Obituaries

Ned A. Leinweber

Ned A. Leinweber

Dec 9, 2020

Ned A. Leinweber, age 75, of Blue Rapids, passed away on Wednesday, December 9, 2020, at Bryan Medical Center East in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Ned was born on July 24, 1945, in Marysville. He was the only child of Ned and Leah V. (Thomas) Leinweber. 

He graduated from Blue Rapids High School in 1964. Shortly after high school he joined the US...

Elaine J.  "Sam" Berger

Elaine J. "Sam" Berger

Dec 8, 2020

Elaine J. “Sam” Berger, age 72, of Barnes, passed away on Tuesday, December 8, 2020, at Brian Medical Center East, in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Elaine was born on October 14, 1948, at old Randolph, to Harold A. and Leona M. (Norman) Blaske. 

She graduated from Linn High School in 1966. 

She married Delvin L. “Del” Berger on December 30, 1972. 

She...

Harlan E. Turk

Harlan E. Turk

Dec 3, 2020

Harlan E. Turk. With his family by his side, the Lord called him home to be with Him on Thursday, December 3, 2020. He was 77 years old.

Harlan was born October 25, 1943 to Ollie and Margaret (Greiveldinger) Turk at their home near Washington, Kansas. 

He attended St. John’s Grade School in Hanover and graduated from Hanover High School...

Myrtle E. Dettmer

Myrtle E. Dettmer

Nov 30, 2020

Myrtle E. Dettmer, age 99, of Waterville, passed away Monday, November 30, 2020, at Community Memorial Health Care in Marysville.

Myrtle was born on April 25, 1921, on the family farm near Bodaville, south of Barnes, to Levi “Lee” and Sophia E. (Boda) Gnagy.

She attended Banner Country School and graduated from Barnes High School in 1939. 

On...

Norma  Hargrave

Norma Hargrave

Nov 28, 2020

Norma May Hargrave, age 90 of Randolph, passed away Saturday, November 28, 2020 at the Blue Valley Senior Living Center in Blue Rapids.

She was born on March 7, 1930 in Manhattan, the daughter of Vernon and Florence (Rice) Pate.

In her early years, she was a member of the United Presbyterian Church on Carnahan Creek and a...

Norma  Haller

Norma Haller

Nov 27, 2020

Norma Jean Haller, age 95 of Manhattan and formerly of Leonardville, died Friday, November 27, 2020 surrounded by loved ones at Select Specialty Hospital in Kansas City.

She was born on June 23, 1925 in Oak Hill, Kansas to Leon and Clara Malcolm.

She attended Clay Center Grade School and graduated from Morganville High School.

On April...

Diane Winkenwader

Diane Winkenwader

Nov 26, 2020

Diane Marie (Dettmer) Winkenwader, age 74, of Blue Rapids, passed away at her home on Thursday, November 26, 2020.

Diane was born in Manhattan, Kansas at St. Mary’s Hospital on August 4, 1946 to Everett Dettmer and Cleo (Johnson) Dettmer. 

She and her older brother, Dr. Dennis (Denny) Dettmer spent the early part of their childhood in Randolph, Kansas. As a...

Shirley  Higgins

Shirley Higgins

Nov 25, 2020

Shirley Jolene Higgins, age 87 of Manhattan, passed away Wednesday, November 25, 2020 at Stormont-Vail Hospital in Topeka.

She was born on August 9, 1933 in Leonardville, the daughter of Paul and Myrtle (Simnitt) Specht.

She was married to W. Duane Higgins on August 26, 1951 at the Riley United Methodist Church. He preceded her in death on...

William G. Gugenhan, III

William G. Gugenhan, III

Nov 25, 2020

William G. Gugenhan, III, age 81, of Randolph, passed away at Blue Valley Senior Living in Blue Rapids on November 25, 2020.

Bill was born July 13, 1939, at Randolph, to Edward W. and Lorna M. (Coltharp) Gugenhan. 

He attended Winkler Country School through the 6th grade, then at Randolph for 7th and 8th grade. His family moved to Marysville where...

Margie  Prichard

Margie Prichard

Nov 24, 2020

Margie Bell Prichard, age 87 of Riley, passed away Tuesday, November 24, 2020 at the Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Manhattan.

She was born on November 5, 1933 in Crockett, Texas, the daughter of Thomas Hadden and Irene (Parsons) Buller.

On October 17, 1970 in Austin, Texas, she married Hal Prichard. He preceded her in death on April...

