Archived Marriage Records
Leona M. Reisbig Keil 1924-2003
HOISINGTON — Leona M. Reisbig Keil, 78, died Jan. 19 at Great Bend Health and Rehabilitation Center in Great Bend. She was born April 18, 1924, at Galatia, the daughter of John and Marie Eichman Reisbig. She married
Herman Keil Oct. 3, 1946, at Hoisington. He died Aug. 28, 1997. A longtime resident of Hoisington, she was a dietician at Hoisington Lutheran Hospital in Hoisington and served in World War II as a Rosie the Riveter at Wichita. Mrs. Keil was a member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church, a Sunday school teacher at the church and a member of Hoisington Lutheran Hospital Auxiliary, all of Hoisington. Survivors include one son Ron H. Keil of Hoisington; two brothers, Richard Reisbig of Billings, Mont., and Irvin Reisbig of LaCrescent, Minn. She was preceded in death by two brothers, Rudy Reisbig and Ralph Reisbig; and three sisters, Helen Lewis, Olefie Nahajio and Elsile Meier. Prayer service will be at 7 tonight at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home in Hoisington. Funeral will be at 10 am. Wednesday at the church with the Rev. Kelly Taylor Schaus officiating. Burial will be at Hoisington Cemetery. Friends may call from 1-9 tonight at the funeral home and from 9 a.m. until service time Wednesday at the church. Memorials are suggested to the church in care of the funeral home. Jan. 21, 2003
LaVerna M. Wenger 1921-2003
KIMBALL, Neb., — LaVerna M. Wenger, 81, died Jan. 18 at Kimball County Manor. She was born April 25, 1921, the daughter of Robert A. and Merle Joy Thomas Turner. She graduated high school in Kansas. She married
Fay Wenger in Kansas. He died in 1983. A resident of Kimball, coming from Great Bend, she was a homemaker. Mrs. Wenger was a member of the Christian faith. Survivors include three sons, James DeWayne Wenger of Hayward, Calif., and Ira Eugene Wenger and Robert Allen Wenger, both of Burley, Mo.; three daughters, Carol Dunegan of Kimball, Geordia D. Gaines of Alice, Texas, and JoLynn Ellis of Cleveland, Okla.; one sister, Jean Ewing of Mission, Texas; 14 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one brother and one sister. The body was cremated. There will be no service at this time. Memorials are suggested to Prairie Haven Hospice in care of the Cantrell Funeral Home in Kimball. Jan. 21, 2003
Florence Fernandez Flores 1931-2003
Florence Fernandez Flores, 71, of Great Bend, a devoted wife, mother and grandmother, passed away on Jan. 18 at Bethesda Home in Goessel, succumbing to Alzheimer’s disease. She was born Nov. 7, 1931, in Granada, Colo., to Jess and Fernanda Fernandez, raised in the Holly, Colo., area and moved to Great Bend in 1956, where she lived until November of 1999. She lived with her daughter in Wichita until March of 2001, and then at Bethesda Home in Goessel. She loved caring for babies and children and was an excellent homemaker, cook and baker. She taught herself how to sew, read patterns, embroider, crochet and quilt. She made many of her own clothes and often sewed, crocheted and quilted for other family members. She and her husband were very family-oriented and enjoyed traveling and spending time with family members in Kansas, Colorado, California, Utah, Hawaii and Mexico. She was a longtime member of St. Rose Catholic Church in Great Bend and a member of the Altar Society. She is survived by her husband, Pete Flores, sho sadly is also afflicted with Alzheimer’s disease and resides at Bethesda Home in Goessel; and their children and their families, Margo, Jim and Clint Raulsten of Wichita; Jim, Sandy, Somerlyn and Bryant Flores of Heber City, Utah; David and Beatrice Flores of Bakersfield, Calif.; Joseph, Keiko and Emily Flores of Wichita and Honolulu, Hawaii; Rick, Jacob and Hannah Flores of Derby; Ed, Jessica and Sofie Flores of Salina; Vic Flores, Tron and Mercedes Smith of Great Bend; and her niece who she helped raise, Teresa Sleefe of Wichita. She is also survived by her sisters, Frances Bendabides of Lamar, Colo., Rose Fernandez of Denver, Colo., Emma Gonzales of Turlock, Calif., Mary Upham of Sacramento, Calif., Virginia Herrera of Greeley, Colo., Valerie Coons of Loveland, Colo., Alice Baca of Lamar, Josie Dominques of Lamar, Angela Herrera of Greely and Peggy Dennis of Hartman, Colo.; and four brothers, Joe Fernandez of Modesto, Calif., Robert Fernandez of Berthoud, Colo., Tony Fernandez of Longmont, Colo., and Steve Fernandez of Windsor, Colo. There are also many nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by one granddaughter, Annette Raulsten. Rosary will be at 7 p.m. Thursday at Bryant Christians Funeral Home in Great Bend. Funeral will be at 11 a.m. Friday at athe church. Memorials are suggested to the Bethesda Home in Goessel, or Hospice Care of Kansas of Newton, both in care of the funeral home. Jan. 21, 2003
