Obituaries in Kansas Newspapers (arranged by city)
William C. "Bill" Kohake
William C. "Bill" Kohake, 81, of Seneca, KS, died early Saturday morning, January 12, 2008, at his home.
Bill was born October 1, 1926 in Baileyville, the son of Frank and Elizabeth Lierz Kohake. He began his education by attending a country school for a year, then went to school in Axtell for three years, then moved on to Baileyville schools where he graduated from high school in 1944.
On January 20, 1951, he married
Grace Fangman at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in St. Benedict. The couple raised their children and farmed their whole lives in the Baileyville community. On retirement in 1987 they moved to Seneca. Bill and Grace enjoyed 57 years of marriage. She survives of the home.
Bill was very giving of his time, distributing communion at area nursing homes as a lay minister, delivering Meals-on-Wheels to home-bound people, and volunteering at the Knights of Columbus Club Room as a cashier. He loved his family and used his retirement to spend more time with his kids and grandchildren.
Bill was a member of Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church and St. Joseph’s Society in Seneca, and a former member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Baileyville. He served on the Sacred Heart Parish Council, the District 451 Baileyville School Board, the Knights of Columbus 1769 and the FHA Board. In addition, he was a trustee of Center Township.
Besides his wife Grace, survivors include four sons, Edward of Silver Lake, Robert and Lynn, both of Baileyville, and Terrance of Tecumseh, NE; a daughter, Kathleen Hammes of Lenexa; nine grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by a son, James; six brothers, Cletus, Vincent, John, Andrew, Francis and Anthony Kohake; and two sisters, Cecilia and Dorothy.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 2 PM on Monday, January 14, at Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Seneca. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Rosaries will be prayed at 3 & 8 PM Sunday at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca.
Memorials can be given in Bill's memory for the Nemaha County Home Health and Hospice, and sent in care of the family.
Elizabeth M. Kongs
Elizabeth M. "Betty" Kongs, 97, of Kelly, Kansas, died Friday, April 5, 2002, at Crestview Manor in Seneca, Kansas, where she had been a resident since March of 1999.
She was born April 16, 1904, on a farm northwest of St. Benedict, Kansas, the daughter of Frank H. and Agnes Enneking Hunninghake. Her father died when she was four years old. She attended St. Mary's School in St. Benedict and St. Bede's School in Kelly after she moved there with her family. Her mother later married
Bernard Glissman.
On October 24, 1922, she married
Jacob L. Kongs at St. Bede's Church at Kelly. They were later divorced. He died in 1968.
They moved to Red Bluff, California in 1926 where they owned and operated the Kongs Delicatessen. In 1938 she returned to Kelly. She moved to Kansas City in 1939 where she took nurse's training. She was employed as an L.P.N. for 30 years at the Neurological Hospital (previously known as Robinson Memorial Hospital). She served as floor supervisor on the Geriatric Unit as well as working as a private duty nurse. She retired in 1981 and returned to Kelly in October of 1983.
Her memberships include St. Bede's Church and the Altar Society at the church in Kelly. She was a former member of Our Lady of Sorrows Church and the Altar Society at the Church, a life member of the Women's Chamber of Commerce a former member and past president of the Cara Chapter of the American Business Women's Association where she had perfect attendance for 28 years, and a member of the Mercy Visitors Association all in Kansas City. She was also a former member and past president of the American Association of Medical Assistants in Jackson County.
Survivors are a stepson, Joseph Kongs of Washington, Kansas, a step-daughter, Angela Kniest of St. Louis, Missouri; a half-brother, Cletus Glissman of Wetmore, Kansas; two half sisters, Frances Steinlage of Seneca, Kansas and Agnes Boden of Havensville, Kansas; three grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, five great-great-grandchildren, seven step-great grandchildren, and thirteen step great-great-grandchildren..
She was preceded in death by her daughter, Rosalie "Sally" Catalano on May 29, 1992; four step children, Robert Kongs, Ollie Kongs, Ed Kongs, and Ositha Holthaus; two brothers, Leo and Henry Hunninghake; five half-brothers, August, Callistus, Aloysius, and Bernard "Ben" Glissman, and John Hunninghake; two step-brothers, Raymond and Albert Korte; two step-sisters, Annie Glissman and Mary Korte; two half sisters, Sister Agnes Marie Glissman, O.S.B. and Theresa Blocker.
The mass of Christian burial will be 10:30 A.M. Monday at St. Bede's Church in Kelly. The burial will be in the church cemetery. The rosary will be prayed at the Lauer Funeral Home on Sunday at 2 and 7 P.M.
Memorials may be given for the Nemaha Valley Community Hospital Home Health Agency or St. Bede'sCemeteryand sent in care of the family.
William A. "Bill" Kongs
William A. “Bill” Kongs, 89, of Manhattan, Kansas, formerly of Wetmore, died late Tuesday, January 15, 2013 at Stoneybrook Assisted Living facility in Manhattan.
Bill was born on October 11, 1923 on a farm northwest of Goff, Kansas, the son of William A. and Sophia Novak Kongs. He graduated from St. Bede’s School, in Kelly in 1942.
