Archived Marriage Records
Ralph William Pfannenstiel 1924-2003
NESS CITY — Ralph William Pfannenstiel, 78, died July 18 at Via Christi Regional Medical Center, St. Francis Campus in Wichita. He was born Sept. 16, 1924, in Ness City, the son of John and Mathilda Werth Pfannenstiel. He married
Claretta Witthuhn April 15, 1947, at Ness City. A lifetime resident of Ness City, he was owner of Ralph’s Super Market and Mini-Super Mart at Ness City. Pfannenstiel was a member of Sacred Heart Church, Third and Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus, American Legion, Frank Stull Post 152, Ness City School Board, Ness City Recreation Commission and past president of Ness City Chamber of Commerce, all of Ness City, National Grocers Association, Kansas Food Dealers Association and Paul Harris Fellow of Rotary. He was a veteran of U.S. Coast Guard, serving during World War II. Survivors include his wife of the home; three sons, Michael C. Pfannenstiel, Mark J. Pfannenstiel and Monty W. Pfannenstiel, all of Ness City; two daughters, Marcia Pritchett of Hutchinson and Myra Lindeman of Wichita; three brothers, Edwin Pfannenstiel of Wichita, Harry Pfannenstiel of Wakeeney and Victor John Pfannenstiel of Loveland, Colo.; and 11 grandchildren. He was preceded in death by four brothers, Theodore Pfannenstiel, James Pfannenstiel, Alouis Pfannenstiel and Victor Pfannenstiel; and one grandson, Andrew Phillip Prichett. Parish vigil will be at 7 p.m. Monday at the church. Funeral Mass will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at the church, with the Rev. Gregory LeBlanc officiating. Burial with military graveside rites by American Legion Post 152 of Ness City will be at Sacred Heart cemetery in Ness City. Friends may call from noon to 9 p.m. today, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday and from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday, all at Fitzgerald Funeral Home of Ness City. Memorials are suggested to the church, in care of the funeral home. July 19, 2003
Ruth Jane McMillan 1897-2003
STAFFORD — Ruth Jane McMillan, 105, died July 11 at Leisure Homestead in Stafford. She was born Aug. 21, 1897, at Morganville, the daughter of Edward and Ida Hagenmaster. She attended Emporia State Teachers College and graduated from Sterling College in 1960 with a bachelors degree. She married
Forest Dewey McMillan May 29, 1920, at Wichita. He died in 1954. A resident of Stafford, she was a school teacher in Stafford for more than 40 years and a homemaker. Mrs. McMillan was a member of Tri-Sigma Sorority. Survivors include two daughters, JoAn Borland of Dowington, Pa., and Jeanne Slade of Morrison, Colo.; seven grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by two brothers, Ray Hagenmaster and Del Hagenmaster; and two sisters, Marie Sandifer and Gladys Harrison. Funeral will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at First United Methodist Church of Stafford, with the Rev. Kasey Crosby officiating. There will be no visitation. Memorials are suggested to the church, in care of Minnis Chapel of Stafford
Rogene ‘Gene’ Janet Keiswetter 1922-2003
Rogene “Gene” Janet Keiswetter, 80, of Great Bend, died July 16 at Central Kansas Medical Center in Great Bend. She was born Sept. 14, 1922, at Clay County, Neb., the daughter of Leslie and Myrtle Wilson Wakelin. She married
Noble Keiswetter July 24, 1943, at Smith Center. He died Dec. 17, 1994. She had worked as a secretary for Western Power and Gas Co., a predecessor of Aquila. She was a Great Bend resident since 1956, coming from Oklahoma City, Okla., and was a former resident of Alton and Woodston. She grew up in Fairfield, Neb. Mrs. Keiswetter was a member of First Christian Church, Order of the Eastern Star, and did much volunteer work with Great Bend schools and the churches. Survivors include two sons, Allen Keiswetter and wife, Gerda, and their daughters, Sesa and Emma, all of Arlington, Va., and Doug Keiswetter of Great Bend and his daughters, Jenna and Kaitlin, both of La Crosse; and two sisters, Mildred Kahman and Maxine Wells, both of Hastings, Neb. She was preceded in death by two brothers, Robert Wakelin and Bill Wakelin; and one sister, Geraldine Steiger. Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Monday at the church with the Rev. William F. Johnson officiating. Burial will be at Great Bend Cemetery. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 1 to 9 p.m. Sunday, all at Bryant Funeral Home in Great Bend. Memorials are suggested to the church building fund, in care of the funeral home. July 18, 2003
