Ralph M. Hankins, Jr.
December 27, 2009
Ralph M. Hankins, Jr., passed away Sunday, December 27, 2009 at Research Medical Center.
Ralph was preceded in death by his loving wife Bettie; two sisters InaMae and Cherry; and two brothers Jack and Keith. Survivors include two children Pamela (Joe) Stevens, Springhill, Kansas and Ralph (Robin) Hankins, Olathe, Kansas; and four grandchildren, Kimberly, Christopher, Tyler, and Ashlee. Ralph was a 62 year member of Iron Workers Local #10.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society,1100 Pennsylvania Avenue, Kansas City, Missouri 64105.
Visitation and Funeral Service
Visitation will be 6-8:00 p.m., Wednesday, December 30, 2009 at the Amos Family Chapel of Shawnee. Funeral Services will be 11:00 a.m. Thursday, December 31, at the chapel. Burial will follow in Maple Hill Cemetery, Kansas City, Kansas.
Julia Louise Minnie Kelly Polfer
December 27, 2009
Julia Louise Minnie Kelly Polfer, 96, formerly of rural Olathe, passed away peacefully surrounded by family at 12:05 a.m., December 27, 2009 in Overland Park, Kansas.
Julia was born August 15, 1913 in Argentine, Kansas to Roy and Emma Kresin Kelly. After her father’s untimely death, four-year-old Julia, her brother, and their mother resided with her maternal grandparents, William and Lena Lau Kresin until their mother remarried Ernest Hirning of rural Olathe.
Julia graduated from DeSoto High School in 1931 and married her high school sweetheart, Roy E. Polfer, on November 29, 1933. As a wedding gift, Roy built a new house for Julia and there they raised four children. Early in their marriage, Julia and Roy were young entrepreneurs and operated a service station and The Night Hawk café at the current junction of K-7 Highway and 83rd Street in Lenexa. When they started a family, Roy traded the businesses for his first farm which he operated until 1979. They were a good team with Roy driving the tractor and Julia keeping everyone well fed.
After their children were raised, Julia entered the work force and was employed first at the DeSoto State Bank and later at Miller’s Department Store in Olathe, Kansas.
Following the death of her husband of 56 years, Julia continued to live on the farm until she was 93 and enjoyed playing cards, entertaining friends, watching basketball, mentoring her grandchildren, and attending historic Monticello United Methodist Church.
In addition to her parents and husband, Julia was preceded in death by her brother, William Kelly, her daughter Beverly Polfer Smith, and her half-sister Ernestine Hirning Tripkos.
Survivors include her children Janice (Ambrose) Kelly of Overland Park, Kansas, Neil (Mary) Polfer of Pittsburg, Kansas, and Kent (Barbara) Polfer of Leawood, Kansas; grandchildren Greg (Liz) Kelly of Leawood, Kansas, Kevin (Tammie) Kelly and Kathleen (Marquin) Reeves of Shawnee, Kansas, James Polfer of Lenexa, Kansas, Elizabeth (Joseph) Dombrowsky of Silver Spring, Maryland, Leigh Polfer of Washington, D.C., and Kelby Polfer of Leawood, Kansas; half-sisters Emma Jean Taylor of Eudora, Kansas and Lu (Jack) Davidson of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; five great-grandchildren and one great great grandchild.
Julia will be remembered for her kind and generous nature, her genuine concern for those in need, her unwavering defense of the underdog, and her homemade chicken and noodles. The family expresses their heartfelt thanks to the staffs of Village Shalom and Kansas City Hospice for their compassionate care.
Memorial contributions may be made to Kansas City Hospice, 10100 W. 87th Street, Suite 100, Overland Park, Kansas 66212 or Monticello United Methodist Church, 23860 W. 75th Street, Shawnee, Kansas 66227.
Visitation and Funeral Service
A visitation will be held from 10 to 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, December 30, 2009 at Monticello United Methodist Church, 23860 W. 75th Street, Shawnee, immediately followed by a celebration of her life at 11:00 a.m. Interment at Mt. Muncie Cemetery, Leavenworth, Kansas.
Virginia “Ginny” VanDerhagen
December 26, 2009
Ginny VanDerhagen, 84, of Shawnee, Kansas, passed away December 24, 2009.
Ginny was born October 25, 1925 in Schenectady, New York to James and Margurite Fountain Woodward.
Ginny met her husband Frank VanDerhagen in 1946 in New York City. She moved with her husband after their wedding, to Shawnee. Ginny worked for the Corp of Engineers and NOAA as an administrative assistant before retiring in 1983. She was a member of the Shawnee American Legion Ladies Auxillary, Shawnee Irish Club, and St. Joseph Catholic Church.
