SMITH CENTER – Vern E. (Buster) Shanley, age 87, passed away on Sunday, September 16, 2012 at Smith County Long Term Care in Smith Center, KS.
Arrangements are pending.
The family requests in lieu of flowers memorials to be given to Smith County Long Term Care and can be sent in care of the mortuary.
SMITH CENTER - Carolyn Kay (Culbertson) Hess, age 65, passed away on Monday September 17, 2012 at the Smith County Memorial Hospital in Smith Center, KS. Carolyn was born the daughter of Elmer and Lois (Jetter) Culbertson on July 7, 1947, in Audobon, Iowa.
Carolyn attended country school in Sac County, Iowa, and graduated from Sac City High School, in Sac City, Iowa in May 1965. Carolyn attended nursing school at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City, Iowa. She graduated with her Nursing degree in May of 1968.
Carolyn met Gaylen Hess in Laurens, Iowa where their father’s worked together at Meffords. Carolyn and Gaylen were married in Laurens, Iowa on August 31, 1968. They moved to a farm in rural Havelock. Carolyn was employed as a registered nurse, director of nursing and administrator at the Pocahontas Community Hospital from 1968-1995. Carolyn earned her master’s degree from University of Minnesota in Hospital Administration. Carolyn enjoyed working in small hospitals and communities. If she saw an opportunity to help a hospital grow, she would take on that challenge. Carolyn worked as a hospital administrator in Onawa and Hamburg, Iowa; and, finally Smith Center, Kansas.
Carolyn and Gaylen had two children: Stephanie and Christopher. They have three grandchildren: MacKenzie Struve (12), Parker Struve (8), and Paige Hess (7).
Carolyn enjoyed working with the doctors, nurses, and staff at each hospital. She helped start the Hospice in Pocahontas, Iowa.
Carolyn enjoyed being with her family, Kansas State football, gardening, and reading.
Carolyn is survived by her husband, Gaylen Hess (Smith Center); daughter, Stephanie Hess (Derby); son, Christopher Hess (Osaka, Japan); daughter-in-law, Kristin Hess; her three grandchildren; her mother Lois (Jetter) Culbertson; her sister Cathy (Jerry) Williams; brothers: Lonnie (Jeannie) Culbertson, Gene (Marybeth) Culbertson and Kenneth Jetter; sister-in-law Sandra Hess; as well as several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her father Elmer Culbertson; brother, Jack Culbertson; mother-in-law, Dora Hess; father-in-law, Gordon Hess; and sister-in-law Lonna Hess.
Celebration of Life services will be held at 4:00PM Saturday September 22, 2012 at the United Methodist Church in Smith Center, KS with Pastor Laura Fricker officiating.
There will be a visitation from 3PM until 8PM on Friday evening.
Carolyn and her family were supporters of the Smith County Hospital. The family requests that memorials be sent in lieu of flowers. The memorials can be made to the Smith County Hospital Employees Fundraiser or Hospice Services of Smith County and can be sent in care of the mortuary.
SMITH CENTER- David LeRoy Walker, age 61, passed away Monday September 24, 2012 at his home in Smith Center. Mr. Walker was born December 16, 1950 in La Junta, CO to Ivan and Georgene (Thrasher) Walker. He was a mechanic.
Mr. Walker was preceded in death by his parents and brothers Dallas and Danny.
Survivors include his wife Patricia of Smith Center, KS; son Wayne Walker (Billie Jo) of Smith Center, KS; daughters Cheri Hrabe (Chris) of Smith Center, KS, Jody Walker of Lafayette, CO and Loretta Walker of Madisonville, TN; brothers Roger Walker, Darrell Walker, Clifford Walker, William Walker and Jason Stevens; sisters Janet Peck and Diane Cline and 7 grandchildren.
Visitation will be from 9:00 AM until service time Friday at the mortuary.
Funeral Services will be at 2:00 PM Friday, September 28, 2012 at the Simmons-Rentschler Mortuary.
Cremation will follow the service.
In lieu of flowers the family requests Memorial Contributions be given to the David Walker Memorial Fund and can be sent in care of the mortuary.
