Obituaries in Kansas Newspapers (arranged by city)
Leonard Frank Murray
OCALA, Fla. - Leonard Frank Murray, 76, died April 24 at the Estelle House in Ocala, Fla. He was born in Chardon, Ohio. He was a graduate of Kentucky Military Institute. A resident of Ocala, Fla., for 20 years, coming from Great Bend in 1985, he was a retired life insurance sales representative. Murray was a member of Treasure Hunters of America and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4209. He was a World War II Army veteran. Survivors include two sons, Darrell F. Murray of Jacksonville, Fla. and Kerry L. Murray of Great Bend; two daughters, Coleen Lustick of Salina and Dawn M. Andrews of Fort McCoy, Fla.; two sisters, Beverly Adans of Chardon, Ohio, and Bonnie Leyde of Middletown, Ohio; six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Beverly Ann Murray. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Marion County Commission for Veterans Memorial Park, 111 S.E. 25th Ave., Ocala, FL 34471. Funeral arrangements provided by Roberts Funeral Homes Bruce Chapel East 2739 S.E. Maricamp Rd. Ocala, FL 34471
Karen J. Ahrens
1945 - 2005
NORTH NEWTON - Karen J. Ahrens, 59, died April 25 at Newton Medical Center in Newton. She was born May 18, 1945, at Windom, Minn., the daughter of Harold Edward Grams and Elizabeth Leone Hubin. She married
Roger Frederick Ahrens on Sept. 4, 1965, in Windom, Minn. She was a homemaker and active staff assistant at Full Vision. Mrs. Ahrens was a member of St. Luke Presbyterian Church, where she served as Deacon and Praise Team leader; Junior Reading Club; and a former board of director and team leader for 'The Relay For Life' of Harvey County. Survivors include her husband, of the home; two daughters, Naomi Oslund of Racine, Wis. and Annette Lee of Minneapolis, Minn.; one brother, Stan Grams of Windom, Minn.; and four grandchildren. Funeral will be at 9:30 a.m. Thursday at the church, with the Rev. Paul Wissink officiating. Burial will be at Memory Gardens, in Windom, Minn. Friends may call from 1 to 9 p.m. today at the Peterson Funeral Home in Newton, with the family receiving friends from 5 to 8 p.m. Memorials are suggested to the church, Relay for Life of Harvey County, Karen Ahrens Memorial at Newton Medical Center or American Cancer Society. Funeral arrangements provided by Petersen Funeral Home 215 N. Main Newton, KS 67114
Cecelia Rachel Gale Furrey
1920 - 2005
Cecelia Rachel Gale Furrey, 84, died April 21 at Great Bend. She was born Sept. 29, 1920, in Wales, Great Britain, the daughter of Henry and Elsie Griffith Gale. She married
Fredrick Nelson Furrey in Great Britain in August 1944. She was a homemaker. Mrs. Furrey was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Ladies Auxiliary, the Eagles Auxiliary and the American Legion Auxiliary, all of Great Bend. Survivors include three sons, Bruce Furrey and Michael Furrey, both of Great Bend, and Douglas Furrey of Washington; four daughters, Darlene Crone, Lisa Phillips and Phyllis McCormick, all of Great Bend, and Bronwyn Furrey of Pawnee Rock; two sisters, Anne Swift of Tyler, Texas, and Patricia Tamplin of Wales; 18 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, a sister, Phyllis Stokes, a daughter, Gayle Ann Furrey, a grandchild and a great-grandchild. A memorial service will be at 10 a.m. Friday at the First United Methodist Church in Great Bend, with the Rev. Gary Brooks officiating. Burial will be at the Great Bend City cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the organization of the donor's choice are suggested. Funeral arrangements provided by Charter Funerals 2115 Washington Great Bend, KS 67530
Edna F. Hurst
1912 - 2005
ALBERT - Edna F. Hurst, 92, died April 26 at her daughter's home in Garden City. She was born Nov. 16, 1912, in Kingman County, the daughter of Charles Henry and Nellie Edna Rea Meisenheimer. She married
Robert James Hurst on June 6, 1936, in Hutchinson. Edna was a long time Rush County resident, and retired from Central Kansas Medical Center in 1977, where she worked as a ward secretary. She belonged to the United Methodist Church of Albert and was a member of the United Methodist Women's Organization, Home Demonstration Unit, and was a 4-H sewing leader. She was recently accepted as a member of the William Wilson Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Survivors include her daughters, Evelyn Bowman of Garden City and Margaret Asbill of Aurora, Colo., and one granddaughter, Kelley Bowman of Westminster, Colo.; two brothers, Lester Meisenheimer of Laguna Hills, Calif., Roy Dean Meisenheimer of Brush, Colo.; two sisters, Wilma Rothlisberger of Elgin, Iowa, and Betty Roberts of Houston, Texas. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Hurst; two sisters, Lois Showalter and Delores Meisenheimer; and three brothers, Vernon Meisenheimer in World War II; Don Meisenheimer and Edwin Meisenheimer. Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Friday, April 29, at Bryant Funeral Home in Great Bend. Burial will be at the Albert cemetery. Friends may call from 4 to 9 p.m. Thursday with family receiving friends from 6 to 8 p.m., and from 9 a.m. until service time Friday, all at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the Edna Hurst Memorial Nursing Scholarship, in care of the funeral home. Funeral arrangements provided by Bryant Funeral Home 1425 Patton Rd. Great Bend, KS 67530
Donald Dean Zimmerman Sr.
