Daughter of James Edward & Edna Vivian(Hopper) Combest
Spouse of 1st)Frank Zitnik married 16 Jan 1938 Lyons, Kansas; 2nd) Fred Best married Dec 1985.
Blanche Zitnik Best, 80, died Friday, March 10, at Glendale, Ariz. She was a teacher and longtime Ransom resident, moving to Arizona in 1984. She was born Dec. 24, 1914, at Newberg, Ore., the daughter of J.E. and Vivian Hopper Combest. She married Frank Zitnik at Lyons Jan. 14, 1938. He died June 22, 1980. She married Fred Best at Sun City, Ariz. Dec. 8, 1985. He died Aug. 23, 1992.
She was a member of the church of Christ, Glendale, Delta Kappa Gamma, the National Education Association and Kansas-NEA, Business and Professional Women, charter member of the Janes and Jeans Square Dance Club, Ransom, and the Gay Gingham Extension Unit. She is survived by a sister, Florence Engle, Lee’s Summit, Mo.; a step-son, Fredrick “Rick” Best, Jr. of Kingman, Ariz.; and a step-granddaughter.
A memorial service will be held Sunday, March 19, at 2:00 p.m. at the church of Christ in Ransom. Memorials may be sent to the church or to Zitnik Park, Ransom, in care of Mark Horchem, Rt. 1, Box 2, Ransom, Ks. 67572
Ness Co. News, Mar. 16, 1995
Blanche Edna Combest Zitnik Best was born at Newberg, Or. December 24, 1914, the fifth of six children born to James Edward and Vivian Edna (Hopper) Combest. She passed away Friday, March 10, 1995 at a nursing home in Glendale, Az. At the age of six months, Blanche moved with her parents and brothers and sisters to a farm northeast of Ransom where she grew to adulthood. She attended country grade school at Pink, northeast of Ransom. She attended junior high school and high school in Ransom, graduating in 1932. She attended Fort Hays Kansas State College and obtained her teaching certificate after which she taught two years in Ness County country schools, Forrester Valley and Pride, followed by three years of teaching in Bazine and Alexander.
Her teaching career was interrupted following her marriage to Frank Zitnik January 14, 1938 at Lyons. Frank and Blanche lived in LaCrosse, where Frank was the County Agricultural Extension Agent for Rush County. Frank was called into the service in May, 1942 and was stationed in Greenland for 15 months. He came back to the United States and Blanche joined him while he was stationed in Maine. While living in Maine, she did some substitute teaching and took the volunteer Red Cross nurses-aid training followed by volunteer Red Cross work in the hospital there.
After Frank’s discharge from the service in June, 1946, Frank and Blanche moved back to Ransom and went into farm partnership with her father. They lived in her childhood home for the next 18 years. It was during this time their son Frank Edward (Eddie) Zitnik was born. Blanche enjoyed being a farm house-wife and mother. Frank became a mail carrier in October, 1957, along with their farming interests. In May, 1964 Blanche’s father passed away and the farm was then divided among her brothers and sisters.
In 1953 Blanche was encouraged to renew her teaching certificate. She obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in Education in 1958 and her Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education in May, 1972. She taught two years at Arnold followed by 20 years at Ness City. After 26 and 1/2 years in the teaching profession, she retired in May, 1974 so she could spend more time with Frank. He retired from the postal service in 1976.
Following their retirements, they enjoyed many extensive trips together, including trips to both coasts. She had several hobbies, including reading, home and yard improvement, fishing, traveling and square dancing. In 1965 Frank and Blanche built a home in Ransom, where they were living when Frank passed away. She continued to live in Ransom until 1984, when she sold her home and moved to Sun City, Az. Blanche met a widower, Fred Best, who became, as she called him, her “Best” friend. After meeting, they enjoyed morning walks with Bonnie, his silver poodle. They were married December 8, 1985, planning a few years of sharing their lives together. They especially enjoyed their honeymoon in Hawaii.
