Obituaries in Kansas Newspapers (arranged by city)
Velma M. Amerine 1910-2003
ELLINWOOD - Velma M. Amerine, 92, died Jan. 10 at Woodhaven Care Center of Ellinwood. She was born Feb. 15, 1910, at Great Bend, the daughter of Walter and Hattie Miller Boyd. She married
William LaVern Amerine on June 9, 1929, at Great Bend. He died Nov. 13, 1983. A lifetime resident of Barton County, she was a homemaker. Mrs. Amerine was a member of the Methodist faith and Hope Fellowship Group of Great Bend. Survivors include two sons, Richard Amerine of Hoisington and Marvin Amerine of Ellinwood; one daughter, Joyce Saelens of Loveland, Colo.; 10 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. She was preceded in death by one son, Clifford Amerine; two brothers, Elmer Boyd and Melvin Boyd; and one sister, Thelma Boyd. Funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Bryant Funeral Home of Great Bend with the Rev. Dr. Doyle Smith officiating. Burial will be at Great Bend cemetery. Friends may call until 9 tonight and from 9 a.m. until service time Tuesday, all at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to First Southern Baptist Church or Great Bend Relay for Life, both in care of the funeral home.
Lynn Cunday Buettner 1927-2003
Lynn Cunday Buettner, 75 of Great Bend, died Jan. 9 at Via Christi - St. Francis in Wichita. She was born Jan. 14, 1927 in Wichita, the daughter of Fred Nelson and Alice Lucinda Kearney Cunday. She married
Frank C. Buettner on Oct. 10, 1946 in Hutchinson. A resident of Great Bend since 1958, coming from Hutchinson, she was a teller for First Federal Savings & Loan for 25 years. Mrs. Buettner was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, Joy Class, Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary, American Legion Auxiliary, all of Great Bend, and volunteered at Central Kansas Medical Center. Survivors include her husband of the home; two sons, Jack B. Buettner of Leawood and John N. Buettner of Shawnee; one daughter, Jane A. Nelson of Lindsborg; and four grandchildren. Funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday at the church, with the Rev. Hal Staats officiating. Burial will be at 3 p.m. Monday at Fairlawn Burial Park of Hutchinson. Friends may call from 1-9 p.m. today, with family receiving friends from 7-8 p.m., at Bryant Funeral Home of Great Bend. Memorials are suggested to the church or American Diabetes Association, both in care of the funeral home.
Mary Ann Walters 1923-2003
HAYS - Mary Ann Walters, 79, died Jan. 9 at the Hutchinson Memorial Hospital in Hutchinson. She was born Aug. 12, 1923 in Catherine, the daughter of Leo and Claire Wasinger Leikam. She married
Vincent Walter on May 15, 1946 in Hays. He died in 1988. A resident of Hays, she was a homemaker. Mrs. Walters was a member of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church of Hays. Survivors include four sons, Vern Walters of Lenexa, Tim Walters of Seattle, Wash., Mike Walters of Lawrence and Bob Walters of Kingman; two daughters, Norma Kuhn and Joyce Brack, both of Great Bend; two brothers, Elmer Leikam of Hays and Ralph Leikam of New Mexico; four sisters, Gladys Dreiling and Celia Donkin, both of Denver, Colo., Alice Beal of Chicago, Ill., and Catherine Barnes of Raleigh, N.C.; 19 grandchildren; and one great grandchild. She was preceded in death by one son, Donald Walters. Funeral service was Jan. 11 at the church, with the Rev. David Metz officiating. Cremation followed the mass. Memorials are suggested to TMP-Marian High School, in care of Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home of Hays.
Hadley 'Pete' Polson 1925-2003
ROZEL - Hadley 'Pete' Polson, 77, died Jan. 8 at Larned Healthcare and Living Center in Larned. He was born Sept. 5, 1925 in Rozel, the son of Carl E. and Hulda Edlund Polson. He attended school in Rozel. A resident of Rozel, he was a retired farmer. Polson was a member of the United Methodist Church of Rozel. Survivors include one sister, Virginia Polson of Rozel. He was preceded in death by four brothers, Jon Eric Polson, Chester William Polson, Carl Melvin Polson and Raymond Polson and two sisters, Ruth Unruh and Dorothy Lill. Funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Morell Funeral Home of Larned, with the Rev. Tony Horsley officiating. Burial will be in the Garfield cemetery of Garfield. Friends may call until 8 p.m. today and from 9 a.m. until service time Saturday, both at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the Burdett and Rozel Emergency Medical Service, in care of the funeral home.
