Obituaries in Kansas Newspapers (arranged by city)
Jerry Gene Nolte 1936-2003
HUDSON - Jerry Gene Nolte, 66, died Aug. 30 at Via Christi Regional Medical Center, St. Francis Campus in Wichita. He was born Oct. 13, 1936, at Great Bend, the son of William J. and Mildred Scheufler Nolte. He was a resident of West View Manor in Peabody. Nolte was a U.S. Army veteran. Survivors include three brothers, Larry Nolte of Blue Rapids, William Nolte of Sierra Vista, Ariz., and Ronald Nolte of Hutchinson. Graveside service will be at 10 a.m. today at Trinity cemetery in Hudson, with the Rev. George Redington officiating. Memorials are suggested to American Cancer Society, in care of Minnis Chapel in Stafford.
Verne E. Wagner 1932-2003
HOISINGTON - Verne E. Wagner, 71, died Sept. 1 at Clara Barton Hospital in Hoisington. She was born Aug. 8, 1932, in McCalister, Okla., the daughter of Sam and Fanny Robinson Hamilton. She married
Waldine L. Wagner Dec. 16, 1951, at Galatia. He died Sept. 16, 1985. A resident of Hoisington for 49 years, coming from Galatia, she had worked for Fuller Brush in Great Bend, Homestead Villa in Hoisington as a nurse aide and was a homemaker and baby sitter. Mrs. Wagner was a member of Concordia Lutheran Church of Hoisington. Survivors include one son, Delbert Wagner of Hoisington; two daughters, Janice Delgado of Gardner and Judy Waldron of Riverside, Calif.; one sister, Christine Damilini of Wichita; and five grandchildren. She was preceded in death by five brothers, Orville Hamilton, Sidney Hamilton, Hansel Hamilton, Leon Hamilton and R.C. Hamilton; and two sisters, Gladys Swartzlander and Elvira Silva. Prayer service will be at 8 p.m. Wednesday at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home in Hoisington. Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the church, with the Rev. Garry Dassow officiating. Burial will be at Hoisington cemetery. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the church or Hoisington Little League Baseball, in care of the funeral home.
J. Paul Stonebraker 1912-2003
J. Paul Stonebraker, 91, of Great Bend, died Oct. 29 at Central Kansas Medical Center in Great Bend. He was born July 17, 1912, at Lincoln, the son of Otto I. and Agnes Driscoll Stonebraker. He married
Patricia A. Miller Sept. 3, 1967, at Denver, Colo. A resident of Great Bend since 1975, coming from Wichita, he was a chef for the Petroleum Club, Five Oaks and Holiday Inn, all of Great Bend. Stonebraker was a member of First United Methodist Church of Great Bend, was former president of Swinging Stars Square Dance Club of Hoisington, past president and treasurer of State Square Dance Association, former secretary-treasurer of Denver Square Dance Council, Kansas Chef of the year in 1973 and elected to American Academy of Chefs. He was a U.S. Army veteran, having served in World War II. Survivors include his wife of the home; three sons, David John Miller of Omaha, Neb., Bernard Neil Miller of Boise, Idaho, and Randy Miller of the home; four daughters, Patricia Ann Wheeler of Albuquerque, N.M., Francene Joy Stonebraker-Greenburg of Highland Ranch, Colo., and Terri Susan Stonebraker of Aurora, Colo.; nine grandchildren; four great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one brother, Mel Stonebraker; and two sisters, Marie Peterson and Frances Schackleford. Funeral will be at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at the church with the Rev. Gary Brooks officiating. Burial will be at Hillcrest Memorial Park cemetery north of Great Bend. Friends may call from noon to 9 p.m. today and from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday at Bryant Funeral Home in Great Bend. Memorials are suggested to Alzheimer's Association, in care of the funeral home.
Connor Maxon Rexwinkle 2003-2003
Connor Maxon Rexwinkle, 2 days, died Oct. 29 at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita. He was born Oct. 27, 2003, at Great Bend, the son of Dustin W. and Alisha M. Rexwinkle. Survivors include his parents of the home; grandparents, Kent and Diane Rexwinkle of Great Bend, Steve and Rhonda Williams of Baileyville, and Robert and Grace Blehm of Russell; great-grandparents, Darrell and Colleen Rexwinkle of Great Bend, Lowell and Lois Sohm of Otis, Jim and Betty Hamm of Texas, and Maymee Blehm of Dorrance; and great-great-grandmother, Evelyn Winkler of Kansas City, Mo. Graveside service will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Great Bend cemetery with the Rev. Don Paden officiating. There will be no visitation. Memorials are suggested to the Connor M. Rexwinkle Memorial Fund, in care of Bryant Funeral Home of Great Bend.
