Obituaries in Kansas Newspapers (arranged by city)
John T. Reed Sr. (1939-2006)
KANOPOLIS — John T. Reed Sr., 67, died Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2006, at his home in McPherson. Mr. Reed was born Nov. 28, 1939, at Davenport, Iowa, to Frank and Helen Schuldt Reed. In 2001, he moved from Kanopolis to McPherson. He was a veteran of the U. S. Army with service in the Vietnam War and retired from Williams Natural Gas. He married Elizabeth Jane Houser July 8, 1968, at Rock Island, Ill. She died in 1995. Survivors include his companion, Linda Janda of McPherson; two sons, John Reed of Kanopolis and Jeff Reed of Ellsworth; a daughter, Cecelia Askren of Kanopolis; two brothers, Bill Reed of Irvine, Calif., and Chuck Reed of Ellsworth; six sisters, Shirley Weinbeck of California, Pat Skorsky of Arizona, Carol Gooch of Phoenix, Ariz., and Sandy Shafer, Sherrie Smit and Kathy Sample, all of Fulton, Ill.; and three grandchildren. The graveside service was Friday at Kanopolis Cemetery with military honors. Pastor Dennis Dufon officiated. Memorials may be made to the John Reed Sr. Memorial. Parsons Funeral Home, Ellsworth, was in charge of arrangements.
Louis L. Kasper (1914-2006)
WILSON — Louis L. Kasper, 92, died Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2006, at the Salina Regional Health Center. Mr. Kasper was born July 21, 1914, in Ellsworth County to Frank and Mary Kubicek Kasper. He was a lifetime resident of Wilson, where he was a farmer-stockman, a charter member of the Nocturnal Adoration Society, and a member of the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus. He married Theresa E. Kratky May 10, 1949, at Wilson. She survives. Other survivors include a son, John L., of Wilson; a daughter, Mary Louise Vopat of Wilson; and nine grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Loretta Lowery, in 2006. The funeral was Friday at the St. Wenceslaus Church, Father David Metz officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery. Memorials may be made to the church. Foster Mortuary, Wilson, was in charge of arrangements.
Lowell Little (1922-2006)
SALINA — Lowell Little, 84, Salina, died Sunday, Nov. 26, 2006. Mr. Little was born Nov. 26, 1922, at Brookville. He was a machinist. Survivors include his wife, Beula of Salina; a son, Kent of Salina; a daughter, Lisa M. Green of Gypsum; three brothers, Max of Fort Morgan, Colo., and Sam and Don, both of Beverly; two sisters, Lola Brown of Melbourne, Fla., and Eunice Brady of Ellsworth; and three grandchildren. The funeral was Nov. 29 at Roselawn Heights Memorial Chapel. Burial was in Gypsum Hill Cemetery, Salina. Memorials are to be determined later. Condolences may be sent to www.roselawnsalina.com.
Msgr. Raymond M. Menard (1912-2006)
SALINA — Msgr. Raymond M. Menard, 94, died Monday, Nov. 27, 2006. Msgr. Menard was born May 12, 1912, in Fulton, N.Y., to Herman T. and Josephine Miner Menard. He was ordained a Catholic priest in 1939 in Syracuse, N.Y, and elevated to the rank of monsignor in 1949. He was editor of the Northwest Kansas Register for more than 50 years and also served as chaplain at St. John’s Hospital, Salina, for 25 years. He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Francis N. and Joseph A.; and a sister, Alice Veronica Doud. The funeral was Saturday at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Salina, with the Most Rev. Paul S. Coakley, Bishop of Salina, officiating. Burial was in Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Salina. Memorials may be made to the cathedral. Ryan Mortuary, Salina, was in charge of arrangements.
Nancy F. Peirano (1941-2006)
GARDEN CITY — Nancy F. Peirano, 64, died Monday, Nov. 27, 2006, at the St. Catherine Hospital, Garden City. She was born Dec. 13, 1941, at Wilson to Dean and Christine Kneale Buehler. She attended schools at Wilson and Salina before enrolling at Kansas Wesleyan University, Salina, and later a business school in Omaha, Neb. She worked for several businesses in office management and was a member of the St. James Lutheran Church, Garden City. She married Robert L. Peirano May 9, 1965, at Topeka. They lived in Wichita until 1970, when they moved to Garden City. Her husband died in 2003. She also was preceded in death by a daughter, Terri Peirano. Survivors include two sons, Shawn Peirano of Junction City and Byron Peirano of Garden City; a brother, Lynn Buehler of Tampa, Fla.; a sister, Deanna Baugh of Minneapolis; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. The funeral was Nov. 30 at the St. James Lutheran Church, Pastor Anthony Striffler officiating. A graveside service was later in the day at Wilson Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the St. James Lutheran Church in care of Garnand Funeral Home, 412 N. 7th St., Garden City 67846.
