Obituaries in Kansas Newspapers (arranged by city)
Dennis F. Orr 1943-2003
Dennis F. Orr, 60, of Great Bend, died Nov. 21 at his residence. He was born Aug. 16, 1943, at Great Bend, the son of William E. and O'Linda E. Eichman Orr. He married
Ursula Mueller Dec. 12, 1966, in Hoisington. A resident of Great Bend since 1977, coming from Hemet, Calif., he was a manager of a body shop and worked as an independent crop adjuster. Orr was a lifetime member of San Jacinto, Calif., Veterans of Foreign Wars. He was a U.S. Army veteran. Survivors include his wife of the home; one son, Shawn Orr of the home; one daughter, DeAnn McCall of Hemet; his mother of Great Bend; and one grandson. Memorial service will be at 10:30 a.m. Dec. 1 at St. John's Lutheran Church in Ellinwood, with the Rev. Andy Keltner officiating. Private family burial will be at Hoisington Municipal cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the church, in care of Charter Funerals in Great Bend.
David John Mater 1952-2003
OLMITZ - David John Mater, 51, died Nov. 21 at his home in Linwood of ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease). He was born July 13, 1952, in Hoisington, the son of Fred J. and Rita E. Fuerst Mater. He was a 1970 graduate of Hoisington High School, attended Barton County Community College and a 1997 graduate of Kansas University with a business degree. He married
Kim A. Schulz June 14, 1980, in San Diego, Calif. A resident of Linwood, coming from Olmitz, he worked as a design draftsman for King Radio for 13 years and was an information systems analyst with Payless Shoesource at the world headquarters in Topeka. Survivors include his wife of the home; one son, Ian K. Mater of the home; one daughter, Madison R. Mater of the home; his mother of Great Bend; and three brothers, Gary Mater and Daniel Mater, both of Olmitz; and Kenneth J. Mater of Great Bend. He was preceded in death by an infant son, Ely John Mater. Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home in Lawrence. Cremation will take place after the funeral. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday at the funeral home, with the family receiving friends from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Memorials are suggested to ALS - Keith Worthington Chapter or Hospice Care in Douglas County, both in care of the funeral home.
William John 'Bill' Luck 1929-2003
TOPEKA - William John 'Bill' Luck, 74, died Nov. 19. He was born Aug. 2, 1929, in Graham County, the son of Robert W. and Lila C. Smith Luck. He was a 1947 graduate of Hill City High School. He married
Eva Jo Walker Riedel June 2, 1954. A resident of Topeka, coming from Hill City, ElDorado, Lyons, Great Bend, Wichita, Columbus, Ohio, and Edmond, Okla., he retired from the oil industry in 1997, having worked for Baker Oil Tools Inc., as a drilling superintendent for Northern Natural Gas and owning his own oil and gas production consulting company. Luck was a member of Great Bend American Legion Post 180, Great Bend Elks Club, Patmos Masonic Lodge, 32 degree in Scottish Rite, Trinity Episcopal Church and was an assistant Boy Scout leader. He was a U.S. Army veteran, having served as a drill sergeant at Camp Carson during the Korean War. Survivors include his wife of the home; three sons, Steven Luck of Amarillo, Texas, Richard Luck of Houston, Texas, and James Luck of Topeka; one daughter Jeanne Vance of Wichita; one brother, Delvin Luck of Liberal; five grandchildren; and three step grandchildren. He was preceded in death by three brothers, Vincent Luck, Keith Luck and Donald Luck. Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the church in El Dorado. Burial will be at Walnut Valley Memorial Park cemetery. Memorials are suggested to Alzheimers Association or Heart Of America Hospice in Topeka, both in care of Kirby-Morris Funeral Home of ElDorado.
