Obituaries in Kansas Newspapers (arranged by city)
Joseph P. Kratky
1911-2005
WILSON '“ Joseph P. Kratky, 94, died Dec. 31, 2005, at Ellsworth County Medical Center in Ellsworth. born Feb. 20, 1911, in Lincoln County, the son of William and Agnes (Jarus) Kratky, he was a lifetime resident of the Wilson area. He married
Sylvia Bartunek. He was a member of the Monsignor John F. McManus American Legion Post 262, the Wilson Knights of Columbus and St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Wilson. He was a farmer and stockman. Survivors include his wife of the home; two sons, Marvin J. Kratky of Hesston and Gary M. Kratky of Wilson; one daughter, Rose M. Hansen of Concordia; two sisters, Mary Soukup and Theresa Kasper, both of Wilson; seven grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by two brothers, two sisters, three infant children and one grandchild. Funeral was Monday at the church with the Rev. David Metz officiating. Burial was at St. Wenceslaus cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the Wilson Knights of Columbus or the Wilson Nursing Center. Funeral arrangement provided by Foster Funeral Home Box 533 Wilson, KS 67490
Ned M. Brown
1918-2006
LARNED - Ned M. Brown, 87, died Jan. 1, at Country Place Senior Living, Larned. He was born Oct. 3, 1918, at Larned, the son of Ned McKinley and Mary Jane (Kimmel) Brown. A lifetime resident of Larned, he worked for Doerr Mercantile for over 40 years and was the retail sales manager when he retired. He belonged to the First Presbyterian Church, former member and past president of the Rotary Club, VFW, American Legion and member of the Jordaan Committee all of Larned, and was a past Larned mayor for two terms. He was in the U.S. Army during WW II, and retired as a major from the U.S. Army Reserves. On January 25, 1942, he married
Harriet Grove, at Larned. She survives. Other survivors include two sons, Michael G. Brown and wife D.J. of Kansas City, Mo., and Robert Ned Brown of Larned; one daughter, Debra Jan Converse and husband Arlyn of Leawood; one sister, Barbara Martin of Ulysses; eight grandchildren; and six great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by an infant brother, Bobbie Lee Brown. Funeral, will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at the church with Rev. Dennis Scheibmeier officiating. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. until 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, the family will receive friends from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Morell Funeral Home, Lamed. Burial in the Lamed cemetery with military graveside rites by Fort Riley Honor Guard. Memorials may be sent to the First Presbyterian Church in care of Morell Funeral Home, P.O. Box 124, Lamed, Kan. 67550-0124. Funeral arrangement provided by Morell Funeral Home P.O. Box 124 Larned, KS 67550
Elida 'Leia' Guzman Gutierrez
1931 - 2005
Elida 'Leia' Guzman Gutierrez, a longtime local restaurant owner, devout Catholic and loving mother, died Thursday, Dec. 29, 2005, from a cerebral aneurysm. She was 74. Lela, who was born in Weslaco, Texas, on Jan. 19, 1931, moved to Russell from Edinburg, Texas, in 1968 with her husband Ramiro E. Gutierrez and their eight children. She began work as a kitchen manager and cook in 1971 and, in 1973, Gutierrez opened Gutierrez Mexican Restaurant. The restaurant was later expanded to multiple locations in Kansas, including Salina, Hays, Great Bend, Lawrence and Baldwin City, and operated by her children. She retired from the restaurant business in 1990, but remained active in the Russell Community through the Catholic Church and various charitable organizations. She regularly offered in-home support to friends and others, delivered Meals-on-Wheels and recently served as president of the SCCW-SaIina Council of Catholic Women. She was a member of the Ladies Guild at St. Mary's Catholic Church, in Russell, as well as several other religious groups. A highlight in her life was traveling to Medjugorje, Yugoslavia, with the church in 1989. Gutierrez enjoyed cooking, reading and spoiling her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Family and friends will remember her for her generosity, committed faith, resolute work ethic and one-of-a-kind tamales. 'Mom had a way of making people feel like they were part of our extended family, ' said her son, Steve Gutierrez. She and her husband, who were married
February 28, 1949, moved to Lawrence in 2004 to be closer to family. Gutierrez is survived by her husband, Ramiro, of Lawrence; their eight children: Richard of Lawrence; Norma Peck, of Manhattan; Dalia Hale, of Wichita; Steve of Lawrence; Mario of Hays; Teresa Graf of McAlester, Okla.; Jerry of Salina; and Martin of Towanda, and their respective spouses. She is survived as well by 23 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Additional survivors also include her brother Raul of McAllen, Texas; sisters Irene Balderas, of Edinburg, Texas; Elvira Martinez of Boise, Idaho; Beatriz Noriega, of Mercedes, Texas; and Modie Guzman Lindemann, of Edinburg, Texas; and half-sister Concepcion Sanchez of Nampa, Idaho. Gutierrez was preceded in death by her parents Julian and Silvestre Guzman; her son, Gilberto Gutierrez; her granddaughter, Martha Graf: Her brothers Jose, Hilario, Maximino, Refugio, Julian Jr., Jose Luis and her sister Amadita Solis. Visitation will be held at the Russell Funeral Home, Russell, at 12 p.m. (noon) until 9 p.m. on Sunday, Jan 1, 2006, and on Monday 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. with a Vigil Service at 7 p.m. followed by a Rosary. Funeral Services will be held at 10 a.m., Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2006, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Russell. Burial will be in St. Mary's cemetery, Russell. A memorial fund has been established at St. Mary's Catholic Church and may be left at Russell Funeral Home, 610 North Elm Street. Russell, KS 67665. Funeral arrangements provided by Russell Funeral Home 610 North Elm Street/ P.O. Box 566 Russell, Kan. 67665
Viola E. Jewell
Viola E. Jewell, 73, died Dec. 30 at Central Kansas Medical Center in Great Bend. Services are pending with Bryant Funeral Home in Great Bend.
