John Thomas Nurski Jr.
1926-2016

John Thomas Nurski Jr.89, of Saint Joseph, MO passed away Sunday, February 14, 2016 at Mosaic life care hospital. He was born July 14, 1926 in St. Joseph, MO, son of Balbina and John Nurski Sr. He attended Christian Brothers High School, then served in the United States Army and is a veteran of World War II serving in Germany. He retired from the St. Joseph News-Press after 44 years of service as line type operator. He enjoyed all sports, coaching his sons baseball teams, he also loved to fish and go to the boat. John was an active member of several organizations including the American Legion Post #359, V.F.W. post #6760, and the Knights of Columbus council # 571. He was a former member of St. Stanislaus Catholic church and a member of St. James Catholic Church. He was preceded in death by his parents, and wife, Dorothy Nurski. Survivors include three sons; Martin (Mary) Nurski, Kenneth O. Nurski, and Jerome (Tracy) Nurski all of St. Joseph, MO, two daughters, Sherry Nurski of St. Joseph, MO, and Diane Gillette of Newnan, GA, 10 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, February 18, 2016, at 11:00 am at the St. James Catholic Church, Father Evan Harkins Celebrant. The Rosary will be recited at 6:00 pm Wednesday at the Rupp Funeral Home, and the family will receive friends until 8:00 PM . The Interment will be at the Mount Olivet Cemetery. Online condolence and obituary at www.ruppfuneral.com.

Cheyenne D. Mathews
(August 29, 1950 – February 9, 2016)

Cheyenne D. Mathews departed this world February 9, 2016 while sleeping peacefully and with her husband at her side.

The body has been cremated and no services are scheduled at this time. Final arrangements have been entrusted to the Arensberg-Pruett Funeral Home.

Cheyenne was born August 29, 1950 in Childress, Texas, the daughter of Jotham and Sally (Ashbrook) Taylor. She married Michael G. Mathews on September 15, 1966 in Martinez, California.

She was a devoted wife, best friend and mother for forty-nine years; and a very proud grandmother.

Cheyenne especially enjoyed helping raise her grandson and exploring the countryside with her husband while riding their Harleys. She will be dearly missed by family and those that were extremely lucky to be considered her friends.

Survivors include her husband, Michael Mathews, of the couple’s home, a daughter, Michelle Krock, and a grandson, Michael Krock.

Harold D. Sommers
Born: April 21, 1930
Died: February 14, 2016

Hiawatha, KS Harold Sommers, 85, of Hiawatha died Sunday morning, February 14, 2016 at The Pines Care Center in Hiawatha.

He was born in Hiawatha, Kansas on April 21, 1930 to Harry and Florence Buckley Sommers. After graduating from Highland High School in 1948, he received an Associates degree from Highland Community College. He attended numerous military schools including Vietnamese Language School in Ft Bliss, Texas, and Command and General Staff College in Leavenworth.

Harold married Marilyn Keebler on March 6, 1955. Their first year of marriage was enjoyed on the island of Oahu, Hawaii where he was stationed at Scofield Barracks. Harold and Marilyn moved from Hawaii to Robinson in April of 1956 and bought a farm, which marked the start of a 40 year farming career until their retirement in 1996 to Hiawatha. Last March, they celebrated 60 years of marriage.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and sister Maxine. Survivors include his wife Marilyn, and their three children: Brad (Jane) Sommers of Robinson, Brian (Melody) Sommers of Denver, Co; and Susan Sommers (Larry Roeder) of Hiawatha. Six grandchildren – Matt, Laura, Kyla, Kari, Keith and Kaleb held a special place in his heart, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Harold was active in the Highland and Hiawatha communities. He was a lifelong member of the Highland Christian Church where he served as elder and Chairman of the Board. Affiliations include Smithton Masonic Lodge #1, AF&AM, of Highland and past master, Robinson Farmer’s Coop Board, and Hiawatha Hospital Board. Harold obtained private, commercial, and instrument pilot ratings; and held an aerial photography contract for 22 counties with USDA for eight years. Other hobbies included being an accomplished photographer, building ham radio equipment, woodworking, hunting and trap shooting, water and snow skiing, and the pursuit of technical knowledge. Over the course of his life, Harold traveled to all 50 states and three continents. His positive attitude, sense of humor, and readiness to help others endured throughout his life.

Brigadier General Sommers enlisted in the Kansas Army National Guard in 1951, receiving a direct commission to Second Lieutenant in 1952 in Headquarters Battery, 154th Field Artillery. He was ordered to active duty during the Korean War in 1953. After his return, he served as battery commander of 2nd Battalion, 130th Field Artillery before being mobilized in 1968 for the Vietnam War. After attending a Vietnamese language school, he served as a US Military Advisor; assigned to train, advise, and mentor a South Vietnamese artillery battalion during 1969.

In 1974, he was promoted to battalion commander of the 2nd Battalion, 130th Field Artillery and then commander of the 130th Field Artillery Brigade. Later appointments included Deputy Commander, State Area Command, and being promoted to General in 1984. He retired in 1986, and was inducted into the Kansas National Guard Hall of Fame in 2003.

