Dateline: Albert, Kansas

Wilma Maxine Bahr, 90, passed away February 3, 2018, St. Luke’s Hospice House, Kansas City, Mo.  She was born October 1, 1927, at Minneapolis, Kan., to Earl Francis and Zelma Naomi (Fagan) McCosh.

Wilma married Edward A. Bahr on May 7, 1951, at Great Bend, Kan.  He died Oct. 25, 1972.  Wilma, a homemaker and a long-time resident of Albert, Kan., worked for SW Bell Telephone, AT&T, and retired as a PBX operator at Fuller Brush Industries.  She enjoyed sewing, crocheting, and her flower garden.

Survivors include one son, Earl Bahr of Pawcatuck, Conn.; one daughter, Beth Grant of Overland Park, Kan.; four grandchildren, Tony Bahr and wife Ashley, Tracie Bemis and husband Tim, Jennie Hirchert and husband Brian, and Shawn Bahr; and seven great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Edward A. Bahr; twin infant sons, Edward Earl and John Joseph Bahr; two brothers, Don McCosh and Ken McCosh; and by two sisters, Dorothy Hartman and Geraldine Evans.

Funeral Services will be 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, February 7, 2018, at Bryant Funeral Home, with Pastor Larry Schumacher.  Interment will follow at Great Bend Cemetery.  Visitation will be Noon to 9:00 p.m., Tuesday, February 6, with the family receiving friends from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., all at Bryant Funeral Home.  Memorials have been designated to St. Luke’s Hospice House, Covenant House or Smile Train, 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–Juanita E. Weathers, 85, passed away Wednesday January 31, 2018 at Almost Home in Great Bend. She was born May 10, 1932, in rural Otis the daughter of William and Tracy (Hejny) Richter.

She graduated from Otis high School. Juanita was united in marriage to Leroy Weathers on September 22, 1957 at the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Great Bend. She has been a Great Bend resident since 1957, coming from Otis. Juanita was a homemaker, an active member of the Congregational Church and received numerous awards in the Boy Scouts of America.

Survivors include husband Leroy of the home; sons Ron Weathers and his wife Lisa of Red River, NM, Terry Weathers and his wife Sara of Hutchinson; brother Melvin Richter of Great Bend; grandchildren Kris Weathers and companion Crystal Glenn, Korbin Weathers all of Macksville, Emily Reed and husband Tyler of Great Bend, Erin Givens and husband Kassidy of Hutchinson, and Michaela Weathers of Red River, NM; six great grandchildren Nicholas, Mason, Payton, Hunter, Dallas and John. She was preceded in death by brother Harry Richter.

Visitation will be 1:00 to 9:00 pm with family present to greet friends 6:00 -7:30 pm, Sunday, February 4, 2018, at Bryant Funeral Home. Funeral service will be 10:30 am Monday February 5, 2018 at the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Great Bend, with Pastor Michael Munz officiating. Interment will follow at Great Bend Cemetery.

Memorials has been established with the First Congregational Church of Christ or Almost Home, Inc., 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

 

Dorothy E. Minson, 93, died January 26, 2018, at Cherry Village, Great Bend.  She was born April 17, 1924, in Hoisington, the daughter of Christian and Marie Elizabeth (Karst) Kramer.  Dorothy was a 1942 graduate of Hoisington High School.

A lifetime Hoisington resident she worked for the Hoisington Lutheran Hospital as an insurance clerk.

She was involved in the Concordia Lutheran Church where she had taught Sunday school and played the piano and organ. She was a member of the Lutheran Women Missionary League and also played in many different bridge clubs.

On May 26, 1942, she married Lawrence A. Minson, in Hoisington.  He preceded her in death on March 16, 2009.

Survivors include; five children, Mike Minson and wife Judy of Boerne, Texas, Elizabeth Ann Lindquist and husband Jay of Great Bend, Gary Minson and wife Joyce of Abilene, D.J. Baird and husband Dean of Hoisington, and Sara Dutton and husband Gary of Salina; a sister, Chris Bickle and husband Don of Hays; 17 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, a sister, Esther Valerius, and three grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, February 7, 2018, at Concordia Lutheran Church, with Pastor Gary Wolf presiding.  There will be a private family inurnment in the Hoisington Cemetery.

Family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to Concordia Lutheran Church or Kans for Kids in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington, KS 67544.

Dateline: Great Bend, Kan.

Rita Mae (Peterson) Roblyer, 74, of Great Bend, passed away January 29, 2018, at Hays Medical Center, Hays, Kan.  She was born October 22, 1943, at Great Bend, to Clarence Theodore and Jenny Elsie (Marsh) Peterson.

Rita, a lifetime resident of Great Bend, worked for Doonan Truck, Fuller Brush, and American State Bank, and retired from KDOT in 2008, after 25 years of service.  She was a member of Central Baptist Church, and a former member of Beta Sigma Phi sorority.  She enjoyed her time at the Great Bend Senior Center, bowling, traveling, and loved and adored her Chihuahuas.

Survivors include one son, Rob Roblyer and wife Toyia, of Great Bend; one twin sister, Nita Mohr and husband Richard of Great Bend; one brother, Clarence “Pete” Peterson and wife Patricia of Salina, Kan.; and one grandson, Keegan Roblyer.

