Obituaries - Thursday, September 10

Larry Lee Allen

September 25, 1943 - September 6, 2026

Larry Lee Allen, 82, of Salina, passed away September 6, 2026. He was born September 25, 1943, to Edward and Betty (Ranson) Allen, in Iola, KS.

He lived in several small towns around southeast Kansas while growing up. He was able to escape a tumultuous and unpredictable childhood by joining the U.S. Navy alongside his brother, Jim Allen, at the age of 17 in 1960. He worked to achieve his GED while in the Navy. He proudly served until his honorable discharge in 1964. He and Jim moved to Kansas City together to work for the Union Pacific Railroad. It was there that he met his future wife, Orena Voeltz. They were married on December 30, 1967, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Ellsworth, KS during a snowstorm. Their two children, Kevin and Karin, were both born while still in Kansas City. They later moved to Salina, KS in 1977 so that their kids could attend smaller schools.

Larry worked several jobs over the next 30 plus years before retiring in 2011. He worked for Landes Vending and Coca Cola before working as custodial staff for USD305 and doing maintenance for the Salina Public Library.

He enjoyed staying busy tinkering with projects and watching his grandkids sports and activities. He and Orena rarely missed an opportunity to watch them. They enjoyed every achievement and loved bragging about them. Orena had a childcare in their home and Larry loved coming home to see all the kids after work. They knew this as their second home, and he was their “Papa Larry”.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Orena (Voeltz) Allen, brothers Carl Allen and Jim Allen; sisters Vicky Jones, Gloria Watts and his parents and in-laws; and nephew Ricky Allen.

He is survived by his son Kevin Allen and daughter, Karin Clemmer (Shawn), of Salina; grandchildren, Kayleen Allen (Casey Shea) Kara Allen, Blayke Hudson (Aaron) and Seth Clemmer; and great grandson Braxton. He is also survived by one brother Richard “Bud” Jackson Sr. of Iola, sister-in-law Theda Allen, nephews Elvyn and Tracy Allen of Florida, and brother-in-law Orval Voeltz of Ellsworth and several other cousins, nieces and nephews around Kansas.

Larry declined and eventually surrendered after 6 or 7 years of battling Alzheimer's. During that time his family and friends watched his memory and eventually his physical abilities were stolen from him. But through it all, he always knew who we were, remembered our names and told us we were loved by him and Jesus. Even on the really bad days his mood and his face changed when Braxton came to see him. His heart and love held on till the very end.

He had a strong faith in God and would still pray and quote Bible scriptures better than any of us. We are comforted knowing he is now with his wife and our Holy God. We want to express our sincere appreciation for all the staff at Arbor Court, Reflection Resort and Pinnacle Park over the past 5 years.

Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. on Friday, September 11, 2026, at Ryan Mortuary, Salina. The funeral service will be at 10 a.m. on Saturday, September 12, 2026, at Ryan Mortuary, with burial to follow at 1 p.m. at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church Cemetery, 1911 100th Ave, Ramona, KS 67475.

Memorials can be made to Infant Child Development Program in care of Ryan Mortuary, 137 N 8th St, Salina, KS 67401.

Ryan Mortuary

Larry Lee Dunlap

March 12, 1937 - September 2, 2026

Larry Lee Dunlap, 89, made his final landing September 2, 2026, keeping it straight and level after a nine-year mission battling Alzheimer’s disease. As his memory faded, his kindness and wit charmed everyone lucky enough to spend time in his orbit.

A true Kansan, Larry was born in Clay Center, KS, on March 12, 1937, to Perry and Marie Dunlap. He graduated from Salina High School in 1955 and headed to the University of Kansas, where he joined the Delta Chi fraternity.

While at KU, Larry met his favorite Jayhawk, Catherine (Cathy) Nieder. He received a B.S. in Industrial Management in 1959 and Cathy’s hand in marriage the following year, proving his dear friend Stewart Horejsi wrong when he’d told Larry that “he didn’t stand a chance” of winning her over. Cathy remained Larry’s north star throughout their 66 years of marriage.

Larry joined the U.S. Air Force in 1959, earning the rank of Captain and flying the KC-135 for many mid-air refueling missions. In 1965 Larry and Cathy moved to Salina, where, together with his family, he opened, co-owned and operated Salina Auto Parts for nearly 40 years.

Larry and Cathy welcomed daughter Elizabeth (Betsy) shortly after moving back and son David a few years later. Betsy and David looked up to Larry’s integrity, work ethic, calm demeanor, subtle humor, and devotion to his family throughout their lives, both at Salina Auto Parts and at home around the dinner table.

A highly involved member of the community, Larry served as both a board member and president/chair of the Salina Salvation Army, Salina Downtown Inc., Salina Rotary Club, Salina Chamber of Commerce, St. John’s Hospital, and St. John’s Military School.

