Obituaries in Kansas Newspapers (arranged by city)
Anna S. Friesen, 85
NEWTON - Anna S. Friesen, age 85, of Newton, passed away June 29, 2018, at Newton Presbyterian Manor.
She was born Anna S. Doerksen on Nov. 15, 1932, in Rural Meade County – the daughter of John and Sara (Reimer) Doerksen. Anna was the fourth of six children born to John and Sara.
Anna and her siblings lived and worked on the family farm. Anna’s father, at the age of 43, was killed by a drunk driver as he was standing by a car on the side of the road instructing Anna’s sister, Lena, where to take the farm equipment. This event had a profound impact on the family for the rest of their lives.
Anna attended Lakeview Elementary School of Fowler, Kansas, for grades one to eight. Lakeview was a small school with only 14 students. She had fond memories of teachers and friends at school. Math was one of Anna’s favorite subjects.
Later, she acquired her GED, followed by LPN School in McPherson.
Anna met Alvin Friesen through friends. They were married
on Feb. 18, 1962, in rural Meade. They were married
56 years until Alvin’s passing on April 1, 2018.
Since Alvin worked in Hesston when they married, Alvin and Anna resided in Hesston for 53 years until they moved to Newton Presbyterian Manor in early 2015.
Alvin and Anna welcomed their only son, Marc, in September, 1974. The family celebrated Alvin and Anna’s 50th wedding anniversary in February, 2012 – a celebration Alvin and Anna enjoyed.
Early in their marriage, they stayed around home and worked, taking trips to visit far away family and to Alvin’s Army reunions. As they aged, they did additional traveling on bus trips as well as an Alaskan and a European tour – trips they greatly enjoyed.
Anna worked for many years as a Licensed Practical Nurse at Axtell and Bethel Hospitals – which later merged into Newton Medical Center. She retired in 2001, at the age of 68.
In addition to working at the hospital, Anna taught children’s Sunday School for many years.
She enjoyed gardening, collecting dolls, and watching and listening to Royals baseball. She would tell you, “Royals all the Way.” Once Alvin and Anna moved to Presbyterian Manor, Anna enjoyed playing Skip-Bo on Tuesday nights with other ladies, as well as visiting with residents who became close friends.
Alvin and Anna were members of Whitestone Mennonite Church in Hesston. Anna has confessed her faith in Jesus Christ. The hope is that brothers and sisters in Christ will meet Anna again in heaven.
Anna is survived by their son and daughter-in-law, Marc and Sarah, and two grandchildren, Luke and Kate, of Newton. Anna leaves sisters Alma (Lou) Friesen of Edmond, Oklahoma, Sara of Reedley, California, and one brother, Pete (Lydia) Doerksen of Fowler. Anna also is survived by many nieces and nephews.
Anna is preceded in death by her parents; husband Alvin and sisters Lena and Elizabeth.
A visitation will be held Thursday, July 5, at the Presbyterian Manor Chapel in Newton. Burial will be Friday, July 6, at 9:30 a.m. at EastlawnCemeteryin Zimmerdale.
Memorial Services will be held following the burial at 11 a.m. at Whitestone Mennonite Church in Hesston.
Memorials are suggested to Good Shepherd Hospice and may be sent in care of Petersen Funeral Home.
Katherine Nickel Hiebert Schmidt Penner
d. April 4, 2013
Hillsboro-Katherine Nickel Hiebert Schmidt Penner, 100, died April 4, 2013 at Hillsboro Community Hospital. She was born August 9, 1912 to Peter E. and Elisabeth (Froese) Nickel in Rural Clinton, Oklahoma. She was a farmer. Survivors include: sons, Robert W. (Eddie) Hiebert of Abilene, Paul W. (Marilynn) Hiebert of St. Louis, Missouri, Charles W. (Lettie) Hiebert of Alexandria, Virginia, Larry G. (Karen) Penner of Newton; daughter, Mary (Al) Beck of Velva, North Dakota; 10 grandchildren and 18 great – grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; predeceased by her husbands, Dan Hiebert in 1957, Harry Schmidt in 1966, Paul Penner in 1982. Celebration of Life service will be 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, April 10, 2013 at First Mennonite Church in Hillsboro. Officiated by Pastor Susan Jantzen and Pastor Keith Harder. Committal service will be 10:00 a.m. Wednesday at Haven of Restcemeteryrural Hillsboro. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Jost Funeral Home family will receive guests. Memorials to First Mennonite Church or Donors choice in care of the Funeral Home.
