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Below is a list of available names in alphabetical
order.
To view obituary, click on selected surname.
| Berg, | Carl | Frederick |
| Berg, | Carl | Freidrich |
| Berg, | Cora | May |
| Berg, | Hattie | |
| Berg, | Henry | |
| Berg, | Joan | |
| Berg, | Lawrence | E. |
| Berg, | Pauline | |
| Berg, | Victor | A. |
| Berg, | Walter | Julius |
| Berg, | William | O. |
| Berges, | Bill | |
| Berges, | Calvin | Mr.& Mrs. |
| Berges, | Cleo | Marie |
| Berges, | Dale | K. |
| Berges, | Dorothy | M. |
| Berges, | Effie | F. |
| Berges, | Elmo | C. |
| Berges, | Francis | Galen |
| Berges, | Fred | |
| Berges, | Gladys | B. |
| Berges, | H. | W. |
| Berges, | Jerry | Dean |
| Berges, | John | Family |
| Berges, | Louis | |
| Berges, | Marlin | John |
| Berges, | Matilda | |
| Berges, | Merl | A. |
| Berges, | Mildred | Ida |
| Berges, | Ordo | Frank |
| Berges, | Otto | E. |
| Berges, | Pauline | Kolterman |
| Berges, | Wilhemine | Camm |
| Berges, | William | Henry |
| Bergman, | Norbert | E. |
| Berry, | Donald | H. |
| Berry, | Florence | Strosnider |
| Berry, | Harvey | B. |
| Berry, | Ira | N. |
| Berry, | Leota | I. |
| Berry, | Lola | M. |
| Biehler, | J. E. | Monsignor |
| Biermann, | Clara | May |
| Biesenthal, | Kala | R. |
| Biesenthal, | August | F. |
| Biggs, | Florence | Violet |
| Biggs, | Lloyd | Lt.Col. |
| Binnie, | Georgia | |
| Bishop, | Leatha | L. |
| Blackledge, | Walter | M. |
| Blaske, | Elmer | F. |
| Blaske, | Margaret | F. |
| Blaylock, | Charles | Raymond |
| Blaylock, | Lena | M. |
| Bluma, | Charles | Harding |
| Bluma, | Vernon | W. |
Carl Fredrick Berg, son of William and Mrs. Berg was born May 10, 1879 at Sabon Perneranie, Germany and passed away May 26 th. He was 85 years and 16 days old. The Berg family came to this country when Carl Fredrick was four years of age. He was confirmed in the Lutheran Church at Duluth, Kansas in 1895. In 1926 he was united in marriage to Harriet Recob Gillard. In 1945, Hr. and Mrs. Berg moved to Wamego to make their home. He was preceded in death by his wife Harriet in 1950. He lived alone since that time and was a quiet and unassuming man. He was a lover of flowers and plants and enjoyed watching them grow. He was employed at the Harmony Gardens, the Kaw Valley alfalfa Mill and at the time of his retirement was caretaker of the Wamego City Park. Mr. Berg leaves his two daughters: Mrs. Margaret Brunkow of Onaga, Kansas and Mrs. Pauline Davis of Manhattan, Kansas, seven grandchildren, one stepchild and a host of friends. Mr. Berg was laid to rest beside his wife, Harriet, in the Wamego City Cemetery.
Wamego – Services for Carl Freidrich Berg, 85, Wamego, will be at 2:30 p.m. Monday in Stewart Memorial Chapel here with burial in Wamego City Cemetery. He was found dead Friday morning at his home.
Born May 10, 1879 in Germany, Mr. Berg came to the United States when he was four and was naturalized in 1918. His wife, Harrlet Berg, died in 1950.
Mr. Berg was employed by the City of Wamego, Harmony Garden and the Kaw Valley Alfalfa Mill. He was a member of the Lutheran Church at Duluth.
He is survived by two adopted daughters, Mrs. Margaret Brunkow of Onaga, and Mrs. Pauline Davis, of Manhattan; three stepchildren and seven grandchildren.
Cora May Berg, 72, Wheaton, died Friday, April 12, 1996, at a Westmoreland hospital.
Mrs. Berg and her husband farmed north of Wheaton for 38 years. She also was a nurses aide and later an activity director at Westmoreland Community Care Home for 10 years.
She was born August 24, 1923, on a farm northwest of Wheaton, the daughter of Resiah and Lura Tunison Force. She was graduated from Westmoreland High School in 1942.
She married Clarence Wege in 1944. He died in 1953. She married Harold R. Berg on June 1, 1958, at Wheaton. He survives.
Other Survivors include three daughters, Beverly Wege and Belinda Berg, both of Wheaton, and Glenda Wright, Denison; a sister, Alice Brisbin, Elk River, Minn; a brother, Myron Force, Wheaton; and a grandson.
Mrs. Berg also was preceded in death by a daughter, Judith Wege, in 1949.
Services were at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Wheaton Congregational Church UCC at Wheaton. Burial was in Wheaton Cemetery.
Funeral services were held Sunday at 2:00 p.m. at St. Luke's Lutheran Church at Wheaton for Mrs. Otto (Hattie) Berg, 76, who died last Thursday at the Westmoreland Hospital.
She was born February 24, 1897 near Wheaton and spent most of her life in the Blaine community. She was a member of the St. Luke’s Lutheran Church. She was married to Otto Berg at Duluth April 27, 1922. He survives.
Also surviving are a daughter, Mrs. Louise Dunmire, Blue Rapids; two sons, William Berg, Blaine, and Henry Berg, Auburn; two sisters, Mrs. Pauline Berg, Blaine, and Mrs. Amelia Bosse, Wheaton; two brothers, Herman Fischer, Wheaton, and Herbert Fischer, Havensville; and 13 grandchildren.
Burial was in the Berg Family Cemetery north of Blaine.
Services were at 2 o’clock last Thursday afternoon at St. Luke's Lutheran Church at Wheaton for Henry Berg, 80. Mr. Berg died August 22 at the Westmoreland hospital where he was admitted earlier the same day.
He was born September 21, 1885 in Clear Creek Township and spent most of his life on a farm six miles northeast of Blaine. He was a member of St. Luke's Lutheran Church at Wheaton.
He is survived by his wife, Pauline Fischer Berg, to whom he was married in 1913; three sons, Herbert H. Berg of the home, and Julius Berg and Argyle Berg, both of Blaine; a daughter, Mrs. Edna Christener of Frankfort; a brother, Otto Berg of Blaine; a sister, Mrs. Anna Kuehl of Onaga and three grandchildren.
Burial was in St. Luke's Lutheran Cemetery northeast of Wheaton.
Mrs. Joan Berg, 54, Blaine, died late Friday, March 7, at a Westmoreland hospital after she suffered an apparent heart attack.
She was born January 21, 1932, at Onaga, the daughter of Leslie and Marie Wege Butler. She attended Onaga schools and was graduated from Onaga High School in 1950.
She was employed at Harvey’s IGA in Onaga for many years.
She was married to Wayne Berg on December 4, 1966, at Onaga. He survives. Other survivors include her mother, Mrs. Marie Butler, Onaga; a brother, Jerry Butler, and a sister-in-law, Audrey Butler.
Services were at 2 p.m. Monday, March 10, at St. Luke's Lutheran Church at Wheaton. Burial was in Onaga Cemetery.
Kufahl Funeral Home, Wheaton, was in charge of arrangements.
Lawrence E. Berg, 65, Onaga, died Wednesday, January 1, 1997, at Onaga Community Hospital. He suffered an apparent heart attack.
Mr. Berg was a life-long farmer and stockman.
He was born December 21, 1931, on a farm northeast of Blaine, the son of Herbert A. and Mabel Henneberg.
He was graduated from Blaine Rural High School in 1949 and was a life-long resident of the Blaine and Onaga communities.
Mr. Berg was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Duluth.
