Obituaries in Kansas Newspapers (arranged by city)
Laird Helmer
Laird Daniel Helmer, 59, Pawhuska, Okla., died Jan. 3, 2000, at St. John's Medical Center, Tulsa, Okla.
Born Oct,. 10, 1940, at Marion, he was the son of Dan and Frances (Kelsey) Helmer.
He was married to Carolyn Wagner Jan 7, 1962, at Rush Center. They established their home in Pawhuska following the ceremony.
He began working in the oil fields at the age of 17, on a drilling rig, and at the time of his death was vice president of Green County Supply, an oil field pipe and supply store in Pawhuska.
He was an active member of the First Christian Church where he served as a deacon and chairman of the finance committee. He also was an officer of the Christian Men's Fellowship.
He was a charter member and first treasurer of the local Elks Lodge.
He enjoyed spending his spare time fishing.
Survivors include his wife, Carolyn, of the home; two daughters and sons-in-law, Sharie and James Coldren of Foraker, Okla., and Shannon and Chuck Lawrence of Broken Arrow, Okla.; one son, Shawn Helmer of Oklahoma City, Okla.; parents, Dan and Frances Helmer of Marion; sister and brother-in-law, Kay and Raymond Stice of Tulsa, Okla.; five grandchildren; and one nephew.
He was preceded in death by one daughter, Shelly Helmer; and his four grandparents.
Services were held Thursday at the First Christian Church with burial in the Pawhuska Cemetery.
A memorial fund has been established in his name at the church.
Susie Giesbrecht
Susie Giesbrecht, 92, died Jan. 15, 2000, at Hillsboro Community Medical Center.
Born March 20, 1907, at Peabody, she was the daughter of the late Jacob and Margaretha (Franzen) Klein.
On June 16, 1935, she was married to Dan Giesbrecht at Hillsboro. He died in 1976.
Her son, Dennis, died in 1991.
Survivors include daughters Beulah Smith, Houston, Texas, and Carrol Pettipiece, Spokane, Wash.; seven grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.
Services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at Hillsboro Memorial Chapel with Pastor Duane Pettipiece officiating.
Burial will be in Hillsboro MB Cemetery.
The family suggests memorial gifts to Wichita Rescue Mission.
Lester Kaiser Sr.
Lester W. Kaiser Sr., 78, died Jan. 16, 2000, at St. Luke Living Center in Marion.
He retired after 22 years in the U.S. Air Force during World War II and the Korean War. He operated MarBowl Lanes in Marion during the 1970s and also had been a truck driver.
He had lived in Marion since 1995 and was a longtime member of St. John's Lutheran Church and the American Legion at Lincolnville.
Survivors include his son, Lester Kaiser Jr., Lincolnville; brother, Howard Kaiser of Wichita; sister, Vera Walker of North Carolina; and two grandchildren.
Services were held today, Wednesday, at Lincolnville.
Helen Schattak
Helen Schattak, 85, died Jan. 13, 2000, at Parkside Homes, Hillsboro.
Born Oct. 21, 1914, at Drake, Canada, she was the daughter of the late Edward and Wilhelmina (Arrant) Jantz.
On Aug. 26, 1934, she was married to Arthur Schattak at Hillsboro. He died in 1995.
She had been a cashier at Vogt's Grocery in Hillsboro.
Her twin sister, Marie Martens, died in 1997.
Survivors include sons Glenn Schattak of Hillsboro and Gary Schattak of Lyndon; daughters, Jeanette Hellman of Hillsboro and Janice Bailey of St. Louis, Mo.; seven grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and two stepgreat-grandchildren.
She was a member of Trinity Mennonite Church where services were held Monday morning with Pastor Tim Kliewer officiating.
Connie Galle was the organist and Tim and Myrna Kliewer, vocalists.
Honorary bearers were Warren Kreutziger, Wayne Kreutziger, Willis Kreutziger, Mike Townsend, Leland Martens, Karl Martens, Jerry Martens, Jay Martens, and Jackie King.
