Ida Melanie Deines passed away August 26, 2009 at Trego County Lemke Memorial Hospital in WaKeeney, KS at the age of 100 years and 16 days.


Ida, the only daughter of Joseph and Amalie (Deutscher) Schoenthaler, was born August 10, 1909 on the family farm in Ellis County, KS. In 1917, she, along with her family, moved to a farm south of Ogallah, near Cedar Bluff, where she received her elementary education in rural Trego County by attending Lawson School.


Ida was united in marriage to Bert P. Deines in the Zion Lutheran Church at Trego Center on November 3, 1929 after which they made their home on a farm southwest of WaKeeney and Trego Center. When they semi-retired from farming in 1949 and moved to WaKeeney, Ida went to work at Hansen's Dress Shop for 12 years. Bert passed away December 21, 1988.


Ida was baptized in St. Johns Lutheran Church in rural Ellis County and was confirmed in Christ Lutheran Church in Ellis, KS. Ida had a deep and abiding faith in God and was an active and faithful member of the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in WaKeeney and a past member of the Zion Lutheran Church at Trego Center. She was a member and past participant in various church organizations and activities. She was also a past member of the Randall Reid VFW Post #3449 Auxiliary and Fraternal Order of Eagles #3774 Auxiliary, both in WaKeeney.


Ida loved to read, cook and bake, crochet afghans, make quilts, care for her house, garden and flowers and visit with her friends and relatives. She also always enjoyed playing cards and was a member of various card clubs.


Ida was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Bert, two brothers, F. W. (Bill) Schoenthaler and Adam Schoenthaler, a son-in-law, Lester Ufford and a daughter-in-law, Shirley Deines.


Left to mourn her passing, but quick to celebrate her life, are her three children, Joy LaJune Ufford, Kansas City, MO, Elaine Gleason and husband, I. D., Green Valley, AZ and Duane D. Deines, Newcastle Upon Tyne, England, UK. Also rejoicing in a life well-lived are three grandchildren, Janet McNally and husband, Jude, Tucson, AZ, Gregg Ufford and fiancée, Shelly Rankins, Kansas City, MO and Michael Gleason and wife, Kris, Arvada, CO; six great-grandchildren, Robin Fuller and husband, Luke, Camarillo, CA, Jaimie Reaves, Tucson, AZ, Jack, Wyat, and Sam Gleason, Arvada, CO and Sirena Ufford, Kansas City, MO, two great-great-grandsons, Aiden and Rian Fuller, Camarillo, CA and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.


Visitation will be held 6:00 to 7:30 PM, Monday, August 31, 2009 at Schmitt Funeral Home in WaKeeney. A prayer service will follow at 7:30 PM.


Services for Ida will be held Tuesday, September 1, 2009 at 10:30 AM in the Bethlehem Lutheran Church at WaKeeney with Pastor Randy Gibbs and Intern Melinda McCluskey officiating. Interment is in WaKeeney City Cemetery.


Memorials are suggested to the Bethlehem Lutheran Church or the TCLMH Long Term Care and can be sent in care of Schmitt Funeral Home, 336 N 12th, WaKeeney, KS 67671.


Condolences may be sent to the family at schmittfuneral.com.