Dateline – Claflin 

Delores E. Rous died November 25, 2018, at Woodhaven Care Center, Ellinwood. She was born August 14, 1934, in Cootie’s Bluff, Oklahoma, the daughter of William Victor “W.V.” and Goldia Ula (Adamson) Coker. Delores was in the 1952 class of Claflin High School.

She was a lifetime resident of Claflin, until moving to Great Bend in 2010 and later to Ellinwood in 2014.

On January 16, 1953, she married Lester D. Shaw in Great Bend. He preceded her in death on July 15, 1983. She then married Clarence Rous on April 30, 1989, in Claflin. He preceded her in death on September 27, 2009.

Survivors include; son, Kirby Shaw and wife Paula of Bison; daughter, Vicky Webb of Ellinwood; step sons, Vernon Rous of Hays, Steven Rous and wife Linda of Fairmont, Oklahoma, Sheldon Rous and Bennie of Claflin, and Calvin Rous and wife Terri of Hoisington; step daughters, Kathy Kirmer and husband Alan of Claflin, Kayleen Gaddis and husband Mike of Claflin; 10 grandchildren; 12 step grandchildren; and numerous great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husbands, daughter, Debra Kay Shaw and son, Mickey Ray Shaw, brother, Kenneth Coker, and sisters, Betty Straub, Shirley Foos, and Gene Simmons.

Funeral service will be 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2018, at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home.  Burial will follow in Claflin Cemetery. Family receive friends Tuesday, Nov. 27, from 6 to 8 p.m.

Memorials may be made to the Claflin Ambulance Fund in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington, KS 67544.

Dateline – Ellsworth 

Curtis David Nelson, 67, died November 25, 2018, at his home in Ellsworth.  He was born August 12, 1951, in Wichita, Kansas, the son of John A. and Virginia L. (Wickert) Nelson.

Curtis graduated in 1969 from Shawnee Mission South High School and then received his Associate Degree from Barton County Community College in 1991.

A resident of Ellsworth since his retirement, Curtis worked as a correctional officer for the Department of Corrections in Ellsworth for 25 years.

He lived most of his life in Claflin, where he was the former mayor and a member of the city council.  He was also a member of the Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Ellsworth.

On May 10, 1985, he married Jan R. Lupton in Great Bend, Kansas.  She preceded him in death on November 12, 2016.

Survivors include; three children, Alethea Nelson of Las Vegas, Nevada, David Nelson and wife Carissa of Great Bend, and Jennifer Garcia and husband Frank of Harrison, Arkansas; brother, Mark Nelson and wife Jeanie; and sister, Julie Myers and husband Nathan all of Tiej, New Mexico; seven grandchildren, Samantha, Sara, Zander, Micah, Lauren, Macy, and Steven; and 4 great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, and a stepmother, Margaret Nelson.

Funeral service will be at 10 a.m., Wednesday, November 28, 2018, at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home Chapel, with Pastor Roger Dennis presiding.  Friends may call 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, with family to greet friends from 6 to 8 p.m.. A private family inurnment will be held at a later date in Claflin Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington, KS 67544.

GREAT BEND – Karen Sue Bishop, 78, passed away November 21, 2018, at Medicalodges of Great Bend. She was born January 11, 1940 at Russell County, Kansas to August & Adelia (Depiesse) Schremmer.  She married Paul R. Bishop on August 24, 1968 at Great Bend.  He died May 9, 2016.

A resident of Great Bend, Karen was a member of the St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church and Altar Society. She was a former secretary of the Hoisington Horse Shoe Club and a cook for USD 428 for 20 years. She loved to fish, camp and play cards.

Survivors include, three brothers, Ron L. Schremmer and wife Betty, Bill J. Schremmer and wife Bonnie and Gene E. Schremmer and wife Cheryl; two sisters, Patricia A. Proksch and husband Richard and Lois L. Klug and husband Leon, all of Hoisington; sister-in-law, Helen Schremmer of Great Bend, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Paul R. Bishop; two daughters, Cherie Bishop Phillipi and Tammy Bishop, and two brothers, James A. and wife, Mary Katherine Schremmer and Earl L. Schremmer.

Visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Friday, November 23, 2018, at Bryant Funeral Home, with Altar Society Rosary at 4:00 p.m. and Vigil at 7:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, November 24, 2018, at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Great Bend, with Father Don Bedore presiding. Interment will be in the Great Bend Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to Kans for Kids or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 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 – Hoisington 

Bernice Teresa Christopher, 86, died November 17, 2018, at Clara Barton Hospital, Hoisington.  She was born February 18, 1932, on the family farm near Beaver, Kansas, the daughter of Frank and Marie (Klug) Beck.  Bernice graduated from Odin High School in 1950.