Dale C. Wilhelm 1942-2003
DORRANCE - Dale C. Wilhelm, 61, died Nov. 20 at Salina Regional Health Center in Salina. He was born July 21, 1942, in rural Dorrance, the son of Carl and Helen Steinle Wilhelm. He married
Joyce Ehrlich July 29, 1985, at Dorrance. A lifelong resident of Dorrance, he was a heavy equipment operator for Russell County Highway Department. Wilhelm was a member of First Lutheran Church of Dorrance, fire chief of Dorrance Fire Department and member of Kansas State Fire Fighters Association. Survivors include his wife of the home; two sons, Joe Sellens of Auburn and Mark Sellens of Culver; one daughter, Teresa Davis of Dorrance; his mother of Dorrance; one brother, Don Wilhelm of Dorrance; two sisters, Kathy Burns and Debbie Douglas, both of Salina; and seven grandchildren. Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the church, with the Rev. Diane Wagner officiating. Burial will be at Dorrance City cemetery in Dorrance. Friends may call from noon to 8 p.m. today at Foster Mortuary in Wilson and from 8 a.m. to service time Saturday at the church. Memorials are suggested to Dorrance Fire Department or the church, both in care of the mortuary.
Paul L. Yost 1925-2003
LA CROSSE - Paul L. Yost, 78, died Nov. 19 at Rush County Memorial Hospital in La Crosse. He was born March 12, 1925, in Alexander, the son of Louis and Mollie Grose Yost. He married
Jeannette B. Brack Feb. 7, 1946, at Ogden, Utah. A lifetime resident of Rush County, he was a retired railroad depot agent. Yost was a member of United Methodist Church of La Crosse and life member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3147. He was a U.S. Army veteran, serving in the infantry during the Korean War. Survivors include his wife of the home; two sons, James D. Yost of Salina and Dennis R. Yost of Frederick, Colo.; one brother, Marvin Schlegel of Oklahoma City, Okla.; two sisters, Alberta Fyler of Scott City and Virginia Milliner of Kansas City; and three grandchildren. He was preceded in death by three brothers, Eldon Yost, Benjamin Schlegel and Roland Schlegel; and one great granddaughter, Elise Maddison Yost. Memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at the church, with the Rev. Marilyn Christmore officiating. No visitation is scheduled. Memorials are suggested to St. Jude Children's Hospital or North Shore Animal League of America, both in care of Janousek Funeral Home in La Crosse.
Sister Romana Henning OP 1911-2003
Sister Romana Henning, 92, died Nov. 19 at the Dominican Sister's convent infirmary in Great Bend. born July 17, 1911, in Willowdale, as Bertha Clara Henning, Sister Romana was the daughter of Nick and Katie Marx Henning. She entered the Dominican Sisters' community May 27, 1926, and pronounced her first vows Aug. 20, 1929. She celebrated 70 years of religious profession in 1999. Sister Romana began her ministry as a domestic worker in the sisters' missions and hospitals, and at the convent in Great Bend where she served as supervisor in the kitchen. She also served as the convent infirmarian. She worked in nursing at St. Rose Hospital, now Central Kansas Medical Center, and St. Catherine Hospital in Garden City. Later she served in Central Supply in both hospitals. Her last ministry at CKMC was as receptionist in the surgery waiting room. She retired in 1994. Sister Romana is survived by one brother, George Henning of Spivey. Sister Romana's body will be brought to the hospitality area of the Dominican Chapel of the Plains, 3600 Broadway, today at 4:30 p.m. where it will lie in state until the Liturgy of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. Saturday with the Rev. Gerald Hammeke officiating. Friends may call from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. today, from 9 a.m. to 9:30 p.m Friday and from 9 a.m. until the time of service Saturday. A wake service will be held at 7 p.m. Friday. Burial will be at the Sisters' Resurrection cemetery. Both the wake and the funeral will be held at the convent. Memorials in honor of Sister Romana may be sent to Dominican Sisters Ministry Fund, Office of Mission and Ministry, 3600 Broadway, Great Bend KS 67530. Bryant Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Virginia L. Lewis 1929-2003
VALLEY CENTER - Virginia L. Lewis, 74, died Nov. 18 at Valley Center. She married
Billy Lewis. He preceded her in death. A former resident of Great Bend, she was a homemaker. Survivors include one son, Bartley Lewis of Stafford; two daughters, Marilyn Baker of Cherryvale and Debbie and Richard Wondra of Goddard; one sister, Hazel and Jerry Clothier of Benton; four grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Graveside service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Great Bend cemetery. Friends may call from 10:30 a.m. Saturday until service time at the Great Bend cemetery. Memorials are suggested to Hospice Care of Kansas in care of Advantage Funeral and Cremation, 4408 W. Central, Wichita KS 66212.
