Donald William “Bill” Myers
PAWHUSKA, OK – Donald “Bill” Myers, age 87, formerly of Cedar, KS passed away on Monday, June 17, 2013 at his home.
Donald was born the son of Oliver & Mary (Fetrow) Myers in Cedar, KS on July 4, 1925.
Survivors include his wife Irma; daughter Trisha; and son James.
Graveside services will be held at 10:00AM Friday, June 21, 2013 at the Cedar Cemetery in Cedar, KS.
Lloyd James Seems
SMITH CENTER – Lloyd James Seems, 92, of Smith Center died June 13, 2013 at Long Term Care in Smith Center, KS. He was born March 21, 1921 to James and Ellen (Gibeau) Seems on the family farm southeast of Lebanon, KS., the second child of six children.
Lloyd attended and received his education at Pleasantville country school in Smith County. He was a hard worker from a very young age. He started working full time in 1934 to help support the family during the difficult 1930′s.
Lloyd served in the United States Navy and was a World War II Veteran.
On April 27, 1952 he was united in marriage to Doris Darlene Morgan. They made their home in Smith Center where he co-owned and operated Seems Bros. Oil. To this union four children were born. Lyle James, Larry Dean, Linda Kay and Randy Lee.
Lloyd enjoyed being outdoors whether it was farming, gardening or going for his daily walks. He loved his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. They were the light of his life. He enjoyed his many loyal customers and meeting new ones traveling through over the 40 years at the gas station, retiring in 1986. He continued to farm east of Smith Center, which he took great pleasure in. He was an avid baseball fan and enjoyed going to a Royals baseball game with his boys.
He will be sadly missed and always remembered for his kind and loving ways.
Lloyd was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Doris, two brothers, Glen and Buryl, one sister, Betty Bock, two granddaughters Michelle Lynn and Joni Darlene Seems.
Survivors include three sons, Lyle and wife Shelia of Elm Creek, NE., Larry and wife Cindy of Phillipsburg, KS., and Randy and wife Jane of Oak Grove, MO. One daughter Linda Hainke and husband Rod of Holdrege, NE. Two brothers, Dean Seems and wife Dorothy of Gaylord, KS and Darrell of Melvern, KS. Four grandchildren, Cheryl Bear and husband Chuck of Gretna, NE, Steven Seems and wife Chalina of Phillipsburg, KS., Nicole Benischek and husband Adam of Lincoln, NE., and Tristan Seems of Oak Grove, MO., six great-grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.
Celebration of life services will be held at 11AM, Monday, June 17, 2013 at the Simmons-Rentschler Mortuary with Pastor Matt Lucas officiating.
Burial will follow in the Fairview Cemetery in Smith Center.
Visitation will be held from 5PM until 8PM Sunday evening at the mortuary.
The family has requested memorial contributions be made to Hospice Services of Smith County and can be sent in care of the mortuary.
Glen Ennis
KENSINGTON – Glen D. Ennis, age 51, passed away at Smith County Memorial Hospital on May 30, 2013.
He is survived by his mother, Betty Mullis of Yulee, FL; a sister Carolyn Smithson of Madison, VA; a brother, Herbert Ennis III of Mine Run, VA.
The will be private family services held at a later date in Virginia.
There will be no visitation.
The family requests memorial contributions be made to the Glen Ennis memorial fund and can be sent in care of the mortuary.
Arrangements are being handled by the Simmons-Rentschler Mortuary of Smith Center, KS.
For online condolences visit www.simmons-rentschler.com
Rosemary Paget
SMITH CENTER – Rosemary Paget, age 84, passed away on Friday, May 24, 2013 at Deseret Health and Rehab Center in Smith Center. She was a retired postmaster.
Rosemary was born the daughter of Irene (Rice) & Dewey Seems on October 11, 1928 in rural Esbon, KS.
Survivors include her sons, Bill and wife Dee Paget of Scott City, KS, Kenneth and wife Susie Paget of Smith Center, Tom and wife Ann Paget of Fort Smith, AR; a brother Lyn “Duke” and wife Mary Jane Seems of Smith Center; 9 grandchildren; 6 Great Grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Adolph, infant sister Diane, sister Agatha, brother Leo “Duke”, brother Alan & sister Helen
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10AM, Tuesday May 28, 2013 at the St. Marys Catholic Church in Smith Center.
Visitation will be held from 6PM until 8PM Monday evening with a 7PM Rosary at the church. Burial will follow the mass at the St. Elizabeth Catholic Cemetery in Rural Esbon, KS
The family suggests memorials be given to the St. Mary’s Catholic Youth organization and can be sent in care of the mortuary.
Richard J. Hofer
CEDAR, KS – Richard J. Hofer, age 92, passed away on Thursday, May 16, 2013 at Deseret Health and Rehab Center in Smith Center, KS.