He was married to Leona Kuehl on April 23, 1967, at Duluth. She survives.
Other Survivors include a daughter, Susan Berg, Manhattan; and two brothers, Harold Berg, Wheaton, and Wayne Berg, Blaine.
Services were held at 10:30 a.m. Friday at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Duluth. Burial was in the church cemetery.
Kufahl Funeral Home, Wheaton was in charge of arrangements.
Blaine – Mrs. Pauline Berg, 89, Route 1, Blaine, died Saturday in a Westmoreland hospital where she had been transferred from a Frankfort rest home. She had been ill about three years.
She was born Oct 8, 1887, near Wheaton and spent most of her life in the Wheaton and Blaine communities. She was a member of St. Luke's Lutheran Church at Wheaton.
She was married to Henry Berg Dec. 10, 1913, in the Duluth community near Wheaton. He died August 22, 1966.
Survivors include a daughter, Mrs. Edna Christener, Route 1, Frankfort; three sons, Herbert H. Berg and Julius W. Berg, both of Route 1, Blaine, and Argyle W. Berg, Route 1, Westmoreland; a sister, Mrs. Amelia Bosse, Route 1, Wheaton; two brothers, Herman Fischer, Route 1, Wheaton, and Herbert Fischer, Route 1, Havensville; three grandchildren and five stepgrandchildren.
Services well be at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday at St. Luke’s Lutheran Cemetery at Wheaton. Mrs. Berg will lie in state from noon Monday until 1 p.m. Tuesday at Kufahl Funeral Home at Wheaton and later at the church.
Victor A. Berg, 25, Blaine, Killed in Airplane Crash – Victor A. Berg, 25, son of Mr. Herbert A. Berg, of Blaine, was killed Sunday night in the crash of a light airplane in a wooded area near Sunnen Lake, MO. His companion of the flight was also killed in the crash.
Young Berg had been in this area visiting his father and other relatives and he and his companion had started back to their Airborne Battle Group at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. The plane belonged to Berg, and they had taken off from Blaine about 5:00 p.m. Sunday.
They were last heard from about 9:00 p.m. Sunday when they radioed an airport at Vichy, MO.
The bodies of the two young paratroopers were found Tuesday at the scene of the crash, by highway patrol aircraft, following a report from Fort Campbell that the men were missing.
Sgt. Berg entered the service in September 1960 and was scheduled for release next month.
Surviving are his father, Herbert A. Berg of Blaine, three brothers, Harold of Wheaton, Wayne and Lawrence of Blaine, one sister-in-law, Mrs. Harold Berg of Wheaton, three nieces and other relatives and friends. His mother preceded him in death in September 1951.
Funeral services will be held Friday at 1:30 p.m. at Kufahl Funeral Home in Wheaton, and at 2:00 p.m. at St. Luke's Lutheran Church at Wheaton. The Rev. H. A. Middendorf will officiate.
Burial will be in the cemetery five miles northwest of Wheaton known as Berg Cemetery.
Kufahl Mortuary in Wheaton is in charge of arrangements.
Walter Julius Berg, 74, Blaine, died Saturday, December 14, 1991, at the Westmoreland hospital.
He was a farmer and stockman in the Blaine area. He worked at Boeing Aircraft in Wichita from 1941 to 1944. He was a Navy veteran of World War II.
He was born April 5, 1917, near Blaine, the son of Charles Henry and Pauline Fischer Berg.
He was a member of St. Luke Lutheran Church, the St. Luke Lutheran Men’s Club, and Lutheran Laymen’s League, all in Wheaton; Leo McMinimy Post No. 181 of the American Legion in Frankfort and Frankfort Post No. 1359 of Veterans of Foreign Wars.
He was married to Verla Koch on August 2, 1952, in Wheaton. She survives.
Other survivors include a daughter, Linda Taylor, Frankfort; five step-sons, Robert Koch, Merriam, Virgil Koch, Kansas City, Ks., Donald Koch, Blaine, Marvin Koch, San Diego, Calif., and Danny Koch, Jacksonville, Fla.; a sister, Edna Christener, Frankfort; two brothers, Herbert Berg, Belvue, and Argyl Berg, Blaine; nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Services were at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at St. Luke Lutheran Church in Wheaton. Burial was in St. Luke Lutheran North Cemetery in Wheaton.
Kufahl Funeral Home, Wheaton, was in charge of services.
Services were at 2 p.m. Friday, September 13, at the St. Luke's Lutheran Church at Wheaton for William O. Berg, Sr., 72, Blaine. He died Tuesday, September 10, 1996, from injuries he suffered in a tractor accident near his home.
Mr. Berg was a farmer and stockman near Blaine. He also had worked for First Bank and Hardees as a maintenance technician from 1984 to 1995.
He was born March 27, 1924, on a farm north of Blaine, the son of Otto H. and Hattie G. Fischer Berg.
Mr. Berg was a member of St. Luke Lutheran Church at Manhattan and a former member of White Pigeon Grange at Duluth. He attended St. Luke Lutheran Church in Wheaton.
He was married to JoAnn Bienka on November 11, 1952. She survives.
Other Survivors include four sons, William O. Berg Jr., Lincoln, NE, Warren Berg and Frank Berg, Blaine, and John Berg, Louisville, KY; a daughter Joanna Berg, Blaine; a brother, Henry Berg, Topeka; and three grandchildren.
Burial was in the Berg Cemetery north of Blaine.
One of the most tragic accidents in years occurred last Friday evening at the H. W. Berges farm, when Bill Berges met an untimely death.
Bill had gone out to the cornfield about 5:00 o’clock with a team and wagon to husk corn. When he didn’t return as the evening wore on, his wife became alarmed and a searching party was set out to hunt for him. He was found about 9:00 o’clock at the bottom of a 7-foot itch, pinned underneath one of the horses, and the other horse nowhere in site.
Bill had made one trip down the cornfield and was turning around. It had rained that day and the ground was soft. Evidently the ground gave way at the ditch where the wagon was turning and Bill was thrown into the ditch, pulling the horses in after him. It required the services of several men to free the horse before Bill’s body could be rescued. The other horse was found later, with all of the harness gone except the collar.
Bill was a likeable young man in the prime of his manhood. He was a very successful and hard working farmer and his death is indeed a shock to everyone in the community.
Funeral services for Calvin W. Berges, 57, and his wife, Florence Stella Berges, 62, of Gladstone, MO, were at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the Newcomer White Chapel in Kansas City. Burial was in White Chapel Cemetery. Mr. and Mrs. Berges were killed Friday in the Hyatt Regency hotel disaster in Kansas City.
Calvin W. Berges was born August 15, 1923 near Onaga, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Otto Berges. He attended White Pigeon rural school an Onaga High School. Mr. Berges was a World War II veteran, having served in the Marine Corps from 1942 to 1947, and was employed in the paint department of General Motors Corporation. He was a member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church.
Survivors include two daughters, Mrs. Jo Beth Jones and Miss Sharon Berges, both of Kansas City; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Otto Berges, Onaga; two brothers, Dale Berges and Francis Berges, both of Onaga; a sister, Mrs. Delores Dienhart, Raytown, MO, and a grandson.
Mr. and Mrs. Berges were married January 5,1952 at Kansas City. She was an accounts receivable clerk at Farmland Industries, Inc. and a member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church. She was born July 8, 1919 at Lincoln, Nebr. And had lived most of her life in the Kansas City area. She also leaves three sisters, Mrs. Elizabeth Rathburn, Shawnee, Mrs. Jo Billings, Independence, MO, and Mrs. Mary Sattler, Raytown, MO.
Cleo Marie White Berges, daughter of Joseph T. and Maude White, was born January 4, 1891 at Lawrence, KS. She received her education in the public grade and high schools of Lawrence. When a child she was baptized in the Methodist Church of Lawrence, becoming a member of that church in 1906. She transferred her church membership to the Onaga Methodist Church in 1922. On April 1, 1956, she became a member of the Onaga Congregational Church.
