Obituaries in Kansas Newspapers (arranged by city)
Josephine 'Josie' Geier
1916 - 2005
GARDEN CITY - Josephine 'Josie' Geier, 88, died Tuesday, Feb. 15, at St. Catherine Hospital in Garden City. She was born July 5, 1916, in Park, the daughter of John and Magdalena Blottner Loevenstein. A Garden City resident since 1925, having moved from Park, she was a homemaker. She was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church and the Altar Society, both of Garden City. On Sept. 7, 1936, she married
Anthony 'Tony' Geier at Garden City. He died June 17, 2001, at Garden City. Survivors include three sons, Larry Geier and Alan Geier, both of Garden City, and Danny Geier of Katy, Texas; four daughters, Sister Jolene Geier of Great Bend, Barbara Jean Schartz of Dodge City, Lola Wilson of Garden City and Katherine Rhodes of Wichita; 14 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by four brothers and one sister. Vigil service was held at St. Mary Catholic Church in Garden City at 8 p.m., Friday, Feb. 18. Funeral mass was held at the church at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, with Father James E. Baker officiating. Burial was at the Valley View cemetery in Garden City. Memorials are suggested to St. Mary Catholic Church and School, Belles of St. Catherine or the Finney County Historical Society, all in care of Price & Sons Funeral Home. Funeral arrangements provided by Price & Sons Funeral Home 620 N. Main Garden City, KS 67846
Loyal E. Otte
1920 - 2005
Loyal E. Otte, 84, died Feb. 24 at Great Bend Health and Rehabilitation. He was born Sept. 25, 1920, at Great Bend, the son of William Christ and Georgia Mae Miller Otte. He married
Burnice Irene Beaton on Nov. 22, 1941, at Wichita. She died Aug. 30, 2000. He was a farmer and a lifetime resident of Great Bend. Otte was a member of the First Christian Church and the Elks Lodge, both of Great Bend. Survivors include one son, Gary L. Otte of Bellvue, Colo.; one daughter, Melodie Friedebach of Jefferson City, Mo.; one brother, Orval Otte of Great Bend; five grandchildren, Sean Otte, Jodi Olson, Chad Otte, Jessica Beckman and Katherine Friedebach; and six great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one son, Kent E. Otte; and two brothers, Walter Otte and Wilmer Otte. Funeral will be at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at First Christian Church in Great Bend, with the Rev. William F. Johnson officiating. Burial will be at Hillcrest Memorial Park. Visitation will be Friday, 1-9 p.m. and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., all at Bryant Funeral Home. Memorials are suggested to Great Plains Diabetes Research Inc., in care of the funeral home. Funeral arrangements provided by Bryant Funeral Home 1425 Patton Road Great Bend, KS 67530
Grace Russell
1907-2005
TOPEKA - Private family services have been planned for Grace Russell, 97, who died Feb. 22 at Brewster Place Retirement Center. She was born July 19, 1907, in Hoisington, the daughter of Jasper S. and Mae Alice Woodburn Vaniman. She married
Robert E. Russell, Sr. on Oct. 16, 1930. He died Sept. 5, 1986. Mrs. Russell attended Ward Belmont College in Nashville, Tenn., and she graduated from Kansas University in 1929, where she was a member of Gamma Phi Beta Sorority. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Topeka, and served as a board member for the following organizations: Engleside Rest Home, Mulvane Art Center, the Cancer Foundation, the Topeka Symphony and the local Girl Scout Council. She was also a member of the Junior League of Topeka, and she donated a conservation easement to the Kansas Land Trust in Osage County. Grace was devoted to her family and she is survived by her daughter, Betsy R. Broda of Ardsley-on-Hudson, N.Y.; her son, Robert E. Russell, Jr. of Lawrence; six grandchildren, Frederick C. Broda Jr., Russell M. Broda, William R. A. Broda, Elise R. White, Joanna Voigt and Sally A. Neher; and 10 great-grandchildren. Given her interest in the arts and her own artistic bent, the family suggests memorial contributions be sent to Mulvane Art Center, Washburn University, 17th and Jewell, Topeka, KS 66621, where she was a volunteer for 20 years. Funeral arrangements provided by Penwell-Gabel Mid-Town Chapel* 1321 S.W. 10th Ave. Topeka, KS 66604
