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History:
Descendants of John and Margaret Denning
CYRIL
Cyril Joseph, the oldest child of John and Margaret Denning,
was born on Nov. 23, 1913 in Emmeram, Kansas. He passed away
on May 5, 1983 in Russell, Kansas. Throughout his life, he
was known to many as "Cy."
Cy's youngest years were spent farming with
his parents and the brothers and sisters that were to follow.
He attended schools in Emmeram and St. Joseph's Military Academy
in Hays. He was then employed by a clothing store in Russell
and later the W. W. Virtue Clothing Store in Great Bend. As
told by friends and relatives, he was very much the clothing
enthusiast.
On June 19, 1945 he married Margaret Dauber
at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Russell. They began their
own farm and dairy in 1946, and started their family. Five
children were bom: John, Mary Ann, Carl, Jean and Linda. Three
grandchildren: Alicia Anschutz, Susan Denning and David Denning
were welcomed into the family. Today three more greatgrandchildren
are included: Mitchell, Marissa and Erica Grazioli.
Cy was very active in politics and local
government and headed the local Republican party. He loved
the outdoors and this affection extended to his horses. He
was president of the Russell County Saddle Club, spending
many weekends at horse shows and parades around the state.
He also enjoyed a good game of cards with friends and better
yet, a turn on the dance floor. His favorite song was "My
Happiness." He liked cars and tinkering with motors.
His favorite car was the Chevrolet. He was conservative -
drank alcohol in moderation - and had strong religious convictions.
In life, Cy was respectful of the land he cultivated and proud
of the love and security that grew with his family.
ARTHUR
Arthur Francis Denning, the second son of John and Margaret
as born Feb. 2, 1915 in Emmeram, Kansas. He died November
13, 2000 in Salina, Kansas. In keeping with German culture,
the first son, Cyril, worked closely with his father and the
second son, Arthur, worked closely with his mother. This was
the case with Art. He always had a strong love for his mother
and the things she enjoyed, such as discussing politics and
writing articles in the newspaper. Art was with his mother
when his brother Raphael died. He remembered watching his
mother weep as she put pennies on his brother's eyes and calling
his dad and brother to ask that they bring a casket home.
Art always put family first. He spent two
years in the 8th grade so he could drive his brothers and
sisters to school. He had to quit school after the 8th grade
to go to work for the Civilian Conservation Corps to help
the family. He received $30 a month with $25 going home to
his parents and $5 for himself. He served from 4/22/35 to
7/4/36 and was one of the main supports for the family at
that time.
He married Winifred Haefner on Nov. 26,
1940. They had four children: Diane, Russell, David and Peter;
10 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. Since he had not
been able to complete his education, he felt a real sense
of accomplishment when all four of his children graduated
from college.
Art served during WWII in the Army Air Corps
in Europe and was a chef for most of his working years.
One of the biggest highlights in Art's life
was when he met Helen Keller while working for the Lamer Hotel.
She apparently enjoyed their visit enough that he was the
only one she sent an autographed picture.
Art will always be remembered as a man who
was a history buff, who always kept up on the latest political
scene and enjoyed an occasional fishing trip. He especially
loved having all of his kids home together for the holidays.
In his occupation he not only was a creative and excellent
chef, he also did the hiring, ordering, supervision of staff
and menu planning, etc. He was proud to have people leaving
feeling nourished and happy they had made the choice to eat
at his club and he received many compliments. Art always remained
a faithful Catholic and served as an usher until he physically
could no longer do so.
STELLA
Stella Denning was the third member of the family. She was
born on the family farm near Emmeram August 15, 1916 in the
family home with Dr. Anderson in attendance. She died April,
1972 in Denver, Colorado.
She attended the Emmeram country school
first through eighth grades. She went to Russell High School
where she graduated in 1938. After high school, she attended
Ft. Hays State College. She was an elementary school teacher
for a number of years in Russell and Ellis counties.
She loved movies, enjoyed singing in the
church choir, loved writing letters to men in the service,
liked to dance and loved to tell stories to her younger siblings.
On a typical night on the Emmeram farm she would gather the
children and take them to a flower laden meadow and tell stories
and sing songs to them. . . Stella was literally a "second"
mother to most of us. She would listen to our problems, provide
counsel, and give love and attention to some of us who were
lonely and "caught in the shuffle." She enjoyed
taking a troupe of the Denning children for a treat on Saturday
nights to the late "Owl" show at the Dream Theatre.
During WWII, she was very active with the
USO in Russell. After the war, she moved to Denver, Colorado
where she was employed at the May D & F Store chain.
She admired John F. Kennedy and Billy Graham.
She loved children and on Thursday nights would go to a local
orphanage in Denver to visit with lonely orphans.
