Obituaries in Kansas Newspapers (arranged by city)
Wesley Duerksen
Services were held Dec. 31, 1997, at Hillsboro Mennonite Brethren Church for Wesley Duerksen, 76, Lehigh farmer who died Dec. 28, 1997.
Born March 8, 1921, at Inola, Okla., he was the son of Peter and Marie (Winter) Duerksen.
He attended French Creek School and graduated from Hillsboro High School.
He farmed with his father in the Hillsboro community and on Oct. 15, 1943, was married in Hillsboro to Martha Lovisa Wiens. They had one daughter and three sons.
In 1947 the family moved to a farm west of Lehigh. In 1976 they moved to the town of Lehigh, but he continued to farm.
He was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease in 1986, was seriously injured in a fire in 1989, and in 1990 sold his farm and retired. The couple moved to Hillsboro in 1995 and he eventually entered Parkside Homes due to declining health.
He had been a member of the Hillsboro-Durham-Lehigh Unified School District Board of Education, the Lehigh Lions Club, sang in the Mennonite Men's Chorus, volunteered at the Wichita Rescue Mission, and was active in his church.
Survivors include his wife, Martha, Hillsboro; daughter Janet Franz, Wichita; sons, Ronald of Lehigh, Randol of Hillsboro, and Rodean of Newton; 11 grandchildren; and two sisters, Edna Regehr and Ethel Bartel, Hillsboro.
Hazel Ecker
Hazel Mae Ecker, 96, died Jan. 3, 1998, at Marion Manor nursing home where she had been a resident for years.
The daughter of William and Sarah (King) Smith, she was born June 24, 1901, at Oak Hill.
She was married to Clinton James Ecker July 5, 1919, at Marion, and had lived in Marion since that time.
She was a charter member of the Marion VFW Auxiliary and had been awarded a 50-year pin.
She was a Gold Star mother of World War II. The local VFW post was named in memory of her son, Marine Corporal Clinton James Ecker Jr., who died in combat on Tarawa in 1943.
She also was a member Rebekah Lodge and Valley United Methodist Church.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, sons Clinton James Jr., and Larry; one grandchild; five brothers; and two sisters..
Survivors include sons Robert of New Orleans, La.; Maurice of Marion; Dale of Redwood City, Calif., and Don of Wichita; daughter, Eileen Voth, Ellinwood; 11 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and eight great-great-grandchildren.
The Rev. Lance Carrithers of Valley United Methodist Church officated at the services Tuesday afternoon at Zeiner Funeral Home.
Burial was in Marion Cemetery.
Memorial funds have been established in her name with the VFW Auxiliary and at Marion Manor.
Dale Hadley
Dale Hadley, 92, Hillsboro, died Jan. 5, 1998, at Salem Hospital. He was a retired farmer and school custodian.
Services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday at Hillsboro Memorial Chapel.
Survivors include sons James of Hillsboro and Pearl of Yuma, Ariz.; daughter, Joyce Steele of Moscow, Idaho; nine grandchildren; and 13 great- grandchildren.
Victor Hein
Victor Hein, 80, formerly with Wiebe Tire Co. of Newton, died Dec. 29, 1997, at Marion Manor where had been a resident while suffering from cancer.
Born Oct. 19, 1917, near Durham, he was the son of John and Amelia (Shultz) Hein.
He grew up in the community and attended Warren Rural School.
On Oct. 11, 1941, he was married to Frances Flaming at Hillsboro. The couple had five children.
In the 1950s they moved to Newton where he was employed as a mechanic for automobile agencies and eventually became a tire serviceman for Wiebe Tire Co. He retired in 1985 but continued to work for the firm on a part-time basis until the 1990s.
He moved to Hillsboro in 1973 and was married to Amelia Eshelman April 29, 1974.
Services were held Friday afternoon at Hillsboro Baptist Church with burial in Durham Park Cemetery.
