Obituaries in Kansas Newspapers (arranged by city)
Dorothy Aley Hermes
Dorothy Aley Hermes, 78, of Seneca, Kansas, died Monday, July 24, 2000, at Crest View Manor Care Home in Seneca where she had been a resident since February 20, 1999.
She was born November 15, 1921, at Maryville, Missouri, the daughter of Vincent and Anna Behm Quinn. She grew up there, schooling at St. Gregory's Grade School, and graduating from Maryville High School in 1939. She attended business school in St. Joseph, Missouri. In 1941 she moved to Topeka where she was employed by Dr. C.E. Cochran as clerical help from 1941 until 1966. She was employed by Dr. John Ashley as an office manager from 1966 until 1976.
She married
Charles Aley on May 24, 1941. Her husband, Charles died October 18, 1974.
On June 12, 1976, she married
Dr. Jerome Hermes in Topeka. They lived in Seneca where Dorothy worked with her husband in his chiropractic office. They sold the practice and retired in June of 1994.
She was a member of Sts. Peter & Paul Church, St. Ann's Altar Society, the church choir, and served as an Eucharistic minister at the church. She was a member of the Business & Professional Women's Club, the GFWC Seneca Woman's Club, and the Show & Tell Club all at Seneca. She was a former member of the Holy Name Church in Topeka.
Survivors besides her husband, Jerome, of Seneca are; a son, Robert Aley of Shawnee, Kansas; a stepson Mark Hermes of Excelsior Springs, Missouri; a stepdaughter, Christina Callen of Kansas City, MO; a brother, Donald Quinn of Tampa, Florida; six grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and five step grandchildren.
The mass of Christian burial will be 10:30 A.M. Thursday at Sts. Peter & Paul Church in Seneca. The burial will be at 2 P.M. Thursday at Mt. CalvaryCemeteryin Topeka, Kansas. A vigil prayer service will be conducted at 8 P.M. Wednesday at the Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca.
Memorials may be given for Sts. Peter & Paul School Building Fund or Dorothy Hermes Memorial Fund and sent in care of the family.
Eileen E. Hermesch
Eileen E. Hermesch, 79, of Seneca, Kansas, died Saturday, May 18, 2002, at her daughter's home in Topeka, Kansas.
She was born February 9, 1923, at Marysville, Kansas, the daughter of H.H. and Florence Kramer Voet. She graduated from Marysville High School.
On June 17, 1943, she married
Albert B. Hermesch at St. Mary's Church in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He was serving in the army, and after WWII, they moved to Sabetha, KS. On March 1, 1951 they moved to a farm east of Seneca and in 1958 to a farm south of Seneca where they farmed and had a dairy operation. In 1980 they retired and moved to Seneca. Her husband, Albert died December 4, 1994.
She was a member of Sts. Peter & Paul Church and St. Ann's Altar Society at the church and the Q.A.F. Club all in Seneca.
Survivors are three sons, Michael Hermesch of Overland Park, KS, Alan Hermesch of Washington D.C., and Richard Hermesch of Lawrence, KS; three daughters, Jule Hahn of Wheat Ridge, CO, Joan Akin of Seneca, and Mary Truhe of Topeka, KS; two brothers, Leonard Voet of Beatrice, NE, Francis Voet of Marysville; a sister, Valeria Hermesch of Marysville; and thirteen grandchildren.
Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by two grandchildren Brian and Jennifer Hermesch in 1985.
Mass of Christian burial will be 10:30 A.M. Tuesday at Sts. Peter & Paul Church in Seneca. The burial will be in the church cemetery. The rosary will be prayed at 2 P.M. and a vigil prayer service will be conducted at 7 P.M. Monday at the Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca.
Memorials may be given for Sts. Peter & Paul School, Midland Hospice or the Alzheimer's Association and sent in care of the family.
Helen Hermesch
Helen Hermesch, 90, of Seneca, Kansas, died Friday, December 14, 2012 at her home in Seneca.
Helen was born on October 16, 1922, the daughter of August and Elizabeth Osterhaus Wessel, on a farm northwest of Baileyville, Kansas. She grew up in the Baileyville community, attended Lone Star Country School and graduated from Baileyville High School in 1940. She helped on the family farm and worked for neighboring farm families until she got married.
On March 3, 1943 she married
William L. Hermesch at Sacred Heart Church in Baileyville. The couple lived and farmed south of Seneca until 1960, when they moved to Seneca. Before having children Helen worked at the Axtell Hospital; and after all her children were enrolled in school, she worked for Dr. Hash, until his death, and later for Dr. Lueger, accumulating 31 years of work between the two doctors.
She was a member of Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, the St. Ann’s Altar Society, and a past member of the Earle W. Taylor Post #21 of the American Legion Auxiliary, all in Seneca.
Helen enjoyed making homemade cinnamon rolls and bread, playing cards with her family and friends, fishing with her sisters, as well as canning from a large garden. She enjoyed taking trips, including an Alaskan cruise, attending the World’s Fair in New Orleans and the 1989 World Series game between the Oakland A’s and the San Francisco Giants in California, where she experienced the Loma Prieta earthquake, which occurred before Game 3.
