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Roland Bonjour
Roland Clarence Bonjour, 81, Topeka, died March 30 at his home. He was born Dec. 6, 1934, at Centralia, the son of Melvin Henry and Bessie Bernece (Walters) Bonjour.
He graduated from Fairview High School in 1952, and attended Washburn University. Roland worked in the Santa Fe Railway's general offices for more than 42 years.
He was a member of Northland Christian Church; Orient Lodge No. 51, A.F. & A.M.; Topeka Scottish Rite Bodies (K.C.C.H.); Arab Shriners; Arab Shriners Patrol Unit; and Beulah Chapter No. 34, O.E.S. Roland served as worthy grand patron of the Grand Chapter of Kansas, O.E.S. (1998-99) and as grand treasurer of the Grand Chapter of Kansas, O.E.S.
Roland was married
to Alma "Jo" Keeler on Aug. 18, 1957, in Topeka. She survives.
Surviving in addition to his wife are three children, Lucinda Bonjour of Topeka, Robert Bonjour of Formoso and Sandra Bonjour of Topeka; a sister, Donna Kramer of Centralia; and four grandchildren.
Graveside services were Saturday at Pleasant View cemetery, Montrose. Following graveside services, a visitation was held with family at the Formoso Fire Hall.
Patricia McMurray
Patricia Joan (Clawson) McMurray was born Nov. 19, 1930, to Ray and Beaulah Hutchens Clawson at their home outside of Randall, Kan. She died March 31, 2016, at the age of 84. She was preceded in death by her parents, Ray and Beaulah, Ray and Beaulah's infant children, Delphine and Jack, her brother, Jim, sister, Martha Jean, daughter, Janie, and in 2012, husband, Gerald.
Patty, as she was known, met and married
Gerald McMurray in 1949 and they lived and farmed south of Jewell, Kan. She was employed at the county treasurer's office and helped Gerald at their farm. They spent many happy days there building a community that lasted throughout their lifetimes. They moved to town in 1961 and began a new chapter of life as a family with children with the birth of their daughters, Lori and Janie. Patty was a lifetime member of Order of Eastern Star, Naomi No. 28, and a member of American Legion Auxiliary. She also enjoyed several years of employment as the high school secretary in Jewell.
Gerald and Patty moved their family back to the farm in 1977. She spent her time collecting antiques, still helping around the farm, and from 1983 on enjoying the blessing of having her grandchildren a large part of her life.
Patty is survived by her daughter, Lori, and husband, Steve Howell, Jewell, Kan.; sister, Dawna Green, of Randall, Kan.; sister-in-law, Joy Hake, of Earlville, Ill.; grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Jacob Birdsell and wife, Karissa, and Morgan of Bayfield, Colo.; Sarah Molzahn and husband, James, Addison, Conner and Jenna of Agra, Kan.; Derek Birdsell, Jewell, Kan.; Nicolas Birdsell, Manhattan, Kan.; Ian Bridsell, Jewell, Kan.; and Destin McMurray, Kansas City, Mo.
Visitation was Monday, April 4, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Kleppinger Funeral Home in Jewell, Kan. Services were held Tuesday, April 5, 10:30 a.m. at Jewell Christian Church with internment following at Jewell City cemetery. Memorials may be made to Solomon Valley Hospice.
Claudene Ryden
Claudene June Ryden, 82, died April 3 at The Windsor Health Care Facility in Windsor, Colo. She was born June 30, 1934, in Guide Rock to Lyman Harold Hansen and Janice Anetta Liles Hansen. She was the oldest of four children. Raised on the family farm northeast of Mankato, Claudene's childhood consisted of farm chores, helping her younger siblings get in trouble and learning how not to sew and cook. During high school she participated in band and choir. She became an accomplished piano player which she enjoyed for years.
When Claudene was 18 she was working as a waitress at a hotel coffee shop. She met a tall blue eyed man whom she fell in love with and married
. His name was Darrell Ryden. Claudene and Darrell were married
on July 18, 1952, at the Mankato First Methodist Church. They lived in several towns throughout Kansas until settling in Pratt. On Dec. 20, 1954, their first child, Randal Chris, was born. Then on June 12, 1958, their daughter, Richelle Ann, was born. Shortly after her birth they moved to Brighton, Colo. They lived across from Glen and Mary Reasoner, who became lifelong friends. Claudene stayed at home raising her two young children until an opportunity arose to work at Global Insurance where she started in the underwriting pool. Eventually Claudene became an independent agent after exhausting goals as an underwriter. In 1962 Claudene's young family moved to their dream home in the country where they would reside for 51 years. Claudene became active at the Henderson Congregational Church where she and Darrell were youth leaders for several years. She also served as deaconess, board member, church organist, choir member and served on numerous boards and committees.
