U.S., Obituary Collection, 1930-Current
Obituaries Published April 14, 2005
Ina Wright
Ina Wright, 99, died March 19 at Lakewood, Colo.
She was born Oct. 1, 1905, to Job and Ollie (Kenworthy) Moon near Burr Oak.
Ina married Lynden (Lynn) Wright Jan. 31, 1923, in Mankato. To this union, six daughters and one son were born.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Lynn, daughters, Dorothy; infant twins; Mrs. LeRoy Shannon (Donna); and son, Hugh Elmer; her parents, two brothers and three sisters.
Survivors include two daughters, Mrs. Ralph DeCoster (Opal), and Mrs. Roland Dike (Carla); five grandsons, one granddaughter, 12 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were March 25 at the Highland Mortuary Chapel with the Rev. Ben Elger officiating. Interment was in Highland Cemetery, Thornton, Colo.
Patrick Kelley
Patrick Chris Kelley, 46, died April 2, 2005, at Central Kansas Medical Center, Great Bend.
He was born June 17, 1958, at Colby, Kan., the son of Vernon F. and Phyllis Marie (Heagney) Kelley. His early years were spent on a farm near Selden, Kan. His home town is Fredonia, Kan., where he graduated from high school in 1976. He graduated from Emporia State University in 1982 and began his teaching career in fifth grade at Mulvane, Kan.
Patrick married Nancy Zaring on July 2, 1983, in Yates Center, Kan. He earned his master's degree in school administration from Wichita State and the family moved to Hugoton, Kan., for two years where he worked as an assistant principal in the elementary building. His first job as principal was with the K-8 building in Cherokee, Kan., from 1992-1995. Returning to Mulvane from 1995 to 2001, he served as principal of Mulvane Grade School.
He attended WSU again to further his education and in 2001 accepted the job as superintendent of the Leroy-Gridley School District, serving in this position until moving to Great Bend in 2003. His current job was director of business for the Great Bend Schools.
Patrick was active in the noon Kiwanis of Great Bend and the Kansas Association of School Business Officials, KASBO and United School Administrators. He loved to travel, play golf and ride his motorcycle.
Survivors include his wife, Nancy, and daughter, Kristin, both of the home; brothers, Michael, Wichita, Kan.; Ronald, Jewell, Kan., and Robert and wife Erin, Texarkana, Texas; a sister, Lori Fike and husband, Kevin, Russellville, Ark.; sisters-in-law, Peggy Massoth and husband, Glen, and Mary Weber and husband, Leon, both of Yates Center, Kan.; an aunt, Lois Leydig, and husband, Dale, St. Francis, Kan. He has 13 nieces and nephews and a host of cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and infant son, Samuel V. Kelley in 1995.
Services were April 6, 2005, 3:30 p.m. at Bryant Funeral Home, Great Bend, Kan., with the Rev. Shawn Winters officiating. Interment was in Hillcrest Memorial Park, Great Bend.
A memorial fund has been established, Kristen Kelley's Education Fund. Arrangements were made by Bryant Funeral Home, Great Bend, Kan.
Janice Bussard
Janice Lynn Bussard, 61, the daughter of Raymond L. and Inez (Harvey) Snavely, was born Sept. 24, 1943, at Superior. She died April 5 at Mary Lanning Memorial Hospital, Hastings.
Janice was youngest of three children. She attended Superior Grade School and graduated from Superior High School in 1961.
On May 1, 1993, she married Robert (Buzz) Bussard. They lived in Cortland before moving to Superior.
One of Janice's favorite pastimes was playing the rhythm bones, a talent taught to her by her Grandpa Harvey. She also liked fishing, pool, shuffle board and bowling.
Janice lived in the communities of Lincoln, Neb., Chicago, Fontana, Calif., Oklahoma City, San Antonio, Kansas City, Hutchinson and Superior.
She was preceded in death by her parents, a brother, Michael at birth; and her husband Robert, on June 26, 1996.
Survivors include her sister, Mrs. Jim Grisham (Barbara), Superior, stepsons, Stuart Bussard, Lincoln, Neb., Lawrence Bussard, Wilber, and stepdaughter, Mrs. Bruce Johnson (Peggy), Washington.