She is survived by her son, Gene and wife Gale Hermesch of Baton Rouge, Louisiana; three daughters, Elaine and husband William Stephens of Tecumseh, Sharon and husband Dan Haverkamp of Seneca, and Marsha and husband Donald Hulsing of Axtell; a brother, Albert "Bert" Wessel of Frankfort; three sisters, Eileen Duryea and Hilda Bergman, both of Seneca, and Alma Dwerlkotte of Marysville; 13 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, William on September 22, 1986; her son, Galen on July 21, 2004; brothers, Ed, Henry, Vincent, Benedict, Lawrence, Clarence and Norbert Wessel; and her sister, Lucille Tanking.
Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10:30 AM Monday, December 17, at St. Bede’s Catholic Church in Kelly. Burial will be in Sts. Peter & PaulCemeteryin Seneca. Rosaries will be prayed at 2 & 7 PM Sunday, December 16, at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca.
Memorial contributions may be given in Helen’s memory to C.O.I.N.S. for a Cause, Sts. Peter & Paul Church, or Nemaha County Hospice, and sent in care of the family.
Raymond J. Hermesch
Raymond J. Hermesch, 80, Goff, KS, died Friday, August 29, 2003, at the Sabetha Hospital, Sabetha, KS.
He was born October 19, 1922, on a farm east of Kelly, KS, the son of Fred and Mary Wessel Hermesch. He grew up there, attended St. Bede’s School at Kelly, and helped on the family farm. During World War II he served in the U.S. Army in the Military Police in the European Theater.
On December 30, 1950, he married
Eleanor Winkler at St. Bede’s Church at Kelly. She survives of the home. He was a dairy farmer for 43 years. They celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in 2000.
He was a member of St. Bede’s Church at Kelly where he had served on the parish council, and was a member of the Knights of Columbus #1769 at Seneca. He had also served on the board of the Nemaha Valley Community Hospital, was active with Dairy Herd Improvement Association (DHIA) programs and many other community activities. Ray loved sports, especially watching his grandchildren play ball and listening to the Royals.
Survivors are six sons, David of Coweta, OK, Dennis of Plymouth, NE, Gary of Tulsa, OK, Kevin of Cedar Rapids, IA, Duane and Bruce, both of Seneca; three daughters, Linda Honeyman of Seneca, Judy McDaniel of Topeka, Diane Cardwell of Ames, IA; three brothers, Fred and Ben Hermesch of Seneca, and Lawrence of Alamosa, IA; two sisters, Mary Brucken, Holton, Theresa Winkler, Corning; and 23 grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by five brothers, Kenneth, Albert, Frank, Ed, and Lambert and five sisters, Lucy Hermesch, Anna Brokamp, Rita Buser Perdue, Agnes Rempe and Sr. Amanda.
The mass of Christian burial will be 10:30 A.M. Tuesday at St. Bede’s Church at Kelly. The burial will be in the church cemetery. The rosary will be prayed at the Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca at 7 P.M. Sunday and at 2 & 7 P.M. Monday. He will lie in state at the funeral home after 4 P.M. on Sunday.
Memorials may be given for St. Bede’s Church and sent in care of the family.
Helen L. Hittle
Helen L. Hittle, 69, of Seneca, Kansas, died Saturday, October 6, 2012 at Manor Care in Topeka.
Helen was born on September 12, 1943, in Frankfort, Kansas to George Raymond and Nora Bell Hittle. She was raised in Vermillion, Kansas and attended Christian Church. She graduated from the 8th grade from Vermillion Grade School.
She married
Donald Lee Watters on November 14, 1963 in Frankfort; they later divorced. She married
young and was a stay-home wife and mother to seven children. Helen enjoyed playing board games with her family. She also enjoyed knitting and embroidering. She loved watching old westerns, and the TV shows MASH and The Price Is Right. She also enjoyed country music and old gospel music.
She is survived by her children, Penny Skoch and Becky Skoch, both of St. Joseph, Missouri, Hilda Hoover of Marysville, Kansas, Stanley Watters of Onaga, Kansas, Wanieta Anderson of New Bern, North Carolina, Lynn Richter of Hanover, Kansas and Rose Gilber of Meridian, Kansas; siblings, Clyde Hittle of Marysville, Kansas, Hazel Broughman of North Carolina, Claude Hittle of Marysville, and Hilda Damico of San Antonio, Texas; along with 14 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by a brother, Chester Hittle on February 2, 2005.
A memorial service will be held at 2 PM Wednesday, October 10, at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca. Burial will be in the FairviewCemeteryin Goff.
Anna L. Hochard
Anna L. Hochard, 102, of Corning, Kansas, died Sunday, March 17, 2002, at St. Francis Hospital in Topeka, Kansas.
