Dateline: Hoisington, Kansas

Alfred Ray Thorne, 87, loving husband, dad, son, brother, and grandfather, died September 27, 2017, at Ellinwood District Hospital.  He was born June 8, 1930, on the family farm in northern Barton County, the son of David M. and Ida Lena (Ohlemeier) Thorne.

Alfred graduated from Hoisington High School in 1949.  He then served in the United States Army, during the Korean War, from 1954 to 1956, as a Specialist 3, artillery and rifleman, stationed in Germany and Austria.

On July 19, 1959, he married Lois W. (Bennett) Shry at the Beaver Friends Church, Beaver, Kansas.

A lifetime Barton County Resident, living in the Susank area where he farmed and worked for the Susank Grain Elevator.  In 1996 he retired and they moved into Hoisington.

Alfred was a member of the AARP and a lifetime member of the American Legion #286 of Hoisington. He was happiest when family got together. Including the in-laws and out-laws.  Labor Day was a special day for family and driving his 1913 Glide in the parade. In 2007 he was privileged to be named the Labor Day Grand Marshall.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Lois W. Thorne of the home; son, Harold Thorne and wife Julie of Hoisington, daughter, Mary Snell of Great Bend; sisters, Gladys Cary and husband Rod of Mesa, Arizona, and Norma Jean Thornbrugh of Modesto, California; grandchildren, Tyson Newman of Great Bend, Andrew Thorne of Fishers, Indiana, Sarah Deines and husband Kirk of Hoisington, Krystal Thorne of Great Bend, and Kaulin Thorne of Hoisington; and great grandsons, Blake and Noah Deines, and Isak and Ian Thorne.

He was preceded in death by; brother, Marvin Thorne; sisters, Pearl Spruill and Evadine Seyfert;   half-sister, Jennie Shireman; and grandson, James Ray Newman.

A private family graveside service will take place at a later date in Hoisington Cemetery.  There will be no viewing as cremation has taken place.  Memorials may be made to Kans for Kids, Hoisington Ambulance, or Donor’s Choice, in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington, Kansas 67544.

GREAT BEND — Eileen A. Ehler, 97, died Sept. 27, 2017, at her daughter’s home in Wichita. She was born April 16, 1920, at Lorraine, the daughter of Ernst and Meta M. (Stoltenberg) Stratmann. She married Lloyd Earl Ehler Nov 5, 1941, at Ellinwood.  He died April 18, 1999. A Great Bend resident since 1957, coming from Holyrood, Mrs. Ehler was assistant manager for Sherwin-Williams, retiring in 1982.

She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Great Bend.

Survivors include one son, Gary Ehler and his wife Arlinda of Amarillo, Texas; one daughter, Nancy Schmidt and her husband Irvin of Wichita; one brother, Bruce Stratmann and his wife Dorothy of Worland, Wyo.; four grandchildren, David Schmidt and his wife Joyce of Haysville, Lori Schmidt of Wichita, Michelina Ehler of Henderson, Colo., and Micah Ehler and his wife Sara of Hoisington; two great-granddaughters, Chandra Ehler and Micayla Ehler; two step-great-Grandchildren, Amanda Bailey and her husband John, and Timmy Reicher and his wife Laurell; and two step-great-great-grandchildren, Billy Landers and Savannah Bailey. She was preceded in death by two sisters, Shirley Johnson and Alice Stratmann; and one brother-in-law, Bobby Johnson.

Funeral services will be at 1:30 p.m., Monday, Oct. 2, 2017, at Bryant Funeral Home with the Rev. Barbara Jones officiating. Burial will be in St. Peter Lutheran Church Cemetery, Holyrood. Friends may call from 2-9 p.m., with the family receiving friends from 6-8 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017, at Bryant Funeral Home. Memorials have been established with St. Peter Lutheran Church Cemetery 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

Dateline: Bushton, Kansas

Robert Ray Best, 81, died September 22, 2017, at Sandstone Heights, Little River.  He was born December 13, 1935, in Bushong, Kansas, the son of James Ray and Ruth Thelma (Sharp) Best.

Robert graduated from Burrton High School in 1953.  He then entered the Army as a private first class and served two tours during the Korean War and Vietnam War, discharged as a Specialist 4 in 1962.

After his honorable discharge, he returned to Kansas and worked in Hutchinson for the Phillips News, delivering magazines, cookbooks, etc.  Then he worked as a salesman and delivery man for Frito Lay.  Later he worked for B.J. Well Service in Great Bend and was a roughneck for several different oil services.  In 1961 he started working for Northern Gas Products. They later became known as Enron and he retired from there as a supervising technician in 1993.

