Greeley County Kansas
Obituariesand
Death Notices
Obituaries and death notices, especially those written years ago, are not just a valuable source of names, dates and places for a genealogist. Grouped together as they are here they become an intimate social history of a community, written by journalists who usually knew the deceased and their families. Some are tributes to pioneers, patriarchs, pastors and parents whose life stories are the history of Greeley County. Others are tender remembrances of children, women who died in childbirth or those struck down by disease, unfortuante accidents or natural disasters. There are stories honoring the supreme acts of sacrifice of local young men and women who died overseas in distant wars as well as reports of sensational crimes that live on in story for generations. As a Greeley County researcher this is your chance to contribute to the history of Greeley County online. Please consider contributing your own family stories from obituaries and death notices you have of Greeley County residents. They don't have to be from an obituary. You can write a tribute to your Greeley County relation and submit it as well.
If you'd like to contribute an obituary or death notice to this page check out the GUIDELINES at the bottom of this page.
Hattie RUHS DOTY
Greeley Co. Republican: May 1973 (Tribune, Kansas)
Hattie DOTY Dies at Garden City
Mrs. Arthur DOTY (Hattie) died Wednesday afternoon, May 16, at St. Catherine’s hospital in Garden City after an extended illness.
Mrs. DOTY was born March 15, 1914 at Wilcox, Neb. She was united in marriage to Arthur DOTY Jan.5, 1933. Three children were born to this union, Lucille (Mrs. Paul WILSON) of Garden City, sons Alvin and Rex of Garden City.
Survivors include her husband; three children and their families; two sisters, Edna HOLMES of Washington state; Lena KUDER, Tribune and one brother Perry RUHS of Horace, Her parents and brother, Edwin RUHS, preceded her in death.
Funeral services will be held Monday afternoon, May 21, at 2:00 o’clock in St. Paul’s Lutheran church, with L.P. LARSON officiating. Interment will be in the Greeley County cemetery with Garnand’s Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. The family suggest donations to the American Cancer Society.
Submitted by LeAnna Kuder Kennedy (email: leanna@iwichita.com)
Art KUDER
Greeley Co. Republican: Nov. 1961 (Tribune, Kansas)
Funeral Services Held for Art KUDER
Obituary – Arthur Jerry KUDER
Arthur Jerry KUDER was born to Edward and Nancy KUDER at Kellerton, Iowa, on June 21, 1891 and departed this life on Nov. 5, 1961 at Tribune, Kansas, at the age of 70 years, 4 months and 15 days.
Art came to Greeley county, Kansas with his parents in 1906 at the age of 15, and completed his schooling at Selkirk, Kan. He was united in marriage to Edna Alberta O’NEAL of Tribune, March 29, 1917. To this happy union was born one son and one daughter; Melven O. and Maxine BEACH.
Art with his wife Edna began their life together by homesteading in the southwest part of Greeley county. He also was engaged in draying and retail ice business. In 1929 he was elected and served as the sheriff for Greeley county for four years. He then entered the building and contracting business in which he was engaged until he retired a few years ago.
In his early life he joined the Modern Woodman of America and later joined the I.O.O.F..
He was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Nancy KUDER, and one sister Bessie. He leaves to mourn his wife Edna of the home, a son and a daughter, Melven O. and Maxine BEACH of Tribune, five grandchildren, four brothers, Clarence and Raymond of Tribune, Creighton and Charley of Osawatomie; eight sisters, Mrs. Ester MIZER of Phoenix, Arizona; Anna PIERCE of Pueblo, Colo.; Mrs. Ellen MOORE of Tribune; Mrs. Nona CRAIG, Mrs. Gladis DUBON, Mrs. Caroline PIERCE, Mrs. Lucy EBERHAND, all of Kansas City, Mo.; Mrs. Pearl STANTON, Scott City; a number of nieces and nephews and a host of friends.
Submitted by LeAnna Kuder Kennedy (email: leanna@iwichita.com)
Bessie Mabel KUDER
Greeley Co. Republican: Jan. 23, 1923 (Tribune, Kansas)
Bessie Mabel KUDER, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. E.C. KUDER, was born September 14, 1893, Ringold county, Iowa. She lived in Iowa until the year 1906, when she came to Tribune, Kansas, where she resided until the last year, which she spent with friends in Colorado Springs. She died Tuesday, January 2, 1923, at 8 p.m., age 29 years, 3 months and 18 days. She leaves to mourn: father, mother, eight sisters, five brothers and numerous other relatives and friends.
