Obituaries in Kansas Newspapers (arranged by city)
Terri Lynn (Sanders) Kowalsky
1950 - 2006
ELLINWOOD - Terri Lynn (Sanders) Kowalsky died peacefully at home on July 15. A long-time resident of Barton County, she was born July 10, 1950, in Hays, to Don L. and Agnes (Karlin) Sanders. After graduating from Great Bend High School in 1968, Terri worked for the State of Kansas Department of Motor Vehicles. In 1971, she married
Kenneth Kowalsky of Ellinwood, who survives her, along with their two sons Kevin Kowalsky of Hutchinson and Kyle Kowalsky of the home. Terri devoted her life to family, spending the last 30 years exclusively caring for her son Kyle at home, despite the demands of his autism. Her patience and dedication have always been an inspiration to others. Terri is survived by a large and loving family: parents Don and Agnes Sanders; sister Sheila Helm and her husband Mark Helm; brothers John Sanders, and Mike Sanders and his wife Jeanette, all of Great Bend, and Richard of Roanoke, Texas; and sister Julia Novak and her husband Phillip Novak of Pleasant Hill, Calif. She is also survived by nieces Rachel and Sara Linenberger, and Cyandra Sanders, all of Great Bend; niece Takowa Sanders of Wichita; nephew Trevor Sanders of Canon City, Colo.; nieces Katia and Zoe Novak of Pleasant Hill, Calif.; niece Jannea Sanders Wright and husband Chris Wright; grandniece Katie Wright of Arlington, Texas, and nephew J. Michael Sanders and wife Marian of Dallas, Texas. She was preceded in death by her grandparents Peter and Julia Sander of Victoria and Frank and Elizabeth Karlin of Catherine. Memorial service will be at 10:30 a.m. on Friday at Bryant Funeral Home in Great Bend, with Father Reginald A. Urban officiating. There will be a private family inurnment at Hillcrest Memorial Park in Great Bend. Memorials are suggested to the Catholic Community of Great Bend or the Terri Kowalsky Memorial Fund for the benefit of autistic children. Funeral arrangements provided by Bryant Funeral Home 1425 Patton Rd. Great Bend, KS 67530
Mary Louise Schmidt
1925 - 2006
Mary Louise Schmidt, 81, formerly of Great Bend, died July 16, at her residence in Salina. She was born April 4, 1925, at Hays, the daughter of John and Cecilia Brull Hertel. She married
John Peter Schmidt on Nov. 17, 1948, at Hays. He died on Jan. 7, 2004. She was a homemaker and a home day care provider. She was a resident of Salina for two years, coming from Great Bend, where she had lived since 1952, and from Hays. Mrs. Schmidt was a member of the Catholic Community of Great Bend at St. Rose, and the Altar Society. Survivors include one son, Rick Schmidt, Shawnee, Okla.; two daughters, Sharon Smythe and husband Harlan, Salina, and Sheila Schmidt and significant other Clark E. Boeken, San Antonio, Texas; step-brother Donald Hertel, Hays; eight grandchildren, Angela Copeland and husband Nathan, Amber Patterson and husband Craig, Brandon Smythe, Brianna Smythe, Clark Boeken, Kristine Schmidt, Keith Schmidt and Devon Schmidt; and five great-grandchildren, Nashon Copeland, Dayton Copeland, Jadon Copeland, Riley Patterson and Javon Schmidt. She was preceded in death by her parents, step-mother Clementine Fross Hertel, and step-brother Ronald Hertel. Altar Society Rosary will be at 4 p.m. today and Vigil Service at 7 p.m., both at Bryant Funeral Home in Great Bend. Funeral will be at 10 a.m. on Wednesday at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Great Bend, with Father Wesley Schawe officiating. Interment will follow at 2:30 p.m. at St. Catherine cemetery in Catherine, with Father Earl Befort presiding. Friends may call from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. today at Bryant Funeral Home. Memorials are suggested to Cystinosis Research Network or Hospice of Salina, in care of the funeral home. Funeral arrangements provided by Bryant Funeral Home 1425 Patton Road Great Bend, KS 67530
Louis D. Kottmann
1918 - 2006
LYONS - Louis D. Kottmann, 88, died July 15 at HCA Wesley Medical Center in Wichita. He was born April 15, 1918, at Ellsworth, the son of Daniel H. and Anna L. Vladar Kottmann. A longtime Lyons resident, he was a retired industrial chemist from American Salt Corporation. He was a 1941 Kansas State University graduate with a degree in chemistry. Kottmann was a member of First Baptist Church, past First Baptist Church moderator, boys Sunday School teacher and choir director, and past USD No. 405 Lyons School Board member, all of Lyons. He married
