Archived Marriage Records
Esther M. Dirks 1911-2001
LA CROSSE - Esther M. Dirks, 89, died Sept. 28 at Rush County Memorial Hospital in La Crosse. She was born Oct. 24, 1911, in Rush County, the daughter of Louis and Caroline Wagner Misegadis. She married
Carl Dirks Dec. 23, 1932. He died in 1960. A resident of La Crosse for 20 years, coming from LeMars, Iowa, she worked as a nursing home administrator in Scott County and for Good Samaritan Nursing Homes in Dodge City, Leoti and LeMars. Mrs. Dirks was a member of First Lutheran Church in La Crosse, Kansas Silver Haired Legislature, Business and Professional Women, and Rush County Nursing Home Advisory Board. Survivors include two sons, Daryl Dirks of Wichita and Norvin Dirks of Littleton, Colo.; one brother, Dean Misegadis of Rush Center; three sisters, Edna Dirks of Dodge City, Henrietta Dirks of Scott City and Evelyn Rush of Rush Center; and four grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one infant daughter; three brothers, Elmer Misegadis, Raymond Misegadis and Carl Misegadis; and two sisters, Leona Dirks and Christina Million. Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at the church, with the Rev. Maurice Schaus officiating. Burial will be at 3 p.m. Tuesday at Christ the King cemetery in Dodge City. Friends may call until 8 tonight at Janousek Funeral Home in La Crosse, with family receiving friends from 6-7:30 p.m. Memorials are suggested to the church or Rush County Nursing Home, both in care of the funeral home. Oct. 1, 2001
Rose Fay Lee 1907-2001
HOISINGTON - Rose Fay Lee, 93, died Sept. 30 at her residence in Hoisington. She was born Dec. 19, 1907, in Henrietta, Texas, the daughter of Parks Marshall and Rose Lee Kuehn Patterson. She married
Robert Edward Lee Nov. 12, 1929, in Houston, Texas. He died Aug. 24, 1957. A resident of Hoisington since 1938, coming from Geneseo, she was a retired nurses" aide. Mrs. Lee was a member of First Christian Church, Heritage Club and Royal Neighbors of America, all of Hoisington. Survivors include one sister, Ruby Mae Lindsay of Henrietta. She was preceded in death by four brothers, J.T. Patterson, Charles D. Patterson, Jack R. Patterson and George M. Patterson. Funeral will be at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at the church, with the Rev. Paula Bell officiating. Burial will be at Hoisington Cemetery. Friends may call from 7-9 tonight and from 9-11 a.m. Tuesday at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home in Hoisington and from 12:30 p.m. until service time Tuesday at the church. Memorials are suggested to the church, in care of the funeral home. Oct. 1, 2001
Joe A. Saenz 1921-2001
Joe A. Saenz, 80, of Great Bend, died Sept. 29 at his residence. He was born April 10, 1921, in Las Cruces, N.M., the son of Rito and Elena Arias Saenz. He married
Kathryn Godinez Sept. 8, 1947, in Lamar, Colo. A resident of Great Bend since 1961, coming from Lamar, he was a carpenter for C.V. Cale Construction in Great Bend. Saenz was a member of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church and American Legion Post 180, both of Great Bend. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II. Survivors include his wife of the home; four sons, Rito P. Saenz of Topeka, Michael Joe Saenz and Christopher Saenz, both of Great Bend and Manuel Palacio of Kansas City, Mo.; three daughters, Julia L. Saenz-Self of Lawrence, Ramona Webb of Wichita and Monica S. Ortega of La Crosse; one sister, Olivia Godinez of Phoenix, Ariz.; 14 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one son, Edward Lloyd Saenz; and one sister, Christina Betencourt. Vigil service will be at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Bryant-Christians Funeral Home in Great Bend. Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the church, with the Rev. Jun Mangulabnan officiating. Burial will be at Great Bend cemetery with military graveside rites by American Legion Argonne Post 180. Friends may call from 3-9 tonight and from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday, all at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to Golden Belt Home Health and Hospice, in care of the funeral home. Oct. 1, 2001
