•   Mary Kathryn Cecilanne Rediger Ashburn
•   Elias Yoshio “Ogi” Balensuela
•   John A. Bliss
•   George A. Bollin, Jr.
•   Ronald H. Brown
•   Mary H. Conlin
•   Kevin J. Donald
•   James "Pat" Patrick Downey

Mary Kathryn Cecilanne Rediger Ashburn, Lansing, 66, joined her Heavenly Savior and parents surrounded by her family at home Thursday, March 5, 2009. Mary was born October 11, 1942 the second child of William Rex Rediger and Kathryn Cecilia Green Rediger in Clinton, Ill. On May 21, 1966 she married David Michael Ashburn. He survives her.

Until age 8 Mary lived in Clinton, Ill where her father worked for the telephone company. They then moved to Nevada, IA and then to Columbus, NE. After graduating from St. Bonaventure High School she moved on to nurses training in Yankton, South Dakota. There she was in the first NLN test program being tested to combine diploma nursing with college BSN. After graduating from there she went to her parents residence in Grinnell, IA and spent her first year out of training working at the community hospital. She then moved on to Des Moines, IA where she met the love of her life, David Michael Ashburn. They moved to Springfield, MO. There she worked on opening and developing the first CCU in Missouri outside of Kansas City and St. Louis. They were married in the hospital chapel. They lived there until Dave joined the US Army. After 20 years of Army life and 3 children they retired in Leavenworth.

Mary is survived by her husband David, 2 daughters Dawn Marie Ashburn Watkins, Kimberly Michele Ashburn Christy and David Michael Ashburn, II. Three grandchildren Brittany deEtt Ashburn, Randal Scott Christy and Kalyn Nicole Christy.She is also survived by 2 brothers William E. Rediger and Michael A Rediger and 1 sister Elizabeth Ann (Betsy) Rediger and her beloved cat Boo Boo.

Her wishes were that no one grieves for her but offer up laughter and praise to the good Lord. She was blessed by many extraordinary and wonderful acquaintances and good friends through out the years. Mary was a nursing supervisor at Cushing Memorial Hospital from 1967 until she retired in 1996. She enjoyed traveling and collecting bells.Visitation will be held from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM Sunday, March 8, 2009 at the Davis Funeral Chapel. A rosary will be recited. Funeral services will be held at 10 AM, Monday, March 9, 2008 at the
funeral chapel. Memorial contributions may be given to the Good Shepherd Hospice in care of the Davis Funeral Chapel.

Elias Yoshio “Ogi” Balensuela, 80, passed away at home in Lansing on February 4, 2009.

Ogi was born on July 20, 1928 in Peepeekeo, Hawaii, the son of Catalino and Natsu Balensuela and graduated from Konawaena High School in 1946. He enlisted in the Army and served in the Army of Occupation in Japan until 1949. Following his honorable discharge, he studied chemistry at New York University, earning a Master of Science Degree in 1964. In 1952 he married Frances Kisber and together they raised two children, Debra Ryan of Lansing, and Matthew Balensuela of Terre Haute, Indiana. Ogi was employed by a succession of perfuming firms across the US, and also worked in Mexico City and Singapore. Using his sense of smell and technology such as a gas chromatography, he developed scents for commercial products such as candles, soaps, and shampoos.

Ogi’s personal interests included caring for his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Tai Chi, cooking, and gardening.

Ogi is survived by his wife; two children; three grandchildren (Jennifer Hill and her husband Adam Hill of Olathe and Elinor Balensuela of Terre Haute, Indiana); and two great-granddaughters (Ryan and Lila Hill of Olathe).
He was preceded in death by his parents and by his beloved grandson, Sean Patrick Ryan.

Following Ogi’s request, there will be no public memorial for his passing. The family suggests that memorial donations may be made to the Sean Ryan Memorial Scholarship Fund c/o Citizens Savings, PO Box 489
Leavenworth, KS 66048 or to Good Shepherd Hospice, 7611 State Line Road Suite 200, Kansas City, MO 64114.

John A. Bliss, 70, Leavenworth, KS passed away Friday, April 3, 2009 at Providence Medical Center in Kansas City, KS.

John was born March 2, 1939 in Oskaloosa, KS the son of Stanley Van and Jennie M. (Willis) Bliss. On March 21, 1959 he married Maxine Jones, they were married 50 years.

