Obituaries in Kansas Newspapers (arranged by city)
William L. Norris
1924 - 2006
LARNED - William L. Norris, 81, died Friday at Oak Manor Nursing Home, Largo, Fla. He was born Aug. 6, 1924, in Erie, the son of James L. and Lelia Pearl Inman Norris. He married
Florence Mardell Augustine on Jan. 10, 1948, in Kansas City, Kan. He was a retired employee of the Skelly/Getty Oil Company and a resident of Larned after moving from Chase in 1964. Mr. Norris was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Larned. Survivors include his wife, one son Larry Norris Largo; five brothers, Kenneth J., Erie, Bernard T., Lynwood, Wash., and triplets Raymond E., Del City, Okla., Harold, Gerard, and Charles, both of Austin, Texas; twin sisters Loraine Westhoff, Walnut, and Loretta Guy, Mesilla Park, N.M.; one sister, Mildred Birzer, Ellinwood; three grandsons and three great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one daughter Susan Denise Norris. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at the Morell Funeral Home with the Rev. Bernard Felix presiding. Cremation took place. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the Alzheimer's Disease Association or Hospice of Florida Sun Coast both in care of the funeral home. Funeral Arrangements provided by Morell Funeral Home P.O. Box 124 Larned, KS. 67550
Helen Southern
1920 - 2006
HUTCHINSON - Helen Southern, 85, died April 12 at her home in the Hester Care Center at Wesley Towers in Hutchinson. She was born Dec. 18, 1920, at Portland, Ore., the daughter of Ernest C. Heidtbrink and Ida Elizabeth Seidenburg. She graduated from Washington High School and attended the University of Washington. She married
William S. Southern in October of 1942. He died March 20, 2001. A resident of Hutchinson since 2001, moving from Wichita in 1972 and formerly of Ellinwood from 1945-1972, and Portland, Ore., she worked at the Sedgwick County Treasurer's Office as a secretary and tax clerk. Mrs. Southern was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Wichita and served on the Altar Guild and taught Bible School. Survivors include one son, William S. Southern, Jr. of Hutchinson; two daughters, Joan Pivonka of Ellinwood and Nancy Southern of Deer Harbor, Wash.; and one brother, Bill Heidtbrink of Portland, Ore.; four grandchildren; and eight great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by two sisters, Esther Fort and Ruth Phipps. Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday in the chapel at Wesley Towers in Hutchinson with Art Maddock officiating. Burial will be held in Ellinwood at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Wesley Tower's Employee Scholarship Fund or a charity of the donor's choice. Funeral arrangements provided by Kimple Funeral Home 113 N. Main Ellinwood, KS 67526
Jonas Lane Morin
15 days
PAWNEE ROCK - Jonas Lane Morin died April 12 at Central Kansas Medical Center in Great Bend. He was born March 28, 2006. at Great Bend, the son of Jason C. and Heather G. Trimmer Morin. Survivors include his parents, Jason and Heather Morin of the home; three brothers, Drew Trimmer, Cole Morin and Ian Trimmer, all of the home. Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Monday at Pawnee Rock Christian Church in Pawnee Rock with the Rev. Don Paden officiating. Burial will be at the Pawnee Rock cemetery. There will be no visitation. Funeral arrangements provided by Bryant Funeral Home 1425 Patton Rd. Great Bend, KS. 67530
Jon Joseph Kunzelmann
1938 - 2006
ALBANY, Ore. - John died Saturday in Albany, Oregon. He was born in St. Joseph, Missouri, the son of Harold Peater and Kathryn Mary (Fulton) Kunzelmann. He moved to Great Bend, Kansas at three years of age and grew up there. He moved to Seattle, Washington in the mid 1960's and served in the Merchant Marines. He moved to Albany in 1968. John married
Judy Larsen on November 26, 1970 in Reno, Nevada. He was a member of the Catholic Church, the Eagles Lodge and American Legion, Post 10. He worked as a welder. He used to build dirt track race cars in Kansas. John is survived by his wife, Judy Kunzelmann of Albany, son and daughter-in-law, Erik and Deena Kunzelmann serving in the U.S. Navy, grandson, Kurt Kunzelmann and brother, Harold Peater Kunzelmann of Great Bend. Memorial services will be held later. Funeral arrangements provided by Fisher Funeral Home 306 SW Washington Albany, OR 97321
Bernadine M. Pahls
1920 - 2006
