Obituaries in Kansas Newspapers (arranged by city)
V. Dale Smith
1921 - 2006
BENKLEMAN, Neb. - V. Dale Smith, 84, died Sunday, March 5 at Sarah Ann Hester Memorial Home in Benkelman, Neb. He was born July 18, 1921, on his family's farm north of Benkelman, Neb., to Clarence Wilson and Velma (Stevens) Mullanix, and spent many childhood years with his Grandma Stevens. On Sept. 17, 1942, he was married
to Ernestine Little of Benkelman, Neb., and to this union four daughters were born; Joan Kay, DeVonna Gene, LaVern Gay, and Jacquelene Elaine. Dale and Ernie moved north of Haigler, Neb., in 1949 where they farmed until 1959. They then moved to Haigler, Neb., where Dale became the custodian and a bus driver for the Haigler Public School. Dale had a positive effect on the hundreds of students and teachers who passed through the halls of the Haigler School. He never met a stranger and enjoyed conversing with this multitude of family and friends. After 27 years of service, Dale retired in 1986 and he and Ernie began traveling in their Air Stream. They truly enjoyed their many trips to Arizona and meeting new friends from all over the United States. Dale was baptized in the Zion Lutheran Church in Haigler, Neb. He and Ernie enjoyed dancing in neighborhood towns as they socialized with friends. Dale spent many hours on his woodworking projects and on an occasional fishing trip. Preceding him in death are his parents, Velma Mullanix and Clarence Wilson; brother, LeRoy Smith; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Lela and Arthur Little; brothers-in-law, and sister-in-law, Harry Stamm, Clyde and Maxine Watters, and Ivil Pursley. Survivors include his wife, Ernestine Smith of Benkelman, Neb.; four daughters, Kay Hulse and husband, Gail of Great Bend, DeVonna Haines and husband, Stan of Benkelman, Neb., LaVern Schorzman and husband, Mick of Tucson, Ariz., Jackie Bachman and husband, Mike of Golden, Colo.; 11 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, June Stamm, Geraldine Lahman, Ned and Colleen Little, Joyce and Norman Vincent; and numerous other relatives and friends. As Grandpa has reached his Heavenly Home, we celebrate his life, but will miss and love him for always. Funeral services will be Thursday, March 9, at 10:30 a.m. at Forch Funeral Chapel in Benkelman, Neb., with Rev. George Matthews officiating. Interment will follow services at the Benkelman cemetery. There will be no visitation. Memorials may be given in his name. Funeral arrangements provided by Forch Funeral Chapel, Inc. P.O. Box 683 Benkelman, NE 69021-0683
Dora Alvena Brauer
1919 - 2006
LAKEWOOD, Colo, - Dora Alvena Brauer was born Dec. 8, 1919, at Burdett, the daughter of Frederick and Margaretha Folkerts Ideker. She was baptized Jan. 4, 1920, at Hope Lutheran Church in Rush Center and confirmed April 8, 1933, at the same place. She married
Herbert Emiel Brauer on June 12, 1942, at Emanuel Lutheran Church in Wichita. Together they were blessed with three daughters, Ellen, Carol and Cathy. Carol passed away in 1954 at age 2. She lived in Kansas till 1978, when they moved to Lakewood, Colo. She was presently a member of St. Luke's Lutheran Church in Golden, Colo., and the Lutheran Women's Missionary League. She is survived by daughters, Ellen Knack and her husband, Ed of Lakewood, and Cathy Evans and her husband Karl of Lakewood; three step-grandchildren; and six step-great-grandchildren. Visitation will be Thursday, March 9, from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Advantage Runyan Stevenson Mortuary. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Friday at St. Luke's Lutheran Church, 13119 W. 20th Ave., Lakewood. Entombment will be Crown Hill cemetery. Mrs. Brauer was a resident of Lakewood, Colo., at the time of her death. Funeral arrangements provided by Advantage-Runyan-Stevenson 6425 W. Alameda Ave. Lakewood, CO 80226
Ramon LeRoy Knox
1926 - 2006
HEIZER - Ramon LeRoy Knox, 79, died March 6 at the Hutchinson Hospital in Hutchinson. He was born Nov. 20, 1926, at Denver, Colo., the son of Velma Knox. He married
