Washington County Kansas Obituaries

GREENLEAF -- Leonard John Hoover, 88, Linn, died Monday, March 1, 1999, at a Washington hospital.

Mr. Hoover farmed in Washington County.

He was born Jan. 24, 1911, at Kimeo, the son of Martin A. and Johanna Burke Hoover. Mr. Hoover was a member of the Catholic faith and he attended Sacred heart Catholic Church at Greenleaf. He also was a member of the Moose Lodge at Marysville and the Knights of Columbus Council at Hanover. He was married to Ernestine Mattingly on Dec. 11, 1971. She died in 1976. He later was married to Esther Potts on June 20, 1981, at Kimeo. She died in 1995. Survivors include three sisters, Lola Donigen, Marcella Hogan and Florence Pickett, all of Greenleaf. Services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Burial will be at St. Michael's Catholic Cemetery at Kimeo. Mr. Hoover will lie in state from 3 to 8 p.m. today at the Ward Funeral Home at Greenleaf where a wake service will be at 7 p.m. (Topeka Capital - Journal, The, March 3, 1999 - Submitted by Verlin Wichman)

HELMS, ARNOLD ERNEST

Arnold Ernest Helms was born October 2, 1915 at Linn, KS to Herman and Bertha, nee Moorman, Helms. He lived all his life in Strawberry Township. He was also a life-long member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, where he was a member of the Choir and held various offices in the church.

Arnold was baptized October 3, 1915 and confirmed April 13, 1930 at Immanuel by Rev. Paul Stolp. He graduated from Immanuel Lutheran Day School in June, 1930.

He was married to Elsa Herrs July 28, 1940 at Immanuel by Rev. Stolp. They celebrated their golden wedding anniversary last July. Their union was blessed with three children, Elvera Richardson, Arlene Beikmann and Lennis.

Arnold was called to his heavenly home on October 21, 1990 at the age of 75 years, 20 days.

His last days were spent as a resident of the Linn Community Nursing Home.

He is survived by his wife, Elsa and son, Lennis, of the hom; daughters, Elvera and husband, Donald Richardson of Linn; and Arlene and husband Harold Beikmann of Clifton. Also, 11 grandchildren, six great-grandchildren; a brother, Edgar and wife, Betty of Linn; a sister, Olga
Hartman of Topeka; an aunt, Caroline Springhorn of Linn; and several sisters-in-law, Eileen Helms of Seward, NE, Lavera Helms, Erna Helms, Emily Bott, and Laura Herrs of Linn, & Amanda and Herman Bott of Palmerl and a host of relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers, Ewald, Raymond, Harold and Norbert, and brother-in-law, Albert Hartman. Arthur Bott and Theodore Herrs.

Pall bearers were Verlin Herrs, John Helms, Victor Hartman, Delwin Bott, Loren Bott and Gary Helms.

The family suggests that memorial be given to the Immanuel School Endowment Fund or the Immanuel Building Fund.

The family invites their family and friends to join them in the Parish Hall for lunch and fellowship following the service. (Obtained from Arnold Helms' Memorial Card--submitted by Mary Ann Richardson)

HELMS, ELSA M.

Linn-- Elsa M. Helms, 89, Linn, died Thursday, Feb. 15, 2007.

Mrs. Helms was born Elsa M. Herrs on March 19, 1917, in Linn. She was a homemaker.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Arnold, in 1990; and a daughter, Elvera Richardson, in 2006.

Survivors include a son, Lennis of Linn; a daughter, Arlene Beikmann of Palmer, 11 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Monday at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Linn. Burial will be in Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery.

Memorial have been established.

Visitation will be from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday at Ward Funeral Home, 418 Fourth, Linn, 66953. (Salina Journal ~ 17 Feb 2007 ~ Submitted by Mary Ann Richardson)

PICKETT, ALFRED

Alfred Pickett, youngest son of Richard Pickett and Robina Baird Pickett, was born December 24, 1890 near Parallel, Kansas and passed away at Community Memorial Hospital in Marysville, Kansas on September 18, 1977 at the age of 86 years 8 months, 24 days.

He spent his entire life in the Ober Community south of Barnes, Kansas, later he was engaged in farming and mechanical work. On October 11, 1911 he was united in marriage to Grace M. Bolejack at Concordia, Kansas. To this union was born one daughter Estella.

Alfred and his wife lived on the same farm for 55 years in the Jordan Community, Lincoln township, Washington County, Kansas. Nine years ago he and his wife retired to Blue Rapids where they were living at the time of his death.

He was preceded in death by six brothers and one sister. Surviving him are his wife Grace of the home in Blue Rapids , his daughter Estella J. Osbourn and her husband Roy; one granddaughter and two great grandchildren, all of Blue Rapids . He leaves to mourn his passing, his family , a host of relatives, friends and neighbors.

In 1945 he listened to the message of Life, made his choice to follow Jesus, valuing and enjoying the things of God. He was faithful to this choice to the end. He was kind and loving husband, father, friend, and neighbor. He had a helping hand and was always ready to extend this hand to everyone.

