Irv and LaVergne (Kobler) Hardman
Albertine LaVergne Kobler, daughter of Albert and Anna Kobler, was born on March 19, 1917, in Morland, KS. She died on 10 Feb 2013 in Lawrence, KS. She married Irv Hardman on July 23, 1938, in Morland, KS. He was born on July 23, 1916. He died on Feb. 4, 1995 in Hill City, KS. Irv and LaVergne are both buried in Hill City Cemetery, Hill City, KS.
Photos
A photo slide show was created by Stewart Harley here in memory of LaVergne Kobler Hardman.
Need some more photos here …
Also stories of their lives …
LaVergne (Kobler) Hardman Obituary
Albertine LaVergne (Kobler) Hardman, 95, Lawrence, died Sunday, Feb. 10, 2013, at Lawrence Memorial Hospital.
She was born March 19, 1917, in Morland to Albert James and Anna Jane (Davis) Kobler.
She married Irv Hardman on July 23, 1938, in Morland. He preceded her in death Feb. 4, 1995. She was a homemaker.
Survivors include two sons, Blaine Hardman, Westmoreland, and Doug Hardman, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico; three daughters, Debbie Harley, Ashville, N.C., Nancy Hardman, Lawrence, and Mindy Loveless, Lyndon; a sister, Phyllis Madden, Rose Hill; 11 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by two infant children, Rebecca and Gregory.
Services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at United Methodist Church, Hill City; burial in Hill City Cemetery.
Family will receive friends from 8:30 to 10 a.m. Thursday at the church.
Memorials are suggested to Hill City United Methodist Church or Lawrence Memorial Hospital Endowment for Palliative Care in care of Stinemetz Funeral Home, Hill City.
Ruben and Lorrayne (Kobler) Deines
Lorrayne Kobler, daughter of Albert and Anna Kobler, was born on 1 Nov 1919 in Logan, KS. She died on 8 Feb 2013 in WaKeeney, KS. She married Ruben Deines on 23 Jan 1938 in WaKeeney, KS. He was born on Feb. 21, 1914. He died on 11 Jan 2001 in WaKeeney, KS. Ruben and Lorrayne are both buried in WaKeeney City Cemetery.
Photos
Ruben and Lorrayne Kobler Deines
Lorrayne (Kobler) Deines Obituary
(November 1, 1919 – February 8, 2013)
Lorrayne K. (Kobler) Deines, age 93 of WaKeeney, passed away Friday, February 8, 2013 at Trego County Lemke Memorial Hospital, WaKeeney. She was born November 1, 1919 in Logan, Kansas, the daughter of Albert James and Anna Jane (Davis) Kobler. 
Lorrayne graduated with the class of 1937, from Morland High School, then went on to attend Fort Hays State University. Lorrayne Kobler married Ruben Deines on January 23, 1938 at the Immanuel Lutheran Church of WaKeeney. He preceded her in death on January 11, 2001. They enjoyed nearly 63 years of marriage together. If anyone knew anything about Lorrayne, they knew she was a wonderfully talented cook, who was famous for “Maca’s Sheet Cake”. She loved to make blankets for family and friends. Lorrayne enjoyed gardening, and canning what she grew. She was an avid Royals baseball fan. She was very generous with her time in giving to her community. To mention a few things, she was a Grand 4th Messenger for Job’s Daughters, a 4-H Leader for many years, and was a District Aide for the Eastern Star. Lorrayne cherished her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She would try her hardest to be found in the crowd supporting her grandchildren and great-grandchildren’s sporting events.
She will be missed by many friends and family, including: one son Tom (Susie) Deines of Hutchinson; two daughters Karla (Leary) Johnson of WaKeeney and Leslie (Kevin) Owen of Laurie, Missouri; two sisters LaVergne Hardman (who just passed away Sunday, February 10, 2013) of Lawrence, and Phyllis Madden of Rose Hill; a sister-in-law Ruth Scott of WaKeeney; eleven grandchildren Bradley Johnson, Brent Johnson, Blair Johnson, Tammy Deines – Clouston, Troy Gaston, Stacy Gaston Cahoon, Derek Deines, Melanie Deines Bugner, C.J. Deines, Amanda Owen, and Allison Owen; and fifteen great-grandchildren Ryan Johnson, Katie Johnson Bunker, Cole Johnson, Emily Johnson, Ian Johnson, Luke Johnson, Rane Deines, Roslynne Deines, Teagan Kohles, Kenzie Gaston, Dak Deines, Tyler Bugner, Hayden Bugner, Bailey Bugner and Drew Bugner. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, a son Alan Deines, a grandson Tim Deines, and a great-grandson Connor Johnson.
Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, February 13, 2013 at the First United Methodist Church of WaKeeney with Pastor Larry Danforth officiating. Burial will be in the WaKeeney City Cemetery.
