Obituaries in Kansas Newspapers (arranged by city)
Leota Schulz 1913-2003
PALM DESERT, Calif. - Leota Schulz, 90, died May 8 at Palm Desert. She was born March 9, 1913, in Great Bend, the daughter of Park Hugh and Clairi Elsie Clark Noe. She married
Stanley G. Schulz in 1930 at Great Bend. He preceded her in death. A resident of Palm Desert coming from Great Bend, she was a real estate broker for 20 years. Survivors include one son, Stan Schulz of Palm Desert; two daughters, Connie DeWeese of Glendale, Ariz., and Rochelle of Corona; one brother, Lloyd Noe of Loveland, Colo.; six grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Friday at Ramon Chapel, Palm Springs Mortuary, Cathedral City, Calif. Burial will be at Desert Memorial Park, Cathedral City.
Otto O. Wirth 1920-2003
CLAFLIN - Otto O. Wirth, 82, died May 13 at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester, Minn. He was born July 9, 1920, at Redwing, the son of Robert A. and Anna Beck Wirth. He was a 1938 graduate of Claflin High School. He married
Dolores M. Ney Aug. 16, 1950, at Dubuque. She died May 14, 1998. A lifetime resident of the Claflin and Hoisington areas, he was a retired farmer, stockman and carpenter. Wirth was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Claflin and Knights of Columbus in Odin. Survivors include one son, Kevin Wirth of Claflin; one daughter, Julie Schuster of Rochester; one sister, Marion Schauf of Topeka; and seven grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one brother, Robert A. Wirth, Jr. Wake will be at 7 p.m. Friday, followed by K of C rosary, all at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home in Hoisington. Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at the church with the Rev. John J. Maes officiating. Burial will be at Claflin cemetery. Friends may call from 1 to 9 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to Claflin Ambulance Service in care of the funeral home.
Hulda Algrim Kruse 1916-2003
Hulda Algrim Kruse, 86, of Great Bend died May 14 at Great Bend Health and Rehabilitation. She was born Nov. 2, 1916, at Stafford, the daughter of Louis and Dena Burhenn Hildebrand. She married
Ivan Algrim Dec. 19, 1939, at Stafford. He died March 2, 1971. She married
Henry 'Kenneth' Kruse on June 30, 1972, at Great Bend. He died Oct. 19, 2002. A resident of Great Bend since 1972, coming from Stafford, she was a homemaker. Mrs. Kruse was a member of the First Church of the Nazarene of Great Bend and Ye Olde Tyme Club of Stafford. Survivors include two sons, Algred Algrim of Nickerson and Tracy Algrim of Wichita; one daughter, Susan Krampe of Great Bend, two step-daughters, Shirley Frantz of Bethany, Okla. and Marilyn Goodhue of Carlisle, Iowa; one sister, Minnie Haney of Sterling; 20 grandchildren; and 24 great-grandchildren. Funeral will be at 11 a.m. Friday at the church with Rev. Mark Pennington officiating. Burial will be at 2:30 p.m. Friday at Stafford cemetery. Friends may call from 3 p.m. to 7 tonight at Minnis Chapel in Stafford. Memorials are suggested to Golden Belt Home Health and Hospice or the church, both in care of the chapel.
Jessie James Bittner 1979-2003
Jessie James Bittner, 23, of Great Bend, died May 9 at his home. He was born Oct. 6, 1979, at Great Bend, the son of Armando Cano and Pam Gaines. A lifetime resident of Great Bend, he was a laborer for Rolling Thunder Gas Gathering in Pawnee Rock. Bittner was a member of Seventh Day Adventists. Survivors include three brothers, Diego Cano and Harold Winters, both of Great Bend, and Robert Rodriquez of Ellinwood; two sisters, Lacey Bittner Poston of Great Bend and Alicia Cano of Wichita; his mother of Wichita; his father of Great Bend; grandparents, Darrell and Nadine Bittner of Pawnee Rock and Guadalupe Cano of Montes, Mexico. Funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at Bryant Funeral Home in Great Bend, with the Rev. Jan Follett officiating. Burial will be at Hillcrest Memorial Park cemetery in Great Bend. Friends may call from 9 a.m. until 9 tonight and from 9 a.m. until service time Thursday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the family, in care of the funeral home.
