Ness County, Kansas Obituaries

If you have obituaries for Ness county we would love to post them on our obituaries pages - you may use our obituary form or email me direct, Don Tharp - detict@cox.net. Also, please email me with any corrections you might have.

MRS. MARY L. MC COY

NESS CITY - Mary Lois McCoy, 97, died Oct. 5, 2007, at the Ness County Long Term Care.

She was born Aug. 15, 1910, in Nonchalanta, the daughter of Ernest L. and Annie Belle Slagle McVicker. She was a lifetime resident of Ness County, she taught in country schools and worked as the county clerk.

She belonged to the United Methodist Church, Ness City, where she taught Sunday school, and was a long time member of the Sunshine Club.

On May 1, 1935, she married Neal Thomas McCoy in Jetmore. He died Oct. 19, 1952.

Survivors include: two sons, Thomas and Larry, both of Ness City; a brother, Dean McVicker, Wichita; three grandchildren; and a great-grandson. She was preceded in death by two daughters, Vera Schniepp and Lois Schwartzkopf; a brother, Ernest McVicker; two sisters, Garnet Doebbling and Alice McCain; and infant siblings, Grace and Harold McVicker.

Funeral will be at 2:30 p.m. Thursday, at the United Methodist Church, Ness City, with the Rev. Darlene Nonhof presiding. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday at Fitzgerald Funeral Home, Ness City, and from 10 a.m. to service time Thursday at the church. Burial will be in the Ness City Cemetery.

Memorials may be sent to the United Methodist Church or the Ness County Long Term Care, both in care of the funeral home.

MR. HENRY S. BOESE - Transcribed by Christine Walters

Oct. 26, 1886 -- Jan. 14, 1958
Henry Stanley Boese, eldest son of Henry and Katherine Boese, was born October 26, 1886, at Lehigh, Kansas, and departed his life at his home in Bazine, January 14, 1958, at the age of 71 years, 2 months and 19 days, after a lingering illness of nearly two years.

In his early childhood he moved with his parents to a farm south of Alexander, Kansas, where he grew to manhood.

He was baptized into the Latter Day Saints church at Alexander in 1917.

On December 1, 1915, he was united in marriage to Alice Bott. To this union six children were born; Ada Stiawalt of Ness City, Arthur of Bazine, Harvey of Hialeah, Florida, Edwin of Spearville, Ralph of Kessler AFB, Boloxi, Mississippi, and Devina Keller of Citrus Heights, California.

He leaves to mourn his death, his wife and six children; three sisters, Mrs. Ike Hartsell of Las Animas, Colorado, Mrs. Eva Kilgore of Cheyenne, Wyoming, Mrs. Agusta Lappin of Hoisington; six brothers, John of Larned, Bill of Burdett, Walter and Pete of Alexander, Jake of Hoisington, and Herman of Iola; six grandchildren and a host of relatives and friends, One sister, one grandson, and his parents preceded him in death. Funeral services were held from the Fitzgerald Funeral Home Friday, January 17 at 2:00 o'clock conducted be Rev. Bert Hurst. Burial was in the Bazine cemetery.

MR. ARTHUR BOESE - Transcribed by Christine Walters

Oct. 6, 1918 - Oct. 29, 1980
Arthur Boese, 62, lifetime resident of the Alexander-Bazine community, died at the farm home there Wednesday, October 29.

Born at Alexander October 6, 1918, he married Naomi Beahm at LaCrosse August 31, 1940. they had farmed near Bazine since.

Funeral services were held from the Fitzgerald Funeral Home here Sunday afternoon. November 2, conducted by Rev. Ronald Williams of the Pretty Prairie U-Methodist church. Interment was in the Bazine cemetery.

Survivors include the widow; a son, Melvin; sisters, Mrs. Ada Stiawalt of Ness City, and Mrs. Devina Keller of Citrus Heights, California; brothers, Harvey Boese of Hialeah, Florida, Ed Boese of Spearville, and Ralph Boese of Orlando, Florida, other relatives and friends.

