Arvene "Bud" Kreutzer - LHS Class of 1949

Death came to Arvene Louis (Bud) Kreutzer, 89, which we celebrate as his entrance into eternal life, following the slow decline of aging. He entered the hospital late at night on June 12, 2021, later to be placed in inpatient hospice care early the next morning. He died that night, June 13, quietly and without drama, much as he lived his life.

Bud was born on November 8, 1931 to Louis and Bessie (Anslinger) Kreutzer, in St. Joseph, Missouri. He was born into the family of God by baptism at the St. Paul Lutheran Church in Leavenworth, Kansas. He was married to Margaret Ann Moore on April 24th, 1960 at the First United Methodist Church of Leavenworth by Rev. Grant Krueckeberg (the former pastor at St. Paul).  

Bud and Margaret had two children, Dee Ann Kreutzer of Clovis, New Mexico and Douglas Kreutzer of Leavenworth. Doug and his wife Anne have three children, Samuel, Emma and Lucy, Bud’s grandchildren. 

Bud was an elder in St. Paul Lutheran Church for many years and more recently attended Trinity Lutheran Church. He was an Army veteran, having been drafted and served faithfully during the Korean War. After 20 years with Missouri Valley Steel, he joined the Engineering Department at Fort Leavenworth in 1964. He happily retired after 40 years of government service to spend time with his wife and family. His was a life lived in service of others, his family, his community, his country.  All who knew him appreciated his generosity, kindness and humor. He will be greatly missed. 

Bud was preceded in death by his wife of 40 years, Margaret (Moore) Kreutzer, his parents, and his two sisters, Darlene Singleton and Donna Phillips (LHS Class of 1952).  He is survived by his two children, Dee Ann Kreutzer and Douglas (Anne) Kreutzer, and three grandchildren, Samuel, Emma and Lucy. He is also survived by many devoted extended family members. 

Visitation will be held Tuesday, June 22, 2021, at Davis Funeral Chapel from 6-8 p.m. Funeral service will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church on Wednesday, June 23, 2021, at 10 a.m., with burial services at Leavenworth National Cemetery immediately following. The family requests memorials to Meals on Wheels in lieu of flowers. Condolences may be left on Bud's online Guestbook.

Pauline Gilman Freed/Woodward - LHS Class of 1950

Eva Pauline Woodward, age 87, of Lisbon, Iowa, peacefully departed from this world for heaven on Thursday, February 11, 2021, at the Rehabilitation Center of Lisbon.

Born February 13, 1933, to Paul and Melvina Gilman, She enjoyed a happy childhood growing up in rural Leavenworth County, Kansas. 

Pauline graduated from Leavenworth High School in 1950. She attended college and in 1952 married Carl W. Freed (LHS Class of 1948). They were married for 25 years until his death. Together they had three sons. 

In 1999, Pauline married John Gary Woodward (LHS Class of 1949) and was blessed with six step-children. They were married until his passing in 2014. 

She had worked tirelessly for many years on the family poultry farm. She was a faithful and active member of the First Christian Church of Leavenworth, Kansas, where she participated in Sunday School and served as a funeral meal volunteer prior to her move to Iowa in 2015. She was an active 4-H leader and volunteered for Meals on Wheels for many years.

Pauline was a humble woman who lived a simple life. She was, perhaps most importantly, a faithful prayer warrior and only heaven knows the eternal impact her praying had on her family, friends, and the world at large. She was a godly woman who loved the Lord and her family and set an example for her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren that will guide them for life. 

She was preceded in death by her loving parents; step-father, Gerald A. Adams; both her beloved husbands; treasured sister and brother-in-law, Wilma and Gene Allen; two step-daughters, Susan Sinclair and Mary Woodward; and one grandson, Brian Freed.

Pauline is survived by her three sons, Stephen (Chris) Freed of Manhattan, Kansas, David (Julie) Freed of Lisbon, Iowa, and Robert (Janet) Freed of Delta, Colorado; step-children, John (Julie) Woodward of Lawrence, Kansas, Mike (Sally) Woodward of Green Cove Springs, Florida, Josh (Gillette) Woodward of De Soto, Kansas, and David (Sharon) Woodward of Heston, Kansas; step son-in-law, Gary Sinclair of Atchison, Kansas; six grandchildren and eleven step-grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; twelve step great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. 

In accordance with her wishes, there will be no visitation or services at this time. Instead, online condolences and messages may be shared with the family at Pauline's online Tribute Wall.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation in memory of Pauline to your local food pantry to assist those with food insecurities.

Jean Hamilton Stratemeyer - LHS Class of 1949

Jean Marie Stratemeyer was born February 6, 1931 in Leavenworth, Kansas, and died on December 30, 2020 at St. John Hospital in Leavenworth.

She was the second of four children born to Frank and Hazel Hamilton, and was married to Herbert F. Stratemeyer on May 16, 1954.  Herb predeceased her in 2013.

Jean and Herb lived in Farley, Missouri where they raised two sons, David and Larry.  Jean was a homemaker, and also worked as a legal secretary and income tax preparer at the James W. Farley Law Office in Farley, Missouri.  In retirement, they moved back to Leavenworth. 

