Donald Lee Renner, age 85 of Manhattan, passed through Heaven’s gates on November 3, 2019 at the Leonardville Nursing Home.

He was born on November 17, 1933 in Riley, the son of Orley and Gladys (Heller) Renner.  He graduated from Leonardville High School in 1951.

He was a member of the Fairview Presbyterian Church, a charter member of Leonardville Lions Club and spent time as a volunteer firefighter in the Leonardville community.  He cared for his parents in their latter years until their passing.

Donald loved his family farm and was a farmer most of his life.  He continued to commute to his farm after moving to Manhattan to live with his wife, Nola Jean Renner, whom he married on May 4, 1996.

He loved sports, being an avid follower of the Kansas State Wildcats, Kansas City Chiefs and Kansas City Royals.  He was also a part of the Wildcat Lanes bowling league for many years.

Donald is survived by his wife, Nola Jean Renner of Manhattan; stepsons, Steven Hosler (Mary) and Paul Hosler; stepdaughters, Tamara Smith (Joseph) and Bridget O’Brate (Gary O’Brate); step grandchildren, Colleen McConnell (Kevin), Jessica Flunder (Phalton), Dalton Smith and Duncan O’Brate; step great grandchildren, Miles McConnell, Marshall McConnell and Phalton Joseph Flunder; sister-in-law, Dolores Renner and nieces and nephews, Rick Renner, Jeanie Baughman, Bob Renner (Desiree) and Elaine Fetters (JP).

He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Gene Renner. Donald also loved his farm dog and longtime companion Toto, who passed away several years ago.

Memorial services will be held at 2:00 p.m. November 14, 2019 at the Fairview Presbyterian Church with Rev. D. Erich Schwartz officiating.  The family will receive friends on November 13, 2019 from 6:30 until 8:00 p.m. at the Anderes-Pfeifley Funeral Home.

Jean Moore Ponte of Manhattan, KS, passed away on October 28, 2019, at the age of 94 of complications from congestive heart failure.

As a young adult, Jean was involved in the theater, performing in a traveling company and summer stock theaters in Connecticut and Long Island, NY. Later she worked as a copywriter at advertising agencies in Chicago and St. Paul.

Jean attended Western Michigan College and graduated from Kansas State University with a Bachelors of Fine Arts. She was an avid artist and writer. She published 4 works of fiction and completed numerous paintings, showing several times in local galleries. She was a longtime member of the Columbia Artist Group.

Jean had a love of nature, particularly water. As both a child and adult, she spent many summers at the family cottage in Mackinaw City, Michigan. She loved walking along the shore, listening to nature and finding interesting pieces of driftwood and fossils that she used as inspiration for her art. Her family shares her love of Mackinaw and the surrounding area and continues to vacation there.

Jean was preceded in death by her parents, Harry and Bessie Moore, her brother John E. Moore, and her husband of 60 years, Joseph Ponte, Jr. She is survived by her children: Wendy Ponte of Minneapolis, MN, Mars de Ponte of Portland, OR, and Malcolm Ponte (Christine) of Springfield, VA. She is also survived by her granddaughter Adelaide Ponte Usdin of Minneapolis, MN.

A service of remembrance will be held at 5:30 p.m., Friday, November 22, 2019 at the Meadowlark Hills Community Center, Manhattan, KS.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Good Shepherd Hospice House or a make a “wish list” item donation to the Manhattan Animal Shelter (https://www.mhkprd.com/DocumentCenter/View/2857/Wish-list-of-needs-) or left in care of Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Ave Manhattan, Kansas 66502

Eulalia Mae “Lala” Ross, 97, of Junction City, KS, passed away on November 1, 2019.

Johnson Funeral Home is assisting family with cremation arrangements.

Private family services are scheduled for a later date.

Memorials are suggested to Accord Hospice: 3246 Kimball Ave., Manhattan, KS 66503.

Lala was born on May 9, 1922, in Junction City, Kansas to Dale and Inez (Whitlaw) Clark. She grew up in Junction City and attended the original Junction City High School located on 6th St. and Adams.

In 1939, Lala married Charles “Mike” Spittles. The union gave forth a daughter, Sinda. The family resided in Junction City. Mike passed away in 1947 leaving Lala and Sinda to survive him.

Lala later remarried Eldred F. Ross on December 31, 1949. Their union brought forth four sons: twin boys Robert and Richard, Dale, and Daniel Ross. They raised the family in Junction City. Eldred passed away January 18, 1991, leaving his family to survive him.

