Alan C. Hagerman, 70, Larned, Kansas, passed away Tuesday, November 8, 2022, at Pawnee Valley Community Hospital in Larned, Kansas.

Alan was born on October 4, 1952, in Larned, Kansas. He was the son of Elmer and Hilda (Hemken) Hagerman. He was a lifelong resident of Pawnee County, Kansas.

A 1970 graduate of Pawnee Heights High School, Rozel, Kansas, he graduated from Kansas State University in 1974. Described as a big guy with a big heart, he made lifelong friends as a member of the Beta Sigma Psi fraternity at K-State where he majored in Ag Economics. Better than the friends he made, he met the love of his life and on August 16, 1974, he married Sindra Davis in Red Oak, Iowa. She survives.

Al was a farmer/rancher and he shared his love of farming, hunting, and outdoors with his wife and twin boys. He lived on the family farmstead near Rozel, Kansas, until his retirement. He and Sindy moved into Larned, Kansas, in November of 2017.

Al spent his retirement from farming being the unofficial parts fetcher or the midday taxi service. He always had a knack for stopping by to check on how harvest was going just as the evening meal showed up at the field. He loved driving out and checking his cattle on pasture.

Family and friends meant everything to Al. He enjoyed watching his grandkids play sports, at their shooting competitions, and dance recitals. He was always telling stories and accomplishments of his sons and their

families. He and Sindy would often be found proudly cheering in the stands, reading in the bleachers at grandparent’s day at school, or losing an intense game of go-fish. He hardly knew a stranger, and was never in too big of a hurry to stop for a conversation.

He was a member of Hope Lutheran Church in Rush Center, Kansas. Al was active in his community. He served on the Mid-State Coop board as well as the Pawnee Heights School Board. He served as secretary for the church council. Al spent 25 years as a coordinator and instructor for the Pawnee County Shooting Sports program. He also spent time as an instructor of Hunter’s Safety courses in Rozel, Kansas.

Other survivors include his sons Brian, Larned, Kansas, and Kent, Timken, Kansas; 5 grandchildren Kale, Kole, Mason, Gabe, and Maddy; two sisters, Carol (Larry) Bartlett and Becky (Steve) Wondra; and 8 nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and an older brother, Robert.

Memorial service will be Saturday, November 12, 2022, at 11:00 A.M. at Hope Lutheran Church, Rush Center, Kansas, with family present starting at 10:00 A.M.

Church visitation will be Saturday, November 12, 2022, from 10:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. at Hope Lutheran Church, Rush Center, Kansas.

A private family inurnment will be at a later date in Hope Lutheran Cemetery, Rush Center, Kansas.

In lieu of flowers or plants, the family requests memorials be given to Hope Lutheran Church, Rush Center, Kansas, or Pawnee County Shooting Sports

Condolences or remembrances may be left for the family at www.janousekfuneralhome.com.

Arrangements were by Janousek Funeral Home, 719 Pine Street, P O Box 550, La Crosse, Kansas 67548, 785/222-2517.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1668092052086.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Alan C. Hagerman, 70, Larned, Kansas, passed away Tuesday, November 8, 2022, at Pawnee Valley Community Hospital in Larned, Kansas.Alan was born on October 4, 1952, in Larned, Kansas. He was the son of Elmer and Hilda (Hemken) Hagerman. He was a lifelong resident of Pawnee County, Kansas.A 1970 graduate of Pawnee Heights High School, Rozel, Kansas, he graduated from Kansas State University in 1974. Described as a big guy with a big heart, he made lifelong friends as a member of the Beta Sigma Psi fraternity at K-State where he majored in Ag Economics. Better than the friends he made, he met the love of his life and on August 16, 1974, he married Sindra Davis in Red Oak, Iowa. She survives.Al was a farmer/rancher and he shared his love of farming, hunting, and outdoors with his wife and twin boys. He lived on the family farmstead near Rozel, Kansas, until his retirement. He and Sindy moved into Larned, Kansas, in November of 2017.Al spent his retirement from farming being the unofficial parts fetcher or the midday taxi service. He always had a knack for stopping by to check on how harvest was going just as the evening meal showed up at the field. He loved driving out and checking his cattle on pasture.Family and friends meant everything to Al. He enjoyed watching his grandkids play sports, at their shooting competitions, and dance recitals. He was always telling stories and accomplishments of his sons and theirfamilies. He and Sindy would often be found proudly cheering in the stands, reading in the bleachers at grandparent’s day at school, or losing an intense game of go-fish. He hardly knew a stranger, and was never in too big of a hurry to stop for a conversation.He was a member of Hope Lutheran Church in Rush Center, Kansas. Al was active in his community. He served on the Mid-State Coop board as well as the Pawnee Heights School Board. He served as secretary for the church council. Al spent 25 years as a coordinator and instructor for the Pawnee County Shooting Sports program. He also spent time as an instructor of Hunter’s Safety courses in Rozel, Kansas.Other survivors include his sons Brian, Larned, Kansas, and Kent, Timken, Kansas; 5 grandchildren Kale, Kole, Mason, Gabe, and Maddy; two sisters, Carol (Larry) Bartlett and Becky (Steve) Wondra; and 8 nieces and nephews.He was preceded in death by his parents and an older brother, Robert.Memorial service will be Saturday, November 12, 2022, at 11:00 A.M. at Hope Lutheran Church, Rush Center, Kansas, with family present starting at 10:00 A.M.Church visitation will be Saturday, November 12, 2022, from 10:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. at Hope Lutheran Church, Rush Center, Kansas.A private family inurnment will be at a later date in Hope Lutheran Cemetery, Rush Center, Kansas.In lieu of flowers or plants, the family requests memorials be given to Hope Lutheran Church, Rush Center, Kansas, or Pawnee County Shooting SportsCondolences or remembrances may be left for the family at www.janousekfuneralhome.com.Arrangements were by Janousek Funeral Home, 719 Pine Street, P O Box 550, La Crosse, Kansas 67548, 785/222-2517.

Alan Hagerman, age 70

John Wayne King, 60, passed away on November 8, 2022, at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita, Kan. He was born on June 6, 1962, in Chanute, Kan., to Wayne and Bobbie (Chard) King. John married Tammy Noblitt, having one son from the union; they later divorced. He then married Cynthia Ferguson, who brought him two bonus daughters and two more children; they later divorced.

A life-long Great Bend resident, John took the welding skills he learned from his grandpa and spent his life as a welder and rig hand in the oil field. Along with welding, he was a jack of all trades and loved working on cars. John was a lover of dogs, frequently volunteering at the Golden Belt Humane Society, and loved helping people.

Survivors include his mother, Bobbie King of Great Bend; three sons, Jeremy (Jacque) King of Great Bend, Jacob King of Salina and Daniel Noblitt of Great Bend; two daughters, Justina Yott of Hoisington and Joni Margheim (fiancé Jason Smith) of Salina; a brother, Eddie (Denise) King of Great Bend; two sisters, Wendy (Tony) Ernst of Overland Park and BJ (Darren) Stanley of Great Bend; fourteen biological grandchildren; companion, Susan Hughes; her sons, Justice Hughes and Christian Hernandez; and five grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his father and a daughter, Jenna King.

There will be no visitation as cremation has taken place. Funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Monday, November 14, 2022, at Bryant Funeral Home with Jim Welch presiding. Memorials have been designated to the John King Expense Fund, in care of Bryant Funeral Home.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1668088311007.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>John Wayne King, 60, passed away on November 8, 2022, at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita, Kan. He was born on June 6, 1962, in Chanute, Kan., to Wayne and Bobbie (Chard) King. John married Tammy Noblitt, having one son from the union; they later divorced. He then married Cynthia Ferguson, who brought him two bonus daughters and two more children; they later divorced.A life-long Great Bend resident, John took the welding skills he learned from his grandpa and spent his life as a welder and rig hand in the oil field. Along with welding, he was a jack of all trades and loved working on cars. John was a lover of dogs, frequently volunteering at the Golden Belt Humane Society, and loved helping people.Survivors include his mother, Bobbie King of Great Bend; three sons, Jeremy (Jacque) King of Great Bend, Jacob King of Salina and Daniel Noblitt of Great Bend; two daughters, Justina Yott of Hoisington and Joni Margheim (fiancé Jason Smith) of Salina; a brother, Eddie (Denise) King of Great Bend; two sisters, Wendy (Tony) Ernst of Overland Park and BJ (Darren) Stanley of Great Bend; fourteen biological grandchildren; companion, Susan Hughes; her sons, Justice Hughes and Christian Hernandez; and five grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his father and a daughter, Jenna King.There will be no visitation as cremation has taken place. Funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Monday, November 14, 2022, at Bryant Funeral Home with Jim Welch presiding. Memorials have been designated to the John King Expense Fund, in care of Bryant Funeral Home.

John King, age 60

David F.L. Graner, age 53, passed away on October 7, 2022 at Hamburg, New York.

David was born on February 28, 1969, at Montgomery, Alabama, the son of Father James and Anne LoBianco Graner.

