Obituaries in Kansas Newspapers (arranged by city)
Merle E. Trout 1906-2003
PRATT - Merle E. Trout, 96, died June 28 at Pratt Regional Medical Center. He was born Nov. 12, 1906, at Pratt, the son of Clifford C. and Alta Garrison Trout. He married
Erna Viola Gagelman Nov. 5, 1933. She died June 5, 1991. He married
Novadea League Bowers Oct. 28, 1995, at Pratt. A resident of Pratt most of his life, he was a retired owner and operator of Trout Motors auto dealership in Pratt. Trout was a member of First United Methodist Church, Western Savings board, United Way board, RSVP advisory board, PCC Endowment Association, president of Lions Club and president of Pratt Chamber of Commerce, all of Pratt. Survivors include his wife of the home; one daughter, Merleen Bean of Springfield, Mo.; three stepsons, Ora Bowers of Langdon, Darrel Bowers of Bartlesville, Okla., and Keith Shelman of Iuka; one stepdaughter, Luella Waterman of Langdon; one grandson; and three great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one sister, Gladys Lilly; one grandson, David Bean; one stepdaughter, Yvonne Shelman; and stepmother, Ella Gillett. Funeral will be at 1 p.m. today at the church with the Rev. Kendal Utt and Chaplain Fred Pinkerton officiating. Burial will be at Great Bend cemetery. Memorials are suggested to First United Methodist Church Scholarship Fund or Multiple Sclerosis Society, both in care of Larrison Mortuary in Pratt.
Robert B. Kaiser Sr. 1928-2003
CLAFLIN - Robert B. Kaiser Sr., 75, died June 28 at Central Kansas Medical Center in Great Bend. He was born Feb. 20, 1928, at Barton County, the son of Joe F. and Mary Meyeres Kaiser. He married
Teresa M. Kowalsky Krier Nov. 20, 1957, at Dubuque. A lifetime resident of Barton County, he was a farmer and stockman. Kaiser was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Knights of Columbus, all of Claflin, and Farm Bureau. He was a U.S. Army veteran, having served in the Korean War. Survivors include his wife of the home; two sons, Bob J. Kaiser of Odin and David W. Kaiser of Claflin; three stepsons, Thomas D. Krier of Excelsior Springs, Mo., Dennis J. Krier of Great Bend and Pete L. Krier of Claflin; one stepdaughter, Sheryl A. Oberle of Janesville, Wis.; three brothers, Leo N. Kaiser of Claflin, Louis Kaiser of Colorado Springs, Colo., and Don Kaiser of Great Bend; one sister, Lucille Beck of Beaver; 13 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one son, Barry Kaiser; one brother, Richard L. Kaiser; and one sister, Mary Elizabeth Kaiser. Funeral was Monday at the church. Burial was at Claflin cemetery with military rites provided by VFW Post 8668 and 7428, and American Legion Post 786. Memorials are suggested to the church or Claflin EMS, both in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home in Hoisington.
Clara May Yourdon 1912-2003
LARNED - Clara May Yourdon, 91, died June 26 at St. Joseph Memorial Hospital in Larned. She was born June 3, 1912, at Kiowa County, the daughter of Samuel G. and Mertle Schooley Kelly. She married
Lloyd Oliver Yourdon Aug. 16, 1933, at Dodge City. He died July 15, 1981. A lifetime resident of Larned, she was a homemaker. Mrs. Yourdon was a member of First Christian Church in Larned. Survivors include one son, Fred Yourdon of Reno, Nev.; two daughters, Barbara Beth of Larned and Donna Kopek of Bolingbrook, Ill.; 10 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. She was preceded in death by three brothers, Dale Kelly, Neal Kelly and Earl Kelly; one sister, Marie Swisher; one grandson; and one great-grandson. Graveside service will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Larned cemetery with the Rev. Dan Lundgren officiating. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. today at Beckwith Mortuary Chapel in Larned. Memorials are suggested to American Cancer Society, in care of the mortuary.