Ethel Elsie Gotsche 1901-2003
RACINE, Wis. — Ethel Elsie Gotsche, 102, died July 16 at Lakeshore Manor in Racine. She was born May 7, 1901, at Platteville, Wis., the daughter of Benjamin and Elsie Ethel Nichols Davis. She married
Irving James Gotsche. He died in 1936. A resident of Racine since 1930, she was a teacher at St. James School for 38 years. Mrs. Gotsche was a member of Christ Congregational Church, Professional Business Woman’s Club, Retired Teachers Association W.R.E.A., and Eastern Star. Survivors include one son, Irving J. Gotsche of Great Bend and his wife Jeanne; one daughter, Karen Gill of Racine and her husband James, of Racine; seven grandchildren, Susan Peterson, Grant Gill, Gretchen Hall, Pamela Gable, Steve Gotsche, Eric Gotsche and Kurt Gotsche; 13 great-grandchildren; and one special cousin, Dorothy Pothour of Plattville. She was preceded in death by a brother, Raymond Davis. Funeral will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Hanson Funeral Home in Racine, with the Rev. Richard Ferrell of Calvary Memorial Church officiating. Entombment will be in West Lawn Memorial Park Crypts in Racine. Friends may call from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to American Kidney Foundation, in care of the funeral home. July 18, 2003
Delma Celia Austermiller 1914-2003
Delma Celia Austermiller, 89, of Great Bend, died July 16 at Larned. She was born March 1, 1914, in Rush County, the daughter of Carl B. and Nettie Charlotte Beechman Christianson. She married
Marion R. Austermiller June 7, 1934, at Hutchinson. He died June 29, 1989. A resident of Great Bend, coming from Hutchinson, she was a homemaker. Mrs. Austermiller was member of First United Methodist Church and Rebekah Lodge, both of Great Bend. Survivors include one son, Carl J. Austermiller of Farmington Hills, Mich.; one sister, Luella Charlotte Brown of Houston, Texas; two grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one brother, L. A. Christianson. Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Bryant Funeral Home in Great Bend, with the Rev. Gary Brooks officiating. Burial will be at Hillcrest cemetery in Great Bend. Friends may call from noon to 9 p.m. today and from 9 a.m to service time Saturday, all at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to Alzheimer’s Association or the church, both in care of the funeral home. July 18, 2003
Dora Kasselman Robison 1911-2003
MARSHALL, Texas — Dora Kasselman Robison, 92, died July 12 at Marshall Regional Medical Center. She was born April 29, 1911, at Ellinwood, the daughter of Gustav and Matilda Liese Kasselman. She married
James Fay Robison Oct. 10, 1934, at Ellinwood. He died March 28, 1989. Survivors include four daughters, Carol Upton of Livingston, Texas, Treva Shay of Opelousas, La., Glenda Owens of Marshall and Susan Salter of Conway, Ark.; one sister, Hilda Chakir of Great Bend; 11 grandchildren; four step-grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one brother, Eddie Kasselman. Services were held July 14 at Sullivan Funeral Home in Marshall. July 17, 2003
Karen M. Bender 1962-2003
SALINA — Karen M. Bender, 41, died July 15 in Salina. She was born March 6, 1962, at Superior, Neb., the daughter of Dick Meitler and Judith Roberds. She married
