Obituaries in Kansas Newspapers (arranged by city)
Alfred R. Kvasnicka (1910-2005)
HOLYROOD — Alfred R. Kvasnicka, 95, Holyrood, died Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2005, at the Ellsworth County Medical Center. Mr. Kvasnicka was born April 11, 1910, at Lucas to Frank and Mary Brichacek Kvasnicka. He was a lifetime resident of the area, where he worked for Wilson Lumber Company for 42 years. He also was a more than 50-year member of Sumaria Lodge 298 and Msgr. John F. McManus American Legion Post 262, both at Wilson. He married Velma Kleinschmidt, who survives. A brother, Oldrich Kvasnicka of Salina, also survives. A graveside service was Friday at Wilson City Cemetery, Pastor Kris Bair officiating. Memorials may be made to the American Red Cross in care of Foster Mortuary, Wilson.
Clyde “Hap” Rathbun (1922-2005)
LORRAINE — Clyde “Hap” Rathbun, 82, Lorrine, died Wednesday, Aug. 10, 2005, at the Ellsworth County Medical Center. Mr. Rathbun was born Dec. 3, 1922, in Ellsworth County to Dick and Ella Hoffman Rathbun. He was a lifetime resident of the Lorraine area, where he was a pumper for Cities Service Oil Co., Russell, and a member of the First Baptist Church. He married Loneva Mae Smith Dec. 3, 1942, at Ellsworth. She died March 8, 2005. He also was preceded in death by a son, Charles, in 1967. Survivors include a daughter, Carol Walker of Brookville; three sisters, Maxine Clifton of Lyons, Geneva Burton of Salina and Mary Jane Thornton of Las Vegas, Nev.; four grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. The funeral was Saturday at the First Baptist Church, Pastor George Redington officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery. Memorials may be made to the church or the activities fund of Ellsworth’s Good Samaritan Retirement Village. Parsons Funeral Home, Ellsworth, was in charge of arrangements.
Cecelia Wamhoff (1916-2005)
Cecelia Wamhoff, 88, died Sunday, Aug. 7, 2005, at Salina Regional Health Center. Mrs. Wamhoff was born Nov. 3, 1916, in Ellsworth County to Godfrey and Anna Warta Soukup. She lived most of her life in Ellsworth, moving to Salina four years ago. She was a homemaker and a clerk at Otta Shop. She also was a member of the St. Bernard’s Catholic Church and the Altar Society. She married Everett DeForest Nov. 19, 1944. He died in 1950. She married Arthur Wamhoff May 20, 1953. He died in 1992. Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, Max and Karma DeForest of Salina; three daughters and their husbands, Ruth and Tom Novak of Colorado Springs, Colo., Mary Vierthaler of Tucson, Ariz., and Sara and Mark Pfannenstiel of Ness City; six grandchildren, Rob Novak of Martinez, Calif., Jenny Stack of Overland Park, Staci Vierthaler of Tucson, Juli Vierthaler and Lindsay Pfannenstiel of Wichita, and Lauren Pfannenstiel of Hutchinson; and two great-grandchildren, Maddie and Brady Stack. The funeral mass was 10 a.m. Wednesday at the St. Bernard’s Catholic Church, Father Daniel Scheetz officiating. Burial was in Ellsworth Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the church or Salina’s Presbyterian Manor. Parsons Funeral Home, Ellsworth, was in charge of arrangements.
Juanita M. Kempke (1919-2005)
Juanita M. Kempke, 86, died Monday, Aug. 8, 2005, at the Good Samaritan Retirement Village. Mrs. Kempke was born June 18, 1919, in Bernard, to George H. and Hattie M. Murray Harold. She was a longtime resident of Ellsworth, where she was a homemaker, past president of the VFW Auxiliary and AARP and a member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church. She married Warren D. Kempke Oct. 4, 1941, at Ellsworth. He died in 1992. She also was preceded in death by a brother, Charles Harold. Survivors include two daughters, Carol Black and Cheryl Leforgee, both of Twin Falls, Idaho; five grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. The funeral is 10 a.m. today (Thursday) at Parsons Funeral Home, Pastor Dennis Dufon officiating. Burial is in Ellsworth Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Immanuel Lutheran Church or the American Heart Association.
Irene A. Coe (1914-2005)
ALTUS, Okla. — Irene A. Coe, age 90, died July 28, 2005, at Altus. Mrs. Coe was born Nov. 18, 1914, near Gypsum. She was a homemaker. She was preceded in death by her husband, Russel, who died in 1996 and one son, Ronald Thiel. Survivors include one daughter, Janice Thiel Harris of Altus; son, Gary Coe of Kanopolis; four grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren. The funeral service was Monday at the Ryan Mortuary, 137 N. Eighth St., Salina. Burial was in Gypsum Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association. For more information/condolences, visit www.ryanmortuary.com.