CAWKER CITY - Bernadine Margaret Baker was born September 5, 1920, at Marienthal, Kansas, at the home of her parents, Anton and Caecilia Baier Baker. She passed away on Friday, April 7, 2006, at the Long Term Care Unit of the Mitchell County Hospital in Beloit, Kansas, at the age of 85 years, 7 months, and 2 days. Bernadine was the oldest child of the large family. She grew up on a farm and ranch in rural Wichita County and was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church. She enjoyed music '“ playing guitar, and spending time with her sisters and brothers as she was growing up. She attended Marienthal Grade School before graduating from Leoti High School in the Class of 1940 after three years of course work. Following graduation, she worked as a bookkeeper for the Theo Boulware Hardware Company in Marienthal. After World War II, she met Edwin A. Pahls of Cawker City in 1946 at the Denver Stock Show at a ballroom dance. They were married
on August 20, 1946, at St. Mary's Church in Marienthal. Three sons and two daughters were born to this union. After their marriage, they lived in Leoti before moving to Cawker City in 1948. Bernadine and Edwin first settled on a farm South of Cawker City and soon moved to a farm West of Cawker City where they lived for the past fifty-four years. Bernadine enjoyed traditional farm life and worked hard raising hundreds of chickens every year and she always loved having a barn full of cats waiting for fresh milk for their dinner. But her favorite pets were her dogs, Lady, her Chihuahua, and Mitzi, a Brittany Spaniel. Bernadine loved sewing and was an accomplished seamstress, and she made most of the clothing for her children as they were growing up, everything from suits and prom dresses to quilts for her family. She also enjoyed cooking and canning and planted a large garden every summer. She enjoyed reading and music and loved to dance. Bernadine was a true farm wife and partner in farming with her husband Edwin, but most important to her was her faith in the Lord. She was a Past President of the Ladies Guild for Sts. Peter and Paul's Catholic Church at Cawker City, Kansas, and often gave rides to Mass for widows and elderly church members. She also helped the Sisters at St. Theresa's School with their wonderful Christmas Pageants each year, making costumes and even providing live animals for skits. She was a member of the Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church for the past fifty-four years, the Ladies Guild, the Legion Auxiliary, and the VFW Auxiliary. Bernadine and Edwin celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with their children, grandchildren, family members, and friends and relatives in August of 1996 at a dinner, dance, and reception. In September of 2000, Bernadine celebrated her 80th Birthday with a very special dinner planned by her sisters and they all traveled to Cawker City to be with her. Bernadine was preceded in death by her parents, a sister, Elizabeth Geyer and her husband Elmer Geyer, Jr., a brother-in-law, Louis Zellner, and infant brother and sister, Anthony and Pauline. She is survived by her husband, Edwin, of the home; three sons, Edwin Terrance and his wife Sue of Garden City, Dennis Raymond of Cawker City, and Galen Louis and his wife Jane of Jewell; two daughters, Janel Marie Rose and her husband David of Great Bend, and Faye Ann Caecilia Toepfer of Fenton Missouri. She is also survived by six sisters, Marguerite Zellner, Mary Ann Winter and husband Joseph, Florence Zellner and her husband Joseph, Celine Wimmer and here husband Jack, Imelda Smith and her husband Gerald, and Inella Scheffe and her husband Clyde, all of Marienthal. Her surviving brothers are Joseph Baker and wife Virginia of Washington, Kansas, Louis Baker and wife Betty of Marienthal, and Bernard Baker and wife Theresa of Colby. Her grandchildren are Mike and Laura Pahls, Garden City, Nathan and Marisa Rose, Great Bend, and Katelyn, Gabriel, and Nicholas Pahls of Jewell. Additional survivors are step-grandchildren Rachel Chapman of Hays, and Angie Williams of Cimarron, and four step-great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends. The funeral service was held on Monday, April 10, at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Cawker City, Kansas, with interment at Sts. Peter and Paul cemetery. Memorials are to the church. Arrangements were by McDonald-Roberts Funeral Service, Beloit, Kansas.