Ginny is survived by her husband of 63 yrs, Frank VanDerhagen of Shawnee; son Robert VanDerhagen of Orlando, Florida; sister-in-law, Miriam Woodward; and one granddaughter, Julia Kasparek. She was preceded in death by her daughter Nancy Kasparek and two brothers James and Vincent Woodward.
Memorial donations in Ginny’s memory may be made to the St. Joseph Ladies Auxillary.
Visitation and Funeral Service
A visitation will be held from 6 to 8 pm Monday, December 28, 2009 at the Amos Family Chapel of Shawnee, with a Rosary recited at 6 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11 am Tuesday, December 29, 2009, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Shawnee. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery.
Raymond Webster Peterman
December 25, 2009
Raymond Webster Peterman, 91, Kansas City, Missouri, passed away Friday, December 25, 2009 at the Kansas City Hospice House.
Raymond was born on June 24, 1918 near Rich Hill, Missouri, the son of Joe Peterman, Jr. and Clara (Hall) Peterman. He graduated from Rich Hill High School in 1936. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, as a Radioman on the U.S.S. Joseph T. Dickman from 1942 until 1945 and was involved in five major landing operations. In 1949, he received a BA in Business Administration, from the University of Missouri at Columbia, where he was a member of the Alpha Kappa Psi Fraternity. On October 7, 1950, he married Ella Louise Robinson. They lived in Rich Hill, Missouri, where during the 1950’s, he was elected Committeeman of Rich Hill on the Republican ticket. He was Cashier of Rich Hill Security Bank; Secretary of the Rich Hill Commercial Club; and a founder of the Garden Club of Rich Hill. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion. In 1955, he was a Commissioner to the 167th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of the United States of America. In 1956, he and his wife moved to Hickman Mills (now Kansas City), Missouri, where he became Senior Vice President of and served on the Board of Director of the Hickman Mills Bank (now UMB Bank).
From 1961 until 1967, he was a partner in the Slaughter Insurance Agency. He was a community leader, holding office in the Hickman Mills Chamber of Commerce; the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce; the Richards-Gebauer Base Community Council; the Southeastern Jackson County Mental Health Association; the Harry S. Truman Chapter of the Air Force Association (AFA); and the Missouri AFA. In 1979, he was honored as Citizen of the Year by the South Kansas City Chamber of Commerce. He served as National Vice President of the AFA from 1989 to 1991.
A trombone player since childhood, he performed with the Medical Arts Symphony and the American Legion Band. He was a member of the 1st Presbyterian Church of Rich Hill, and later, the Ruskin Heights Presbyterian Church, Village Presbyterian Church in Prairie Village, Kansas, and Grace & Holy Trinity Cathedral.
He became a member of Delaware Crossing Chapter, Kansas Society Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) in 1983, with his membership eligibility being derived from the Revolutionary War Service of his ancestor, Asa Eggleson, Jr. (1763-1840), and has served in many SAR positions at the chapter, state, and national level. He was a Republican candidate for State Representative in 1990 and for Missouri Secretary of State in 2000.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and by his wife Louise, March 23, 1999. Survivors include sons, Raymond W. Peterman, Jr. and wife, Becky of Glen Ellyn, Illinois, Timothy E. Peterman of the home, Stephen C. Peterman and wife, Carole, of Wilmington, North Carolina, and John R. Peterman of Butler, Missouri; seven grandchildren, Ryan and Eric Peterman of Glen Ellyn, Illinois, Cassie, Chris, and Thomas Peterman of Wilmington, North Carolina, Joseph Peterman and friend, Stacey, of Gonzales, Louisiana, and Jacob Peterman of Butler, Missouri; one great granddaughter, Kelby Peterman of Gonzales, Louisiana; two brothers, Melvin L. Peterman and wife, Edwina, of California, Missouri and Paul E. Peterman of Rich Hill, Missouri; one brother-in-law, Roy E. Robinson of Auburn, Missouri; one sister-in-law, Martha Veasman of Benton, Arkansas; three nephews and three nieces, and a number of other relatives.
Visitation and Funeral Service
A visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, December 30, 2009 at the Amos Family Chapel of Shawnee. Funeral services will be 9 a.m. Thursday, December 31, 2009, at the Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral, 415 W. 13th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64105. Private family burial will follow at Millcreek Cemetery in Silex, Missouri.
