Obituaries in Kansas Newspapers (arranged by city)
William V. 'Joe' Wilkerson 1914-2003
CHASE - William V. 'Joe' Wilkerson, 88, died Jan. 21 at Lyons District Hospital in Lyons. He was born May 9, 1914, at Okfuskee County, Okla., the son of William B. and Malay Hartle Wilkerson. He married
Ethel Virginia Jackson on Oct. 1, 1935, at Welty, Okla. She died Sept. 15, 2002. A resident of Chase since 1956, coming from Oklahoma, he was retired from Arapahoe Pipeline. Wilkerson was a member of Christian Church of Chase. Survivors include three sons, William W. Wilkerson of Mannford, Okla., Allen Wilkerson of McPherson and Ronnie Wilkerson of Lyons; six brothers, Willie Lee Wilkerson of Spearman, Texas, Haskel Wilkerson of Oklahoma City, Okla., Henry Wilkerson of Sand Springs, Okla., Odis Wilkerson of Valdosta, Ga., David Wilkerson of Tulsa, Okla. and Jimmy Don Wilkerson of Depew, Okla.; four sisters, Dorothy Wollsey and Helen Imogene Chrittenden, both of Sand Springs, Dora Scott of Tulsa, and Vivian Lowery of California; 13 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and 4 great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by five brothers, Ovel Wilkerson, Emmett Wilkerson, Albert Wilkerson, Carl Wilkerson, and Junior Wilkerson; and two grandsons, Charles Valice Wilkerson and Billy Wilkerson. Funeral will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at the church with the Revs. D.D. Hall and Johnnie Hardie officiating. Burial will be at Lyons Municipal cemetery. Friends may call from 2-5 p.m. today at Sillin Funeral Home in Lyons. Memorials are suggested to the church in care of the funeral home.
Glenda Marie Wurm Hitschmann 1937-2003
STAFFORD - Glenda Marie Wurm Hitschmann, 65, died Jan. 23 at Leisure Homestead. She was born Nov. 24, 1937, at Belpre, the daughter of Leonard F. and Lucy Schartz Wurm. On Oct. 5, 1955, she married
Urban 'Urb' L. Hitschmann at Larned. She was co-owner of the Beaver Bowling alley and an assistant manager and bookkeeper at Beaver Grain in Beaver. She was a beauty consultant for Fashion Two-Twenty cosmetics. She was an honoree member of the St. Joseph's altar society in Beaver before contracting encephalitis in April of 1974. She was a resident of Cherry Village in Great Bend from 1979 until she moved to Leisure Homestead in Stafford in 1998. Glenda was a member of St. Xavier Catholic Church of St. John. She is survived by her husband Urban 'Urb' L. Hitschmann of Great Bend; her five children, Marlin R. Hitschmann, his wife Michele of Hoisington, Kimberly K. Hoffman, her husband Jim of Stafford, Curtis L. Hitschmann, his wife Kathy of Hoisington, Craig A. Hitschmann, his wife Ronda of Natoma, and Tina M. Johnson of Hoisington; two sisters, Juanita Davis of Phoenix, Ariz., and Shirley Desemo of Albuquerque, N.M.; nine grandchildren; and one great-granddaughter. She was preceded in death by her parents; one brother, Joseph Wurm; and one granddaughter, Tiffany Johnson. Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Hoisington with the Rev. Pascal Klein officiating. Vigil service will be at 7 p.m. Friday followed by Altar Society Rosary at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home in Hoisington. Visitation will be until 9 tonight at the funeral home. Burial will be at St. Joseph cemetery in Beaver. Memorials are suggested to the St. Joseph cemetery Fund or Leisure Homestead Activities Fund in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, P.O. Box 146, Hoisington, KS 67544.
Charlie E. Arnold 1923-2003
LARNED - Charlie E. Arnold, 80, died Jan. 21 at Norman Veterans Center in Norman, Okla. He was born Jan. 17, 1923, at Sandford the son of John T. and Elzena Hendrixson Arnold. He married
Donna Yates on June 2, 1942. She died in 1986. He married
Nina Risenhoover in January of 1992 in Old Mexico. A resident of Oklahoma City, he was a governmental lab worker for the University of California. Arnold was a veteran of World War II, having served in the Army Air Corps in Europe and Africa. Survivors include his wife; one son, Mark of Overbrook; one daughter, Sharon Shulte of Austin, Texas; two stepsons, Wade and Charles, both of Oklahoma; two step daughters, Theresa and Karen, both of Oklahoma; one brother, Roy Arnold of Larned; 13 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one son, Stephen; one daughter, Janet Iozzi; one brother, John Arnold; and three sisters, Margaret Eckert, Irene Reynolds and Vera Howell. Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Beckwith Mortuary Chapel in Larned with the Rev. Dan Lundgren officiating. Burial will be at Larned cemetery with military honors. Friends may call until 8 tonight and from 9 a.m. to service time Saturday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to Alzheimer's Association in care of the funeral home.