Bernard J. Schulte
1929 - 2005
NORWICH, N.Y. - Bernard 'B.J.' Schulte of Norwich, N.Y., and Hilton Head, S.C., died Friday, Feb. 18 from complications of a long-standing illness. Mr. Schulte was born Nov. 5, 1929, in Marysville. Following graduation from Creighton University in 1951, Mr. Schulte served aboard the USS Oriskany as a naval intelligence officer during the Korean War. After the war, he earned a law degree from the University of Kansas, and practiced as a patent attorney for the former Esso Corporation in New Jersey. Mr. Schulte's ties to Norwich date back to 1960 when he began a 30-year career with Norwich-Eaton Pharmaceuticals. As General Counsel and Vice-President of Legal Affairs, he was a devoted advocate for the community during a period of transition for the Norwich-based business, now a division of Procter and Gamble Corporation. His community service also includes long-term board membership for Pathfinder Village for Down Syndrome and Catholic Charities of Chenango County. He was also a former President of the Chenango County Bar Association. Mr. Schulte is survived by his wife of 47 years, Myrna; a son, Mark Schulte and his wife Janet of Dewitt, N.Y.; a daughter, Catherine Schulte-Hamilton and her husband Gregory of Providence, R.I.; five grandchildren, Carolyn, Mary, Thomas and Jennifer Schulte, and Emily Hamilton; and a sister, Aldene Quilici of Portland, Ore. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews. He was pre-deceased by his parents, A. A. and Bernedetta Schulte, and a sister, Mary Schulte of St. Louis, Mo. Funeral services were held at Hilton Island, S. C., on Tuesday, Feb. 22, at St. Francis by the Sea Catholic Church. A memorial mass will be scheduled in Norwich later this spring. Donations in Mr. Schulte's memory may be made to Chenango County Catholic Charities in Norwich, or Pathfinder Village for Down Syndrome in Edmeston, N.Y. Funeral arrangements provided by The Island Funeral Home and Crematory* 4 Cardinal Rd. Hilton Head Island, SC 29926
Catherina Elizabeth Harmon
1914 - 2005
GARDEN CITY - Catherina Elizabeth Harmon, 90, died Sunday, Feb. 20 at the Kearny County Hospital in Lakin. She was born Oct. 1, 1914, in Munjor. The daughter of Ludwig and Elizabeth Gerstner Gabel. A resident of Lakin since 2003, moving from Garden City, she was a homemaker. Her joy in life was to keep her hands busy quilting and crocheting for her family and friends. Mrs. Harmon was a member of St. Dominic Catholic Church of Garden City. On Feb. 13, 1943, she married
Ira Clyde Harmon at Harrisburg, Pa. He died July 27, 2004, at Lakin. Survivors include one son, Clyde Ray Harmon of Lenexa; two daughters, Claudia Jimenez of Wichita and Mary Pendergraft of Garden City; three grandsons, Jason Harmon and Ryan Harmon, both of Lenexa, and Cory Pendergraft of Manhattan; and one granddaughter, Lauren Harmon of Lenexa. She was preceded in death by nine brothers and three sisters. Vigil services will be held at 5:30 p.m. today at St. Dominic's Catholic Church, in Garden City. Funeral mass will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the church. Father Joseph Bahr will officiate. Burial will be at the Valley View cemetery in Garden City. Friends may call from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. today at Price and Sons Funeral Home in Garden City. The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, memorials be given to the Clyde and Catherina Harmon Memorial Scholarship fund at Garden City Community College, in care of the funeral home. Funeral arrangements provided by Price and Sons Funeral Home* 620 N. Main Garden City, KS 67846