MRS. GULIELMA DEWEESE - Transcribed by Christine Walters

May 1, 1810 - Jun. 7, 1886
Gulielma DeWeese was born the oldest daughter of Hannah Berry and Samuel DeWeese. On 16 May 1833, in Belmont County, Ohio, she married James Madison Lincoln. 6 children were born to them: Hannah, Enos, George, Harris - died young, Betty, and Cynthia - died young. Abt 1849, the family moved to Fulton County, Illinois, where Cynthia was born. The family later lived to Bureau County, Illinois; Decatur County, Iowa - where James died in 1874, and then in Ness County, Kansas.

MR. ALEXANDER FILBERT - Transcribed by Christine Walters

May 14, 1905, - Jan. 9, 1945, USA
Alexander Filbert, son of Alexander and Katharine Helmuth Filbert, was born on May 14, 1905, northwest of Bazine, and departed this life at Great Bend, Kansas, January 9, 1945, at the age of 39 years, 5 months and 25 days. He attended school and grew to manhood in the community of his birth.

On March 28, 1928, he was united in marriage to Katherine Gross. To this union three children, Duane, Edward and Mary Ann were born.

He is survived by his wife, Katharine Filbert; and the children, Duane, Edward and Mary Ann; two sisters, Mrs. Mollie Busley of Longmont, Colo., and Mrs. Bertha Schwartzkopf of Brownell; one brother, Victor Filbert of Ness City. One older sister died in infancy in the state of Georgia. Also surviving are four half-sisters: Mrs. Lydia Foos of Bazine, Mrs. Alvena Bahm of Alamota, Mrs. Florence Strecker of Bazine, and Miss Martha Feck of Alexander; two step-brothers, John Feck of Amarillo, Tex., and Ed Feck of Hanford, Wash., three step-sisters, Mrs. Ameliz Oblander and Mrs. Marie Sanders both of Billings, Mont., and Mrs. Ella Schwartz of Bazine; three nephews and four nieces, and many other relatives and friends who mourn what seems humanly speaking an untimely and early death.

Funeral services were held on Friday, January 12, from the Fitzgerald Funeral Home at Ness City, and from the Bazine high school, in charge of Rev. Walter Berg, assisted by Rev. R. L. Foster. A men's quartet, consisting of Wm. Grusing, Gus Filbert, Ben Scheuerman and Herman Rein, sang "Is There Room For Me?" and Whispering Hope." Mrs. B. Fitzgerald sang "An Evening Prayer." The pall bearers were: Wesley Moore, Emil Reis, Fritz Reis, Edison Sekavec, Freddy Herman, Everette Dengate, Jake Schwartz and Jule Stenzel. Interment was made in the Bazine cemetery.

MRS. GESINA GRUSING - Transcribed by Christine Walters

Gesina (Monk) Grusing was born October 14, 1866 n Klein Horsten, East Friesen, Germany. At the age of two she moved with her parents to Oltmansfehn, where she obtained her schooling and was confirmed in the Lutheran state church. A few years later she attended the United Brethern church where she was converted.

In 1891 she came to America and settled in Iowa. One year later she moved to Clotonia, Nebr., where she married Henry Grusing whom she had previously known. They moved to a farm near Campbell Nebr. Four years later they moved to Macon, Nebr., where they secured a farm. Where they attended the Methodist church and became active members.

Due to her husbands health, the family moved to Salem OR where they resided for nine years, but they yearned to return to the plains states, so in 1910 they came to Kansas and settled on a farm west of Bazine. Five years later in 1915 her husband passed away at the age of 48, leaving her and four children.

In 1914 she moved to Bazine where she made her home with her daughter, Mrs. Anna Vogelman. Mrs. Grusing knew Christ as her personal Saviour. She was a member of the Methodist church in Bazine where she served as a Sunday school teacher for many years, and was active in the missionary society. She was a sacrificing and loving mother, she believed in daily devotion to Christ which helped her live a victoriuos life.

In October 1957, about a week after celebrating her 90th birthday anniversary, she suffered a servere stroke which left her an invalid. But despite her handicap she retained her cheerful disposition. Her daughter faithfully cared for her during her long illness.

She departed this life on Saturday, February 20, at 3:30 p.m. at the age of 93 years, 4 months and 6 days. She is survived by her daughter, Mrs. Anna Vogelman of Bazine; three sons, Herman Grusing of Amarillo TX, Henry Grusing of Scott City and William Grusing of Bazine; also three daughters-in-law; one sister, Mrs. Margaret Tjaden of Oltmansfehn German; four grandchildren; Marvin Grusing of Tucson AZ, Mrs. Sig Streuferdt of Dallas TX, Mrs. Arthur Pember of Ness City; Bon Grusing of Scott City; five great grandchildren, 34 nieces and nephews, besides many other relatives and friends.

