Larned – JoAnn (Bruntzel) Simmons Selzer, 82, passed away peacefully November 22, 2013 at the Linnwood Park Senior Care home in Meriden, Kansas.

She was born October 21, 1931 in Rozel, KS, the daughter of Alfred and Mildred Ellis Bruntzel. JoAnn was a Pawnee County resident until 1985, when she and her husband, Clyde, sold their beloved Melody Ranch southeast of Larned and moved to Paola, KS to be closer to their children and grandchildren living in the Kansas City area. She had lived in the Kansas City area for 26 years and then spent the last 2 years living in Meriden.

JoAnn’s passions were her family and music. She performed and taught music starting in her teenage years and throughout her life until she was 75. JoAnn instilled her love of music in family, friends and hundreds of students.

While in Larned, she was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church and the Altar Society. She served the parish as the church organist during Sunday Masses for 33 years as well as numerous weddings and memorial services. She also performed with and led many dance bands throughout her life. She was a long time active member of the Li-Ar-Mu Club (Literature-Art-Music) which became the Larned Music Club. Combining her love for music and Clyde’s love for horses, JoAnn became the organist for the professional rodeo circuit in Kansas, playing in venues all over the state.

On June 29, 1949 she married Clyde Simmons, a distinguished WW II veteran and prisoner of war for three and one half years; he passed away April 27, 1986. On September 5, 1992 she married Bob Selzer, in Overland Park, Kansas. Also a distinguished WW II veteran, Bob and JoAnn enjoyed over 10 years together at their beautiful home in Olathe until he passed away on July 2, 2003.

Survivors include: four daughters; Kyle (John) Robinson, Kansas City, Cynthia (Ron) Kurowski, Park Ridge, IL, Peggy (Brent) Murphy, Kansas City and Jeanette (Mark) Mikinski, Salina, two sons; Dennis (Barb) Simmons and Al (Anne) Simmons, both of Kansas City, Bob Selzer’s three daughters; Sharon (Fred) Augustine, Paola, Terri Cramer and Vicki (Duke Neeland) Selzer both of Kansas City, a sister; Sharon Price, Larned, a brother, Eldred (Rosalyn) Bruntzel, Larned, sixteen grandchildren; John, Katie, Meg, Kelly, Matt, Logan, Laura, Dennis, Adam, Maggie, Joe, Brian, Maureen, Brad, Seth, and Travis, two great grandchildren; Jeremiah and Wells.

She was preceded in death by her two husbands and her daughter, Kathryn Simmons, born on July 29^th, 1955. Kathy died on November 27, 1956.

Visitation will be from 9:00 am. to 6:00 p.m. Friday; Rosary will be at 6 p.m. Friday at the Beckwith Mortuary Chapel; following the rosary, the family will be present to receive visitors from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Funeral Service will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Larned. Burial will be in the Larned Cemetery.

Memorials may be given to the Sacred Heart Church or the Larned Music Club in care of the Beckwith Mortuary, P.O. Box 477, Larned, KS 67550. Personal condolences may be left at www.beckwithmortuary.com.

Name of Deceased: Opal Marie McCullough                                 Age: 95

Opal Marie McCullough, age 95, died November 21, 2013 at 10:00 a.m., in her home in Great Bend, Kan. She was born November 27, 1917 in Wilmore, Kan., the daughter of Ather and Ella Burnett. She had two brothers, Carl and Orbia Burnett who preceded her in death. She lived in Great Bend, Kan., since November, 1961, coming from Wichita. She married Paul W. McCullough July 16, 1939. He was a partner of the former Self-Service Drug stores and preceded her in death on Jan. 24, 1975.

She was a 1936 graduate of Wichita High School East and 1938 graduate of Wichita Business College. She was a homemaker and active volunteer throughout the years. When she was P.T.A. President in Wichita, she received a lifetime membership and made many great friends. She also enjoyed her church activities and was a member of the First United Methodist Church, United Methodist Women, Northwest Friends and Golden Belt Community Concert.