Helen E. Rolfs on June 2, 1940, at Lorraine. She died Jan. 27, 2004. Survivors include one son, Louis Kottmann Jr. and wife Mary of Great Bend; two daughters, Elizabeth 'Liz' Miller and husband Bob of Scott City and Mary Lynn 'Lyn' Britton and husband David of Viroqua, Wis.; sister, Doris McBride of Manistee, Mich.; 12 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one daughter Margaret A. Dix; a granddaughter, Kimberly Kottmann; and a great-grandson, James Edward Cupp. Funeral will be at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday at First Baptist Church, Taylor and Dinsmore Ave., Lyons, with the Rev. Gary Karas officiating. Burial will be at the Lyons Municipal cemetery. Friends may call from 2 to 7 p.m. today at Sillin Funeral Home in Lyons. Memorials are suggested to First Baptist Church in Lyons in care of the funeral home. Funeral arrangements provided by Sillin Funeral Home 214 West Ave. South Lyons, KS 67554
Vergil G. Simmons
1917 - 2006
SALINA - Vergil G. Simmons, 88, of Salina, died July 16. Mr. Simmons was born Vergil Glenn on Nov. 27, 1917, in Banner County, Neb. He was a cowboy/auto mechanic/carpenter. Mr. Simmons was in the United States Army, serving in World War II. He was stationed at Fort Benning, Ga., and was a guard at the Japanese Prisoner Of War camp in the Allutian Islands. He enjoyed gardening, doing handywork, and volunteering at his church. He was preceded in death by his wife, Donna Jeanne Irvine in 1979. Survivors include two daughters, Deb Weishaar and husband Jeff of Salina, and Beth Simmons of McPherson; and four grandchildren, Adam, Alec, Alyse and Annie Weishaar of Salina. Funeral services will be 10 a.m. on Wednesday at the Christ Cathedral Episcopal Church in Salina. Bishop Right Reverend James Adams, Jr. and Dean Emeritis Timothy E. Kline will officiate. Inurnment will be at 10 a.m. on July 24 at the Mitchell cemetery in Mitchell, Neb. Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. today with family receiving friends from 6 to 8 p.m. at Ryan Mortuary in Salina. Memorials are suggested to the Christ Cathedral Youth Playground Fund. Funeral arrangements provided by Ryan Mortuary, Inc. 137 N. Eighth Street Salina, KS 67401
Marvin D. Basye
1935-2006
STAFFORD - Marvin D. Basye, 70, died July 13 at his home in rural Stafford. He was born Sept. 30, 1935 at Kanopolis, the son of Richard George and Viola (Kempke) Basye, both deceased. He attended both Hitchman and Holyrood schools. He married
Eunice (Brack), now Dreher in Hoisington on Oct. 23, 1955. She survives in Great Bend. He married
Pamela (McAfee) King at St. John on Dec. 5, 1980. She survives of the home. He was a resident of Stafford since 1966 coming from Hoisington. He was a retired owner/operator of Bayse Well Service in Stafford Mr. Bayse was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church and River Bend Country Club, both of Brownsville, Texas. He was a member of the Stafford Country Club in Stafford. Survivors include his wife Pamela Bayse of the home; mother Velma (Anderson) Bayse of Great Bend; son Aaron King and wife Lisa of Hutchinson; four daughters, Kim Hessman of Newton, Gina Gould and husband Steve of Cheney, Amy Harris and husband Jami of Stafford, April Green and husband Darren of Nickerson; seven brothers Dick of Hoisington, Lewis of Smithville Mo., Del of Kemp, Texas, Jim of Cassville, Mo., Ronnie of Waco, Texas, Dennis of Sedwick, Garlan of Alvin, Texas; two sisters, Janet Stephens of Fairfax, Okla., Jan Martin of Larned, 12 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a son Bryon 'Butch' Bayse, and two sisters, Roxie and Alissa Bayse. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Monday at Minnis Chapel in Stafford with Rev. Eric Taylor presiding. Burial will be in the Stafford cemetery. Visitation will be from 1 - 8 p.m. today at the Chapel. Memorials are suggested to USD 349 Educational Foundation in care of the funeral home. Funeral arrangements provided by Minnis Chapel, Inc 125 North Main Stafford, KS 67578
Terri Lynn (Sanders) Kowalsky
1950 - 2006
ELLINWOOD -Terri Lynn (Sanders) Kowalsky, 56, died July 15 at her residence in Ellinwood. Arrangements are pending with Bryant Funeral Home. Frank Dale Keeslar 1962 - 2006