Funeral Services will be 2:00 p.m. Thursday, February 1, 2018, at Central Baptist Church in Great Bend, with Rev. David Walters and Pastor John Grummon.  Interment will follow at the Great Bend Cemetery. Visitation will be 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Wednesday, January 31, with the family receiving friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., all at Bryant Funeral Home.  Memorials have been established with Central Baptist Church or Golden Belt Humane Society, 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 — Nova Jimmie-Jeanne Martensen, 2, died January 21, 2018 at Phoenix Children Hospital in Phoenix Ariz. Nova was born November 21, 2015 in San Bernardino, Calif the daughter of Joshua and Heaven (William) Martensen.

Nova and her parents fought a long hard battle with a rare form of childhood cancer called AT/RT and that is what ultimately took her precious little life! Her fight shall go on through The Super Nova Project…

Survivors include parents Joshua and Heaven; brothers Blake Tyler of Yucaipa, CA, Lycan Williams and Saint Martensen both of Great Bend; Grandmother Traci Maris and grandfather Mark Williams both of Great Bend, grandmother Deanna Champion of Yucaipa, CA., great-grandmother Vicki Smith of Great Bend; great-grandparents David and Beverly Williams of Texas.

Private family service will be held at Bryant Funeral Home with Mark Williams officiating.

Memorial has been established with the First Kansas Bank % Nova, 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 — Sylvan Dale Bleeker passed away, January 24, 2018, at Great Bend Regional Hospital, Great Bend.  He was born February 23, 1948, at Mitchell, S.D., to Otto V. and Dorothy M. (Lehr) Bleeker.

Sylvan married Dee Ann DeLange April 4, 2003, at Great Bend.  He was previously married to Barbara (1970-1972) and Margaret (1974-2001).

A long time Great Bend resident and U.S. Army Veteran, serving in Vietnam and Thailand, Sylvan was a retired executive for John Morrell and Co. (25 years), and Mossberg Sanitation.  He retired as President of Mossberg Sanitation, in 2014, after 18 years of service.  He had previously lived in Sioux Fall, S.D., Brookings, S.D., Arkansas City, Kan., and Cincinnati, Ohio.  He was a member of Fellowship of Faith, American Legion Argonne Post 180, V.F.W. Post 3111, Rotary, all of Great Bend, Jaycees, Sioux Falls, S.D., International Who’s Who, Outstanding Young Men of America, NRA, Hog Club, and Presbyterian Players Theater.  He served on Barton County Economic Development Board, was past Community Hospital Association Director,  past Fuller Industries Director, CASA Volunteer, Presbyterian Elder and Youth Group Sponsor.  He also served as past president for the Barton County College Foundation, and the Haven of Hope.

Survivors include wife, Dee Ann Bleeker, of the home; one son, Josh Bleeker and wife Eva of Manassas, Va.; one daughter, Melissa K. Ruff and husband Eric of White Plains, N.Y.; two step sons, Joel Krosschell and wife Julie of Cimarron, Kan.,  and David Mazer of Lake Forest, Calif.; one step daughter, Valerie Rodney and husband Ryan of Foothill Ranch, Calif.; one sister, Beth A. Gust and husband Cal, of Manitoba, Canada; and 9 grandchildren, Lucy Ruff, Theo Ruff, Jude Ruff, Allison Krosschell, Aubri Stone and husband Bryan, Ethan Krosschell, Owen Mazer, Rylee Rodney, and Michael Rodney.

Funeral Services will be 10:30 am Monday, January 29, 2018, at First Presbyterian Church in Great Bend with The Reverend Arlyn Thielenhaus.  Interment will be at a later date at Black Hills National Cemetery, Sturgis, S.D.  Visitation will be 1:00 to 9:00 p.m., Sunday, January 28, with the family receiving friends from 5:00 p.m. until 6:30 p.m., with a Prayer Service at 6:30 p.m., all at Bryant Funeral Home.

Memorial Funds have been established with CASA or Almost Home, Inc., 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 – Elmer W. Stueder, age 89, Great Bend, died January 24, 2018, at Great Bend Regional Hospital.  He was born November 18, 1928 in rural Claflin, to William Stueder and Amelia (Drews) Stueder.  He graduated from Claflin High School in the 1946 and from Kansas State University with an Agriculture Degree.  He was a farmer and stockman, and was a United States Army veteran serving in the Korean War.  He moved to Great Bend in 1988 and continued to farm until he retired.

He married Mary Ellen (Johnson) on October 15, 1950 in the Bushton Methodist Church.

Elmer was a lifetime member of Zion Lutheran Church, Claflin, where he served in different capacities over the years, including an elder, president of the congregation, Sunday School Teacher, superintendent and on the Board of Finance.  He was a former member of the American Legion Argonne Post 180, Great Bend.

Survivors include his wife Mary Ellen of the home; three sons, Bill and wife Patty, Alan and wife Rita, all of Claflin, Terry and wife Mel Eesa of Great Bend.  Eleven grandchildren Danny, Kimberly, Michael, Evann, Brenna, Tarynn, Trent, Sarah, Cindy, Tim and Abby; three great grandchildren, Wesley, Emma, and Noah; and two great grandchildren in heart, Mercadez and Shatarah .