Irene Hoff 1915-2003
RUSSELL — Irene Hoff, 87, died Jan. 19 at St. John Nursing Home in Victoria. She was born Feb. 1, 1915, at Victoria the daughter of John and Katherine Schmidtberger Rupp. She married
Emil Hoff Jan. 4, 1938, at Gorham. He died July 16, 1996. A resident of Victoria, coming from Russell, she worked at Ben Franklin and Duckwalls Stores and was a cook at Bickerdyke Grade School and the Russell High School, all of Russell. Mrs. Hoff was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Russell. Survivors include one daughter, Shirley Brungardt of Russell; one brother, Linus Rupp of Bushton; four sisters, Olinda Schantz of Colorado Springs, Colo., Sally Sullivan of Garden City, Alice Wasinger of Hutchinson and Tina Rome of Hays; and one grandchild. She was preceded in death by four brothers, Clarence, Edward, Dan and Elmer Rupp; and three sisters, Albina Rupp, Leona Dreiling and Alberina Rupp. Rosary will be at 7 tonight at Pohlman’s Memorial Chapel in Russell. Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the church with the Rev. Charles Steier officiating. Burial will be at St. Fidelius cemetery in Victoria. Friends may call from noon to 9 tonight and from 9 a.m. to service time Wednesday at the mortuary. Memorials are suggested to the church fund and Mass Stipens, both in care of the funeral home. Jan. 21, 2003
Kathleen L. Raya 1963-2003
Kathleen L. Raya, 39, of Great Bend, died Jan. 19 at her residence. She was born May 20, 1963, at Denver, Colo., the daughter of Lawrence and Shirley Emerson Soldner. She married
Albert Adrian Raya Sept. 26, 1992, at Northglenn, Colo. A resident of Great Bend since 1993, coming from Northglenn, she was employed by Central Kansas Medical Center and was former owner of Hacienda Reataurant. Mrs. Raya was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church of Great Bend and a volunteer for Relay For Life. Survivors include her husband of the home; three sons, Justin Nickerson and Steve Nickerson, both of the home, and Joshua Nickerson of Great Bend; one daughter, Erika Raya of the home; one brother, Larry Soldner of Golden, Colo.; and one grandson. Memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the church, with the Rev. David E. Carlson officiating. Friends may sign the book until 5 tonight at Bryant Funeral Home. Memorials are suggested to Great Bend Relay For Life and Kathleen L. Raya children’s educational fund, both in care of the funeral home. Jan. 21, 2003
Andrew Riley and Andrea Sue Cartlidge 2003-2003
Andrea Sue and Andrew Riley Cartlidge, infants, died Jan. 19 at Central Kansas Medical Center. They were born Jan. 19, 2003, at Great Bend, the son and daughter of John and Kayla Reynolds Cartlidge. Survivors include their parents of the home; one sister, Aubrey Cartlidge of the home; grandparents, Mike and Karen Cartlidge of Great Bend and Walter B. “Doc” and Connie Reynolds of Winfield; and great-grandparents, Lucy Cartlidge and Lillian Hoffhaus, both of Great Bend, and Jerry and Alice Geetz of Park. There will be a private family graveside service Wednesday at Great Bend cemetery with the Rev. Jack Sweeney officiating. Memorials are suggested to Aubrey Cartlidge Educational Fund in care of the funeral home. Jan. 21, 2003
James ‘Jim’ Barber 1917-2003
AURORA, Colo., — James “Jim” Barber died Jan. 17 of natural causes. Jim died in his bed at Shalom Park, a residential center for senior citizens in Aurora. Jim died peacefully Friday morning surrounded by his family. He had been a resident at the facility since October when he fell and broke his hip. While recovering from his broken hip, Jim’s general health continued to decline. Jim and his family celebrated his 86th birthday with prime rib and angel food cake. He was born Jan. 1, 1917, at St. John, to his father Matthew Simpson (M.S.) Barber and mother Josephine Calloway. Jim followed in his father’s footsteps by becoming a funeral director and taking over the family business in St. John. M.S. received