Katie J. Pierson

Katie J. Pierson

Nov 20, 2020

Katie J. ”Coot” Pierson, age 34, of Manhattan, passed away on Friday, November 20, 2020, at Stormont Vail Hospital in Topeka, after a short illness.

Katie was born November 11, 1986, at Marysville to John R. and Rhonda R. (Swearingen) Pierson.

She graduated from Valley Heights High School in 2005 and from Crum’s Beauty College in 2006. She worked as...

Larry J. Springer

Larry J. Springer

Nov 20, 2020

Larry J. Springer, age 82, of Waterville, passed away on Friday, November 20, 2020, at Cambridge Place in Marysville.

Larry was born on February 27, 1938, in Waterville, to Gerald W. and Ruth M. (Anderson) Springer. 

He graduated from Waterville High School in 1956. Shortly after high school he joined the US Army where he served from 1956 until...

Patricia M. Wallace

Patricia M. Wallace

Nov 16, 2020

Patricia M. Wallace, age 76, of Blue Rapids, passed away on Monday, November 16, 2020, at Blue Valley Senior Living in Blue Rapids.

Pat was born October 17, 1944, at Atchison, to Arthur D. and Ethel M. (Hiles) Clark. 

Her family moved to Portland, Oregon when she was a teenager where she lived most of her life. She graduated from...

Pamela  Willms-Geisler

Pamela Willms-Geisler

Nov 16, 2020

Pamela A. Willms-Geisler, age 60 of Alma, passed away Monday, November 16, 2020 at Stormont-Vail Hospital in Topeka.

She was born on September 1, 1960 in Wichita, the daughter of Arnold John and Marilyn Nadine (Frank) Willms.

On September 5, 1998, she married Thomas Charles Geisler. He survives of the home.

Pam was caregiver to so many...

Nancy  Haldeman

Nancy Haldeman

Nov 12, 2020

Nancy Rae Haldeman, age 68 of Manhattan, passed away Thursday, November 12, 2020 at the Good Shepherd Hospice House.

She was born on July 23, 1952 in Westmoreland, the daughter of Howard and Ena Mae (Maskil) Strifler and graduated from Westmoreland High School.

On April 17, 1971 she married Craig Haldeman. He survives of the home.

Nancy...

Ron  Wichman

Ron Wichman

Nov 8, 2020

Ronald (Ron) Wichman, age 84 of Clay Center, passed away Sunday, November 8, 2020 at the Clay County Medical Center.

He was born on March 13, 1936 in Greenleaf, Kansas, the son of George and Leona (Reed) Wichman.

He graduated from Green High School and played football, proudly wearing the number 60. Following high school graduation, he served...

Donald  Cassel

Donald Cassel

Nov 5, 2020

It is with great memories and heavy hearts we convey the sudden loss of Donald Leo Cassel, 71, of Olsburg, Kansas. Don passed away on Thursday, November 5, 2020, from a heart attack at Stormont Vail Hospital, Topeka, Kansas.

Don was born on December 28, 1948 in East Chicago, Indiana, to Leo and Thelma (Arthur) Cassel.

After his...

Emma Lou Nelson

Emma Lou Nelson

Nov 3, 2020

Emma Lou Nelson, age 98, of Waterville, passed away on Tuesday, November 3, 2020, at Blue Valley Senior Living in Blue Rapids.

Emma Lou was born on August 22, 1922, on her parent’s farm near Bonner Springs, to Earl L. and Elsie S. (Peterson) Malone. 

She graduated from Bonner Springs High School in 1940. 

She met Melvin W. Nelson...

Bernice  Leidig

Bernice Leidig

Nov 3, 2020

Bernice Ann Leidig, age 91 of Clay Center, passed away Tuesday, November 3, 2020 at the Salina Regional Health Center.

She was born on February 28, 1929 in Bala, the daughter of Edward and Letha (Myers) Parry.

She graduated from Riley Rural High School.

On December 11, 1949 in Topeka, she married Warren L. Leidig. He preceded...

Martha J. McGinnis

Martha J. McGinnis

Oct 31, 2020

Martha J. McGinnis, age 71, of Seneca, passed away at St. Francis Medical Center in Topeka, on Saturday, October 31, 2020.

Martha was born September 16, 1949, at Marysville, to Ralph L. and Ester F. (Skillin) Adkins. 

She graduated from Valley Heights High School in 1967.

She worked several years as a Certified Nurses Aide and later for CR Industries...