PRATT – Elsie A. Eilts, 88, passed away March 18, 2019, at Pratt Health & Rehab, Pratt. She was born September 22, 1930, in rural Rush County, Kansas to Frank, Sr. and Emma (Josefiak) Sell. She married Glenn Eilts on October 29, 1951, at Rush Center. He died October 8, 2003.

Elsie was a retired telephone operator for AT&T. She volunteered for Girl Scouts, Reading Grandma’s and was an AT&T Pioneer. She loved to read, garden and fish. Her greatest love was her family and friends.

Survivors include, one son, Galen Eilts of Jefferson City, TN; Debra Hoffman and husband Terry of Albert, Pamela Brumfield and husband Ed of Plano, TX, and Laurie Eilts of Pratt; 10 grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Glenn Eilts; one brother, Frank Sell Jr.; one sister, Grace Heine; and one grandson, David Brumfield.

Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Friday, March 22, 2019 at Bryant Funeral Home. Funeral Service will be at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, March 23, 2019 at Bryant Funeral Home, with Rev. Morita Truman presiding. Memorials are suggested to St. Jude Children’s Hospital or the David Brumfield Endowment Memorial at Oklahoma State University, 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

 

GREAT BEND – Richard David Webster, 73, passed away March 16, 2019, at his home in Great Bend. He was born April 8, 1945 at Kingman, to Richard Leslie & Marietta (Fitzsimmons) Webster. He married Ann F. Reeder August 18, 1996 at Great Bend, She survives.

Coming from Pratt in 1996, Richard was a Great Bend resident. He was a truck driver for R.C. Williams and Rainbow Trucking. He was a member of St. Ann Catholic Church in Olmitz and the NRA and loved ham radios. He served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam war. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather.

Survivors include, his wife, Ann of the home; four sons, David Webster and wife Starr of Fort Collins, CO, Dustin Mitchell of MO, Brandon Clark of Kimberling City, MO and Kevin King of Hutchinson; one daughter, Evelyn Harr and husband Carl of Great Bend; one sister, Wendy Sloan and husband John of Norton; and 13 grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Cremation has taken place and services will be announced at a later date. Memorials are suggested to the National Rifle Association, 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

Dateline – Claflin 

Deborah Kubin Praeger, 98, died March 9, 2019, at Ellinwood District Hospital.

She was born October 23, 1920, at McPherson, Kansas, the daughter of Dr. Edison F. and Emma (Lee) Kubin. Her father was a veterinarian.  Both of her parents graduated from Kansas State Agricultural College, classes of 1909 and 1910, and were prominent community members.

Deborah grew up in McPherson, and attended McPherson College as well as Kansas State where she was a member of the Alpha Delta Pi Sorority.  She majored in Home Economics. During WWII she worked as a civilian with Army Air Force Material Command in Wichita, Kansas.  She also worked for a Wichita Insurance Agency, the Weather Bureau in Nebraska, and Century Motors in Kansas City.

Deborah married Kenneth Praeger October 29, 1946, in McPherson, Kansas, becoming the mother of Kenneth’s two-year-old son, Kent. Their daughter Karla was born in 1948 and son Brian followed in 1951.  Kenneth and Deborah celebrated a long and happy marriage for 65 years. They enjoyed entertaining family and friends and hosted many dinner and theme parties through the years.

Deborah was active in the KSU Extension Service, Kansas Wheathearts and Cowbelles, was a Cub Scout and Girl Scout Leader, Community Chairman, and a member of the Eastern Star. She kept many family records of the Praeger Homestead (1874) and acquired the designation of “Kansas Tradition Farm” from the Kansas State Board of Agriculture.

Deborah is survived by sons, Kent Praeger and wife Liz, and Brian Praeger and wife Mary Rooney, all of Claflin; daughter, Karla Perotta and husband Joe of Pataskala, Ohio; grandchildren, Amy Praeger and husband Mark Hoban, Brendan Praeger and wife Megan Moser, Owen Praeger, Christopher Perotta and wife Casey, and Sara Perrotta; great grandchildren, Logan Praeger; and Escher Perrotta and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, sisters, Dr. Doris A. Kubin Bolinger and Elenor Kubin Clark, and a granddaughter, Maeve Rooney Praeger.

A graveside service will be held at a later date in Rosehill Cemetery, rural Clalfin.

Memorials are requested to the Claflin Ambulance Services or Community Scholarship Inc. of Claflin, in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington, KS 67544.

HERMISTON, OREGON – Peggy Dean Compton, formerly known as Peggy Lawrence, of Hermiston was born May 25, 1926 in Littlefield, TX, the daughter of Virgil and Ora (Moulton) Reed. She passed away in Hermiston on Saturday, March 2, 2019 at the age of 92.

Peggy grew up and attended her schooling in Texas and Oklahoma. She lived in Kansas and the Midwest throughout much of her adult life. She moved to Hermiston in the early 1990’s where she has resided since.

Peggy enjoyed square dancing and round dancing and was an excellent cook. She loved decorating for Christmas and sharing her joy though open houses for family and friends. She was a member of the Hermiston Nazarene Church. She loved her family dearly and enjoyed time with family especially the grandchildren and great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and husband Spencer.

She is survived by a son, Roy (Hedy) Williams of Arizona; daughters, Roxanna (Tom) Kiefer of Hermiston, Vickie (Kelly) Radford of Kansas and Shirley (Bill) Kaska of Enterprise; eight grandchildren, thirteen great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.

