Obituaries

Apr 8, 2024

Mary Jane Brunk, 95, of South Hutchinson, died April 8, 2024, at Mennonite Friendship Communities, South Hutchinson. She was born July 6, 1928, in Pratt, KS, to Owen and Ida (Haney) Hurt.

Mary Jane graduated from Inman High School in 1946. For over 60 years, she enjoyed making and selling ceramic sculptures. Mary Jane taught others how...

Apr 8, 2024

Jill Renee (Kauffman) Alpers, 54, of Wichita, transitioned from her earthly home to her heavenly home Monday, April 8, 2024, with her family by her side.  She was born March 15, 1970, in Hutchinson, to Willis Leon and Thelma Faye (Yutzy) Kauffman.

Jill graduated from Kingman High School in 1988, Hesston College in 1990, and Kansas State...

Apr 7, 2024

Erma Lee Rucker, 87, died April 7, 2024, at Hutchinson Regional Medical Center. Erma passed away peacefully surrounded by family. She was born October 31, 1936, in Trousdale, Kansas, to Gilbert and Zelma (DeHaven) O'Neal.

Erma graduated from Hutchinson High School in 1954. She worked as an administrative assistant for a printing company. Erma was a member...

Apr 6, 2024

Linda Ruth Neher, 60, died April 6, 2024, at Sparkling Fountain Homes Senior Care Facility, Overland Park. She was born as Alice Marie Gulling to Gerald Raymond Sr. and Darlene (Hemminger) Gulling on November 15, 1963, in Des Moines, IA. She was adopted by Eldon LaVern and Joanna Marie (Hooge) Boese on April 6, 1965.

Linda earned...

Apr 6, 2024

Fannie Mae Bontrager, 86, of Hutchinson, went home to be with the Lord April 6, 2024, at Pleasant View Home in Inman, KS. She was born October 8, 1937 in Hutchinson, KS to Dick A. and Lizzie (Yutzy) Kaufman.

Fannie Mae grew up on the family farm where she actively helped her parents in all the aspects...

Apr 4, 2024

Bessie Ruth Huxman, 92, of Pretty Prairie, passed away April 4, 2024, at Prairie Sunset Home. She was born June 7, 1931, in Pretty Prairie, to Tobias and Fannie (Graber) Schrag.

Bessie graduated from Pretty Prairie High School in 1949 and was senior class president. She was a homemaker as well as a dairy farmer's wife. Bessie...

Apr 4, 2024

Bobby Joe Burnett, 90, died April 4, 2024, at Hospice House, Hutchinson, KS.  He was born January 10, 1934, in Powell, MO, to Vernon Clell Burnett, Sr. and Audie (Smith) Burnett.

Bobby served in the United States Army as a military policeman from 1956 to 1958.  He was employed as a welder by Farmland Industries Steel Products...

Apr 2, 2024

Larry Neal Sparks, 73, died after a courageous battle with advanced Lewy Body Dementia and health complications at Waldron Place Senior Living in Hutchinson, Kansas. He was born December 16, 1950, in Standardville, Utah to Andrew and Jackie (Jensen) Sparks.

Larry graduated from Granger High School in Granger, Iowa in 1968 and attended Morningside University in Sioux...

Apr 1, 2024

Joyce Darlene Hartman, 86, of rural Nickerson, died April 1, 2024, at her home. She was born April 26, 1937, in Hutchinson, to Darlton and Pauline (Cook) Herren.

Joyce went to school at Salt Creek School and then to Nickerson High School, graduating in 1955. She married her high school sweetheart, Miles Hartman, on November 24, 1955....

Apr 1, 2024

Mark Blakeslee, 69, died in his home on Monday April 1st, 2024 after a valiant fight with cancer.

Born John Marcus Blakeslee on Sunday June 13th, 1954 in the town of Rawlins Wyoming. His childhood was spent playing with his best friend Bruce Hootman. He graduated from Rawlins High School in 1972, forever proud of being an...

