ELLINWOOD — Violet June Widener Kasselman, 98, of Ellinwood, Kan., went to be with her Lord and Savior, peacefully, surrounded by her family May 30, 2021.  Violet married Lt. Jg. Leonard Earl Kasselman, of the Navy Air Corp, on Nov. 18, 1945, in Ellinwood, Kan. Leonard preceded her in death Oct. 10, 2005.

She was born May 30, 1923 in Stafford County, Kan., to Harry Widener and Esther Marchand Widener Mabry. She was one of six children blessed to this union. She graduated from Stafford High School in 1940, then attended Hays College where she received her teaching certificate. She taught eight grades in a one-room schoolhouse in Stafford County for several years. 

After several naval station moves, Violet and Leonard made their permanent residence south of Ellinwood, Kan. Violet was a lifetime member of the First Baptist Church of Ellinwood. Her love of Christ led her to be very active in her church organizations, with leadership roles locally and in the church conference. She was involved in 4-H with her children as a project leader and held positions on the County Extension Board, and was involved in local extension work. Later in life, she worked in the Register of Deeds office in the Barton County Courthouse. Violet was also very active in the Ellinwood Historical Society, the Ellinwood District Hospital Auxiliary, as well as the American Legion Auxiliary.  

Violet is survived by her children; her sons, Dennis (Jean) Kasselman of Overland Park, Kan., and Kent Kasselman of Jacksonville Beach, Fla.;  her daughters, Kathy (Max) Roberts of Great Bend, Kan. and Patty (Andrew) Sauber of Louisburg, Kan.; her grandchildren, Melissa (Tony) Boll, Andrew Kasselman, Matthew Leonard (Jenna) Sauber, Merideth (Jack) Trotter and Casey (Michael) Batchman; her great-grandchildren, Mikayla Boll, Sophia Sauber, Grant Boll, Wyatt Sauber, Violet Kasselman, Catherine Sauber, Emma Violet Sauber, Stella Kasselman, Lucas Sauber, Jackson Trotter, Hazel Kasselman and Ryan Trotter; sister-in-law Marilyn Kasselman; and multiple nieces and nephews. Violet was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Leonard Kasselman; siblings and spouses Derril (Florence) Widener, Austin (Bernice) Widener, Yvonne (Leonard) Widener Sittner, Darlene (Eston) Widener Schwartz, and Clede (Juanita) Widener; daughter-in-law Lori Kasselman.

Visitation will be held at Minnis Chapel in Ellinwood, on June 2, 2021 from 11-7 p.m. with family in attendance from 5-7 p.m. Funeral service will be June 3, 2021 at 1:30 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Ellinwood, with Rev. Dr. Arlyn Theilenhaus officiating. Interment will follow at the Lakin-Comanche District Cemetery in Ellinwood. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Ellinwood Heritage Senior Center or Ellinwood District Hospital Auxiliary in care of Minnis Chapel, PO Box 246, Ellinwood, KS 67526. 

Funeral arrangements provided by

Minnis Chapel 

PO Box 246 

Ellinwood, KS 67526

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, June 2, 2021