Obituaries in Kansas Newspapers (arranged by city)
Lee W. Dyer
Inurnment services will be at 10 a.m., Jan. 20, at Johnson County Memorial Gardens in Overland Park for Lee W. Dyer, 77, New York City, a former Topekan, who died Dec. 27, 2000, at a New York City hospital. He was cremated.
He was born May 30, 1923, in Pomona, to Raymond and Dorcas Dyer. He moved with his parents to Topeka, where they opened Dyer's IGA supermarkets. He took a management role in the stores before he entered the Army in 1943.
He was a veteran of World War II, having served three years with the 788th Amphibian Tractor Battalion. He served mostly in the Pacific and received two medals.
He graduated from The University of Kansas, where he majored in journalism and advertising and later worked with his father in managing Dyer's IGA stores.
He was active in the Kansas Food Dealers Association and served as president. He took an active part in attracting celebrities to appear in Topeka's Broadway Theater League presentations at Topeka High School's auditorium.
After the death of his father in 1960, Mr. Dyer and his sisters sold the three Dyer's IGA stores and he moved to New York to follow an advertising career. He joined the staff of the Progressive Grocer, a leading grocery trade magazine, in 1962, and remained on the magazine staff for many years. In the 1990s, he led the magazine into extensive coverage of food service, a new direction for supermarkets.
He was inducted into the International Dairy-Deli-Bakery Association's Hall of Fame in 1996.
Survivors include two nephews, Steve Quinn, Lenexa, and Whitney Boys, Wichita; and five nieces, Ginger Patterson, Linwood, Julie Dervin, Lenexa, Lisa Plumer, Arlington, Texas, Diane Feldhausen, Topeka, and Susan Perry, Colorado Springs.
Inurnment services will be followed by visitation at the home of Julie Dervin, 7928 Lakeview, Lenexa.
Loraine Fink Henry
Loraine Fink Henry, 81, Albuquerque, N.M., formerly of Topeka, died Jan. 4, 2001, at an Albuquerque hospital. No services are planned.
She was born June 24, 1919, in Topeka, and spent her early life in Topeka. She attended Gulfport College in Biloxi, Miss., and The University of Kansas. She lived in Albuquerque since 1982.
She was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Albuquerque and a life member of Junior League.
She married Albert Henry Jr., in 1942. He survives.
Other survivors include two sons, Randall A. Henry, Boulder, Colo., and Dr. Robert C. Henry, Tijeras, N.M.; a sister, Virginia Reamon, Topeka; four grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Presbyterian Healthcare Foundation, P.O. Box 26666, 87125-6666. French Mortuary in Albuquerque was in charge of arrangements.
Ruby Mae Kahre
Ruby Mae Kahre, 81, Topeka, died Saturday, Jan. 6, 2001, at a son's home in Topeka.
She was born April 8, 1919, in Omaha, Neb., to Charles Stuart and Minnie Arndt Olsen. She moved to Topeka from West Covina, Calif.
She was a member of Providence Baptist Church in Topeka.
She married Chester Clifton Kahre on Feb. 14, 1942, in Omaha. He died Oct. 3, 1995.
Survivors include two sons, Bruce Kahre, Topeka, and Brian Kahre, Fort Worth, Texas; two brothers, Charles Olsen, Mahwah, N.J., and Robert Olsen, Sun City, Ariz.; and three grandchildren.
Mrs. Kahre was cremated. Inurnment services will be in Oakdale Memorial Park Cemetery in Glendora, Calif.
Penwell-Gabel Mid-Town Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
William McCain
Services were Saturday at Sunset Funeral Home in San Antonio for William Charles "Strawberry" McCain, 85, San Antonio, formerly of Topeka, who died Jan. 3, 2001, at a San Antonio hospital.
He was born April 13, 1915, in Topeka, to William Dean and Minnie Eaton McCain. He graduated from Topeka High School in 1935 and from Santa Fe Railway's machinist's school in 1939. He worked for Santa Fe Railway for 37 years. He retired in 1974. He moved from Topeka to San Antonio in March 1995.
He was a member of Seaman Congregational Church, Orient Lodge No. 51, AF&AM, and Scottish Rite bodies, all in Topeka.
He and the former E. Lois Hunt were married for 60 years. She preceded him in death.
Survivors include a son, Philip C. McCain, Topeka; a daughter, Marcia Lallky, San Antonio; four grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
Entombment was in Sunset Memorial Park Mausoleum in San Antonio. Memorial services are planned later at Seaman Congregational Church in Topeka.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Pipe Dreamers Organ Project, Alamo Heights United Methodist Church, 825 E. Basse Road, San Antonio, 78209 or to the organization of the donor's choice.
Lila Raffety
Lila Jean Raffety, 77, Topeka, died Sunday, Jan. 7, 2001, at home.
She was born Feb. 13, 1923, in Topeka. She was adopted by George W. and Ruby E. Bartlett. She spent most of her life in Topeka.