Jean loved her family, and was especially close to her siblings, Robert Hamilton (LHS Class of 1946), Gail Klotz (LHS Class of 1951), and Barbara Aldridge (LHS Class of 1952).

She is survived by a sister, Gail and her husband Philip Klotz (LHS Class of 1951) of Leavenworth, brother-in-law, Albert Aldridge (LHS Class of 1952) of Lenexa, Kansas, and sister-in-law Audrey Hamilton of Sun City, Arizona; son Larry Stratemeyer (partner Michael Lehtinen) of Charlotte, North Carolina and son David (Seneva) Stratemeyer of Calabasas, California; grandson, Brett Stratemeyer of Canoga Park, California; Aunt Martha Hamilton of Leavenworth, Kansas and nieces and nephews.

Jean was a longtime member of St. John Lutheran Church, Farley, Missouri.

Memorials may be made to St. John Lutheran Church in Farley, Caregiving Because We Care, Leavenworth, or the Lupus Foundation of America.

Together ♥♥♥ Forever

Herbert Frederick Stratemeyer died on February 15, 2013, at Medicalodge in Leavenworth, Kansas.  He was born on December 25, 1923, in Farley, Missouri to Frederick and Mary Angelbeck Stratemeyer.

He served during World War II in the Army Air Force as an airplane sheet metal worker, stationed in Casablanca, Morocco.

Herb and Jean Hamilton were married on May 16, 1954.

He held jobs at the Farley State Bank and City National Bank in Kansas City. He worked briefly as a station agent at a small airfield in Columbus, Nebraska. 

He owned and operated the Farley Grocery for three years. He retired in 1988 from the United States Disciplinary Barracks, Fort Leavenworth, after 21 years of service.

Herb was a lifelong member of St. John Lutheran Church, Farley. He taught Sunday School for 17 years and served as sexton.

He was predeceased by two half-sisters Alma Bucholz and Elsa Wetterman, and a half-brother, Harry Bond. 

Survivors include his wife Jean; son Larry Stratemeyer, (friend Michael Lehtinen), son David (Seneva) Stratemeyer; grandson, Brett Stratemeyer; nephews Ronnie Bond, Eldon Bond, and Jerry Bond.

The visitation will be Tuesday, February 19, 2013 from 6-8 p.m. at Davis Funeral Chapel, 531 Shawnee, Leavenworth. The Funeral will be Wednesday, February 20, 2013, 10:00 a.m. at St. John Lutheran Church, 98 Main St., Farley.

Memorials may be made to St. John Lutheran Church, Farley or Cushing Memorial Hospital, Leavenworth.

Ann Williamson Swain - LHS Class of 1951

Ann Williamson Swain passed away on December 10, 2020, in Dallas, TX. Ann'was born on July 18, 1934 in Leavenworth, Kansas to James L. Williamson and Lena E. Williamson both of whom predeceased her. 

She is survived by her sister, Virginia DeFrees (LHS Class of 1949), and her cousin, James Hamilton. Her cousin, John Hamilton, predeceased her in 2019. 

As the daughter of a career military father, Ann had the opportunity to experience the world and attend school in a variety of places including Garmisch, Germany and Osaka, Japan. She lived stateside in Kansas, Arkansas and Texas. She loved the people and history of each place she called home. 

After graduation from The University of Kansas with a degree in nursing, Ann spent most of her professional career as a registered nurse providing pre-service, in-service and continuing education for health care staff in Kansas City, Kansas, New York, New York, St. Cloud, Minnesota and Dallas, Texas. She cared deeply about the quality of health care, and her commitment to her profession never wavered. 

On a personal note, Ann appreciated art, music, literature and good conversation. She was a loyal and devoted friend, and she will be missed by those who loved her. 

The family wishes to thank her caregivers and the staff at Caruth Haven Court for the compassion and care extended to Ann. 

Ann's family will hold a private committal service to place her ashes in the columbarium at St. Andrew Methodist Church in Plano, Texas, at a later date. 

If desired, memorial donations can be directed to the Dallas Area Parkinsonism Society (DAPS), Habitat for Humanity or the North Texas Food Bank.

Wanda Ricketson Asbury - LHS Class of 1951

Wanda Ricketson Asbury went to be with the Lord on January 21, 2020. Wanda was born and grew up in Leavenworth, Kansas. She met her husband, Francis Asbury (LHS Class of 1951), in grade school, but it was not until they attended Kansas State University that they began to date. Since she had always lived in a military community, her dream was to become a military wife and that she did! She and her husband were married 66 years and had 4 beautiful children, Danny(Martina), Cindy, Tammy(Mark), and Marcy, who she loved dearly. She also had 6 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren and one on the way.
Everyone who knew Wanda knew she loved life, having fun and loved her Heavenly Father. She was always so understanding, supportive of her husband and knew it was a team effort. She was caring, kind and always doing for others.
After retirement from the Air Force, they spent 10 years overseas in Seoul, Korea, and Belgium before they finally settled down in Destin, Florida. It was there that she spent a lot of her free time golfing. Then they decided to move to Texas and finally to the Air Force Village in San Antonio where she spent her last 7 years. She made many friends, enjoyed folding bulletins for the chapel, playing bridge and being part of the Gadabout group. Her favorite song is ”My Tribute- To God Be The Glory” by Andre Crouch.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Allene Ricketson, her two brothers, Bob (LHS Class of 1949) and Don and her grandson Byron Beethe. She will be put to rest at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery. There will be a celebration service at a later date.

