Obituaries in Kansas Newspapers (arranged by city)
Reuben Deines 1916-2003
HOISINGTON - Reuben Deines, 86, died June 6 at Rio Grande Regional Hospital in McAllen, Texas. He was born June 22, 1916, at Bazine, the son of Jacob and Hanna Janke Deines. He married
Virginia Shull April 4, 1947, at Wichita. A longtime Hoisington resident, he was a retired conductor for the Missouri-Pacific Railroad. Deines was a member of First United Methodist Church, Masonic Lodge No. 331 A.F. & A.M., and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7428, all of Hoisington, and American Legion Post 37 of McAllen. He was a U.S. Navy veteran, having served in World War II. Survivors include his wife of Alamo, Texas; two sons, David Deines of Wichita and Dale Deines of Salina; one daughter, Linda Varner of Wildwood, Mo.; two brothers, Lawrence Deines of Great Bend and Marvin LaVern Deines of Smyra, Ga.; two sisters, Edna Milberger of Russell and Bernice Swopes of Ponca City, Okla.; and four grandchildren. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Herman Deines and Arthur Deines; and one sister, Martha Deines. Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home in Hoisington with the Rev. Wayne Flanders officiating. Burial will be at Hoisington cemetery. Friends may call from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday and from 9 a.m. to service time Wednesday, all at the funeral home. The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to St. Joseph Institute of the Deaf in care of the funeral home.
Elva M. Cunningham 1907-2003
RUSH CENTER - Elva M. Cunningham, 95, died June 5 at Rush County Memorial Hospital in La Crosse. She was born Sept. 17, 1907, at Ness County, the daughter of Elmer M. and Harriet J. Fairbanks Cooley. She was a 1927 graduate of Bison High School. She married
Jake Schneider. He preceded her in death. She married
Dick Cunningham Dec. 7, 1935, at Kinsley. He died Aug. 19, 1973. A lifelong resident of Rush County, she was a homemaker. Mrs. Cunningham was a member of Women's Relief Corp. of Rush Center. Survivors include three daughters, Audrey Gough of Columbia, Mo., Marjorie Ochs of Rush Center and Gloria Renz of Albert; and one sister, Celene Hester of Great Bend; 11 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and 14 great-great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by two sons, Richard Cunningham and Lowell Cunningham; three brothers, Floyd Cooley, Thayne Cooley and Dean Cooley; and one sister, Reita Cooley. Funeral will be at 11 a.m. today at Janousek Funeral Home Chapel in La Crosse with the Rev. Marilyn Christmore officiating. Burial will be at Locust Hill cemetery in Rush Center. Friends may call from 9 to 10: 50 a.m. this morning at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the Rush County Nursing Home in La Crosse or donor's choice, both in care of the funeral home.
Mary Blanche Woestman 1921-2003
SANTA FE, N.M. - Mary Blanche Woestman, 81, died June 2, 2003, at La Residencia Nursing Center in Santa Fe, N.M. She was born Sept. 17, 1921, on the family farm near Spearville. Mary attended the one-room schoolhouse near the farm and also attended Spearville High School, graduating in 1940. She later attended St. Anthony Hospital School of Nursing in Dodge City, graduating in 1947 as a Registered Nurse. Mary was employed at Larned State Hospital during the last years of her nursing career, retiring in 1984. In 1949-50 she met and married
her husband, E. Frank Woestman, who preceded her in death. She is also preceded in death by her parents, Ed and Ila Butler; sister Ada; and brothers Clarence and Maynard. Mary is survived by her sister Ruth Baskett of Amarillo, Texas; daughter Mary Rodriguez and husband Rudy of Santa Fe; grandchildren Jennifer Rodgers and husband Eric of McKinney, Texas, and Rachelle Ricciardi of Chesapeake, Va., Stephen and Susana Rodriguez of Santa Fe; great-grandchildren Zachary, Merin, and Jena Rodgers, and Gareth Ricciardi. Funeral services will be held at Offerle United Methodist Church in Offerle at 10 a.m. Monday, with burial service following at Larned City cemetery. McGee Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
Margerie M. Firkins Cram 1918-2003
SALINA - Margerie M. Firkins Cram, 85, died May 28. She was born Feb. 5, 1918, at Jennings. She married
Ole Robert Cram Jr. on Jan. 30, 1943, at Kansas City. He died in 1998. A resident of Salina, she was a homemaker having previously worked as business manager in her husband's medical office in Larned. Mrs. Cram was a member of First United Methodist Church of Larned, past president of United Methodist Women, 60-year member of PEO - Chapter CB, Order of the Eastern Star, Girl Scout Leader and board member of the Wheatbelt Council. Survivors include two sons, Charles Cram of Dallas, Texas and Jim Cram of Salina; three daughters, Patsy Nelson and Betty Dickerson, both of Albuquerque, N.M. and Mary Myers of Longmont, Colo.; one brother, Bruce Firkins of Deming, N.M.; two sisters, Darlene Topping of Junction City and Josephine Cram of Denver, Colo.; 11 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Memorial service will be 10:30 a.m. June 20 at the church. Inurnment will be at Larned cemetery. Memorials are suggested to Kansas University Scholarship Fund, the church, and PEO Club of Larned all in care of Ryan Mortuary of Salina.