Services were held on Monday from the Megrue-Price Funeral Home Chapel, Superior, with Pastor Rod Thelander officiating.
Honorary pallbearers were Ron Ahrens, Alan Wilton, Jerry Grove, James Sumpter, Jack Clark and Larry Woerner.
Interment was in the Nelson Cemetery.
Betty Baker
Betty J. Baker, 78, died March 24, at Ashland.
Betty (Iris) Clark was born to Ed and Ethel Clark in Omaha July 21, 1926. She worked at the Brush Co. in Omaha where she met Ralph Baker. They married in January 1951 and raised four children, Patricia Snow, Omaha, Maxine Alger, Ashland, Stan Baker, Fremont, and Brenda Wood, Wimberly, Texas.
Her husband, children and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren survive her. Private services were held. Services were under the direction of Braman Mortuary, Omaha.
Marilyn Cramer
Marilyn Elizabeth Cramer, 78, the daughter of William J. and Anna M. (Jensen) Cramer, was born Feb.10, 1927, at Hardy. She died April 3, at the Superior Good Samaritan Center.
She graduated from Hardy High School in 1944 and from Hastings College in 1948 with a bachelor of arts degree and taught high school English.
Marilyn was artistic and enjoyed all types of artwork, excelling in intricate gifts for her family and friends. Her ability to interact with others enabled her to teach occupational therapy department at the Hastings Regional Center and served as department head. She retired in 1996. She moved to the Superior Good Samaritan Center in April 2001. Death came from complications of Parkinson's Disease.
She enjoyed politics, playing bridge and watching the Nebraska Cornhuskers. She was an avid reader.
Preceding her in death were her parents, one nephew, two nieces and one great-niece.
Survivors include her two brothers, Robert Lundi Cramer, May, Texas; William Cramer, Lynnwood, Wash.; three sisters, Berniece F. Cramer, Northbrook, Ill.; Lois B. Grueber, Mitchell and Mrs. Dale Kinyoun (Margaret), Superior.
Services were held Saturday, from the Megrue-Price Funeral home Chapel in Superior, with Pastor Mark Diehl officiating.
Pallbearers were Joe Kinyoun, Jeff Kinyoun, John Ferguson, Kirk Grove and Paul Weston. Honorary Pallbearers were Kyle Grove, Brady Grove, Jarad Kinyoun, Travis Folkers, Hunter Folkers and Michael Kinyoun.
Interment was in the Hardy Cemetery.
Joe Larson
Joe Wayne Larson, 40, St. Francis, died March 24, following heart surgery at the Via Christi Regional Medical Center St. Francis Campus, Wichita. He had been in the Hays Medical Center for two weeks before being transferred to Wichita.
He was born Aug. 8, 1964, the second son of Fred and Carol Larson, and graduated from St. Francis High School.
Mr. Larson worked at the St. Francis Equity Co-op before going to work for the state. He was an equipment operation specialist for the transportation department.
On Feb 12, 1983, he married Kayleen Hilt at Salem Lutheran Church, St. Francis. They had a son, Tyler.
Larson enjoyed black-powder shoots, camping with his family, coyote calling, trap shooting and hunting.
Preceding him in death were his father in November 1984, his grandparents, an uncle and a cousin.
Survivors include his wife; a son; his mother, and a brother, John Larson, St. Francis.
Services were held March 29, at the Peace Lutheran Church, St. Francis. Burial was in the St. Francis Cemetery.
Mike Beckner, Jamie and Don Peter, Billy, Chad and Todd Sporing and Tony and Jason Studer, cousins, were casket bearers.
Hellen Colson
Hellen Ruth Colson was born Feb. 24, 1909, to John A. and Anna Bella Thompson Atkinson at Jewell. She died April 5 at the age of 96 years, one month, and nine days at the Mitchell County Hospital in Beloit.
She attended country school and graduated from Jewell Rural High School in the Class of 1929. Hellen worked as a switchboard operator for the United Telephone Company for a few years and then attended Venus Beauty Academy in Wichita where she graduated in 1935. She ran her own beauty salons in Downs and Cawker City.
