Obituaries in Kansas Newspapers (arranged by city)
Doris Ann Shultz
d. October 17, 2014
Hillsboro – Doris Ann Shultz, 79, died October 17, 2014 at Salem Home in Hillsboro. She was born October 1, 1935 to David and Anna (Friesen) Klassen rural Lehigh, Kansas. Survivors include: husband, The Reverend Dr. Ken Shultz of Hillsboro; sons, Rick (Darlene) Shultz of Sachse, Texas, Perry (Cheryl) Shultz of Keller, Texas; daughters, Candi (Charlie) Roberts of Newnan, Georgia, Gretchen McRae of Irving, Texas; sister, Bernice Friend; 7 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. Predeceased by two brothers, Leonard and Elmer Klassen. Celebration of Life Service will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, October 25, 2014 at Parkview M.B. Church officiated by The Reverend Dr. Ken Shultz. Burial 1:30 p.m. Saturday at SpringfieldCemeteryrural Hillsboro, Kansas. Family will receive guests from 5 to 7 Friday at Jost Funeral Home in Hillsboro. Memorials to International Christian Enterprise in lieu of Flowers please in care of Jost Funeral Home P.O. Box 266 Hillsboro, Kansas 67063.
Margaret Jost Goentzel
1913-2007
Margaret Jost was born on January 24, 1913 in Hooker, Oklahoma to John R. and Helena Baerg Jost. On January 27, 2007 at the age of 94, she peacefully made her transition from her home in Fairview, Oklahoma to her new and glorious home in the presence of her Lord and Savior.
Margaret’s parents left Marion County Kansas traveling by wagon train to Hooker, Oklahoma where they homesteaded, and it was there where she was born. She lived the first few years of her life with her parents and older siblings in a sod house on the prairies of western Oklahoma. While she was a very young girl, the Jost family returned by train to Hillsboro where her father farmed the acreage of her maternal grandparents, Johann and Margareta Baerg. Margaret never minded living on the farm and had many fond memories of doing chores with her brothers and sisters and of helping during harvest. She talked about how she enjoyed being outside where she could watch as the earth was turned and prepared for the next crop. She was very aware of the changing Kansas weather as seasons moved from fall to winter, winter to spring, and spring to summer. Growing up on a farm provided many opportunities to see and appreciate the handiwork of God in nature and impressed upon her the importance of dependence on Him.
It was while she was a child that Margaret realized her need of a Savior and willingly gave her heart to Christ. On June 8, 1924 at the age of 9, she followed her Lord in baptism and joined the Gnadenau Krimmer Mennonite Brethren Church in Hillsboro. This commitment to Christ was one that lasted her life time and her faith never wavered.
Since the Jost family lived across the road from the Hope Country School, the teacher received room and board from the Jost family. She encouraged Margaret to run to the school after she saw her brothers coming home at the end of the day, and it was there, using the blackboard, that the teacher taught her to read and write. It was at this time, that her love of education and her interest in teaching began to blossom. Following her grade school years, she went on to Hillsboro High School where she graduated at the top of her class. And, with the desire to pursue a career in education, she went on to attend Tabor College. She was pleased when she was asked to teach in a one room school house near Lehigh, Kansas. She faced the challenges of this rural school with enthusiasm, handling even the most difficult situations with determination. Even though her teaching career lasted only two years, her love of sharing new things and watching children grasp new concepts lasted throughout her lifetime and was a gift she shared with each of her children and grandchildren.
Margaret gave up her love of the classroom for the love of her life. She married
Leo John Goentzel on April 28, 1935 in Hillsboro, Kansas and their marriage was blessed with 5 children, two sons and three daughters. Their life together was always exciting as they were not afraid of change and those changes often involved moving to new places. They spent time farming on the Goentzel Farm near Aulne, Kansas followed by a move into Hillsboro where they enjoyed housing Tabor College students at Goentzel Hall. From Hillsboro, they moved to Corn, Oklahoma and after a year, they moved to Lustre, Montana where Leo served as Principal of Lustre Bible Academy and Margaret cooked for the young people in the dorms. The last move for the Goentzels as a family was in 1957 when they moved to Wichita, Kansas where Leo took a teaching job at Mayberry Junior High School. Leo and Margaret were married
for 46 years until his death in 1981. They were long-time members of the First Mennonite Brethren Church in Wichita and Margaret’s membership continued until her death; a membership of over 40 years. Margaret continued living in Wichita until a fall necessitated that she move to a place where she received more help. And in 1999, she became a resident of the Fellowship Home in Fairview, Oklahoma which allowed her to spend the last few years of her life near her daughter Jane.
Beginning in her early years, mom loved the out of doors. She continued walking and enjoying the fresh air even after she was well into her 80’s. That good habit served her well, and she lived a long and healthy life.
