Obituaries in Kansas Newspapers (arranged by city)
Gladys J. Rezabek (1918-2006)
OVERLAND PARK — Gladys M. Rezabek, 87, Overland Park, died Saturday, March 4, 2006, at the Overland Park Manor. Miss Rezabek was born Sept. 24, 1918, in Lincoln County to Frank and Anna Felchman Rezabek. She lived in Wilson her entire life, except for a few years ago, when she was moved to Overland Park by her family. She was a homemaker. She is survived by a brother, Glenn Rezabek of Wilson. A graveside service was March 8 at the Wilson City Cemetery, Pastor Kris Bair officiating. Memorials may be made to the Wilson Opera House Cooperation in care of Foster Mortuary, Wilson.
Llewellyn R. ‘Lee’ Titus
Llewellyn R. “Lee” Titus, 87, died Tuesday, March 7, 2006, at the Ellsworth County Medical Center. A memorial service is planned later. Foster Mortuary, Wilson, is in charge.
Bonnie Lee Volkland (1922-2006)
BUSHTON — Bonnie Lee Volkland, 84, Bushton, died Thursday, March 9, 2006, at the Central Kansas Medical Center, Great Bend. Miss Volkland was born Jan. 16, 1922, at Bushton to William F. and Mary Schwerdtfeger Volkland. She was a lifetime resident of Bushton, where she was retired from the Bushton State Bank and a member of fhe United Methodist Church, the Salt City Chapter of the American Business Women’s Association and the Mutual Improvement Club. She was preceded in death by a sister, Whila M. Chapelle. Survivors include a niece and nephew, Beth and Steven Chapelle, both of Phoenix, Ariz. A memorial service will be at a later date. Memorials may be made to the Central Kansas Medical Center Intensive Care Unit in Bushton First Responders in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, P.O. Box 146, Hoisington, Kansas 67544.
Viola Ann Adamek (1919-2006)
Viola Ann Adamek, 87, Ellsworth, died Friday, March 3, 2006, at the Ellsworth County Medical Center. Mrs. Adamek was born Jan. 21, 1919, at Dorrance to John and Elvina Klussner Hill. She was a lifetime resident of Ellsworth County, where she was a homemaker and a member of the St. Bernard’s Catholic Church. She married Emil Adamek Sept. 29, 1937, at Ellsworth. He died in 1996. Survivors include a daughter, Laura Warta of Ellsworth; a son, Larry Adamek of Ellsworth; two sisters, Ella Conklin of Sacramento, Calif., and Minnie Houska of Emporia; three grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. The funeral was Tuesday at the St. Bernard’s Catholic Church, Father Daniel Scheetz officiating. Burial was in Ellsworth Memorial Hospital. Memorials may be made to the church. Parsons Funeral Home handled arrangements.
Kenneth Allen Day (1911-2006)
WILSON — Kenneth Allen Day, 94, of Wilson died Wednesday, March 1, 2006, at Hays Medical Center. He was born April 4, 1911, in Osborne County to Wilford and Bessie Wilson Day. He was a farmer and raised cattle until his retirement in the mid-1990s. He was a member of the Waldo School Board, the Waldo United Methodist Church and the Lucas Masonic Lodge for more than 50 years. He also was a charter member of the Waldo Lions Club. After living on the farm, he moved to Luray, Russell and the Wilson Nursing Center in 2004. Mr. Day married Helen Irene Funk in 1935. She died in 1972. His second wife was Irene Taylor, who he married in 1978. She died in 1996. He also was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Wayne Day; and two sisters, Norma Elliott and Barbara Huffman. Survivors include three daughters, Sylvia McNeal of Ellsworth, Marlene Murphy of Waldo and Phyllis Herzog of Quinter; two sisters, Bernadine Miller of Chandler, Ariz. and Geraldine Caruthers of Mesa, Ariz.; nine grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. The funeral was Monday at the Waldo United Methodist Church, Pastor Chris Holtorf officiating. Burial was in Grand Center Cemetery, rural Waldo. Memorials may be made to the church in care of Pohlman-Heise Mortuary, Russell.
