Obituaries

Lenore Kay Kralik, 75, passed away Oct. 1, 2017. She was born Aug. 26, 1942 to Clifford and Lillian (Hass) Foos.

Lenore is survived by her husband of 54 years, Marland Kralik of Ellsworth; son, Kevin Kralik of Ellsworth; son, Brad Kralik (Joan Johnson) of Ellsworth; sister, Jodene Haugaard (Harold) of Lincoln; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her son, Brian Keith.

Visitation is from 1-8 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 5, at Parsons Funeral Home, with family present from 6-8 p.m.

A graveside service is at 2 p.m., Friday, Oct. 6, at Ellsworth Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Ellsworth County Senior Center Meals on Wheels or Angels Care Home Health in Ellsworth, in care of the funeral home, PO Box 45, Ellsworth, Kan. 67439.

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Thelbert William Janzen was born in a blizzard, married in a blizzard, and swore he’d die in a blizzard as well. But the sun was shining Sept. 30, 2017, when, after 93 years of life and love, the Lord finally welcomed him home.

Born March 22, 1924, to Herbert and Inez Janzen of rural Lorraine, Thelbert spent his life devoted to the farm and family he loved. Whether he was feeding his calves, planting sunflowers in the garden, or beating his grandchildren at dominoes, he did everything with the gentleness and quiet humor for which he was well loved.  

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Melvin and Vernon; and great-grandson, Dalton Ploutz.

Jack C. Rathbun, 92, passed away, Saturday, Sept. 30, 2017, at his home in Ellsworth. He was born March 7, 1925 in Ellsworth County to M.M. “Lank” and Lulu (Stull) Rathbun.

Jack was a lifetime resident of Ellsworth County where he was a farmer and stockman as well as a member of the First Presbyterian Church, Ellsworth County Coop board, Thomas School board, FSA board, Smoky Hill Campers, and a 4-H leader. Of all the titles, his favorite was “Grandpa.”

Jack served his country in WWII in the U.S. Marine Corp and was a charter member of the Ellsworth VFW Post 6485. He retired from the Army National Guard in 1969. Jack married Calleene Bettis on Aug. 6, 1947 in Ellsworth. She preceded him in death in 2002.

Jack was also preceded in death by his parents; son, Jerry; grandchildren, Treva, Nicholas, Jessie, and Amber; brothers, Cleo, Glenn, and Bob; and sister, Ruby Morganfield.

Florence Johanna Krueger, 98, passed away Sept. 28, 2017. She was born in Lincoln County to Berhardt and Caroline (Hiitter) Saenger July 23, 1919. She married LeRoy Krueger in Sylvan Grove on June 5, 1938.

Living in Ellsworth and Lincoln Counties all of her life, Florence was a homemaker and a business manager for Krueger Building Center. She was a member of the Immanuel Fellowship Club and the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Ellsworth.

Florence is survived by her son, Duane Krueger (Jacquelyn) of Sterling; son, Bill Krueger (Gisela) of Camano Island, Wash.; grandchildren, Rick (Linda) Krueger, Randy (Angela) Krueger, Anja (Frank) LaPier, Steffan (Lisa) Krueger, Angela (David) Brunk, and Ryan (Molly) Krueger; and great- grandchildren, Brendon, Michael, Conner, Dylan, and Madalyn Krueger, and Ashlyn and Ethan Brunk.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, LeRoy; four brothers; and seven sisters.

Joyce Adams Reynolds was called to Heaven, Sunday, Sept. 24, 2017 at Alamance Regional Medical Center after suffering a fall and subsequent broken leg. In addition, progressive dementia had taken the short term memory from this once sharp, amazingly intelligent woman.

Mrs. Reynolds was born Joyce Adams Dec. 5, 1928 in Danville, Va. to the late John and Nettie Adams. She was the third of four children born of this union. She married Harold “Whitey” Reynolds in Danville July 1, 1950.  They welcomed a son, Mark Anthony, May 10, 1951, and then a daughter, Carol Allison on July 22, 1963. She lived her life in Danville until April 2017 when she and her husband relocated to Brookdale Assisted Living in Burlington, N.C.,  and then just four weeks ago she moved to The Cottages at Blakey Hall in Elon, N.C.

