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The Superior Express -- Jewell County Record

Obituaries

Obituaries published May 16, 2013

The Superior Express and Jewell County Record

This week: Floyd Farrand, Geri Ostdiek, Bernadine Cummings, Louie Patterson, Carolyn Miller, Dr. William Upton, Dale Dunn, Jack Byers, Glenda Balty

 


Floyd Farrand
Floyd Dean Farrand, 82, died April 28 at Sioux Fall, S.D. He was born Nov. 3, 1930, in Superior to Clarence "Ray" and Zoe (Page) Farrand.
He grew up in Superior and was active in high school athletic and music activities and graduated in 1948. He went on to earn a bachelor of arts in physical education and social studies degree from Sioux Falls College (USF) in 1952. He began his post graduate studies at the University of Nebraska, and in 1963 completed his masters of science degree at South Dakota State University, Brookings.
While attending Sioux Falls College, he met Ruby Carstensen. They were united in marriage Sept. 11, 1951. Their family includes four children: Nancy, Jean, Doug and Sharon.
In 1952, Floyd's path as educator and coach began with his first position at Chester (SD) High School where he taught social studies and coached three sports. His 35-year career with the Sioux Falls Public Schools began in 1956 as an elementary physical education teacher. With the opening of Lincoln Senior High School in 1965, he was the first head basketball coach; sophomore football and assistant track coach while teaching social studies. He was known for wearing red socks on basketball game day and holding a white towel in his hands while coaching at the courtside. He was known as a man of few words, but always had a twinkle in his eye and hearty chuckle available. Coaching the boys basketball state champion runners-up in 1968 and state champions of 1970 were highlights of his basketball coaching career.
He also acted as coordinator for Milwaukee Bucks basketball summer camps at SDSU in the mid-1970s. In 1972, Floyd worked with Frank Kurtenbach (Lincoln wrestling coach) and started the Lincoln Wrestling Invitational; and was instrumental in building it to one of the largest tournaments in the state. In 1976, he stepped down as head basketball coach to become the first athletic director of Lincoln Senior High School while also coaching girls golf. He lived out his passion for golf while managing Cactus Heights Golf Course until 1991. During retirement, he served as caddy master at Minnehaha Country Club. Over the years, he also enjoyed the outdoors while camping, hunting and fishing.
He was a long-standing member of First Baptist Church in Sioux Falls, where he put his faith into action and extended his passion for working with youth by serving as Sunday school teacher and camp counselor at Camp Judson in the Black Hills. He also served on the board of Christian education, board of deacons and was involved in other lay ministries.
After retirement, Floyd and Ruby spent many winters relaxing in the Orlando, Fla., area while making new friends over shuffle board games, golf and pot luck socials.
Floyd is survived by Ruby, his wife of 61 years; a sister, Vivian (Farrand) Thompson, Pinellas Park, Fla.; a sister-in-law, Wanda Farrand, Harvard, Neb., four children, Nancy Alton, Albuquerque, N.M.; Mrs. Scott Lastine (Jean), Edina, Minn.; Doug Farrand, Aberdeen, S.D.; and Mrs. Doug Syrdal (Sharon), Fargo, N.D; seven grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Henry and Clarence; and sister, Blanche.

