Obituaries in Kansas Newspapers (arranged by city)
Richard B. Howlier
1941-2004
HOISINGTON - Richard B. Howlier, 62, Hoisington, died Feb. 27, 2004, at St. Joseph Hospital's Long Term Care Unit in Larned. He was born Sept. 25, 1941, at St. Rose Hospital, Great Bend, the son of Fred and Amelia Bitter Howlier. Richard attended Hope Inc., Sunflower Diversified Services and later Rosewood Services, all of Great Bend. He was a lifetime resident of Hoisington and a member of Concordia Lutheran Church in Hoisington. Survivors include one sister, Charlotte, and brother-in-law Dan Simpson, Hoisington; one brother, Fred J., and sister-in-law Virginia Howlier, Chandlier, Ariz.; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by one sister, Darlene Hinkle. Funeral will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home in Hoisington, with the Rev. Garry Dassow officiating. Burial will be at Hoisington cemetery. Friends may call from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m. Monday, with prayer service at 7 p.m. Monday, and Tuesday from 9 a.m. until service time, all at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the Richard Howlier Memorial Fund in care of the funeral home. Funeral arrangements provided by Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home* 415 N. Main Street Hoisington, KS 67544
Burt '˜Sonny' Kiewert
1932-2004
LARNED - Burt 'Sonny' Kiewert, 71, died Feb. 23, at his home in Larned. He was born May 5, 1932, at Chicago, Ill., the son of Henry and Bertha Wratil Kiewert. He married
LaDonna M. Hedges March 25, 1983, at Larned. A resident of Larned since 1990, coming from Pawnee Rock, he was a retired truck driver and school bus driver for USD 495. Kiewert was a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars, a lifetime member of VFW National Home and American Legion, all of Pawnee Rock, AMVET, DAV and was a 32nd degree Mason and Shriner of Great Bend. He was a U.S. Air Force veteran, having served in the Korean War. Survivors include his wife of the home; three sons, Donald Kiewert of LaGrange, N.C., Michael Kiewert of Goldboro, N.C., and Kenneth Kiewert of Dudley, N.C.; one daughter, Nicki Roof of Pawnee Rock; one stepdaughter, Kathy Tester of Sparks, Nev.; and eight grandchildren. Memorial graveside service with military honors will be at 2 p.m. today at Larned cemetery with the Rev. Johnny Augmon officiating. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. today at Beckwith Mortuary in Larned. Memorials are suggested to Golden Belt Hospice, Relay for Life or the donor's choice, all in care of Beckwith Mortuary of Larned. Funeral arrangements provided by Beckwith Funeral Home P.O. Box 447 Larned, KS 67550
Harold J. Cheney
1921-2004
HOISINGTON - Harold J. Cheney, 82, died Feb. 25 at Central Kansas Medical Center in Great Bend. He was born July 9, 1921, at Dundee, the son of James Wesley and Rosa Lena Myers Cheney. He married
Hilda E. Schneider Siegfried April 20, 1941, at Larned. A lifetime resident of Hoisington, he was a driller for more than 40 years, retiring in 1984. Cheney was a member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church of Hoisington and AHSGR of Russell. He was a U.S. Army veteran, serving during World War II. Survivors include his wife of the home; one son, Bob Cheney of Little River; one daughter, Jan Carroll of Hoisington; three brothers, Kenneth Cheney and Jerry Cheney, both of Wichita, and Cecil Cheney of Hoisington; four grandchildren; and two great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Eugene Cheney and Raymond Cheney. Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the church, with the Rev. Ronald B. MacLennan officiating. Burial will be at Hoisington cemetery. Friends may call from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. today at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home and from 9:30 a.m. to service time Saturday at the church. Memorials are suggested to the church, in care of the funeral home. Funeral arrangements provided by Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home P.O. Box 146 415 North Main Hoisington, KS 67544
Glenora E. Roberts
1938-2004
SALEM, Ore. - Glenora E. Roberts, 66, died Feb. 17 from a cancer-related illness. Her family held her close during her passing. She was born Jan. 31, 1938, in Lyons. She attended Stafford High School. She married