On Oct. 11, 1937, Hellen married Arnold J. Colson. The couple made their home in Cawker City until the Spring of 1945 when they moved to the family farm southwest of Ionia. While living in Cawker City, two children Mary Ann and Edwin Jay were born. A third child, Donald Eugene, was born in 1947.
Hellen and Arnold operated Colson's Cafe in downtown Ionia for several years and later owned and operated Colson's Tavern. In addition, Hellen worked in cafes in Mankato and Glen Elder and also baked and decorated wedding and birthday cakes. Hellen and Arnold left the farm and moved to Cawker City in November 1991 because of declining health. Arnold died June 4, 1998.
Hellen attended the Jewell Christian Church as a child and while in the Ionia area, attended the Ionia United Methodist Church.
Hellen was preceded in death by her parents and husband; her oldest son, Edwin Jay Colson; and her brother, Clarence Atkinson.
Survivors are: children, Mary Ann Porter, Houston, Tex., Donald F. Colson and wife Lynn, Wichita; four grandchildren, several great grandchildren and many relatives and friends.
Funeral services were April 8 at 11 a.m. at Ionia United Methodist Church, with Pastor Laura Fricker officiating. Casket Bearers were Stan Colson, Morris Hillman, Curt Shoemaker, Roger Fedde, Frank Railsback and Kirk Wilson. Interment was in Ionia Cemetery. Funeral arrangements were by McDonald Roberts Funeral Service, Beloit.
Shirley Wood
Shirley Wood, 72, Mankato, died April 3. She was born Shirley Louise Coder on Nov. 10, 1932, near Morrowville, to Omar and Cora Coder. She grew up on a farm with two brothers and two sisters.
Shirley married Bill Wood on Aug. 22, 1954. Over the years, they made their home in Manhattan, Morrowville, Alton, Atwood, Montrose, and Mankato.
They raised four children: Doug, Connie, Kent and Dixie. Shirley's farm experience growing up was helpful as her kids cared for a menagerie of animals from hamsters and hogs to horses.
She worked several years at the ASCS office and then as the Soil Conservation District clerk. She volunteered for a variety of groups and organizations, including churches, the Mankato Chamber of Commerce, Extension and FCE clubs, and Jewell County Senior Citizens.
She played piano and sang for church programs, nursing homes, with a country band at Atwood and with a quartet in Jewell County. She played an accordion in her younger days and had a portable keyboard so her music could travel.
She became interested in genealogy and worked to find long lost relatives all the way back to Europe, putting together a keepsake notebook for each of her children. An added benefit to the genealogy work was meeting a lot of interesting "cousins" from all over the USA.
Some of her hobbies included collecting red birds, doing crossword puzzles, quilting, sewing, crafts and doting over her grandchildren and great grandchild.
She is survived by her husband, Bill; daughter Mrs. Pat Schettler (Dixie), Garnett; son Kent, Mayetta; daughter Mrs. Dave Winter (Connie), Newton; son Doug, Eudora; sister, Alyce Park, McPherson; brother, Dean Coder, Mankato; seven grandchildren; one great grandchild; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Services were April 6 at 10 a.m. at the Harmony United Methodist Church, Mankato, with Pastor Wayne Feigal officiating. Casketbearers were Doug Wood, Kent Wood, Pat Schettler, Dave Winter, Justin Wood and David Winter. Burial was at Dale Friends (Enos Dale) Cemetery, southeast of Morrowville. Melby Mortuary, Mankato, was in charge of arrangements.
John Horst
John B. Horst, 76, son of Johann Jacob and Marie (Ross) Horst, was born Nov. 19, 1928, at Oak. He died April 5, at the Rose Brook Care Cemetery, Edgar.
John had attended grade school at Oak, and graduated from Nelson High School with the Class of 1946. After high school, he worked in California and Wyoming, walking pipelines. He returned to Oak. He farmed with his father. Nov. 23, 1950, he married Janice Kinnison and moved into Edgar. He worked at the Navy Depot in Hastings and did construction work. His wife died Sept. 2, 1993. John then married Lana Gunn, April 18, 1995.
He had been a member and elder of the Church of the Plains, the Masonic Lodge 77, served on the Clay County ASC board and a member of the Farmland Co-op board of directors.