Geri Ostdiek
Geraldine M. Ostdiek, 81, the daughter of Theodore and Minnie Schendt, was born on Sept. 30, 1931, on a farm near Nelson. She died Sunday at Mary Lanning Memorial Hospital in Hastings.
She was the middle of seven children: William, Marie, Raymond, Geri, Joseph, Catherine and Bernard. Geraldine (Geri as she was known to all) grew up on the family farm south of Lawrence. She attended rural grade school and graduated from Nelson High School with the Class of 1949.
On May 6, 1952, she was united in marriage to Bernard J. Ostdiek at the St. Stephen's Catholic Church south of Lawrence. To this union six children were born. Sons Gary, Thomas and Loren. Daughters Carolyn, Dianne and Janet.
She raised their six children and was also employed as a bookkeeper at the Bailey & Lynch elevator in Mt. Clare and the REA office in Nelson. She had a cake decorating business from her home and later she was the secretary-bookkeeper for the Lawrence Public School. She also worked at the Good Samaritan Center in Nelson. In 1983 they moved to Superior where she served as the manager of the Plains Motel for five years before her retirement.
Geri had a passion for cooking, sewing, reading, cross word and jig saw puzzles and she liked to travel. But most of all she enjoyed time with her children and grandchildren. She did volunteer work at the Good Samaritan Center in Superior and also worked at the bloodmobile whenever it was in Superior.
She was a member of the St. Stephen's Catholic Church, rural Lawrence, and their Altar Society and the Home and School Association, later becoming a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church and Altar Society. She held many offices in each organization. For years she would lead the rosary before Masses at St. Joseph's. Her Catholic faith was an important part of her life. Geri and Bernard celebrated 51 years of marriage before Bernard's death.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Bernard, on Nov. 13, 2003; a sister, Catherine Yakus; brothers, Raymond and Joseph Schendt; and sisters-in-law, Lola Schendt, Agnes Ostdiek and Viola Pavelka; three grandsons, Jason and David Menke and Michael Willey; and one granddaughter, Renee Ostdiek.
Survivors include her sons, Gary of Nelson, Thomas of Superior and Loren of Lawrence; daughters, Mrs. Ray Menke (Carolyn), Mrs. Pat Willey (Dianne), and Mrs. John Brooke (Janet), all of Hastings; 15 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; brothers William Schendt of Hastings, Bernard Schendt of Grandview, Mo., sister, Mrs. Everett James (Marie) of Olathe; brother-in-law, Vince Ostdiek of Hastings; sisters-in-law, Mrs. Jerome Mazour (Rita) and Eleanor Schendt, all of Lawrence; brothers-in-law, Alvin Pavelka of Cartersville,Ga,, and Leonard Yakus of Omaha, and a sister-in-law, Mrs. Clarence Dove (Shirley) of Webber.
Mass of Christian Burial was held at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Superior on Wednesday. The Rev. Brad Zitek officiated. Burial was in Evergreen Cemetery, Superior.Rosary service was held Tuesday at the Megrue-Price Funeral Home in Superior.

Bernadine Cummings
Bernadine E Cummings, 88, died Thursday at Mercy Regional Health Center, Manhattan. She was born Aug. 23, 1924, to Peter J. and Adzannia P. (Poulin) Blochlinger. 
She was the owner and operator of Cornerstone Bookstore and Radio Shack in Concordia. She was a life member of Beta Sigma Phi, past member of both Concordia and Manhattan chambers of commerce, past president and member of the Pilot Club, former treasurer of the POW Camp Concordia Preservation Society, and faithful member of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Concordia, and Seven Dolors, Manhattan.
She is survived by two daughters, Cindy O'Connell, Manhattan, and Mrs. Mike Waite (Connie), Mankato; s sister, Bernadette Oeser; eight grandchildren, Colleen O'Connell, Danielle O'Connell, Robyn O'Connell-Tatum, Jennifer Grennan, Jared Waite, Carrie Reece, and Dustin Waite; and 15 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; a grandson, Aaron O'Connell; a sister, Adzie Pinney; brothers, Francis Joseph, Joseph A. and Laurence A. Blochlinger.
Chaput-Buoy Funeral Home, Concordia, was in charge of arrangements.

Louie Patterson
A former Superior resident, Louie K. Patterson, 73 died Friday. The son of Lawrence and Caroline (Lattimer) Patterson, he was born Dec. 12, 1939 in Lebanon. At the time of his death he was making his home at Seward.
He was united in marriage to Sharyl Yvonne Ritter on Sept. 21, 1957. He was employed with Ideal Cement Company at Superior for 21 years and the Nebraska Department of Roads in Seward for 11 years. He attended Hillcrest Evangelical Free Church at Seward
Survivors include his wife, Sharyl, of Seward; his daughters Mrs. Steve Lewis (Shirley) of Atlantic, Iowa, and Mrs. Rob Meyer (Sondra) of Hastings; grandsons, Nathan Lewis, Bryan Lewis, Jeremy Kort and Taylor Meyer.
His funeral was held Wednesday at Hillcrest Evangelical Free Church, Seward with Pastor Lowell Myers, officiating. Burial was in the Seward Cemetery. Funeral arrangements were by the Zabka Funeral Home, Seward.