Robert L. Roberts March 28, 1955, in Tucumcari, N.M. He preceded her in death. Her life was her family and she will be greatly missed. She loved to fish and enjoyed writing short stories. Several of her outdoor articles were published. She loved her profession as a real estate agent and retired in 1991. She was a member of Presbyterian Church in Stafford and Chase. She loved her family, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Survivors include her father, Chet Morris of Stafford; sister, Marletta Anspaugh of Hoisington; son/daughter-in-law, Larry and Debbie Roberts of Dallas, Ore.; daughter/son-in-law, Vicki and Jim Brister of Salem, Ore.; son/daughter-in-law, Dale and Sheila Roberts of Keizer, Ore.; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Helen and Charles Montgomery of Kirkland, Wash.; grandchildren, Melissa and Eddie Roberts of Dallas, Cory, Joe and Josh Brister of Salem and Carly and Courtney Roberts of Keizer; great-grandchildren, McKyla, Jaden and Kailey. Memorial services were held Feb. 23 at City View Funeral Home in Salem. Memorials are suggested to First Baptist Church or Presbyterian Church of Chase, both in care of the funeral home. Funeral arrangements provided by City View Funeral Home* 701 1st St. Kirkland, WA 98033
Natalie '˜Dollie' Strecker
1908-2004
RUSSELL - Natalie 'Dollie' Strecker, 95, died Feb. 25 at Cheyenne Meadows Living Center in Hoisington. She was born Nov. 15, 1908, in Barton County, the daughter of Fred and Anna Herdt Schneider. She married
Luther B. Strecker Nov. 20, 1927, at Milberger. He died Feb. 6, 1995. A resident of Russell since 1946, coming from a farm in the Bender Hill area, she was a homemaker. Mrs. Strecker was a member of St. John Lutheran Church of Russell, Extension Homemakers Unit of Milberger, and Russell County Farm Bureau. Survivors include one son, Dennis Strecker of Great Bend; one daughter, Norma Jurgensen of Wichita; one sister, Viola Schwein of Russell; seven grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and six great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by four brothers, Ferdinand Schneider, Alvin Schneider, Victor Schneider and Harold Schneider. Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at the church, with the Rev. Henry Hartman officiating. Burial will be at St. John Lutheran cemetery in Russell. Friends may call from 1 to 9 p.m. today at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home in Hoisington and from 11 a.m. to service time Saturday at the church. Memorials are suggested to St. John Lutheran Church Organ Fund, in care of the funeral home. Funeral arrangements provided by Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home P.O. Box 146 415 North Main Hoisington, KS 67544
Nyla Fae Dinsmoor
1925-2004
WICHITA - Nyla Fae Dinsmoor, 79, died Feb. 23 at Wichita. She was born Jan. 29, 1925, in Lucas, the daughter of Walter O. and Blanch B. Barr Nichols. She was a retired payroll supervisor for Gates Learjet. Survivors include daughters and sons-in-law, Bobbie Harris of Wichita, Jo and Mike Twidwell of Shell Knob, Mo., Debbie and John Krasowski of Colorado Springs, Colo.; one brother, Loren Nichols of Hutchinson; one sister, Theo Bear of Great Bend; and grandchildren, Julie and Greg Krasowski of Colorado Springs. She was preceded in death in 1976 by her husband, Donald Dean. Funeral will be at 4 p.m. today at West Heights United Methodist Church in Wichita. Memorials are suggested to the church and St. Paul's United Methodist Church youth program, both in care of Resthaven Mortuary, 11800 W. Highway 54, Wichita, KS 67209. Funeral arrangements provided by Resthaven Mortuary* 11800 W. Highway 54 Wichita, KS 67209
Mark A. Harmony
1957-2004
LYONS - Mark A. Harmony, 46, died Feb. 21 at Great Bend. He was born Oct. 8, 1957, at Great Bend, the son of Karl and Virginia Nuss Harmony. He married
Vicki A. Lindenfelser Aug. 29, 1989, at Phoenix, Ariz. A resident of Lyons since 2002, coming from Great Bend where he had lived most his life, he was a general contractor for Harmony Specialty Equipment Co. in Lyons. Harmony was a member of Faith Bible Church in Lyons. Survivors include his wife of the home; four sons, Justin Doucet of Spokane, Wash., Brandon A. Harmony, Jared A. Harmony and Elijah A. Harmony, all of the home; two daughters, Brianna Doucet of Spokane and Elisabeth A. Harmony of the home; his parents of Great Bend; one brother, David Harmony of Hutchinson; and four sisters, Pam Smith of Buhler, Glenna Achatz and Brenda Friess, both of Great Bend, and Susanne Radke of Lyons. Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at First Southern Baptist Church in Great Bend, with the Revs. Curtis Fitzgerald and Doyle Smith officiating. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday at Bryant Funeral Home in Great Bend. Family will receive friends from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Mark Harmony Children's Fund, in care of the funeral home. Funeral arrangements provided by Bryant Funeral Home 1425 Patton Road Great Bend, KS 67565
Chiemi Krankenberg
1931-2004
HUDSON - Chiemi Krankenberg, 72, died Feb. 25 at Menorah Medical Center in Leawood. She was born Sept. 13, 1931, at Kure, Japan, the daughter of Isamu and Himeno Ishimaru. She married