Margaret was preceded in death by her parents, John R. and Helena Jost, husband Leo Goentzel, daughter Judith Diana Goentzel, grandsons Daniel Goentzel and Jeffrey Schultz, brothers John, Alfred and Menno Jost and sisters Kathleen Hiebert and Hulda Jost. She leaves to cherish her memory, sons Leroy and wife Norma Goentzel of Denver, Colorado and Chuck and wife Sandy Goentzel of Wichita, Kansas, daughters Jane and husband Robert Eitzen of Fairview, Oklahoma and Allene and husband Delmer Schultz of Granger, Indiana, brother Harold Jost of Hillsboro, Kansas, sisters Edna Janzen of Newhall, California, Ellen Ewy of Reedley, California, and Melinda Smith of Lansdale, Pennsylvania, 12 grandchildren and 26 great grandchildren.
Rita Louise Sperry
d. October 20, 2014
Newton – Rita Louise Sperry, 69, died October 20, 2014 in Newton. She was born August 4, 1945 to Nick and Susan (Unruh) Schmidt at Goessel. Survivors include: son, John Sperry of Rural Newton; daughter, Ann Sperry of Rural Newton; sisters, Julia (Willard) Regier of Rural Moundridge, Susan (Walden) Duerksen of Goessel, DeLome (Jerol) Schmidt of Rural Newton. Predeceased by a brother, Otto Nick Schmidt, sister in law, Nancy Schmidt, and a infant daughter, Patrice Ann Dick. Celebration of Life Service will be 10:00 a.m. Friday, October 24, 2014 at Tabor Mennonite Church rural Newton officiated by Pastor Phil Schmidt and Pastor Rosie Jantz. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 Thursday with family present from 6 to 8 at Tabor Mennonite Church. Memorials to The Church in care of Jost Funeral Home P.O. Box 266 Hillsboro, Kansas 67063.
Patricia D. Brandon
(May 11, 1934 - March 30, 2012)
PATRICIA D. BRANDON, 77, of Newton, died Friday (March 30, 2012) at the Newton Medical Center.
She was born on May 11, 1934 in Avinger, Texas, the daughter of Harlidge Howard and Dianthia Bolton Hill. The family later moved to the Dallas area where she graduated from South Oak Cliff High School in 1951. Patricia went to work after high school for Southwestern Bell.
She married
Richard E. Brandon on April 26, 1953 at the Olivet Memorial Baptist Church in South Dallas, Texas. Patricia then worked for an advertising agency in Dallas until she and her family moved to the St. Louis, Missouri area in 1963. The Brandon’s moved to Newton in 1975 where Patricia was the secretary for the First Presbyterian Church for 18 years until retiring in 1996.
Patricia enjoyed quilting and needle work.
Survivors include her husband Richard of the home in Newton; son David Brandon of Waterloo, Iowa; daughter Malinda Brand and husband Kevin of Maize, Ks.; brother Howard Francis Hill of Texas; sisters Harla Gray and husband Fred of Mineola, Tx., and Martha Glenn of Duncanville, Tx.; four grandchildren Justin Brand, Trey Brand and Rachel Brand all of Maize, and Akera Henderson of Waterloo; and several nieces and nephews.
Patricia is preceded in death by her parents and daughter Dianthia Frydendall.
Memorial services will be held at 1:00 P.M., on Wednesday (April 4, 2012) at the Covenant Presbyterian Church, 1750 N. Tyler Road, in Wichita.
There will be no visitation as cremation has been effected.
A memorial has been established with Covenant Presbyterian Church and Cerebral Palsy Research Foundation of Wichita, contributions may be sent to Broadway Colonial Funeral Home, 120 E. Broadway, Newton, Ks. 67114
Arrangements are by Broadway Colonial Funeral Home, Newton.
Rosella Jost, 99
HILLSBORO – Rosella Jost, 99, died June 20, 2016, at Hillsboro Community Hospital in Hillsboro.
She was born June 13, 1917, to Peter J. and Maria (Siemens) Franz in Corn, Oklahoma.
She married
Marvin G. Jost Aug. 18, 1940, in Chico, California.
She was a homemaker.
Survivors include: sons; Dale (Shirley) Jost of Hesston, James (Colleen) Jost of Colorado Springs, Colorado; daughters, Cheryl (Larry) McJunkin of Akron, Pennsylvania, Loretta (Gaylen) Neufeld of Hesston; 10 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren; brothers, Al Franz of Longmont, Colorado and Joe Franz of Sanger, California.
She was predeceased by her husband, Marvin G. Jost in 2008.
A Celebration of Life Service was held June 28, at Hillsboro Mennonite Brethren Church Officiated by Pastor Brian Allen and Pastor Clint Seibel.
