Archived Marriage Records
Kenneth Samuel Rudeen 1929-2003
NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla. — Kenneth Samuel Rudeen, a four-decade veteran of Sports Illustrated magazine, died on May 21 in New Port Richey, Fla. He was 73. The cause was complications of cancer. Mr. Rudeen was born on Aug. 21, 1929, in Kansas City, Mo. His career in journalism began at age 14 when he went to work for The Kansas City Star and Times, folding papers for delivery. He became obituary editor and later the top general assignment reporter for the Times. He was the Star’s own correspondent while attending the University of Kansas, where he graduated in 1952. After serving in the Army during the Korean War, he joined the staff of Sports Illustrated in September 1954, three months after the magazine was founded. Starting out as a reporter, then writer, he became senior editor in charge of baseball, college football, hockey, motor racing and sailing. Noted for being an excellent headline writer, he posed Joe Namath in Times Square for the cover of the magazine, creating “Broadway Joe.” Mr. Rudeen was executive editor of Sports Illustrated when he retired in 1991. He wrote Men at Speed, The Swiftest and an enduring series of books for children about minority sports heroes: Wilt Chamberlain, Roberto Clemente, Jackie Robinson and Muhammed Ali. His interests were long-distance bicycling, ballroom dancing and bridge. He is survived by his wife, Anne of South Salem, N.Y., and New Port Richey; his sister, Joan Bleich of Kansas City; his daughter, Louisa Rudeen Beckett of Norwalk, Conn., editor in chief of Motor Boating magazine; and Gary Beckett and Kaitlyn Beckett. Memorials are suggested to the American Cancer Society. Preferred Funeral Alternatives in Holiday, Fla., is in charge of arrangements. May 23, 2003
David J. Clarke 1914-2003
ELLINWOOD — David J. Clarke, 88, died May 21 at Galichia Heart Hospital at Wichita. He was born June 26, 1914, in Stafford County, the son of Wade H. and Julia Clarke. He married
V. Marie Corkins Sept. 20, 1941, at Rawlins, Wyo. A resident of Ellinwood since 1952, he was a truck driver, a welder and a mechanic. Clarke was a member of AA at Ellinwood since 1985. Survivors include his wife of the home; one son, Jerry Clarke of Hutchinson; two daughters, Marilyn Sherman of Lyons and Darlene Oglesbee of Palatka, Fla.; one brother, Fred Clarke of Moreno Valley, Calif.; one stepson, Jim Clarke of Ellinwood; seven grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one brother, Wade Clarke; and four sisters, Elma Clarke, Dora Delker, Molly Lovell and Ollie Pickerill. Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Minnis Chapel in St. John with the Rev. Richard Foster officiating. Burial will be at Fairview Park cemetery in St. John. Friends may call from 1 to 8 tonight at the chapel, with the family receiving friends from 6 to 8 p.m. tonight. Memorials are suggested to the American Cancer Society or the American Heart Association, both in care of the funeral chapel. May 23, 2003
Clarence V. Brack 1921-2003
HOISINGTON — Clarence V. Brack, 81, died May 22 at Cheyenne Meadows Living Center in Hoisington. He was born July 15, 1921, at Otis, the son of David E. and Mollie Schneider Brack. He married
Charlotte Muzzall Curtis April 11, 1955, at Tucumcari, N.M. She died Dec. 23, 2002. A Hoisington resident since 1955, coming from Otis, he was a truckdriver and toolpusher in the oilfield and a self-employed welder. Brack was a member of United Methodist Church of Otis. Survivors include one daughter, Melissa Nech of Hoisington; one stepson, William A. Curtis of Valley Center; one sister, Helen Krug of Great Bend; and one step grandson. He was preceded in death by one brother, Ervin Brack. Funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at the church with the Revs. Marilyn Christmore and Kathy Bannister officiating. Inurnment will take place at a later date at Methodist cemetery in Otis. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. today at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home in Hoisington and from 10 a.m. until service time Saturday at the church. Memorials are suggested to the church or Otis Senior Center, in care of the funeral home. May 23, 2003