Jo May Bowsher
1909 - 2006
Jo May Bowsher, 96, died April 12 at Cherry Village Nursing Home in Great Bend. She was born Sept. 13, 1909, in Ardmore, Okla., the daughter of Alfred C. and Olive M. (Brown) Burwell. She married
Forest 'Smitty' Wendell Smith in 1942. He passed away July 5, 1963. She then married
Don Bowsher, Sr. on July 21, 1972. He passed away Oct. 30, 1983. She was a resident of Great Bend. Jo May graduated from Phillips University with a Masters Degree in Education. Jo May was a teacher for 42 1/2 years. She taught in Enid, Oklahoma from 1928 - 1947. Liberal, Kansas from 1947 - 1951. And in Great Bend from 1951 - 1972. She was a member of First Congregational United Church of Christ, Great Bend, Kansas, Retired Teachers Association, National Teachers, Afternoon Circle Portia Club, Past Member of Delta Kappa Gamma and American Association of University Women. Survivors include one step-son, Don Bowsher, Jr. of Great Bend; two step-daughters, Betty Yetschke of Great Bend, and Vickie Cole of Hays; one niece, Nancy Filson of Springfield, Ill.; and one nephew, Don C. Conner of Dale City, Va. She was preceded in death by her parents, three sisters, Marjorie Wilson, Betty Conner, and Rose Mary Burwell; and one stepdaughter, Sherry Barnette. Memorial Graveside services will be at 2 p.m., Monday, April 17, 2006, at the Enid cemetery, Enid, Oklahoma, with the Pastor Wes Byrd officiating. Memorials are suggested to the American Cancer Society in care of Charter Funerals. Funeral arrangements provided by Charter Funerals 2115 Washington Great Bend, KS 67530
Nancy Lou Nelson
1953 - 2006
Nelson, Nancy Lou, 53, of Great Bend, Great Bend Tribune delivery employee, died Tuesday, April 11, 2006 at the Robert J. Dole Veterans Administration Transitional Living Center in Wichita. Nancy was born January 4, 1953 in Ellsworth, Kan., to Norman and Victoria (Peterson) Nelson. Nancy served in the US Army from 1974 to 1977. Survivors include: Son, Richard Dickerson of Great Bend; daughter, Anita Smith of Denver, Colo.; brothers, Rusty Nelson of Canby, Ore., Ron Nelson of Newton, Kan., Rick Nelson of California and Mitch Monday of New York; sister, Denise Jordan of Dodge City, Kan.; and five grandchildren. A memorial service will be held on Friday, April 14, 2006, at the Concordia Lutheran Church, 460 W. 9th Street, Hoisington, Kan. Military honors, provided by the United States Army Honor Guard, will follow the service at the church. Cremation has been effected. Funeral arrangements provided by Advantage Funeral & Cremation Services 4408 W. Central Ave. Wichita, KS 67212
Jerry E. Felkel
1934 - 2006
Jerry E. Felkel age 71, of Great Bend, Kansas, died April 10, 2006, at Hutchinson Hospital, Hutchinson, Kan., of a prolonged pulmonary infection illness complicated with an upper respiratory infection. Jerry was born July 16, 1934, in Dodge City, Kan., the son of Gene and Florence (Gaunt) Felkel. Jerry attended Dodge City High School and Dodge City Community College. He was very active in football, basketball and baseball. He moved to Great Bend where he self taught a career in electrical engineering beginning with the then named regional utility Western Power and Gas. He continued his service through 40 plus years working in a variety of positions including Vice President of Transmission and Distribution as the company transformed from being a local utility to becoming a subsidiary of a central corporation based in Chicago. After his retirement and until his death Jerry continued to serve the power industry as a consultant advising on issues ranging from wind and solar energy to nuclear power. Jerry taught a variety of electrical classes for the Adult Evening Division at Barton County Community College from 1970 to 1991. He then began teaching again in 2003 and 2004; teaching customized electrical classes including basic Electricity, Electrical Training, Technical Math and DC Electric. Jerry was a member of the Great Bend Kiwanis for over 20 years serving as President along with various community projects