Lucille E. Reitz (1918-2006)
SALINA — Lucille E. Reitz, 88, Salina, died Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2006. Mrs. Reitz was born March 16, 1918, at Lorraine to Benedict W. and Lillian Eleanor Melchert Mollhagen. She was a member of the First Christian Church, Republican Women, the YMCA Board, Tuesday Book Club, Parliamentarians and Treble Clef. She married Ralph E. Reitz Feb. 13, 1942, at the First Baptist Church, Lorraine. He died in 1994. She also was preceded in death by a sister, Vida Jean Mollhagen. Survivors include three sons, Ralph K. Reitz of Lawrence and Kenneth and Sidney Reitz, both of Salina; 12 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. A memorial service was Friday at the First Christian Church, Salina, the Revs. Greg and Kim Rea officiating. Private burial was in Roselawn Memorial Park, Salina. Memorials may be made to Salina Presbyterian Manor or the church. Ryan Mortuary, Salina, was in charge of arrangements.
Adeline Woods (1920-2006)
Adeline Woods, 86, Ellsworth, died Monday, Dec. 4, 2006, at the Golden Living Center, Wilson. Mrs. Woods was born May 12, 1920, in Ellsworth County to Anton and Antonia Malir. She was a lifetime resident of the county and a homemaker. She married Earl Woods Aug. 12, 1946, at Lyons. He died in 1980. She also was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Darby, in 1979. Survivors include two sons, Kenneth Woods of Wichita and Kerry Woods of Ellsworth; a sister, Evelyn Vacek of Wilson; three grandchildren; and a great-granddaughter. The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Friday at Parsons Funeral Home. Burial will be in Ellsworth Memorial Cemetery. Visitation is from 1 to 8 p.m. today (Thursday) and until service time at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Salina.
Laura H. Bezemek (1920-2006)
FREDERICK — Laura H. Bezemek, 86, Frederick, died Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2006, at her home. Mrs. Bezemek was born Aug. 5, 1920, at Haven to Harvey and Lena Keim Borntrager. She lived 34 years in Frederick, where she was a homemaker; a member of the Ebenezer United Methodist Church, Lyons, and the VFW Auxiliary, Hutchinson; an honorary member of the United Methodist Women of Ebenezer; and former member of Frederick’s Baptist Church. She was married Aug. 5,1972, in Frederick to FrankBezemek. He survives. Other survivors include a step-daughter, Lucille Rockett of Olathe; a brother, Leander Borntrager of Buhler; three sisters, Mattie Borntrager of Cashton, Wis., Elizabeth Dettwiler of South Hutchinson, and Ada Eash of Haven; two step-grandchildren; and a step-greatgranddaughter. She was preceded in death by a sister, Emma Miller; and a brother, Edwin Borntrager. The funeral was Friday at the Ebenezer United Methodist Church, rural Lyons, the Rev. Lyndelle Linde officiating. Burial was in Ellsworth Memorial Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the VFW Auxiliary, Hutchinson, or the Ebenezer Church in care of Sillin Funeral Home, Lyons.
Alice H. Rader (1916-2006)
LYONS — Alice H. Rader, 90, Lyons, died Sunday, Nov. 19, 2006, at the Rice County Hospital, Lyons. Mrs. Rader was born June 25, 1916, at Wilson to Frederick and Anna Hilgenberg Stroh. She was a nurse’s aide. She married Pete Rader in 1957 in Las Vegas. Survivors include several nieces and nephews. The funeral was Monday at Foster Mortuary Chapel, 610 24th St., Wilson. Burial was in Wilson City Cemetery.
