Phil Howe (posted 3/18/24)
H. Philip Howe, age 91 of Manhattan died on Sunday March 17th peacefully at his home.
Phil was born on July 3rd, 1932 in Manhattan, the son of Harold and Ruth Howe. He grew up in Manhattan and attended the Sacred Heart Academy schools. Even though Phil spent most of his time growing up in Manhattan, in the summer Phil would spend time on their family farms. Phil’s dad grew up on a farm near Chapman and Phil’s mom grew up on a farm near Solomon. Phil would talk fondly about being on the farms – fishing in the river and helping with the harvest and other farm activities.
Phil graduated from the Sacred Heart Academy in Manhattan in the spring of 1950. That fall, Phil enrolled at Kansas State University and joined the Beta Theta Pi Fraternity. The four years at Kansas State were great years for Phil – the lifelong friendships he made with his Beta friends as well as attaining a degree in Business Administration. During the summers of Phil’s college days, he and several of his friends worked at the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park. Later in life Phil and his friends would meet in Estes Park every August and hike in the Rocky Mountain National Park for a week. Phil loved those trips because he was able to recreate and relive some of his best memories of his college days with some of his closest friends.
On June 1st, 1957, at the Seven Dolors Catholic Church in Manhattan Phil was united in marriage to Margaret Griffith. They were married for 57 years until Margaret’s passing 10 years ago. Phil and Margaret had four children – David, Janet, Evan and Katy. David lives in Scottsdale, AZ, Janet Daniels and her husband Mike live in Phoenix, AZ, Evan and his wife Shelley live in Prairie Village, KS and Katy Doyle and her husband Tim live in LaGrange IL. Phil is also survived by 10 grandchildren – Maggie Freeman, Kate Buhrow, Jim Daniels, Alex Howe, Alicia Howe, Conner Howe, Megan Doyle, Brian Doyle, Clare Doyle and Amy Doyle. Phil also has 8 great grandchildren.
Phil started his business career in Manhattan as a Consumer Loan Officer for Union National Bank. His office was right downtown on the corner of 4th and Poyntz – in the middle of the action in the 1960’s. After several years as an officer of Union National Bank, Phil decided to charter his own bank. After a long process of working with the Kansas Banking Department, Phil was able to get a charter for a new bank for Manhattan. In 1969 “Kansas State Bank” was officially opened. While the permanent bank building was being constructed at its current Westloop location, Phil and the staff of 3 operated out of a “trailer home” on the other end of Westloop. The joke was that don’t worry so much about getting robbed in daylight hours, but rather worry about someone coming along at night and hooking up the whole bank to their pickup truck and driving away. One of their earlier promotions was to give away trees under the tag line “grow with us” I know that through the years customers would come up to Phil and say that the little tree they got was now fully grown.
Phil had other business interests outside of banking. He is on a lot of mailing lists and subscribed to many different newspapers and publications. He was always reading about and talking about the latest innovations in farming or ranching or about some new product. It kept him very busy. His interests also carried over to his duty to give back. As many in this community know, Phil has supported many charitable organizations here in Manhattan including the Manhattan Community Foundation.
In short, Phil had a very impactful life both for his family and for his community. He truly cared about doing the right thing.
The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 7:30 P.M. Wednesday, March 20th, at the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home.
Mass of the Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 A.M. Thursday, March 21st, at Seven Dolors Catholic Church with Father Kerry Ninemire as Celebrant. Private family inurnment will be in Sunrise Cemetery in Manhattan.
Online condolences may be left for the family through the funeral home website at www.ymlfuneralhome.com.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Greater Manhattan Community Foundation. Contributions may be left in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, KS 66502.
Frank Parrett (posted 3/16/24)
Our world has become a lot less bright with the loss of our dear Frank.
Frank C. Parrett entered the world at Leavenworth, Kansas on March 15, 1936. He was the third child born to Glen and Katherine (Shortridge) Parrett, joining sisters Olive Mae and Dorothy. His brother Robert (Gus) followed a few years later. Frank moved as a youth with his family to Haddam, Kansas and thereafter forever considered it his hometown. After completing his education there he found his niche in alfalfa and feed commodity trading. He was a self-made man and thrived in this industry, cultivating lifelong friendships and contacts as only Frank could. He never met a stranger. He began his career in Yaggy, Kansas, moving in 1960 to Consolidated Blenders and then to Hillside Dehy in Uehling, Nebraska in 1963. Frank eventually became part owner of Scribner Alfalfa in the early 1970s. Among his many adventures is surviving an alfalfa pellet fire, during which he sustained significant injuries. Frank eventually sold his business and worked for Switzer Trading, moving and trading grain commodities from 1987 to 2001. He was even lured from his retirement by Tallgrass Commodities in Wamego, Kansas to help mentor the staff and grow the company. He cherished the friends that he made there and so enjoyed working into his sunset years.