Nenetah S. Ryden (1919-2006)
SALINA — Nenetah S. Ryden, 86, Salina, died Sunday, Feb. 5, 2006. Mrs. Ryden was born Nenetah S. Sunley July 13, 1919, in Miami County. She was a social worker and welfare director for Ellsworth County for 20 years, retiring in 1975. She was a member of the Sunrise Presbyterian Church and the P.E.O. Sisterhood. She was preceded in death by her husband, Marvin E., in 1993. Survivors include a daughter, Karma DeForest of Salina; a granddaughter; and two great-grandchildren. A memorial service was Feb. 10 at the Sunrise Presbyterian Church, Salina. There was a private burial in Ellsworth Memorial Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the church or the Presbyterian Manor Memory Unit. Ryan Mortuary, Salina, was in charge of arrangements.
Ima E. Stoppel (1921-2006)
KANOPOLIS — Ima E. Stoppel, 84, Kanopolis, died Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2006, at the Salina Regional Health Center. Mrs. Stoppel was born May 31, 1921, at Kanopolis, where she was a lifetime resident. She was a homemaker and curator of the Fort Harker Museum. Her first husband, from whom she was divorced, was Stephen E. Miller Jr. She married her second husband, Paul N. Stoppel, Aug. 4, 1974. She was a member of the St. Ignatius Catholic Church and Altar Society, both in Kanopolis, and the VFW Auxiliary, Ellsworth. She was preceded in death by her first husband in 2003; her second husband, Paul, in 1984; and a stepdaughter, Nanette Cook, in 2005. Survivors include three sons, Johnnie Miller and Gary Miller, both of Kanopolis, and James Miller of Flint, Texas; two daughters, Janice Miska of Russell and Joan Bunch of Kanopolis; a stepson, Larry Stoppel of Moundridge; a stepdaughter, April Miller of Kanopolis; 21 grandchildren; 41 great-grandchildren; and four great-great grandchildren. The funeral was Saturday at the St. Ignatius Catholic Church, Father Daniel Scheetz officiating. Burial was in Kanopolis Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the church or the Kanopolis Library. Parsons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Harry Frederick Woody (1920-2006)
BEVERLY — Harry Frederick Woody, 85, Beverly, died Friday, March 3, 2006, at Lincoln. Mr. Woody was born Dec. 10, 1920, at Beverly to Harry and Margaret McCabe Woody. He served in the U.S. Navy and was a farmer. Survivors include his wife, Elizabeth; four sons, Marion of Tescott and Mark, Bill and Bob, all of Beverly; three daughters, Bernice Salmon of Kansas City, Ks., Rita Peterson of Beverly and Kris Kling of Belleville; a brother, John Woody of Salina; nine grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Gerald; and a great-grandchild. The funeral was Monday at the St. Patrick Catholic Church. Burial was in the Beverly City Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the church or the American Lung Association. Hall Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
F.E. ‘Frankie’ Frank (1921-2006)
SALINA — F.E. “Frankie” Frank, 84, died Thursday, Feb. 23, 2006, at Salina. Mr. Frank was born Francis Eugene Frank on April 12, 1921 at Florence. He was the president of J.S. Frank Construction Company in Salina for many years, retiring in 1985. He was the founder and past president of FERCO in Salina. His company built many commercial buildings in the State of Kansas, including the St. Mary Queen of the Universe Catholic Church, Sacred Heart Jr/Sr High School, and the St. Mary’s Grade School in Salina. Mr. Frank served in the South Pacific for 4 1/2 years as a Navy Seabee during World War II. He was a member of the Sacred Heart Cathedral, a life member of the Salina Elks, V.F.W. Post 1432, and the Salina Country Club, the AGC, Salina Builders Assoc. and had served on many church committees. He had served as a director of the First Bank and Trust in Salina for many years. He is survived by his wife Marzella of the home; a daughter, Marilyn K. Crawford of Salina; three sons, Robert E., Joseph S. and Ronald T. all of Salina; a brother, Charles of Aurora, Colo.; two sisters, Mary Jo Schuster of Sheboygan, Wis. and Jenny Keeler of Salina; 11 grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. The funeral was Tuesday at Sacred Heart Catholic Cathedral, Salina. Burial was in the All Saints Catholic Cemetery, Salina, with military honors provided by Ft. Riley. Memorials may be made to the Sacred Heart Cathedral Endowment Fund. Ryan Mortuary, Salina, was in charge of arrangements.