David graduated from Larned High School in 1987, attended Kansas State University for two years, then enlisting in the U.S. Army, later at the rank of Corporal. David called himself an “army brat” since his father, and 3 uncles served in the army as well.

After his army service, David attended culinary school at Baltimore Culinary College, completing the 2-year course. He and a friend opened a restaurant in Outer Banks, North Carolina before being offered a position at a prestigious golf club in Southampton, Long Island, New York, where he worked for 8 years. From there, David then worked his way up through different chef assignments to a Sous Chef position, first on Fishers Island, and finally, completing his career at the Wanaka Country Club in Buffalo, New York.

David was of the Christian faith and belonged to Saints Mary and Martha of Bethany Episcopal Church in Larned, Kansas. His hobbies were many. David was an avid fan of the Kansas City Chiefs and enjoyed the game of golf.

David is survived by his mother, Anne Graner, of Larned. He was preceded in death by his father, Fr. James Graner. Other survivors are his many cousins, Elise, South Carolina, Barbara, New York, Joselle, Denver, Blanche, St. Louis, Roberta, Connecticut, Gail, Independence, Lee, Florida, Loretta, Cincinnati, and Dennis, Kevin, Edward, Paul, and Frank, Florida, and of course, his many friends. He was very loved and will be greatly missed.

Cremation has taken place. A memorial service with Military Honors will be held on Friday, November 18 at 10:30 a.m. at Sts. Mary and Martha of Bethany Episcopal Church, Larned with Bishop Mark Cowell presiding. Visitation will be from 9 am to 8 pm on Thursday, November 17, with family present from 6-8 pm. at Beckwith Mortuary.

Memorials may be given to Sts. Mary and Martha of Bethany Episcopal Church, Larned or the Pawnee County Humane Society, both in care of Beckwith Mortuary, PO Box 477, Larned, Kansas 67550. Personal condolences may be left at www.beckwithmortuary.com.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1668024727626.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>David F.L. Graner, age 53, passed away on October 7, 2022 at Hamburg, New York.David was born on February 28, 1969, at Montgomery, Alabama, the son of Father James and Anne LoBianco Graner.David graduated from Larned High School in 1987, attended Kansas State University for two years, then enlisting in the U.S. Army, later at the rank of Corporal. David called himself an “army brat” since his father, and 3 uncles served in the army as well.After his army service, David attended culinary school at Baltimore Culinary College, completing the 2-year course. He and a friend opened a restaurant in Outer Banks, North Carolina before being offered a position at a prestigious golf club in Southampton, Long Island, New York, where he worked for 8 years. From there, David then worked his way up through different chef assignments to a Sous Chef position, first on Fishers Island, and finally, completing his career at the Wanaka Country Club in Buffalo, New York.David was of the Christian faith and belonged to Saints Mary and Martha of Bethany Episcopal Church in Larned, Kansas. His hobbies were many. David was an avid fan of the Kansas City Chiefs and enjoyed the game of golf.David is survived by his mother, Anne Graner, of Larned. He was preceded in death by his father, Fr. James Graner. Other survivors are his many cousins, Elise, South Carolina, Barbara, New York, Joselle, Denver, Blanche, St. Louis, Roberta, Connecticut, Gail, Independence, Lee, Florida, Loretta, Cincinnati, and Dennis, Kevin, Edward, Paul, and Frank, Florida, and of course, his many friends. He was very loved and will be greatly missed.Cremation has taken place. A memorial service with Military Honors will be held on Friday, November 18 at 10:30 a.m. at Sts. Mary and Martha of Bethany Episcopal Church, Larned with Bishop Mark Cowell presiding. Visitation will be from 9 am to 8 pm on Thursday, November 17, with family present from 6-8 pm. at Beckwith Mortuary.Memorials may be given to Sts. Mary and Martha of Bethany Episcopal Church, Larned or the Pawnee County Humane Society, both in care of Beckwith Mortuary, PO Box 477, Larned, Kansas 67550. Personal condolences may be left at www.beckwithmortuary.com.

David Graner, age 53

Pratt - Isabelle was born on March 8, 1920 in Severin, Kansas to Emil and Katherine Dinkle Schmeidler and died Friday, November 4, 2022.&nbsp; She was a wife, mother and homemaker. A longtime member of St. John the Apostle Church, St. John KS and most recently Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Pratt, KS. A devout Catholic, she was an active member of the Altar Society and served as an extra-ordinary minister of Holy Communion for 28 years.

She married Seraphin Staab on September 16,&nbsp;1940 at St. Severin Church in rural Ellis County, KS. He died April 18, 2004. Isabelle was a resident of Stafford, KS since 1942, when she and Seraphin moved there from Hays, KS. She moved to Pratt in August 2009.

She is survived by two sons: Jerry (Mary)Staab, Rose Hill, KS and Dean (Anita)Staab, Pratt, KS. Daughter, Diana (Scott)Schaeffer, Oklahoma City, OK. Daughter-in-law Donna Staab, Great Bend, KS, and family friend Sandra Haworth, Pratt, KS. Seven grandchildren: Jeff (Lorraine)Staab, Malibu, CA; Angela (Bill)Maddy, Great Bend, KS; Jeremy (Julie)Staab, Lawrence, KS; Cami (Cory)Anson, Lake Havasu City, AZ; Cody (Carrie)Staab, Grimes, IA; Cass (Bill)Terry, Lakewood, CO; Justin (DeVynna) Blackwelder, Edmond, OK. She has seven great-grandchildren.

Isabelle was preceded in death by 2 sons: Lawrence and infant son, Gerald. A sister, Mary Ann Lang and 6 brothers: Joseph, Marcellus, Isadore, Robert, Albert, and Elmer Schmeidler.

Visitation will be at Larrison Mortuary Tuesday, November 8, 2022 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with Vigil and Rosary following at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Pratt, KS at 6:00 o'clock p.m.

Funeral Mass will be held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church Wednesday, November 9, 2022 at 10 o’clock a.m.

Burial will follow at Stafford Cemetery, Stafford, KS.

Memorials may be made to Mercy Home for Boys &amp; Girls in care of Larrison Mortuary,&nbsp;300 Country Club Rd. Pratt, KS 67124. Online condolences may be left at www.larrisonmortuary.com.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1668004416898.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Pratt - Isabelle was born on March 8, 1920 in Severin, Kansas to Emil and Katherine Dinkle Schmeidler and died Friday, November 4, 2022.&nbsp; She was a wife, mother and homemaker. A longtime member of St. John the Apostle Church, St. John KS and most recently Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Pratt, KS. A devout Catholic, she was an active member of the Altar Society and served as an extra-ordinary minister of Holy Communion for 28 years.She married Seraphin Staab on September 16,&nbsp;1940 at St. Severin Church in rural Ellis County, KS. He died April 18, 2004. Isabelle was a resident of Stafford, KS since 1942, when she and Seraphin moved there from Hays, KS. She moved to Pratt in August 2009.She is survived by two sons: Jerry (Mary)Staab, Rose Hill, KS and Dean (Anita)Staab, Pratt, KS. Daughter, Diana (Scott)Schaeffer, Oklahoma City, OK. Daughter-in-law Donna Staab, Great Bend, KS, and family friend Sandra Haworth, Pratt, KS. Seven grandchildren: Jeff (Lorraine)Staab, Malibu, CA; Angela (Bill)Maddy, Great Bend, KS; Jeremy (Julie)Staab, Lawrence, KS; Cami (Cory)Anson, Lake Havasu City, AZ; Cody (Carrie)Staab, Grimes, IA; Cass (Bill)Terry, Lakewood, CO; Justin (DeVynna) Blackwelder, Edmond, OK. She has seven great-grandchildren.Isabelle was preceded in death by 2 sons: Lawrence and infant son, Gerald. A sister, Mary Ann Lang and 6 brothers: Joseph, Marcellus, Isadore, Robert, Albert, and Elmer Schmeidler.Visitation will be at Larrison Mortuary Tuesday, November 8, 2022 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with Vigil and Rosary following at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Pratt, KS at 6:00 o'clock p.m.Funeral Mass will be held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church Wednesday, November 9, 2022 at 10 o’clock a.m.Burial will follow at Stafford Cemetery, Stafford, KS.Memorials may be made to Mercy Home for Boys &amp; Girls in care of Larrison Mortuary,&nbsp;300 Country Club Rd. Pratt, KS 67124. Online condolences may be left at www.larrisonmortuary.com.

Isabelle Staab, age 102

Sister Donna Gottschalk, CSA, formerly Sister Philip, died peacefully November 2, 2022, at St. Francis Home, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. Donna Marie was born in La Crosse, Kansas, on May 6, 1940.&nbsp; She was the first daughter after eight sons born to Philip Gottschalk and Lidwina Werth Gottschalk. Following Donna, three more boys and two girls made the family of fourteen complete.