Larry also had the joy of spending time with his grandchildren, all of whom carry on his kindness and wit and love of the Jayhawks.

Larry leaves behind so many who loved him including his wife, Cathy; son, David (Julie); grandchildren, Eleanor Zhukenova (Sarah), Amelia (Ellis Morgan), Luke (Maleena Hatfield), and Caroline Dunlap (Kai Zimmerman); chosen family, Gary Schmidt and Diana Kleidosty (Joe); sister, Donna Poort; brother, Evans Dunlap (Jackie); niece, Chris Johnson (Randy); and many more branches on his family tree.

Waiting for Larry upon his landing were his parents; daughter, Betsy; sister, Joy Gawith; brothers-in-law, Al Gawith, Steve Poort, and Paul Nieder; and many old friends, including members of his former golf group affectionately known as the Dream Team.

Visitation will be held from 4 p.m. - 6 p.m. Wednesday, September 9th at Ryan Mortuary. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Thursday, September 10th at First United Methodist Church in Salina, with a reception to follow at Salina Country Club and a private burial at Roselawn Memorial Park Cemetery at 3:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to First United Methodist Church or the Salvation Army of Salina, KS.

Above all, we hope you’ll greet a stranger with a smile and a “Howdy” in honor of Larry today.

Ryan Mortuary

Randy Ray White

July 28, 1953 - August 27, 2026

Randy Ray White , 73, of New Cambria, KS passed away peacefully on August 27th at his home, surrounded by his family after a short battle with cancer.

Randy was born on July 28th 1953 in Salina to Clyde and Florence White. He grew up in rural Solomon and spent his life building a legacy of the family farm, playing football (he was on the only undefeated senior football team in Solomon), and playing in multiple bands.

Randy was known for his strength, loyalty, sense of humor, and stubbornness. He found great joy in playing multiple instruments and singing, and then later in life developed a love for showing Cutting horses. Those who knew him will especially remember his ability to fix any piece of farm machinery with a colorful vocabulary, and his perfectionism in anything he endeavored.

Randy dedicated his professional life to working on and developing the family farm. He ran the Solomon elevator, ran a trucking company, owned a feedlot, and owned the Sale Barn in Clay Center. After retiring from farming he ventured into entrepreneurship (The Cowboys Weigh and Cowtown Nutrition).

Family was especially important to Randy. He is survived by his wife Jeanine, children Kayleigh Knutson (Matt) and Alexandra White, step-children, Cory, Chad, and Teresa Reiners (Travis), grandchildren Nevaeh and Paxton, step-grandchildren Auston, Dallys and Landon Carr, and Taniel and Tobi Knutson and his sister Joan Murphy (Mark). He was preceded in death by his parents, Clyde and Florence White and his sisters Susan Hummel and Marylin Weller.

Beyond the facts of Randy’s life, he will be remembered for being so intellectual, and his ability to recall and tell so many stories and facts. The love, laughter, and memories he gave us will be in our hearts forever.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Randy White memorial fund, if desired.

Randy’s life was a gift to all who knew him, and he will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered.

Ryan Mortuary

Jerald "Jerry" Thomas Sidener

September 7, 2026 - November 14, 1954

Jerald "Jerry" Thomas Sidener, age 71, passed away on Monday, September 7, 2026, at Smoky Hill Health and Rehabilitation in Salina, Kansas. Jerry was born on November 14, 1954, in Salina, Kansas.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Delmar and Peggy (Funston) Sidener, step-father, Carl Hansen, and sister-in-law, Leschia (Smith) Sidener. He is survived by his siblings, Cindy (Jerry) Robertson of Spring Hill, Kansas; Lynette (Rojellio) Delgado of St. Louis, Missouri; Doug (Melody) Sidener of Meriden, Kansas; Julie (Stan) Stratton of Searcy, Arkansas; step-siblings, Kelly Conyers (Curt) of Pasadena, California; and Jeff Hansen of Abilene, Kansas; along with 12 nieces and nephews and multiple great-nieces and great-nephews.

Jerry was a longtime and faithful member of First Covenant Church in Salina, Kansas, where he served for multiple decades and formed many meaningful friendships with fellow believers. His faith in God was an important part of his life. When asked what he wanted others to remember about him, Jerry said, “I want them to remember me, but I really want them to remember God.” Those words reflect the heart of who Jerry was and what mattered most to him.

Jerry was also known for his kindness and gentle spirit. Those who worked with him often commented on how kind and pleasant he was and how sincerely he appreciated any help he received. He had a way of making others feel appreciated and valued.

Funeral services will be held at First Covenant Church, 2625 E. Magnolia Road, Salina, Kansas, at 10:00 am on Monday, September 14. Interment will immediately follow the service at Prairie Mound Cemetery, 2230 Barn Road, Solomon, Kansas.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to First Covenant Church, 2625 E. Magnolia Road, Salina, Kansas 67401.

Carlson Funeral Home