Frank was blessed with two long marriages. He wed Francisca “Frisco” Quinn on March 17, 1956. They were married for 45 years, until her death on April 18, 2001. They had no children. Frank acquired a ready-made family upon his marriage to Alberta K. Lallak on September 19, 2003. He cherished her children and grandchildren as his own. He was a devoted husband, father and “Papa Frank.” He and Alberta spent their best years together, traveling the world by boat, plane, train and RV. He was a fixture for many years in row 10 at Country Stampede and enjoyed playing Pitch, Pinochle, Poker (really, any and all card games!) and Pegs & Jokers with family and dear friends.
Frank was a character, full of pithy comments and astute observations about life, all the while befriending those in his path, from neighbors and co-workers, to store clerks and wait staff at restaurants. We always got special attention with Frank around! While he yearned to be home, his last days spent at Wellsprings of Westmoreland, Kansas were enriched by new friendships with the staff and fellow residents. The nursing staff there reported that if he wasn’t harassing them, they knew something was wrong.
Frank is survived by his wife, Alberta Lallak-Parrett, his children Steve (Deb) Shepek, Todd (Siri) Shepek and Johnette Shepek, four grandchildren, Erin (Kyle) Hedrick, John (Ashley) Shepek, Tim (Jenna) Shepek and Kaylee (Trent) Ulbrich, eight great-grandchildren, Kailee and Aiden Shepek, Wyatt, Audrey, Grace and Sophie Hedrick and Ava and Beckett Shepek, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Frank delighted in the antics of his beloved dogs over the years—Clarence (a female, in spite of her name), Winnie Pooh and Maggie. His most contented moments were when he was driving the roads of Nebraska with Clarence perched on the seatback behind him or snuggled into his recliner with Winnie or Maggie on his lap.
Frank had a big personality and an even bigger heart. He will be so missed by those who loved him.
The family will greet friends during a visitation from 1:00 until 2:00 p.m. Friday April 5, 2024 at the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home in Manhattan.
Memorial services will be at 2:00 p.m. Friday April 5, 2024 at the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home. Private inurnment will be at a later date.
The family requests that memorial contributions be made to either Wellsprings of Westmoreland or Purple Power Animal Welfare Society. Contributions may be sent in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, Kansas 66502.
Online condolences may be left for the family through the funeral home website at www.ymlfuneralhome.com
Marvin Gould (Posted 3/16/24)
February 19, 1950 to March 12, 2024
Marvin Gould was born in Enfield, Middlesex, England to Amy House Gould, a classical and jazz pianist and Edwin Gould, a draftsman and engineer. In 1951, Marvin and his family came to the U.S. via the Transatlantic Brides and Parents Association aboard the S.S. America. Their first home in the U.S. was in Kansas City and ten years later they settled in Texas. Marvin died of cancer in the same city where he first lived more than 70 years later. Marvin’s passions were family, art, music and golf, among thousands of other interests. He was an endless seeker of knowledge and could hold a conversation with anyone. His sense of humor and wit are what drew people to him. Today, he would still be talking with the nurses if he could. We often joked he would win at Jeopardy if given the chance.
To appease his mother, Marvin was formally trained as a pianist and read and wrote music. During his teenage years in a rebellious streak, he took up the guitar, began playing rock ‘n roll and never turned back. One of his students wrote him a note saying, “you are a juke box hero.” To stay out of trouble, he played in a band during high school in venues around Texas. Later in Kansas, he became a member of Melvin and the Monotones and the Back Porch Blues Band. His solo performance was “Knockout” by the Bad News Blues Band. He was reciting lyrics to some of his favorite rock and roll music days before he died. Marvin’s love of music translated into appreciating marks on a page and an understanding of time between notes and the space between lines. At the age of eight, his father gave him a Speedball lettering book, several pin points and a bottle of ink; with these tools he drew the Montgomery Ward catalog. Fascinated by lines on a page, Marvin developed a love of drawing that continued throughout his life. Art was his solace and his means of Marking Time.