Mary Louise Lawrence (1943-2006)
HOLYROOD — Mary Louise Lawrence, 63, Holyrood, died Monday, Jan. 20, 2006, at her home. Mrs. Lawrence was born Aug. 26, 1943, at Wichita to Franklin J. and Marie V. Friedel Letourneau. She was a lifetime resident of Barton and Ellsworth counties, where she was a member of the St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Holyrood. She married LeRoy Lew Lawrence Jan. 6, 1962, at Claflin. He died in 1992. She also was preceded in death by her parents; a daughter, Donna; a son, David; and two sisters, Margaret Cameron and Joan Mullis. Survivors include a son, Richard Lawrence of Bennington; a daughter, Diane Lawrence of Holyrood; a brother, Richard Letourneau of Holyrood; and four grandchildren. The funeral was Friday at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Claflin, Father Dan Scheetz officiating. Burial was in Claflin Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the St. Mary’s Catholic Church or the Lawrence Family Fund. Kimple Funeral Home, Ellinwood, was in charge of arrangements.
Raymond E. Monroe (1925-2006)
GENESEO — Raymond E. Monroe, 80, Geneseo, died Friday, Feb. 24, 2006, at Hutchinson Hospital. Mr. Monroe was born Dec. 4, 1925, in rural Geneseo to John Phillip and Amanda Mae Brandon Monroe. He was a lifetime resident of Geneseo, where he was a retired oilfield worker and backhoe operator. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II. He was a member of American Legion Post 241 and Geneseo Cemetery Board, a longtime volunteer firefighter for the Geneseo Fire Department and a former board member of the Geneseo Golf Club. He was married Sept. 6, 1947, at Lyons to Marilee Mathes. She survivors. Other survivors include two sons, David J. Monroe of Blakeslec, Pa., and Douglas J. Monroe of Geneseo; a daughter, Susan F. Elstun of Lyons; three brothers, Bruce Monroe of Lyons, Orville Monroe of Great Bend and Francis Monroe of Haviland; two sisters, Mary Cormeny of Centerville, Iowa, and Garnet Hicks of Plainfield, Ill.; 13 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a son, Michael E. Monroe; a daughter, Connie Williams; three brothers, John Jr., Gilbert and William Monroe; four sisters, Marguerite Cormeny, Irene Droegemeier, Mildred Monroe and Velma Monroe. The funeral was Tuesday at Sillin Funeral Home, Lyons, Dr. Donald G. Strohmeyer officiated. Burial was in the Geneseo Cemetery with military honors by the Fort Riley Color Guard. Memorials may be made to the Center for Basic Cancer Research at Kansas State University or the Lyons Church of the Nazarene in care of the funeral home.
