GREAT BEND – Beatrice M. Weber, 86, passed away Saturday, February 24, 2018, at Great Bend Health and Rehabilitation.  Bea was born March 31, 1931, in Victoria, Kan., to Wendelin and Bridget (Geist) Stegman.  She married Neil Weber August 18, 1952, at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, Great Bend.

A long-time resident of Great Bend, Beatrice was a retired bank teller, and a member of Prince of Peace Parish at St. Patrick Catholic Church and the Altar Society.

Bea is survived by one daughter, Pandora Weber of Great Bend; one son, Sean Weber and wife Anita of Flower Mound, Texas; two granddaughters, Sydney and Cheyenne Weber; three sisters, Bertille Walker and husband Willard, Albertena Blevins and Husband Larry, Christine Southwick and husband Leslie; and nephews and nieces, Anita Dreiling-Exline, Rhonda Hall, Kevin Hall, Brett Hall, Steve Cleveland, and Jeff Cleveland.

Bea is preceded in passing by her husband, Neil; her parents; special uncle and aunt, Jerry and Wilma Stegman; step-mother, Helen (Schoenfeld) Stegman; in-laws, John and Mary (Keenan) Weber and Luke and Lila Hall-Myers.

A Memorial Service for Bea will be held 10:30 a.m. Saturday, April 7, 2018 at Bryant Funeral Home with Father Ted Stoecklein presiding.  Inurnment will follow at St. Francis Xavier Cemetery, Seward, Kans.  Visitation with the family present will be 9:00 a.m. Saturday, April 7, with a Rosary at 10:00 a.m., all at Bryant Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to be directed to Great Bend Public Library, 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, Kansas

HOISINGTON — Esther Leona Stimmel, 90, passed away March 30, 2018, at Clara Barton Hospital, Hoisington.  She was born February 1, 1928, at Victoria, to Andrew and Mary (Hauser) Denning.  Esther married Herbert Paul Stimmel July 25, 1953, at Aurora, Col.  He passed away June 10, 2004.

Esther, a resident of Hoisington since 2000, coming from Otis and Denver, was a member of St. Ann Catholic Church, Olmitz.  She was a homemaker, also holding previous CNA employment with Shoenberger Nursing Agency, Ellis, and Eldercare.  She enjoyed owl collectibles, housekeeping and caring for others.

Survivors include one son, Bradley Leiker and wife Theresa of Hoisington; seven grandchildren; and five great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by one son, William Addison Leiker; five brothers, Alois, Richard, Alvin, Paul and Gilbert Denning; and two sisters, Alice Denning and Olivia Lichtenhahn.

A Rosary will be recited 9:30 a.m. Saturday April 7, 2018, with Father Louis Trung Dinh Hoang, at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, with inurnment graveside services immediately following at Hoisington Cemetery.  There will be no visitation, as cremation has taken place.  Memorials have been designated to Esther Stimmel Expense Fund, in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home.

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

Dateline: Hoisington, Kansas

HOISINGTON — Luella Viola Miller, 97, died March 31, 2018, at Cherry Village Nursing Home in Great Bend, Kan.  She was born August 28, 1920, at home in northern Barton County, the daughter of Jacob and Agnes (Strecker) Stettinger.  She attended country school and was a lifetime resident of Barton County.   She was a homemaker, and belonged to Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Hoisington.

On February 24, 1946, Luella was united in marriage with Emanuel W. Miller.  They lived in Hoisington, where they raised their family and lived until health issues forced moves to care facilities in Great Bend.  Emanuel preceded her in death on October 2, 2005.

Luella was a sweet, gentle woman who provided loving care for her children and grandchildren, and babysat for several families in her neighborhood.  She loved to cook and bake with her specialties being bierocks, kuchen, cinnamon rolls, butterball soup, angel food cakes, and her signature butterscotch, coconut cream, cherry and apple pies.  She loved spending time outside tending her roses and flower and vegetable gardens.   Visiting with and caring for her neighbors brought her great joy.