Adam thank you so much for a job so well done helping us prepare our Dad’s memorial service. I had’t realized how you had picked up on the fact that we wanted to honor him as a WW II veteran until I saw the family video that you had prepared. You just seemed to be a part of the family as we were preparing for the service seeing to every little detail. Also may you know that when you could’nt be there beside us David picked right up with the same compassion and professionalism. Thank you again for all that you did.
Barb, Dale, Rick and families
SMITH CENTER- Barbara Jean Schlatter, age 69, passed away October 16, 2012 at the Smith County Memorial Hospital in Smith Center, KS. She was born April 9, 1943 in Lebanon, KS to Clarence and Julia Allen.
She was preceded in death by her father Clarence Allen.
Survivors include her husband Ernie of the home; son Walter (Kim) of Higginsville, MO; daughter Shelia (Dwayne) Lorence of Esbon, KS; mother Julia Allen of Lebanon, KS; brothers Roger (Janice) Allen of Lebanon, KS, Gayle (Lois) Allen of Minneapolis, KS; sister Velma (Ernie) Befort of Clay Center, KS and 4 grandchildren.
Visitation will be from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM Friday October, 19, 2012 at the Simmons-Rentschler Mortuary in Smith Center, KS.
Funeral services will be at 2:00 PM Saturday, October 20, 2012 at the Lebanon Christian Church in Lebanon, KS with Wilmer Severns officiating.
The family requests memorial contributions be given to Barbara Schlatter memorial fund for Lebanon Community and can be sent in care of the mortuary.
SMITH CENTER – Mary Burgess-Scott, age 92, passed away on Wednesday October 17, 2012 at the Sunset Home in Concordia, KS.
Arrangements are pending.
SMITH CENTER – Dean Schlatter, age 69, passed away Saturday October 20, 2012 at Deseret Health & Rehab Center in Smith Center.
Arrangements are pending.
SMITH CENTER – Richard McCoy, age 80, passed away on Monday October 22, 2012 at Deseret Nursing & Rehab Center in Smith Center, KS.
Arrangements are pending.
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SMITH CENTER- James “Jim” W. Higby, age 94, entered his eternal rest with his family at his side on Monday, October 29, 2012 at his home in Smith Center, KS.
Arrangements are pending.
SMITH CENTER – Elmore Keith Cochran, age 83, passed away on Friday, November 2, 2012 at Deseret Nursing and Rehab Center in Smith Center, KS. He was a retired parole officer.
Survivors include his daughter, Nancy Cochran of Smith Center; 3 sons, Thomas (Mary) Cochran of Garden City, Joseph Cochran of Rumney, NH and Caleb Cochran of Smith Center; a brother, Billie (Frances) Cochran of Norton; a sister Gladys (Babe) Pletcher of Portis; 2 sisters in laws, Marvel Cochran of Topeka and Opal Cochran of Nebraska, many nieces and nephews.
Celebration of life services will be held at 1:30PM on Monday November 12, 2012 at the United Methodist Church with Pastor Laura Fricker presiding.
The family will have a private inurnment at a later date.
The family requests memorial contributions be made to the Keith Cochran memorial fund and can be sent in care of the mortuary.
SMITH CENTER– Alene L. Jacobs, born on a farm north of Gaylord on November 21, 1923, was the second child of Adolph and Anna Frieling. She was baptized and confirmed at Christ Lutheran Church, Gaylord, Kansas.
She attended grade school at Beaver Valley School near Gaylord.
Alene Frieling married Walter Jacobs on November 5, 1944, at Christ Lutheran Church. District President Johannes Lehmann performed the ceremony. This union was blessed with four children, Kenneth, Carolyn, Mary, and Dean. Walt and Alene celebrated 50 years of marriage in November 1994.
After Walt completed his military service, Walt and Alene made their home on the Jacobs family farm near Gaylord. As a farm wife, Alene enjoyed gardening, raising chickens, lawn mowing, sewing, baking pies and other goodies, and helping her daughters with 4-H projects. She was active in EHU, church choir, Country Circle, and Vacation Bible School, and Walt and Alene loved square dancing.