his embalmer license in 1907. Jim followed suit and received his license in 1936 from Williams Institute of Embalming in Kansas City. The title to the business exchanged hands between father and son. Following the exchange, Jim and his wife, Sid Barber, continued to serve their community. The couple remained in St. John for 20 years, before moving to Dodge City, Pratt and finally Great Bend, where they retired. Jim’s love of music was a trait family and friends knew him by. For several years, Jim sang tenor for the Bethany College Oratorio Society’s annual performance of Handel’s Messiah in Lindsborg. Jim knew the words by heart and was able to join the choir to perform at Carnegie Hall in 1997. He continued to listen to the chorale music until his final good-bye. Jim’s professionalism and gentlemanly nature defined him his entire life. Jim Barber is survived by his wife Sid; sister, Elnora Reazin of Altamont; son Jay Barber and his wife Judy of Clearwater, Fla.; son, John Barber and his wife Aagje of Centennial, Colo. Jim and Sid have six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren: Bill Barber and his son, Joshua; Katy Ludwig and her children Jalmer and Holly; Meagan Carmody and her daughter Emma; Ed Barber and his daughters Elisa and Caitlin; and Tina Barber; and Jason Barber. Funeral service will be at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at the First United Methodist Church in St. John. Friends may call from 3-8 today at Minnis Chapel in St. John. Memorials are suggested to the building fund of St. John United Methodist Church in care of the funeral home. Jan. 20, 2003
Greta V. Magers 1916-2003
ST. JOHN — Greta V. Magers, 86, died Jan. 16 at Pratt Regional Medical Center. She was born July 14, 1916, at Little River, the daughter of Maurice and Nellie Smith Patterson. A longtime resident of St. John, she was a retired Licensed Practical Nurse. Survivors include two sons, Larry Chadd of Macksville and Michael Kennedy of Yuma, Ariz.; one daughter, Darleen Beaman of Sunnyvale, Calif.; one brother, Robert Zent of Ashgrove, Mo.; two sisters, Ardis Shelton of Joplin, Mo., and June Schultz of Mt. Vernon, Mo.; seven grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. She was preceded in death by one son, Duane Chadd; one daughter, LaWanda Detrich; and three brothers, Gayle Smith, Nevin Zent and Yule Zent. A private family inurnment will take place at a later date. There is no visitation. The body was cremated. Memorials are suggested to American Diabetes Association in care of Minnis Chapel of St. John. Jan. 20, 2003
Chester J. ‘Chet’ Ratzloff 1930-2003
MARION — Chester J. “Chet” Ratzloff, 72, died Jan. 17 at his home in Marion. He was born Jan. 30, 1930, at Moundridge, the son of Pete and Adina Smith Ratzloff. He married
Bonnie Roberts on Nov. 14, 1953, at El Dorado. A resident of the Cedar Point and Burns communities, he was retired from the Santa Fe Railroad bridge and building department. Ratzloff was a member of Marion Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6958. He was a U.S. Army veteran, having served during the Korean War. Survivors include his wife of the home; one son, Michael Ratzloff of Marion; four daughters, Debra Regier of Peabody, Laurie Creamer of Marion, Jamie Hopkins of Ellinwood, and Sharon Terrel of Newton; one brother, Perry Ratzloff of Marion; three sisters, Loreen Ratzloff of Halstead, Viola Purcell of El Dorado and Nadine Ratzloff of Moundridge; 14 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Marion Christian Church with the Rev. Larry Timm officiating. Burial will be at Marion cemetery with military graveside rites. Friends may call until 8 tonight at Zeiner Funeral Home in Marion. The family will receive friends from 7-8 tonight at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to Cedar Point Community Church or American Cancer Society, both in care of the funeral home. Jan. 20, 2003
John F. Ackerman 1919-2003
SPEARVILLE — John F. Ackerman, 83, died Jan. 17 at Western Plains Medical Complex of Dodge City. He was born June 2, 1919, in Ford County the son of John and Frances Chalk Ackerman. He married