John is survived by his wife of 50 years, Maxine Bliss, daughter, Debbie Trimmer, Sutherland, VA, two sons, Ronald Bliss, Grand Island, NE and Michael Bliss, Leavenworth, KS, his brother Van Aaron Bliss, Denver, CO and five grandsons.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Lyle Bliss.

John worked for Hallmark Cards for over 39 years, retiring in 1996.

He was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church and a life member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles Aries #55.
The family will receive friends at 9:00 A.M., Tuesday, April 7, 2009 at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 7th and Miami St., Leavenworth, KS followed by funeral services at 10:00 A.M., Tuesday at the church. Burial will follow in the Sunset Memory Gardens Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be given to the American Heart Association, American Cancer Society or St. Paul Lutheran Church. Funeral arrangements conducted by Davis Funeral Chapel, 531 Shawnee St., Leavenworth, KS.

George A. Bollin, Jr. 82, passed away Thursday, May 7, 2009 in Easton, Kansas. George was born in July 29, 1926 in Leavenworth the son of George A. and Rose (LcCaille) Bollin, Sr.

In November of 1955 he married Alice Bowman, she survives him. He is also survived by his son George A. (Butch) Bollin and wife, Linda, Leavenworth, KS, children, Stacey Bollin, Telford, PA, Katie Riemann and Husband Jeff, Wichita, KS, Jeff Bollin and wife Amber and Matt Bollin, all of Leavenworth. One great grandchild, Jaden Bollin, five step grandchildren, seven step great grandchildren including Patience Davis. Son-in-law, Donnie Logan, his children, Pam Klaus and husband Les, Lori Redford, Steve Logan and wife Rhonda, all of Leavenworth, seven great grand children, Lacee, Malorie, Wayne, Taylor, Chelsea, Luke and Keeley.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Betty Jane Logan, one brother and one sister.

George was a 1943 graduate of Immaculata High School. He served in the Merchant Marines from 1944 to 1950 and the U.S. Army from 1951 to 1953.

He worked for the Missouri alley Ship Yards from 1953 to 1962 and the V.A. Medical Center Power Plant from 1963 until retirement. He also farmed in the Kickapoo area from 1953 to 2005 until his health forced him to retire. During that time he maintained water district #2 in Kickapoo.

He was a member of Sacred Heart Church of Kickapoo where he served on the board and maintained the church and cemetery grounds. He was also a member of the St. Joseph Church of Leavenworth.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M., Sunday, May 10, 2009 at the Davis Funeral Chapel. There will be a Rosary held at 6:00 P.M Sunday at the Chapel. Father David McEvoy, O’Carm will officiate.

Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11:00 A.M. Monday, May 11, 2009 at the Sacred heart Church in Kickapoo, KS. Father David McEvoy, O’Carm will officiate. Burial will follow in the Sacred Heart Cemetery, Kickapoo, KS.

Memorial contributions may be given to the Kickapoo Township Fire Department Memorial Fund or the Sacred Heart Cemetery, Kickapoo, KS.

Ronald H. Brown, 68, Tonganoxie, KS, passed away Friday, February 6, 2009. Ron was born March 21, 1940 in Eldon, Mo the son of Homer and Annie Brown. He is survived by his wife of 48 years of marriage Nancy E. Brown.

He is also survived by daughter Judy Fisher and husband Chris - Basehor, KS. Two grandsons Christopher Fisher, II and wife Natalie Topeka, KS Nicholas Fisher and wife Rebecca Lawrence, KS Great grandson Blake Fisher Topeka, KS Two brothers - Robert Brown (Sharon) Bonner Springs, KS Harold Brown (Phyllis) Eldon, MO
Two sisters Louise Russell Farley, MO Helen Hendricks Eldon, MO And several nieces and nephews

Ron was preceded in death by parents, his twin brother Donald Brown, brothers Jim, Claude, Carl and Ernie, 3 sisters Opal Grim, Hazel Willes and Oma Brown.

He was a painter with his brothers Bob and Don, Brown Brothers Contractors, for over 30 years. Visitation will be held from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM Tuesday, February 10, 2009 at the Davis Funeral Chapel, 531 Shawnee St. Leavenworth, KS. Funeral service will begin at 1:00 PM Tuesday, February 10, 2009 at the funeral chapel. Pastor Gene Stowell will officiate. Burial will follow at Sunset Memory Gardens.

Mary H. Conlin, 89, Leavenworth, passed away Thursday, March 19, 2009.