Carol Jean Stitt 1955-2001
LAS CRUCES, N.M. - Carol Jean Stitt, 46, died Sept. 27 at Memorial Medical Center in Las Cruces. She was born July 5, 1955, in Larned, the daughter of Robert C. and Geneva J. Phillips Pivonka. A longtime resident of Las Cruces, she was a registered nurse, oncology and surgical unit director and interim chief nursing officer at Memorial Medical Center. She was past president and board member of Southern New Mexico Cancer Support Services and served as Girl Scout Troop 343 leader. Survivors include two daughters, Katherine Stitt and Kristin Stitt, both of Las Cruces; her parents of Larned; one brother, John R. Pivonka of Manassas, Va.; and two sisters, Jill Yeager and Laurie Cooper, both of Larned. Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at Beckwith Mortuary Chapel in Larned, with the Rev. Charles Grant officiating. Burial will be at Larned Cemetery. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, and from 9 a.m. until service time Friday, all at the mortuary. Memorials are suggested to Memorial Medical Center Foundation or the Stitt Children's Fund, both in care of the mortuary. Oct. 1, 2001
Lou Ella H. Besthorn Bellew 1906-2001
PRATT - Lou Ella H. Besthorn Bellew, 94, died Sept. 29 at Friendship Manor in Pratt. She was born Oct. 2, 1906, in Holyrood, the daughter of William and Marie Dittmer Binger. She married
Chris Besthorn. He died in 1947. She married
Howard Bellew. He died in 1967. A longtime resident of Pratt, she was a retired clerk for Pratt board of education. Mrs. Bellew was a member of Our Savior Lutheran Church, Business and Professional Women, Pilot Club, Rotary, and Elks Lodge, all of Pratt. Survivors include one son, Jerry Besthorn of Edgewood, N.M.; and two grandchildren. Graveside service will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at St. Pauls United Church of Christ cemetery in Holyrood, with the Rev. Michael Schotte officiating. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, at Larrison Mortuary in Pratt. Memorials are suggested to Kansas State University Medical Center Cancer Research, in care of the mortuary. Oct. 1, 2001
Fred H. Barker 1926-2001
LARNED - Fred H. Barker, 75, died Sept. 29 at Hays Medical Center in Hays. He was born Aug. 29, 1926, in Davies County, Mo., the son of Clarence E. and Eva Hart Barker. He married
Norma L. Turpen Aug. 25, 1945, in Santa Anna, Calif. A lifelong resident of Larned, he was a retired farmer and sexton for the Larned Cemetery. Barker was a member of Christian Church and past Veterans of Foreign Wars post commander and life member, both of Larned, and American Legion Post of Pawnee Rock. He was a U.S. Navy veteran. Survivors include his wife of the home; two sons, Robert J. Barker and Duane Barker, both of Larned; one daughter, Diana Lynn Selfridge of Hanston; one sister, Leona Brannam Rice of Larned; 13 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by two brothers, William Barker and Clarence Barker; and two sisters, Dorothy Huntzinger and Nancy Base. Memorial service will be at 2:30 p.m. Thursday at Beckwith Mortuary Chapel in Larned, with the Revs. Dan Lundgren and Mitch Reece officiating. Cremation was arranged, inurnment will be at the Larned Cemetery. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday and from 9 a.m. until service time Thursday, all at the mortuary. Memorials are suggested to American Heart Association or American Lung Association, both in care of the mortuary. Oct. 1, 2001
Christopher Scott Roof 1972-2001