On February 11, 1947, he married
Edith M. Osterhaus at St. Mary’s Church in St. Benedict. They lived and farmed south of Seneca and south of Wetmore from 1947 till 1994. Bill was a farmer and a stockman all his life. Bill and Edith lived in Wetmore before moving to Stoneybrook Assisted Living in Manhattan.
Bill was a member of St. James Catholic Church in Wetmore and served on the church committee. He was a member of the Wetmore Lions Club as well as a charter member of the Knights of Columbus. He enjoyed farming and had a passion for fishing when he had the time. He also took pride in maintaining the church and its grounds.
Bill is survived by his wife of 65 years, Edith of Manhattan; four daughters Diane (Fred) DeNoon of Manhattan, Kathy (Chris) Callaway and Beverley Fowler, both of Scottsdale, Arizona and Nancy (Joe) Rottinghaus of Hutchison; nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. The grandchildren and great-grandchildren are Nicole DeNoon (Kaden and Kenzie) of Garden City, Kansas; Lindsey and Matt Dewell (Gavin) of Olathe, Kansas; Amy Callaway of Cedar Park, Texas; LeaAnn Callaway of Santa Monica, California; Ashley Fowler of Playa Vista, California and Kylie Fowler of Dallas, Texas; Kristen Rottinghaus, of Lawrence, Kansas; Tyler and April Rottinghaus of McKinney, Texas; and Stacy Rottinghaus of Hutchinson, Kansas.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Albert Kongs and Sylvester Kongs; a sister Philomena Winkler; and a son-in-law, Fred DeNoon.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 AM Saturday, January 19, at St. James Catholic Church in Wetmore, Kansas. A rosary will be prayed at 2 PM Friday at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca, Kansas. Burial will be in St. Bede’s CatholicCemeteryin Kelly, Kansas.
Memorials may be given for Stoneybrook Assisted Living, and sent in care of the family.
Mary E. Korte
Mary E. Korte, 87, of Kelly, Kansas, died Friday, June 9, 2000, at the Country View Estate Care Home in Seneca, Kansas. She entered the care home on April 17, 2000.
She was born September 23, 1912, on a farm southwest of Kelly, the daughter of Frank and Elizabeth Macke Wessel. Mary grew up there and attended St. Bede's School at Kelly.
On May 30, 1931, she married
Albert B. Korte at St. Bede's Church at Kelly. They lived and farmed at Corning, Kansas, for nine years before moving southeast of Kelly. They farmed and operated a dairy until 1968 when they retired and moved into Kelly. Her husband, Albert, died January 31, 1972. She worked part-time at the Hulsing Grocery Store and the US Post Office at Kelly for several years. She also substituted for the school secretary at the Kelly school.
She was a member of St. Bede's Catholic Church and a past president of St. Ann's Altar Society at the church in Kelly. She also taught religion classes at the church.
Survivors are a son, Robert Korte of Goff, Kansas; two daughters Gladys Niehaus of Lake City, MN and Anna Kramer of Seneca; three brothers, Albert Wessel of Seneca, Andrew Wessel and George Wessel both of Corning, Kansas; a sister, Rita Stuke of Seneca; eighteen grandchildren, twenty-eight great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.
The mass of Christian burial will be 10:30 Monday 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 on Sunday at 2 P.M. and at 7 P.M.
Memorials may be given for St. Bede'sCemeteryand sent in care of the family.
Theresa F. Korte
Theresa F. Korte, 98, Seneca, died Sunday, March 05, 2006, at the Nemaha Valley Community Hospital in Seneca.
She was born February 18, 1908, on a farm near Baileyville, the daughter of Joseph and Mary Deters Enneking. She attended St. Bede’s School at Kelly, helped on the family farm, and helped care for her brothers and sisters.
On February 9, 1927, she married
Raymond Korte at St. Bede’s Church at Kelly. They lived and farmed southwest of Kelly. They celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in 1977 and moved to Seneca in May 1984. Her husband preceded her in death on February 14, 1986. Theresa remained in her own home until 3 years ago when she entered Life Care Center.
She was a member of Sts. Peter & Paul Church and St. Ann’s Altar Society at Seneca, and a former member of St. Bede’s Church and the Altar Society at Kelly. Theresa enjoyed bowling, playing cards, quilting, crocheting, and gardening.
Survivors are three sons, Adrian of Prairieburg, IA, Marion of Whiting, and Thomas of Seneca; four daughters, Rogatia Sextro of Topeka, Alberta Lierz and Virginia Lierz, both of Holton, and Rosemary Phillips of Mendota, IL; two brothers, Rochus Enneking of Centralia and Damian Enneking of Kansas City, MO; a sister, Mary Gorious of Anamosa, IA; 30 grandchildren; 71 great-grandchildren; and 6 great-great-grandchildren.
Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by three brothers, Vetus, Joseph, Jr., and Alphonse Enneking; three sisters, Zita Long, Radegunda Huerter, and Scholastica Holthaus; and two grandsons, Anthony and Steven Korte.