Visitation will be Tuesday evening from 5 to 7 at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions are suggested to the First United Methodist Church of WaKeeney or the Trego County Lemke Memorial Hospital Endowment Fund and may be sent in care of Schmitt Funeral Home, 336 North 12th St., WaKeeney, KS 67672.
Ruben Deines Obituary
WaKEENEY – Ruben Deines, 86, died Jan. 11, 2001, at his home.
He was born Feb. 21, 1914, at WaKeeney, the son of Solomon Sr. and Katharina Karst Deines. He was a 1932 graduate of Trego Community High School and a graduate of Hebron Junior College, Hebron, Neb. A lifetime WaKeeney-area resident, he was a farmer, stockman and a self-employed building contractor, retiring in 1991.
He belonged to First United Methodist Church, was a member of the Masonic Lodge AF & AM No. 148, Order of Eastern Star Margaret Chapter No. 249, Trego County Historical Society and the Big Creek Recreation, all at WaKeeney.
On Jan. 23, 1938, he married Lorrayne Kobler at WaKeeney. She survives.
Other survivors include: a son, Tom, Hutchinson; two daughters, Karla Johnson, WaKeeney, and Leslie Owen, Laurie, Mo.; two brothers, Solomon Jr., Liberal, and Raymond, WaKeeney; a sister, Ruth Scott, WaKeeney; 10 grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and three step-great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by a son, Alan Deines; three brothers, Bernhardt, Sieghardt and Ernest Deines; and a sister, Martha Karst.
Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Monday at First United Methodist Church, WaKeeney, with the Rev. Tod Anthony presiding. Friends may call from 2 to 8 p.m. Sunday, with the family present to greet friends from 6 to 8 p.m., at Schmitt Funeral Home, WaKeeney. Burial will be in WaKeeney City Cemetery, with Masonic graveside rites by Masonic Lodge AF & AM No. 148, WaKeeney.
Memorials may be sent to the Trego Lemke Memorial Hospital Endowment Foundation or to First United Methodist Church, both at WaKeeney.
Kobler Reunion – Memorial Day Weekend
We will be holding a Kobler reunion on Memorial Day weekend 2013 in the Hill City/Hays, Kansas area. Many Kobler relatives will be coming, literally from coast to coast. We would love to see as many attendees as possible. If interested in attending, please contact us for more information.
Cornelius Winfred (Winnie) and Buenola Kobler
An American hero, Cornelius Winfred (Winnie) Kobler was born 3/9/1917 on his parents farm about 2-3 miles Southwest of Penokee, Kansas.
B-29 Superfortress
On May 26, 1945, Captain Cornelius W. Kobler and the crew of his B-29 bomber, gave the ultimate sacrifice to their country. Just weeks prior, on May 14, 1945, he had survived a harrowing B-29 combat orientation flight that had to ditch in the Pacific.
“My first dad (Winnie) died on a B29 bomb run over Tokyo in May of 1945. He was the aircraft commander. His last words were, ‘bail out’, but the only crew member to do so was Harry Slater, then a wing burned off and they crashed with no other survivors. I referred to my ‘first’ dad because the man that raised me from 3 years old, Al, was my dad also.” – Kenneth (Kobler) Lummus
Additional details of the Kobler crew can be found on the 39th Bomb Group website.
Winnie married Buenola (Nola) Ruth Mahan in Wakeeney, Kansas on Aug 21, 1941 and had one child, Kenneth (Kobler) Lummus.
Winfred was Captain and center on the Fort Hays State football team his senior year, in fall 1941. He was also the stand out pitcher on the baseball team and already had major league team scouts talking to him. He would probably have signed with the Saint Louis Cardinals after graduating if WWII hadn’t intervened.
Fort Hays State college allowed him early graduation the Spring of 1942 to join the Army Air Corp as a cadet in the pilot training program.
Photos
Winnie and Nola Kobler about 1940
Winfred & Herb Kobler about 1939-40
Winnie Kobler, Ft. Hays State 1941 Team Captain & Center
Winfred Kobler Ft. Hays State 1942
Nola, Winnie & Kenneth about 1943
Captain Cornelius Winfred Kobler
Winfred,Buenola & Kenny Kobler
Capt Cornelius Winfred Kobler
Capt C. W. Kolber w/ his son Kenneth just before shipping out to the Pacific in 1945
Cornelius Winfred Kobler WWII Enlistment Record
Additional information about Winnie and Nola Kobler would be very much appreciated. Please send life history, stories and photos using the Contact page or you can Register and post information yourself.