Fred D. Rankin, Sr.
1919 - 2005
Fred D. Rankin, Sr., 86, died Dec. 28 at Central Kansas Medical Center in Great Bend. He was born March 12, 1919, in Brownell, the son of Abraham Theodore and Sarah Ann (Bridgeman) Rankin. He married
Meda Ulanda Whitsel on July 28, 1938, in Lyons. He was a resident of Great Bend and worked for Acme Pipe and Supply, CV Cale and Kelly Water Well Service. Rankin served in the Army during World War II. Survivors include three sons, Richard 'Butch' Rankin of Aurora, Colo., Freddie Daniel Rankin, Jr. of Great Bend, and Melvin E. Rankin of Ellinwood; three daughters, Phyllis Hopkins of Walnut Grove, Mo., Gloria Ann Reynolds of Great Bend, and Darleta Chism of Great Bend; 18 grandchildren; 42 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Meda Ulanda (Whitsel) Rankin; six brothers, Charley Rankin, Earl Rankin, Richard 'Dick' Rankin, Perry Rankin, Jesse 'Jess' Rankin and Elmer Rankin; five sisters, Lula, Sarah, Lottie, Nellie, and Mattie; two step-brothers, Frank and Eliz; and one step-sister, Eppy. Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Monday at Charter Funerals Chapel in Great Bend with the Rev. Dick Ogle officiating. Burial will be at the Great Bend cemetery with Military Honors conducted by Fort Riley Honor Guard. Visitation will be today from 1-8 p.m. with the family receiving friends from 6-8 p.m. at Charter Funerals Chapel. Memorials are suggested to American Diabetes Association or the American Alzheimer's Association in care of the funeral home. Funeral arrangements provided by Charter Funerals 2115 Washington Great Bend, KS 67530
Ida Mae Bieber
1923 - 2005
TIMKEN - Ida Mae Bieber, 82, died Dec. 29 at the Rush County Nursing Home in La Crosse. She was born May 4, 1923, in Timken, the daughter of Charles Kraisinger and Flora (Erb) Kraisinger. Mrs. Bieber was a lifelong resident of Timken. Mrs Bieber was a 1941 graduate of Bison High School in Bison. Mrs. Bieber supervised the school lunch program for USD #403 before her retirement. She was a member of United Methodist Church, Bison; United Methodist Women, Bison; Monday Evening Card Club, Timken; and Joy Club, Bison. She married
Vernon L. Bieber on Nov. 4, 1945, in Bison. Survivors include one son, Mike Bieber of Beloit; one daughter, Jane Stephens and her husband Mike Stephens of La Crosse; one brother, Virgil Kraisinger of La Crosse; two grandchildren, Natalie James of Bono, Ark., and Jeff Stephens of Salina; and one great-grandchild, Ethan James of Bono, Ark. She was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Flora (Erb) Kraisinger; and her husband, Vernon L. Bieber (Jan. 28, 1988). Funeral will be Tuesday, Jan. 3 at 10 a.m. at the United Methodist Church, Bison, with the Rev. Marilyn Christmore officiating. Burial will be at the La Crosse City cemetery in La Crosse. Visitation will be Monday from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Janousek Funeral Home in La Crosse with the family receiving friends from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Church visitation will be Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 9:50 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Bison. Memorials are suggested to the Rush County Nursing Home in La Crosse or the United Methodist Church in Bison. Funeral arrangements provided by Janousek Funeral Home 719 Pine La Crosse, KS 67548
Helen M. Larson
1917 - 2006
WICHITA - Helen Marie Larson, 88, died Feb. 25 at Maria Court Assisted Living Center in Mulvane. She was born Nov. 27, 1917, near Hoisington, the daughter of Charles and Evangeline Natteford Stoskopf. She attended Wichita Business College. She married
Jack K. Larson on March 24, 1961. She was a retired office worker for Beech Aircraft and Wesley Hospital. Survivors include her husband of the home; three daughters, Marlene Beneke of Overland Park, Wanda Warren of Wichita, and Sandra Pecenka of Mulvane; one sister, Edith Crossland of Great Bend; 10 grandchildren; and 12 great grandchildren. Funeral will be at 11 a.m. at the Mulvane United Methodist Church. Friends may call from 2 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday at Hillside Funeral Home East, with the family present from 5 to 8 p.m. Memorials are suggested to Heartland Home Care and Hospice or Alzheimer's Association.
