Miscellaneous Ellsworth County, Kansas Obituaries

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Ida Fay Farrington (1917-2002) 
CARNEIRO - Ida Fay Farrington, 85, died Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2002, at Stoneybrook Retirement Community, Manhattan. Mrs. Farrington was born Feb. 10, 1917, in Ellsworth County to Warren Myron ³Bud² Webster and the former Bertha DeWitt. She had lived in Manhattan for the past five years, moving from Salina after also living in Ellsworth and Carneiro. She was a homemaker and former employee at El-Kan and a member of the Carneiro Methodist Church. She married Ralph Farrington Dec. 20, 1936, in Salina. He died in 1985. She also was preceded in death by two brothers, Orlin and Gordon. Survivors include a son, Warren, of Hoisington; a daughter, Sharon Claeys of Wamego; six grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; and two step great-grandchildren. The funeral was Saturday at Parsons Funeral Home, the Rev. Gene Langhofer officiating. Burial was in Carneiro Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Carneiro Community Center. 

Lucille Janssen (1922-2002) 
LORRAINE - Lucille Janssen, 79, Lorraine, died Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2002, at the Rice County District 1 Hospital, Lyons. Mrs. Janssen was born Nov. 4, 1922, in the Bethany community of Lincoln County to Charles E. Wirth and the former Clara Heide. She was a lifelong resident of the Lorraine area, where she was a homemaker and a member of the First Baptist Church and the Dorcas Society. She married Arlen Janssen at the Bethany Baptist Church, Lincoln County, May 3, 1947. He survives. Other survivors are three sons, Steven Janssen, Geneseo, Douglas Janssen, Wichita, and Gerald Janssen, Lee's Summit, Mo.; a daughter, Elaine Jury, Manhattan; and six grandchildren. She was preceded in death by two sisters, Helen Leach and Virginia Barnhill. The funeral was Monday at the First Baptist Church, Lorraine, Pastor Don Decker officiating. Burial was in the Lorraine Baptist Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Bushton First Responders or the Gideons. 

Guillermo Lerma (1913-2002) 
KANOPOLIS - Guillermo Lerma, 89, Kanopolis, died Friday, Oct. 25, 2002. Mr. Lerma was born Feb. 10, 1913, at Kanopolis to John and Michaela Perez Lerma. He was a lifetime resident of Kanopolis, where he was a miner and a demolitions expert for Independent Salt Co. He was a World War II veteran of the U.S. Army and a member of VFW Post 6485 and American Legion Post 174, both at Ellsworth. He married Sarah Labarr Feb. 15, 1935. She died in 2000. Survivors include a daughter, Betsy J. Young of Schooley's Mountain, N.J.; seven grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. The service will be private. Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson 67501 is in charge of arrangements. 

Grover Cleveland Snyder (1917-2002) 
Grover Cleveland Snyder, 85, Ellsworth, died Saturday, Oct. 26, 2002, at Via Christi Regional Medical Center-St. Francis Campus, Wichita. Mr. Snyder was born April 5, 1917, in Norton County to John W. Snyder and the former Minnie Ethel Garton. He had lived in Ellsworth for eight years, moving from Great Bend. He was retired from the city of Hoisington as a water plant operator and electrician and as a motor route driver for newspapers at Great Bend and Ellsworth. Mr. Snyder, who received the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart, also was a veteran of the U.S. Marines and World War II, where he was a member of the Flying Tigers and a Pearl Harbor survivor. He served in the Pacific Theater until his discharge because of wounds. He was VFW district commander and VFW Post 6485 commander in Ellsworth, a fourth-degree knight in the Knights of Columbus, Ellsworth, and past grand knight at Hoisington of the Knights of Columbus. He married Delores Reimer May 29, 1948, at Hoisington. She survives. Also surviving are a son, John, of Great Bend; two daughters, Gaye Davis of Benton and Elaine Snyder of Ellsworth; and six grandchildren. The funeral was at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the St. Bernard's Catholic Church, Father Daniel Scheetz officiating. Burial was in Ellsworth Memorial Cemetery with VFW military graveside rites. Memorials may be made to Bethphage. Parsons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. 