Ella Barbara Bauder Jerke 1920-2003
SCOTLAND, S.D. - Ella Barbara Bauder Jerke, 83, died Nov. 14 at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, S.D. She was born Aug. 26, 1920, in Bon Homme County near Tyndall, S.D., the daughter of Christian and Katherina Neth Bauder. She married
Hugo Jerke March 23, 1941, in Scotland. He died in 1992. A resident of Scotland since 1982, coming from Kaylor, S.D., she was a farmwife and a caretaker of St. Paul's Lutheran Church. Mrs. Jerke was a member of the Lutheran Church, Lutheran Women's Missionary League, and a volunteer for the Scotland Good Samaritan Center and Meals on Wheels. Survivors include three sons, Harlen Jerke of Great Bend, LeRoy Jerke of Scotland and Verlyn Jerke of Tripp, S.D.; one daughter, Patricia Beck of Sioux Falls; one brother, William Bauder of Tyndall; three sisters, Anna Friederich and Edna Ziegler, both of Kaylor, and Martha Ziegler of Tripp; nine grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by five brothers, Charles Bauder, Julius Bauder, Richard Bauder, John Bauder and Otto Bauder. Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. today at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Scotland with the Rev. David Ellis officiating. Burial will be at Rosehill cemetery in Scotland. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Trinity Lutheran Church Music Department, in care of Goglin-Kelley Funeral Chapel of Scotland.
Doris Taylor Ellison 1920-2003
Doris Taylor Ellison, 83, of Great Bend, died Nov. 17. She was born Aug. 21, 1920, at Belleville, the daughter of Macy W. and Grace Dyer Julian. She married
Lilburn Taylor at Fairbury, Neb. He died Nov. 18, 1980. She married
Cecil Ellison Dec. 24, 1982, at Renosa, Mexico. A resident of Great Bend, she was a retired deputy treasurer for Barton County. Mrs. Ellison was a member of First United Methodist Church and Order of the Eastern Star, both of Great Bend. Survivors include her husband of Great Bend; one son, Wendell P. Taylor of Ft. Collins, Colo; one daughter, Sharon Schmidt of Olathe; and three granddaughters. Graveside service will be at 2:30 p.m. today at Belleville cemetery in Belleville. Memorials are suggested to Order of the Eastern Star of Great Bend. Hays-Christians Funeral Home in Lindsborg is in charge of arrangements.
Gladys Hoberecht 1908-2003
BREMERTON, Wash. - Gladys Hoberecht, 95, died Nov. 15 at Harrison Memorial Hospital of congestive heart failure. She was born May 17, 1908, at Mulvane to Hewey and Iva Russell Howard. She graduated in 1926 from Mulvane High School. After graduation she moved to Newton and went to work in Becker's Grocery Store. That is where she met William 'Bill' Hoberecht. They were married
July 14, 1929. They made their first home in Newton until 1933 and then they moved to Great Bend. She was a homemaker and raised five children. They retired and moved to Bremerton in 1965 where Gladys worked at Puget Sound Naval Station for five years. Gladys and Bill decided to enjoy their retirement and did some traveling. They visited many wonderful places in the States and enjoyed one trip to Germany to visit a granddaughter and her family. In 1994, due their health, they returned to Great Bend to be near their children. Mr. Hoberecht passed away in 2000 after they had celebrated their 71st anniversary. After the passing of her husband, she returned to Bremerton to make her home with her daughter, Glenna Bone. Mrs. Hoberecht devoted her life to raising her children and thoroughly enjoyed her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was a member of the Eastern Star, the Kansas Club and the Homemakers Club. She was a former member of Summit Ave. Presbyterian Church in Bremerton and presently a member of Presbyterian Church in Great Bend. Surviving are three sons, Russell of Great Bend, Leland of Derby and Donald 'Butch' of Wichita; two daughters, Thelma Buettgenbach of Hutchinson and Glenna Bone of Bremerton, Wash.; 17 grandchildren; 36 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband; grandson, Bill Bone; her two sisters, Eula and Hazel; and one brother, Everett. Services will be held in Great Bend at First Presbyterian Church on Friday, Nov. 21, at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Hal Staats officiating. Visitation will be at Bryant Funeral Home on Thursday from noon to 9 p.m. Burial will be at Great Bend cemetery. Memorials for Gladys Hoberecht may be made to First Presbyterian Church in Great Bend.