On March 21, 1909 she was married to Louis W. Berges of Onaga. To this union was born one son, Elwood Berges, Inglewood, CA, two daughters Mrs. Genevieve Shumate, Wichita, and Mrs. Aldeen Ferguson, Westmoreland.
In 1959, Mr. and Mrs. Berges were privileged to celebrate their 50 th wedding anniversary.
Mrs. Berges was a member of the Order of Eastern Star, The American Legion Auxiliary and the Art Needle Club.
She passed away after a long illness at Community Hospital on February 10, 1964, having reached the age of 73 years, one month, and six days.
Survivors include her husband, Louis of the home, one son, Elwood, two daughers, Mrs. Genevieve Shumate and Mrs. Aldeen Ferguson; three grandsons, Lt. JG Bergess A. Ferguson, United States Navy, stationed at San Francisco, CA, PFC Thomas K. Ferguson, United States Army, stationed at Ft. Sill, OK; and John Berges of Inglewood, CA; one brother, Elmo E. White, Williams Town; three sisters, Mrs. Martin Sheppard, Bakersfield, CA; Mrs. Pearl Barney, Gentry, AR; and Miss Ruth White, Peoria, IL.
Funeral services were held February 12 at the Congregational Church with burial in the Onaga Cemetery.
Dale K. Berges, 74, rural Onaga, died Friday, April 29, 1994. He had pancreatic cancer.
He was a farmer and stockman.
The son of Otto E. and Effie Kolterman Berges, He was born December 30, 1919, on the family farm where he lived all his life. He was graduated from Onaga High School in 1940.
Mr. Berges was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Duluth, and a member of the church’s cemetery board. He had also served as treasurer of the Mill Creek Township Board.
He was married to Leona Roggenkamp, June 30, 1947, in Wheaton. She survives.
Other Survivors include a son, Eugene D. Berges, Wheaton; four daughters, Connie S. Ryan, Overland Park, Cathy A. Jeier, Wichita, Nancy M. Rezac, Emmett, and Cindy K. Seele, Rossville; a brother, Francis G. Berges, Onaga; a sister, Delores Dienhart, Raytown, MO; and 11 grandchildren.
Services were at 10:30 a.m. Monday, May 2, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Duluth, with burial in Onaga Cemetery.
Dorothy M. Berges, 79, Manhattan, formerly of Wamego, died Sunday, September 12, 1993, at a Manhattan hospital.
She was born November 23, 1913, in the Neuchatel community north of Onaga, the daughter of Arthur and Louise Rossier Surdez. She attended rural schools and Onaga High School.
She was married to Merl Berges in 1932 in Onaga. They lived in Wamego many years. He died July 20, 1990.
Survivors include a daughter, Patsy J. Murphy, Manhattan; and a grandson.
Private Graveside services were at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Neuchatel Cemetery north of Onaga.
Effie F. Berges, 95, Onaga, died Sunday, September 6, 1992, at Onaga Community Hospital.
She was born December 19, 1896, north of Duluth, the daughter of William and Emile Nicklaus Kolterman. She spent her life in the Duluth and Onaga communities.
She was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Duluth, St. Paul Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, and the auxiliary to the American Legion in Onaga.
She was married to Otto Berges September 23, 1918, in Duluth. He died October 15, 1982. A son, Calvin Berges, died July 17, 1981.
Survivors include a daughter, Dolores Dienhart, Raytown, MO; two sons, Dale Berges and Francis Berges, both of Onaga; nine grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren.
Services were at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, September 8, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Duluth. Burial was in Onaga Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul Lutheran Church in Duluth or to the Lutheran Hour radio program and sent in care of the church.
Elmo C. Berges, 79, Onaga, died March 28 at an Onaga hospital.
He was a farmer and worked for the Farmers Co-op feed mill in Onaga before he retired.
He was born November 16, 1912, in Duluth, KS, the son of Ernest and Mathilda Kolterman Berges. He attended Duluth schools and Onaga High School. He also attended business college in Lawrence.
He was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Duluth.
He was married to Mildred I. Cass June 1, 1938, in Duluth. She died Dec. 23, 1987.
Survivors include a son, Jerry D. Berges, Onaga, a daughter, Gloria Falk, Onaga; six grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
Services were March 31 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Duluth. Burial was in Onaga Cemetery. Tessendorf Mortuary in Onaga was in charge of arrangements.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, American Heart Association or St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Duluth.
Francis Galen Berges, 69, Onaga, died Wednesday, July 13, 1994, at his farm in Onaga.
Mr. Berges was a farmer and an Army veteran of World War II.
He was born April 22, 1925, on the family farm southwest of Onaga, the son of Otto E. and Effie F. Kolterman Berges. He attended St. Paul’s Lutheran parochial school and Onaga Public Schools.
Mr. Berges was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Duluth.
Survivors include a sister, Dolores Dienhart, Raytown, MO; and nine nieces and nephews.
Services were at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, July 16, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Duluth.
Burial was in Onaga cemetery.
Fred Berges, 73, of Arvada, CO, passed away on Friday after a long illness. Funeral services were held on Monday afternoon in Arvada and burial was also in Arvada. Those attending the funeral from here were Mr. and Mrs. Otto Berges and Mrs. Anna Kufahl. Mr. Berges has been making his home with his daughter for some time.
Gladys b. Berges, 84, Onaga, died Feb. 23 at her home.
Mrs. Berges worked for several years in the Kansas State College of agriculture food center in Manhattan and later worked at Golden Acres Nursing Home in Onaga until she retired.
She was born June 8,1904, near Wheaton, the daughter of William and Emma Bosse Schwant.
Mrs. Berges was a member of St. Luke Lutheran Church in Wheaton and Ladies Aide at the church.
She was married to William Berges on Aug. 17, 1927, in St. Luke Lutheran Church, then southeast of Wheaton. He died Sept. 25, 1942.
Services were Feb. 26 in St. Luke Lutheran Church in Wheaton. Burial was in St. Luke South Cemetery, southeast of Wheaton. Kufahl Funeral Home in Wheaton was in charge of arrangements.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Luke Lutheran Church in Wheaton or to the charity of the donor’s choice.
Death of H. W. Berges – The community was saddened last Wednesday evening by the sudden passing of J. W. Berges, an old and respected resident of this community. His death came very unexpectedly, caused by a heart attack.
Henry William Berges, oldest son of William and Wilhemenia Berges, was born April 23, 1873 on a farm near Onaga, and departed this life May 28, 1947, at the age of 74 years, 1 month and 5 days. He was baptized in infancy in the Lutheran faith. He was confirmed at the age of 15 years. He has been a devoted charter member of the Lutheran church all his life.
On May 5, 2897 he was united in marriage to Paulena Kolterman. They moved to the farm where he spent the remainder of his life. Mr. and Mrs. Berges celebrated their golden Wedding on May 4, 1947.
To this union were born nine children. Edna died in infancy and William met tragic death, Sept. 25, 1942. Those left to mourn his death are his wife, Paulena Berges; the children, Lydia Dronberger, Onaga, Myrtle of the home, Alma Knipp, Big springs, Nebr., Mabel Southard, Topeka, Ordo, Kansas City, Alice Felden, Alma, and Glen, Onaga; 11 grandchildren, two great-grandchildren; four sisters, four brothers, and many other relatives.
Brothers and sisters surviving are: Mrs. Minnie Wegner, Duluth; Mrs. Bertha Kufahl, Wheaton; Ernest Berges, Duluth; Mrs. Albert Kufahl, Wheaton; F. D. Berges, San Bernardino, Calif., Mrs. Fred Hetzler, L. W. Berges and Otto Berges, all of Onaga.
