ELLINWOOD — Thecla Graf (Tex) Hammersmith, 94, joined the angels in heaven on Jan. 6, 2015. Born Dec. 14, 1920, in Victoria, she was the daughter of Alex P. and Anna Marie Graf. On Sept. 12, 1938, she married Eugene E.(Dutch) Hammersmith in Gorham. A resident of Ellinwood since 1979, she was a homemaker. She enjoyed Bingo, playing cards, and visiting with friends at the Heritage Senior Center.  She was an avid fisherman in her younger days.  
Survivors include sons, Eugene (Junior) Hammersmith and wife Sandi of Ellinwood, Kenneth Hammersmith and wife Mary of Biloxi, Miss., Stephen Hammersmith and wife Lois of Olathe, and Terrence Hammersmith and wife Alice of Hernando, Miss.; daughter, Patricia Collins and husband Leasil Orndoff of Ellinwood; 30 grandchildren; 79 great-grandchildren; and 27 great-great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Eugene; daughters Barbara Guzman and Janice Wolfkill; infant son James; grandson Stephen; her parents; and siblings.  
Funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 10, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Ellinwood with Father John Forkuoh presiding. Burial will follow at Lakin-Comanche District Cemetery in Ellinwood. Visitation is scheduled from 1 to 6 p.m. on Friday with a rosary at 3 p.m. at Minnis Chapel in Ellinwood. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts are suggested to the Ellinwood Food Bank, St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, or donor’s choice in care of the funeral home.

Funeral arrangements provided by
Minnis Chapel*
P.O. Box 246
Ellinwood, KS  67526
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Jan. 8, 2015