Obituaries in Kansas Newspapers (arranged by city)
Erma Jacobs Markley
Erma L. (Brandt) Jacobs Markley, 86, formerly of Ramona, died Feb. 24, 2000, at a nursing home in Topeka.
Born Oct. 5, 1913, at Thomas, Okla., she was the oldest child and only daughter of the late David and Etta (Herald) Brandt.
The family moved to the Ramona community, on a farm, while she was young. She graduated from Ramona High School in the class of 1932.
She had belonged to Rosebank River Brethren Church, Ramona, and Nazarene Church of Herington. She was a charter member of Westside Church of God (Holiness), Topeka.
She was married to Paul O. Jacobs Oct. 6, 1935, at Herington. He died Feb. 1, 1967. She was married to William Markley on Jan. 9, 1984. He died April 24, 1998.
Survivors include daughters, Patricia Callaway, Topeka, Charlotte Burgen, Topeka, and Carol Grimm, Monett, Mo.; sons, Robert Jacobs, Topeka, and Paul David Jacobs, Hutchinson; two brothers, Dean Brandt of Blackfoot, Idaho, and Eldon Brandt of Wichita; 13 grandchildren; and 25 great-grandchildren.
Services were held Monday afternoon at Davidson Funeral Home, Topeka, with the Rev. Donald Callaway officiating. Burial was in Memorial Park Cemetery, Topeka.
Memorial funds have been established with the church and with Heart of America Hospice.
Hannah Kruse
Hannah Mabel Kruse, 92, died Feb. 21, 2000, at Salem Home in Hillsboro.
Born July 18, 1907, she was the only child of the late Jacob and Hannah (Ehrlich) Schlotthauer of rural Marion.
Her mother died when Hannah was an infant, 11 days old, and she was raised by her grandparents.
She attended Dobbs rural school and graduated from Marion High School in 1926. After attending Tabor College two years she taught at the Canada grade school.
After graduating from Kansas State Teacher's College, Emporia, in 1931, she taught high school at Hillsboro for two years before her marriage to Harvey Kruse on May 28, 1933.
They lived in the Strassburg community northwest of Marion most of their 55-years married life, eventually moving to a new home closer to Marion after their home was selected as part of the Marion Reservoir site.
She returned to teaching in 1954, at Marion Elementary School where she was a respected member of the faculty for 13 years. Students who were fortunate to have her as a teacher recall that she instilled in them a desire to learn and instructed the fundamental basic of the various subjects. They also developed a lifetime deep respect for her.
She was baptized in 1919 at the age of 12 in the Cottonwood River just south of the old "Rainbow" bridge at the west side of Marion.
For many years she was active in many areas of Strassburg Baptist Church, serving as a Bible study teacher, treasurer, officer of the Women's Missionary Union, and librarian.
She was preceded in death by her parents and by her husband, Harvey Kruse, who died March 22, 1989.
Survivors include their son, Dwight and his wife Jerrie Kruse of rural Marion; their grandson Alan and his wife Melissa Kruse, rural Marion, and their children Lexie and Trevor; granddaughter Pamela Kruse of Emporia and grandson Jason Kruse, rural Marion; daughter Patricia and her husband Lowell Socolofsky of Bellevue, Neb.; and their children, Doug and Gina Wamble, Paul and Johnathan, Colorado Springs, Colo.; James and Rita Pray, Michael, Jennifer, and Jessica, Des Moines, Iowa, David and Nancy Socolofsky and Hannah, Humble, Texas, and John and Jennifer Socolofsky, Zachary, April, and Luke of Mendham, N.J.
Services were held Saturday at Strassburg Baptist Church with the Rev. Don Mashburn officiating.
Rita Pray played "Near to the Heart of God" on the oboe.
Lowell Socolofsky gave the welcome and offered prayer.
Alan Kruse gave the scripture reading.
Jason Kruse read Psalm 46.
Special music was a solo by Doug Wamble, "Until Then," and "When We See Christ" by David, John, and Lowell Socolofsky.
Played was a tape, entitled "Blessed Lights of Home" by Harvey Kruse and Irene Richmond Suderman.
Pallbearers were Alan Kruse, Jason Kruse, David Socolofky, John Socolofsky, Jon Thole, and Richard Meisinger.
Margaret Adler
Anna Marguerite Adler, 72, died Feb. 21, 2000, following surgery at Seattle, Wash.
Born June 27, 1927, in Catlin Township, Marion County, she was the youngest child of Dietrich Bergman and Tena (Bagenski) Rempel.
She grew up and worked in Marion County until her marriage to Marvin Eugene Hett on Nov. 24, 1945.