She was born April 29, 1899 at Bigelow, Kansas, in Marshall County now covered by Tuttle Creek, the daughter of Anton and Helena Budenbender Miller. She grew up at Springside northwest of Blaine where she attended school, and became housekeeper for her brother Joe and for the priest at St. Patrick's Church at Coal Creek.
On April 23, 1924, she married
Clarence J. Hochard at St. Patrick's Church at Coal Creek. They farmed southwest of Corning. In December of 1976 they retired and moved into Corning. Her husband, Clarence died October 7, 1983. She was able to stay in her own home because her daughter and son-in-law, Rosemary and Albert Haug lived with her and cared for her in her home.
She was a member of St. Patrick's Church and the Altar Society at the church at Corning.
Survivors are four sons, Clarence Hochard, Jr of Kansas City, KS, Wayne Hochard of Wetmore, Glen Hochard of Oskaloosa, KS, Maurice Hochard of Topeka; five daughters, Rosemary Haug and Theresa Rethman both of Corning, Irene Donahy of Frankfort, Rita Smutny and Patricia Smith, both of Topeka; 36 grandchildren, 104 great-grandchildren, and 48 great-great- grandchildren, and one great-great-great grandchild..
Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by three grandchildren Mark Hochard on November 5, 1969, Mary Theresa Donahy on September 16, 1955, and Patricia Ann Hochard on April 15, 1968.
The mass of Christian burial will be 10:30 A.M. Tuesday at St. Patrick's Church in Corning. The burial will be in the church cemetery. The rosary will be prayed at the Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca on Monday at 7 P.M.
Memorials may be given for St. Patrick'sCemeteryat Corning and sent in care of the family.
Hazel A. Hoffman
Hazel A. Hoffman, 95, of Seneca, KS, died Monday, November 28, 2011 at Crestview Manor care home in Seneca.
Hazel was born August 4, 1916, on a farm near Fidelity, KS, the daughter of Daniel F. and Adelia Sunderland Zettle. She attended through 8th grade at Ford Community School east of Seneca. She and her family moved into Seneca in 1931, where she graduated from Seneca Public High School in 1933.
From a young age she learned the hairdressing and cosmetology business on her own by working around Seneca, launching herself in a beauty career that would last for more than 72 years. She took formal training at the McGregor School of Hairdressing and Cosmetology in Kansas City, MO.
Besides owning and operating her own beauty shop, she also did hairdressing work for Lauer Funeral Home for many years, beginning with Phil Lauer, founder of the business.
Hazel married
Ralph Hoffman of Sabetha on January 20, 1935, at the Methodist Parsonage in Marysville, KS. They enjoyed 53 years of marriage before Ralph died on September 11, 1987.
After marriage, they lived in Sabetha for a year before moving to Hiawatha for 10 years, where Hazel owned and operated Hazel’s Beauty Service. After 1946, they moved to Seneca where she relocated Hazel's Beauty Service to 8th Street in a shop next to their house. She operated at that location for an amazing 57 years, until she finally retired from the beauty business in June 2003 due to ill health.
Over the years, Hazel also helped her husband Ralph with bookkeeping and office work in various businesses. Among their businesses were two gas stations, Kaiser-Frazer and Studebaker car dealerships, the Western Auto Store, and Hoffman Manufacturing of Hoffman Golf Carts.
Hazel also lived in El Paso, TX for six months during 1943 while Ralph was stationed nearby with the military. While there, she worked in civil service in the Censorship Office.
Hazel was baptized in the United Methodist Church of Seneca, and became the eldest living member of the church. She was a charter member of the Seneca Memorial Post #7458 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary. She held every office in the local auxiliary as well as all offices in the 1st District. During 1966 and 1967 she was the president. She was also a member of the Earl W. Taylor Post #21 of the American Legion Auxiliary in Seneca and the Zenith Chapter #184 of the Eastern Star in Hiawatha.
Besides being engaged in her beauty profession, her passionate hobby was collecting and restoring antique dolls. Her collection reached over 1400 dolls before being auctioned in a two-day sale in 1995. She also enjoyed golf, cards, traveling and assisting the elderly. She and Ralph traveled to every state in the union, including Alaska and Hawaii, as well outside the U.S. to Mexico, Canada and the Bahamas.
She and Ralph also also owned race cars and had a mutual interest in antique cars, tractors, and organizations concerning antiques.
Survivors are a devoted foster son, Gary McDaniel and his wife Virginia and their family of Las Vegas, NV; a cousin, Kenneth Drolett and his wife Darlene and family of Topeka; several cousins in Pennsylvania; and close friends for over 40 years, Bill and JoAnn Huerter.
Besides her parents and her husband, she was preceded in death by an infant brother, Forest Dean Zettle in 1914, and a sister, Marjorie Koch in 1992.
The funeral service will be held at 10:30 AM Thursday, December 1, at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca. Burial will be in the Seneca City Cemetery.
Memorials may be given for the United Methodist Church of Seneca or the VFW Auxiliary, Seneca Memorial Post #7458.