Blanche was a member of the church of Christ, being baptized October 9, 1930. Her church played a very important part in her life, and she remained a faithful and dedicated member throughout her life. She was a charter member of the Janes and Jeans Square Dance club, V.F.W. Auxiliary, and a member of the Gay Ginghams E.H.U. club, all of Ransom. She was also a member of Delta Kappa Gamma, National Education Association, Kansas-National Education Association, SouthWest Kindergarten Association, and a member of the Business and Professional Women.
Blanche was preceded in death by her parents; her husbands, Frank Zitnik, June 22, 1980 and Fred Best, August 23, 1992; son, Eddie, February 4, 1968; three brothers, Earl Leighton Combest, Dale Edward Combest and Merwin James Combest; one sister, Bertha Josephine Combest Horchem Hall, Sterling.
Survivors include a sister: Florence Emma Combest Engle, Lee’s Summit, MO; one step-son, Frederick (Rick) Best, Jr. and wife Nea, of Kingman, Az.; one step- granddaughter, Erika Breanna Best, Kingman, Az.; an aunt, Fern Combest, Ransom; five sisters-in-law, Gladys Combest, Glendale, Az.; Twila Combest Kraus, Ransom; Elizabeth Zitnik Wisner, Solomons, MD; Laura Zitnik Brown, Memphis, TN; Josephine Zitnik Uttley, Grove, OK and Ada Best Madsen, Sun City, Az.; two brothers-in-law, Al Sterling, and Bill Best, both of Sun City, Az.; many nieces and nephews, other relatives and many, many friends. Memorial services were held in Glendale, Az. Thursday afternoon, March 16, 1995, Sun City church of Christ, Peoria, Az.
Additional memorial services will be held at the Ransom church of Christ, Sunday, March 19, 1995, 2:00 p.m. The body was cremated. Interment will be in the family plot in the Ransom Cemetery at a later date. Memorials may be made to the Ransom church of Christ, or the Ransom Lions Club Park, (Zitnik Park), both in care of Mark Horchem, R.R. 1, Box 2, Ransom, KS 67572.
Spouse of 1st)Frank Zitnik married 16 Jan 1938 Lyons, Kansas; 2nd) Fred Best married Dec 1985.
Blanche Zitnik Best, 80, died Friday, March 10, at Glendale, Ariz. She was a teacher and longtime Ransom resident, moving to Arizona in 1984. She was born Dec. 24, 1914, at Newberg, Ore., the daughter of J.E. and Vivian Hopper Combest. She married Frank Zitnik at Lyons Jan. 14, 1938. He died June 22, 1980. She married Fred Best at Sun City, Ariz. Dec. 8, 1985. He died Aug. 23, 1992.
She was a member of the church of Christ, Glendale, Delta Kappa Gamma, the National Education Association and Kansas-NEA, Business and Professional Women, charter member of the Janes and Jeans Square Dance Club, Ransom, and the Gay Gingham Extension Unit. She is survived by a sister, Florence Engle, Lee’s Summit, Mo.; a step-son, Fredrick “Rick” Best, Jr. of Kingman, Ariz.; and a step-granddaughter.
A memorial service will be held Sunday, March 19, at 2:00 p.m. at the church of Christ in Ransom. Memorials may be sent to the church or to Zitnik Park, Ransom, in care of Mark Horchem, Rt. 1, Box 2, Ransom, Ks. 67572
Ness Co. News, Mar. 16, 1995
Blanche Edna Combest Zitnik Best was born at Newberg, Or. December 24, 1914, the fifth of six children born to James Edward and Vivian Edna (Hopper) Combest. She passed away Friday, March 10, 1995 at a nursing home in Glendale, Az. At the age of six months, Blanche moved with her parents and brothers and sisters to a farm northeast of Ransom where she grew to adulthood. She attended country grade school at Pink, northeast of Ransom. She attended junior high school and high school in Ransom, graduating in 1932. She attended Fort Hays Kansas State College and obtained her teaching certificate after which she taught two years in Ness County country schools, Forrester Valley and Pride, followed by three years of teaching in Bazine and Alexander.
