Obituaries

Father Joseph Schreck

Father Joseph Schreck, O.F.M.Cap., 80, native son of St. Mary’s Church, Marienthal, and lifelong missionary in Puerto Rico, died in San Pablo hospital in Bayamon, P.R., Feb. 9.

When Father Joseph was born and baptized in Marienthal in 1927, the Capuchin-Franciscan friars still staffed that church and numerous other churches along State Rt. 96 in western Kansas. His father died when he was six years old. By then there were eight children in the family — four boys, fours girls. Joseph was the third youngest. As a senior in high school, Joseph went away to the minor seminary run by the Crozier Fathers in Minnesota. He then completed college studies at seminaries of the Maryknoll Missionaries in New Jersey and Illinois.

He returned to the Capuchins in November of 1951, entering their novitiate in Annapolis, Md. After profession of religious vows in November of 1952, he began theological studies at Capuchin College in Washington, D.C.

Father Joseph was ordained by Bishop John Baptist Franz at St. Mary of the Plains College in Dodge City in 1955. He went to Puerto Rico in 1956 and was stationed there ever since. During those 51 years, he served 15 years as local superior, three years as first counselor of the viceprovincial minister and six years (1978-84) as viceprovincial minister.

In Puerto Rico, Father Joseph served two years in country chapels, two in mobile chapels, 12 years as associate pastor, and 20 years as pastor of large parishes in San Juan, Ponce, Utuado, and Rio Piedras. He also directed large combination grade and high schools for 26 years, was spiritual assistant to Secular Franciscan Order fraternities for 25 years, and chaplain for a year at a tuberculosis sanitorium.

At the time of his golden jubilee as a priest in 2005, Father reflected on his years as a missionary:

“On June 11, 1955, Our Lord and Eternal High Priest shared with me His priesthood, essentially the business of ‘connecting’ souls to God. I have had some great moments of ‘connecting’: an older man, never gone to church, dying of cancer; a still youngish woman who had lived on the ‘farside’ most of her life; a young man with TB afraid to leave his wife and newborn son. I was there, seeing grace work, helping a bit. What a privilege! What a joy! Those moments have been precious! Unforgetable!

Father Joseph was buried Jan. 12 in Porta Coeli cemetary in Bayamon. His funeral Mass was celebrated at San Miguel Churh in Utuado.

Sister Henrietta Schneweis

GREAT BEND - Sister Henrietta Schneweis, 101, died Feb. 2, 2008, at the Dominican Sisters Convent Infirmary in Great Bend.

She was born Mary Anna Schneweis March 16, 1906, in Odin, the daughter of Frank and Karoline Fonshner Schneweis. She celebrated 80 years of religious profession in 2004, serving in the healthcare ministry as a laboratory tech, superintendent of nurses at St. Rose School of Nursing, Great Bend, supervisor of OB and surgery, head nurse, assistant administrator at Sacred Heart Hospital, Lamar, Colo., and St. Catherine Hospital, Garden City, nursing service director, and OB supervisor and Central Supply supervisor at St. Joseph Memorial Hospital, Larned.

Survivors include: a sister, Eleanor Prosser, Great Bend.

Burial took place at the Sisters Resurrection Cemetery in Great Bend.

Memorials may be sent to the Dominican Sisters Ministry Fund, Office of Mission and Ministry, 3600 Broadway, Great Bend.

Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.bryantfh .net.

Sister Mary Eleanor Penka

Sister Mary Eleanor Penka, 91, died Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2008, in the Dominican Sisters’ convent infirmary in Great Bend.

Born June 14, 1916, in Odin, as Dorothy Penka, Sister Mary Eleanor was the daughter of the late Emil and Hedwig Heger Penka. She entered the Dominican Sisters’ community July 18, 1931, and pronounced her first vows August 20, 1934. She celebrated 70 years of religious profession in 2004.

Sister Mary Eleanor spent most of her ministerial life as a religious in domestic capacities. Early in her religious life she was a homemaker on the sisters’ missions. She worked in the kitchens of St. Rose Hospital, Great Bend (now Central Kansas Medical Center), and St. Catherine Hospital, Garden City. Since 1952 she has lived and worked in Great Bend serving at St. Rose Hospital and later at Central Kansas Medical Center as sacristan, supervisor of housekeeping, aide, ward clerk, and in Central Service. Before her last illness (1993) she worked in the medical center laundry and at the convent as a seamstress.