Jessie Violet Bartlett 1920-2003
ST. JOHN -Jessie Violet Bartlett, 83, died May 11 at Kansas Masonic Home in Wichita. She was born Jan. 31, 1920, at St. John, the daughter of Robert Thomas and Lovina Bell Hathaway. She married
Val Gene Bartlett Feb. 14, 1944, at Stafford. He preceded her in death. A lifetime resident of St. John, she was head housekeeper at St. John District Hospital from 1963- 1982. Mrs. Bartlett was a member of Baptist Church of St. John. Survivors include three sons, David G. Bartlett Sr. of Hutchinson, Robert D. Bartlett Sr. and William P. Bartlett, both of Wichita; two daughters, Patricia A. Dunnegan and Diana Kay Barton, both of Wichita; one brother, David Hathaway of Hutchinson; and two sisters, Rosa Lee Ford of Kinsley and Dolly Bell Hilyard of Las Vegas, Nev.; 17 grandchildren; and 24 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by two sisters, Lillie Mae Mills and Nora June Watkins. Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at Minnis Chapel in St. John, with the Rev. Dennis Cochran officiating. Burial will be at Fairview Park cemetery in St. John. Friends may call from 1-8 tonight at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to Parkinson's Disease Research or Kansas Masonic Home, both in care of the funeral home.
Ralph J. Vonfeldt Jr. 1955-2003
WEATHERFORD, Okla. - Ralph J. Vonfeldt Jr., 47, died May 9 at his residence in Weatherford. He was born Nov. 14, 1955, at Great Bend, the son of Ralph J. Sr. and Leona M. Sander Vonfeldt. A resident of Weatherford for six months, coming from Hawaii and Great Bend, he was a former employee of Ralph's Rig Service before starting Jr.'s Rig Service of Great Bend. He was also employed by Resources International at Kawaihae, Hawaii, for three years. Vonfeldt was a member of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church of Great Bend. Survivors include one son, Brandon Vonfeldt of Edmond, Okla.; one daughter, Megan Vonfeldt of Edmond; companion, Becky L. Hendrix of Weatherford; three brothers, Wayne J. Vonfeldt of Weatherford, Gerald L. Vonfeldt of Hutchinson and Marlin J. Vonfeldt of Great Bend; and two sisters, Mary Ellen Allen of Great Bend and Cora M. Jennings, both of Great Bend. Vigil will be at 6 tonight at Bryant Funeral Home in Great Bend. Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the church, with the Rev. Angel Dy officiating. Burial will be at Golden Belt cemetery in Great Bend. Friends may call from 9 a.m. until 9 tonight at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the church or St. Eugene Catholic Church, 704 N. Bryan, Weatherford, OK 73096, in care of the funeral home.
Ella Maye Tornquist 1914-2003
Ella May Tornquist, 89, of Great Bend, died May 10 at Central Kansas Medical Center in Great Bend. She was born March 16, 1914, at Branson, Mo., the daughter of Carl F. and Nancy Smith Hall. She married
Paul W. Tornquist Nov. 9, 1935, at Springfield, Mo. He died Dec. 31, 1968. A resident of Great Bend, coming from McPherson, she was a homemaker and childcare provider. Mrs. Tornquist was a member of First Baptist Church, Fidelis Sunday School Class and Friendly Hour Sewing Club, all of McPherson, and Central Baptist Church of Great Bend. Survivors include one daughter, Blanche A. Smith of Great Bend; and two sisters, Blanche Edge and Emma Ray McKroskey, both of Springfield; and two grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one son, Paul D. Tornquist; one daughter, Kathryn M. Viola Hill; two brothers, Franklin Hall and Ted Hall; one sister, Esterlea Rose Gilliand; and one granddaughter, Julie Viola. Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at First Baptist Church in McPherson with the Rev. Dr. Gordon E. Rhodes officiating. Burial will be at McPherson cemetery. Friends may call 3-8 p.m. Wednesday at Stockham Family Funeral Home in McPherson. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the churches in McPherson and Great Bend, or American Heart Association, all in care of the funeral home.
