Obituaries

Merrill ‘Mert’ J. Sauvain, 88, passed away April 7, 2019 in Ellsworth. He was born Aug. 21, 1930 in Morganville, Kan. to John and Georgia (Ostrander) Sauvain.
Merrill married Phyllis Linquist in Clay Center on July 11, 1955. He was a welder for Northern Natural Gas for over 30 years. He also served his country in the United States Air Force during the Korean War. Merrill was an avid sportsman, especially enjoying hunting, fishing, and golfing, passing his interest in those hobbies to his sons.
Merrill is survived by his wife, Phyllis Sauvain of Ellsworth; son, William “Bill” Sauvain of Superior, Neb.; son, Rex Sauvain of Salina; son, Rick Sauvain (Teresa) of Ellsworth; grandson, Chad Sauvain of St. Peters, Mo.; and sister-in-law, Pat Sauvain of Holt, Mo.
He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Randall “Randy” Sauvain; sister, Jean Peterson; brother, Walley Sauvain; brother, Niles Sauvain; and daughter-in-law, Mary Sauvain.

Sharron Lee Raney
(1937-2019)

Ruth Ann Jones (née Fry) 88, of Wichita, Kan., passed away peacefully surrounded by her children March 29, 2019. She was born Aug. 22, 1930 in Ellsworth, Kan. to William Thomas and Leona Sophia (nee Doubrava) Fry.
Throughout her life she resided in Kansas, Chicago, Ill. and Medina, Ohio. However, Kansas was always in her heart and was where she felt most at home. Ruth retired many years ago after a loyal career in the healthcare field. She often received many complimentary letters of appreciation from the families of those she cared for.
Throughout her life she enjoyed gardening, bird watching, music, painting, traveling, and being involved with the church. She was a dedicated philanthropist with her favorite charities being those that helped nature/environment, children and religious causes. For many years she was a volunteer in a variety of organization and non-profits from progressive political campaigns to the children’s museum.

Father Marvin William Reif, 55, passed away in Protection. He was born Aug. 19, 1963, in Hoisington, to Albert and Dorothy (Frenzl) Reif.
Father Marvin Reif took his seminary studies at Conception Seminary, Conception, Mo., Holy Trinity College, Dallas, Texas, and Pontifical College Josephinum, Columbus, Ohio. He was ordained to the priesthood June 3, 1989, by the Most Rev. Stanley G. Schlarman, bishop of Dodge City, at Holy Family Church, Odin.
He served as an associate pastor at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Dodge City, and St. Rose of Lima, Great Bend.
His pastorates included: Immaculate Conception, Claflin, with Holy Family, Odin, and St. Catherine, Dubuque, and St. Joseph, Beaver, from 1993 to 1995; Sacred Heart, Ness City, and St. Alphonsus, Ransom, (1995-1999); St. Joseph, Ashland, and Holy Spirit, Coldwater, (1999-2000); St. Rose, Great Bend, (2000-2001); and St. Nicholas, Kinsley, with St. Joseph, Offerle, (2001-2002).

Four days after her 85th birthday, our mother quietly slipped away. We will miss her constant and loving presence, but we are grateful that she is at peace. We will miss her constant and loving presence, but we are grateful that she is at peace.
Marjorie was married to Frank Henry Coufal Jr. for 45 years until his death in 2004. She is the mother of two sons, Frank Jeffrey of Rancho Santa Fe, Calif. and Christopher Joseph of Orinda, Calif. and their spouses Sandra Isern and Teresa Anthenien. She is the grandmother of six: Mark Christopher, Frank Henry III, Nicholas Joseph, Matthew Joseph, Sarah Katherine and Christian Michael.
Born in Wilson, Kan. to Joseph Anthony Brokes and his wife Rose Marie Kroft, Marjorie was their youngest child. Her oldest sister, Rosemary, and her husband, Benny Martin, predeceased her, and her middle sister, Joan, and her husband, Robert Malir, reside in Wilson.  Marjorie shared close relationships with their children and grandchildren.

Leatrice Maryln (Frederick) Foley, (93), passed away March 24, 2019, due to declining health at her home in Williamsburg, Va.  
“Lea” was born in Wilson, Kan. in 1925 to the late Albina (Rezabek) and Aaron Frederick. She was graduated from Wilson High School, class of 1943.  
Lea is preceded in death by her late husband of 64 years, William “Bill,” who passed away in 2010.  
She and Bill raised a lively family of five —Barbara, Mike, Debbi Hall, Kevin, and Leslie McSpadden. She leaves 11 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.  
She is predeceased by three brothers, Pershing, LeMoyne, and Clarice Frederick, and survived by her younger sister and brother-in-law, Alice Joan and Marvin Janne of Mesa, Ariz.  
Lea will join her late husband in rest at Arlington National Cemetery.

Mary Katherine Stoltenberg, 52, passed away Thursday, March 21, 2019 in Wilson. She was born Aug. 20, 1966 in Great Bend to Harold and Rosemary (Keegan) Feigenspan.
A longtime resident of the area, Mary was a travelling occupational therapist and home health aide. She married Henry Stoltenberg in 2017. She was a loving and caring wife, mom, and grandma and she will be missed.
Mary is survived by her husband Henry of Bushton; sons, Johnathan Radenberg (Kyle Henrichs) of Overland Park and Brandon Radenberg (Caitlin Belt) of Claflin; daughter, Rose Radenberg of Great Bend; granddaughter, Brinley Eller; and “aunt”, Sandy Johnson of Bushton.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
Visitation is from 1-8 p.m. Tuesday, March 26, at Parsons Funeral Home, Ellsworth. Family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m.
The funeral service is at 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 27, at the funeral home with burial following in Bushton Cemetery.

Rick J. Harper, 67, passed away Wednesday, March 20, 2019 in Ellsworth. Services are pending. Parsons Funeral Home, Ellsworth is handling arrangements. Condolences may be left at parsonsfh.com

Shirley Anne Kennedy, 83, passed away March 13, 2019, at Circle of Life Hospice in Bentonville, Ark. She was born Oct. 7, 1935 in Lyons, Kan. to Elmer and Madge (Rife) Reents. She graduated from Bushton High School in 1953.
She married Robert Kennedy Oct. 25, 1953, at the Bushton Methodist Church. She was a Deputy Register of Deeds, Deputy Clerk of Court at the Ottawa County Courthouse, and a clerk at City Pharmacy, all in Minneapolis, Kan. She lived in Minneapolis from 1956 until moving to Bella Vista, Ark. in 1994. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Bella Vista and was active in UMW and her shepherd group. She was also a member of the Homesteaders Group in Bella Vista. She enjoyed reading.
She was preceded in death by her parents.

Janis (Simmons) Kessinger, formerly of Cherryvale and Independence, Kan., departed this life on March 14, 2019 in Derby, Kan.. Janis was born Jan. 11, 1937 in Wichita, Kan., the eldest daughter of Millard and Mildred (Randle)Simmons.
Janis graduated from Wichita State University. She taught physical education and coached many sports including swimming, basketball, tennis and track during her 20 plus years as an educator. Janis married Byrl D. Kessinger in Wichita Dec. 23, 1961.
Janis was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Byrl; daughter. Kathryn (Kessinger) Darner; and sister. Judith Schultz.
She is survived by her children, Kristina (Derek) Orndoff, Kelly (Rocky) Kolb and Kevin (Kristy) Kessinger; nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild; sister, Jeanne Patterson.
Memorials may be sent to Camp Kesem, 10586 E. Pico Blvd no. 196, Los Angeles, Calif. 90064, or the website campkesem.org.
Private services are planned.