Survivors include two stepbrothers, Evan W. Bartlett, Richland, Wash., and George W. Bartlett Jr., Yakima, Wash.; and two stepsisters, Irene Matney, Topeka, and Alma Tosh, Oskaloosa.
Graveside services will be at 1:30 p.m. Thursday at Mount Hope Cemetery. Miss Raffety will lie in state after 3 p.m. Wednesday at Parker-Price Mortuary.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Topeka Association for Retarded Citizens, 2701 Randolph, 66611.
Nellie Shoemaker
Nellie Marie Shoemaker, 93, Bozeman, Mont., formerly of Topeka, died Saturday, Jan. 6, 2001, at a Bozeman nursing home, where she had been since July.
She was born July 20, 1907, in Osawatomie, to Louis and Amelia Homrighausen, and spent her early life in Osawatomie. She lived in Utah for several years before she moved to Topeka.
She was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Bozeman, Mont.
She married Earl Shoemaker in 1929. He preceded her in death. They owned and operated a Texaco service station and later the Nod-A-Way Motel, both in Topeka, before they retired. They later moved to Bozeman.
Survivors include two daughters, Betty Delk, Huntsville, Ala., and Bonnie Landerdahl, Bozeman, Mont.; five grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
Graveside services will be Jan. 19 at Osawatomie Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 26 W. Babcock, Bozeman, 59715. Dokken-Nelson Funeral Home in Bozeman is in charge of arrangements.
Dorrie Dodge
ORANGEFIELD, Texas -- Dorrie Jean Dodge, 43, Orangefield, died Dec. 28, 2002, at a Houston hospital.
Mrs. Dodge owned and operated A Country Day School in Orange, Texas.
She was born Sept. 26, 1959, in Topeka, the daughter of William Frost and Bonnie Morris.
Survivors include her husband, Michael Dodge, at home; her mother and stepfather, Bonnie and Larry Epling, Topeka; her father, William Frost, Wichita, Kan.; her grandmother, Dorris Millard, Orange, Texas; three sons, Joseph Martinez, Jeremy Martinez and Jacob Dodge, all of Orange; a daughter, Jamie Drake, Orange; six brothers, Mark Epperly, Orange, James Epperly, in Kansas, and Mark Frost, Russell Frost, Brian Frost and Rick Frost, all of Wichita, Kan.; a sister, Suzanne Vanderbilt, Orange; and five grandchildren.
Services were Dec. 31 at Claybar Funeral Home in Orange, Texas. Burial was in Hillcrest Memorial Gardens in Orange.
Loren Kruse
LINCOLN -- Loren Kruse, 68, Lincoln, died Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2003, in Lincoln.
Mr. Kruse was a service station attendant.
He was born May 9, 1934, in Bremen, to Laverne Arlo and Verna Bormann Kruse. He had earned an associate's degree.
Survivors include his wife, Bernice Kruse, at home; two sons, David Kruse, Hays, and Terry Kruse, Lincoln; two daughters, Arlia, Burns, and Jeanine R. Davis, Topeka; his mother, Verna Kruse, Linn; four brothers, Merlin Kruse, Shenandoah, Iowa, Ken Kruse, Orlando, Fla., Harlen Kruse, Herkimer, and Larry Kruse, Hanover; a sister, Arlene Hiesterman, Washington; nine grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
Mr. Kruse was preceded in death by a son, Daniel Kruse.
Services will be at 10 a.m. Friday at St. Johns Lutheran Church in Lincoln. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Mr. Kruse will lie in state after 9 a.m. today at Hall Funeral Home Chapel in Lincoln, where visitation will be from 6 to 7 p.m.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Johns Lutheran Church and sent in care of the funeral chapel.
Eva Alderfer
SABETHA -- Eva Elizabeth Alderfer, 90, Sabetha, died Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2003, at a Sabetha care home.
Mrs. Alderfer worked for the Sabetha Seed House in the 1920s and again in the 1950s and 1960s.
She was born Jan. 8, 1912, on a farm near Sabetha, to Edward Benjamin and Mary Hartter Strahm. She attended Tranquil Country School near Sabetha.
She married Roy Alderfer on March 28, 1928, in Sabetha. He died Oct. 9, 1992. Mrs. Alderfer also was preceded in death by a son, Kenneth Alderfer, and a grandson, David Alderfer.
Survivors include two sons, Richard Alderfer, Stephenville, Texas, and James Alderfer, Centralia; a daughter, Eula Swindale, Holton; two brothers, Milan Strahm, Sabetha, and Orville Strahm, Wichita; a sister, Elda Mae Wherry, Longmont, Colo.; nine grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.
Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at Popkess Mortuary Chapel in Sabetha. Burial will be in Sabetha Cemetery. Visitation will be from 7 to 8:30 p.m. today at the mortuary.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Albany Historical Society and sent in care of the mortuary.