Services were held from the Methodist Church in Bazine with Rev. Sam Staley, Rev. Henry Grusing and Rev. L.C. McNeil officiating. interment was in the Bazine cemetery with Fitzgerald's in charge.

MR. CLARENCE KEATLEY - Submitted by Peggy Thompson

Accident Fatal to Ness Farmer

Ness City - A Ness County farmer, Clarence Keatley, 39, yesterday was accidentally killed when his body was mangled by a power driven post hole digger he was operating on his farm 4-1/2 miles northwest of Brownell.

He was digging post holes on the newly purchased farm when his clothing became entangled in the parts of the digger. His right arm was torn loose and his body mangled. Two other men were working with him at the time of the accident.

Keatley was born near Ness City and had lived in the Southwest Kansas area all his life.

Survivors include his widow, Inez, of the home; a son, Alvin; two daughters, Jeanette and Carolyn and his parents Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Keatley, Bazine.

MR. TORRA OHAMA - Submitted by Peggy Thompson

Drowned at Ness City

Torra Ohama, a Japanese boy with Campbell Bros. Show, was drowned in Sunset lake just west of Ness City. He with some companions and his brother went to the lake to take a bath and after being in the water but a few minutes he took cramps and went under.

MR. LAWRENCE V. PHILPOTT - Transcribed by Christine Walters

Dec. 20, 1923 Sep. 14, 2006
Lawrence Vernon Philpott, born in Deerfield, Kansas s/o of Charles Horatio Philpott, born in Missouri, both parents born same, and Mabel Thressa Johnson, born Kansas, both of her parents were born in Sweden. Lawrence graduated from Wauneta HS in Wauneta, Nebraska. He was a resident of Bazine since 1983, moving from Fort Morgan Colorado. He served in the US Army in WWII, Field Artillery as a gunner on a 105mm howitzer in Italy. He was discharged Oct. 1945. He married Mary Alice Drake on Aug 10, 1950 in Haviland, Kansas.

He was survived by his wife Mary Alice Drake, 2 brothers, Edwin Harold of Gresham, Oregon & Victor Rex of Haviland, Kansas, a sister, Gladys Bernice Schmidt, Hillsboro.

He was preceded in death by brothers & sisters, Donald Thomas, Howard Leon, Gertrude Lavenia Philpott, Wyona Pearl Giddens & Thressa Mary Hanier, two nephews, Christopher Philpott and Roger Schmidt, 4 sisters-in-law; Vera Fay Kleweno of Bazine, Rhoda Frances Elliott, Wood River, Illinois, Goris Dean Drake Bixby, Okla, & Becky Philpott, Dundee, Oregon.

MR. RONALD D. SCHABEN - Transcribed by Christine Walters

Aug. 2, 1931 - Sep. 10, 2007
Ronald Dean Schaben, 76, died Monday, Sept. 10, 2007, at Central Kansas Medical Center, Great Bend.

He was born Aug. 2, 1931, on the farm south of Bazine to Glenster and Mabel (Bondurant) Schaben. He married Johnette Wittman on Sept. 4, 1948, at Bazine. She survives of the home.

He was a farmer and rancher and a lifetime resident of the Bazine area. He was a member of St. Luke's Lutheran Church, Bazine, where he served on many boards and committees.

Other survivors include two sons, Johnny Schaben and his wife, Yolanda, Great Bend, and Bradley Schaben and Elaine Younger, Bazine; one daughter, Jolana McCart and her husband, Mark, Norman, Okla.; one brother, Larry Schaben, Shelton, Wash.; one sister, Margaret Haek, Hoquiem, Wash.; six grandchildren; and one great-grandson.

The funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at St. Luke's Lutheran Church, Bazine, with the Rev. Warren Prochnow presiding. Burial will be in the Bazine Cemetery.

Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. today at Fitzgerald Funeral Home, Ness City. The family will be hosting the visitation from 7-9 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Bazine Cemetery fund or St. Luke's Church. Fitzgerald Funeral Home, Ness City, is in charge of arrangements.