Clint W. Johnson 1985-2003
HEALY - Clint W. Johnson, 18, died Nov. 15 at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita from injuries sustained while trying to break up a fight in Hays. He was born March 17, 1985, in Overland Park, the son of Walter and Georgia Cramer Johnson. He was a graduate of Healy High School. A resident of Healy, he was attending Fort Hays State University in Hays. Johnson was a member of United Methodist Church, United Methodist Youth Force and past class and Student Council president, all of Healy. Survivors include his parents of Healy; two brothers, Mark Johnson and Luke Johnson, both of Healy; and his grandparents, George and LuElma Cramer of Healy and Helen Johnson of Great Bend. He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Kermit Johnson. Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at the church, with the Rev. Randy Jellison-Knock officiating. Burial will be at Healy cemetery. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. today at Price & Sons Funeral Home in Scott City. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Clint Johnson Memorial Fund, in care of the funeral home.
Hillis F. Bell Jr. 1929-2003
LARNED - Hillis Bell Jr., 74, died Nov. 15 at his residence. He was born Jan. 22, 1929, in Tulsa, Okla., the son of Hillis F. Sr. and Tola Blust Bell. He married
Marilyn Caldwell Dec. 29, 1955, at Tulsa. A resident of Larned for 36 years, he was a radio broadcaster, and former owner and operator for KANS Radio. Bell was a member of First United Methodist Church, American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars and Larned Country Club, all of Larned, National Rifle Association, Ducks Unlimited and a 32nd Degree Mason. Survivors include his wife of the home; one son, Eric Bell of Fayetteville, Ark.; one daughter, Pamela La Mar of Olathe; three brothers, Robert Bell of Manhattan, Daniel Bell and Larry Bell, both of Tulsa; and five grandchildren. Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the church in Larned, with the Rev. Charles Grant officiating. Cremation will take place following the funeral service. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. today at Beckwith Mortuary Chapel in Larned. Memorials are suggested to the church radio broadcast fund, Ducks Unlimited or Golden Belt Hospice, all in care of the funeral home.
Winifred Hattie Norbeck 1921-2003
Winifred Hattie Norbeck, 82, of Great Bend, died Nov. 15 at Great Bend Health and Rehabilitation in Great Bend. She was born April 25, 1921, at Casey, Ill., the daughter of James B. and Hattie J. Harter Norbeck. A resident of Great Bend since 1972, coming from Oblong, Ill., she was a homemaker. Mrs. Norbeck was a member of First Church of the Nazarene of Great Bend. Survivors include one nephew, James Irey of Irving, Texas; one great-nephew, Joe Irey of Irving; and one great-niece, Kathy Stearns of Irving. She was preceded in death by one brother, Harold Norbeck; and two sisters, Lillie Norbeck and Anna Irey. Graveside service will be at 2 p.m. today at Great Bend cemetery, with the Rev. Robert Castile officiating. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. today at Bryant Funeral Home in Great Bend. Memorials are suggested to the church, in care of the funeral home.
