Esther L. Middendorf
1923-2016

Esther L. Middendorf, 93, of Hiawatha, went to be with her Lord Wednesday, December 7, 2016, at Hiawatha Community Hospital.
She was born on a farm south of Troy, December 6, 1923, the eighth of nine children born to Charles and Martha Kiehnhoff Ruhnke and was a northeast Kansas resident her entire life. Esther attended rural schools K-8 near Troy. She worked as a nanny, hospital switch board operator and caregiver for an elderly lady before she married at age 24. Esther worked for 33 years as a secretary for Hiawatha Elementary School before retiring.
Esther was a longtime dedicated member of Zion Lutheran Church of Hiawatha and had held many offices in the LWML (Lutheran Women Missionary League). She was active in the Hiawatha Community as a board member of Latchkey; Home Health Agency; Brown County Election Board; was a Grey Lady Volunteer for many, many years, at Hiawatha Community Hospital; and quilted with the ladies at the Brown County Ag Museum. In her spare time, she enjoyed quilting, sewing, reading, cooking, Scrabble, volunteering, and family activities.
She was married to Clarence Middendorf, June 6, 1948 at Zion Lutheran Church. They have made Hiawatha their home all of their married life. He survives.
Also surviving are two daughters: Karen McNamee (Jim Keyser) of Portland, OR, Judy Middendorf of Ft. Collins, CO; a son David Middendorf (Lela) of Hiawatha; a sister Helen Schmidt of Stanton, NE; grand-daughters: Jessica Young (Jeff), Katie Knoll (Chris); step-grandchildren: Brandon Smith (Laura), Jenna Smith; great-grandchildren: Haley Young, Mitchell Smith; Ava Knoll, Meredith Smith, and Liam Knoll.
Esther was preceded in death by her parents; daughter-in-law Nancy Middendorf; brothers: Harold, Herbert, Raymond, Charles Ruhnke; sisters: Edna Benitz, Dorothy Bode, and Marguerite Damm.
A Celebration of Esther’s life is planned for 11 a.m. Tuesday, December 13, at Zion Lutheran Church in Hiawatha, with Pastor Mike Dunaway officiating. Cremation will follow service with private inurnment at a later date at Mt. Hope Cemetery, Hiawatha.
Friends may call at the funeral home after 10 a.m. Monday, where the family will meet from 6 until 8 that evening, at Chapel Oaks Funeral Home.
Memorial contributions are suggested to Zion Lutheran Church or Missy Newell Memorial Fund, sent in care of the funeral home, 124 S 7th St., 66434.

Ruth Ann Schwader
1935-2016

Ruth Ann Schwader, 81, St. Joseph, Missouri passed away Wednesday, December 7, 2016 surrounded by her family.
She was born July 25, 1935 in Savannah Missouri.
Ruth Ann married H.C. Schwader November 22, 1951. She and her husband owned and operated a dairy farm together and traveled for twenty years.
She was a member of Harmony Cumberland Presbyterian Church and very active in the community. Ruth also belonged to CPW- Missionary Group, PTA, and was a 4-H leader.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Ralph and Clara Acord; husband, H.C. Schwader; brother, Russell Acord; and sister, Delores Reeder.
Survivors include her children, Chris Ann View (Bill), Harrisburg, Missouri, Kevin Schwader (Debby) St. Joseph, Missouri, Jeanne Jung (Scott), Cosby, Missouri, and Col. Ralph Schwader (Sonya), St. Joseph, Missouri; grandchildren, Aaron View, Austin View, Adam View (Heather), Abigail Espenschied (Rich), Grant Schwader, Tyler Schwader (Victoria), Keera Schneider (Jacob), BreeAnna Jung, Lydia Jung, Ashton Portman(Trevor) and Missy Vaughn (Cody); great-grandchildren, Cruz View, Marcus View, Gunner Portman, Oakes Portman, and baby Espenschied on the way.
Farewell Services 3:00 P.M. Saturday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Interment Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will receive friends 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Friday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Flowers are appreciated and for those wishing to make a contribution, the family requests they be made to Harmony Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.