MRS. EMMA SCHNEIDER - Transcribed by Christine Walters

Nov. 19, 1914 - Nov. 22, 2007
Emma Schneider, 93, died Nov. 22, 2007, in Naples, Fla.

She was born Nov. 19, 1914, in Sutton, Neb., the daughter of John and Mary Schmidt Bahm. A resident of Bazine formerly of Alamota, she was a homemaker.

She belonged to the United Methodist Church and Golden Years Senior Center of Bazine.

On Dec. 15, 1940, she married Palmer Schneider. He died Feb. 24, 1984.

Survivors include; a son: Duane and wife Nancy, Jackson, Wyo.; a daughter Diane Stites and husband Donald Miller, Naples, Fla.; a brother, Rueben Bahm, Dighton; and two grandchildren, Kristina Eklund and Dustin Schneider, Chicago, Ill.

She was preceded in death by her three brothers, John "Johnny", Henry "Hank" and Herman Bahm; and five sisters, Katie Kuehn, Marie Schmarlzied, Amelia Neiman, Naomi Bauer and Barbara Hinkle.

Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at the United Methodist Church, Bazine, with the Rev. Joel Maiorano presiding. Burial will be in the Bazine Cemetery.

Memorials may be sent to the American Heart Association or the Bazine Golden Years Senior Center both in care of Fitzgerald Funeral Home, Ness City.

MRS. KATHARINE F. SEKAVEC - Transcribed by Christine Walters

Sep. 10, 1905, - Oct. 3, 1985, USA
Katharine Filbert Sekavec was born near Riverside, southwest of Bazine in Ness County, Kansas, the daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Butherus) Gross.

She married Alexander Filbert March 28, 1928, in Ness City. To this union three children were born: Duane Alexander, Edward David and Mary Ann. Alexander died January 12, 1945 in Great Bend, Kansas.

Katharine married Archie Sekavec November 10, 1947 in Ness City. To this union a daughter, Judy Marie, was born.

Katharine died October 3, 1985, at Hutchinson Hospital at Hutchinson, Kansas.

She was very artistic, making beautiful crocheted afghans, pieced double-knit quilts, and textile painted article. Katharine liked to remodel and decorate her homes. Gardening was another hobby and she enjoyed her flowers.

Katharine is survived by her children, Duane and Cora Lee Filbert of Bazine; Edward and Ruth Filbert of Hutchinson; Mary Ann and Gerald Yeager of Napa, Calif; and Judy Boor of Glendale, Ariz; her grandchildren, Douglas and wife, Shiela, their children, Stacie, and Bradley Filbert of Milton, Fla.; Dwight and wife, Michele, their children, Kelli and Courtney Filbert of Brownell; Myron Filbert and Julie Filbert of Brownell; David and wife, Janet Filbert of Wichita; Daniel Filbert of Larned; and Tandy and Aaron Boor of Glendale, Ariz; three brothers, Henry of Grants Pass, Ore,; George of Ness City; and Adam of Bazine; four sisters, Mary Weber of Chico, Calif.; Amelia Ritter of Burlingame, Calif.; Hannah Cox of Bazine and Martha Millberger of Ness City.

She was preceded in death by her husband Alex, brothers Jacob and Raymond, sisters, Elizabeth Erb, Eva Gross, Pauline Stokeld and Edna Gross, a grandson, Bret Alexander Filbert and a great-grandson, Dustin Henry Filbert.

Her funeral was held at the Bazine Methodist Church on October 7, 1985 with the Rev. Sam Hooker officiating. Interment was in the Bazine cemetery.

MRS. AMELIA STRAUCH - Transcribed by Christine Walters

Feb. 15, 1906 - : Jun. 3, 2005
Amelia "Mollie" Strauch, age 99, died Friday, June 3, 2005 at Parklane Nursing Home, Scott City, Kansas. Mrs. Strauch was born February 13, 1906 in Russia the daughter of John and Elizabeth Keil Wittman. She married George Strauch in Bazine, Kansas, December 21, 1921.

She was a homemaker and a member of the United Methodist Church of Dighton.