Lala was a very active woman. Though she was predominantly a homemaker, she had worked for a short time on Ft. Riley Army Base during a time of conflict. Lala drove a school bus for the Chapman and Junction City School districts for many years and was a member of the EHU. Her interests were varied. She was an avid reader, especially Westerns. She had a family relation that wrote historical Western books (Harold Ross) who she particularly liked to read. Lala was a talented oil painter. Her works decorate family homes. She admired birds and loved to watch them. Her favorite was the lithe and nimble hummingbird. Lala was an expert bowler and competed in many tournaments. Lala was also an outdoors lady. She enjoyed many Sunday afternoons walking with her children when they were younger, and they collected arrow heads together.

Above all, her family came first in her life. She was a dedicated wife, loving mother, adoring grandmother, and doting great-grandmother.

Lala is survived by her loving family: her daughter, Sinda J. (Gene) McKaig of Junction City, KS; her four sons, Richard F. (Pam Popovich) Ross of Alma, KS, Robert D. (Judy) Ross of Bennington, KS, Dale E. (Darlene) Ross of Junction City, KS, and Daniel L. (Mary) Ross of Junction City, KS; her beloved sister-in-law Lorena Clark-Schad; several grandchildren; many great-grandchildren; and a host of loving family and friends.

She was preceded in death by both her husbands, her parents, and all her siblings: four brothers, Byron Clark, Thomas L. Clark, Delmar D. Clark, Jimmie D. Clark, and one sister, Shirley J. Gieber.

 

 

Donald Lee Renner, age 85 of Manhattan, passed away Sunday, November 3, 2019 at the Leonardville Nursing Home.

He was born on November 17, 1933 in Riley, the son of Orley and Gladys (Heller) Renner.

Memorial services will be held at 2:00 p.m. November 14, 2019 at the Fairview Presbyterian Church with Rev. D. Erich Schwartz officiating.  The family will receive friends on November 13, 2019 from 6:30 until 8:00 p.m. at the Anderes-Pfeifley Funeral Home.  Inurnment will be in the Fairview Cemetery.

Additional obituary information will be announced later by the Anderes-Pfeifley Funeral Home.

Warren Eldon Blodgett, age 81 of Keats, passed away Saturday, November 2, 2019 at the Mitchell County Hospital in Beloit.

He was born on April 4, 1938 in Manhattan, the son of Max Ardean and Grace Irene (Beck) Blodgett.  He graduated from Keats High School.

On September 10, 1961 in Manhattan, he was married to Kaye Jeanne Specht.  She survives of the home.

Warren was a technician for U.S.D.A. and a farmer.  He was a member of the Keats United Methodist Church, Keats Lions Club and a volunteer for the Keats Rural Fire Department.  He loved attending his children and grandchildren’s school and sports activities and enjoyed hunting and fishing.

He is survived by his wife, Kaye Blodgett; one son, Paul Blodgett and wife Michelle of Manhattan; one daughter, Karla Tillberg and husband David of Salina; four grandchildren, Cody Blodgett, Grant Tillberg, Meredith Tillberg and Hannah Blodgett; seven siblings, Sarah Allison and husband Charles, Mary Jo Hageman and husband Eldon, Bruce Blodgett, Peggy Morgan, Anita Glendening, Joan Blakely and husband Frank and Clark Blodgett; three wonderful sister-in-laws and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, November 7, 2019 at the Keats United Methodist Church with Pastor Kevin Larson officiating.  The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. Wednesday at the Anderes-Pfeifley Funeral Home.  Burial will be in the Sedalia Cemetery.

A memorial has been established for the Keats United Methodist Church and Heart of America Chapter – Alzheimer’s Association.  Contributions may be left in care of the Anderes-Pfeifley Funeral Home.

Virginia ‘Ginny’ L. Wells, 78, of Abilene, Kansas went home to be with the Lord on November 2nd, 2019. Virginia was born October 17, 1941 in Slayton, Minnesota to Kenneth and Rose (Gustaf) Christiensen. She was raised in Minnesota and graduated from Tracy High School in Tracy, Minnesota in 1959.
On November 11, 1959, Virginia united in marriage to Roger Wells at the Tracy Lutheran Church in Tracy, Minnesota and moved to Kansas in 1963; residing in Abilene. They later divorced.
Virginia worked as a waitress at Trails Inn, then found her career as a Composing Supervisor for the Abilene Reflector Chronicle, until retiring. She was also an Avon representative and co-owner of the Starting Box. She was a hardworking, dedicated strong woman up until the very end. She also had a love for plants, enjoyed playing Bingo and loved her family very much and always reminded them to take “one day at a time”.
Virginia was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Fraternal Order of Eagles #2934 of Abilene, Kansas then #765 of Salina, Kansas.

