Marion Brenner (Posted 6/4/24)
Marion Paul Brenner, age 92 of Randolph, passed away Monday, June 3, 2024, at the Clay County Medical Center.
He was born on May 26, 1932, on a farm in Marshall County, south of Waterville, the son of Aubrey Paul and Georgia Fern (Smerchek) Brenner. He graduated from Randolph High School.
He was married on November 16, 1952, at Walsburg Lutheran Church to Deona Fay Peterson. She preceded him in death on October 2, 2023.
Marion was a lifetime farmer and a dairyman during his earlier years. He was a member of the Peach Grove EUB Church until it closed, and later attended Randolph United Methodist Church and Alert Covenant Church. Marion and Deona went on numerous mission trips to Nicaragua and Costa Rica, helping build churches, and later in life, liked to travel and take trips to Branson. He was a member of the Blue Valley Laymen’s League, Kansas Livestock Association, sold seed for Acco Seed Company and fertilizer for Nachurs Fertilizer Company.
He is survived by four children; John Brenner and wife Becky of Randolph, Trudy Chaffee and husband Mike of Clay Center, Kelley Brenner of Randolph and James Brenner and wife Sue of Randolph; nine grandchildren, Jacob Brenner, Jordan Brenner (Josie), Joe Brenner, Jerod Chaffee (Amy), Luke Chaffee (Kayla), Cody Chaffee (Angie), Kaci Goff (Josh), Justin Brenner (Molly) and Caley Gallimore (Jacob); 23 great grandchildren; one sister-in-law, Anita Jensen of California, and his nieces and nephews, Donise Peterson (Dennis), Dick Flohr (Lavon), Gwen Waddell (Barry), and Kristen Wright (Brian).
In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, David Brenner; one sister-in-law, Donna Flohr, and one brother-in-law, Vincent Flohr.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, June 10, 2024, at the Alert Covenant Church with Pastor Dwight Diller officiating. The family will receive friends from 2:00 until 4:00 p.m. Sunday at the Anderes-Pfeifley Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Peach Grove Cemetery.
A memorial has been established for the Marion Brenner Memorial Fund to be distributed to different mission groups. Contributions may be left in the care of the Anderes-Pfeifley Funeral Home.
Condolences may be left for the family at www.apfunerals.com.
Robert Kruh (Posted 6/4/24)
Robert F. (Bob) Kruh, 98, a lifelong educator who retired in 1994 as vice provost of Kansas State University, died May 12 at Meadowlark Hills retirement community in Manhattan, Kansas.
He was born in St. Louis, Missouri, on June 15, 1925, the son of Frank O. and Nelle Dee Kruh. His father was a high school chemistry teacher, and his mother was a home economist. After his father’s death in 1937, he, his mother, and sister moved to Lebanon, Illinois, where he completed high school and two years of study at McKendree College (now University) before enlisting, at age 17, in the U.S. Army in 1943.
He completed basic training at Fort Benning (now Fort Moore), Georgia, joining the 102nd Infantry Division at Camp Swift, Texas. Soon after, he was part of a cadre transferred to Camp Bowie, Texas, where he joined the newly formed 1264th Engineer Combat Battalion. The unit was deployed to Europe in fall 1944, making its way through France, Belgium, and Germany, finally assigned to Gen. Courtney Hodges’ First Army. The battalion joined in the construction of a bridge across the Rhine River for heavy tanks after the last German bridge, at Remagen, had collapsed. At the war’s end in the European theater, his battalion was transferred to Gen. Dwight Eisenhower’s Supreme Headquarters in Frankfurt, where he remained before returning to the United States in 1946. He was discharged with the rank of master sergeant.
Under the G.I. Bill, he enrolled at Washington University (St. Louis), where he met his future wife, Janet Jackson, from Augusta, Kansas, in calculus class. Both chemistry majors, they wed in 1948. After completing his doctorate in chemistry in 1951, he joined the chemistry faculty at DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana. The next year, he took a chemistry professorship at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, later becoming department chair, and in 1964, dean of the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences. During his tenure as dean, he spearheaded the establishment of the university’s creative writing program and the development of what is now the Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design.
