HOISINGTON — Joseph J. Rziha, 94, died Jan. 23 at Clara Barton Hospital in Hoisington. Born Feb. 2, 1916, in Odin, he was the son of Frank and Mary (Koester) Rziha. A lifetime resident of rural Odin, he was a farmer/rancher. On Oct. 28, 1972, he married Ida Ann Huschka Wendal in Hoisington. She died Oct. 12, 2002.
Mr. Rziha was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus Council 2630 in Odin.
Survivors include a step-son, Kenneth Wendel and his wife Mary E. of Carrollton, Texas; a step-daughter, Marlene M. Palmer and her husband Dennis of Great Bend; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a brother, Frank Rziha; and nine sisters, Margaret Olsen, Sister Mary Jordan, infant sister Elizabeth, Agnes Penka, Helen McCann, Rose Schneider, Mathilda "Tillie" Reif, Ann Hunsley and Catherine Hipp.
Mass of Christian burial will be at 10:30 a.m. on Friday at St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Ellinwood with Father Pascal Klein officiating. Burial will be at the St. Peter and Paul Cemetery in Ellinwood. Friends may visit from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday with a vigil service at 7 p.m. followed by a rosary at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church or the Great Bend Humane Society in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.nicholsonrickefh.net.
Funeral arrangements provided by
Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home*
P.O. Box 146; 415 N. Main
Hoisington, KS 67544
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Jan. 26, 2011