Survivors include a son and wife, John and Mary Jane McCullough, daughter and husband Paula and Terry Fellers, four grandchildren, Michael McCullough and wife Teresa, Michelle and husband Chris Forkenbrock, Jennifer and husband Jay Stoddard and Josh Fellers and wife Amanda and eight great grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 1-6pm on Sunday, with family present from 4 to 6 p.m. at Bryant Funeral Home in Great Bend. A private graveside service will be held in Derby at the El Paso Cemetery on Monday. Memorials are suggested to the First United Methodist Church of Great Bend or the Rosewood Roots and Wings Foundation in care of Bryant Funeral Home. 

Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.bryantfh.net

                  Arrangements by  Bryant Funeral Home     1425 Patton Road   Great Bend, Kansas      67530

Name of Deceased: Steven Craig Schneidewind                          Age: 23

Date of Death: November 14, 2013

Place of Death: At his home in Great Bend, Kansas

Date of Birth: October 10, 1990 at Great Bend, Kansas

Parents Name: Craig Alan & Linda Gail (Duft) Schneidewind

OBITUARY INFORMATION

He worked for the City of Great Bend at the Water Treatment Plant.

Mr. Schneidewind was a lifetime Great Bend, Kansas resident.

He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Great Bend.  He enjoyed hunting, fishing, pool, cooking, auto mechanics, and car shows.

SURVIVORS

Parents: Craig and Linda Schneidewind, Great Bend, KS

Half Brother: Brian Bowers and his wife Brittany of Ottawa, KS

Maternal Grandmother: Peggy Smith of Great Bend, KS

Paternal Grandparents: Harold and Delores Schneidewind of Great Bend, KS

He was preceded in death by maternal grandfather, Lawrence Eugene Smith.

SERVICE INFORMATION

Funeral Service: Monday, November 18, 2013

Time of Service: 10:00 a.m.

Place of Service: Bryant Funeral Home

Officiants: The Reverend James A. Strasen and The Reverend Dr. Doyle Smith

Interment: Great Bend Cemetery North, Great Bend, Kansas

Visitation:  1:00 to 6:00 p.m., Sunday, November 17, 2013 at Bryant Funeral Home

Memorial Fund:   National Association of Mental Illness, in care of Bryant Funeral Home

Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.bryantfh.net

                      Arrangements by    Bryant Funeral Home         1425 Patton Road       Great Bend, Kansas                      67530

Zook – Linda Kay Parr, 66 passed away November 16, 2013 at the Southwind Hospice, Pratt.

She was born December 8, 1946 in Larned; the daughter of Melvin C. and Dora F. Flanders Kasselman. A lifetime area resident; she was a social worker for 41 years.

She was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Larned and the Zook Community Center.

On June 15, 1968 she married Loren Parr in Larned. He passed away January 18, 2011.

Survivors include; a son Shane Parr and wife Stacy, Larned; a daughter Jennifer Cross and husband Tim, Solomon; two brothers, Max Kasselman, Andale; and Ralph (Butch) Kasselman, Ponca City, Ok; and six grandchildren, Taylor Parr, Kelsey Parr and Cade Parr all of Larned, Lauren Cross, Shaelynn Cross and Allison Cross all of Solomon.

She was preceded in death by; her husband Loren; a sister, Ruth Steffen and two brothers, Harlan Kasselman and Robert Kasselman.

Memorial service will be at 10:30a.m., Thursday at the First United Methodist Church, Larned, with Rev. Bethann Black presiding. Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday at Beckwith Mortuary. Inurnment will be at a later date at the Pleasant Valley Cemetery, Zook, Kansas.

Memorials may be given to the Kathy Glaze Home Health Care or the Larned First United Methodist Church, both in care of the Beckwith Mortuary, P.O. Box 477, Larned, KS 67550. Personal condolences may be left at www.beckwithmortuary.com.

Dorothy Evelyn (Winter) Dowse passed away November 12, 2013.

A visitation and Celebration of Life service will be held at the Claflin United Methodist Church Friday, November 15, 2013. Visitation will be from 12:30pm-2pm with the service following.

Dorothy was born on January 28, 1916, in Hoisington. She married Martin E. Dowse (Bing) on May 11, 1942. She was preceded in death by parents, Walter and Mae Winter; husband, Martin (Bing) Dowse; daughter, Linda Kay Turner; sister, Velma Beetz; and two brothers, Harold Winter and Dr. Wayne Winter.