Survivors include her children, Jody Gano-Haas and husband Mitchel of Racine, Wisconsin, Julie Talley of Abilene, Randy Wells and wife Tina of Abilene, Kansas, Gina Anguiano of McPherson, Kansas and Derrick Wells and fiancée Bethany Rabitoy of Racine, Wisconsin. Brothers Richard Christiensen of Colorado, Joseph Christiensen and wife Margie of Abilene, Kansas, Philip Christiensen and wife Tina of Pasadena, Maryland, Sisters Julie Baxtor and husband Milton of Graceville, Minnesota, Cheryl Soderlund of Abilene, Kansas and sister-in-law Lorna Christiensen of Abilene, Kansas, Uncles Francis Gustaf and Artie Gustaf and Aunt Margaret West, all from Minnesota. Also survived by sixteen grandchildren, fourteen great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren including many nieces and nephews.
Preceded in death by her parents, brothers Robert Christiensen and Kenneth Christiensen Jr., sister Carol O’Boyle-Shuck, granddaughter Ashleigh Wells and many Aunts and Uncles.

Cremation was chosen. Family will receive friends from 1 pm up until the time of the memorial service which is at 2:30 pm on Saturday, November 9th, 2019 at the Danner Funeral Home with Pastor Lindsey Brummer officiating. Inurnment will follow at Abilene Cemetery. The family suggests memorials be given to Dickinson County Home Health & Hospice, they may be left in care of the Danner Funeral Home 501 N. Buckeye Abilene, Kansas 67410.

Richard Stuart Cowan died on November 2, 2019 at the Memorial Hospital in Abilene, Kansas. He was the fifth child born to Sam and Pearl (Heinz) Cowan on November 22, 1933 in Minneapolis, Kansas. Richard was in the fourth grade when his family moved to Abilene, Kansas and he became proud to call Abilene his home town. He was a lifelong member of the St. John’s Episcopal Church in Abilene. When Richard was in seventh grade he became an usher at the Plaza and Lyric Theaters. Richard learned all the ups and downs and made a career working at the two theaters. He also worked for the Robson Oil Company for many years.

Richard is survived by one sister, Marilyn Douglas of Platte City, Missouri and six nieces and nephews, Linda Fowler, Janice Weiss, Debra Thurston, Steven Douglas, Jeff Douglas, and Frank Watts.

Richard’s family is very appreciative of the Royer Family and all the support they have given to Richard over the years.

Richard chose to be cremated and a memorial service will be held at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Dickinson County and may be sent in care of the Danner Funeral Home, 501 N. Buckeye, Abilene, Kansas 67410.

Funeral services for Dale Louis Wallace, age 95, of Abilene will be 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 6, 2019 at the Martin-Becker-Carlson Funeral Home in Abilene with Reverend Kevin Hazelton officiating. Mr. Wallace passed away Wednesday, October 30, 2019 at the Kenwood View Rehabilitation Center in Salina.

Dale Louis Wallace was born November 25, 1923 in Owosso, Michigan the son of Earl and Leona (Bailey) Wallace. He graduated from Owosso High School and from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois with a degree in horology.

On March 16, 1947 he was united in marriage to Jacqueline Louise Goodell at the First Presbyterian Church in Abilene. They had two children Louelyn and William.

Dale proudly served his country as a staff sergeant in Company G 324th Infantry in the United States Army during WWII.

Dale was a dedicated husband, father grandfather, great grandfather, church leader and was active in the Abilene Community.

He worked alongside his wife in the operating Goodell’s Jewelry Store, the family jewelry store in Abilene.

He is survived by his daughter Louelyn and her husband Ken of Chatham, Illinois, son William and his wife Brenda Wallace of Salina, Kansas; five grandchildren Lance Williams, Alisha Jackson of Chatham, Illinois, and Brett, Brandon, and Brady Wallace of Salina, Kansas, seven great grandchildren Grace and Ava Williams, Gage and Gardner Jackson of Chatham, Illinois, Madison, Hayedon, and Adelyne Wallace of Salina, Kansas, and his special nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his sisters Ruth and Aileen, his brothers Odell and Loren, and his parents.

Dale’s final resting place will be in the Abilene Cemetery with military honors provided by the United State Army Honor Guard. His family will receive friends from 1:00 p.m. – service time on Wednesday at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church in Salina or to the First Baptist in Abilene and may be sent in care of the Martin-Becker-Carlson Funeral Home 414 NW 3rd, Abilene, Kansas 67410.