Richard J. Hofer, son of Walter and Willena Hofer was born on the family farm northwest of Cedar, Kansas July 11, 1920. He attended grade school at Hillside schoolhouse north of the family farm and graduated from Cedar High School in 1938. After high school he and his friend Bud Kelling established a sheep operation west of Cedar. Their operation was interrupted by the onset of WWII. Bud joined the Navy and Richard enlisted in the Marines.
After Marine boot camp in California, he was sent to the South Pacific with the 1st Marine Division in their island hopping campaign and attained the rank of Staff Sergeant.
Richard met Betty, the love of his life, at a dance in Lebanon, Kansas. They corresponded for three years during the war. Near the end of the war, Richard married Betty Jane Morrill in a military ceremony at the Marine Air Station in Cherry Point, North Carolina.
After his discharge, Richard and Betty returned to Smith County and began a farming and cattle operation with his parents calling it Hofer and Son.
They soon became parents of son, Steve in 1946 and a daughter Jean in 1949. Life at the Hofer farm consisted of fixing fence, putting up hay, cutting silage and fixing more fence.
Throughout his life, Richard was active in community affairs. He rarely passed up an invitation to march in a Memorial Day parade with the Marine Corp League. He served as a 4-H leader, was on the Smith County fair board, local Conservation Service Board, and a deacon of the Cedar Christian Church.
Richard is preceded in death by his parents Walter and Willena, wife Betty, a sister Lilith Sweat, a son-in-law Curtis Jacobs and his favorite hired man, Earl (Shorty) Parks.
He is survived by his son, Steve and wife Ruth of Cedar, KS, daughter Jean and husband Jim Stoddard of Ruidoso, NM 6 grandchildren Amy and Kip Dunn and children Otto (11), Augustine (6), Georgia (2) of Leawood, KS; Lisa and Chris Bowser and children Ellen (6) and Anne (4) from Prairie Village, KS; Mike and Amy Hofer and children John (9) and Addie (7) of Bad Durkheim, Germany, David and friend Lindsay of Waialua, HI, Michelle and Matt Benoit and children Madelyn (13) and Garrett (10) of Huntsville, TX and Chad and Carrie Jacobs and children (Annie (3) and Hudson (6 months) of Knoxville, TN.
Celebration of Life services will be held at 2:00PM Wednesday, May 22, 2013 at the Cedar Christian Church in Cedar, KS.
Burial with military honors by the Mt. Suribachi Marine Corp League will follow in the Cedar Cemetery, Rural Cedar, KS.
Visitation will be held at the church one hour prior to the service.
The family has requested memorial contributions be made to the American Legion and can be sent in care of the mortuary.
Marie Elizabeth Wangerin
KENSINGTON, KS – Marie Elizabeth Wangerin, daughter of Wilhelm and Elizabeth (Rahjes) Seemann, was born in rural Kensington, Kansas on September 18, 1920. She went to be with the Lord on May 12, 2013 at Prairie Haven Nursing Center in Kensington, Kansas at the age of 92.
She was baptized on October 3, 1920 in the home, because of the flu epidemic. She later confirmed her faith on June 1, 1936 at St. Peter Lutheran Church of Agra.
In 1938 Marie moved to Wisconsin to help her sister Doris with her children. Later she was joined by 2 other sisters, Alma and Wilma and they opened the “Three Sisters Coffee Shop” . Wilma returned to Kansas and sister Ruth joined the coffee shop group. In 1948, after selling the cafe, Marie returned to Kansas.
In April 1949 Marie was united in marriage to Harlan Wangerin, in Kensington, Kansas. This union was blessed with four children: Michael, Daniel, Joann and Timothy.
In 1950 Harlan, Marie and their infant, Michael, moved from Kensington to Colorado Springs where Marie was a talented seamstress and ran a day care where many children were nurtured under her care. She was well known for her breads and cookies which were much in demand during the holidays. In 1971 the family moved back to Kensington where Harlan and Marie ran an upholstery shop and were well known for their quality work. Marie also helped her son Michael milk a dairy herd and was happily in charge of the baby calves. Marie was an active member of First St. John Lutheran Church in Kensington. Failing health caused her to become a resident at Prairie Haven in 2006. She was satisfied and uncomplaining knowing that she would be unable to return to her home. She was an avid reader and spent her days with books until her eyesight got too bad and then became a fan of Fox News and was a real political enthusiast. If you wanted to know what was going on in the world, Marie was the one to ask. (Opinionated, too)!
