Minnis Chapel Inc

04/10/2026

04/08/2026

Ellinwood, KS

Phyllis Marie (Alpers) Miller, 94, of Ellinwood passed away peacefully at Ellinwood Country Living on April 6, 2026. She was born June 22, 1931, to Elmer Leo and Laura Matilda (Hullman) Alpers at St. Rose Hospital in Great Bend. Phyllis attended German Valley Grade School, graduated from Hudson High School in 1949, and Hutchinson Community Junior College. After college, she taught 1st through 3rd grades at Wheatland School, District 105 south of Ellinwood for two years. Phyllis married George Miller Jr. at Peace United Church in Hudson on May 29, 1954. They enjoyed 65 years together on their farm in rural Ellinwood. He passed away July 3, 2019. Phyllis’ faith and positive attitude never wavered despite the valleys in her life from losing son, Kelly Miller; grandson, Colin Miller; siblings, Wayne “Red” Alpers, Florene Kallaus, and Robert Alpers; niece, Jill Alpers; and numerous Alpers and Hullman cousins and close friends. Phyllis was a longtime member of St. John Lutheran Church, Ellinwood. She joined when she married George. In addition, she was a member of Lutheran Woman’s Missionary League, Church Altar Guild, charter member of Tri-Circle Club (which started shortly after Kelly was born), Ellinwood Historical Society, Ellinwood Heritage Club, Barton Farm Bureau, Ellinwood Chamber of Commerce, and the Barton County Cougar Foundation. Phyllis and George were proud to be part of the Ellinwood Community, always wanting to support and give back to their community to ensure it thrived. They were named the outstanding citizens of Ellinwood one year and served as the grand Marshalls of the After Harvest Parade. They loved antiques, owning the local antique shop “Our Mother’s Treasures” for 10 years. In addition, at onetime, they owned eight buildings in Ellinwood and were former part-owners of the Ellinwood Underground Tunnels, with Phyllis volunteering to give tunnel tours. Phyllis loved to play cards, and took pride in her immaculate home. Every year, Phyllis would put out a large garden, growing lots of cucumbers, which she would make and can pickles-sweet, dill, and red. Phyllis and George were blessed to have many close friends they enjoyed traveling with to various states. Every winter, for 20 years, they looked forward to venturing with friends to Laughlin, NV.

Survivors include grandson, Saul Miller and wife Colbi; her two precious great-granddaughters, Brooke Monet and Blaire Marie Miller; daughter in law, Fawnia Miller, all of Ellinwood; sisters-in-
laws, Dorothy Lester and Pat Conner; cousins, Marion Alpers, Jerry Tieperman, and Marvin Sittner; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Funeral Service will be 2:00 p.m. Friday, April 10, 2026, at St. John Lutheran Church, 512 N. Wilhelm Avenue, Ellinwood, with Pastor Kenton Abbott officiating. Burial will follow in Lakin-Comanche Cemetery, Ellinwood. Friends may call from 12:00 to 6:00 p.m. Thursday, with the family present from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Minnis Chapel, 113 N. Main St., Ellinwood.
Memorials are suggested to Ellinwood Country Living, St. John Lutheran Church, or Peace Church, Hudson, in care of Minnis Chapel, PO Box 246, Ellinwood, KS 67526. Condolences may be left at www.minnischapel.org The family wishes to thank Gentiva and the staff at Ellinwood Country Living for all their love and support given to Phyllis.