Her only daughter, Beverly, was born June 18, 1947, in Virginia while her husband was in the Navy.
Following a divorce, she was married to Robert Karlowski on April 9, 1949, at Wichita. In 1987 she was married to Vance Adler in Suquamish, Wash.
While living in Marion she worked at Coons Restaurant, and later in the aircraft industry at Wichita and Seattle. She also was in the real estate business in Seattle and New Orleans, and was one of the first women to manage a McDonald's fast food facility in Seattle.
She did Red Cross volunteer work and was a member of the Women's Auxiliary of the Angel Lake Volunteer Fire Department. She also was a member of Delta Rho chapter of Epsilon Sigma Alpha.
Her hobbies included square dancing, gardening, and golf.
Survivors include her daughter, Beverly (Hett) Hagemeister; three granddaughters; and two great grandsons; all of Washington state; one sister, Nettie Rittel of Marion; one brother, George Rempel of Walnut Creek, Calif.; and nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; three brothers, Abe, Edward, and Duke Rempel; and three sisters, Tena "Lucille" Olsen, Sarah Nickel, and Dorothy Williams.
Services were held Friday in Seattle and Tuesday at Valley United Methodist Church in Marion with the Rev. Lance Carrithers officiating. Burial was in Marion Cemetery.
Memorial contributes may be made to the Special Olympics.
Ernest Waner
Ernest H. Waner, 72, Florence, died Feb. 14, 1999, at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Wichita.
The son of Henry and Leonie (Lalouette) Waner, he was born Dec. 19, 1926, at Wichita.
He was engaged in farming and excavation work and a lifetime resident of the Florence community.
On Aug. 27, 1955, he was married to Betty Bishoff at Florence. The couple had three sons and three daughters.
He was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Holy Family Catholic Church in Florence with Father Stephen Gronert officiating. Burial will be in Mount Calvary Cemetery.
The rosary service will be at 7 p.m. today, Wednesday, at Zeiner Funeral Home in Florence.
A memorial fund has been established in his name with Friends of Maxwell Wildlife Refuge.
He was preceded in death by one brother, Alfred.
Survivors include sons Ray and Ronald of Winnemucca, Nev., and Ernest of Peabody; daughters, Kathy Clausing of Olathe, Julie Peters and Janet Tremmel of Ulysses; brother, Donald of Florence; sisters, Mary Ann McCallum of Strong City and Diane Rusk of Wichita; nine grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
Edith Waggoner
Edith Lillian Waggoner, 96, died Feb. 2, 1999, at Anthony.
She was the mother of the late Harold Tucker who for many years was manager of the Tampa Cooperative Elevator. He died in 1976.
She was born Feb. 28, 1902, at Andover.
She was married to Marion T. Tucker. They lived in the Crisfield community and were the parents of eight children. He died in 1937 and she and the children continued to live on the farm.
On May 27, 1950, she was married to Walter Hyatt. He died in 1952.
She was married to Orva Waggoner on June 14, 1963. He died in 1965.
Survivors include two sons, Loren of Mohave Valley, Ariz., and Wayne of Amarillo, Texas; four daughters, Delores Hadsall of Attica, Lorene Scott, Nellie Robinson, and Jean Downing, all of Anthony; two daughters-in-law, Shirley Hamm of Hillsboro and Lolita Horney of Lakeside, Fla.; 17 grandchildren; 33 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.
Services were held Feb. 6 at Elliott Mortuary in Anthony with burial in Attica Cemetery.
A memorial fund has been established in her name with the American Diabetes Association.
Nellie Batt
Nellie E. Batt, 82, former resident of the Florence community and long time teacher, died June 21, 1999, at Good Samaritan Village, Winfield.
Born August 1, 1916, at Weir, she was the daughter of Charles and Rosa Della (French) Crabb.
After graduating from Weir High School, she served as school librarian. The following year she attended Pittsburg State University, earning her 60 hour life teaching certificate. Her first teaching assignment was in a one room school in southeast Kansas.
Later, she earned her bachelor's degree from Tabor College. The remainder of her career spanned nearly 30 years of teaching at Florence Elementary School, with 17 years spent teaching fifth grade. She also taught first, fourth, and sixth grades.
On July 22, 1942, she was united in marriage to Alvin M. Batt. The couple had two daughters.
Nellie lived in Florence from 1937 until March 1997. During this time she was involved in the community, served in leadership roles in the United Methodist Church, local YWCA, the Florence Library Board, and 4-H. She was also a member of A.A.U.W., Kansas Teacher's Association, and Delta Kappa Gamma. All of this was in addition to being a homemaker, farmer's wife, and school teacher.