Mar 31, 2024

Stacey Larry Haines, a joyful soul whose journey on this earth spanned 65 years, left a mark on the hearts of those he touched before his passing on March 31, 2024. Born on December 1, 1958, in Mesa, AZ, he was the cherished son of Larry Robert Haines and Laverta (Bontrager) Moody.

With a profound passion for...

Mar 31, 2024

Rickie D. Redeker, 74, died March 31, 2024, at his residence in Hutchinson, KS. He was born October 11, 1949, in Red Cloud, NE, to Arnulf C. and Mabel E. (Rickard) Redeker.

Rickie graduated from Red Cloud High School in 1968, and attended Hastings College, Hastings, NE. He served in the United States Navy and the United...

Mar 30, 2024

Ardith May, 79, of South Hutchinson, died March 30, 2024, at Hutchinson Regional Medical Center. She was born August 30, 1944, in Hutchinson, to Bernard and Arlie (Taylor) Hiebert.

Ardith graduated from Nickerson High School in 1962 and attended Hutchinson Community College

She spent many years living in Grand Island, Nebraska, with her husband, Wayne....

Mar 30, 2024

Linda Kay Walden, 76, died March 30, 2024, at Hutchinson Health and Rehab.  She was born January 10, 1948, in Hutchinson, KS, to Albert Ollie Harper and Imogene (Gaddy) Harper.

Linda was a homemaker.  On September 15, 1968, she married Albert Leon Walden, in Hutchinson, KS.  They shared over 55 years of marriage.

Linda is...

Mar 29, 2024

Mary A. Smith, 86, passed away on Good Friday, March 29, 2024, at Hospice House in Hutchinson, KS.  She was born on January 28, 1938, in Omaha, Nebraska to George and Agnes (Foral) Stock.

On September 17, 1960, she married the love of her life, Dale Smith, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Omaha, Nebraska.

...

Mar 28, 2024

Bonnie Lea Byrum, 79, died March 28, 2024, at Thorne Care Center Wesley Towers, Hutchinson, KS.  She was born December 8, 1944, in Denver, CO, to Henry Bechthold and Helen (Lewellen) Bechthold.

Bonnie was a 1962 graduate of Hutchinson High School.  She also graduated from Salt City Business College, Hutchinson, KS.  Bonnie was a member of the...

Mar 27, 2024

Janice Kay McLeavy, 82, passed away March 27, 2024, at St. Anthony's Hospital, Lakewood, Colorado, following a short illness.  She was born April 3, 1941, in Hutchinson, Kansas to John J. and Vida (Thomas) Russell.  She graduated from Hutchinson High School in 1959 and Kansas State University in 1963 with a B.S. in Elementary Education.

Janice married...

Mar 26, 2024

Jo Anne L. "Jodie" Ching, 82, died March 26, 2024, at Thorne Care Center, Hutchinson, Kansas.  She was born September 27, 1941, in Hutchinson, to Richard Lee "Virgil" and Anna Mildred (Black) Landrum. Jodie and her family attended the Church of the Brethren in Hutchinson as children.

Jodie graduated from Hutchinson High School in 1959 and attended...

Mar 25, 2024

Joan Marie Tolar, 81, of Hutchinson, died March 25, 2024, at Hospice House. She was born January 11, 1943, in Hutchinson, to Eldon E. and Leona M. (Newlin) Fast.

Joan graduated from Hutchinson High School in 1961, where she was active in many musicals and Student Council, and from Hutchinson Community College in 1963. She was a...

Mar 23, 2024

Lee Roy Martinez, 60, died March 23, 2024, at his home in Hutchinson. He was born March 9, 1964, to Francisco and Edith Marie (Rowillard) Martinez.

Lee enjoyed cooking, watching crime dramas, and helping people in need. There was nothing he loved more than spending time with his son, they both enjoyed going bowling and fishing together....