Hazel Lucille Joy 1925-2003
WICHITA - Hazel Lucille Joy, 78, died June 1 at her residence in Wichita. She was born in Hamilton. She was a homemaker. Survivors include one son, Larry Joy of Broken Arrow, Okla.; two daughters, Cindy Whiterock of Wichita and Janice Heinz of Great Bend; two brothers, Leon Smith of Pennsylvania and Ed Smith of Kansas; one sister, Doris Christopher of Oklahoma; six grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Funeral will be at 1 this afternoon at Resthaven Mortuary in Wichita. There is no visitation and no memorials are suggested.
Catherine Marjorie Birzer 1920-2003
ELLINWOOD - Catherine Marjorie Birzer, 83, died June 3 at Ellinwood District Hospital. She was born May 27, 1920, at Ellinwood, the daughter of Peter L. and Bertha Steimel Wendel. She married
Robert Michael Birzer Sept. 5, 1939, at Kansas City, Mo. He died Sept 18, 1995. A lifetime resident of Barton County, she was a sales clerk at Gaylors Dry Goods in Ellinwood, a baker at the Ellinwood Bakery and a certified nurses assistant at Central Kansas Medical Center of Great Bend. Mrs. Birzer was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Altar Society, American Legion Auxiliary, Ellinwood Historical Society and Heritage Club, all of Ellinwood. Survivors include one son, Joe Birzer of Harper; two daughters, Judy Komarek of Ellinwood and Sandra Choitz of Derby; two brothers, Jerry Wendel of Great Bend and Tom Wendel of Hutchinson; one sister, Audrey Puckett of Hutchinson; 11 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by two daughters, Donna Lee Jones and Bobbie Kay Oberle; three grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. Altar society rosary will be at 3 p.m. today followed by a vigil service at 7 p.m., all at Kimple Funeral Home in Ellinwood. Funeral will be at 1:30 p.m. Friday at the church with the Rev. John Maes officiating. Burial will be at Lakin-Comanche District cemetery in Ellinwood. Friends may call from 9 this morning to 8 tonight and from 9 a.m. to noon Friday, all at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to Heritage Club, Ellinwood Hospital Auxiliary or Ellinwood Fire Department, all of Ellinwood in care of the funeral home.
