Obituaries in Kansas Newspapers (arranged by city)
Irene Siefers (1933-2006)
WILSON — Irene Siefers, 73, Wilson, died Friday, Sept. 15, 2006, at the Ellsworth County Medical Center. Mrs. Siefers was born May 30, 1933, at Wilson to Everett and Lida Mae Borman Weinhold. She was a manager for IBM in San Jose, Calif., for 30 years and a member of the Excelsior Lutheran Church, Wilson. She married Kenneth Siefers Dec 24, 1954. He survives. Other survivors include two daughters, Patrice Siefers of San Francisco, and Michelle Croghan of Felton, Calif. She was preceded in death by two brothers and a sister. A memorial service is planned at 2 p.m. Friday at the Excelsior Lutheran Church, Sister Diane Wagner officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Memorials may be made to Project Umaqua Region or the Wilson Ambulance Fund in care of Foster Mortuary, 610 24th St., Wilson 67490.
Ray William Wienholt (1918-2006)
SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. — Ray William Wienholt, 88, died Saturday, Aug. 19, 2006, at his home in San Bernardino. Mr. Wienholt was born Jan. 28, 1918, in Ellsworth, Kan., where he worked as a clerk, a deputy county treasurer and served an unexpired term as Ellsworth County treasurer at the age of 23. He moved to San Diego, Calif. in 1942, where he worked at Consolidated Aircraft Co. He later worked for the San Diego Transit Co., operating a street car, and the Santa Fe Railroad and Pacific Fruit Express Co., as a carman. He was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church, San Bernardino, where he sang in the church choir for many years and served in various leadership positions. He married Lois Stuive of Sylvan Grove, Kan., in 1941. She survives. Other survivors include two daughters, Miriam Holdaway of San Bernardino and Vivan Hernandez of Riverside, Calif.; a sister, Esther Buckner of Sedona, Ariz.; four grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a son, Nolan Ray Wienholt. The funeral was Aug. 26 at the Trinity Lutheran Church, San Bernardino. Burial was in Mt. View Cemetery, also in San Bernardino.
Margaret Joy Borell (1948-2006)
DORRANCE — Margaret Joy Borell, 58, Dorrance, died Sunday, Sept. 3, 2006, at Hospice of Salina. Mrs. Borell was born Aug. 11, 1948, in Ellsworth County to Alvin Otto and Velma Miller Borell. She was a graduate of Wilson High School and the University of Kansas with a degree in art history and Chinese. She was a home health care worker. Survivors include four brothers, Orlen of Turpin, Okla., Jan of Hagerstown, Md. and Joel Borell and Phillip Borell, both of Wilson, and a sister, Allison Ford of Wilson. There will be a private family service and inurnment. Memorials may be made to the Immanuel Lutheran Church, Wilson, or Hospice of Salina, 730 Holly Lane, Box 2238, Salina, Ks. 67401. Carlson-Geisendorf Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Betty Joan Jackson (1942-2006)
LIBERAL — Betty Joan Jackson, 64, died Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2006, at Wesley Medical Center, Wichita. Mrs. Jackson, a former Ellsworth resident, was born Feb. 21, 1942, at Garden City to Kenneth and Joye Bradford Garrison. She worked in the banking industry and was the office manager for the Southwest Daily Times. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church and Beta Sigma Phi Gamma’s Omicron Chapter. She married James Jackson June 8, 1958, at Liberal. He survives. Other survivors include her mother, Joye Garrison of Liberal; three sons, Joey of Hutchinson, Jeff of Lee’s Summit and Jerry of Shawnee; a brother, Ken Garrison of Las Cruces, N.M.; a sister, Janell Kirby of Vista, Calif.; and eight grandchildren. The funeral was Saturday at the First United Methodist Church, Liberal, Pastor Jim Heaton officiating. Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association in care of Kitch-Brenneman Funeral Home, 1212 W. Second, Liberal, Ks. 67901.