Kathryn M. Bircher
1923 - 2005
ELLSWORTH - Kathryn M. Bircher, 87, died Feb. 19 at the Ellsworth County Medical Center. She was born Dec. 18, 1923, at Ellsworth, the daughter of William N. and Edith Manverse Preisker. She married
Walter Rolland Bircher on Aug. 22, 1943, in Ellsworth. He died Jan. 23, 2000. She was a lifetime resident of Ellsworth County, where she was a homemaker and co-owner of Birchers Dairy, and board clerk of Selective Service. Mrs. Bircher was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, Order of Eastern the Eastern Star Chapter 44 and American Legion Auxiliary, all of Ellsworth. Survivors include two sons, David Bircher of Ellsworth and Richard Bircher of Topeka; and five grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one son, Rolland Jr. Funeral will be at 2 p.m. today at Parsons Funeral Home, in Ellsworth, with the Rev. Leonard Goerting officiating. Burial will be at Ellsworth cemetery with OES graveside rites. Friends may call from 8 a.m. until service time at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the Ellsworth County Health Care Foundation. Funeral arrangements provided by Parsons Funeral Home 307 N. Lincoln Ellsworth, KS 67439
Jeffrey Dean Weaver
1962 - 2005
GOODLAND - Jeffrey Dean Weaver, 42, died Feb. 18 near Limon, Colo., as the result of a vehicle accident. He was born Dec. 10, 1962, in Wichita, the son of Alfred and Martha McMann Weaver. He married
Ammie Gilkey on Aug. 31, 2001, at Cheyenne, Wyo. He was employed by FedEx Freight, and recently transferred to the Goodland branch from Wichita. Survivors include his wife of the home and their unborn child; one daughter, Dylaney Diane; two brothers, Eddie Weaver of Wichita and Brent Weaver of Arlington, Texas. He was preceded in death by his parents;and two brothers, Monty 'Butch' Lee Weaver and Richard Allen Weaver. Memorial service will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at Resthaven Mortuary in Wichita. Cremation has taken place. Memorials are suggested to the Weavers survival and children's education fund, which has been established at Commercial Federal Bank in Larned.
Sister Regina Marie O'Rourke
1950 - 2005
ERIE, Colo. - Sister Regina Marie O'Rourke, OP, 55, died Feb. 18 in Louisville, Colo. She was born on Jan. 17, 1950, in Walsenburg, Colo., the daughter of William and Marie Fortarell O'Rourke. She attended schools in Walsenburg and graduated from St. Mary's School in 1968. She was employed for many years at Otero Savings and Loan in Walsenburg. She entered the Holy Order of Dominican Sisters of Great Bend, professing into religious life on March 19, 1988, and making her final vows to God on Aug. 4, 1995. Her past service included managing Cedar Park Place in Great Bend and housing ministry and pastoral work in the Denver Archdiocese. She spent most of her life volunteering and helping others. Sister Regina is survived by one brother, William P. O'Rourke of Pueblo, Colo.; two sisters, Kimberly Lessar and Kathleen Sierra of Walsenburg; and her nephews and nieces, Jerad and Shawn Lessar, Karina and Symone Sierra, all of Walsenburg, Patrick Salazar, Brandy Montoya and Christopher Martinez, all of Pueblo, Colo.; one great-niece, Shelby Lessar. A vigil service was held Sunday at St. Scholastica's Catholic Church in Erie, Colo. A funeral mass took place Monday at St. Theresa's Catholic Church in Frederick, Colo. There will be a vigil service at 7 p.m. today and a funeral mass at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the Dominican Chapel of the Plains in Great Bend, with the Rev. Robert Whipkey officiating. There will be a memorial service at 2 p.m. Friday at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Walsenburg. Memorials are suggested to the Dominican Sisters' Mission and Ministry Fund, 3600 Broadway, Great Bend, KS 67530. Local funeral arrangements provided by Bryant Funeral Home 1425 Patton Rd. Great Bend, KS 67530
Anthony Frank Rupp