Her teaching career was interrupted following her marriage to Frank Zitnik January 14, 1938 at Lyons. Frank and Blanche lived in LaCrosse, where Frank was the County Agricultural Extension Agent for Rush County. Frank was called into the service in May, 1942 and was stationed in Greenland for 15 months. He came back to the United States and Blanche joined him while he was stationed in Maine. While living in Maine, she did some substitute teaching and took the volunteer Red Cross nurses-aid training followed by volunteer Red Cross work in the hospital there.
After Frank’s discharge from the service in June, 1946, Frank and Blanche moved back to Ransom and went into farm partnership with her father. They lived in her childhood home for the next 18 years. It was during this time their son Frank Edward (Eddie) Zitnik was born. Blanche enjoyed being a farm house-wife and mother. Frank became a mail carrier in October, 1957, along with their farming interests. In May, 1964 Blanche’s father passed away and the farm was then divided among her brothers and sisters.
In 1953 Blanche was encouraged to renew her teaching certificate. She obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in Education in 1958 and her Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education in May, 1972. She taught two years at Arnold followed by 20 years at Ness City. After 26 and 1/2 years in the teaching profession, she retired in May, 1974 so she could spend more time with Frank. He retired from the postal service in 1976.
Following their retirements, they enjoyed many extensive trips together, including trips to both coasts. She had several hobbies, including reading, home and yard improvement, fishing, traveling and square dancing. In 1965 Frank and Blanche built a home in Ransom, where they were living when Frank passed away. She continued to live in Ransom until 1984, when she sold her home and moved to Sun City, Az. Blanche met a widower, Fred Best, who became, as she called him, her “Best” friend. After meeting, they enjoyed morning walks with Bonnie, his silver poodle. They were married December 8, 1985, planning a few years of sharing their lives together. They especially enjoyed their honeymoon in Hawaii.
Blanche was a member of the church of Christ, being baptized October 9, 1930. Her church played a very important part in her life, and she remained a faithful and dedicated member throughout her life. She was a charter member of the Janes and Jeans Square Dance club, V.F.W. Auxiliary, and a member of the Gay Ginghams E.H.U. club, all of Ransom. She was also a member of Delta Kappa Gamma, National Education Association, Kansas-National Education Association, SouthWest Kindergarten Association, and a member of the Business and Professional Women.
Blanche was preceded in death by her parents; her husbands, Frank Zitnik, June 22, 1980 and Fred Best, August 23, 1992; son, Eddie, February 4, 1968; three brothers, Earl Leighton Combest, Dale Edward Combest and Merwin James Combest; one sister, Bertha Josephine Combest Horchem Hall, Sterling.
Survivors include a sister: Florence Emma Combest Engle, Lee’s Summit, MO; one step-son, Frederick (Rick) Best, Jr. and wife Nea, of Kingman, Az.; one step- granddaughter, Erika Breanna Best, Kingman, Az.; an aunt, Fern Combest, Ransom; five sisters-in-law, Gladys Combest, Glendale, Az.; Twila Combest Kraus, Ransom; Elizabeth Zitnik Wisner, Solomons, MD; Laura Zitnik Brown, Memphis, TN; Josephine Zitnik Uttley, Grove, OK and Ada Best Madsen, Sun City, Az.; two brothers-in-law, Al Sterling, and Bill Best, both of Sun City, Az.; many nieces and nephews, other relatives and many, many friends. Memorial services were held in Glendale, Az. Thursday afternoon, March 16, 1995, Sun City church of Christ, Peoria, Az.
Additional memorial services will be held at the Ransom church of Christ, Sunday, March 19, 1995, 2:00 p.m. The body was cremated. Interment will be in the family plot in the Ransom Cemetery at a later date. Memorials may be made to the Ransom church of Christ, or the Ransom Lions Club Park, (Zitnik Park), both in care of Mark Horchem, R.R. 1, Box 2, Ransom, KS 67572.