Barbara Hamilton Aldridge - LHS Class of 1952

Barbara Darlene Aldridge, 84, of Lenexa, KS died Friday morning, November 1, 2019, at her home surrounded by family and her beloved cat JB following a long battle with breast cancer.  

Barbara was born, December 11, 1934, in Leavenworth, KS, to Frank and Hazel Berger Hamilton and graduated from Leavenworth High School in 1952.  She married her life-long love Albert (LHS Class of 1952) in 1953 and they began their journey of 15 moves before settling in Lenexa in 1981. 

Her love of her Savior Jesus Christ set an example of compassion and devotion for her family.  She loved her family and hosted spectacular holiday and birthday dinners.  Barbara and Albert loved golf and made many friends on the course.  She loved to tease Albert about her hole-in-one.  She enjoyed birdwatching on the deck of their lake home and knew every species.

Barbara was preceded in death by her parents; son, Albert Aldridge III; brother Robert Hamilton and brother-in-law Herb Stratemeyer. She is survived by her husband Albert Aldridge Jr.; daughter Lori Bode and husband Brian; sisters Jean Stratemeyer (LHS Class of 1949) and Gail Klotz (LHS Class of 1951) and her husband Phil (LHS Class of 1951); granddaughters Kate Johnson and husband Cory and Annie Hessenflow and husband Matthew, and great-grandchildren Andrew and Macy Johnson and Nolan Hessenflow.

Visitation will be from 10-11 am, Thursday, November 7, at the Lenexa Baptist Church, 15320 W 87th St., Lenexa, KS, followed by the Funeral Service at 11 am.  Burial will be at the Leavenworth National Cemetery. 
In lieu of flowers contributions in Barbara's name may be made to the Susan G. Komen Foundation or the Lenexa Baptist Church.
You may also send online condolences to Barbara's family.

Raymond Hoppe - LHS Class of 1949

Raymond Edward Hoppe Sr., 88 of rural Leavenworth, died Tuesday, June 18, 2019, at his home. He was born Feb. 3, 1931, in Leavenworth, the son of Frederick Julius and Helen Louise (Komers) Hoppe.
Raymond served in the US Airforce from 1950 to 1954. After discharge he returned to Leavenworth and went to work for Kramer Manufacturing for a short time. He then started at Fort Leavenworth where he worked as a pipe fitter, until retirement in 1986.
On May 12, 1956, he married Betty Ann Berg (LHS Class of 1954) at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Leavenworth, she survives at the home. He is also survived by his children, Raymond (Linda) Hoppe Jr., of Leavenworth, Ruth (Mike) Davis of The Villages, Fla. and Randall (Kristin) Hoppe of Leavenworth; his grandchildren, Ian (Bethanie) Leintz, Ryan (Natasha) Hoppe, Brittany (David) Nussbaum, Kelsey Hoppe, Kelsey Davis, Brandon Davis, Quintin Hoppe, Coben Hoppe and Kamdon Hoppe; his great grandchildren, Skyler Nussbaum, Bailee Hoppe and Rhett Hoppe; and many nieces and nephews.
Raymond was preceded in death by his siblings, infant Jean Marie, Fred Hoppe Jr, Frances Greble (LHS Class of 1942), Elaine Alig (LHS Classs of 1944) and Lois Kruger (LHS Class Of 1950).
Raymond was a life-long member of St. Paul Lutheran Church. He enjoyed gardening and farm life where he raised livestock while maintaining a full-time job.
Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, June 21, 2019, at the R.L. Leintz Funeral Home. A funeral service will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday, at St. Paul Lutheran Church. Burial will follow at Sunset Memory Gardens Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to St. Paul Lutheran Church or Crossroads Hospice.

Doris Benge Blockburger - LHS Class of 1949

Doris J. Blockburger, 88, Easton, Kansas passed June 8, 2019. 
She was born Dec. 18, 1930 to John and Pauline (Stein) Benge in Leavenworth, Kansas. She married Henry Blockburger on July 2, 1949.
Doris retired from St. Mary’s College after more than 30 years. She enjoyed reading, quilting, and cooking. She was a member of St Lawrence Parish and Altar Society. One thing she loved more than anything was spending time with her dearest friend, Ella Mae Treat.
She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, Henry, sisters: Beauanna Benge; Rita Spindler (LHS Class of 1946); Lois Benge (LHS of 1964), brother, James Benge (LHS Class of 1952) and son-in-law, Randy Starkey. She is survived by her children: Henry (Debbie) Blockburger; Ron (Sadie) Blockburger; Susan Starkey, Wanda (Don) Owen and Jeffrey (Ann) Blockburger, seven grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren. 
Visitation will be 6-8 p.m., Wednesday, June 12, 2019 and service Thursday, June 13, 2019 at 10 a.m. at Charter Funerals Sunset Chapel, 16731 Springdale Road, Leavenworth, Kansas. 
Her family suggests memorials in Doris’ name be made to St. Lawrence Parish or Hospice.