Marie Ella Foster
December 23, 2009
Marie Ella Foster, 82, of Merriam, passed away Wednesday December 23, 2009 at her home.
Marie was born January 31, 1927 to the late Walter and Ella Brecheisen in Eudora, Kansas. She was the youngest of 9 children. Marie graduated from Eudora High School in 1945. After graduating high school Marie married Ira Thomas Foster, Sr. on June 29, 1946. Ira preceded Marie in death November 13, 1988.
Marie enjoyed caring for her family and others. She was active in the PTA and was a room mother for all of her children, as well as being a child care provider for over 50 years. Marie was also active with the Louis Craig VFW Post #18, Women’s Auxiliary, having held numerous positions including President.
Marie is survived by her three daughters, Wanda Dahnke, Kansas City, Kansas, Alice Belstner (Dennis), Shawnee, Kansas, Janet Wenze, Merriam, Kansas; two grandsons, Jason Dahnke (Angela) and Seth Foster; four granddaughters, Amy Foster (Chris), Kristy Belstner, Haley Foster, and Ashley Wenze; two great granddaughters, Kaylen Foster, Ella Dahnke; and a sister Eva Waggoner. Marie was also preceded in death by her son, Ira Thomas Foster, Jr. and her seven older siblings.
The family suggests memorial contributions to the Rosedale Congregational Church, 4326 Lloyd, Kansas City, Kansas 66103.
Visitation and Funeral Service
A Visitation will be 6 to 8 pm Tuesday, December 29, 2009, at the Amos Family Chapel of Shawnee. Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Wednesday, December 30, 2009, at the Chapel; burial will follow at Clearfield Cemetery in Eudora.
Sandra K. Heim
December 22, 2009
Sandy K. Heim, 65 of Shawnee, Kansas passed away December 22, 2009, peacefully at home.
She is survived by her devoted husband Roger Heim, and a son Clark Bono of Parkville, Missouri; daughters Wendi Bono of Shawnee, Kansas and Melissa Barron of Warrenton, Virginia; two sisters, Jennifer Hoffman and Rene Horn; and four grandchildren.
Memorial donations in Sandy’s memory may be made to Midwest Transplant Network 1900 West 47th Place, Suite 400 Westwood, Kansas 66205 or Trinity Lutheran Church, 5601 W. 62nd Street, Mission, Kansas 66202
Visitation and Memorial Service
A visitation will be held Saturday, December 26, 2009 from 1-2:00 pm at Trinity Lutheran Church, located at the corner of Shawnee Mission Parkway and Nall Avenue, Mission, Kansas. A memorial service will follow at 2:00 pm.
Marie A. James
December 21, 2009
Marie A. James, 103, passed away on December 21, 2009 at the Shawnee Gardens Nursing Home.
Marie was born on March 11, 1906 in St. Mary’s, Kansas to John and Eva (Martel) Storm. The family moved to Kansas City, Kansas when Marie was 12 years old. In June of 1929 Marie was joined in marriage with Lewis E. James, a Kansas City, Kansas Firefighter. They were blessed with two daughters, Donna (James) Kuebelbeck and Carol (James) Seuferling.
Marie was preceded in death by her husband in 1965 and daughter, Donna, in 2001, her sisters Felicitas Gerhardt and Agnes Clark, and two brothers Joe and Al Storm. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Carol and Bob Seuferling of Olathe, Kansas and son-in-law Bud Kuebelbeck of Shawnee, Kansas; sisters, Angela Hanis of Palos Verdes, Peninsula, California, Virginia Kierl of Louisburg, Kansas and Irene (Joe) Kissinger of Kansas City, Missouri; grandchildren Bob (Sharon) Kuebelbeck, Ron (Georgia) Kuebelbeck, Cheryl (Kenny7) Bleam, David (Michele) Kuebelbeck, Lisa (James) Butler, David (Barbara)Seuferling, Greg (Lynette) Seuferling; great-grandchildren Elizabeth McClure, Julie Kuebelbeck, Michael Kuebelbeck, Michelle Zinn, Aaron and Allison Kuebelbeck, Stephanie Hernandez, Tyler and Haley Carey, Cassie Seuferling, and great-great-grandchildren Lauren Kuebelbeck, Mattie McClure, Hunter Zinn and Jaeden Hernandez.