04/01/2026

Joseph Leonard Birzer
November 2, 1944 – March 1, 2026

Joseph “Joe” Leonard Birzer, 81, of Maize, Kansas, passed away in his home on March 1, 2026, on what would have been the 57th anniversary of his marriage to his beloved wife, Marilyn. Joe was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend, known for his quiet strength, generosity, and lifelong ability to fix and build just about anything. Joe was born on November 2, 1944, in Great Bend, Kansas, to Catherine Wendel Birzer and Robert Birzer. He was raised in Ellinwood, Kansas, alongside his four sisters: Bobbie, Judith, Donna, and Sandra. Growing up as the only boy in a house full of sisters helped shape his caring and steady nature. After graduating from Ellinwood High School, Joe served in the United States Air Force. While stationed in Wichita Falls, Texas, he met Marilyn Jo Bell. They were married on March 1, 1969, beginning a loving partnership that lasted a lifetime. Joe earned a degree in Electrical Engineering Technology from Kansas State University. He and Marilyn made their home in Harper, Kansas, where they raised their two children, Corrinne and Jeremy . Joe worked as an Electrical Distribution Engineer, dedicating his career to serving his community. Joe had a lifelong appreciation for staying active and involved. He enjoyed cycling and swimming and was a hands- on, devoted father who was always present and engaged with his children. He also had a deep love of astronomy, often taking his children out to view the night sky. In retirement, he volunteered at Lake Afton Observatory, participated in the Kansas Astronomical Observers, and spent time at Make ICT, sharing his knowledge and love of learning with others. Joe was known for his willingness to help anyone in need, his knack for repairing anything, and his love of storytelling. He enjoyed gaining an understanding of how things worked and helping others do the same.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Marilyn Bell Birzer; and his sisters, Bobbie Birzer Oberle and Donna Birzer Jones. He is survived by his daughter, Corrinne Birzer, and grandson Octavio Chiunti Birzer; his son, Jeremy Birzer, daughter-in-law Sandra Willson Birzer, and grandsons Brennan and Karsen Birzer; and sisters Judith Birzer Komarek and Sandra Birzer Choitz; and many extended family members and friends.

Memorial services will take place on Sat., April 11th at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Ellinwood with Rosary at 10:00 a.m. and Mass starting at 10:30 a.m followed by a graveside at Lakin-Comanche Cemetery, Ellinwood. A meal for family and close friends will follow the graveside service at St. Joseph Parish Center. Memorials are suggested to MakeITC of Wichita or Lake Afton Public Observatory in care of Minnis Chapel, PO Box 246, Ellinwood, KS 67526.

03/09/2026

Ellinwood, KS

Patricia (Pat) Ann Rager, 84, passed away at Ellinwood Country Living on the 6th of March 2026. Born in Columbus GA on November 21st, 1941, she was the daughter of Jesse Blanford Holiman and Lillian Gaynell Roberts Holiman, Yelverton. After high school Pat attended Milledgeville Business College, an all-girls college in Milledgeville Georgia. Pat married Robert G Rager on November 8th, 1979, in Columbus GA. Pat’s career with the US Government extended 46 years in different capacities. During her career, she traveled to several US locations and a few abroad. Patricia loved to bowl and competed throughout the years in various leagues and tournaments even making it to Nationals one year. Pat called Ellinwood KS home for the past 3 years after moving there from Junction City, KS. She previously lived in Colorado Springs, CO, Cheyenne, WY, Rapid City, SD, and Columbus, GA.
Patricia is survived by her son Christopher Michael Burgess, daughter Donna Robin Halzle, two grandchildren and three great grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her husband Robert G Rager, grandson Christopher Lee Reagan, sister Lillian Ladell Holiman Zimmer, brother Blandford Ray Holiman, and brother Charles Wayne Yelverton. Cremation and a private family interment beside her husband Robert will take place at the Black Hills National Cemetery in Sturgis, SD at a later date. Memorial service will take place Sat., Apr. 18th 3:00 PM at Minnis Chapel in Ellinwood, KS.

Memorials are suggested to Ellinwood Country Living in care of Minnis Chapel, PO Box 246, Ellinwood, KS, 67526. Condolences to the family may be left at www.minnischapel.org

03/03/2026

Ellinwood, KS
Ann Marie Kimmel, 94, passed away at Country Living in Lyons, KS on February 28, 2026. Born in Kingman, KS on March 6th, 1931 she was the daughter of Francis and Maude (Anderson) McEvoy. She married Elster Erwin Kimmel in Kingman, KS on Nov. 23, 1949 he passed away May 9, 2017. Ann worked as a tailor for JC Pennies in Great Bend, KS for nearly 15 years. She enjoyed many hobbies including working with stained glass.
Survivors include daughters, Diana (Dan) Soeken, Ellinwood, KS and Colleen Turcotte, Great Bend, KS; Grandchildren, Dana Haynes, Dedra Goodenough; Great-Grandchildren, Corbin Lawrence, Dilana Goodenough, Caden Goodenough, Elsie Haynes; Great-Great-Grandchildren, Rhett and Lane Lawrence. She was preceded in death by husband, Elster Erwin Kimmel; and Sister, Teresa Grennan.
Memorial service will be 10:00 AM, Tuesday, March 10th at Minnis Chapel in Ellinwood, KS with Father Bob Pinninti officiating. Inurnment of Elster and Ann will follow the service at Lakin-Comanche Cemetery in Ellinwood, KS. Memorials are suggested to St. John Lutheran Church Altar Guild in care of Minnis Chapel, PO Box 246, Ellinwood, KS 67526. Condolences may be left at

