Obituaries in Kansas Newspapers (arranged by city)
Mary McKinney 1909-2003
Mary McKinney, 93, of Great Bend, died Oct. 20 at her home. She was born Oct. 31, 1909, in Heizer, the daughter of Albert and Mary Rodenburg Burgtorf. She married
Ralph McKinney May 24, 1941, in Garden City. He died July 9, 1999. A lifetime resident of Barton County, she was a homemaker. Mrs. McKinney was a member of First Congregational United Church of Christ, church women's groups and was a former Sunday school teacher, all of Great Bend. She was a member of G.A.R., Bissell Point Extension Homemakers Unit, Sunflower Social Club, all of Great Bend, and a former Heizer Livewires 4-H Club leader. Survivors include one son, Frank A. McKinney of Great Bend; three daughters, Elizabeth A. Liljegren of Lindsborg, Helen M. Wrightsman of Westwood and Margaret L. Moore of Beloit; three stepgrandchildren; and six stepgreat-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one brother, Bethel Burgtorf; and two sisters, Flossie Kapelle and Olive McKinney. There will be a private family graveside service at Great Bend cemetery, with the Rev. Diana Coberly officiating. Friends may call from noon to 9 tonight at Bryant Funeral Home in Great Bend. Family will receive friends from 7 to 8:30 tonight at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the church, Barton County Historical Society or Kansas 4-H Foundation, all in care of the funeral home.
Esther T. Rein 1920-2003
RUSSELL - Esther T. Rein, 82, died Oct. 20 at Cheyenne Meadows Living Center in Hoisington. She was born Dec. 24, 1920, on a family farm in Russell County, the daughter of George A. and Elizabeth Boxberger Dumler. She was a 1938 graduate of Russell High School and received a bachelor of science degree in home economics and dietetics from Kansas State University in 1943. She married
Carl Rein June 6, 1948, in Russell. A lifetime resident of the Russell area, she was head dietitian at Pratt and Whitney Aircraft Corporation in Kansas City during World War II and a homemaker. Mrs. Rein was a member of St. John Lutheran Church in Russell, a former Sunday school teacher, a member of Lutheran Christian Women, Altar Guild, a former member of evangelism committee and was a Jayhawk 4-H Club leader. Survivors include her husband of the home; one son, Roy Rein of Russell; and three granddaughters. She was preceded in death by two brothers, Raymond Dumler and Elroy Dumler; and one sister, Lillian O'Hara. Funeral will be at 2:30 p.m. Thursday at the church with the Rev. Henry J. Hartman officiating. Burial will be at St. John Lutheran cemetery in Russell. Friends may call from noon to 9 p.m. today and from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Thursday, all at Pohlman-Heise Mortuary in Russell. Memorials are suggested to the church, in care of the funeral home.
Matt P. Polzin 1912-2003
HOISINGTON - Matt P. Polzin, 91, died Oct. 20 at Clara Barton Hospital in Hoisington. He was born May 17, 1912, at Dubuque, the son of William E. and Katie Weber Polzin. He married
Irene Ann Reif Nov. 16, 1937, at Odin. She died Jan. 4, 1992. A lifetime resident of Dubuque and Hoisington, he was retired from the public works department in Hoisington. Polzin was a member of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church and Knights of Columbus, both of Hoisington. Survivors include two sons, Ron Polzin and Bill Polzin, both of Hoisington; one daughter, Maxine Olivier of Danville; two sisters, Marge Haberman of Great Bend and Lucille Weber of Wilson; 14 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by one son, Eldon Polzin; one daughter, Janet Bieberle; four brothers; and three sisters. Vigil will be at 7 p.m. Thursday followed by Knights of Columbus Rosary, both at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home of Hoisington. Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Friday at the church with the Rev. Pascal Klein officiating. Burial will be at St. John Church cemetery in Hoisington. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday and from 9 a.m. until service time Friday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the church or Cheyenne Meadows Living Center, both in care of the funeral home.
Gertrude Anna Bednasek 1910-2003
ELLSWORTH - Gertrude Anna Bednasek, 93, died Oct. 20 at Brandon Woods Retirement Community of Lawrence. She was born Jan. 3, 1910, in Ellsworth County, the daughter of Ferdinand and Pauline Burmeister Schmoekel. She married
James Bednasek April 29, 1945, at Ellsworth. He died Sept. 15, 2002. A longtime resident of Ellsworth, recently moving to Lawrence, she was a homemaker, practical and private-duty nurse. Mrs. Bednasek was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church and Lutheran Women's Missionary League, both of Ellsworth. Survivors include one daughter, Judith Ann Juneau of Lawrence; and one granddaughter. She was preceded in death by one son, Larry Dean Bednasek. Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at the church. Burial will be at Ellsworth cemetery. Friends may call from 1 to 8 tonight at Parsons Funeral Home of Ellsworth and from 9 a.m. to service time Thursday at the church. Memorials are suggested to the church, in care of the funeral home.