In 1969, he joined the U.S. Air Force and served as an airplane refueler along the flight line on Okinawa during the Vietnam Conflict. There, he developed an appreciation for the Asian culture and landscape, often reflected in his art work. He was honorably discharged as an E4. After his military service, Marvin was a draftsman for a steel corporation in Houston and then branched out to sign making and billboard design for companies in Texas, Utah and Kansas. At one point during his career in Texas, he was painting a billboard and fell from the scaffolding. Later he joked, “I shouldn’t have stepped back to critique my work”. Marvin earned his Bachelor’s in Fine Arts from Sam Houston State University in the 1970s. Thirty years later, he returned to school and earned a Master of Fine Arts from Kansas State University. He was a
graduate teaching assistant and then an instructor of art at K-State. He was passionate about teaching, and genuinely cared about his students. It was never just about art, but about life and learning about oneself. While teaching and after his retirement, he also worked as a Gallery Tech at the Marianna Kistler Beach Museum of Art and assisted exhibit designers and curators with all aspects of display, design and maintenance. Marvin worked on the installation and design of many exhibitions over the years, one of the more difficult ones, especially related to signage, vinyl and lettering was Pete Souza: Two Presidents, One Photographer.
Marvin’s own works of art are displayed in galleries in Houston, Tulsa and the Marianna Kistler Beach Museum of Art, in addition to homes around the country. An avid athlete in high school, he played every sport, but baseball was his favorite. He developed a passion for golf and began teaching his daughter Ashley to play when she was two. That passion continued through January of this year when he was playing in 37-degree weather. He has certificates to prove two-holes-in-one, both on Kansas golf courses. One of his favorite memories was walking the Old Course at St. Andrews Golf Club in Scotland on a beautiful fall
day with his besties – Millie and Donna. On St. Patrick’s Day (a date he could easily remember), Marvin and Rebecca were married in Denton, Texas. Daughter Ashley was his love. He was incredibly proud of her accomplishments and instilled in her a love of art, creativity, sports, music, how to fix stuff, and so much more. Marvin cherished his many friends and colleagues including, Beth, Duane, Lindsay, Nelson, Raleigh, his golf buddies, art colleagues, and so many more. He is survived by Rebecca, his wife of almost 44 years, his daughter Ashley Jager, son-in-law Robert Jager, his precious grandson Alex Jager, half-sister Elizabeth Davidson and many cousins in England. He is also survived by other family members including the Matochas, van Dijks, Schoemans, Borrellos and his much-loved nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Marilyn Susan Gould.
The family thanks the Manhattan and KU Medical Center nurses and physicians for the care they showed Marvin over the last months of his life. A celebration of his life and art will be held later in the year. Online condolences may be left for the family through the funeral home website at www.ymlfuneralhome.com.
Memorial contributions can be made in his name to the Marianna Kistler Beach Museum of Art or the Manhattan Arts Center. Contributions may be left in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan- Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, Kansas 66502.
Robert Frotscher (Posted 3/15/24)
Robert Duane Frotscher was born on 11/23/45 to Audrey and Harold Frotscher. He is preceded in death by his son Brad Frotscher, his sister Marlene Frotscher, his Father Harold, mother Audrey, and his wife Betty Louise Frotscher.
Robert enjoyed all things outdoors. His whole life was about fishing and hunting. He loved guns, bows, and most recently air rifles. He loved to learn and create all kinds of new inventions made of bowstring, PVC pipe, and anything else he found lying around. He tied beautiful flies for trout fishing. He was so creative.
Robert was a man of many talents from sign painting to all other types of painting. He enjoyed sculpting, and creating swords, and even built an art studio in his home. He was very proud of his studio. There were so many windows he was able to enjoy all of God’s beauty.
Robert was such a caring and compassionate person. He once rescued a dog that had been hit by a car. He brought her home, took her to the vet, and nursed her back to health. He named her Jett after Joan Jett because she was all black. She was his very best friend.
Robert’s love of his life was his wife, Betty. When she fell ill with cancer, he would spend every bit of time and energy he had to ensure she was cared for. He missed her every day but said he always felt her with him. That was comforting. Robert didn’t have many close friends but the ones he did have he cherished. He will forever be missed.
A service will be held at Irvin-Parkview Funeral Home on 03/16/24 at 10 am. Visitation will be from 830am to 10 am. Arrangements by Irvin-Parkview Funeral Home.
Glenda Burdette (Posted 3/14/24)
Glenda M. (Releford) Burdette was born in Manhattan, KS on June 1, 1948, the daughter of William and Marjorie Releford. She attended and graduated from Manhattan High School with the class of 1966.