Gertrude Ida Jeno 1930-2003
Gertrude Ida Jeno, 72, of Great Bend died May 10 at her home. She was born Nov. 30, 1930, at St. Nazianz, Wis., the daughter of William and Helen Riesterer. A resident of Great Bend for 25 years, coming from San Diego, Calif., she was a clerk at Best Western Angus Inn in Great Bend. Mrs. Jeno was a member of River of Life Foursquare Church in Great Bend. Survivors include two sons, Rick Trinka of Great Bend and Ted Trinka of Susank; four daughters, Donna Schrepel, Linda Carter and Lisa Niethamer, all of Great Bend, and Laura Jeno of Topeka; two sisters, Bernice Bonde of School Hill, Wis., and Florence Zimmerman of Kiel, Wis.; six grandchildren, Alvin F. Schrepel III of Shawnee, Jon A. Schrepel, Benjamin E. Niethamer and David A. Niethamer, all of Great Bend, Amber N. Trinka of Hutchinson and April D. Trinka of Hoisington; and one great-grandchild, Riley W. Philbern. She was preceded in death by one daughter, Sandra Richardson; two brothers, Ralph Riesterer and Stanley Riesterer; one sister, Lorraine Raquet; one grandchild, Jennifer Niethamer; and one great-grandchild, Tyler Shrepel. Funeral will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the church, with the Rev. David H. LeRoy officiating. Inurnment will be at Great Bend cemetery Mausoleum. Memorials are suggested to the church in care of the funeral home.
Vera Grace Long 1920-2003
LARNED - Vera Grace Long, 83, died May 12 at Lawrence Presbyterian Manor in Lawrence. She was born Dec. 1, 1919, near Ransom, the daughter of William and Mary Ummel Jaehde. She married
Fred Long Sept. 24, 1938, at WaKeeney. He died Sept. 15, 2001. A resident of Larned since 1962, recently moving to Lawrence, she was a beautician and retired clerk in Pawnee County Treasurer's Office. Mrs. Long was a member of First Christian Church, Christian Women Fellowship, church choir, Christian Church Thrift Shop volunteer, all of Larned, and a former member of Sweet Adeline's of Great Bend. Survivors include three sons, James A. Long of Larned, Steven C. Long of Denver, Colo., and David M. Long of Wichita; two daughters, Julie Ann Matchett of Lawrence and Nancy Jean Eckert of Butte, Mont.; four grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and two great-great grandchildren. Funeral will be at 1:30 p.m. Thursday at the church, with the Revs. Dan Lundgren and Eric Buller officiating. Burial will be at Larned cemetery. Friends may call from 9 a.m. until 8 p.m. Wednesday at Morell Funeral Home in Larned. Memorials are suggested to Alzheimer's Association, in care of the funeral home.
Ernest Warren Lindberg 1918-2003
Ernest Warren Lindberg, 84, of Great Bend, died May 10 at Central Kansas Medical Center in Great Bend. He was born Dec. 11, 1918, at Marquette, the son of Nels and Amelia Clark Lindberg. He married
Lucile Rose Weathers Jan. 21, 1944, in Great Bend. She died Dec. 18, 1997. A resident of Great Bend since 1945, following his military service, he was a customer service representative for Bayless Dry Cleaning in Great Bend. Lindberg was a member of Central Baptist Church, American Legion and a former member of Great Bend Blenders Barbershop Chorus, all of Great Bend. He was a U.S. Army veteran, having served in World War II in Company B, 35th Division for five years. He was wounded at St. Lo, France, and received the Purple Heart. Survivors include two sons, Howard Lindberg and wife Karen of Great Bend, and Jerry Lindberg of Pittsburg; one daughter, Nancy Lindberg of Topeka; one sister, Jeanne Thelander of Salina; five grandchildren, Aron Lindberg of Great Bend, Shawna Walker of Pratt, Amy Payne of Manhattan, Seth Lindberg of Andover and Adam Lindberg of McPherson; two stepgrandchildren, Greg Lindholm of McPherson and Doug Lindholm of Boulder, Colo.; and 11 great-grandchildren. Funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Central Baptist Church in Great Bend, with the Rev. Dr. Gordon E. Rhodes officiating. Burial will be at Great Bend cemetery with full military graveside honors. Friends may call from 9 a.m. until 9 tonight and from 9 to 11 a.m. Wednesday, all at Bryant Funeral Home in Great Bend, and from noon until service time Wednesday at the church. Family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the church, in care of the funeral home.