Friends mall call at Chapel Oaks Funeral Home in Highland after 10 a.m. Thursday. The Masonic Rights Ceremony will be held at 6 p.m., followed by the family visiting with friends.

Celebration of life service will be Friday, February 19, at 2 pm at the Highland Christian Church, with Reverend Brian Sommers officiating, assisted by Pastor Tom Carter. Burial and military honor services will follow at the Highland Cemetery.

Memorial contributions are suggested to Highland Christian Church, National Guard Museum, American Breast Cancer Society, or Masonic Lodge Scholarship fund. Memorials may be sent in care of the funeral home, PO Box 33, Highland, KS 66035.

SERVICES
Celebration of Life Service
Friday, February 19, 2016
2:00 PM

Highland Christian Church
102 E Main Stree
Highland, Kansas 66035

Thelma V. Wolfe
Born: December 24, 1911
Died: February 14, 2016

Thelma V. Wolfe, 104, of Hiawatha, went to be with her God, Sunday, February 14, 2016, at Maple Heights Nursing Home in Hiawatha, where she had resided since 2008.

Thelma was born December 24, 1911, north of Everest, Kansas, at the farm home of her parents, one of six children of Clemens and Emma Bengston Geiger. She attended Evergreen District 69 Grade School and later graduated from Hiawatha High School with the class of 1930.

Mrs. Wolfe was a life time member of Upper Wolf Lutheran Church, south of Robinson. Thelma also taught Sunday school there, and was active with ELCW (Evangelical Lutheran Christian Women) of the Church. She was also a life member of the Hiawatha Hospital Guild, and Brown County Historical Society.

Thelma married Harmon “Pete” Wolfe, February 25, 1940, at the Lutheran Church. They farmed until he retired and they moved to Hiawatha January 1985. He died October 27, 2009. She was also preceded in death by her parents; three sisters and two brothers: Enola Oltjen, Milton Geiger, Ruby Wakeman, Virgil Geiger, and Elma Beckley.

Survivors include a number of nieces, nephews, and many friends.

The family would like to thank Maple Heights for their continuous care and concern for Thelma.

A Celebration of Thelma’s Life is planned for 11 a.m. Saturday, February 20, at Chapel Oaks Funeral Home in Hiawatha. Interim Pastor Steve Evans, of Zion/Upper Wolf Lutheran Churches, will officiate. Interment will follow at Mt. Hope Cemetery, Hiawatha.

Friends may call at the funeral home after 10 a.m. Friday. The family will meet with friends one hour prior to services Saturday.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggested memorial contributions to the Brown County Historical Society or a favorite charity of the donor’s choice, sent in care of the funeral home, 124 S 7th St., Hiawatha 66434.

SERVICES
Celebration of Life Service
Saturday, February 20, 2016
11:00 AM

Chapel Oaks Funeral Home – Hiawatha
124 S. 7th St.
Hiawatha, Kansas 66434

Theodore “Ted” P. Beien
(January 30, 1930 – February 13, 2016)

Theodore P. “Ted” Beien, 86, Atchison, Kansas died Saturday, February 13, 2016 at the Atchison Hospital.

Mass of Christian burial will be Thursday, February 18, 2016, at 11:00 A.M. at St. Benedict’s Church with Abbot Barnabas Senecal, OSB as celebrant. Visitation with the family will be Thursday, from 10:00 to 11:00 A.M. at the church. The body will be cremated following the services with inurnment in the Mt. Calvary Cemetery at a later date. Memorial contributions are suggested to Atchison Catholic Charities and may be left in care of Arensberg-Pruett Funeral Home with whom the final arrangements have been entrusted.

Ted was born January 30, 1930 in Orleans, Nebraska the son of Peter and Elizabeth Conradi Beien. He attended schools in Effingham, Kansas graduating from Atchison County Community High School.

He and Nancy J. Schooler were united in marriage on May 4, 1957 in Atchison, Kansas.

Ted served with the United States Air Force from December 26, 1950 until his honorable discharge at Camp Kilmer, New Jersey on December 6, 1954.

He worked in the maintenance department of Rockwell International Corporation for 37 years until his retirement.

Ted was a member of St. Benedict Parish, participating at Sacred Heart Church, a member of Sacred Heart Council #723 of the Knights of Columbus, William T. Jochems General Assembly #1716 Fourth Degree, the Fleming-Jackson-Seever Post #6 of the American Legion and a former member of the Forty and Eight.

In his spare time he was an avid gardener, tending especially to his roses and his vegetable garden. He enjoyed reading, camping, dancing and most of all spending time with his children and grandchildren. He was also known as a fixer upper with projects around the house.

Survivors include his wife of fifty eight years, Nancy, of the home, a son, Richard Beien, San Tan Valley, AZ, two daughters, Michelle (Kevin) Swords, Atchison, KS, Sissy (Rocky) Weber, Lawrence, KS, four grandchildren, Thad Kasper, Celia Kasper, Jacob Weber, Vance Weber, and a sister-in-law, Jean Beien, Cummings, KS.

He was preceded in death by two brothers, Sylvester, Beien, Matt Beien, five sisters, Marquerite Sanders, Anna Peak, Delphine Schockley, Josephine Ladwig and Verna Linscott.