Orville Jones 1917-2003
RUSSELL - Orville Jones, 85, died June 27 at University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City. He was born Sept. 11, 1917, at Bartlesville, Okla., the son of Charlie and Bonnie Beckham Jones. He married
Orpha Pearl Ogle Oct. 7, 1939, at Springfield, Colo. She died Nov. 14, 1994. He married
Marilyn Ann Norman Stone Aug. 26, 1995, at Russell. A resident of Russell, coming from Oklahoma, Colorado and western Kansas, he was employed by Cities Service Oil Company in Russell for 32 years as a roustabout and production foreman and was a farmer. Jones was a member of First Southern Baptist Church, a former member of First Baptist Church, a life member of Veterans of Foreign Wars and a member of Masonic Lodge, all of Russell. He was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, serving during World War II. Survivors include his wife of the home; three daughters, Sharon Hilgenberg and Orma Bilbrey, both of Russell, and Diane Van Sike of Wichita; three step-daughters, Rebecca Moor and Amber Renee Cartwright, both of Wichita, and Ramona Parker of Mission Viejo, Calif.; one sister, Daisy Mae Blackford of Ft. Smith, Ark.; seven grandchildren; three stepgrandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; one stepgreat-grandchild; and one great-great-granddaughter. He was preceded in death by one brother, William Jones. Funeral was Monday at the church. Burial with military honors was at Russell City cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the church, in care of Pohlman's Mortuary in Russell.
Sylva Mae Hromadnik 1912-2003
COSTA MESA, Calif. - Sylva Mae Hromadnik, 90, died June 21 in Costa Mesa. She was born Sept. 17, 1912, in Cherryvale, the daughter of Albert F. and Daisy Weite. She married
Arthur Hromadnik in May 1945 at Wichita. He died Dec. 12, 1995. A resident of Costa Mesa for more than 50 years, she was a real estate agent. Mrs. Hromadnik was a member of Costa Mesa Board of Realtors and the California Association of Realtors. Survivors include several nieces and nephews. A private family burial will be at a later date at Holy Name cemetery near Bushton. Memorials are suggested to American Cancer Society, in care of Kimple Funeral Home of Ellinwood.
Reta G. Foster 1903-2003
Reta G. Foster, 99, of Great Bend, died Aug. 29 at her residence. She was born Sept. 20, 1903, in Adair, Mo., the daughter of Henry A. and Anna L. Cooper Fisher. She was a graduate of Great Bend High School and Barton County Commercial School. She married
James T. Foster Nov. 12, 1927, in Tulare, Calif. He passed away in 1983. A resident of 70 years in the Los Angeles area, moving to Great Bend in 1991 and living with her nephew and two teenage boys, she was a factory manager for House of Hollywood and Sally Hansen Cosmetics. She was a member of Christian Science Church of Van Nuys, Calif. During World War II she managed a factory that packaged blood for field transfusions. Her hobbies included reading, walking, gardening, investing and cooking. Survivors include one sister, Anna Cook of Great Bend; many nephews; and many nieces. She was preceded in death by nine brothers and sisters. Funeral will be at 3 p.m. today at Grace Community Church in Great Bend, with the Rev. Shawn Winters officiating and the Rev. Mitch Reece presiding. Burial will be at Hillcrest Memorial cemetery in Barton County. A private family service will be held at a later date. Memorials are suggested to Golden Belt Community Foundation, in care of Charter Funerals of Great Bend.
Ruby Lee Schroeder 1908-2003
SYLVIA - Ruby Lee Schroeder, 94, died Aug. 28 at Reno County Hospice Center. She was born Sept. 11, 1908, at Harvey, Ark., the daughter of Arthur and Idotha Jane DeFoor. She married
Garland Cornelius Aug. 28, 1925, at Harvey. He died Aug. 5, 1975. She then married
Louis Vernon in 1976. He died March 21, 1991. She married
Eugene Schroeder Feb. 4, 1995, in Sylvia. He died Feb. 21, 1995. A longtime Raymond resident before moving to Sylvia in 1996, she was a homemaker. Mrs. Schroeder was a member of Church of Christ of Sylvia. Survivors include one son, Bob Cornelius of Shelbyville, Texas; one daughter, Maxine Everett of Paris, Texas; one brother, Howard DeFoor of Muskokgee, Okla.; 12 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; and 10 great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by two sons, Darrell Cornelius and Larry Cornelius. Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Monday at Minnis Chapel in Stafford, with the Rev. David Harlow officiating. Burial will be at Hilltop cemetery in Raymond. Friends may call from 1 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral chapel. Memorials are suggested to the church or Reno County Hospice, both in care of the chapel.