She is survived by a son, Randy Miller, Hoisington; daughter, Kathy Unruh and husband David, Salina; five grandchildren, Brian Miller (Lindsay) of Austin, Texas, Valerie Fanning (Joe) of Lindsborg, Monique Straw of Austin, Texas, Stacie (Rob) Frobenius of Kansas City, Mo., Bethanie (Cody) Ast of Wichita; ten great grandchildren, Miles Miller, Landon, Weston, and Haydon Snyder, Ethan and Elliot Frobenius, Oakley and Sawyer Ast, Eleanor and Drew Fanning; and special nieces and nephews.

Also preceding her in death were her brother, Leonard Stettinger, of Great Bend and her sister, Rosetta (Rose) Ochs, of Hays.

Services will be 10:30 a.m. Friday April 6, 2018, at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Hoisington, with the Reverend Wayne Baldyga officiating. Interment will follow at Hoisington Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday, April 5 from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., with family present from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Memorials have been designated to Emmanuel Lutheran Church or Kindred Hospice, in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home of Hoisington.

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

 

Iviona Marae May Lewis, 2, passed away March 18, 2018 in Barton County. Iviona was born April 3, 2015 to Devonte Lewis and Annissia Houp in Topeka.

Iviona was a loving little girl, she could make you feel good if you were in a sad mood. She was outgoing, smart and kind. Iviona was a mother hen, she would look after her brothers. She loved and took care of everybody.

Survivors include father Devonte Lewis and mother Annissia Houp; brothers Ja’Mari Lewis and Killian Stephens both of Great Bend; sister Ania Lynch of Hays; grandmother Rochell Lucas of Kansas City, grandfather John King and wife Yolonda Enyart- King of Kansas City, MO.; grandfather Felix Lewis of Salina; Uncle John Houp and Aunt Daisy Jones both of Great Bend; many more relatives and friends that will miss Iviona

She was preceded in death by grandmother Rejena Lewis.

Memorial service will be 2:00 p.m. Friday April 6, 2018, at Bryant Funeral Home with Pastor Jon Brudvig officiating. No visitation, cremation has taken place.

Memorial has been established to help with funeral expense, in care of Bryant Funeral Home

Dateline: Great Bend, Kansas

Donald Fredrick “Ruffy” Meyer, 88, passed away March 25, 2018, at Pleasant Hills Assisted Living, Hutchinson. Don was born June 10, 1929, at Ayr, Neb., to Carl Fredrick and Elsie Ida Charlotte (Schroeder) Meyer. He married Erma Lou Kimle Feb. 16, 1958, at Campbell, Neb. Erma died Nov. 26, 2017.

Don, a resident of Great Bend since 1954, was a veteran of the Korean War, serving in the 10th Mountain Division of the U.S. Army from 1952 to 1954, earning the rank of Corporal. His infantry mountain training was at Camp Carson, Col., continuing his infantry ski training in the Alps of Austria. Don built REA lines for Foree Construction Company from 1947 to 1951, until gaining employment with Central Kansas Electric. Serving as a lineman for many years, Don retired as a meter technician for Midwest Energy, Inc., in 1988. Don was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, American Legion Argonne Post 180, and VFW Post 3111, all of Great Bend. Don volunteered for Meals on Wheels and the Barton County Food Bank, enjoyed gardening and fishing with Erma, and cherished time with his family.

Survivors include one son, Mark Meyer and his wife Elaine of Great Bend; three daughters, Cynthia Lee Smith and her husband Gene of Great Bend, Mary McGee and her husband Tony of Joplin, Mo., and Denise Thode and her husband Dr. Jeffery of Hutchinson; one brother, Wilbur Meyer of Omaha, Neb.; nine grandchildren, Craig Legleiter, Kathy Graham, Chris Stephens, Melissa Adelhardt, Travis Lee, Donald McGee, Matthew McGee, Eli Thode and Cristina Thode; and 11 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one sister, Shirley Buck.