Gene Krankenberg Sept. 26, 1955, in Japan. A longtime resident of Hudson, moving to Leawood six months ago, she was a homemaker. Mrs. Krankenberg was a member of Trinity United Church of Christ. Survivors include her husband of the home; two sons, Robert Krankenberg of Wichita and George Krankenberg of Hudson; one daughter, Amy Highfill of Overland Park; one brother; two sisters; and eight grandchildren. She was preceded in death by four siblings and one grandson. Memorial service will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at the church in Hudson, with the Rev. Wade Russell officiating. Inurnment will be at Trinity cemetery in Hudson. The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at Minnis Chapel Inc. of St. John. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Chiemi Krankenberg Memorial Fund, 6314 West 150th St., Overland Park, KS 66223. Memorial gifts will be distributed to United Church of Christ Ministries. Funeral arrangements provided by Minnis Chapel P.O. Box 34 St. John, KS 67576
Ora W. Gustin
1910-2004
HOISINGTON - Ora W. Gustin, 93, died Feb. 23 at Hutchinson Hospital. He was born Aug. 9, 1910, at Barton County, the son of William and Lena Hester Gustin. He married
Verna V. Muth Nov. 25, 1942, at Otis. She died Feb. 22, 2003. A lifetime resident of Galatia and Hoisington, he was a farmer and a bulk truck driver for Phillips 66 and Galatia Co-op. Gustin was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church of Galatia, Veterans of Foreign Wars of Otis and former president and director of Galatia Co-op. He was a U.S. Army veteran, having served in World War II. Survivors include one daughter, Kay Steinert of Hoisington; four grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one daughter, Cindy Gustin; four sisters, Irene and Lily Gustin, Margaret Oliverius and Carrie Schlegel. Funeral will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at the church with the Rev. Shannon Tiller Vogelezang officiating. Burial will be at Fairview cemetery in Galatia. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. today at Nicholson Ricke Funeral Home in Hoisington and from 10 a.m. until service time Thursday at the church. Memorials are suggested to the church or Kans for Kids, both in care of the funeral home. Funeral arrangements provided by Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home 415 N Main. St. Hoisington, KS 67544
Geraldine '˜Gerry' M. Westfall
1936-2004
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - Gerry Westfall, 67, died Feb. 22 in Colorado Springs. She was born Aug. 20, 1936, in Great Bend, the daughter of John L. and Isabell Birzer. A resident of Colorado Springs since 1972, she was employed by Colorado Spring Health Partners. She was a devout member of Divine Redeemer Catholic Church. She is survived by her loving and caring husband of 46 years, Kermit, and children, Kevin Westfall, Brenda Crossland and husband Bob, Cheryl Neama and husband George, Kayla Smith and husband James; eight grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; one brother, Lawrence Birzer; and two sisters, Ursuline Penka and Marguerite Birzer. Public viewing will be from 4 to 8 p.m. today at Swan-Law Funeral Home, 501 N. Cascade Ave., Colorado Springs. A rosary will be at 6 p.m. Funeral will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday at Divine Redeemer Catholic Church on the corner of Logan and Yampa Streets. Burial will follow at Evergreen cemetery located at 1005 S. Hancock Ave., Colorado Springs. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to The Multiple Sclerosis Society or The American Cancer Society, both in care of the funeral home. Funeral arrangements provided by Swan-Law Funeral Home* 501 N. Cascade Ave. Colorado Springs, Colo.
Richard Joseph '˜Joe' Cronin
1912-2004
Richard Joseph 'Joe' Cronin, 91, of Great Bend, died Feb. 23 at Central Kansas Medical Center in Great Bend. He was born Dec. 2, 1912, in Houston, Texas, the son of Joseph and Lula Gordon Cronin. He was a graduate of Kansas State University. He married
Verdine Brown Dec. 26, 1937. She died Feb. 23, 1985. He married
Vivian Johnson May 31, 1990, in Great Bend. A resident of Great Bend, he was an engineer for Philips Petroleum for Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas. Cronin was a member of First Presbyterian Church, Masonic Lodge No. 15 and York Rite, all of Great Bend, and Sunflower Shrine Club of Salina. Survivors include his wife of the home; one daughter, Alice Finney of Edmond, Okla.; two brothers, Jerry Cronin of Perry, Okla., and Jim Cronin of Pasadena, Calif.; one sister, Mary Laverty of Moorpark, Calif.; two grandchildren; and three great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one brother, Walter Cronin. Funeral will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday at the church, with the Rev. Hal Staats officiating and services conducted by Masonic Lodge. Burial will be at 1 p.m. Thursday at Girard City cemetery. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. today at Charter Funerals Chapel in Great Bend, with family receiving friends from 7 to 8 p.m. today. Memorials are suggested to the church or Masonic Lodge No. 15, both in care of the funeral chapel. Funeral arrangements provided by Charter Funerals 2115 Washington Great Bend, KS 67530
