Obituaries in Kansas Newspapers (arranged by city)
Elmer J. Meder
1929-2004
LA CROSSE - Elmer J. Meder, 75, died May 20 at Hays Medical Center in Hays. He was born April 14, 1929, in Pfeifer, the son of George and Barbara (Breit) Meder. He married
Mary Ann Dechant on Aug. 29, 1949, in Liebenthal. She died on Feb. 19, 1998. A lifelong Rush County resident, he graduated from Schoenchen High School in Schoenchen with the class of 1947. Meder was part owner and manager of Dechant Motor Company in La Crosse and farmed in Rush and Ellis counties. Meder was a member of St. Michael's Catholic Church in La Crosse and a 52-year member of the Knights of Columbus. Survivors include three sons, Ken Meder and his wife, Janie, of Hays, Jim Meder and his wife, Susana, of La Crosse, and John Meder and his wife, Karen, of Dallas, Texas; one daughter, Kathy Felder and her husband, Fred, of Rush Center; one brother, Ed Meder and his wife, Lena, of Victoria; one sister, Doris Pfannenstiel of Salina; seven grandchildren; and three great-grandsons. He was preceded in death by his parents; two infant daughters, Elizabeth Meder and Jennifer Meder; one brother, Gilbert Meder; and three sisters, Helen Duay, Irene Benda and Tina Degenhardt. Vigil service will be at 7 p.m. today, followed by a Knights of Columbus 2340 Rosary at the church. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m., Monday at the church, with Rev. Charles Mazouch officiating. Burial will be in La Crosse City cemetery in La Crosse. Friends may call from 3-8 p.m. today at the church. Memorials are suggested to St. Michael's Catholic Church in La Crosse, Holy Cross Charities of Pfeifer or Central Rush County EMS in care of Janousek Funeral Home. Funeral arrangements provided by Janousek Funeral Home* 719 Pine La Crosse, KS 67548
Leora Doris Harrell
1927-2004
ELLINWOOD - Leora Doris Harrell, 76, died May 22 at her home in Ellinwood. She was born Oct. 4, 1927, in Little River, the daughter of Merl C. and Ruth A. (Cherpitel) Burroughs. She married
Charles Henry Harrell. He died in 1961. A lifetime resident of Rice and Barton counties, she was executive secretary of Ellinwood Chamber of Commerce, an accountant at Adams, Brown, Beran and Ball, Ellinwood, and a bookkeeper at Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming. Survivors include two sons, Larry Harrell of Louisburg, and Robert Harrell, of Wichita; three brothers, Clarence Burroughs, of Kingman, Earl Burroughs, of Aurora, Colo., and Dale Burroughs, of Ellinwood; one sister, Connie Wickstrom, of Blair, Neb.; three grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one brother, Everett Burroughs. Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at the United Methodist Church in Ellinwood with Rev. Vernon Maelzer officiating. Burial will be at Lakin-Comanche District cemetery in Ellinwood. Friends may call from 1-8 p.m. Monday at Kimple Funeral Home in Ellinwood. Memorials are suggested to the donor's choice. Funeral arrangements provided by Kimple Funeral Home 113 North Main Ellinwood, Kan. 67526
Melaine Gail Kent
2004
St. JOHN - Melaine Gail Kent, the infant daughter of Gayle E. Kent, Jr., and Melissa Gail Miller, was stillborn Friday at Central Kansas Medical Center, Great Bend. She is survived by her parents, of the home; two sisters, Dazia Nicole Williams and Alexis Alexandra Kent, of the home; and grandparents, Gayle and Marguerita Kent Sr., of St. John, and Dena Williams, of McPherson. Graveside service will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday with Rev. Doyle Smith officiating. Burial will be at Great Bend cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the family. Funeral arrangements provided by Bryant Funeral Home 1425 Patton Road Great Bend, Kan. 67530
Alice '˜Sweetie' Zorn
1935-2004
COVINA, Calif. - Alice 'Sweetie' Zorn, 69, was born Jan. 18, 1935, on a farm outside of Hoisington and passed away May 5, in Covina, Calif. She lived in Glendora, Calif., for 42 years. The youngest of nine children she was nicknamed Sweetie, she was filled with love and compassion for others. She graduated from nurses' training at St. Frances Hospital in Wichita in 1956. She was a registered nurse for 40 years and enjoyed working at Santa Terasita and San Dimas Community Hospitals. She is survived by a sister, Leona Robinson of Hoisington, several nieces and nephews, including Wink, Bob and David Cates, whom she helped raise, and their children, her adopted grandchildren whom she lived for, Kim Lincoln, Scott, Stephanie, Maddi, Janae and Allison. Visitation was on May 13, with rosary at Oakdale Mortuary in Glendora. The funeral mass was on May 14 at St. Louise Catholic Church. In lieu of flowers please make a donation in Alice Zorn's name to Carmelite Sisters c/o Santa Terasita Hospital, Attn. Sister Michelle, 819 Buena Vista St., Duarte, Calif. 91010.
