Obituaries in Kansas Newspapers (arranged by city)
Cordula B. Becker
Cordula B. Becker, 99, died Wednesday, April 2, 2014 at the Onaga Community Hospital in Onaga, Kansas.
She was born February 1, 1915, on a farm north of Axtell, to Francis and Catherine Weber Koelzer. She spent her early years in Axtell and attended St. Michael’s School. When she was nine years old, her family moved to a farm southwest of St. Benedict and she attended St. Mary’s School. In 1927 they moved to a farm south of St. Patrick’s Church at Coal Creek and she attended the College Hill District #81 School. She also attended St. Michael’s High School. She worked on the family farm and helped other families in the area.
On January 8, 1936 she married
Henry A. Becker at St. Patrick’s Church at Corning, Kansas; Henry died May 24, 2000. The couple lived and farmed the Becker homestead at “Four Corners”, southwest of Centralia. In 1940, their home burned and they moved to the Dave Donahue farm south of Centralia, where they have lived for many years. Cordula and her family owned and operated the Lillis Grocery Store at Lillis form 1951-1955. She worked as a cook in the kitchen at the Onaga Hospital for several years and worked for the Whitescarver Dress Factory in Holton. She then returned home to care for her family and help on the farm.
She was a member of St. Patrick’s Church and St. Ann’s Altar Society at Corning. She was a former member of St. Patrick’s Church and St. Ann’s Altar Society at Coal Creek until the church closed in 1971. She served as President and Treasurer of the St. Patrick’sCemeteryBoard at Coal Creek for many years. She loved to do all kinds of sewing and making items for her grandchildren. She enjoyed raising flowers and gardening. She also enjoyed playing the pump organ for St. Patrick’s Church for over 40 years.
Survivors include her five sons, Leon Becker and Clem Becker, both of Centralia, Roger Becker of Corning, Clayton Becker of St. Joseph, MO and Daniel Becker of Centralia; a brother, Francis Koelzer Jr. of Centralia; 26 grandchildren, 90 great-grandchildren and 14 great-great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by a daughter, Theresa Alverson on June 8, 2013; infant twin brothers, Gabriel and Raphael, and brothers, Michael Koelzer on April 6, 1994, Clem Koelzer on April 1, 2003; a sister, Dolorosa Engelken on November 27, 1998.
The Mass of Christian burial will be 10 AM Saturday, April 5, 2014, at St. Patrick’s Church in Corning. Burial will be at St. Patrick’sCemeteryat Coal Creek. The rosary will be prayed at the Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca on Friday, April 4, at 2 and 7 PM.
Memorial contributions may be given for St. Patrick’sCemeteryat Coal Creek and sent in care of the family.
Henry A. Becker
Henry A. Becker, 87, of Centralia, KS, died Wed., May 24, 2000, at the Onaga Hospital, Onaga, KS. He was transferred there from the Eastridge Care Home in Centralia where he had been a resident since May of 1999. Previously, he had been a resident at the Golden Acres Care Home in Onaga since December of 1997.
He was born January 6, 1913, on a farm southwest of Centralia, the son of Howard and Katherine Stegeman Becker. He attended the College Hill District #81 School. Henry helped on the family farm and farmed for others in the area.
On January 8, 1936, he married
Cordula B. Koelzer at St. Patrick's Church at Corning. She survives of the home.They lived and farmed the Becker homestead at "Four Corners, " southwest of Centralia. In 1939 when their home burned, they moved to the Dave Donahue farm south of Centralia where they have lived for amny years. Henry farmed and rasied cattle and hogs until he semi-retired due to health problems in 1990. They celebrated their 50th and 60th wedding anniversaries.
He was a member of St. Patrick's Church at Corning and a former member of St. Patrick's Church at Coal Creek, KS, until the church was closed in 1971. He enjoyed raising a large garden each year and sharing items with family and friends.
Survivors besides his wife are five sons, Leon Becker, Clem Becker, and Daniel Becker all of Centralia, Roger Becker of Corning, Clayton Becker of St. Joseph, MO; a daughter, Theresa Alverson of Centralia; a brother, Edward Becker of Topeka; three sisters, Mary Meyer of Centralia, Luella Freel of Topeka, and Rose Ida Bergman of Onaga; 29 grandchildren and 40 great-grandchildren.
The mass of Christian burial was offered Saturday, May 27, at St. Patrick's Church at Corning. Burial was in St. Patrick'sCemeteryat Coal Creek.
Memorial contributions may be given for St. Patrick'sCemeteryat Coal Creek and sent in care of the family.