The funeral was held at the home of her parents east of town Thursday, January 4th, at 2 p.m., Rev. J.Q. TURNER, of the Methodist church conducting the services. The remains were laid to rest in the Tribune cemetery.
The family has the sympathy of the community in this hour of deep sorrow.
A loving voice from us is gone,
A voice forever stilled;
A place made vacant in our home
Which never can be filled.
God has beckoned and she went
Across the river wide,
She dwells in peace and pleasure there
She is at her Savior’s side.
Submitted by LeAnna Kuder Kennedy (email: leanna@iwichita.com)
Edna KUDER
Greeley Co. Republican: Feb. 1971 (Tribune, Kansas)
Last Rites Held for Edna KUDER
Funeral service were held Saturday afternoon, Feb. 12, for Mrs. Edna KUDER, 75, at the United Methodist church, with Rev. Wilbur RUTHFUSS the officiating minister.
Mrs. KUDER died Thursday morning, Feb. 10, [1971] at the Greeley County hospital after an extended illness.
Mrs. Zenaide SCHNEIDER, organist, and Wm. KLEIN, Jr. soloist, provided the music for the funeral services. Mr. KLEIN sang “How Great Thou Art” and “Abide with Me.”
Casketbearers were Warren OCHSNER, Wayne STEPHEN, Wm. A. SIMPSON, Jr., Irl PIERCE, Chas. FARMER, Jr. and Elton RUSSELL. Honorary casketbearers included Ernest KYSER, L.K. STEPHEN, Harold GOOCH, Merle MORGAN, R.W. HOLLAND and Merle ARNOLD.
Mrs. KUDER was a lifetime resident of Greeley county. She was born Oct. 5, 1886 to Frank and Lizzie 0’NEAL at Mr. O’NEAL’s claim north of Tribune. She was united in marriage to Arthur KUDER March 29, 1917 in Garden City. He died Nov. 5, 1961. Mrs. KUDER was also preceded in death by her parents, her sister Ethel and brother Orville. She was a member of the Methodist church.
Survivors include her son Melven KUDER, and daughter Maxine (Mrs. Howard BEACH) and their families of Tribune, one sister, Mrs. Homer ESTES, Perris, Calif.; five grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
Submitted by LeAnna Kuder Kennedy (email: leanna@iwichita.com)
Edward Creighton KUDER
Greeley Co. Republican: Sep. 1930 (Tribune, Kansas)
E. C. KUDER, Dead
Mr. E. C. KUDER, an aged and highly respected citizen, died suddenly at his home east of Tribune on Wednesday of last week. His death coming suddenly as it did, naturally was a great shock to his family and friends.
Mr. KUDER was one of Greeley county’s oldest and best-known citizens, having been a resident here for more than 40 years and knew much of the ups and downs of pioneer life.
OBITUARY
Edward Creighton KUDER was born in Ohio, Feb. 8, 1847, passed away Sept. 10, 1930, at the age of 83 years, 7 months, 2 days. Mr. KUDER moved from Ohio to Ringold county, Iowa where he was united in marriage to Nancy A. Dickie. From there they moved to Greeley county in 1887 where he homesteaded five miles east of Tribune, and where he remained until his death. To this union were born 14 children. One daughter, Bessie, passed away Jan. 2, 1923. Ella Doty, Arthur KUDER, Clarence KUDER, and Raymond of Tribune; Esther Mizer of Pueblo, Colo.; Anna Pierce of Hartman, Colo.; Pearl Stanton of Scott City; Crayton KUDER and Charley KUDER of Osawatomie, Kan., Lucy Agner, Nona Craig, Gladis Duben, and Caroline Pierce of Kansas City, Mo. He leaves to mourn his loss his wife and children, 37 grandchildren, a sister, 3 brothers, and a host of friends. Funeral services were held in the Tribune Methodist Church, and were conducted by Rev. T.J. Davis. Burial was at Tribune cemetery.
Peaceful be thy silent slumber,
Peaceful in thy grave so low;
Thou no more will join our number,
Thou no more our sorrow know;
Yet again in hope to meet thee,
When the day of life is fled;
And in heaven with joy to greet thee,
Where no farewell tears are shed.
Submitted by LeAnna Kuder Kennedy (email: leanna@iwichita.com)
Nancy KUDER
Greeley Co. Republican: Sept. 19, 1935 (Tribune, Kansas)
KUDER Funeral Services Held, Mrs. Nancy KUDER, 67-years-old
Greeley County Pioneer Resident Dies
Funeral services for Mrs. Nancy KUDER, 67-year-old pioneer resident of Greeley County who died here early Friday morning, were held Saturday afternoon in the local Methodist church, Rev. J.K. YEOMAN officiating.