Robert was a longtime resident of Bushton since 1963 moving from Lyons.  He was a member of the Royal Lodge #192 AF & AM Masonic Lodge, and the V.F.W., both of Lyons.

On November 6, 1958, he married Frances H. “Fran” McKenna.  They were married at his sister’s house in Hutchinson and spent the next 58+ years together.

He is survived by his wife, Fran of the home; brother, Harlen Best and wife Patti of Hutchinson, sisters, Patty Harmon and husband Joe, and Judy Maxfield, all of Hutchinson; brother-in-law, Robert McKenna of Joplin; sister-in-law, Barbara Bunch and husband Russell “Rusty” of Kanopolis; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by a son, Curtis Ray Best; sister, Lynn Bayless; brothers-in-law, Charley McKenna, Everett McKenna, and Billy McKenna; and a sister-in-law, Joan Gray.

Friends may call 1 to 6 p.m., with family to greet friends from 4 to 6 p.m., Sunday at the funeral home.

Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Monday, September 25, 2017, at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, with Pastor Stephanie Norton presiding.

Inurnment will be at a later date, in the Kansas Veteran’s Cemetery at WaKeeney, Kansas.  Memorials may be made to Royal Lodge #192 AF & AM Masonic Lodge, Bushton First Responders, or the Claflin Ambulance, in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington, KS 67544.

Dateline: Great Bend, Kansas 

Alvin August Haberman, 77, died September 22, 2017, at Great Bend Health and Rehabilitation Center.  He was born May 19, 1940, in Great Bend, Kansas, the son of Alexander John and Augusta J. (Koriel) Haberman.

On May 28, 1960, he married Janet Kay Sprouse at St. Rose Catholic Church, Great Bend, Kansas.  She died in a car accident on September 8, 1962.

He then married Martha L. Helt on May 1, 1965, at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, Hoisington, Kansas.

A lifetime Great Bend resident, Alvin was a truck driver, driving for many companies, including Murphy Tractor, Thies Packing, and Old Dominion.

He was a member of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, Hoisington, and the Knights of Columbus Council #1521.  He was also a member of the Antique Oliver Club.

He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Martha L. Haberman of the home; daughters, Debra Walter of Arkansas City, Marlene Cook and husband Darrin, and Jeanette Campbell and husband Darrin, all of Great Bend; sister, Bernadine Hammeke and husband Robert of Burdett; 11 grandchildren, Shaun Walter, Christine Walter-Ruiz, Jacy Walter, Kyle Cook, Kody Cook, Kolten Cook, Kort Cook, Kade Cook, Kira Cook, Evan Campbell, and Anna Campbell; 8 great grandchildren, Destiny Ruiz, Alannah Walter, Jayden Walter, Zane Walter, Millie Cook, Marcie Cook, Alvie Cook, and Jordyn Cook.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Janet; infant daughter, Theresa Suzanne; brothers, Donald and Maurice Haberman.

Vigil with Rosary led by the Knights of Columbus will be 7 p.m. Tuesday at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, September 27, 2017, at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, celebrated by Father Anselm Eke. Burial will follow in St. John Church Cemetery.  Friends may call 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church or Kans for Kids in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington, KS 67544.

CLAFLIN — Connie Jean Grossardt, 61, died Sept. 20, 2017, at Via Christi St. Francis Regional Medical Center, Wichita. She was born Nov. 10, 1955, at Great Bend, the daughter of Malvern P. and Evelyn E. (Burhenn) Schartz. She married Roger W. Grossardt July 23, 1976, at Claflin.  A lifetime Barton County resident, Mrs. Grossardt worked at north Dillons in Great Bend for 16 years, was a medication aide and CNA for Woodhaven Care Center, Ellinwood, and Cheyenne Meadows, Hoisington, and worked as a clerk at R&D’s Convenience Store, Claflin.

Mrs. Grossardt enjoyed playing Bingo and the lottery, flower gardening, decorating for Christmas and Halloween, cooking and spending time with loved ones.

Survivors include her husband, Roger W. Grossardt, of the home; one son, Brandon Grossardt of Rochester, Minn.; three daughters, Tasha Krebaum and her husband Dr. Kyle of Great Bend, Amber Grossardt of Salina, and Heather Grossardt of Ellinwood; three sisters, Darlene Jenisch of Paola, Joan Brown and her husband Gary of Raymond, and Karen Jamison of Everett, Wash.; and six grandchildren, Mya Krebaum, Logan Krebaum, Devon Grossardt, Hannah Bates, Henry Grossardt and Hailey Grossardt. She was preceded in death by her parents; one brother, Alvin Schartz; and one granddaughter, Makinna Ann Krebaum.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2017, at First United Methodist Church, 120 3rd St., Claflin with the Rev. Gene Langhofer officiating. Burial will be in Claflin Cemetery, Claflin. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., with the family receiving friends from 6-8 p.m., Monday, Sept. 25, 2017, at Bryant Funeral Home in Great Bend. Memorials are requested to Makinna Ann Hope Foundation or Claflin EMS, 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

 

Viola Regina (Beran) Dice Leach, died August 4, 2017, in Carlsbad, California.

