U.S., Obituary Collection, 1930-Current
Robert Kohn
Robert J. Kohn, 79, died Sunday at Downs Golden Living Center. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. tomorrow (Friday) at St. Theresa's Catholic Church. Interment will be in St. Theresa's Cemetery, Mankato. Service arrangements are with Melby Mortuary, Mankato.
(Notice dated April 12, 2018)
Lucretia Smith
Lucretia (Enyeart) Smith, 73, died Monday at her home in Kansas City, Mo. She was born Oct. 20, 1944, to The Rev. Earl and Bernice Enyeart in Ionia.
Her family moved often so many schools were attended. Green, Kan., was an important part of her formative years. She graduated from Haven, Kan., and then Grace School of Nursing, Hutchinson. She spent most of her nursing career at North Kansas City Memorial Hospital. Lucretia married
and had a daughter, Kristi.
Survivors include her daughter, Kristi; two grandchildren; a brother, Kent Enyeart, Mankato; a sister, Cynthia Johnston; and a multitude of friends.
Cremation was chosen. Services and inurnment will be at a later time.
(Notice dated April 12, 2018)
James Sibert
James (Jim) Raymond Sibert, 74, of Beaverton, Ore., died Feb. 16. He was born June 28, 1943, to Raymond and Mabel (Killough) Sibert in Superior. He grew up on the family farm in Jewell County. He graduated from eighth grade in Kansas and is a 1960 graduate of Superior High School.
Jim graduated from an electronics school in Omaha. He worked on the Atlas Missiles in South Dakota. Jim enlisted in the U. S. Air force in January 1964 and met his wife, Patricia Kalowalski, while stationed in California. They were married
in 1965. Jim worked at the TV station in Holdrege and as a mobile TV repairman in Lincoln where his first son, Jay, was born in 1968.
Jim moved his family to Las Vegas, Nev., in 1969, still working in the communication field. After his son, Dana's, birth in 1970, they moved to the Portland, Ore., area. Jim received his B.A. from Oregon State University in 1976 and worked as a stockbroker for two years. He married
Faye Pettigrew in 1995. He retired after many years with Tri-Med Transportation in Portland. He enjoyed time with his family, fishing and playing poker.
Survivors include his wife, Faye; sons, Jay Sibert and Dana Sibert; five grandchildren; a sister, Margaret Sund; a brother, Delbert Sibert; many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Preceding him in death were his parents; a sister, Betty Oltman; and a nephew, Jim Oltman.
Jim wished to be cremated and the family will have a private memorial service at a later date.
(Notice dated March 8, 2018)
Gail Neilson
Gail Neilson, the son of Richard D. Neilson and ArLee M. Marshall Neilson was born Dec. 29, 1951, in Beloit, Kansas. Gail died Friday, Feb. 23, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz., at the age of 66 years, 1 month, and 25 days. Gail was a 1969 graduate of Mankato High School.
He owned and operated the first liquor store in Jewell County from 1975 until 1998. He raised several Morgan horses, some of which were circuit riders. His horse Skip, was part of the circuit riders that rode from Burr Oak, Kansas, to Baltimore, Maryland. He was the ring master of the Morgan Horse Show in Grand Island, Neb., for many years. He was also employed by the Kansas Highway Patrol as a carrier inspector for 43 years.
Gail was united in marriage to Marlene Grittman on May 7, 1991, in Las Vegas, Nev. He told her they needed to go there for a liquor retailers meeting, and once they arrived, he surprised Marlene with his proposal and went with her to go pick out a wedding dress. The rest is history.
Gail and Marlene went on several bus trips to Nashville, Las Vegas and Reno, as well as Lake Tahoe. They also enjoyed playing cards with George and Judy Stroup, Alice and Everet LaCoe, Mary and Bob Belknap, Fred and Betty Chapman, Sy and Donna Johnson. They also cherished their special relationships with their relatives, The Grunden family in Nebraska. Gail enjoyed attending country music concerts. He was a Mason for more than 37 years; a member of Mankato Lodge 87; Grand Lodge of Kansas AF and AM; past master; a member of the Shrine where he was a clown, as well as a member of the Scottish Rite.