The Rev. Wenzel L. 'W.L.' Birzer 1912-2003
The Rev. Wenzel L. 'W.L.' Birzer, 90, of Great Bend, died June 3 at Cherry Village Residential Care in Great Bend. He was born July 6, 1912, at Odin, the son of Alois and Barbara Probst Birzer. He attended elementary school in Odin before traveling to Mt. Calvary,Wis., for high school and St. Lawrence college. He took his philosophy and theology training at St. Francis Seminary in Milwaukee, Wis. He was ordained June 3, 1939, at Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis in St. Louis, Mo., by Cardinal John Glennon. He was appointed the pastor of St. Mary parish of Sitka, with St. Joseph parish of Ashland, as a mission. With the exception of only 2 1/2 years, all of his appointments have been in the territory that is now the Diocese of Dodge City. He was pastor of St. Bernard parish of Belpre from 1943-1948; St. Boniface parish of Sharon from 1948-1960; St. Andrew parish of Wright from 1960-1962; St. John parish of Meade from 1963-1964; St. Theresa parish of Dighton from 1964-1969; St. Joan of Arc parish of Elkhart from 1969- 1970; and St. Joseph parish of Liebenthal and St. Mary parish of Loretta from 1970-1983. Birzer was Diocesan director of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith from September of 1960 to May of 1962. He retired Aug. 31, 1983, to Ellinwood where he continued to serve the church as a substitute, later moving to Alterra Sterling House in Great Bend. Birzer was influential in establishing the parish at Medicine Lodge and naming it Holy Rosary and was a Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus member. Survivors include two sisters, Matilda Prosser of Ellinwood and Ann Dreiling of Odin. He was preceded in death by six brothers, Louie Birzer, Nick Birzer, Frank Birzer, John Birzer, Joe Birzer and Tom Birzer; and one sister, Margaret Heckele. Family rosary will be at 6 p.m. followed by a vigil service at 7 p.m., followed by Knights of Columbus Rosary today, all at Holy Family Catholic Church in Odin. Funeral will be at 11 a.m. Friday at the church with Bishop Ronald M. Gilmore and the Rev. Pascal Klein officiating. Burial will be at Holy Family cemetery in Odin. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. today at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home in Hoisington, and from 6 to 9 p.m. today at the church. Memorials are suggested to the American Diabetes Association in care of the funeral home.
Barbara Raye Scott Claypool 1945-2003
STAFFORD - Barbara Raye Scott Claypool, 58, died June 2 at her home. She was born Feb. 9, 1945, at Ft. Worth, Texas, the daughter of Raymond George and Juanita Spurlock Scott. She married
Karol Lee Claypool Oct. 19, 1963, at Temple, Texas. A longtime Stafford resident, she was a homemaker. Mrs. Claypool was a member of Stafford Church of Christ, and a volunteer at the Ritz Theatre and Christmas Wonderland. Survivors include her husband of the home; one son, T. J. Claypool of Stafford; two daughters, Kelly May McGee of Larned and Jackie Lee Myers of Wichita; one brother Ray Scott of Gilmer, Texas; two sisters, Debbie Northam of Belton, Texas and Donna Jane Livingston of Ft. Worth; and three grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a sister, Patricia Scott. Graveside service will be at 11 a.m. Friday at Stafford cemetery with Richard Foster officiating. Friends may call from 1 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Minnis Chapel of Stafford. In lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to the church or Southwind Hospice, both in care of the chapel.
Frank Spreier 1923-2003
JETMORE - Frank Spreier, 80, died May 30 at Reno County Hospice House in Hutchinson. He was born March 23, 1923, at Pawnee County, the son of David and Katherine Schuldies Spreier. He married
Mildred Berger Aug. 10, 1947, at Jetmore. A resident of Jetmore, he was a farmer and stockman, and commercial sand hauler. Spreier was a member of United Methodist Church in Rozel. Survivors include his wife of the home; one daughter, Diane Spreier of Larned; two sisters, Opal Berger of Jetmore, and Dorothy Constant of Larned; two grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one son, Duane Frank Spreier; one brother, Fred Spreier Jr.; and four sisters, Laura Wiedemann, Majorie Gordier, Esther Spreier, and Viola Balman. Funeral service will be at 10:30 this morning United Methodist Church in Jetmore with the Rev. Mitch Reece officiating. Burial will be at Fairmount cemetery in Jetmore. Memorials are suggested to American Cancer Society in care of Beckwith Funeral Home in Jetmore.