The burial service was conducted on Saturday afternoon at the St. Luke's Lutheran Church at Wheaton. Pastor E. L. Hofmann conducted the service. Interment was in St. Luke’s Cemetery. The funeral service was attended by a host of relatives and friends. The deceased was well remembered with floral offerings and memorial wreaths.
Jerry Dean Berges, 56, Emmett, was found dead at his home on Friday, August 22, 1997.
He had worked in road construction for Anderson-Oxandale, then as a mechanic for Marten Motors and later for Bays Motor Company, both in Onaga. He then worked for Kufahl Hardware in Wheaton for a short time. He owned and operated Berges Repair in Onaga and farmed southwest of Onaga.
He was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church at Duluth.
He was born November 18, 1940, southwest of Onaga, the son of Elmo and Mildred Cass Berges. He graduated from Onaga High School in 1958.
He married Jean E. Toothaker on October 11, 1964, at Onaga. They were divorced.
Survivors include four daughters, Tammy Hoover and Michelle Simonson, both of St. George, and Jodi Berges and Tasha Berges, both of Tilden, NE; a sister, Gloria J. Falk, Onaga; and seven grandchildren.
Services were at 10 a.m. Tuesday, August 26, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Duluth. Burial was in the Onaga Cemetery. Prayer services and visitation were held at 7:00 p.m. Monday at Tessendorf-Chapel Oaks Funeral Home, Onaga.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Jerry Dean Berges Memorial Fund, to be designated later, and sent in care of the funeral home.
The Berges Funeral – It seldom falls to the lot of any town to be called on to experience such a sad scene as was witnessed at the little town of Duluth last Sunday when the funeral of the five members of the John Berges family, who were killed in the tornado last Thursday, was held. The five bodies were removed from Onaga to Duluth last Friday evening and were conveyed there in two vehicles. The bodies were taken directly to the Lutheran Church where they remained until the funeral. The funeral was held at one o’clock Sunday afternoon, and although the weather was threatening rain and many of the roads were nearly impassable owing to many bridges being out, the funeral was possibly the largest attended of any ever held is this part of the country. People were there from Onaga, from the vicinity of Laclede, From the Neuchatel neighborhood, from Wheaton and north of Wheaton, and nearly every one of the German neighborhood were present to pay their last tribute of respect to the deceased ones and to mingle the tear of sympathy with the grief-stricken relatives. ; The undertaker, J. M. VanDusen informs us that he counted five hundred people inside the church, over two hundred of whom were standing, and there must have been close to two hundred people who could not gain admission to the church.
The scene which met the eyes of those present was indeed a most sorrowful one. The caskets containing the remains of the father, mother and baby, the child was placed in the casket with the mother, sat close together in the center of the church in front of the rostrum, and the body of the daughter on the right and that of the son on the left, with an isle between the bodies of the children and their parents. ; The floral offerings were quite numerous, and although no trains were running so cut flowers could be secured, the flowers were indeed beautiful and each casket was literally banked with these tokens.
Two sermons were preached the first being in German by the Rev. Th. Droegemuller, who is pastor of the south Lutheran church and who was Mr. Berges’ pastor, and the second sermon was in English and was delivered by Rev. A. G. Degner, pastor of the Duluth Lutheran Church. The Interment was given in one large grave in the cemetery at Duluth.
All of the deceased family were born in this locality, and the father and mother came from two of the best German families of this vicinity. John Berges was a son of Mr. and Mrs. William Berges, who still survive. He was an honest, industrious man, and through hard work and economy had become the possessor of considerable land. He was born December 10, 1875, was baptized on March 5, 1876; and confirmed March 26 th, 1893. His wife, Emma Berges, was a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Kolterman, who still survive. She, like her husband, was also a hard worker and a loving and devoted mother. She was born April 19, 1880, and confirmed March 14, 1894. These good people were united in marriage on February 14, 1901. The deceased children were as follows: Caroline, born July 18, 1902; Harvey, born June 23, 1904. The baby was born May 25, 1915. The two surviving sons are Arlo Age 8, and Roy aged 4. They were also quite badly injured at the time their parents were taken from them, but are recovering rapidly.
Besides the aged parents the father is survived by five brothers –Henry, of Onaga, Ernest, of Duluth, Fred, of Colorado (he tried to reach here in time for the funeral, but was water-bound at Manhattan and did not arrive here until Monday evening. Louie, proprietor of the Onaga pharmacy, and Otto, also of Onaga.
The sisters surviving are Mrs. Minnie Wegner, Mrs. Albert Brunner, Mrs. Wm. Kufahl, and Mrs. Fred Hetzler.
Mrs. Berges is survived, besides the parents, by three brothers and five sisters as follows: Frank, **mile and August Kolterman, and Mrs. Henry Berges, Mrs. Herman Honig and Mrs. Ernest Berges, and Bertha and Effa Kolterman.
ONAGA – Services will be at 2 p.m. Monday at the Congregational church here for Louis Berges, 84, Westmoreland, who died Thursday in a Westmoreland hospital. He had been ill six weeks.
He was born March 1, 1884 at Onaga where he spent most of his life. He was a registered pharmacist and owned and operated the Berges Drug Store at Onaga about 50 years.
He was a member of the Congregational church and Onaga Lodge No. 188, AF&AM, both at Onaga.
Survivors include a son, Elwood L. Berges, Inglewood, Calif., two daughters, Mrs. Genevieve Shumate, Wichita, and Mrs. Aldeen Furgeson, Westmoreland; two sisters, Mrs. Albert Kufahl and Mrs. Fred Hetzler, both of Wheaton; two brothers, Ernest Berges and Otto Berges, both of Onaga; and three grandchildren.
Onaga Lodge No. 188, AF&AM, will conduct graveside services at Onaga Cemetery. Mr. Berges will lie in state until 10 a.m. Monday at Kufahl Funeral Home at Wheaton and after 11 a.m. Monday at the church. The casket will remain closed after the service. Memorial contributions may be made to the Onaga Congregational Church debt retirement fund.
______________________ (1968)
Louis Berges, 84, died Thursday, June 20, in the Westmoreland hospital following a six weeks illness. He was born March 1, 1884 at Onaga and spent most of his life here. Since the death of his wife several years ago, he had made his home with a daughter and her husband, Mr. and Mrs. Cecil Ferguson, at Westmoreland.
Mr. Berges was a registered pharmacist and owned and operated the Berges Drug Store at Onaga about 50 years. He was a member of the Congregational Church and Onaga Lodge No. 188, AF&M, both at Onaga. Survivors include*****************
The community was saddened Saturday morning by the untimely death of Marlin Berges. It doesn’t seem possible that a young man so full of life and a star player on the high school football and basketball teams a year or two ago could be struck down so quickly. The sympathy of the entire community goes out to the grief-stricken family in their bereavement.
Funeral services for Marlin Beres, 19, were held at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Duluth, on Monday afternoon at 2:30 o’clock, the Rev. J. A. E. Bauer officiating. Nearly 500 persons attended the funeral, indicating that Marlin had many intimate friends. Pallbearers were his classmates, Daryl Honig, Rex Ladner, Gerald Richmond, Ronald Robbins, Eugene Savago, and Mickey Wheeler. Memorial wreaths for Children’s Home, etc., amount to $135.00.
Marlin John, the oldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Roy Berges, was born January 21, 1933, near Onaga. He grew up a Christian boy in the home of his parents. Marlin received his elementary schooling at the Onaga Grade School and graduated from the Onaga Rural High School with honors a year ago, on May 15, 1951. He was a good student and his fellow students and classmates paid regard to his friendliness and fine behavior.
Marlin’s health began to fail noticeable some months ago. He consulted doctors at hospitals in Topeka and in Kansas City, but all human help failed. Last Thursday he entered the Kansas University hospital at Kansas City where he passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 17, 1952, at 6:30 a.m. Burial took place at the Lutheran cemetery in Duluth.