Virginia Woellhart Klingler - LHS Class of 1949

Virginia L. Klingler, 88, Leavenworth, passed away on Wednesday, March 27, 2019 at the Medicalodges of Leavenworth.
To honor her wishes, a private burial for the immediate family will be at a later date

Ruth Bradbury Lindsay - LHS Class of 1951

Ruth Ellen (Bradbury) Lindsay, 85, passed away peacefully on September 23, 2018. Ruth was born on August 3, 1933 in Kansas City, MO to Harold and Helen Bradbury, and lived in the Leavenworth, KS and Kansas City, Kansas area most of her life.
Ruth is survived by Don Lindsay (LHS Class if 1949), her husband of 65 years. Ruth and Don met in high school and what started as two love-struck teenagers grew into a sprawling family and a lasting legacy. Ruth will be lovingly remembered by Don along with their children and their spouses Alan and Anne (Morrison) Lindsay, Susan and Van Habib, Linda and Rick Kempf, and Ray and Karen Lindsay along with her 9 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren and 7 nieces and nephews.
Ruth was dearly loved and cherished by her large and boisterous family, who was by far her greatest source of pride and the center of her life. She always called out the best in us and encouraged us to aspire with a proper blend of challenging and nurturing.  Nothing gave her more joy than to spend time at the innumerous family gatherings, where she would sit with a huge smile of beaming pride as she surveyed this wonderful crowd that she and Don had created and nurtured.
The Lindsay family seemed to find any possible reason they possibly could to get together for a party. A prime example of the lengths they would go is when Ruth’s daughter Sue had to take her daughter to a doctor’s appointment, which happened to be close to Ruth and Don’s house. Ruth used this as a reason to tell the rest of the family that since Sue and her kids will be there, maybe they should also drop by, we could have a dinner, and so on until suddenly there were 15 family members all enjoying a dinner party.  Don came home wondering why all these people were at their house finding that it was due to a simple doctor’s appointment for her granddaughter.
There was rarely a weekend in the summer when the Lindsay family was not at some Kansas lake camping, and Ruth took particular pride in running her camper/food wagon and made sure nobody went hungry. As good as Ruth was at her cooking and organizational skills, she was absolutely horrible at driving the boat, the camper, or backing the boat trailer into the boat ramp. After numerous episodes which resulted in damaged boat motors, trailers, and assorted other vehicles, Don fondly nicknamed her “Klutch”, which ended up being not only her lifelong nickname, it was her new name. Many friends never knew her name was Ruth, they knew her only as Klutch.
Ruth also was very fond of her extended and beyond extended family. She would do extensive research and find out some third cousin-thrice-removed was going to be coming through town and she would have to have another party. Ruth actually felt compelled to throw a party for her nephew’s former nanny from Australia who none of the family had ever met, all because she just happened to be traveling through Kansas City. The family parties grew to legendary status with annual “Love-In” gatherings that lasted a week long and resembled slightly smaller versions of Woodstock. The close relationships between deeply extended family members built through these gatherings exist to this day.
Ruth was an executive in the insurance industry for 35 years.  She was notable for trailblazing a career in insurance at a time when there were few women in the industry.  Ruth eventually rose to Vice President of Underwriting at Marsh and McLennan.
With few mentors or role models, she relied on her instinct to balance high expectations with caring support and encouragement. Even today, few leaders successfully pull off this balancing act.  After she left the industry, she continued this approach through a variety of environments.  She even found a way to use these talents at her nursing facility where she organized, managed and adopted both the staff and residents.
While she will be dearly missed, she will not be forgotten as the values that she instilled in her family, and the hilarious stories of our many camping trips and family “love-ins” will carry on in our memories for generations. Visitation will be from 1:00 to 3:00 PM on Saturday, November 17 at Porter Funeral Home 8535 Monrovia, Lenexa, KS 66215. Funeral services will be held directly after at 3:00 at the same location. Ruth would have wanted to give her loved ones the opportunity to plan their travel to come celebrate her life. Since the memorial service is several weeks away, we would like to encourage everybody to leave your Online Condolences. 
In lieu of flowers, you may send contributions to the
Parkinson's Foundation Heartland Chapter.