She married James D. Burdette, there were later divorced. She lived in Wichita, KS for almost 50 years.
Glenda is survived by her daughter Melissa M Gideon, Independence, Missouri; siblings: Richard Releford of Derby, KS, Patricia Porter of Manhattan, KS and Doug Releford of Wamego, KS.
She was preceded in death by her brother Steven Releford and parents William and Marjorie Releford of Manhattan, KS and grandparents Glen and Jessie Simon.
Graveside services will be held at 2:00p.m. Friday March 22, 2024 at the Randolph Fancy Creek Cemetery near Randolph, Kansas.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Senior Services of Wichita(https://seniorservicesofwichita.org/meals-on-wheels/) or Kitty Cat Connection (http://www.kittycatconnection.org/) Contributions may be sent in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, Kansas 66502.
Online condolences may be left for the family through the funeral home website at www.ymlfuneralhome.com
Bruce Spellman (Posted 3/14/24)
Bruce C. Spellman aged 72, passed away at his home in Manhattan, KS March 09, 2024. Born to William and Alice (VanGoethem) Spellman in Newark, NJ on July 4, 1951, he lived a life marked by love for his family and service to his community. Bruce is survived by his wife Julie (Brunner) Spellman, his two sons Jason (Renee) Spellman of Paxico and Joe Spellman of Lawrence, his grandchildren Dillon (Shay), Grace, Austin, Aspen, and Taylen and one Great-Grandchild to be born soon. He is also survived by two brothers Brian (Mary Sue) Spellman of Wexford, PA, Gary Spellman of Charlotte, NC, a sister-in-law Jean (Chuck) Wilson and several nieces and nephews.
Bruce’s family moved to Moon Township, PA when he was a child and settled there. He enjoyed summers on his Grandparents farm in Gardner, KS. He graduated from Moon High School and went to Kansas State University where he graduated with a degree in Animal Science. While in Manhattan, Bruce met the love of his life and was united with Julie in Holy Matrimony on November 20, 1976, at St Isidore’s Catholic Student Center. They remained in Manhattan as lifelong residents and raised their family there.
Bruce will be missed by the community with more than 40 years in the Manhattan Optimist Club and a long-time member of the St Thomas More Knights of Columbus Council #8488 as well as spending 25+ years working at Mead Lumber. He always had a smile for those around him. He was a dedicated K-State fan and rarely missed a home game of the Women’s basketball team.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, Manhattan, KS on Friday, March 15, 2024, at 10:00am. Visitation at the church will be held 5:30-7:00pm Thursday, March 14, followed by a rosary. The family suggests donations to St Thomas More Knights of Columbus or the Manhattan Optimist Club in lieu of flowers.
Herman Kastner (Posted 3/14/24)
Herman Kastner, age 95, Manhattan, KS, passed away peacefully at the Good Shepherd Hospice House on March 13, 2024.
Herman was born March 8, 1929, on a farm near Perry, Iowa, the son of Frank Kastner and Emily Biederman Kastner. Herman grew up in the Perry and Yale, Iowa communities attending the local schools including a one-room country school. He was a graduate of Panora High School and Iowa State College in 1950, with a B.S. Degree in Animal Science. He served in the Air Force as a 1st Lieutenant during the Korean War with a tour of duty in Okinawa.
While in the service and stationed at Forbes Air Force Base in Topeka, he met Rita Tasset of Kinsley, Kansas and they were married September 6, 1952. After military service he began farming near Kinsley, Kansas in 1953. Due to the 50’s drought he took a job with the John Hancock Farm Mortgage Department and later with the local county ASCS-USDA office. He continued what became a successful farming operation for over 40 years and retired from the USDA in 1987 after 30 years of service. In 1978, the family moved to Manhattan as Herman’s job took him to the ASCS (now FSA) State Office as Head Program Specialist for Farm Programs.
In college, Herman was a member of the Alpha Gamma Rho social fraternity and a member of Phi Kappa Phi, Gamma Sigma Delta and Alpha Zeta honorary fraternities. Other college activities were membership on the Livestock Judging Team and Block and Bridle, Scabbard and Blade and Campus 4-H clubs.
Herman was a member of the St. Thomas More Catholic Church, Kiwanis, Knights of Columbus, Habitat for Humanity, American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars and several business and professional organizations.