Max Edward Tanton, 86, passed away Sept. 23, 2017. He was born May 14, 1931 to John Tanton, Sr. and Roxanna (Curtis), north of Ellsworth. On Sept. 2, 1962, he was united in marriage to Carol Ann Urbanek in Ellsworth. Max was a United States Army Veteran, a member of the American Legion and a member of the First United Methodist Church. He was employed by the Ellsworth County Highway Department until retirement and then worked as a motor grader operator for Blackwolf Township until his passing. He enjoyed raising cattle, working on his old cars, and helping his neighbors and family.

Max is survived by his wife, Carol; three daughters, Connie Falk (Alan), Jean Soukup, and Susan Dittman (Keith), all of Ellsworth; eight grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; his faithful friend, Gracie; and a brother, John Tanton, Jr. (Nancy) of Wichita. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Dorsey  'Duke' W. Ranker, 92, died Saturday, Sept. 23, 2017 in Lyons, Kan. He was born Nov. 11, 1924 to Gus and Emma Ranker in Ellsworth, Kan. Duke married Della Wachs on Oct. 9, 1950.

Survivors include his wife; daughter, Linda Jackson (Jack); sons, Virgil (Connie); Dwayne (Geri) and Eugene; 10 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Milburn; sister, Geneva Macek; brother, Herald “Peck” and five half-brothers.

Duke was a member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church and served as an elder. He was a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars following service in the U.S. Navy during World War II on the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Enterprise and served as VFW 6^th District Commander. He worked for Northern Natural Gas Co. for 33 years before retiring.

Duke will be remembered as a prolific “fix-it” man, repairing knickknacks of all kinds for family members.

     Donald F. Nienke, 93, passed away Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017. He was born Aug. 16, 1924 north of Ellsworth to Frank R and Emma W. (Erhardt) Nienke Jr.. He was united in marriage to Betty Hoffman Jan. 25, 1953 in Lincoln County. Donald was a farmer and rancher. He a member of the St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and the Kansas Livestock Association.
     Don is survived by two daughters, Ellen Kempke (Don) of Kanopolis and Patricia Ramsey (Craig) of Moline, Ill.; seven grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and a sister, Arlene Klemme, of Sheldon, Iowa.
     He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Betty, and a son, Tim.
      Visitation is from 3-7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 20, at the Parsons Funeral Home, Ellsworth, with family present from 6-7 p.m.
     Funeral service is at 10 a.m.  Thursday, Sept. 21, at the funeral home. Interment will follow in the Ellsworth Memorial Cemetery.

Donald C. Hokr, 91, passed away Sept. 16, 2017 in Hutchinson, Kan. He was born Oct. 15, 1925 in Geneseo, Kan., the son of Charles and Rose (Brashna) Hokr. He married Gladys Marie Kepka Dec. 30, 1947 in Ellsworth, Kan..

He was employed for many years as a salesman in the agriculture industry. Don was a veteran of the United States Navy serving during WWII. Don was a member of the Eastwood Church of Christ, American Legion and the VFW.

Don was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Gladys; a daughter Denise and a sister, Arlene McKinnies.

Don is survived by a son, Randy Hokr (Bobbie) of Hutchinson; grandchildren, Ryan Hokr of Hutchinson  and Staci Hokr of  Wichita and a sister, Verna Markham of Topeka and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until service time, Wednesday, Sept. 20 at Parsons Funeral Home.

     Rosanna M. Soukup, 89, passed away Friday, Sept. 15, 2017 in Ellsworth. She was born Nov. 23, 1927 in Ellsworth County, north of Kanopolis, Kan. to John and Emma Renc Kratky. She married Leo Soukup in 1946. She was employed as a nurse at Ellsworth County Medical Center.
     She was preceded in death by her husband, Leo; a daughter, Ruth Ann Wacker, and her parents.
     Survivors include a granddaughter, Tracy Andringa (John) of Summerville, S.C.; two grandsons, Lance Wacker (fiancé Lynn) and Dustin Wacker, both of Kanopolis, a son-in-law, Larry Wacker of Kanopolis; two great-grandchildren, Hannah and Lauren Angringa; and two nieces, Patricia Campbell and Joann Foran.
     Graveside funeral service will be at 10 a.m., Monday, Sept. 18, at Ellsworth Cemetery.
     Memorial contributions may be made to Ellsworth County Medical Center, in care of Parsons Funeral Home, P.O. Box 45, Ellsworth, Kan.  67439
     Condolences may be left at parsonsfh.com