Jack B. Orpin
(May 22, 1927 - September 3, 2013)
Jack Bernard Orpin, 86, went to meet his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, during the early morning hours of Tuesday September 3, 2013. He peacefully passed away in the home of his son-in-law and daughter, James and Martha (Orpin) Pajl in Yankton, South Dakota while listening to beautiful Christian harp music.
Jack was born May 22, 1927 at home in Newton, KS to Charles Earnest and Alice (Farmer) Orpin. Jack grew up the son of a brick layer and learned the trade that became his profession. He was a 1946 Newton High School graduate. While growing up, he did chores on the family farm after school. He worked the ground using horses, then tractors. He met the love of his life Wilma Irene (Allen) while she was waitressing at the Walton Café.
Jack and Wilma were married
on March 11, 1958 in Newton. They raised their family and lived 51 years of marriage together on Ash Street in Newton. Newton was Jack’s home up until the last 4 years when he moved to the Pajl home following Wilma’s passing. Jack’s gift of brick and stone masonry can be seen throughout Newton and surrounding small towns. He laid many beautiful fireplaces and mailboxes. Not only was Jack a wonderful earthly dad, but he taught his family the morals and values of our Heavenly Father. Talking about the Lord to people was a passion he had. He was a man of strong faith and values and was not afraid to let others know where he stood.
He enjoyed animals, gardening, and especially his grand and great grandchildren. Many a foot race and arm wrestling contest was done trying to beat dad and grandpa. Whether he was teaching daughters and grandchildren to drive a vehicle or a bike, he was actively involved in their lives. He always got a little sad to see them leave. But, he was not always a saint—letting us take a puff on his occasional cigar.
Survivors include three daughters, Martha (James) Pajl of Yankton, SD; Alice (Dale) Keazer of Osage City, KS and Elsie Waite of Newton, KS; grandchildren, Elizabeth (Walter) Wilson, Matthew (Rachel) Pajl, Joseph Pajl, Jacquelyn Pajl, Rebecca (Darrel-DJ) Manning, Brandon (Lindsay) Keazer, Heather Keazer, Kelly Keazer, and Amber, Cheyenne and Shelby Waite; great grandchildren, Decklyn, Preston and Taelyn Manning, Destiny and Tristan Waite; brother, Edwin Charles Orpin of Broken Arrow, OK; sisters, Margaret Ann Orpin and Marian Ruth (Eldon) Akers both of Newton, KS; sister-in-law, Anna Mae (Robert) Orpin of Overland Park, KS and many nieces and nephews.
Preceding Jack in death were his wife, Wilma, parents, Charles and Alice, brothers: Robert, David, and Clarence.
Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home and Crematory, Yankton is in charge of local arrangements.
Visitation will be from 4 to 9 pm Friday at Broadway Colonial Funeral Home in Newton, with family greeting visitors from 6 to 9 pm.
Funeral services will be at 11 am Saturday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Terry Tareila presiding.
Burial will be at GreenwoodCemeteryin Newton.
Esther Klein
d. May 24, 2013
Hillsboro – Esther Klein, 92, died May 24, 2013 at Salem Home in Hillsboro. She was born on January 19, 1921 to George and Hulda (Bentz) Ottensmeier in Tampa, Kansas. She married
Lawrence Harry Klein August 9, 1945 in Tampa. Survivors include: son, Bob (LaDonna) Klein of Durham, Kansas; daughter, Shirley (Steve) Fiffe of Hutchinson, Kansas; 3 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. Preceded in death by her husband in 1999. Celebration of Life Service will be 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, May 28, 2013 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Tampa, Kansas officiated by Rev. Clark M. Davis. Visitation with family present from 3 to 5 Monday at the funeral home. Memorials to the church in care of the funeral home.
Cecilia Pankiewicz
(August 22, 1963 - August 24, 2013)
Cecilia Pankiewicz, 50, died on August 24, 2013 at Harry Hynes Hospice, St.Francis Campus in Wichita, Kansas. She was born on August 22, 1963 to Lucille (Staggenborg) and Charles E. Pankiewicz in Kansas City, Kansas.