A Graveside service will be held at 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, March 19, 2019 at the Great Bend Cemetery, with Pastor Tim Singleton presiding. The family suggests memorials be donated to the Pet Rescue Humane Society of Eastern Oregon or the hospice of your choice, 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

 

Dateline: Otis, Kansas

Marcella Marie “GG” Stos, 85, passed away March 12, 2019, at Hays Medical Center, Hays.  She was born Jan. 23, 1934, in rural Bison, the daughter of Edward John and Mary Ann (Kopriva) Oborny.  She married Bernard Vincent Stos Dec. 29, 1953 at Timken.  He died Aug. 26, 2005.

Marcella, a lifetime resident of Rush County, was a devoted member of St. Ann Catholic Church, Olmitz, and the Altar Society.  She was a school cook and reading grandma for Otis Bison High School, private care giver, and twinner for Essex.  Marcella enjoyed embroidery, gardening, polka dancing, reading, crossword puzzles, and above all, spending time with her family.  She was known for her gift of gab.

Survivors include four sons, Mike Stos of Hoisington, Patrick Stos and wife Sandy of Broken Arrow, Okla., David Stos and wife Renita of Moundridge and Kelly Stos of Costa Rica; five daughters, Bernadean Herl of Great Bend, Rita Engle and husband Ryan of Great Bend, Maureen Faber and husband Paul of Colwich, Kristina Von Elling and husband Bill of Manhatten, and Colleen Sharkey and husband Mike of Otis; one brother, Edward J. Oborny, Jr. of Bison; 25 grandchildren, Danah, Mandy, April, Shawna, Chad, Brandee, Becky, Danny, Cody S., Chris, Pattye, Heather, Cody E., Ashley, Brian, Nikki, Tanner, Brittany, Travis, Todd, Taylor, Dawayne, Devon, Danielle and Rylee; 42 great grandchildren.  She was preceded in passing by a grandchild, Bobijo, and two great grandchildren, Brogan and Audrey.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be on Noon, Saturday, March 16, 2019, at St. Ann Catholic Church, Olmitz, with Father Anselm Eke presiding.  Interment will follow at St. Ann Catholic Cemetery, Olmitz.  Visitation will be 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Friday, March 15, 2019, at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, with a Vigil and Rosary at 7:00 p.m. at St. Ann Catholic Church, Olmitz.  Memorials may be directed to Otis Fire Department, in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington, KS, 67544.

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

 

Dateline – Otis 

Lowell E. Sohm was called home to his heavenly father on March 11, 2019. Born January 18, 1930, in La Crosse, Kansas, he was the son of Frank and Grace (Huffman) Sohm.  On November 26, 1955, he married Lois Jean Winkler in Kinsley, Kansas. She went to heaven on April 22, 2004.  A lifelong resident of Otis, he was employed at the helium plant, and was postmaster and rural route carrier for 36 years.

Mr. Sohm was a veteran of the Korean War serving in the Army.  He was a member of the United Methodist Church in Otis, Otis Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #3147 of which he was quartermaster for 50 years.  He served on the USD School Board, as board member and chairman, served on the Otis City Council and was a former Boy Scout Leader and Cub Master.  He loved fishing and fished all over the United States and Canada.

Survivors include; two sons, Steve Sohm and wife Evy, and Mike Sohm, all of Otis; three daughters, Ronda Ranker and husband David of Hays, Susan Mohr and husband Ron of Wilmington, North Carolina, and Diane Rexwinkle of Great Bend; 10 grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Vernon and Leon Sohm, sister, Frances Bisterfeldt, and great grandson, Conner Rexwinkle.

Memorial service will be 10:30 a.m., Saturday, March 16, 2019, at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, with daughter, Ronda Ranker presiding. Friends may sign the book, there will be no viewing per Lowell’s request, as cremation has taken place. Family will greet friends from 7 to 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.  A private family inurnment will be in the Otis Methodist Cemetery at a later date.

Memorials may be made to the United Methodist Church or the donor’s choice in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington, KS 67544.

GREAT BEND – Duane “Dewey” Lloyd Carlson, 81, of Great Bend, formerly of Leonardville and Manhattan, passed away March 7, 2019 in Great Bend, Kansas. He was born on Thursday April 8, 1937 at Park View Hospital in Manhattan, Kansas to Lloyd and Viola Carlson.

Duane graduated from Leonardville High School in 1955 and he later began working at Farm Bureau, where he built his career. He enlisted with the Army National Guard on November 19, 1958 and was honorably discharged on November 18, 1964. He met his future wife, Patricia Arlone (Krinhop) Carlson while working at Farm Bureau and they were married on September 18, 1960 at the Lutheran Church in Chapman, KS.

Duane worked for Farm Bureau for 43 years before he retired. After his retirement, he began driving vehicles for Marmie’s and Doonan’s, which allowed him the opportunity to travel the United States, which he loved. Duane spent as much time as possible with is family and friends. His favorite past times were playing golf and watching football.

Duane is survived by his sons Mark and Laurie Carlson of Overland Park and Michael and Susan Carlson of Great Bend, granddaughters Shanna, Alexandra, Nicole (fiancé Erik Anderson), and Jordan, and soon to be great grandson Oliver Lloyd Hight. He was preceded in death by his father, mother, and wife.

Visitation will be from 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. on Monday, March 11, 2019 at Bryant Funeral Home in Great Bend, KS with family present from 5 – 7 p.m. Services will be held at Bryant Funeral Home on Tuesday March 12, 2019 at 11 a.m. with Pastor Aaron Withrow and Pastor Barbara Jones presiding. Graveside services will follow at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, March 12, 2019 at Indian Hills Cemetery in Chapman, KS. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for memorials to be designated to Foundry Methodist Church or Trinity Lutheran Church, 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