Daughter of James Edward & Edna Vivian(Hopper) Combest
Spouse of 1st)Frank Zitnik married 16 Jan 1938 Lyons, Kansas; 2nd) Fred Best married Dec 1985.
Blanche Zitnik Best, 80, died Friday, March 10, at Glendale, Ariz. She was a teacher and longtime Ransom resident, moving to Arizona in 1984. She was born Dec. 24, 1914, at Newberg, Ore., the daughter of J.E. and Vivian Hopper Combest. She married Frank Zitnik at Lyons Jan. 14, 1938. He died June 22, 1980. She married Fred Best at Sun City, Ariz. Dec. 8, 1985. He died Aug. 23, 1992.
She was a member of the church of Christ, Glendale, Delta Kappa Gamma, the National Education Association and Kansas-NEA, Business and Professional Women, charter member of the Janes and Jeans Square Dance Club, Ransom, and the Gay Gingham Extension Unit. She is survived by a sister, Florence Engle, Lee’s Summit, Mo.; a step-son, Fredrick “Rick” Best, Jr. of Kingman, Ariz.; and a step-granddaughter.
A memorial service will be held Sunday, March 19, at 2:00 p.m. at the church of Christ in Ransom. Memorials may be sent to the church or to Zitnik Park, Ransom, in care of Mark Horchem, Rt. 1, Box 2, Ransom, Ks. 67572
Ness Co. News, Mar. 16, 1995
Blanche Edna Combest Zitnik Best was born at Newberg, Or. December 24, 1914, the fifth of six children born to James Edward and Vivian Edna (Hopper) Combest. She passed away Friday, March 10, 1995 at a nursing home in Glendale, Az. At the age of six months, Blanche moved with her parents and brothers and sisters to a farm northeast of Ransom where she grew to adulthood. She attended country grade school at Pink, northeast of Ransom. She attended junior high school and high school in Ransom, graduating in 1932. She attended Fort Hays Kansas State College and obtained her teaching certificate after which she taught two years in Ness County country schools, Forrester Valley and Pride, followed by three years of teaching in Bazine and Alexander.
Her teaching career was interrupted following her marriage to Frank Zitnik January 14, 1938 at Lyons. Frank and Blanche lived in LaCrosse, where Frank was the County Agricultural Extension Agent for Rush County. Frank was called into the service in May, 1942 and was stationed in Greenland for 15 months. He came back to the United States and Blanche joined him while he was stationed in Maine. While living in Maine, she did some substitute teaching and took the volunteer Red Cross nurses-aid training followed by volunteer Red Cross work in the hospital there.
After Frank’s discharge from the service in June, 1946, Frank and Blanche moved back to Ransom and went into farm partnership with her father. They lived in her childhood home for the next 18 years. It was during this time their son Frank Edward (Eddie) Zitnik was born. Blanche enjoyed being a farm house-wife and mother. Frank became a mail carrier in October, 1957, along with their farming interests. In May, 1964 Blanche’s father passed away and the farm was then divided among her brothers and sisters.
In 1953 Blanche was encouraged to renew her teaching certificate. She obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in Education in 1958 and her Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education in May, 1972. She taught two years at Arnold followed by 20 years at Ness City. After 26 and 1/2 years in the teaching profession, she retired in May, 1974 so she could spend more time with Frank. He retired from the postal service in 1976.
Following their retirements, they enjoyed many extensive trips together, including trips to both coasts. She had several hobbies, including reading, home and yard improvement, fishing, traveling and square dancing. In 1965 Frank and Blanche built a home in Ransom, where they were living when Frank passed away. She continued to live in Ransom until 1984, when she sold her home and moved to Sun City, Az. Blanche met a widower, Fred Best, who became, as she called him, her “Best” friend. After meeting, they enjoyed morning walks with Bonnie, his silver poodle. They were married December 8, 1985, planning a few years of sharing their lives together. They especially enjoyed their honeymoon in Hawaii.