Doug Bender. She was a homemaker and worked as a concessionaire at Dean Evans Baseball Stadium for three years. Survivors include her husband of the home; five sons, Benjamin McDowell of Denver, Colo., Blake McDowell, Heath McDowell and Dalton Bender, all of Salina, and Tommy McDowell of Ellsworth; three daughters, Danica Bender of Independence, Mo., Laura McDowell and Andrianna Bender, both of Salina; her father of Great Bend; her mother of Wichita; three brothers, Shane Meitler of Pawnee Rock, Troy Meitler of Holyrood and Trevor Meitler of Hutchinson; one sister, Amy Gier of Wichita; and mother-in-law, Mabel Bender of Great Bend. She was preceded in death by her father-in-law, Oscar Bender. Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints in Salina. Burial will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Great Bend City Cemetery. Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday and from 9 a.m to 8 p.m. Friday, all at Ryan Mortuary in Salina. Memorials are suggested to Bender/McDowell Children’s Scholarship Fund or Brown-Mackie Baseball Scholarship Fund, both in care of the funeral home. July 16, 2003
Alice D. Fiedler 1909-2003
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Alice D. Fiedler died July 1 at Bon Secours Maria Manor in St. Petersburg. She was born Sept. 2, 1909, at Schenectady, N.Y., the daughter of Philip and Alice Folderman Doherty. She married
George J. Fiedler July 6, 1929. He died Aug. 18, 1988. A resident of St. Petersburg, coming from Sarasota, Fla., she was executive secretary for the division of plant nutrition at the University of St. Louis in St. Louis, Mo. Mrs. Fiedler was a member of St. Mary Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church in St. Petersburg, St. Petersburg Yacht Club, All Children’s Hospital Foundation, All Children’s Guild, and the President’s Club at Kansas State University. Survivors include nieces. Graveside service will be at 11 a.m. today at Holy Name Catholic cemetery southwest of Bushton, with the Revs. Steven P. Shier and James J. Roth officiating. Memorials are suggested to Holy Name Church cemetery Fund, in care of Kimple Funeral Home in Ellinwood. July 15, 2003
Jeff W. Scott 1981-2003
HOISINGTON — Jeff W. Scott, 21, died July 13 in a car accident north of St. John. He was born Aug. 20, 1981, at Great Bend, the son of Donald J. and Kathryn M. Farmer Scott. A lifetime resident of Hoisington, he worked for Duke Drilling of Great Bend. Survivors include his wife, Bonnie Brungardt of Hoisington; one stepson, Chad A. Brungardt of the home; three stepdaughters, Jessica R. Brungardt, Ashley N. Brungardt and Erica L. Brungardt, all of the home; his mother, Kathryn M. Scott of Hoisington; his father and stepmother, Donald J. and Peggy Scott of Great Bend; one brother, Jeremie J. Scott of Hoisington; one stepbrother, Mark Rehme of Great Bend; one stepsister, Tena Rehme of Great Bend; his grandfather, Herman Farmer of Hoisington; and stepgrandmother, Marlene Bretz of Russell. Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home of Hoisington, with the Rev. Gary Clark officiating. Burial will be at Hoisington Cemetery. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. today and from 9 a.m. until service time Wednesday, all at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to donor’s choice, all in care of the funeral home. July 15, 2003
Shari Lynn Radke 1957-2003
Shari Lynn Radke, 45, of Great Bend, died July 13 at her residence. She was born Dec. 16, 1957, at Great Bend, the daughter of Willis and Virginia Leek Ochs. She married
Jake Radke Dec. 28, 1973, at Hoisington. A longtime resident of Great Bend, coming from Cushing, Okla., and Winfield, she was a data entry processor for Great Bend Manufacturing, CPI Qualified Planned Consultants, Yellow Trucking and St. Francis Academy. Mrs. Radke was a member of Oak Grove Baptist Church of Drumright, Okla., and a life member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary Post 1118 of Cushing. Survivors include her husband of the home; three sons, Chadd Radke and Kristopher Radke, both of Great Bend, and Craig Radke of Gardner; one daughter, Keri Radke Garmer of Thomasville, N.C.; one brother, Frank Ochs of Great Bend; one sister, Sue Ann McAnulla of Cushing; and six grandchildren. Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Bryant Funeral Home in Great Bend, with the Revs. John Grummon and Larry Weatherman Sr. officiating. Burial will be at Hillcrest Memorial Park cemetery north of Great Bend. Friends may call from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home, with the family receiving friends from 6 to 8 p.m. tonight. Memorials are suggested to Golden Belt Home Health and Hospice, in care of the funeral home. July 15, 2003
