Obituaries - September 16, 2024

Arlena Mae (Gutscher) Michael

Arlena Mae (Gutscher) Michael, born on September 25, 1938, in Burr Oak, Kansas, to Claud and Alberta Gutscher, passed away on September 13, 2024, at Village Manor in Abilene, Kansas. She was 85 years old.

Arlena grew up in Burr Oak with her siblings, Zelma Jensen of Gower, Missouri, and Lennie Gutscher of Burr Oak, Kansas. She attended Kansas Wesleyan University in Salina, where she met David E. Michael. The two were married on August 17, 1958, at Sam's Chapel at Kansas Wesleyan University in Salina, Kansas.

Arlena was a devoted stay-at-home mother upon welcoming their daughter Micky in 1960. A few years later, Arlena became employed as a secretary for the Salina Civil Defense Emergency Preparedness Department and an active member of The Women of the Moose, roles she took great pride in until she and David relocated to Kansas City, Missouri. In 1982, she began a long and meaningful career with the American Red Cross in Disaster Services, where she made a lasting impact for 19 years before her retirement in 2001.

After many years away, Arlena and David returned to Salina in 2016. In her retirement, Arlena continued to embrace her passions. She was an avid auction-goer, enjoyed collecting glassware, and had a deep love for gardening. A talented pianist, Arlena also contributed her sewing skills to the Ararat Needle Guild, creating beautiful clothing for children at Shriners Children's Texas.

Arlena is survived by her sister, Zelma Jensen of Gower, Missouri; her brother, Lennie Gutscher of Burr Oak, Kansas; her daughter, Micky Menard, and her son-in-law, Jim Menard, of Abilene, Kansas. She leaves behind a legacy of love through her grandchildren: CJ Jester (Alisha) of Salina, Kansas; Kimberly Linn (Cody) of Salina, Kansas; Pat Hubnik (Amy) of Salina, Kansas; Kelli Kohman of Abilene, Kansas; and Cristi Menard of Woodstock, Illinois. She was also blessed with nine great-grandchildren.

Arlena will be remembered for her kind heart, her many talents, and her dedication to family and community. She touched the lives of many and will be dearly missed by all who knew her.

Visitation for friends and family of Arlena will be held from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. Saturday, September 21st, 2024, at Ryan Mortuary 137 N 8th St, Salina, KS. Burial will be at a later date in Winona KS.

Memorials may be given to Village Manor in Abilene and can be sent to 705 N Brady St, Abilene, KS 67410.

Helen Maxine (Barnett) Skaggs

Helen Maxine (Barnett) Skaggs of Salina passed away September 13, 2024, just 5 days shy of her 105th birthday. Maxine was born September 18,1919 in Topeka, Kansas to Charlotte and Ralph Barnett.

Maxine graduated from Concordia High School in 1937, attended Brown Mackie Business School in Salina and began working for Metropolitan Life Insurance company.

In 1930 She and Leland Skaggs began dating. They married in 1942, just prior to Leland’s overseas deployment which lasted for 3 ½ years.

By 1949 Leland had completed Optometry school in Chicago and they bought a small practice in Philipsburg, Kansas where they lived until 2003.

Three children were born, Lee Ann (1946a0, Susan Jane (1952) and Richard Max (1962). During the years in Phillipsburg Maxine was active in the methodist church, she was a 4-H Club leader and was a behind the scenes business partner during Leland’s prolonged hospitalizations and recovery from tuberculosis, keeping both the household running and the business open by employing temporary Optometric graduates.

In 2003 Maxine and Leland relocated to Riverside Plaza in Salina KS. Maxine relocated to the caring facility of Eaglecrest in 2021, enjoying many new friendships in these later years.

She is preceded in death by her parents and brothers and by Leland in 2006.

She is survived by children Lee Romaniszyn (William Counter), Susan Skaggs and Richard Skaggs (Jean Lynch): grandchildren mike Roth (Jacquelyn), Luarie Graff, Kelly Graff and Camille Knoles; Great grandchildren Matthew Roth and Jake Roth

A memorial service will be held at Eaglecrest, September 21, at 1:00 p.m. with a reception to follow.

Memorials may be made to the choice of the donor.