Survivors include his four children: David Kastner (Susan), Fayetteville, AR; Denise Anderson, Santa Fe, NM; Kathy Lyman (Chuck), Manhattan, KS and Cynthia Birnbaum (Jeff), Manhattan, KS. Herman is also survived by nine grandchildren, sixteen great grandchildren and his brother Joe Kastner, Davenport, IA
Herman was preceded in death by his parents, beloved wife Rita and siblings Paul as an infant, Alfred, Carl, Ernest, Helen and Francis.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at held on March 20, at 10:00a.m., St Thomas More Catholic Church, 2900 Kimball Avenue in Manhattan. Visitation and a luncheon at St. Thomas More Utopia Room will be served directly after Mass. Inurnment will be at the Sunrise Cemetery, Manhattan at 1:00p.m. Wednesday March 20, 2024.
Memorial contributions in memory of Herman are suggested to the St. Thomas More Catholic Church Trust Fund or the Good Shepherd Homecare and Hospice Inc. Memorial contributions may be sent in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, Kansas 66502.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.ymlfuneralhome.com
William “Bill” Foltz (Posted 3/13/24)
William “Bill” Foltz peacefully passed away on March 10, 2024 at the age of 79. He was born on May 22, 1944, the son of Leo and Esther (Feeback) Foltz. Bill was raised and resided in Abilene, KS before moving to Manhattan, KS in the early 1990s.
As a Kansas State University graduate, Bill used his business degree to enjoy a 60 plus year career in various sales roles, most recently with Auto Services Corporation.
In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his brother Robert (Bob) Foltz.
Bill is survived by his loving partner of 35 years, Adell Eddy, his children: Kelly Leister (Rusty) of Salina, KS, Clay Foltz, Wamego, KS, and Brett (Hope)Foltz, Manhattan KS; his grandchildren: Cooper, Cash and Cord Foltz, Wamego, KS, Mack and Ava Foltz, Manhattan, KS, Casey (Zach) Prester, Salina, KS; his sister Pat Foltz (Matthew) of Youngstown, Ohio his sister-in-law, Linda Foltz, Hoisington KS, along with his nieces, nephews and great-grandchildren.
Spending time with his grandchildren and attending their events was a priority for Bill. As an avid K-State Fan, he could often be found at various Wildcat sporting events including nearly all home football games since he purchased tickets in 1968. When not with his grandkids or cheering on the ‘Cats, Bill enjoyed hunting, fishing and traveling to Colorado with Adell.
The family will be receiving friends during a visitation on Sunday, March 17, 2024 from 2-4pm at the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home in Manhattan.
A service of remembrance will be held on Monday March 18, 2024, 10:30 a.m. at the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home in Manhattan. Interment will follow at the St. Patrick’s Cemetery on Elbow Creek in Manhattan.
In honor of Bill, purple or K-State attire is welcomed.
Those who wish to remember Bill in a special way may make gifts in his memory to the Ernie Barrett Endowment Fund. Contributions may be sent in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, Kansas 66502.
Online condolences may be left for the family through the funeral home website at www.ymlfuneralhome.com
Arlan Shandy (Posted 3/9/24)
Arlan Earl Shandy, age 81, a lifetime area resident, died March 8, 2024, at his residence in Riley.
He was born September 15, 1942, in Clay Center, Kansas, the son of Earl and Edith (Meyer) Shandy.
Arlan graduated from Chapman High School. He was a construction inspector and had worked for Kaw Valley Engineering in Junction City for many years.
He was a member of the Elks Lodge # 1037 in Junction City.
Arlan was a true outdoorsman and loved hunting, fishing and trapping. He was also an avid sports fan and wouldn’t pass up any game of cards. In his later years he most enjoyed playing cribbage with Mardy for rights to the remote control, taking the dog for rides, and watching poker on TV.
He was married to Martha Anne “Mardy” Shandy for 32 years. Mardy survives of the home. Additional survivors include three children: Shelley Crawley, Bridget Broderick and Sean Broderick; one sister Susan Shandy; three grandchildren and one great grandchild.
A Celebration of Arlan’s life will be held from 4:00 to 6:00 P.M. Friday, March 15th, at the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, KS 66502.
Online condolences may be left for the family through the funeral home website at www.ymlfuneralhome.com.
Linda Ferguson (Posted 3/7/24)
Linda Joleen (Isernhagen) Ferguson was born February 9th, 1948 in Smith Center, KS to Arnold and Aleen Isernhagen. Linda attended elementary school and junior high in Agra, KS. She attended high school and graduated from Kensington High School in Kensington, KS That is where she met Jon Ferguson who she married on August 11,1968.