Cecilia was very active in her life. She loved dancing, shopping, bowling, going to drive in movies, working on arts & crafts, and spending time with family and friends. She was always on the go and is described by all as the life of the party. She was a very vivacious and cheerful woman. She loved life to the fullest and never wasted a single moment. She could make anyone laugh and always had a smile on her face.
Cecilia was baptized and raised Catholic.
She was preceded in death by her father, Charles, in 1998. Survivors include a son, Jason Myers, Newton, 2 daughters, Krysta Gaiser and fiancé Nathan Goetzinger, Lawrence, KS, Kayley Gaiser, Manhattan, KS; two brothers, Dave Pankiewicz, Meridian, Mississippi, Alan Pankiewicz, Newton, KS; three sisters, Theresa (Gary) Metz, Morrison, CO, Carol (Kendall) Barker, Newton, KS and Karen (Luke ) Martin, Broomfield, CO; grandson, Jarrod Myers, Newton.
Funeral Services will be held on Friday, August 30, 2013 at 3:30 P.M. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Newton, Kansas.
No public visitation will be held.
In lieu of flowers, friends may make a memorial contribution to Cecilia Pankiewicz/Wizer's Memorial Fund in care of the funeral home.
Burial will follow at St. Mary’s CatholicCemeteryin Newton, Kansas.
F. Maxine Watkins
(March 15, 1925 - August 24, 2013)
F. Maxine (Manion) Watkins, 88, died on August 23, 2013 at her daughters’ home in Augusta, Kansas. She was born on March 15, 1925 to Clara ( Rieschman ) and John F. Manion in Merriam, Kansas. On September 5, 1942 she married
James Watkins in South Park, Kansas. James passed away on November 8, 1997. Maxine had many hobbies including, reading, a strong love for music and she played several instruments. Her strongest love was spending time with her grand children . Maxine loved her family dearly. She was active in the Order of The Eastern Star, serving as Worthy Matron in the Newton and Marion chapters, as well a Grand Representative for the Grand Chapter of Kansas on two different occasions. As a youth she attended the Methodist Church and was a former member of several First Christian Church’s and served as a Sunday School teacher for many years. Maxine was preceded in death by her parents, her spouse, two brothers, Harold and Howard Manion and infant sister, Shirley Mae Manion. Survivors include three children, Joanne (Chuck) Carpenter, Maidens, VA, Stephen Watkins, Newton, KS, and Jeri (Dan) Biehler, Augusta, KS; 5 grandchildren, James (Akemi) Carpenter, Puyallup, WA, John (Christine) Carpenter, Thornton, New Hampshire, Terri Carpenter, North Chesterfield, VA, J.D. Biehler and Francie Biehler, Augusta, KS ; 5 great-grandchildren; 1 great great granddaughter. Funeral Service will be on Friday, August 30, 2013 at 11:00 A.M. at the Broadway Colonial Funeral Home, 120 E Broadway, Newton, KS 67114. Visitation will be held prior to the service on Friday, from 9:00 A.M.-11:00 A.M. at the funeral home. Burial will follow at the Hillside Cemterey in Sedgwick, Kansas. Memorials may be made to the Musical Department of NHS or Order of Eastern Start, in care of the funeral home, 120 E Broadway, Newton, KS 67114
Marion Nickel
(May 9, 1925 - August 22, 2013)
Marion Utz Nickel, 88, died Thursday (August 22, 2013) at the Presbyterian Manor in Newton.
Marion was born on May 9, 1925 to Everett Cecil Utz and Inez Azelia (Kinnear) Utz in Newton, Kansas. The family lived on E. 6th St. in Newton at that time. Marion was approximately 5 years younger than her sister, Myra (also known as “Tootie”) who passed away June 28th this year. She was also preceded in death by her older brother, Max Frederick Utz, and her parents. Her husband, Ray Nickel, passed away on March 22, 2000.
Marion was a lively youngster, very active and somewhat of a tom boy. She loved climbing trees and riding her bicycle. She started playing clarinet in the fourth grade and continue throughout the school years. She participated in the Newton High School Marching Band. Marion and Ray were married
on August 15, 1947 in Wichita. Marion and Ray were always a part of the Long family and the Utz family celebrations and many holidays, Father’s and Mother’s Days and other holidays were celebrated together. Ray worked a very strict schedule as head of Dillon’s produce section when the store was by the railroad tracks. Marion always had the noon meal on the table at 12:00 sharp and if Ray arrived past 12:05 p.m., he was late!