Survivors include his wife, Amelia, of Hillsboro; five children, Wilbur Hein, Victoria Akers, Kenneth Hein, and Juanita Miller all of Newton, and Sandra Halling of Bucklin; two step-children, Johnnie Tucker of Wichita and Violet Neal of Colorado Springs, Colo.; brother, Leonard Hein of Hillsboro; sister, Sylvia Grothe of Marion; 10 grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and four step-great-grandchildren.
Bruce Jones
Bruce W. Jones, 81, Florence, died Dec. 30, 1997, at St. Luke Hospital in Marion.
Born May 14, 1916, at Stoneington, Colo., he was the son of Albert and Rebecca (Wilson) Jones.
He was married to Orvella Jones Dec. 24, 1972, at Florence.
A retired employee of Heckendorn Manufacturing Co., Cedar Point, he was a member of the American Legion Post at Florence.
Survivors include his spouse, Orvella, of Florence; sons, Bruce of Nulca, Colo., Danny, Fairchild, Wash., Walter, Longmont, Colo., Leonard, Lewiston, Ill.; Allen, Nulca, Colo., James, Farmington, N.M., and John, Englewood, Colo.; daughters, Barbara Jackson, Englewood, Colo., Carolyn Jones, Longmont, Colo., Janet McQuestion, Nulca, Colo., and Laura Jones, Nulca, Colo.; 21 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
Services were held Saturday morning at the graveside in Hillcrest Cemetery, Florence, with the Rev. Leonard Jones and the Rev. Harold Jackson officiating.
A memorial fund has been established in his name with the Leukemia Society.
Troy S. Malmgren
Troy Scott Malmgren, 26, died Dec. 21, 1997, in a one-vehicle accident at Wichita.
Born July 14, 1971, he was a lifetime resident of Wichita and the son of Jerry and Edna Malmgren of Topeka.
Troy graduated from Wichita South High School and was a senior at Wichita State University. He was the assistant manager at Tracy's Automotive.
One of his passions was working with cars, including his race car. He enjoyed participating and attending sporting events. He took great pleasure in helping others and always had time for his friends.
He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Curtis C. Padgett. Survivors include his parents, Jerry and Edna Malmgren, Topeka; sister, Tari, Wichita; grandparents, Leslie and Mary Etta Malmgren and Elizabeth Padgett, Florence; aunts, uncles, cousins, and many friends.
Services were held Dec. 24 at Byrd-Hillside Funeral Home, Wichita, with burial in Hillcrest Cemetery, Florence.
A memorial fund has been established in his name with Big Brothers and Big Sisters, 219 N. St. Francis, Wichita KS 67202.
Elder Morse
Elder C. "Dutch" Morse, 86, former resident of Marion, died Dec. 31, 1997, at San Bernardino, Calif.
Survivors include his daughter, Barbara Jean DeBey, Downs; brother, Roger Morse, Marion; four grandsons; nine great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews, and other relatives.
Elton Petersen
Memorial services for Elton "Pete" Petersen, 67, well-known Marion community worker, will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Valley United Methodist Church with the Rev. Lance Carrithers officiating.
Born May 2, 1930, at Marion, he was the son of Emily L. (Hajek) and Marvin J. "Blondie" Petersen. His father was a popular barber with a shop in the downtown business district, where his young son learned to meet the public.
When he was but a young man he lost a leg in an industrial accident, but his physical handicap did not keep him from becoming an achiever in life.
He retired as a purchasing agent for Moore Business Forms in Salem, Oregon, where he had lived for 34 years, and then moved "back home" to Marion to become active in community affairs.
He was married to Benita Ann Higgs April 20, 1958, at Mulvane. She died April 1, 1988. Their daughter, Gail Laura Petersen, also preceded him in death as did his parents.
Survivors include daughters Julie A. Mosbacher of Meeteesee, Wyo., and Kristina L. Petersen of Portland, Ore.; sister, Clarice W. Hagen of Marion; and two grandchildren.
After being diagnosed with terminal cancer, he moved from Marion this past fall to be near his daughter in Wyoming where he died Dec. 22, 1997.