Anna Elizabeth Bartonek 1912-2003
WICHITA - Anna Elizabeth Bartonek, 90, died Oct. 17 at Catholic Care Home in Wichita. She was born Dec. 20, 1912, in Barton County, the daughter of Tom and Annie Hester. She married
Francis J. Bartonek May 17, 1937, at Wichita. He died Feb. 3, 1987. A resident of Wichita since 1937, coming from Galatia, she was a sales clerk at a local retail shoe store in Wichita. Mrs. Bartonek was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Altar Society and Daughters of Isabella, all of Wichita. Survivors include several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by four brothers, Ray Hester, George Hester, Ed Hester and Pete Hester; and three sisters, Lena Davis, Augusta Wheeler and Minnie Monroe. Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. today at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Great Bend with the Rev. Reggie Urban officiating. Burial will be at Great Bend cemetery. Memorials are suggested to St. Joseph's Church in Wichita or St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church of Great Bend, both in care of the funeral home. Bryant Funeral Home in Great Bend was in charge of arrangements.
Jerome Jacobs 1914-2003
Jerome Jacobs, 89, of Great Bend, died Oct. 19 at College Hill Health and Rehabilitation Center in Wichita. He was born Jan. 23, 1914, in Rush County, the son of Albert and Katherine Meder Jacobs. A resident of Great Bend since 1950, coming from Rush County, he had been a cable tool hand in the oil field. Jacobs was a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3111 and American Legion Post 180, both of Great Bend. He was a U.S. Army veteran, having served during World War II. Survivors include one brother, Bill Jacobs of Pfeifer; and one sister, Rose Bahr of Great Bend. He was preceded in death by one brother, Clement Jacobs; five sisters, Mary Haberman, Dorothy Dreiling, Pauline Breit, Frances Jacobs and Alice Jacobs. Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Friday at Bryant Funeral Home in Great Bend with the Rev. Reginald A. Urban officiating. Burial will be at Pleasantdale cemetery in Galatia with military honors presented by Fort Riley Honor Guard. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to Great Bend Humane Society, in care of the funeral home.
Dick L. Atteberry 1949-2003
Dick L. Atteberry, 54, of Great Bend, died at his residence Oct. 18. He was born May 19, 1949, at Alva, the son of Murel W. and Virginia Rose Pullium Atteberry. He married
Ronda S. Bryant May 5, 2000, at First Bible Baptist Church of Great Bend. A lifetime resident of Great Bend, he was a welder. Atteberry was a member of First Bible Baptist Church of Great Bend and longtime member of International Machinist and Aerospace Workers Local 1989. Survivors include his wife of the home; one son, Travis Atteberry of the home; one stepson, Robert Dunaway of Tucson, Ariz.; one daughter, Heather Atteberry of Great Bend; two stepdaughters, Ashley Bryant of the home and April Hopkins of Great Bend; one brother, Don Atteberry of Larned; two sisters, Dorothy Garvey of San Diego, Calif., and Sharon Wilson of Guymon, Okla.; and two stepgrandchildren, Aleigh Dunaway and Erica Dunaway, both of Tucson. He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Richard Atteberry; one sister, Vicky Patrick; and his grandparents, Libby and Louie Applegate and Mr. and Mrs. Sam Pullium. Memorial graveside service will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Great Bend cemetery, with the Rev. Bob Morris officiating. Memorials are suggested to Golden Belt Community Education Foundation, in care of Charter Funerals, 2115 Washington, Great Bend.
Earl Wesley Crouse 1918-2003
JETMORE - Earl Wesley Crouse, 85, died Oct. 19 at Hodgeman County Long Term Care Center in Jetmore. He was born Jan. 28, 1918, at Kinsley, the son of Claude and Lena Lovette Crouse. He married
Grace Julia Springer Feb. 4, 1939, at Ness City. She died March 7, 1974. A longtime resident of the Jetmore area, he was a farmer and a rancher. Crouse was a member of United Methodist Church. Survivors include one son, Ron Crouse of Montrose, Colo.; one daughter, Marilyn Beltz of Jetmore; four sisters, Beulda Miner of Wichita, Lois Belisle and Joleen Ostereich, both of Sun City, and Letha Schauvleige of Harper; five grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one brother, Leland Crouse; and one sister, Mary Lou Helton. Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the church in Jetmore with the Rev. Mitch Reece officiating. Burial will be at Fairmount cemetery in Jetmore. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. today and from 9 to 11 a.m. Wednesday at Beckwith Funeral Home in Jetmore. In lieu of flowers, family suggests memorials to Jetmore Library, in care of the funeral home.
Raymond L. Stacey 1935-2003
LARNED - Raymond L. Stacey, 67, died Oct. 18 at Hospice House of Hutchinson. He was born Oct. 31, 1935, at Jennings, the son of Lowell A. and Mary E. Parsons Stacey. He graduated from Fort Hays State University with a bachelors and masters degree. He married
Joan 'Jo' Mages Feb. 11, 1961, at Spearville. She died Oct. 8, 1999. A resident of Larned since 1973, coming from Garfield, he was a retired psychologist from Larned State Hospital. Stacey was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Sacred Heart choir and Sacred Heart Schoolboard, all of Larned, Heartland Share and Delta Sigma Phi of FHSU. He was in the U.S. Army National Guard Reserves. Survivors include three sons, Steve Stacey of Hutchinson, Eric Stacey of Great Bend and Bryan Stacey of Ashland; two brothers, Lowell 'Butch' Stacey and Ron Stacey, both of Nebraska; one sister, Jacquelyn Stacey of Grand Island, Neb.; and nine grandchildren. Vigil will be at 7 p.m. today at Morell Funeral Home in Larned. Funeral Mass will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the church with the Rev. Dennis Reed officiating. Burial will be at Larned cemetery. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to Sacred Heart School, in care of the funeral home.