In 1967, he was appointed dean of the Graduate School at Kansas State University, a position he held until 1990, when he became vice provost for academic services. Additionally, he served concurrent stints as acting dean of arts and sciences, acting director of the computing center, and dean of continuing education.
When he arrived at K-State, it was receiving less than $15 million annually in research grants and government support. To address the pressing need for more funding, he established an office to help faculty members secure grants and contracts. Through this focused effort during his tenure, the university was eventually able to attract annual funding exceeding $200 million, putting it on the path to becoming a major research university.
In addition to securing the Regents’ approval of new doctoral degrees, Kruh promoted new graduate programs that involved multiple departments in such areas of study as energy, environment, biochemical science, and gerontology. He also fostered the expansion of continuing education through emerging technology, as well as the growth of the KSU Research Foundation’s support for patenting and licensing faculty inventions and intellectual property.
Kruh was a member of numerous professional organizations, serving as board chairman of the Council of Graduate Schools in the United States, board member of the Argonne National Laboratories University Association, president and executive secretary of the Midwestern Association of Graduate Schools, chairman of the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) Board, board chair for the Council of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), consultant-evaluator for the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Accrediting Association, president of the Kansas State University Research Foundation, and board member of the Kansas Commission on Advanced Technology. He was a longtime member of the American Chemical Society and the American Physical Society. His research work in the study of the molecular structure of crystalline and liquid substances was supported by grants from the National Science Foundation and the Atomic Energy Commission. He was extensively involved in international education for which he was awarded the International Medal from Justus Liebig University (Giessen, Germany). He also served on U.S. State Department delegations to Morocco, Greece, and China to advance international enrollments in the United States.
Locally, he was a board member and president of the Friends of McCain Auditorium, board member and treasurer of the Friends of the Konza Prairie, president and treasurer of the Friends of the KSU Library, founding member and first president of KSU’s Phi Beta Kappa chapter, board member and president of the Friends of the Beach Museum, board member of the Manhattan Arts Center, member and past president of the Manhattan Rotary Club, member of the Education Committee of the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce, council member of First Lutheran Church, tutor at Douglass Center, board member of Homecare and Hospice, and board member and treasurer of the local chapter of the League of Women Voters.
His beloved wife of 72 years, Jan, died in 2020. His sister, Mary Dee Rieke, of Midland, Michigan, died in 1997. He is survived by a son, Lindsay, of Edina, Minnesota; a daughter, Nancy, and her wife, Sarah Wilke, of Nashville, Tennessee.
A graveside service for both Kruh and his wife and interment of their ashes will be at 1 p.m. Friday, June 14, at the Veterans Cemetery at Fort Riley, 5181 Wildcat Creek Road. A reception will follow at the Meadowlark Hills Event Center, 2121 Meadowlark Road in Manhattan.
The family requests memorial donations be made to the local chapter of the League of Women Voters through my.lwv.org/kansas/
The Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, Kansas 66502. ymlfuneralhome.com
David Ray Murphy (Posted 6/3/24)
David Ray Murphy, age 85, peacefully left his earthly home on Monday, May 27, 2024. It is appropriate that he joined his loved ones in heaven on Memorial Day, a day he cherished with family for years in reverence of those who passed before him.
David was born January 24, 1939, to Mildred (Nye) Murphy and Virgil Murphy. He was a lifetime resident of Riley County, Kansas, attending school in Manhattan and later Keats. He attended Kansas State University from 1957 to 1959, participated in the ROTC program, and
sang in the Men’s Glee Club in its inaugural years. David worked at the Manhattan Public Library, was a carrier for the Manhattan Mercury, and served in the Kansas National Guard, all the while helping many local relatives and neighbors with farm work. After ten years as a Staff Sergeant E-6 in the National Guard, David was discharged from service and began what would become a 36 ½ year banking career. He retired on December 31, 1999, the eve of the new millennium, from his position as Senior Vice President.