Claudene's passion for travel showed in the yearly summer family trips she and her family embarked on. The four would pile into whatever vehicle Darrell had ready and she would do her best version of camp cooking and camping always with a smile. As Darrell and the children would fish Claudene would keep herself busy, sometimes finding things she didn't care for such as leeches after wading in a fresh water lake. Later on she would be able to travel in style in their 5th wheeler and feel right at home. As her children became older Claudene became more active in school activities that required parent sponsors.
Claudene became a member of Lorraine Chapter 52, Order of the Eastern Star. She served as worthy matron and was later appointed as Grand Ruth to the State of Colorado. Claudene was active with the Rainbow Girls Chapter serving as Mother Advisor, mentoring young girls. Her activities in Eastern Star took her to almost every state in the nation as well as Europe and Australia. Claudene treasured her Eastern Star friendships more than most people realized.
Claudene was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Darrell; and grandson, Grant Richards.
She is survived by her son, Randal, of Fort Collins, Colo.; daughter, Mrs. Rick Richards (Shelly) of Overland Park; sister, Mrs. John Schrepfer (Nelda), Green River Wyo; brother, Don Hansen of Wilson; sister, Mrs. E.D. Law (Joni) of Kingston, Okla., and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Her funeral was held Saturday at Henderson Community Church, Henderson, Colo.
Michael Girard
Michael "Mike" Alan Girard, 48, Jenks, Okla., died Monday, March 28, 2016.
Mike was born April 17, 1967, at Hays, Kan. Mike was employed at Oneok, Inc., in Tulsa, Okla., for the past several years. He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Ward and Euna Lundstrom, and his paternal grandparents, Eugene and Laura Girard.
Survivors include his wife, Connie, of Jenks, Okla.; three sons, Aaron, Matthew and Zachary, also of Jenks, Okla.; parents, Larry and Ann Girard, Beloit, Kan.; sister, Jill Posch, and husband, Danny, of Hutchinson, Kan.; nieces, Gabrielle and Grace Posch, Hutchinson, Kan.
Mike's young life was spent in Clyde, Kan., where he attended the Clyde Grade School through the seventh grade. The family moved to Jewell, Kan., in 1980 where he attended the eighth grade through high school, graduating in 1985. His college of choice was Fort Hays State University, majoring in business. His career started with Phillips 66 in Bartlesville, Okla., and moved on to Koch Industries, located in Wichita, Kan.
Growing up, Mike enjoyed hunting, fishing, trapping and going camping. Through his work he was able to travel and see many parts of the world. He made many friends abroad and enjoyed keeping in contact with them. He loved time with his family and loved ones and was very close to his aunts, uncles and many cousins.
His funeral was held at Trinity United Methodist Church in Jewell, Kan., at 10 a.m., on Friday, April 8, 2016, with Pastor Jim Rice officiating. Visitation was Thursday, April 7, at the funeral home from 4 p.m. to 7. p.m., with family receiving friends from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Kleppinger Funeral Home, 409 Broadway, Jewell, Kan., was in charge of the arrangements. Memorials may be made to the Michael Girard Memorial, directly to the American Heart Association, or mailed to Larry and Ann Girard, 320 N. Highland Ave., Beloit, Kan., 67420.
Jack Engel
Jack Engel, 76, brother of Bob Engel, Jewell, died unexpectedly on Saturday at his home in Aliceville, Kan. About three hours later, word was received that Bob's mother, Aileen Engel, 100, died at Life Care Center, Burlington. Although the date has not been set, a dual funeral is being planned in Burlington.
Dean Langley
Dean Langley, 76, was one of three children born July 3, 1939, to David and Evelyn (Buchannon) Langley at Winchester, Kan., and died April 5, 2016, at the Republic County Hospital, Belleville, Kan., surrounded by the members of his family by choice.
Dean was very proud of his truck driving profession. He very much enjoyed the many different semis he drove, but his favorite was the blue, twin stick, single stack, 1961 Mack b61 truck. Dean also spent many years working construction for a few companies. Through his trucking job of hauling cars is how he first met his lifelong friends, Dennis and Marie Basart. This friendship turned into family, a dirt track racing, greyhound racing, hardworking family.