SILVER SPRINGS, Fla. - Frank Dale Keeslar, 43, died Saturday, July 8, at Munroe Regional Medical Center in Ocala, Fla. He was born Nov. 15, 1962 in Monet, MO to Ruth (Dringmann) & Don Keeslar. He moved from Larned and Great Bend area to Silver Springs Fla., 30 years ago. Survivors include his wife, Tammy Keeslar, Silver Springs; sister, LaVeta Miller, Larned; and brothers, Mike Romo, Great Bend, Don Keeslar Jr., Bill Romo, Lee Basgall, Dale Basgall all of Larned and Brian Johnson, Lawrence. All Faiths Cremation Society, The Villages of Lady Lake, Florida provided information. Private services are being held by the family. Memorials are suggested in lieu of flowers to the donor's choice. Frank suffered from diabetes, failing eye sight, kidney and heart problems. Funeral Arrangements provided by All Faiths Cremation Society 2 La Grande Blvd. The Villages, Florida 32159
Wilma Ann Boyer
1931 - 2006
Wilma Ann Boyer, 75, of Great Bend died July 13 at Central Kansas Medical Center in Great Bend. She was born April 19, 1931, at Hoisington, the son of John and Katherine Zimmerman Herdt. She married
Fred Boyer on Nov. 26, 1953, at Hoisington. He died Nov. 21, 1980. She was a homemaker and a lifetime resident of Barton County. Mrs. Boyer was a member of First Assembly of God Church in Great Bend. Survivors include two sons, Bill Boyer of Springfield, Mass., and Norman Boyer of Great Bend; one sister, Elsie Eagles of Hutchinson; three grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one son, Edward Leon Boyer; three brothers, Elmer Herdt, Herman Herdt and Leonard Herdt; and three sisters, Leona Marie Herdt, Lenora Irene Herdt, and Thelma Lane. Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Monday at First Assembly of God Church in Great Bend with the Rev. Dwight D. Dozier officiating. Burial will be at the Hoisington cemetery. Visitation will be Sunday from 1 to 9 p.m. at Bryant Funeral Home in Great Bend. Memorials are suggested to the church in care of the funeral home. Funeral arrangements provided by Bryant Funeral Home 1425 Patton Rd. Great Bend, KS 67530
Lloyd Wayburn Bryant
1926 - 2006
ELLINWOOD - Lloyd Wayburn Bryant, 79, died July 12 at his home in Ellinwood. He was born Nov. 1, 1926 at Ellinwood, the son of Delbert W. and Alice Burchart Bryant. He was a 1944 Ellinwood High School graduate and went to Electronics School in Omaha, Neb. He married
Dolores Keenan on Nov. 24, 1949, at Seward. A long time Ellinwood resident, formerly of Omaha, Neb., Denver, Colo., and Lee's Summit, Mo. He was employed by RCA Service Company, Western Electric and owner of Bryant TV and Radio in Ellinwood and owner of Riverside Petroleum. Mr. Bryant was a member of American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars both of Ellinwood. He was a World War II Army Air Corps veteran serving from 1946 to 1948. Survivors include his wife, Dolores Bryant of the home; two sons, Robert Bryant of Poulsvo, Wash., and Patrick Bryant of Derby; one daughter, Cindy Hoss of Overland Park; one mother, Alice Bryant of Ellinwood; one brother, Ralph Bryant of Hutchinson; one sister, Delores Koehn of Newton; five grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Virgil and Clarence Bryant. Funeral will be at 3 p.m. Saturday at Immanuel United Church of Christ in Ellinwood with the Rev. Larry Young and Rev. Charles Mazouch officiating. Burial will be at the Lakin-Comanche District cemetery in Ellinwood. Friends may call today from 3 to 8 p.m. at Kimple Funeral Home in Ellinwood. Memorials are suggested to the St. Joseph's School Endowment in Ellinwood. Funeral arrangements provided by Kimple Funeral Home 113 N. Main Ellinwood, KS 67526
Loren R. Nairn
1927 - 2006
Loren R. Nairn, 78, of Great Bend died July 11 at his home in Great Bend. He was born Oct. 24, 1927, at Barton County, the son of John L. and Blanche S. Ewing Nairn. A lifetime resident of Barton County, he was a custodian for the Holiday Inn. Mr. Nairn was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Great Bend. Survivors include two brothers, John Wendell Nairn of Arroyo Grande, Calif., and Nolan (Gene) Nairn of Great Bend; and one sister, Elva Petz of Lenexa. He was preceded in death by one brother, Darrell L. Nairn; and five sisters, Fern Walden, Violetta Schwagger, Doris Unruh, Winifred Pierce and Willa Smith. Graveside service will be at 9 a.m. Monday at the Great Bend cemetery with the Rev. William F. Johnson officiating. Visitation will be from 1 to 9 p.m. Sunday at Bryant Funeral Home in Great Bend. Memorials are suggested to the First United Methodist Church or First Christian Church Building Fund in care of the funeral home. Funeral arrangements provided by Bryant Funeral Home 1425 Patton Rd. Great Bend, KS 67560