Ernest H. Bohl (1912-2006)
Ernest H. Bohl, 94, Ellsworth, died Thursday, Aug. 31, 2006, at the Salina Regional Health Center. Mr. Bohl was born March 3, 1912, in Ellsworth County to Ernest and Augusta Kohls Bohl. He was a lifetime resident of the Ellsworth area, where he was a retired farmer-stockman and a member of the St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. He married Bernice E. Haase Oct. 27, 1937, at Ellsworth. She died in 2001. He also was preceded in death by a great-grandson, Donald Bowers, in 2003. Survivors include a son, Wayne Bohl of Ellsworth; four daughters, Dorothy Choitz, Marjorie Koralek and Peggy Svaty, all of Ellsworth, and Barbara Fisher of Topeka; 13 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; and a great-great-grandchild. The funeral was Monday at the St. Paul 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.
Gayla Marie Cox (1962-2006)
HOLYROOD — Gayla Marie Cox, 44, Holyrood, died Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2006. Mrs. Cox was born June 5, 1962, at Hugoton to Garland and Patricia Parker Taylor. She moved from Lindsborg to Holyrood 10 years ago. She was a homemaker. Survivors include two daughters, Kassandra Cox of Salina and Tiffany Cox of Holyrood; three sons, Tanner Cox of Holyrood, Mason Cox of Great Bend and Damen Cox of Trinidad, Colo.; her parents, Garland and Belva Taylor of Camargo, Okla.; two brothers, Grant Taylor of Coltry, Okla., and Meredith Chipman of Weatherford, Okla.; three sisters, Patty Taylor of Tulsa, Okla., Kim Cargill of Cache, Okla., and Darla Pierce of Tuttle, Okla.; and two grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her mother, Patricia Taylor, in 1966. A memorial service was Friday at the Cedar Springs Nazarene Chuch, Fairview, Okla. Inurnment was in the Fairview Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Cox Children’s Education Fund. Parsons Funeral Home, Ellsworth, was in charge of arrangements.
Arthur ‘Art’ John Armbrust Jr. (1936-2006)
Arthur “Art” John Armbrust Jr., 70, Ellsworth, died Monday, Aug. 21, 2006, at the Hutchinson Hospital. Mr. Armbrust was born Feb. 19, 1936, at Ellsworth to Arthur John Sr. and Olga Pflughoeft Armbrust Sr. He lived in Manhattan and Ellsworth and in Hutchinson for a short time. He was an agronomist who retired from Sharp Bros. Seed, Healy. He was past president of Western Seed Association, a past president and honorary member of the American Seed Association and the Kansas Seed Industry Association and a member of the K-State Farmhouse Fraternity, the Society for Range Management and the Kansas Crop Association. He also was a veteran of the Army National Guard. He married Barbara Hafermann Sept. 10, 1960, at Ellsworth. She survives. Other survivors include a son, David Armbrust of Hutchinson; a daughter, Cheri Hernandez of Helotes, Texas; a brother, Dr. Dean Armbrust of Manhattan; a sister, Carol Fey of Marietta, Ga.; and four grandchildren. The funeral was Friday at the Immanuel Lutheran Church, Pastors Dennis Dufon and John Hafermann officiating. Burial was in Ellsworth Memorial Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Kansas State University Foundation or the Immanuel Lutheran Church. Parsons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Bertha Conner (1912-2006)
WICHITA — Bertha Conner, 93, died Sunday, Aug. 27, 2006. Mrs. Conner was born Aug. 29, 1912, at Geneseo to Edward and Rosa Dees Janzen. She was a retired registered nurse at Wesley Hospital, Wichita. Survivors include three daughters, Rosemary Hardy, Elizabeth Conner-Hollis and David Hollis and Beverley Jane Conner-Lasater, all of Wichita; and four grandchildren, Patrick Wells Conner, Christopher Lynn Conner, Kelly Conner Lasater and Mackenzie Ault Lasater. The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at the First Baptist Church, Lorraine. Memorials may be made to the Kansas Humane Society, 4218 S.E. Blvd., Wichita 67210. Tributes may be sent to the family at Downing & Lahey Mortuary East, Wichita.