He is survived by his bereaved parents; two brothers, Donald and Lyle; his maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Zabel; his great-grandmother, Mrs. Minnie Wrosch; his aunts and uncles, Mrs. M. A. Wegner, Mrs. Harry Honig, Mrs. Lorenz Marten, Mrs. Maurice Pierson, and Ray Zabel and Arlo Berges of Junction City.
He is also deeply mourned by his fiancée, Miss Caroline Junod, many cousins and a host of friends.
Marlin attained the age of 19 years, 3 months and 26 days.
Mrs. Ernest Berges, 70, passed away quite unexpectedly last Thursday morning at her home in Duluth. She had not bee entirely well for some time, but her death came as a shock to her family and friends. Only the day before, she had attended the St. Paul's Lutheran Ladies Aid Society, of which she was a faithful member.
Mrs. Berges was born on a farm north of Duluth and had lived in the vicinity of Duluth all of her life. She and Mr. Berges celebrated their 50 th wedding anniversary in February of this year.
Survivors include her husband, of the home; two sons, Lloyd of Topeka and Elmo of Onaga; three sisters, Mrs. Martha Honig, Mrs. Bertha Kolterman and Mrs. Effie Berges, all of Onaga; two brothers, Emil Kolterman of Onaga and August Kolterman of Lawrence; four grandchildren, and a host of other relatives.
Funeral services were held Saturday, November 7, at 2 o’clock at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Duluth, with interment in the Duluth Cemetery. The rev. J. W. A. Becker was in charge of the services.
Merle A Berges, 75, of Manhattan, formerly of Wamego, died Friday, July 20, 1990, at a Manhattan hospital.
Mr. Berges worked for more than 40 years for Daylor Motor Co. in Wamego until his health failed.
He was born March 26, 1914, on a farm south of Onaga, the son of Henry and Sophia Valburg Berges. He grew up near Onaga, attended Onaga schools and was graduated from Onaga High School. He lived in Wamego most of his life until he moved to Manhattan this year.
He was married to Dorothy Surdez of Onaga on June 20, 1933, in Topeka. She survives.
Other survivors include a daughter, Patsy Murphy, Manhattan, and a grandson.
Private graveside services were Sunday, July 22, in Neuchatel cemetery north of Onaga.
Mrs. Mildred Ida Berges, 71, Onaga, died Wednesday, December 23, 1987, in a Topeka hospital.
Mrs. Berges had worked at the Pyramid Garment Factory, Onaga, 23 years before she retired in 1981. She earlier worked for the Pottawatomie County Superintendent of Public Instruction at Westmoreland before she was married.
She was born October 21, 1916, at Onaga, daughter of Willie H. and Elise “Lizzie” Marten Cass.
Mrs. Berges was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Duluth, and a former member of the St. Paul’s Ladies Aid. She had been a Sunday school teacher at the church many years.
She was married to Elmo C. Berges of Onaga June 1, 1938, at Duluth. ; They farmed in the Onaga community many years. He survives.
Other Survivors include a daughter, Mrs. Gloria Falk, Onaga; a son, Jerry Berges, Onaga; her mother, Mrs. Elise “Lizzie” Cass, Onaga; a sister, Mrs. Luella Wrosch, Wheaton; six grandchildren and a great-granddaughter.
Services were at 2:00 p.m. Saturday in St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Duluth. Burial was in Onaga Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.
Ordo Frank Berges, 87, formerly of Lancaster, died Monday, April 19, 1999, at the Atchison Medical lodge, following a long illness of Parkinson’s disease.
Mr. Berges was born on March 22, 1912, southwest of Onaga, the son of Henry W. and Pauline Kolterman Berges. He was confirmed in the Lutheran faith at an early age. He attended rural schools and graduated from Onaga High School in 1930. He assisted his father on the farm for several years and then attended Kansas State University studying in civil engineering. Mr. Berges worked as a civil engineer for the Corp of Engineers, Kansas City District for over twenty-five years until he semi-retired in 1964. He then worked for the State Corp of Engineers, Massman Construction Co. of Kansas City, Missouri and Ashback Construction co., St. Paul, Minnesota. In the Atchison area he served as the Control Officer for the Cut and Cover Project and rural water districts five and six. Later he worked for the U. S. Postal System surveying for a new post office. Mr. Berges was a veteran of World War II serving with an engineer battalion in North Africa and Italy. He moved from Kansas City, Missouri in 1958 to a farm north of Lancaster and to Atchison in 1992. He was a member of the St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, the Fleming-Jackson, Seever American Legion Post No. 6, Atchison, The national Association of Federal Retired Employees, Farmers Coop Association, and the Atchison County Farm Bureau. He has served on the Church Council, and the Rural Water District No. 5 as a board member.
Mr. Berges was married to Minnie Matthias on June 27, 1943, in Washington, D. C. She survives in Atchison.
Other Survivors include one brother, Glenn Berges, Great Bend, three sisters, Myrtle Valberg, Onaga, Mable Southard, Topeka, and Alice Fieden, Alma. Mr. Berges was preceded in death by a brother, William Berges, and three sisters, Lydia Dronberger, Edna Berges and Alma Knipp.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday (today) at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Atchison. Burial will be in the Mount Vernon Cemetery, also in Atchison.
Otto E. Berges, 93, died Friday, October 15, at his home in Onaga. He had been in frail health for the last several years.
The son of William and Wilhelmina Kamm Berges, he was born August 18, 1889, on a farm near Onaga. He was a farmer and stockman for many years before retiring in 1947.
He was an Army veteran of World War I and served with the 89 th Division in France. He was a member of Onaga Post No. 85 of the American Legion at Onaga and St. Paul’s Lutheran Church at Duluth.
He married Effie Kolterman September 23, 1918 at her home at Duluth.
A son, Calvin Berges, died July 17, 1981, in the Hyatt Hotel tragedy in Kansas City.
Survivors include his wife, of the home; a daughter, Mrs. Dolores Dienhart, Raytown, MO; two sons, Dale Berges and Francis Berges, both of Onaga, nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, October 17, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Duluth. Burial was in the Onaga Cemetery.
Mrs. Pauline Kolterman Berges, 80, passed away at her home near Onaga at 9:15 a.m. Friday, June 5. She had been in ill health for some time and just returned to her home from the hospital on Monday preceding her death.
Her husband, Henry Berges, passed away on May 28, 1947. She was also preceded in death by three children, Edna, who died in infancy; Mrs. Lydia Dronberger; and William, who met with a farm accident in September of 1942.
Surviving are six other children, Myrtle, of the home; Mrs. Alma Knipp of Big Springs, NE; Mrs. Mabel Southard of Topeka; Ordo of Mission, KS; Mrs. Alice Feiden of Alma, KS; and Glenn of Onaga. She is also survived by four sisters, Mrs. Martha Honig, Mrs. Otto Kolterman, and Mrs. Otto Berges of Onaga, and Mrs. Ernest Berges of Duluth; two brothers, Emile Kolterman of Onaga, and August Kolterman of Lawrence, thirteen grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were conducted Sunday afternoon, June 7, by the Rev. J. W. A. Becker at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Duluth. Interment was in St. Luke’s Cemetery at Wheaton.
Wilhemine Camm, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Camm, was born in Germany Nov 3, 1845. Soon after her birth she was baptised and later on after having duly instructed in the word of God, was confirmed. In 1868 she came to American, locating in Milwaukee, Wis; The same year she was united in marriage to Mr. Wm. Berges. This union was blessed with eleven children, 10 of whom are still living.
In 1869, she, with her husband and oldest child, Wilhemine, came to Kansas, locating on a homestead west of Onaga where she lived until her death. Her husband preceded her in death on Nov. 2, 1920, also one son, John, who was killed in a cyclone June 17, 1915.
