Obituaries in Kansas Newspapers (arranged by city)
Matilda 'Tillie' A. Spicka 1916-2003
TIMKEN - Matilda 'Tillie' Spicka, 87, died July 30 at Rush County Nursing Home in La Crosse. She was born March 15, 1916, at Olmitz, the daughter of John and Sophie Gleissner Bahr. She married
Joseph Maneth at Olmitz. He died March 28, 1960. She married
Ed Spicka at Timken. He died Sept. 11, 1981. A longtime Timken resident, she was a nurses' aide at Rush County Memorial Hospital in La Crosse and a homemaker. Mrs. Spicka was a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church and Altar Society, both of Timken, and Senior Citizens Group of Bison. Survivors include one daughter, Shirley Forney of Hesston; two sisters, Valeria Malek of Albert and Florence Shaffer of Great Bend; and one granddaughter. She was preceded by one brother, Paul Bahr; and three sisters, Irma VonPessl, Marie Maneth and Margaret Wendel. Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m today at St. Ann Catholic Church in Olmitz, with the Rev. Ultan Murphy officiating. Burial will be at St. Ann's cemetery in Olmitz. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Holy Trinity Catholic Church or St. Ann Catholic Church, both in care of the funeral home.
Roberta Maxine Henry-Smith 1934-2003
LARNED - Roberta Maxine Henry-Smith, 69, died July 30 at St. Joseph Memorial Hospital in Larned. She was born March 4, 1934, at Douglass, the daughter of Loren LeRoy and Ada Roberta Hinshaw Baum. She married
Ron Henry June 5, 1953. He died Dec. 4, 1989. She married
Russel T. Smith July 6, 1996. A Larned resident since 1955, coming from Hutchinson, she was a retired nurse. Mrs. Henry-Smith was a member of Presbyterian Church of Larned and a volunteer for American Red Cross. Survivors include her husband of the home; two sons, Robert Henry of Houston, Texas, and Ralph Henry of Fayetteville, Ark.; one daughter, Ronda Tammen of McPherson; one sister, Helen Bridgeman of Loveland, Colo.; and seven grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one brother, Loren Baum. Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at the church, with the Rev. Jim Hawthorne officiating. Burial will be at Larned cemetery. Friends may call until 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. today, all at Beckwith Mortuary Chapel in Larned. Memorials are suggested to American Diabetes Association or the church, both in care of the mortuary.
Hazel Cora Brady 1912-2003
ALBERT - Hazel Cora Brady, 90, died July 31 at Clarebridge of Overland Park. She was born Nov. 28, 1912, at Toronto, the daughter of Henry and Cora Bringer Burkle. She was a graduate of Wichita Business College. She married
T. Glenn Brady Aug. 24, 1940, at Toronto. He died Nov. 15, 1998. A resident of Overland Park for five years, coming from Albert, she was a homemaker and farmed with her husband for 58 years in Rush County near Albert. Mrs. Brady was a member of Albert United Methodist Church. Survivors include one son, Warren Brady of Albert; two daughters, Anita Kaiser of Overland Park and Carol Harrod of Topeka; one brother, Walter Burkle of Topeka; and six grandchildren. She was preceded in death by two brothers, Lee Burkle and Edwin Burkle; and two sisters, Alma Burkle and Wilma Burkle. Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Monday at Bryant Funeral Home in Great Bend, with the Rev. Phil Smith officiating. Burial will be at Albert Community cemetery. Friends may call from 1 to 9 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to Albert Community cemetery or Alzheimer's Association, both in care of the funeral home.
Patricia Gunn Campbell 1921-2003
SAN ANTONIO, Texas - Patricia Gunn Campbell, 82, of San Antonio, died July 28 at her home. She was born June 15, 1921, in Great Bend, the daughter of Leonard and Beulah Benefield Gunn. She married
Leslie J. Campbell, who became a Brigadier General in the United States Air Force, and dedicated herself to her husband's career. A longtime resident of San Antonio, Patty was a graduate of USC. She was actively involved in many community charitable programs and was an art and painting instructor. Her fun loving and witty personality will be greatly missed. Survivors include her sister, Marjorie Stoskopf of Santa Monica, Calif.; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her brothers, Charles Gunn, Maurice Gunn, Richard Gunn and Robert Gunn; and her husband, Leslie J. Campbell. Memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at First Presbyterian Church with the Rev. George T. Sturch officiating. Burial will follow later in Arlington National cemetery. Porter Loring Mortuary North of San Antonio is in charge of arrangements.
