Minnis Chapel Inc

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.

12/14/2025

Ellinwood, KS
Lucky Malone Baker, 26, passed away on Dec. 13, 2025 in Ellinwood, KS. Born in Great Bend, KS on Apr. 15, 1999 he was the son of Greggory and Susan Baker. A lifetime Ellinwood resident Lucky attended Ellinwood HS graduating in 2017 where he went on to work as a mechanic.

Survivors include parents, Greggory and Susan (Ramsey) Baker; siblings, Bob Baker, Michael Baker, Chance Baker, Destin Baker, Heratio Baker, and Layla Baker. Additional survivors include 6 nieces and 3 nephews. Lucky was preceded in death by grandparents, William and Irene Baker; Uncles, Howard Baker and Dewayne Mick; and Aunt, Verna Collins.

Memorial service will take place 10:30 AM, Thurs., Dec. 18th at St. John Lutheran Church in Ellinwood, KS with Rev. Kenton Abbott officiating. There will be no visitation or inurnment. In lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to funeral expenses in care of Minnis Chapel, PO Box 246, Ellinwood, KS 67526. Condolences may be left at www.minnischapel.org

12/06/2025

Ellinwood, KS
Sherry Ann Littrel, passed away surrounded by loved ones on Dec. 5th, 2025. Born on May 23, 1940 in Marshall, MO she was the daughter of Frances (Summers) and George VanSteenburg. She worked as a Dispatcher for Transport Express in Dodge City, KS and former member of Nazarene Church in Dodge City, KS. Sherry married Billy Littrel at St. John Lutheran Church in Ellinwood on Sept. 13, 1957. They were married for over 60 years before he passed away Aug. 8th, 2018. She was also preceded in death by son, Dudley Eugene Littrel Jan. 22,2020; and brother in law, Robert Littrel.

Survivors include son, Shawn Edward Littrel, Newton, KS; daughter, Tina Marie Branscom, Turon, KS; 19 grandchildren & 27 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great grandson.

Funeral service will take place at Cavalry Baptist Church in Ellinwood, KS 10:00 AM on Thurs., Dec. 11th with Pastor Tom Walters officiating. Interment will follow at Lakin-Comanche Cemetery in Ellinwood, KS. Visitation will take place Wed., Dec. 10th from 1-7 PM with family present from 5-7PM. Memorials are suggested to Cavalry Baptist Church, Ellinwood in care of Minnis Chapel, PO Box 246, Ellinwood, KS 67526.

12/05/2025

Ellinwood, KS

Sherry Ann Littrel passed away on December 5th, 2025 surrounded by loved ones. Services will be scheduled soon with full obituary to come.

11/05/2025

Ellinwood, KS
Catherine JoAnn Wyatt, 94, passed away at home in rural Ellinwood, KS on Nov. 4, 2025. Born on June 20, 1931 in Kansas City, KS she was the daughter of Edward Chester and Violet Edna (Pate) Hoffman. She married Clifford E. Gray in 1951 and later Roger L. Wyatt in 1974. Catherine worked as a monitor at Easton Bus Service in Leavenworth County, Kansas. A resident of Ellinwood since 2020 she was a member of St. John Lutheran Church in Ellinwood, KS.

Survivor includes son, Carl E. Gray Ellinwood, KS. Catherine was preceded in death by husbands, Clifford E. Gray and later Roger L. Wyatt; son, Clifford E. Gray; and daughter, Cathy M. Rieken.

Private graveside services will take place at Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery at a later date. Memorials are suggested to Alzheimer's Association or American Heart Association in care of Minnis Chapel, PO Box 246, Ellinwood, KS 67526. Condolences may be left at www.minnischapel.org

11/01/2025

Curtis Norman Schmidt, 85, passed away in Ellinwood, KS on October 31, 2025. Born January 28, 1940 in Great Bend, KS to parents Edward C. and Shirley E. (Sutton) Schmidt. Curtis attended Rural Banner then graduated from Chase High School in 1958 soon after he joined the United States Marines where he was stationed at Camp Pendleton in San Diego for 5 years. Curtis worked construction in CA and TX. Later he worked abroad in Saudi Arabia for a year and Haiti for two years also in construction. Curtis later spent 5 years working for Dowell. In Kansas he worked 30 years at feedlots in Ellinwood, St. John, and Pratt. A resident of Pratt for 10 years he moved to Ellinwood in 2018 where he always had a friendly wave and enjoyed spending time at the American Legion and Senior Center with close friends.

Curtis loved riding/roping and working with horses. He was a horseman through and through and was an expert at cutting cattle on horseback. Memberships include American Legion member since 1964 in Great Bend, Pratt, and Ellinwood and Odin Saddle Club.

Survivors include Siblings, Margaret Snyder, Choctaw, OK, Debby (Larry) Steffan, Chase, KS, Doug (Michelle) Schmidt, Garden City, KS, Denice (James) Sledd, Chase, KS and numerous Nieces and Nephews. He was preceded in death by his Parents; Son, Curtis Schimidt Jr (2019); Sister, Martha Kassin; and Brother in law, Byron Snyder.

Graveside service with military honors will take place 11 AM, Saturday, November 8th at Lakin-Comanche Cemetery in Ellinwood, KS with Pastor Samuel Ryan officiating. There will be no visitation. Memorials are suggested to Ellinwood Food Bank or American Legion Post #320 in care of Minnis Chapel, Po Box 246, Ellinwood, KS 67526. Condolences may be left at www.minnischapel.org