Sister Mary Eleanor is survived by one brother and one sister: Julius, and Helen Kalina, both of Hoisington; and her Community of Dominican Sisters.

Father Marvin Reif presided. Burial took place at the Sisters’ Resurrection Cemetery.

Memorials in honor of Sister Eleanor for the Dominican Sisters’ Retirement Fund may be sent to: Dominican Sisters, Office of Mission and Ministry, 3600 Broadway, Great Bend, KS 67530-3692.

Editor’s note: The SKR makes every effort to include all obituaries. If we miss one, please let us know. Contact information is listed on the bottom of Page 4.

Thomas Jay Doll, born in Great Bend on Feb. 6, 1957, died Dec. 23, 2007. Doll grew up in Claflin and attended Fort Hays State University where he excelled in sports. He was inducted into the Fort Hays State University Hall of Fame on Oct. 24, 1992, for the following honors: Honorable mention Little All-American running back in 1975. Honorable mention National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics All-American in 1975 and 1978. First team All-Central States Intercollegiate Conference 1978. Second team All-Central States Intercollegiate Conference in 1976. NAIA All-District 10 selection in 1975. He owns seven of the nine FHSU rushing records including marks for yards in season (1,536 in 1978) and career (4,477 in 1975-1978). Survivors include his mother, Rita Miller Doll; his wife, Janet; son, Jared; daughter, Kathryn; brothers Craig and Barry; sister Anita Taylor; and numerous nephews, nieces, aunts, uncles and cousins. Fathers Meinrad Miller and Charles Mazouch presided.

Gertrude Josephine Rziha, 92, of Prince of Peace Parish at St. Patrick, died Jan. 21, 2008. She was a homemaker and a member of the Altar Society. Survivors include five sons, Leonard, Jim, Gerald, Robert and Larry; three daughters, Bernice Kaiser, Mary Anne Hammerschmidt and Cecelia Schreiber; a brother, Edwin Schneweis; a sister, Leona Jenisch; 27 grandchildren; 35 great-grandchildren; and two step-great-grandchildren. Father Reginald A. Urban presided.

Marilyn A. Cook, 71, of St. Theresa Parish, Dighton, died Jan. 19, 2008, at Hays Medical Center. She was owner and operator of the Green Bonnet beauty salon; she belonged to the Altar Society. She is survived by her husband, Albert Cook; four sons, Randal, Michael, Gregory, and Mark; three daughters, Rhonda Cook, Rebecca Daniels, and Marla Porch; her stepmother, Sis Metzen; a brother, Dennis Metzen; two sisters, Betty Lucas and Pat Robinson; a stepbrother, John Metzen; a stepsister, Sheryl Shephard; two half-brothers, Raymond Metzen and Ronnie Metzen; a half-sister, Darlene Colburn; 18 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Fathers Warren Stecklein and Benjamin Dande presided.

Bill D. Schuckman, 60, of La Crosse, died Jan. 29, 2008. He belonged to the Catholic Campus Center, Hays. He was a carpenter and plumber most of his life. Survivors include his mother, Isabella B. Herrman Schuckman; four brothers, Rod, Curtis, Ruben, and Chad Schuckman; seven sisters, Carol Howell, Velita Larson, Marlene Wasinger, Diona Patterson, Emily Hallam, Jennifer Leapheart, and Germaine Barrows; several nephews and nieces. Father Rene Labrador presided.

Alfred Eugene Droste, 73, of St. Anthony of Padua Parish, Leoti, died Jan. 29, 2008. He was employed by the Sunflower Telephone Co. for 32 years until his retirement in 1994. He was stationed in France during his service in the U. S. Army from 1956 to 1958. He is survived by his wife, Janet Kay Baehler; two sons, Bruce and Dale; a daughter, Sharla Krenzel; five brothers, Leonard, Gerald, Arthur, Carl and Paul; and four sisters, Zita Schriner, Lois Bailey, Janet Slattery and Jean Sprott; and six grandchildren. Fathers Benjamin Martin and Warren Stoecklein presided.