Marie was preceded in death by her husband, Harlan; son, Daniel; son-in-law, Steven Flint; her parents; sisters: Doris Strege & husband Ted; Ruth Seemann; Alma Johanen & husband Matt; Julie Landvatter & husband Robert; Wilma Wangerin & husband Leland; Cecelia Grauerholz; brothers: Paul Christian Seemann; John Seemann, Rudolph Seemann, Paul Seemann and brother-in-law Ben Porter.
Survivors include her son, Michael of Kensington; daughter Joann Brooks and husband Bill of Kensington and Timothy and wife Melanie of Oklahoma City; sister Priscilla Porter of Hastings, Ne; brother Thomas Seemann of rural Norton County; sisters-in-laws Kay Seemann and Joanne Seemann; and brother-in-law Ray Grauerholz. Grandchildren: Stephanie Burkholder & husband Jeremy of Hays; Matthew Flint of Wichita; Michelle McBride & husband John of Lawrence; Chad Lorenz & wife Laura of Beloit and Ashley Wangerin of Oklahoma City. Great Grandchildren: Christian and Isaiah Burkholder and Autumn Lorenz.
Celebration of life services will be held at 10:30AM Wednesday, May 15, 2013 at the First St. John Lutheran Church in Kensington with Pastor Dave Hutson officiating.
Burial will follow in the Germantown Cemetery.
Visitation will be held from 6PM until 8PM at the church on Tuesday evening.
The family requests memorial contributions be made to the First St. John Lutheran Church and can be sent in care of the mortuary.
Randall “Randy” Nelson
KEARNEY, NE – Randall Ellis Nelson, formerly of Smith Center, KS, passed away on Tuesday, May 7, 2013 in Lincoln, NE. He was born June 8th, 1954 in Norton, KS the son of Melvin (Johnny) and Waloka Nelson, passed away Tuesday May 7th, 2013 in Lincoln, NE at the age of 58 years.
Randy’s first home was on a farm near Densmore, KS until his family moved in the early 1960′s to the Womer farm north of Smith Center, KS.
Attending Lebanon Public Schools, he graduated in 1972. His first few years in the employment sector took him into manufacturing and over-the-road trucking. Randy’s true calling was found in law enforcement, where he served for both Kansas and Nebraska agencies. At the time of his medical retirement in early 2006, he was employed as Chief of Police in Smith Center, KS. After moving to Kearney, NE in late 2008, he met many new friends while working part-time at the Great Platte River Road Archway Museum.
Randy loved golf, practical jokes, white tigers, being with and making new friends, and his family. His marriage to Vanda Lyon in 1976 gave him three children, Crista, Erik, and Johnny. Years later, his heart grew even bigger with the births of his grandson, Tallon and later his granddaughter, Chye.
Randy was preceded in death by his parents. Left to mourn his passing and celebrate his life are his children, Crista (Randy) Ray of Nowata, OK, Erik Nelson and Johnny Nelson, both of Oklahoma City, OK; grandchildren Tallon and Chye of Nowata, OK; brothers Raymond (Betty) Nelson of Overton, NE, Russell (Laura) Nelson of Grand Island, NE; sister Royalyn Nelson of Wichita, KS; and many other relatives and friends.
Visitation will be from 12:00 PM until service time Saturday at the mortuary.
Celebration of Life services will be held at 2:00PM on Saturday, May 11, 2013 at the Simmons-Rentschler Mortuary in Smith Center with Pastor Dennis Lambert officiating.
Cremation will follow the service with a private family inurnment at a later date.
The family requests memorial contributions be made instead of flowers to the Randy Nelson Memorial fund and can be sent in care of the mortuary.
Jospehine Gouldie
SMITH CENTER – Josephine Gouldie, a long-time resident of Smith Center, KS, passed away on January 8, 2013 at Long Term Care in Smith Center, Kansas at the age of 103. She was born in Northbranch, KS, the next to youngest of six daughters, to Chester and Mary Shigley on May 6, 1909.
On October 27th, 1927 she married Henry H. Hurd. Three children were born; Betty Lee, (John Smith and Dale Remus) of Mission, TX; Jo-ed Hurd (Virginia) of Ayr, NE; and Marylina (Dwight) Corbett of Salina, KS. She married Carl Pair (deceased) on December 1945 and he is remembered fondly by Jo’s family.
Jo married Luke Gouldie on June 9, 1969 and three step-children were added to the family; Phyllis, Katherine and Danny. Jo and Luke shared many years together, playing in bands and enjoying each other’s company before he passed away. Jo often said that her years with Luke were the happiest of her life. Luke was an accomplished musician and Jo loved singing and playing the drums. Even after turning 100 years old, Jo could tap out a tune on the drums and, even though she claimed “if you sing at the table, you’ll cry at night,” she sang anyway and, when the words escaped her, she never stopped humming. Jo often encouraged her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren in a musical direction by paying them to “play” her piano, drums, guitars, horns and tambourines, though most had absolutely no talent or skill. Jo always had a song in her head. She also loved to put on a show. She often dressed her grand-children in costumes and built elaborate props for local shows, events and parades. She was the best grandma, ever.
