Marvin Krueger - LHS Class of 1950

Marvin Dwight Krueger, of Conover, North Carolina, entered his heavenly home on December 27, 2010. Marvin was born on April 19, 1932 to Adolph and Carrie (Wahler) Krueger in Leavenworth County, Kansas. He graduated from Leavenworth High School and Kansas State College and was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War. Marvin was employed by General Electric Co. for 31 years and served as a volunteer for Hospice and Meals on Wheels of Catawba County. He was a faithful and long-time member of Concordia Lutheran Church in Conover. 
Marvin was happiest playing golf, reading his newspapers, watching football, or enjoying a meal with his daughters and their families. His greatest treasures were photos and memories of family times, especially those spent with his three grandsons. Marvin will be remembered for his faith, humility, generosity, and devotion to his family. He gladly and willingly sacrificed his own needs to help others.
Marvin was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Barbara Shaw Krueger (LHS Class of 1951); second wife, Ann Darnauer Krueger; brother, Edward Krueger of Decatur, IL; and three sisters, Anna Holtgraver (LHS Class of 1939) of Leavenworth, KS, Lorene Haubein of Lockwood, MO, and Marian Vaughan (LHS Class of 1941) of Van Nuys, CA.

Survivors include his wife, Betty Rigsby Krueger; daughters, Kim Hauser and husband Don of Conover and Karol LaCroix and husband Tim of Cary, NC; brothers, Herbert Krueger of Leavenworth, KS and Charles Krueger (LHS Class of 1955) and wife Janet of Kansas City, KS; and three grandsons, Jonathan Hauser of Savannah, GA, Landon Hauser of Conover, and Samuel LaCroix of Cary.
A memorial service will be held 4:00 p.m. Thursday, December 30, 2010 at Concordia Lutheran Church with Rev. A. Mark Schudde officiating. A graveside service will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday at Catawba Memorial Park, prior to the service at Concordia Lutheran Church.
The family will receive friends from 2:45 to 3:45 p.m. prior to the service at Concordia Lutheran Church.
Memorials may be made to Concordia Lutheran Church, 216 5th Ave. SE, Conover, NC 28613, or to a charity of the donor’s choice.
The Krueger family has entrusted funeral arrangements to Drum Funeral Home & Cremation Services in Conover, NC. 

A voice from the past...

"A fiery horse with the speed of light, a cloud of dust and a hearty 'Hi-yo, Silver' — the Lone Ranger! With his faithful Indian companion, Tonto, the daring and resourceful masked rider of the plains led the fight for law and order in the early Western United States. Nowhere in the pages of history can one find a greater champion of justice.
"Return with us now to those thrilling days of yesteryear. From out of the past come the thundering hoof-beats of the great horse Silver. The Lone Ranger rides again!"

Click HERE to hear that familiar voice again...

Click HERE to meet the man behind the voice...

Betty Turpin Tankersley - LHS Class of 1953

Betty Lou Tankersley of Carmel, Indiana passed away unexpectedly on December 16, 2010. 
Betty was a graduate of Leavenworth High School and Chapman University in California. At 19, she married her high- school sweetheart, Larry D. Tankersley (LHS Class of 1953). Their marriage survived 44 years, until his death in l999. During this time, they helped each other obtain their respective formal educations and raise 3 children to adulthood. 
Betty was an impeccable "Pastor's wife" and a pillar of faith. During their lives together, she and Larry served congregations in: Enid, Oklahoma, Richardson, Corpus Christi and Kingwood, Texas; Miami, Florida; and Fullerton, California. After retiring from the pastorate, they continued to serve many, many people through their service with the Christian Church – Disciples of Christ and the National Council of Churches. 
During her life, Betty had been employed in many ways. She was a director for the adult re-entry program from Chapman University; a successful realtor; and she served in several roles for the United Church of Christ: The Christian Church – Disciples of Christ; and the National Council of Churches. 
Following her retirement in l999, Betty continued to serve others in her capacity as a volunteer for St. Vincent Hospital, Indianapolis and the Carmel Senior Center. She was also very active in her role as an elder of the Carmel Christian Church. 
Betty loved her family, ardently and unconditionally. She remained vital, purposeful and staunchly independent until her death. Her strength, compassion and gracious generosity remain a gift to all those close to her. 
A memorial service will be held Wednesday, December 29, 2010 at 1:00 p.m. at the Carmel Christian Church, 463 East Main Street, Carmel. Visitation will begin at 12:00 p.m. 
Betty is survived by her: children, Larry Stephen (Wendy) Tankersley and Angela Marie Smith; grandchildren, Hope, Christian and Thomas; brother, Thomas O. Turpin (LHS Class of 1944); sister, Frankie J. Jones (LHS Class of 1955); and daughter-in-law, June E. Tankersley. 
She was preceded in death by her: husband, Rev. Larry D. Tankersley; her son, Mark Charles Tankersley; parents, Thomas O. and Genevieve Turpin; and sisters, Mary Frances Turpin, Dorothy Maxine Hamilton (LHS Class of 1946), and Anna Lee Martin (LHS Class of  1950). 
Memorial contributions may be made in Betty's name to: Week of Compassion, Larry Tankersley Fund, c/o Disciples of Christ – Christian Church Foundation, P. O. Box 1986, Indianapolis, IN 46206-1986. 