Her philosophy was to bring joy and love
to people around her. She was loved and respected by all members
of the family. She was seldom judgmental and always found
the best in everyone. She provided an emotional bulwark to
mom and dad during the very difficult years of the Great Depression
and the Dust Bowl years.
MAX
Max was born March 31, 1918 at home on the family farm located
near Emmeram, Kansas and died Oct. 16, 1998 in Hays, Kansas.
He and Frances Elizabeth Kreutzer were married on October
14, 1940 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. To this union six
children were born: Dean Patrick, Larry Wayne, Maxine Frances,
Thomas Lee, Dennis Paul, and Lois Marie.
Max was a student at Hays High School, Hays,
Kansas and graduated in 1938. He maintained memberships in
the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Knights
of Columbus and enjoyed various hobbies and interests including
gardening, pinochle card games, country music, polka dancing,
and German wedding songs. Max especially enjoyed a feisty
game of pinochle and the annual "dill pickle contest"
with brother, Ralph.
As written in his own words in his "Book
of Memories," Max wanted to be remembered as "honest,
reliable, and a good husband and father." He possessed
a love of nature, a sense of humor and strong Roman Catholic
religious beliefs. His philosophy of living is a reflection
of his background of working as a youth on the family farm
near Emmerarn during the 1920s and 30s; as a soldier in the
1940s serving in North Africa during World War II; as a farmer
in Trego County, Kansas in the 1950s; as a meat department
manager at Nelson's Super Market, Ellis, Kansas in the decade
of the 60s; and as a horticulturist at Fort Hays State University
in the 70s and 80s.
RAPHAEL
*Raphael (Ralphie) Denning was born May 30, 1919 and died
August 27, 1920. He is buried in the Emmeran Cemetery. He
is joined there by Grandpa and Grandma Denning and Uncle Leo.
ALBERTA
Alberta "Bert" Denning-Kuhn was bom March 13, 1921
in Emmeran, Kansas and entered her eternal life January 6,
1985. She married Gilbert Kuhn July 8, 1946 and, along with
their five children, Bill, Safi, Mark, Alison and Phil, lived
most of her life in Russell, Kansas.
Bert graduated from Russell High School
in 1941. She worked at Walker Air Force Base during World
War II gaining a lifetime of stories and experiences that
she shared with her children.
Bert's coffeepot was always on and family
and friends were always welcome and encouraged to "walk
right in." Bert was one of the Denning "Charlie's
Angels," along with Zita and Armella, and was convinced
she should have been Farrah. She never attained her dream
of being a ballerina(!), but was well known as an accomplished
bridge player. Cooking great meals was a priority with home-cooked
meals every night. Her best dishes were meatballs, potato
salad, kuchen, fried chicken, and chicken noodle soup with
the thinnest noodles known to mankind. Her soup was never
consumed unless it had simmered 24 hours to get every ounce
of flavor from the chicken.
Politically neutral, she voted for the person
and was known to say, "After eight years of anybody,
it's time for a change." She had fun arguing politics
with her brothers over coffee. Her favorite sports star was
Joe "Willie" Namath. Proof of that was the huge
poster she had of him on her closet door so she could wake
up looking at him. Paul Newman was her favorite movie star
and she had an array of favorite songs. The "Grand Canyon
Suite" was a Sunday morning favorite and other times
"Honey" by Bobby Goldsboro, "Strangers in the
Night" by Frank Sinatra, "It Must Be Him" by
Vicki Carr, anything by the Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass,
and of course, "In Heaven There Is No Beer."
Bert had a very kind, calm and gentle demeanor,
but laughter and fun were her specialty. She loved her sunflower
seeds, the Kansas City Chiefs, and listening to Notre Dame
on the radio. Family was everything and she truly loved seeing
everyone at family reunions. While enjoying a "Bloody
Mary" or a "Screwdriver" at the reunion, her
laughter and conversation will always be remembered.
ZITA
Zita Margaret Denning was born August 29, 1922 in Emmeran,
Kansas. She graduated from Russell High School, attended Brown
Mackie College in Salina, Kansas, and eventually moved to
the Kansas City area. She lived with her sister Ida and together
they made many good friends. She was employed by Dean-Hanes
Machinery Company as a bookkeeper. She met John Compton at
work, and they married on October 4, 1958. They had one daughter,
Julie, who was born in 1962.
Zita was a full time mother until Julie
went to school. She then worked part-time in the food service
department of the Shawnee Mission School District. This job
allowed her to be home after school and during the summers.
She loved to read, tend a small garden,
have coffee with friends and neighbors, play cards (hearts)
and spend summer vacations in Colorado. Her Catholic faith
was the cornerstone of her life. She was kind, friendly and
compassionate. Her warm smile touched those around her in
a quiet unassuming way. She passed away April 29, 1983 in
Overland Park, Kansas. She has four grandchildren: Kyle, Jeffrey,
Courtney and Kathleen.