Myron M. ‘Pete’ Miller 1925-2003
Myron M. “Pete” Miller, 78, of Great Bend, died July 13 at Turo Hospital in New Orleans, La. He was born March 20, 1925, at Fairfax, Okla., the son of A.J. Sr. and Ida L. Albertey Miller. He married
Nyla Jeanne Shauers March 11, 1949, at Ness City. She died April 19, 1999. A resident of Great Bend, coming from Fairfax, he was manager and salesman for Dowell Company, a division of Dowell Chemical Company. Miller was a member of First Presbyterian Church, Masonic Lodge, Isis Shrine Club, American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Petroleum Institute. He was a registered Cherokee Indian. He was a veteran of U.S. Merchant Marines, having served during World War II. Survivors include one son, Ronald J. Miller of Hutchinson; one daughter, Gail Marie Watson of New Orleans; and one grandson. He was preceded in death by three brothers, A.J. Miller Jr., John R. Miller and Morris Miller; and five sisters, Martha Marie Nelson, Zoe Hall, Maxine Palmer, Clelus Williams and Frances Suewayne Anderson. Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at the church, with the Rev. Hal Staats officiating. Burial will be at Great Bend Cemetery. Friends may call from 9 a.m to 9 p.m. Thursday at Bryant Funeral Home and from 9:30 a.m. to service time Friday at the church. Memorials are suggested to the church, in care of the funeral home. July 15, 2003
Alice D. Fiedler 1909-2003
ST. PETERSBURG, FL. - Alice D. Fiedler, died July 1, at Bon Secours Maria Manor in St. Petersburg. She was born Sept. 2, 1909 at Schenectady, N.Y., the daughter of Philip and Alice Folderman Doherty. She married
George J. Fiedler July 6, 1929. He died Aug. 18, 1988. A resident of St. Petersburg coming from Sarasota, Fl., she was executive Secretary for the Division of Plant Nutrition at the University of St. Louis in St. Louis, Mo. Mrs. Fiedler was a member of St. Mary Our lady of Grace Catholic Church in St. Petersburg, St. Petersburg Yacht Club, All Children¹s Hospital Foundation, All Children¹s Guild, and the President¹s Club at Kansas State University. Survivors include nieces. Graveside service will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Holy Name Catholic cemetery southwest of Bushton, with Revs. Steven P. Shier and James J. Roth officiating. There is no visitation listed. Memorials are suggested to Holy Name Church cemetery Fund in care of Kimple Funeral Home in Ellinwood. July 13, 2003
Catherine A. Caraway 1916-2003
Catherine A. Caraway, 86, of Great Bend, died July 9 at Forest Hill Assisted Living Center in Broken Arrow, Okla. She was born Sept. 1, 1916, at Osage County, the daughter of Owen E. and Edith Williams Williams. She received a B.S. and B.A. degree at Kansas State Teacher’s College at Emporia. She married
Jack Caraway Aug. 2, 1942, at Osage County. He died July 25, 1972. A resident of Great Bend for over 50 years, she was a teacher in Howard for two years and with Great Bend USD 428 for 22 years. Mrs. Caraway was a member of First Congregational United Church of Christ of Great Bend, American Association of University Women, a charter member of Barton County Branch, a member of Dota chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, K.N.E.A., N.E.A., Barton County Retired Teachers Association, National Teacher’s Association, Etudion Federated Club, RSVP and St. David’s Society of the State of Kansas. Survivors include two sons, Kent E. Caraway of Tulsa, Okla., and Alan L. Caraway of Cypress, Calif.; one brother, Everett Williams of Lebo; and four granddaughters. She was preceded in death by one brother Preston Williams. Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at the church with the Rev. Diana Coberly officiating. Burial will be at Great Bend Cemetery. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday at Bryant Funeral Home in Great Bend. In lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to the church in care of the funeral home. July 12, 2003