Together ♥♥♥ Forever

The Rev. Larry D. Tankersley

Southern Asia Expert, Dies 

Sept. 16, 1999, INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. -- The Rev. Larry Dean Tankersley, 64, Director of the Southern Asia Office for the National Council of Churches/Church World Service and Witness since March 1994, an ordained minister in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and an expert on Southern Asia and especially Indonesia, died here last night (Wednesday night, Sept. 15) following a four-month battle with cancer.

The Rev. Tankersley had just concluded his service with the NCC/CWSW in New York City, taking disability leave in anticipation of retirement next year. He and his wife, Betty Turpin Tankersley (LHS Class of 1953), had just moved to Indianapolis from Englewood, N.J., to be close to their children and grandchildren.

His colleagues point to the poignancy of the Rev. Tankersley dying at the same time as thousands of people, including church leaders, are being killed or forced to flee in East Timor. The Rev. Tankersley had long pressed the case of the East Timorese people and was responsible for taking many delegations of church leaders to East Timor to educate them about the situation, most recently in 1998.

"I think of him as I watch the stories about East Timor and Indonesia and how committed he was to the people," said the Rev. Dr. Joan B. Campbell, NCC General Secretary. "Right up to the end of his life, he was calling me about East Timor and Indonesia. His concern was rooted outside himself and in the people he loved and cared about and in the mission he was called to serve.

"He’s a Disciple," said Dr. Campbell, also an ordained Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) minister. "He grew up understanding unity and carried that out in the international realm. He lived life to its fullest. Larry died fully active with us. In human terms, he goes too young. He was a good, strong colleague and we’ll miss him."

Dr. Campbell also expressed appreciation for Betty Tankersley’s ecumenical ministry. While Larry Tankersley was CWS Country Director in Indonesia (1991-94), Betty Tankersley served on contract as Communications Consultant to the General Secretary of the Communion of Churches in Indonesia. She currently is Program Associate in the Southern Asia Office of the United Church of Christ/Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

"The struggle of the people in East Timor for self-determination was the issue closest to Larry’s heart," said the Dr. Rodney Page, CWSW Executive Director and NCC Deputy General Secretary. "How ironic for him to pass on at this time of great turmoil in East Timor."

The Rev. Tankersley also was responsible for initiating a comprehensive food-for-work program in Indonesia to alleviate the suffering wrought by drought, forest fires and economic and political turmoil. The $2.5 million program has already provided 37,000 families with food, seeds and tools. In exchange, recipients repair irrigation canals, roads and bridges and build water conservation systems, all contributing to long-term food security.

As NCC/CWS Southern Asia Director, the Rev. Tankersley administered a program that encompassed emergency relief, human development and refugee assistance work in Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Burma, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Nepal and Indonesia.

At his farewell party Aug. 24 at NCC/CWSW offices, many letters of appreciation were read from colleagues around the world. Among them, I.P. Joseph of the National Council of Churches of India wrote, "You have been a close ecumenical companion to the members of the NCCI family and the church in India. You understood the pains and the struggles of the people of India and shared their burden with them. You were always ready with the implementation of acts of solidarity with the poor."

