Obituaries in Kansas Newspapers (arranged by city)
Soloma R. 'Sally' Gregg 1922-2003
Soloma R. 'Sally' Gregg, 80, of Great Bend, died Aug. 21 at Hospice of Reno County in Hutchinson. She was born Oct. 4, 1922, at St. Leo, the daughter of William and Martha Blassi Schwartz. She married
Floyd Gregg June 12, 1944, at Ellinwood. He died Aug. 9, 1987. A resident of Great Bend most of her life, she was a retired cook for Elks Lodge 1127, American Legion Post 180 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3111, all of Great Bend. Mrs. Gregg was a member of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, Altar Society and Eagles Auxiliary, all of Great Bend. Survivors include two sons, Ronald Gregg of Russell and Thomas Gregg of Susank; two brothers, Morris Schwartz of Great Bend and Reinard Schwartz of Chase; four sisters, Lydia Weber, Marciline Suchy and Edith Keeler, all of Great Bend, and Rosie Henning of St. Leo; 11 grandchildren; and 20 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one son, Marvin Gregg; and one brother, Arthur Schwartz. Altar Society rosary will be at 3 p.m. today, with a vigil at 7 tonight, both at Bryant Funeral Home of Great Bend. Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Monday at the church, with the Rev. Ted Stoecklein officiating. Burial will be at Hillcrest Memorial Park in Great Bend. Friends may call from 1 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to Hospice of Reno County, in care of the funeral home.
Caroline A. Gerritzen 1915-2003
CLAFLIN - Caroline A. Gerritzen, 88, died Aug. 22 at Cheyenne Meadows Living Center in Hoisington. She was born March 29, 1915, in rural Claflin, the daughter of Julius L. and Carrie Rous Wendtlandt. She married
Peter A. Gerritzen Oct. 26, 1936, at Claflin. He died Sept. 10, 1990. A lifetime resident of the Claflin area, she was a homemaker. Mrs. Gerritzen was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church and Altar Society, both of Odin. Survivors include two sons, Herman Gerritzen of Ocala, Fla., and Eugene Gerritzen of Katy, Texas; three daughters, Rose Stearns of Columbus, Neb., Barbara Gerritzen of Hays and Lillian Shaver of Sugar Land, Texas; three sisters, Rose Wendtlandt of Holyrood, Pauline McLean of Garden Grove, Calif., and Agnes Arends of Great Bend; 12 grandchildren; and 16 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by two sisters, Emma Penka and Mary Ramsey. Vigil service will be at 7 tonight at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home in Hoisington. Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Monday at the church, with the Rev. Pascal Klein officiating. Burial will be at Holy Family cemetery in Odin. Friends may call from 1 to 9 tonight at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to Cheyenne Meadows Living Center, in care of the funeral home.
Violet Irene McCarty 1920-2003
HOLYROOD - Violet Irene McCarty, 83, died Aug. 23 at Leisure Homestead in St. John. She was born April 16, 1920, at Russell, the daughter of Ferdinand and Amalia 'Mollie' Lohman Steinert. She married
Alfred William McCarty Nov. 20, 1937, in Russell. He died Aug. 17, 1996. A resident of Holyrood for 40 years, coming from Russell and Gorham, she and her husband had owned and operated a motel in Hardtner for five years. Mrs. McCarty was a member of St. Peter Lutheran Church and Quilting Bee, both of Holyrood. Survivors include two sons, Jerry L. McCarty of Great Bend and Larry W. McCarty of Kiowa; two sisters, Melvina Bostelman of Salina and Dorlene Schaeffer of Loveland, Colo.; five grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one brother, Wilbert Steinert. Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the church, with the Rev. John Sharp officiating. Graveside service will be at 3 p.m. Tuesday at Hardtner cemetery. Friends may call from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday at Bryant Funeral Home in Great Bend. Memorials are suggested to the church, in care of the funeral home.
