Obituaries

Glorene M. Slechta, 84, passed away Dec. 21, 2016. Ms. Slechta was born Dec. 17, 1932 to William R. and Hazel M. Scheidt in Bismarck, N.D. She was united in marriage to her high school sweetheart, Nick, at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church May 18, 1953. She is preceded in death by her brothers, Billy, Earl, and Raymond and her beloved little angel, Dane Scott.

She is survived by her loving husband Nick of 63 years; daughter, DeVon Freilinger, Kingman; son Damon and Erin, Essex, Conn.; grandson, Tucker Christian and granddaughter, Tessa Grace; granddaughters, Alisha Hemken and Amber Freilinger; grandson, Brandon Slechta; great-grandchildren, Alexandria and Jonathan Hemken; great-great granddaughter, Rayne; and numerous relatives.

M. Joyce Harrell, 72, passed away Monday, Dec. 19, 2016 in Salina.
She was born Oct. 15, 1944 in Ellsworth to Walter and Margaret (Hudson) Hoffman.Joyce was a lifetime resident of Ellsworth County, where she worked as a secretary at Independent Salt, a bank teller at First Bank, and helped out at Boots Flower Shop, among various other jobs. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, where she was active in the Presbyterian Women group and on the board of Deacons.
She married Lyle Harrell on June 27, 1964 in Ellsworth. He preceded her in death in 2012.
She was also preceded in death by her parents and brothers, William and Richard Hoffman.
 Joyce is survived by her son, Steve Harrell (Kathy) of Tonganoxie; daughter, Pam Curtis (Jason) of Lincoln; grandchildren, Mallory, Lauren, and Hudson; sister, Peggy Berry of Olathe; and many nieces and nephews.

 William D. Podlena, 92, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2016 in Lyons, Kan.
He was born April 24, 1924 in Kansas City, Mo. to Emil and Rose (Mattas) Podlena. A longtime resident of the Wilson area, William was a pipeline welder and farmer. He was a member of the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church of Wilson and he was active with the American Legion. He proudly served his country during WWII as part of the U.S. Coast Guard serving aboard the SS Moremack Dove and the SS William Vaughn Moody. It was on the Moody that he saw combat in Operation Leyte Gulf.  
He married Una Joyce Buehler on Sept. 19, 1944 in Scott City, Kan. She survives him.

Norman Art Waymaster passed away Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2016 at Pinnacle Park Nursing and Rehabilitation in Salina, Kan. at the age of 47.  
He was born March 6, 1969 in Wilson, Kan. to Arthur Leal and Denise Awn (Chegwidden) Waymaster.  He grew up in Ellsworth County, graduating from Ellsworth High School with the Class of 1988.  He went on to attend technical college.
Having grown up on the farm, Norman was not unaccustomed to hard work. He worked at the sale barn and also spent several years working in residential construction, helping to build houses. He was an avid collector of toys, many of which, having never been removed from the packages, will be donated to children in the greater Salina area. He loved his family and friends, and had a special place in his heart for animals, always taking care of his own cat and any strays in the neighborhood that needed a little extra food, shelter, or loving.

Jerry L. Jensen, 78, passed away Dec. 15, 2016, at his residence, near Marion, Kan.  
He was born Jan. 12, 1938, in Denmark, Kan., the son of Henry P. and Clara M. (Nelson) Jensen. He was retired from the KDOT engineering department. On Nov. 26, 1961, he was united in marriage to Marjorie B. Hummel. Their marriage was blessed with four daughters.  
He was preceded in death by a daughter, Shawn Jensen; and four siblings:  Marvin Jensen, Lew Jensen, Don Jensen and Almatha Woodall.  
He is survived by his wife, Marjorie Jensen of Marion; three daughters,  Tonya Stemmons and husband Jeffrey of Austin, Texas, Kayla McMichael and husband Richard of Kansas City, and Stephanie Andres and husband Stuart of Lincolnville; siblings, Cleo Jensen of Hunter, and Carrie Michaelson of Topeka; and three grandchildren, Reed Stemmons, Renee Stemmons, and Skylar Andres.  
Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, at Zeiner Funeral Home, Marion.  

