March 31, 2004 The ADVOCATE Serving Anderson, Southern Franklin and Western Linn Counties Volume 8, No. 25 Transcribed with permission of Vern Brown Page 5, Column 1: “Etta Blanche Smith Dahlgren Funeral services for Etta Blanche Smith Dahlgren, 91, Kansas City, KS, formerly of Richmond, KS, were Thursday, March 25, 2004, at 11:00 a.m. at Joseph A. Butler and Son Funeral Home, Kansas City, KS. Interment was at 2:30 p.m. on Thursday in Richmond Cemetery. Mrs. Smith died Sunday, March 21, at her home. Etta Blanche Smith Dahlgren was born in Richmond, the daughter of Charles A. and Sarah (Featherston) Smith. In her childhood, she joined the Methodist Church in Richmond. She graduated from Richmond grade and high schools. She attended Baker University in Baldwin City, KS, and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from Kansas State Teachers College in Emporia, KS. Her Master’s Degree in education was earned at Columbia University in New York. Most post graduate work was completed at various universities. Mrs. Dahlgren began a long and distinguished teacher career, teaching grades one through eight in the rural schools of Franklin County, KS. She continued teaching 45 years in elementary schools in Richmond, Highland Park, KS, Topeka, KS, Salina, KS, and Kansas City, KS. Twenty-four of those years were spent as principal of Frances Willard Elementary School in Kansas City, KS. Through the years, she served as president of the Kansas State Teacher Association, chairman of the Kansas State Teacher Education and Professional Standards Commission, and chairman of the KTSA Centennial Committee. Etta Blanche was a life member of the National Education Association, was a Master Builder of the Kansas State Teachers Association, was a member of the Elementary Principals Association, and was a life member of the P.T.A. She was a former Kansas Teacher of the Year and was a member of the Kansas Teachers Hall of Fame in Dodge City, KS, as well as a former president of the Delta Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma. After retiring from teaching, Etta Blanche was president of the Wyandotte County Area Teachers Association, and was president and district director of the Kansas Retired Teachers Association. As a member of the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), she served as district director, assistant state director, and as a member of the State Legislative Committee. Mrs. Dahlgren was a member of the Victory Hill Church of the Nazarene in Kansas City, KS. Etta Blanche and Carl Dahlgren were married in 1969. He preceded her in death on January 30, 1996. Mrs. Dahlgren was also preceded in death by her sister, Kathryn Charlotte Wilcox, on May 18, 2001; and her parents, Charles and Sarah Smith. Etta Blanche is survived by several cousins and many friends. Memorial contributions may be made to the United Methodist Community Church, Richmond, KS, or the Agriculture Hall of Fame, 630 North 126th Street, Bonner Springs, KS 66012. Joseph A. Butler and Son, Kansas City, KS, was in charge of arrangements.” Page 5, Column 2: “Leslie Luedke Funeral services for Leslie Luedke, 73, were Wednesday, March 24, 2004, at 2:00 p.m. at Waugh-Yokum & Friskel Memorial Chapel, Iola, KS. Interment was at the Colony Cemetery. Mr. Luedke died Friday night, March 18, at Concordia Care Center, Bella Vista, AR, following a long illness. Mr. Luedke was preceded in death by his parents Charles J. and Estella Luedke, Colony; and a sister and her husband, Clara and Floyd Paul, Welda. Leslie is survived by his wife, Waunita, of the home, two sons and their spouses, Vic and Helen, Billings, MT; Bruce and Stephanie, Houston, TX; five grandchildren, seven brothers and their spouses, Robert and Ruth, Wayne and Twila, Morris and Allene, and Stanley, all of Colony; Keith and Delores, and Norman and Bonna Lea, both of Atwood, KS, Kenneth and Helen, Troy, KS, and one sister, Doris and her husband Jack, Atwood, KS. The family requests memorials to the Heart Association or Victory United Methodist Church in Guymon, OK.” “Esther W. Sywassink 1912-2004 Funeral services for Esther W. Sywassink, 