In 1981, Walt and Alene moved to a new home in Smith Center, where she resided for 27 years. During this time, Alene enjoyed quilting, ceramics, and painting. She moved to Independent Living in Smith Center in August 2008 and lived there until November 16, 2012.
Alene was preceded in death by her parents, Adolph and Anna Frieling, her husband Walter, her son Dean, her son-in-law Gale Cook, and brother-in-law Robert Horning. She is survived by her children Kenneth and Carol Jacobs of Gaylord, Kansas, Carolyn Cook of Salina, Kansas, and Mary and Davin Anderson of Centennial, Colorado; her grandchildren John and Amy Terrill of Smith Center, Kansas, Jay and Michelle Terrill of Manhattan, Kansas, Michael and Rachel Jacobs of Quinter, Kansas, Jennifer Cook of Salina, Kansas, Jonathan Anderson and fiancé Rhianne Scott of Murray, Utah, Kristin and Paul Johnson of Blue Earth, Minnesota; great-grandchildren Trenton and Kale Terrill of Smith Center, Kansas, Raegan and Addisyn Terrill of Manhattan, Kansas, Kaylyn, Caden and Kristopher Jacobs of Quinter, Kansas; sister Hilda Horning of Hutchinson, Kansas; brother Gilbert Frieling and wife Karen of Gaylord, Kansas; brother-in-law Irwin Jacobs and sisters-in-law Edna Jacobs, Dolores Jacobs, Betty Jacobs, Ruth Kirchhoff, Lucy Jacobs; many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
We are very thankful to have had a loving, caring, thoughtful mother who instilled a strong Christian faith in us. Mom always looked forward to family gatherings, especially Christmas and was excited to give each family member her gift of ceramics. Mom thought the world of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and treasured her wall of family pictures in her home.
Love you Mom,
Ken, Carolyn, Mary
Celebration of life services will be held at 2:00PM, Tuesday November 20, 2012 at the American Lutheran Church in Smith Center with Jim Germer PMA officiating.
Burial will follow in the Gaylord Cemetery.
Visitation will be held from 5PM until 8PM Monday, November 19, 2012 at the mortuary.
The family requests memorial contributions be made to the American Lutheran Church or Independent Living and can be sent in care of the mortuary.
S
MITH CENTER - Ruth May Pletcher Schlatter, age 102, passed away Nov. 20, 2012 at the Smith County Long Term Care in Smith Center, KS. Ruth was born November 14, 1910 in Crystal Plains Township, Bellaire, Kansas to William “Bill” and Emma (Barcus) Pletcher. Ruth was the third born of the ten children. After completing her elementary education at Crystal Plains country school, she attended two years of high school at Portis, Kansas. She graduated from Smith Center High School in 1931 with a normal Training Teachers Certificate. Ruth taught the rural schools of: Chalkmound, Red School (Buck Creek), Barefoot Nation and Harmony. She attended college classes at Ft. Hays during the summer of 1935 and continued teaching until the spring of 1937.
On May 9, 1937 Ruth was married to Albert Schlatter, Bellaire, Kansas. They moved to a farm Albert had purchased close to his parents in Webster Township. Ruth was involved in vegetable gardening, raising lots of chickens and milking cows during this time. They became parents of three children, James Arthur, Ernest Albert and Sharlyn Faye. While residing in Portis, Ruth was baptized on March 31, 1929 at the First Brethern Church, Portis, Kansas. After the death of Albert in 1957, Ruth transferred her church membership to Oak Creek Christian Church, Lebanon, Kansas.
Ruth enjoyed teaching the youth and later the adult Sunday School Class for many years. Ruth was also the church treasurer and deaconess for many years. Ruth was a charter member of the “Over 60” in Lebanon and an active member of the Stuart Ladies Aid Bible Study group where she held offices in both organizations until her health failed. Ruth continued to live on the family farm until the marriage of her oldest son Jim in 1969. After a short stay in Lebanon, she purchased a farm near the Oak Creek Church on highway 181 and moved there in the spring of 1971.