Evelyn M. Anderson-Hansen
BELLA VISTA, Ark. - Evelyn M. Anderson-Hansen, died Jan. 16. She was born at Hoisington. She married
Vernon S. Anderson in 1935. He died in September of 1986. She then married
Harvey A. Hansen. He died Jan. 12, 2001. A resident of Bella Vista since 1978, coming from Wichita, she was a homemaker, worked for Maxine Lybrand Real Estate from 1956-1965 and was owner of Evelyn Anderson Realtor from 1966 until her retirement in 1978. Mrs. Anderson-Hansen was a charter member of MLS of Wichita Board of Realtors. Survivors include one son, Daryl Anderson of Wichita; four grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. Memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Central Christian Church of Wichita. Burial will be at Kensington Gardens cemetery of Wichita. Memorials are suggested to the church in care of Broadway Mortuary of Wichita.
Betty C. Miller 1926-2003
Betty C. Miller, 76 of Great Bend, died Jan. 21 at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester, Minn. She was Feb. 20, 1926, at Ellinwood the daughter of Milton and Cecil Merrick Panning. She married
Vernon L. Miller on Nov. 4, 1945 at Ellinwood. A lifetime resident of Barton County, coming from rural Barton County, Ellinwood and Great Bend, she was a farm wife, homemaker and secretary for Wolf Mill in Ellinwood and a babysitter. Mrs. Miller was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church, LWML and Altar Guild, all of Ellinwood, China Dolls, Bridge Club, Dartmouth Club, Ellinwood Garden Club, Menninger Bible Study and Kansas Angus Auxiliary. Survivors include her husband of the home; one son, Allan V. Miller of Great Bend; three grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one son, Max Leon Miller and one brother, Forrest Panning. Funeral will be at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at the church with the Rev. Andy Keltner officiating. Burial will be at Lakin-Commanche District cemetery in Ellinwood. Friends may call from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and from 9 a.m. until noon Saturday, all at Kimple Funeral Home in Ellinwood. Memorials are suggested to the church in care of the funeral home.
Oscar L. Dietz 1917-2003
BROOMFIELD, Colo., - Oscar L. Dietz, 85, died Jan. 20 at Avista Hospital in Louisville, Colo. He was born April 30, 1917, at Galatia, the son of Adam and Martha Margaret Karst Dietz. He married
Leona Eurich on June 4, 1939, at Milberger. She died July 26, 1968. He married
Elizabeth Sinner Rummel on Dec. 25, 1969 at Milberger. A resident of Broomfield since 1991, coming from Hoisington and Great Bend, he was a longtime farmer in northwest Barton County and worked for Big A Auto Parts. Dietz was a member of United Emanuel Lutheran Church of Milberger, a member of Cross of Christ Church of Broomfield and a member of Gideons International. Survivors include his wife; three daughters, Cheryl Baron of Omaha, Neb.; JaLana Pinon and Carma Deutsch, both of Topeka; one stepson, Harlan Rummer of Sacramento, Calif.; one stepdaughter, Norma Dirks of Broomfield; 12 grandchildren; and one great-granddaughter. He was preceded in death by one son, Larry Dean Dietz. Memorial service will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at United Emanuel Lutheran Church in Milberger with the Revs. Bob Kreier and Keith Kreitzer officiating. Inurnment will be at United Emanuel Lutheran Church cemetery in Milberger. Friends may call from 9:30 a.m. until service time Saturday at the church. Memorials are suggested to Cross of Christ Lutheran Church in Broomfield, Gideons International or United Emanuel Lutheran Church in Milberger, all in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home in Hoisington.
Leo Payton Robinson 1934-2003
EVERGREEN PARK, Ill. - Leo Payton Robinson, 69, died Jan. 16 at Illinois. He was born Dec. 10, 1934, at Great Bend, the son of Albert and Sarah Ann Robinson. He was a graduate of Great Bend High School. He married
Ellen Smith in 1962. A resident of Chicago, Ill., coming from Great Bend, he was an employee for the U.S. Postal Service, retiring in 1996. Robinson was a member of the Jehovah's Witnesses of Sherman Park, Lindblom, South and Chicago Lawn. Survivors include his wife of the home; two brothers, Albert Ann Robinson and Cecil Robinson; four sisters, Elizabeth Hardy, Kathleen London, Katherine Craig and Joyce Cherry; three sons, James Robinson, Paul Robinson and Michael Robinson; two daughters, Lisa Stockdale and Regina Riley; eight grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one son, Leo Robinson Jr. Funeral was Jan 20 at Kosary Funeral Home in Evergreen Park.