Joyce L. Brown

Joyce L. Brown, 94, of Salina, KS, went to her eternal rest September 11, 2024.  She was born in 1930 in Quinter, KS to Len and Stella Harden. She spent summers in her teenage years performing domestic work, and occasionally mixing mortar for her father, an accomplished mason. She graduated from Culver High School and went on to college at McPherson College and Kansas State University where she graduated cum laude with a Bachelor’s Degree in Home Economics. From 1952 to 1953, she taught Home Economics and Sciences at Westmoreland High School in Westmoreland, KS.

Joyce married Dick Brown in 1951, her loving and devoted husband of 73 years. In 1955 and 1956 she was able to accompany Dick to San Antonio while he served two years in the USAF. Joyce was a loving and nurturing mother to four children. Outside the home, she wore many hats as secretary, accountant, and hostess at the family business, the Elmore Dairy and Cafeteria, for 25 years. Her greatest joys were her family, cooking, sewing, swimming, biking, skiing, camping, driving her bright red Mazda Miata, and a good glass of wine. She even got a private pilot license and flew her own plane.

Joyce was a compassionate woman toward everyone she encountered and always full of grace, regardless of the task at hand.  Her respect and warmth were deeply felt by so many.  Joyce will always be known for her radiant, welcoming smile, which she leaves as a legacy to all who knew her.

Joyce was a member of the Salina First United Methodist Church, serving on the Administrative Council, as a Trustee, and on various Boards. She was a Sunday School Teacher and long-time member of the Sewing Concerns group.

Joyce was active in many community and civic organizations.  She participated in 4H as a Project Leader in cooking and sewing, and volunteered with Meals on Wheels for over 30 years.  She was a Board Member of the Salina United Way, a 50-year member and Past President of the Salina Downtown Lioness Club, and Past President and member of PEO. She was also active in the Parent Teacher Association, as Past President at South Park School, and a member at Huesner and Franklin Schools.

She is survived by her sister, Kathy Chapman; her husband, Dick Brown; her four children, Kim Brown (Conee), Sandy Hill, Susan Mowery, and Allan Brown; 15 grandchildren; and 27 great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. with family receiving friends from 5-7 p.m. on Friday September 20, 2024 at Ryan Mortuary.  A Funeral Service will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday September 21st at the First United Methodist Church.  Inurnment will be at Roselawn Cemetery.   

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Theatre Salina or the Salina Rescue Mission.

Lawrence H. Korbel

Lawrence H. Korbel, 97, of Salina, KS passed away Thursday, September 12th, 2024. He was born on January 24, 1927, in Caldwell, Kansas to Anna Albert and Henry Korbel. He married Nellie L. (Seifert) Korbel on April 1, 1949, in Hutchinson, Kansas. Throughout the years, Lawrence was employed at the Coleman company in Wichita, then retired from Beech Aircraft after 33 years as a Wing Manufacturer. After retirement Lawrence passion of hunting, fishing, camping, and refurbishing bicycles were fulfilled even more.

He is survived by his daughter Lori Loe; grandson, Blake Loe of Salina, KS; great grandson, Atlas Loe of Olathe KS.

He is preceded in death by his sons Ronald G. Korbel and Gregory L. Korbel; and his wife Nellie L. (Seifert) Korbel.

Funeral Services will be at Ryan Mortuary at 1:00 pm Wednesday, September 18. The burial will be at Gypsum Hill Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Wild Trust. Kansas Dept of Wildlife and Parks 512 SE 25th Ave Pratt KS 67124.

Dung Thi Pham

Dung Thi Pham, 68, of Salina, Kansas, passed away peacefully on Thursday, September 12, 2024.

Dung was born in Binh Hoa, Vietnam on November 16, 1955 to David Xuan and Lien Thi Nguyen.

She always made sure everyone was taken care of and bellies were full with her delicious food.

Survivors include her husband, Chung Pham, and her three children, Danny, of Wichita, Kansas, Pam (Tom), of Dallas, Texas; and Melissa, of Salina, Kansas.

Dung is also survived by her siblings, Vinh Xuan Nguyen, of Vientiane, Laos; Lan Thi Nguyen, of Paris, France; Hung Xuan Nguyen, of Amiens, France; Thuy Thi Nguyen, of Paris France; and Tuan Xuan Nguyen, of Toulouse, France; and many nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents, David and Lien Nguyen.

A visitation will be held from 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM, Saturday, September 21st at Carlson - Geisendorf Funeral Home in Salina, Kansas. Cremation will follow the visitation.