Joseph M. Tucker Jr 1915-2003
VALPARAISO, Ind. - Joseph M. Tucker Jr, 87, died Jan. 8. He was born Aug. 9, 1915 in Battle Creek, Mich., the son of Joseph M. and Ernestine Barker Tucker Sr. He graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1940 with engineering and business degrees. A resident of Valparaiso, coming from Pawnee Rock, he was a manager for several companies, including Montgomery Manufacturing, Rockwell International, Standard Steel Springs, Boeing and Southern Equipment Company, and a quality control supervisor for Lustron Homes. Tucker was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Valparaiso. Survivors include his wife, Mildred Brookover Tucker of the home; one son, Joseph M. Tucker III of Peoria, Ill.; one daughter, Judith Horsch of Andale; his stepmother, Mary Tucker of Clearwater, Fla.; five step children, Beverly Endsley, Charlie Brookover, Jeri Naillieux, Barbara Ranta and Gaye Lindsley; 11 grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren; 14 step grandchildren; and 10 step great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Dorothy; one sister, Marion Springer; and one grandson, Phil Hall. Following cremation at Angelcrest Crematory of Valparaiso, a memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Moeller Funeral Home of Valparaiso, with Bob Coolman officiating. Friends may call one hour prior to the service Saturday. Memorials are suggested to the Life Care Center, in care of the funeral home.
Melba D. Schneider 1908-2003
LARNED - Melba D. Schneider, 94, died Jan. 8 at St. Joseph Memorial Hospital in Larned. She was born Aug. 10, 1908 at Bison, the daughter of Henry E. and Martha Amanda Miller Schneider. She was a graduate of Bison High School, received her teaching certificate from Fort Hays College of Hays and attended Brown Mackie Business College of Salina. A resident of Larned since 1962, she taught in a rural school near LaCrosse and Bison for several years, worked at the LaCrosse Bakery and retired as an accountant for the Chevrolet Agency of Larned. She was a member of the United Methodist Church, United Methodist Women, Methodist Women Quilter's, all of Larned, and taught Sunday school. Survivors include one brother, Oswald Schneider of Great Bend and one sister, Verna Mayse of Larned. Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Friday at the church, with the Rev. Charles Grant officiating. Burial will be at the LaCrosse City cemetery. Friends may call until 8 p.m. today and from 9 a.m. to noon Friday, both at Morell Funeral Home of Larned. Memorials are suggested to the Welcome Inn Seniors, in care of the funeral home.
Matilda E. Boldt 1912-2003
PRATT - Matilda E. Boldt, 90, died Jan. 6 at Friendship Manor in Pratt. She was born Feb. 27, 1912 at Chase, the daughter of George and Sophia Ruhl Dipple. She was a graduate of Chase High School. She married
Lowell E. Boldt on Aug. 22, 1934 in Bushton. He died July 19, 1995. A resident of Pratt since 1966, coming from Dodge City, she was a homemaker. Mrs. Boldt was a member of the First Church of the Nazarene, Late Bloomers, RSVP, The Garden Club, all of Pratt, and taught Sunday school. Survivors include three sons, Milton Boldt and Charles Boldt, both of Pratt, and Keith Boldt of Bentonville, Ark.; one sister, Babe Kretzmann of Lindsborg; 13 grandchildren; and 17 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one son, Robert Boldt; seven sisters; and three grandchildren. Funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the church, with the Rev. Kenneth Starkey officiating. Burial will be 2 p.m. Saturday at the Salem cemetery of Bushton. Friends may call until 8 p.m. today and from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, both at Larrison Mortuary of Pratt. Memorials are suggested to the church or Southwind Hospice, both in care of the mortuary.