He was preceded in death by his parents; one son, David; one granddaughter, Rachael, one brother Alvin.  First cousins raised with Elmer in the Stueder home after their mother died, Viola Gemeinhardt, Norman Tritsch and Milton Tritsch.  Elmer thought of them as his sister and brothers.

Funeral Services will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, January 27, 2018 at Zion Lutheran Church, Claflin, with the Reverend Daniel Harders officiating.  Burial will be at the Claflin Cemetery.  Friends may call 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Friday, January 26, with the family receiving friends from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, Hoisington.

Memorials are suggested to Zion Lutheran Church, in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington, KS, 67544.

Dateline: Great Bend, Kansas

Todd Eric Klein, 51, died January 24, 2018, at Hays Medical Center.  He was born October 11, 1966, in Great Bend, the son of Larry Eugene and Helen (Courange) Klein.  Todd graduated from Hoisington High School in 1985.

On July 25, 1986, he married Dawn Denise Casey in Great Bend.  They later divorced.

He was a lifetime Barton County resident living in Hoisington and Great Bend.  Todd worked for Town and Country Supermarket as the assistant manager, he started at the age of 17 and retired in 2013 due to health reasons.

Survivors include; four children, Kourtney Cairney and husband Martin of Great Bend, Tyler Klein and wife Ashley of Great Bend, Casey Todd Klein of Wichita, and Bailey Klein of Great Bend; mother, Helen Klein of Great Bend; siblings, Curtis Klein and wife Betty of Canadian, TX, Mike Klein and wife Terri of Great Bend, Karen Barrow and husband Ron of Great Bend, Tammy Cushenbery and husband Daryl of Ft. Worth, TX, and Robert Klein of Great Bend; and three grandchildren, Isla Cairney, Gannon, and Colton Klein.

He was preceded in death by his father, Larry Eugene Klein and a brother, Larry Lee Klein.

Funeral service will be 10 a.m. Monday, January 29, 2018, at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home Chapel, with Pastor Don Paden presiding.  Burial will follow in Hoisington Cemetery.  Friends may call 1 to 8 p.m., with family to receive friends from 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to Kans for Kids in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington, KS 67544.

Dateline: Hoisington, Kansas

Vera Mae Wilkins, 99, died January 23, 2018, at Reflection Living, Hutchinson.  She was born March 16, 1918, in Stafford, Kansas, the daughter of Coy C. and Nona (Jordan) Vance. In 1936 she graduated from Coldwater High School, Coldwater, Kansas.

She was a resident of Claflin since 1966, moving to Hutchinson in October of 2013. Prior to Claflin she had lived in Mullinville, Kansas.

She was a member of the United Methodist Church of Claflin, the United Methodist Women, the Claflin Booster Club and she was the 1976 Kansas Merit Mother.

On May 3, 1939, she married Leo Wilkins of Coldwater, Kansas, in Greensburg, Kansas.  He preceded her in death on June 8, 2000.

Survivors include; son, Don Wilkins and wife Jerilyn of Excelsior Springs, MO; a daughter, Carol Carson of Hutchinson; brothers, James “Jim” Vance of Claflin; sisters, Barbara Hall of Hutchinson, and Carol Jean Curtis of Sedalia, CO; sister-in-law, Sue Vance of Harrison, AK; 4 grandchildren, and 3 great grandchildren and 2 step great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, brothers, Jack Vance and his wife Madeline, and Jerry Vance; sisters, Virginia Henderson and Bonnie Jo Bond; and a brother-in-law Calvin Hall.

Funeral service will be 2 p.m., Friday, January 26, 2018, at the United Methodist Church, Claflin, with Rev. Gene Langhofer presiding. Burial will follow in Claflin Cemetery. Friends may call 1 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home.

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

GREAT BEND — Brenda Kay Brown, 52, passed away January 22, 2018, at Hays Medical Center, Hays.  She was born June 5, 1965 at Great Bend, to Cornelius and Gladys (Sanders) Webster.  A lifetime resident of Great Bend, Brenda was a homemaker and an alum of the Kansas State School for the Deaf.  Her passions in life included Garfield and butterflies.

Survivors include her mom, Gladys Webster of Great Bend; three daughters Nicole Webster of IA, Abby Coffey and husband Peter of Council Bluffs, Iowa, and Megan Vainer of Great Bend; two brothers, Chuck Webster and wife Debbie of Great Bend, and David Webster and wife Cathy of Glenwood, Iowa; one sister, Pamela Vainer and husband David of Great Bend; three grandchildren, Maximus, Elise, and Ethan; and companion John Amador of Great Bend.

Rosary will be 7:00 pm Wednesday, January 24, 2018 at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church. Funeral Mass will be 10:30 am Thursday, January 25, 2018 at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church with Father Don Bedore officiating. Inurnment will follow at Great Bend Cemetery, Great Bend, Kansas.

Memorial has been established to the Brenda Brown Funeral Expense Fund, 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