Burial was in Durham Park Cemetery.
A memorial fund has been established at Parkside Homes.
Henrietta Looney
Henrietta Alice Looney, 91, formerly of Florence, died Jan. 18, 2000, at Peabody Community Living Center.
She was born Aug. 28, 1908, at Philadelphia, Pa., the daughter of the late George and Anna (Young) Koech.
She was a bookkeeper in a plumbing store.
On Oct. 16, 1968, she was married to Earl Looney at Marion County Courthouse. He died in 1987.
Graveside services were held Saturday afternoon at Hillcrest Cemetery, Florence, with Pastor Steve Thaden officiating.
A memorial fund has been established in her name with the Florence Ambulance Service.
John Kirkpatrick
John J. Kirkpatrick, 69, Florence, died at his residence Jan. 16, 2000.
Born Oct. 9, 1930, at Newton, he was the son of the late John and Ruby (Weigand) Kirkpatrick.
He was a retired truck driver and veteran of Army service during the Korean War.
He grew up in the Burns community and lived in Florence for the past five years.
He was a life member of the VFW Post at Newton.
Survivors include brothers, Ronald of Florence and Gary of Newton; and one sister, Evelyn Sidener of Burns.
An inurnment service was held Friday afternoon at the Wonsevu Cemetery with Pastor Steve Thaden officiating.
Memorial funds were established in his name with the American Diabetes Association and the Florence Ambulance Service.
Dorothey Hajek
Dorothey L. Hajek, 77, died Jan. 21, 2001, at Via Christi St. Joseph Medical Center in Wichita.
Born Jan. 3, 1924, at Ordway, Colo., she was a daughter of Florian J. and Catherine M. (Rollman) Feik.
She was a retired dairy and poultry farmer, as well as a housewife.
She was married to Paul Hajek Nov. 17, 1947, at Las Animas, Colo. He died Dec. 7, 1998.
She grew up in Colorado and moved to Kansas after her marriage. They lived on a farm in the Tampa community. She was a member of Holy Redeemer Altar Society at Tampa, Holy Family Parish's St. Mark Church in Marion, American Legion Auxiliary at Tampa, and Tampa Senior Citizens.
Survivors include her son, Mark, of Marion; daughters, Pauline Hajek and Audrey McLinden, both of Marion; sisters, Ruth Weigel of Wichita and Catherine Weigel of Connecticut; nine grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.
Her parents, her husband, two brothers, and four sisters preceded her in death.
The rosary was recited Tuesday evening at Zeiner Funeral Home. Requiem Mass was concelebrated by Father Paul Oborny and Father Steve Gronert Wednesday morning at St. Mark Church of Holy Family Parish, Marion. Burial was in St. Mary's Cemetery, near Tampa.
Kathy Whitaker was the vocal soloist and Brenda Conyers organist for the service.
Casket bearers were Shane Holub, Chris Hajek, Scott Hajek, Dan Hague, Dennis Klenda, Shane Mascareno, and Jeremy Doll.
A memorial fund has been established in her name with the American Diabetes Association.
Lillian Riffel
Lillian Sophie Johanna Emma (Kaiser) Riffel died Jan. 19, 2000, at the Lutheran Home in Herington where she had resided since 1996.
Born July 15, 1904, at Lincolnville, she was the daughter of the late Henry and Emma (Lewerenz) Kaiser.
She attended school in Lincolnville, including St. John's Parochial School, and was confirmed in St. John's Lutheran Church March 24, 1918.
She was married to Arnold Riffel on Feb. 16, 1930. The couple had three daughters.
She was a devoted housewife who helped her husband and raised her girls. She enjoyed cooking, quilting, crocheting, and her flower garden.
A lifetime resident of the Lincolnville community, she and her husband also spent several winters in southern Texas.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Arnold; by daughter Ruth; and a great-granddaughter, Adrienne Serrault.
Survivors include daughters Marian Kandt of Salina and Joyce Stevens of Irvine, Calif.; seven grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; two step-great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.
