28 years. She married Walter Earl Thornton Sr. May 15, 1924, at Dora. He died in 1988. She also was preceded in death by a son, Earl Jr., in 1978, and nine sisters. Survivors include three daughters, Charlotte Brown of Tacoma, Wash., Jeannie Mater of Hoisington and Veatress Webb of Ellsworth; a brother, Sam Maynard of West Plains, Mo.; 17 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and eight great-great-grandchildren. The funeral was at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Parsons Funeral Home, Pastor Stephen Holmes officiating. Burial was in Ellsworth Memorial Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Good Samaritan Retirement Village or Cheyenne Meadows Living Center.
Jean Leal (1931-2005)
Jean Leal, 73, Ellsworth, died Tuesday, June 28, 2005, at the Ellsworth County Medical Center. Mrs. Leal was born Nov. 26, 1931, in Ellsworth County to Joe and Clara Livingston Peppiatt. She grew up in Ellsworth and lived in San Diego County, Calif., from 1952-85 before returning home. She was a homemaker and certified nurses’ aide for 22 years. She married Octavio G. Leal Aug. 18, 1952, in San Diego. He survives. Other survivors include two daughters, Leann Trujillo and husband, Filimon, of Bonsall, Calif., and Carla Mendez and husband, Joe, of Ellsworth; four sons, Terry Leal of Vista, Calif., Doug Leal and wife, Imelda, of El Cajon, Calif., and Daniel and Chris Leal and wife, Cindy, all of Ellsworth; a brother, Frank Peppiatt and wife, Helen, of Lyons; a sister, Betty Jo Culley of Petaluma, Calif.; 18 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by two grandchildren, Joshua Leal in 1991 and Elizabeth Leal in 1985; and two sisters, Patricia Ellen Peppiatt and Ramona Lerma. The funeral was Saturday at Parsons Funeral Home, Father Daniel Scheetz officiating. Burial was in Kanopolis Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Ellsworth County Medical Center. Parsons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Margaret Shaver (1923-2005)
Margaret Shaver, 81, Ellsworth, died Monday, July 4, 2005, at the Good Samaritan Retirement Village. Mrs. Shaver was born Aug. 30, 1923, in Detroit, Mich., to Alfred and Lulu Marenette Lemieux. She lived in Hutchinson and Dodge City before moving to Ellsworth in 1990. She served in the Women’s Air Corps during World War II. She also was a homemaker and a member of the St. Bernard’s Catholic Church. She married David Charles Shaver May 3, 1947. He died in 1991. Survivors include two daughters, Pam Pelzel of Ellsworth and Betty Bieker of Westfield, Mass.; two sons, Charles Shaver of Wichita and Brad Shaver of Panhandle, Texas; a sister Violet Sheptoski of Phoenix, Ariz.; 22 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. The funeral is 10 a.m. today (Thursday) at the St. Bernard’s Catholic Church, Father Daniel Scheetz officiating. Visitation was 1 to 8 p.m. Wednesday with the vigil at 7 p.m. at Parsons Funeral Home, Ellsworth. Memorials may be made to the church’s Catholic Youth Organization or the Alzheimer’s Association.
Loren Victor Florell (1910-2005)
BELLEVILLE — Loren Victor Florell, 94, died Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2005, at the Republic County Hospital, Belleville. Mr. Florell was born Dec. 15, 1910, at Courtland to Alfred Conrad and Belle Cora Woods Florell. He was a farmer for many years and later worked at Kewitt Construction and Home Oil Co. He also was a custodian for Scandia School District 6, later Pike Valley School District, for 13 years until his retirement in 1976. He was a member of the Amana Lutheran Church, Scandia. He married Maxine Milner June 5, 1938. She died in 1975. He also was preceded in death by two sisters, Frances Palecek and Ethel Mae Florell; and a brother, Marvin Florell. Survivors include two daughters, Janice McCaulley of Ellsworth and Vicki Nylund of Scandia; four grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. The funeral was Saturday at Bachelor-Faulkner-Dart-Surber Funeral Home, 324 Kansas Ave., Scandia, Pastor Shelby Bailey officiating. Burial was in Courtland Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Scandia Museum or Republic County Long Term Care.