Jo was not sure of her baptism so, nearing the age of 70, several members of her family accompanied her to Oklahoma where she was baptized in the Cimarron River.
Jo left her home to live in Becky Atwood’s Independent Living, where she resided until a fall sent her to the Smith County Memorial Hospital. She was then moved to Long Term Care where she lived the rest of her life under their excellent care. Even with dementia and Alzheimer’s, her sense of humor would emerge. Jo’s care-takers would often tell family members that she was “one of a kind” and they never knew, from day to day, what funny thing she was going to say.
Jo was preceded in death by her parents; sisters Elsie Figgins, Tena Dobbs, Blanch Dobbins, Ethel Figgins and Edna Lockhart; youngest daughter, Marylina Corbett; daughter-in-law, Virginia Hurd; sons-in-law, John Smith and Dale Remus.
The families of Dwight Corbett, Jo-ed Hurd and Betty Remus will carry out her request to be cremated and her “Celebration of Life” services will be held graveside at 11:00 AM, Saturday May 11, 2013 at Fairview Cemetery in Smith Center with a lunch immediately following.
Family, friends and care-takers of Jo are welcome and encouraged to attend.
Memorials may be made in her name to be given to the Smith County Memorial Hospital/Long Term Care.
Theona A. Manchester
SMITH CENTER – Theona Alene Manchester, age 91, passed away on April 30, 2013 at Smith County Long Term Care in Smith Center. She was born the daughter of Wade & Cora (Cook) Frederick on September 12, 1921 in rural Gaylord, KS.
Survivors include her caretaker, Becky Attwood of Smith Center; her sister-in-law, Katherine Loofborrow of Beloit, KS; a niece, Gayle Hall of Colleyville, TX; a nephew Steve Loofborrow of Boonsboro, MD; many grand nieces and nephews.
Graveside services will be held at 2:00PM, Monday, May 6, 2013 at the Fairview Cemetery in Smith Center with pastor Randy Hill officiating.
Visitation will be held from 5PM until 8PM Sunday, May 5, 2013 at the Simmons-Rentschler Mortuary in Smith Center.
The family requests memorial contributions be made to Smith County Long Term Care or Independent Living in Smith Center and can be sent in care of the mortuary.
Frederick “Fritz” Pennington
SMITH CENTER - Frederick Lee (Fritz) Pennington was born November 22, 1924 to Lee N. and Dorothy E. (Applebee) Pennington. He passed peacefully from this life and received into God’s hands on April 29, 2013 at Deseret Health Care in Smith Center, Kansas. Fritz was born in Banner Township, Smith County, Kansas. He attended Hummer Country School in Banner Township and Harlan High School in Harlan, Kansas, graduating in 1943. Fritz enjoyed playing basketball and baseball while in High School. After graduation he farmed and drove a truck for Rahjes, he also worked for Carpenter Concrete, and drove a school bus for USD 237 for 15 years. Fritz also was a dairy farmer from 1951 through 1994.
Fritz married Veda Ferne Craig on August 14, 1951 in Smith Center. They had the privilege of celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary in 2011. Two sons Robert LeeRay and Larry Joe Pennington were born to this union.
In summer of 2003 Fritz and Veda Ferne left the farm and moved into an apartment at Western Plains Village in Smith Center.
He was a member of the Smith Center Church of the Nazarene.
Fritz enjoyed breaking horses and having his team of horses in his younger years, later in life he enjoyed the time he spent with friends going to cattle sales and drinking coffee. The biggest joy of his 88 years was his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his parents, and sister Beulah Marie Eller in 1967 and a graddaughter Raquel Jean Pennington in 1992.
Survivors include his wife Veda Ferne of the home, his sons Robert and wife Connie and Larry and wife Marsha of Smith Center; five grandchildren: Robert NickiLee Pennington, Kensington, Emily (Tyler) Blank of Kensington, Phillip (Brittany) Pennington of Smith Center, Kenny Pennington of Smith Center and Clark Pennington of Kensington; great-grandchildren: TyLynn, KensLy and Aadyn Blank of Kensington, Kenzi and Sawyer Pennington of Smith Center and a host of friends.
Celebration of Life service will be held at 2PM Thursday, May 2, 2013 at the Church of the Nazarene in Smith Center with Pastor Matt Lucas officiating.
Burial will follow in the Fairview cemetery in Smith Center.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday from 5PM until 8PM at the mortuary.
The family requests memorial contributions be made to the Church of the Nazarene or Hospice Services of Smith County and can be sent in care of the mortuary.