Mary E. Robl 1909-2003
ELLINWOOD - Mary E. Robl, 94, died Aug. 28 at Ellinwood District Hospital in Ellinwood. She was born May 10, 1909, in Dubuque, the daughter of William E. and Katherine Weber Polzin. She married
Mat Robl Oct. 27, 1931, at Dubuque. He died Oct. 24, 1996. A lifetime resident of Barton County, she was a homemaker. Mrs. Robl was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Altar Society and Daughters of Isabella, all of Ellinwood. Survivors include one son, Dr. Richard M. Robl of Hutchinson; three daughters, Lorene Gnaedinger of Lady Lake, Fla., Patricia Nieto and Pauline McGreevy, both of Wichita; two brothers, Matt Polzin and Joe Polzin, both of Hoisington; two sisters, Marge Haberman of Great Bend and Lucille Weber of Wilson; 13 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; one nephew, James Hammeke of Burns, Ore.; and one niece, Lora Parker of Springfield, Mo. She was preceded in death by one son, Robert Robl; four brothers; two sisters; and one nephew, Eldon Hammeke. Altar Society Rosary will be at 3 p.m. today at Kimple Funeral Home in Ellinwood. Vigil service will be at 6:30 p.m. today at the church. Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday at the church, with the Rev. John Maes officiating. Burial will be at St. Peter and Paul cemetery north of Ellinwood. Friends may call from 1 to 5 p.m. today, all at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to St. Joseph's School Endowment Fund, in care of the funeral home.
Carl Arthur Dick 1922-2003
LARNED - Carl Arthur Dick, 80, died Aug. 29 at St. Joseph Memorial Hospital in Larned. He was born Dec. 19, 1922 at Larned, the son of Edwin and Sophia Krueger Dick. He married
Marian Ruth Clawson Sherman Dec. 29, 1949 at Larned. A lifetime resident of Larned, he was a retired Park Department employee for the city of Larned. He was a member of the Christian Church of Larned. Survivors include his wife, of the home; two sons, Arthur 'Art' of Larned and Clay Sherman of Joplin, Mo.; one daughter, Shirley Treas of Salina; 11 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Beryl and Paul. Funeral will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Morell Funeral Home in Larned with the Rev. Dan Lundgren officiating. Burial will be in Larned cemetery. Friends may call from noon to 8 p.m. today, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday and from 9 a.m. until service time Tuesday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to KNI Residence Benefit Fund in care of the funeral home.
Gladys B. Harms 1922-2003
Gladys B. Harms, 81, of Great Bend, died Aug. 29 at Central Kansas Medical Center at Great Bend. She was born Jan. 26, 1922, at Hoisington, the daughter of F.H. and Ida Dixon Bitter. She married
Herbert Allan Harms, Jan. 6, 1954, in Daytona Beach, Fla. He died Oct. 11, 1985. She was a resident of Great Bend since 1954, having moved here from Hoisington. She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, was past president of Great Bend Community Concert, PEO, DU Chapter and the Athenian Club, all of Great Bend. She also served on the board of directors of the University of Kansas Alumni Association. Survivors include two sons, Robert Harms of Hutchinson and Herbert Harms of Great Bend; and four grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one sister, Nadine Durden. Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at the church with the Rev. James A. Strasen officiating. Burial will be in Great Bend cemetery. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday at Bryant Funeral Home. Memorials are suggested to Great Bend Community Concert or Trinity Lutheran Church.