Peter G. Smith 1916-2003
CONCORDIA — Peter G. Smith, 86, died May 20 at Mitchell County Hospital in Beloit. He was born June 20, 1916, at rural Concordia, the son of Benjamin and Nellie Peterson Smith. He married
Margaret J. Fitch May 10, 1942, at Salina. He was a farmer in the Macyville area most of his life and was a millwright for Dressler Engineering. Smith was a member of St. John’s Lodge 113 AF and AM, Leah Chapter O.E.S., First United Methodist Church and Kansas Explorers Club. He served on the Jamestown School Board, Jamestown cemetery Board and was a Buffalo Township Tax Assessor. Survivors include his wife of the home; one son, David Smith of Scottsville; one daughter, Susan Haver of Concordia; three grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one brother and one sister. Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Chaput-Buoy Funeral Home in Concordia with the Rev. Tim Harlan officiating. Burial will be at Fairview cemetery in Concordia at a later date. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the church, Concordia Animal Shelter and Teens for Christ, all in care of the funeral home. May 22, 2003
James ‘Ed’ Abel 1908-2003
JETMORE — James “Ed” Abel, 94, died May 19 at Manor of the Plains in Dodge City. He was born Dec. 1, 1908, at Lyndon, the son of Joseph and Maude Webb Abel. He married
Mabel E. Beckley Aug. 9, 1931, at Hoisington. She died July 19, 1995. A resident of Dodge City, coming from Denver, Colo., and Hoisington, he worked for Gates Tire Company of Denver for 36 years. Abel was a member of the Christian Church. Survivors include two nieces, Rowena Wilson of Jetmore and Carol Hinote of Paola; and several great nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by one son, Dennis Abel; two brothers, Lloyd Abel and Claude Abel; three sisters, Mae Sorem, Helen Giesick and Maxine Webb; and one nephew, Jim Sorem. The body was cremated and burial will take place at a later date. Memorials are suggested to Manor of the Plains in care of Beckwith Funeral Home of Jetmore. May 21, 2003
Milton J. Gruber 1921-2003
LINWOOD, N.J. — Milton J. Gruber, 81, died April 17 at Shore Memorial Hospital in Somers Point, N.J. He was born May 22, 1921, in Elkhart, Ind., the son of William G. and Nellie B. Westover Gruber. He received a bachelor’s degree from St. John’s University. He was a self-employed certified public accountant. Gruber was a U.S. Navy veteran, having served from 1941 to 1948 as chief petty officer. He received the World War II Victory Medal, American Theater Medal, American Defense Medal with (A) European-African-Middle Eastern Theater (3) Star Medal and Good Conduct Medal. Survivors include two sons, Milton Gruber Jr. of Switzerland and John Gruber of Northfield, N.J.; two daughters, Jeannie Price of Galloway, N.J. and Linda Raub of Linwood; one brother, Art. C. Gruber of Norman, Okla.; three sisters, Louise Reed and Thelma Brack of Hoisington, and Lucille Hester of Valley Center; eight grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Glenn W. Gruber and Eugene E. Gruber; one sister, Pauline and one grandson. Graveside services were held April 23 in New Jersey. Adams-Perfect Funeral Home, Inc., of Northfield, N.J. was in charge of arrangements. May 21, 2003
Rosemary Flakus 1914-2003
ELLINWOOD — Rosemary Flakus, 89, died May 19 at Central Kansas Medical Center in Great Bend. She was born Feb. 8, 1914, at Hutchinson, the daughter of William J. and Marie Zimmer Hines. She married