She passed away Friday morning June 11 th, reaching the age of 91 years 7 months and 8 days. Her passing is mourned by the following children; Mrs. Wilhemine Wegner, Duluth; Mrs. Lizzie Brunner, Broomfield, Colo.; Mr. Henry Berges. Onaga; Mrs. Bertha Kufahl, Onaga; Mr. Ernest Berges, Duluth; Mrs. Anna Kufahl, Wheaton, Mr. Fred Berges, Bernardine, CA; Mrs. Marie Hetzler, Wheaton; Mr. Louis Berges, Onaga; and Mr. Otto Berges, Onaga. Also 44 grandchildren, 58 great-grandchildren, and 2 great great grandchildren.
The funeral service was conducted Sunday afternoon by Pastor O. H. Hornbestel, at Duluth. Interment was made in St. Paul’s Cemetery, Duluth.
William Henry Berges, son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Berges, was born Jan 17, 1902, near Onaga, KS. He joined the Evangelical Lutheran Church, through confirmation, on April 16, 1916, and has been a faithful member of that church till the day of his departure. On August 17, 1927, he was married to Gladys Schwandt. The to lived on a farm near Onaga since that time. HE was suddenly called out of this world on Sept. 25, 1942, at the age of 40 years, 6 months, and 8 days.
To mourn his departure are his wife, his parents, Mrs. And Mrs., Henry Berges, two brothers, Ordo Berges, who is in the United States Army at Camp Belvoir, Virginia and Glenn Berges, of Onaga, KS; five sisters, Lydia Dronberger of Onaga, Myrtle Berges of Onaga, Alma Knipp of Vanango, NE, Mabel Southard of Topeka, KS and Alice Felden of Alma, KS; and a great number of other relatives, and a host of friends.
Funeral services were held in the St. Luke's Lutheran Church at Wheaton, KS on Monday, Sept 28, with the Rev. O. H. Prauner officiating, and Burial was in the St. Luke’s Cemetery.
Services were at 10 a.m. Monday, July 23, at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Onaga for Norbert E. “Bergie” Bergman, 66, Onaga, who died of heart failure Friday, July 20, 1990, at a Kansas City hospital.
Mr. Bergman was an inspector for Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co. in Topeka for several years before he retired. Earlier he worked for the Conoco service station in Onaga and owned and operated a service station-tavern-store known as Beckerville in the Coal Creek community a few years.
He was born December 24, 1923, west of St. Benedict, the son of Lawrence and Ernestine Skoch Bergman. He attended Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic grade school and high school in Seneca.
Mr. Bergman was in the Army during World War II and saw duty in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. He participated in the Normandy Invasion, Battle of the Bulge and the siege of Bastogne. He was awarded two Purple Hearts, a good conduct medal and seven major battle stars.
He was a charter member of Onaga Memorial Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7772 and was a member of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Onaga.
He was married to Rose Ida Becker, January 7, 1947, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in the Coal Creek community. She survives.
Other survivors include a daughter, Karen Bergman, Philadelphia, Pa; a son, Robert Bergman, Onaga; a sister, Mildred Neff, Seneca; and five grandchildren.
Burial with full military honors was in St. Patrick’s Catholic Cemetery in the Coal Creek area north of Onaga.
Donald H. Berry, 70, Meriden, was pronounced dead on arrival Wednesday, March 12, 1997, at a Topeka hospital.
Mr. Berry was a self-employed carpenter.
He was born May 6, 1926, in Onaga, the son of Harvey B. and Charlotte Florence Berry. He attended Onaga Grade and High Schools.
He was married to Mary L. Daves on May 3, 1966, in Nowata, OK. She survives.
Other survivors include two sons, Harvey B. Berry and Joseph D. Berry, both of Meriden; four daughters, Vickie Alene Phelps, Camp Verde, AZ; Dawn Fillmore, Topeka; Celieste Murphy, Colorado Springs, CO; and Rebecca Nelson, Lewport, VA; two sisters, Audrey M. Swisher, Seneca, and Vickie Holder, Longmont, CO; and 11 grandchildren.
Mr. Berry was cremated. Graveside services are pending at the Onaga Cemetery and will be announced by Tessendorf-Chapel Oaks Funeral Home in Onaga.
Contributions may be made to the Donald H. Berry memorial fund and sent in care of the funeral home.
Florence Strosnider, daughter of Israel and Catherine Strosnider, was born June 3, 1878, in Wetzel County, West Virginia, and passed away at the Onaga hospital on August 24, 1956, at the age of 78 years, 2 months and 21 days.
When she was one year old, the family moved to Kansas and located on a farm south of Havensville.
On December 21, 1898, she married Everett D. Berry. After living on a farm near Avoca for five years they moved to the farm where they enjoyed the remainder of 56 years together until her husband’s death on January 28, 1955.
She will be remembered as devoting her life and labors to her family.
She is survived by one son, Ira; two grandchildren, Roy of Winthrop Harbor, Ill.; and Ruby of Topeka; five great grandchildren, Jane Louise, Judith Ann and Edward Roy Berry, and Betty Lou and Larry Dean Gifford. Also, out of a family of nine, she leaves two brothers, Frank Strosnider of Onaga and Luther Strosnider of Havensville, and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, August 26, at the Tessendorf Funeral Chapel in Onaga with Rev. Alex Eckert of Holton officiating. Burial was at Havensville.
Harvey B. Berry, 72, of Onaga died at his home sometime during the night Monday. He had recently returned to his home following several weeks as a patient in Community Hospital and a Topeka hospital.
He was born at Muscotah, KS, February 5, 1900. He operated a trucking business in Onaga until 1942 when he moved to Kansas City. Upon his retirement a short time ago he and his wife returned to Onaga to make their home.
Mr. Berry was a member of Local 61, Carpenter’s Union in Kansas City, and a member of the Christian Advent Church at Muscotah.
Survivors include his wife, Mrs. Charlotte Berry of the home; two daughters, Mrs. Audrey Swisher, Philipsburg, and Mrs. Vickie Florence Holder, Pueblo, CO; a son, Donald H. berry, Kansas City, KS; two brothers, Walter J. Berry, Lyons, and Lonnie Berry, Address unknown; and ten grandchildren.
Funeral services are being held at 2:00 p.m. today (Thursday) at the Onaga Congregational Church with burial at Onaga Cemetery.
Ira N. Berry, son of Everett and Florence Berry, was born Oct. 26, 1899, at Avoca in Jackson County, and died at the Onaga Community Hospital July 26, following a long illness. He was 66 years of age.
At the age of seven he moved with his parents to the farm south of Havensville which remained his home and chief interest.
Mr. Berry gained great satisfaction from a soil conservation award presented to him in 1965 by the Kansas Bankers Association for good soil conservation practices.
He was preceded in death by his parents, twin sons, and a daughter who died in infancy.
He is survived by his wife, Lola, of the home; one daughter, Ruby Tannahill, Havensville; her husband, Gary, and the grandchildren, Betty, Larry, John, Martin, Roberta, and Barbara; one son, Roy, Winthrop Harbor, Ill.; his wife, Martha, and the grandchildren, Jane, Judith, Edward, David, Susan, and Carol.
Services were held Thursday from an Onaga mortuary, with interment in the Havensville Cemetery.
Mrs. Leota I. Berry, 87, Onaga, died Wednesday, August 27, at Golden Acres Nursing Home in Onaga.
She was born April 27, 1899, in Iowa, the daughter of George and Julia Pyers King.
She was married to William C. Berry in 1922. He died in August 1973. A son, Howard Berry, died in 1974.
Survivors include three grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
Graveside services were at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, August 30, in Delta, CO, City Cemetery.
Lola M. Berry, 91, Herrington, KS, died Friday, December 31, 1993, in the Municipal Hospital, Herrington. She had been a resident of the Lutheran Home in Herrington for the past five months.