PAWNEE ROCK - Christopher Scott Roof, 28, died Nov. 28 at Kansas University Medical Center in Kansas City. He was born Dec. 18, 1972, in Great Bend, the son of Eric L. and Nicki Rae Selsor Roof. A resident of Olathe, he worked as an electrician. Roof was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Larned. Survivors include his parents of Pawnee Rock; one brother, John Michael Roof of Olathe; his grandparents, Sonny and LaDonna Kiewert of Larned, Dorothy Roof of Ellinwood and Gilbert and Debbie Selsor of Augusta. Vigil service will be at 7 tonight at Beckwith Mortuary Chapel in Larned. Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the church, with the Rev. Dennis Reed officiating. Cremation will follow the funeral. Private family inurnment will be held at a later date. Friends may call until 8 tonight at the mortuary. Memorials are suggested to Relay for Life, in care of the mortuary. Nov. 30, 2001
Paul D. Stoppel 1935-2001
WILSON - Paul D. Stoppel, 66, died Nov. 28 in Salina. He was born Feb. 10, 1935, in Wilson, the son of Henry J. and Laura Herbel Stoppel. He married
Mary Ellen Jacobs. A lifelong resident of Wilson, he worked as a custodian and farmer. Stoppel was a member of Wilson United Methodist Church. Survivors include his wife of the home; two daughters, Cynthia Zielke of Dalhart, Texas and Brenda Hadley of Garden City; one brother, Norman Stoppel of Lawrence; three grandsons; four step-grandchildren; and one step-great-grandson. Funeral will be at 4 today at the church, with the Rev. Elaine Lord officiating. Burial will be at St. Wenceslaus cemetery in Wilson. Friends may call until 2 today at Foster Mortuary in Wilson. Memorials are suggested to the church or The Morrison House in Salina, both in care of the mortuary. Nov. 30, 2001
Orville 'Tom' V. Thomas Jr. 1924-2001
Orville "Tom" V. Thomas Jr., 77, of Great Bend, died Nov. 29 at Integrated Health Services of Great Bend. He was born April 13, 1924, in Anderson, Ind., the son of Orville Sr. and Gladys Shaffer Thomas. He married
Kathleen Smith, May 23, 1969, in Great Bend. A resident of Great Bend for 37 years, coming from Hutchinson, he worked as a truck driver for C.O. Mammals Incorporated. Thomas was a member of Hart's Corner Missionary Baptist Church in Great Bend. He was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II. Survivors include his wife of the home; one son, Mark Thomas of Fairbanks, Calif.; one stepson, Kenneth Nuss of Hutchinson; two daughters, Susan Bird of Denver, Colo. and Lori Kim Thomas of Hutchinson; one stepdaughter, Terry Parrish of Peoria, Ariz.; one brother, Richard "Dick" Thomas of Hutchinson; one sister, Mary Lyons of Granite City, Ill.; four grandchildren; five step-grandchildren; and 10 step-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one brother, Robert Thomas; and two sisters, Geraldine Shocley and Betty Jones. Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Monday at the church, with the Rev. A.J. Owens officiating. Burial will be at Great Bend Cemetery. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and from 1-9 p.m. Sunday, all at Bryant-Christians Funeral Home in Great Bend. Memorials are suggested to the church, in care of the funeral home. Nov. 30, 2001
Randall 'Randy' Alan Jordan 1957-2001
CHICAGO, Ill. - Randall "Randy" Alan Jordan, 44, died Nov. 28 in Chicago. He was born March 31, 1957, in Great Bend, the son of Robert A. and Elda Jean Clothier Jordan. He was a 1975 graduate of Great Bend High School, 1977 graduate of Barton County Community College and 1981 graduate of Oklahoma Christian College. He married
Phyllis Demory Oct. 1, 1993, in Hutchinson. A resident of Chicago since 1993, coming from Hutchinson, he was a psychologist for Community Counseling Centers of Chicago. Jordan was a member of Church of Christ in Great Bend, where he served as youth minister in 1977. Survivors include his wife of the home; three sons, Matt Jordan and Ben Medrano, both of Chicago and Jeremy Jordan of Norman, Okla.; two daughters, Lindy Jordan of San Diego, Calif. and Sadie Hall of Hutchinson; his parents of Great Bend; one brother, Rob Jordan of Salina; two sisters, Rita McVay of Wichita and Rhonda Wilson of Maize; his grandmother, Georgia Kogler of Salina; and four grandchildren. Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday at Bryant-Christians Funeral Home Chapel in Great Bend, with Kevin Plowman officiating. Burial will be at Hillcrest Memorial Park in Great Bend. Friends may call from 3-9 p.m. Saturday, from 1-9 p.m. Sunday and from 9 a.m. until service time Monday, all at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to Maude Carpenter's Children's Center in Wichita, in care of the funeral home. Nov. 30, 2001