Funeral services will be held 10:00 a.m. Friday, March 30, 2018, at Trinity Lutheran Church, with Rev. Barbara Jones presiding. Interment will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Park, Great Bend. Visitation will be 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Thursday, March 29, with family receiving friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., all at Bryant Funeral Home.

 

Memorial funds have been established with Trinity Lutheran Church or Barton County Relay for Life, in care of Bryant Funeral Home.

Dateline: Claflin, Kansas

Doris K. Smith, 87, died March 25, 2018, at Clara Barton Hospital, Hoisington.  She was born June 19, 1930, on the farm in rural Claflin, Kansas, the daughter of Frank J. and Louise (Zecha) Miller.  Doris was a graduate of Claflin High School.

On February 22, 1949, she married Francis Harold Smith, at Holy Family Catholic Church, Odin, Kansas.  He preceded her in death on February 22, 1991.

A lifelong resident of Claflin, she was a homemaker. Doris was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, and the Altar Society. She was a former member of the Daughters of Isabella and a member of the V.F.W. Ladies Auxiliary.

Survivors include; two sons, Mark H. Smith and wife Maria Emma of Buford, Georgia, and Gerard L. Smith and wife Marsha of Salina; sisters, Teresa Dolechek of Hoisington, Marie Hoss and Rita Doll, both of Claflin, and Roberta Prosser, of Hoisington; three grandchildren, Thomas Smith and wife Maggie, Brittan Smith, and Gabriel Smith; and two great grandchildren, Malcolm and Inara Smith.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, three sons, and a daughter, two brothers, William and Martin Miller; and a sister Leona Leiker.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, March 28, 2018, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, celebrated by Fathers Terrence Klein and Meinrad Miller.  Burial will follow in Claflin Cemetery.  Friends may call 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Family will greet friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, with Vigil and Rosary at 7 p.m. at the church.

Memorials may be made to Kans for Kids or Clara Barton Hospital Foundation in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington, Kansas 67544.

Dateline: Hoisington, Kansas

Ruth Janetta Axman, 87, died March 24, 2018, at Almost Home, Great Bend, Kansas.  She was born November 20, 1930, at home, in Bison, Kansas, the daughter of Benjamin and Leah Katherine (Matal) Scheuerman.  Ruth graduated from Bison High School in 1949.

On May 3, 1950, she married James Horacek in Rush Center, Kansas.  They later divorced.  She then married Alvie Axman, Sr. on August 19, 1972, in Ellinwood, Kansas.  He preceded her in death on December 16, 1985.

A longtime Barton County resident, living in Hoisington since 1985.  She was a caregiver for home health and also enjoyed working as the snack bar manager at Walmart for 10 years.

Ruth was a member of the United Methodist Church, Bison, Kansas.  She loved flowers, gardening, cooking, quilting, and collecting angels and bells.

Survivors include; seven daughters, Kathy (Verlyn) Rossman of Albert, Karen (Bill) Norris of rural St. John, Melanie (John) Zeller of McCracken, Amy (Tim) Frieb of Olmitz, Shelley (Curtis) Robinson of Great Bend, Lisa Gamber of Valley Center, and Hope (Bob) Ney of Hoisington; 16 grandchildren, April (Gary) Deines, Jason (Mary) Rossman, Ian (Aimee) Norris, Nash (Mikayla) Norris, Sarah (Kiel) Emerson, Rachel (Lance) Legleiter, Chelsea (Mark) Pechanec, Karl and Eric Frieb, Jessica, Sloan, and Benjamin Folk, Ethan and Eli Gamber, Cassandra (Zane) Ochs, and Lindsey Ney; 21 great grandchildren, Chyanne and Spencer Deines, Brody and Braylin Rossman, Breanna, Hannah, Allen, Jackson, Finn, and Milo Norris, Haydn, Tessa, and Lexi Legleiter, Amelia and Oliver Emerson, Marissa, Kaitlyn and Isaac Pechanec, Cruz Folk-Robinson, and Camden and Molly Ochs.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, son, Michael James Horacek and daughter, Lisa Rose Horacek, and four brothers, Edwin, Robert, Jerry, and Richard Scheuerman.