Survivors include: his wife, Marlene Neilson of Jewell, Kan.; children, Steven Robbins of Jewell, Kan., Christina (Mr. C) Robbins of Glendale, Ariz., and Kevin Robbins of Ridgefield, N.J.; his brothers, Larry Neilson of Moundridge, Kan., Jerry (Cindy) Neilson of Superior, Neb., and Scott Neilson of Mankato, Kan.; as well as several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and special friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister-in-law Sandy Neilson.
His funeral was held at 3 p.m. Monday, March 5, 2018, at the Mankato Community Center in Mankato with Dennis Lewallen officiating. Kenny Rhea sang "How Great Thou Art," and "Amazing Grace." "Far Side of Jordan" and "My Way" were played from a recording.
Casketbearers were Ally Buskirk, Gene Underwood, Hance Grunden, Jace Grunden, Terry Gantz and Evert LaCoe. Honorary casketbearers were Jim Denny, Melva Parrick, George Stroup, Delvin Hanson, Bob Belknap, Joe Brown, Steve Rice, Tony Erbert and Ernie Endsley. Interment followed at Mount Hope Cemetery. Mankato. Visitation was from 9 a.m. until 8 p.m. on Saturday and 1 until 8 p.m. on Sunday with the family present from 6 until 8 p.m. on Sunday at Melby Mortuary. Memorials are suggested to Shriner's Hospital for Children or to the Mankato Masonic Lodge.
(Notice dated March 8, 2018)
Gary Kindler
Gary Kenneth Kindler was called home on March 1, 2018, surrounded by his loving family. He was born Oct. 21, 1945, to Harry and Carol (Hoffhines) Kindler of Esbon, Kansas. Gary grew up in the Esbon area and attended Kansas Wesleyan University at Salina, Kan., and the University of Kansas at Lawrence.
He married
Krisann Pietila on Oct. 31, 1970, in Dallas, Texas. Gary and Kris were blessed with four children, Tiffany Kay, Joshua Kenneth, Zachary Tauno, and Kristal Joy. Gary and Kris moved back to the Esbon area in 1977 and ventured into farming with his dad. In 1985, he was employed by Farmway Credit Union as a branch manager in the Mankato, Kan., office. He enjoyed working for the Credit Union for 30 years, visiting with and helping many people.
Gary spent many years umpiring baseball and softball in the Jewell County area. He often spoke of some of the best times in his life was following Legion Baseball with his dad. He treasured the time traveling to his son Zach's many track events. He retired in April, 2015, and enjoyed following grandchildren, sports and traveling with Kris and friends. Of course we can't forget about his beloved Rock Chalk Jayhawks. Oh how he looked forward to those basketball games. But his true loves in life were his 10 grandchildren. Gary had a close relationship with his savior and was a member of the Mankato Evangelical Lutheran Church, Mankato, Kan.
Preceding Gary in death were his parents; his brother, Bob Kindler; nephew, Dustin Kindler; and a son, Zachary Kindler.
Survivors include his wife, Kris; daughter, Tiffany (Kindler), and husband Pat Battle; their children, Lauren and Aidan from Leavenworth, Kan.; a son, Joshua, and Jennifer (Rumsey) Kindler, their children, Masen, Dawson and Emerson, Gardner, Kan.; a daughter, Kristal (Kindler), and John Walker, their children, Owen and Olivia. Hoxie, Kan.; daughter-in-law, Sara (Gerdes) Kindler and children, Taylor, Carter and Tessa, Gardner, Kan.; sister Joy Kindler; and niece, Alida Kindler, Salina, Kan.; nieces, Beth Standley, Theresa McDowell, Smith Center, Kan., Bobbi Basart, Stockton, Kan., and Nicki Grauerholz, Kensington, Kan.; nephews, Corey Kindler, Phoenix, Ariz., Norman Pietila and Andy Pietila, Plano, Texas, Jeremy Pietila, San Francisco, Calif., and Dustin, Tyler and Forest Pietila, Shelter Cove, Calif.; brothers-in-law, Mike, Robby (Betty) and Tom (Pat) Pietila, Shelter Cove, Calif., and Rocky (Linda) Pietila, Plano, Texas.