01/15/2026

Yvonne Marie Brenn, 101, of Ellinwood, KS. Yvonne Marie McCullough was born on August 23, 1924, to Herbert and Genevieve McCullough in Minneapolis, KS. As a young girl, her parents moved to Ellinwood, KS, so her father could assume the position of Chief Engineer at the Ellinwood Electric Plant. She graduated from Ellinwood High School in May 1942.
She attended secretarial school at Hutchinson Technical School,
Hutchinson, KS, where she met James Stevenson, a naval officer stationed there. They married in 1944. Yvonne moved with her husband to Corpus Christi, TX, while he served as a naval pilot in the South Pacific during World War II. Later, she moved back to Ellinwood and raised her daughter, Jamee, and cared for her parents as they aged.
She worked for both Republic Natural Gas and then the City of Ellinwood as a secretary before eventually entering the banking industry. She retired as an Assistant Vice President at Peoples State Bank of Ellinwood.
In 1987, she married Clarence Brenn, whom she described as the love of her life. He passed away less than a year into their marriage. She remained close to his daughter, Sharon DeBusk, and her family over the years, which helped keep his memory alive.
Independent as she had always been, Yvonne lived alone until the age of 93, finding joy in her church, friends, and family. She was a past officer and active with both the Ellinwood Community Historical Society and Eastern Star. She later resided at Woodhaven Care Center in Ellinwood, KS, and then at Azria in Great Bend, KS, until her death.
She is survived by her daughter, Jamee (Larry, deceased) Dannebohm; her grandchildren, Jon (Erin) Dannebohm, Laura (Charles Cercone) Dannebohm, and foreign exchange granddaughter Hanka (Bas) Borst Brouns; two great-granddaughters, Miriam Atteberry and Hannah Atteberry; two step-great-granddaughters, Ashley (Ben) Blair and Courtney Seever; and five great-great-grandchildren, Elijah, Doutzen, Thea, Layla, and Ella. She was preceded in death by her son-in-law, Larry Dannebohm, and step-great-grandson, Cody Seever.
Memorial service will be Monday, March 9th at 11 AM at Ellinwood Comminity Church. Memorials are suggested to Ellinwood Historical Society or Ellinwood Community Church in care of Minnis Chapel, PO Box 246, Ellinwood, KS. Condolences may be left at www.minnischapel.org

01/13/2026

Marian J. Witcraft, 101, passed away at Ellinwood District Hospital in Ellinwood, KS on Jan. 13, 2026. Born in Staunton, IL on Sept. 10, 1924 she was the daughter of Walter Paul and Edna Bley (Williams) McAfee. Marian graduated from high school in Fairfax, OK before moving to Kansas where she lived in Russell and Great Bend before making her home in Ellinwood where she stayed for over 70 years. Throughout the years Marian worked at Marlette Mobile Homes and the Sears store in Great Bend before finding her calling as a babysitter. She developed close ties with these children throughout the years and came to be an honorary Grandmother or “Mimi” to many kids. Marian also loved to read, needle working, and chocolate. She loved to root on her beloved Jayhawks, Chiefs, Royals, and Wildcats. Former memberships include Grove Park Golf Club, former Methodist Church in Ellinwood and former UCC Church in Ellinwood.
Survivors include son, William P. Witcraft (Carol), Dallas, TX; Daughters, Debra L. Witcraft, Ellinwood, KS and Pamela K. Witcraft (Jim Harrison), Sheridan, WY. Other survivors include many beloved honorary Grandchildren. She was preceded in death by siblings, Helyn M. Haun, Donald E. McAfee, and Oseil McAfee.
Funeral service will take place 10:30 AM, Sat., Jan. 17 at Minnis Chapel in Ellinwood. Visitation will take place 1-7 PM Fri., Jan. 16 with family present from 5-7 PM. Interment will follow at Lakin-Comanche Cemetery in Ellinwood, KS. In lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to Ellinwood Hospital ER or Ellinwood Public Education and Library Foundation in care of Minnis Chapel, Po Box 246, Ellinwood, KS 67526. Condolences may be left at www.minnischapel.org

01/12/2026

Ellinwood, KS

Yvonne Marie Brenn, 101, passed away on January 10th, 2026 at Azria Woodhaven in Great Bend, KS. Services are pending with Minnis Chapel in Ellinwood, KS.