John Leon Brown 1919-2003
LONG BEACH, Calif. - John Leon Brown, 84, died Oct. 15 at Long Beach. He was born Feb. 27, 1919, at Galatia. He was a 1937 graduate of Great Bend High School and attended Kansas State University. A resident of California since 1940, he was employed by Douglas Aircraft for 23 years, working in tooling, tool design and as a liaison engineer. Survivors include his wife of the home; four sons, Richard Brown, Randall Brown, Darrell Brown and Mark Brown; one brother, Douglas Brown of Leslie, Ark.; four sisters, Rachel Johnson of Upland, Calif., Lois Childers of Kingman, Ind., and Ulanda Pugh and Louise Gunn, both of Great Bend; six grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. Memorial service was Oct. 18 at Parkcrest Christian Church in Long Beach. Luyben Family Dilday Mottell Mortuary of Long Beach was in charge of arrangements.
Larry Gene Howser 1948-2003
HEWITT, Texas - Larry Gene Howser, 55, died Oct. 29 at his residence in Hewitt. He was born Aug. 19, 1948, in Hoisington, the son of Floyd W. and Gertie G. Stidham Howser. He was a 1966 graduate of Hoisington High School. He married
Sandy Jones Jan. 9, 1971, at Ness City. A resident of Hewitt for five years, coming from Great Bend, he worked in the signal department for Union Pacific Railroad for 37 years. 'Larry was a very loving husband, father and grandpa. His grandkids were his pride and joy. He was also known for his sense of humor, making people laugh wherever he went. He will be missed dearly.' Howser was a member of First Baptist Church of Hewitt and a life member of Veterans of Foreign Wars. He was a U.S. Army veteran of the Vietnam War. Survivors include his wife of the home; one son, Troy G. Howser of Troy, Mich.; one daughter, Tonya Hopkins of Hewitt; two brothers, James F. Howser of Topeka and Roger L. Howser of Edmond, Okla.; two sisters, Judy Fields of Anthony and Tammy Howser of Topeka; three grandchildren, Lakyn, Lexey and Jacob; and his father- and mother-in-law, Moreland and Dorothy Jones of Ness City. He was preceded in death by one sister, Glenda Hensley. Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Monday at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home in Hoisington, with the Rev. Dr. Doyle Smith officiating. Burial will be at Hoisington cemetery, with military graveside rites by Fort Riley Honor Guard. Friends may call from 1 to 9 p.m. Sunday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, all at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the church, in care of the funeral home.
Julius J. Urban 1928-2003
HOISINGTON - Julius J. Urban, 75, died Oct. 27 at Clara Barton Hospital in Hoisington. He was born Aug. 15, 1928, at Pfeifer, the son of Joseph A. and Josephine Pfannenstiel Urban. He married
Ann Tinkel May 2, 1951, at Dubuque. A resident of Hoisington since 1942, coming from Antonino, he was an auto mechanic for O'Connell Motors Company in Great Bend for 45 years, retiring in 1993. Urban was a member of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church of Hoisington and Sunflower Polka Club of Great Bend. Survivors include his wife of the home; two sons, Thomas Urban and Kevin Urban, both of Hoisington; two daughters, Geneva Applebee and Patty 'Tricia' Polzin, both of Hoisington; four brothers, Melvin Urban of Ellinwood, Ervin Urban of Garden City, Aresenius 'Tony' Urban of Seward and Joe Urban Jr. of Dodge City; six sisters, Lillian Beck of Hoisington, Johanna Brodie of Great Bend, Delores Harris, Lorraine Wedman and Alberta Klein, all of Wichita, and Twila Kush of Colorado Springs, Colo.; eight grandchildren; and one great-grandson. Vigil will be at 7 tonight at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home in Hoisington. Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the church, with the Rev. Pascal Klein officiating. Burial will be at St. John cemetery in Hoisington. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. today and from 9 a.m. to service time Thursday, both at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to American Cancer Society or the church, both in care of the funeral home.