Dorothy M. Sherman 1926-2003
Dorothy M. Sherman, 77, of Great Bend, died Aug. 20 at Hutchinson Hospital. She was born Jan. 1, 1926, at Sleeper, Mo., the daughter of James Alvin and Bertha Bell 'Lucy' Nutter Webster. She married
Homer C. Sherman July 15, 1954, at St. John. A resident of Great Bend since 1955, coming from Hoisington, she was a homemaker. Mrs. Sherman was a member of the Lutheran faith. Survivors include her husband of the home; three sons, John Hill of Wichita, Alvin Hill of Pleasant Hope, Mo., and Dean A. Sherman of Great Bend; three daughters, Barbara Jones of Fair Grove, Mo., June Presley of Pleasant Hope and Ella Mae 'Suzie' Theno of Tongonoxie; four brothers, James R. Webster of Cheney, Ed Webster of Penalosa, Keith Webster of Haven and Gerald Webster of Hutchinson; four sisters, Jessie May McKinney of Porterville, Calif., Mary Backlin of Hanford, Calif., Edna Shumate of Abbyville and Pat Gage of Colorado Springs, Colo.; 14 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one brother, Richard Webster; and one sister, Elsie Dobson. Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Bryant Funeral Home in Great Bend, with the Rev. Dr. Doyle Smith officiating. Burial will be at Hillcrest Memorial Park north of Great Bend. Friends may call from noon to 9 p.m. tonight and from 9 a.m. to service time Saturday, all at the funeral home. Family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m today at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to Shriner's Travel Fund, in care of the funeral home.
Eunice Viola Oppliger 1909-2003
NESS CITY - Eunice Viola Oppliger, 93, died Aug. 20 at Hays Medical Center in Hays. She was born Oct. 17, 1909, in Trego County, the daughter of William and Ethel Gullett Haug. She married
John Ulrich Oppliger April 30, 1932, at Ness City. He died Nov. 15, 1976. A resident of Ness City since 1945, she was a homemaker. Mrs. Oppliger was a member of United Methodist Church of Ness City and Rebekah Lodge. Survivors include two sons, Orrin D. Oppliger of Ness City and Gerald T. Oppliger of Merritt Island, Fla.; one daughter, Judith K. Langley of Ness City; seven grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; two step grandchildren; 13 step great-grandchildren; and two step great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by three brothers, Everett Haug, Russell Haug and Olin Haug; one sister, Nerine Stewart; two grandchildren, Blake Oppliger and Velvyn Edenholm; and one step grandson, David Greer. Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at the church, with the Rev. Sue Talbot officiating. Burial will be at Ransom cemetery. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. today at Fitzgerald Funeral Home in Ness City, and until service time Saturday at the church. Memorials are suggested to the church, in care of the funeral home.
Hubert Bender 1924-2003
Hubert Bender, 79, of Great Bend, died Aug. 19 at Central Kansas Medical Center in Great Bend. He was born May 17, 1924, in Russell County, the son of Henry L. and Lena Bender Bender. He married
Elsena Stricker July 20, 1947, at Bender Hill Church in Russell County. A resident of Great Bend since 1951, coming from Borger, Texas, he was a homebuilder and worked for Phillips Petroleum Company from 1947 to 1968. Bender was a member of Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, life member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3111, American Legion Post 180, Great Bend and McPherson Barbershop Society, was treasurer and Sunday School teacher at Bender Trinity Church in Russell County, treasurer for Great Bend Association of Churches, chairman and treasurer for St. Mark Lutheran Church in Great Bend and on the board of directors of Great Bend Chamber of Commerce. He managed and played amateur baseball in Russell, Susank and Ellinwood, played fast pitch baseball in Great Bend, managed the American Legion Braves, managed K thru 18 baseball, and was recognized by the Golden Belt Kiwanis Club for outstanding community service to the American Legion Baseball program. Bender was a U.S. Navy veteran. Great Bend High School Panther Sports were one of the highlights of Bender's life. He'd already decided he couldn't wait for the football home opener, so a trip to Pratt was scheduled. Hubert was an avid K.U. Jayhawk basketball fan and was anxious to see the new coach take them to the Final Four. He also loved baseball, everything from the N.Y. Yankees and the Kansas City Royals to the Little League World Series. Survivors include his wife of the home; four daughters, Karla Leibham and husband Pete of the Kansas City, Kan., area, Tina Hiss and husband Rick of Great Bend, Debbie Allford and husband Allan of Wichita, and Kathi Bender of Wichita; five children of Marvin and Thelma Brack of whom he is guardian; Connie Pitman and husband Larry of Topeka, Marvin Brack and wife Marla of Peachtree City, Ga., Arlen Brack of Nashville, Tenn., Denise Hobbs and husband Monty of Lawrence, and Anitia Lupton and husband Brent of Kingwood, Texas; one brother, Herbert Bender of Russell; one sister, Helen Maier and husband Daniel of Hays; one sister-in-law, Darlene Bender of Bella Vista, Ark.; seven grandchildren, Peter Leibham Jr., Darrin Leibham, Kirsten Thomson and husband John, Josh Allford, Ben Allford, Michelle Hiss and Brad Hiss; guardian to 10 grandchildren, Sheri Wilson and husband Dewayne, Tevin Brack, Kelli Pitman, Katelyn Hobbs, Ryan Hobbs, Haley Hobbs, Kevin Lupton, Kathryn Lupton, Gregory Lupton and Lexie Lupton; and three great-grandchildren, Cailey Wilson, Hallie Wilson and Kheley Wilson. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Thelmer Bender and Albert Bender; two sisters, Leah Stoffel and Thelma Brack; one sister-in-law, Viola Bender; and one brother-in-law, Marvin Brack. Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Trinity Lutheran Church in Great Bend with the Revs. James A. Strasen and Hal Staats officiating. Burial will be at Great Bend cemetery. Friends may call from noon to 9 p.m. today and from 9 a.m to 8 p.m. Friday, all at Bryant Funeral Home in Great Bend. Family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to Hubert Bender Memorial Scholarship Fund in care of the funeral home.