RALPH
Ralph Denning was born in Emmeran, Kansas, November 29, 1923
and died in Victoria, Kansas on June 1, 2001. His childhood
years were spent on the family farm near the Emmeram community.
He moved to Russell, Kansas in 1940 and graduated from Russell
High School in 1943.
Ralph, along with Armella, Ida and Dennis,
was a key contributor for five years on the Driscoll Dairy
Farm. He was the delivery-man and helped in all areas of the
farm production.
After a stint in the U.S. Army (Korea),
he married Cecilia (Birzer) Denning August 18, 1947. They
were blessed with seven children: Dan, Dori, Denise, Doug,
Dale, Deanna, and Kathleen. They were also grandparents to
Aubrey Denning (Dan and Mary), Nicole and Ryan Deturk (Denise
and Randy), Patrick, Bryant, and Elise Denning (Dale and Patricia),
Andrew Martin (Dee and Rick), Brianna and Jared Helfrich (
Kate and Brian).
Ralph's passions were sports, trivia, cards
(pinochle) and especially gardening. He also enjoyed playing
the accordion and had requests to play at family gatherings.
He was a long time coordinator of the annual Denning reunions
in Russell and enjoyed the inherent bantering with his siblings.
Ralph was proud of his heritage and family and will always
be remembered in our hearts.
ARMELLA
Armella was bom January 6, 1925, in Emmeram, Kansas, the ninth
child of John and Margaret Denning. She was a 1944 graduate
of Russell High School. On June 14, 1948, she married Anthony
Ruder in the Russell Catholic Church. Armella and Tony have
been residents of Hays the past 55 years. They have five children:
Roger, Rod, RaNell, Ron and Russ; 1.3 grandchildren; and one
great-grandchild.
Armella's life was built upon the three
Fs - family, faith and friends. She never missed an opportunity
to spend time with family, whether at a ballpark, a gym, a
family gathering or a side trip to Emmeram.
Over the years, many nieces and nephews
stayed at the Ruder house for varying amounts of time. Her
response always was the same - "They are family."
For her children, the focus was education and personal responsibility.
She was an active parent in the education of her children.
She played an active role in St. Mary's
Catholic Church of Hays. She often served on church committees
and was a fixture at church gatherings. The rosary continues
to be her lifeline.
Armella also had an active social life.
How many cups of coffee were brewed and consumed in her kitchen
with friends? Bingo, bowling and dancing were sources of pleasure
over the years; and many Sundays were spent at the lake with
her sister Bert and her family.
Mom ran her house like a bus depot. She
never knew who would be there in the morning, and she really
didn't care. She was "Ma Armella" to an ever-changing
cast of her children's friends, and they always were welcome.
Interestingly, this seemed to be a common characteristic of
all the Denning households. The door always was open to family
and friends.
IDA
Ida Esther Denning was born July 12, 1926 and died Oct. 25,
1997 in Independence, Mo. She was born in the family home
near Emmeram, attended by Dr. Anderson. She loved athletics;
her favorite athlete was Ted Williams. Once she made a special
trip to NYC, not to see Broadway shows, but to see a double-header
between the Red Sox and the Yankees. She got Williams' autograph
in a hotel lobby.
Ida, along with Ralph, Armella and Dennis
was very much involved in working on the Driscoll Dairy Farm
for four or five years. She enjoyed dancing, cards, playing
the horses and political discussions.
She graduated from Russell High School in
1946. After high school, she worked for the Russell State
Bank. She moved to Kansas City where for many years she was
employed by the Gas Service Company in Kansas City, Missouri.
She liked the K-State Wildcats; disliked
the Jayhawks. For some reason, she liked Eddie Sutton of the
Oklahoma State Cowboys. She liked FDR, Errol Flynn, and her
favorite teacher was Tom Kelly. Ida had strong opinions; she
was proud of her parents and her siblings. She loved her nieces
and nephews, and was very strong in her Catholic faith. She
was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Independence,
Missouri, and was honored on several occasions for her volunteer
work.
In 1984, she reunited with her son, Gary
Lofstrom, who was born in 1956 and adopted through Catholic
Charities of Kansas City. Ida met and socialized over the
years with Gary's adoptive parents, Albert and Dorothy Lofstrom,
and his sister Joyce.
Ida was an advocate for those in need. She
rarely missed a family get together. Ida could irritate and
agitate, but she always left you with a smile.
DENNIS
Dennis Francis Denning was born July 20, 1928 near Emmeram,
Kansas. He attended Emmeram Elementary School grades one through
six. He graduated from Russell High School in 1947. His college
education included a B.S. (195 1) and M.S. (1956) from Emporia
State Teachers College. In 1966 he received his Ph.D degree
in Theatre from Kansas University.