"Under the Rev. Tankersley, the NCC/CWS Southern Asia Program grew into the largest theater of operation of Church World Service and Witness," said Dr. Page. "Under his leadership, thousands in Southern Asia were fed, the homeless housed, the refugee welcomed, the sick cared for and all whose way is hard assisted. His advocacy for peace and justice, his compassion and hope will continue to live in the lives of those he served and in the causes he championed."

Born July 21, 1935, in Auburn, Nebraska, the Rev. Tankersley graduated high school in Leavenworth, Kansas in 1953, then graduated from Phillips University, Enid, Okla., with a B.A. in Philosophy and Bible, in 1957. He earned his Bachelor of Divinity Degree from Brite Divinity School of Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas, in 1962.

He completed additional studies at San Anselmo Presbyterian Theological Seminary in San Anselmo, Calif.; in Southeast Asia Studies at Cornell University, and of the Indonesian language at Sataya Wacana University in Salatiga, Indonesia.

He was ordained a Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) minister at The Christian Church (Disciples) in Leavenworth, Kansas, in 1957. As a student, he served the Christian Church, Sharon, Kansas; Belmont Avenue Christian Church, Kansas City, Mo.; Central Christian Church, Frisco, Texas, and Northwest Christian Church, Arlington, Texas, all Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) congregations.

He counseled and directed various camps and conferences for youth and college age persons, and was Minister to Students of the First Christian Church in Emporia, Kansas. He served on the Religious Council at Emporia State Teachers College and was active in the Inter-Seminary Movement while at Brite.

After graduating from Brite he served pastorates in Community Christian Church, Richardson, Texas (also serving as the Secretary and Vice President of the Ministerial Alliance in Richardson); and in Corpus Christi First Christian Church; the Kingwood Christian Church in Houston, Texas, and the First Christian Church in Fullerton, Calif. (all Disciples congregations). In 1972 he served Miami Dade Christian Church in Miami, Florida.

He and his wife Betty served as missionaries with the United Christian Missionary Society in Medan, North Sumatra, from 1967-70. Mr. Tankersley then taught Religion and English at the Christian University of Indonesia in Djakarta through the Indonesian Council of Churches and the Division of Overseas Ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) until 1972. As assistant rector for student affairs, he was pastor to university students in Indonesia from 1968 to 1972.

In 1972, Mr. Tankersley was appointed administrator of the Week of Compassion for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Indianapolis, Ind., where he served for 20 years. The Week of Compassion is the denomination’s relief and development fund.

In 1991, Larry returned with his wife, Betty, for a second term in Indonesia as a development consultant to the Communion of Churches in Indonesia and Country Representative for Church World Service. He became NCC/CWSW Southern Asia Director in the New York City offices in March 1994. The Tankersleys were active at The Riverside Church in New York City.

He is survived by Betty Turpin Tankersley, his wife of 45 years (they were married December 18, 1954, in Leavenworth Christian Church, Leavenworth, Kansas, their home church), three children, Larry Stephen, of Oklahoma City, Okla., Mark Charles of Penngrove, Calif., and Angela Marie Smith, of Indianapolis, and four grandchildren

Larry and Betty Tankersley were charter members of Geist Christian Church in Indianapolis.

Contributions may be made to the Week of Compassion, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), P.O. Box 1986, Indianapolis, IN 46206.

A memorial service is tentatively planned for Thursday, Sept. 23, in Indianapolis.

National Council of the Churches in Christ, U.S.A.

Doris Krekeler - LHS Class of 1952

Doris Krekeler of Lititz, Pennsylvania, was taken to her eternal reward on December 14, 2010.

One of your classmates and my very dear aunt and godmother, Doris Carolyn Krekeler, passed away on December 14th, in Lititz, Pennsylvania.
As you probably know, Doris was a very special person. She worked as teacher at elementary schools all over the world, including Hawaii, Hong Kong, Korea, Japan and Germany.  She made lifelong friendships wherever she lived, as she had a very genuine, kind, and gentle soul.
I helped move her from Seattle, Washington in August 2009 to live in the same retirement community as my mother and her older sister, Katheryn.  Her health deteriorated rapidly since the move, but she was always a pleasure to visit and was loved by many at her new home.
The care she received at the Luther Acres Manor, where she was for the last ten days under hospice care, could not have been better.  She died peacefully, surrounded in her last days by the love and warmth of several relatives.
We miss her very much, but are comforted knowing she is at peace and free of her physical limitations and pain. We will carry her beautiful spirit with us throughout our lives.
Attached is a photo of her taken about eight years ago, which I think captures her loving spirit.
Sincerely,
Steven Kretzmann