Music was furnished by a quartet, composed of Mrs. Paul PIERCE, Mrs. Fred SHACKLETT, R.H. CONNER and O.O. BURR, accompanied at the piano by Mrs. J.K. YEOMAN. Pallbearers were sons and sons-in-law of Mrs. KUDER.
Interment was in the Tribune Cemetery. The Waldren Funeral Home was in charge.
Nancy A. DICKEY was born at Mt. Air, Ringold County, Iowa, Nov. 12, 1867 and died Sept. 13, 1935, at the age of 67 years and 10 months.
She was united in marriage to Edward Creighton KUDER. To this union 14 children were born. Her husband preceded her in death five years ago. She was buried next to his grave.
Mr. and Mrs. KUDER moved from Ringold County, Iowa to Greeley County, Kan. in 1887, where they homesteaded five miles east of Tribune. She lived here most of her life.
Submitted by LeAnna Kuder Kennedy (email: leanna@iwichita.com)
Ellen (KUDER, DOTY) MOORE
Greeley Co. Republican: May 14, 1981 (Tribune, Kansas)
Ellen MOORE funeral held Friday in Tribune
Mrs. Ellen (KUDER, DOTY) MOORE, the eldest resident of Helmwood care home, died Tuesday, May 6, after an extended illness.
She was the mother of nine children, 19 grandchildren and 60 great grandchildren and seven great-great grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Friday morning at the First Baptist church in Tribune, with Rev. Robert BLAIR officiating. Burial was in the Greeley county cemetery.
Casketbearers for the services were John DOTY Jr., Ronnie WALDREN, Paul WILSON, Rex DOTY, Bill MITCHELL and Ralph MITCHELL,
Mrs. Zenaide SCHNEIDER provided organ music.
Mrs. MOORE was born Ellen E. KUDER Sept. 13, 1883 in Iowa. She was united in marriage to Lewis DOTY in April, 1906 at Leoti. He died Aug. 28, 1940. She was also preceded in death by three children.
She married J.L. MOORE in November, 1944 at Leoti. He died in 1953, and then Mrs. MOORE moved back to Tribune.
Survivors are her sons, Art DOTY and Ernest DOTY of Horace; Charles DOTY, Picher, Ok.; Calvin DOTY and John DOTY, both of Tribune; Joe DOTY, St. Louis, Mo.; two stepdaughters, Mrs. Frances NORTON of Leoti and Mrs. Mollie BROWN of San Leandro, Ca.: two brothers, Clarence KUDER and Raymond KUDER, both of Tribune and three sisters, Mrs. Nona CRAIG, Mrs. Gladys DUBON, and Mrs. Caroline PIERCE, all of Kansas City, Mo.
Submitted by LeAnna Kuder Kennedy (email: leanna@iwichita.com)
Edwin LeRoy RUHS
Greeley Co. Republican: Nov. 1951 (Tribune, Kansas)
OBITUARY- Edwin LeRoy RUHS
Edwin LeRoy RUHS, son of James Perry RUHS and Minnie nee HANSEN, was born on Dec. 18, 1922, at Wilcox, Neb. He became a child of God through the Sacrament of Holy Baptism early in his life, being baptized at St. Paul’s church at Hildreth, Neb.
In the infancy of his life he moved with his parents to Horace, Kan., where they engaged in the occupation of farming. Edwin attended school here during these early years. While at Horace, he was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran church of Tribune, Kan. and there reaffirmed his baptismal vows in the rites of confirmation.
On May 31, 1941, Edwin was united in the bonds of Holy Matrimony with Helen SCHULZ. They continued farming near Horace. Then born to this happy union were three children: Darlene, Evelyn and Frank.
Three years ago they moved to a farm five miles west and four miles south of Burlington, Colo., where they continued living until his death. In this time the family gained many new friends and acquaintances, and became members of St. Paul’s Lutheran church of Burlington, Colo.
After a very short illness, which necessitated an operation, Edwin passed from this life at Saint Joseph hospital in Denver, Colo., on Nov. 17, 1951. He had reached the age of 28 years, 10 months and 29 days.