The joys in Dean's life were the grandkids that he called his own. Dean enjoyed watching Rylan, Jalen, Ragen and Reece in their many sporting events and working with Aubrey in their garden. Many hours were spent tending then selling the fruits of their labor of love together. Meal time visits with Riley was a highlight of Dean's day, and a four-wheeler ride after just made it perfect. It was always in good fun to get to tease Ashley and get her to smile, and Dean was a pro at it.
Having raised goats himself, Dean was pleased to get to watch Addie, Reece, Rylan and Jalen show goats at the Stockton Fair. He went so far as to bring his own hay to Stockton for the kids to feed their goats to make sure they made weight. Dean also greatly enjoyed traveling to cattle shows to watch his niece's and nephew's show. It meant so much to him to be able to be there to support them.
Dean took great pleasure in going to the races to watch Justin pursue his passion. He was ever supportive and was always ready to lend his knowledge of mechanics. Kristi and Dean had a special relationship that afforded them the opportunity to let off steam with each other but always end up laughing. Anyone could tell that he greatly enjoyed these moments.
Later in life, being able to help Shawn Newell and Sam Becker farm and drive a semi made him feel young again. Dean also loved traveling to Colorado in the summers to bring back peaches to sell to friends and family. He always had a waiting list, but everyone knew they could count on Dean to deliver.
The last couple of summers Dean and Marie traveled to a few different campsites to relax and enjoy the kids fishing. He got such a kick out of Ragen bow fishing and Justin cooking the daily catch. You would always find Dean's little companion Milo, his (child) Boston Terrier, in the middle of all the activity.
Dean will be greatly missed by the host of morning coffee drinkers at the Co-op and Texaco, friends, his special family, and of course, Milo.
A funeral for Dean L. Langley was April 9, 2016, at 2 p.m., at the Melby Mortuary Chapel, Mankato, Kan., with Pastor Todd Bradrick officiating. Interment was in Mount Hope cemetery, Mankato, Kan. Casketbearers were David Vopat, Forrest Dewey, Neil Becker, Fred Eilert, John Harvey, Jeff Pierce and John Dewey. Honorary casketbearers were Zack Langley, Troy Dewey, Steven Walker, Dakota Walker, David Rohla and Heath Dewey. Melby Mortuary, Mankato, Kan., was in charge of arrangements.
Dollie Kyte
Dollie H. (Howell) Kyte of Silver Springs, Md., was one of 11 children born to James F. and Charity E. (Bales) Howell, Oct. 26, 1915, in Jewell County, Kan., and died Tuesday, March 22, 2016, at Bradenton, Fla., at the age of 100 years, four months and 26 days.
Dollie met Clarence Oliver Kyte, Sr., and they were married
on June 5, 1938, in the famous "Little Brown Church in the Vale," in Nashua, Iowa. To this union they had two children: Clarence Oliver "Ollie," Jr., and Karen Lynn.
She worked as a secretary for Municipal Board of Appeals.
Dollie was preceded in death by her parents; eight brothers; two sisters; husband, Clarence Oliver, on Nov. 26, 2004; daughter, Karen, on July 15, 2014.
She is survived by her son, Clarence Oliver "Ollie" Kyte, Jr., and wife, Dawn, of Bradenton, Fla.; two granddaughters, Candie and Marinia; a grandson, Jamie, and wife, Jennifer; two great-grandsons, Thomas and Robert; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Funerals were held Saturday, April 2, 2016, 1 p.m., at the Collins Funeral Home, Silver Springs, Md., and Saturday, April 9, 2016, at 11 p.m., at the Melby Mortuary Chapel, Mankato, Kan., with Pastor Thaddeus Hinkle officiating. Mrs. Dena Alvarez was pianist and Pastor Hinkle was soloist. Interment was in the Burr Oak cemetery, Burr Oak, Kan. Melby Mortuary, Mankato, Kan, was in charge of local arrangements.
Muriel Gebers
Muriel Gebers, 76, of rural Hebron, the daughter of Orval and Rachel (Coleman) Beavers was born April 21, 1939, at Davenport. She died Friday at Bryan LGH in Lincoln, Neb.
She was a member of St. John Lutheran Church in Byron until it closed. She then joined the Lutheran-Stoddard Church at Stoddard and remained a member until it closed. She joined Peace Lutheran in Deshler in August 1967 and remained a member there until transferring to Abiding Word Lutheran Church in Deshler Dec. 18, 1988. She was an active member of all her churches, belonging to the WMF, altar guild and helping wherever she could.