Helen L. Grauer 1909-2003
WILSON - Helen L. Grauer, 94, died Aug. 24 at Ellsworth County Medical Center. She was born April 11, 1909, in Los Angeles, Calif., the daughter of Milo and Allie Mae Lehman Plum. She married
Paul F. Grauer April 22, 1934, in Hastings, Neb. He died June 5, 1993. A resident of Wilson, coming from Hastings, she was a homemaker and co-owner of Wilson Telephone Company. Mrs. Grauer was a member of Wilson United Methodist Church for 60 years, Gideon Auxiliary, Wilson Friends of Reading and lifetime member of American Radio Relay League. Survivors include three sons, Robert Grauer and Charles Grauer, both of Wilson, and Paul Grauer Jr. of Hoisington; eight grandchildren; eight great grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. Funeral was Thursday at Wilson City cemetery, with the Rev. Kris Bair officiating. Memorials are suggested to American Radio Relay League or the church, both in care of Foster Mortuary Inc. of Wilson.
Jan Dreiling 1948-2003
HAYS - Jan Dreiling, 55, died Aug. 28 at Hays Medical Center in Hays. She was born May 21, 1948, at Ellis, the daughter of James T. and Josephine Ptacek Myers. She married
Stanley J. Dreiling March 26, 1988, at Hays. A resident of Hays, she was food and beverage manager at Holiday Inn for more than 30 years and worked at Smokers Outlet for the past two years. Survivors include her husband of the home; four sons, Mike Reever of Overland Park, Dale Reever of Kansas City, Kyle Reever and T.J. Reever, both of Olathe; three daughters, Traci Burney of Olathe, Marci Handley of Kansas City and Jamie Reever of Boston, Mass.; one stepson, Jason Dreiling of Hays; two brothers, Jim Myers and Dave Myers, both of Hays; one sister, Betty Hoss of Great Bend; and 10 grandchildren. She was preceded in death by two brothers, William 'Hinie' Myers and John Myers. Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home in Hays. Friends may call from 5 to 7 p.m. today at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to Cancer Center at Hays Medical Center, in care of the funeral home.
Ernest A. Prescott 1910-2003
ST. JOHN - Ernest A. Prescott, 93, died Aug. 28 at Leisure Homestead in St. John. He was born June 3, 1920, in St. John, the son of Joe and Edna Davis Prescott. He married
Ruby Fergus. She died Dec. 1, 1976. A lifetime resident of the St. John area, he was a farmer. Prescott attended Eden Valley Church of the Brethren of rural St. John. Survivors include one nephew, Wayne Prescott of Henderson, Nev. He was preceded in death by one brother, Wayne Prescott. Graveside service will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Fairview Park cemetery in St. John, with the Rev. Matthew Spurgin officiating. Friends may call from 1 to 8 tonight at Minnis Chapel Inc. in St. John. Memorials are suggested to Leisure Homestead of St. John, in care of the funeral chapel.
Mary E. Robl 1909-2003
ELLINWOOD - Mary E. Robl, 94, died Aug. 28 at Ellinwood District Hospital in Ellinwood. She was born May 10, 1909, in Dubuque, the daughter of William E. and Katherine Weber Polzin. She married
Mat Robl Oct. 27, 1931, at Dubuque. He died Oct. 24, 1996. A lifetime resident of Barton County, she was a homemaker. Mrs. Robl was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Altar Society and Daughters of Isabella, all of Ellinwood. Survivors include one son, Dr. Richard M. Robl of Hutchinson; three daughters, Lorene Gnaedinger of Lady Lake, Fla., Patricia Nieto and Pauline McGreevy, both of Wichita; two brothers, Matt Polzin and Joe Polzin, both of Hoisington; two sisters, Marge Haberman of Great Bend and Lucille Weber of Wilson; 13 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one son, Robert Robl; four brothers; and two sisters. Altar Society Rosary will be at 3 p.m. Sunday at Kimple Funeral Home in Ellinwood. Vigil service will be at 6:30 p.m. Sunday at the church. Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday at the church, with the Rev. John Maes officiating. Burial will be at St. Peter and Paul cemetery north of Ellinwood. Friends may call from 3 to 8 p.m. Saturday and from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, all at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to St. Joseph's School Endowment Fund, in care of the funeral home.