Carolyn Miller
Carolyn Marie May Miller was born June 6, 1943, to Thomas May and Marie Caroline (DeBey) May near Mankato, Kan. When Carolyn was four years old, her mother died after being burned in a fire. After that time, Carolyn and her sister, Peggy, lived with various relatives until Rol and Rhoda Koops brought them into their home as foster children and later adopted them. She cherished the grandparents and aunts who took care of them after the death of their mother and had a special bond with them throughout her lifetime. At Rol and Rhoda's home, they finally found a stable life and dearly loved them.
On June 27, 1960, Carolyn was united in marriage with Marvin Duane Miller. To this union four children were born, Duane Alan, Donna Jean, Larry Dale, who died one day after birth, and Bruce Warren. Carolyn had boundless energy and could figure out how to make almost anything work. She enjoyed working in the field and being outdoors. She milked cows, tended hogs, raised chickens and still had energy left at the end of the day. In 1998 she began managing West Lake Inn, a motel at Downs. She liked that position and did a great job of keeping it clean and ready for customers. She met a lot of interesting people there, including fishermen and hunters who continued to return each year. They knew they would have good clean rooms and hospitality awaiting them.
In 2007, she was diagnosed with advanced ovarian cancer. Cancer did not realize what a foe it had encountered. Carolyn battled hard for six years and kept a positive attitude until the end. It was rare when she missed a day of work. Losing her hair was surely not pleasant, but she just donned a turban or hat and went about her business. Carolyn learned early in life that she had to be tough and that was evidenced throughout her lifetime. Until cancer attacked, she was rarely sick and even when she didn't feel well she was determined to just keep going.
She recently told her daughter, Donna, as she was reading through the Bible that God had always taken care of her and she knew He wouldn't stop now. What a confidence. A good friend, Rod Rose stated Carolyn's life in this statement, "At the end of the day, I will lie down and reflect on all I have learned and I will recall how you have helped me Lord. I will praise You with great joy as I drift to sleep nestled in the protection of Your loving arms."
She will be greatly missed by her husband, Marvin, of the home; son Duane and wife Kathy, Downs, daughter Donna Kennedy and husband Danny, Downs, and son, Bruce and wife Lisa, Cawker City; grandchildren Morgan Miller, San Antonio, Texas, Alisha Smith, Downs, Erin Cary and husband Scott, Longmont, Colorado, Michael Miller, Downs, John Schreiner and wife Melanie, Cawker City, Jesse Schreiner and wife Lisa, Russell, Laura Schreiner, Downs, Chloe Miller and Ivy Miller, Cawker City; step-grandchildren, Michelle Fox and husband Steve of San Pedro, California, Jim Kennedy, Lincoln, Neb.; great-grandchildren, Grace and Gabe Smith, Aubrey Schreiner, Tatum Shamburg, Brooklyn, Harper and Payton Cary, Olivia, Jonah and Liam Schreiner; step-great-grandchildren, Lilly Rageth and Calliope Fox; father Allen Rol Koops; adopted sisters, Carol Cordel, Cawker City, and Cindy Lance, Tulsa, Okla.; sisters-in-law, Norma Miller and Gail Miller, brothers-in-law, Melvin Miller, Eldon Miller, Darrell Miller and Raymond Frasier; aunts Margaret Ketterer and husband Pat, Concordia, Alice Rice, Beloit, and Mary Sue Elsey and husband Paul Dean, Council Bluffs, Iowa; uncle, Kenneth DeBey and wife Eloise, Denver, Colo.; and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.
Predeceasing her were her parents; infant son, Larry Dale; great-granddaughter, Shelbie Paige Schreiner; sister, Peggy Keefer; brother-in-law, Lawrence Keefer; nieces Korena Keefer and Christine Williamson; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Wayne and Margaret Miller; three sisters-in-law, Donneta Miller, Jean Frasier, and Joline Miller; nephews, Gerald Wayne Miller and Raymond Jay Frasier; and a great-niece, Janna Slate.
Her funeral was held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, May 14, 2013, at Dispatch Christian Reformed Church, Cawker City, with Pastor Pat Hennen officiating. Organist for the service was Linda Groenendyk. Bob and Lynn Koops were vocalists. Those serving as pallbearers were John Schreiner, Jesse Schreiner, Michael Miller, Robert Miller, Donald Miller, Doug Brush and Bryan Frasier. Honorary pallbearers were Dale Frasier and Tom Bowler. Memorials may be given to the Carolyn Miller Memorial Fund benefitting St. Jude Children's Hospital. Final resting place is in Dispatch Cemetery, Cawker City. Domoney Funeral Home, Downs, was in charge of arrangements.
-Paid Obituary-