Ruie Ann Hayden Munson 1959-2003
OVERLAND PARK - Ruie Ann Hayden Munson, 44, died Sept. 28 at Providence Medical Center in Kansas City. She was born Feb. 25, 1959, at Kansas City, Mo., the daughter of Chet and Onabelle Rundell Hayden. She was a 1977 graduate of Stafford High School and attended Emporia State University. She received a degree in business travel from Brown Mackie College. She married
Ben Munson Dec. 3, 1983, at Salina. They divorced. A resident of Overland Park, coming from Stafford, Wichita and Salina, she was creator of 'Barrier Breakers.' Mrs. Munson was a member of West Side Christian Church in Wichita. Survivors include her parents of Stafford; and one brother, Keith Hayden of Stafford. Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Minnis Chapel in Stafford with Phil Smith officiating. Burial will be at Stafford cemetery. Memorials are suggested to Tape Ministry of Topeka Library, in care of the funeral chapel.
Alice Sula 1905-2003
WILSON - Alice M. Sula, 98, died Sept. 26 at Ellsworth County Medical Center in Ellsworth. She was both Sept. 17, 1905, at Ellsworth, the daughter of Joseph and Anna Hospodka Mares´. She married
Anton D. Sula May 6, 1924, at Ellsworth. He died June 8, 1953. A lifetime resident of Wilson, she was a homemaker and owner of Alice's Dress Shop in Wilson. Mrs. Sula was a member of Noble EHU, American Legion Auxiliary, both of Wilson, ZCBJ Lodge, SOKOL Lodge and Wilson Opera House Corporation. Survivors include one son, Anton Sula of Wilson; one daughter, Edith Murphy of San Diego, Calif.; two grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. Funeral will be at 11 a.m. today at Foster Mortuary of Wilson with the Rev. Kris Bair officiating. Burial will be at Wilson City cemetery. Friends may call from 8 a.m to service time today at the funeral home.
Marvin F. Jacobs 1923-2003
ABILENE - Marvin F. Jacobs, 80, died Sept. 28 at Memorial Hospital in Abilene. He was born April 11, 1923, near Russell, the son of John M. and Rosa Mermis Jacobs. A lifetime Gorham-area resident, he worked on a pulling unit in the oil fields and was employed by Ivan Holt Well Service retiring in 1985, and was caretaker for St. Mary's Church and cemetery for 20 years. Jacobs was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church and Third Degree Knights of Columbus, both of Gorham. Survivors include two brothers, Louis Jacobs of Gorham and Bernard Jacobs of Hays; two sisters, Mary A. Schmeidler of Hays and Bernardine Leiker of Great Bend. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Alfred Jacobs and Edwin Jacobs. Vigil will be at 7 p.m. Wednesday, followed by Knights of Columbus rosary at 7:30 p.m., both at Cline's Mortuary in Victoria. Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at the church. Burial will be at the church cemetery. Friends may call from 3 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home and from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Thursday at the church. Memorials are suggested to the church, Capuchin Province of Mid America or Masses, all in care of the funeral home.
Vera Charlene Bourbon 1923-2003
TEMPE, Ariz. - Vera Charlene Bourbon, 80, of Tempe died peacefully in her sleep on Sept. 24. She was born Aug. 21, 1923, in Great Bend, the daughter of George and Emma Lucas and moved to Arizona in 1978. She is survived by her daughters, Dorothy (Chris) Hanisko and Donna (Kit) Groseth and her grandsons, Eric and Will Hanisko and Grant Groseth, all of Tempe; her sister, Mildred (Chris) Smith of Wichita; and a niece and nephew, Marcia (Gerald) McPhail of Lawrence and Chris (Sonia) Smith of Ithaca, N.Y. Her son, Dwight Bourbon, and her brother, Elmer Lucas, preceded her in death. Very Vivacious Vera will be deeply missed by her family and by her multitude of friends, many of them life-long. Graveside services will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 3 at Great Bend cemetery with the Rev. Hal Staats of First Presbyterian Church officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of the Valley, 1510 E. Flower St., Phoenix, AZ 85014.