Dorothy was a Claflin resident for many years where she was a member of the Claflin United Methodist Church and a life member of the Eastern Star. She especially enjoyed her work at the Barton County Treasurer’s Office. She was a great seamstress and made the best pies and rhubarb jam ever!

Dorothy is survived by three brothers, Glen Winter; Lenexa, KS, Calvin Winter (Linnea): Great Bend, KS and Dr. Walter Winter; Arvada, CO, daughter, Connie Mitzner (Gary); Shawnee, KS grandchildren, Greg Litterick (Wendy); Jason Turner (Melissa); Christine Campbell (Sherman); Melissa Cernech (Ben); Justin Turner (Wenfei); step-granddaughters, Dawn Uthe (Les); Lori Provin (Daron); Jennifer Camichael (Dan); great grandchildren Darius, Hutchinson, Noah, Sydney, Elizabeth, Annie, Luke, Connor, Lily, Brock, Morgan, Gabe, Nathan, Kyla and Mason; many nieces and nephews including a special niece, Karen Nicholson.

Dorothy was a kind and loving daughter, wife, mother, grandmother and “Grandma Great.” She will be greatly missed by us all.

Contributions may be made to the Claflin United Methodist Church, the American Diabetes Association or Kans for Kids all in care of Bryant Funeral Home, 1425 Patton Road, Great Bend, KS 67530

Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.bryantfh.net

Arrangements by Bryant Funeral Home 1425 Patton Road Great Bend, Kansas 67530

Name of Deceased:Byron Keith Nelson            Age: 74

Date of Death: November 10, 2013

Place of Death: At his home

Date of Birth: April 8, 1939 at Clay Center, Kansas

Parents Name: Raymond Emanuel & Nina Irene (Fritz) Nelson

OBITUARY INFORMATION

Byron married Carolyn Parsons September 11, 1960, in White City, KS. She survives.

Mr. Nelson was a Great Bend, Kansas resident since 1970, coming from Lawrence. Byron was raised in the Cleburne, Olsburg, and Alta Vista, KS, areas, graduating from Alta Vista High School. He later attended Kansas State University, studying biology and wildlife management.

He, along with his wife, Carolyn, owned and operated the family business, Schendel Pest Control, from 1970 until they sold the business in 2008.

Byron was an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church, being active on many boards, Sunday School, and the choir. He was also active in Stephen’s Ministry, living out his faith, and a member of the Kansas Pest Control Association, serving as president in 1985 and Hall of Fame inductee in 2000.

SURVIVORS

Wife: Carolyn Nelson, of the home

Three sons: Stanley Nelson and his wife Joyce of Great Bend, KS

Kenneth Nelson and his wife Tammi of Lee’s Summit, MO

Bradley Nelson and his wife Kelly of Vassar, KS

Two daughters: Melinda Nelson and her companion Pete of Great Bend, KS,

Rebecca Love and her husband Ricky of Great Bend, KS

Two sisters: Ramona Hanson and her husband Howard of Grundy Center, IA

Margene Willis and her husband Bill of Conway Springs, S.C.

Eight Grandchildren: Michael Hiss, Rachel Nelson, Sam Nelson, Luke Nelson, Devon Nelson, Megan Nelson, Justin Love , and Brandon Love.

Three step grandchildren: Anthony Lord, Ryan Lord, Chrisanna Lord

Two Great-grandchildren

SERVICE INFORMATION

Funeral Service: Thursday, November 14, 2013

Time of Service: 1:30 pm

Place of Service: Trinity Lutheran Church in Great Bend

Officiant: Rev. James A. Strasen

Interment: Dundee Valley Cemetery, Dundee, Kansas

Visitation: 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Wednesday, November 13, 2013 at Bryant Funeral Home, with the family receiving friends from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.

Memorial Fund: Trinity Lutheran Church or Camp Toma Shinga, in care of Bryant Funeral Home

Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.bryantfh.net

Arrangements by Bryant Funeral Home 1425 Patton Road Great Bend, Kansas 67530