He married Alice Needels from Emporia in
1951, and they had three children: Bruce Richard, Gary David
and Cynthia Marie and four grandchildren. After Alice's death,
he married Janet Dodge Wilbur May 12, 2001. He has three stepchildren:
Jill, Jay and Kappy and seven step-grandchildren.
A lifetime educator in theatre, he taught
seven years in Kansas secondary schools and from 1958-1968
at Kansas State University where he headed the theatre program.
From 1968 to 1989 he chaired the Theatre and Fine Arts Division
at Marymount College, Salina, Kansas. He is currently an Adj.
Professor at Brown Mackie College, Salina, Kansas.
His hobbies include coin collection (Greek
and Roman coins 2,000 years old), dancing, golf, and cards.
He is a movie buff, especially foreign films - sees over 150
films annually.
Affiliations: life member of NEA and Sigma
Phi Epsilon college social fraternity.
Recognition: He was inducted in the Kansas Theatre Hall of
Fame-1994.
Military: Kansas National Guard 1951-1956
Favorite actors include Meryl Streep and Marlon Brando
Favorite movie: Citizen Kane
He thinks FDR was great and loves the novel
Lonesome Dove. He is member of St. Elizabeth Catholic Church,
Salina, Kansas.
His aim in life is to leave this world a
better place through family, clean environment and culture,
especially quality theatre. It is his hope that the many people
attending the plays he staged found the experience enjoyable,
uplifting and educational. His favorite quote is from one
of his favorite shows HARVEY, "It's our dreams that keep
us going."
ADLORE
Adlore "Ad" Denning was born in Emmeran, Kansas
on July 14, 1933. He graduated from Russell High School in
1951 and from Emporia State College in 1955, with a degree
in Business Administration. From 1955 to 1959, he served in
the U.S. Army with two years of active duty and two years
of active reserve during the Cold War era.
In college he was a member of Sigma Phi
Epsilon social fraternity. He is married to Margaret (Midge)
and has three children; Mike, Chris and Teresa, and has four
grandchildren.
Ad worked in the Aetna Life and Casualty
Co. claim department for 35 years, the last 20 years as claim
manager in Phoenix and Denver before retiring in Scottsdale,
Arizona.
His hobbies are golf, cross-word puzzles,
and watching sporting events and vintage movies. In his younger
days, he managed Little League baseball teams for five years
in San Antonio and helped coach YMCA basketball teams for
two years in Overland Park, Kansas.
Political affiliation: Republican. Favorite
President: Dwight Eisenhower
Favorite Teams: Jayhawks, Chiefs and Red Sox. Favorite Athlete:
Ted Williams
Favorite Movies: Bridge on the River Kwai and Dr. Zhivago
Favorite Actor: Gregory Peck
Favorite Singers: Perry Como and Nat King Cole
Philosophy: Ad is a conservative, who for better or worse,
is slow to make changes in his life. Even if and when he disagrees
with them, he remains loyal to his family, friends, former
employer and church.
CARROLL
Carroll Paul Denning was born Oct. 15, 1936 near Emmerman,
Kansas. He grew up in Russell, Kansas, where he attended elementary
school and graduated from Russell High School in 1954.
He attended Emporia State Teachers College,
graduating in 1958 with a degree in Education, majoring in
Speech and Social Science. While in college, he was elected
to "Who's Who in Colleges and Universities." He
was president of the college Newman Club (Catholic student
organization) and was elected president of the state Newman
Club his senior year. He was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon
social fraternity.
Between college and moving to Kansas city
Carroll was active for six months in the military. He spent
five-and-a-half years in the U.S. Army Reserves. In 1959,
Carroll moved to Kansas City (Overland Park) and remained
there. After an initial job with Sinclair Oil Company, he
entered the insurance business in 1962 and continued as agent
and company representative until retirement.
In 1957, he married Karen Bader of Salina.
They have three children: Kenneth, Kathy, and Jacqueline.
He divorced in 1982. He remarried in 1984 to Carolyn Leiker
from Ness City. He has three step-children: Tamara, Todd,
and Diedra. Carolyn died in April, 1993.
Carroll has been active in the Chamber of
Commerce and business organizations. He is a life member of
the Overland Park Business Association. His hobbies include
volleyball, biking, hiking, reading, and acting in television
plays and commercials. He appeared in the TV show "Where
Pigeons go to Die," starring Michael Landon.
His favorite novel is Don Quixote by Cervantes;
favorite song is Misty and his favorite movie is The Last
Picture Show.
One aspect of his philosophy of life is
that "We should maintain a sense of humor. It gets you
through rough times and helps the people around you."
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