Memorials may be made to Tabor College or Hillsboro M.B. Church in care of Jost Funeral Home P.O. Box 266 Hillsboro, KS 67063.
Kenneth Schroeder
d. November 20, 2014
Hillsboro – Kenneth Schroeder, 92, died November 20, 2014 at Parkside Homes in Hillsboro. He was born March 16, 1922 to John P. and Marie (Goertz) Schroeder in Goessel. He married
Ruby K. Prieb February 27, 1947 in Hillsboro. He was Director of Maintenance at Tabor College. Survivors include: sons, Vincent (Vickie) Schroeder of Marion, Russell (Debra) Schroeder of Goessel; daughter, Kathy (Ivan) Schmidt of Rural Goessel; 7 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren. Predeceased by his wife in 2013. Celebration of Life Service will be 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 25, 2014 at Goessel Mennonite Church officiated by Pastor Travis Schmidt and Pastor Brad Penner, Pastor Wally Kroeker. Burial 1:00 p.m. Tuesday at GoesselCemeteryrural Goessel. Family receive guests from 6 to 8 Monday at Jost Funeral Home in Hillsboro. Memorials to Hillsboro M.B. Church or Parkside Homes in care of Jost Funeral Home P.O. Box 266 Hillsboro, KS 67063.
Livona B. ‘Jo’ Beller
Livona B. “Jo” Beller, 93, died March 6, 2002, at Schowalter Villa, Hesston.
She was born July 23, 1908, in Smith County, the daughter of Edgar and Elzora Mae Lyon Moore. A Hesston resident since 1998, moving from Great Bend, she was a homemaker.
She belonged to First United Methodist Church, the 20th Century Club, Pedal Pushers and Elks BPO Lodge No. 1127, all in Great Bend.
On Nov. 10, 1928, she married
Archie L. Beller at Phillipsburg. He survives.
Other survivors include: a daughter, Margaret L. Kraisinger, Halstead; a sister, Dorothy Campbell, Larned; and three grandchildren.
Cremation has taken place. Bryant Funeral Home, Great Bend, was in charge of arrangements.
Orville Schellenberg
1921-2008
Orville A Schellenberg was the fifth child born to Abraham and Helena Schellenberg on April 28, 1921 in Jansen, Nebraska. He was fortunate to grow up in a Christian home and trusted Christ as his personal Savior at a young age. At a later date, he was baptized as a testimony to his faith and trust in Christ.
On December 7, 1943, he married
Rosella Reddig in Fresno, California. Rosella was originally from the Ebenfeld area in Hillsboro. They met during an MB Conference. They made their first home in western Nebraska (Paxton) and later moved to the Reedley/Fresno area in California. After a short time in California, they moved back to western Nebraska where they began their family of five children. In 1963, they moved to Hillsboro, Kansas.
Orville’s professional passion was piano tuning. He had been a piano tuner for almost 50 years. It was a perfect fit for him…it allowed him to work in the areas he loved: people and music. He tuned in schools, colleges and for professional music concerts in the Nebraska-Kansas areas. In his years in Nebraska, he also had a business relationship with Grand Island Music Company. In 1975 he obtained a franchise for Kawaii pianos, which allowed him to sell both new and used pianos. He learned to master all 10,000 parts of the piano.
Orville leaves behind: daughters, Darlene (Bob) Loewen of Hillsboro, Barb (Marv) Harms of Lincoln, Nebraska, LaVon (Randy) Friesen of Wichita; sons, Gene of Wichita and Marv (Andrea) of Wichita. He leaves 20 grandchildren: Suzanne (Todd) Murdock of Colby, Leanne (Don) Zimmerman of Sterling, Corissa (Josh) Russell of Hesston; Jason Schellenberg of Eldorado; Troy Hitchcock, St. Louis, Missouri; Justin (Carissa) Harms of Omaha, Nebraska, Jared (Lindsey) Harms of Elkhorn, Nebraska, Jason Harms of Lincoln, Nebraska; Audrey, Jesse, Dylan and Cody Schellenberg of Wichita; Travis (Hilarey) Friesen of Wichita, Danielle Friesen of Wichita. He is also survived by the following great grandchildren: Lara & Tate Murdock, Jake, Jordan & Kaylie Zimmerman, Makaiya & Ashlynn Russell, Ericka Schellenberg, Roman Harms, Dreyven Harms and soon-to-be baby Friesen.
Towards the end of Orville’s life, his speech was extremely limited and almost meaningless…his memory was essentially nonexistent…yet he could recall all the verses of favorite hymns and would sing them clearly. When he prayed, everything made sense…all his words were always clear and understandable. Dementia took away his memory of the world and even his family, but it could never touch his memory of God. His life fleshed out God’s promise that He will never, never leave us. God is truly faithful!