Viola was born February 26, 1924, to Anton Beran and Hattie Prosser Beran in a farmhouse east of the small town of Odin, Kansas.  At around age 2 she had a devastating illness that nearly cost her life. She suffered permanent partial hearing damage but recovered to live a long and productive life as the second oldest of 8 children.  She and her siblings spoke mostly German until they started school in the Odin School.

During her youth she experienced the effects of the Depression and the Dust Bowl in central Kansas.  Her family moved from Barton County to Larned, Kansas, where they farmed.  She recalled the prairie grass fire that she watched her father and their neighbors fight to keep from engulfing their farmhouse.  Her father moved their growing family back to the Odin area in the mid 1930s.  At the beginning of the 1940s, to help the family’s finances, she was sent to stay with her aunts at the St. Rose Dominican Convent and Hospital in Great Bend, Kansas, where she finished her high school in her final year.  While there she found lodging in the home of a small family and in exchange she cleaned and babysat as well as worked at the hospital as a nurse’s aide, earning her high school diploma at Great Bend High in 1942.

Meanwhile, the war starting in 1941, opportunities for women opened and upon graduating she headed to Kansas City, Missouri.  In short order, she found a job at a bank, and within a few months moved on to City National Bank where she worked as a teller for several years.  During the war she studied voice and piano, and went to the USO where she enjoyed dancing and meeting young people.

Living in a boarding house with several other young women, she eventually met the brother of one, and by 1950 met her future husband of 35 years.  She and Thomas Dice were married in September, 1950, at the same church in which she was baptized in Odin.  Tom was in the US Navy and they immediately left for School in Point Naval Station near Winter Harbor, Maine.

Vi and Tom had one daughter, Patricia Ann, born during this time.  Shortly after the birth of their only child they headed back to Kansas, where Vi and Pat stayed until Tom could arrange for them to join him at his next assignment in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. When they were finally able to join him, he was reassigned shortly after.  Vi stayed behind in Wahiawa, Oahu, until they could join him in Kwajelein in the Marshall Islands.  She worked at the NEX in Kwaj.  There they stayed until 1954 when Tom contracted an illness and they were sent back to the states.

Back in the Kansas City area, Vi was able to return to City National Bank.  When Tom was released from the Veterans Hospital in Excelsior Springs, Missouri, he completed electronics studies and was hired by KKTV, a CBS affiliate in Colorado Springs, Colorado.  The family moved to Security, Colorado in 1960.

Vi worked as a teller and then a New Accounts representative at First National Bank (now Chase Bank) in Colorado Springs and remained there until her retirement in the 1980s.  During her time at the bank she joined the choir, which performed at Christmas in the bank, often singing solo parts.  She was an avid bowler, coin collector, and crossword puzzle addict, and Denver Broncos, Colorado Rockies and Avalanche fan.   She and Tom were members of Holy Family Parish in Security and took part in the Knights of Columbus activities, Tom being a Fourth Degree Grand Knight.

After Tom died in 1985, Vi remained a widow until 2007 when she married LeRoy Leach of Lyons. Kansas.  Moving to Lyons, she was widowed again when Lee died in January of 2012.  In July of 2012 she moved to her daughter’s home in San Marcos, California.  She remained there until numerous illnesses resulted in hospital stays and nursing homes followed by assisted living at the Silvergate Community in San Marcos.  In the summer 2016 she moved to a board and care in Carlsbad (Carlsbad Elder Care) aided by Hospice of the North Coast, and there she remained until she passed away on August 4.  She was a member of St. Elizabeth Seton Parish in Carlsbad, California.

Viola is survived by her daughter, Patricia Walker (William) of San Marcos, Calif.; her granddaughter, Alicia Froke (Casey) of Temecula, Calif.; two great-grandchildren, Jackson and Avalyn, one sister, Alice Dolechek (Vince) of Barton County, Kansas,  and two brothers, Lee Beran (Judy) of Emporia, Kansas,  and Tony Beran of Aurora, Colorado,  and 13 nieces and nephews.   She is preceded in death by her brothers, Gene, Jerry, Joseph, and Bob, as well as one niece, Michele Popp and a nephew, Eric Beran.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m., Wednesday, September 27, 2017, at Holy Family Catholic Church, Odin, Kansas, celebrated by Father Ted Stoecklein.  Inurnment will follow in Holy Family Cemetery.  Friends may sign the book 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, at the funeral home.  In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Holy Family Cemetery Fund, in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington, KS 67544.