Betty Ziegenbush 1907-2003
ELLINWOOD - Betty Ziegenbusch, 95, died June 1 at Central Kansas Medical Center in Great Bend. She was born Oct. 20, 1907, at Ellinwood, the daughter of Henry Herman and Catherine Scheim Ziegenbusch. She graduated from Kansas State Teacher's College at Emporia with a degree in elementary education. A longtime Ellinwood resident, she was an elementary teacher in Ellinwood and Wichita, retiring in 1972. She was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church and Modern Literature Club, both of Ellinwood; Barton County Retired Teachers Association, Delta Kappa Gamma of Great Bend, Kansas NEA and a member of the Sixth District of Kansas Author's Club. Survivors include two nieces, Betty Bjerke of Goodyear, Ariz., and Jane French of Pago Pago, American Samoa. Funeral will be at 11 a.m. Friday at the church with the Rev. Andy Keltner officiating. Burial will be at Lakin-Comanche District cemetery in Ellinwood. Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, all at Kimple Funeral Home in Ellinwood. Memorials are suggested to Ellinwood School/Community Library Foundation or the church, both in care of the funeral home.
Severia I. 'Sis' Pierce 1924-2003
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Severia I. 'Sis' Pierce, 78, died May 30 at Baptist Lutheran Hospital. She was born Sept. 16, 1924, at Antonino. She married
Richard 'Jack' Hillman. He died. She married
Maynard Pierce. She was a resident of the Kansas City area since 1965. Survivors include her husband of the home; two sons, Amiel Hillman of Kansas City and Steven Hillman of Great Bend; two daughters, Norine Wells of Blue Springs, Mo., and Cora Duncan of Baldwin City; two brothers, Sylvester Sauer of San Jose, Calif., and Marvin Sauer of Blue Springs; one sister, Jean Weaver of Portland, Ore.; 16 grandchildren; and many great grandchildren. Funeral will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Park Lawn Chapel in South Kansas City. Burial will be at Green Lawn cemetery. Friends may call from 6 to 8 tonight at the chapel. Park Lawn Funeral Home of South Kansas City is in charge of arrangements.
George Williams 1915-2003
WEST MONROE, La., - George Williams, 87, died May 31. He was born July 21, 1915, at Wellington, Texas. He married
Dorothy Allen. A resident of West Monroe, coming from Amarillo, Texas, he worked for Shamrock Oil, the Bureau of the Mines, received a meritorious award for outstanding service in 1973 from the Department of the Interior, and retired after 31 years of service as chief of production for helium operations with the U.S. Government. Williams was a member of Ridge Avenue Baptist Church in West Monroe and a deacon in the Southern Baptist faith. Survivors include his wife of the home; one daughter Sammie Pettitt of West Monroe; four sisters, Faye Flynn and Sue Green, both of Amarillo, and Bennie Smith and Jane Herndon of McLean, Texas; three grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; seven step-great-grandchildren; and two step-great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by six brothers; and one great-granddaughter, Randi Layne Williams. Funeral and burial were held June 2 in West Monroe. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to American Parkinson's Disease Association in care of Kirkpatrick Funeral Home in West Monroe, 1321 North Seventh St., West Monroe, La, 71291.
William J. 'Bill' Desaire 1965-2003
ELLIS - William J. 'Bill' Desaire, 37, died May 31 as a result of an automobile accident. He was born Oct. 15, 1965, at Ardmore, Okla., the son of Adrian and Ellen Fabrizius Desaire. He married
Kathy Homburg June 27, 1987, at St. John's Lutheran Church of Ellis. He was a graduate of Ellis High School. He received a bachelor's degree in economics from Fort Hays State University and an associate's degree in criminal justice from Barton County Community College. A resident of Ellis since 1976, coming from Wichita, he worked in sales and was owner and operator of Railroader Karoake. Desaire was a member of Christ Lutheran Church, past president of Ellis Main Street Inc., past Ellis city councilman and a member of Kansas Army National Guard. Survivors include his wife of the home; one son, Danny Desaire of Ellis; one daughter, Kimberly Desaire of Ellis; his father of Plainville; his mother and step-father, Ellen and Mike Archer of Sublette; one brother, David Desaire of Sublette; three sisters, Christine Honaker of La Crosse, Wisc., Tammie Gerhardt of Ellis and Julie Desaire of Wichita. Funeral will be at 10 this morning at the church with the Rev. Lyle M. Knuth officiating. Burial will be at Zion Lutheran cemetery. Friends may call from 9 this morning until service time at the church. Memorials are suggested to the Education Fund for his children in care of Wasinger Funeral Chapel in Ellis.