He was active throughout his life, a member of Phi Sigma Epsilon social fraternity; Marion Chamber of Commerce, the Chingawassa Days Steering Committee, and was a Boy Scout leader and member of the Girl Scout council board both in Oregon.
A memorial fund has been established in his name to go toward restoring the Chingawassa Railroad car in Marion. Contributions may be left at the Marion City Office.
Private inurnment will follow at Marion Cemetery.
Bill Van Buren
C.W. "Bill" Van Buren, 83, retired Coleman employee, died Dec. 30, 1997, at Wichita.
The son of Roy C. and Goldie (Gould) Van Buren, he was born at Haven but raised in Marion and attended Marion schools.
Services were held Friday afternoon at Resthaven Mortuary Chapel, Wichita. Burial was in Resthaven Gardens of Memory.
Survivors include his wife, Mary, son, Michael Van Buren, and daughter, Karen Unruh all of Wichita; brothers, Don of Denver, Colo., and Bert of Wichita; sister, Grace Boelman of Tucson, Ariz.; three grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
Ted Winter
Theodore "Ted" Winter, 86, retired farmer and aircraft employee, died Dec. 30, 1997, at Marion Manor nursing home in Marion.
Born Aug. 11, 1911, at Shattuck, Okla., he was the son of Fred K. and Nellie (Weibert) Winter, the eighth of nine children.
The family moved to Marion County in 1921, settling west of Marion.
He farmed in the Marion community until 1954 when he began working at Cessna Aircraft Co. in Wichita and for Beech at Herington. He worked in the aircraft industry for 20 years, farming "on the side," during evening hours.
Following his retirement he moved to Hilltop Manor in Marion in 1991.
Survivors include one son, Leroy "Bud" Winter of Newton; two grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
He was a member of Emmanuel Baptist Church, Marion, where services were held Friday morning with the Rev. Bill Sherfy officiating.
Lois Winter was the vocal soloist and Kathryn Hett the organist.
Casket bearers were Ora Hett, Doug Cusick, Terry Duncan, Richard Pracht, Gerald Stockdale, and Rich Stevens.
Burial was in Marion Cemetery.
Bertha Hobein
Bertha Beatrice Hobein, 93, died Jan. 5, 2000, at Northglenn, Colo., where she had been living with her son, Dale Hobein and his wife Mary.
The well-known and highly admired Marionite had been a talented seamstress. She worked out of her home for more than 40 years, and also owned and operated Bertha's Boutique for 11 years.
She was especially well known for her creativity in designing formals and wedding gowns.
Bertha Meierhoff was born on Christmas Day, 1906, on a farm east of Marion.
She attended area schools and graduated from Marion High School. After earning her teaching certificate from Emporia State Teachers College, she taught at Youngtown, Pleasant Valley south of Florence, and the grade school at Lost Springs.
In 1928 she was united in marriage with Roy Hobein at Cottonwood Falls. The couple had two children, Donna and Dale.
She became a member of the First Methodist Church in Marion in 1920. She also was a longtime member of Dawn Study Club of Marion.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Roy, June 1, 1986; and by her daughter, Donna Hobein Lilly, Nov. 1, 1993. Survivors include her son, Dale, and his wife, Mary, of Northglenn, Colo.; five grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
The Rev. Lance Carrithers officiated at services held Monday morning in Valley United Methodist Church.
Ruth Jo Penner was the organist.
Casket bearers were Bud Pierce, Wayne Colle, Thad Meierhoff, Chris Meierhoff, Ron Schmidt, and Keith Collett.
Remembrances were shared by daughter-in-law Mary Hobein, and granddaughters Deneille Hoffman, and Jeanine Schmidt.
Burial was in Grant Township Cemetery.
A memorial fund has been established in her name at the church.
Arlene Howell
Funeral services for Velda "Arlene" Howell, 76, Topeka, will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at Parker-Price Mortuary in Topeka with the Rev. Patrick Buss officiating.
Born Feb. 22, 1923, at Mulvane, she was the daughter of Jesse P. and Mary Anna (Burrus) Stewart.