Rose Kempke (1914-2006)
Rose Kempke, 91, Ellsworth, died Sunday, April 23, 2006, at the Ellsworth County Medical Center. Mrs. Kempke was born Dec. 20, 1914, in Ellsworth County to Fred and Lucy Lorenz Schneider. She was a lifetime resident of Ellsworth County, where she was a retired clerk for Otta Shop and a homemaker. She also was a member of the VFW Auxiliary and the Immanuel Lutheran Church. She married George Kempke Sept. 14, 1935, at Lyons. He died in 2005. She also was preceded in death by a daughter, Sharen; two brothers; and two sisters. Survivors include two sons and their wives, Dean and Janice Kempke of Claflin and Wayne and Carol Kempke of Hutchinson; seven grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and a great-great-grandchild. The funeral was at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the Immanuel Lutheran Church, Pastor Dennis Dufon officiating. Burial was in Ellsworth Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the church. Parsons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Ruby Lucille Strube (1916-2006)
KINGMAN — Ruby Lucille Strube, 90, died April 20, 2006, at St. Francis Hospital, Wichita. Mrs. Strube was born Jan. 8, 1916, at Council Grove to Willie Hix and Emma Jane Broce Teel. She and her twin sister, Ruth, attended Emporia Teachers College, where they received teaching certificates in 1935. She taught for two years in Morris County rural schools following graduation. She lived in Kingman for the past 35 years. She was a member of the St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, Holyrood, a past worthy matron of Eastern Star and a member of the Bemont Better Homes Cub and the WTK Club. She also was a former 4-H leader and kept the books for her husband’s pumping business. She married John Henry Strube March 17, 1936, at Westmorland. He preceded her in death. She also was preceded in death by her parents; a daughter, JoAnn Siemsen; a son, John; and her twin sister, Ruth Mayberry. Survivors include a sister and her husband, Helen and Maurice Shaw of Roswell, N.M.; a son-in-law and his wife, Robert and Judy Siemsen of Holyrood; a daughter-in-law and her husband, Sandy and Steve Mohasci of Modesto, Calif.; granddaughters and their husbands, Deborah and Mike Volavka of Caldwell and Julie and Bob Nienke of Lorraine; grandsons and their spouses, Steve and Sherry Siemsen of Holyrood, Roger and Jeni Siemsen of Salina, John and Teresa Strube of Merced, Calif., Sam and Kate Strube of Livermore, Calif., and Matt and Kris Strube of Austin, Texas; two step-granddaughters and husbands, Sheila and Dave Schad of Great Bend and Sheri and Brian Yager of Great Bend; 16 great-grandchildren; and seven step great-grandchildren. The funeral was April 24 at the St. Paul’s United Church of Christ. Burial was in the church cemetery. Memorials may be made to the church or to the Anthony Community Care Center. Parsons Funeral Home, Ellsworth, was in charge of arrangements.
Janet C. Walburn (1920-2006)
HUTCHINSON — Janet C. Walburn, 85, Hutchinson, died Sunday, April 23, 2006. Mrs. Walburn was born June 20, 1920, at Ellsworth to John and Helen Hemmert Maloney. She was a graduate of Ellsworth High School who moved from Douglass to Hutchinson in 1954. She was a homemaker. She married B.H. “Bernie” Walburn Feb. 17, 1940, at Olathe. He died in 1991. She also was preceded in death by two sisters, Helen Dryden and Genie Esh. Survivors include two sons, Jerome Walburn of Valley Center and Cork Walburn of Branson, Mo.; two daughters, Jan Wynn Moyer of Fort Calhoun, Neb., and Kristin Wilson of St. Louis, Mo.; a sister, Lucille Jezer of Colorado Springs, Colo.; 12 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren. The memorial service was Tuesday at Elliott Mortuary, Hutchinson, Chaplain Art Maddock officiating. Memorials may be made to Hospice Care of Kansas.