Minnie Emma Rassette (1913-2006)
DORRANCE — Minnie Emma Rassette, 92, Dorrance, died Sunday, Nov. 26, 2006, at the Ellsworth County Medical Center, Ellsworth. Mrs. Rassette was born Dec. 24, 1913, southwest of Dorrance to Charley and Olinda Kastrup Kaufman. She taught at College Hill School for a year before becoming a full-time homemaker. She married Walter George Rassette June 8, 1935. He died in 1999. She also was preceded in death by a daughter, Linda Kay Weeks; five brothers, Walter, Frank, August, Leo and Edward Kaufman; two sisters, Della Herbel and Elsie Herbel; a grandson and a great-grandson. She is survived by six children, Melva Peirano and Betty Ehrlich, both of Russell, Ron Rassette, Cleo Plaggerman and Patricia Schempp, all of Salina, and Don Rassette of El Paso, Texas; 11 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; four stepgreat- grandchildren; and a step-great-great-grandchild. The funeral is at 1 p.m. today (Thursday) at the St. John’s Lutheran Church, Russell. Burial is in the Dorrance City Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the St. John’s Lutheran Church or the Golden Living Center of Wilson. Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, Russell, was in charge of arrangements.
Theola Ruth Stout (1913-2006)
Theola Ruth Stout, 93, Ellsworth, died Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2006. Mrs. Stout was born Oct. 5, 1913, in Ellsworth County to Henry and Elfrieda Kempke Hoffman. She was a lifetime resident of Ellsworth County and a homemaker. She married W.E. Stout Feb. 14, 1958, at Hot Springs, Ark. He died in 1981. She also was preceded in death by two brothers, Wilbur and Don; and a sister, Imogene Aldy. The memorial service was Monday at Parsons Funeral Home, Pastor Nathan Loudon officiating. A private inurnment was in Claflin Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Wilson Nursing Center.
Owen Price Teel (1927-2006)
GREAT BEND — Owen Price Teel, 79, died Thursday, Nov. 23, 2006, at the Central Kansas Medical Center, Great Bend. Mr. Teel was born March 12, 1927, at Englewood, Mo., to Fred Alan and Minnie “Sweeten” Teel. He was a long-time resident of Claf lin before moving to Mountain Home, Ark., in 1984, and Great Bend in 1994. Mr. Teel was a U.S. Navy veteran who served in World War II and a corrosion technician for Northern Natural Gas, retiring in 1984 after 33 years of service. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Great Bend; and a life member of Ralph B. Praeger VFW Post 8668, Claflin, American Legion Post 200, Holyrood, and Eagles Lodge 646, Great Bend. He married Patricia N. Trotter Oct. 24, 1975, at Claflin. She survives. Other survivors include a son, Jim L. Teel; a daughter, Linda Cook of Lyons; a brother, Lawrence L. Teel of Columbia, Mo.; and three sisters, Helen Kennett of Broken Arrow, Okla., and Ruby Phillips and Ruth Martin, both of Columbia, Mo. The funeral was Tuesday at the First United Methodist Church, Great Bend, the Rev. Gary Brooks officiating. Burial was in Fairlawn Cemetery, Hutchinson. Memorials may be made to the church organ fund or to a charity of the donor’s choice in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, P.O. Box 146, Hoisington, Kan. 67544.
Evelyn Grubb (1911-2006)
HAYS — Evelyn Grubb, 95, Hays, died Tuesday, Nov. 14, at Hays Medical Center. Mrs. Grubb was born May 26, 1911, at Black Wolf to Edward and Mary Kodytek Mog. She worked at the Hadley Hospital, Hays, for 27 years as a nursing assistant in the nursery. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Order of the Eastern Star and the Rebekah Lodge. She married Roy Edward Grubb Nov. 18, 1933, at Ellsworth. He died in 1959. She also was preceded in death by a son, Elvin James Grubb, in 1959; five brothers, Earl, Ben, Edward, John and Charles Mog; and three sisters, Pearl Janousek, Caroline Vickers and Blanche Sullivan. Survivors include two daughters, Lee Simpson of Austin, Texas, and Royalan Leiker of Hays; a sister, Beatrice Thompson of Bolivar, Mo.; six grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. The funeral was Friday at the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home. Burial was in the Ellsworth Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church or the Good Samaritan Center, both at Hays.