She was preceded in death by her husband; son, Elmer Strauch; brother John Wittman; two sisters, Elizabeth Erlich and Pauline Wittman, and a granddaughter, Survivors include daughter, Joyce Ellis and her husband Ronald, Dighton; brother, Theodore "Ted" Wittman, Bazine; sister, Marie Krug, Bazine; 5 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were held at the Fitzgerald Home, Ness City, Kansas on Wednesday, June 8th at 10:30 a.m. Burial was in Bazine Cemetery, Bazine, Kansas.

Memorials may be made to the March of Dimes.

MR. PAUL H. WEGELE - Transcribed by Christine Walters

Jan. 14, 1925 - Jun. 28, 2001
Paul H. Wegele, 76, died June 28, 2001, near Satanta, Kansas.

He was born Jan. 14, 1925, in Barton County, the son of Jacob and Pauline Bitter Wegele.

He married Edna Maier May 7, 1944, in Milberger.

A resident of Ness City, Kansas, coming from Ness County, he was an insurance appraiser and adjuster. Wegele was a member of St. Luke's Lutheran Church of Bazine, Veterans of Foreign Wars of La Crosse, board member of Ness County Hospital Foundation and past president of the Lutheran Layman's League.

He was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II.

Survivors included his wife of the home; two brothers, George Wegele of Hays and Leland Wegele of Otis.

He was preceded in death by one brother, Jacob "J" Ernest Wegele.

MR. ALEXANDER WITTMAN - Transcribed by Christine Walters

Jun. 22, 1898 - Death: Jan. 26, 1972
Alexander Wittman was born July 22, 1898 at Wiesenmuller, Saratov, Volga, Russia, the son of George and Margaret Katherine Niedens Wittman. They immigrated to the United States in 1909 on the S. S. Frankfurt, 1899 North German Lloyd.

Alexander Wittman and Amalia Schneider were united in marriage at 9 p.m. on December 31, 1920, in the bride's home at Durham, Kansas, with Rev. George Ketter officiating and with George Schneider, brother of the bride and Anna Kaiser as attendants. Their "Honeymoon" was spent in the home of the bride's parents. On January 4, 1921, they came to Bazine and lived with the groom's parents for the next five weeks. In late February they moved into their own home and began accumulating their own household possessions.

Alex and his brothers worked together for several years and then he began working alone, working in other communities when work slackened in the home community, and at various other jobs when carpenter work wasn't available; among them sugar beet harvest in Colorado for several seasons. Alex taught his three sons and a grandson the carpentry trade, and all are still engaged in this type of work.

In 1953 they bought and moved into their present home. In 1968 failing health forced Alex to retire. He and Amalia spend their time maintaining their home and yard, gardening and watching television. Amalia has pieced and quilted a quilt for each of their seven children and twenty grandchildren. They also have four great-grandchildren.

MRS. AMALIA WITTMAN - Transcribed by Christine Walters

Dec. 23, 1920 - Jan. 7, 1983
Amalia (Mollie) Schneider was born December 23, 1901 at Durham, Kansas, the daughter of Peter and Katherine (Heinz) Schneider. She had three brothers and four sisters, one half sister and six half brothers.

Mollie married Alexander (Alex) Wittman at on December 31, 1920 at Durham, and they moved to Bazine where he had employment as a carpenter with his two brothers. They spent their entire life here and celebrated their Golden Wedding anniversary July 1970. To this union were born four daughters and three sons.

Mollie was confirmed in the Lutheran Church at age 16 and remained a faithful and willing servant to anyone in need. She was active in church and always saw to anyone in need. She always saw to it that her children attended Sunday school and Church. She loved working in the Ladies Aid Group and activity in Golden Years Club until her final illness.

Preceding her in death were her parents, her husband, Alex, and one son, Leroy. Those who mourn her passing include two sons, Elmer and wife, June of Seattle, Washington; Bob and wife, Joyce, of Meade, Kansas; four daughters, Florene Ummel and Husband, Phillip; Edna Ummel and husband, Rolla, of Ransom; Violet Black and husband, Bud of Great Bend; and Arlene Dave and husband, Marvin of Salt Lake City, Utah; 20 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; two brothers, John Schneider of Herington and Jonathan Schneider of Wallace, North Carolina; three sisters, Mrs. Alvina Klein of San Diego, California; Mrs. Leah Janzen of Marion, Kansas; and Mrs. Selma Brown of Herington; and a host of other relatives and friends.