After high school, Linda attended dental assistant school in Emporia, KS. Following her marriage to Jon, they made their home in Manhattan, KS while Jon finished his Engineering degree at Kansas State University. Following Jon’s graduation from K-State, the couple moved to Boston, MA where Jon attended Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Linda worked at Dr. Mann’s dental practice. Linda had many stories to tell about her time working in Boston. The best story that she told was how she worked on a man named Rick Otcasek’s teeth. At the time, Rick was the lead singer for a band called Milkwood. He would later change the spelling of his name and become Rick Ocasek, the lead singer for the Cars.
While living in Boston, Jon and Linda enjoyed the many activities the city had to offer. They also traveled throughout New England enjoying the beautiful scenery. Linda loved nature and all things outdoors.
In 1973, Jon and Linda made the decision to move back to Kensington, KS. They made their home north of Kensington, KS for 41 years while Jon worked and ran the family ranch and farm along with his sister and brother-in-law, Janis and Lyn Lee. Linda was every bit the “rancher” that Jon was. Linda cooked many meals for the ranch employees. She helped work cattle, sprayed musk thistle and ran countless ranch errands. In addition to the routine day-to-day ranching Linda did, she also played nurse whenever dad had a ranching accident. If you know anything about Jon’s ranch related injury count, you know that nursing was often a full-time job for Linda.
When Linda wasn’t busy ranching, she was busy being an amazing mother to her two daughters. Emily Brooke Ferguson was born on February 13th, 1975, and Olivia Paige (Ferguson) Rogers was born on January 31st, 1979. As a family, Jon, Linda, Emily and Oliva enjoyed family camping vacations to Colorado and the Rocky Mountains, Yellowstone and Canada. (If you get a chance, ask Jon or Emily how the trip to Canada went.)
Linda was quite the “dance mom” shuttling Emily and Olivia to weekly dance lessons and making sure their costumes, hair and make-up were perfect for recitals. She was always there after each recital with a bouquet of carnations for both girls. Linda’s love and support for her daughters was unconditional and unending.
Love and support was a theme throughout Linda’s life. She was sometimes a second mom to nieces and nephews and Emily’s and Olivia’s closest friends. (Coleen & Jess). Linda had a kind heart and always wanted to help people who might be struggling. This is what led her to become a drug and alcohol counselor during the 1980’s. Linda made a difference by helping patients 1:1. She also sat on the board of the Smoky Hill Foundation in Hays, KS.
Jon and Linda retired from cattle ranching in 2014 and moved to Manhattan, KS where they have many friends and were able to enjoy various social engagements and performing arts events. Few events were ever as important to Linda as K-State football and basketball games. The family has had season tickets to football for many years as well as basketball since they moved to Manhattan. Linda was queen of the tailgate! She loved a good party, and she loved spending time with her family and friends in the parking lot of “The Bill”. Oh, and she liked to watch football and basketball too!
Linda and Jon were dog lovers. Throughout their life together, Linda was the best dog my mom ever to three Basset Hounds (Rufus, Zachary and Ruben) a Shih Tzu (Suchi), two Brittany Spaniels (Ray and Jack), a Springer Spaniel (Sammy) and three soft-coated Wheaten Terriers (Ellie, Rudy and Harry). Linda was also a pretty great dog grandma to Dexter Rogers.
Linda was an avid flower gardener, and she loved to putter around her yard in Manhattan pruning plants and pulling weeds and care for the large fish pond in their front yard. She instilled this love of flowers in both Emily and Olivia. To this day, nothing makes Emily happier than planting flowers in the spring and taking care of them throughout the summer.
In recent years, Jon and Linda enjoyed traveling both with Emily and Oliva and their families and with other family members and friends. Linda loved seeing and experiencing new places. Linda especially loved a tropical location with a beach and a cocktail!
Three years ago Linda and Jon and the family suffered a horrible tragedy with the loss of Oliva to a five year battle with metastatic breast cancer. Jon and Linda were a huge support to each other during the months and years that passed after Olivia’s passing. The way they got through that incredibly difficult time was a testament to their love and support of each other.
Linda passed away on March 5th, 2024 after being diagnosed with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis in 2020. She was preceded in death by her parents, Arnold Isernhagen and Aleen Schalansky and her daughter, Olivia Rogers. Linda is survived by her husband Jon, daughter Emily, Emily’s significant other Toby Bargar, son-in-law Willie Rogers, grandsons Henry and Oscar Rogers, sisters Sharon Elliott (Jim) and Mary Struckhoff (Cory), brother-in-law Donald Ferguson (Signe) and sister-in-law Janis Lee (Lyn), nephews David, Brian (Amy Brooks) and Daniel Lee and nieces Kristine Meyer, Daneen Deam (Chris) and Angiela Meyer (Eddy Krygiel) along with many more family and friends and of course her baby dog Harry.