Ruth Davis
1924 - 2006
LARNED - Ruth Davis, 81, died Feb. 26 at Via Christi Medical Center - St. Francis - Harry Hynes Hospice Unit. She was born April 17, 1924, at Honey Grove, Texas, the daughter of Alfred A. and Myrtle Gray Piland. She married
Jodie Meers Davis on March 1, 1952, at Rockwall, Texas. He died Jan. 27, 2003. A resident of Larned since 2000, previously of Garfield, she was a CMA-nurses aid. Mrs. Davis was a member of the Assembly of God Church in Larned. Survivors include one son, Joe Davis of Lewis; one daughter, Dyann Twitchell of Larned; two brothers, John Piland of San Angelo, Texas, and Charles Piland of Fresno, Calif.; one sister, Dora Morgan of Jacksonville, Texas; six grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by three brothers, Harvey, Henry and Eli Piland; and one sister, Evelyn Smith. Funeral will be at 2 p.m. on Wednesday at Morell Funeral Home in Larned with the Rev. Ryan Webster officiating. Burial will be at the Garfield cemetery in Garfield. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on today at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the Assembly of God Church in care of the funeral home. Funeral arrangements provided by Morell Funeral Home 1021 Broadway St. Larned, KS 67550
Opal V. Meier
1918 - 2006
ROZEL - Opal V. Meier, 87, died Feb. 25 at Newton Medical Center in Newton. She was born May 14, 1918, at Alexander, the daughter of Frank and Effie I. Riggs Price. She married
S. Emil Meier on July 10, 1935, at Scott City. He died Nov. 16, 1994. A longtime resident of rural Rozel, living a short time in La Crosse and Newton, she was a homemaker. Mrs. Meier was a member of Hope Lutheran Church and Hope Lutheran Ladies Aid, both of Rush Center; Lincoln Banner EHU; and a past leader for Lincoln Livewires 4-H Club, both of Rozel. Survivors include one son, Ken Meier of La Crosse; one daughter, Rhonda Tillberg of Newton; one sister, Ola Wolter of La Crosse; 10 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and six great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by two sons, Clarence and Errol; one daughter, Marianne Meyer; seven brothers; and four sisters. Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. today at Hope Lutheran Church in Rush Center with the Rev. Maurice Schaus officiating. Burial will be in Hope Lutheran cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to the church in care of Morell Funeral Home. Funeral arrangements provided by Morell Funeral Home P.O. Box 124 Larned, KS 67550
G. Louise McAdams
1913 - 2006
MANHATTAN - G. Louise McAdams, 92, died Feb. 25 at the Meadowlark Hills Health Care Center/Lyle House in Manhattan. She was born Dec. 18, 1913, at Medicine Lodge, the daughter of H. U. and Lena Baier Magnison. She attended local schools in Medicine Lodge and was a graduate of the Medicine Lodge High School. She married
Verl E. 'Mac' McAdams on June 30, 1935, at Medicine Lodge. He died Jan. 13, 1991. She was a homemaker and following her husband's County Extension Agent career, had lived in Medicine Lodge, Great Bend and Abilene before moving to Manhattan in 1952. Mrs. McAdams was a member of the First United Methodist Church, United Methodist Women, Methodist Church Dinner Club, AARP, RSVP, Riley County Senior Service Center and the FCE Extension Unit. She was a volunteer leader with 4-H, did volunteer work at the Medowlark Hills Retirement Community and coordinated reception and other occasions at the First United Methodist Church. The kitchen facilities at the church are named in her honor. Survivors include two daughters, Shirley Postier, and Janet Medley, both of Topeka; one sister, Jo Ann Stolp of Medicine Lodge; five grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband; two brothers, John and Pete Magnison; one sisters, Opal Spencer; and one granddaughter, Angela Marie Medley. Funeral will be at 11 a.m. Friday at the First United Methodist Church in Manhattan with the Rev. Jim Reed, Moon-Hee Chung and Russell Stolp officiating. Burial will follow at the Sunrise cemetery in Manhattan. The family will receive friends for an hour preceding the service in the Fellowship Hall of the church. Memorials are suggested to the First United Methodist Church or Homecare and Hospice in care of Irvin-Parkview Funeral Home. Funeral arrangements provided by Irvin-Parkview Funeral Home 1317 Poyntz Ave. Manhattan, KS 66505