David fell in love with his wife, Angela Arlene Schurle, during their high school years, and they
were married on September 25, 1960 at the Keats Methodist Church. David and Angela were
blessed with a son, Dan, and daughter, Becki, four grandchildren, and one great-granddaughter.
David deeply loved his family, and made many memories with them fishing, traveling, skiing,
metal-detecting, and making music. Above all, he loved sharing his love of Jesus with everyone.
He was a faithful attendee of Grace Baptist Church, and served as song leader for about 40 years,
leading the congregation through 3 hymnals and 4 pastors during his tenure! David was on the
Board of Directors for the Philippine Evangelical Enterprises, Inc. (PEEI) and traveled various
times to share Christ’s love in word and action. He knew and loved the Bible, memorizing much
of God’s Word, reciting it, and praying, even until the hour before he left this world.
David will be dearly missed by his wife Angela, son Dan Murphy (Diane) and daughter Becki
Bohnenblust; grandchildren Krista Moore (Branden), Kascha Johnson (Anthony), Anna Murphy
(Ian Thackray), and Zach Bohnenblust; great-granddaughter Taelyn Johnson; and many extended
family. He was preceded in death by his parents, Virgil and Mildred Murphy, and son-in-law,
Lynn Bohnenblust.
The family will receive friends during a visitation from 6:00 until 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 6,
2024 at Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, June 7, 2024, at Grace Baptist
Church, 2901 Dickens Avenue in Manhattan. Inurnment will be in the Sunrise Cemetery.
Online condolences may be left for the family through the funeral home website at
www.ymlfuneralhome.com.
Memorial contributions may be made to either Gideons International or Philippine Evangelical
Enterprises, Inc. (PEEI). Contributions may be left in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen
Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, KS 66502.
LaVerna Arganbright (Posted 6/3/24)
LaVerna A. Arganbright, age 84 of Waterville, passed away Wednesday, May 29, 2024, at the Blue Valley Health and Rehabilitation Center in Blue Rapids.
She was born on November 7, 1939, in the Waterville Hospital, the daughter of Selon and Ruby (Ruthstrom) Bergsten. She graduated from Waterville High School in 1957 and went on to Emporia State to earn a bachelor’s degree in education in 1961.
She married Tom Arganbright on May 28, 1961, in Emporia. He preceded her in death in 2011.
LaVerna taught for one year at Blue Rapids Grade School and continued subbing at both schools for many years. She was primarily a homemaker, but for several years, she had a part-time job alongside her husband at the bank. She was very involved in the Waterville community. LaVerna was a caring lady and active in her church teaching Sunday school and Children’s Bible school. She belonged to the Lutheran Church Ladies Aid, Beta Sigma Phi sorority, American Legion Auxiliary and for many years was a girl scout leader. LaVerna and Tom sponsored a student from Norway, Eli Boe, for a school year and she had a strong interest in genealogy, tracking down her family ancestor’s as well as Tom’s. She loved playing bridge with her friends.
She is survived by her three children, Carolyn (Francis) Arganbright of Waterville, James (Jie) Arganbright of Mesa, Arizona, and Jennifer Arganbright of Denver, Colorado; her daughter-in-law, Corinne Arganbright (late John) of Waterville; one sister, Selene (Jerry) Yungeberg of Waterville; one brother, Konrad Bergsten of Blue Rapids; six grandchildren, eleven great grandchildren, and one great great grandchild.
In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents; one sister, Rita Allen in 2018 and her son, John Arganbright in 2022.
