[ OBITUARIES ]

Topeka Capital-Journal, The, Mar 23, 2003 by Capital-Journal

Louie Koerner

Father Fabian Burdiek

SENECA --- Father Fabian Burdiek, 92, formerly of Seneca, died Thursday, March 20, 2003, at The Little Sisters of the Poor monastery in St. Paul, Minn.

Father Burdiek joined the Franciscan Order at Teutopolis, Ill., in 1932, where he served as a brother. He was ordained as a Franciscan priest in 1974 at Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Seneca. He served as an associate pastor at St. Augustine Church in Chicago and St. Agnes Church at Ashland, Wis. He was chaplain at Mayslake Village in Oak Brook, Ill., and a hospital chaplain at Sacred Heart in St. Paul. He retired to The Little Sister's of the Poor in St. Paul in 1984.

He was born Sept. 16, 1910, on a farm southwest of Seneca, to Henry and Berdiena Feldkamp Burdiek. He attended Sts. Peter and Paul School and helped on the family farm as a young man.

Survivors include a sister, Anna Kruse, St. Joseph, Mo.; and a brother, Joseph Burdick, Seneca.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Seneca. Burial will be in the church cemetery. A rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca.

Memorial contributions may be made to Sts. Peter and Paul Church or Little Sister's of the Poor and sent in care of the family.

Gerald Grimes

MANHATTAN --- Gerald A. Grimes, 81, Manhattan, died Wednesday, March 19, 2003, at a Manhattan care facility.

Mr. Grimes operated heavy equipment in the construction industry and was a 45-year member of the Hoisting and Portable Engineers Union Local No. 101. He served in the Army in Europe during World War II as a medic with the 274th Regiment, 70th Infantry Division "Trailblazers." He participated in the liberation of France and the occupation of Berlin following the war. He was wounded in battle and received the Purple Heart medal with Oak Leaf Cluster and a Silver Star medal for combat bravery.

He was born Oct. 23, 1921, in Osborne County, to Allen M. and Daisy D. Engler Grimes.

Mr. Grimes was a member of the American Legion and Masonic Lodge and a life member of Disabled American Veterans.

He married Ellen J. Ballard in Stockton on Dec. 24, 1948. She preceded him in death.

Survivors include two sons, Gary Grimes, Topeka, and Larry Grimes, Torrington, Wyo.; a sister, Geneva Wilcox, Kent, Wash.; six grandchildren; and a great-grandchild.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Monday at Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home in Manhattan. Burial will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday in Ashrock Cemetery in Woodston.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Disabled American Veterans or the Terry C. Johnson Center for Basic Cancer Research and sent in care of the funeral home, 1616 Poyntz Ave., Manhattan, 66502.

Caroline Hansen

HORTON --- Caroline Ida Hansen, 94, Horton, died Friday, March 21, 2003, at a Horton nursing home.

She was born Oct. 13, 1908, in Huron, to Gustav John Laverentz and Elizabeth Molt. She graduated from Willis High School in 1926.

Mrs. Hansen was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, ELWC Everest and the Maple Grove Club in Hiawatha.

She married Harlof "Harry" Hansen on June 1, 1930, in Everest. He died Sept. 26, 1990.

Survivors include two sons, Eldon Hansen, Horton, and Harold Hansen, Olathe; five grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren.

Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday at Zion Lutheran Church in Everest. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 7 to 8 p.m. today at Dishon-Maple-Chaney Mortuary in Horton.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Tri-County Manor, Zion Lutheran Church or the Atchison County Hospice and sent in care of the mortuary, 909 Central Ave., Horton, 66439.

Marjorie Hobbs

COUNCIL GROVE --- Marjorie Lee Hobbs, 86, Council Grove, died Friday, March 21, 2003, at a Council Grove hospital.

Mrs. Hobbs was a traffic manager for the Prier-Brass Manufacturing Plant in Kansas City, Mo., for 32 years before retiring in 1978.

She was born May 28, 1916, in Bushong, to Venous Ward and Rosie Coleman Hobbs.

Mrs. Hobbs was a member of the Berean Baptist Church in Council Grove.

She married George Horace Hobbs on Dec. 14, 1937, in Hartford. He survives.

Other survivors include two brothers, Carl Rowley, Eskridge, and John Rowley, Council Grove.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Memorial Chapel of the Flint Hills in Council Grove. Burial will be in Chalk Cemetery east of Council Grove. Mrs. Hobbs will lie in state after noon Monday at the funeral chapel, where visitation will be from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Monday.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Berean Baptist Church or the American Heart Association and sent in care of the funeral home, 137 N. Union, Council Grove, 66846.

Vera Holthaus

SENECA --- Vera O. Holthaus, 86, Seneca, died Friday, March 21, 2003, at a Seneca nursing home.

Mrs. Holthaus had worked in a variety of jobs during her life. She was a clerk at Springer Variety Store in Seneca from 1934 to 1942, a bookkeeper at the Farmer's Elevator until December 1945 and later a cook at the Prairie Lounge from 1964 to 1969. She was a cook for Seneca Public High School and later for Nemaha Valley High School until 1980. She also was employed in the delicatessen at Harry's IGA in Topeka from 1980 to 1982.