CLAFLIN — Laura A. Tinkel, 94, died April 22, 2014 at Clara Barton Hospital in Hoisington.
Born Feb. 19, 1920, in Barton County, she was the daughter of Joseph and Mathilda (Beran) Birzer. A homemaker and farm wife, Laura was a lifelong area resident. On Nov. 27, 1945, she married Albert P. Tinkel at St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in rural Ellinwood. He preceded her in death on Jan. 31, 2006. She enjoyed baking, cooking, gardening and needle work.
Laura was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church and Altar Society both in Claflin. She attended St. Peter and Paul Catholic School.
Survivors include a son, Louis Tinkel and wife Janice, Hays; two daughters, Arlene Friedly and husband Douglas, Bonner Springs, and Alvita Cates and husband Bob, Claflin; six sisters, Clara Bahr, Margaret Reichuber, Eleanor Penka, Cecilia Denning, Inez Giessel, and Bertha Achatz and husband Milton; one sister-in-law, Leona Birzer; six grandchildren, Shawn Tinkel and wife Tina, Shannon Short and husband Levi, Duane Friedly and wife Amy, Dawn Pretz and husband Ben, Trevor Cates and wife Megan, and Tamara Dody and husband Jason; and 17 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; five brothers, George Birzer, infant August Birzer, Albert Birzer, Robert Birzer, and James Birzer; and six sisters, Mary Birzer, Anna Penka, Katie Birzer, Elizabeth Ohnmacht, infant Emma Birzer, and Helen Schartz.
Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Claflin with Father Daryl Olmstead as celebrant. Burial will follow at the Claflin Cemetery. Vigil service followed by an Altar Society rosary will be held at 7 p.m. on Thursday at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. Friends may call from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Thursday at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home in Hoisington. Memorials are suggested to St. Peter and Paul Heritage Association or Clara Barton Hospital Foundation 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
Hoisington, Ks. 67544
Great Bend (Kan) Tribune, April 23, 2014