Harold J. “Jerry” Dallas
1938-2016

Harold J. “Jerry” Dallas, 78, went to be with our Lord on Wednesday, December 7, 2016 at Onaga Health and Rehab.
He was born June 10, 1938 in Lyon County near Harveyville, the son of Harold G. and Lois Little Dallas. Harold was raised from a young age by his mother and beloved step-father, Jesse Miller. He graduated from Topeka High School in 1957.
Jerry served in the U.S. Navy from 1957 to 1961, earning the rank of Machinist’s Mate, 2nd Class.
He worked for Pacific Gas & Electric in northern California before moving back to Kansas to be near family. He then worked for Goodyear Tire, and later General Foods dog food plant, which was later Del Monte, then Heinz. He worked there thirty plus years before retiring due to his health in 2006.
Jerry married Patsy Hunt on September 4, 1965 in Reno, Nevada. She survives, of the home.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Paul Miller, two brothers-in-law, David Brooks and Ben Montague, and a daughter-in-law, Angelina Rose Dallas.
Other survivors include three sons, Frank Dallas and wife Richie Abrau Dallas, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Brian Dallas, Kansas City, MO, and Jeremy Dallas and wife Michelle, Soldier; two brothers, Robert Dallas and wife Lila, St. Joseph, MO and Jesse Miller and wife Margaret, Topeka; two sisters, Betty Jo Montague, Hoyt and Karen Brooks, St. Charles, MO; four grandchilden, Jeremy Michael Dallas, Kendra Mary- Kathryn Dallas, Logan Robert-Thomas Dallas and Rose Shirley Abrau, and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, December 14th at the Chapel Oaks Funeral Home in Holton. Burial with military honors will follow in the Topeka Cemetery. Jerry will lie in state Tuesday and until service time Wednesday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the Alzheimer’s Association, and may be sent in care of the funeral home, P. O. Box 1034, Holton, KS 66436.

Frances (Gabriel) Mitchell
1914-2016

Liberty, Missouri – Frances (Gabriel) Mitchell, 102, formerly of Wathena, Kansas passed away Wednesday, December 7, 2016 in Liberty, Missouri.
Frances was born on November 7, 1914 in Wathena, Kansas to Nicholas & Sylvia (Ulrich) Gabriel. She worked as a bank teller for the Farmers State Bank of Wathena, Kansas.
Frances married Virgil Mitchell on April 15, 1937 in Van Nuyes, California. He preceded her in death on January 28, 1994. She was also preceded in death by her parents, sisters, Eulalia Poirier & Helen Forrest, brothers, Bob Gabriel & Buddy Gabriel.
Survivors; son, Merle (Mary Ann) Mitchell of Kansas City, Missouri;
Daughters, Diana Gilman of Agoura Hills, California;
Carol Marder of Canoga Park, California;
3 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren & 3 great-great-grandchildren;
Numerous nieces & nephews.
Frances wishes were to be cremated, with a memorial graveside service at a later date.
Harman-Rohde Funeral Home in Wathena, Kansas are in charge of arrangements.

Joan Elaine Noll (Chmidling)
1926-2016

Joan Elaine Noll (Chmidling) was born Tuesday, April 13th, 1926; and passed away Wednesday, December 7th, 2016 in Topeka, Kansas. Visitation Sunday, December 11th, 2016, 2:00pm – 4:00pm. Located at the Corpus Christi Catholic Church. Services Monday, December 12th, 2016, 10:30am. Officiating Fr. Lazar Carasala. Located at the Corpus Christi Catholic Church. Interment located at the Corpus Christi Cemetery.
 
 
 
 
Anna Larfern Richey (Hundley)
1949-2016

Anna Larfern Richey (Hundley) was born Saturday, February 12th, 1949; and passed away Wednesday, December 7th, 2016 in Atchison, Kansas. Visitation Friday, December 9th, 2016, 6:30pm – 8:30pm; located at the Becker-Dyer-Stanton Funeral Home. Services Saturday, December 10th, 2016, 10:30am. Officiating Rev. Robert Ziegler. Located at the Becker-Dyer-Stanton Funeral Home. Interment located at the Sumner Cemetery.