Ila N. Hampton
1920-2004
LARNED - Ila N. Hampton, 83, died May 18 at her home in Larned. She was born Nov. 21, 1920, at Burdett, the daughter of Robert and Sadie Ellen Jones Olsen. She married
James Rutherford Hampton July 21, 1950, at Great Bend. He died Oct. 4, 1995. A lifetime resident of Pawnee County, she was a nurse aide at St. Joseph Memorial Hospital for 28 years. She was a member of Seventh-day Adventist Church of Larned. Survivors include two daughters, Sue Ellen Kirchgassner of Larned and Janice Lynn Durler of Garfield; one brother, Martin Olsen of Burdett; five sisters, Stella Klein of LeFors, Texas, Laura Lee Dovel of North Glenn, Colo., Vera Arthur of Alpine, Wyo., Jody Mitchell of Garfield and Lena Simmons of Greensburg; three grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by two brothers, George Olsen and Ole Dean Olsen; and one sister, Betty King. Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Beckwith Mortuary Chapel in Larned, with the Rev. John Grummon officiating. Burial will be at Larned cemetery. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. today at the mortuary. Memorials are suggested to donor's choice, in care of the mortuary. Funeral arrangements provided by Beckwith Mortuary Inc. P.O. Box 477 Larned, KS 67550
Helen Maurine Nelson
1913-2004
LARNED - Helen Maurine Nelson, 90, died May 19 at Central Kansas Medical Center in Great Bend. She was born Dec. 15, 1913, in Pawnee County, the daughter of Abe L. 'Buster' and Hilma E. Almquist Bradley. She married
Earl O. Nelson May 23, 1946, at Great Bend. He died Dec. 11, 1981. A lifetime resident of Pawnee County, she was a teacher at Pratt, Mt. Hope, Hoisington and Dodge City Community College. She belonged to First Presbyterian Church, past Alder Lady, Music Club, Daughters of American Revolution, and Order of the Eastern Star, all of Larned. She was preceded in death by one brother, Gerald Bradley; and three sisters, Elda A. Moore and two infants. Funeral will be at 2 p.m. today at Beckwith Mortuary Chapel in Larned, with the Rev. Jim Hawthorne officiating. Burial will be at Pawnee Rock cemetery. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to service time today at the mortuary. Memorials are suggested to Larned EMS, First Presbyterian Church or Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Association, all in care of the mortuary. Funeral arrangements provided by Beckwith Mortuary Inc. P.O. Box 477 Larned, KS 67550
Dorothy Enid Brenner
TULSA, Okla. - Dorothy Enid Brenner, 93, passed away May 17 in Tulsa. She was born in Albert, the daughter of Charles and Florence Haas. She is survived by her son, Dr. Charles M. Brenner and wife, Sheri, of Tulsa; nephew, Dr. William Flynn and wife, Patsy, of Mission Hills; grandniece, Lisa Flynn of Chicago, Ill.; and cousins, Carol June Mills of Cañon City, Colo., Sandra Horn of Mesa, Ariz., and Pat Drehle of Harlingen, Texas. Graveside services were held Thursday at Great Bend cemetery. Memorials are suggested to Good Shepherd Hospice or SPCA, both in care of Moore's Southlawn Chapel in Tulsa. Funeral arrangements provided by Moore's Southlawn Chapel* 9350 E. 51st Tulsa, OK 74145
Ronald '˜Ronnie' Fred Keller
1944-2004
MESA, Ariz. - Ronald Fred Keller, also known as Ronnie Keller, age 59, of Mesa, Ariz., passed away at his home on Sunday, May 16. Ronnie was born Dec. 2, 1944, in Great Bend. He was Downs Syndrome and was the third of four children born to Fred Dumont Keller and Lydia Sanger Keller. He grew up on a farm in central Kansas where he learned early in life how to work hard, as well as how to enjoy life. Ronnie enjoyed swimming, animals, especially dogs and horses, and watching westerns, especially John Wayne movies. Ronnie enjoyed so much the many travels and friendships he formed along the way. The most important thing in Ronnie's life was his family, whom he loved so much. Ronnie is survived by one brother, Robert Wayne Keller, of Rancho Mirage, Calif.; one sister, Mary Elizabeth Keller of Mesa; four nephews, Mark Robert Keller of Cathedral City, Calif., Derek, Devin and Darin Diggs, all of Mesa; one niece, Karilyn Keller of Rancho Mirage; one aunt, Pearl Meadows of Mesa; and numerous cousins throughout the United States. Ronnie was preceded in death by his parents and one brother Richard Keller, all of Larned. Funeral services for Mr. Keller will be held at 11 a.m. today, May 20, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints located at 1430 North Recker Road in Mesa, with a viewing from 10-11 a.m. prior to the services. Burial will be at the Larned cemetery. Meldrum Mortuary handled the arrangements. Funeral arrangements provided by Meldrum Mortuary* 52 N. Macdonald St. Mesa, Ariz. 85201
Julia D. '˜Dean' Reed
1905-2004
Julia D. 'Dean' Reed, 98, of Great Bend, died May 18 at Via Christi Regional Medical Center, St. Joseph Campus in Wichita. She was born Sept. 12, 1905, at Van Buren, Ind., the daughter of Fred and Nancy Bird. She married
