Rose Lillian Rortina, 88, of Salina, passed away Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015. She was born June 25, 1927, in Perth Amboy, N.J., to Ralph and Frances (Hamlin) Pierce.
On Feb. 26, 1949, Rose married Joseph Rortina Jr. in Elton, Md. He passed away May 5, 1997.
She was a member of Disabled American Veterans Auxillary (D.A.V.A.), Women’s International Bowling Conference (WIBC) and Emmanuel Foursquare Church. She retired from Tony’s Pizza Service in 1989.
Left to mourn her passing are her children, Joe Rortina, of Yates Center, Alane Jackson and husband David, Debra Rortina, Robert Rortina, all of Salina, and Michael Rortina and wife Phoebe, of Culver; brother, Robert Pierce, and sister, Florence Lynch, both of New Jersey; nine grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; and brothers, Ralph Pierce and William Pierce.
A memorial service will be at a later date.
A private family inurnment will take place in Fort Riley Post Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Emmanuel Foursquare or D.A.V.A., and are in care of Ryan Mortuary, 137 N. Eighth, Salina 67401.
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Anne E. Wright, 97, of Council Grove, Kansas, passed away Sunday, December 13, 2015, at Diversicare of Council Grove. She was born August 28, 1918 to Hermann and Maria (Heckencamp) Oeding. She married Russell Wright on July 19, 1947. He preceded her in death on December 26, 2008. Anne was a member of St. Rose Catholic Church. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, daughter Patricia, 2 brothers and 2 sisters. Anne is survived by a sister Martha Rohlman; 6 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and 18 great-great grandchildren. Interment will be at 10:00am, Wednesday, December 16th, at Calvary Cemetery under the direction of Zeiner Funeral Home, Council Grove.
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NEWTON – Myrtle Loy Busenitz, age 77, passed away December 16, 2015, at Kidron Bethel of North Newton, Kansas, surrounded by the love of her family. She was born October 31, 1938, at Newton, Kansas, the daughter of Milburn and Erma (Klaassen) Harder. On September 16, 1960, she was united in marriage to Eugene M. Busenitz. She was a Registered Nurse, working for 23 years at Axtell Clinic in Newton. She was preceded in death by her husband, Eugene; an infant son, Stanley; and her parents. She is lovingly survived by her daughters, Terry Rickel of Weatherford, Oklahoma; Kathy Penner and husband, Leon of Wichita; and Yvonne Dakwar and husband, Elias of Crowley, Texas; a son, Brent Busenitz of Newton; her siblings: Elwin Harder of Newton; Sharon Harder of Edinburg, Texas; and Rosie Rothhaar of Burlington, Kentucky; 7 grandchildren; and 2 great-grandchildren. Visitation will be held from 5 – 7 p.m., Friday, at Lamb Funeral Home, Whitewater. Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, December 19, 2015, at Grace Community Church, Newton. Committal Service will be held at 9 a.m., Saturday, at Emmaus Cemetery, Whitewater. Memorial Funds have been established for Gideons International or Victory In The Valley in care of Lamb Funeral Home, 120 S Main, Whitewater, KS, 67154.
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MAXINE GREENLEE, 87 died December 14, 2015 at Presbyterian Manor in Clay Center, KS. She was born on November 18, 1928 in Clay County, KS. The daughter of Henry and Martha (McMahan) Dunn.
Maxine was raised in the Idana area. She attended Hebron Grade School and graduated from CCCHS. Maxine taught at Rural Washington School in Clay County and ran the grocery store in Idana for several years. Maxine married John Greenlee on December 5, 1947 and he preceded her in death on February 1, 2006. She worked as a welder for Hutchinson Manufacturing for 11 years and then for Gilmore-Tatge until her retirement. She was a member of Hebron Reformed Presbyterian Church, Idana ANIMAS Club, and was the secretary for the Longford Rural Water District. She is preceded in death by parents, 2 sisters, 1 brother, and 1 great grandchild.
Survivors:
Son: Lynn (Mary) Greenlee, Clay Center, KS
6 Grandchildren and 7 Great Grandchildren Sister: Evelyn Otto, Wakefield, KS
Sister: Irene (Ernest) Sharp, Clay Center, KS
Brother: Jack (Elizabeth) Dunn, Clay Center, KS
Sister: Dorothy Tague, Topeka, KS Brother: Ronald (Dolores) Dunn, Clay Center, KS
Funeral Services will be held on Monday, December 21, 2015 at 1:30PM at the Hebron Reformed Presbyterian Church in Clay Center, KS
Officiating the service will be Rev. Ron Graham
Burial will be in the Hebron Cemetery, Clay County, KS
Visitation will be held on Sunday, December 20, 2015 from 2-5PM at Neill-Schwensen-Rook Funeral Home
Memorials: may be made to Meadowlark Hospice or to the church and can be sent in care of the funeral home.
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Katherine (Keeler) Grimes of Mankato, Kansas, was born to Roy and Margaret (Chilcott) Keeler on July 31, 1918, in rural Jewell County, Kansas, and went to be with the Lord and Savior on December 13, 2015, at the Jewell County Hospital Intermediate Swing Bed, Mankato, Kansas, at the age of 97 years, 4 months, and 12 days.