Chester L. Strecker 1922-2003
RUSSELL - Chester L. Strecker, 81, died Oct. 25 at Wheatland Nursing Center in Russell. He was born Sept. 11, 1922, in Russell County, the son of George and Sophie Michel Strecker. He married
Lillian Karst Nov. 12, 1944. They divorced. He married
Patricia Hayes Seirer Oct. 13, 1977. A lifetime resident of the Russell area, he was a partner in Midwest Well Service in Russell, worked for Okmar Oil Company of Wichita and was a contract pumper for Moran Oil Enterprises until his retirement in 1993. Strecker was a member of St. John Lutheran Church in Russell. Survivors include his wife of the home; two sons, Allen Strecker of Russell and Rick Strecker of Hays; one sister, Donna Evans of Kimball, Neb.; two granddaughters; and 13 stepgrandchildren. He was preceded in death by an infant son, Gary Strecker; and one brother, Roy Strecker. Funeral will be at 2 p.m. today at Pohlman-Heise Memorial Chapel in Russell, with the Rev. Henry J. Hartman officiating. Burial will be at St. John Lutheran cemetery. Memorials are suggested to St. John Lutheran cemetery Fund, in care of the mortuary.
Lawrence L. Deines 1915-2003
GALATIA - Lawrence L. Deines, 88, died Oct. 28 at Great Bend Health and Rehabilitation Center in Great Bend. He was born Feb. 22, 1915, at Bazine, the son of Jacob and Hannah Janke Deines. He married
Evelyn W. Brack Jan. 23, 1937, at Great Bend. A resident of Ellinwood, coming from Galatia, he was a farmer and stockman. Deines was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church of Galatia. Survivors include his wife of Great Bend; two sons, Jerry Deines of Russell and Larry Deines of Galatia; three daughters, Karen Keil of Edmond, Okla., Gloria Myers of Ellinwood and Denise Schulte of Russell; one brother, Marvin Deines of Smyrna, Ga.; two sisters, Edna Milberger of Russell and Bernice Swopes of Ponca City, Okla.; 13 grandchildren; four stepgrandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and three step great-grandchildren. Lawrence was preceded in death by three brothers, Arthur Deines, Reuben Deines and Herman Deines; and one sister, Martha Deines. Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at the church, with the Rev. Shannon Tiller Vogelezang officiating. Burial will be at Fairview cemetery in Galatia. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home in Hoisington and from 9:30 a.m. to service time Friday at the church. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the church, in care of the funeral home.
Lawrence R. 'Bud' Schroeder 1931-2003
NEWTON - Lawrence R. 'Bud' Schroeder, 72, died Oct. 24 at Via Christi Regional Medical Center, St. Francis Campus, of Wichita. He was born Feb. 11, 1931, at Canton, the son of Roland and Laura Finkle Schroeder. He married
Marion Zorn May 31, 1955, at Odin. A resident of Newton, he was a retired maintenance supervisor for Newton Medical Center. Schroeder was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church, Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion, all of Newton. He was a U.S. Army veteran. Survivors include his wife of the home; three sons, Alan Schroeder of Wichita, and Keith Schroeder and Loren Schroeder, both of Newton; two daughters, Donna Brenneman and Elaine Prouty, both of Newton; one brother, Galen Schroeder of Chandler, Ariz.; one sister, Arlen Bustamonte of Hilo, Hawaii; and eight grandchildren. Funeral will be at 11 a.m. today at the church with the Rev. John Hotze officiating. Burial will be at St. Mary's Church cemetery in Newton. Memorials are suggested to Kansas Wildlife and Parks, in care of Petersen Funeral Home in Newton.
Helen Ethel Shoop 1918-2003
ST. JOHN - Helen Ethel Shoop, 85, died Oct. 25 at Leisure Homestead in Stafford. She was born July 6, 1918, at Sterling. She graduated from Kansas State University with a bachelor of science degree in home economics. She married
Homer Albert Shoop May 26, 1940, at Sterling. He preceded her in death. A resident of St. John, she was a homemaker and a retired school teacher from the Towanda, Byers and Otis school systems. Mrs. Shoop was a member of Antrim United Methodist Church in rural St. John, United Methodist Women, Hesperian Club, Mothers Club, Antrim EHU and Chi Omega Sorority at KSU. Survivors include one son, Donald H. Shoop of Fargo, N.D.; three daughters, Jean Hixson of WaKeeney, Karen Nelson of Seattle, Wash., and Rebecca Hunley of St. John; one brother, Leslie Heter of Andover; one sister, Millie Gard of Salina; 12 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by three brothers, Jack Heter, Thomas J. Heter and Waid Heter. Funeral will be at 2 p.m. today at the church with the Rev. Roberta A. Fall officiating. Burial will be at Rose Valley cemetery in rural Stafford County. Memorials are suggested to the church, in care of the funeral home.