Services were held Monday afternoon at St. John's Lutheran Church with Pastor Alan Stahlecker officiating.
Casket bearers were Mark Davis, Scott Stevens, Matthew Stevens, Jason Dankenbring, Andrew Dankenbring, and Luke Serrault.
Honorary bearers were Lee Kaiser, Steve Lewerenz, Jerry McGuigen, B. Quenten Price, Dr. David Lewerenz, and Jerry Eckels.
Burial was in the Lincolnville Cemetery.
Memorial funds have been established in her name at the church, with The Lutheran Hour, and Herington Lutheran Home*.
Seth Lowe
Seth Lowe, 67, Shell Knob, Mo., formerly of Wichita, died Jan. 25, 2000.
He was the son of Loucile Knackstedt, Aurora, Mo., who is the sister-in-law of Mrs. Alden Slusser of Marion.
He was a real estate agent.
Survivors include his wife, Jeannette; sons, Russell of Kansas City, Mo., and Scott of Shell Knob, Mo.; daughters, Becky Epperson of Shawnee and Alice Krieger of Parsons; his mother, Loucile Knackstedt; and 10 grandchildren.
A memorial has been established in his name with the Shriners' hospitals.
Doris Wehmeier
Doris Grace Wehmeier, 72, formerly of Lincolnville, died Jan. 17, 2000, at Stillwater Medical Center in Oklahoma.
Services were held Thursday at Christ Lutheran Church, Perry, Okla., with burial in a local cemetery.
Born Nov. 10, 1927, at Winfield, she was the daughter of Harry and Erna McBeth. She graduated from Winfield High School, attended both Southwestern and St. John's colleges in Winfield and graduated as a registered nurse in 1949.
On Aug. 10, 1952, she was married to Walter J. Wehmeier at Winfield.
She worked as a registered nurse and also helped her husband serve Lutheran congregations in New York, Kansas, and Oklahoma.
They served St. John's Lutheran Church, Lincolnville, before retiring from full time ministry in 1993.
Survivors include her husband, the Rev. Walter J. Wehmeier, of the home; sons, Harry of Holdenville, Okla., John of Enid, Okla., and Daniel and his wife Rachel of Bethel, Conn.; daughter, Grace Wehmeier of Stillwater and daughter and son-in-law Sara and Billy Belford, also of Stillwater; and three grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by one son, Paul Wehmeier.
Memorial funds have been established in her name with several organizations, including Lutheran Hour Ministries.
Elmer Pankratz
Elmer W. Pankratz, 74, Hillsboro, retired employee of Cooperative Grain and Supply, died Feb. 12, 1999, after a 16-year battle with non-Hodgkins lymphoma.
Born Sept. 7, 1924, on a farm four miles southwest of Marion, he was the son of Sam and Helena (Wall) Pankratz.
His mother died when Elmer was 12.
He graduated from Marion High School. On Jan. 19, 1951, he was married to Lydia Meier of Marion. The couple moved to Hillsboro where he was associated with his brothers, Harrison and Allen, in the Pankratz Construction and Dirt Moving Company.
In 1952 he began working for the cooperative and in 1968 began eight years work with Hillsboro Industries. He then returned to the cooperative until he retired.
During the years he battled cancer, he was a willing worker and counselor helping others to battle the disease.
He enjoyed camping and travel, and had visited Alaska.
He was an active member of Hillsboro Mennonite Brethren Church, especially enjoying the lawns of the church and cemetery.
He also was a volunteer at the EtCetera Shop, for Meals on Wheels, 4-H work, and the Kansas MCC Relief Sale.
He was preceded in death by his parents and by his sister, Luella.
Survivors include his wife, Lydia, of the home; daughter, Linda and husband Dan Wiese of Eagle River, Alaska; sons, Larry and his wife Janice of Salina, and Mark of McPherson; five grandchildren; three brothers, Harrison and Allen of Hillsboro and Roger of Bowling Green, Ky.