Donna spent her childhood keeping up with her brothers, doing farm and household chores, and learning very fast how to play baseball and football with the best. When Donna was six, the family moved to Hays, Kansas, to fulfill her parents’ desire for their children to have a Catholic education.&nbsp; In grade school and high school, Donna was taught by the Sisters of St. Agnes.&nbsp; From early on, she wanted to be just like the sisters. After high school, Donna, still undecided about pursuing her desire to be a sister, attended the College of Mount St. Scholastica in Atchison, Kansas, taught by the Sisters of St. Benedict. In 1959, after her first year of college, Donna made the decision to enter St. Agnes Convent. Even though she missed the wheat fields of Kansas and the life she shared with her family, her call to religious life beckoned her to Wisconsin and CSA.&nbsp; She made her first profession of vows as Sister Philip in the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes on August 15, 1962, in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.&nbsp; Sister Donna earned a BS in Elementary Education from Marian College, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, in 1964. Sister taught primary grades in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and Kansas for 31 years. She loved teaching and working with children, and they loved her and filled her heart with many happy memories.&nbsp; During her years as an educator, she enriched her teaching and religious education skills with several courses and seminars at Ft. Hays State University, Hays, Kansas and at Silver Lake College, Manitowoc, Wisconsin.&nbsp; In 1993, Sister Donna retired from teaching. After a year of sabbatical in Rock Haven, Missouri, in 1994, she engaged in a variety of ministries including serving on the parish team of Sacred Heart Parish in Colby, Kansas, and cooking for the residents at St. John’s New Horizons Assisted Living, Hays, Kansas. In 1998, Sister Donna returned to Fond du Lac as an assistant to the Local Coordinators for the CSA retirement community at Nazareth Court and Center. She spent countless hours providing for the needs of the sisters, shopping for them, driving, baking, preparing special meals and filling the sisters’ days with her caring and attentive presence and support. In 2018, a serious illness caused Sister Donna to resign her position. Unable to serve the sisters as before, she herself became a resident at Nazareth Court and Center and later at St. Francis Home where she received loving care until the time of her death. Throughout her life, Sister Donna cherished her life in CSA and her Kansas roots. Her love for life, for her CSA sisters, for her family and friends, for the wheat fields, for the smell of the land and for all creation remained strong as did her special hobbies of cooking, baking, and cheering on the Green Bay Packers.&nbsp; Preceding Sister Donna in death were her parents; her brothers Father Andrew Gottschalk, OSB, Vernon, Ivan, Cecil, Philip, Floyd, Stephen; her sister Helen (Ron) Legleiter. Sister is survived by her brothers Donald (Theresa), Leon, Father David, OFM, Cap., Andrew (Lena); her sister Raeann (Charles) Suppes; her sisters-in-law, Dorothy (Cecil) Gottschalk, Nita (Ivan) Gottschalk, Bernadette (Philip) Gottschalk; her devoted nieces and nephews, and the Sisters of St. Agnes with whom she lived, prayed, and ministered.&nbsp; Funeral Mass will be 10:00 AM Friday, November 11, 2022, at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church with Fr. Nick Parker officiating. Burial will follow in the St. Joseph's Cemetery, Hays. Visitation will be held at Brock's-Keithley Funeral Chapel and Crematory, 2509 Vine Street, Hays, KS, 67601 from 5:00 PM — 8:00 PM on Thursday, November 10, and from 9:00 AM—9:30 AM on Friday, November 11, 2022.&nbsp; A Parish vigil and rosary service will be at 7:00 PM Thursday at the funeral chapel. Memorials may be directed to St. Mary’s School in Ellis or the CSA Mission Advancement Office, 320 County Road K, Fond du Lac, WI 54937. Condolences may be shared by guest book at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com/">www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1667943977464.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Sister Donna Gottschalk, CSA, formerly Sister Philip, died peacefully November 2, 2022, at St. Francis Home, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. Donna Marie was born in La Crosse, Kansas, on May 6, 1940.&nbsp; She was the first daughter after eight sons born to Philip Gottschalk and Lidwina Werth Gottschalk. Following Donna, three more boys and two girls made the family of fourteen complete. Donna spent her childhood keeping up with her brothers, doing farm and household chores, and learning very fast how to play baseball and football with the best. When Donna was six, the family moved to Hays, Kansas, to fulfill her parents’ desire for their children to have a Catholic education.&nbsp; In grade school and high school, Donna was taught by the Sisters of St. Agnes.&nbsp; From early on, she wanted to be just like the sisters. After high school, Donna, still undecided about pursuing her desire to be a sister, attended the College of Mount St. Scholastica in Atchison, Kansas, taught by the Sisters of St. Benedict. In 1959, after her first year of college, Donna made the decision to enter St. Agnes Convent. Even though she missed the wheat fields of Kansas and the life she shared with her family, her call to religious life beckoned her to Wisconsin and CSA.&nbsp; She made her first profession of vows as Sister Philip in the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes on August 15, 1962, in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.&nbsp; Sister Donna earned a BS in Elementary Education from Marian College, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, in 1964. Sister taught primary grades in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and Kansas for 31 years. She loved teaching and working with children, and they loved her and filled her heart with many happy memories.&nbsp; During her years as an educator, she enriched her teaching and religious education skills with several courses and seminars at Ft. Hays State University, Hays, Kansas and at Silver Lake College, Manitowoc, Wisconsin.&nbsp; In 1993, Sister Donna retired from teaching. After a year of sabbatical in Rock Haven, Missouri, in 1994, she engaged in a variety of ministries including serving on the parish team of Sacred Heart Parish in Colby, Kansas, and cooking for the residents at St. John’s New Horizons Assisted Living, Hays, Kansas. In 1998, Sister Donna returned to Fond du Lac as an assistant to the Local Coordinators for the CSA retirement community at Nazareth Court and Center. She spent countless hours providing for the needs of the sisters, shopping for them, driving, baking, preparing special meals and filling the sisters’ days with her caring and attentive presence and support. In 2018, a serious illness caused Sister Donna to resign her position. Unable to serve the sisters as before, she herself became a resident at Nazareth Court and Center and later at St. Francis Home where she received loving care until the time of her death. Throughout her life, Sister Donna cherished her life in CSA and her Kansas roots. Her love for life, for her CSA sisters, for her family and friends, for the wheat fields, for the smell of the land and for all creation remained strong as did her special hobbies of cooking, baking, and cheering on the Green Bay Packers.&nbsp; Preceding Sister Donna in death were her parents; her brothers Father Andrew Gottschalk, OSB, Vernon, Ivan, Cecil, Philip, Floyd, Stephen; her sister Helen (Ron) Legleiter. Sister is survived by her brothers Donald (Theresa), Leon, Father David, OFM, Cap., Andrew (Lena); her sister Raeann (Charles) Suppes; her sisters-in-law, Dorothy (Cecil) Gottschalk, Nita (Ivan) Gottschalk, Bernadette (Philip) Gottschalk; her devoted nieces and nephews, and the Sisters of St. Agnes with whom she lived, prayed, and ministered.&nbsp; Funeral Mass will be 10:00 AM Friday, November 11, 2022, at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church with Fr. Nick Parker officiating. Burial will follow in the St. Joseph's Cemetery, Hays. Visitation will be held at Brock's-Keithley Funeral Chapel and Crematory, 2509 Vine Street, Hays, KS, 67601 from 5:00 PM — 8:00 PM on Thursday, November 10, and from 9:00 AM—9:30 AM on Friday, November 11, 2022.&nbsp; A Parish vigil and rosary service will be at 7:00 PM Thursday at the funeral chapel. Memorials may be directed to St. Mary’s School in Ellis or the CSA Mission Advancement Office, 320 County Road K, Fond du Lac, WI 54937. Condolences may be shared by guest book at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com/">www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com</a>

Sister Donna Gottschalk

Hilary Luft, 82, Bison, Kansas, passed away Thursday, November 3, 2022, at Rush County Memorial Hospital Intermediate Swing Bed, La Crosse, Kansas.

Hilary was born June 16, 1940, in Salina, Kansas, the son of Richard and Alta (Brack) Luft. Most of his life was spent as a resident of Rush County, Kansas. A 1959 graduate of Otis High School, Otis, Kansas, he was a farmer and rancher.

He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Otis, Kansas.

On October 31, 1961, he married Donna Schneider at Larned, Kansas.

Survivors include: his wife, Donna Luft, Bison, Kansas; one son, Richard T. Luft, (Laura), La Crosse, Kansas; one daughter, Lori Richter (Michael), Goddard, Kansas; and three grandchildren, Cody Richter, Cameron Richter, and Taylor Richter.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and one sister, Linda Herbel.

Memorial service will be Wednesday, November 9, 2022, at 11:00 A.M. at the First Lutheran Church, La Crosse, Kansas, with Pastor Phyllis Burdge officiating.