In October of 1995, Ruth suffered a stroke leaving her with hearing impairment and difficulty in caring for herself. Ruth spent several months in Heritage Harbor nursing facility, Smith Center, Kansas before making her home with her daughter Sharlyn Long in June of 1996. During this time, she spent many hours reading daily and weekly newspapers and taking her daily walks when the weather permitted. Ruth had an inquisitive mind and regularly researched locations on the globe and word meanings in the dictionary as well as her Bible.
Some of Ruth’s greatest enjoyments were watching and advising her 7 grandchildren while they grew up. She especially enjoyed any of the great grandchildren when they came to visit. In March, 2010, she entered Long Term Care, Smith Center, Kansas, where she remained a resident until her death.
Ruth was preceded in death by her husband Albert, her parents William and Emma (Barcus) Pletcher; brothers Marvin, Miles, Lloyd, Blaine and Bill; sister Faye Overmiller; son-in-law Warren Long; daughter-in-law Barbara Schlatter and great grand-daughter Sarah Grace Schlatter.
Those mourning her loss are sister Roma (Jr.) Caldwell of Portis, KS; brothers Paul (Ginger) Pletcher of Smith Center, KS and A.L. (Gladys) Pletcher of Portis, KS; her sons Jim (Marianne) Schlatter and Ernest Schlatter and daughter Sharlyn Long all of Lebanon, KS; grandchildren Terry (Katrina) Long; Larry (Ann) Long of Downs, KS; Walter (Kim) Schlatter of Higginsville, MO; Sheila (Dwayne) Lorence of Esbon, KS; Marion (Melanie) Schlatter of Lebanon, KS; Marvin (Heather) Schlatter of Hutchinson, KS; Mark (Karla) Schlatter of Salina, KS; great grandchildren, Dustin, Clinton and Dylan Schlatter; Ashley Lorence; Jacob, Ayden, Ashlyn Long; Caroline Long; Piper, Willow, Tucker and Meadow Schlatter; Benjamin, Erik, Caleb and Matthias Schlatter; Abigail, Nathan, Jonathan and Ethan Schlatter; nieces and nephews and many other relatives and friends.
Visitation will be from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM Friday, November 23, 2012 at the mortuary.
Funeral services will be at 10:30 AM on Saturday, November 24, 2012 at the Lebanon Christian Church in Lebanon, KS.
Burial will follow in the North Oak Creek Cemetery, Rural Lebanon, KS.
In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial contributions be given to the Over 60 Club, Lebanon Christian Church or the Oak Creek Christian Church and can be sent in care of the mortuary.
SMITH CENTER – Violet Marie Evans, age 76, passed away on Wednesday, November 21, 2012 at the Smith County Memorial Hospital in Smith Center, KS.
Arrangements are pending.
SMITH CENTER – Robert “Doc” Sheppard, age 91, passed away on Saturday, November 24, 2012 at Smith County Long Term Care in Smith Center, KS.
Arrangements are pending with the Simmons-Rentschler Mortuary of Smith Center, KS.
SMITH CENTER - Pauline (Mann) Ralston, born on the family farm southeast of Kensington on March 26, 1915, was the second child and only daughter of Gustave and Alice (Detwiler) Mann. She died November 29, 2012, having lived more than 97 years.
She attended grade school at Cedar Ridge Country School a mile northwest of the farm. She had to quit school during her sophomore year to take care of her dad and brothers after her mother died.
Pauline married Edwin Ralston on September 6, 1936 at St. John Lutheran Church of Kensington. Rev. E. A. Stein performed the ceremony. He also baptized and confirmed both Pauline and Edwin on December 31, 1939. This union was blessed by the birth of daughter Sharon in 1941. They continued to live on the Mann family farm until moving to Smith Center in 1976.
Pauline spent many hours on the farm sewing and doing embroidery and was a very talented seamstress. She would often sew from dawn to dusk. She would sew Sharon’s clothing while Sharon did the housework and helped her father outdoors. When Pauline was not sewing she was tending her large garden and fruit trees. She also spent many hours cleaning the fish and wildlife that her husband and grandsons came home with, along with the chickens that they raised. After moving to town she was active in a women’s exercise group and the 60 Plus Club. She learned to drive at age 60.