The family expresses their gratitude and thanks to the dedicated and caring staff of the Shawnee Gardens Nursing and Rehab Center and Grace Hospice.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to Susan B. Komen For the Cure Foundation at www.komen.org
Visitation and Funeral Service
A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 10 am on Saturday, December 26, 2009 at Good Shepherd Catholic Church, 12800 W. 75th Street, Shawnee, Kansas 66216. Visitation will precede the mass from 9-10 am at the church; burial to follow in Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Kansas City, Kansas.
Norma T. Recker
December 21, 2009
Norma Thompson Recker, 85, Troutdale, Oregon, formerly of Mission, Kansas, passed away Sunday, December 20, 2009
Norma was born in Mt. Carmel, Illinois on November 28, 1923. She attended nurses training at DePaul Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri and worked there as a registered nurse until her marriage to Othmar G. Recker June 19, 1948. They moved to Mission, Kansas in February of 1956. She worked at Bethany Medical Center in Kansas City, Kansas until her retirement in 1989.
She was an active member of St. Pius X Catholic Church. Norma was also active with the Girl Scouts, and volunteered at the Johnson County Library, Strokes of Support, and the American Heart Association. She moved to Portland Oregon in October of 2005 to live with her daughter Barbara.
Norma is survived by a son, Ronald Recker of Sacramento, California; two daughters, Barbara Recker, Portland, Oregon, Kathy Robbins, Houston, Texas; two grandsons, PO2 Mitchell Recker (USCG), Sacramento, California and Brian Robbins, Houston, Texas; two granddaughters, Katy Bullard, Elk Grove, California and LT. Hilary Robbins (USAF), Okinawa, Japan; great-granddaughter, Madeline Bullard, Elk Grove, California; three sisters, Charlene Thompson and Maxine Benevides, both of Nevada City, California; Phyllis Kissel, Princeton, Inidiana.
The family suggests in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to St. Pius X Catholic Church, 5500 Woodson, Mission, Kansas 66202 or Alzheimer’s Association-Heartland Chapter, 3846 W. 75th Street, Prairie Village, Kansas 66208-0076
Visitation and Services
Visitation will be 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, December 29, 2009, at the Amos Family Chapel of Shawnee. A Rosary will be prayed at 7 p.m. Mass of Christian burial will be 10 a.m. Wednesday, December 30 at St. Pius X Catholic Church. Burial will follow at Resurrection Cemetery, Lenexa, Kansas.
Jonathan Michael Etheridge
December 21, 2009
Jonathan Michael Etheridge, stillbirth, went to be with the Angels in Heaven Monday December 21, 2009.
Jonathan was born December 21, 2009 in Merriam, Kansas to Jesse and Joe Etheridge. Jonathan is survived by his loving parents, Jesse and Joe; two brothers, Julian and Joseph; grandparents, Veronica and James Schuler; cousins, Joshua, Joi, Marcus, Arielle, Ebonie, Gabrielle, Khalil; three uncles, James, David, Roy; and two aunts, Joy and Adrianna. Jonathan was preceded in death by a grandparent Peggy Marie.
Graveside Service
Graveside Service will be held Thursday, December 24, 2009, 11:00 a.m. at Shawnee Mission Memory Gardens, Shawnee, Kansas.
Creton Wray Nolting
December 20, 2009
Creton Wray Nolting, 83, Shawnee, Kansas, passed away Sunday, December 20, 2009 at the Sharon Lane Nursing Center.
Mr. Nolting was born March 31, 1926 in Glensted, Missouri to Herman and Eunice (Parkes) Nolting and grew up in Stover, Missouri. He was a veteran of the US Army during WWII. Creton retired from the Santa Fe Railroad in 1986 after 35 years of service.
He was preceded in death by his daughter, Sharen Lou Nolting on November 22, 1969. Survivors include his wife, Betty (White) Nolting; son, Larry Wray (Lori) Nolting, Tallahassee, Florida; daughter, Karen Sue Fisher, Phoenix, Arizona; four grandchildren, Adam (Elizabeth) Fisher, Jason (Rebecca) Fisher, Lucas Nolting and Hannah Nolting; great-grandchildren, Rowyn Fisher, Bodi Fisher and Ruby Fisher and many other family and friends.
Memorial contributions may be made to either the Lenexa Baptist Church, 15320 W. 87th Strett Parkway, Lenexa, Kansas 66219 or Kansas City Hospice, 9221 Ward Parkway, Suite 100, Kansas City, Missouri 64114.
Visitation and Funeral Service
Friends may call from 6-8 p.m., Tuesday, December 22, 2009 at the Amos Family Chapel of Shawnee. Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, December 23, 2009 at the Lenexa Baptist Church; burial in the Pleasant View Cemetery.