Richard ‘Rick’ Arlen Dedman (1963-2006)
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Richard “Rick” Arlen Dedman, 43, died Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2006, at Colorado Springs. Mr. Dedman was born May 29, 1963, in Billings, Mt. He was preceded in death by a brother, Donald Dean, in 1990. Survivors include his parents, Roy and Nicole Dedman of Colorado and Sharon and Emil Kohlia of Montana; his brothers, Roy Dedman of Montana, Gary Dedman and wife, Michelle, of Colorado; his children, Lacy and Ethan Dedman of Montana; his stepchildren, Patrick and Kimberly Sheesley of Kansas; his step-grandchildren, Rylan and Caleb Sheesley of Kansas; and many friends. A memorial service and the spreading of his ashes were Aug. 29 at the Monarch Ski Resort, Colorado.
Joseph P. Kulich (1911-2006)
SYLVAN GROVE — Joseph P. Kulich, 95, Sylvan Grove, died Monday, Aug. 21, 2006, at the Wilson Nursing Center. Mr. Kulich was born June 28, 1911, at Sylvan Grove to Joseph Otto and Barbara M. Hynes Kulich. He was a lifetime resident of the area, a farmer-stockman and a member of the First Presbyterian Church, Sylvan Grove, and Lincoln Masonic Lodge 154. He married Kathleen Lawson in 1966 at Sylvan Grove. She preceded him in death in 2005. Survivors include a daughter, Becky Tounsand of Salina; and two brothers, Ernie Kulich of Sylvan Grove and Archie Kulich of Salina. The funeral was Saturday at the First Presbyterian Church, Pastor Kris Bair officiating. Burial was in Wilson City Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Lincoln Masonic Lodge or the church. Foster Mortuary, Wilson, was in charge of arrangements.
Eleanor V. Revell (1917-2006)
GREAT BEND — Eleanor V. Revell, 89, died Monday, Aug. 21, 2006, at the Sandstone Nursing Center, Little River. Mrs. Revell was born May 21, 1917, in Cherokee, Okla., to Roy L. and Elsie Stout Mullinix. She lived most of her life in Great Bend, where she was a homemaker. She married Roy W. Revell Aug. 5, 1934, in Oklahoma. He died in 2000. Survivors include her daughter, Rae Vivian Zahradnik of Lyons; two grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. The funeral was Friday at Wilson City Cemetery, the Rev. Rick Ogle officiating. Memorials may be made to the nursing center in care of Foster Mortuary, 610 24th St., Wilson 67490.
Elfrieda M. Schneider (1928-2006)
LUCAS — Elfrieda M. Schneider, 78, Lucas, died Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2006. She was born Elfrieda Peterman March 26, 1928, at Ellsworth. Survivors include her husband, Vernon Schneider; four sons, Ronald of Lake Wilson, Steven of Ellsworth, Leslie of Lucas and Gregory; a daughter, Sharon Markley of Vesper; a sister, Ruth Modrow of Lincoln; 14 grandchildren; and 27 great-grandchildren. The funeral was Friday at the St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Lincoln. Memorials may be made to the Lucas Area Community Theater or a charity of the donor’s choice. Rodrick & Minear Funeral Home, Lucas, was in charge of arrangements.
Robert F. Spousta (1933-2006)
INDEPENDENCE, Mo. — Robert F. Spousta, 72, Independence, died Tuesday, June 20, 2006. Mr. Spousta was born June 20, 1933, at Ellsworth, Kan., to Frank and Emily Spousta. He was a member of the Class of 1951. He married Shirley Hazen Sept. 5, 1954. She survives. Other survivors include a daughter, Cynthia Ann, and three sisters, Elizabeth Cranston of Ellsworth, Evelyn Duran of Phoenix, Ariz., and Mary Jane Spousta of Abilene, Kan. He was preceded in death by a son, Douglas Keith, in 2004. The funeral was June 9 at Charter Funeral Home’s Blue Ridge Chapel, Kansas City, Mo.