She was born January 6, 1902 in Solomon, KS, the daughter of Chalmer L. and Cora M. Chapman Reed.
She taught school at Grandview School in Kansas and worked as a bookkeeper in Topeka.
On February 25, 1925, she was united in marriage to Ira N. Berry. They spent many years in the Havensville community . He died in 1966. She later lived with her daughter.
Mrs. Berry was a member of the United Methodist Church of Havensville and taught the Menninger Bible Study course for a number of years.
Survivors include a son, Roy e. Berry, Zion, IL; a daughter, Ruby E. Gifford, Hope, KS; 11 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by a grandson, John Tannahill, in 1987, and a brother, Harvey Reed, in October 1993.
The body was cremated. Funeral services and inurnment will be held at a later date in Havensville.
Monsignor Joseph Elmer Biehler, 88, rural St. George, died Wednesday, April 10, 1996, at a church rectory.
Monsignor Biehler was pastor of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church at Flush and school administrator of St. Joseph Catholic School from 1935 to 1976. He also taught agriculture, science, band and music, and coached athletics at the school. He was the Rural Life Director for the Kansas City Diocese from 1947 to 1972.
Monsignor published the Flush history in 1954 and the school history in 1966.
He was born May 28, 1907, at Easton, the son of Henry and Anna Brose Biehler. He attended Kenrick Seminary at St. Louis from 1929 to 1933 and assisted at the Catholic Cathedral at Leavenworth from 1933 to 1935.
He was a member of Knights of Columbus No. 902, a fourth degree member of the Thomas A. McNieve Assembly of the Knights of Columbus at St. Marys and the Wamego Area Senior Citizens.
He was president of the Pottawatomie County Teachers’ Association from 1957 to 1959.
On September 20, 1995, he was invested Monsignor.
Survivors include a sister, Marcella Baker, Leavenworth.
Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at 11:30 a.m. Monday, April 15, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church at Flush. Burial was in the church cemetery.
Clara May Biermann, 74, Onaga, died Sunday, January 24, 1993, at Onaga Community Hospital.
She was born December 12, 1918 in Wymore, NE, the daughter of Alfred and Blanch Hubbard White. She attended schools in Wymore where she spent her early life.
Mrs. Biermann was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Duluth.
She was married to Roy C. Wilson. They were divorced. He died in 1989. She was married to Lavern Biermann in 1948. He died August 22, 1968. A son, Allen Hutton, died November 2, 1978.
Survivors include a son, Daniel Wilson, Hiawatha; two sisters, Iva White and Ollie Sunnenberg, both of Centralia; four grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
Services were at 2 p.m. Tuesday, January 26, at Tessendorf Mortuary in Onaga. Burial was in Onaga Cemetery.
INFANT DAUGHTER DIES IN KANSAS CITY –
Kala R. Biesenthal, infant daughter of Rodney and Linda Duncan Biesenthal, Onaga, died Thursday, April 8, in a Kansas City, KS, hospital. She was born April 5 in Manhattan.
Survivors include her parents, a sister, Amber Biesenthal of the home; and her grandparents Mr. and Mrs. Mercelus Biesenthal of Wheaton and Mr. and Mrs. Tom Duncan, Westmoreland.
Services were at 4 p.m. Sunday at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Wheaton, with burial in Fairview Cemetery south of Wheaton.
Services were held at 1:30 Saturday afternoon at Kufahl Funeral Home and at 2:00 p.m. at St. Luke's Lutheran Church at Wheaton for August F. Biesenthal, 79, who died March 3 at his farm near Wheaton. Burial was in the Fairview cemetery near Wheaton.
He was born April 1, 1885 in Pottawatomie County and spent all his life in the Wheaton community. He was a member of the St. Luke's Lutheran Church at Wheaton. He was a farmer.
He is survived by his wife, Ida of the home; three sons, Lester, Cleason and Marcellus Biesenthall all of Wheaton; two brothers, Otto Biesenthal and Fred Biesenthal, both of Wheaton; a sister, Mrs. Emma Geisler, Alma, and 11 grandchildren.
A son, Elroy Biesenthal, died in infancy.
Florence Violet Biggs, 84, Holton, died Monday, November 3, 1997, at St. Frances Hospital in Wichita.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Lt. Col. Lloyd William Biggs.
Survivors include three sons, Lloyd W. Biggs, Dr. W. Gale Biggs, and Dr. Edmund L. Biggs.
She was cremated and at her request there will be no memorial services. Interment was in Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C.
Memorial contributions may be made to Meals on Wheels, c/o The Jackson County senior Citizen, Room 106, County Courthouse, Holton, Kansas 66436.
This morning’s Kansas City Times carries a front-page story of the torture and death of Lieut. Col. Lloyd Biggs by the Japs as told to The Star by his daughter, Mrs. H. H. Hauck, now q freshman at the University of Kansas City. Mrs. Hauck’s husband was with Col. Biggs in the Philippines and is now a prisoner of the Japs.
The account of the torture was carried in The Star Tuesday in a series of articles by Lieut. Col. W. E. Dyess, one of the Americans who escaped from the Japanese. The slaying was one of the brutalities cited by Secretary Hull in his note to the Japanese protesting the treatment given U. S. Prisoners of war. Secretary Hull’s protest gave this account of the brutalities:
“At Cabanatuan Lieut. Col. Lloyd Biggs, Lieut. Col. Howard Beritung, and Lieut. R. D. Gilbert, attempting to escape during Sept., 1942 were severely beaten about the legs and feet and then taken out of the camp and tied to posts, were stripped and kept tied for two days. Their hands were tied behind their backs to posts so they could not sit down. Passing Filipinos were forced to beat them in the face with clubs. No food or water was given them. After two days of torture they were taken away, and according to statements of Japanese guards, they were killed, one of them by decapitation."
Col. Biggs went to the Philippines in 1939. His family accompanied him. His wife and three sons, Lloyd 9 years old, Walter 8 and Edmond 5, returned to the United States in Feb. 1941 on an evacuation ship, and are now living at Holton. Mrs. Biggs is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ira Fairbanks of Onaga.
Mrs. Georgia Binnie, 59, of 246 Roberta Ave., Colliingdale, PA; died Tuesday, July 26, after a long illness. She had cancer.
The daughter of George and Lena Makin, she was born on a farm southwest of Onaga. She attended Rolling Prairie elementary school and was graduated from Onaga High School.
Survivors include her husband, Glenn Binnie of the home; a daughter, Mrs. Gwen Franklin, Collingdale; a brother, Delbert Makin, Citrus Heights, CA; and a niece, Sherry Force Graf, Mayetta.
Time and place of services and burial were not available.
Leatha L. Bishop, 89, Onaga, died Monday, December 30, 1996, at Golden Acres Nursing Home in Onaga.
She was born September 21, 1907, at Westphalia, the daughter of Bud and Mary Mertz Brees.
She married Cleon A. Bishop on October 3, 1928, at Holton. He died May 31, 1980.
She and her husband moved from Delia to a farm northwest of Havensville in 1946. They moved into Havensville in 1971 and she moved to Onaga in 1981. She had lived at Golden Acres since 1985.
Survivors include two sons, Carl Bishop, Salina, and Glen Bishop, St. Marys; three daughters, Dorothy Cline and Mary McDougal, both of Havensville, and Helen Rose, Onaga; a brother, Bill Brees, Delia; 21grandchildren, 31 great-grandchildren, and four great-great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held at 10:00 a.m. Thursday January 2, 1997, at the Havensville Christian Church with burial in the Havensville Cemetery.
IN MEMORIAN—Union memorial services were held at the Baptist Church in this city on Sunday morning, November 3 rd, for sergeant Walter M. Blackledge, son of Rev. and Mrs. J. P. Blackledge, who gave his life in the cause of freedom and justice of the battlefields of France.