Frances J. Ochs 1916-2003
HAYS - Frances J. Ochs, 86, died Sept. 28 at St. John's of Victoria. She was born Dec. 5, 1916, at Olmitz, the daughter of Frank and Josephine Krestine Kober. She married
John Ochs April 6, 1937, at Denver, Colo. He died Sept. 30, 1977. She was a homemaker. Mrs. Ochs was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church. Survivors include one son, Richard Ochs of Hays; one brother, Leonard Kober of Kansas City; three grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. She was preceded in death by one son, Kenneth; six brothers; and two sisters. Funeral services will be at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at Hays Memorial Funeral Home. Burial will be at La Crosse City cemetery. Friends may call from 4 to 6 p.m. today and from noon until service time Wednesday, all at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to St. John's of Victoria, in care of the funeral home.
Patricia Rae Krestine 1938-2003
Patricia Rae Krestine, 65, of Great Bend, died Sept. 27 at Great Bend Health and Rehabilitation Center. She was born Feb. 13, 1938, at Wichita, the daughter of Edward M. and Lydia Emma Reusser Solter. A resident of Great Bend since 1956, coming from El Dorado, she was a nurses' aide at Central Kansas Medical Center in Great Bend. Krestine was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Eastern Star, a former Scout leader and president of Golden Belt Singles Club, all of Great Bend. Survivors include one son, Joseph Krestine of Leawood; and two grandchildren. Inurnment will take place at a later date at Clearwater cemetery. Memorials are suggested to American Diabetes Association, in care of Bryant Funeral Home in Great Bend.
Pauline Breit 1910-2003
HAYS - Pauline Breit, 93, died Sept. 29 at Hays Medical Center in Hays. She was born June 23, 1910, at Pfeifer, the daughter of Albert and Katherine Meder Jacobs. She married
Alois J. 'Bert' Breit Aug. 5, 1935, at Loretto. He died March 21, 1992. A resident of Hays, she worked in housekeeping at Fort Hays State University for many years. Mrs. Breit was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church of Hays. Survivors include one son, Ed Breit of Hays; three daughters, Nila Winder of Kansas City, Mo., Cora McCartney of Garden City and Judy Strecker of Wichita; two brothers, Bill Jacobs of Pfeifer and Jerome Jacobs of Great Bend; one sister, Rose Bahr of Great Bend; eight grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one infant son, Francis Breit; one brother, Clement Jacobs; four sisters, Mary Haberman, Dorothy Dreiling, Frances Jacobs and Alice Jacobs; and one great-granddaughter, Alyssa McCartney. Parish vigil will be at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home of Hays. Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at the church. Burial will be at St. Joseph cemetery in Hays. Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday and from 9 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. Thursday, both at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to Holy Cross Charities in her name and memory, in care of the funeral home.
Connie Rae Shell 1952-2003
EMPORIA - Connie Rae Shell, 51, died Sept. 27 at her home. She was born Aug. 18, 1952, at Hays, the daughter of Don and Lucille Willcox Richmond. She married
Larry G. Shell Jan. 25, 1988, at Miami, Okla. She was a 1970 graduate of Elwood High School in Elwood, Neb., and attended Kearney State College and Fort Hays State University. A resident of Emporia, formerly of Great Bend, she was assistant manager of Emporia Country Club and former owner and manager of Ralph Wallace Buffet and Restaurant in Great Bend. Shell was the first chairperson of Great Bend Crime Stoppers and helped institute Great Bend Police Department Play Day. Survivors include three sons, Robert 'Bobby' Williams of Great Bend, Casey Williams and Michael Williams, both of Emporia; one daughter, Christy Williams of St. John; two stepdaughters, Angie Friedrich of Rancho Murieta, Calif., and Amy Shell of Oakland, Calif.; her parents of Kearney; one brother, Don Richmond Jr. of Kearney; two sisters, Pam Dickinson of Kearney and Sheri Rice of Grand Island, Neb.; and four grandchildren. Funeral will be at 10 a.m. today at Twelfth Avenue Baptist Church in Emporia with the Rev. Al Areheart officiating. Graveside service will be at 4 p.m. today at Great Bend cemetery with the Rev. Dave Dickinson officiating. Memorials are suggested to American Cancer Society or Hand in Hand Hospice, in care of Roberts-Blue-Barnett Funeral Home in Emporia.