Anna Elizabeth Bartonek 1912-2003
WICHITA - Anna Elizabeth Bartonek, 90, died Oct. 17 at Catholic Care Home in Wichita. She was born Dec. 20, 1912, in Barton County, the daughter of Tom and Annie Hester. She married
Francis J. Bartonek May 17, 1937, at Wichita. He died Feb. 3, 1987. A resident of Wichita since 1937, coming from Galatia, she was a sales clerk at a local retail shoe store in Wichita. Mrs. Bartonek was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Altar Society and Daughters of Isabella, all of Wichita. Survivors include several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by four brothers, Ray Hester, George Hester, Ed Hester and Pete Hester; and two sisters, Augusta Wheeler and Minnie Monroe. 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 the Rev. Reggie Urban officiating. Burial will be at Great Bend cemetery. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to St. Joseph's Church in Wichita or St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church of Great Bend, both in care of the funeral home.
Louden 'Junior' Gatton 1920-2003
BUNKER HILL - Louden 'Junior' Gatton, 83, died Oct. 19 at Wilson Nursing Home. He was born Aug. 22, 1920, at Gravette, Ark., the son of Louden Deison and Jennie Fuller Gatton. He attended rural school near Ellinwood. He married
Zella Mae Parker May 23, 1947, at Stafford. She died Feb. 21, 1980. A resident of Bunker Hill since 1947, he was a farmer and a stockman. Gatton was a member of St. John Lutheran Church of Russell, a life member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6240 of Russell, Bunker Hill Lions Club and a member of Centerview Schoolboard and Center Township Board. He was a U.S. Army veteran, having served in Germany during World War II with the 95th Infantry Division, receiving the Purple Heart. Survivors include two sons, Steven Gatton of Longview, Texas, and Lee Gatton of Overland Park; one daughter, Lila Mae Abercrombie of Wilson; special friend Betty Ehrlich of Russell; and five grandchildren. He was preceded in death by three brothers, R.D. Gatton, Joe Gatton and Jesse Gatton; and an infant sister, Bettie Gatton. Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at the church in Russell, with the Rev. Henry J. Hartman officiating. Burial with full military honors will be at Cross Plains cemetery. Friends may call from noon to 9 p.m. Wednesday at Pohlman-Heise Mortuary in Russell. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8: 30 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to Cross Plains cemetery Fund or VFW Post 6240, both in care of the funeral home.
Lola J. Craghead 1939-2003
JETMORE - Lola J. Craghead, 64, died Oct. 19 at Hodgeman County Health Center in Jetmore. She was born Jan. 30, 1939, at Alma, the daughter of Frank H. and Leona C. Wille Bandel. She married
Darrell Craghead May 17, 1958, at Alma. A longtime resident of Jetmore, she was a licensed insurance agent for Kansas Farm Bureau at Jetmore. Mrs. Craghead was a member of United Methodist Church, United Methodist Women, Friendly Homemaker Unit and card club, taught Sunday school, was a youth leader, sang in the church choir and was a 4-H leader, all of Jetmore. Survivors include her husband of the home; three sons, Dewayne Craghead and Kent Craghead, both of Jetmore, and Galen Craghead of Alma; her mother; one brother, Lawrence Bandel of Wamego; one sister, Nyla Zerbe of Wamego; six grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at the church, with the Rev. Mitch Reece officiating. Burial will be at Fairmount cemetery in Jetmore. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. today and Wednesday, both at Beckwith Funeral Home in Jetmore. Memorials are suggested to American Cancer Society or Hospice of the Plains, both in care of the funeral home.
Lawrence D. Walker 1919-2003
Lawrence D. Walker, 83, of Great Bend, died Oct. 18 at Central Kansas Medical Center in Great Bend. He was born Dec. 29, 1919, at Argonia, the son of Frank and Gertrude Chatfield Walker. He married
Edith Roberts July 27, 1940, at Anthony. A resident of Great Bend since 1958, he was a heavy equipment operator for Dubois and Stone Sand Company and later for Westhoff Inc. Walker was a member of Eastside Baptist Church, Silver and Gold Club and April International Side Band Club. Survivors include his wife of the home; one daughter, Carol Dreiling of Wichita; six grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one son, Lawrence D. Walker Jr.; five brothers, Harlow Walker, Howard Walker, Walter Walker, Floyd Walker and Gilbert Walker; and three sisters, Esther, Hazel and Gladys. Graveside service will be at 3 p.m. today at Great Bend cemetery with Mike Prescott officiating. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. today at Bryant Funeral Home in Great Bend. Memorials are suggested to the church, in care of the funeral home.