Angela M. “Angie” Hill (1962-2005)
WILSON — Angela M. “Angie” Hill, 43, of Wilson, died Friday, July 29, 2005, at the Ellsworth County Medical Center. Mrs. Hill was born July 24, 1962, at Austin, Texas, to Louis B. and Dorothy Anspaugh Steffek. She moved to Wilson in 1994, where she was a homemaker, dock manager at Lake Wilson and an employee of the City of Wilson and Casey’s General Store, Ellsworth. Survivors include her fiance, Jerry Macek of Wilson; a daughter, Courtney Pekar of Kansas City, Kan.; a son, Joshua Pekar of Salina; her mother, Dorothy Steffek of Taylor, Texas; three brothers, Glen Steffek of Austin, Gaylon Steffek of Taylor and Michael Steffek of Bertram, Texas; a son, Joe Macek of Kansas City; and a daughter, Amber Macek of Lawrence. She was preceded in death by her father, Louis, in 1993, and a son, Joseph Paul Pekar III, in 1987. The funeral was Monday at the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, Fathers David Metz and Jerome Morgan officiating. Burial was Wednesday in Holy Cross Cemetery, Granger, Texas. Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association. Foster Mortuary, Wilson, was in charge of arrangements.
William L. “Bill” Kueser (1925-2005)
WICHITA — William L. “Bill” Kueser, 80, Wichita, died Thursday, July 28, 2005. Mr. Kueser was born June 27, 1925, at Ellsworth to John and Katharine Hermreck Kueser. He was a retired PBX repairman for Southwestern Bell. Survivors include his wife, Ruth Lott Kueser; a son, William L. Kueser II of Wichita; two daughters, Denise Kueser and Lisa Kueser, both of Wichita; a brother, Bud Kueser of Ellsworth; and five sisters, Lucille Coupal of Hays, Katharine Kratzer of Geneseo, Eleanor Ulrich of Salina, and Mildred Stefek and Ramona Wallert, both of Ellsworth. The funeral was Monday at the Church of the Magdalen, Wichita. Memorials may be made to Harry Hynes Memorial, Hospice, Inc., 313 S. Market, Wichita, Ks. 67202. Downing & Lahey Mortuary East was in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be sent via e-mail to www.downingandlahey.com.
Lester Lyle Crandall (1918-2005)
TOPEKA — Lester Lyle Crandall, 87, died at the HC Manor Care Center Sept. 20, 2005. He was born May 4, 1918, in a farmhouse outside of Pratt to Robert and Della Croxton Crandall. Mr. Crandall served with distinction in the US Army’s 41st field artillery as a forward observer. Following discharge from the service, he married Inez Viola Smith Dec. 21, 1947. She died May 2002. He graduated in 1949 from Kansas State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in agricultural education and completed his Master’s Degree from Kansas State in 1966. He taught vocational agriculture at Miltonvale and Ellsworth. He was awarded the Honorary American Farmer. He served as president of the State of Kansas Vocational Teachers Association and President of the Ellsworth Teachers Association. Following his teaching career, Mr. Crandall served as a County Agent in Atwood and Paola. They retired to Topeka in 1987. He was active in the Gideon’s, Rotary Club and the Community Church in Topeka. He is survived by two sons, Phil of Fayetteville, Ark., and Randy of Topeka; one daughter, Pamela Willcott of Linwood; one brother, Dean, Ft. Scott; 13 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. The service was Sept. 23, at Community Church. Burial was at the Hebron Lutheran Church Cemetery in Burdick. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Gideons, P.O. Box 1092, Topeka, KS 66601; Lester L. Crandall Memorial Scholarship, c/o Kansas State University Foundation, 2323 Anderson Ave., Suite 500, Manhattan, KS 66502 or to Community Church, 1819 SW 21st St., Topeka, KS 66604. Newcomer Family Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. To leave a special message for the family, visit www.NewcomerFamily.com.
Stephen L. Jennings (1934-2005)
SALINA — Stephen L. Jennings, 71, Salina, died Friday, Sept. 16, 2005. Mr. Jennings was born Sept. 11, 1934, in Larned to Walter B. and Virginia Maxine Phelps Jennings. He worked as an engineer for Bucher, Willis, Ratliff Corp. Salina, for more than 30 years, retiring in 1994 as chief executive officer. In 1991, he and Kay Bloom co-founded the Smoky Hill Vineyard and Winery north of Salina, which he contined to operate as well as the Smoky Hill Winery at Wilson. He served in the U.S. Army. He was a member of the Sunrise Presbyterian Church, Salina Noon Rotary Club and Salina Crossroads Barber Shop Choir. He was preceded in death by his parents; and a brother, Norman, in 2000. Survivors include his wife, Hannelore of Salina; a son, Norm of Salina; a daughter, Stephanie of O’Fallan, Mo.; a sister, Linda Dawson of St. Petersburg, Fla.; and six grandchildren. The funeral was Sept. 20 at Sunrise Presbyterian Church, Salina. Burial was in Roselawn Cemetery. Memorials may be made to American Diabetes Assocation. Ryan Mortuary of Salina was in charge of arrangements.