Evelene Marie Horyna on Aug. 2, 1953, at Great Bend. He was a resident of Heizer since 1968, coming from Larned. He was a truck driver for Murphy Tractor and retired in 1989. Knox was a member of St. Mark's Lutheran Church and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3111. He was a World War II veteran serving with the U.S. Navy. Survivors include his wife, of the home; two sons, Brian L. Knox of Guam, and Wesley Knox of Heizer; one half-brother, James Dawson of Garden City; one half-sister, Maxine Atkinson of Garden City; and two grandchildren. Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Friday at Bryant Funeral Home in Great Bend with the Rev. Adam Wutka officiating. There will be no visitation as cremation has taken place. Memorials are suggested to Heartland Cancer Center in care of the funeral home. Funeral arrangements provided by Bryant Funeral Home 1425 Patton Rd. Great Bend, KS 67530
Glenn Edward Balman
1916 - 2006
VALLEY, Neb. - Glenn Edward Balman, age 89, a resident of Valhaven Care Center of Valley, Neb., left us to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Thursday, March 2 at Valhaven Nursing Center. A Memorial Service was held on Tuesday, March 7, at 2 p.m. at Valhaven Care Center, 300 W. Meigs, Valley, Neb., with the Rev. Carl Ratcliff officiating. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at the United Methodist Church, Rozel, on Saturday, March 11, at 1 p.m. with the Rev. Mary Ohlemeier and the Rev. Duane Harms officiating. Family visitation will be held at the church one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at the Larned cemetery, Larned. Memorials may be sent to the United Methodist Church or the Volunteer Fire Department, both of Rozel, in care of the Beckwith Mortuary, P.O. Box 477, Larned, KS 67550. Mr. Balman was born Nov. 9, 1916, on his father's farm north of Rozel. He was raised on the family farm and attended the local schools. On Oct. 10, 1940, he married
Viola Louise Spreier of rural Rozel. Mr. Balman lived and farmed most of his life in Pawnee County where he and his wife, Viola, raised their seven children. In 1968, following the death of their son, Clyde Wesley, Glenn moved his family into Rozel from the family farm. For two winters in the mid to late 1960s he was employed by Doerr Manufacturing in Larned. From 1970 to 1974, Glenn and his wife, Viola, owned and operated the Rozel grocery store. From 1974 until his retirement, he owned and operated, along with his son Stanley, G & S Repair, an automotive repair shop in Rozel. His wife Viola passed away in July 1977. In 1980, he married
Florence Zellner of Great Bend and retired from farming in 1981. Florence passed away in 1986. Glenn was a long-time member of the Rozel United Methodist Church, and later transferred his membership to the Valley United Methodist Church in Valley, Neb., which recently merged with another local church and has become the United Faith Community Church. Glenn served on the rural Rozel Township board and maintained the local township roads for 14 years. He was a former member of the Rozel Lions Club and the Rozel City Council. He and his wife, Viola, served as foster parents to several children in the Pawnee County area. In the spring of 1996, Glenn moved to Valley, Neb., to live with his daughter, Kaye and her husband Chuck. He enjoyed many hours of fishing with his friends along the Platte River. It was a joy for him to ride his Sears lawn tractor, when the weather permitted, up town to have breakfast with friends at the local cafe. Following surgery in January 2000, he entered Valhaven Care Center. There he enjoyed his many friends coming in to play cards twice a week, playing checkers with his dear friend Gib Hall, and watching the Atlanta Braves play baseball. For three years he raised a small garden to supply fresh tomatoes and cucumbers for the facility kitchen and the staff. Throughout his life, Glenn shared his love of music with others as he played his harmonica. In August of 2003, he was invited to share his gift with hundreds of listeners of the Desert Ministries Radio Hour. When he was asked what he wanted to play, Glenn responded 'Just how I feel, '˜How Great Thou Art.'' Because of his health, Glenn had not been able to play his harmonica very much, but on that day he didn't