He is preceded in death by his parents; first wife; brothers, Alfred and Robert Horst; a sister, Evaline Hinz, and a son, John Clark "Jack" Horst.
Survivors include his wife, Lana, of Edgar, sons, James, Beatrice, Jeff, Lincoln, Neb., and Jerry, Edgar; sisters, Mrs. Russ Genung (Donna), Deshler; Lili Hofferber, Fairmont, Mrs. Myron Schriever (Vera) Weslaco, Texas; Mrs. Gary Honeycutt (Lila), Haven, Kan. Mrs. Lester Brandt (Verna), Friend, Mrs. Norman Walker (Norma), Winfield, AL.; step-children Mrs. Mike Bondegard (Tracy), Oak, Chris Gregory, Edgar; Todd Marcotte, Edgar; 10 grandchildren; nine step-grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
Services were Friday at the Williams Funeral home Chapel, Edgar. Pastor Ellen Campbell officiated. Burial was in the Edgar Cemetery.
Charles Fowler
Charles Wayne (Chuck) Fowler was born July 29, 1934, to Mabel (Shirk) and Leslie Fowler in Salina and died April 4, 2005 doing what he loved best, walking near Lovewell Lake, Webber, Kan. Chuck traveled the world, but eventually returned to Jewell county for his retirement. A dedicated family man, Chuck is survived by his wife of 52 years (and one time high school sweetheart), Beth Davidson Fowler of the home; children, Janelle Fowler Kidd, Pueblo, Colo.; Karen Fowler, Fairfield, Calif., Mark and his wife, Sue Fowler, Fort Collins Colo; his grandchildren, Justin and Trevor Kidd, Ayla and Nevin Fowler; sister, Katisue Harmon, Ruidoso, N.M.; brother, Dick and his wife, Shirley, Fowler, Riverton, Wyo.; and a host of other relatives. Likeable and talkative, Chuck made friends wherever life took him and he leaves behind too many to mention here. Chuck grew up on farms and attended school in Montrose, Kan., and Superior, Neb. Chuck was valedictorian of his senior class and excelled in football. He served his country during the Korean Conflict as an aircraft mechanic and crew chief for the United States Air force in Great Falls, Mont. After the war, Chuck attended Rocky Mountain College while working long hours to support his family and playing first string for the school's football team. In his professional life, Chuck was a natural born salesman, winning natinal accolades for his work, and testifying before Congress as an industry representative. In his later years, Chuck's attention turned toward his community and his family. He was an avid supporter of high school sports, and a frequent patron of local coffee shops, where he was known as somewhat of a prankster. After Beth's accident in 1994, Chuck became Beth's loving and dedicated caretaker. The couple took great pride in their family's achievements. Chuck and Beth's children serve their communities as a nurse, a respiratory therapist and a fireman. Chuck's grandchildren also brought him great joy. He often reminded them, "find a path in life that brings you happiness, and follow that path wherever it might take you." His grandchildren have taken that message to heart. Justin, a graduate student in public policy at Carnegie-Mellon University in Pittsburg is preparing to study public interest law in Berkeley, Calif. Trevor will graduate this spring from Loyola University, New Orleans, specializing in modern middle eastern and modern American history. Ayla, a vibrant high school sophomore, is a star soccer player, and is blossoming into a fine young woman. Nevin is a spirited, hardworking boy who loves science, nature and gardening. Memorial services were Saturday, April 9, at the United Methodist Church, Webber, with Pastors Greg Diamond and Mark Fowler officiating. Music was provided by Donna Diamond and family. Honorary casket bearers were: Lawrence Bothwell, Gerald Shoemaker, Bill Roe, Danny McKeown, Delmar Shrontz, Dick Fowler, Charlie Stiles, Richard Berry, Russell Thomas. Graveside services were performed by United States Army Honor Guard, Fort Riley, Kan., V.F.W. Post 7830, and Masonic Lodge No. 87, A.F. & A.M. of Mankato. Inurnment followed the services in the Webber Cemetery. The family suggest donations to the Charles W. Fowler Memorial Fund in care of Melby Mortuary, 402 N. High Street, Mankato, 66956-1710. Melby Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.