including the Bicycle Races for youths. He also was active in Big Brother/Big Sisters, the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the Southwest Power Pool. Jerry and his fiancee Shirley participated in Biking Across Kansas for several years from 1994 through 2005. He is survived by: One son Stephen Felkel of Pittsburg, Penn.; one daughter Brenda Seidel of Tulsa, Okla.; Fiancee Shirley Gingerich of Dodge City, Kan.; one brother John Felkel of San Bernandino, Calif.; two grandchildren, Thomas and Jacob; nieces and nephew, Carly, Kim, Shelli, Kerri, Lauri, and Gregg; and his aunts, Carol Jean Felkel and Mildred Furse. Jerry is preceded in death by his parents, and brother Joseph. A Memorial service will be Friday, April 14, 2006, at 9 a.m. at Mariah Hills Golf Course Club House basement, Dodge City, Kan. In Leiu of flowers memorials may be given to Barton County Community College Foundation in care of Garnand Funeral Home. Funeral arrangements provided by Garnand Funeral Home 405 W. Grant Ave. Ulysses, KS 67880
Vera Eileen Ewalt
1926 - 2006
Vera Eileen Ewalt, died at her home on April 11, 2006, in McPherson, Kan. She was born April 29, 1926, in Ness County, Kan., the daughter of Burton Irvan Sr. and Mary Marie (Sears) McJunkin. She graduated in 1943 from Bazine High School, Bazine, Kan. On July 30, 1949, she married
John Howard Ewalt in Great Bend. He survives. Other survivors include her children; John R. Ewalt, (Caroline), Patrick Ewalt (Elaine), Candy Sikkink (John), Max Ewalt (Christine), grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and a brother Ivar McJunkin. She is preceded in death by siblings, Gladys, Mabel, Floyd, Hazel, Reina, Maurice, infant boy, Burton, Rex, and Ivan. Vera lived in Great Bend, Arvada, Colo., and McPherson. She was a homemaker and a really good one. She also enjoyed her pet Chihuahuas, reading, and the Denver Broncos. Memorial services will be held at 6 p.m. today at the Wheatland Baptist Church, 1139 McKinley, McPherson. Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at Crandell Union cemetery, Ness County. In Lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Hospice Care of Kansas, 3154 N. Main, McPherson, or Evelyn Hess Scholarship, in care of Memorial Hospital, 1000 Hospital Drive, McPherson. Funeral arrangements provided by Heritage Funeral Home 528 N Main Hutchinson, KS. 67501
Gene F. Juno
1945 - 2006
GARDEN CITY - Gene F. Juno, 61, died on Monday, April 10, 2006, at St. Catherine Hospital in Garden City. He was born on Feb. 12, 1945, in Great Bend, the son of Frank and Anna (Schneider) Juno. He graduated from La Crosse High School, received his Bachelor of Arts degree from St. Mary's College in Dodge City, and his MBA degree from Fort Hays State University. He also attended the University of Arkansas and Emporia State University. Gene taught at Dodge City Community College, was business manager at Trinity Hospital in Dodge City and at Galveston County Hospital in Texas City, Texas, and as hospital administrator at St. Joseph Hospital in Larned. He worked as business manager at car dealerships in Dodge City, Texas City, Texas, and Fort Worth, Texas. A Garden City resident since 1989, Gene was business manager at Automart until his health caused him to retire. He received a heart transplant at Via Christi St. Francis Hospital in Wichita on Holy Saturday, March 30, 1991. Throughout his retirement, he spent many hours doing volunteer work for various organizations including Midwest Organ Transplant of Wichita and Terrace Garden Care Center of Garden City and the Knights of Columbus. He served on the Dodge City Diocese Council and St. Dominic Catholic Church Parish Council. He became an Associate of the Dominican Sisters of Great Bend in 2005. Gene founded the Retirement Center Movie Committee in 1996. Hundreds of nursing home residents were able to have a special outing to see a movie and enjoy popcorn and a Coke at the Sequoia Theater because of his efforts. He enjoyed time with his family and friends. His hobbies were drawing up house plans, working on the computer, and collecting car brochures. His greatest joy was the time spent with his grandchildren. On Aug. 19, 1968, Gene married