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Bob Welch

Easton, Kan. — Robert E. (Bob) Welch, 80, lifelong resident of Leavenworth, KS passed away Tuesday, December 7, 2010.
Bob was born November 5, 1930 in Leavenworth, KS, the son of James and Eileen (Casey) Welch. On April 20, 1952 he married Eileen Hinde (LHS Class of 1951) in Leavenworth. She preceded him in death September 16, 2001.
Bob is survived by his children, Kathryn Welch (John Wright), Paul Welch, Connie Baker (Bart), Pat Welch (Vicki) and Susan Kelly Korner (Lee), Grandchildren, Scott, Sean, Bobby Baker, Lindsay Welch, Casey Coffey (Nate), Rochelle and Angie Korner. He is also survived by his chocolate lab, Sam.
As a young man he attended Immaculate Conception Grade School and then Immaculata High School. He entered the U.S. Army in 1949 and served in Korean War. He held various sales positions until starting his own company.
Bob started Leavenworth Fence Company in 1958 and continued to operate it with his sons until his death.
He played semi pro baseball as a young man, he was a 4th degree member of the Knights of Columbus and a member of Immaculate Conception Parish his entire life.
He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and playing cards with his friends.
His love and generosity will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
The family will recieve friends from 5 to 8 P.M. Thursday with a Rosary at 7:30 P.M. at the Davis Funeral Chapel. Funeral service will be held 10 A.M. Friday at the Davis Funeral Chapel. Fr. David McEvoy will officiate. Burial will follow in the Mt. Calvary Cemetery.
Memorial contributions to the Eileen Welch Memorial Nursing Scholarship Fund, which was established by Bob in his wife’s memory.

Wendell Mann - LHS Class of 1950

Wendell Mann age 77, passed away on Sunday, December 5, 2010 at home after a short battle with cancer, he was surrounded by his family. Wendell was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 47 years, Darlene Kenny Mann 78 (LHS Class of 1949), and his parents William and Grace Mann. 
Wendell is survived by 3 brothers, William Mann (LHS Class of 1945) of Illinois, Bruce Mann (LHS Class Of 1955) of Connecticut and Preston Mann (LHS Class of 1960) of Texas and 1 sister Sally Murray (LHS Class of 1953) of Missouri. He is also survived by his 3 loving children, Keith, Mary (DeWitt) and Mark, 12 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild. Wendell loved all of his grandchildren, but one in particular held a "special" place in his heart, Geoffrey Schmidt, 26 of Orlando, Florida who was able to visit his Grandpa and sing with him before he passed.
Wendell was born in Leavenworth, Kansas where he attended Leavenworth High School and participated in sports, including baseball, football and boxing. He also worked in his parent's restaurant, "Mann's Coffee Shop". Wendell was also in the Navy during the Korean War and was stationed in San Diego, California.
Wendell was previously married and had a son named Mark. Wendell and Darlene were married in 1962 and moved to St. Joseph, Missouri where they had their first child, Keith in 1965. Work moved them to Houston, Texas where their daughter Mary was born in 1967. 
Wendell was a Branch Manager for "Creative Systems" in Houston, Texas. He was also a member of the St. Thomas More Catholic Church and their choir since 1972. Singing was his passion and he was thankful of the many good friends and memories he made while a member of the STM Men's Choir. Wendell also "loved" freshwater fishing and wood-working. He made several pieces of furniture over the years that we still have. Wendell was also an Elk's Lodge member in Westbury many years ago. Wendell coached his son Keith at several sports, and was a long-time member of Westbury National Little League.
Wendell had many friends and acquaintances over the years and enjoyed two friendships in particular that were so VERY important to him, that of his brother Preston Mann whom he talked to on the phone almost everyday over many years and his best buddy, Gene Koshan who has always been there for Wendell. As his children we are SO thankful to these two men for the friendship they showed our father who loved them so much. "Dad" was "always" there for his children and we will be forever grateful for all of the wonderful memories he and our mother gave us. Dad taught us so many things and took us so many places, it was a great "ride". They were FANTASTIC parents and now they are reunited again...