Joseph A. Flakus June 10, 1946. He died Nov. 3, 1994. A longtime resident of Barton County, coming from Wichita, she was executive secretary for Earl Wakefield Independent Oil Producers in Wichita until 1946, a bookkeeper for Home Lumber and Supply in Ellinwood, and a homemaker. Mrs. Flakus was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church and Altar Society, both of Ellinwood. Survivors include one son, Stephen Flakus of Ellinwood; two daughters, Virginia Shults of Webster, N.Y., and Mary Ann Spangler of Scott City; one sister, Caroline Reichuber of Larned; and five grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one brother, Leo Hines. Altar Society Rosary will be at 4 p.m. today and vigil will be at 7 tonight, all at Kimple Funeral Home in Ellinwood. Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at the church with the Rev. John Maes officiating. Burial will be at Lakin-Commanche District cemetery in Ellinwood. Friends may call from 1 to 8 today at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to Central Kansas Medical Center Foundation in care of the funeral home. May 21, 2003
Loree Gayle Achenbach 1942-2003
LINWOOD — Loree Gayle Achenbach, 60, died May 18 at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. She was born May 31, 1942, in Great Bend, the daughter of Donald and Vera Bressler. She graduated from Hoisington High School in 1959. She received a bachelor’s degree in English, French and Russian from Emporia State University and a master’s degree in Slovic area. She married
Rick Achenbach of Kansas City, Mo., March 18, 1989. A resident of Linwood, she was retired from the Social Security Administration, a teacher of English at ESU and of Russian at the University of Kansas. Mrs. Achenbach was a pianist, a published author, a volunteer for the Agricultural Hall of Fame, a Sunday school teacher and a member of First Christian Church of Bonner Springs. Survivors include her husband of the home; one brother, Troy Bressler of Hoisington; and one sister, Ramona Becker of Wichita. Funeral services will be at 1:30 p.m Thursday at Alden -Harrington Funeral Home in Bonner Springs. Friends may call from 6 to 8 tonight at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the church in care of the funeral home or Edward Kroesch Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 480, Hoisington KS 67544. May 21, 2003
Thomas L. Schremmer 1948-2003
CLAFLIN — Thomas L. Schremmer, 54, died May 16 at his home in Claflin. He was born Oct. 29, 1948, at Great Bend, the son of Frank Jr. and Irene Driscoll Schremmer. He married
Jane A. Hekele June 7, 1969, at Claflin. A resident of Claflin since 1972, he owned and operated Schremmers Plumbing, worked at S&H Lumber and was a custodian at the Claflin schools. Schremmer was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, past grand knight of Knights of Columbus Council No. 1500 and past commander and quarter master of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 8668, all of Claflin. He was a U.S. Army veteran, having served in the Vietnam War. Survivors include his wife of the home; one son, James Schremmer of Columbia, Mo.; one daughter, Kristi Greene and her husband Jerome of Garden City; five brothers, Wayne Schremmer of Wichita, Marvin Schremmer of Great Bend, Leonard Schremmer of Aurora, Colo., Melvin Schremmer of Phillipsburg and Dick Schremmer of Derby; one sister, Dee Volpert of Great Bend; and three grandchildren, Aleasha Greene, Katelyn Greene and Emily Greene. He was preceded in death by an infant son and by a brother, Alvin Schremmer. Funeral was Monday at the church, with the Rev. John J. Maes officiating. Burial was at Claflin cemetery in Claflin with full military rites by Fort Riley Honor Guard. Memorials are suggested to Claflin Knights of Columbus, Claflin VFW, Claflin USD 354 Education Foundation or Beaver cemetery Tree Fund, all in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home of Hoisington. May 20, 2003
Benjamin Nuss 1918-2003
OTIS — Benjamin Nuss, 84, died May 18 at Clara Barton Hospital in Hoisington. He was born July 31, 1918, at Bazine, the son of Fred and Charlotte Meier Nuss. He married