Dateline: Hoisington, Kansas

Aleen Elizabeth Eichman, 95, died September 13, 2017, at her home in El Dorado, Kansas.  She was born May 2, 1922, on the farm near Hoisington, Kansas, the daughter of Ray and Louise (Deutsch) Ochs.

On August 3, 1942, she married Henry “Ed” Eichman in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Once they were married, Aleen lived in Texas where Ed was stationed while serving in the Army during WWII.  After his honorable discharge in 1945 they moved back to Hoisington and lived in town until 1968 when they moved to the family farm north of town on the Russell/Barton County line. In 2010 they moved to El Dorado to be closer to their daughter.

Ed and Aleen were members of Emmanuel Lutheran Church of Hoisington. They were lifetime members of the American Legion and the Auxiliary.

Aleen was a member of the Susan B. Allen Hospital Auxiliary and the Sewing Saints where they would make stuffed animals to give to the kids that visited the hospital.

Ed preceded her in death on January 30, 2012.

Survivors include; daughter, Nancy Jean Hamel and husband Tom of El Dorado; brother, Harlin R. Ochs and wife Barbara of Kerrville, Texas; sister, Melva Gean Reisbig of Great Bend; two grandchildren, Daniel P. Hamel of El Dorado, Paul R. Hamel and wife Cheryl of Albuquerque, New Mexico; and three great grandchildren, Alex, Sarah, and Will Hamel.

A graveside service for the inurnment of Ed and Aleen’s cremains  will be at 11 a.m., Saturday, September 30th, at Hoisington Cemetery, with Pastor Wayne Baldyga presiding.  Military honors will be conducted by Fort Riley Honor Guard.  Friends may sign the book from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Susan B. Allen Auxiliary in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington, KS 67544.

Dateline: Great Bend, Kansas

Name of Deceased: Peggy Ann Raymer                                           Age: 83

Date of Death: September 19, 2017

Place of Death: Hutchinson Regional Medical Center, Hutchinson, Kansas

Date of Birth: September 13, 1934 at Arlington, Kansas

Parents Name: Irvan and Elizabeth Catherine (Jamieson) Bunyan

OBITUARY INFORMATION

Peggy married the love of her life, Harvey Milton “Milt” Raymer September 1, 1950 at the First Church of the Nazarene, Pratt, KS.  They just recently celebrated 67 years of faithful love and devotion together. A homemaker, Sears department store employee, and retired secretary for Great Bend Hydro Test, Inc., Peggy was a Great Bend resident since 1966 coming from Pratt and Cullison.  Peggy was a faithful member of the First Church of the Nazarene, Great Bend, and served alongside Milt in Senior Adult Ministries for 28 years.  Her special gift was being a devoted and compassionate caregiver to her family and friends.

SURVIVORS

Husband: Milt Raymer, of the home

Two sons: Ronald J. Raymer and wife Sherry of Russell, KS

Terry M. Raymer and wife Jennifer of Great Bend, KS

Two daughters: Rhonda J. Snyder and husband Mike of Great Bend, KS

Cynthia A. Smith and husband Eric of Great Bend, KS

One brother: James R. Bunyan of Valley Center, KS

One sister: Billie Holland of Emporia, KS

Eleven Grandchildren:  Travis Raymer, Kevin Raymer, Tanner Raymer, Clinton Snyder, Chad Raymer, Traci Raymer, Allias Hartman, Austin Johnson, Jared Johnson, Wesley Smith, and Mindy Pfannenstiel

Eighteen Great-Grandchildren

She was preceded in death by one brother, Glen Bunyan; and three sisters, Louise McAdams, Betty Gibson, and Pauline Burke.

 

SERVICE INFORMATION

Funeral Service: 3:00 pm, Saturday, September 23, 2017

Place of Service: First Church of the Nazarene in Great Bend

Officiant: Pastors Josh Foster and Amy Foster

Interment: Great Bend Cemetery, Great Bend, Kansas

Visitation:    9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., with the family receiving friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Friday, September 22, 2017, and 9:00 a.m. to Noon Saturday, September 23, all at Bryant Funeral Home.

Memorial Fund: First Church of the Nazarene or Nazarene Compassionate Ministries, 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