Dr. William E. Moore, born August 23, 1934, died November 1, 2019. He was 85.

Bill grew up in upstate Nichols, New York on a dairy farm, the eighth of ten children. Always precocious, he graduated high school at 16 and then went to Cornell University, where he completed his DVM (1958). He then earned his doctorate in veterinary pathology at the University of Minnesota (1968), after working in private practice near Boston, MA, and at the Animal Medical Center in NYC.

It was while he was working on his DVM that he met his beloved wife, Phyllis Mayott. They were married on September 20, 1958 and had a loving partnership of almost 55 years until Phyllis’ death on January 9, 2013. Bill’s endearing love and commitment to Phyllis through her experience with Alzheimer’s and continuing after her death was profound.

Bill’s professional achievements included tenureship at Kansas State University Veterinary College, where he helped to start the Clinical Pathology department. He taught clinical pathology for over 30 years until his retirement in December 1997.

Over the course of his life, Bill enjoyed singing with the barbershop quartet and the Manhattan Chamber Choir, as well as with the First Presbyterian Church choir, where he also served as a Deacon for many years. He was an active member of the Manhattan Breakfast Optimist Club for many years, enjoying being part of the team that ran the Tree Lot every year. Bill and Phyllis always enjoyed spending time with their friends and family.

He and Phyllis enjoyed travelling the world, cooking, and spending time with Teri’s family as well as their many friends. He is remembered as a kind and generous man who liked a witty limerick and a tumbler of scotch.

Bill is preceded in death by four of his brothers (Charles, Dave, Bob, & Paul) and two of his sisters (Ellen and Lillian), as well as his parents (Guy Dana Moore & G. Pearl Myers).

He is survived by his siblings Jean (Charles) Warner of Silver Spring, Maryland, Mary White of Candor, New York, and Richard (Helen) Moore of Fairport, New York, his daughter Teri and her husband, Chet Nelsen (Manhattan, KS), and their four adult children, Chris (& Ian Kahn, Portland, OR), Jake (& Emily Nelsen, Boulder, CO), M (Chicago, IL), and Zach (& Heidi Metzler, Portland, OR).

Private Services will be at a later date. Friends may call the funeral home for local Memorial Service information.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Kansas State University Department of Veterinary Medicine or to the Manhattan Breakfast Optimist Club in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, Kansas 66502.

James “Jimmie” Thomas Todd, age 85, of Manhattan, Kansas passed away Friday evening, November 1, 2019, at Good Shepherd Hospice House in Manhattan, Kansas.

Jimmie was born on April 18, 1934, in Versailles, Kentucky. He was the eldest child of James and Bessie Todd and was preceded in death by both of his parents.

On September 14, 1958, he was united in marriage to Nina Musgrove. They enjoyed 61 years of marriage together and shared homes in Kentucky, Tennessee, and Kansas.

He is survived by his wife; daughter: Becky Steelsmith(Curt) of Manhattan; grandson: Bradley Steelsmith(Kali Orrick) of Manhattan; 3 siblings: Roberta Brence(Larry), Roy Todd(Pat), and Deborah Todd(dear friend Angela Clifford) of Kentucky; and many nieces and nephews.

Jimmie enjoyed his work in many different areas beginning at the University of Kentucky as a Vet Tech. From there, he went into the United States Army where he was stationed at Ft. Riley, Kansas. During his time in the Army, he traveled to several different places in the U.S. Once he ended his service in the military, he followed his calling, working with the church as a Minister and Sunday School Teacher in Kentucky and Kansas. While continuing his roles within the church, he began his long career at Kansas State University working for the Division of Facilities. This is where he discovered his passion for operating heavy equipment and supervising a team of fellow employees. He retired after 30 years before returning for an additional 10 years.

Jimmie loved Southern Gospel music and spent many hours together with Nina watching videos of their favorite groups. He enjoyed many hobbies including, collecting belt buckles, knives, coins, and hats, working on construction equipment, figuring out how things worked, and discovering inventive ways of fixing things. A great desire in his life was to make everyone he met smile and laugh. Even until the end, his ornery personality showed as he continued to make those around him smile.

A gathering of friends and family will be held on Friday, November 8, 2019, from 5:30-7:00 pm at Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home at 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, Kansas.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:30 pm on Saturday, November 9, 2019, at Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Good Shepherd Hospice House and Meadowlark Parkinson’s Program (Manhattan, Kansas) or may be left in care of
Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, KS 66502.