miss a note. During the course of his stay at Valhaven, Glenn enjoyed visiting and joking with the staff. They in turn gave him love, laughter, kindness and wonderful care. Survivors include three sons, David Edward of Larned, Richard Lee (Jane) of Liberal, and Stanley Ray of Hutchinson; three daughters, Mrs. Charles (Katherine Louise) Dutton of Valley, Neb., Mrs. Jerry (Patricia Ann) Watts of Rose Hill, and Mrs. Ricky (Glenda ViAnn) Gibson of Chula, Mo.; 10 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; several nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends. Mr. Balman was preceded in death by his parents, John Edward and Martha Lee (Evans) Balman; his wife Viola Louise; a son, Clyde Wesley; a daughter-in-law, Mrs. Richard (Anita Conrardy) Balman; his second wife, Florence Zellner; two brothers, Wayne and Melvin; and four sisters, Mrs. Harold (Lois) Arnold, Mrs. Guy (Velma) Patterson, Mrs. Karl (Laura) Smith, and Mrs. Henry (Elaine) Harmon. Funeral arrangements provided by Beckwith Mortuary P.O. Box 477 Larned, KS 67550
Cecilia Mary Ankerholz
1923 - 2006
VAN BUREN, Ark. - Cecilia Mary Ankerholz, 83, died March 5 at Van Buren, Ark. She was born Jan. 10, 1923, in Brooklyn, N.Y., the daughter of Otto and Kathleen (Marsh) Berg. Mrs. Ankerholz was a member of the Catholic faith. Survivors include two sons, Alfred Ankerholz of Great Bend, and Richard Ankerholz of Lawrence; one daughter, Irene Willbanks of Spiro, Okla.; five grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Lee Roy Ankerholz; three brothers; and three sisters. There are no services scheduled. Funeral arrangements provided by Mallory Funeral Home P.O. Box 530 Spiro, OK 74959
Emery Jack Jenks, Sr.
1918 - 2006
Emery Jack Jenks, Sr., 87, of Great Bend, died March 6 at Central Kansas Medical Center in Great Bend. He was born Aug. 14, 1918, at Hiawatha, the son of Frank and Laura Barrett Jenks. He married
Verna Mae McKay on March 22, 1942, at Vancouver, Wash. She died March 2, 1997. He was a painting contractor. He worked for Nash Finch Company and C.O. Mammal. Jenks was a member of the First Church of God and a former Boy Scout Leader for Troop No. 177. He was a U.S. Army veteran in World War II. Survivors include two sons, Jack Jenks, Jr., of Ellinwood, and Frank Jenks of Gentry, Mo.; nine grandchildren; 10 great grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by one sister, Minnie Brown. Funeral will be at 1:30 p.m. Thursday at the church, 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 today from noon to 9 p.m. and Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Bryant Funeral Home. Memorials are suggested to the Great Bend Senior Center in care of the funeral home. Funeral arrangements provided by Bryant Funeral Home 1425 Patton Rd. Great Bend, KS 67530
Mark Edward Sellens
1967 - 2006
CULVER - Mark Edward Sellens, 39, died March 2 at the Cancer Center of America at Tulsa, Okla. He was born Jan. 18, 1967, at Hays, the son of Robert Joseph and Joyce Irene (Ehrlich) Sellens. He was a graduate of Russell High School and attended Beloit Vocational Technical School where he received his certification as a diesel mechanic. He married
Lisa Rupp in Dorrance. He worked for the CISCO group and had been self employed with his partner in the Lift Truck Specialist Company in Salina for the past 10 years. Survivors include two daughters, Amy and Dana Sellens, both of Enterprise; his father, Robert J. Sellens of Russell; his mother, Joyce Wilhelm of Dorrance; one brother, Joe Sellens of Auburn; and one sister, Teresa Davis of Dorrance. Funeral will be at 10 a.m. today at the First Lutheran Church in Dorrance with the Rev. Diane Wagner officiating. Burial will follow at the Dorrance City cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the American Cancer Society in care of Pohlman-Heise Mortuary. Funeral arrangements provided by Pohlman-Heise Mortuary 610 N. Maple St. Russell, KS 67665
Robert A. Rupp
1923 - 2006
HOISINGTON - Robert A. Rupp, 82, died March 5 at Clara Barton Hospital in Hoisington. He was born Sept. 16, 1923, at Kansas City, Mo., the son of Louis and Clara (Wolf) Rupp. He married