1933 - 2005
Donald Dean 'Zip' Zimmerman Sr., 71, passed away at his home on April 23, 2005, surrounded by his family. He had suffered with Alzheimer's Disease and multiple strokes. He was born Oct. 16, 1933, at Hays, the son of Alfred Sr. and Clementine Pfeifer Zimmerman. He graduated from St. Joseph's Military Academy in 1951. He married
Elizabeth 'Betty' Sanders on Oct. 21, 1952, in Hays. They moved to Great Bend shortly after, where Zip worked for C.O. Mammel's, Theis Packing and Vicker's Oil before building Zip's Service at the present location on 10th and Williams. He also enjoyed carpentry work and built his home and numerous others for rental property. After his retirement in 1977 he was successful with sales in Masterguard Fire and Safety Equipment. He was also passionate in tracing his family roots and visiting with distant relatives he met in pursuit of them. Zimmerman was a member of the Catholic community of Great Bend, St. Rose Parish. Survivors include his wife, Elizabeth '˜Betty' Zimmerman of the home; three sons, Ron Zimmerman, and Joey and wife, Sara, Zimmerman, all of Great Bend, and Denny and wife, Stacy, Zimmerman of Clinton, Ark.; three daughters, Yvonne and husband, Greg, Sumner of Norcatur, Debbie and husband, Dave, Branstetter of Claremore, Okla., and Linda and husband, Mike, Johnson of Great Bend; three brothers, Alfred Zimmerman Jr. of Lexington, Mo., Larry Zimmerman of Topeka and Paul Zimmerman of Joplin, Mo.; two sisters, Dorothy Taylor of Olathe and Delores Gorton of Hutchinson; 19 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by two sons, Donald Zimmerman Jr. and Rick Zimmerman; one granddaughter, Amanda Zimmerman, and one great-grandson, Brandon Sumner. Vigil service will be at 7:30 p.m. today at Bryant Funeral Home in Great Bend. Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Great Bend, with Father Reginald A. Urban officiating. Burial will be at the Great Bend cemetery in Great Bend. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the Golden Belt Home Health and Hospice or Catholic community of Great Bend. Funeral arrangements provided by Bryant Funeral Home 1425 Patton Rd. Great Bend, KS 67530
Leonard L. 'Snow' White
1927 - 2005
Leonard L. '˜Snow' White, 78, died April 23 at Central Kansas Medical Center in Great Bend. He was born March 3, 1927, at Ottawa County, Okla., the son of Burley and Stella Graham White. He married
Lathelda 'Dodo' Lee on June 9, 1946, at Hoisington. She survives. He was manager for Radio Supply Company in Great Bend. He was a resident of Great Bend for 40 years. He was an Army veteran of the Korean War. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church; all Masonic bodies of Great Bend; Isis Temple in Salina; past president of Sunflower Shrine in Great Bend; Russell Shrine Club; Past Patron, Golden Sheaf OES No. 226; Past Associate Guardian, Bethel 30, Great Bend; Past Associate Grand Guardian of Kansas; Job's Daughter and Past Commander of the American Legion Post #180. Survivors include his wife, Dodo White of the home; two sisters, Rhoda Munson and husband Carl of Oklahoma City, Okla., and Mary Lou Stout and husband Wendell of Grant, N.M.; one step-brother, Richard White and wife Jo of Scottsdale, Ariz.; and two sisters-in-law, Glynnese Jones of Great Bend and Diann Fullerton and husband Don of Yuma, Ariz. Masonic graveside service will be at the Hillcrest Memorial Park in Great Bend, at 9:30 a.m., Wednesday, April 27, with Military Honors. Memorial service will be at 11 a.m. on Wednesday at the First United Methodist Church in Great Bend, with the Rev. Gary Brooks officiating. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. today at Bryant Funeral Home in Great Bend. Memorials are suggested to the Sunflower Shrine Travel Fund or Kans for Kids Foundation. Funeral arrangements provided by Bryant Funeral Home 1425 Patton Rd. Great Bend, KS 67530
Samuel Kenneth Bavuso
1922 - 2005
FORSYTH, Mo. - Samuel Kenneth Bavuso died April 23, at the Forsyth Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Forsyth, Mo. He was born Jan. 1, 1922, at Radley, the son of Carlo and Damiana (Cottitto) Bavuso. He married
Joyce Dame. He was a longtime resident of Great Bend, moving to Merriam Woods, Mo., in 1999. He was self-employed as an audiologist working with hearing aids. Bavuso was an Air Force veteran of World War II. Survivors include his wife of the home; three sons, Kenneth Bavuso, David Bavuso and Samuel Bavuso, all of Forsyth; one daughter, Joyce Langston of Rockaway, Mo.; three sisters, Lindsay Yankoviz and Mary Ann Youvon, both of Pittsburgh, and Jennie Metz of Littleton, Colo.; six grandchildren; and four great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one brother, Chuck Bavuso; and two sisters, Rose Smith and Josephine Kelly. Graveside service will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday at the Great Bend City cemetery in Great Bend, with the Rev. Jack Sweany officiating. Visitation was held April 25, at the Forsyth Whelchel Chapel. Memorials are suggested to the American Cancer Society, in care of the funeral home. Funeral arrangements provided by Charter Funerals 2115 Washington Great Bend, KS 67530