Joyce Ann Besthorn (1935-2002) 
CLAFLIN - Joyce Ann Besthorn, 67, died Friday, Oct. 4, 2002, at the Haysville Healthcare Center. Mrs. Besthorn was born Sept. 22, 1935, in Ellsworth County to Merle L. ³Shorty² and Wilma Louise Hoth Rathbun. She was a homemaker and farmwife and a lifetime resident of the Claflin area, where she was a member of the St. Paul United Church of Christ, Holyrood, the Cleveland EHU, Barton County Extension Council and the Hoisington Swinging Stars Square Dance Club. She also was a 4-H leader and a spokesperson for the Kansas Wheat Commission. She married Herbert Lee Besthorn Oct. 7, 1954, at Holyrood. He died in 1990. Survivors include two sons, Bert L. Besthorn of Claflin and Scott J. Besthorn of Birmingham, Mich.; two daughters, Jodi Besthorn of Wichita and Dr. Elaine Besthorn of North Platte, Neb.; a brother, Ted Rathbun of Columbia, S.C.; and a grandchild. A family graveside service was conducted Oct. 8 at the St. Paul Cemetery, Holyrood. A memorial service will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at the St. Paul's United Church of Christ, Pastor Mary Lou Klein officiating. Memorials may be made to the Kansas 4-H Foundation or the Claflin Ambulance Service. Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, Hoisington, was in charge of arrangements. 

Laura J. Cross (1961-2002) 
DODGE CITY - Laura J. Cross, 41, Dodge City, died Friday, Oct. 11, 2002, at Beverly Health Care Center, Abilene. She was born April 18, 1961, at Colby to Linda and Geraldine Thye Cross. She was a homemaker and a member of the First Missionary Church, Dodge City. Survivors include a son, Joseph Hamilton Jr., Ellsworth; three daughters, Marie Cross of Colby, Jessica Brandon Kuker of Ogden and Lisa Cross of Dodge City; four brothers, Scott Brown, Wesley Cross and Ed Cross, all of Dodge City, and Paul Cross, Topeka; and a sister, Julia Cross of Dodge City. The funeral was Tuesday at the First Missionary Church, Dodge City, the Rev. Terry Newmeyer officiating. Burial was in the Maple Grove Cemetery, Dodge City. Memorials may be made to the Laura Hamilton Memorial Fund in care of the Swaim Funeral Home, Dodge City. 

Louise Knisley (1913-2002) 
JUNCTION CITY - Louise Knisley, 89, Junction City, died Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2002, at the Select Specialty Hospital, Topeka. Miss Knisley was born Feb. 22, 1913, at Junction City to Phillips Hale and Wilma Anderson Knisley. She was graduated from Ellsworth High School in 1933. She lived in Ellsworth before moving to Junction City, where she worked for more than 35 years as a certified nurse's aide. Survivors include a cousin, Louis Brubaker of Bavaria. She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Philip and Arthur; and a sister, Libby Hughes. The graveside service was Monday at the Ellsworth Cemetery, Pastor John Boyle officiating. The body was cremated. Mass-Hinitt Funeral Chapel of Junction City was in charge of arrangements. 

Mark Saunders (1953-2002) 
Mark Saunders, 49, Ellsworth, died Friday, Oct. 11, 2002, in Ellsworth. Mr. Saunders was born Aug. 25, 1953, in Tokyo, Japan to Dale Saunders and the former Nova Snook. In 1999, he moved from Salina to Ellsworth, where he was a staff sergeant at the Ellsworth Correctional Facility. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy who served in Vietnam. He married Pamela Barta March 17, 2000 in Ellsworth. She survives. Also surviving are three sons, Josh of Missoula, Mt., and Dustin and Bradley of Steamboat Springs, Colo.; two sisters, Marilyn Hubbard of Knoxville, Tenn., and Jill Sargent of Boise, Idaho; a stepson, Adam Barta of Topeka; a stepdaughter, Nicole Rose of Wichita; and a grandson, Jace Rose of Wichita. The memorial service was at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Parsons Funeral Home, Chaplain Greg Garringer officiating. The body was cremated. The family suggests memorials to the Spiritual Life Center at the Ellsworth Correctional Facility in lieu of flowers. 

Lilly Schultz (1908-2002) 
Lilly Schultz, 94, Ellsworth, died Sunday, Oct. 13, 2002, at the Ellsworth County Medical Center. Mrs. Schultz was born Jan. 20, 1908, in Ellsworth County to Carl and Sophia Schultz Kohls. She was a lifetime resident of Ellsworth, where she was a cook at the Ellsworth Senior Center and served in several sales positions. She was a member of the Ladies Aide, the Immanuel Lutheran Church and the Good Samaritan Auxiliary. She also served as a volunteer at Good Sam's, helping with cards and the coffee shop. She married Walter Schultz May 2, 1928, in Ellsworth. He died in 1971. She also was preceded in death by four brothers, Jack, Emil, Ed and Ernie, and two sisters, Sophia and Anna. Survivors include a son, Lloyd Schultz of Long Beach, Calif.; six daughters, Dolores Mason of Great Bend; Gladys Schroeder of Austin, Texas; Shirley Olson of Manhattan, Janice Sneath of Kanopolis, Karen Kohlmeier of Sabetha and Joyce Schultz of Salina; 13 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and six great-great grandchildren. The funeral was 10 a.m. Wednesday (Oct. 16) at the Immanuel Lutheran Church, Pastor Richard Andrus officiating. Burial was in Ellsworth Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the church or to the Good Samaritan Retirement Village. Parsons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. 

