In Passing

Kay Barnett

Our mom, Kay Barnett, a funny, fearless, irreverent, politically-incorrect woman, left for heaven to get the party started Saturday, March 31.

As Eric, her grandson, put it, “She left with pizazz.” A combination of Scarlett O’Hara, Auntie Mame and Amelia Earhart … her joie de vivre touched everyone blessed enough to know her. She taught us to swim, dive, ski, play tennis and golf, try anything once and if it didn’t kill us … maybe try it again. She played the piano by ear, and if you barely hummed a tune, she would pick up the notes and play the hell out of the song.

As a private pilot instructor, she once had a student who froze at the controls of a single-engine plane. In a stall and after repeating the phrase, “I’ve got the controls!” twice, she simply grabbed the man by his unmentionables and said, “If you don’t let go, I’m twisting it off!” You can only imagine how quickly he relinquished his hold!

She took us hot potting in Yellowstone, scuba diving in Cayman, dolphin riding in Florida, skiing in Ruidoso, hiking in Montana and golfing in Roswell, where as kids, we single-handedly destroyed the course with three-foot divots, cartwheels on the greens and cart chasing as she let each of us take turns driving … why they didn’t welcome us back, we’ll never understand.

In the stage play of Auntie Mame, Mame’s famous line is, “Life is a banquet, and most poor sons-of-bitches are starving to death!” To say that she lived life to the fullest, paints an almost impoverished image … about the only thing she didn’t get to do was go white shark cage diving off the coast of South Africa.

She is survived by Susan, Cindy, Mark and Robin … four “only” apples who didn’t fall far from the tree, and two incredible grandsons, Eric and Deven, younger apples in their own right! She taught us all how to live, love, laugh and be happy. If any of us have failed to do that, the fault is entirely our own.

If you would like to celebrate her larger than life … Best Friends, a no kill shelter in Kanab, Utah, was her favorite charity and Corona Lite with a lime stuck in the neck, her favorite beer.

She had a t-shirt that summed her up perfectly. On the front, in bold letters, was the phrase, “If they can’t take a joke … “ when she hoisted the shirt up, on the inside, the phrase continued … “F@%# em!”

Glorian Bernice (Martin) Kappenman

Glorian Bernice (Martin) Kappenman, 93, of Sun Lakes, AZ, formerly of Sioux Falls, SD, passed away peacefully at her home March 1, 2018.

A memorial mass celebrating Gloria’s life was held on March 23, 2018, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Stephen’s Catholic Church, Sun Lakes, with graveside burial at St. Michael’s Catholic Cemetery, Sioux Falls, SD. Visitation was held March 23, 2018, following the memorial service celebrating her life.

Mrs. Kappenman was born February 13, 1925, in Omaha, NE. She grew up in Scribner, NE, where she loved to swim and play basketball. She married Dr. Stephen Kappenman at St. John’s Catholic Church on the campus of Creighton University on June 26, 1945. The couple lived in Mitchell, SO, from 1949 to 2000. They then spent their time between Sioux Falls, SD, and Sun Lakes, AZ.

While raising six children, Gloria enjoyed swimming and spending time with friends and family at their cabin on Lake Mitchell, as well as playing bridge in several groups.

Mrs. Kappenman was preceded in death by her husband Stephen, her parents Dwight and Ida (Sievers) Martin and sister Darlene Keller. She is survived by her children Stephen (Shalley) Kappenman of Storm Lake, IA, and Chandler, AZ; Lynn Kocsis of Sun Lakes, AZ; Patty (Scott) Sherman of Evans, CO; John Kappenman of Aurora, CO; Jane Hilton of Greeley, CO; and Lisa Robinson of Aurora, CO. She is also survived by 16 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to your favorite charity in Gloria’s name.

Dwight Mark Kirscht

Dwight Mark Kirscht, age 80, of Sun Lakes, Arizona, passed away on Wednesday, March 14, surrounded by his family.

Preceded in death by brother Greg Kirscht, Dwight is survived by his wife of 58 years, Inez Elizabeth Kirscht; son Chip (Kathy) Kirscht of Austin, Texas; daughter Beth (Nick) Billig of Dallas, Texas; daughter Kris (Michael) Sheehan of Warsaw, Poland; and son David (Lisa) Kirscht of Camp Pendleton, California; and eight grandchildren: Matthew, Isabel, Kody, Devin, Samuel, Kaitlyn, Benjamin and Molly; brother Duane (Minnie) Kirscht of Aurora, Colorado; sister Mary (Bud) Johansen of Olympia, Washington; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

Dwight was born in Monticello, Minnesota, to Harold and Bernice (Elletson) Kirscht on April 18, 1937. On August 1, 1959, he married Inez Botz in Freeport, Minnesota. They lived in Minneapolis, where Dwight started his career with Boise Cascade. They later relocated to Beaverton, Oregon, where he served on the Board of Trustees for Jesuit High School. Dwight and Inez also spent several years residing in Boise, Idaho, before retiring to Sun Lakes after 45 years of employment with Boise Cascade.

A devoted husband, father and grandfather, Dwight was an avid golfer and recently achieved the incredible feat of “shooting his age.” He enjoyed singing, dancing and performing, and for six years, he played the character of Johnny in the Sun Lakes Doo Wop group. He was also a tenor in the Sun Lakes Chorale. Dwight had many interests and hobbies, including fishing, crossword puzzles, card games, beanbags, fine wine, cheesy “dad jokes,” political discourse, polka music, the ukulele and joking around with friends, especially his brothers-in-law Pete, John and Carl. To his family, he will be most remembered for his generosity and his ability to provide a significant bounty of sunfish for the annual Botz Family fish fry on July 4.