Orville’s death ends a generation of the Schellenberg family. He was preceded in death by his loving wife and life partner of 39 years, Rosella. Being the last living member of his family he was also preceded in death by his parents, brothers John and Menno and sisters, Annie Flaming and Rosie Jansen. We are grateful for our godly heritage. In the midst of good times and bad times, hardships and blessings, Orville and Rosella have faithfully passed the baton on to the next generation.
Wilbert N. Bartel
d. November 9, 2014
Hillsboro – Wilbert N. Bartel, 91, a life – long farmer of Rural Hillsboro passed away Sunday, November 9, 2014 at his home. He was born October 8, 1923 to Heinrich and Mary (Nickel) Bartel. On February 7, 1947 he was married
to Alvena Goossen. Survivors are his wife of the home, his children, Dorothy (David) Soldan of Manhattan, Wilbert K. “Sonny” (Franceen) Bartel of Hillsboro, Janet Bartel of Manhattan, Wilmer (Marilyn) Bartel of Hillsboro and eight grandchildren. Burial was at the Haven of RestCemeteryrural Hillsboro. A Celebration of his life will be held Saturday, November 15, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at the Parkview Mennonite Brethren Church officiated by Pastor Steve Schroeder in Hillsboro.
Roy D. Whitmire
Roy D. Whitmire, 79, died Friday (March 15, 2002) at Newton Medical Center.
He was born Nov. 19, 1922, to Daniel and Rilla (Wooten) Whitmire in Shiatook, Okla. He worked as a fabricator at Hesston Corp. from 1954 until he retired in 1988.
He married
Bernidine V. Biesterfeld March 17, 1973, at the Lutheran Church parsonage in Hesston. She survives of the home.
Other survivors include: two stepsons, Dominick Gaglione of Marietta, Ga., and Jerry Johnson of Topeka; a stepdaughter, Pam Brown of Newton; a brother, Richard Whitmire of Claremore, Okla.; a stepbrother, Gene Glascock of Gentry, Ark.; nine grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and two step-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by: his parents; stepson Phillip Gaglione; two brothers; and two sisters.
There was a private family graveside service Monday with the Rev. Loren W. Hickerson of the First United Church of Christ in Newton officiating. Burial was in Greenwood Cemetery.
Memorials have been established with Shriner’s Children’s Hospital in care of Broadway Colonial Funeral Home, Newton.
Alyce E. Loewen
d. June 26, 2015
Hillsboro – Alyce E. Loewen, 90, died June 26, 2015 at Parkside Home in Hillsboro. She was born May 17, 1925 to Charlie and Carolina (Seibel) Faul at Martin, North Dakota. She married
David F. Loewen August 14, 1970 at Harvey, North Dakota. Survivors include: brothers, Bennie Faul of Golden Valley, MN, LeRoy Faul of Harvey, North Dakota; sisters, Linda Liebelt of Minot, ND, Helen Fadenrecht of Hillsboro, Carolyn Klein of Munich, ND. Predeceased by her husband, David F. Loewen in 2003. Celebration of Life Service will be 11:00 a.m. Thursday, July 2, 2015 at Parkview M.B. Church officiated by Pastor Tim Sullivan. Interment 10:00 a.m. Thursday at SpringfieldCemeteryRural Hillsboro. Family will receive guests from 6 to 8 Wednesday at Jost Funeral Home in Hillsboro. Memorials to Parkview Church Missions or Parkside Home in care of Jost Funeral Home P.O. Box 266 Hillsboro, KS 67063.
Ruth B. Reimer
Ruth B. Reimer, 84, homemaker, died March 6, 2002, at Bethesda Home. She was a sister of Tony Graber and Marlo Graber, both of Hesston.
She was born Oct. 19, 1917, to Christian and Maria (Stucky) Graber in Moundridge. She married
Ed Reimer Oct. 22, 1939, in Moundridge. He preceded her in death June 30, 1988.
She was a member of Alexanderwohl Mennonite Church. She also was a member of Willing Helpers Sewing Society and the Goessel Flower Club. After her marriage she lived on several farms in the Goessel area, moving to Goessel in 1962. She was a quilter and gardener.
Other survivors include: two sons, Robert Reimer and Gene Reimer, both of Newton; a daughter, Joyce Holck of North Newton; another brother, Waldo Graber of Liberal; a sister, Lorene Goering of Moundridge; seven grandchildren; four step-grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and three step-great-grandchildren.
Graveside service was at 10:15 a.m. Saturday at Alexanderwohl Cemetery. Memorial service was at 11 a.m. Saturday at Alexanderwohl Church near Goessel with the Revs. James Dunn and Mark Wiens officiating.
Memorials have been established with Bethesda Home and the Mennonite Central Committee, both in care of Miller Funeral Home, 303 E. Main, Goessel, KS 67053.
