Obituaries in Kansas Newspapers (arranged by city)
Roberta Bitikofer
Roberta Bitikofer, 86, died June 3, 2007, at Schowalter Villa in Hesston.
Services were Tuesday, June 5, at 10:30 a.m., at the Spring Valley Mennonite Church in rural Canton, with Pastor Bruce Anthony officiating. Burial was in the churchcemeteryfollowing the service.
She was born Aug. 15, 1920, in Peabody, the daughter of Harry and Edna (Beck) Selzer. She was a homemaker.
On Oct. 10, 1940, she married
Allen Bitikofer in Canton. She was a member of the Spring Valley Church.
She is survived by her husband of the home; three daughters, Joan Yoder of West Liberty, Ohio, Sonia Tucker of Kimberling City, Mo., and Marlys Becker of Canton; three sisters, Ruby Ressler of Alberta, Canada, Doris Bitikofer of Canton, and Gladys Yoder of Harrisonburg, Va.; 6 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.
Preceding her in death were three sisters, Kathryn Shank, Violet Selzer and Arletta Becker.
A memorial fund has been established with the Mennonite Disaster Service, in care of the funeral home. Miller Funeral Home in Hesston is handling the arrangements.
Alfred M. Schmidt, 75
Goessel – Alfred M. Schmidt, 75, passed away Oct. 15, 2013, at Wesley Medical Center, Wichita.
He was born June 29, 1938, in Newton the son of Henry B. Schmidt Jr. and Esther Klassen.
He was a farmer and dairyman.
Alfred was a member of Tabor Mennonite church, rural Newton.
On March 17, 1961, he married
LaVerta Bartel at Tabor Mennonite Church, rural Newton. She survives.
Survivors include his son Warren and wife Sheri of Goessel, brothers Linford and wife Elfrieda Schmidt of Omaha, NE., Kenneth Schmidt of Newton, daughter in law Cheryl Schmidt of Wichita, and grandchildren Kimberly Schmidt, Aspen and husband Zach Yordy, Mark Schmidt, and Joshua Schmidt.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and son Larry.
Memorial services were held Saturday, Oct. 19 at Tabor Mennonite Church with Pastors Phil Schmidt and Rosie Jantz officiating. Private interment will take place in Tabor Mennonite church cemetery.
Visitation was held Thursday, Oct. 17 at Miller-Ott Funeral Home, Goessel.
Memorials may be sent to either MCC or Lymphoma Society in care of Miller-Ott Funeral Home, Goessel 303 East Main, Goessel, KS 67053.
Stanley Funk
1940-2009
born in Hillsboro, Kansas, to Orison V. and Agnes (Siebert) Funk on 18 September 1940, Stanley Gilbert Funk went to his heavenly home on Friday, 20 February 2009. He lived to 68 years, 5 months and 2 days.
Stanley was mentally handicapped due to complications during a difficult delivery. After a year in elementary school near Marion, Kansas, he remained home enjoying farm life and involved in all farm activities with his father. After the death of his father Stanley and Agnes moved to Hillsboro in 1979.
Stanley loved the farm, and while he was residing in the Newton in a group home it was always a highlight for him to visit his Aunt Ruby and Uncle Johnny Siebert’s farm near Hillsboro. His room in the Northview Developmental Services Duncan House was filled with symbols that reminded him of his farm home and helped maintain a connection to his life on the family farm north of Marion, Kansas.
Stanley demonstrated his adventurous side on a fall day when he mounted his bicycle and peddled 3 ½ miles into Marion and was heading determinedly west out of town toward Hillsboro. Alert Marion observers puzzled over Stanley’s lone presence on the highway and notified his parents who hurriedly intercepted him before he traveled to far following his solo plans. Stanley was headed toward Hillsboro possibly planning a visit to his Grandparents Siebert farm. He often surprised his family with previously unobserved capabilities.
When Stanley and his dad would go to town on Saturdays as was their pattern, occasionally Dad would forget a name of someone with whom he was acquainted. It didn’t take long for Stanley to come up with the name and share it with Dad.
When Stanley and Mom moved to Hillsboro, using Uncle Johnny’s truck for many of the items, Stanley seemed to know everyone in town. As they drove down the main street of Marion Stanly had his arm out the window of the truck waving at everyone with a big smile on his face. With Stanley, there was more going on in his mind than we knew.