A lifetime Hoisington resident, she was a bank teller at First Kansas Bank retiring after 38 years.

Bernice was a member of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church and Altar Society, and a longtime member of the Hoisington and Great Bend AL-NON.

She was the Labor Day Queen in 1951 and then the Valentine Queen at Country Place Senior Living last year.

Bernice loved doing puzzles, playing cards, especially pitch and pinochle, and dancing.  Mel and Bernice often led the grand march at weddings.  She was an amazing cook and her kids all cherish the cookbook she made for them. But most of all she loved spending time with her family.

On June 6, 1955, she married Gary L. Christopher in Beaver, Kansas.  To this marriage five children were born.  They later divorced in 1978.  In 1989 she met Mel Meier and he was her longtime companion until his death on January 8, 2014.

Survivors include; her five children, sons, Rick A. Christopher and wife Mira of Great Bend, Craig Christopher and wife Mary of Silver Lake, twin daughters, Karen Boese of Wichita and Karla Willis of Houston, and son, Brent Christopher and companion Kelly of Shawnee; daughter-in-law, Shanna Bolton of Shawnee; six siblings, Gene Beck of Hoisington, Helen Urban of Ellinwood, Kathy Thompson of Conroe, TX, Elmer Beck of Olathe, Elma Stricker and Betty Steiner both of Hoisington; 12 grandchildren, Amy Christopher, Miranda Brown, Olivia Vanvactor and husband Darrin, Michael Christopher and wife Jamie, Andrew Christopher and fiancé Taylor, Kristin Wemmer and husband Paul, Audrey Boese and fiancé John, Samantha Boese, Jacob Bratton, Allie Bratton, Lindsey Christopher and Brayson Christopher; and 13 great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents and a sister-in-law, Lil Beck.

Friends may sign the book 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, with family to greet friends from 6 to 8 p.m., and Rosary at 7 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Wednesday, November 21, 2018, at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, celebrated by Father Anselm Eke MSP.  Burial will follow in St. John Catholic Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Clara Barton Foundation, Kans for Kids, or St. John Altar Society, all in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington, KS 67544.

Albina C. Besperat, 90, La Crosse, Kansas, died Sunday, November 18, 2018, at Rush County Memorial Hospital Intermediate Swing Bed, La Crosse, Kansas.

Mrs. Besperat was born November 10, 1928, in rural Timken, Kansas, the daughter of John M. and Elsie (Stika) Oborny.  She was lifelong resident of Rush County, Kansas, moving to La Crosse, Kansas, in 1975.  She was employed at the Dee Ge Café in Rush Center, Kansas, for 30 years before retiring in 1999.  During her retirement, she volunteered at A Second Chance Thrift Shop in La Crosse, Kansas.

She loved cats, and always had one for a companion.  She enjoyed visiting and working crossword puzzles.

She had a strong prayer life, and was a member of St. Michael’s Catholic Church, and St. Michael’s Altar Society, both of La Crosse, Kansas.

On April 15, 1947, she married Charles J. Besperat at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Timken, Kansas.  They lived on the family farm until his death October 12, 1973.

Survivors include:  two sons, John Besperat (Charmane), Timken, Kansas, and Charles Besperat (Debbie), Branson West, Missouri; two daughters, Patsy Basgall (Ron), Basehor, Kansas, and Kathy Basgall (Ray), Topeka, Kansas; 14 grandchildren; 21 great grandchildren; two step great grandsons; one nephew; and three nieces.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; an infant grandson, Jeffrey Lee Basgall; and a sister, Elizabeth Oborny.

Visitation will be Tuesday, November 20, 2018, from 4:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. at the Janousek Funeral Home, La Crosse, Kansas.  A vigil service and rosary will be at 7:00 P.M.

Church visitation will be Wednesday, November 21, 2018, from 9:00 A.M. to 9:50 A.M. at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, La Crosse, Kansas.

Funeral service will be Wednesday, November 21, 2018, at 10:00 A.M. at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, La Crosse, Kansas, with Father Eric Gyambi officiating.  Interment will be in the Holy Cross Cemetery, Timken, Kansas.

In lieu of flowers or plants, the family request memorials to St. Michael’s Catholic Church, La Crosse, Kansas.

Condolences or remembrances may be left for the family at www.charterfunerals.com/locations/janousek-lacrosse.php.