91, Garnett, were Thursday, March 25, 2004, at 2:00 p.m. at Garnett First United Methodist Church with Rev. Gary Benjamin officiating. Interment was in Garnett Cemetery. Memorial services were held in Muscatine, IA, at Wesley United Methodist Church on Saturday, March 27, at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Hal Green officiating. Miss Sywassink died Monday, March 23, 2004, at St. Luke’s South Hospital, Overland Park, KS. Esther W. Sywassink was born November 12, 1912, at Muscatine, IA, the daughter of Benjamin and Jenny (Bruggers) Sywassink. She moved to Garnett in the early 1950’s and was a domestic care giver for the elderly and young children. Esther was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Builders Sunday School Class, and the American Legion Auxiliary, all of Garnett; the A.A.R.P., and was a former member of Wesley United Methodist Church in Muscatine, IA. Miss Sywassink was preceded in death by her parents, Benjamin and Jenny Sywassink; her brothers, Benjamin, James, John, and David; and her sisters, Della, Johanna, Gertrude, and Mary. Esther is survived by her brothers, Albert Sywassink, Wilton, IA, and Harry Sywassink, Muscatine, IA, and her sister, Myrta Kaufman, Muscatine, IA; and many nieces and nephews. Music was provided by Joyce Hardesty, organist, and Scott Schulte, vocalist. Musical selections included “In The Garden” and “How Great Thou Art”. Casketbearers were Ron Anderegg, Earl Lizer, Eldon Pontious, Don Smith, Jim Sobba, and Ken Weide. Memorial contributions may be made to the Builders Sunday School Class of the First United Methodist Church. Farris-Feuerborn Memorial Chapel was in charge of arrangements.” Page 5, Column 3: “Dennis Callahan, Jr. 1924-2004 Funeral Mass for Dennis Callahan, Jr., 79, Garnett, was Thursday, March 25, 2004, at 10:00 a.m. at Holy Angels Catholic Church with Father George Matz and Father Tony Blaufuss officiating. Interment was in Holy Angels Cemetery with military graveside services by Garnett VFW Post #6397 and American Legion Fuller-Thompson Post #48. Mr. Callahan died Monday, March 22, at his home. Dennis Callahan, Jr. was born June 24, 1924, at Kansas City, KS, the son of Dennis Callahan, Sr. and Mary (Smercheck) Callahan. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in April, 1943, and served with the 4th Marine Division, participating in the invasion of Saipan, Tinian, and Iwo-Jima. He was honorably discharged December, 1945. At Iwo-Jima, he was in the first wave with an amphibian tractor. Following his military service, he was in the oil drilling business and farming, raising cattle and horses. In the late 1980’s, Dennis started Callahan Transportation and drove until his health began to fail a year ago. He was an honorary member of the Knights of Columbus, General James H. Shields Council No. 1368. Dennis and Phyllis J. Teter were married December 26, 1947, at Garnett. Mr. Callahan was preceded in death by his granddaughter, Carissa D. Callahan; his parents, Dennis Callahan, Sr. and Mary Callahan; and his brother-in-law, Dale Kelley. Dennis is survived by his wife, Phyllis, of the home; his sons, Michael Callahan and his wife, Joyce, Baldwin City, KS, Patrick Callahan, Garnett, and Ronald Callahan, Kingston, OK; his grandchildren, Eric Callahan, Chris Callahan and his wife, Michelle, Cody Callahan, Wesley Callahan, and Courtney Callahan; his brother, Harold Callahan and his wife, Jan, Randolph, KS; his sister, Mary Ellen Kelley, Plano, TX; three nieces and two nephews. Music was provided by Laura Parks, organist, and Scott Schulte, soloist. Musical selections included “Prayer of St. Francis”, “Here I Am, Lord”, “On Eagle’s Wings”, and “How Great Thou Art”. Casketbearers were Chris Callahan, Cody Callahan, Courtney Callahan, Eric Callahan, Michelle Callahan, and Wesley Callahan. The family greeted friends following a Wake Service at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 24 at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to Holy Angels Church. Farris-Feuerborn Memorial Chapel was in charge of arrangements.” Transcribed for Anderson County Kansas USGENWEB By: Lulu B. Nixon