Naomi Kathryn Gisick 1915-2003
BISON - Naomi Kathryn Gisick, 87, died Jan. 20 at Central Kansas Medical Center in Great Bend. She was born Dec. 23, 1915, at Bison, the daughter of George Reichel Jr. and Lydia Reinhardt. She married
Clarence Henry Gisick Nov. 6, 1938, at Bison. He died in October of 1993. A resident of Ellinwood since 2000, formerly of Bison, she was a farm wife and a teacher at Pleasant Valley Grade School. Mrs. Gisick was a member of Bison United Methodist Church and German Methodist Church, both of Bison, past president of United Methodist Women, United Methodist Choir, United Methodist Sunday school superintendent; Lone Star Home Demonstrations Unit and a 4-H leader. Survivors include one son, Rodney Gisick of Florence; one daughter, Donita Goosen of Ellinwood; and three sisters, LaVergne Parr of Birmingham, Ala., Martha Dial of Prescott, Ariz., and Darlyne Fratt of Missouri City, Texas; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by two brothers, Raymond Reinhardt and Benjamin Reinhardt; and two sisters, Lucille Herrman and HIlda Reichel. Funeral will be at 1:30 p.m. Friday at Bison United Methodist Church with the Revs. Marilyn Christmore and Kathy Bannister officiating. Burial will be at Lone Star cemetery, northwest of Bison. Friends may call from 3 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Kimple Funeral Home and from 10 a.m. until service time Friday at the church. Memorials are suggested to the church in care of the funeral home.
Dorothy Estelle King 1913-2003
LARNED - Dorothy Estelle King, 89, died Jan. 16 at Apache Junction, Ariz. She was born Jan. 31, 1913, at Arlington, Colo., the daughter of John F. and Carrie B. Lockridge Lady. She married
Otha Powell King Feb. 3, 1932, at Syracuse. He died April 29, 1986. She was a resident of Apache Junction, formerly of Burdett and eastern Colorado. Mrs. King was a member of Seventh Day Adventist Church of Apache Junction and was Worthy Matron of Order of Eastern Star in Colorado. Survivors include one son, John King of Garden City; one sister, Nellie Evans of Winfield; five grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a sister, Lois Anderson. Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Beckwith Mortuary Chapel in Larned with Garry Plummer officiating. Burial will be at Larned cemetery. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday and from 9 a.m. until service time Friday, all at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the donor's choice in care of the funeral home.
Alameda P. Ash 1932-2003
HAYS - Alameda P. Ash, 70, died Jan. 20 at Hays Medical Center in Hays. She was born July 25, 1932, at Gorham the daughter of Anton and Philomena Schmidtberger Kuhn. She married
Ted Ash in 1953. He died in 1978. A resident of Hays since 1962, she was a waitress for Dan's Cafe in Hays and was a senior care giver. Survivors include two sons, Ted Ash Jr. of Topeka and David Ash of Victoria; one daughter, Gail Kuhn of Russell; one brother, Marvin Kuhn of Hays; five grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one sister, Almeda Marie Kuhn and one granddaughter, Jennifer Kuhn. Graveside service was this morning at St. Mary's cemetery in Gorham with the Rev. David Gottschalk officiating. Memorials are suggested to the church cemetery in care of Klines Mortuary in Hays and Victoria.
Donald G. Herl 1939-2003
INDEPENDENCE, Mo., - Donald G. Herl, 64, died Jan. 20 at Independence Regional Health Center. He was born Dec. 9, 1938, at Great Bend, the son of A.R. 'Obie' and Lillian Schmidt Herl. He married
Eva. He was in sales, a food broker and manufactured homes. Herl was a member of St. Mark's Catholic Church in Independence. Survivors include his wife of the home; two daughters, Lorie Crain of Kearney, Mo., and Terri Ingle of Independence; two sisters, Carol Bramhall of Neodesha, and Janet Noblitt of Maybank, Texas; and five grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a sister, Barbara Foust. Funeral mass will be at 11 a.m. Friday at the church. Intombment will be at Mound Grove Mausoleum in Independence. Friends may call from 10 a.m until service time Friday at the church. Memorials are suggested to the American Cancer Society in care of Speaks Chapel in Independence.