In lieu of flowers or plants, memorials are suggested to the Rush County Memorial Hospital Intermediate Swing Bed.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1667884270134.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Hilary Luft, 82, Bison, Kansas, passed away Thursday, November 3, 2022, at Rush County Memorial Hospital Intermediate Swing Bed, La Crosse, Kansas.Hilary was born June 16, 1940, in Salina, Kansas, the son of Richard and Alta (Brack) Luft. Most of his life was spent as a resident of Rush County, Kansas. A 1959 graduate of Otis High School, Otis, Kansas, he was a farmer and rancher.He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Otis, Kansas.On October 31, 1961, he married Donna Schneider at Larned, Kansas.Survivors include: his wife, Donna Luft, Bison, Kansas; one son, Richard T. Luft, (Laura), La Crosse, Kansas; one daughter, Lori Richter (Michael), Goddard, Kansas; and three grandchildren, Cody Richter, Cameron Richter, and Taylor Richter.He was preceded in death by his parents; and one sister, Linda Herbel.The family has chosen cremation.Memorial service will be Wednesday, November 9, 2022, at 11:00 A.M. at the First Lutheran Church, La Crosse, Kansas, with Pastor Phyllis Burdge officiating.In lieu of flowers or plants, memorials are suggested to the Rush County Memorial Hospital Intermediate Swing Bed.Condolences or remembrances may be left for the family at www.janousekfuneralhome.com.Arrangements were by Janousek Funeral Home, 719 Pine Street, P O Box 550, La Crosse, Kansas 67548, 785/222-2517.

Hilary Luft, age 82

Melissa Ann &nbsp;(Stoss) Cowles, 49, died Nov. 4, 2022, at Hospice House Hutchinson, after a valiant fight with cancer. She was born March 14, 1973, in Great Bend, to Edward and Darlene (Doonan) Stoss.

Melissa graduated from Hoisington High School in 1991. She then attended dental school through the American Red Cross at Carswell Air Force Base.&nbsp; Melissa worked as an account manager for the family business, AnswerLink of Kansas for over 20 years. In her spare time, Melissa enjoyed camping, riding four-wheelers, spending time at the river, and enjoyed reading.&nbsp; Most of all, she loved spending time with her family, friends, and dog, Lucy.&nbsp; Melissa was a devoted wife, daughter, mother, sister, aunt, and friend.&nbsp; She was a member of Church of the Holy Cross, Hutchinson.

On April 29, 1995, she married Patrick John Cowles, in Hutchinson.

Melissa is survived by: her husband of 27 years, Patrick; daughters, Morgan Cowles and Mallory Cowles; son, Caden Cowles, all of Hutchinson; mother; Darlene Stoss; brother Jerry (Dana) Stoss, all of Hoisington; sister, Michelle (Keith) Kultgen of Sulphur Springs, Texas; numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews; and a host of friends.

She was preceded in death by&nbsp; her father, Edward Stoss; sister, Melinda Stoss; and brother, John Stoss.

Parish Rosary will be 10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 11, 2022, with Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 10:30 a.m., both at Church of the Holy Cross, 2631 Independence Road, Hutchinson, with Father Aaron Spexarth officiating.&nbsp; Inurnment will be 12 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022, at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Cemetery, Hoisington.&nbsp; Cremation has taken place.&nbsp; Friends may sign the book from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday at Elliott Mortuary.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Cancer Council of Reno County, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS&nbsp; 67501.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1667835079327.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Melissa Ann &nbsp;(Stoss) Cowles, 49, died Nov. 4, 2022, at Hospice House Hutchinson, after a valiant fight with cancer. She was born March 14, 1973, in Great Bend, to Edward and Darlene (Doonan) Stoss.Melissa graduated from Hoisington High School in 1991. She then attended dental school through the American Red Cross at Carswell Air Force Base.&nbsp; Melissa worked as an account manager for the family business, AnswerLink of Kansas for over 20 years. In her spare time, Melissa enjoyed camping, riding four-wheelers, spending time at the river, and enjoyed reading.&nbsp; Most of all, she loved spending time with her family, friends, and dog, Lucy.&nbsp; Melissa was a devoted wife, daughter, mother, sister, aunt, and friend.&nbsp; She was a member of Church of the Holy Cross, Hutchinson.On April 29, 1995, she married Patrick John Cowles, in Hutchinson.Melissa is survived by: her husband of 27 years, Patrick; daughters, Morgan Cowles and Mallory Cowles; son, Caden Cowles, all of Hutchinson; mother; Darlene Stoss; brother Jerry (Dana) Stoss, all of Hoisington; sister, Michelle (Keith) Kultgen of Sulphur Springs, Texas; numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews; and a host of friends.She was preceded in death by&nbsp; her father, Edward Stoss; sister, Melinda Stoss; and brother, John Stoss.Parish Rosary will be 10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 11, 2022, with Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 10:30 a.m., both at Church of the Holy Cross, 2631 Independence Road, Hutchinson, with Father Aaron Spexarth officiating.&nbsp; Inurnment will be 12 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022, at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Cemetery, Hoisington.&nbsp; Cremation has taken place.&nbsp; Friends may sign the book from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday at Elliott Mortuary.In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Cancer Council of Reno County, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS&nbsp; 67501.

Melissa (Stoss) Cowles, age 49

Sister Donna Gottschalk, CSA, formerly Sister Philip, died peacefully
 November 2, 2022, at St. Francis Home, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.

Donna
 Marie was born in La Crosse, Kansas, on May 6, 1940.  She was the first 
daughter after eight sons born to Philip Gottschalk and Lidwina Werth 
Gottschalk. Following Donna, three more boys and two girls made the 
family of fourteen complete. Donna spent her childhood keeping up with 
her brothers, doing farm and household chores, and learning very fast 
how to play baseball and football with the best. When Donna was six, the
 family moved to Hays, Kansas, to fulfill her parents’ desire for their 
children to have a Catholic education.  In grade school and high school,
 Donna was taught by the Sisters of St. Agnes.  From early on, she wanted
 to be just like the sisters. After high school, Donna, still undecided 
about pursuing her desire to be a sister, attended the College of Mount 
St. Scholastica in Atchison, Kansas, taught by the Sisters of St. 
Benedict. In 1959, after her first year of college, Donna made the 
decision to enter St. Agnes Convent. Even though she missed the wheat 
fields of Kansas and the life she shared with her family, her call to 
religious life beckoned her to Wisconsin and CSA.  She made her first 
profession of vows as Sister Philip in the Congregation of Sisters of 
St. Agnes on August 15, 1962, in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.

Sister
 Donna earned a BS in Elementary Education from Marian College, Fond du 
Lac, Wisconsin, in 1964.  Sister taught primary grades in Wisconsin, 
Pennsylvania and Kansas for thirty-one years. She loved teaching and 
working with children, and they loved her and filled her heart with many
 happy memories.  During her years as an educator, she enriched her 
teaching and religious education skills with several courses and 
seminars at Fort Hays State University, Hays, Kansas, and at Silver Lake 
College, Manitowoc, Wisconsin.

In 1993, Sister Donna 
retired from teaching. After a year of sabbatical in Rock Haven, 
Missouri, in 1994, she engaged in a variety of ministries including 
serving on the parish team of Sacred Heart Parish in Colby, Kansas, and 
cooking for the residents at St. John’s New Horizons Assisted Living, 
Hays, Kansas. In 1998, Sister Donna returned to Fond du Lac as an 
assistant to the Local Coordinators for the CSA retirement community at 
Nazareth Court and Center. She spent countless hours providing for the 
needs of the sisters, shopping for them, driving, baking, preparing 
special meals and filling the sisters’ days with her caring and 
attentive presence and support. In 2018, a serious illness caused Sister
 Donna to resign her position. Unable to serve the sisters as before, 
she herself became a resident at Nazareth Court and Center and later at 
St. Francis Home where she received loving care until the time of her 
death.

Throughout her life, Sister Donna cherished her 
life in CSA and her Kansas roots. Her love for life, for her CSA 
sisters, for her family and friends, for the wheat fields, for the smell
 of the land and for all creation remained strong as did her special 
hobbies of cooking, baking, and cheering on the Green Bay Packers.

Preceding
 Sister Donna in death were her parents; her brothers Father Andrew 
Gottschalk, OSB, Vernon, Ivan, Cecil, Philip, Floyd, Stephen; her sister
 Helen (Ron) Legleiter.

Sister is survived by her 
brothers Donald (Theresa), Leon, Father David, OFM, Cap., Andrew (Lena);
 her sister Raeann (Charles) Suppes; her sisters-in-law, Dorothy (Cecil)
 Gottschalk, Nita (Ivan) Gottschalk, Bernadette (Philip) Gottschalk; her
 devoted nieces and nephews, and the Sisters of St. Agnes with whom she 
lived, prayed, and ministered.

Funeral Mass will be 10:00 AM Friday, November 11, 2022, at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Hays with Fr. Nick Parker officiating. Burial will follow in the St. Joseph's Cemetery, Hays.

Visitation will be held at Brock's-Keithley Funeral Chapel and Crematory, 2509 Vine Street, Hays, KS, 67601 from 5:00 PM — 8:00 PM on Thursday, November 10, and from 9:00 AM—9:30 AM&nbsp;on Friday, November 11, 2022.&nbsp;

A Parish vigil and rosary service will be at 7:00 PM Thursday at the funeral chapel.

Visitation also will be held 
at Nazareth Court and Center, 375 Gillett Street, Fond du Lac, 
Wisconsin, from 9:00—11:00 a.m. and from 12:00—1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, 
November 8, 2022.