Memorial services will be held at 10:30 A.M. Monday, March 11th, at the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Chapel with Pastor Devin Wendt officiating. Private family inurnment will be in the Johnson County Memorial Gardens in Overland Park, KS.
Online condolences may be left for the family through the funeral home website at www.ymlfuneralhome.com.
Memorials may be made to the Kensington Home Charitable Foundation in Linda’s name and sent in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, KS 66502.
Henry Lee Meyer (Posted 3/7/24)
Henry Lee Meyer, age 88 of Shawnee, Kansas, passed away Saturday, March 2, 2024, surrounded by family in Elkhart, Indiana. He spent his last day with his little great-grandchildren, who would all come into his room to check on him throughout the day.
Lee was born on December 19, 1935, in Clay Center, the son of Henry and Elizabeth (Renz) Meyer. He was so tiny– three pounds, received lots of loving care from his mama, and even fit in a shoebox! Lee graduated from Riley High School, then Kansas State University with a bachelor’s degree in finance. He played football and basketball in High School and attended many High School Reunions. He was proud of– and loved his family farm roots in Riley County, KS.
On June 4, 1958, he married his high school sweetheart, Jolene Kaye Bohnenblust– the love of his life. They were happily married for 66 years and served as a great example of honoring their marriage covenant before our Lord. His greatest pride and joy were his family that he built with Jolene. They supported their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren with all their endeavors– going to volleyball and soccer games, choir concerts, cheerleading competitions, debate team, and graduations. They even traveled to Spain to join their oldest grandchild during her study abroad semester in college.
Lee was the Director of Finance for the City of Shawnee, Kansas, Director of Finance for the City of Gladstone, Missouri and employed in the Finance Department of Platte Pipeline. He was exceptional with numbers & followed the stock market fervently. He was always loved and cherished by his coworkers and friends.
Lee was involved in the Optimist Club and was a Lifetime Member of the United Methodist Church, including:
Shawnee Methodist Church, Lenexa Methodist Church, and Faubion Methodist Church. He & Jolene were active members in Sunday School and served as Youth Group Leaders. He served our country in the armed forces from 1958 to 1960– where he & Jolene were stationed at Fort Bragg.
Lee was a social butterfly and loved to converse with anyone who would listen. His favorite topics of conversation included politics, religion, history, and vocabulary words– he ruffled some feathers, sometimes! Some would describe him as cantankerous or a curmudgeon, but he was the sweetest on the inside. Lee had a tender heart and was passionate about encouraging the underdog and helping those in need. His hobbies included collecting tobacco pipes, dancing with the square dance club, and bowling with the league– but he mostly showed up to spend time with his wife and have some great conversations. Every year he took his family to Table Rock Lake and stayed in Shell Knob– and even bought a boat for the family to continue the tradition. In his later years, he enjoyed strolling around Costco or Aldi and take his boy, Baxter his beloved yorkie, on walks in the park. Lee loved a good conversation with his neighbors with a Moscow mule or homemade kombucha in hand, during a competitive game of dominoes.
He is survived by his wife, Jolene Meyer; two daughters, Pamela Coe and her husband, Dr. Douglas of Leawood, Kansas, and Kimberly Linton of Elkhart, Indiana; three grandchildren, Emily Coe, Sara Coe, and Brieana Knight (Nathanael), and three great grandchildren, Lance Knight, Charlotte Knight, and Nolan Knight.
He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Letha Wilson.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, March 9, 2024, at the Fairview Presbyterian Church with Pastor Gerry Sharp officiating. Burial will be in the Fairview Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF). Contributions may be left in care of the Anderes-Pfeifley Funeral Home.
Condolences may be left for the family at www.apfunerals.com.
The family would like to invite you to join them in a luncheon in the Fellowship Hall immediately following the Service.
Debra Chatelain (Posted 3/7/24)
Debra J. Chatelain was born August 24th, 1956, at Manhattan, KS, the daughter of Eugene D. Gering and Johanna N. (Casper) Gering. She passed away Saturday, March 2nd, 2024, at Circle of Life Hospice in Springdale, AR at the age of 67.
She grew up in Manhattan, KS, graduating from Manhattan High in 1974. After graduating High School, she attended Manhattan Area Technical College, and worked as a clerk at Lee & Butel Construction Co.
