Obituaries - September 18, 2024

Donna Jo Smith

Donna Jo Smith, 58, of Salina, passed away Saturday Sept. 14, 2024. She was born July 22, 1966, in Salina, the daughter of Donald and Deona Jean Ashley Swinton. Donna was raised in Salina and was a proud graduate of Salina South High School, Class of 1984. She spent her childhood alongside her two siblings, Terry, and Buddy, playing and watching sports and going on family trips. She was married to Lester Smith, 59, of Kerns, Texas, for nearly a decade. She was a loving and devoted mother, sister, friend, aunt, great-aunt, and healthcare worker. 

Donna spent her life caring for others, both in her own family but also in nursing homes and personal ones. Combined, she spent over 3 decades as a Certified Medication Aid, giving care to hundreds of elderly residents in Salina, Lindsborg, and surrounding areas. She was immensely proud of her work and constantly told people how “rewarding” it was.

If you asked anyone, they would say that Donna’s whole life was her daughter, Rashada. They spend free days together getting breakfast, shopping, and talking for hours on end. In addition, she also acted as a mother to many of Rashada’s friends throughout the years, insisting that every one of them call her “Mom” and never hesitating for them to reach out for anything. She always loved to have a full and loud house. Donna made it her mission to give Rashada the world and that is what she did. Besides her daughter, she loved the Dallas Cowboys, Dateline and 90-Day Fiancé, all food (but mainly Chinese and Mexican), watching her niece and nephews play sports and could never sit still.  

Donna brought a smile and joyful attitude wherever she went. She was the first to jump into a sticky situation but did everything in her power to never ask for help herself.  

She hated the cold and the “s” word (snow, not shit), construction, and rude people.  

She is survived by her daughter, Rashada Smith, of Salina; brother, Buddy Swinton (Janet) of Houston; nephews, Billy Sanders (Mandy) of Council Bluffs, Cody Sanders of Salina, and Joe Long; nieces, Amanda Lalicker of Olympia and Jade Griffith (Daniel) of Fife; great-nephews, Cooper Sanders of Council Bluffs, and Micah and Miles Sanders of Salina; great-niece, Josie Sanders,  

She is preceded in death by her mother and father, Deona and Donald Swinton; sister, Terry Haggard; and great-niece Jonah Sanders.  

Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. with family receiving friends from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 19, at Ryan Mortuary, Salina with funeral services at 10 a.m. Friday, Sept. 20, at Emmanuel Four Square, with burial following in Gypsum Hill Cemetery. 

Annabell Marie Kogler

Annabell Marie Kogler, born July 29, 1940, in Aurora, KS, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on Saturday, September 14, 2024. She was 84 years old. Annabell was the cherished wife of the late Marvin Kogler, who preceded her in death in November of 2020. She was a devoted mother to her three children, Kathy, Judy, and Ron, who will forever hold her memory close to their hearts.

Annabell was the beloved daughter of Alfonse and Leona (Marcotte) Breault. She graduated from Aurora High School in 1958. She moved to Salina and worked at the Lee Hardware Co. where she met Marvin. They were married on July 3, 1961, in Aurora. Annabell was employed as a bookkeeper for several years and retired from Wasinger Brothers Plumbing in Hays.

She was a member of the St. Elizabeth Ann Seaton Catholic Church and the Salina Good Sam camping club.

Her family and friends remember her as a warm and caring person who dedicated her life to those she loved. Annabell found joy in spending time with her family.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers Bernard, Rick, and Darrell Breault; infant sister Donna Lou Breault; sister Dora Cottam; brothers-in-law Larry Judd and Richard Scott.

Survivors included Kathy (Mike) Schutz of Salina; Judy (Mark) Griffin of Norton; and Ron Kogler (Jo Geis) of Kipp, KS; sisters Delores Judd of Spokane, Washington, Geraldine Scott of Salina; Sisters-in-law Wilma Breault, Donna Breault; and Brother-in-law Larry Cottam.

Grandchildren Cole (Tonya) Stragey of Oberlin; Ashley (Pablo) Sanchez of Amarillo, TX; Megan (Mitchell) Persinger of Salina; Kylee Kogler (Friend Nathan Weis) and Korey Kogler of Hays.

Great grandchildren Xavier and Paxon Sanchez; Tempe, Maddy, and Khloe Stragey; McCoy Persinger; along with many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Visitation will be Friday, September 20, 2024, from 5-7 p.m. at Ryan Mortuary, Salina, KS with the rosary at 6:30 p.m. Services will be at 10 a.m., Saturday September 21, 2024 at St. Elizabeth’s Catholic Church, Salina, KS with Fr. Keith Weber officiating. Burial to follow at St. Peter’s Cemetery, Aurora KS.

The family suggest memorials to St. Elizabeth Catholic Church and Interim Home Healthcare & Hospice in care of Ryan Mortuary, 137 N. 8th St., Salina, KS 67401.

Vera Mae Roach

Vera Mae Roach, 81, of Salina, Kansas, went to meet her Lord and Savior on Friday, September 13th, 2024.

Vera was born in Chapman, Kansas on January 12, 1943, a daughter of the late Cecila (Sawyer) and George Murrison.

On June 19, 1963, Vera married Kenneth E. Roach.

Vera is remembered for her love of her church, where she found strength and comfort. She also enjoyed camping and boating in Kansas lakes, playing cards with friends, traveling, and playing the harp.

Her nursing career included her many years at SRHC, was a traveling nurse, as well as being a pilot with Civil Air Patrol. She cared about people so much; she was willing to fly for organs for patients.

Survivors include her son, Carl Roach; two sisters, Velma Heesch, Phyllis Barrett; and two brothers, Dan Murrison, and James Murrison.

She is also survived by her grandson, Ryan Smith (Carrie) and numerous nieces and nephews.

Vera is preceded in death by her husband, Kenny and son, Curt.

The family will receive friends from 1:00 pm -3:00 pm, Sunday, September 22nd, at Carlson-Geisendorf Funeral Home, 500 S. Ohio St., Salina.

Funeral services will be at 10:00 am, Monday, September 23rd, at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Salina.

Burial will be at 1:00 pm, Monday, September 23rd at Greenridge Cemetery, Dickinson County, Kansas.

Donations may be made to St. Mary's Catholic Church, in care of Carlson-Geisendorf Funeral Home.

To send an online condolence for the family, visit the funeral home website, www.carlsonfh.net or on the funeral home Facebook Page.