Services were held Monday morning at Hillsboro MB Church with Dave Plett officiating.
Vocal solos were by Lindsay Wiese and David Nelson. Connee Willis was the organist and Julie Wigdahl the pianist.
Casket bearers were Jerel Pankratz, Lonnie Thiessen, Wade Pankratz, David Nelson, Ron Pankratz, and Joshua Wigdahl.
Honorary bearers were Lindsey Wiese, Jeremy Wiese, Joshua Wiese, Bethany Pankratz, and Natalie Pankratz.
Memorial funds have been established in his name at the church and with the Hillsboro Senior Center.
Irene Rempel
Funeral services for Irene Rempel, 86, Inola, Okla., were held Saturday afternoon at Bethel College Community Church with burial in Haven of Rest Cemetery, Hillsboro.
She died Feb. 10 at Claremore Health Center, Claremore, Okla.
Born Feb. 21, 1912, at Hillsboro, she was the daughter of John A. and Sarah (Quiring) Bartel.
She was married to Leonhard B. Rempel Oct. 21, 1932, at Hillsboro. He died Oct. 4, 1971.
Survivors include daughters Sylvia Jane Froese of Inola, Okla., and Dilores Fay Rempel Suderman of Englewood, Colo.; brother, Roland Bartel of Hillsboro; sisters, Bernice Unruh of Hillsboro and LuEtta LaRoe of Wichita; three grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.
Patricia Anderson
Patricia K. Anderson, 49, Hutchinson, died Feb. 14, 1999, at her home.
Born May 5, 1949, at Marion, she was the daughter of John Henry and Madeline Jane (Mastek) Anderson of the Ramona community. Her father, Jack Anderson, was postmaster at Ramona prior to moving to Valley Center.
She lived in New York from 1990 to 1995, but moved to Hutchinson in 1979 and resided there at the time of her death.
A graduate of Valley Center High School, she attended Bethany College at Lindsborg. At the time of her death, she was resident manager for Training Evaluation Center of Hutchinson, which helps handicapped people.
She was a member of the National Organization for Women, was a participant of the TLC camp-out, and was a gay and lesbian community supporter and advocate.
Survivors include her parents, Jack and Madeline Anderson of Clay Center; three brothers, Tom Anderson of Wichita, Scott Anderson of Clay Center, and Terance Anderson of Hutchinson; one sister, Jaclyn Anderson of Wamego; six nieces; and three nephews.
The body was cremated. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Friday in Lewis Cemetery, Ramona.
A memorial fund has been established in her name with the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks.
Leah Carnahan
Leah (Vogel) Carnahan, 81, died Feb. 9, 1999.
Born Sept. 24, 1917, at Durham, she was the daughter of David and Katie (Meir) Hopp.
She was married to Roland Vogel in 1938. The couple lived on a farm two miles northwest of Marion. He died March 13, 1952.
She moved to Marion, with her sons, and began working at Beaston Market where she served the public well for more than 11 years.
She was married to Wayne Carnahan, a salesman for Ranney Davis Mercantile Co., Sept. 27, 1959. He died Oct. 22, 1978.
She was known as a hard worker and dedicated person. She especially enjoyed gardening, fishing, and cooking. Her specialty was making bierocks.
She moved to Hilltop Manor retirement center in Marion in 1995 and after her health began to fail moved to Marion Manor nursing center.
She also was preceded in death by her parents and by one sister, Lydia Klein.
Survivors include two sons, Roland F. Vogel and wife Sonja of Chanute and Warren L. Vogel and his wife Carol of McPherson; four grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.
She was a member of the Lutheran Church.
Services were held Thursday morning at Zeiner Funeral Home in Marion with Pastor John Ryding officiating.
Organ selections were played by Ruth Jo Penner.
Casket bearers were Harvey Sanders, Douglas Vogel, Stanton Vogel, Frances Sanders, Debra Finley, and Matthew Vogel.
Burial was in Marion Cemetery.
A memorial fund has been established in her name at Our Savior Lutheran Church, Marion.