Wallace and Marie Kobler Steeples
Vera Marie Kobler, daughter of Carl and Elma Kobler, was born on 17 Aug 1906 in Penokee, Graham Co., KS. She died on 10 Jan 2002 in Hays, KS. She married William Wallace (Wally) Steeples, son of David James Steeples and Myrtle Eliza Fulcher on 24 Dec 1926 in Penokee, Graham Co., KS. He was born on 03 Feb 1904 in Zurich, Rooks Co., KS. He died on 29 Jul 1966 in Hays, KS. Wallace and Marie Steeples are both buried in Pleasant View Cemetery, Palco, KS.
Wallace Steeples and Marie Kobler had the following children:
- Jean Marie Steeples
- Joanne (Jo) Evelyn Steeples
- Lois Ellen Steeples
- Don Wallace Steeples
- David James Steeples
Photos
Marie Kobler 1909
Marie Kobler age 11
Marie Kobler Age 15
Marie Kobler Steeples Wedding 12-24-1926
Wallace Steeples Wedding 12-24-1926
Wallace & Marie Steeples Family – 1950s
Back Row: Boyd Webb, Jean Steeples Webb, Lois Steeples Settles, Robert Settles, Jo Steeples Haslett, Glenn Haslett
Front Row: Dave Steeples, Wallace Steeples, Marie Steeples, Don Steeples
Wallace & Marie Steeples
Marie Kobler Steeples with Webbs and Hasletts
L-R: Glenn Haslett, Jo Steeples Haslett, Marie Kobler Steeples, Jean Steeples Webb, Boyd Webb
Additional photos of Wallace and Marie Steeples family are posted on Bob and Lois Settles website.
Obituary
Vera ‘Marie’ Steeples
Vera ”Marie” Kobler Steeples, 95, died Thursday, Jan. 10, 2002.
A native of Penokee, Kansas, Mrs. Steeples was a daughter of the late Carl and Elma Paxson Kobler and was the widow of W.W. ”Wally” Steeples. She graduated from Fort Hays State University and was a schoolteacher in Palco and Bogue, Kan., for 17 years. She was a member of Pleasant Hour Club, Eastern Star, Delta Kappa Gamma Professional Sorority and Sigma Sigma Sigma Social Sorority. She was a member of First United Methodist Church, Palco, Kan., and First United Methodist Church, Stockton, Kan., and attended First Presbyterian Church, Hays, Kan.
Services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Smith-Moore-Overlease Funeral Home, Stockton, Kan., with the Rev. Tim Ault-Duell officiating. Burial will be in Pleasant View Cemetery, Palco, Kan.
Survivors include three daughters, Jean Webb, Tulsa, Okla., Joanne Haslett, Tucson, Ariz., and Lois Settles, Athens; two sons, Don Steeples, Lawrence, Kan., David Steeples, Stockton, Kan.; a brother, Raymond Kobler, Hays, Kan.; 11 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren.
The family will receive friends from 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday and Monday at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Wally and Marie Steeples Faculty Award Fund, Kansas University Endowment Association, P.O. Box 928, Lawrence, KS 66044 or the Methodist Church of Palco or Stockton, c/o the funeral home.
[Athens Banner-Herald, Saturday, Jan. 12, 2002]
Wallace and Marie Steeples Headstone
Fred and Edna Kobler
Fred Kobler was born 8/30/1896 in Penokee, Kansas. Fred married Edna Pearl Hatcher on 12/30/1917 in Joplin, MO. He died 10/20/1918 in Lawrence, KS from the Flu during World War I military training. He is buried in Hill City Cemetery, Hill City, KS. Edna Hatcher was born April 1898 in Solomon Rapids Township, KS and died 27 Aug 1938 in Pueblo, Colorado.
Edna remarried Charles T. Mars after Fred’s death. Fred and Edna had one child, Paul Lee Kobler Mars, who took on the Mars name. Paul was born 30 Dec 1918 in Hill City, Kansas and died 19 Sept 1945 in Beaufort, South Carolina after having served in World War II.
Photos
Fred Kobler WWI Draft Registration
Fred Kobler Headstone – Hill City Cemetery, Hill City, KS
Edna Hatcher Kobler Mars Headstone – Orchard Mesa Cemetery, Grand Junction, CO
Albert and Anna Kobler
Albert Kobler was born 3/21/1893 in Penokee, Kansas. Albert married Anna Jane Davis on 6/28/1916 in Phillipsburg, KS. He died 3/13/1977 at Hadley Regional Medical Center in Hays, Kansas.
Albert and Anna had five children:
- LaVergne Kobler
- Phyllis Kobler
- Lorrayne Kobler
- Margaret Kobler
- Carl D. Kobler
Photos
Thank you to Nancy Hardman for providing most of these photos.