Carol A. Haga (1953-2006)
SURPRISE, Ariz. — Carol A. Haga, 53, Surprise, died Sunday, Oct. 31, 2006. Mrs. Haga was born Carol A. Chapman March 15, 1953, in Kansas City, Mo. She worked at the Peoria School District for 20 years, and at the time of her death, was a cafeteria manager at Alta Loma Elementary School. Survivors include two sons, Donny Garcia and Aaron Haga, both of Surprise; three daughters, Terea Diaz and Patricia Garcia, both of Surprise, and Melissa Sounders, Memphis, Tenn.; her father, Clair Chapman of Sun City, Ariz.; her mother, Mary Boatwright of Surprise; two brothers, David and Robert Chapman, both of Phoenix, Ariz.; three sisters, Patricia Skaggs of Peoria, Ariz., Pam Chapman of Salina, Kan., and Debbie Wilburn of Surprise; and 13 grandchildren. Her uncle is Cliff Ostrom of Ellsworth, Kan. The funeral was Nov. 11 at the Chimes Mortuary, Glendale, Ariz. Burial was in Resthaven Park Cemetery, Glendale. Memorials may be made to a scholarship fund established in Mrs. Haga’s memory at Alta Loma Elementary, (623) 412-4575.
Elsie F. Oshel (1918-2006)
HOLYROOD — Elsie F. Oshel, 87, Holyrood, died Saturday, Nov. 18, 2006, at Salina Regional Health Center. Mrs. Oshel was born Dec. 13, 1918, at Wilson to Joe Sr. and Emma Haska Purma. She was a homemaker and a member of the American Legion Auxiliary and the United Church of Christ, both at Holyrood. She married Frank Oshel in 1942 at Wichita. He died in 2000. Survivors include two daughters, Janice Grubb and Judy Glaser, both of Holyrood; a brother, Joe Purma of Fair Grove, Mo.; three sisters, Ruth Miller and Dorothy Doll, both of Wichita, and Ida Mae Frick of Hutchinson; six grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. A private family memorial service is planned at a later date. Foster Mortuary, Wilson, was in charge of arrangements.
Mabel Esther Boyer Turlure (1915-2006)
KANOPOLIS — Mabel Esther Boyer Turlure, 91, Kanopolis, died Saturday, Nov. 18, 2006, at the Ellsworth County Medical Center. Mrs. Turlure was born Feb. 4, 1915, at Kanopolis to Fred Anson and Alma Katherine Miller Boyer. She lived in Kanopolis until 1945, when she moved to Utica, Mich. She returned to Kanopolis in 1977. She married Leon Turlure July 5, 1950, in Arkansas. He died in 1987. She also was preceded in death by two sons, Fred and Joseph Richard Perez; two sisters, Fern Klima and Eva Kennedy; and three brothers, Fred, Eugene and Carroll Boyer. Survivors include two sons, David Perez of Burton, Mich., and Louis Perez of Sterling Heights, Mich.; two daughters, Felecia Bosquez of Kanopolis and Erlinda Slavko of Ellsworth; two brothers, David Boyer of Oklahoma and LeRoy Boyer of Borger, Texas; a sister, Luella Malhado of Kanopolis; 29 grandchildren; 45 great-grandchildren; and 13 great-great-grandchildren. The funeral was at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Parsons Funeral Home, Ellsworth, Pastor Dale Bailey officiating. Burial was in Kanopolis Cemetery. Visitation was from 8 a.m. to the time of the service Wednesday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the family to help defray expenses.
Oliver D. ‘O.D.’ Schmidt (1906-2006)
OVERLAND PARK — Oliver D. “O.D.” Schmidt, 100, Overland Park, died Monday, Nov. 6, 2006, at the Speciality Hospital of Mid-America. Mr. Schmidt was born Jan. 14, 1906, at Frederick. During World War II, he assisted in the development of radar at the Bell Laboratories in Morristown, N.J. He worked for41 years for AT&T and Southwestern Bell, advancing through many ranks into management before his retirement in 1968. He married L. Josephine Winter in 1932. They celebrated their 68th anniversary before her death in 2001. He also was preceded in death by a brother, Dallas; and sisters, Eunice Dean and Edna Janzen. Survivors include two daughters, JoEllen Lied of Woodland Park, Colo., and Marilyn Jane White of Mesa, Ariz.; a sister, Maxine Vawter of Oakley; two grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. The funeral was Friday at the Mt. Moriah and Freeman Funeral Home, Kansas City, Mo. Burial was in the Mt. Moriah Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Shawnee Mission Meals on Wheels.