Funeral service will be 11 a.m., Thursday, March 29, 2018, at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home Chapel, with Reverend Dick Ogle presiding.  Family will greet friends  prior to, from 10:30 until service time. Burial will be in Baptist Cemetery, rural Bison, Kansas.  Friends may pay respects from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m Tuesday and Wednesday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Almost Home, in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington, Kansas 67544.

Dateline: Claflin, Kansas 

Barbara Ann Chism, age 83, passed away on March 23, 2018, at Cherry Village, Great Bend, Kansas.

She was born August 25, 1934, in Hoisington, Kansas, the daughter of Philip and Anna (Lehning) Keil, and stepdaughter of Edward Arnold.

She graduated from Hoisington High School and attended Hutchinson Business College.

A longtime resident of Claflin, she was a retired bookkeeper.

Barbara belonged to the United Methodist Church in Claflin and was a 64 year member of the Golden Sheaf Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star.  She enjoyed cooking and her four legged companions.

On June 8, 1954, she married Thomas E. Chism in Tucumcari, New Mexico.  He preceded her in death on December 25, 2007.

Survivors include: two daughters, Sabrina and her husband Robert Suelter of Great Bend, and Samantha and her husband Josh Blevins of Olathe; a granddaughter, Chelsee and her husband Jeremiah Newkirk of Wichita; step granddaughter, Jessica and her husband Josh Weber of Pflugerville, Texas; and step grandson, Adam Suelter of Lawrence; and two step great grandchildren, Ryker and Hudson Weber.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, March 27, 2018, at the United Methodist Church, Claflin, with Reverend Gene Langhofer presiding. Burial will follow in Claflin Cemetery. Friends may call 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., with family to receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home.

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

Great Bend–Carl V. Mostrom, 91, passed away Monday, March 5, 2018, at his home. Born June 11, 1926, at Spearville the son of Clarence and Merion (North) Mostrom.

In 1929 the family moved to Garfield, where Carl grew up on the family farm and attended Garfield schools. He served in the US Army during the Korean War, 1951-1953. Carl fought on Pork Chop Hill, Old Baldy, and the MLR frontline. He was a gunner on 60 MTR’s and a squad leader. Carl was united in marriage to Sara Schell October 15, 1955, in Bentonville, Ark. In 1960, the family moved to Elkhart where they raised their four children. Carl worked for Colorado Oil and Gas as a foreman until he retired in 1981.

Survivors include wife Sara of the home; children, Larry of Topeka, John Mostrom and wife Shawn of Glen Rock, Wyo, and Brenda Loesch and husband Jerry of Great Bend; brother Raymond Mostrom of St. Petersburg, Fla.; five grandchildren James Weatherman and wife Lisa, Heather White and husband Jeff all of Great Bend, Travis Mostrom and wife Kim of Guthrie Okla. And Nicole Bear and husband Marvin of Edmond, Okla.; seven great grandchildren, Dylan Frank, Wyatt Frank, Bailey Jones, Sierra Weatherman, Damian Weatherman, Jackson Mostrom, Ryan Mostrom and Damian Mostrom.

He was preceded in death by son James “Tony” Mostrom, brother Arthur and sisters Lillian Bailey and Nita Konarade.

Graveside memorial service will be 1:30 p.m. Saturday March 31, 2018, at Garfield Cemetery with Pastor Larry Schumacher officiating. Visitation with family will be 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. Friday March 30, 2018, at Bryant Funeral Home. Cremation has taken place.  Memorials have been established with the American Heart Association, Alzheimer’s Association or the Golden Belt Home and Health, 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