Gerald Lee ‘Gary’ Klinger (1947-2005)
EMPORIA — Gerald Lee “Gary” Klinger, 57, died Sunday, Aug. 21, 2005, at Newman Regional Health, Emporia. Mr. Klinger was born Nov. 20, 1947, at Emporia to Walter and Melissa (Klinger) Wells Johnson. He married Christine Virginia Grothusen Dec. 20, 1980, at Wichita State University. She survives. Other survivors include his mother and step-father, Melissa and Walter Johnson of Emporia; four brothers, George, Bill, Jim and Fred Wells, all of Emporia; and a sister, Kathy Ellen Wells Libertus of Emporia. The funeral was 1 p.m. Wednesday at Roberts-Blue-Barnett Funeral Home, Emporia, conducted by Capt. Mark Haslett of Emporia’s Salvation Army. Burial was in Cottonwood Cemetery, Emporia. Memorials may be made to the Gerald Lee Klinger Memorial Fund in care of the funeral home.
James A. ‘Jim’ Wood (1924-2005)
TULSA, Okla. — James A. “Jim” Wood, 80, died Thursday, Aug. 18, 2005, at the St. Francis Hospital, Tulsa. Mr. Wood was born Oct. 8, 1924, at Fair Grove, Mo., to Oscar G. and Angie Attinson Wood. He lived in Geneseo, Kan., before moving to Tulsa in 1986. He was the former owner and operator of James Wood Sand & Gravel. He married Ruby Kruse Nov. 18, 1944, at Fair Gove. She survives. Other survivors include a son, Alan Wood of Geneseo; three daughters, Shirley Horton of Tulsa, Virginia Monroe of Grove City, Ohio, and Dorothy Crum of Marquette, Kan.; 10 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; four step-grandchildren; and nine step great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a grandson. The graveside service will be 10 a.m. Saturday in Geneseo Cemetery, the Rev. Robert Friesen officiating. Visitation will be from 2 to 7 p.m. Friday at Sillin Funeral Home, Lyons. Memorials may be made to the Geneseo Fire Department, Geneseo American Legion Ladies Auxiliary or the Geneseo Cemetery Association in care of the funeral home.
Rylynn Kay Coffman (2003-2005)
Rylynn Kay Coffman, 2, died Saturday, Aug. 6, 2005, at Children’s Mercy Hospital, Kansas City, Mo., following a brief illness. Rylynn was born March 14, 2003, at Topeka to Ryan and Ramie Schmidt Coffman. They survive. Other survivors include a brother, Drake of Topeka; her grandparents, Pearl and Raymond Coffman of Lady Lake, Fla., and Steven and Cindy Heinze of Wilson; and great-grandmothers Marge Coffman of Topeka, Ilene Schmidt of Wilson and Betty Heinze of Wilson. A memorial service was Friday at Penwell-Gabel Mid-Town Chapel, Topeka. Memorials may be made in Rylynn’s name to the Capper Foundation, 3500 SW 10th Street, Topeka, Ks. 66604, or to Children’s Mercy Hospital, 2401 Gillham Rd., Kansas City, Mo. 64108. Condolences for the family may be sent online at www.PenwellGabel.com.
George O. Kempke (1915-2005)
George O. Kempke, 90, Ellsworth, died Saturday, Aug. 13, 2005, at the Ellsworth County Medical Center. Mr. Kempke was born March 6, 1915, at Haven to Fred W. and Lena Hoffman Kempke. He was a lifetime resident of Ellsworth County, where he was a farmer-stockman, auctioneer, musician and square dance caller. He was a member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church. He married Rose Schneider Sept. 14, 1935, at Lyons. She survives. Other survivors include two sons, Fredrick Dean Kempke of Claflin and Wayne George Kempke of Hutchinson; two sisters, Beuhlah Woodmansee of Ellsworth and Donna Mehl of Holyrood; seven grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and a great-great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Sharen; two brothers, Foch and Warren; and two sisters, Betty Hazen and Violet Deming. The funeral was Tuesday at the Immanuel Lutheran Church, Pastor Dennis Dufon officiating. Burial was in Ellsworth Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the church or to a charity of the donor’s choice. Parsons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