Ronnie Hawkins - LHS Class of 1949

His circle of life complete, CMSgt (ret), USAF, Ronnie D. Hawkins, Sr, 87, of San Angelo, Texas, passed from this life and went to his home in heaven July 30, 2018. Though he left us in spirit many months ago, his body went peacefully into the Arms of The Lord. Alzheimer’s, Dementia, and Parkinson’s robbed us of his final years, but we are left with memories of him as we knew him then. Ronnie was born July 25, 1931 to Charles and Ruth Hawkins in Leavenworth Kansas. Ronnie married Loretta English (LHS Class of 1951); they were married for 53 years and had 5 children together. 
Ronnie was a 1949 graduate of Leavenworth High School, and received his Bachelors of Business from Angelo State University in 1979.
Ronnie joined the Air Force August 12, 1949 and retired as a Chief MSgt on September 1, 1976. He served in Security Service (now known as Intelligence) in the Communications career field at various assignments to include Newfoundland, Pakistan, Alaska, and Texas. He was the first African American Chief Master Sergeant at Goodfellow AFB. He also served two tours of duty in Vietnam. Ronnie was ordained a Deacon, at St Paul Baptist Church in San Angelo, and served as Deacon Emeritus at Christian Fellowship Baptist Church where he was a member until his death. 
Survivors include his children, Ronnie D. Hawkins, Jr. and wife Maria of San Angelo, Genevieve S. Mathis of Lewisville, Arthur D. Hawkins and wife Kimry of Lawton, Oklahoma, and Shawn L. Spell of Lewisville; two sisters, Fredonia Grissom (LHS Class of 1954) of Leavenworth, Kansas and Drucilla Hawkins of Biloxi, Mississippi; 14 grandchildren, Ronnie D. Hawkins, III, Andrew L. Martin, Jr., Joshua Hawkins, Charles Hawkins, Vernon Hawkins, Justin Mathis, Loretta Mathis, Antonia Martin, Sydnee Spell, Ashley Spell, Chelsea Jackson, Ereka Genese, James Dudley Hawkins, and Christine Honesty; and 16 great grandchildren, Clayton Hawkins, Thomas Hawkins, Gabriella Hawkins, Elena Hawkins, Kyla Honesty, Camryn Honesty, Alexis Lacy, Ashlie Martin, Andrew Martin, III, Bryan Hawkins, Jeremiah Mathis, Ava Williams, Kimry Genese, Jaya Genese, Rosa’Lynn Martin, and Za’Kai Moody. 
Ronnie was preceded in death by his wife, Loretta Hawkins; a daughter, Roslyn Martin; his parents, Charles Hawkins and Ruth Roberts; his siblings, Charlene, Oczen, Maceo, Charles, and Plez; and two sons-in-law, Andrew Martin and Donald Spell.
The Hawkins family thanks Courtney Sartain and the staff at The Springs Memory Care, Solaris Hospice Service, and Dr. Nussey at Shannon Medical Center for their loving care.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Ezra Vision Ministries, which is a ministry Ronnie supported by sponsoring a child.
Viewing will be from 5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m., on Wednesday, August 8, 2018, at Robert Massie Funeral Home, Services will be 11:00 a.m., Thursday, August 9, 2018, at Christian Fellowship Baptist Church with his son, Rev. Ronnie D. Hawkins, Jr., officiating. Burial will be 1:00 p.m., Friday, August 10, 2018, at the Dallas Fort Worth National Cemetery.

Together ♥♥♥ Forever

 Loretta “Babe” English Hawkins died on Monday, April 21, 2008, after an extended illness.
She was born on Nov. 10, 1933, in Leavenworth, Kansas to Carl and Loretta Carther English.
On June 15, 1952, she married Ronnie Hawkins (LHS Class of 1949) in Leavenworth. Because of his military career, she traveled to many countries. After retirement, they settled in Flower Mound, Texas. He survives at the home.
She is also survived by two sons, Brig. Gen. Ronnie Hawkins Jr. (Maria) of Washington, D.C., and Command Sgt. Maj. Arthur Hawkins (Kimry) of Fort Sill, Okla.; two daughters, Genevive Mathis and Shawn Spell (Donald), both of Flower Mound, Texas; 12 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; four sisters-in-law, Iola Hawkins of Texarkana, Texas, Charlene Briscoe and Druscilla Hawkins, both of Minneapolis, Minn., and Fredonia Grissom (LHS Class of 1954) of Leavenworth; several nieces and nephews, including one niece, Sandra Woodard (LHS Class of 1959), who lives in Leavenworth; and several cousins.
Visitation and funeral services will be on Monday, April 28, 2008, at Grace Missionary Baptist Church in Lewisville, Texas. Interment will follow at the VFW National Cemetery in Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas.

Katherine Hall Kohler - LHS Class of 1951

Katherine Elaine Kohler, 85, of Lansing, KS passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on April 1, 2018 after a brief battle with cancer.
Katherine was born December 11, 1932 in Leavenworth, KS to Carl F. Hall and Bernice Edmonds Hall. Following graduation from Leavenworth High School in 1951, she attended St. Luke’s School of Nursing, from which she graduated as a Registered Nurse (RN) in 1954. On October 25, 1953, Katherine married Raymond H. Kohler Jr.  and were married for 62 years. Katherine worked several years as a nurse at Cushing Memorial Hospital.
Katherine was a long-time member of Southern Heights United Methodist Church. She was a Sunday school teacher for the nursery class for 30+ years. She was also active in the choir, UMW, assisted with church dinners, helped with landscaping and yard work, as well as, cleaning inside of the church. Katherine was also a member of numerous committees. She enjoyed traveling with Ray on bus tours and visiting family. Her hobbies included sewing, quilting, and knitting.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Raymond (LHS Class of 1949), brother Charles Hall (LHS Class of 1952) and son-in-law (Tim Lang). Survivors include children Cindy (Kirk) Gaskell, Horton, KS; Lynn (Bob) Miller, Beloit, KS; Keith Kohler, Lansing, KS; Amy Lang, Topeka, KS; and several grandkids and great grandkids. 
Visitation will be Wednesday, April 4, 2018 from 6 - 8 P.M. at the Davis Funeral Chapel. Funeral services will be held at 10 A.M., April 5, 2018 at Davis Funeral Chapel, Leavenworth, KS. Burial will follow in the Sunset Memorial Gardens Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Southern Heights United Methodist Church in care of Davis Funeral Chapel.
Condolences may be left in Katherine's online Guestbook.