A Memorial Celebration of Life service for Gary Kindler was held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 6, 2018, at the Evangelical Lutheran Church, Mankato, Kan., with Pastor Dennis Beckmann officiating. Mrs. Kathy Beckmann was the organist. Honorary bearers were Jim Reed, Terry Hoffhines, Dave Hastings, Steve O'Hair, Virgil Kimminau, Roger Underwood and Lane Underwood. Gary requested cremation and viewing of Gary was held only at the mortuary on Monday. Visitation was Monday, March 5, from 1 to 8 p.m., at Melby Mortuary with the family receiving friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Memorials may be given to Zach Kindler Javelin Area Sponsorship Fort Hays Track and Field, Baker University Athletic Scholarship Fund or Zach Kindler Rock Hills Scholarship fund.
"I Believe!"- Gary Kindler x
(Notice dated March 8, 2018)
Twila M. (McDill) Schafer was born June 26,1921, and died in Lincoln, Neb., on March 1, 2018.
She was preceded in death by husband, Lewis A. Schafer; a son, Rodney E. Schafer; and parents, Gladys and Joseph McDill.
Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, Dennis and Kathy Schafer, Omaha, Neb.; two sisters, Letha Lowdon, Downs, Kan,, and Alma McDill, Mankato, Kan.; many nieces and nephews; and special friends of the family, Kelley McNichols, Burr Oak, Kan., and Curtis Saint, Jewell, Kan.
Visitation was held Wednesday, March 7, after 4:30 p.m. with rosary at 6:30 p.m. at Lincoln Memorial Funeral Home, 6800 S. 14th Street, Lincoln, Neb. Her funeral will be held at 10 a.m. today (Thursday) at First Presbyterian Church, 840 South 17th Street, Lincoln, Neb. Interment will be in Lincoln Memorial Park. Memorials may go to the Lewis A. Schafer and Paul H. Laursen Endowed Scholarship at Nebraska Wesleyan University or Gross Catholic High School, Bellevue, Neb.
(Notice dated March 8, 2018)
Claris Samsula
A former resident of the Oak community, Claris Samsula, 91, died Monday at Deshler. Funeral arrangements are pending at the Megrue-Price Funeral Home.
(Notice dated March 8, 2018)
Patricia Hubl
Patricia A. Hubl, 86, of Lawrence, died Monday at a Hastings hospital. Rosary will be at 7 p.m. Friday and Mass at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church at Lawrence. Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m. Friday at the Lawrence Visitation Chapel. Merten-Butler Mortuary of Blue Hill is in charge of arrangements.
(Notice dated March 8, 2018)
Norma Skalka
A former Nuckolls County resident, Norma A. Skalka, 92, died Friday. She was born Nov. 27, 1924, near Mt. Clare to John G. and Bertha K. (Ostdiek) Lemke.
Norma married
Joseph R. Skalka on Sept. 9, 1947, at St. Stephens Catholic Church. They farmed in the Deweese area before retiring and moving to Hastings.
Norma worked in the cafeteria at Mary Lanning Memorial Hospital. In 1992 she was the recipient of the Caring Kind award.
She enjoyed making quilts and cinamon rolls for her family and friends, reading, writing poetery and the great outdoors.
Survivors included her three sons, Robert of Tempe, Ariz., Daniel of Lamesa, Texas, and George of Deweese; three daughters, Mrs. Bob Squires (Carrie) of Fairfield, Mrs. Craig Murman (Deb) of Glenvil and Mrs. Dale Juranek (Jan) of Blue Hill; 19 grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren and three more on the way; her dear "sista," Lorene Friend of Keller, Texas; a brother, Jack Lemke of Lawrence; and sisters-in-law, Mildred Lemke of Superior and Leona Suedmeier of Ankeny, Iowa.
She was preceded in death by her parents; two bothers, Vernon and Arnold, and her husband.
She donated her body to the Anatomical Board of Nebraska. A private family funeral will be held at a later date.
(Notice dated March 8, 2018)
Kim Kohn
Kim Dace Kohn, 54, the daughter of Donna Marie (Collins) and Samuel Ivan Klingenberger, was born Oct. 20, 1963, at Superior. She died Sunday at the Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney. Her funeral was held at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Congregational Bible Church in Red Cloud with the Rev. Gary Bennett officiating.
Williams Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
(Notice dated March 8, 2018)