R. J. 'Bob' Reed Sr. April 2, 1924, at Kansas City, Mo. He died Dec. 13, 1976. A longtime Great Bend resident, coming from Coffeyville, Raymond and Little River, she was a homemaker. She was a member of the Methodist faith and Lake Barton Ladies Golf Association. Survivors include two sons, Donald Reed of Wichita and Fred Reed of Stillwell; one daughter, Bertha Hurst of Borger, Texas; six grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and two great-great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one son, R. J. Reed Jr., and 11 brothers and sisters. Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Bryant Funeral Home in Great Bend, with the Rev. Gary Brooks officiating. Burial will be at Great Bend cemetery. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and from 9 a.m. to service time Saturday, all at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to Mayo Foundation for Cancer Research, in care of the funeral home. Funeral arrangements provided by Bryant Funeral Home 1425 Patton Rd. Great Bend, KS 67530
John L. Baldwin
1929-2004
HUTCHINSON - John L. Baldwin, 75, died May 14 at Hutchinson Hospital in Hutchinson. He was born May 10, 1929, in Great Bend, the son of Orville L. and Ruth Shafer Baldwin. He was a 1947 graduate of Great Bend High School and later graduated from Hutchinson Junior College. He married
Roseanne Thompson Sept. 6, 1953, in Great Bend. A longtime Hutchinson resident, he was employed by Dillons for nearly 49 years, beginning in the meat department in 1946 at Great Bend. He became president of Kwik Shop Inc., Dillon's convenience store division in 1972, receiving promotion to executive vice president of Dillon Stores in 1979. In 1982 he became president of Dillon Stores, retiring as president on June 30, 1993. He became chairman of the executive committee of Dillon Stores following his retirement, retiring from this position in June 1995. Baldwin was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Hutchinson. He was a board member and past chairman of Kansas Chamber of Commerce and Industry; was a member and past chairman of Kansas Water Authority; member and past chairman of Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center and KCSC Foundation; board member of Kansas Agriculture and Rural Leadership Inc.; board member of Kansas Food Bank; past board member of Millers Enterprises Food Stores, Crescent City, Fla.; board member of Emporia State University, School of Business Council Advisors; board member of Eisenhower Foundation in Abilene; volunteer and board member of Reins of Hope Therapeutic Horse Riding for the Disabled; a longtime volunteer and supporter of Boy Scouts of America and a recipient of the Silver Beaver Award. Survivors include his wife of the home; two sons, Mark and his wife, Debbie, of Wichita, Mitchell and his wife, Kay, of Overland Park; two daughters, Sheri Kay and her husband, Jeff, of Chicago, Ill., and Stephanie Moncrief and her husband, Monty, of Plano, Texas; two brothers, Jack D. Baldwin of San Diego, Calif., and Jim D. Baldwin of Denver, Colo.; two sisters, Janette McCullough of Lawrence and Joan Murphy of Minneapolis, Minn.; six grandchildren, Bates, Victoria, Jennifer and Eric Baldwin, Megan and Matthew Moncrief. He was preceded in death by his parents. Memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the church, with the Rev. Amy Lippoldt officiating. Private family graveside services will be held at Memorial Park cemetery. Friends and family may sign the book from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. today at the Elliott Mortuary in Hutchinson. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to John L. Baldwin Memorial Fund, in care of the Hutchinson Community Foundation. Funeral arrangements provided by Elliott Mortuary* 1219 North Main Hutchinson, KS 67501
Edythe Elizabeth Roelfs
1918-2004
BUSHTON - Edythe Elizabeth Roelfs, 85, died May 15 at her home. She was born Sept. 19, 1918, in Ellinwood, the daughter of John and Mary Lillie Schulte Komarek. She was a 1936 graduate of Ellinwood High School. She married
Chester Delmer Roelfs Oct. 11, 1938, in Ellinwood. He died Aug. 4, 1976. A lifetime area resident, she was a farm wife and homemaker. She was a member of Holy Name Catholic Church and Altar Society, Quivira Quivers Senior Center in Bushton and Rice County on Aging in Lyons. Survivors include four sons, Timothy Roelfs of Lyons, Michel Roelfs and Charles Roelfs, both of Bushton, and Delmer Roelfs of Spring Valley, Calif.; one sister, Pat Peschka of Hutchinson; four grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a son; one granddaughter, Carla Roelfs; four brothers, Lester Komarek, Fred Komarek, George Komarek and Cletus Komarek; and two sisters, Lillian Komarek and Lorraine Huckstep. Funeral service will be at 10 a.m. today at the church, with the Rev. Steve Scheier officiating. Burial will be at Farmer Township cemetery in Bushton. Memorials are suggested to Hospice of Reno County or Bushton First Responders, both in care of Kimple Funeral Home of Ellinwood. Funeral arrangements provided by Kimple Inc. Funeral Home 113 North Main Ellinwood, KS 67526