She was united in marriage to Daniel E. Chatelain on August 21st, 1982.
Mrs. Chatelain was a homemaker and spent her married life devoted to being a mother. She worked as an administrative assistant at Kansas State University and spent over 15 years volunteering; 7 years at the Et Cetera Shop in Weatherford, OK and 8 years at Penrose Hospital in Colorado Springs, CO. She loved bowling, ballroom dancing and spending time with her five grandbabies. She will be missed dearly by her family and friends.
In addition to her husband, Mrs. Chatelain is survived by two sons, Matthew R. Chatelain and his wife Amanda, Yukon, OK, and Phillip S Chatelain and his wife, Katelyn, Tontitown, AR; three brothers, Dennis R. Gering and his wife Jerry Ann, Overland Park, KS, Alan L. Gering and his wife Leisl, Urbandale, IA, and Andy G. Gering, Manhattan; three grandsons, Peyton, Grayson and Carson Chatelain; two granddaughters Anna and Macy Chatelain; and many other relatives and friends.
A visitation will be held at Irvin-Parkview Funeral Home on March 8th, from 4pm-8pm. A service will be held on March 9th at 10am at Irvin-Parkview Funeral Home.
Thomas Claman Jr. (Posted 3/6/24)
Thomas “Tom” Richard Claman Jr., an avid chess player, former Boy Scout and adult Scout leader, harmonica player, respected data analyst, and beloved member of the Manhattan Kansas community, passed away on February 18 2024, at the age of 66. Born January 11th, 1958 in Roswell New Mexico to Kathyn “Kay” Fritz Claman and Thomas “Dick” Richard Claman Senior, Tom was the oldest of nine siblings.
Tom’s parents moved often in his youngest years because his Father was a Staff Sargent in the Air Force. By the time Tom was eleven his family moved from Roswell to South Sioux City NE, to Big Springs TX, to Sioux Saint Marie MI, and then back to the Sioux City Iowa area. As Tom entered fifth grade, the family settled in Colorado Springs while his Father finished twenty years in the Air Force stationed at NORAD. His Mother also worked in Civil Service for the Airforce for her 30 plus career. As an adult, Tom lived in several states including Colorado, Illinois, Texas, and Arizona before moving to Salina Kansas in 1997.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents and youngest sister Diane Rivera. He is survived by two former wives, Denise Mallin Wilcox and Trish Steele Hackett, two step-children, Russell and Phillip Steele, and siblings: John (Salina), Teresa (Calhan CO), Norma Lewis (San Diego), Roger (Colo. Sprgs.), Joan (Calhan CO), Nancy (San Diego), and Angela (Calhan CO). He is also uncle to seven nieces and nephews.
Tom graduated from Palmer High School in 1976 and The University of Colorado in 1980, obtaining a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration.
Professionally, Tom was a highly skilled database creator and analyst. For the last 17 years he worked in the marketing department for Champion Teamwear (formerly GTM) in Manhattan Kansas. Previous to GTM, he worked at Foot Locker in Junction City, and concurrently as an adjunct Instructor at K-State, Salina. Also, at MarketAide.
Tom loved playing and mentoring others in chess. He was the vice-president of the Kansas Chess Association, last year’s Kansas amateur open winner, a long-time host of the Chess Booth at the yearly Renaissance Festival in Bonner Springs KS, a member of the Manhattan Chess Club, and past member of the Salina and Lindsborg Chess Clubs. One of Tom’s proudest chess moments was when he was involved in hosting Mikhail Gorbachev’s visit to Kansas and the Lindsborg Chess Club for two days in October 2005.
Tom’s other interests included many years as a Boy Scout Leader in Salina including Wood Badge recipient and mentoring his step children in all their Boy Scout activities, membership in Colorado, Salina, and Manhattan Optimist Clubs, occasionally playing his harmonicas at open mic or with local bands, and a sixty-year love of science fiction. He was especially fond of all things “Star Trek” from the time of the very first episode in September 1966. Last spring, he greatly enjoyed a multi-day Star Trek Cruise, and he was greatly looking forward to his second Star Trek Cruise this February.
Tom left an indelible mark on his family, friends, and community that will be felt for many years to come.
A memorial service to honor the life and legacy of Tom Claman will be held on March 23rd, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. at Irvin-Parkview Funeral Home. In lieu of gifts or flowers, the family would like to recommend interested parties donate in his honor to the Manhattan Chess Association or the Kansas Chess Association via their online website donation pages.