Jodi Lynn Clone 1971-2003
PONCA CITY, Okla. - Jodi Lynn Clone, 31, died May 8 at Via Christi Oklahoma Regional Medical Center. She was born June 23, 1971, at Ponca City, the daughter of Richard and Barbara James Colvin. She attended Ponca City High School and the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, Ark. She married
Kevin S. Clone Jan. 1, 2001, at Ponca City. Survivors include her husband of the home; two sons, Sam Colvin and Jackey Matthews, both of Ponca City; three stepsons, Kenneth Clone, Kyle Clone and Kristopher Clone, all of Great Bend; her mother and stepfather, Barbara and Harold Graves of Ponka City; one brother, Chris Brittain of Rogers, Ark.; one sister, Robin Clary of Overland Park; and her grandfather, Wilber James Sr. of Ponca City. Funeral service will be at 10 a.m. today in the chapel of Trout Funeral Home in Ponca City with the Rev. Toby Blackstar officiating. Memorials are suggested in her name to Victory Junction Gang Camp, 311 Branson Mill Rd., Randleman, NC 27317.
Jodi Lynn Clone 1971-2003
PONCA CITY, Okla. - Jodi Lynn Clone, 31, died May 8 at Via Christi Oklahoma Regional Medical Center. She was born June 23, 1071, at Ponca City, the daughter of Richard and Barbara (James) Colvin. She attended Ponca City High School and the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, Ark. She married
Kevin S. Clone Jan. 1, 2001, at Ponca City. Survivors include her husband of the home; two sons, Sam Colvin and Jackey Matthews, both of Ponca City; three step-sons, Kenneth Clone, Kyle Clone and Kristopher Clone, all of Great Bend; one brother, Chris Brittain of Rogers, Ark.; one sister, Robin Clary of Overland Park; her mother, Barbara Graves of Ponca City; step-father, Harold Graves of Ponca City; and grandfather, Wilber James Sr. of Ponca City. She was preceded in death by Funeral service will be at 10 a.m. today at in the chapel of Trout Funeral Home in Ponca City with the Rev. Toby Blackstar officiating. Memorials are suggested in her name to Victory Junction Medical Gang Camp, 311 Branson Mill Rd, Randleman, NC 27317.
Mary Frances Staab 1929-2003
SALINA - Mary Frances Staab, 73, died April 19. She was born Aug. 10, 1929, at Salina. She married
Christopher Pinkenburg. He died in 1986. She married
Robert J. Staab. A resident of Salina, she was a home economics teacher for more than 20 years and taught at Assaria High School. Survivors include her husband of the home; three stepsons, Michael Staab of Winnetka, Ill., Alan Staab of Tulsa, Okla., and Eric Staab of Salina; one stepdaughter, Mary Ann Staab of Fort Worth, Texas; two brothers, John Komarek and Francis Komarek, both of Salina; and seven step grandchildren. Funeral services were held April 23 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Salina. Burial was at Bavaria cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the church in Salina or Bavaria cemetery, both in care of Ryan Mortuary in Salina.
Blaine N. Bidwell 1916-2003
LAWRENCE -Blaine N. Bidwell, 86, died May 8 at Pioneer Ridge Retirement Community in Lawrence. He was born May 18, 1916, at Rosalia, the son of Charles F. and Iva Bell Nelson Bidwell. He was a graduate of Butler County Community College. He married
Hazel Kirkman in 1940 in ElDorado. She died in 1983. He married
Nellie Hale in March 1991 in Mission. A resident of Lawrence, he was a plumber for Norris Brothers in Lawrence. Bidwell was a member of Plumbers Union for 50 years, Masonic Lodge and Plymouth Congregational Church of Lawrence. He was active in AARP, Autumn Club, Veterans of Foreign Wars and was a volunteer at Lawrence Memorial Hospital. He was a U.S. Air Force veteran, having served in World War II. Survivors include his wife of the home; and two brothers, Bill Bidwell of Great Bend and Ed Bidwell of El Dorado. He was preceded in death by three sisters. Memorial service will be at 1 this afternoon at Warren- McElwain Mortuary in Lawrence. Private inurnment will be held at a later date. The family will greet friends following the service. Memorials are suggested to donor's choice, in care of the funeral home.