Dorothy M. Engel on Jan. 12, 1957, at Springfield, Minn. She died May 21, 2001. He was a contract brick layer, retiring in 1986. He was a Hoisington resident since 1957, coming from Hays, where he grew up and graduated in the Hays High class of 1941. Rupp was a member of the St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 7428, both of Hoisington, and Goldcard member of the Local 14 Bricklayer Union -Kansas and Missouri. He was an Army veteran of World War II. Survivors include one sister, Lillian Foster of Fort Collins, Colo.; one brother, Melvin Rupp and his wife Rosemary of Hays; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by one sister, Garneth Minor. Vigil service will be at 7 p.m. today at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home in Hoisington. Funeral will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Hoisington with Father Pascal Klein officiating. Burial will be at St. John cemetery in Hoisington with full military graveside rites by VFW Post No. 7428 and American Legion Post No. 286, both of Hoisington. Visitation will be today from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the church in care of the funeral home. Funeral arrangements provided by Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home 415 N. Main / P.O. Box 146 Hoisington, KS 67544
Vera Arlene Schindler
1913 -2006 STOCKTON - Vera Arlene Schindler, 92, died March 4 at the Rooks County Health Center in Plainville. She was born Oct. 7, 1913, in Sugar Loaf township, northwest of Stockton, the daughter of Alpha and Florence (Waters) Arrington. She married
Ray A. Schindler on Oct. 28, 1933, in Osborne. He died June 10, 1992. She was a homemaker. Mrs. Schindler was a member of the Main Street Christian Church. Survivors include five sons, Kermit Schindler, Sr. of Stockton, Marvin Schindler of Goddard, Louis Schindler of Hill City, Henry Schindler of Great Bend and Kenneth Schindler of Topeka; four daughters, Avis Look of Hays, Rita Hrabe, Zoe Hrabe, and Marilyn Miller, all of Stockton; one sister, Audrey Trosko of Salina; 26 grandchildren; 48 great grandchildren and 12 great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death two sons, Richard Dale Schindler and Charles Alvin Schindler; one step-son, Abe Schindler, Jr.; two brothers, Clarence Arrington and Vance Arrington; three sisters, Marvel Walker, Norma Rock and Dorothy Smith; and one grandson, Dennis Hrabe. Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the church with the Rev. Troy Buss and the Rev. Vince Williams officiating. Burial will be at the Stockton cemetery. Visitation will be today from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Wednesday from 9 to 10 a.m. at the Smith-Moore-Overlease Funeral Home in Stockton, and Wednesday from 11 a.m. to service time at the church. Memorials are suggested to Main Street Christian Church, Stockton Ambulance Service or the Rooks County Health Center, in care of the funeral home. Funeral arrangements provided by Smith-Moore-Overlease Funeral Home 723 N. First Stockton, KS 67669
John William Atwell
1927 -2006 LARNED - John William Atwell, 78, died March 1 at St. Joseph Memorial Hospital in Larned. He was born May 25, 1927, at Alamota, the son of James William and Zelma B. Shover Atwell. He married
Greta S. Worster on May 28, 1947, at Fort Collins, Colo. A resident of Larned since 1972, moving from Oxnard, Calif., he was retired from the U.S. Navy, serving in World War II, Korean Conflict and the Viet Nam War. He belonged to the Fleet Reserve Association. Survivors include his wife of the home; two sons, John W. Atwell Jr., Larned, and Samuel R. Atwell, Colorado; two daughters, Zelma Sophia Desfosses, San Miguel, Calif., and Blanche Marie Padron, Larned; two brothers, Samuel Thomas Atwell, Cheyenne, Wyo., and Max Raymond Atwell, Tuscon, Ariz.; one sister, Levena Marie Wyatt, Laramie, Wyo.; 16 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a sister, Lodema L. Traficanti, and a granddaughter, Ashley Mae Althof. Private family services will be held at a later date. Memorials are suggested to the donor's choice, in care of Morell Funeral Home in Larned. Funeral arrangements provided by Morell Funeral Home P.O. Box 124, 1021 Broadway Larned, KS 67550-0124