Stanley was moved to Parkside Homes on Friday, 13 February, due to an illness for which he had been hospitalized. His stay at Parkside in the community he had called home for 20 years was very short. It seemed fitting that his last days were experienced back among the folk who were both relatives and a caring community.
Stanley is preceded in death by his parents, Orison V. and Agnes (Siebert) Funk of Marion, and later Hillsboro, Kansas. He is survived by a sister, Patricia (Funk) Esau, and her husband, Phil; a niece and nephew, 2 grand-nieces and 2 grand-nephews. He has one uncle and aunt on his mother’s side (Johnny and Ruby Siebert) who reside on a farm near Hillsboro.
Mildred Friesen
1911-2009
Mildred Friesen was born October 6, 1911 in Dorrance, Kansas, the daughter of Julia (Batthauer) Heinze and Andrew H. Heinze. She spent her early years in Dorrance and on February 22, 1914, her father married
Mollie (Steinert) in Lehigh, Kansas and moved the family to a farm south of Hillsboro. There she attended the M.B. Church and has been a life-long member. Her father took Mildred to western Kansas to cook for him as he worked harvesting the wheat. This is where she met Herbert Friesen, whom later became her sweetheart. The two married
on October 2, 1932. They made their home in the Mingo community. Their first daughter Donna was born there October 17, 1933.
In 1935 the family moved to Hillsboro, Kansas and daughter Carroll was born October 3, 1937.
We remember mother’s wonderful cooking and baking. She took pleasure in gardening and grew beautiful flowers and loved feeding the birds.
For a period of time, she worked as a nurses’ aid at Salem Hospital which she enjoyed very much.
Together with Daddy, they enjoyed fishing and traveling. She was also a great sports fan and loved the KC Royals and KC Chiefs. We have wonderful memories of Mother playing piano and singing together with her.
Mother missed Daddy deeply after he died, and she lost much of the vigor which had previously characterized her life. She looked forward to the day the two of them would be reunited in Heaven with the Lord. She is preceded in death by her husband, parents, three brothers and one sister.
Those surviving her include two daughters: Donna and husband Francis Richert of Lane, Kansas and Carroll Stevens of Chimayo, New Mexico; two brothers: Paul and Robert; two sisters: June and Morma; one sister-in-law Barbara; nine grandchildren; six great-grandchildren and one great-great- grandchild, as well as many other relatives and friends.
Orlando D. Voth (Orie), 94
Orlando D. Voth (Orie) 94 passed away Oct. 22, 2014, at Bethesda Home in Goessel.
Maria M. Chaple
Maria M. Chaple, 81, died March 12, 2007 at Rose Hill.
Bruce Silvers
HAVEN – Bruce Silvers, 84, died March 9, 2007 at Hospice House of Reno County. He was the father of Carolyn Bruyr of Hesston.
James M. Helfer
MARION – James "Jim" Helfer, 91, died March 6, 2007 at St. Luke Living Center, Marion. He was the father of Judi Burkett (Mrs. David) of Hesston.
Randolf Flaming
Randolf P. Flaming, 78, of Goessel, died March 8, 2007, at Bethesda Home in Goessel. He was the father-in-law of Cheryl Flaming of Hesston.
Charles A. Hoelscher
Charles A. Hoelscher, 76, of Walton died March 5, 2007 at his farm in Walton.
Jean Wilkens
Jean M. Wilkens, Hesston, 89, died on Friday, May 19, 2006 at Schowalter Villa in Hesston.
Johanna Rose
Johanna A. Rose, 86, died May 18, 2006 at Schowalter Villa in Hesston.
Clarence Sommerfeld
Clarence Sommerfeld, 96, died Tuesday, May 30, 2006, at Newton Medical Center.
Jacob Koehn
Jacob C. Koehn, 97, died May 25, 2006 at Bethesda Home in Goessel.
Virgil Wiggers
Virgil L. Wiggers, 79, died May 27, 2006 at Mercy Hospital in Moundridge.
Lillie Goering
Lillie Goering, 84, died June 14, 2006 at Schowalter Villa in Hesston.
Clarence Krause, 96
Clarence Krause, 96, died July 2, 2006 at Bethesda Home in Goessel.
Donald Atkins, 77
Donald K. Atkins, 77, died June 28, 2006 at St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria, Ill. He was a certified economic developmental consultant and formerly the director of Hesston Development Corp.
Edna Jantz, 81
Edna Jantz, 81, died June 29, 2006 at Bethesda Home in Goessel. She is the sister of Joseph and Elaine Goossen of Hesston.