Joseph W. 'Joe' Ziesmer 1962-2003
COTTONWOOD FALLS - Joseph W. 'Joe' Ziesmer, 40, died Aug. 19 at his home. He was born Sept. 2, 1962, at Great Bend, the son of Albert and Virginia Smirl Ziesmer. He married
Eloise Renfro. They divorced. He married
Peggy Swift Shull on July 22, 2000, at Cottonwood Falls. He was a custodian for Chase County Grade School in Cottonwood Falls for the past five years and was a former employee of Dolly Madison for 14 years. Survivors include his wife of the home; two sons, Joshua Renfro and Adam Ziesmer, both of Madison; one step-son, Joshua Shull of the home; two step-daughters, Sequoia Shull and Amara Shull, both of the home; his mother, Virginia Smirl of Dallas, Texas; his father, Albert Ziesmer of Emporia; and two sisters, Mary Frith and Ann Ziesmer, both of Dallas. He was preceded in death by one son, Justin Ziesmer. Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Chase County Middle School Gymnasium in Strong City with the Rev. Rick Smith officiating. Burial will be at Matfield Green cemetery in Matfield Green. Friends may call from 9 a.m. until 8 p.m. Friday at Brown-Bennett-Alexander Funeral Home in Cottonwood Falls and from 9 a.m. until service time at the school. Memorials are suggested to an education fund for his son, Adam Ziesmer or his three step-children, Joshua, Sequoia and Amara Shull, in care of , the funeral home.
Harry Steinert 1930-2003
CARSON CITY, Nev. - Harry Steinert, 73, died July 29 at his residence. He was born July 25, 1930, at Galatia, the son of Bernhard and Elsa Deines Steinert. He attended schools in Kansas and received his bachelor of science and masters degree from Adams State College of Alamosa, Colo. He married
Beverly. A resident of Nevada since 1968, he was associate registrar of University of Nevada, director of admissions and records at Western Nevada Community College from 1975-1993 and worked as a tax preparer for H&R Block for several years. Steinert was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church of Carson City. He was a U.S. Navy veteran, having served during the Korean War. Survivors include his wife of the home; one son, Alan Steinert of Portland, Ore.; two daughters, Kathy Sargent and Cindy Steinert, both of Portland; three stepdaughters, Brenda, Denise and Melanie; and one sister, Vida Schulz of Denver, Colo. He was preceded in death by one son, Steven Steinert; and five brothers, John Steinert, Raymond Steinert, Bernhard Steinert Jr., Thomas Steinert and Karl Steinert. Funeral was held Aug. 2 at the church. Burial was at Walton's Carson cemetery of Carson City. Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home is in charge of local arrangements.
Vernon L. Weld 1931-2003
HOISINGTON - Vernon L. Weld, 72, died Aug. 18 at Central Kansas Medical Center at Great Bend. He was born June 18, 1931, at California, Pa., the son of Ray W. and Doris Yoder Weld. He married
Leta J. Barger Jan. 5, 1955, at Pueblo, Colo. She died March 25, 2001. A resident of Hoisington for one year, coming from Colorado, Claflin and Beaver, he was former owner of the 156 Lounge of Claflin until his retirement in 1989. Weld was a lifetime member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7428 and American Legion Post 286, both of Hoisington. He was a U. S. Army veteran, having served during the Korean War. He was a recipient of three bronze stars. Survivors include one brother, Jack 'Butch' R. Weld of Hot Springs, Ark. Cremation has taken place. A private inurnment will be at a later date at Hoisington cemetery. Memorials are suggested to Hoisington cemetery Flower Garden, in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home of Hoisington.