A prayer service will be held at 
11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, November 8, 2022, in the Nazareth Center Chapel.&nbsp;

The Liturgy of Christian Burial 
for Sister Donna will be held on Tuesday, November 8, 2022, at 2:00 p.m.
 in St. Francis Home Chapel, 33 Everett Street. Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, 
with Tom Zelinski, OFM Cap., presiding.

Memorials may be directed to the CSA Mission Advancement Office, 320 County Road K, Fond du Lac, WI 54937.

The
 Sisters of St. Agnes are grateful to the nurses and staff of Nazareth 
Court and Center, St. Francis Home, and Hospice Hope for their care of 
Sister Donna.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1667658913118.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Sister Donna Gottschalk, CSA, formerly Sister Philip, died peacefully
 November 2, 2022, at St. Francis Home, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.Donna
 Marie was born in La Crosse, Kansas, on May 6, 1940. She was the first 
daughter after eight sons born to Philip Gottschalk and Lidwina Werth 
Gottschalk. Following Donna, three more boys and two girls made the 
family of fourteen complete. Donna spent her childhood keeping up with 
her brothers, doing farm and household chores, and learning very fast 
how to play baseball and football with the best. When Donna was six, the
 family moved to Hays, Kansas, to fulfill her parents’ desire for their 
children to have a Catholic education. In grade school and high school,
 Donna was taught by the Sisters of St. Agnes. From early on, she wanted
 to be just like the sisters. After high school, Donna, still undecided 
about pursuing her desire to be a sister, attended the College of Mount 
St. Scholastica in Atchison, Kansas, taught by the Sisters of St. 
Benedict. In 1959, after her first year of college, Donna made the 
decision to enter St. Agnes Convent. Even though she missed the wheat 
fields of Kansas and the life she shared with her family, her call to 
religious life beckoned her to Wisconsin and CSA. She made her first 
profession of vows as Sister Philip in the Congregation of Sisters of 
St. Agnes on August 15, 1962, in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.Sister
 Donna earned a BS in Elementary Education from Marian College, Fond du 
Lac, Wisconsin, in 1964. Sister taught primary grades in Wisconsin, 
Pennsylvania and Kansas for thirty-one years. She loved teaching and 
working with children, and they loved her and filled her heart with many
 happy memories. During her years as an educator, she enriched her 
teaching and religious education skills with several courses and 
seminars at Fort Hays State University, Hays, Kansas, and at Silver Lake 
College, Manitowoc, Wisconsin.In 1993, Sister Donna 
retired from teaching. After a year of sabbatical in Rock Haven, 
Missouri, in 1994, she engaged in a variety of ministries including 
serving on the parish team of Sacred Heart Parish in Colby, Kansas, and 
cooking for the residents at St. John’s New Horizons Assisted Living, 
Hays, Kansas. In 1998, Sister Donna returned to Fond du Lac as an 
assistant to the Local Coordinators for the CSA retirement community at 
Nazareth Court and Center. She spent countless hours providing for the 
needs of the sisters, shopping for them, driving, baking, preparing 
special meals and filling the sisters’ days with her caring and 
attentive presence and support. In 2018, a serious illness caused Sister
 Donna to resign her position. Unable to serve the sisters as before, 
she herself became a resident at Nazareth Court and Center and later at 
St. Francis Home where she received loving care until the time of her 
death.Throughout her life, Sister Donna cherished her 
life in CSA and her Kansas roots. Her love for life, for her CSA 
sisters, for her family and friends, for the wheat fields, for the smell
 of the land and for all creation remained strong as did her special 
hobbies of cooking, baking, and cheering on the Green Bay Packers.Preceding
 Sister Donna in death were her parents; her brothers Father Andrew 
Gottschalk, OSB, Vernon, Ivan, Cecil, Philip, Floyd, Stephen; her sister
 Helen (Ron) Legleiter.Sister is survived by her 
brothers Donald (Theresa), Leon, Father David, OFM, Cap., Andrew (Lena);
 her sister Raeann (Charles) Suppes; her sisters-in-law, Dorothy (Cecil)
 Gottschalk, Nita (Ivan) Gottschalk, Bernadette (Philip) Gottschalk; her
 devoted nieces and nephews, and the Sisters of St. Agnes with whom she 
lived, prayed, and ministered.Funeral Mass will be 10:00 AM Friday, November 11, 2022, at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Hays with Fr. Nick Parker officiating. Burial will follow in the St. Joseph's Cemetery, Hays.Visitation will be held at Brock's-Keithley Funeral Chapel and Crematory, 2509 Vine Street, Hays, KS, 67601 from 5:00 PM — 8:00 PM on Thursday, November 10, and from 9:00 AM—9:30 AM&nbsp;on Friday, November 11, 2022.&nbsp;A Parish vigil and rosary service will be at 7:00 PM Thursday at the funeral chapel.Visitation also will be held 
at Nazareth Court and Center, 375 Gillett Street, Fond du Lac, 
Wisconsin, from 9:00—11:00 a.m. and from 12:00—1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, 
November 8, 2022.A prayer service will be held at 
11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, November 8, 2022, in the Nazareth Center Chapel.&nbsp;The Liturgy of Christian Burial 
for Sister Donna will be held on Tuesday, November 8, 2022, at 2:00 p.m.
 in St. Francis Home Chapel, 33 Everett Street. Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, 
with Tom Zelinski, OFM Cap., presiding.Memorials may be directed to the CSA Mission Advancement Office, 320 County Road K, Fond du Lac, WI 54937.The
 Sisters of St. Agnes are grateful to the nurses and staff of Nazareth 
Court and Center, St. Francis Home, and Hospice Hope for their care of 
Sister Donna.

Carole Ann Bodine, 76, passed away on November 3, 2022, at Hutchinson Regional Health Systems, Hutchinson, Kan. She was born on September 27, 1946, in Russell, Kan., to Gilbert and Marceline (Rajewski) Denning. On September 26, 1992, she married Norman Dale Bodine in Great Bend. He survives.

A lifetime Great Bend resident, Carole worked as a laborer for Great Bend Packing Plant prior to her retirement. She was a member of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church and Altar Society. Carole loved gardening, sewing, cooking, baking wedding cakes, and camping. She cherished time with her family and avidly watching NASCAR races.

Survivors include her husband of the home; three sons, Shawn (Mary) Gregg of Valentine, Neb., Shannon (Julie) Gregg of Great Bend, and Shane (Amy) Gregg of Hays; three stepsons, Richard Bodine of Great Bend, Steve (Tonni) Bodine of the Kansas City area, and Robert (Anna) Bodine of Atlantic, Iowa; two stepdaughters, Kim (Jack) Koch of Garden City and Carrie Mantooth of Lawrence; two brothers, Clyde (Phyllis) Denning of Marysville and Alvin (Sara) Denning of Great Bend; twenty-four grandchildren; and twenty-nine great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Betty Haberman; and a great-grandson, Grayson Gregg.

Cremation has taken place. Visitation will take place from Noon to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 9, 2022, with Altar Society rosary at 4:00 p.m., and family receiving guests from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, November 10, 2022, at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church with Father Aneesh Parappanattu presiding. Memorials have been designated to the Golden Belt Humane Society or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, in care of Bryant Funeral Home.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1667587975456.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Carole Ann Bodine, 76, passed away on November 3, 2022, at Hutchinson Regional Health Systems, Hutchinson, Kan. She was born on September 27, 1946, in Russell, Kan., to Gilbert and Marceline (Rajewski) Denning. On September 26, 1992, she married Norman Dale Bodine in Great Bend. He survives.A lifetime Great Bend resident, Carole worked as a laborer for Great Bend Packing Plant prior to her retirement. She was a member of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church and Altar Society. Carole loved gardening, sewing, cooking, baking wedding cakes, and camping. She cherished time with her family and avidly watching NASCAR races.Survivors include her husband of the home; three sons, Shawn (Mary) Gregg of Valentine, Neb., Shannon (Julie) Gregg of Great Bend, and Shane (Amy) Gregg of Hays; three stepsons, Richard Bodine of Great Bend, Steve (Tonni) Bodine of the Kansas City area, and Robert (Anna) Bodine of Atlantic, Iowa; two stepdaughters, Kim (Jack) Koch of Garden City and Carrie Mantooth of Lawrence; two brothers, Clyde (Phyllis) Denning of Marysville and Alvin (Sara) Denning of Great Bend; twenty-four grandchildren; and twenty-nine great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Betty Haberman; and a great-grandson, Grayson Gregg.Cremation has taken place. Visitation will take place from Noon to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 9, 2022, with Altar Society rosary at 4:00 p.m., and family receiving guests from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, November 10, 2022, at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church with Father Aneesh Parappanattu presiding. Memorials have been designated to the Golden Belt Humane Society or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, in care of Bryant Funeral Home.

Carole Bodine, age 76

Willis "Gene" Bitter, 92, passed away Oct. 30, 2022, at Clara Barton Hospital in Hoisington. He was born on Nov. 29, 1929, in rural Barton County, to Wilhelm “Bill” &amp; Lydia (Goerhinger) Bitter. Gene was a veteran of the United States Army having served during the Korean Conflict as a Staff Sergeant. He married Maxine J. Richardson on Aug. 25, 1957, at Otis. She died January 7, 2013.

