Kathryn Kittell
Little River -- Kathryn Kittell, age 96, ofLittle River, Kansas, passed awayon Monday, September 26, 2016, at Sandstone Heights Nursing Home in Little River. She was born on January 13, 1920, to Jesse Snyder and Mae Alene (Tinnen) Wile, in Ravanna, Missouri.
Kathryn lived and attended school in Windom, Kansas, graduating in 1937. She married Howard H. Kittell on January 6, 1943, and they raised two children.
Kathryn was a loving wife and mother, a gifted seamstress, and accomplished artist. She was a50-year member of the McPherson Eastern Star Chapter and a member of the First Congregational Church. She was one of the kindest people you could know, making friends with everyone she met.
Kathryn and Howard retired in 1983 and spent several years traveling throughout the United States and Canada before settling in Weslaco, Texas. Kathryn remained in the Rio Grande Valley after Howard's passing in 2001 until 2014, when she returned to Kansas.
Kathryn was preceded in death by her husband; two grandsons; her sisters, Marie Johnson, Juanita Wright, and Betty Lou Lindholm; and her two brothers, Billy Bob and Philip.
She is survived by a son, Howard (Kit) Kittell and his wife, Theresa of Montrose, Colorado; a daughter,Kay Bechteland her husband, Ken, of Overland Park, Kansas; six grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; and her dear friend and companion, Charlie Kriewald, of Little River, Kansas.
A graveside service and inurnmentwillbe held at 10:30 AM, Friday, October 7, at McPherson Cemetery.
Memorial donations may be given to Sandstone Heights Nursing Home or a charity of the donor’s choice in care of Stockham Family Funeral Home, 205 N. Chestnut, McPherson, KS 67460.
Personal condolences may be posted for the family atwww.stockhamfamily.com.
Ruth Arlene Marston
Canton -- Ruth Arlene Marston, 89, of Canton, KS, went to be with the Lord at 10:26 a.m., Monday, September 26th, while in the company of her daughters, at the Cedars House.
Ruth was born in at her parents’ home, 7 miles south of Canton, Kansas, Kansas on September 17, 1927, a daughter of Esther F. (Schroeder) and Alvin Jahn.
Ruth was a farm wife, seamstress and drapery maker. She spent many hours canning and freezing vegetables from Bob's garden and supplying her well-known cinnamon rolls to neighbors, family and friends. Ruth was an active member of the Canton United Methodist Church until her move to the Cedars in 2012. She enjoyed the UMW and baking for church events. She and Bob served Meals on Wheels and she was a faithful visitor to those living at Shiloh Manor in Canton.
Ruth Arlene Jahn was united in marriage to Robert Delbert "Bob" Marston on June 13, 1948 at the Immanuel Lutheran Church rural Canton, Kansas. The young couple established their first home together in Canton, Kansas. Bob died on March 21, 2013.
She is survived by her daughters, Marilyn Balsam and her husband Dennis, of Lutz, Florida and JoAnn Kraft and her husband Patrick, of Wayzata, Minnesota; her 3 grandchildren, Becky Kraft, Josh Kraft and wife Christina, and Jared Kraft; her 1 great-granddaughter - McKayla Kraft; several nieces and nephews, other relatives and a host of friends.
Ruth was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 64 years, Bob Marston; brother, Elmer Jahn and sister, Pearl Jahn, and a great-grandson Joshua Kraft.
Friends are invited to call on Wednesday, September 28, 2016 from 10:00 a.m. until service time at Canton United Methodist Church, Canton, Kansas.
The funeral service will be held at Canton United Methodist Church, Canton, Kansas, at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, September 28th, with Pastor Sharlan J. Graber officiating.
Final resting place Canton Township Cemetery Canton, KS.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Canton United Methodist Church or Gentiva Hospice and they can be sent in care of the Glidden - Ediger Funeral Home; 222 West Euclid Street; McPherson, Kansas 67460.
Chester W. Russell
McPherson -- Chester “Chet” W. Russell, Sr., 92, of McPherson and formerly of Galva, passed away peacefully on Friday, September 23, 2016, at McPherson Hospital. He was retired from CertainTeed where he worked in the maintenance department. He was also a farmer and former Assistant Fire Chief for the Galva Fire Department.