Arrangements were by Janousek Funeral Home, 719 Pine Street, P O Box 550, La Crosse, Kansas 67548, 785/222-2517.

John David Woods, 57, of La Crosse, Kansas, passed away on November 6, 2018, after fighting a tough two and half year battle with cancer.

John was born March 20, 1961, in Clearwater, Kansas, to Marleene (Mourning) Woods. A country boy who became devoted to farm work at an early age, tending the farm at dawn, attending school, and returning home to continue his chores. He grew up his elementary years in Garden City Kansas. Moving to McCracken Kansas, in Jr. High and then moving to Rush Center, Kansas. He graduated from La Crosse High School, La Crosse, Kansas, in 1979.

On October 29, 1983, he married Carolyn Kline. John was her high school sweet heart. John devoted his life to caring for his family and his love for driving and dispatching trucks. He recently worked for Miller Trucking in La Crosse, Kansas. When asked about his hobbies, he would often state “I am a workaholic”. He spent most of the last few years enjoying time with his kids and one grandchild. He also found a love of the mountains.

John is survived by his wife, Carolyn Woods, La Crosse, Kansas; four children, Samantha Kelly, and her husband, Michael Kelly, of Westminster, Colorado, Christopher Woods of Wichita, Kansas, David Woods of Wichita Falls, Texas, and Sabrina Woods of Hays, Kansas; one grandchild, Harvey Kelly of Westminster, Colorado; his mother, Marleene Woods, Clearwater, Kansas; and one sister, Tammie Keen, and her husband, Tim Keen, Terre Haute, Indiana.

He was preceded in death by his sister, Toy Ann Woods; grandfather, John Mourning, Jr., and grandmother, Irene (Jones) Mourning.

Visitation will be Friday, November 9, 2018, from 4:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. at the Janousek Funeral Home, La Crosse, Kansas, with the family receiving friends from 6:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M.  A vigil service and rosary will be at 7:00 P.M.

Church visitation will be Saturday, November 10, 2018, from 9:00 A.M. to 9:50 A.M. at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, La Crosse, Kansas.

Funeral service will be Saturday, November 10, 2018, at 10:00 A.M. at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, La Crosse, Kansas, with Father Eric Gyamfi, and Father Edmond Kline officiating.  Interment will be in the La Crosse City Cemetery, La Crosse, Kansas.

In lieu of flowers or plants, the family request memorials to the John David Woods Memorial Fund.

Condolences or remembrances may be left for the family at www.charterfunerals.com/locations/janousek-lacrosse.php.

Arrangements were by Janousek Funeral Home, 719 Pine Street, P O Box 550, La Crosse, Kansas 67548, 785/222-2517.

Dateline: Great Bend, Kansas

John A. Mann, 73, passed away November 7, 2018, at Hays Medical Center, Hays, KS.  He was born June 29, 1945, at Hutchinson, KS, to Sylvester Edwin and Isabelle (Maskrid) Mann.  John married Keta Quint March 15, 1994 at Las Vegas, NV.

John was a 1963 graduate of Hoisington High School, and served his country in the U.S. Navy, obtaining the rank of CYN 3, during the Vietnam War. A Great Bend resident since 2001, previously residing in Hoisington, KS, John was a licensed general contractor and property and project manager for Doonan and Sons.  He was a member of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, and enjoyed antique shopping, restoring furniture and working in the yard.

Survivors include his wife, Keta of the home; three sons, John S. Mann of Elk City, OK, Mark Mann of Elk City, OK, and Trever Quint of Emporia, KS; three daughters, Deborah Mann of Salem, OR, Kayla Schneweis of Colorado Springs, CO, and Kristi Briles of Loveland, CO; one brother, Forest Mann of Boise, ID; thirteen grandchildren, Derek Schneweis, Brandi McElhoes and husband Jacob, Nick Schneweis, Lexi Rugza and husband Sam, Douglas Mann, Larissa Mann, Marshal Mann, Adam Briles, Emma Brilies, Erik Briles, Robbie Weatherspoon and wife Brittany, Jonathon Weatherspoon, and Shayne Timmons; and 4 great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by two brothers, Edwin Mann and DeWayne Mann; and 4 sisters, Jo Ann Field, Patricia Mahoney, Pamela Mann and Julita Bossich.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Monday, November 12, 2018, at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, Hoisington, with Father Anselm Eke presiding.  Interment will follow at St. John Church Cemetery, Hoisington. Visitation will be 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Sunday, November 11, 2018 at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, with a Rosary at 7:00 p.m. Memorials may be given to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home.

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