Blanche was a member of the church of Christ, being baptized October 9, 1930. Her church played a very important part in her life, and she remained a faithful and dedicated member throughout her life. She was a charter member of the Janes and Jeans Square Dance club, V.F.W. Auxiliary, and a member of the Gay Ginghams E.H.U. club, all of Ransom. She was also a member of Delta Kappa Gamma, National Education Association, Kansas-National Education Association, SouthWest Kindergarten Association, and a member of the Business and Professional Women.
Blanche was preceded in death by her parents; her husbands, Frank Zitnik, June 22, 1980 and Fred Best, August 23, 1992; son, Eddie, February 4, 1968; three brothers, Earl Leighton Combest, Dale Edward Combest and Merwin James Combest; one sister, Bertha Josephine Combest Horchem Hall, Sterling.
Survivors include a sister: Florence Emma Combest Engle, Lee’s Summit, MO; one step-son, Frederick (Rick) Best, Jr. and wife Nea, of Kingman, Az.; one step- granddaughter, Erika Breanna Best, Kingman, Az.; an aunt, Fern Combest, Ransom; five sisters-in-law, Gladys Combest, Glendale, Az.; Twila Combest Kraus, Ransom; Elizabeth Zitnik Wisner, Solomons, MD; Laura Zitnik Brown, Memphis, TN; Josephine Zitnik Uttley, Grove, OK and Ada Best Madsen, Sun City, Az.; two brothers-in-law, Al Sterling, and Bill Best, both of Sun City, Az.; many nieces and nephews, other relatives and many, many friends. Memorial services were held in Glendale, Az. Thursday afternoon, March 16, 1995, Sun City church of Christ, Peoria, Az.
Additional memorial services will be held at the Ransom church of Christ, Sunday, March 19, 1995, 2:00 p.m. The body was cremated. Interment will be in the family plot in the Ransom Cemetery at a later date. Memorials may be made to the Ransom church of Christ, or the Ransom Lions Club Park, (Zitnik Park), both in care of Mark Horchem, R.R. 1, Box 2, Ransom, KS 67572.
Spouse of 1st)Frank Zitnik married 16 Jan 1938 Lyons, Kansas; 2nd) Fred Best married Dec 1985.
Blanche Zitnik Best, 80, died Friday, March 10, at Glendale, Ariz. She was a teacher and longtime Ransom resident, moving to Arizona in 1984. She was born Dec. 24, 1914, at Newberg, Ore., the daughter of J.E. and Vivian Hopper Combest. She married Frank Zitnik at Lyons Jan. 14, 1938. He died June 22, 1980. She married Fred Best at Sun City, Ariz. Dec. 8, 1985. He died Aug. 23, 1992.
She was a member of the church of Christ, Glendale, Delta Kappa Gamma, the National Education Association and Kansas-NEA, Business and Professional Women, charter member of the Janes and Jeans Square Dance Club, Ransom, and the Gay Gingham Extension Unit. She is survived by a sister, Florence Engle, Lee’s Summit, Mo.; a step-son, Fredrick “Rick” Best, Jr. of Kingman, Ariz.; and a step-granddaughter.
A memorial service will be held Sunday, March 19, at 2:00 p.m. at the church of Christ in Ransom. Memorials may be sent to the church or to Zitnik Park, Ransom, in care of Mark Horchem, Rt. 1, Box 2, Ransom, Ks. 67572
Ness Co. News, Mar. 16, 1995
Blanche Edna Combest Zitnik Best was born at Newberg, Or. December 24, 1914, the fifth of six children born to James Edward and Vivian Edna (Hopper) Combest. She passed away Friday, March 10, 1995 at a nursing home in Glendale, Az. At the age of six months, Blanche moved with her parents and brothers and sisters to a farm northeast of Ransom where she grew to adulthood. She attended country grade school at Pink, northeast of Ransom. She attended junior high school and high school in Ransom, graduating in 1932. She attended Fort Hays Kansas State College and obtained her teaching certificate after which she taught two years in Ness County country schools, Forrester Valley and Pride, followed by three years of teaching in Bazine and Alexander.