Phillip James Thielen (1956-2002) 
RUSSELL - Phillip James Thielen, 46, Russell, died Friday, Oct. 4, 2002. Mr. Thielen was born April 23, 1956, at Ellsworth. He was superintendent grounds keeper at Marysville and Russell municipal golf courses. Survivors include a daughter, Angela Thielen of Warrensburg, Mo.; three sons, Adam Thielen of Hays, Lucas Thielen of Abilene, Texas, and Brandon Funk of Manhattan; a brother, Brian Thielen of Sterling; three sisters, Marcine Howey of Salina Elaine Rowe of Pacific, Wash., and Jeanine Eschbaugh of Wilson. The funeral was Thursday at the St. Joseph Catholic Church, Dorrance. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Thielen Children Memorial Fund in care of the Russell Funeral Home, 610 N. Elm., P.O. Box 566, Russell 67665. 

Helen A. Kratky (1904-2002) 
WILSON - Helen A. Kratky, 97, Wilson, died Friday, Oct. 4, 2002, at the Wilson Nursing Center. Miss Kratky was born Oct. 10, 1904, in Lincoln County to William A. and Agnes Jarus Kratky. She was a homemaker and member of the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church and Altar Society and the Nocturnal Adoration Society. Survivors include two sisters, Mary Soukup and Theresa E. Kasper, both of Wilson, and a brother, Joseph Kratky, Wilson. She was preceded in death by two brothers, Alois and Paul, and a sister, Frances Kroboth. The funeral was Monday at the St. Wenceslaus Church, Father Jerome Morgan officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery. 

Verne D. Livingston (1909-2002) 
ENID, Okla. - Verne D. Livingston, 93, died Thursday, Sept. 19, 2002, at the St. Mary's Regional Medical Center, Enid, after a short illness. Mr. Livingston was born July 21, 1909, in Kanopolis, Kan. to James P. and Etta Wood Livingston. He was graduated from Kanopolis High School and married his high school sweetheart, Mary Neuschafer, Sept. 4, 1928, in Hutchinson, Kan. He worked for the Independent Salt Co., Kanopolis, for 18 years. In 1946, he moved to Enid, Okla., where he worked for George E. Failing Co. for 14 years. In 1961, he started his own excavating business and retired in 1983. He played the guitar and other stringed instruments. He played with a band before moving to Enid and then played with the Ed Seeley Band for many years. He was a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge. He was preceded in death by five brothers and his wife Feb. 3, 1983. Survivors include a daughter, Arliene Unruh of North Enid, Okla.; two sons, Jim of Chula Vista, Calif., and Larry of Enid; 12 grandchildren; and several great- and great-great grandchildren. Graveside service was Sept. 23 in the Garden Chapel in Memorial Park Cemetery, the Rev. Melvin R. Duncan officiating. Henninger-Allen Funeral Home, Enid, was in charge of arrangements. 

Mary Ada O'Donnell (1912-2002) 
KANSAS CITY, MO. - Mary Ada O'Donnell, 90, died Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2002, in Kansas City, Mo. Miss O'Donnell was born Jan. 13, 1912, in Ellsworth, Kan. She was graduated with honors from Ellsworth HIgh School in 1930 and from Ward Belmont College in Nashville, Tenn., in 1932. She also was a graduate of the University of Kansas, Lawrence, where she was a member of the sorority Alpha Delta Pi. She took medical training at Bell Memorial Hospital in Kansas City, Kan., before returning to Ellsworth. She worked for many years as a technician at Ellsworth County Hospital, which her father was instrumental in founding. A devoted daughter, she lived with and cared for her parents, Ada Beyler O'Donnell and Alfred O'Donnell, throughout their lives. Her adored dog, Flicka, was her constant companion. She was an active member of the Ellsworth County Historical Society, the PEO and the United Methodist Church in Ellsworth, where she taught Sunday school for years. In 1949, she traveled widely in Central and South America. She moved to Kansas City in the 1980s. Beloved by her friends, family and all who knew her, Miss O'Donnell is remembered as a sweet and gentle soul. Her companions and caregivers at Kingswood Manor in Kansas City, where she was a longtime resident, recall her warmth, her ready smile and her engaging sense of humor. Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by sisters Martha O'Donnell and Frances O'Donnell Clark. Survivors include a niece, Cathleen Clark, and husband, Leigh Sealy of San Francisco; grand-niece Larkin Sealy of San Francisco; and numerous beloved O'Donnell cousins. A graveside service was Monday at the Ellsworth Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the St. Francis Academy, Ellsworth. Parsons Funeral Home, Ellsworth, was in charge of arrangements. 