Daniel R. Rodriguez (1946-2005)
Daniel R. Rodriguez, 59, Salina, died Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2005. Mr. Rodriguez was born Aug. 23, 1946, in Ellsworth to Joe and Jessie Uribe Rodriguez. He was a lifetime resident of Ellsworth, retiring from the Kansas Department of Transportation. He served in the United States Marine Corps — Vietnam. He was a lifetime member of the American Legion Post 174, VFW Post 6485, Purple Heart Association, DAV Association. He also belonged to the St. Bernard’s Catholic Church. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Marc and Rudy; and one sister, Mary Lou Botello. He married Connie Pflughoeft Aug. 3, 1968, in Ellsworth. She survives. Other survivors include a daughter, Angela Ptacek of Carneiro; four brothers, Angel of Manhattan, John of Hutchinson, Joe and Leon, both of Ellsworth; three sisters, Sipriana Bussing of Brazil, Ind., Lupe Lutz of Hutchinson, Frances Jacobo of Salina; and two grandchildren. The funeral was Sept. 19 at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church. Burial was in the Ellsworth Cemetery with military rites. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Bernard’s Catholic Church, American Heart Association or donors choice. Parsons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Elwyn E. Evert (1912-2005)
Elwyn E. Evert, 93, Ellsworth, died Monday, Sept. 5, 2005, at the Good Samaritan Retirement Village. Mr. Evert was born April 29, 1912, in Republic County to Fred H. and Lavinia Garman Evert. He moved to Ellsworth County in 1944. He retired from Northern Natural Gas after 31 years. He also was a member of the First Baptist Church of Lorraine. He married Ruth McElroy Aug. 30, 1939, at Concordia. She survives. Other survivors include two sons, Wendell Evert of Longmont, Colo., and Larry Evert of Jefferson City, Mo.; seven grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. The funeral was Sept. 8 at the First Baptist Church, Lorraine, Dr. Jim Morford and the Rev. George Redington officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery. Memorials may be made to the church. Parsons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Chelsea Gerbitz (1990-2005)
AUGUSTA — Chelsea Gerbitz, 15, Augusta, died Monday, Sept. 5, 2005. Miss Gerbitz, a sophomore at Augusta High School, was a varsity cheerleader. She was the granddaughter of the late Earl Gerbitz, who lived in Ellsworth. Survivors include her parents, Dan and Janell Gerbitz, a sister, Chancy Rae Gerbitz, grandparents, Ed and Eleanor Bolain and Mel and Alice Wyssman, all of Derby. The funeral was Friday at the Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Wichita. Memorials may be made to the Chelsea Gerbitz Scholarship Fund, at any Bank of America location. Condolences may be sent to the family at the website of Watson Funeral Home, www.watsonfuneral.com.
Darrell John Hanson (1944-2005)
LINCOLN — Darrell John Hanson, 61, Lincoln, died Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2005, at the Salina Regional Health Center. Mr. Hanson was born June 24, 1944, at Ellsworth to John and Esther Burgenger Hanson. He lived the past 15 years in Lincoln, where he worked for Century Manufacturing. He also was a U.S. Army veteran who served in Vietnam. He married Cathryn Seaman. She survives. Other survivors include two brothers, Don and Harold Hanson, both of Ellsworth. The graveside service was Saturday at Ellsworth Memorial Cemetery with VFW military rites. Pastor Dennis Dufon officiated. Memorials may be made to VFW Post 6485, Ellsworth. Parsons Funeral Home, Ellsworth, was in charge of arrangements.
Kevin N. Homeier
GREELEY, Colo. — Kevin N. Homeier, 32, died Monday, Sept. 5, 2005, at his home in Greeley, Colo. Surviving are relatives in the Wilson-Ellsworth area. A memorial service will be announced at a later date. Memorials may be made to the Kevin Homeier Survivors’ Fund, 1702 S. Douglas Ave., Loveland, Colo. 80537 to benefit his wife and children.