Betty Ruth Campbell
1932 - 2006
Betty Ruth Campbell, 74, of Great Bend died July 13, at the Kansas City Hospice House. She was born February 14, 1932, in Oil City, Okla., the daughter of Tulla Fay and Helen (Wolfe) Brown. She married
David Ray Campbell on Feb. 17, 1952 at Yuma, Ariz. He preceded her in death on Sept. 21, 2003. She worked for 35 years at AT&T, Southwestern Bell, and others, retiring in 1989. She was a longtime resident of Great Bend. Survivors include three sons, James Campbell of Independence, Mo., Michael Campbell, and Billy Campbell, both of Great Bend; one brother, Carol A. Brown of Salem, Ill.; and five grandchildren. Graveside services will be 10 a.m. Monday at the Hoisington cemetery, Hoisington. There will be no visitation. Memorials are suggested to the Great Bend Humane Society in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home. Funeral arrangements provided by Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home 415 North Main Hoisington, KS. 67544
Mary Agnes Yarmer
1927 - 2006
OLMITZ - Mary Agnes Yarmer, 78, died July 12 at her home in Olmitz. She was born August 24, 1927, in Albert, the daughter of Joseph F. and Stephania (Bahr) Gleissner. She married
Milton Yarmer on May 26, 1948, at Olmitz. She was a homemaker and lifetime resident of Barton County. Mrs. Yarmer was member of St. Ann Catholic Church and the Altar Society in Olmitz. Survivors include her husband Milton of the home; son Melvin Yarmer and wife Donave of Albert; daughter Marlene Hassenplug and husband Michael, of South Coffeyville, Okla.; son Maurice Yarmer and wife Julie, of Galatia; son Michael Yarmer and Sonja of Albert; sisters Margaret Mix, of Great Bend, Mathilda Prusa of Salina, and Marilyn Degenhardt of Great Bend; 12 grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by two brothers, Joseph and Martin Gleissner. Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the church with Father Ultan Murphy officiating. Wake service will be at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home in Hoisington. Burial will be at St. Ann cemetery in Olmitz. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. today, and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the St. Ann Catholic Church or Otis Emergency Medical Services in care of the funeral home. Funeral arrangements provided by Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home 415 North Main Hoisington, KS. 67544 620-653-4165
J. B.'Buck' Mason
1929 - 2006
BURDETT - J. B. 'Buck' Mason, 77, died July 9 at Burdett. He was born May 5, 1929, at Avant, Okla., the son of Albert and Alice Morris Mason. A resident of Burdett, he was a retired U.S. Air Force Weather Forecaster and later sold real estate. Mason was a member of Veterans Foreign Wars. Post 7271 and American Legion, both of Larned. Survivors include three daughters, Kathy Mostrom and Glenda Schmidt, both of Burdett, and Margaret Hall of Sonora, Calif.; two brothers; one sister; 12 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; three sons, Gary, Michael and Raymond Mason; five brothers; and two sisters. Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at Morell Funeral Home in Larned with the Rev. Roger Alford officiating. Burial will be at a later date in Avant, Okla. Memorials are suggested to the Burdett Emergency Medical Service in care of the funeral home. Funeral arrangements provided by Morell Funeral Home P.O. Box 124 Larned, KS 67550
Terri Lynn Anderson
WICHITA - Terri Lynn Anderson, 34, died July 10. She was a Certified Nurse Aide. Survivors include her parents, Rudy and Lynda Anderson; her children, Kristopher Charles Paul Anderson, Alexandria Mae-Pauline Anderson; and two brothers, Gary Earl and William 'Billy' Charles Anderson. She was preceded in death by her grandparents, two uncles and two aunts. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Friday with visitation from 5 to 8 p.m. tomorrow both at Lakeview Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Terri Lynn Anderson Trust Fund, benefiting her children in care of Emprise Bank. Funeral arrangements provided by Lakeview Funeral Home 12100 E. 13th St. Wichita, KS 67206