Left to mourn his demise are his wife, Helen; three children, Darlene, Evelyn and Frank; his mother, one brother, Mr. Perry RUHS, of Horace, Kan., three sisters, Mrs. Lena KUDER of Tribune, Mrs. Hattie DOTY of Horace, and Mrs. Edna HOLMES of Bremerton, Wash.; also three brothers-in-law, one sister-in-law, eight nephews, five nieces, numerous other relatives, and a host of friends.
Edwin was dearly loved by his family, by his friends and neighbors, and all of the people of St. Paul’s congregation. “We will miss his smiling face and his cheerful greeting in this life, but we anticipate meeting his again on the day when Christ calls those who have been found faithful to His realm in Heaven.”
Submitted by LeAnna Kuder Kennedy (email: leanna@iwichita.com)
James Perry Albert RUHS
Greeley Co. Republican: Dec. 1943 (Tribune, Kansas)
RUHS Funeral Held in Lutheran Church
Last rites for J.P.A. RUHS, Greeley county farmer, were held Sunday afternoon in the Lutheran church in Tribune, Pastor Wilson FAGERBURG officiating. The choir sang two numbers, and Clifton TRUED sang a solo.
Pallbearers were Claus WALIN, Albert ALBERS, E. Henry HELM, Wm. MARTIN, Hans HAMANN and Henry BRUNSWIG. Interment was in the Greeley county cemetery at Tribune. The Waldren Funeral home was in charge.
OBITUARY - RUHS
James Perry Albert RUHS, son of Fred and Harriet RUHS, was born April 18, 1884 at Hildrith, Neb. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith at Hildrith, and departed this life Dec. 21, 1943 at the Parkview hospital, Pueblo, Colo., after a brief illness, at the age of 59 years, 8 months and 3 days.
He was united in marriage to Minnie Christine HANSEN Dec. 5, 1906 at the home of her parents south of Wilcox, Neb. To this union were born five children, Perry of Horace, Lena [KUDER] of Tribune, Hattie [DOTY] of Horace, Edna [HOLMES] of Bremerton, Wash. and Edwin LeRoy of Bethune, Colo.
He will be greatly missed by his many friends and relatives in Greeley county and Nebraska, where they resided before coming to Greeley Co. in 1928. He is survived by his wife and five children, Perry of Horace, Mrs. Clarence KUDER of Tribune, Mrs. Arthur DOTY of Horace, Mrs. Phillip HOLMES of Bremerton, Wash., Edwin LeRoy of Bethune, Colo., two daughter-in-laws, three son-in-laws, 12 grandchildren and 8 brothers and sisters, John RUHS of Upland, Neb., Fred and George RUHS of Hildrith, Neb., Charles RUHS of Kearney, Neb., Robert RUHS of Alma, Neb., Clara BRAAMS also of Hildrith, Neb., Martha KEYSER and Hattie DRAKE of Grand Junction, Colo., besides a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.
His parents, two sisters and one brother preceded him in death.
We wish to thank all those who, in various ways, have helped us during our bereavement. We pray that the Lord Jesus might grant His blessing upon these deeds of love.
The RUHS family.
Submitted by LeAnna Kuder Kennedy (email: leanna@iwichita.com)
Minnie C. RUHS
Greeley Co. Republican: Sep. 1965 (Tribune, Kansas)
Mrs. Minnie C. RUHS, 75, died Tuesday morning [Sept. 14, 1965] in the Greeley Co. hospital after a long illness. Funeral services will be held on Friday at 2 p.m. in St. Paul’s Lutheran church, Rev. K. David NORDSTROM, pastor, officiating.
Music will be by Mrs. Ilene OCHSNER and Doreen MANGOLD, Mrs. Venita HELM, organist. Casketbearers will be Henry BRUNSWIG, Russell RAY, Leonard JOHNSON, Hans HAMANN, Ervin HELM and Garfield OCHSNER. Interment will be in the Greeley Co. cemetery with the Weinmann-Price Funeral home in charge.
Mrs. RUHS was born April 19, 1890 at Minden, Neb. She married James Perry Albert RUHS Dec. 5, 1906 at Wilcox, Neb. They moved to a farm south of Horace. He died Dec. 21, 1943 at Pueblo, Colo. She moved to Horace and later to Tribune.
She served as head cook at the Tribune grade school for many years. She was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran church in Tribune and of the Lutheran Church Women organization.
Survivors include one son, Perry of Horace; three daughters, Mrs. Lena KUDER of Tribune, Mrs. Hattie DOTY of Horace, Mrs. Edna Mae HOLMES of Bremerton, Wash., 16 grandchildren and 25 great grandchildren.
