HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Anita L. Rodriguez, 51, of Hutchinson, went to be with her Heavenly Father on June 14, 2017, at Hospice House, Hutchinson. Anita was born August 2, 1965, in Kinsley, the daughter of Eusebio and Silveria (Trujillo) Guerrero. Anita attended and graduated from Lewis High School in 1985, where she participated in basketball and cheer-leading. She was a resident of Lewis until 1988, when she moved to Hutchinson.
On January 26, 1989, she married Robert Rodriguez of Hutchinson. They later separated. Anita followed in her mother’s footsteps by working as a CNA. She later worked as a customer service representative at Dillards, kitchen manager at St. Teresa’s Catholic Grade School, and finally as a collection assistant at NCA. She was a member of St. Teresa’s Catholic Church, later attending Our Lady of Guadalupe. Anita was the proud mother of two daughters, Shawnacy and Shalee, with whom she shared her love of cooking, unimaginable strength, and ability to love unconditionally.

Anita is survived by: her daughters, Shawnacy Robbins (Austin), Shalee Rodriguez; brother, Jesse Guerrero; and ex-husband, Robert Rodriguez, all of Hutchinson.

She was preceded in death by her parents and stillborn brother.

Parish rosary will be 10 a.m. Tuesday, June 20, 2017, with Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 10:30 a.m. at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, South Hutchinson, with Father Ned J. Blick presiding. Burial will follow in Fairlawn Burial Park, Hutchinson. Friends may call from 1 to 9 p.m. Sunday, and from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. with the family to receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at Elliott Mortuary, Hutchinson.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Reno County, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Lynn Elmer Anderson, 64, of Hutchinson, passed away on Monday, June 12, 2017, in Hutchinson. He had endured a long battle with prostate cancer since 2007.

Lynn was born on February 15, 1953, in Grafton, North Dakota, to Elmer and Violet (Heuchert) Anderson of St. Thomas, North Dakota.

Lynn taught chemistry at Hutchinson Community College from 2002 to 2017. Prior to 2002, he taught chemistry at Garden City Community College from 1996 to 2001.  Lynn’s early childhood years were spent in Managua, Nicaragua, from 1957 to 1959, where his father headed the American Schools, as he was directed to do so by the American ambassador to the country at the time. This was during the reign of Somoza.
Lynn graduated from St. Thomas High School, St. Thomas, North Dakota, in 1970. Immediately following high school, he enlisted in the United States Naval Reserves, where he focused on officer training and flight school to explore becoming a helicopter pilot. After military service for two years, his passion for education led him into teaching. He taught in the Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota school systems for several years. Lynn then decided to pursue teaching at the college level. In 1975, he became Eminent Archon of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity, graduating with a BSE in fish and wildlife management from the University of North Dakota. In 1977, Lynn obtained a BSE in Biology from the University of North Dakota; in 1987, a BSE in Chemistry from the University of North Dakota; and in 1996, a Master’s in Chemistry from the University of South Dakota, Brookings, South Dakota. Lynn enjoyed many sports and was an accomplished athlete. He especially excelled in baseball and basketball.

Even after many apparent academic and athletic accomplishments, when asked what his greatest accomplishment was, his answer was, ‘my children’. Not only were his children his inspiration, but his students at Hutchinson Community College were as well. Lynn’s firm ethical and moral fiber, his integrity, devotion to education and passion in acquiring and imparting knowledge to others, especially to his students, has left a huge imprint on those blessed to know him. He is and will always be greatly missed.

He is survived by: his best friend and mother of their ten children, Deanna Anderson of Hutchinson; children, Jamie Rauhut and husband Ross of Liberty, MO, Brandon Silsbee and wife Michele of Hutchinson, CJ, Kassie, Jessie, Maya, Emily, Charlie, Leah, and Kellie Anderson, all of Hutchinson; grandchildren, Savannah and Rhett Rauhut, Adelyn and Victoria Silsbee, and Dehlanie Anderson; brother, Greg Anderson and wife Deb of Dayton, OH. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Please join in our Celebration of Life service and Commission into the Kingdom of Heaven for Lynn at 2 p.m. Saturday, June 24, 2017, at Elliott Chapel, Hutchinson, with the Reverend Dr. Kim Biery presiding.

Memorials may be made to the Lynn Anderson Memorial Fund, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Ilo B. McKenzie, 94, of Hutchinson, was called into God’s loving arms on June 11, 2017. She was born August 7, 1922, in Groveland, one of seven children, to Henry E. and Mabel A. (Ball) Hassman. Ilo graduated from Inman High School in 1940. She worked for Hubco Bag Company for 32 years before retirement. Ilo enjoyed playing golf, bowling, and working cross-stitch. She loved the Lord and was a member of Crossroads Christian Church.

On August 15, 1940, she married John W. Alger Jr. in McPherson. He died December 8, 1968. She then married George A. McKenzie on December 1, 1989, in Hutchinson. He died May 14, 2000.

Ilo is survived by: children, Gloria Lamb and husband Allen of Mustang, OK, Janet Balzer-Schroeder of McPherson, Mike Alger and wife Kelly of Hutchinson; grandsons, Chadwick Balzer and wife Heike of Germany, Michael Lamb of Mustang, OK; great-grandson, Nick Finley Balzer of Germany; siblings, Willis and Howard; five stepchildren, Nancy, Kathy, Steve, Bob, and Brian; and numerous step-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by: her parents; both husbands; siblings, Richard, Vonda, Glenda, Leah JoAnn; grandson, Joshua John Balzer; and son-in-law, Tim Schroeder.

Cremation has taken place.

Memorial service will be 11 a.m. Monday, June 26, 2017, at Crossroads Christian Church, 4310 N. Monroe, Hutchinson, with Kevin Guffey officiating. Inurnment will follow in North Inman Cemetery. Friends may sign her book from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. today and from 9 a.m. until service time Monday. Memorials may be made to Crossroads Christian Church or Hospice of Reno County, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.

ARLINGTON, Kan. — Connie McKenzie, 80, died Monday, June 12, 2017, at her daughter’s home in rural Arlington. She was born September 9, 1936, in Dover, Delaware, to William Earle and Mildred Elizabeth (Palmer) Carter.

Connie graduated from Smyrna High School in Smyrna, Delaware, in 1954, nurse’s school in 1957, and from Western Maryland College in Westminster, Maryland, in 1961, with a bachelor’s degree in biology. Connie was a registered nurse, served for three and a half years in the Peace Corps, and volunteered as an ESL (English as a Second Language) teacher. She was of the Methodist faith.

On May 16, 1964, she married Stuart Webster McKenzie in Tunis, Tunisia, North Africa. They shared almost 53 years of marriage before his death on September 15, 2016.  Survivors include: daughters, Carrie McKenzie Emmons and husband Rodney of Auburn, Washington, Suzanne McKenzie Miller and husband Delmar of Arlington; grandchildren, Ty Jefferson Emmons, McKenzie Kristin Emmons, Kathleen McKenzie Miller, Elizabeth Carroll Miller, Charles Stuart Miller, Lucy Rose Miller, Christian Patrick Miller and John Delmar Miller; sister, Beverly Hansen of Delaware; and brother, William Robert Carter of Delaware.  She was preceded in death by: her parents; sister, Patricia Mears; brother, Henry; infant sons, George and Andrew; and granddaughter, Anne Miller.

An informal, come-and-go time of celebration of her life will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday, June 18, 2017, at her daughter’s home in rural Arlington. Memorials may be made to Arlington United Methodist Church, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.