Laurine Margaret Murphy Lenard 1923-2001
LARNED - Laurine Margaret Murphy Lenard, 78, died Nov. 27 in Town and Country, Mo. She was born Jan. 17, 1923, near Ash Valley, the daughter of Solomon and Karoline Schwartz Wittig. She married
John D. Murphy. He preceded her in death. A long time resident of Larned, she was a homemaker. She was a member of First United Methodist Church in Larned. Survivors include three sons, Dr. Gary Murphy of Tacoma, Wash., John Murphy of Great Bend and Greg Murphy of Olathe; three daughters, Janice Roth of Inverness, Fla., Jeanne Reynolds of Town and Country and Joni Turner of Larned; one brother, Richard Wittrock of Sedalia, Mo.; two sisters, Neta Salyer of Clearwater, Fla. and Lola Jennison of Dinuba, Calif.; 16 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one sister, Ida Bisterfeldt. Funeral will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at the church, with the Rev. Charles Grant officiating. Burial will be at Larned Cemetery. Friends may call from 9 a.m. until service time Saturday at the church. Memorials are suggested to the church, in care of Morell Funeral Home in Larned. Nov. 29, 2001
Rita Marie Bethel 1938-2001
Rita Marie Bethel, 63, of Great Bend, died Nov. 28 at Central Kansas Medical Center, St. Joseph Campus in Larned. She was born Oct. 7, 1938, in Odin, the daughter of Lawrence and Mary M. Lewis Debes. She married
Wylie Bethel Feb. 23, 1963, in Great Bend. A resident of Great Bend for 43 years, coming from Bushton, she was a homemaker. Mrs. Bethel was a member of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church and Senior Center volunteer, both of Great Bend. Survivors include her husband of the home; three sons, Raymond Bethel and Randal Bethel, both of Great Bend and Ronald Bethel of Newago, Mich.; two daughters, Ruby Alloway and Robin Bethel, both of Great Bend; four brothers, Lawrence Debes of Larned, Kevin Debes of Pierce City, Mo., Justin Debes and Jim Debes, both of Great Bend; two sisters, Margaret Rose Campbell of Great Bend and Germaine Carey of Monet, Mo.; her stepmother, Dorothy Debes of Great Bend; and nine grandchildren. She was preceded in death by two brothers, Jerome Debes and Mike Debes. Vigil service will be at 7 p.m. Friday at Bryant-Christians Funeral Home in Great Bend. Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at the church, with the Rev. Angel Dy officiating. Burial will be at Great Bend Cemetery. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to Great Bend Senior Center or the High Rise, both in care of the funeral home. Nov. 29, 2001
Gayle F. Locke 1954-2001
Gayle F. Locke, 46, of Great Bend, died Nov. 27 at Via Christi Regional Medical Center, St. Francis Campus in Wichita. She was born Dec. 31, 1954, in Hoisington, the daughter of Theodore R. Jr. and Josephine D. May Guliford. She married
Larry D. Locke July 12, 1982, in Hoisington. He died Aug. 3, 2001. A longtime resident of Barton County, she worked at Rush County Nursing Home as a certified nurse's aid until she retired due to her health. Mrs. Locke was a member of First Baptist Church in Hoisington. Survivors include one step-son, Terry Locke of Hays; her father of Great Bend; and two sisters, Karen Guliford of Great Bend and Marcia VanConet of Hoisington. She was preceded in death by two sisters, Sheryl Guliford and ToiSan Guliford. Funeral will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home in Hoisington, with the Rev. Albert Robinson officiating. Burial will be at Hoisington Cemetery. Friends may call until 5 p.m. tonight, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and from 9 a.m. until service time Saturday, all at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to Victory in the Valley, in care of the funeral home. Nov. 29, 2001