Janet Moore May 19, 1940, at Russell. She died May 1, 1996. A longtime resident of Otis, he was a former owner of the pool hall in Otis and a retired insurance agent for Lutheran Mutual and CUNA Insurance. Nuss was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Lions Club and former member of the city council, all of Otis; American Legion, Elks, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Fort Hays Shrine Club and past board member of Clara Barton Hospital. He was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II. Survivors include three sons, Larry Nuss of Great Bend, Scott Nuss of Otis and Steve Nuss of Plains; two brothers, Rudy Nuss of Jetmore and Herb Nuss of Wichita; a companion, Lorraine Krug of Russell; seven granddaughters; and six great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by three brothers, Edwin Nuss, Solomon Nuss and Albert Nuss; and two sisters, Elma Kindsvater and Clara Nuss. Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at the church, with Larry Frank officiating. Burial will be at Otis Methodist Cemetery. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home in Hoisington and from 9 a.m. until service time Friday at the church. The family will receive friends from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to Otis Fire Department or Otis Ambulance Service, both in care of the funeral home. May 20, 2003
Ida Irene Crotinger 1919-2003
HOISINGTON — Ida Irene Crotinger, 83, died May 17 at Cheyenne Meadows Living Center in Hoisington. She was born Sept. 20, 1919, at Timken, the daughter of Jacob and Mollie Ickes Reifschneider. She married
Lawrence E. Crotinger April 11, 1939, at Timken. He died July 26, 1999. Aresident of Hoisington since 1997, coming from Rozel and Goodland, she was a homemaker, had owned Mom’s Cafe at Rozel and was a seamstress at Mr. Jim’s His Shop at Goodland. Mrs. Crotinger was a member of United Methodist Church of Rozel. Survivors include one son, Roger Crotinger of Goodland; three daughters, Pattie Nicholson of Hoisington, Barbara Graber of Goodland and Beckie Chapman of Oswego; two brothers, Harold Reifschneider and Leroy Reifschneider, both of La Crosse; three sisters, Katie McMillan of Great Bend, Esther Murray of La Crosse, and Helen Appel of Rush Center; eight grandchildren, six step-grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, and five step-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one son, Lawrence E. Crotinger Jr.; two sisters, Marie Reifschneider and Molly Bott; and one step-granddaughter, Rebecca Nicholson. Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home in Hoisington, with the Rev. Wayne Flanders officiating. Burial will be at La Crosse City Cemetery. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8:30 p.m. today. Memorials are suggested to Cheyenne Meadows Living Center Activity Fund, in care of the funeral home. May 17, 2003
Thomas L. Schremmer 1948-2003
CLAFLIN - Thomas L. Schremmer, 54, died May 16 at his home in Claflin. He was born Oct. 29, 1948, at Great Bend, the son of Frank Schremmer Jr. and Irene Driscoll Schremmer. He married
Jane A. Hekele June 7, 1969, at Claflin. A resident of Claflin since 1972, he owned and operated Schremmers Plumbing, worked at S&H Lumber and was a custodian at the Claflin Schools. Schremmer was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church; past grand knight of Knight of Columbus Council No. 1500 and past commander and quarter master of VFW Post No. 8668, all of Claflin. He was a U.S. Army veteran, having served in the Vietnam War. Survivors include his wife of the home; one son, James Schremmer of Columbia, Mo.; one daughter, Kristi Greene and her husband Jerome of Garden City; five brothers, Wayne Schremmer of Wichita, Marvin Schremmer of Great Bend, Leonard Schremmer of Aurora, Colo., Melvin Schremmer of Phillipsburg and Dick Schremmer of Derby; one sister, Dee Volpert of Great Bend; and three grandchildren, Aleasha Greene, Katelyn Greene and Emily Greene. He was preceded in death by an infant son and by a brother, Alvin Schremmer. Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday at the church with the Rev. John J. Maes officiating. Vigil service will be at 7:30 p.m. Sunday followed by a Knights of Columbus Rosary, both at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home in Hoisington. Burial will be at Claflin cemetery in Claflin with full military rites by the Fort Riley Honor Guard. Friends may call from 1 to 9 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to Claflin Knights of Columbus, Claflin VFW, Claflin USD 354 Education Foundation or Beaver cemetery Tree Fund, all in care of the funeral home. May 17, 2003