He served in the United States Army Air Corps during World War II, serving in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater.
Chet was born on November 10, 1923, in McPherson, KS, the son of Benjamin Harrison and Emma Lillian (Beyer) Russell. He graduated from Galva High School in 1942. On July 14, 1946, Chet was united in marriage to Doris J. Koehn at the Emmanuel Mennonite Church in Galva, KS.
Chet was a member of Galva United Methodist Church.
Survivors include: loving wife of 70 years, Doris of the home; three children, JR (Deb Koehn) Russell of Galva, KS, Ted (Ruth) Russell of Wichita, KS, and Emma Perera of Galva, KS; daughter-in-law, Beth Robinson of McPherson, KS; 14 grandchildren; and 20 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; son, David Russell; brother, Clarence H. Russell; sisters, Arlene Russell and Edna Mae Peterson; grandchildren, J.W. Russell and Mandy Wenger; daughter-in-law, Vickie Russell; and son-in-law, Dennis Perera.
The funeral service will be at 2:00 PM, Tuesday, September 27, 2016, at Galva United Methodist Church with Rev. Sharlan Graber officiating. Burial with Military Honors will follow at Empire Cemetery, Galva. Visitation will be held from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM, Monday, September 26, at Stockham Family Funeral Home with the family receiving friends from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM.
Memorial donations may be given to Galva United Methodist Church or Galva Fire Department in care of Stockham Family Funeral Home, 205 North Chestnut, McPherson, KS 67460.
Personal condolences may be sent to the family at www.stockhamfamily.com.
Linda Radke
Wichita and McPherson -- Linda C. Radke, 75, of Wichita and formerly of McPherson, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, September 20, 2016, surrounded by family at Catholic Care Center, Wichita. She was a homemaker, co-owner of Radke Oil Co., McPherson, and manager of the Discovery Resale Clothing Shop, Wichita. She also worked at Dillard’s in Wichita.
Linda was born on December 13, 1940, in Chelsea, OK, the daughter of Russell Porter and June (Calhoun) Hester. She graduated from Chelsea High School as salutatorian and from McPherson College. On December 20, 1962, Linda was united in marriage to Herbert Karl Radke in Chelsea, OK. He preceded her in death on November 27, 1991.
Linda was a member of Chapel Hill United Methodist Church, 20thCentury Club, Thursday Afternoon Music Club, all of Wichita, Pi Beta Phi Sorority of Drury College in Springfield, Missouri, P.E.O. Chapter HI of McPherson, and former member of First United Methodist Church, McPherson.
She enjoyed being a homemaker, playing the piano, traveling, and participating in church activities at McPherson First United Methodist Church and Chapel Hill United Methodist Church. She loved to follow politics and one of her highlights was meeting Senator Robert Dole. She was also an avid KC Royals fan.
Survivors include: daughter, Meredith Radke-Gannon (Jeff) of Wichita, KS; son, Karl Radke, M.D. (Carolea) of Casper, WY; sister, Virginia Miller (Walt) of Coffeyville, KS; five grandchildren, Drew Gannon, Luke Gannon, Grace Gannon, Brett Radke, and Karlea Radke; and niece, Hester Dillon of Great Falls, MT.
She was preceded in death by her parents and husband.
A public committal service will be held at 9:30 AM, Saturday, September 24, 2016, at McPherson Mausoleum with Rev. Jeff Gannon officiating. A memorial service will follow at 1:00 PM, on Saturday, at Chapel Hill United Methodist Church, 1550 N. Chapel Hill St., Wichita.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to Chapel Hill United Methodist Church for the benefit of Lakota-Sioux Arts Center in South Dakota or McPherson College in care of Stockham Family Funeral Home, 205 North Chestnut, McPherson, KS 67460.
Personal condolences may be sent to the family at
www.stockhamfamily.com.
Albert J. Balzer
Inman -- Albert J. Balzer, 89, passed away on Saturday, September 17, 2016, at Hospice House, Hutchinson. He was born October 9, 1926, in McPherson County and was the son of David F. and Mary (Franz) Balzer.