Pauline and Edwin were privileged to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary in September, 1986.
Pauline’s health began to fail in September, 2012. After a short stay at the hospital she moved to Deseret Nursing Home, where she lived until her death.
Pauline was preceded in death by her parents Gustave and Alice Mann, her husband Edwin in 1988, her brothers Louis and Willis, and her sisters-in-law Pearl Wangerin, Juanita Hinshaw, Esther Mann, and Melda Mann. She is survived by her daughter Sharon Meyer and husband Gilbert, grandchildren Jeffrey (Dawn) Meyer, Jerron (Carol) Meyer, and Jennifer (Gary) Headrick. Also surviving are seven great grandchildren: Matthew (friend Jasmine), Christopher (fiancé Kiley), Jayden, Addison, Jessica, Jarek, and Alexis; one great, great grandchild, Hayden, sister-in-law Lee Ann Rittgers, plus many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Celebration of life services will be held at 2PM, Monday December 3, 2012 at the St. John Lutheran Church in Kensington, KS with Pastor Lorna Paulus officiating.
Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
Visitation will be held Sunday from 5PM until 8PM December 2, 2012 at Simmons-Rentschler Mortuary in Smith Center, KS.
The family requests memorial contributions be made to the St. John Lutheran Church and can be sent in care of the mortuary.
SMITH CENTER – Patricia Jones, age 81, passed away on Sunday December 2, 2012 at Deseret Health and Rehab Center in Smith Center, KS.
Arrangements are pending.
SALINA – Iva Kline, age 95, passed away on Thursday December 27, 2012 at Kenwood View Nursing Home in Salina, KS. Iva Irene (Conaway) Kline was born on the family farm north of Athol, Ks. on May 18, 1917. She was the second child of Fay and Eva (Panter) Conaway. She grew up in the Athol community and attended the Pleasant View/Myers School.
On July 27, 1933 she married Ed Scheuermann and this union brought a son Larry. Ed and Iva worked together in their farming and combining business, later they divorced.
Iva and son Larry moved to Smith Center where Iva sought various types of work. Sometime later she met Bernard Kline of Smith Center and they married on November 20th, 1954. This union brought a son Chris. Iva joined her husband working many seasonal hours in their greenhouse. Later, Bernard and Iva sold their greenhouse and Iva began working in the local bakery. She soon after she became the owner of the bakery. She was an excellent cook. She operated her successful bakery and sandwich shop for many years on the east side of Smith Centers’ main street.
After retiring Iva helped her son Chris and family in their Smith Center businesses. She worked in Chris’ greenhouses and also helped Lisa in her floral shop.
In 2002 she moved with Chris, Lisa and Nicholas to Salina, Ks. She moved to Kenwood View Nursing Home Salina, Ks. in 2010 due to declining health.
She is survived by her son Chris and daughter-in-law Lisa Kline of Salina, Ks. and Grandson, Nicholas Kline of Philadelphia, PA; Daughter-in-law Wanda Scheuermann; Grandsons Kevin and Kelly Scheuermann and a host of great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren; nephew Randy Kline and wife Joan and their families; Sister’s-in-laws Leona Conaway and Norma Conaway of Smith Center and their families.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Fay and Eva Conaway, husband Bernard Kline, Sister Mrs. Robert (Mildred) Hudson, brothers’ “Bud” and Lawrence Conaway, Son Larry Scheuermann and grandsons Conklin and Kalen Scheuermann.
Celebration of life services will be held at 1:30PM on Monday December 31, 2012 at the Simmons-Rentschler Mortuary with Pastor Dennis Lambert officiating.
Burial will follow in the Fairview cemetery in Smith Center.
Visitation will be held one hour prior to the funeral at the mortuary.
The family has requested memorial contributions be made to the Iva Kline Memorial Fund and can be sent in care of the mortuary
Mazelle L. Chandler passed away Sunday, December 30, 2012 at the Swedish Hospital in Englewood, CO.
Funeral arrangements are pending.