Hobbies included flower arranging, handwork, creative writing, cooking, and music. In 1997, she and Alvin moved to Winfield to be near to their family.
She is survived by her husband of 56 years, Alvin; two daughters and their husbands, Candy and Tom Pettey and Cindy and Vernon Goertz of Winfield; five grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by one sister, Billie Campbell.
Services were conducted Friday morning at Florence United Methodist Church with the Rev. Steve Thaden officiating.
Dolly Soyez was the organist. Vocal soloists were Benard Stromberg, Kristen Martin, and Jeannie Davis.
Casket bearers were Don Bowers, Michael Hubert, Chad Smalley, Bryan Davis, Brian Pettey, and Craig Thompson.
Honorary bearers included Ray Davidson, Leslie Malmgren, Harold Huntley, Bill Louis, Clinton Hanschu, and Bill Janzen.
Burial was in Hillcrest Cemetery, Florence.
Memorial funds have been established in her name with the Florence United Methodist Church and the Florence Alumni Association.
Hellen Neuerburg
Hellen M. Neuerburg, 94, formerly of Perry, Okla., died June 20, 1999, at Marion Manor nursing center.
The funeral Mass has held June 23 at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church with burial in the church cemetery.
Born Feb. 5, 1905, at Spearville, she was the daughter of Ed and Emma Pricer. She was married to Leo Neuerburg at Blackwell, Okla., April 8, 1928. Her husband died in 1968.
Survivors include a daughter-in-law, Dorothy Neuerburg of Perry; and four granddaughters including Donna Kukuk and her husband Larry of Marion; a grandson; a half-sister; a half brother; 14 great-grandchildren; and six great-great-grandchildren.
Jean Miesse
Jean Miesse, 64, former executive secretary of Marion Chamber of Commerce, died suddenly Friday at her home in Marion.
Vernetta Jean (Herbel) Miesse, the youngest child of George H. and Louise (Geis) Herbel, was born May 17, 1935, on a farm southeast of Tampa.
She attended Comet rural elementary school and graduated from Tampa High School in the class of 1952.
After graduating, she moved to Marion where she was employed as a secretary to attorney Edwin G. Westerhaus.
She then moved to Wichita where she was employed in the firm of Houghton and Peterson, certified public accountants.
She was married to J.B. Miesse in Marion on Aug. 7, 1955, at the First Baptist Church, Durham.
Shortly after their marriage he entered the Army and they moved to Anniston, Ala. Following his discharge from military service they returned to Marion. Their son, Jay Scott, was born and three years later they had a daughter, Cynthia Louise.
Following employment in the office of Marion County Farm Bureau, she worked in the Marion County District Court offices for 12 years.
She then was employed as executive secretary of Marion Chamber of Commerce, a position at which she excelled and one which made her many friends over a wide area.
Following her career as executive secretary, she maintained an interest in the organization and often volunteered for various projects.
She also was an active member of Neo-Century Club, a member of the board of Marion City Library, and on the Marion Housing Authority board.
Among her numerous contributions to the community was helping to establish the annual community-wide dinner during the Thanksgiving season.
She was an active member of First Christian Church, Marion, where she was a member of the choir, the worship committee, and a Sunday school teacher. At the time of her death she was serving as chairman of Christian Women's Fellowship.
At home she was devoted to her family and especially enjoyed maintaining flower gardens.
She was preceded in death by her parents and by her brother, Francis Herbel.
Survivors include her husband, J.B., of the home; son, Jay Scott and his wife Laurie; daughter Cynthia; and three grandchildren, all of Marion; brother, Willis Herbel, Tampa; two sisters-in-law; nieces, nephews, and countless friends.
Her unexpected death June 25, 1999, was a shock to family, friends, and the entire community.
Services were held Tuesday morning at First Christian Church with pastors John Yates and Steve Thaden officiating.
Vocal music was by Jeff Bina with Wanda Williams as organist.
Casket bearers were Charles Heerey, Gary Carlson, Mick Summervill, Jack Regnier, Eugene Christensen, and Earl Winter.
Burial was in Marion Cemetery.
A memorial fund has been established in her name at the church.
Chester Hatcher
Chester O. Hatcher, 85, retired school custodian, died June 26, 1999, at the Hillsboro Community Medical Center long term care facility.
Born Sept. 22, 1913, at Larned, he was the son of Oden and Ruth (Bridge) Hatcher.
He moved to Florence as a child, grew up in the community, and spend the majority of his life there. His hobby was fishing. He also enjoyed helping others with odd jobs.