Muriel worked at the Citizens State Bank in Carleton, for three years prior to her marriage. She then became a full-time wife and mother, helping on the farm, gardening, canning and managing the household.
She was united in marriage to Arnold Gebers on June 11, 1961, at the Brethren Church in Carleton by Pastor Sylvus Flora. This union was blessed with the birth of one son.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Arnold, in 2013; one brother, Harold Beavers; and a sister, Ellen Edwards.
She is survived by her son, Keith, of rural Hebron.
Her funeral was held Tuesday at Abiding Word Lutheran Church in Deshler. Officiant was Pastor Ken Hart. Casketbearers were Brad Firley, Dean Meyer, Larry Seaman, Kevin Wollenberg, Lane Hoops and Kevin Hoops. Burial was in St. John's Lutheran cemetery, rural Byron. Kroll Funeral Home of Deshler, was in charge of arrangements.
Norman Schirmer
The funeral for Norman F. Schirmer, 87, of Fremont will be 11 a.m. Wednesday at Rozanek Funeral Services in Fremont.
He died Monday, Feb. 2, 2004, at Arbor Manor in Fremont.
Schirmer was born Aug. 17, 1916, in Wisner. He left school in 1933 to work on a farm. He helped feed 1,000 head of cattle for Otavia Alberts in Wisner. He lived in Wisner until joining the U.S. Army on Aug. 28, 1942. He fought during World War II in Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes and Central Europe. He received the Rifle Marksman award June 10, 1943, and the Good Conduct Medal before being honorably discharged from Fort Leavenworth, Kan., on Oct. 28, 1945, as an antiaircraft machine gunner. He began working at the Nebraska Ordnance Plant near Mead in 1948 and then worked for several sanitation companies, including Fremont Sanitation.
Survivors include: a daughter, Shirley (Mrs. Matt) Bosco of Surprise, Ariz.; a son, Allan Schirmer of Fremont; a sister, Viona Nelsen of Blair; a stepdaughter, Lois (Mrs. Bob) Langemeier of Fremont; three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by 12 sisters and brothers.
Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. today at the funeral home. Burial will be in Ridge cemetery in Fremont.
A memorial has been established to the Disabled Veterans Administration.
Edwin Mitzelfelt
Edwin E. Mitzelfelt, 97, the son of Minnie and Carl Mitzelfelt, was born May 25, 1918, at East Peoria, Ill. He died last Wednesday at the Heritage Care Center, Red Cloud.
Ed moved with his parents to Webster county as a young boy and received his formal education attending rural school district 81 and the Cowles High School. While attending a movie show on the main street of Cowles, he met the love of his life, Mabel. They were united in marriage on Oct. 11, 1939, at Hastings. Ed went to Illinois to seek work. There he became an electric welder working for R.G. Le Tourneau and J.D. Adams road machinery companies.
In 1941, they returned to a Nebraska farm. They had also lived in Iowa, Illinois and Indiana. After leaving the farm, Ed and Mabel bought the shoe repair business in Red Cloud. They expanded their operation to include a shoe store and a western store with 20 saddles in stock, cowboy boots, shoes and a variety of sportshoes and tack for the entire family. They retired in 1980.
In 1976, Ed and Mabel joined National Campers and Hikers Association and helped organize the Republican Valley Sod Busters Club. They later helped to get the Golden Nuggets started. As they both enjoyed camping, they also belong to the Nebraska Land Tenters. Ed was affectionately known by their camping friends as "Red Sox." In their retirement years, they enjoyed more than 25 years of winter months at Mission, Texas. In his leisure time, Ed enjoyed camping, fishing, dancing, swimming, traveling and visiting with their many friends and neighbors. Ed and Mabel were blessed with 76 years of marriage.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a grandson, Charles Randall Hall; a daughter, Judy Hall; a son, Michael Carl Mitzelfelt; brother, Raymond Mitzelfelt; sister, Bea; and half brothers, Clarence, Carl, John, Fred, Grove, Robert and Albert Ernest.
Survivors include his daughter, Beverly Sellier, Pensacola, Fla.; a son, Jerry Mitzelfelt, Grand Island; and seven grandchildren.
His funeral was held Monday at the Williams Funeral Home in Red Cloud with Pastor Dan Benedict officiating. Interment was in the Red Cloud cemetery.