A lifetime resident of Inman, he was a farmer, custom harvester, and inventor. Dad was a member of the Zoar Mennonite Brethren Church where he served as trustee and sang in the men’s chorus. Dad accepted Christ in the winter of 1938, at a revival meeting at the Gospel Mission and practiced his faith from that day forward.
Dad married his life partner of 63 years, Ella Mae (Neufeld) Balzer on September 24, 1950. She preceded him in death and dad missed her dearly.
He is survived by children and spouses: Diane (Mike) Weber of Trout Creek, MT, John (Rita) Balzer of Inman, and Elaine (Pat) Fallon of Hutchinson; grandchildren Pat (Tiffany) Weber and Mae of Salt Lake City, UT, Andrew Weber and Christian of Spokane Valley, WA, Katy and Becky Fallon of Hutchinson, and Lydia and Mitchell Balzer of Inman.
Also preceding him in death were his parents, brother Arnie (Martha) Balzer and sister Mary Ann (Eldo) Regehr.
Visitation will be Thursday, September 22, 2016, from 6-8 pm at Zoar Mennonite Brethren Church, Inman. Funeral service will be held Friday, September 23, 2016, at 10:00 am at Zoar Mennonite Brethren Church with burial in the North Inman Cemetery and lunch to follow the service.
Memorials may be given to the Union Rescue Mission, Wichita, and Gideon’s International, McPherson, in care of the Buhler Mortuary.
Donald Lee Burgett, Sr.
McPherson -- Donald Lee "Don" Burgett, Sr., 87, of McPherson, KS, passed away at 3:35 p.m., Friday, September 16th, 2016 while in the company of family members, at Cedars House.
Don was born in Great Bend, Kansas on March 2, 1929, a son of Jessie D. (Kinley) and Charles Clifton Burgett.
Don attended the Allen grade school, Liberty Junior High School, Sherman Junior High School, and Hutchinson High School, all of Hutchinson, Kansas.
He was a lifetime member of First Presbyterian Church McPherson, where he served his church through the years in many capacities.
Through the years, Don sold magazines door to door, worked on a produce farm, worked for his dad at Burgett's Bakery in Hutchinson, owned and operated Burgett's Furniture from 1958 to 1991 where he worked side by side with his wife Jan and his children. He was so proud that his children were able to continue the business.
Don enjoyed his family, hunting, fishing, and his business.
Donald Lee Burgett, Sr. was united in marriage to Jan Lewis on July 12, 1947 at Hutchinson, Kansas. The young couple established their first home together in Hutchinson, Kansas and they moved to McPherson in 1957.
Don is survived by his loving and devoted wife of over 69 years, Jan Burgett, of McPherson, Kansas; his children, Janice Levy and her husband Don, of Woodbind, New Jersey, Ronald "Ron" Burgett, of Gypsum, Kansas, and Laura Bruce and her husband Stanley, of McPherson, Kansas; his sisters, Betty Lou Burns and her husband Karvis, of Shreveport, Louisiana and Joan Whitlock, of Hutchinson, Kansas; his brother, Charles Ray Burgett, of Arkansas; his seven grandchildren, Ed Duguid, Tony Duguid, Matt Burgett, Amy Burgett, Jenny Burgett, Todd Bruce, and Sarah Boggs; his six great-granddaughters, Lauren Duguid, Elizabeth Duguid, Katheren Duguid, Jaden Burgett, Haley Boggs, and Hannah Boggs; many nieces and nephews, other relatives and a host of friends.
Don was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Donald Lee Burgett, Jr.; and a brother Jerry Clifton Burgett.
Memorial service will be held at First Presbyterian Church, McPherson, Kansas, at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 22nd, 2016 with Reverend H. Dick Reynolds, Jr. officiating.
The final resting place will be at the McPherson Cemetery McPherson, KS.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First Presbyterian Church, McPherson, Kansas and they can be sent in care of the Glidden - Ediger Funeral Home; 222 West Euclid Street; McPherson, Kansas 67460.