Eugene R. "Gene" Bennett
Eugene R. "Gene" Bennett, 87, of Seneca died on Wednesday, July 9, 2014 at Stormont-Vail Hospital in Topeka.
Gene was born on May 17, 1927 at Sabetha, Kansas to Ralph and Sylvia Phillips Bennett. Gene attended Victory Country School through the 8th grade and then he attended Sts. Peter and Paul High School. He helped Jake Anderson at the age of 15, and then he went to work for the Winterscheidt Milling until he was drafted into the military at the age of 18. Gene was drafted on February 7, 1945 and was discharged February 18, 1947 with the rank of Tech 4 Sergeant. After his service to his country, he came back to the area and went to work for Ray Droge Construction for a year and then he went to work for Seymour’s. After a short time, he went to work for SenVita Farms just east of Seneca for 2 years; and then he dairied and farmed the Louie Haefele place for 14 years. Gene then bought his own farm north of Kelly and ran it for 41 years where he milked and farmed the ground that he loved. Gene retired from dairying in 1992, but continued to farm until his death.
Gene was a member of Sts. Peter and Paul Church and the St. Joseph society. He was a very active member of the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign War Military Funeral Detail for many years. He was trustee of Adams Township, and a member of the Knights of Columbus Council 1769 in Seneca and the Centralia Saddle Club. Gene was also a frequent at the local coffee shop (i.e. McDonalds and Log Cabin). He also loved to horseback riding but his greatest joy in life besides his wife and kids were his grandchildren and great-grandchildren; he loved going to their sporting events and just having them around him.
Gene married
Patricia L. Schubert on May 24, 1948 at Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Seneca.
Gene was preceded in death by his father, Ralph on May 15, 1992; his mother, Sylvia on February 19, 1984; a brother, William on March 6, 1937; and a sister, Alice Olberding on September 11, 1981.
Gene is survived by his wife of 66 years, Patricia; his children, Michael (Debbie) Bennett of Seneca, Carol (Eric) Buetzer of Topeka, Bonnie (Mike) Enneking of Hiawatha and Steve (Brenda) Bennett of Seneca; a brother, Larry Bennett of Green Valley AZ; a sister, Betty Lou Latta of McPherson, KS; 11 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.
The rosary will be prayed at 2 & 7 PM, Sunday, July 13, 2014, at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca. Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10 AM on Monday, July 14, 2014, at St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Seneca, with burial in the church cemetery.
Memorials in Gene's honor may be given to COINS for a Cause, and sent in care of the family.
John O. "Jack" Bentson
John O. "Jack" Bentsen, 84, of Seneca, Kansas, died Tuesday, July 11, 2000, at Country View Estates Care Home in Seneca. He had been a resident there since May 31, 2000.
He was born November 19, 1915 at Blaine, Kansas, the son of James and Laura Hansen Bentsen. He grew up there and attended school. Earlier he farmed in the St. Bridget Community northwest of Axtell, Kansas. He moved to Seneca in 1942, worked at the Usher Ford Dealership, the Log Cabin Service Station, and drove a truck for Ben C. Holthaus Trucking, all in Seneca.
On November 22, 1939, he married
Leona Cohorst at St. Bridget Church northwest of Axtell, Kansas. She died December 29, 1951. He married
Oreta Breese on October 25, 1975 in Seneca. She survives of the home in Seneca.
Survivors besides his wife are a son, Gerald Bentsen of Oshawa, Ontario, Canada; two daughters, Patricia "Peg" Bentsen and Elaine Bentsen both of Seneca; a step-son, Allan Kramer of Leavenworth, Kansas; a step-daughter Kathy Warren of French Camp, California; a sister, Esther "Betty" Cunningham of Prairie Village, Kansas; two grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; two step- grandchildren; five step-great-grandchildren.
Besides his wife, Leona, he was also preceded in death by a son, John Leon Bentsen, on August 10, 1948.
A vigil prayer service will be held at the Lauer Funeral Home on Thursday at 7 P.M., where he will lie in state after 10:30 A.M. Thursday. Funeral services will be 10:30 A.M. Friday at the funeral home. Burial will be at the Sts. Peter and Paul ChurchCemeteryin Seneca.
Memorials may given for the Nemaha Valley Community Hospital in Seneca and sent in care of the family.
Daniel W. "Bear" Bergman
Daniel W. “Bear” Bergman, 55, of Topeka, died Wednesday, January 12, 2005, at his home of an apparent heart attack.
He was born January 8, 1950, at Axtell, the son of Melvin and Zita Phillips Bergman and grew up in St. Benedict. He attended St. Mary’s Grade School and graduated from B & B High School in 1968. He moved to Topeka and worked for Hallmark Cards for six years. He worked for ROKK Concrete Construction for several years. Currently, he ws working for Koss Construction Company.
