Obituaries

Lavel A. Heitschmidt, 83, a long-time resident of Holyrood, died, Thursday, Feb. 16 at Via Christi Hospital in Manhattan, Kan.  

She was born Feb. 27, 1933 in Frederick, Kan. to Herman and Clara (Mehl) Russell. She grew up in Lorraine, Kan., and Kansas City, Kan.

On Aug. 19, 1951, she was married to Bobby Heitschmidt in Holyrood, Kan. He preceded her in death in 2002.

She was a graduate of Argentine High School, Kansas City, Kan. in 1951 and Sterling College in 1967.

Lavel was a board member for USD 328 from 1974-1981 and served as its first female president.  She was the first female Ellsworth County Commissioner and served from 2002-2006.  She coordinated the Holyrood Community Scholarship and the Ellsworth County spelling bee.  She was also a member of the Red Hat Society.
 

Alfred LeRoy Dolezal passed away Sunday, Feb. 12, 2017 at the Good Samaritan Society in Ellsworth, Kan. at the age of 87.  He was born Oct. 24, 1929 in Wilson, Kan. to the late Fred and Mary (Prochaska) Dolezal. He grew up in the Wilson area and graduated from Wilson High School with the Class of 1947. On April 15, 1951 he was united in marriage to June Feil in Wilson. They were blessed with three children, Susan, John, and Mary Beth.

Alfred was a hardworking farmer and stockman.  He enjoyed hunting and fishing, and was always game for a little pin action at the bowling alley. He played baritone in the Wilson City Band, and sang in the Immanuel Lutheran Church Choir.  He was active in the community and served on the Co-Op Board, School Board, and Church Council. But the greatest joy in his life was his wife and family. No matter where they were going, or what they were doing, he and June made sure they were having fun, and making the most of every opportunity together.

Lou Mary Black, 99, passed away Saturday, Feb. 11, 2017 in Salina. She was born Oct. 26, 1917 in Ellsworth County to Ernest and Grace (Baldridge) Woolsey.

Lou Mary was a lifetime resident of Ellsworth County where she became a school teacher at various area schools after receiving her teaching degree from Kansas Wesleyan University. She married Harry Cleverdon Black on Aug. 11, 1943 in Ellsworth County. He preceded her in death in 1986. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Salina.

Carl Clair Bohl, Jr., 77, passed away Feb. 8, 2017 in Ellsworth.

He was born Aug. 21, 1939 in Ellsworth to Carl A. and Esther (Haase) Bohl. Carl was a lifetime resident of Ellsworth. He worked for KDOT as a motor grader operator and was a member of the St. Paul Lutheran Church, north of Ellsworth.
  Carl is survived by his son, Monte Bohl of Ellsworth; sister, Nancy Rolfs of Lawrence; sister, Jan Hansel (Leonard) of Lawrence; and sister, Carol Panzer of Broomfield, Colo.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sons, Kelly and Kevin Bohl; brothers, Don and Gary Bohl; and sister, Deloise Mayo.
Memorial graveside service will be at 2 p.m., Friday, Feb. 17, 2017 at the St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery, north Ellsworth.
Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Paul Lutheran Church, c/o Parsons Funeral Home, P.O. Box 45, Ellsworth, Kan. 67439.
Condolences can be posted at parsonsfh.com.

Gary E. Foskett 60, died Feb. 3, 2017 at the Hutchinson Regional Hospital.  He was born May 20, 1956 in Texas, the son of Harlan and Goldie Foiles Foskett Sr. He has been a resident of Sterling since 2008 and formerly of Orlando, Fla. He graduated from Nickerson High School in 1975 and Hutchinson Community College with an Associate’s Degree in Human Resources. He was retired from the U.S. Navy serving in the Seabees. He was a member of the United Methodist Church and church choir, served as a Boy Scout leader and was Scout Master for Troop 369, all of Sterling. On May 21, 1977 he married Patricia Tierney in Mill Hall, Pa.

Minnie Hodges, 95, of Hays, Kan., died Sunday, Jan. 29, 2017, in her home.

YNCS Orville E. Stroh,(Ret.) 79, died Jan. 25, 2017 in Little River. He was born, Nov. 22, 1937 in Wilson, Kan. to Aaron and Anna (Nuss) Stroh.  He worked in special intelligence with the United States Coast Guard, and retired after 20 years of service as a Senior Chief Petty Officer. He was a member and past commander of the American Legion Post 174, and a member of the Lion’s Club in Ellsworth. He also owned Stroh Realty and Auction in Lyons.

In 1960, he married Beverly Brown in Norfolk, VA. She preceded him in death. His sister, Earlene Stroh also preceded him.

Donald Alan ‘Alien’ Lank, age 54 of Coffeyville, Kan. met his Lord and Savior at 8:50 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2017 in an automobile accident.

James Robert Larsen, 62, died Jan. 25, 2017 at his home in Ellsworth. He was born April 13, 1954 in Ellsworth to Robert J. and Carol S. (Prochaska) Larsen.

He was a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps and a member of American Legion Post 174, Ellsworth, and a truck driver.

On Oct. 19, 1984 he married Sandra Chizek in Ellsworth. She survives, along with their sons, Luke Larsen (Desiree Bushell), Wilson, Kan., Adam Larsen, Ellsworth; daughter, Gracie Larsen (Sheldon Frederking), Russell, Kan.; two grandchildren, Kylee and Bo; brothers, Peder John and Dirk, both of Ellsworth and Samuel of Brainerd, Minn.

Visitation will be at 8 a.m. until service time Saturday, Jan. 28. 

A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday Jan. 28 at Parsons Funeral Home.

Memorials may be given to the American Cancer Society or Tuberous Sclerosis Alliance, in care of the funeral home, PO Box 45, Ellsworth, Kan. 67439. 

Online condolences: parsonsfh.com

Marcenia Mary Foster, 95, passed away Jan. 21, 2017 in Topeka. She was born Oct. 18, 1921 in Overly, N.D. to John Joseph and Alice Mae (McGillivary) Schuchard. She married Everett Foster in Seattle, WA on Dec. 31, 1943. He preceded her in death in 1993.

A longtime resident of Geneseo, Kan., Marcenia worked as a nurse’s aide at the Ellsworth Hospital where she spent most of her career assisting with infant deliveries. She was a member of the St. Bernard’s Catholic Church, Ellsworth and the American Legion Post 241 Auxiliary, Geneseo. She was also a former city councilwoman in Geneseo.
 

Marcenia is survived by her sons, Ralph Foster (Margaret) of Olathe, Kan. and Marvin Foster of Geneseo; daughter, Karen Snethen of Topeka; 11 grandchildren and 29 great-grandchildren; and twin sister, Marcella Trickey of Spokane, Wash.