Dr. William Upton
William Herbert Upton, 86, the son of Verne and Naida (Roder) Upton, was born on Dec. 8, 1926, in Ohiowa. He died Thursday at his home in Superior.
Bill was one of four children. He attended school in Ohiowa and graduated from Hastings High School. After high school, Bill attended Hastings College and the University of Nebraska Lincoln earning his doctorate of dentistry degree. He was united in marriage to Iva Mae Thompson on Dec. 21, 1947, in Has-tings. This union was blessed with two daughters, Vic-ki and Pam. She preceded him in death. He later was united in marriage to Betty Drennan Squires on June 30, 1985.
He served in the United States Navy. After his discharge, they moved to Superior where he opened his dental practice retiring in 2000.
He was a member of Masonic Lodge 121, First United Methodist Church, Superior Country Club and was a past school board member. Bill enjoyed golfing, hunting, fishing, gardening and Nebraska football.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Iva Mae on Feb. 12, 1985; a grandson, David Sweet; and two brothers, Verne and Robert Upton.
He is survived by his wife, Betty; daughters, Mrs. Harold Sweet (Vicki) of Superior, and Mrs. Michael Hoefs (Pam) of Lincoln, Neb.; six grandchildren, Erin Niebuhr and family, Kara Baxter and family, Nick Hoefs and family, Jennifer Krehbiel and family, Kathleen Sweet and Kristen Corman; nine great-grandchildren; and one sister, Mrs. Bill Behrends (Verjean) of Houston, Texas.
His funeral was held Saturday at the Megrue-Price Funeral Home, Superior. The Rev. Dr. Jocelyn Tupper officiated. Burial with military honors was in Evergreen Cemetery, Superior.

Dale Dunn
Dale Eugene Dunn, 91, the son of Jess and Bessie (Comstock) Dunn, was born on April 11, 1922, at his parents' home one-half mile north of Nelson. He died last Tuesday at the Grand Island Veterans Home, Grand Island.
Dale was one of 11 children. He attended grade school at Superior, Abdal, Mankato and Osborne and his high school years at Superior, graduating from Superior High School with the Class of 1946. After high school, Dale attended Kansas State Chiro-practic College in Wichita for 2 years. He was united in marriage to LaVet-ta Mohler on June 10, 1945, at Man-kato. To this union a daughter, Lynn, was born.
Dale served five years in the United States Navy during WW II, earning the Bronze Star. He enlisted in the United States Army serving in the Vietnam and Korean wars. His 25-year military career with a rank of staff sergeant took them all over the world including, France, Germany and the South Pacific. He was honorably discharged on Oct, 6, 1972. The family returned to Superior where they made their home. Dale served on the Superior police force for 5 years.
He was a member of the First Baptist Church, the Masoninc Lodge and the American Legion.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, LaVetta, on May 8, 2010; a daughter, Lynn, on Aug. 14, 2008; brothers, Edward, Loren, Raymond, Robert, Wayne and Harold; and sisters, Norma Scrivener and Donna Fullerton.
He is survived by his son-in-law, Clarence Tyler of Superior; four grandchildren, Dale Tyler of Superior, Darren Tyler of Franklin, Tenn., Devin Tyler of Wichita, and Donald Tyler of Superior; five great-grandchildren, Madilyn, Kayli, Ashleigh, Lauryn and Ethan; brothers, Merlin Dunn of Casper, Wyo., and Ronald Dunn.
His funeral was Friday at the Megrue-Price Funeral Home, Superior. Patsy Busey, Jon Albrecht and Darren Tyler officiated. Burial with full military honors was in the Bostwick Cemetery.