Herbert H. 'Herbie' Bender
1915 - 2006
RUSSELL - Herbert H. 'Herbie' Bender, 91, of Russell, died Monday morning, July 10, 2006, at his residence. Herbert was born May 2, 1915, on the family farm south of Russell, the son of Henry, Jr. and Lena (Bender) Bender. He grew up south of town and attended a country school. He left school and started working with his dad on the family farm. He was united in marriage to Viola Esther Mai on Sept. 19, 1937, at the Bender Hill Church. They lived near Milberger from 1937 to 1980 when they moved to Russell. Herbert was a farmer by trade, but he also worked with his father and brother at a construction business out of Great Bend. During the off season of farming he worked on the bridges when the state was building I-70. He worked with Don Michel painting homes in the area. After he moved to town he started working at St. John Lutheran Church as a custodian for over 16 years, retiring in 1996. He was a member of the St. John Lutheran Church, Germans from Russia, and the Lincoln Township School Board. When the Bender Hill Blue Jays played in Russell, Herbert and Viola would run the concession stand. He enjoyed refinishing furniture, gardening, being in the outdoors and taking long walks. He also was an avid fan of the Kansas City Royals and the Atlanta Braves. Herbert's surviving family includes his son, Gerald Bender of Russell; two daughters, Lois Cave of Marysville, Wash. and Eileene Bender of Topeka, sister, Helen Maier of Hays; and one granddaughter, Alicia Cave. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Viola on March 5, 2002; three brothers, Thelmer, Albert and Hubert; and two sisters, Thelma Brack and Leah Stoffel. Funeral services are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Friday at St. John Lutheran Church. Pastor Peter Rupprecht is officiating the service. Interment will follow at the Russell City cemetery. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell. The family will be present to receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the mortuary. Memorials have been established with the South Wind Hospice and St. John Lutheran Church. Contributions and condolences may be left with Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, which is assisting the family with the arrangements. Funeral arrangements provided by Pohlman - Varner - Peeler Mortuary 610 N. Maple Russell, KS 67665
Waldean Walter Schwien
1924 - 2006
RUSSELL - Waldean Walter Schwien, 81 of Russell died Saturday, July 08, 2006, at the Hays Medical Center in Hays, Kan. Waldean was born Dec. 3, 1924, on the family farm near Russell, the son of Sigmund and Lydia (Bender) Schwien. He grew up near Russell and attended the Roosevelt school. Waldean was united in marriage to Helen W. Karst on June 17, 1945, in the Bender Hill Trinity Lutheran Church. Waldean was a farmer and stockman his whole life. He also was the manager and band leader for the Dutch Masters for over 30 years. Waldean was a member of the St. John Lutheran Church of Russell. He was baptized on Jan. 11, 1925, and confirmed on May 28, 1939. He was also a member of the Eagle Club in Great Bend, the Elks Lodge of Russell and the Midwest Polka Club. He loved farming, hunting, fishing, dirt track racing and any activity that involved a grandchild or great grandchild. Waldean's surviving family include his wife of 61 years, Helen, of the home; children, Ginger Tittel and husband Ronnie, John Schwien and wife Bonnie, and James Schwien and wife Gloria, all of Russell; brother, Larry Schwien and wife Norma, of Russell; sisters, Thelma Dumler and Betty Ann Radke and her husband Hubert all of Russell; six grandchildren, five step-grandchildren; three great grandchildren, six step-great grandchildren and one great-great granddaughter. He was preceded in death by his parents, and one sister, Viola Bender. Funeral services are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. today at the St. John's Lutheran Church. Pastor Peter Rupprecht will be conducting the service. Interment will follow at the Russell City cemetery. A memorial has been established with the St. John's Lutheran Church of Russell. Contributions and condolences may be left with Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, which is assisting the family with arrangements. Funeral arrangements provided by Pohlman - Varner - Peeler Mortuary 610 N. Maple Russell, KS 67665