He was a graduate of Florence Memorial High School and a member of Florence United Methodist Church.
He was married to Dorothy Graham April 2, 1938, at Cottonwood Falls. She died Oct. 24, 1996. They had two daughters, Janis Hein and Rose Ann Hatcher, both of Hillsboro.
Other survivors include brothers, Jerry Hatcher of McPherson and John Hatcher of Ellinwood; one sister, Ruby Beyer of Hutchinson; three grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers, and one sister.
Services were held this afternoon, Wednesday, at Florence United Methodist Church with pastors Steve Thaden and Larry Parrish officiating.
Benard Stromberg was the vocal soloist and Dolly Soyez the organist.
Casket bearers were Chris Thomsen, Rick Moss, Mike Hein, Richard Wyss, Brandon Moss, and Tim Hein.
Burial was in Hillcrest Cemetery, Florence.
Memorial funds have been established in his name at the church in Florence and the long term care facility in Hillsboro.
Charlie Harrison
The Rev. Charlie Harrison, 47, former pastor of Eastmoor United Methodist Church in Marion, died Friday from a fall while hiking in the mountains near Fort Collins, Colo.
He and his son, Chris, were on a trail designated as "moderately difficult" when they were caught in a rock slide. The son survived, but Pastor Harrison fell into a ravine.
An innovative pastor, he was popular while in Marion and had received a great deal of publicity for unique forms of worship while serving Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Wichita.
Survivors include his wife, Kay; son, Chris; daughter, Elizabeth; all of Wichita; mother, Dorothy Harrison of St. Joseph, Mo.; and a sister who also lives in Missouri.
Services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday at Francis Street United Methodist Church, St. Joseph, Mo. A memorial service has been planned for July 10 at Aldersgate United Methodist Church, Wichita.
Marlys Wasemiller
Marlys Mae Wasemiller, 78, Hillsboro, died Feb. 22, 2000, at Hillsboro Community Medical Center's long term care unit.
Born Dec. 19, 1921, at Lehigh, she was the daughter of Ferd and Caroline (Steinert) Wasemiller.
Survivors include a brother, Lindon Wasemiller of Lehigh, and a sister, Mariann Schafer of Lincoln, Neb.
She was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, Hillsboro, where services were held Friday afternoon with the Rev. John Ryding officiating. Burial was in Lehigh Township Cemetery.
A memorial fund has been established in her name at the church.
Harold Pfalzgraf
Services for Harold Archer Pfalzgraf, 66, prominent attorney, were held today at Wellington.
His wife, the former Carol Louise Ginavan, is a native of Marion. They were married Oct. 9, 1953, at Salina.
After enlisting in the 82nd Airborne Division and serving as a paratrooper, he was discharged in 1955 and enrolled at McPherson College, graduating with honors in 1959. He then attended Washburn University, graduating with honors from the law school in 1962.
He became an assistant in the office of Attorney General Bill Ferguson. In 1963 the family, now with two children, moved to Wellington and he was elected probate and juvenile judge for Sumner County.
He established a private law practice in 1971. His daughter, Linda, joined the practice in 1981 and son, Doug, joined the firm in 1985.
He practiced until Jan. 14, 2000. He also was active in community affairs and a multitude of organizations over the years. He was a leader in the United Methodist congregation at Wellington.
In 1978 he was honored by the legal profession by being selected as president of the Kansas Bar Foundation.
Survivors include his wife, Carol, of the home; daughter Linda Pfalzgraf and son-in-law Mark Saffell, Woodstock, Ga.; son, Doug and daughter-in-law Candace, Wellington; three grandsons; two brothers; and two sisters.
Memorial funds have been established in his name at the church and with Wellington Public Library.
Lloyd Hedstrom
Lloyd B. Hedstrom, 81, Burdick farmer, died July 30, 2000, at St. Francis Medical Center, Topeka.
Services were held Aug. 2 at Hebron Lutheran Church with Pastor Ruth Ann Clearout officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery.
Born Feb. 14, 1919, near Burdick, he was the son of Emil and Ida (Holscher) Hedstrom and was a lifetime resident of the community.
He also had been a lifetime member of Hebron Lutheran Church.
He cared for his parents prior to their death, and also cared for his wife, Faith E. (Hudson) Hedstrom, and daughter, Kristine, prior to their deaths. He also was preceded in death by brothers Fred and Clarence Hedstrom.
Survivors include brothers Carl of Hillsboro and Ralph of Chico, Calif.; sister, Hazel Ulrich, LaSalle, Colo.; stepdaughter, Delores Wangerin, Herington; four grandsons; and eight great-grandchildren.