Mary was born March 13, 1920 in Watova, OH the daughter of Fredrick and Mallie (Perry) Downs.

She married Harry Conlin. He preceded her in death.

Survivors include her nephew Fred Downs of Leavenworth and 3 nieces Sandra Downs Seaman of Elma, WA, Deborah Downs Hipps of Idaho Falls, ID and Barbara Fuehrer of Yakima, WA

She was a member of Immaculate Conception Church.

Graveside service will be held at 11:00 AM, Friday, March 27, 2009 at Mount Calvary Cemetery.Fr. Chris Kulig, O.Carm will officiate. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be given to the Council on
Aging.

Kevin J. Donald, 34, lost his 3 ½ year battle with brain cancer on April 28, 2009. Kevin passed away peacefully at home with his family by his side. He was born March 24, 1975, in Leavenworth, KS to Kenneth and Carolyn (Metzger) Donald on his Grandpa Homer’s 60th Birthday.

He attended St. Paul Lutheran School and graduated from Pleasant Ridge High School in 1993. Kevin married Shannon Poff on November 25, 2000.

He is survived by his wife Shannon, son Kaleb, 8, his parents Ken and Carolyn, one brother Jim and his wife Kenwin (Poff), his mother and father-in-law Gene and Debbie Poff, brother and sister-in-law Ronnie and Paula Poff, sister and brother-in-law Sherrie (Poff) and Tim Roberts. Kevin is also survived by his 3 nephews Ryan and Reid Poff and Justin Wisdom and only niece, Karleigh Donald and numerous extended family members.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents Homer and Margaret Metzger and Beach Sr. and Katharn Donald.

Kevin was an over the road truck driver until 2005 and then worked for Leavenworth County as a heavy equipment operator until his health failed.

Kevin enjoyed fishing, canoeing, NASCAR, racing remote control cars, playing pool at Benny’s and spending time with his family.

Visitation will be Thursday, April 30, 2009, 6-8PM at Davis Funeral Chapel. A celebration of his life will begin at 10:00 A.M. Friday, May 1, 2009 at St. Paul Lutheran Church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Kevin Donald Family.

James ”Pat” Patrick Downey, 88, Leavenworth, KS passed away Monday, February 2, 2009 at the Medicalodge of Leavenworth, KS.

Pat was born February 25, 1920 in Leavenworth, KS the son of Patrick and Mary E. (Larkin) Downey. On February 23, 1943 he married Edith Carnoali, she survives him. He is also survived by his daughter, Patricia Lynn Ruebhausen and husband Jerry of Leavenworth, KS. sons, Michael Downey, Leavenworth, KS and Robert Downey and wife (Sandra)of Atchison, KS., grandchildren, Stacy Ballard (Greg), Chole Besperat (Aaron), and Brice Downey, great grandchildren, Ryan and Lilly Ballard, Lauren and Genna Desperat, and two nieces, Mary Jo and Ann.

Preceded in death by his parents and sister, Mary Agnes Waterman.

Pat attended the Old Cathedral Grade School in Leavenworth, graduated from Immaculata High School, Worked at Great Western Manufacturing Co. He enlisted in the Air Force in W.W.II and was a member of the 348 Night Fighter Squadron, serving four years. He then furthered his education under the G.I. Bill. When the Korean War broke out his reserve squadron was the first one recalled to active duty, where he served in the U.S. Navy on the aircraft carrier “The Boxer” in the South Pacific. After serving he returned home and went to work for the United States Federal Penitentiary in Leavenworth, retiring after 23 years of service as a machine shop and maintenance supervisor.

He was a member of the St. Joseph Catholic Church, American Legion, receiving a pin for 58 years Membership, V.F.W., A.A.R.P., N.A.R.F.E., Pat and Edith enjoyed Square Dancing with the Hazel Nutcracker’s Square Dance Club of Leavenworth for 30 years. Pat and Edith were active volunteers for the St. John Hospital Guild for
almost 30 years.

The family will receive friends from 5:30 to 8 P.M Wednesday, February 4, 2009 at the Davis Funeral Chapel. There will be a prayer service at 6 P.M Wednesday at the funeral chapel. Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:00 A.M Thursday, February 5, 2009 at the St. Joseph Catholic Church. Fr. David McEvoy will officiate.
Burial will follow in the Leavenworth National Cemetery, Leavenworth, KS Memorial contributions may be given to Catholic Community Hospice or St. Joseph Church.