01/05/2026

Ellinwood, KS

Raymond Gene Kinsey, 83, passed away at Ellinwood District Hospital on Jan. 2, 2026. Born May 5, 1942 in Quincy, KS the son of Marion James and Lotta Mae (Acord) Kinsey. Raymond graduated from Fort Collins High School in 1961 and later served in the US Army National Guard for 6 years. He married Helen R. (Sexton) Kinsey Dec. 15, 1962 and during 34 years of marriage welcomed 5 children. After they divorced they remained quite close. He began working at age 14 for his dad at K & S Well Service in El Dorado and then as a truck driver. Later in life Raymond became an HVAC Specialist where he worked in Wichita and Newton. A 30 year resident of Wichita, Raymond moved to Ellinwood in 2024 to be closer to his children. He loved spending time with his family and enjoyed the annual Acord-Kinsey reunions, hunting, fishing and camping. He also loved Fat Ernies, Nascar and his Dallas Cowboys.

Survivors include children, Catharine J. (John) Crosby, Charles E. (Mitzi) Kinsey, Tonya R. (Stacy) Pike, James W. (Carla) Kinsey; Sisters, Mary Lou Young, Cora Rein, and Charlotte Reece; 19 Grandchildren; 32 Great-Grandchildren, and 2 Great-Great Grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his Parents, Marion and Marge Kinsey, Daniel and Lotta Potter; Siblings, Richard Kinsey, Lois Huntington, and Vicky Larson; and beloved Daughter, Sheila R. (Kinsey) Shaw.

Memorial service will be Feb. 7th at 11:00 at Minnis Chapel with Pastor John Radenberg officiating. There will no graveside or visitation. Memorials are suggested to: THE AMERICAN LUNG ASSOCIATION or ELLINWOOD DISTRICT HOSPITAL in care of Minnis Chapel, PO Box 246, Ellinwood, KS 67526. Condolences may be left at www.minnischapel.org

01/03/2026

Raymond Gene Kinsey, 83, passed away at Ellinwood District Hospital on Jan. 2, 2026. Cremation will take place and services will be scheduled at a later time. Full obituary to come.

The loss of a loved one can leave you with a lot of unanswered questions, feelings of stress and anxiety and grief that makes events difficult to handle. The experienced funeral directors at Minnis Chapel Inc. will guide you through the aspects of the funeral service with compassion, dignity and res...

12/24/2025

Ellinwood, KS

Elaine Frances Wendel, 65, passed away at Ellinwood District Hospital on Dec. 23, 2025. Born in Great Bend, KS on Nov. 4, 1960 to parents Frank A. Jr. and Margaret Cecelia (Bahr) Wendel. A graduate of Ellinwood High School in 1979, Barton Co. Community College in 1981, and last Kansas State University in 1983 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Admin. After college she worked as a Medical Tech at Hutchinson Hospital. Later she worked as an accountant for H & B Petroleum, Turner & Boisseau Law Firm, Turner Farms, and ASCS in St. John, KS. Memberships include St. Joseph Catholic Church and Altar society, Ellinwood Historical Society, and Ellinwood Heritage Club. Elaine also was a longtime blood donor.

Survivors include many Cousins on both sides; Nephews John and Daniel Csencsits, Phoenix, AZ; Niece, Denise Csencsits, Phoenix, AZ; Sister, Dorothy (Ron) Ochnser, Oregon. Elaine was preceded in death by her parents and Sister, Lois Csencsits and Brother-in-law, John Csencsits.

Memorial Mass will take place 10:30 AM, Tues., Dec. 30th at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Ellinwood, KS with Father Aneesh Parappanattu and Father Pascal Klein officiating. Inurnment will follow at Lakin-Comanche Cemetery in Ellinwood, KS. Visitation will take place 3-7 PM, Mon., Dec. 29th with Altar Society Rosary at 3 PM at Minnis Chapel. Memorials are suggested to Ellinwood Heritage Club Senior Center or American Cancer Society in care of Minnis Chapel, PO Box 246, Ellinwood, KS 67526.

12/23/2025

Ellinwood, KS

Elaine Frances Wendel, 65, passed away on Dec. 23, 2025 at Ellinwood Hospital. Services are pending.