W. Harold Haun
1910 - 2006
LARNED - W. Harold Haun, 96, died March 2 at St. Joseph Memorial Long Term Care, Larned. He was born Jan. 17, 1910, in rural Pawnee County, the son of W.R. and Gertrude Gill Haun. He married
Edith M. Dryden on Aug. 20, 1931, at the Dryden Farm home in rural Larned. A lifetime resident of Pawnee County, he was a retired farmer and dairyman. Haun was a member of First United Methodist Church, Larned, and was active in the Ash Valley Methodist Church and Pleasant Hill Methodist Church before their closings. He was also a member of the first 4-H club organized in Pawnee County. Survivors include his wife of the home; two sons, Donald Haun, Larned, and Winston Haun, San Marcos, Texas; two daughters, Joann Mason, Thousand Oaks, Calif., and Shirley Smith, Pagosa Springs, Colo.; 11 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren and one great grandson. He was preceded in death by a brother, Eugene Haun, and sisters Gladys Kirby, Marie Cossman and Eunice Fox. Funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the church in Larned, with the Rev. Tim Ault-Duell officiating. Burial will be in the Larned cemetery. Friends may call from noon to 8 p.m. today and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday at Morell Funeral Home in Larned. Memorials are suggested to the church Missions and Ministry Fund or the church Radio Fund, in care of the funeral home. Funeral arrangements provided by Morell Funeral Home P.O. Box 124, 1021 Broadway Larned, KS 67550-0124
Jackie R. Lemuz
1951 - 2006
ROZEL - Jackie R. Lemuz, 54, died March 2 at St. Francis Medical Center in Wichita. She was born April 24, 1951, at Dumas, Texas, the daughter of Roy and Maggie Ellison Froetschner. A lifetime Pawnee County resident, she was a mental health specialist at the Larned State Hospital in Larned. Lemuz was a member of the United Methodist Church in Larned. Survivors include her parents; a son, Jason Lemuz and wife Cathy, Rozel; daughter Melanie Lemuz and companion Linda Brickley, Broomfield, Colo.; sister Mickey Hicks, Iola; two brothers, Clayton Akers, Radium, and Robin Froetschner, Great Bend; two grandchildren, Taylor Lemuz and Cagney Lemuz, Rozel; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her father, J.D. Akers. Funeral will be at 3 p.m. Tuesday at the Beckwith Mortuary Chapel, Larned, with Pastor Ken Walker presiding. Friends may call from 1 to 8 p.m. today, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday and until service time Tuesday at the mortuary. Burial will be in the Larned cemetery, Larned. Memorials may be sent to the American Heart Association in care of Beckwith Mortuary Inc. Funeral arrangements by Beckwith Mortuary P.O. Box 477, 924 Main Street Larned, KS 67550
Donald L. Williams
1937 - 2006
Donald L. Williams, 69, of Great Bend, died March 1 at Cherry Village Nursing, Great Bend. He was born Jan. 25, 1937, at Sterling, the son of Henry David and Elsie Clara Goudy Williams. He married
Charlene C. Oetken on Feb. 23, 1980, at Larned. She died Jan. 18, 2006. A resident of Great Bend since 2000, formerly of Hutchinson and Larned, he was retired from the U.S. Marines and Army Reserve. He was a graduate of Sterling High School. Williams was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Great Bend. Survivors include four daughters, Kathy Weaver, Debra Miller and Velma Colorado, all of Lyons, and Anita Gates, Memphis, Tenn.; three stepsons, Steve Oetken, Great Bend, Bob Oetken, Sealy, Texas, and Charles Oetken, Larned; and one stepdaughter, Marcia French, Great Bend; two sisters, Glenna Williams, Tucson, Ariz., and Mildred Vaughn, Wichita; 15 grandchildren, eight step-grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren, seven step-great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. Memorial Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the church with the Rev. Ted Stoecklein officiating. Cremation has taken place. Inurnment will be in the Larned cemetery. Memorials may be sent to the church or the donor's choice, in care of Morell Funeral Home in Larned. Funeral arrangements provided by Morell Funeral Home P.O. Box 124, 1021 Broadway Larned, KS 67550-0124