JoAnn McCarthy in Hays. She survives. Other survivors include his mother, Anna Juno of Garden City; his daughter, Danna Mustard of Garden City; his son, Gene Juno, Jr. of Kalvesta; and two grandsons, Justin Juno and Devyn Mustard, both of Garden City. He was preceded in death by his father, and by his sister, Mary Ann Juno, who died shortly after birth. Vigil service and rosary will be held at 6:30 p.m. today at St. Dominic Catholic Church in Garden City. Funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, April 13, at St. Dominic Catholic Church in Garden City with Father Joseph Bahr presiding. Burial will follow at Valley View cemetery in Garden City. Memorials are suggested to St. Dominic Catholic Church or to the Dominican Sisters of Great Bend, both in care of Garnand Funeral Home of Garden City. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. today at Garnand Funeral Home of Garden City. Funeral arrangements provided by Garnand Funeral Home 412 N. 7th St. Garden City, KS 67846
Jerry Dean Bosack
1959 - 2006
ALDEN - Jerry Dean Bosack, 46, died April 9 at Lyons District Hospital in Lyons. He was born April 26, 1959, in Cadilac, Mich., the son of Cecil Gordan and Corine Mildred Boyer Bosack. He married
Penny Lynn Crawford on Aug. 21, 1982, in Manton, Mich. A resident of Alden for three months, formerly of Michigan, he was a construction laborer. Survivors include his wife, Penny Lynn Bosack of the home; two sons, Cecil Edward Bosack and Matt Lee Bosack, both of the home; one daughter, Cory Marie Bosack of the home; three brothers, Wayne Bosack of Great Bend, Gary Bosack of Cadilac, Mich., and Gordon Bosack of Lake City, Mich.; and three sisters, Beverly Sutton of Manton, Mich., Linda Barber of Cadilac, Mich., and Lois Mishler of Branch, Mich. Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Sillin Funeral Home in Lyons with the Rev. Gary Karas officiating. Burial will be at a later date. Visitation will be Friday from 11 a.m. to service time at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the children's education fund in care of the funeral home.
Lawrence E. Reif
1919 - 2006
HOISINGTON - He died unexpectedly Saturday afternoon, April 8, 2006, at Clara Barton Hospital in Hoisington, due to heart failure. Lawrence was born Oct. 3, 1919, at Odin. He was the son of Alois F. and Anna M. Hitschmann Reif. He married
Mathilda H. Rziha on Oct. 6, 1947. He was a farmer and stockman. Larry attended Odin Grade School. He attended high school at St. Joseph Military Academy, and Jr. College at Hays. Larry was a veteran of World War II serving in the Aleutian Theater. He was a member of the Hoisington Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Great Bend American Legion. He was a current member of St. John Catholic Church in Hoisington. Before moving to Hoisington in 1995, he was a member of the Holy Family Church of Odin. He served on the Holy Family Church Committee, Odin Grand Knights for five years and was president of the Holy Family cemetery Committee. He was the president of the Odin Parents and Teachers Association, and served on the school board of Odin School District 54. He was vice president and director for Farmers State Bank in Beaver. Larry was an agent, director and secretary/treasurer for Farmers Mutual Insurance Company in Ellinwood. He loved playing cards, a good game of baseball and bowling with the guys on Thursday nights. He is survived by his wife of the home, a daughter Susan, her husband Ron and their two children Kyle and Kristi Jensen of Odin; his son Tim, his wife Sheryl and their children Hayley Reif, step grandchildren Cherie and Kenny Empey of Plano, Texas; his brothers Frank of Cunningham, Tony of Claflin and his sister Geraldine of Great Bend. He was preceded in death by his two infant sisters Maria and Virginia; Emma Prossor and Irene Polzin; and his brother Monsignor Steve Reif. Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. today at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Hoisington with Father Pascal Klein officiating. Burial will be at Holy Family cemetery in Odin with Military Graveside Committal Rites conducted by American Legion Post No. 286 and V.F.W. Post No. 7428, both of Hoisington. Memorials are suggested Odin cemetery Fund and to the Holy Family cemetery Fund in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home. Funeral arrangements provided by Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home 415 N. Main / P.O. Box 146 Hoisington, KS 67530