Altha May Gibson 1911-2003
BELPRE - Altha May Gibson, 91, died Jan. 5 at St. Joseph Memorial Hospital in Larned. She was born Dec. 16, 1911, in Cullison, the daughter of David Mace and Clara Alice Harris. She married
Herbert F. Gibson March 17, 1942. He died in 1978. A resident of Edwards County for most of her life, she was a homemaker. Mrs. Gibson was a past member of Belpre Baptist Church, Belpre EHU and Belpre KEEN-agers. Survivors include one daughter, Marie C. Gaeddert of Larned; one sister, Grace Sidebottom of Hutchinson; five grandchildren; and one great-grandson. She was preceded in death by one daughter, Alice Rose Gibson; one son, Carl Ray Gibson; five brothers, Willard Harris, Clifford Harris, Harold Harris, Don Harris and Clarence Harris; and three sisters, Agnes Moody, Mable Johnson; and Elsie Livingston. Funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Bergthal Mennonite Church in Pawnee Rock with the Revs. Todd Schlosser and Lynn Schlosser officiating. Burial will be at Belpre cemetery. Friends may call from 1-8 p.m. Friday at Minnis Chapel in Macksville. The family will receive friends from 5-8 p.m. Friday at the funeral chapel. Memorials are suggested to American Heart Association or Mennonite Central Committee, both in care of the funeral chapel.
Alice L. Demuth 1916-2003
HUGOTON - Alice L. Demuth, 86, died Jan. 5 at St. Catherine Hospital in Garden City. She was born Oct. 10, 1916, in rural Stevens County, the daughter of Frank and Jessie Sillin Anderson. She was a graduate of Hugoton High School and received her teaching certificate from Northwestern State University of Alva, Okla. She married
Francis A. Demuth on Nov. 16, 1935, at Coldwater. He died May 1, 1991. A resident of Hugoton, coming from Texas County, Okla., she farmed with her husband and taught school until 1962. Mrs. Demuth was a member of Hugoton United Methodist Church. Survivors include one son, H. Jan Demuth of Midland, Va.; one daughter, Anna Cousins of Westfield, Ind.; five sisters, Lillian Reynolds of Phoenix, Ariz., Mary Madden of Pueblo, Colo., Dorothy Thompson and Nora Swafford, both of Hugoton, and Betty Brown of Hot Springs, Ark.; eight grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one brother, Woodrow Anderson. Funeral will be at 9:30 a.m. Friday at the church, with the Rev. Donald J. Koehn officiating. Burial will be at Riverview cemetery at 3:30 p.m. Friday at Kiowa. Friends may call from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. Thursday at Garnand Funeral Home in Hugoton. Memorials are suggested to Pioneer Manor Retirement Home of Hugoton, in care of the funeral home.
Ruth Foos Parker 1914-2003
HUGOTON - Ruth Foos Parker, 88, died Jan. 5 at Via Christi Regional Medical Center, St. Francis Campus in Wichita. She was born July 13, 1914, at Bazine, the daughter of Philip and Scharlotte Fresorger Foos. She married
Austin Leonard Parker in 1939 at Leoti. He died Jan. 15, 1973. A resident of Hugoton since 1939, coming from Garden City and Bazine, she was a cook for Hugoton Elementary School for 30 years and a homemaker. Mrs. Parker was a member of Hugoton United Methodist Church and Hugoton United Methodist Women. Survivors include one son, Phil Parker of Albuquerque, N.M.; one sister, Irene Dickens of Los Angeles, Calif.; and three grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one son, Ronny Parker; six brothers, H.P. Foos, Philip Foos, George Foos, John Foos, Herman Foos and Manuel Foos; and two sisters, Lottie Giskie and Katie Schneider. Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the church, with the Rev. Donald J. Koehn officiating. Burial will be at Hugoton cemetery. Friends may call from 6-8 p.m. today at Garnand Funeral Home in Hugoton. Memorials are suggested to the church, in care of the funeral home.
Joseph Daniel Rayla 1915-2003
Joseph Daniel Rayla, 87, of Great Bend, died Jan. 5 at Central Kansas Medical Center in Great Bend. He was born Oct. 21, 1915, at San Francisco, Calif., the son of Felix and Elisa Griebnow Rayla. He was a Great Bend resident since 1964, coming from San Francisco. He was a printer for American President Lines on the President Cleveland ship, was owner/operator of Rumpus Room and Gun Rack of Hoisington, later worked as projectionist for Commonwealth Theatres and worked in the sporting goods departments of the Great Bend Gibsons and K-Mart stores. Rayla was a past president of Eagles Lodge in Daly City, Calif. Survivors include five daughters, Jacqueline Fletcher of Great Bend, Virginia Rowlands of San Francisco, Dennise Wilson of Mobile, Ala., Brenda L. Rayla of Weatherby Lake, Mo., and Roxanna McVay of Urbandale, Iowa; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by two sisters, Florence Larsen and Ysabel Orozco; and one grandson, Mark Rowlands. Memorial service will be at 3 p.m. Friday at Bryant Funeral Home in Great Bend with the Rev. Don Paden officiating. Cremation has taken place. Memorials are suggested to the Joseph D. Rayla Memorial Fund in care of the funeral home.