Together ♥♥♥ Forever

Raymond “Ray” H. Kohler Jr., 83, of Lansing, KS passed away peacefully at home with family on March 5, 2015 after a brief battle with cancer. Ray was born September 6, 1931 in Leavenworth, KS to Raymond H. Kohler Sr. and Helen M. Hofstra Kohler. 
Following graduation from Leavenworth High School in 1949, he joined the United States Coast Guard serving 6 years during the Korean War.  On October 25, 1953, Ray married Katherine E. Hall (LHS Class of 1951). Ray spent 32 years working at Kansas Power & Light until he retired in 1992.
Ray was a lifetime member of Southern Heights United Methodist Church. He loved helping around the SHUMC by keeping the lawn maintained and doing handiwork around the building. He enjoyed woodworking and talking to people - he knew no stranger.
He was preceded in death by his parents and son-in-law, Tim Lang. Survivors include his wife Katherine of the home, sister Mary Jo Meyer (LHS Class of 1955) (Kenneth), children Cindy (Kirk) Gaskell, Horton, KS; Lynn (Bob) Miller, Beloit, KS; Keith Kohler, Lansing, KS; Amy Lang, Perry, KS; and several grandkids and great grandkids.
Visitation will begin at 4 P.M. Sunday, March 8, 2015 at the Davis Funeral Chapel. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 P.M. Sunday at the funeral chapel. Funeral services will be held 10 A.M. Monday, March 9, 2015 at Davis Funeral Chapel, Leavenworth, KS. Burial will follow in the Sunset Memorial Gardens Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Southern Heights United Methodist Church in care of Davis Funeral Chapel.

Sixty-Third Anniversay

Don (LHS Class of 1949) and Ruth Bradbury (LHS Class of 1951) Lindsay

♥♥♥

Ruth and Don Lindsay on December 6, 1953

Miriam Schwinn Seute - LHS Class of 1949

Miriam A. Schwinn Seute, 85, Leavenworth, Kansas passed away Monday, November 21, 2016 at St. Lukes Hospital, Kansas City, Missouri. 
She was born January 18, 1931 the daughter of George and Ida (Borchart) Schwinn. On July 11, 1982 she married Robert J. Seute at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Leavenworth. 
Miriam leaves behind her husband Robert to whom she was married for 34 years; nephew David Schwinn, Leavenworth; sister-in-law Ruth Seute Hibbs and husband Morris; along with many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Walter Schwinn (LHS Class of 1939) and his wife Leona and one nephew Harold. 
Miriam was baptized at St. Paul Lutheran Church, graduated from St. Paul Lutheran School and graduated from Leavenworth High School in 1949. 
She worked at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas for 24 years as a transportation clerk, retiring in 1988. 
Miriam was a member of St. John Lutheran Church, Easton, Kansas and was very active in the Ladies Aid. 
Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 P.M. Tuesday, November 29,2016 at the Davis Funeral Chapel. Funeral service will be held 11. A.M. Wednesday, November, 30, 2016 at St. John Lutheran Church, Easton, Kansas. Burial will follow in the St. John Lutheran Cemetery. 
Memorial contributions may be given to St. John Lutheran Church or St. Paul Lutheran Church.

LHS Class of 1949

Members of the class of 1949 met Nov. 9. Pictured are, back row, JamesWood, Lucille Allen Martens, Charlotte Crowley Clark, Jean Hamilton Stratemeyer,
Arvene Kreutzer, and front row, Delores Wells Woodruff, Delores Shockey Simpson, Miriam Schwinn Seute and RoJean Hallaux Mustain. 
Not pictured are Ted Heim, Merris Brady, Edna Grace Cowling and Caroline Gist Hedrick.
Meetings are held twice a year, the Wednesday after each time change, at the Pullman Place Family Restaurant, 230 Cherokee St. in Leavenworth. 
Former Leavenworth High School students who attended classes around 1949 are welcome to attend. 
For more information, contact Ted Heim at 785-233-0058. 

Ralph Last - LHS Class of 1949

Claudene and Ralph Last

Ralph Frederick Last, Jr., 84, passed away peacefully at home on the 3rd of March, 2016. He was born in Leavenworth, Kansas on November 12, 1931 to parents Ralph and Lel (Pfrimmer) Last. He liked to kid that he was traveling man, having been born on the fourteen hundred block and died at the twenty-one hundred block of Spruce Street in Leavenworth.
Ralph married his loving wife of sixty-plus years, Lena Claudene Roy, on August 27, 1955. They loved fishing for crappie together and traveling around the U.S. for many years, all documented by Claudene’s wonderful pictures.
He graduated from Leavenworth High School in 1949 and has maintained contact with many of his classmates through the years while serving as Treasurer of his alumni group.
Ralph served in the military from 1952-1954. Upon returning to Leavenworth he worked at the V.A. Center and later in various duties at the U.S. Penitentiary, retiring after 20 years.
He was active in sports throughout his life, including basketball, tennis, fishing and hunting. He followed his close friend Ethan Potter as President of the Dr. Rabe Tennis Club.
Ralph is survived by his wife Claudene of the home, son Greg Last (Stacie) of Colleyville, Texas, and daughter Cheryl Last of Tuscon, Arizona and an extended family of in-laws, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, son Roger Last, brother Herbert Last, sister Loretta Culbertson, sister-in-law Marilyn Last and brothers-in-law Lewis Culbertson and Gene Ludwig.
Visitation from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 8 and services at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 9 at Davis Funeral Chapel, 531 Shawnee, Leavenworth. Interment will follow at Mt. Muncie Cemetery in Lansing. 
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Luke's Hospice or the American Heart Association.
Condolences may be left on Ralph’s online guestbook at www.davisfuneralchapelinc.com.