Joseph F. Vlcek (1911-2006)
WILSON — Joseph F. Vlcek, 94, Wilson, died Monday, Aug. 28, 2006, at the Ellsworth County Medical Center. Mr. Vlcek was born Sept. 8, 1911, at Wilson to Frank and Anna Bouda Vlcek. He was a lifetime resident of Wilson, where he owned and operated the South Side Garage for about 60 years, until his retirement in 1976. He and his father sold Oldsmobiles for 18 years and were Texaco dealers for about 50 years. He was a firefighter for 20 years, serving as secretary several times. He was a member of the Wilson City Council for 20 years. He also attended Kansas State University, where he studied electrical engineering. His favorite sport was baseball, and he played on the high school baseball team, 1929-30, playing third base. He also enjoyed watching college sports, especially baseball. He was a member of the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus and a charter member of the Wilson Chamber of Commerce and Industrial Development. He married Alice Mae Valenta in 1938. She died in 2003. Survivors include a son, Douglas Vlcek of Wilson; a daughter, Carole Buehler of Anchorage, Alaska; two sisters, Bernadine Allsup of Hutchinson and Frances Montgomery of Eugene, Ore.; seven grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; and three step-great-grandchildren. The funeral is at 10:30 a.m. today (Thursday) at the St. Wenceslaus Church, Fathers Jerome Morgan and David Metz officiating. Burial is in the church cemetery. A vigil was at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Foster Mortuary, 610 24th, Box 533, Wilson 67490. Visitation was from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the mortuary. Memorials may be made to the church in care of the funeral home.
Frances Marie Habiger (1933-2006)
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Frances Marie Habiger, 73, Colorado Springs, died Thursday, Aug. 10, 2006. Mrs. Habiger was born April 26, 1933, at Portsmith, Ohio, to William and Miriam Spicer Chapman. She joined the St. Mary of the Valley convent as Sister Mary Gregory until she resigned in 1961. She also was a schoolteacher for the Department of Defense and taught at U.S. Air Force bases in Japan, France and Germany. She married George F. Habiger April 17, 1971, in Redwood City, Calif. He died in 1996. Survivors include a daughter, Mary Jane Duncan; and four grandchildren. She was preceded in death by two brothers, Robert L. and William R. Chapman; and two sisters, Dorothy Geppert and Eileen Hexem. The graveside service will be at 11 a.m. today (Thursday) at Lyons Municipal Cemetery, Lyons, Kan. A memorial service will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Pauline Chapel, Colorado Springs. Memorials may be made to the Rice County Community Foundation in care of Sillin Funeral Home, 214 Ave. S, Lyons, Kan. 67554.
Martin ‘Marty’ E. Hokr (1920-2006)
SUN CITY WEST, Ariz. — Martin “Marty” E. Hokr, 86, died Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2006. Mr. Hokr was born Feb. 16, 1920, in Ellsworth, Kan. to Ralph and Hattie Warta Hokr. He served in the U.S. Army with service in France and Germany during World War II. In 1961, he became owner of an orthopedic and shoe repair shop in Topeka. He retired in 1984 and moved to Sun City West in 1999. He was a member of the American Legion, VFW, DAV, the Kansas Midwestern Polka Club and Polka Club of America, all in Topeka; and the Hillcrest Dance Club, Musicians Club and 500 Card Club, all in Sun City West. He married Mary Schreiner Sept. 17, 1949, at Topeka. She survives. Other survivors include two sons, Wayne Hokr of Scottsdale, Ariz., and Steve Hokr of Surprise, Ariz.; a brother, Lee Hokr of Lady Lake, Fla.; and a sister, Frances Ketcheson of Boise, Idaho. The funeral was Monday at the Holy Name Catholic Church. Burial was at Mount Calvary Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the church or Midland Hospice in care of Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home, 800 W. 6th Ave., Topeka, Kan. 66603.
Emily M. Miller (1915-2006)
Emily M. Miller, 90, died Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2006, at her home in Ellsworth. Mrs. Miller was born Nov. 16, 1915, at Timberlake, S.D., to Frank and Rose Warta Stepanek. She was a lifetime resident of Ellsworth, where she was a homemaker and country school teacher. She also was a member of the VFW Auxiliary and the First Presbyterian Church. She married Thomas “Tommy” Miller May 17, 1939, at Ellsworth. He died in 1999. Survivors include a daughter, Marmie Bobko of Topeka. The funeral was Friday at Parsons Funeral Home, Pastor Nathan Loudon officiating. Burial was in Ellsworth Memorial Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the VFW auxiliary or to the church.
