HUTCHINSON, Kan. — LaVerna ‘Lee’ Banks, 88, of Hutchinson, died Friday, July 14, 2017, at Hospice House, Hutchinson. She was born December 5, 1928, in Canton, the daughter of Sol and Mary (Goertz) Janzen.

Lee moved from Canton in 1945 and graduated from Hutchinson High School in 1946. She worked at Producers Dairy Foods as the office manager for 26 years, and then retired from Jackson Ice Cream after 15 years of service. Lee was a member of Women of the Moose Hutchinson Chapter #1371, and Hutchinson Women’s Bowling Association since 1959. She enjoyed dancing, bowling, games with friends and weekends of camping and water skiing. Lee loved to crochet and knit, and share what she made with her family and friends.

On July 6, 1963, she married Vertis L. Banks in Hutchinson. He died December 4, 1998.

Survivors include: daughter, Sharon Gumpenberger and husband, John of Hutchinson; son, Jimmie L. Banks of Hutchinson; seven grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.

Lee was preceded in death by: her parents; infant daughter, Jimalyne Meyer; grandson, Andrew Banks; son, Robert Banks; and companion of 16 years, Wayne Aeschliman.

Graveside service will be 10 a.m. Saturday, July 22, 2017, at Fairlawn Burial Park, 2401 Carey Boulevard, Hutchinson, with Pastor Paul Thurston officiating. Celebration of Life will follow at 1:30 p.m. at the Hutchinson Moose Lodge #982, 1401 E. 1st, with Pastor Paul Thurston officiating. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday and Friday at Elliott Mortuary. The family will greet friends following the memorial service at the Moose Lodge on Saturday. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Reno County, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Donald Earl Caldwell, 91, of Hutchinson, died Sunday, July 16, 2017, at Brookdale of Hutchinson. He was born June 28, 1926, in Hutchinson, to Lester M. and Florence M. (Smith) Caldwell. Don graduated from Hutchinson High School in 1944 and served in the United States Navy from 1944 to 1946. He was a former co-owner of Caldwell Greenhouse in Hutchinson. Don was a founding member of Northminster Presbyterian Church, which later merged with Forest Park Presbyterian Church to become New Covenant Presbyterian Church.

On June 1, 1948, he married Frances A. Sullivan in Wichita. They shared 69 years of marriage. She survives.

Other survivors include: sons, Brian Caldwell and wife, Lin Fredericksen of Topeka, Roger Caldwell and wife, Michelle of Calhan, CO; daughters, Carol Caldwell-Ewart of Sebastopol, CA, Margaret Wieland and husband, Richard of Wichita; grandchildren, Matthew Caldwell, Jennifer Ewart, Jessica Caldwell, Erin Ewart , Brett Ewart and wife, Jana Emery; great-grandson, Kellen Ewart; and sister-in-law, Jo Caldwell.

He was preceded in death by: his parents; brother, Guy Merl Caldwell; and sister, June Caldwell.

Cremation has taken place. Memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, July 22, 2017, at Elliott Mortuary, Hutchinson, with the Reverend Dr. Dixie Voss Anders officiating. Friends may sign the memorial book from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday at Elliott Mortuary. Memorials may be made to the donor’s choice, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.

NICKERSON, Kan. — Lois Ann Johnson, 85, died Wednesday, July 12, 2017, at Hutchinson Regional Medical Center. She was born March 3, 1932, in Arkansas City, the daughter of Ralph and Flossie White. Lois graduated from Arkansas City High School in 1948.
On September 4, 1948, she married Avory Johnson Jr. in Wellington. He died August 22, 2013.

Lois and Avory owned AVS Camper Center for 36 years. She was a member of the Altrusa International Club of Hutchinson, a board member of the Salvation Army of Hutchinson, active in Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Reno County, and a volunteer for Hospice of Reno County and the Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center. Lois was also a member of the Wichita Classic Thunderbird Club and the Vintage Thunderbird Club of Wichita.

Survivors include: daughters, Sherri R. Brown and husband Bob, Arlington, and Lori Stiles and husband Alan, Lee’s Summit, MO; five granddaughters, Michelle Fountain, Wichita, Lucy Stiles, Lake City, TN, Angie Dreckmeier and husband Terry, Karey Wolstenholm and husband Rick, and Jessica Neese and husband Jason, all of Overland Park; six great-grandchildren, Wyatt, Lucy and Owen Wolstenholm, and Hadley, Hudson and Josie Neese..

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Funeral service will be 10 a.m. Saturday, July 22, 2017, at Elliott Chapel, Hutchinson. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday and Friday, with the family present to receive friends from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday at Elliott Mortuary. Memorials may be made to First Call for Help of Hutchinson or the Make-A-Wish Foundation, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Marjorie J. Smith, 98, died Wednesday, July 12, 2017, at Good Samaritan Society, Hutchinson Village. She was born April 6, 1919, in Pittsburg, Kansas, the youngest child of Wilbur Marion and Gertie Eugenie (Plymate) Wise.

Marjorie graduated from Pittsburg High School in 1937 and Pittsburg State Teacher’s College in 1941. She taught home economics, math, typing, and girl’s physical education at Alden, Dunlap, Blue Mound, Delphos, Jewell, Portis, and Coldwater. Marjorie was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma, Kappa Mu Epsilon, American Legion Auxiliary, National Active and Retired Federal Employees, and Trinity United Methodist Church, Hutchinson.

On June 2, 1946, she married Ivan D. Smith in Pittsburg. He died August 28, 2007. In their 61 years of marriage, they did everything together. Marjorie and Ivan were seldom apart. Survivors include: daughters, Ivalee Gayle Vanderhoff (Earl) of Halstead, Juanita Kay Hanhardt (Ron) of Otis; grandchildren, Ryan Hanhardt, Joel Hanhardt (Cathy), Rita Hanhardt (Frank Church V), Jeffrey Hanhardt (Allie); six great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandson; and numerous step-grandchildren, step-great-grandchildren and step-great-great-grandchildren.  Marjorie was preceded in death by her parents and five siblings.

Graveside service will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, July 18, 2017, at Delphos Cemetery, Delphos, Kansas. Friends may call from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday and from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday at Elliott Mortuary, Hutchinson.

Memorials may be made to the donor’s choice, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.

HALSTEAD, Kan. — Nancy Frances Hudson, 70, of Halstead, died Tuesday, July 11, 2017, at Hutchinson Regional Medical Center. She was born January 30, 1947, in Holyoke, Massachusetts, to Francis and Mary (Ferguson) Hudson. Nancy grew up not far from Long Island Sound at Hawk’s Nest Beach in Old Lyme, Connecticut. When Nancy was 13, she attended dog-grooming school and her first job was as a dog groomer.
As an adult, Nancy moved to Hutchinson, where she received her R.N. degree from Hutchinson Community College and worked as a nurse at Hutchinson Correctional Facility, retiring in 2011.

Nancy also devoted her life to working with dogs. She was past-president of the Hutchinson Kennel Club and Obedience Training Director. Nancy spent five years as a 4-H Dog Leader. Breeding and showing Min Pins, training dogs, grooming, etc., was her life. For nearly 15 years she was actively devoted to re-homing retired racing greyhounds.

Nancy is survived by: son, Dale Withroder (Kim) of Olsburg, Kansas; and grandchildren, Corinne, Latham, and Cullen Withroder.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held at the Halstead Health and Rehabilitation Center at a later date. Burial will be in Forestdale Cemetery, Holyoke, Massachusetts.