Rev. Good of the Congregational Church conducted the services, assisted by Rev. Stewart of the M. E. church. A male quartet furnished the music. The Onaga State Guards attended in a body.
Walter McKinley Blackledge was born in North Kansas City, MO, on November 21 st, 1897, and was 20 years, 11 months and 7 days of age at the time of his death.
He moved with his parents to Wamego, Kansas, in March 1900, where he started t school, finishing his schoolwork in different places in Kansas completing the required high school course in Council Grove and Garnett. He entered the Kansas State Agricultural College in the autumn of 1916 leaving school in April 1917, and upon declaration of war enlisted in Co. K, first Kansas infantry, at Garnett, Kansas.
He was baptised February 6 th, 1908, in Council Grove, Kansas, and was a member of the Onaga Baptist Church at the time of his death. He was active in Sunday school and young people’s work in council Grove and Garnett, but never having lived in Onaga was not identified with the active church work here.
Sergeant Blackledge enlisted in Co. K, first Kansas infantry April 17 th, 1917, and was mustered into federal service at Garnet August 8 th 1917. Appointed corporal on September 7 th, 1917. He was transferred to Camp Doniphan, Ft. Sill, OK, September 30 th, where the first and second Kansas regiments were combined to form the 137 th U.S. Infantry. They remained at Camp Doniphan in training until April 14, 1918, sailing for overseas April 25 th, arriving in England May 7 th, and in France May 9, 1918.
They were taken to Alsace sector entering the trenches June 20 th, where Corporal Blackledge was ordered to put on a sergeant’s chevron and put in charge of a post consisting of a French corporal and squad and an American corporal and squad. He continued to act as sergeant and was officially appointed as sergeant September 12 th, 1918. They were in the trenches twenty days, then taken to a rest camp and into the trenches again August 3 rd. After this time in the trenches, they were transferred to the more active sector north of Verdun where they were put into the drive in the Argonne Forest of September 26 to 29. In this advance Sergeant Blackledge was killed in action September 28 th.
Elmer F. Blaske, 69, Blaine, died Saturday at Community Hospital in Onaga after a long illness.
He was born November 11, 1912, at Blue Rapids, the son of Fred and Mary Wagoner Blaske. He had lived in Blaine since 1947.
He was an employee of the state highway maintenance department and retired in 1977.
Mr. Blaske was a member of St. Columbkille Catholic Church in Blaine.
He married Margaret Bennett on August 23, 1944 at Wamego. She survives.
Other Survivors include two daughters, Mrs. Mary rash, and Mrs. Margaret Fleagle both of Hiawatha; two sons, John Blaske and Paul Blaske, both of Onaga; his mother, Mrs. Mary J. Blaske of St. Marys; three sisters, Mrs. Lila Drumheller, Farmington, N. M., Mrs. Alva Johnson, in Wyoming, and Mrs. Lucille Hartmen, Grandview, MO; a brother, Raymond Blaske, St. Louis, MO; and 14 grandchildren.
Services were at 10 a.m. Tuesday at St. Columbkille’s Catholic Church. Burial was at Mount Calvary Cemetery, Blaine.
Mrs. Margaret F. Blaske, 70, Blaine, died Sunday, March 23, at a Topeka hospital.
She was born February 10,1916, near Blaine, the daughter of John and Mary Bennett.
Mrs. Blaske was a member of St. Columbkille’s Catholic Church, the altar society of the church, and an extension homemakers unit, all at Blaine.
She was married to Elmer Blaske August 23, 1944, at Wamego. He died May 8, 1982.
Survivors include two daughters, Mrs. Mary Rash and Mrs. Margaret Fleagle, both of Hiawatha; two sons, John Blaske, Onaga, and Paul Blaske, Wamego; two sisters, Mrs. Sarah Muller, Blaine, and Mrs. Justina George, Alma; a brother Marcie Bennett, Wamego; and 15 grandchildren.
Funeral Mass was at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday in St. Columbkille’s Catholic Church at Blaine. Burial was in Mount Calvary Cemetery at Blaine.
Services were at 11 a.m. Monday, October 31, at Tessendorf-Chapel Oaks Funeral Home in Onaga for Charles Raymond Blaylock, 100, formerly of Onaga. Mr. Blaylock died Friday, October 28, 1994, at a Rossville nursing home where he had lived for five years.
He was born November 13, 1893, in Westmoreland, the son of Joseph and Lourinda Dookey Blaylock, and spent his early life in Westmoreland. He lived northwest of Emmett before he moved to Onaga in 1937. He was a farmer and later worked for the Pottawatomie County Road Department. He operated a road grader.
He was married to Lena Myrtle Page November 2, 1916, in Topeka. She died April 17, 1984.
Mr. Blaylock had served as trustee of St. Clere Township.
Survivors include a son, Charles H. Blaylock, Harrisonville, MO; a daughter, Blanche DeGraw, Topeka; two step-grandchildren and two step-great-grandchildren.
Burial was in St. Clere Cemetery north of Emmett.
Mrs. Lena M. Blaylock, 89, died Tuesday, April 17, at Community Hospital in Onaga after a long illness.
Mrs. Blaylock was a cook at the hospital for many years.
She was born Feb. 19. 1895, near St. Clere, the daughter of George Franklin and Elva Lucina Bowers Page. She lived in the St. Clere community until 1937 when she moved to Onaga.
Mrs. Blaylock was a member of the Art and Needle Club at Onaga 36 years. She also was a member of the Ladies Aid at the Congregational Church in Onaga.
She was married to Charles R. Blaylock of St. Clere Nov. 2, 1916, at Topeka. He survives.
Other Survivors include a daughter, Mrs. Blanche DeGraw, Topeka; a son, Charles H. Blaylock, Harrisonville, MO; a sister. Mrs. Arrilda Smith, Topeka; two stepgrandchildren; and two stepgreat-grandchildren.
Services are scheduled at 2 p.m. Thursday at Tessendorf Mortuary in Onaga. Burial to be in St. Clere Cemetery north of Emmett. Memorial contributions may be made to the Arthritis Foundation and sent in care of the funeral home.
Onaga – Services will be at 10:00 a.m. Thursday at Tessendorf Mortuary here for Charles Harding Bluma, 66, Onaga who died Saturday, May 2, 1987 at his home.
Mr. Bluma was a truck driver for several area contractors. He also had worked on the Kansas Turnpike.
He was born August 9, 1920, at Oak Mills in Atchison County, the son of Adam and Lillie Jones Bluma.
Mr. Bluma was a member of St. Vincent dePaul Catholic Church at Onaga.
He was married to Elsie Person of Bradwood, IL, in June 1952 at Holton. She survives.
Other Survivors include a daughter, Mrs. Virginia Lisle, address unavailable; and five sons, Adam Bluma, Chanute, Vernon Bluma and Rod Bluma, both of Topeka, Wyatt Bluma, address unavailable, and Lans Bluma, at home.
Burial will be in St. Patrick’s Cemetery in the Coal Creek community north of Onaga. Mr. Bluma will lie in state at the mortuary until service time. Contributions may be made to the Charles Bluma Memorial Fund yet to be designated by relatives and sent in care of the mortuary.
Vernon W. Bluma, 36, Topeka died Wednesday, March 13, 1991, at a local hospital. He had cancer.
Mr. Bluma was an area construction laborer.
He was born March 10, 1955, at Holton, the son of Charlie H. and Elsie Person Bluma.
Mr. Bluma was a member of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Onaga.
Survivors include his mother, Elsie Bluma, Onaga; and four brothers, Adam Bluma, Chanute, Rod Bluma, Topeka, Wyatt Bluma, address unavailable, and Lans Bluma, Onaga.
Services were at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 16, in Tessendorf Mortuary in Onaga. Burial was in St. Patrick’s Catholic Cemetery in the Coal Creek community north of Onaga.