Elizabeth C. Lecture 1909-2003
Elizabeth C. Lecture, 94, of Great Bend, died Oct. 24 at Great Bend Health and Rehabilitation in Great Bend. She was born March 16, 1909, at Great Bend, the daughter of Ira H. and Nellie Gertrude DeLong Clark. She married
Tom L. Lecture at Chicago, Ill. He died June 5, 1991. A resident of Great Bend since 1931, coming from Chicago, she was a homemaker. Mrs. Lecture was a member of First United Methodist Church, PEO and OES. Survivors include one son, Tom C. Lecture of Great Bend; one daughter, Linda Smith of Smyrna, Tenn.; and one grandson. She was preceded in death by one brother, Dwight Clark; and five sisters, Bess Clark, Hazel Healzer, Flora Jane Beasley, Louise Hedge and Ethel Wright. Funeral will be at 1:30 p.m. today at the church with the Rev. Gary Brooks officiating. Burial will be at Great Bend cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the church, in care of Bryant Funeral Home in Great Bend.
Sylvia A. Folk 1912-2003
HOLYROOD - Sylvia A. Folk, 91, died Oct. 22 at her home in Holyrood. She was born July 12, 1912, at Holyrood, the daughter of Joseph and Mary Schultz Klema. She married
Guy Folk Aug. 25, 1941, at Sharon Springs. He died Dec. 22, 1969. A lifetime resident of Holyrood, she was a homemaker and a nurses aide at Ellsworth Good Samaritan Retirement Village for 15 years. Survivors include one son, Ronald Folk of Holcomb; one daughter, Sharon Poor of Hutchinson; five grandchildren; and 16 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one daughter, Phyllis. Graveside service will be at 2 p.m. today at St. Paul's United Church of Christ cemetery in Holyrood, with the Rev. Mary Lou Klein officiating. There is no visitation. Memorials are suggested to St. Paul's United Church of Christ, in care of Parsons Funeral Home in Ellsworth.
Florence Caroline Peterson Learned ATWOOD - Florence Caroline Peterson Learned, 80, died Oct. 24 at Kearney, Neb. She was a resident of Atwood, coming from Zenith and Stafford. Funeral will be at 2 p.m. today at United Methodist Church at Atwood with the Rev. Terry McGuire officiating. Graveside service will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Stafford cemetery in Stafford with the Rev. Guy Elliott officiating. Memorials are suggested to the church, Second Century Fund of Atwood or donor's choice, all in care of Williams Funeral Home in Atwood.
Raymond Leslie Crist 1940-2003
MINNEAPOLIS - Raymond Leslie Crist, 63, died Oct. 27 at Salina Regional Health Center. He was born Oct. 12, 1940, in Florence, the son of Raymond M. and Virginia Young Crist. A resident of Minneapolis, he worked for Santa Fe Railroad in the track department. Crist was a member of Valley United Methodist Church of Marion, Minneapolis Noon Lions Club and Minneapolis City Council. Survivors include his wife, Leanna Crist, of the home; two daughters, Leslie Belvill of Minneapolis and Lisa Crist of Hoisington; his mother of McPherson; one brother, Larry M. Crist of Salem, Ill.; one sister, Sue Nichols of Big Pine, Wyo.; and three grandchildren. Funeral will be at 1:30 p.m. Thursday at First United Methodist Church of Minneapolis. Burial will be at Highland cemetery in Minneapolis with military honors by Fort Riley. Friends may call from 1 to 8 tonight, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.. Wednesday and from 9 to 11 a.m. Thursday, all at Shields Funeral Home in Minneapolis, and until service time Thursday at the church. Family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to American Cancer Society or Valley United Methodist Church, both in care of the funeral home.