Her teaching career was interrupted following her marriage to Frank Zitnik January 14, 1938 at Lyons. Frank and Blanche lived in LaCrosse, where Frank was the County Agricultural Extension Agent for Rush County. Frank was called into the service in May, 1942 and was stationed in Greenland for 15 months. He came back to the United States and Blanche joined him while he was stationed in Maine. While living in Maine, she did some substitute teaching and took the volunteer Red Cross nurses-aid training followed by volunteer Red Cross work in the hospital there.
After Frank’s discharge from the service in June, 1946, Frank and Blanche moved back to Ransom and went into farm partnership with her father. They lived in her childhood home for the next 18 years. It was during this time their son Frank Edward (Eddie) Zitnik was born. Blanche enjoyed being a farm house-wife and mother. Frank became a mail carrier in October, 1957, along with their farming interests. In May, 1964 Blanche’s father passed away and the farm was then divided among her brothers and sisters.
In 1953 Blanche was encouraged to renew her teaching certificate. She obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in Education in 1958 and her Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education in May, 1972. She taught two years at Arnold followed by 20 years at Ness City. After 26 and 1/2 years in the teaching profession, she retired in May, 1974 so she could spend more time with Frank. He retired from the postal service in 1976.
Following their retirements, they enjoyed many extensive trips together, including trips to both coasts. She had several hobbies, including reading, home and yard improvement, fishing, traveling and square dancing. In 1965 Frank and Blanche built a home in Ransom, where they were living when Frank passed away. She continued to live in Ransom until 1984, when she sold her home and moved to Sun City, Az. Blanche met a widower, Fred Best, who became, as she called him, her “Best” friend. After meeting, they enjoyed morning walks with Bonnie, his silver poodle. They were married December 8, 1985, planning a few years of sharing their lives together. They especially enjoyed their honeymoon in Hawaii.
Blanche was a member of the church of Christ, being baptized October 9, 1930. Her church played a very important part in her life, and she remained a faithful and dedicated member throughout her life. She was a charter member of the Janes and Jeans Square Dance club, V.F.W. Auxiliary, and a member of the Gay Ginghams E.H.U. club, all of Ransom. She was also a member of Delta Kappa Gamma, National Education Association, Kansas-National Education Association, SouthWest Kindergarten Association, and a member of the Business and Professional Women.
Blanche was preceded in death by her parents; her husbands, Frank Zitnik, June 22, 1980 and Fred Best, August 23, 1992; son, Eddie, February 4, 1968; three brothers, Earl Leighton Combest, Dale Edward Combest and Merwin James Combest; one sister, Bertha Josephine Combest Horchem Hall, Sterling.
Survivors include a sister: Florence Emma Combest Engle, Lee’s Summit, MO; one step-son, Frederick (Rick) Best, Jr. and wife Nea, of Kingman, Az.; one step- granddaughter, Erika Breanna Best, Kingman, Az.; an aunt, Fern Combest, Ransom; five sisters-in-law, Gladys Combest, Glendale, Az.; Twila Combest Kraus, Ransom; Elizabeth Zitnik Wisner, Solomons, MD; Laura Zitnik Brown, Memphis, TN; Josephine Zitnik Uttley, Grove, OK and Ada Best Madsen, Sun City, Az.; two brothers-in-law, Al Sterling, and Bill Best, both of Sun City, Az.; many nieces and nephews, other relatives and many, many friends. Memorial services were held in Glendale, Az. Thursday afternoon, March 16, 1995, Sun City church of Christ, Peoria, Az.
Additional memorial services will be held at the Ransom church of Christ, Sunday, March 19, 1995, 2:00 p.m. The body was cremated. Interment will be in the family plot in the Ransom Cemetery at a later date. Memorials may be made to the Ransom church of Christ, or the Ransom Lions Club Park, (Zitnik Park), both in care of Mark Horchem, R.R. 1, Box 2, Ransom, KS 67572.
Gravesite Details
Blanche Edna (Combest) Zitnik Best - cremated
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