Frederick J. “Fritz” Mog, 87, passed away Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2016 in Ellsworth.
He was born March 1, 1929 in Ellsworth County to Frederick F. and Elizabeth B. Mog. A lifetime resident of the Wilson area, Fritz was a farmer and stockman and member of the St. Bernard’s Catholic Church of Ellsworth. He was a past board member of the Noble Township, the co-op, and the credit union. He was also a past commander of American Legion Post 200 of Holyrood and member of the Knights of Columbus. Fritz proudly served his country in the U.S. Army during the Korean War.
He married Betty Lou Wanek in Wilson on Sept. 12, 1950. She preceded him in death in 2012.
He was also preceded in death by his parents; granddaughter, Shay Mog; brother, John; and sisters, Hubertine, Clare, Suzanne, Betty Rae, and Loyola.

Alice Rush, 70, Kanopolis, passed away Saturday, Dec. 10, 2016 in Ellsworth.
She was born Jan. 12, 1946 in Ellsworth to Hubert and Alice (Nienke) Schwerdtfeger. Alice was a lifetime resident of Ellsworth County, where she was a homemaker, waitress, and avid fisherwoman, always managing to catch the biggest fish. She was a member of the St. Paul Lutheran Church of north Ellsworth County.
She married Lawrence Rush on Nov. 23, 1970 in Kanopolis. He survives her.
Alice is also survived by her daughters, Billi Rush-Fry (Curtis) of Udall and Kim Kratzer of Hoisington; son, Kit Rush (Beth) of Geneseo; 10 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; son, Bobby Rush; brother, Bud Schwerdtfeger; and sisters, Gladys Koralek and Donna Choitz.
Memorial graveside service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 17, at Buckeye Cemetery, rural Kanopolis.

Deborah Lynn Butler, 61, Ellsworth, passed away Saturday, Dec. 10, 2016 in Salina.
She was born Nov. 22, 1955 in Ellsworth to Dwaine and Betty (Schneider) Pruitt. A lifetime resident of Ellsworth, Deb was a registered nurse working at the local hospital, correctional facility, and Good Samaritan Home. She was a member of the St. Paul Lutheran Church of north Ellsworth and VFW Post 6485 Ladies Auxiliary of Ellsworth.
She married Fred Butler at St. Paul Lutheran Church on June 19, 1982. He survives her.
Deb is also survived by her daughters, Lacy Axtell, Amanda Florian (Brian) and Misty Butler, all of Ellsworth; 10 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren; father, Dwaine Pruitt (Lois) of Ellsworth; brother, Wayne Pruitt (Kim) of Salina; and sister, Barb Clark (Darren) of Ellsworth.
She was preceded in death by her mother Betty Pruitt.

Claborn “Clay” A. Fischer, 78, of Salina, Kan., formerly of Ellsworth, Kan. and Beatrice, Neb., passed away, Monday, Dec. 5, 2016.
He was born Sept. 3, 1938 in Holdenville, Okla., to Otis and Laura (Claborn) Fischer.
Clay graduated from Ellsworth High School in 1956. He was the plant manager of Builder’s Choice Concrete in Salina and employed for many years at Beatrice Concrete prior to relocating to Salina Clay served in the Army National Guard and was a 50 year member of the Masonic Lodge.
Survivors include his sons, Dan and wife, Lauren, of Santa Ana, Calif., and Mike and wife Sherri of Longmont, Colo.; daughter-in-law, Pam Fischer, of Cortland, Neb.; grandchildren, Tiffany Fort and husband, Shane, Jacey Fischer, Grace Fischer, Cole Fischer and Rylie Fischer; and great-grandchildren, Natalie Parde and Deacon Fort.  
He is preceded in death by his parents; son, Jeff Fischer; and granddaughter, Emily Fischer.

     Kenneth O. Lantz, 88, Otis, Kan., died Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2016, at his home. Mr. Lantz was born March 31, 1928, in Abilene, Kan., the son of Ira V. and Florence Mae (Hostteller) Lantz. He was a farmer and a carpenter.
     He married Maudine Steele Aug. 3, 1957, in Abilene.
     Survivors include his wife, Maudine Lantz, Otis; two sons, retired Colonel Dwight Engle (Annette), Mountain Home, Idaho, and Alan Engle (Lanie), Manhattan, Kan.; three daughters, Yvonne Kuhl (Larry), Blue Springs, Mo., Evy Sohm (Steve), Otis, and Nola Newcomer, Kanopolis, Kan.; 14 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; one daughter-in-law, Nancy Engle, Illinois; four brothers, Jim Lantz, Auxvasse, Mo., Ivan Lantz, Bella Vista, Ark., Roy Lantz, Salina, Kan., and Harvey Lantz, Abilene; and one sister, Dorothy Thorpe, Topeka, Kan.
     He was preceded in death by his parents; and one son, John Engle.