Albert & Anna Kobler Marriage Certificate
Anna Davis Kobler & LaVergne. Photo from Donna Childs
Anna Kobler and child … LaVergne, Margaret, or Lorrayne
Albert and Anna Kobler
Albert and Anna Kobler with Children
Front Row: Phyllis, Albert, Anna, Lorrayne
Albert and Anna with Children and Spouses
Front Row: Ruben Deines, Bob Rath, Albert Kobler, Anna Kobler, Irv Hardman
Albert & Anna Kobler Family about 1960 – believed taken at LaVergne Hardman’s home – Photo courtesy of Leslie Deines Owen
Middle Row: LaVergne Hardman, Lorryane Deines, Elma Kobler, Phyllis Madden, Margaret Rath
Front Row: Anna Kobler, Albert Kobler
Albert & Anna Kobler 50th Anniversary
Albert & Anna Kobler – possibly at the wedding of Alan and Susan Kirby Deines
Albert and children at Anna’s funeral
Anna Jane (Davis) Kobler Obituary
Anna Jane Kobler, 82, passed away Saturday, July 7, at the Graham County Hospital in Hill City. She was a pharmacist, and she and her husband operated a drug store in Morland for over 50 years.
She was a member of the Morland Methodist Church and the O.E.S. No. 400.
She is survived by her husband, Albert J., of the home; four daughters, Mrs. Irv (LaVergne) Hardman and Mrs. Gene (Phyllis) Madden, Hill City; Mrs. Ruben (Lorrayne) Deines, WaKeeney; Mrs. Robert (Margaret) Rath, Morland; one son, Dr. Carl D. Kobler, Hill City; two sisters, Mrs. O. J. Rohner, Albany, Oregon; Mrs. Wilbur Arasmith, Densmore; two brothers, George T. Davis, Richland, Washington; Leslie Davis, Riverside, California; 21 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren.
Funeral services were held at the United Methodist Church in Morland at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, with the Reverend Delbert L. Honn officiating. Music was furnished by Rev. Darrell Hendrickson with Mrs. James Taber at the organ.
Casket bearers were: Blaine Hardman, Kevin Kobler, Tim Rath, Mark Madden, Tom Deines, and Bob Super.
Honorary bearers were: Doug Hardman, Philip Rath, Alan Deines, Carl Davis Kobler Jr., John F. Kobler and Kelly Madden.
Interment was in the Hill City Cemetery. Memorials may be given to the Morland United Methodist Church or the Kansas Heart Fund.
Mae Kobler and Bert Troutman
Elizabeth Mae Kobler was born 5/16/1888 in Penokee, Kansas. Mae married William Herbert (Bert) Troutman on 11/14/1917. She died 12/30/1976 in Beloit, KS.
“Great Aunt Mae Kobler Troutman- married twice, widowed and then divorced, reverted to first husband’s name — no children.” – Ray L. Pruiett
“I remember Aunt Mae as being outgoing and a bit flamboyant!!” – Ann Solomon
Photos
Mae Kobler Troutman 1918
Mae Kobler & Bert Troutman abt. 1918
William and Nellie Kobler
William Kobler was born 10/09/1883 in Penokee, Kansas. William married Nellie E. Raney on June 1, 1910. He died 5/8/1964 in Hill City, KS. Nellie Raney was born in Elgin, Oregon on 11/19/1889 and died 4/12/1962 in Hill City, Kansas.
Additional information about William and Nellie Kobler would be very much appreciated. Please send life history, stories and photos using the Contact page or you can Register and post information yourself.
Nellie Raney
Herbert and Carrie Kobler
Herbert Kobler was born 10/21/1881 in Penokee, Kansas. Herbert married Carrie May Shotwell on 1/13/1909. He died 2/21/1968 in Benton, Oregon.
Herbert and Carrie Kobler had the following children:
- Harold Kobler. He married Ruth Marsh
- Cornelius Winfred (Winnie) Kobler
- Lucille Kobler. She married Wright
- Mary Kobler
- Thelma Kobler
50th Wedding Anniversary
Herbert & Carrie Kobler Family
Back: Ron Pruiett, Ray Pruiett holding Sammy Pruiett, Beverly (Kobler) Dolan holding Chris Dolan, Rick Sadle holding Cindy Dolan
Front: Margie Sadle (Lorenger) & Mark Wright, Bonnie Wright, Herbert F. Kobler , Brian Pruiett, Carrie May (Shotwell) Kobler, Johnny Wright, Janet Sadle (Harris)
The picture above was taken at Herbert & Carrie Kobler’s 50th Anniversary at Lewisburg, a couple miles North of Corvallis Oregon, just after Christmas 1958.
The Kobler farm was about 3 miles East of Lewisburg on what is now called Pettibone Drive.
They are pictured with 9 of their grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. The 4 great grandchildren are Brian & Sammy Pruiett and Cindy & Chris Dolan.
Additional information about Herbert and Carrie Kobler would be very much appreciated. Please send life history, stories and photos using the Contact page or you can Register and post information yourself.