IN MEMORIAM

EXPANDED EULOGIES

“In Memoriam” listings are expanded paid obituaries, phrased as the family requests, and may include enhanced information or photographs that might not fit within free death notices.

Luetta Havlik

Funeral Mass for former Tampa resident Luetta Mae Havlik, 94, Ellsworth, who passed away Wednesday, April 9, 2025, was 10 a.m. Monday, April 14, 2025, at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church, Ellsworth. Burial followed at Kanopolis Cemetery.

Visitation was 4 to 7 p.m., Sunday, April 13, 2025, at Parsons Funeral Home, Ellsworth. Family members were present 6 to 7 p.m. A vigil and rosary began at 7 p.m. at the funeral home.

“Lu” was born May 21, 1930, on a farm near Yates Center to parents Clarence and Nina (Mulsow) Steele.

She grew up attending rural Woodson County schools, graduated from Yates Center High School, and attended Kansas State Teachers College, Emporia, now Emporia State University.

After attending KSTC for one summer, she was able to teach in Woodson County rural schools because of a critical shortage of teachers after World War II.

She taught in one-room schoolhouses at Askren School for two years and at Pleasant View for two years.

After that, she moved to Wichita, where she was employed by the Wichita Eagle-Beacon.

In Wichita, she met and married Ladislav “Laddie” Havlik. The Havliks lived in Wichita for 11 years before relocating their family to Tampa, where they owned and operated Tampa Lumber and Hardware, and Luetta was employed at Mid-America Nursing Center.

After selling their hardware store, the Havliks moved to Kanopolis in 1975. Luetta became employed as a certified nursing assistant at Good Samaritan Nursing Home, a job she greatly enjoyed until she retired after 21 years.

After her retirement, Luetta went to work for J.H. Robbins Library in Ellsworth, where she enjoyed working for nearly 13 years.

After her second retirement, she cared for her husband, who was in ill health; worked with her garden and flowers; and enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren.

After Laddie’s death, Luetta moved to the Good Samaritan campus in Ellsworth.

She leaves four children: James Havlik (and wife Linda) of Dora, Alabama; Carol Havlik (and husband Gary Boyd) of Washam, Wyoming; and Anne Deming and Jane Coyne (and husband Dave) of Ellsworth.

Also surviving are seven grandchildren: Erica Havlik (and husband Aaron) of Plantersville, Alabama; C.J. Havlik of Douglasville, Georgia; Cassie Coffin (and husband Cody) of Owasso, Oklahoma; Randi Nienke (and husband Eric) of Salina; Ross Deming (and wife Stephanie) of Kanopolis; Anthony Kepka of Lawrence; and Lindsey Burgey (and husband Zach) of Buhler.

She greatly enjoyed her plethora of great-grandchildren and her one great-great-grandchild.

Memorials may be given to St. Ignatius of Loyola Catholic Church in Kanopolis, St. Bernard Catholic Church in Ellsworth, the Nature Conservancy, or Gentiva Hospice, or share the joy of reading by donating a copy of your favorite book to a library. Condolences can be left at parsonsfh.com.