[Funeral held Sept. 17]
Submitted by LeAnna Kuder Kennedy (email: leanna@iwichita.com)
Phoebe Alice PARKER STITES
[date and name of newspaper unknown]
Grandma Stites Funeral Held... Dies at age of 78; Mr. And Mrs. Stites married more than 63 years
Mrs. James A. (Grandma) Stites, 78, died at her home in Tribune Monday,
after an illness of some time. Funeral services were held in the local
Methodist church Wednesday afternoon, Rev. John P. White officiating.
In his sermon, Rev. White praised highly the understanding mother love of Grandma Stites and her simple, unquestioning faith in her Lord. Quartet music was sung by Mrs. Paul Pierce, Mrs. J. G. Ridlen, R. H. Conner and O. O. Burr, accompanied at the piano by Mrs. J. H. Black.
The Waldren Funeral home was in charge. From here the body was taken to Effingham, Kan., near Topeka, for services and interment there this afternoon.
OBITUARY - STITES
Phoebe Alice Parker (Grandma Stites as she was known by all of her friends) was born in Charleston, Ill., Jan. 9th, 1859 and passed to her reward April12th, 1937, at the age of 78 years, 3 months and 3 days.
Mr. James A. Stites was born in Kansas in the yeast 1856
during the early pioneer days preceding the Civil war. Shortly after the
war he moved to Charleston, Ill. where he was united in marriage to Phoebe
Alice Parker in the year 1874.
The Stites family spent most of their married life in eastern Kansas, where Mr. Stites worked in the coal mines for several years. Later he worked for the Santa Fe railroad at Topeka for a number of years. They have only been residents of Greeley County a little more than six years.
Mr. and Mrs. Stites were parents of nine children. One son and one daughter preceded their mother in death. Those living are Herbert of San Diego, Calif., Fred of Tulsa, Okla., Emma HADLEY, Clifty, Ark., Minnie RAY of Lowell, Ark., Edna ANDRES of Hawthorne, Calif., Geo. STITES, and Alma BISHOP of Tribune, Kan.
Mr. and Mrs. Stites were given the
rare privilege of living more than 63 years together. They loved their home and were very seldom away from each other. Mrs. Stites was a motherly
soul, at her best in her home. No one who ever had the privilege of visiting with these good people, could ever forget them. She lived a simple life. She died with a childlike faith in her Saviour and seemed to be as one waiting her call home.
Besides her husband and children she
leaves a host of relatives and friends who will always hold her dear.
PARKER FAMILY HISTORY
Alice Parker Stites (Mother's Name)
James Alfred Stites Jan. 15, 1941
Fred C. Stites Dec. 27, 1963
Contributed by C. R. Kirkpatrick, CEO & Founder, Inter-Coastal Electronics Inc, 5750 E McKellips Rd, Mesa AZ 85215 -- (email: ice@inter-coastal.net)
Contributor's note:One little piece missing yet - what is the name of the cemetery where she is buried in Effingham, KS?
Guidelines for submitting a Greeley County, Kansas
obituary or death notice
Do you have an old obituary or short death notice of a Greeley County resident tucked away in a scrapbook, trunk or file. Take it out and share it with the rest of us! Type up your obituary and email it to us and we'll post it here. Just observe the following guidelines...
To enter your Greeley County obituaries:
1- Email them to us at sixsunflowers@yahoo.com. Put GREELEY CO OBITUARY in your subject line.
2- On first line put name of deceased. Use the name in the obit. If you want to rename the individual to clarify who they are add that name in parenthesis after the obit name. Look below for examples of this. Do this to include maiden names or full names for individuals given initials only in the obit.
3-On the second line put the name of the newspaper, newspaper's town, date of issue where obituary is found, page, column, if known. PLEASE.... Greeley County residents only... A resident is defined here as an individual who lived in Greeley County for part of his/her life.
4-Type out the obituary capitalizing all SURNAMES. Don't put given names or locations all in caps, just the surnames. Now here's the hard part. Limit your obituary to less than 350 words. This may be hard. Some obituaries go on and on. Figure out what to keep... what to drop. If we get something too long we'll have to send it back to you for editing.
5-Put "submitted by [your name and email address]" at the end. If you want to, include your postal address as well.
6- It's ok to edit the obits you submit. If you want to add maiden names, correct/add dates or other information do so. Just put any added information in [brackets]. That lets the reader know that this is something not in the original obituary. Just remember to keep the whole thing under 350 words.
It's as simple as that!
This page was established 11/30/2002 by Bill and Diana Sowers