Darlene and Wendell

Together ♥♥♥ Forever

Darlene Kenny Mann, born in Leavenworth, Kansas, October 19, 1931, to John and Emeretta Kenny, passed away June 16, 2010. 

She leaves to cherish her memories, her loving husband Wendell (LHS Class of 1950), of 47 years, devoted children Keith Mann and Mary Dewitt, their spouses and grandchildren. Darlene is also survived by three siblings, Michael Kenny (LHS Class of 1962) and wife Darlene, Leavenworth; Jim Kenny (LHS Class of 1954) and wife Marie, Wheatland, MO, and Joan Seymour (LHS Class of 1951), and husband Wayne, Springfield, MO, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceeded in death by brothers K.K. (LHS Class of 1943) and Gene Kenny (LHS Class of 1945), and sister Lou Baskas (Attended LHS).  She will be greatly missed by family and friends.  

Memorials in her name may be sent to: The American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123-1718.

Lila “Pat” Rounds Zeugin - LHS Class of 1950

Atchison, Kansas — Lila Belle ”Pat” Zeugin, 78, of Leavenworth, died Saturday, Dec. 4, 2010, at St. Luke’s Hospital.
She was born Jan. 3, 1932, in Leavenworth, the daughter of Lloyd Jay and Florence Marie (Chapman) Rounds.
On Jan. 6, 1950, she married John “Jack” R. Zeugin by the priest at the old Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. He survives at the home. She is also survived by her daughter, Deborah and husband Douglas Wood of Leavenworth; a granddaughter, Jennifer Vornholt also of Leavenworth.
She worked for Dairy Queen, Kresge’s, Bell Laundry and Kramer Mfg. Co. She later co-owned and operated Zeugin’s Book Store in downtown Leavenworth from 1960 to 1964 where she also taught knitting. She then went to work at the Command and General Staff College as a Draftsman and then with the Engineer’s help desk before her retirement.
Pat enjoyed quilting, cross-stitching, knitting, fishing and gardening. She loved nature, being outdoors and animals. And above all, KU men’s basketball.
Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2010, at the R.L. Leintz Funeral Home. The rosary will be prayed at 6 p.m. Mass of Christian burial will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 9, 2010, at Immaculate Conception Church with Rev. David McEvoy, O.Carm., as celebrant. Burial will follow at Mount Calvary Cemetery. 
Memorials are suggested to the Emergency Assistance Center, LAWS (Leavenworth Animal Welfare Society) or a charity of the donor’s choice.

John DeHoff - LHS Class of 1950

John A. DeHoff, age 78, passed away December 3, 2010 in Phoenix, Az. John was born in Topeka, Kansas, September 25, 1932, and raised in the Topeka and Leavenworth areas. 
He graduated from high school in Leavenworth, Kansas and later served in the U.S. Army. Following his military service he returned to Kansas attending the University of Kansas completing his Masters and P.H.D. in Business. He then began working for J.C. Penny Company. 
John began his teaching career at Stevens College in Columbia, Missouri and later taught at Washington University in St. Louis and Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Illinois. From 1971 to 1986 he taught at John A. Logan College in Carterville, Illinois retiring in 1986. 
During 1980 – 1981 John worked with his brother Joe in gold mining near Aguila, Az. He came back to Arizona in 1992 settling in Peeples Valley. John was involved in the construction remodeling of the Yarnell Community Presbyterian Church and designed and constructed the Chancel Cross in the church. 
He enjoyed cars particularly his 1971 Mustang convertible and was a skill craftsman, designing and constructing stain glass works and also remodeling and building homes. 
John was preceded in death by his brothers Joseph DeHoff in 2005 and George DeHoff in 1934. He is survived by his wife Mary DeHoff of Peeples Valley, children Sally Boster (Stephen) and Douglas DeHoff both of Kansas City, Missouri, sister-in-law Dorris DeHoff of Woodlands, Texas, and sisters Margie Wilkinson (LHS Class of 1945) of Houma, Louisiana, and Marilyn Smith (LHS Class of 1956)(Paul) of Plano, Texas, grandchildren: Joshua David Boster, Jackson Charles Boster, Glen Sigler and Edith Sigler. Memorial services will be held Saturday, February 5th at 2:00 PM at Yarnell Community Presbyterian Church in Yarnell, Az.

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