Frank A. Schreck, 90, of St. Mary Parish, Marienthal, died Jan. 23, 2008. He was a farmer. He is survived by his wife, Mathilda Fischer; two sons, Dan and Tom; two daughters, Judy Engel and Mary Jane Lilly; a brother, Father Joseph Schreck O.F.M. Cap.; three sisters, Mary Agnes Schreck, Adalia Morin, and Sister Margaret Schreck; and eight grandchildren. Father Benjamin Martin presided.

Luis Salas, 54, of Mary Queen of Peace Parish, Ulysses, died Jan. 27, 2008. He was a self-employed carpenter. He served in the U.S. Army. He married Elva Salas. Survivors include a son, Luis Salas Jr.; three daughters, Terri A. Abernathy, Paula Segovia, and Noemi Correa; two brothers, Lorenzo Dominguez and Raul Salas; and12 grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Ruben Dominguez; a granddaughter. Father James P. Dieker presided.

Raymond Joseph Menard, 57, of St. Nicholas Parish, Kinsley, died Jan. 24, 2008. He was a carpenter. Survivors include five brothers, Richard, Steve, Larry, Terry, and Gerard; and three sisters, Deanna Yantiss, Cathy Woolard, and Debbie Stefek. Father Nicanor Ferangco presided.

Robert “Bob” L. Tepe, 72, of the Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, Dodge City, died Jan. 23, 2008. He was the owner of Tepe’s Sewing Center, was a member of the Knights of Columbus, and had served in the National Guard. He is survived by his wife, Carol Kay Voth; two sons, Brian L. and Bradley L.; a daughter, Susan K. Barnes; a brother, William; a sister, Shirley Barnett; 13 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Father Ted Skalsky and Deacon Dwaine Lampe presided.

Clarence Powers, 78, of St. Joseph Parish, Scott City, died Jan. 31, 2008. He was a farmer, rancher and carpenter. He served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War. He is survived by his wife, Eileen Elffner; three sons, Ronald, David, and Jay; five brothers, LaVern, Grant, Richard, Norman, and Galen; four sisters, Geraldine Dohrmann, Berniece Logan, Gerva Powers, and Norma Ross; six grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. Father Warren Stecklein presided.

Katheryn “Hadean” Fink, 75, of St. Joan of Arc Parish, Elkhart, died Feb. 4, 2008. She was the head cashier at First State Bank, Elkhart. She is survived by her husband, Phillip D. Fink; a son, Phillip; two daughters, Sarita Blakeley and Salena Hurn; a brother, John A. Hull; a sister, Betty Bookstore; eight grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. Father Francis Khoi Nguyen presided.

Opal E. Dimond, 89, of St. Anthony Parish, Lakin, died Feb. 3, 2008. She was a homemaker and had worked for Boeing during World War II. Survivors include two sons, Patrick Steven and Kevin Alan; two daughters, Lynne Ann Masset and Marilyn Kay Hannagan; a sister, Lola Mae Gilkison; six grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Father Mike Helms presided.

Gregorio Arredondo, 67, of St. Alphonsus Parish, Satanta, died Feb. 4, 2008. He was a laborer. He is survived by his wife, Leopolda Padron; two sons, Louis Alberto and Antonio; three daughters, Norma Arredondo, Sandra Arredondo, and Gualupe Arredondo; two stepsons, Jaime Padron and Samuel Padron; four stepdaughters, Norma Padron, Blanca Padron, Erika Padron, and Joena Padron; 16 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. Father Jim Dieker presided.

Susanna Mora, 51, of St. Alphonsus Parish, Satanta, died Feb. 3, 2008. She was a homemaker. She is survived by her husband, Rito H. Mora; three sons, Victor, Omar, and Rito Jr.; a daughter, Norma “Alicia” Resendiz; four brothers, Agustin Tarango, Jesus Manuel Apodaca, Rodolfo Apodaca, and Rogelso Apodaca; four sisters, Romelia Lujan, Lydia Pineda, Marie Frank, and Ludy Hernandez; and five grandchildren. Father Jim Dieker presided.