William 'Bill' George Jones
1934 - 2006
William 'Bill' George Jones, 71, of Great Bend, died April 9 at Kansas Heart Hospital in Wichita. He was born July 29, 1934, at Great Bend, the son of William Jefferson and Willa Mae 'Billie' Pfister Jones. He married
Mary E. Cook on Oct. 8, 1955, at Edgerton, Mo. He was an owner and operator of Bill Jones Welding and M & B Trucking and Supply. He was a lifetime resident of Great Bend. Survivors include his wife of the home; one son, Donald Jones of Great Bend; three daughters, Kathy Ward, Karen Hickel and Lisa Jones, all of Great Bend; one sister, Velda Roberts of Tonganoxie; three grandchildren; five step-grandchildren; and 10 step-great-grandchildren. Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Bryant Funeral Home in Great Bend. Burial will be at the Great Bend cemetery. No visitation as cremation has taken place. Memorials are suggested to the Great Bend Humane Society, Kansas Oil and Gas Museum and American Lung Association in care of the funeral home. Funeral arrangements provided by Bryant Funeral Home 1425 Patton Rd. Great Bend, KS 67530
Christopher A. Hildenbrand
1921 - 2006
HUTCHINSON - Christopher A. Hildenbrand, 84, died April 9 at Hutchinson Hospital. He was born Dec. 23, 1921, at Kinsley, the son of Christopher and Fern Keith Hildenbrand. He graduated from Great Bend High School in 1940; Yankton College in Yankton, S.D., in 1945 with a B.A. in social studies; Fort Hays State in 1965 with a M.A. in English. He married
Mary Duba in 1944. He married
Kathleen Hirsch on Feb. 25, 1968, in Wichita. A resident of Hutchinson for 21 years, he was a retired teacher who taught American and world history, English and journalism; coached football, basketball, track and cross country; facilitated secondary gifted students; and served as a teacher and administrator in Minnesota and South Dakota. He taught at Kinsley, Ellinwood, Kingman and Greeley, Colo. High Schools; High Plains and Reno County Educational Co-ops; Dodge City, Lamar, Garden City and Colby Community Colleges. He also worked for the Great Bend Daily Tribune, Great American Life Ins., Financial Industrial Fund and as an independent professional photographer. Hildenbrand was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church; Ancient Free and Accepted Masons; past high priest of the Royal Arch Masons; past commander of St. Omar Commandery; served on the Great Bend Library Board; was deacon of United Church of Christ; former chairman of the Sports Committee of Great Bend Chamber of Commerce; and past president of the Great Bend Junior Chamber of Commerce. In 1957 he was awarded Outstanding Young Man of the Year by the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce. He was a member of Hutchinson Downtown Kiwanis Club; United Methodist Men; Seeker's Sunday School Class and Sunday school teacher, all of the church. Survivors include his wife of the home and one daughter, Star Celeste Hildenbrand of Wichita. He was preceded in death by his parents and step-mother, Blanche Hildenbrand. Funeral will at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday at Trinity United Methodist Church with Rev. Nick Warner officiating. A private family burial will be held at a later date. Friends may call from 5 to 9 p.m. today at Elliott Mortuary. Memorials are suggested to the church in care of the mortuary. Funeral arrangements provided by Elliott Mortuary 1219 N. Main Hutchinson, KS 67501