Kenneth Badger
LAWRENCE -- Kenneth James Badger, 72, Lawrence, died Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2003, at an Olathe hospital.
Mr. Badger was a dispatcher for the Lawrence Police Department and for Dunbar. He also was a dispatcher and plant manager for Lawrence Ready Mix and later was a greeter for HyVee Supermarket. He also was a storm watcher for Emergency Preparedness.
He was born Feb. 22, 1930, in Lawrence, to James and Thelma Kirby Badger. He graduated from Liberty Memorial High School in 1952.
He married Wanda Jean Channel. She died March 2, 1996.
Survivors include three sons, Terry Drennon, Overland Park, Dean Drennon, Lawrence, and Art Rockhold, Valley Falls; two daughters, Rosie Hicks, Independence, Mo., and Tina Smith, Lawrence; a brother, Paul Badger, Silex, Mo.; a sister, Rosie Hodge, Lawrence; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home in Lawrence. Cremation will follow the services. Mr. Badger will lie in state at the funeral home after 5 p.m. today and after 9 a.m. Friday. Visitation will be from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society and sent in care of the funeral home, P.O. Box 1260, Lawrence, 66044.
Mildred Foree
LAWRENCE -- Mildred R. Foree, 78, Lawrence, died Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2003, at a Lawrence hospital.
Mrs. Foree was an accountant for The University of Kansas.
She was born Nov. 20, 1924, in Dawson, Neb., to George Lee and Retha Mae Peres Richardson.
She married Eugene C. Foree on Dec. 10, 1943, in Leavenworth. He died Feb. 26, 2002.
Survivors include two sons, Mark E. Foree, Oconomowoc, Wis., and George B. Foree, Overland Park; a brother, Clarence Richardson, Houston; three grandchildren; and one great-grandson.
Memorial services will be at 1 p.m. Monday at Warren-McElwain Mortuary in Lawrence. Inurnment will be at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Lung Association, or the Shriner's Children's Burn Center and sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 120 W. 13th, Lawrence, 66044-3402.
Mary Hughes
EMPORIA -- Mary A. Hughes, 94, Emporia, died Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2003, at an Emporia hospital.
Mrs. Hughes taught in Emporia area elementary schools until retiring in 1975. She was a former Teacher of the Year for Lyon County.
She was born Jan. 4, 1909, near Emporia, to Frank and Emma Long Fulmer. She earned a master's degree from Emporia State University.
Mrs. Hughes was a member of Westminster United Presbyterian Church, past president of Emporia Business and Professional Women's Club and the Cosmopolitan Study Club. She also was a former Chamness 4-H Club leader.
She married Gwilym L. Hughes on May 6, 1934, near Emporia. He died on Oct. 19, 1997.
Survivors include a sister, Blanche Seacat, Bella Vista, Ark.
Mrs. Hughes was cremated. Memorial services will be at 10 a.m. Friday at Westminster United Presbyterian Church. Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery south of Emporia.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Westminster United Presbyterian Church and sent in care of Roberts-Blue-Barnett Funeral Home in Emporia.
Irene Johnson
HOME -- Irene M. Johnson, 95, Home, died Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2003, at a Frankfort care home.
She was born April 8, 1907, on a farm northeast of Marysville to Henry and Lizzie Rutti Toedter. She attended Oketo High School.
Mrs. Johnson was a life member of Friedens Lutheran Church, the Ladies Aide at the church and the Stitch and Chatter Club in Home. She also was a sewing leader for the Home City Hustler 4-H Club.
She married Chester C. Johnson on Feb. 24, 1932, in Marysville. He died Oct. 30, 1986.
Mrs. Johnson also was preceded in death by a great-granddaughter, Jessica Fritz.
Survivors include two daughters, Betty Peterson, Home, and Shirley Anderson, Frankfort; five grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.
Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Friedens Lutheran Church at Home. Burial will be in Home City Cemetery. Mrs. Johnson will lie in state at Kinsley Mortuary in Marysville after 10 a.m. Friday, where visitation will be from 7 to 8 p.m.
Memorial contributions may be made to Friedens Lutheran Church or to the Frankfort Care Home and sent in care of the mortuary.
Genevieve Lippe
LENEXA -- Genevieve Lippe, 96, Lenexa, died Sunday, Jan. 5, 2003, at a Lenexa nursing home.
She was born Jan. 24, 1906, in Clay County, the daughter of Courtney C. and Mary Alice Rexroat Schooley. She moved to Topeka in 1956 and to Lenexa in 1995.
Mrs. Lippe was a former member of the Wesleyan Church in Clay Center.
She married Clarence Lippe on Sept. 27, 1927. He died Jan. 6, 1997.
Survivors include a daughter, Mary Cooper, Olathe; two grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Neill-Schwensen-Rook Funeral Home in Clay Center. Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery in Clay Center. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to service time Saturday at the funeral home.