He was a member of St. Mary’s Church at St. Benedict and attended Most Pure Heart Church in Topeka. Besides spending time with his family and friends, he enjoyed golf, pool, and hunting.
Survivors beside his parents Melvin and Zita of Seneca are: three brothers and their wives, Ed and Kim Bergman, Mike and Brenda Bergman, and Jerry Bergman, all of Topeka; and 5 nieces and nephews.
Mass of Christian burial will be 11 A.M. Friday at St. Mary’s Church, St. Benedict. Burial will be in the church cemetery. The rosary will be prayed at the Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca on Thursday at 2 and 7 P.M.
Memorials may be given for St. Mary’sCemeteryFund or for St. Mary’s Restoration Fund and sent in care of the family.
Loran A. Bergman
Loran A. Bergman, 17, of the St. Benedict community, Rt. 1, Seneca, died Saturday, August 18, 1979. His death resulted from injuries suffered in an automobile accident.
Loran Ambrose Bergman was born September 21, 1961, at Seneca. His parents are Wilfred and Rosella Schmitz Bergman. He grew up in St. Benedict and played football for B&B Jr. High where he graduated in 1976. This May, he graduated from B&B High School. He liked farming and working with livestock. Farming was to be his occupation.
He was a lifetime member of St. Mary’s Church and also a member of the CYO at the church.
Survivors include his parents Wilfred and Rosella Bergman; six brothers, Dennis of Norfolk, Nebr., Steve and Frank of Seneca, Gary of Topeka, John and Brian of the home; six sisters, Mrs. Albert V. (Karen) Rottinghaus of Wetmore, Mrs. Wayne (Elaine) Theel of Emporia, Mrs. Bill (Rosalyn) Neary of Silver Lake, Mrs. Frank (Alice) Wietharn of Topeka, Brenda and Mary of the home; and 13 nieces and nephews.
The rosary was prayed at the Lauer Funeral Home on Saturday and Sunday evenings. The Mass of Christian burial was offered on Monday morning at St. Mary’s Church by Fr. Bartholomew Dacek, O.S.B. Burial was in the church cemetery.
Melvin B. Bergman
Melvin B. Bergman, 88, of Seneca, Kansas, died Monday, February 25, 2013 at Life Care Center in Seneca.
Melvin Bernard Bergman was born October 21, 1924, in St. Benedict, Kansas, the son of William and Anna Blocker Bergman. He attended St. Mary’s School in St. Benedict and helped in the family business, Bergman General Store.
In March of 1944 during World War II, Melvin entered the U.S. Navy serving as an aviation boatswain’s mate. He worked in the forward catapult launching planes off the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise CV-6, the famous "Big E." He also served on the heavy cruiser USS Augusta CA-31 and at the US Naval Training Station at Farragut, Idaho. He received several medals for his service including the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal and the Philippine Liberation Medal. He was discharged in May of 1946.
After the service, he operated the bar and pool table area of the Bergman Store until December of 1946. Melvin went to work in Dyersville, Iowa, in a factory making frames for farm wagons. He returned to St. Benedict in January of 1948 due to his father’s illness and operated the pool hall and bar.
On July 20, 1948, he married
Zita M. Phillips at Sts. Peter & Paul Church in Seneca. They lived in St. Benedict. In 1956 they purchased the Bergman Hy Klas from his brother Callistus. They owned and operated the store until February of 1987 when they retired.
He was a member of St. Mary’s Church where he served on the church committee for six years, the Knights of Columbus #1769 at Seneca for over 50 years, the Seneca Memorial Post #7458 of the VFW, and the Earle W. Taylor Post #21 of the American Legion. He instigated the Avenue of Flags and listing of veterans' names at local cemeteries. He was also a member of the USS Enterprise Organization. He and his wife attended a number of Navy ship reunions.
Survivors are his three sons, Ed (Kim), Mike (Brenda) and Jerry Bergman, all of Topeka; one sister, Rita Wichman of Topeka; five grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
He was preceded in death by his wife Zita on January 16, 2009; a son, Daniel Bergman on January 12, 2005; three sisters, Raphaela Haverkamp on January 31, 2000, Dorothy Hunninghake on April 12, 2011 and Cyrilla Sudbeck on December 23, 2012; and a brother, Callistus Bergman.
Rosaries will be prayed at 2 & 7 PM Thursday, February 28, at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca. Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10 AM Friday, March 1, at St. Mary’s Church in St. Benedict. Burial will be with military honors in the church cemetery.
Memorials may be given for St. Mary’s Church andCemeteryFund, and sent in care of the family.