Leona M. Reisbig Keil 1924-2003
HOISINGTON - Leona M. Reisbig Keil, 78, died Jan. 19 at Great Bend Health and Rehabilitation Center in Great Bend. She was born April 18, 1924, at Galatia, the daughter of John and Marie Eichman Reisbig. She married
Herman Keil Oct. 3, 1946, at Hoisington. He died Aug. 28, 1997. A longtime resident of Hoisington, she was a dietician at Hoisington Lutheran Hospital in Hoisington and served in World War II as a Rosie the Riveter at Wichita. Mrs. Keil was a member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church, a Sunday school teacher at the church and a member of Hoisington Lutheran Hospital Auxiliary, all of Hoisington. Survivors include one son Ron H. Keil of Hoisington; two brothers, Richard Reisbig of Billings, Mont., and Irvin Reisbig of LaCrescent, Minn. She was preceded in death by two brothers, Rudy Reisbig and Ralph Reisbig; and three sisters, Helen Lewis, Olefie Nahajio and Elsile Meier. Prayer service will be at 7 tonight at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home in Hoisington. Funeral will be at 10 am. Wednesday at the church with the Rev. Kelly Taylor Schaus officiating. Burial will be at Hoisington cemetery. Friends may call from 1-9 tonight at the funeral home and from 9 a.m. until service time Wednesday at the church. Memorials are suggested to the church in care of the funeral home.
LaVerna M. Wenger 1921-2003
KIMBALL, Neb., - LaVerna M. Wenger, 81, died Jan. 18 at Kimball County Manor. She was born April 25, 1921, the daughter of Robert A. and Merle Joy Thomas Turner. She graduated high school in Kansas. She married
Fay Wenger in Kansas. He died in 1983. A resident of Kimball, coming from Great Bend, she was a homemaker. Mrs. Wenger was a member of the Christian faith. Survivors include three sons, James DeWayne Wenger of Hayward, Calif., and Ira Eugene Wenger and Robert Allen Wenger, both of Burley, Mo.; three daughters, Carol Dunegan of Kimball, Geordia D. Gaines of Alice, Texas, and JoLynn Ellis of Cleveland, Okla.; one sister, Jean Ewing of Mission, Texas; 14 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one brother and one sister. The body was cremated. There will be no service at this time. Memorials are suggested to Prairie Haven Hospice in care of the Cantrell Funeral Home in Kimball.
Florence Fernandez Flores 1931-2003
Florence Fernandez Flores, 71, of Great Bend, a devoted wife, mother and grandmother, passed away on Jan. 18 at Bethesda Home in Goessel, succumbing to Alzheimer's disease. She was born Nov. 7, 1931, in Granada, Colo., to Jess and Fernanda Fernandez, raised in the Holly, Colo., area and moved to Great Bend in 1956, where she lived until November of 1999. She lived with her daughter in Wichita until March of 2001, and then at Bethesda Home in Goessel. She loved caring for babies and children and was an excellent homemaker, cook and baker. She taught herself how to sew, read patterns, embroider, crochet and quilt. She made many of her own clothes and often sewed, crocheted and quilted for other family members. She and her husband were very family-oriented and enjoyed traveling and spending time with family members in Kansas, Colorado, California, Utah, Hawaii and Mexico. She was a longtime member of St. Rose Catholic Church in Great Bend and a member of the Altar Society. She is survived by her husband, Pete Flores, sho sadly is also afflicted with Alzheimer's disease and resides at Bethesda Home in Goessel; and their children and their families, Margo, Jim and Clint Raulsten of Wichita; Jim, Sandy, Somerlyn and Bryant Flores of Heber City, Utah; David and Beatrice Flores of Bakersfield, Calif.; Joseph, Keiko and Emily Flores of Wichita and Honolulu, Hawaii; Rick, Jacob and Hannah Flores of Derby; Ed, Jessica and Sofie Flores of Salina; Vic Flores, Tron and Mercedes Smith of Great Bend; and her niece who she helped raise, Teresa Sleefe of Wichita. She is also survived by her sisters, Frances Bendabides of Lamar, Colo., Rose Fernandez of Denver, Colo., Emma Gonzales of Turlock, Calif., Mary Upham of Sacramento, Calif., Virginia Herrera of Greeley, Colo., Valerie Coons of Loveland, Colo., Alice Baca of Lamar, Josie Dominques of Lamar, Angela Herrera of Greely and Peggy Dennis of Hartman, Colo.; and four brothers, Joe Fernandez of Modesto, Calif., Robert Fernandez of Berthoud, Colo., Tony Fernandez of Longmont, Colo., and Steve Fernandez of Windsor, Colo. There are also many nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by one granddaughter, Annette Raulsten. Rosary will be at 7 p.m. Thursday at Bryant Christians Funeral Home in Great Bend. Funeral will be at 11 a.m. Friday at athe church. Memorials are suggested to the Bethesda Home in Goessel, or Hospice Care of Kansas of Newton, both in care of the funeral home.