Virgil G. Schmidt (1935-2006)
SALINA — Virgil G. Schmidt, 71, Salina, died Thursday, Nov. 9. Mr. Schmidt was born July 11, 1935, at Pfeifer. He was a retired farmer and also worked in maintenance at St. John’s Hospital for 15 years until his retirement in 1999. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Therea, in 1959. Survivors include his wife, Joan; three sons, Michael of Ellsworth, David of Assaria and Mark of Salina; two daughters, Jolene Watson of Dodge City and Karen Sharp of Salina; two brothers, Kenneth Schmidt of Salina and LeRoy Schmidt of New Cambria; three sisters, Viola Baxter and Patricia Perry, both of Salina, and Sister Lila Schmidt of Concordia; 12 grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. The funeral was Saturday at the St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Salina. Memorials may be made to Sacred Heart Junior-SeniorHigh School, Salina; Holy Cross Charities, P.O. Box 5, Pfeifer 67600; or the American Diabetes Association. Ryan Mortuary, Salina, was in charge of arrangements.
Merle E. Applegate (1917-2006)
NORTON — Merle E. Applegate, 89, Norton, died Sunday, Oct. 22, 2006, at the Norton County Hospital. Mr. Applegate was born May 1, 1917, south of Lenora in Graham County to George and Cora Mizer Applegate. He worked in the aircraft manufacturing industry in Baltimore, Md., for four years before moving back to Norton, where he and his wife farmed for many years. He married M. Louise Davis June 12, 1947. She preceded him in death. He attended the Norton Church of God and was a member of the Norton County Farm Bureau, where he received the Century Farm Award in 2002. He was a past member of the Kansas Association of Wheat Growers and a past township officer. He received the Norton County Conservation Award in the 1960s. Survivors include a son, Rodney Applegate of Harlingen, Texas; two daughters, Marcella Hoff of Olathe and Debra Kootz of Geneseo; and five grandchildren. He also was preceded in death by a brother, Lester; two sisters, Leone and Lucille; and a granddaughter, Dorothy Applegate. The funeral was Oct. 26 at Enfield Funeral Home, Norton. Burial was in Norton Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Norton Lions Club, Norton Church of God or the Heart Association.
Debra K. Boeken (1956-2006)
HAYS — Debra K. Boeken, 50, died Saturday, Nov. 4, 2006, at St. Francis Hospital, Topeka. Ms. Boeken was born Sept. 18, 1956, to Jim and Parthena Boeken Schultz. She had lived in Hays since 1977, where she was activestaffer administrator at Hays Medical Center. Survivors include her parents of Ellsworth; a sister, Teresa Acklin of Olathe; and her paternal grandmother, Clara Schultz of Lyons. She was preceded in death by her paternal grandfather, Leonard Schultz; and her maternal grandmother, Laura Boeken. A memorial service was at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Parsons Funeral Home, Ellsworth, Pastor Nathan Loudon officiating. Inurnment was in Ellsworth Memorial Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Debra K. Boeken Memorial Fund to be designated later.
Wayne Soukup (1943-2006)
Wayne D. Soukup, 63, Ellsworth, died Sunday, Nov. 5, 2006, at Via Christi-St. Francis, Wichita. Mr. Soukup was born Sept. 13, 1943, at Ellsworth to Emil Henry and Elma Zelenka Soukup. He lived most of his life in Ellsworth, where he was a retired contract meat cutter and meat market manager. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy with service in the Vietnam War. He was a member of American Legion Post 174. Survivors include his mother of Ellsworth and several aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father in 1992. The funeral will be at 2 p.m. today (Thursday) at Parsons Funeral Home, Pastor Exie Barber officiating. Burial is in Ellsworth Memorial Cemetery with graveside rites by the American Legion. Visitation was from 1 to 6 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to American Legion Post 174.
Robert Francis Willms (1933-2006)
PLACERVILLE, Calif. — Robert Francis Willms, 73, died Sept. 25, 2006, at Placerville, Calif. He was born in Geneseo May 8, 1933, the son of Clarence and Rose (Blades) Willms. He graduated from Golden Gate College and was employed by the Daly City Water Department for 22 years. He served as Past Master of San Francisco Masonic Lodge #130 and Past Patron of Golden Gate Chapter of Eastern Star. He was a Daly City resident for 40 years. Upon retirement he moved to Cameron Park, Calif. He was a member of the Cornerstone Christian Church in Eldorado Hills. He was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Rose; and a brother, Donald. Survivors include his wife of 50 years, Delores (Bircher) Willms; children, Mark Willms and wife Joy, Cheryl Lapham and husband Ross, Janice Daley and Greg Willms and wife Laura; nine grandchildren; three sisters, Betty Just of Salina, Joanne Ikenberry of Quinter and Mary “Kay” Ottiwell of Topeka.