Albert Malone
1921 - 2006
FORD - Albert Malone, 84, died Feb. 24 at his daughter's home in Great Bend. He was born May 1, 1921, in Kansas City, Mo., the son of Joseph Albert and Nina (Drake) Malone. He married
Ruby Schmidt on Dec. 19, 1948, at Ford. A lifetime Ford resident, he was a farmer. Malone was a member of Ford Community Church and has served on the board of trustees, as well as serving as a Sunday school teacher for many years. He was also a member of the Ford Lions Club and had served on election and township boards for over 30 years. Survivors include his wife of the home; two daughters, JoElan Hanschu of Kansas City, and Mary Wilson of Great Bend; four grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and nine step-great-grandchildren. Funeral will be at 2:30 p.m. today at the Ford Community Church in Ford with the Rev. Jim Pollom officiating. Burial will be at the Ford cemetery in Ford. Memorials are suggested to Parkinsons Foundation or the Ford Community Church Building Fund, both in care of Minnis Mortuary. Funeral arrangements provided by Minnis Mortuary P.O. Box 516 Bucklin, KS 67834
Thomas William Hipp
1937 - 2006
ODIN - Thomas William Hipp, 68, died Feb. 26, at his home in Odin. He was born May 24, 1937, in rural Odin, the son of William and Regina (Schneweis) Hipp. He married
Janet Keeley on Oct. 12, 1963, at Seward. She survives. A lifetime resident of rural Odin, he was a farmer. Mr. Hipp was a member of the Holy Family Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus Council #2630, both of Odin; and a Cheyenne Township Trustee. Survivors include his wife, Janet Hipp of the home; four sons, Mike Hipp and his wife Patty of Claflin, Brian Hipp and his wife Debbie of St. Louis, Mo., Chris Hipp and his wife Jody of Smith Center, and Scott Hipp and his wife Carey of Ellsworth; one brother, Larry Hipp of Great Bend; two sisters, Ann Bahr and Carol Lamatsch both of Claflin; seven grandchildren, Allie, Katie, Keeley, Elizabeth, Gabrielle, Ashley and Benjamin Hipp. He was preceded in death by two sisters, Betty Hammeke and Eleanor Hekele. Funeral will be at 10 a.m. today at Holy Family Catholic Church in Odin with Father Pascal Klein officiating. Interment will be at the Holy Family Church cemetery in Odin. Memorials are suggested to Clara Barton Foundation or the Claflin Ambulance service, in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home. Funeral arrangements provided by Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home 415 N. Main / P.O. Box 146 Hoisington, KS 67544
Ida Neill Balman
1919 - 2006
LARNED - Ida Neill Balman, 86, died Feb. 26 at St. Joseph Memorial Hospital in Larned. She was born Aug. 15, 1919, in Caldwell Co., Ky., the daughter of Herbert Augustus 'Gus' and Bassil Edwards Boitnott. She married
Richard Collins Browne on May 23, 1941, at Burdett. He was killed in action in France during World War II. She marred John Allan Balman on April 30, 1948, at Great Bend. He died March 23, 1973. A Pawnee County resident since 1927, moving from Kentucky, she was a retired secretary at Larned State Hospital, after working for 15 years. Mrs. Balman was a member of the Kansas Arabian Horse Association and past member of the Larned Saddle Club and Fort Larned Sweet Adelines. Survivors include one son, Michael C. Browne of Irrigon, Ore.; three daughters, Kathryn Browne of Los Angeles, Calif., Mary B. Gargas of Glendale, Ariz., and Nancy B. Barnes of Kinsley; three grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one sister, Velma Greet. Graveside service will be at 2 p.m. on Wednesday at the Larned cemetery with the Rev. John Grummon officiating. Friends may sign the register today from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Wednesday from 9 a.m. until noon. The casket will remain closed. Memorials are suggested to the Pawnee County 4-H Foundation or to the donor's choice in care of Beckwith Mortuary. Funeral arrangements provided by Beckwith Mortuary P.O. Box 477 Larned, KS 67550