Basehor writer’s group

Dorothy Vaughan, Sandy Jones, RoJean Hallaux Mustain (LHS Class of 1949), Teresa Mustain and Jenne Laytham participate in a weekly writer's group in Basehor.

Katie Wagle Scott - LHS Class of 1949

Catherine "Katie" L. Scott 85, passed away on January, 17, 2016 surrounded by her family at Providence Medical Center.
She was born January 12, 1931 at Platte City, Missouri to J. Perry and Thelma (Goodin) Wagle. Her parents preceded her in death.
Katie loved her life and lived it to the fullest. Her family moved to the Leavenworth area when she was in high school. She graduated from Leavenworth High School in 1949.  She married John Barnes, Jr. at the Round Prairie Community Church. John and Katie lived on the Leavenworth County farm homesteaded by John's family. Katie assisted on the farm until 1970, when she obtained a beautician's license. She owned and operated Katie's Beauty Salon in Leavenworth until her retirement. John preceded her in death in 1985.
In 1988, she married LTC (Retired) Dwain L. Scott. Dwain and Katie eventually moved from the farm to Leavenworth, where they had a home constructed. They enjoyed traveling, shopping, gardening and spending time with their families. Katie loved watching and feeding her birds in the backyard. Dwain preceded her in death in 2011.
Katie's greatest passion and pride in her life was her family. She loved spoiling her grandchildren and great grandchildren, attending numerous sporting events, family celebrations and special events through the years. Mrs. Scott loved to play cards with her Tuesday afternoon group. Over the years she served as an election official, was a 50 year member of the Order of the Easter Star and a member of the Easton United Methodist Church.
Katie was preceded in death by a sister, Bonnie Caroline Bergman (LHS Class of 1953). She will be sorely missed by her sons, Jerry Barnes and his wife Connie of rural Atchison, Rodney Barnes and his husband Ed Hooker of Washington, DC, Keith Barnes and his wife Sue of rural Atchison. Her stepchildren; Debbie Scott of Castle Rock, Colorado, Pam Matzeder of Leavenworth, Tom Scott and his wife Nancy of Columbus, Indiana, Judy Dehr of Louisville, Kentucky, and Barbara (Babs) and her husband Rolly Galliart of Leavenworth, Kansas, nineteen grandchildren, and eleven great grandchildren.
Funeral Services will be 10:00 AM, Thursday, January 21, 2016 at Belden Larkin Funeral Home with Pastor Dean Lashley of Easton United Methodist Church officiating.  Visitation will be Wednesday January 20, 2015 from 2:00 PM until 8:00 PM with the family present from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM.
Burial will be in Sunset Memory Gardens, Leavenworth, Kansas.
Memorials may be given in her name to the Easton United Methodist Church.

Kitty Schrimpf Heiberg - LHS Class of 1949

Kathryn Louise “Kitty” Schrimpf Heiberg was born in Leavenworth, Kansas, August 19, 1931 to Walter H. and Catherine M.(Holdorf) Schrimpf.  On December 25, 2015, at the age of 84, she passed on after a prolonged battle with dementia.  thryn Louise “Kitty” Schrimpf Heiberg was born in Leavenworth, Kansas, August 19, 1931 to Walter H. and Catherine M.(Holdorf) Schrimpf.  On December 25, 2015, at the age of 84, she passed on after a prolonged battle with dementia. 
She is survived by her four adult children, Kathy, Walter, Elvin and Kay; and five grandchildren. 
Kitty will rejoin her loving husband Elvin R. "Vald" Heiberg, III (LHS Class of 1949) who is already interred in Arlington National Cemetery.
They married at 21 after he graduated from the United States Military Academy, Class of 1953. They spent 35 years together in the military, primarily the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Their happy marriage endured for almost 59 years, being terminated by Vald's death after a long illness. 

She was a loving wife, enthusiastic mother, community leader, business owner, and a Bridge Life Master. All who knew Kitty understood her charm, wit, spirited banter, wry humor, and love of art, bridge, antiquing and a good challenge! She enjoyed good company, lively conversation, and being the consummate host. She truly loved teaching bridge to others for both the mental stimulation and social benefits. Kitty was kind, full of energy, and a woman in motion!

We miss you mom and we owe you so much for your unconditional love and never-ending encouragement and support. Thank you and God Bless! 

Burial services will be held at Arlington National Cemetery, March 10, 2016 at 1:30 P.M. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation for the Army Engineer Mermorial Awards for qualifying high school seniors.