1921 - 2005
NESS CITY - Anthony Frank 'Toney' Rupp, 83, died Feb. 20 at the Grisell Memorial Long Term Care in Ransom. He was born June 5, 1921, on the family farm west of Ness City, the son of Corneal and Anna Maria Matje Rupp. He married
Ruth Rebel on Aug. 20, 1946, in Ness City. She died March 5, 2004. A lifetime resident of Ness City, he was a farmer and the original owner and operator of the Cozy Tavern in Ness City. Rupp was a member of the Sacred Heart Church and American Legion Frank Stull Post No. 152, both of Ness City, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 7972 in Ransom. Survivors include three sons, Perry Rupp and Toney L. Rupp, both of Ness City, and Todd Rupp, Ft. Supply, Okla.; a daughter, Patty Rohr, Great Bend; a sister, Leona Trimble, Woodburn, Ore.; nine grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by five brothers, Clarence Rupp, Edmund Rupp, Joe Rupp, Richard Rupp and Robert Rupp; two sisters, Julia Stegman and Eleanor Birzer; and one grandson, Mitchell Rohr. Mass of Christian burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the church, with the Rev. Henry Hildebrandt officiating. Burial will be at the Sacred Heart cemetery in Ness City. Parish vigil will be at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the church. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. today and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday at Fitzgerald Funeral Home in Ness City, and from 5 p.m. until service time Wednesday at the funeral home. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Sacred Heart School, Sacred Heart cemetery Fund or the Grisell Memorial Long Term Care, all in care of the funeral home. Funeral arrangements provided by Fitzgerald Funeral Home Inc. P.O. Box 96, 207 N. Pennsylvania Ness City, KS 67560
Archer H. Boyle
1914 - 2005
Archer H. Boyle, 90, died Feb. 20, 2005, at his home in Great Bend. He was born Dec. 7, 1914, in Hoisington, the son of Archer A. and Carrie Hester Boyle of Olmitz. He graduated from Hoisington High School and attended Salt City Business College. The family moved to Great Bend in 1933. Archer worked at Myers Grocery while substituting at the U.S. Post Office. In 1942, he was drafted into the U.S. Army. He was sent to New Guinea where he was promoted from company clerk to master sergeant. At the end of 30 months, the company was allowed to have one person return to the states. Cards were drawn and Archer drew the Ace of spades. He always carried that ace in his billfold. He married
Mary Elizabeth Smith of Salina in 1945. They celebrated their 60th anniversary on Jan. 14, 2005. Archer worked at the U.S. Post Office in various positions for 40 years. In the last 15 years of his career he held the position of Superintendent of Postal Operations. After retirement he spent a lot of time gardening. He loved growing tomatoes. He also liked making wren houses, which he gave away to family and friends. He was proud to have bird houses on both coasts of the United States. Archer was a member of the First United Methodist Church, American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Elks and Masonic Lodge. He is survived by his wife, Mary, of the home; one daughter, Dr. Mary Ann Boyle of Boston, Mass.; and two sisters, Marjorie Strong of Arkansas City and Nadine Luse of Flagstaff, Ariz.; as well as several nephews and one niece. He was preceded in death by a brother, James U. Boyle, formerly of Hoisington. Graveside service will be at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday at Great Bend cemetery in Great Bend, with the Rev. Gary Brooks officiating. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. today and 9 to 11 a.m. Wednesday at Bryant Funeral Home in Great Bend. Memorials are suggested to the First United Methodist Church or Golden Belt Home Health and Hospice, in care of the funeral home. Funeral arrangements provided by Bryant Funeral Home* 1425 Patton Road Great Bend, KS 67530