Susie Shanley on Oct. 2, 1951, at Pratt. A lifetime resident of Spearville, he was a retired meat cutter for the Spearville Mercantile for 45 years. Ackerman was a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, a third degree member and past grand knight of Knights of Columbus Council 1539, both of Spearville, a lifetime member of Howard Gotschall Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1714 of Dodge City, and several church committees. He was a U.S. Army veteran, having served during World War II as a private first class in the European Theatre and was a recipient of the Purple Heart and Good Conduct Medal. Survivors include his wife of the home; three sons, John M. Ackerman and David D. Ackerman, both of Dodge City, and Larry Ackerman of Spearville; one daughter, Glenda Stoss of Olmitz; 12 grandchildren; and one great-grandson. He was preceded in death by three brothers, Peter Ackerman, Charles Ackerman and Anthony Ackerman; and six sisters, Sister Mary Osmunda, Sister Mary Denis, Emmeline Heeke, Sister Mary Perpetua, Helen Temaat and Alma Schawe. Funeral was this morning at the church with the Bishop Ronald M. Gilmore and the Revs. John J. Maes and Robert A. Schremmer officiating. Burial was at St. John cemetery in Spearville with full graveside military rites by Ft. Riley Honor Guard. Memorials are suggested to the church or Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe, both in care of Burkhart-Ziegler Funeral Chapel in Dodge City. Jan. 20, 2003
W. Dean Batesel 1944-2003
TOPEKA — W. Dean Batesel, 58, died Jan. 17 at a local care facility. He was born July 1, 1944, at Great Bend, the son of Alvin and Hester B. Edwards Batesel. He was employed by the Kansas Department of Transportation for 42 years. Batesel was a member of First Christian Church of Overbrook. Survivors include one brother, Glenn D. Batesel of Las Vegas, Nev.; and one sister, Mary Johnson of El Dorado. Memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at the church. Cremation has taken place. Inurnment will be at a later date. Friends may call from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday at Penwell-Gabel Mid-Town Chapel of Topeka. Memorials are suggested to the church or Cat Association of Topeka, both in care of the funeral home. Jan. 20, 2003
Eugene Edward Baird 1924-2003
HUNTER — Eugene Edward Baird, 78, died Jan. 16 at Mitchell County Hospital of Beloit. He was born May 2, 1924, on a farm northwest of Hunter, the son of Robert Kelly and Anna Hildegarde Arens Baird. He was a 1942 graduate of Hunter High School. He married
Jean Folkner on May 17, 1959, at Concordia. A lifetime resident of Hunter, he was a farmer, operator of the Hunter branch of the Boettcher Enterprises Fertilizer Plant, a concrete finisher, worked on local grain elevator construction projects and was a distributor for DeKalb seed. Baird was a member of Hunter United Methodist Church, Hunter Lions Club, Hunter Fire Department, former mayor of Hunter, and was honored as the Century farm owner by Farm Bureau. Survivors include his wife of the home; one son, Kris Baird of Ellinwood; one daughter, Kimberly Peterson of Courtland; one brother, Jerome “Jerry” Baird of Downs; three sisters, Delores Henrikson of Bolicar, Mo., Eulala Herl and Margaret Leathers, both of Topeka; and three grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one son Kelly Baird; and one brother, Richard Baird. Funeral service will be at 2:30 today at the church with the Revs. Marion Walker, Ed Thompson, Lyle Miller, Tod Anthony and Charlie Greene, all officiating. Burial was at Greenwood Union cemetery of Hunter. McDonald-Roberts Funeral Service of Beloit were in charge of arrangements. Jan. 20, 2003
Anna Lucille Testorff Adams 1934-2003
VICTORIA, TEXAS — Anna Lucille Testorff Adams, 68, died Jan. 14 at Detar Hospital of Victoria. She was born May 8, 1934 in Chanute, the daughter of Otto and Marie Clugston Testorff. She was a 1952 graduate of Yates Center High School. She married
Orville V. Adams on Feb. 3, 1956 in Yates Center. A resident of Victoria, coming from Yates Center, Ulysses and Ellinwood, she was a nursing home employee. Mrs. Adams was a member of the First Christian Church and the Golden Rod Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star, both of Yates Center. Survivors include her husband of the home; one daughter, Rebecca M. Parker of Victoria; and one sister, Louise Webb of Wichita. She was preceded in death by one daughter, Janice, in 1958. Funeral service was held Saturday at Campbell Funeral Home of Yates Center, with Order of the Eastern Star services. Burial was in the Yates Center Cemetery. There are no memorials suggested. Jan. 19, 2003