John G. Dreiling 1932-2003
HAYS - John G. Dreiling, 71, died Sept. 25 at Saint John's Nursing Home in Victoria. He was born March 29, 1932, in Victoria, the son of Leo J. and Albina Jacobs Dreiling. He married
Marian R. Sack Feb. 23, 1952, at Victoria. A lifetime resident of Victoria and Hays area, he was a farmer and oil producer. Dreiling was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion, all of Hays, Victoria 3rd Degree Knights of Columbus and 4th Degree Assembly Knights of Columbus. He was a board member of Saint John's Corporation and a trustee of Leo J. and Albina Dreiling Charitable Trust. He was a U.S. Army veteran. Survivors include his wife of the home; one son, Todd Dreiling of Hays; four sisters, Anita Feltis, Irene Kippes and Shirley Gross, all of Hays, and Lillian Schumacher of Victoria; and three grandchildren. He was preceded in death by four brothers, Leo Francis Dreiling, Thomas Dreiling, infant Virgil Dreiling and infant Frederick Dreiling; and one infant sister, Lillian Margaret Dreiling. Vigil will be at 7 p.m. Sunday and Knights of Columbus rosary will be at 7:30 p.m. today, both at Cline's Mortuary of Hays. The 4th degree Knights of Columbus will stand honor from 6:30 to 7 :30 p.m. today at the mortuary. Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Monday at the church, with Bishop George K. Fitzsimons of Salina officiating. Burial will be at St. Joseph cemetery in Hays, with military honors by Hays VFW and American Legion. Friends may call from 5 to 8 tonight and from 8:30 to 9:45 a.m. Monday at the mortuary. Memorials are suggested to St. John's Nursing Home in Victoria or Masses, both in care of the mortuary.
Sister Theodosia Tockert OP 1902-2003
Sister Theodosia Tockert, 101, died Sept. 25 in Dominican Sisters' convent infirmary in Great Bend. She was born Jan. 23, 1902, in Odin as Mary Margaret Tockert, the daughter of Nick and Emilia Penka Tockert. She entered the Dominican Sisters' Community July 26, 1918, and pronounced her first vows May 24, 1921. She celebrated the 80th anniversary of her religious profession in 2001. Sister Theodosia was a life-time educator of grade, junior high, high school and college students of Kansas. She was principal of many of the elementary schools in which she also taught. In 1986, she was inducted into the Kansas Teachers' Hall of Fame. She served her religious community as a councilor on the leadership team and as the secretary of the congregation for many years. Late in life, she also tutored, taught English to Vietnamese students and was a teacher aide. She retired to the convent infirmary in 1997. Survivors include two sisters, Clara McGinty of Haysville and Hattie Tinkel of Great Bend. Sister Theodosia's body will lie in state at Dominican Chapel of the Plains, 3600 Broadway, until the Liturgy of Christian Burial at 3 p.m. Monday at the chapel, with Bishop Ronald Gilmore of Dodge City Diocese officiating. A wake service will be at 7 p.m. Sunday at the chapel. Burial will be at Sisters' Resurrection cemetery. Friends may call from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. today at the convent. Memorials in honor of Sister Theodosia are suggested to Dominican Sisters Mission & Ministry Fund, Office of Mission & Ministry, 3600 Broadway, Great Bend, KS 67530-3692. Bryant Funeral Home of Great Bend is in charge of arrangements.