She was very close to her parents and often bicycled out from 410 Duncan to 1100 E. Broadway to visit them and do her laundry, and in later years she took care of her parents by making their meals and doing some of their general housework.
Marion was a member of Eastern Star as were her sister and parents. She was initiated in May, 1955 and served as Esther in 1956 and Martha in 1958. She was presented her 50 year pin by a delegation of members on Nov. 22, 2005 at the Presbyterian Manor. Marion had a great sense of humor and a great laugh. She would always cheer a sick person up with some silly little gift. When her brother Max had his open heart surgery at St. Francis, she would take something clever or silly down every day to make him smile. When senility crept into her parents’ lives, she was able to be very gentle and patient with them. Unfortunately, in the late 90’s a severe stroke struck her down and she was never fully recovered. We especially thank her many care givers at Presbyterian Manor and Hospice for easing the discomfort of her last days.
Memorial graveside services and inurnment for Marion and her sister Myra will be held at 1:00 P.M., Friday (September 20, 2013) at the Greenwood Cemetery.
A memorial has been established with the Presbyterian Manor, contributions may be sent to Broadway Colonial Funeral Home, 120. E. Broadway, Newton, Ks. 67114.
Arrangements are by Broadway Colonial Funeral Home, Newton.
Levi Brown
d. May 11, 2013
Levi William Brown, 88, died May 11, 2013 at Peabody Care Center in Peabody, Kansas. He was born August 1, 1924 to Michael B. Brown and Lena (Muth) Brown in Newrockford, North Dakota. Survivors include: son, Jerald (Almadona) Brown of Hillsboro, Kansas; daughter, Jo Ann (Mark) Taku of San Jose, California; five grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. Celebration of Life will be 2:00 p.m. Saturday, May 25, 2013 at Jost Funeral Home in Hillsboro, Kansas. Burial at Durham ParkCemeteryrural Durham, Kansas. Memorials to Hillsboro American Legion Post 366 in care of the funeral home.
Delia M. Graber
(December 11, 1922 - August 21, 2013)
Delia Mae Goering Graber, 90, died Wednesday (August 21, 2013) at the Larksfield Place Health Care Center in Wichita.
She was born December 11, 1922 in Moundridge, Ks., the daughter of Christian Samuel and Maria Frances Kaufman Goering. Delia graduated from Moundridge High School and later Bethel College in North Newton, Ks.
She married
Verne Graber on August 11, 1947 in Moundridge. They moved to North Newton in 1961. Verne died on December 2, 1998, shortly after which Delia moved to Wichita.
Delia had worked at Bethel College for 23 years for the Dean of Academics and 17 years as an Editorial Assistant for the General Conference of the Mennonite Church. She was a longtime member of Bethel College Mennonite Church and was very active within the Larksfield Community. Delia enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren, she had a great aptitude for math.
Survivors include her daughter Paula Morris and husband Mike of Wichita; grandchildren Jobi Pierce and husband Ron along with their children Payton and Emerson of Overland Park, Ks., and Bradi Yaggie and husband Bruce along with their children Chase, Cooper, Parker and Paxton of Breckinridge, Mn.; siblings Erna Stucky and husband Harvey of Moundridge, Lola Beth Ediger of Angel Fire, N.M., Homer Goering and wife Dorothy of Moundridge, Gene Goering and wife Janet of Michigan; and sister-in-laws Helen Bahre and husband Rollie of Topeka, Margie Dyke of Moundridge, and Evelyn Koehn and husband Stan of Wichita; along with numerous nieces and nephews.
Delia is preceded in death by her parents; husband; and brother Olin Goering.
The family wishes to thank the Larksfield Health Care Center and Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice for their compassion and loving care.
Memorial services will be held at 2:30 P.M., Monday (August 26, 2013) at the Bethel College Mennonite Church, 2600 College Ave., North Newton.
A memorial has been established with the Bethel College Mennonite Church and Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice, contributions may be sent to Broadway Colonial Funeral Home, 120 E. Broadway, Newton, Ks. 67114.
There will be no visitation as per Mrs. Graber’s wishes, her body has been willed to the K.U. Medical Center.
Arrangements are by Broadway Colonial Funeral Home, Newton.