Helen I. Riggs (1928-2002) 
BUSHTON - Helen I. Riggs, 74, Bushton, died Sunday, Oct. 6, 2002. Mrs. Riggs was born Helen I. Osgood on Jan. 24, 1928, in Macksville. She was a homemaker and a caregiver. She was preceded in death by her husband, Lawrence A., in 1982. Survivors include three sons, Dennis L. of Phillipsburg, Charles J. of Norwich, Conn., and Douglas E. of Bushton; two brothers, Francis Osgood of Council Grove and Kenneth Osgood of Kinsley; and six grandchildren. The funeral was at 2 p.m. today (Thursday) at the First United Methodist Church, Bushton. Burial was in Bushton Cemetery. Memorials may be made to American Cancer Society or Hospice of Barton County in care of Sillin Funeral Home, 214 W. Ave South, Lyons 67554. Visitation was from 2 to 5 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. 

Adrien A. Rozelle (1911-2002) 
Adrien A. Rozelle, 90, Ellsworth, died Monday, Sept. 30, 2002. Mrs. Rozelle was born Nov. 10, 1911, in Ellsworth County to Oscar and Mabel White Harts. She was a lifetime resident of Ellsworth County, where she was a homemaker and a member of the Order of Eastern Star Chapter 44, Willing Workers and the First United Methodist Church. She married Bert Rozelle Oct. 1, 1936, in Junction City. He died in 1995. Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, Brian and Susan Rozelle of Arkansas City; three brothers, Harvey Harts of Ellsworth, John Harts of Ogallala, Neb., and Roger Harts of Cleburne, Texas; a sister, Lucille Mays of Lyons; and four grandchildren. The funeral was Oct. 3 at the First United Methodist Church, Pastor Jim Newkirk officiating. Burial was in Ellsworth Memorial Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the church. Parsons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. 

Jack J. Stubby (1931-2002) 
BROOKVILLE - Jack J. Stubby, 71, Brookville, died Friday, Oct. 4, 2002. Mr. Stubby was born July 30, 1931, at Lehigh. He was a farmer. Survivors include his wife, Kay F.; two sons, Jim Stubby and Jim Lyne, both of Salina; three daughters, Vicky Wiebke of Ellsworth, Rita Dugger of Salina and Ann Shelly Brown of Vancouver, Wash.; two brothers, Bob of Grand Island, Neb., and Willis of Amarillo, Texas; and a grandchild. The funeral was Tuesday at Roselawn Heights Memorial Chapel, 1920 E. Crawford, Salina 67401. Burial was in Roselawn Memorial Park, Salina. Memorials may be made to American Legion Post No. 62 

Veronica Rose Dolezal (1905-2002) 
Veronica Rose Dolezal, 97, Ellsworth, died Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2002, at the Good Samaritan Retirement Village. Miss Dolezal was born Feb. 24, 1905 in Clear Creek Township in Ellsworth County to Anton and Anna Kaplan Dolezal. She was a lifetime resident of the Ellsworth area, where she was a housekeeper for the Ellsworth hospital. She was baptized as a Catholic. Survivors include a niece, Janice Wacker of Lincoln; and three nephews, Ernie Hanzlicek of Salina and Raymond Dolezal and Vernon Dolezal, both of Kanopolis. She was preceded in death by three brothers, John, Emanuel and Anthony, and sisters, Amalia, Anna, Mary, Frances, Josephine Hanzlicek and Christeen Brejcha. The funeral was Friday at Parsons Funeral Home, Ellsworth, the Rev. Daniel Scheetz officiating. Burial was in Ellsworth Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Diabetes Association or the Good Samaritan Retirement Village. 

Dale L. Gustafson (1955-2002) 
WILSON - Dale L. "John" Gustafson, 46, Wilson, died Saturday, Sept. 28, 2002, at his home in Wilson. Mr. Gustafson was born Sept. 29, 1955, in Canyonville, Ore., to Dale W. and Wanda J. Cooper Gustafson. He was reared in Elsinore, Calif. and in 1977 moved to Wilson, where he was owner/operator of Wilson Marine Specialty. He was a member of the Seventh Day Adventist Church, LaCrosse. He married Diana Patrick in 1974 in Salina. Survivors include two daughters, Shawna Moresco of Salina and Tara Kubick of Ozawkie; a son, Shannon of Wilson; his father and mother; four sisters, Deborah Webster and Kathryn Robison, both of Salina, Linda Ridder of Augusta and Dianna Brunsell of Tescott; and four grandchildren. The funeral was Wednesday at Foster Mortuary Chapel, Pastor Jim Wagner officiating. Burial was in Franklin Cemetery, Tescott.


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