A lifetime Barton and Rush county resident, Gene was a farmer and worked in the oil field in his younger days. He retired in 1992 after 30 years of working for the Kansas-Nebraska Natural Gas Company which later became the K-N Natural Gas Company. He was a member of the Otis Trinity Lutheran Church, the V.F.W. and the CWA Union. Gene was an avid outdoorsman, enjoying camping, boating, fishing and hunting.

Survivors include: two sons, Keith Davis (Linda Hughes) of Otis, and Kavin Bitter and wife Ann of Fort Mill, S.C.; a brother, LaVern Bitter and wife Barbara of Council Bluffs, Iowa; four grandchildren, Curt Davis (Sandy) and Bobbie Davis (Brian Jayne) all of Hoisington, Caroline Bitter of Charlotte, N.C., and MacKenzie Bitter of Cumming, Ga.;&nbsp; eight great-grandchildren; and seven great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Maxine Bitter; a son, Larry Bitter; his brother, Willard Bitter; and a sister, Joyce Toureau.

Visitation will be held from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday, Nov. 4, 2022, at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, 415 N. Main, Hoisington, with family to receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Funeral service will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Otis, with Stan Ewy, PMA presiding. Interment will be in the Otis Lutheran Cemetery with Military Rites conducted by the Fort Riley Honor Guard. In lieu of flowers to the Trinity Lutheran Church, Kansas Honor Flights or the V.F.W., in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington, Kansas 67544.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1667479688645.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Willis "Gene" Bitter, 92, passed away Oct. 30, 2022, at Clara Barton Hospital in Hoisington. He was born on Nov. 29, 1929, in rural Barton County, to Wilhelm “Bill” &amp; Lydia (Goerhinger) Bitter. Gene was a veteran of the United States Army having served during the Korean Conflict as a Staff Sergeant. He married Maxine J. Richardson on Aug. 25, 1957, at Otis. She died January 7, 2013.A lifetime Barton and Rush county resident, Gene was a farmer and worked in the oil field in his younger days. He retired in 1992 after 30 years of working for the Kansas-Nebraska Natural Gas Company which later became the K-N Natural Gas Company. He was a member of the Otis Trinity Lutheran Church, the V.F.W. and the CWA Union. Gene was an avid outdoorsman, enjoying camping, boating, fishing and hunting.Survivors include: two sons, Keith Davis (Linda Hughes) of Otis, and Kavin Bitter and wife Ann of Fort Mill, S.C.; a brother, LaVern Bitter and wife Barbara of Council Bluffs, Iowa; four grandchildren, Curt Davis (Sandy) and Bobbie Davis (Brian Jayne) all of Hoisington, Caroline Bitter of Charlotte, N.C., and MacKenzie Bitter of Cumming, Ga.;&nbsp; eight great-grandchildren; and seven great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Maxine Bitter; a son, Larry Bitter; his brother, Willard Bitter; and a sister, Joyce Toureau.Visitation will be held from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday, Nov. 4, 2022, at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, 415 N. Main, Hoisington, with family to receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Funeral service will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Otis, with Stan Ewy, PMA presiding. Interment will be in the Otis Lutheran Cemetery with Military Rites conducted by the Fort Riley Honor Guard. In lieu of flowers to the Trinity Lutheran Church, Kansas Honor Flights or the V.F.W., in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington, Kansas 67544.

Willis 'Gene' Bitter, age 92

Ellen Louisa Richter, 91, passed away on Nov. 2, 2022, at Aster Estates in Great Bend. She was born Nov. 18, 1930, in Great Bend, to Charles C. and Gertrude (Hemken) Dirks.

Ellen was raised on a farm in rural Albert. She attended Otis High School in Otis, where she met Melvin Richter. They were married a few months after her graduation on July 27, 1948. Ellen was a lifetime member of Peace Lutheran Church, where she participated in many activities throughout the years, especially singing in the choir. In 1961, Ellen and Melvin purchased the franchise for Tom’s Foods and worked together selling candy and chips in and around Great Bend until their retirement in 1998. She also worked in the office at Doonan Truck &amp; Equipment.

Ellen loved her family and enjoyed supporting their interests, driving to music rehearsals and lessons, and attending concerts and other school activities. She was a proud drum corps mom, following the Argonne Rebels to many contests and performances. Her grandchildren loved spending holidays, spring breaks and summer vacations with her. Ellen taught them all to drive….. fast! and always sent them home with “samples” of the latest candy. She and Melvin introduced their grandkids and great-grandkids to the fun of fireworks, hosting family July 4th celebrations each year.

Ellen is survived by her husband of 74 years, Melvin Richter of Great Bend; two sons and a daughter, Don Richter and Cindy Cummins; Lynn Richter; and Linda Richter; five grandchildren, Trev, Anne, Josh, Allison and Matt; six great-grandchildren, Ember, Henry, Ollie, Meredith, Terry and Sagan; and her brother Delmer Dirks. She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Raymond and Clarence Dirks; and son-in-law, John Allain.

Visitation will take place from 1 to 8 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022, at Bryant Funeral Home, with the family receiving guests from 4 to 5 p.m. and a prayer service at 5 p.m. Funeral service will take place at 11 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 7, 2022, at Peace Lutheran Church in rural Albert with internment following in the Peace Lutheran Church Cemetery. Memorials have been designated to Peace Lutheran Church, in care of Bryant Funeral Home.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1667479380363.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Ellen Louisa Richter, 91, passed away on Nov. 2, 2022, at Aster Estates in Great Bend. She was born Nov. 18, 1930, in Great Bend, to Charles C. and Gertrude (Hemken) Dirks.Ellen was raised on a farm in rural Albert. She attended Otis High School in Otis, where she met Melvin Richter. They were married a few months after her graduation on July 27, 1948. Ellen was a lifetime member of Peace Lutheran Church, where she participated in many activities throughout the years, especially singing in the choir. In 1961, Ellen and Melvin purchased the franchise for Tom’s Foods and worked together selling candy and chips in and around Great Bend until their retirement in 1998. She also worked in the office at Doonan Truck &amp; Equipment.Ellen loved her family and enjoyed supporting their interests, driving to music rehearsals and lessons, and attending concerts and other school activities. She was a proud drum corps mom, following the Argonne Rebels to many contests and performances. Her grandchildren loved spending holidays, spring breaks and summer vacations with her. Ellen taught them all to drive….. fast! and always sent them home with “samples” of the latest candy. She and Melvin introduced their grandkids and great-grandkids to the fun of fireworks, hosting family July 4th celebrations each year.Ellen is survived by her husband of 74 years, Melvin Richter of Great Bend; two sons and a daughter, Don Richter and Cindy Cummins; Lynn Richter; and Linda Richter; five grandchildren, Trev, Anne, Josh, Allison and Matt; six great-grandchildren, Ember, Henry, Ollie, Meredith, Terry and Sagan; and her brother Delmer Dirks. She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Raymond and Clarence Dirks; and son-in-law, John Allain.Visitation will take place from 1 to 8 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022, at Bryant Funeral Home, with the family receiving guests from 4 to 5 p.m. and a prayer service at 5 p.m. Funeral service will take place at 11 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 7, 2022, at Peace Lutheran Church in rural Albert with internment following in the Peace Lutheran Church Cemetery. Memorials have been designated to Peace Lutheran Church, in care of Bryant Funeral Home.

Ellen Richter, age 91

George V. Dinkel, age 73, formerly of Brownell, Kansas, passed away Thursday, October 27, 2022, at his home in Victoria, Kansas.

He was born September 7, 1949, in Hays, Kansas to Victor J. and Juliana
 M. (Rajewski).&nbsp; He married Velma (Unrein) on January 8, 1972, in Hays, 
Kansas.

He was a truck driver for National Carriers for over 20 years, and also
 was a farmer.&nbsp; He was a 1967 graduate of Ellis High School and was a 
member of Christ The King Catholic Church of WaKeeney, Kansas.&nbsp; He was a
 veteran of the US Army and moved to Victoria in the spring of this year
 from Brownell, Kansas.

Survivors include his wife Velma Dinkel, of the home; his children, 
John Dinkel and Chris Dixon, St. John’s, FL; Erin Rupp and husband 
Eugene, Victoria, KS; James Dinkel and wife, Annetta, Brownell, KS; his 
sisters, Judy Augustine and husband, Jeff, Hays, KS; Denice Fuller and 
husband, Mike, Concordia, KS; his grandchildren, Jacob Dinkel; Tyler 
Dinkel; Ethan Rupp; Emma Rae Rupp; his step grandchildren, Morgan Dixon;
 Bailee Dixon; Jacob Dixon; Andrew Rupp; Hillary Rupp; Amanda (Rex) 
Rhorer; Rondi Dysinger; Richie (Ashley) Dysinger; his step great 
grandchildren, Adalynn Rhorer; Jase Rhorer; and Mia Dysinger.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 A.M. Wednesday, November 2, 
2022, at The Basilica of St. Fidelis, Victoria, Kansas with Father James
 Moster O.F.M. Cap. officiating.&nbsp; Inurnment will be in St. Boniface 
Cemetery, Vincent, Kansas with Military Honors by the Victoria V.F.W. 
Post No. 1751.