Katherine grew up in Jewell County with three brothers and two sisters. She graduated from Montrose High School in 1936. Katherine taught school for only one year. She married Gordon C. Grimes on July 31, 1938, at Beloit, Kansas. To this union four children were born – John, Marilyn Sue, Margaret and Robert.
Katherine was a co-owner and co-operator with Cora Carter, of the K &C Café, in Mankato. She enjoyed the customers, and enjoyed conversations and kind hearted jokes.
Katherine was a member of the Harmony United Methodist Church, Montrose Community Club, and Neighborhood Coffee Club. She was also known for a huge smile, which she wore daily from early in the morning to late in the evening.
She was preceded in death by her husband – Gordon on August 29, 2002; her parents – Roy and Margaret Keeler; her sister – Betty Webber; three brothers – Nelson, Don, and Lee Keeler, who was killed in World War II; and grandson – Mark Colson.
Katherine is survived by her children – John and wife, Rella Grimes of Kettle Falls, Washington, Marilyn and husband, LeRoy Eaton of Mankato, Kansas, Margaret and husband Richard Colson of Mankato, Kansas, and Robert and wife, Genny Grimes of Cheney, Washington; sister (only surviving sibling) – Doris Jean Jacobs of Tucson, Arizona; 10 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; 9 great-great-grandchildren; and a host of other relatives, friends, and past customers.
Celebratin of life service for Katherine (Keeler) Grimes will be (was) Thursday, December 17, 2015 at 2:00 p.m., at the Harmony United Methodist Church, Mankato, Kansas, with Pastor Gerry Sharp officiating. Mrs. Pat Grout will be (was) the organist, and soloist Mr. Philip Menhusen will sing (sang) “Amazing Grace” and a duet of “Mansion on a Hill Top” will be sung (was sung) By Mr. Philip Menhusen and Pastor Gerry Sharp. Casket bearers will be (was) Mike Eaton, Zach Eaton, Cody Eaton, Ross Jeffery, Mitch Cosand, and Nick Colson. Visitation will be (was) Wednesday, December 16, 2015, from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Melby Mortuary, Mankato, Kansas. The family suggests memorials to: Harmony United Methodist Church, or the Harmony United Methodist Church Bell Choir for music. Online condolences maybe left at www.melbymortuary.com. Melby Mortuary, Mankato, Kansas was in charge of arrangements.
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Ron K. Kauer, the son of Idan Neal Kauer and Doris Ann (Benyshek) Kauer, was born June 12, 1961 at Belleville, KS, and passed away on Dec. 12, 2015 at Cuba, Kansas at the age of 54 years.
Ron attended kindergarten in Belleville, and then attended school in Brighton, CO, graduating from Brighton High School in 1979. He then attended Colorado Aerotech at Broomfield, CO from July 1979 until October of 1980 when he received his A&P License. Ron was a helicopter mechanic from 1980 until 2014, working for aviation companies in Colorado, Idaho, Alaska, and Mexico.
Ron moved to Cuba, KS in 2012 and had recently worked at Wal-Mart at Concordia, KS.
Ron was united in marriage to Cindy Luchinetti at Juneau, Alaska and three children were born: Tamara, Milan, and Erich. The couple was later divorced.
Ron enjoyed rock climbing and the Camaro cars. He was a member of W.F.L. A., the Republic County Czech Club, and a former Elks Club member.
He was preceded in death by his sister, Janet Kauer in 1974.
Ron is survived by his children, Tamara Kauer of Lewiston, ID, Milan Kauer and Erich Kauer both of Denton, TX; his parents, Idan and Doris Kauer of Cuba, KS, one brother, Randy (Noel) Kauer of Cuba, KS; one niece Samantha Casella of Darien, Connecticut and one nephew, Justin Kauer of Cuba, KS; other relatives, and many friends.
Cremation was selected and memorial services will be held at 10:30 AM Saturday, Dec. 19, 2015 at the Bachelor-Surber Memorial Chapel, Belleville, KS with Pastor Harvey Farnsworth, officiating.
Inurnment will follow at the National Bohemian (Kopsa) Cemetery, rural Cuba, KS
Friends may sign the book from One PM until 8 PM on Friday at the funeral home.
Memorials are suggested to family choice.
Online condolences at www.bachelor-surber.com
Bachelor-Surber Funeral Home, Belleville, KS is in charge of the arrangements.
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Lydia M. Helms, 97, Linn, died Wednesday, December 16, 2015 at the Linn Community Nursing Home.
The family will receive friends Friday, December 18, at the Ward Funeral Home in Linn from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
A Celebration of Life service will be 10 a.m. Saturday, December 19 at the Immanuel Lutheran Church, Linn.
Burial will be in Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery.
Her survivors include sons, Gene Helms, Linn, Roger (Alice) Helms, Palmer; daughter, Anita (Bob) Miller, Sun Lakes, AZ; brother-in-law, Vernon Helms; fifteen grandchildren and thirty-one great grandchildren.
A memorial fund is established in her name and will be designated by the family. Contributions may be sent in care of Ward Funeral Home, PO Box 157, Washington, KS 66968.