Lifelong Ottawa County resident, WWII veteran, Minneapolis-area farmer and businessman, Lowell “Toots” Tasker left his earthly home on January 21, 2016. While he would have preferred to pass away while on the job or driving a tractor, he passed away at the Ottawa County Health Center at the age of 91.
He is survived by his wife Mary Ann Tasker, his two sons Tim and Jim Tasker of Minneapolis, and his daughter Sue Schnittker of Brentwood, California. He will also be missed by Mary Ann’s family, Vickie and Richard Coffman, Rusty and Betty Gibson, and Monica and Nathan Hamilton; Tim and Jim’s wives, Bonnie and Martha; son-in-law Dr. Duane Schnittker; two granddaughters Sarah Serrin and Theresa Rhoades, their spouses, and four great-grandchildren – Addison and Janson Serrin and Greyson and Dawson Rhoades; and one nephew Jerry Tasker. He was preceded in death by his parents, Russell and Zella Tasker; his first wife of thirty years, Dorothy Wing Tasker; his brother and sister-in-law, Dale and Glenola Tasker; nephew Larry Tasker; and niece Sheryl Tasker.
Lowell’s middle name was “work,” which he did from an early age until his 91st year. He grew up driving trucks to Kansas City by the time he was 14, self-taught himself the construction business, and adapted to the changing times, as he expanded his construction company to do manufacturing construction and warranty work for ElDorado and then to undergrounding cable and waterlines as demands changed. He has left Tasker Construction and the family farm in the capable hands of his sons, but until the very end he enjoyed his days at the farm, in the office, or on the job.
Lowell was a humble, honest, and hardworking man. He has asked that there be no funeral service, but rather that you remember him in his signature work clothes with his silver white hair and a spring in his step as he went about his work.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Hall Cemetery and left in care of Wilson Family Funeral Home, P.O. Box 166, Minneapolis, KS 67467.
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Velma Arlene Jones, of Herington, died Thursday, January 21st, 2016, at the Legacy of Herington. She was born on August 10, 1921, at rural Woodbine, KS, the daughter of William and Adelia (Beckel) Obermeyer.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 am Saturday, January 30th, 2016, at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Herington, with Pastor Bill Peterson, officiating. The family will receive friends from 7pm to 8:30pm Friday, January 29th, 2016, at the Zeiner Funeral Home, Herington Chapel.
Mrs. Jones owned and operated a grocery store in White City called Velma’s Shop from 1960 until the early seventies. She belonged for fifty-nine years to the EHU Extension of White City. She was a member of the Christmas Club, Progressive Club and several hobby clubs. She loved gardening, quilting, and copper prints. She was known for her custom sewing. She was a member of the United Methodist Church of Herington. She graduated from Herington High School with the class of 1939.
She married Melvin J. Jones in Herington, on Nov. 21, 1940; he preceded in death on Aug. 8, 1993. She is the last of eight children and is preceded in death by four brothers Wenston, Marvin, Delbert, and Glen Obermeyer, 3 sisters Cecile Waylan, Iva Ettridge, Rosella Obermeyer, a step-grandson Tim Sharp, and her parents.
She is survived by four (4) sons: Jim and his wife Margie of Herington, Allen and his wife Vicki of Lafayette, LA, Terry of Topeka, Tracy and his wife Michelle of White City, 15 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.
Memorials to the Herington Hospital Foundation; and may be sent in care of the Zeiner Funeral Home-Herington Chapel, 404 S. Broadway, Herington, KS, 67449-3038.
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Fred Vondra, 92, passed away Friday, January 22, 2016 in Ellsworth, KS. He was born, June 16, 1923 in Ellsworth County to Frank G. and Mary Elizabeth (Svara) Vondra.
A lifetime resident of Ellsworth County, Fred was a farmer and rancher, manager and co-owner of Ellsworth Truck and Tractor, 50 plus year member of the Ellsworth American Legion, Post 174, a member of Ellsworth VFW, Post 6485, and former President of Ellsworth County Farm Bureau Association. He also served his country during WWII in the US Navy.
Fred is survived by his brother, Charlie Vondra of Ellsworth, many nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, great great nieces and nephews, and a host of good friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Frank Vondra.
Visitation: 1-8 p.m., Sunday, January 24, 2016 at Parsons Funeral Home, Ellsworth with family present, 6-8 p.m.
Funeral service: 10:00 a.m., Monday, January 25, 2016 at First United Methodist Church, Ellsworth with burial following in Ellsworth Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church, Ellsworth, or the Ellsworth Senior Center, c/o, Parsons Funeral Home, PO Box 45, Ellsworth, KS 67439.