June Thomas 1932-2003
GARFIELD- June Thomas, 71, died Aug. 16 at Edwards County Hospital in Kinsley. She was born June 17, 1932, at Tangier, Okla., the daughter of Bert and Nancy Pearl Johnston Stephens. A resident of Garfield since 1980, she was a homemaker. She was a member of the Christian faith. Survivors include one son, Gary Myers of Garfield; three daughters, Nancy Thomas of Garfield, Joan Bowen and Tina Backman, both of Woodward, Okla.; nine grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one son, Andy Clyde Myers; four brothers; seven sisters; and one grandson, David Wayne Dunlap. Funeral will be at 3 p.m. today at Morell Funeral Home in Larned with the Rev. Ken Walker officiating. Burial will be at Garfield cemetery. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to noon today at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to Garfield United Methodist Church, in care of the funeral home.
Edwin C. Hemken 1919-2003
LARNED - Edwin C. Hemken, 84, died Aug. 16 at Larned Healthcare Center in Larned. He was born May 28, 1919, at Albert, the son of Henry A. and Minnie N. Nagel Hemken. He married
Margaret Halda July 18, 1943. She died Sept. 1, 1965. He married
Maybelle A. Ehman October 1978. She died June 10, 1990. He married
Leontine Fox April 19, 1995. A lifetime resident of Rush and Pawnee counties, he was a farmer and stockman. Hemken was a member of Peace Lutheran Church in Albert and the Eagles of Great Bend. Survivors include two sons, Edwin C. Hemken Jr. of Derby and Robert E. Hemken of Dodge City; five daughters, Janice Folkerts of Timken, Dorothy Hessman of Dodge City, Susan K. Wozniak of Bella Vista, Ark., Joyce A. Hemken of Alvin, Texas, and Patricia Hemken of Great Bend; one stepson, William J. Miller of Portland, Ore.; one brother, Eugene Hemken of Montgomery, Texas; one sister, Irma Chlumsky of Rush Center; 10 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. Funeral will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at the church with the Rev. Jack Russell officiating. Burial will be at Larned cemetery. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. today and Wednesday, all at Beckwith Mortuary in Larned. Memorials are suggested to American Heart Association, American Diabetes Association or the church, all in care of the mortuary.
Peyton 'Pate' R. Rambin 1923-2003
TULSA, Okla. - Peyton 'Pate' R. Rambin, 80, died Aug. 16 at Maplewood Care Center in Tulsa. He was born June 22, 1923, at Shreveport, La. A resident of Tulsa, he worked for contract sales, highway division of Lone Star Industries. Rambin was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church and American Legion. He was a U.S. Air Force veteran. Survivors include one son, Ron Rambin of Tulsa; two daughters, Cheryl Ann Rambin and Mary Jayne Rambin, both of Tulsa; two brothers, Frank Lombardino and Bobby Lombardino, both of Shreveport; one sister, Ann Schultz of Houston, Texas; two grandchildren; and one great-granddaughter. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Louise Rambin; and one son, Richard Peyton Rambin. Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Moore's Southlawn Chapel in Tulsa. Burial will be at Memorial Park cemetery. Memorials are suggested to American Lung Association, in care of the funeral chapel.
Dennis Wayne Galliart Sr. 1945-2003
WICHITA - Dennis Wayne Galliart Sr., 58, of Wichita, died Aug. 13 at 3 a.m. at Wesley Medical Center of ongoing medical problems. Dennis was born March 16, 1945, in Great Bend, the son of Eddie and Oma Smith Galliart. He is survived by his wife, Roberta Galliart; two sons, Robert Galliart and Dennis Galliart Jr., both of Great Bend; two stepdaughters, Cheryl Hardgraves and Martha Mwangi, both of Wichita; one brother, Edward B. Galliart Jr. of Newton; and one sister, Glenna Mae Ritchie of Wilmington, N.C.; five grandchildren; and one great-granddaughter. He is also survived by a number of cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. Dennis was an oilfield worker in the Great Bend area for several years. He served in the U.S. Navy in 1962. He was baptized by Emmanuel Baptist Church in Great Bend where he was a member in 1961. Galliart moved from Great Bend to Wichita in 1991. He attended barber school while working as a building mechanical engineer. He joined the Fraternal Order of the Eagles, troop 132, where he served as president until the ongoing medical conditions no longer allowed him to. May our Lord wrap his loving arms around our brother and keep him in peace. A memorial service will be at 7 tonight at Eagles Lodge, 3101 N. Broadway, in Wichita. A second memorial service will be at 7 p.m. Saturday at East Side Southern Baptist Church, 440 Grapevine, Great Bend. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the church or National Kidney Foundation. Culbertson-Smith Mortuary in Wichita is in charge of arrangements.