Dwight’s family wishes to extend their sincerest gratitude to the doctors, nurses and staff at Banner Desert University Hospital where Dwight spent his final days.

Dolores M. (Schwabe) Fritz

Dolores M. (Schwabe) Fritz went to her Lord peacefully in the early morning hours of April 3, 2018. She leaves behind her two devoted daughters and son-in-law (Jo Dee Fritz, Jane (Fritz) Andersen and Allan Andersen), a niece (Jena Dee Borah) and nephew (Robert Wade Schwabe).

Dolores was a beautiful person, loyal friend and amazing mom! She was the picture of unconditional love! She was always there, ready to lift a helping hand, provide a shoulder to cry on or be a sounding board… offering her own Mom Wisdom and Advice to anyone who asked. She never had a bad day, never complained. Every day was a great day… and she was always up for anything! (She was a prankster in her younger days.) Her attitude was contagious, and she always wore a big, beaming smile and a twinkle in her eye everywhere she went. Dee, as everyone knew her, was preceded in death by her loving husband Walton “Walt” Fritz, her mother and father (Marie and Walter Schwabe) and her brother (Robert Schwabe).

Dee and Walt made Arizona (Sun Lakes) their home in 1986 after raising their family in Staunton, Illinois, where Walt owned Fritz Rexall Drug Store and was a pharmacist by trade. Dee was born in Gillespie, Illinois, and shortly thereafter, her family moved to Chicago, and later they made their home in Mt. Olive, Illinois. She attended Blackburn College for two years and went on to graduate from the University of Illinois with a Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Education in 1951. She spent a summer in San Antonio, Texas, working at Joske’s Department Store on the famous Riverwalk before taking a high school teaching position in Mt. Olive. While in Texas, she grew to love travel and adventure… always planning special trips for the family and wanting to see and do as much as possible.

She met her “Walt” at the Mill Café in Staunton one Enchanted Evening and from then, the two never parted. Dee and Walt married on July 24, 1953, with a reception at the Staunton Country Club and a beautiful honeymoon to Colorado. While at U of I, she joined the Phi Mu Sorority and became active in volunteer work which she continued to do throughout her life. After moving to their beloved Arizona, the couple made their home in Sun Lakes and Dee took up painting Arizona landscapes. She also liked a spirited game of bocce ball and still found some time to play golf and socialize with friends. She loved going out to lunch and personally knew all the servers in every restaurant she frequented. Later in life, Dee found out she also liked beer (Walt’s favorite beverage) and made it a point to have an occasional Shock Top or Blue Moon with her friends and family in a wine goblet with an orange slice, of course! She loved Sedona, Arizona, and would vacation there often with her husband, friends and family.

Dee had a short illness, and the family is so grateful to the Hospice of the Valley for recommending the Lund Family Hospice Home in Gilbert for her last few days. She will be sorely missed by her daughters and son-in-law. They were so honored to have her as their mom. Her life was Well Lived! In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent in memory of Dolores “Dee” Fritz to the Lund Family Hospice Home, 1982 E. Woodside Court, Gilbert, AZ 85297.

Larry Arthur Swanson

Larry Arthur Swanson, 85, of Sun Lakes, Arizona, passed away Saturday, March 24, 2018, at his home.

Larry was born May 14,1932, in Mason City, Iowa, to Art and Blanche Swanson. He was the oldest of three brothers: Larry, Bill (deceased) and Tom. He graduated from Mason City High School in 1951. Larry enlisted in the Air Force and was honorably discharged on February 12, 1956, with a National Defense Service Medal and a Good Conduct Medal.

On June 22, 1958, he married Norma Jean McEachran in Mason City, Iowa. Larry was employed at Paine Plumbing for over 25 years and upon retiring, he and Norma moved to Sun Lakes, Arizona, in 1986. Larry and Norma were active members of Trinity Lutheran Church in Mason City, IA, and King of Glory Lutheran Church in Tempe, AZ. He was an avid tennis player and played regularly at the Palo Verde and Cottonwood Country Clubs with his friends. Larry enjoyed going many times to the auto auctions, train shows and flea markets. In Iowa and in Arizona, Larry loved to garden and continued doing so until a few years ago. Larry and Norma loved to play games and over the course of their years in Arizona, would play weekly with friends and or family.

Larry is survived by his wife Norma of 59 years; his daughter and son-in-law Tammy and Dean Douglas of Chandler, AZ; grandchildren Zachary Douglas (living in Chongqing), China and Delaney Douglas of Chandler, AZ; Larry’s sister-in-law Sharon Swanson (Bill is deceased) of Mesa, AZ; and Tom and Ann Swanson of Mesa, AZ. He is also survived by Norma’s brother and sister-in-law Ralph and Eleanor McEachran of Mason City, IA, and several nieces and nephews.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents and brother Bill Swanson.

On June 30, 2018, a memorial service will be held at Major Erickson Funeral Home at 111 N. Pennsylvania Ave., Mason City, IA (the time will be posted in the paper closer to the date of service). Larry will be buried at Elmwood Cemetery in Mason City, IA. Please make any memorials/ donations to the Hospice of the Valley at the following address: Hospice of the Valley, 1510 E. Flower Street, Phoenix, AZ 85014.

Joseph L. Harris

Joseph L. Harris, age 86, died of a heart attack on March 26, 2018. He was a friend of many, living in Cottonwood for over 20 years. Joseph will be missed.