Viewing will be from noon to 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, June 5, 2024, with visitation between 6:30 and 8:00 p.m. at the Christie-Anderes Funeral Home in Waterville.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, June 6, 2024, at the St. Mark Lutheran Church in Waterville with Pastor Jacob Schmitz officiating. The musicians will be Beverly Hedke, Francis Arganbright and Kim Oatney. Pallbearers are Thad Arganbright, Craig Arganbright, Toby Arganbright, Treg Arganbright, Ben Arganbright and Allen Yungeberg. Honorary pallbearers are Francis Arganbright, Jim Arganbright, Jerry Yungeberg, Konrad Bergsten, and Laurent Cardon. Burial will be in the Riverside Cemetery.
A memorial may be made to the St. Mark Lutheran Church and left in care of the Christie-Anderes Funeral Home, PO Box 61, Waterville, Kansas 66548.
Condolences may be left for the family at www.apfunerals.com.
Dr. Charles Deyoe (Posted 6/1/24)
Dr. Charles (Charlie) Deyoe passed away peacefully following a long illness on May 18, 2024.
Charles Deyoe was born March 12, 1933, in Two Buttes, Colorado, the son of Walter and Iva (Dellinger). Charlie grew up on a farm and graduated from Coldwater (KS) High School in 1950; after attending Kansas State University he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in animal science in 1955. He next enrolled at Texas A&M University, completing first a master’s degree in animal nutrition and then a doctorate degree in biochemistry and nutrition.
Following his graduation Charles began his teaching career as an assistant professor of poultry science at Texas A&M. In 1962 he returned to Kansas as an assistant professor in the Kansas State University feed science program; by 1968 he had earned the rank of professor, and he was awarded the honor of being named Outstanding Agricultural Professor at KSU in 1969.
In 1977 Dr. Charles Deyoe was named Department Head of Grain Science and Industry, a distinction he would retain for 16 years. His commitment to the Grain Science and Industry, Bakery Science, and Milling Science programs would never cease. Dr. Deyoe also became the first director of Kansas State University’s International Grains Program (IGP) in 1978. As an expert, Dr. Deyoe was invited to consult and advise institutions around the globe on wheat quality, milling, and baking technologies. He was at times able to be accompanied by his wife Lois; both enjoyed learning about and experiencing world cultures on these trips. Dr. Deyoe was awarded “Wheat Man of the Year” by the Kansas Association of Wheat Growers in 1992 and given the “Full Kernel of Wheat” award at the Wheat Quality Council annual meeting the same year. After his retirement in 1996, Charles Deyoe was named one of nine KSU members who received recognition as a Centennial Lifetime Achievement Award recipient during the 100th anniversary celebration of the Department of Grain Science and Industry in 2010. During his lifetime Charlie Deyoe served as a professional mentor to students at Kansas State University; many of his former students have stayed in touch following their departure from Kansas State as they pursued careers worldwide.
Charles Deyoe was active in the community as well. He was a founding member of St. Thomas More Church, and a 4th Level Knight in the Knights of Columbus. He and his wife Lois delivered Meals on Wheels and baked cookies and treats for residents and staff at the Hospice House. He was active in the Third Age group at his church, and with Lois supported the Friends of the K-State Libraries for many years. In his retirement, Charlie spent time gardening, perfecting his own bread recipes, baking bread for friends and neighbors, learning to make beer and cheese, and always experimenting!
Charles was devoted to his family and is survived by his wife of 68 years Lois; son Michael; daughters Kathy, Nancy, and Sandra; and sister Rita Deyoe-Chiullán. He delighted in the interests and accomplishments of his grandchildren Mary, Deidre, and Sebastian (Charlie). Charles Deyoe was preceded in death by his son Steve; grandson, Steven; Lisa Breining-Deyoe; his parents; seven brothers and one sister.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00a.m. Friday June 21, 2024, at the St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Manhattan. Inurnment will be held at the Sunrise Cemetery in Manhattan.
Memorial gifts may be made in Charles Deyoe’s memory to the Meadowlark Foundation to benefit the Good Samaritan Fund and to St. Thomas More Church. Contributions may be sent in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, Kansas 66502.
Online condolences may be left for the family through the funeral home website at www.ymlfuneralhome.com