Together ♥♥♥ Forever

Lieutenant General Elvin Ragnvald “Vald” Heiberg III, former Chief of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Retired), died on September 27, 2013. 
Vald was born March 2, 1932 at Schofield Barracks, Honolulu, into a third generation military family with West Point traditions. His family moved frequently and while at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, Vald attended Leavenworth Senior High School where he met his future wife, Kathryn “Kitty” Schrimpf, and successfully competed for a Congressional Appointment to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.  He graduated fifth in his class of 512 in 1953.  After graduation, as an officer in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 1953, he and Kitty were married.
Vald went on to earn a master of science in civil engineering at MIT (1958) and a master of arts in government (1961) from George Washington University. (He completed the MA in Government to qualify as an Assistant Professor in the West Point Social Sciences Department.) He later earned a master’s in administration at George Washington University in 1971. Vald also graduated from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces, U.S. Department of Defense Senior Business Program in 1971. He became a Registered Professional Engineer in 1975. 
In his military career, Vald’s assignments varied from a water supply system in Greenland to the Nixon White House as Executive to the head of the Office of Emergency Preparedness (now FEMA) to the Pentagon as Executive Officer to two Secretaries of the Army and to manage the Ballistic Missile Defense Command “Starwars” Defense Program. These widely varied assignments in the civilian sector were in parallel with his military engineering career commanding troop units in Korea, in Germany, and in Vietnam, where he commanded a Combat Engineer Battalion blocking North Vietnamese resupply routes. These assignments demanded leadership, courage, a wide range of military engineering skills, and strong management ability. 
The capstone of Vald’s military career was his selection in 1984 to be the 46th Chief of Engineers of the U.S. Army, the youngest Chief since 1838. As Chief of the Corps of Engineers, he led the integration of new environmental skills, technology, and awareness into a huge global engineering and construction agency. He led the planning for many emergency decisions in floods and natural disasters, and was the “front man” for the Corps in funding and environmental issues. He displayed keen judgment and political acumen before Congress and the public at all times, showing the leadership and example needed to run the Corps. He was tireless in industry advancement efforts and championed the involvement of the Corps in the Construction Industry Institute. He personally participated in its research teams. 
After retirement from the Army in 1988, Vald joined Rollins Environmental Services as a Senior Executive, moved to JA Jones Construction Company, headed the Jones Construction Services Company, and then started a new company, JA Jones Environmental Services in Charlotte, NC. He also was on the Board of Directors of Stone & Webster Inc. In 1993, Vald moved back to the Washington, D.C. area and founded his consulting firm, Heiberg Associates. One of his more interesting assignments was moving back into the Pentagon for a year to recruit staff for the Coalition Provisional Authority in support of the Iraq Ministry of Transportation. Vald was selected to the National Academy of Engineering in 1995 “for contributions, both professional and managerial, in civil, environmental, and space technology across national and global horizons.” He was very active and served on multiple committees. He also was on the Board on Army Science and Technology, the Commission on Engineering and Technical Systems, and was an ex officio member of the Transportation Research Board Executive Committee. 
Near the end of his professional career, Vald joined the fray on one last major issue, the flooding of New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina and the question of who had responsibility. In a letter to The Times-Picayune, he stated “as too many continue to rush around to find someone to blame for the Katrina engineering failures, they can blame me. I gave up too early.” Vald explained that in the 1970s, when he commanded the New Orleans Engineer District, he led the fight for special flood barriers but lost the fight to strong local opposition. Then when the “barrier battle” erupted again and he was Chief of Engineers, he decided to stop fighting the local and federal opposition. He wrote, “In retrospect that was the biggest mistake I made during my 35 years as an Army Officer.” That topic is still being debated. As reported in The New York Times, “Alfred Naomi, a former senior project manager for the Corps…agreed that the barriers might not have made a difference for Katrina…but he expressed admiration for General Heiberg’s public stand. That showed integrity and moral certitude that you don’t find a lot in today’s society…Right or wrong, he took the hit and took some responsibility.” Throughout his career, Vald did the right thing, took the hit, accepted the responsibility, and moved forward in the best interests of the Army and the nation. 
Vald left an outstanding record as a civil engineer, as a military engineer, as a manager, and as a strategic planner. He set, for himself, high standards of professional achievement, ethics, and leadership and always exceeded those standards. 
On the lighter side, Vald lettered in track at West Point. Later he became an avid and, some say, fierce but gracious competitor on the handball and racquetball courts until his late seventies. He also was a lifelong philatelist.    
Vald is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Kitty, four children and five grandchildren: Kathy Heiberg-Browning (husband Guy); Walter Heiberg (wife Heike Kessler-Heiberg and grandchildren Andrew and Corinna); Elvin R. Heiberg IV (wife Beth and grandchild April); Kay Heiberg Bransford (husband Todd and grandchildren Cole and Carly).

Tennis Veterans Celebrate

The Dr. Melvin Rabe Tennis Club of Leavenworth celebrated its 61st anniversary
recently at the David Brewer Park tennis courts, 18th and Ottawa. President Ralph Last (LHS Class of 1949) standing fourth from the left is 84 years old. He no longer plays, but often comes out to watch the matches.  Also shown are Harry Jones, David Drake, John Corn, Jim Richter, Bobby Miller, Alan Crute, George Morton, Gary Fuller, Judge Mike Gibbens, Kirby Brown, Robby Kennedy and Jim Mathis.