She had been living in Topeka since 1952, and died Jan. 8, 2000, at Woodland Health Center.
She graduated from Mulvane High School in 1941. After working at Boeing-Wichita during World War II, she graduated from Emporia State University in 1948.
She then taught school at Bucklin, Marion, and Topeka, retiring in 1985 from Colmery-O'Neil VAMC where she served as a clerk.
She was married to Harold Howell on June 14, 1953, in Topeka.
Active in volunteer work, she was a member of many organizations. She also was an active member of Oakland United Methodist Church in Topeka.
Survivors include her husband, Harold, of the home; two daughters, Mary Lynn Rodriquez of Wichita and Cheryl Ann Ramirez of Fort Worth, Texas; two granddaughters; and eight step-grandchildren.
A memorial fund has been established at the church.
Burial will be in Mount Hope Cemetery, Topeka.
Mary Jo Klein
Mary Jo Klein, 80, Fort Collins, Colo., died there Jan. 3, 2000.
She was born April 29, 1919, at Marion, the daughter of the late Walter Earl and Ruby (Cathcart) Allen.
She graduated from Marion High School and received a bachelor's degree in business from Emporia State Teacher's College.
She was married to Arthur Klein on June 2, 1943, at Salt Lake City, Utah.
A former resident of Wichita, she had resided at Fort Collins since 1953 where she worked for many years in the Colorado State University purchasing department and Extension Services. Later, she worked in the Colorado State Capitol at Denver until retirement in 1979.
A memorial service was held Monday afternoon in Fort Collins, following cremation.
Survivors include her husband, Art, of the home; son, Tom Klein of Winston-Salem, N.C.; daughter, Linda Martin, Mountain Ranch, Calif.; brother, Dwight Allen of Salina; sisters, Coleen Jordan of Fort Collins and Carol Powell of New Berlin, Wis.; and five grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, and by her brother, Kerns Allen.
Memorial contributions may be made in her name to the Hospice of Larimer County.
Hannah Sader
Hannah Sader, 85, former owner-operator of a popular cafe at Ramona, died Jan. 8, 2000, at Salina Regional Health Center.
Born June 21, 1914, at New London, Wis., she was the daughter of George and Marie (Herbel) Albright.
She moved to Ramona as a child and attended local schools.
On Sept. 24, 1933, she was married to Peter Sader Jr. They spent their entire married life in Ramona.
She was a homemaker and for several years operated her restaurant in downtown Ramona. She was noted for her hospitality and outstanding meals.
After moving from Ramona, she lived at Herington for seven years and for the past two years had resided in Salina.
She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Ramona, where services were held Tuesday morning with the Rev. Alan Woelzlein officiating. Burial was in nearby Lewis Cemetery.
Survivors include one son, James L. Sader of Junction City; daughter, LaDonna Sader of Salina; brother, Art Albrecht, El Paso, Texas; sister, Lucille Hiebert, Ojai, Calif.; five grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Peter, Dec. 2, 1991; one son, Gerald; six brothers, and one sister.
Memorial contributions may be made to the church.
Nellie Wiens
Nellie Toews Wiens, 97, died Jan. 7, 2000, at Parkside Homes, Hillsboro.
Born Oct. 11, 1902, near Hillsboro, she was the daughter of the late Gerhard B and Helena (Hiebert) Toews.
She was married to George L. Wiens July 29, 1925, at the courthouse in Marion. He died in 1972.
She had worked at the Tip Top Creamery and as a nurse aide at Salem Home.
She was a member of Hillsboro United Methodist Church.
Survivors include son Delton Wiens of Monmouth, Ore.; daughter, Marilyn Ensz, Hillsboro; sisters, Anna Toews Krauss of Kearney, Neb., and Luella Funk of Shafter, Calif.; four grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
Services were held this morning, Wednesday, at Hillsboro United Methodist Church with Pastor Larry Parish officiating. Burial was in Hillsboro MB Cemetery.
Memorial funds have been established in her name at the church and with Parkside Homes.