Clouse 'Joe' Hamm 1933-2003
LARNED - Clouse 'Joe' Hamm, 68, died Jan. 4 at Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice in Wichita. He was born Feb. 19, 1933, in Sparkman, Ark. the son of Daniel E. and Mattie Lee Ross Hamm. He married
Linda Cloyd on Dec. 7, 1990 at Winfield. A Larned resident from 1996 to Oct. 2002, he was a machinist for the Boeing Company. Hamm was a member of East Heights Baptist Church in Great Bend and was a U.S. Army veteran. Survivors include his wife of the home; two sons, Cloise 'Joe' Hamm of Benton, Ark., and Timmy Hamm of Malvern, Ark.; two daughters, Betty Boehm of Decatur, Ark., and Jo Ann Draper of Malvern; two sisters, Clara Lee Horn and Bessie Wheeler, both of Malvern; and four grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a brother, Clarence Hamm. Funeral service will be at 2 p.m. today at Eastside Southern Baptist Church in Great Bend with the Rev. Julius Ellis officiating. Burial will be at Malvern. Memorials may be sent to Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice or Victory in the Valley, both in care of the mortuary.
Valetta Marie Mitchell 1910-2003
ST. JOHN - Valetta Marie Mitchell, 92, died Jan. 3 at Manor Care Nursing Home in Webster, Texas. She was born Dec. 11, 1910, at St. John, the daughter of Joseph Newton and Mary Elizabeth Buckles Mitchell. Having lived most of her life in the St. John and Antrim communities, she was a retired teacher after 48 years of teaching in the Hutchinson, Pratt and St. John schools. She was a member of First Baptist Church of St. John, retired teachers groups at Hutchinson and was St. John Woman of the year in 1979. Survivors include one nephew, Jerry Priess of Wichita; one niece, Joyce Priess of Wichita; and two great-nieces. She was preceded in death by one sister, Viona. Graveside service will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Fairview Park cemetery of St. John with the Rev. Betty Partridge officiating. Friends may call from 2-4 p.m. Tuesday at Minnis Chapel in St. John. Memorials are suggested to the family's choice, in care of the funeral home.
Martina Reichert 1916-2003
HAYS - Martina Reichert, 86, died Jan. 3 at St. John's Nursing Home in Hays. She was born Sept. 20, 1916, in rural Antonino, the daughter of Jacob and Pauline Dechant Haas. She married
Frank Reichert Oct. 3, 1944, in Antonino. A resident of Hays, coming from Antonino, she was a homemaker. Mrs. Reichert was a lifetime member of Our Lady Help of Christians Catholic Church of Antonino, Antonino Christian Mothers and Third Order of St. Francis. Survivors include three sons, Frank J. Reichert of Blue Springs, Mo., Lawrence J. Reichert and Thomas Reichert, both of Hays; four daughters, Barbara Jean Robinson of Green Bay, Wis., Paulette Reichert, Alvera Reichert and Norma Pipkin, all of Hays; two brothers, Al Haas of Durango, Colo., and Francis Haas of Kearney, Mo.; one sister, Irene Pfeifer of Hays; nine grandchildren; two step grandchildren; two great grandchildren; and two step-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one daughter, Mary Ellen Reichert; a grandchild, Jacob Reichert; five brothers, Alfred Haas, Celestine Haas, Alex Haas, Robert Haas and Norbert Haas; and two sisters, Adeline Fisher and Philomene Schuckman. Rosary will be at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday followed by a parish wake at 7 p.m., both at Brock's North Hill Chapel in Hays. Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the church with the Rev. Julian Haas officiating. Burial will be at the church cemetery. Friends may call from 1-4 p.m. and 6-8:30 p.m. Tuesday and from 8:30-9:30 a.m. Wednesday, all at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to Thomas Moore Prep-Marian High School, St. John's of Hays Nursing Home or for Masses, all in care of the funeral home.