Funeral servives were held Tuesday, September 20, 1977 at 10:30 a.m. in the Youngberg Funeral Home at Waterville with Kenneth Dissmore and Lecil Sullivan officiating. Miss Esther Schraw and Miss Harriet Cossentine sang , “God Will Take Care of You.” and “ Seeking a Better Country” with Mrs. Gilbert Griffee accompanist. Casket bearers were: Lloyd Pickett, Ivan Pickett, Omar Pickett, William Pickett, Marshall Griffee, and Edwin Anderson. Interment was in the Mound Cemetery south of Barnes, Kansas with arrangements by Youngbergs. (Submitted by Verlin Wichman)

THOMPSON, AVIS MARJORIE

Avis Marjorie Thompson, daughter of Earl and viola (Grimes-adopted name) Crafford, was born September 14, 1915 northeast of Morrowville, KS. She passed from this life Saturday, September 29, 2007 as a resident of Cambridge Place in Marysville, KS. She was 92 years of age. Avis attended Lavering grade school and Morrowville Rural Junior High School, graduating in 1933 as Salutatorian. She taught school for several years and worked at a Morrowville grocery store. On December 14, 1940 she married Ivan Thompson, living in Colorado several years before settling in Washington County. She was baptized at the Morrowville Methodist Church at the age of 12 and became a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Greenleaf in 1973 where she played the organ for many years. Preceding her in death were her husband, Ivan in April of 1993; sister Lois Zimmerman; brothers-in-law Lester Zimmerman, Doyle Thompson and Carl Thompson; nephews, Brad Zimmerman and Robert Schaefer and son-in-law, Charles Green. She will be remembered by her daughter, Beulah Green of Iola, KS., Sons Fred Thompson of Palmer, KS and Robert Thompson and wife Janice of Washington, KS; grandchildren Charlah Green, Iola, Lori Jones and husband Brad, Washington, Bobbie Jo Thompson, Manhattan, Melanie Potter and husband Gregg, St. Joseph, Missouri and Andrea Thompson, Murfees-Boro, Tennessee; great grandchildren Austin Potter, St. Joseph, Evan and Emily Jones, Washington, her sisters-in-law Edna Thompson, Grant City, MO., Elsie Lull, California, Veva Gill, Waco, Texas, other relatives and friends. Burial in Dale Friends Cemetery, Enosdale, KS. (Submitted by Beulah Green)

THOMPSON, IVAN EARL

Ivan E. Thompson, 79, Greenleaf, Died April 3, 1993, at his Home. Mr. Thompson was a farmer and carpenter.

He was born April 7, 1913, at Edmond, the son of Wesley Earl and Velvie Sproul Thompson, on Dec. 14, 1940. He married Avis Crafford at Washignton, KS.

Other survivors include a daughter, Beulah Green. Two sons, Robert Thompson, Washington; and Fred Thompson, Greenleaf; two sisters, Vera Gill, Waco, Texas and Elsie Lull, Grand Junction, Colo.; a brother, Doyle Thompson, Grant City, Mo., and five grandchildren.

Mr. Thompson was cremated. Memorial service will be at 10 a.m. Friday in Trinity Lutheran Church, Greenleaf. Pastor Shelby Bailey will officate. Ward Funeral Home, Greenleaf in charge.

Taken from the Washington paper - of April 8, 1993 - Obituaries are often cold, minimum sorts of pieces that leave no hint of the personality of the deceased. After reading Ivan Thompson's death notice in the Cappistol this morning though, I'm going to break by embargo as written by Tom Buchannan. To say that Ivan was only a farmer and carpenter would be somewhat like saying I was only a printer. Ivan's mind was always busy, dreaming dreams and learning and quietly making a little money along the way. I'd guess he could have driven a Lincoln Town car had he so chosen, but he prided himself in living somewhat minimally.

Given a different set of circumstances, Ivan could well have been a Thomas Edison. Time and a poor memory have erased from my recall most of the ideas Ivan had.

At one time he invented a pipe, designed to trap the moisture that drives pipe smokers up the wall. Unfortunately Ivan lacked the modern knowledge it too to mount a successful marketing campaign. And Ivan could take and old pump organ that had degenerated into a pile of dusty boards and make it play again. Just as sweet as the days before it began the bumpy trip of a thousand miles or more in a covered wagon across the hills and rivers to Kansas. (Submitted by Beulah Green)

DENNEAN, VICTOR AUBREY

At Clifton, Washington county, Kan., Dec. 26, of inflammation of the lungs, Victor Aubrey, aged 4 years 13 days, son of Jacob and Ella Dennean, and grandson of Mr. George W. Kline of this city. (Henry Republican, January 2, 1879, submitted by Nancy Piper)

TREMAIN, BRUCE WALLACE

Died at Palmer, Kan., April 11, Bruce Wallace, 1 year 1 month 19 days, beloved son of John and Ella W. Tremain, died of pneumonia and inflammation of the lungs. (Henry Republican, April 21, 1881, submitted by Nancy Piper)