Elizabeth Blanche Mize (1924-2006)
HOLYROOD — Elizabeth Blanche Mize, 81, Holyrood, died Thursday, Aug. 17, 2006, at the Central Kansas Medical Center, Great Bend. Mrs. Mize was born Sept. 7, 1924, at Kanopolis to Lindon and Lila Wakefield Merrill. She recently moved to Great Bend after living in Holyrood since 1950. She was a medical aide at the Good Samaritan Retirement Center and a member of the Ladies Aide, American Legion Auxiliary and the St. Peter Lutheran Church, all in Holyrood. She married Jess T. Mize Jr. March 12, 1945, in Denver, Colo. He died in 2003. Survivors include two daughters, Lila M. Sohm and Zella Blanche Mize, both of Great Bend; a sister, Madeline Tipton of Oklahoma City; two grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. The funeral was Monday at the St. Peter Lutheran Church, Pastor John Sharp officiating. Burial was in Kanopolis Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the church. Parsons Funeral Home, Ellsworth, was in charge.
Dennis L. Vlcek (1924-2006)
Dennis L. Vlcek, 82, died Monday, Aug. 14, 2006, at his home in Idaho. Mr. Vlcek was born Oct. 2, 1924, to John and Antonia Vlcek, who lived in Wilson. He graduated from Wilson High School with the Class of 1942. He served in the U.S. Navy for four years during World War II. He was a member of the American Legion for 60 years. He enjoyed bowling, fishing and gardening. He married Evelyn Pekarek in 1947. She survives. Also surviving are two sons, John and Thomas; four grandsons, John M., Jason, Trevor and Troy; and a great-granddaughter, Beth. The body was cremated.
Sidney G. ‘Sid’ Wacker (1945-2006)
VESPER — Sidney G. “Sid” Wacker, 61, Vesper, died Friday, Aug. 18, 2006. Mr. Wacker was born Feb. 17, 1945, at Ellsworth. He was a farmer-stockman. Survivors include his wife, Emilie Gier Wacker; a son, Jeremy Wacker of Lincoln; two daughters, Audra Parker of Imperial, Mo., and Marmie Schultz of Lincoln; two brothers, John Wacker of Wichita and Lewis Wacker of Lincoln; three sisters, Marian Maes of Ray, Mich., Marlene Costa of Clinton Township, Mich., and Edith Wacker of Wichita; two grandchildren; and two step-grandchildren. The funeral was Tuesday at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Sylvan Grove. Burial was in the church cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Bethlehem Lutheran Memorial Scholarship Fund or a charity of the donor’s choice. Rodrick & Minear Funeral Home, Sylvan Grove, was in charge of arrangements.
Marie Wamhoff (1908-2006)
HUTCHINSON — Marie Wamhoff, 97, Hutchinson, died Monday, Aug. 14, 2006, at the Hospice House. Mrs. Wamhoff was born Sept. 17, 1908, in Ellsworth County to Walter and Anna Svoboda Brown. She moved from Holyrood to Hutchinson in 1992. She was a homemaker and a member of the St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Holyrood, and attended Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Hutchinson. Marie had a special way of making people smile and laugh. She will be missed by family and friends. She married Ernest Wamhoff Aug. 6, 1930, at Holyrood. He died in 1977. Survivors include a daughter, Arlene Jones of Hutchinson; two sisters, Ada Harmon of Hays and Elsie Staatz of Junction City; two grandchildren, Terry Willoughby of Overland Park and Justin Slaight of Holyrood; a great-grandchild; three step great-grandchildren; and one step great-great-grandchild. She was preceded in death by two brothers; two sisters and a son-in-law, Bob Jones. The funeral was Aug. 17 at the St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Holyrood, the Rev. John Sharp officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery. Memorials may be made to the church or Hospice of Reno County in care of Elliott Mortuary, Hutchinson.