Mass of Christian burial will be 10 AM Wednesday at St. Bede’s Church at Kelly. The burial will be in the church cemetery. The rosary will be prayed at 2 and 7 PM Tuesday at the Lauer Funeral Home where she will lie in state after 11 AM on Tuesday.
Memorials may be given for St. Bede’s Church and sent in care of the family.
Tyrone T. "Ty" Korte
Tyrone T. "Ty" Korte, 30, of Seneca, was killed on September 11, 2007 while at work, on U.S.Highway 59.
Tyrone was born on February 16, 1977 in Seneca, the only son of Thomas and Wilma Niehues Korte. He attended Sts. Peter & Paul Grade School, and later graduated from Nemaha Valley High School in 1995. He received a B.S. in Political Science and Economics from Emporia State University in 2001.
After graduation, Ty worked as a manager for Fastenal in Lincoln, NE. His present job as an engineering technican with the Kansas Department of Transportation since 2002 is what led to his fatal accident.
Ty was a member of Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Seneca and the Seneca Golf Club. He loved sports, including running and golf, was an avid Jayhawk and Yankee fan, and enjoyed playing cards and watching movies.
Ty was a young man who enjoyed life. His family and friends loved him dearly, and will miss him, his smile and his joyful nature.
Besides his parents, Thomas and Wilma, of Seneca, he is survived by two sisters, Dr. Kristina McKinsey and her husband Daniel of Seneca, and Second Lieutenant Olivia Korte of Colorado Springs; grandparents Robert and Mary Rennenger Niehues of Seneca, and a special friend Amy Renyer. He was preceded in death by grandparents Raymond and Theresa Enneking Korte.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 AM Friday, September 14, at Sts. Peter & Paul Church. Burial will be at Sts. Peter & Paul Cemetery. Rosaries will be prayed at 2 & 7 PM Thursday, September 13, at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca.
Memorial contributions may be given to Sacred Heart Association for the Orphanage, or the Animal Humane Society, and sent in care of the family.
Donald F. "Don" Kramer
Donald “Don” Ferdinand Kramer, 62, of Goff, Kansas lost his battle with cancer on Sunday, March 16, 2014, at his home, surrounded by his wife and children.
Don was born on April 12, 1951 to Callistus Jacob and Alma Mary Steinlage Kramer, at the Nemaha Valley Community Hospital in Seneca, Kansas. He grew up on a farm south east of Kelly. He attended Kelly schools and graduated from Kelly High School in 1969.
Don enlisted in the Air Force in November of 1969; and went to training at Bergstrom Air Force Base in Texas. He then went to further Basic Training at Chanute AFB Rantoul Airbase, south of Chicago, Illinois, for twelve weeks. His temporary duty assignments were located in Alaska and Kentucky. Don was assigned to the 9th Tactical Fighter’s Squadron and Recon; and served his Country in Vietnam for two years. When he returned to the United States, he was stationed at McClellan Air Force Base in California. In the fall of 1973, he was assigned to a Recon Outfit for six months; and November of 1975 he was honorably discharged with the rank of Sergeant.
He returned to Nemaha County, and purchased his first farm in January of 1977. He married
Janice Olberding on April 12, 1980 at St. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Seneca, Kansas. The couple raised five children and celebrated 33 years of marriage.
Don’s passion was being a steward of God’s land; by being a grain farmer and caring for livestock. He felt his farms were not his; but God’s, and his goal was to be the best steward he could, for his time here on earth. Don was not a selfish man, he never thought of himself, but only of others. He was a devoted father and taught his children many skills. Don’s family came first; and felt they were a blessing. He was a man of faith and prayed daily for his family and for those around him. Don loved God’s nature, he loved seeing the new grass in the spring and watching his crops grow throughout the season. He enjoyed his cattle and caring for the little calves.
Don was a lifelong member of St. Bede’s Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus Kelly Council #14639. He served on the Harrison Township Board from January 1989 to 2011. He donated many hours of skill and labor to volunteer projects for his community and the school.
He was preceded in death by his father, Callistus Kramer on November 3, 1995.
He was a wonderful son, brother, husband, father and grandfather, who will be greatly missed by his wife, Janice of the home; children, Matthew Lee Kramer of Goff, Scott Donald (Jena) Kramer of Corning, Amanda Lynn (Ryan) Broxterman of Centralia, Cliff Jacob Kramer of Kansas City and Dana Marie Kramer of Manhattan; his mother, Alma Kramer of Seneca; siblings, Marilyn Lackey of Seneca, Alan Kramer of Goff, Bob Kramer of Goff, Rose Sudbeck of Hiawatha and Deann Shields of Colby, Kansas; and five grandchildren.
Rosaries will be prayed at Lauer Funeral Home on Tuesday, March 18th at 2 & 7 PM. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30AM on Wednesday, March 19th at St. Bede’s Catholic Church in Kelly, Kansas. Burial will be in the church cemetery; with full Military honors.
Memorials may be given in Don’s memory to St. Bede's Knights of Columbus, Kramer Family Scholarship and Coins For A Cause.