Jack Byers
Jack Byers, 90, the son of Floyd and Grace (Yapp) Byers, was born Jan. 19, 1923, on a farm near Jewell, Kan. He died May 5, 2013.
During his early years, Jack attended a country school, North Star II, District 121. He later attended Jewell High School. Jack began his working years with Boeing in Wichita, Kan. He was united in marriage to Catherine Porter on Feb. 8, 1942, in Wichita. To this union two daughters would be born.
Jack enlisted in the Navy in 1942 and was stationed in Jacksonville, Fla. Upon discharge from the Navy, Jack and Catherine began farming near Burr Oak, Kan.
Being a farmer-stockman required help. This requirement was met by hiring high school boys to run tractors and to drive trucks and combines. Many of these young men grew up to become lifelong friends of Jack and Catherine.
Jack was an avid collector of antique windmills, tractors and cast iron seats. Much more valued than the antiques were the friendships he acquired while collecting.
Jack was a 67-year member of American Legion Post 263, Burr Oak. He was a 63-year member of the Jewell Masonic Lodge and a 51-year member of Eastern Star.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife in December, 2006; a sister Beth; and two brothers, Horace and Arden.
He is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Dave Anderson (Pat) of Burr Oak and Mrs. Jerry Frisbie (Jackie) of Winston, Ore.; two grandchildren, Steve (Aimee) Anderson, of Westminster, Colo., and Gail (Wayne) Baca of Henderson, Colo.; two great-grandchildren, Gunner Prim and Jaycie Prim of Henderson, Colo.
Visitation was Tuesday, May 7, from 2 to 7 p.m. at Kleppinger Funeral Home, 409 Broadway, Jewell, Kan. His funeral was held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 8, 2013, at the Burr Oak United Methodist Church. Memorials may be given to the church or Burr Oak Cemetery.
-Paid Obituary-

Glenda Balty
Glenda Rae Balty, 79, Milan, Ill., was born on Nov. 30, 1933, in Formoso, Kan., to Raymond and Geneva (Shanks) Garton. She was released from her earthly body on Sunday, May 5, 2013, surrounded by her children and grandchildren.
She was a graduate of Miltonvale Wesleyan High School. She married Donald Balty on April 19, 1957, in Superior. They had made their home in Milan, Ill., since 1987.
She was a member of Gideons International and Coal Valley Bible Missionary Church. Glenda's greatest joy was her family, and she was an outstanding grandmother.
She will be missed by her children, Timothy (Carolyn) Balty of Fairbanks, Alaska, Lisa (Charles) Croyle of Woodward, Iowa; David (Amy) Balty of McDonough, Georgia; seven grandchildren: Courtney Noble, Andrea Balty, Zachary Balty, Rachel Croyle, Samuel Balty, Maria Croyle and Seth Balty; sister, Beverly (Don) Blacksher of Scottsbluff, Nebraska; and brother, Duane (Jeri) Garton of Lexington, Nebraska.
Glenda was preceded in death by her husband, Don; parents, Raymond and Geneva Garton; and brother, Vernon Garton.
A memorial service was held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, May 7, at Coal Valley Bible Missionary Church in Coal Valley, Ill., where the family welcomed friends for one hour prior to the service.
A second memorial service will occur at 10:30 today, Thursday, May 9, at Melby Mortuary Chapel, Mankato, Kan, with Mr. Timothy Balty officiating. Inurnment will follow at Burr Oak Cemetery near Burr Oak, Kan.
Memorial contributions may be made to Gideons International. Online condolences may be sent to www.melbymortuary.com.
-Paid Obituary-

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