Rena Christine (Sjo) Rundquist, 88, passed away May 5, 2015 after a lifetime of joyful years in Saline County. She was born July 22, 1926 to Frank and Esther (Olson) Sjo. Rena was raised on a farm settled by her Swedish ancestors on the western edge of Saline County.
Rena attended the one-room Sunny Valley School with children of Swedish decent. She learned the art of homemaking from her mother (a Kansas State graduate) carrying it through her entire life: handwork, cooking, canning, hostessing and gardening. Three generations of family were avid gardeners, propagating and transplanting prairie flowers and plants, utilizing homemade green houses. Free time was spent out of doors, fishing and swimming in a pond created by their father, picnicking at Horsethief Canyon, and 4-H activities.
Rena attended Falun High School until the beginning of WWII when the Sjos were among 107 farm families required to move for the creation of Camp Phillips army post. Rena transferred to Assaria High School, where she met alumni Ralph Rundquist as he sat in with the basketball pep band.
After graduation, Rena attended Brown Mackie College. She lived with girlfriends while working in the Salina dental practice of Dr. Ralph Cooper.
Rena married Ralph Rundquist, June 2, 1948, after his return from the European war front. They moved to Assaria where Ralph became owner of the Assaria State Bank. Rena embraced small town life and will be remembered for her hard working spirit at the Assaria Lutheran Church, especially as a “church basement lady” which she diligently served into her 80’s. She belonged to EHU, Mother’s Club, Sarah church group, WELCA, PEO, Rainbow Division army auxiliary, Salina Country Club, and was a 4-H leader. Rena and Ralph enjoyed travelling world-wide. She was an avid reader, solved crossword puzzles daily, and enjoyed watching college sports.
Rena was proceeded in death by her parents and husband Ralph, and grandson Richard Rollins; brothers, Dr. John Sjo and Donald Sjo; in-laws, Arvid and Teckla Rundquist, Carl and Geraldine Rundquist, and Harvey Rundquist.
Rena is survived by three daughters: Rev. Ann Rundquist, Overland Park; Eve Boyle and husband Gregg, and Amy Rundquist and husband Max Holthaus, all of Salina. Grandchildren are Genevieve Boyle Brown (Justin), Gretchen Holthaus, Hillary Boyle Martin (Brad), and Joe Rollins. She is survived by her sister, Frances Ingram (Charles); and in-laws Irma Sjo, Richard and Lois Rundquist.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, May 9 at the Assaria Lutheran Church. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial donations to Assaria Lutheran Church.
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Elva Gail Edwards, 93, of Salina, passed away Wednesday, May 6th, at Holiday Resort in Salina. Gail was born in Rural Pottawatomie, Kansas on January 25, 1922, a daughter of the late Florence Ellen (Taylor) and Charles E Cameron.
On Dec. 24, 1946, Gail married Benjamin “Ed” Edwards in Topeka, Kansas.
Gail taught school in a one room school house at Pleasant Hill School in Rural Pottawatomie County, worked as an accountant for KDOT in Topeka, Kansas State University in Manhattan, and KTI in Salina, retiring in 1986. After retirement, Ed and Gail moved to Council Grove City Lake.
Survivors include a daughter, Maylene, widow of Dave Young, of Olathe, Kansas; a son, Doug Edwards and wife, Beth of Salina, Kansas. She is also survived by 4 Grandchildren, Jeff (Jessica) Young, Alan (Katie) Young, Tara Edwards (Miles Piper), Jordan (Jenifer) Edwards; and one great-granddaughter, Haley Young
She is preceded in death by one sister, Bernadine(Lawrence) Teske .
Friends are invited to call Friday 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM at Carlson-Geisendorf Funeral Home in Salina with family present 6:00 – 8:00 PM.
Funeral Services will be held at Irvin-Parkview Funeral Home in Manhattan, Kansas at 10:00 am on Saturday, May 9th, with Pastor Jim Kiker officiating. Graveside Services will follow at Wamego City Cemetery in Wamego.
In Lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Council Grove Lake Association, in care of Carlson-Geisendorf Funeral Home, 500 S. Ohio, Salina, Kansas 67401.
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Harold Duane Trapp, 83, of Salina, Kansas, passed away Tuesday, May 5, 2015.
Harold was born in Westfall, Kansas on March 23, 1932, a son of the late Faye (Dimmick) and William Trapp. He worked for Tony’s Pizza and he and his wife ran the Dam Sandwich Shop at Kanopolis Lake.
Survivors include his wife, Brenda (Matwick) Trapp of the home; three daughters, Deborah Trapp, of Topeka, Kansas; Lana Earnhardt, and husband Larry, of North Carolina; Kandace Trapp, of Topeka, Kansas; and 3 Grandchildren, 2 Great-grandsons.
There will be no visitation as cremation has taken place.
Friends and family are invited to attend a reception Friday, May 8th at the VFW Post #1432 in Salina from 1:00 PM – 3:30 PM