Theodore “Ted” Versluys, 90, of Salina, passed away Saturday, June 15, 2015. He was born Jan. 18, 1925, in East Moline, Ill., the son of Theodore Versluys and Elizabeth (De Vos) Versluys.
He started at Schwan’s in Marshall, Minn. as a route salesman. He was promoted to regional manager in Wausau, Wis. He then moved his family to Fond du Lac, Wis. where he worked as regional manager for five years. They then moved to Carroll, Iowa for two years. He was instrumental in Schwan’s purchasing Tony’s in Salina, where he was director of new product development. He worked for 40 years for Schwan’s and then retired.
He enjoyed traveling with his wife throughout the U.S. in their motor home. He loved spending time with his kids, grandkids and great-grandkids. He also enjoyed buying and selling boats and hunting and fishing with family and friends.
On Feb. 5, 1945, he was united in marriage to Mary Kathryn (Katie) Williams in Green Valley, Minn. To this union they had nine children. Katie passed away Jan. 19, 2006, in Salina.
He is survived by his sister, Marjorie (Orville) Hennen, of Marshall, Minn.; and children, Sandy Gullickson, of Salina, Keith (Kathy) Versluys, of Fond du Lac, Wis., Jim (Gaylene) Versluys, Beth Breault, and Mary (Steve) Snyder, all of Salina, John (Jill) Versluys, of Olathe, Ted (Christine) Versluys, of Topeka, and Karen (David) Roesner, of Salina; 23 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by wife, Katie; son, Mark; grandson, Benjamin Breault; and son-in-laws, Gary Gullickson and Tim Breault.
Visitation will be held from 4-8 p.m. Thursday, June 18, with vigil at 7 p.m. at Ryan Mortuary.
Funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, June 19, at St. Elizabeth’s Catholic Church, Salina.
Family suggest memorials be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital or Salina Rescue Mission. Suggested flowers through his granddaughter, Quinn at Lauren Quinn’s Flower Boutique, Salina (785)502-5120.
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Delmer L. Ayre, 85, of Salina, passed away Sunday, June 14, 2015. He was born Jan. 18, 1930 to Leroy and Ada (Mittan) Ayre.
Delmer served in the U.S. Navy as journeyman electrician for four years on the USS Bexar. On Oct. 19, 1958, he married Florine Friedli. He worked as an electrician on construction jobs through the IBEW Local # 661. He farmed part time and enjoyed wood working, dancing with the Jolly Mixers and the Polka Club, gardening and fishing.
He is survived by his wife, Florine Ayre; daughter, Diane Ayre, of Kauai, Hawaii; son, Terry Ayre, of Littleton, Colo.; granddaughter, Kristine (Benjamin) Galenzoski, of Rexburg, Idaho; great-grandson, Owen Galenzoski, of Rexburg; and sister, Velma Greep, of Enterprise.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Leroy and Ada (Mittan) Ayre; sisters, Leola Berger, Hazel Helbach and Hilda Kobetich; and brother, Ronald Ayre.
Visitation will be held from noon until 8 p.m. Wednesday, June 17, with family receiving friends from 6-7 p.m. at Ryan Mortuary.
The funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, June 18, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Salina, followed by internment at Gypsum Hill Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the VFW Post 1432 in care of Ryan Mortuary, 137 N. Eighth, Salina, 67401.