Catherine Bourne (1961-2006)
BELTON, Texas — Catherine Bourne, 45, Belton, died Saturday, April 8, 2006, at her home. Mrs. Bourne was born at St. Joseph, Mo., to Joseph and Rose Swope. For the past 1 1/2 years, she had lived in Belton, where she was a customer service representative for Dell Computer Systems. Survivors include her husband, Timothy L. Bourne; two sons, Cheyne Miller-Hockel of Belton and Trey Miller of St. Joseph; two sisters, Nala Nash of St. Joseph and Lana Taylor of Broken Arrow, Okla.; her mother, Rose Swope of St. Joseph; and three brothers, James Neitzelt, Alan Swope and Roy Swope, all of St. Joseph. The funeral was April 11 at the Trinity Church, the Revs. Wilbur Burns and Ed Dowell officiating. Burial was private. Scanio-Harper Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Lavina ‘Mae’ Klima (1926-2006)
CLAFLIN — Lavina “Mae” Klima, 80, Claflin, died Friday, April 14, 2006. Mrs. Klima was born March 17, 1926, in Rice County to James Arthur and Lavina King Belote. She was a homemaker, who moved from Holyrood to Claflin in 1963. She married Vernon G. Klima April 1, 1951, at Lyons. He died in 1999. She also was preceded in death by two brothers and a sister. Survivors include four sons, Dennis and Gary, both of Great Bend, Ernest of Hutchinson and Jim of Claflin; four daughters, Carol Graves of Hutchinson, Donna Briggeman of Iuka, Vera Blair of Claflin and Sherry Siemsen of Holyrood; a sister, Esther Adams of Hutchinson; 23 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and a great-great-grandchild. The funeral was Tuesday at the Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, Hoisington, the Rev. Shawn Winters officiating. Burial was in Claflin Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Golden Belt Home Health & Hospice in care of the funeral home, P.O. Box 146, Hoisington, Kan. 67544.
Charles McKinley Cooper Jr.(1924-2006)
HUTCHINSON — Charles McKinley Cooper Jr., 81, died Thursday, April 13, 2006, at Hutchinson Hospital. Mr. Cooper was born June 3, 1924, at Huchinson to Charles M. Sr. and Marguerite Elsie Heim Cooper. He was a longtime resident of Hutchinson, where he was a retired weighmaster for Farmland Industries. He also was a member of the St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, Lloyd F. Schroeder American Legion Post 200 and the Sons of the American Legion, all at Holyrood, and the Masonic Lodge, Ellsworth. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy with service during World War II. He married Fern M. Smith April 21, 1958, at Nickerson. She died in 1996. He also was preceded in death by two stepchildren, Robert and Margaret Howard; a brother, Jackie Dean Cooper; an infant sister; and two sisters, Virginia Thomas and Lucille Drake. Survivors include two sons, Charles Howard of Hutchinson and Dutch Mannel of Holyrood; a brother, Joseph Cooper of Grand Island, Neb.; a sister, Laverna Burrow of Columbia, Tenn.; six grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren. A graveside service was Monday at Fairlawn Cemetery, Pastor Debra Rains officiating. Graveside rites were conducted by Hutch-Reno Masonic Lodge 124 AF & AM and the Fort Riley Honor Guard. Memorials may be made to the Holyrood American Legion Post. Elliott Mortuary, Hutchinson, was in charge of arrangements.
Genevieve E. Slaight (1914-2006)
KANOPOLIS — Genevieve E. Slaight, 91, Kanopolis, died Monday, April 10, 2006, at the Good Samaritan Retirement Village, Ellsworth. Mrs. Slaight was born May 8, 1914, in Ellsworth County to Frank and Mary Henchek Novak. She was a lifetime resident of the Kanopolis area, where she was a homemaker and a member of the United Methodist Church, Ellsworth. She married Edgar A. Slaight Aug. 23, 1934, at Ellsworth. He died Feb. 11, 1991. She also was preceded in death by a son, Kenneth, in 1941; a granddaughter, Kathleen Lundy, in 1967; a grandson, Kenneth Lundy, in 1992; and brothers, Frankie, Milo and Joe. Survivors include a daughter, Shirley Lundy of Wichita; three grandsons and their spouses, Kevin and Anne Lundy of Wilson, Kendall and Janice Lundy of Wichita and the Revs. Kent and Marti Lundy of Huntington, Ind.; and four great-grandsons, Weston and Ashton of Wichita and Joshua and Nathan of Huntington. The funeral was April 13 at Ellsworth’s United Methodist Church, Pastor Linda Toms officiating. Burial was in Ellsworth Memorial Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the church or the Good Samaritan Retirement Village. Parsons Funeral Home, Ellsworth, was in charge of arrangements.