A vigil service and rosary will be at 7:00 P.M. Tuesday, at 
Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary, 412 Main &nbsp;Street, Victoria, Kansas 67671.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Tuesday, at 
Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary, Victoria and from 9:00 to 10:00 A.M. 
Wednesday, at the Basilica of St. Fidelis, Victoria.

The family suggests memorials payable to the organization: Boys Town or
 St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in care of the mortuary.

Condolences can be sent via e-mail to clinesmortuary@eaglecom.net or 
can be left at guest book at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1667173671773.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>George V. Dinkel, age 73, formerly of Brownell, Kansas, passed away Thursday, October 27, 2022, at his home in Victoria, Kansas.He was born September 7, 1949, in Hays, Kansas to Victor J. and Juliana
 M. (Rajewski).&nbsp; He married Velma (Unrein) on January 8, 1972, in Hays, 
Kansas.He was a truck driver for National Carriers for over 20 years, and also
 was a farmer.&nbsp; He was a 1967 graduate of Ellis High School and was a 
member of Christ The King Catholic Church of WaKeeney, Kansas.&nbsp; He was a
 veteran of the US Army and moved to Victoria in the spring of this year
 from Brownell, Kansas.Survivors include his wife Velma Dinkel, of the home; his children, 
John Dinkel and Chris Dixon, St. John’s, FL; Erin Rupp and husband 
Eugene, Victoria, KS; James Dinkel and wife, Annetta, Brownell, KS; his 
sisters, Judy Augustine and husband, Jeff, Hays, KS; Denice Fuller and 
husband, Mike, Concordia, KS; his grandchildren, Jacob Dinkel; Tyler 
Dinkel; Ethan Rupp; Emma Rae Rupp; his step grandchildren, Morgan Dixon;
 Bailee Dixon; Jacob Dixon; Andrew Rupp; Hillary Rupp; Amanda (Rex) 
Rhorer; Rondi Dysinger; Richie (Ashley) Dysinger; his step great 
grandchildren, Adalynn Rhorer; Jase Rhorer; and Mia Dysinger.He was preceded in death by his parents.Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 A.M. Wednesday, November 2, 
2022, at The Basilica of St. Fidelis, Victoria, Kansas with Father James
 Moster O.F.M. Cap. officiating.&nbsp; Inurnment will be in St. Boniface 
Cemetery, Vincent, Kansas with Military Honors by the Victoria V.F.W. 
Post No. 1751.A vigil service and rosary will be at 7:00 P.M. Tuesday, at 
Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary, 412 Main &nbsp;Street, Victoria, Kansas 67671.The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Tuesday, at 
Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary, Victoria and from 9:00 to 10:00 A.M. 
Wednesday, at the Basilica of St. Fidelis, Victoria.The family suggests memorials payable to the organization: Boys Town or
 St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in care of the mortuary.Condolences can be sent via e-mail to clinesmortuary@eaglecom.net or 
can be left at guest book at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com

George V. Dinkel

Wilma Jean Berger, 91, Great Bend, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loved ones on Oct. 31, 2022, at River Bend Assisted Living in Great Bend.

She was born Jan. 25, 1931, in Hays, the daughter of Walter George and Olivia Margaret (Rupp) McIntosh. She married Walter A. Korbe on June 3, 1948, to which they were blessed with three children: William Allen, Debra Jean, and Walter Joseph. They later divorced. On March 17, 1976, she married Fred W. Berger.

Jean was a farm girl from Hays who attended rural country schools in her early years and Girls Catholic High School until her marriage in 1948. She later attended Hays High School to receive her high school diploma and attended college classes at Fort Hays State University and Barton County Community College in Great Bend. She worked as a secretary for Henry Pierce Insurance Agency, which Bruce Buehler purchased and changed to High Plains Insurance. In 1968, Fred Berger and silent partner Leo Dreiling formed Insurance Planning, Inc. Jean retired in 1987 as an underwriter and secretary.

Jean was a hard-working wife and mother, talented artist in oil painting, creative in a variety of crafts and ceramics, and an amateur photographer. She loved gardening and growing the perfect roses, traveling with Fred, and many times with her grandchildren. Most of all, she loved spending time with her family and close friends and traveling to various places to support her children's and grandchildren’s endeavors. She had a very tender heart and always reached out to those who were hurting or in need.

Jean was a former member of Insurance Women of Hays, Daughters of Isabella, Soroptimist International, Etudian Club, PEO Chapter HR, Cub Scout Den Mother, the Grandparents Program through Fort Hays State University, and a Senior Companion in Great Bend. She was a beloved child of Christ, a former member of Celebration Community Church before moving to Great Bend in 2014, and currently a member of the First Christian Church in Great Bend.

Survivors include her loving husband and best friend, Fred of Great Bend, daughter: Debra J. (Clayton) Noffsinger of Great Bend, stepson: Brad A. Berger of Aptos, Calif., brother: Francis McIntosh of Smith Center, sister: Agnes Hammerschmidt of Hutchinson, brother-in-law and sister-in-law: Charles and Sally Berger of Soddy, Tenn., daughter-In-law: Mary LaFlamme of Hays, grandchildren: Candi Pfannenstiel, Jeffrey Noffsinger, Jennifer (Nathan) Sullivan, Cory (Sheena) Noffsinger, Jacki Klug, Lana McClanahan, and John Kinderknecht, and 18 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, sons: William Allen Korbe and Walter Joseph Korbe, stepson: Brent Berger, stepdaughter: Babette Kinderknecht, brother: Charles Oscar McIntosh, sister: Dorothy Fross, and one granddaughter: Emily Faye Noffsinger.

A Celebration of Life will be at 10 am on Friday, Nov. 4, 2022, at Celebration Community Church with Pastor Brant Rice and Pastor Josh Leu officiating. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday at Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home and from 9 a.m. until service time on Friday at the church.

Memorials may be made payable to: Heartland Community Foundation for the Fred and Jean Berger, Insurance Planning, Inc. Charitable Fund or to Gentiva Hospice. Condolences and memories of Jean may be shared with her family at www.haysmemorial.com

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1667314147171.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Wilma Jean Berger, 91, Great Bend, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loved ones on Oct. 31, 2022, at River Bend Assisted Living in Great Bend.She was born Jan. 25, 1931, in Hays, the daughter of Walter George and Olivia Margaret (Rupp) McIntosh. She married Walter A. Korbe on June 3, 1948, to which they were blessed with three children: William Allen, Debra Jean, and Walter Joseph. They later divorced. On March 17, 1976, she married Fred W. Berger.Jean was a farm girl from Hays who attended rural country schools in her early years and Girls Catholic High School until her marriage in 1948. She later attended Hays High School to receive her high school diploma and attended college classes at Fort Hays State University and Barton County Community College in Great Bend. She worked as a secretary for Henry Pierce Insurance Agency, which Bruce Buehler purchased and changed to High Plains Insurance. In 1968, Fred Berger and silent partner Leo Dreiling formed Insurance Planning, Inc. Jean retired in 1987 as an underwriter and secretary.Jean was a hard-working wife and mother, talented artist in oil painting, creative in a variety of crafts and ceramics, and an amateur photographer. She loved gardening and growing the perfect roses, traveling with Fred, and many times with her grandchildren. Most of all, she loved spending time with her family and close friends and traveling to various places to support her children's and grandchildren’s endeavors. She had a very tender heart and always reached out to those who were hurting or in need.Jean was a former member of Insurance Women of Hays, Daughters of Isabella, Soroptimist International, Etudian Club, PEO Chapter HR, Cub Scout Den Mother, the Grandparents Program through Fort Hays State University, and a Senior Companion in Great Bend. She was a beloved child of Christ, a former member of Celebration Community Church before moving to Great Bend in 2014, and currently a member of the First Christian Church in Great Bend.Survivors include her loving husband and best friend, Fred of Great Bend, daughter: Debra J. (Clayton) Noffsinger of Great Bend, stepson: Brad A. Berger of Aptos, Calif., brother: Francis McIntosh of Smith Center, sister: Agnes Hammerschmidt of Hutchinson, brother-in-law and sister-in-law: Charles and Sally Berger of Soddy, Tenn., daughter-In-law: Mary LaFlamme of Hays, grandchildren: Candi Pfannenstiel, Jeffrey Noffsinger, Jennifer (Nathan) Sullivan, Cory (Sheena) Noffsinger, Jacki Klug, Lana McClanahan, and John Kinderknecht, and 18 great-grandchildren.She was preceded in death by her parents, sons: William Allen Korbe and Walter Joseph Korbe, stepson: Brent Berger, stepdaughter: Babette Kinderknecht, brother: Charles Oscar McIntosh, sister: Dorothy Fross, and one granddaughter: Emily Faye Noffsinger.A Celebration of Life will be at 10 am on Friday, Nov. 4, 2022, at Celebration Community Church with Pastor Brant Rice and Pastor Josh Leu officiating. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday at Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home and from 9 a.m. until service time on Friday at the church.Memorials may be made payable to: Heartland Community Foundation for the Fred and Jean Berger, Insurance Planning, Inc. Charitable Fund or to Gentiva Hospice. Condolences and memories of Jean may be shared with her family at www.haysmemorial.com

Wilma Berger, age 91

Patricia “Pat” Lois Bell, 80, passed away on October 26, 2022, in Conroe, Texas. Born on June 5, 1942, in Borger, Texas, to Herman Delbert and Lois (King) Crockett. They moved back to Morton, Texas, where her father became the Cochran County Sheriff. This is where Pat attended school until the 7th grade. In 1954 Herman took a job in the oil field and moved the family to Ellinwood, Kansas.