Charles 'Gene' Mix
1917 - 2005
Charles '˜Gene' Mix, 87, died April 24, at Central Kansas Medical Center in Great Bend. He was born Oct. 7, 1917, at Barton County, the son of Jasper Eugene and Mae Kennedy Mix. He married
Margaret Gleissner on Feb. 14, 1939, in Great Bend. He was a roustabout in the oilfield, retiring in 1982. Mix was a member of the Catholic community of Great Bend, St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus, all of Great Bend. Survivors include his wife of the home, four sons, Larry E. Mix of St. John, Gary D. Mix of Sterling, Colo., and Ronald J. Mix and Robert D. Mix, both of Great Bend; one daughter, Janice M. Mix of Great Bend; 10 grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; 12 step-great-grandchildren; and three great-great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by two half-brothers, Virgil Mix and Floyd Mix; and two half-sisters, Edna Anderson and Fredona Clift. Vigil service and Knights of Columbus rosary will be at 7 p.m. on Wednesday at Bryant Funeral Home. Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Great Bend, with the Rev. Ted Stoecklien officiating. Burial will be at the Great Bend cemetery in Great Bend. Friends and family may call from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Wednesday. Memorials are suggested to the Golden Belt Home Health and Hospice or Catholic community of Great Bend in care of the funeral home. Funeral arrangements provided by Bryant Funeral Home 1425 Patton Rd. Great Bend, KS 67530
Harriet Marcella Mayo
1910 - 2004
HUTCHINSON - Harriet Marcella Mayo, 94, died Nov. 29, 2004, at Hester Care Center in Hutchinson. She was born Sept. 10, 1910, at Claflin, the daughter of Robert Townsend and Wilhemina Johanna (Piel) Mayo. She was a longtime resident of Claflin, moving to Hutchinson in 1991. She was postmaster at Claflin for 37 years, retiring June 30, 1972. Mayo was a member of the United Methodist Church of Claflin, United Methodist Women, Self Culture Club, People-to-People International, Ladies of the Grand Army of the Republic, Daughters of the Union Veterans, Barton County Historical Society, Red Cross Bloodmobile, Barton County Retired Teachers Association, Claflin Booster Chamber of Commerce, Meals on Wheels, National Association Retired Federal Employees, National Association of Postmasters, volunteer with Girl Scouts and serving on the Central Kansas Council Nominating Committee. Survivors include two nieces and one nephew. She was preceded in death by four sisters, Roberta Gibler, Gertrude Mix, Elizabeth Hartman and Marjorie Mayo. Memorial service will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the United Methodist Church in Claflin, with the Rev. Sarah Hickson de Salazar officiating. Inurnment will be at the Claflin cemetery in Claflin. Memorials are suggested to the Claflin United Methodist Church or Claflin Community Scholarship in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home in Hoisington. Funeral arrangements provided by Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home 415 N. Main / P.O. Box 146 Hoisington, KS 67544
Kathleen 'Boots' Behr
1935 - 2005
ST. JOHN - Kathleen '˜Boots' Behr, age 69, died Saturday, April 23, 2005, at Stafford District Hospital. born July 9, 1935, at Olmitz, to Albert and Aurlia (Bohatch) Mayer, she was employed by St. John-Hudson School District for 19 years. She graduated from Hoisington High School in 1954. Mrs. Behr was a member of St. John The Apostle Catholic Church and Altar Society, both of St. John, Red Hat Ladies Club, Hoisington and St. John, and Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary, Hoisington. She was a resident of St. John since 1962, coming from Hoisington. She married
Gerald 'Yogi' Behr on May 30, 1956, at Olmitz. He survives. Other survivors include: one daughter, Joyce L. Urban and husband Bryan of Wichita; one son, Carl V. Behr and wife Nicki of St. John; one sister, Karen Schneweis and husband Francis of Guyman, Okla.; five grandchildren, Dayna Urban, Allyson Urban and Kyler Urban of Wichita, and Logan Behr and Landon Behr of St. John. She was preceded in death by two sisters, Doris Mayer and Dorothy Bahr. Funeral mass will be at 10 a.m. today at St. John The Apostle Catholic Church, St. John, with Father Rene Guessnier presiding. Burial will be at the Fairview Park cemetery, St. John. Memorials are suggested to the St. John The Apostle Catholic Church, St. John, or the American Cancer Society, both in care of the funeral home. Funeral arrangements provided by Minnis Chapel, Inc. 526 E. 4th St. John, KS 67576