Llewellyn R. ‘Lee’ Titus (1918-2006)
Llewellyn R. “Lee” Titus, 87, died Tuesday, March 7, 2006, at the Ellsworth County Medical Center. Mr. Titus was born July 18, 1918, in Manchester, N.H., to James L. and Catherine Thomas Titus. He served in the U.S. Army, Signal Service Battalion, in the European, African, Middle Eastern and Pacific Theater campaigns during World War II, earning a Victory Medal. He moved to California, where he was a carpenter/contractor. He later purchased a motel in Weaverville, Calif., retiring in 1980. He married Dorothy M. Schneider July 9, 1955, in San Mateo,Calif. She died in 2004. Survivors include his wife’s nieces and nephews, including Linda and John Strella of Ellsworth; and Tom Weber and Sylvia Lilak of Wilson. A memorial service is planned at 2:30 p.m. April 22 in the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Cemetery, Wilson, with Dr. Jim Morford officiating. Members of the Wilson American Legion will conduct military rites. Memorials may be made to the Good Samaritan Home or the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Cemetery Fund. Foster Mortuary, Wilson, is in charge of arrangements.
Clara L. Gebhardt (1909-2006)
KANOPOLIS — Clara L. Gebhardt, 97, Kanopolis, died Thursday, April 6, 2006, at the Wilson Nursing Home. She was born Feb. 1, 1909, at Green to Paul and Mamie Kiefer Mitchell. She was a homemaker. She was married Feb. 21, 1931, at Green to Gerald “Jack” Gebhardt. He died Oct. 26, 1991. Survivors include a son, Gerry Gebhardt of Kanopolis; a daughter, Dixie Kufahl of Onaga, Kansas; four grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. Graveside services were Monday at the Green Fancy Creek Cemetery, north of Green, with Pastor Gale Lund officiating. Memorials may be made to the Kanopolis City Library. Holmes-Pfeifley Funeral Home, Riley, was in charge of arrangements.
Anita Pacey (1920-2006)
Anita Pacey, 86, Ellsworth, died Saturday, April 8, 2006, at the Hutchinson Hospital. Mrs. Pacey was born Feb. 22, 1920, at Bacus, Minn., to John W. and Ida Franson Erickson. Since 1948, she had lived in Ellsworth, where she was a homemaker, a bookkeeper for Pacey Construction, an antiques dealer and a member of the First Presbyterian Church. She married Leslie Pacey June 14, 1938, at Clay Center. He died in 1985. Survivors include a son and his wife, Larry and Irene Pacey of Ellsworth; a daughter and her husband, Phyllis and Wayne Zwickle of Oberlin; grandchildren, Tom and Connie Zwickle of McCook, Neb., Dan and Traci Zwickle of Lakewood, Colo., Amy Zwickle of Oberlin, Lori and Mike Godbout of Topeka and Edward and Sheri Pacey of Lorraine; and nine great-grandchildren, Zayne, Taylor, Britny, Brandy, Jessica, Nichole, Nikki, Chad and Jesse. The funeral was Tuesday at Parsons Funeral Home, Ellsworth, Pastor Nathan Louden officiating. Burial was in Greenwood Cemetery, Clay Center. Memorials may be made to the First Presbyterian Church.
Perry R. Purdham (1933-2006)
SALINA — Perry R. Purdham Sr., 72, Salina, died Thursday, April 6, 2006. Mr. Purdham was born Nov. 27, 1933, in Shenandoah, Va. He was a welder for Wyatt Manufacturing, retiring in 1999. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Teresa Ann, in 1961. Survivors include his wife, Etta, of Salina; two sons, David and Perry Jr., both of Salina; a daughter, Brenda Stevens of Ellsworth; a brother, John of Hagerstown, Md.; and seven grandchildren. A graveside service was Monday in Roselawn Memorial Park, 1920 E. Crawford, Salina 67401. Memorials may be made to the family.