Helmer Siemsen (1920-2005)
Helmer Siemsen, 85, Ellsworth, died Monday, Sept. 5, 2005, at the Good Samaritan Retirement Village. Mr. Siemsen was born July 26, 1920, in Rice County to Fred and Minnie Peterman Siemsen. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II and was a member of VFW 6485, the American Agriculture Movement and the Immanuel Lutheran Church. He was a self-employed carpenter and farmer. He married Verona Peterman Oct. 26, 1955, at Ellsworth. She survives. Other survivors include three daughters, Sandy McCoy of Mulvane, Linda Webber of Grand Junction, Colo., and May Anderson of Salina; two sons, Wayne Siemsen of Lawrence and David Siemsen of Salina; 12 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. The funeral was Sept. 8 at the Immanuel Lutheran Church, Pastor Dennis Dufon officiating. Burial was in Ellsworth Memorial Cemetery with military rites. Memorials may be made to the Good Samaritan Retirement Village or the Immanuel Lutheran Church. Parsons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Helen E. Stephens (1933-2005)
CHOTEAU, Okla. — Helen E. Stephens, 72, died Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2005, at her home in Choteau. Mrs. Stephens was born March 21, 1933, at Lincoln, Kan., to Harvey Lee and Elma Marie Killian Roush. She lived most of her life in Choteau, where she was a homemaker and worked for DHS as a home provider in the 1980s. She was a member of the New Life Baptist Church, Claremore, Okla. She married Leon Stephens May 8, 1952, at Vesper, Kan. He survives. Other survivors include two sons, Steve Stephens of Pryor, Okla., and Michael L. Stephens of Orange Grove, Okla.; three daughters, Laurel Wynkoop of Valley Falls, Kan., Tonya Fox of Claremore and Lenita Nelson of Tulsa, Okla.; two brothers, Keith Roush of Wilson, Kan., and Harvey “Butch” Roush Jr. of Vesper; two sisters, Betty Zelenka of Wilson and Jeanette Feldkamp of Vesper; 12 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren. The graveside service was Saturday in Choteau West Cemetery, the Revs. Charles Welch and Steve Stephens officiating. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society. Foster Mortuary, Wilson, was in charge of arrangements.
Delbert H. Bruning (1915-2005)
Delbert H. Bruning, 90, Ellsworth, died Thursday, Sept. 1, 2005, at Salina Regional Health Center. Mr. Bruning was born Feb. 14, 1915, in Ellsworth County to Reinhold and Anna Lange Bruning. He was a lifetime resident of Ellsworth County, where he was a farmer-stockman and a member of the St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, American Legion Post 174 and VFW Post 6485. He also was a veteran of the U.S. Army with service during World War II. He married Lucille Vague July 30, 1944, at the St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. She survives. Other survivors include two daughters, Marlaine Malone of Tonganoxie and Dianne Sheldon of Ellsworth; two sons, Keith Bruning and Bruce Bruning, both of Ellsworth; three brothers, Ralph, Orval and Leroy Bruning, all of Ellsworth; five sisters, Laverna Hunter, Elda Warttig and Elsie Hunter, all of Ellsworth, Norma Clark of Great Bend, and Eva Katzenmeier of Abilene; eight grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a son, Doyle, in 1994. The funeral was Monday at the St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Pastor Philip Hoppe officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery. Memorials may be made to the church. Parsons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Betty Ann Pruitt (1938-2005)
Betty Ann Pruitt, 66, Ellsworth, died Saturday, Sept. 3, 2005, at the Ellsworth County Medical Center. Mrs. Pruitt was born Oct. 4, 1938, at Ellsworth to Gustave and Dorothy Peterman Schneider. She was a lifetime resident of Ellsworth, where she was a nurse’s aide and emergency medical technician, both for 20 years; and also worked with the physically and mentally handicapped at OCCK and Mosaic for 30 years. She was a member of the St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League. She married Dwaine Pruitt May 15, 1955, at Ellsworth. He survives. Other survivors include two daughters, Debbie Butler and Barbara Ann Armstrong, both of Ellsworth; a son, Wayne Scott Pruitt of Salina; three sisters, Evelyn Pflughoeft and Erna Haase, both of Ellsworth, and Edith Compton of South Hutchinson; seven grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. The funeral was Tuesday at the St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Pastors Philip Hoppe and Dennis Dufon officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Lutheran Women Missionary League. Parsons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Lisa Faye Schwerdtfeger (1965-2005)
MEDICINE LODGE — Lisa Faye Schwerdtfeger, 40, died Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2005, in Barber County. She was born June 19, 1965, at Lyons to Dennis and Janice Long Schwerdtfeger. She was a resident of Medicine Lodge since 1986, moving from Lyons. She was a certified nurse’s aide. Survivors include a son, Colt Miller of Medicine Lodge; two daughters, Ashley Miller and Charity Schwerdtfeger, both of Medicine Lodge; her mother, Janice Schwerdtfeger of Lyons; a brother, Matthew Schwerdtfeger; a sister, Naomi Little of Newton; and a grandson. She was preceded in death by her father. The funeral was Aug. 27 at the First Christian Church, Medicine Lodge, Pastor Tom Walters officiating. Burial was in Highland Cemetery, Medicine Lodge. Memorials may be sent to the Lisa Schwerdtfeger Memorial Fund. Larrison Funeral Home, Medicine Lodge, was in charge of arrangements.