On December 23, 1958, she married Larry Ravenstien, she joined him in Fort Campbell, Kentucky, where he was stationed in the Army. Upon Larry’s Army discharge in 1966, they moved to Derby, Kansas, with their two sons. Later moving back to Ellinwood, where Pat worked for Farmer’s Mutual Insurance. On October 23, 1978, Larry and her divorced. Pat then moved to Great Bend where she worked for the Barton County Sheriff Dept. and the Great Bend Petroleum Club. While working at the Petroleum Club, she meet Keith Bell, an avid golfer.

Many may remember her singing the jingle “He’s a Write in Vote” campaigning for Gene Marks as a write-in vote, running for sheriff of Barton County, and he won. She then married Keith Bell on March 14, 1980, in Cimarron, Kansas. Upon her and Keith’s retirement they became “Winter Texans” at River Bend Resort in Brownsville, Texas, later making that their permanent home for 23 years.

Mrs. Bell enjoyed playing mahjong, dominos, cards and was active in Ladies Golf League. She was very involved in community events at River Bend. One important event her friends from River Bend stated was at their annual Veterans Day celebration she lead the opening prayer. She had a very loving and spiritual caring heart, spreading that to her many family and friends along her life’s journey.

Survivors include her sons, Kelly Ravenstien of Ark City, Kansas and Scott (Gabe) Ravenstien of Great Bend, Kansas; two step-daughters, Rhonda (Gary) Dobbs of Spring, Texas and Marisa (Doug) Deason of Tulsa, Oklahoma; one step-son, KB (Tammy) Bell of Great Bend, Kansas; 10 grandchildren, Justin Ward, Misty (Stephen) Ambrose, Michael (Rosa) Ravenstien, Zach Dittrick, Casey Dittrick and fiancé Brian Lundquist, Ryan (Nicole) Dobbs, Collin (Madison) Dobbs, Chelsea (Terry) Tansill, Suzanne (Mario) Montes and Alisha (Ryan) Markley; 16 great-grandchildren; 1 great great-grandchild on the way; her sister, Twila (Melvin) Birzer ; her brother, Randy Crockett; a sister-in-law, Judi Crockett; and a host of nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Keith, of 37 years; her parents; a brother, Herman (Sonny) Crockett, and a step-daughter, Monica Bell Reser.

There will be no visitation as cremation has taken place. A family burial will be at a later date. Memorial contributions can be sent to the Monica Bell Reser Memorial Scholarship at Barton Community College or a Humane Society of contributor’s choice, in care of Bryant Funeral Home, 1425 Patton Rd, Great Bend, KS 67530.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1667308112723.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Patricia “Pat” Lois Bell, 80, passed away on October 26, 2022, in Conroe, Texas. Born on June 5, 1942, in Borger, Texas, to Herman Delbert and Lois (King) Crockett. They moved back to Morton, Texas, where her father became the Cochran County Sheriff. This is where Pat attended school until the 7th grade. In 1954 Herman took a job in the oil field and moved the family to Ellinwood, Kansas.On December 23, 1958, she married Larry Ravenstien, she joined him in Fort Campbell, Kentucky, where he was stationed in the Army. Upon Larry’s Army discharge in 1966, they moved to Derby, Kansas, with their two sons. Later moving back to Ellinwood, where Pat worked for Farmer’s Mutual Insurance. On October 23, 1978, Larry and her divorced. Pat then moved to Great Bend where she worked for the Barton County Sheriff Dept. and the Great Bend Petroleum Club. While working at the Petroleum Club, she meet Keith Bell, an avid golfer.Many may remember her singing the jingle “He’s a Write in Vote” campaigning for Gene Marks as a write-in vote, running for sheriff of Barton County, and he won. She then married Keith Bell on March 14, 1980, in Cimarron, Kansas. Upon her and Keith’s retirement they became “Winter Texans” at River Bend Resort in Brownsville, Texas, later making that their permanent home for 23 years.Mrs. Bell enjoyed playing mahjong, dominos, cards and was active in Ladies Golf League. She was very involved in community events at River Bend. One important event her friends from River Bend stated was at their annual Veterans Day celebration she lead the opening prayer. She had a very loving and spiritual caring heart, spreading that to her many family and friends along her life’s journey.Survivors include her sons, Kelly Ravenstien of Ark City, Kansas and Scott (Gabe) Ravenstien of Great Bend, Kansas; two step-daughters, Rhonda (Gary) Dobbs of Spring, Texas and Marisa (Doug) Deason of Tulsa, Oklahoma; one step-son, KB (Tammy) Bell of Great Bend, Kansas; 10 grandchildren, Justin Ward, Misty (Stephen) Ambrose, Michael (Rosa) Ravenstien, Zach Dittrick, Casey Dittrick and fiancé Brian Lundquist, Ryan (Nicole) Dobbs, Collin (Madison) Dobbs, Chelsea (Terry) Tansill, Suzanne (Mario) Montes and Alisha (Ryan) Markley; 16 great-grandchildren; 1 great great-grandchild on the way; her sister, Twila (Melvin) Birzer ; her brother, Randy Crockett; a sister-in-law, Judi Crockett; and a host of nieces and nephews.She was preceded in death by her husband, Keith, of 37 years; her parents; a brother, Herman (Sonny) Crockett, and a step-daughter, Monica Bell Reser.There will be no visitation as cremation has taken place. A family burial will be at a later date. Memorial contributions can be sent to the Monica Bell Reser Memorial Scholarship at Barton Community College or a Humane Society of contributor’s choice, in care of Bryant Funeral Home, 1425 Patton Rd, Great Bend, KS 67530.

Patricia 'Pat' Lois Bell, age 80

Alice Marie Robison, 72, passed away October 30, 2022 at Hays Medical Center, Hays.

She was born October 5, 1950 in Gainesville, Missouri, the daughter of Edward Andy and Viola Mae Baines Naugle.

A lifetime resident since 1963, she was a nurses aide at Larned Healthcare Center. She was a member of New Beginnings Church of the Nazarene and enjoyed sewing and crafting.

On October 15, 1970 she married Robert L. Robison Sr. at Larned; he preceded her in death.

Survivors include: daughter, Lisa Robison, Larned; son, Robert Robison Jr., Norton; two sisters, Wanda Gay (Don) McKenna, Hutchinson, Brenda Louise Farmer, Larned; brother, Joseph (Petra) Naugle, Midwest City, Oklahoma; five grandchildren, Shyann Robison, Thomas Robison, Jeremy Robison, Ebony Muldrow, Ivory Muldrow, and one great grandchild on the way.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters, Shirley Ann Owens, Teresa Lynn Humphries; and two brothers, Michael Naugle and Charles Edward Naugle.

Cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday, November 5, 2022 at New Beginnings Church of the Nazarene, Larned, with Pastor Daryl Riffel presiding.

Memorials may be given to the Alice Robison Memorial Fund in care of Beckwith Mortuary, PO Box 477, Larned, Kansas 67550. Personal condolences may be left at www.beckwithmortuary.com.

Alice Marie Robison, 72, passed away October 30, 2022 at Hays Medical Center, Hays.She was born October 5, 1950 in Gainesville, Missouri, the daughter of Edward Andy and Viola Mae Baines Naugle.A lifetime resident since 1963, she was a nurses aide at Larned Healthcare Center. She was a member of New Beginnings Church of the Nazarene and enjoyed sewing and crafting.On October 15, 1970 she married Robert L. Robison Sr. at Larned; he preceded her in death.Survivors include: daughter, Lisa Robison, Larned; son, Robert Robison Jr., Norton; two sisters, Wanda Gay (Don) McKenna, Hutchinson, Brenda Louise Farmer, Larned; brother, Joseph (Petra) Naugle, Midwest City, Oklahoma; five grandchildren, Shyann Robison, Thomas Robison, Jeremy Robison, Ebony Muldrow, Ivory Muldrow, and one great grandchild on the way.She was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters, Shirley Ann Owens, Teresa Lynn Humphries; and two brothers, Michael Naugle and Charles Edward Naugle.Cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday, November 5, 2022 at New Beginnings Church of the Nazarene, Larned, with Pastor Daryl Riffel presiding.Memorials may be given to the Alice Robison Memorial Fund in care of Beckwith Mortuary, PO Box 477, Larned, Kansas 67550. Personal condolences may be left at www.beckwithmortuary.com.

Alice Robison, age 72

Samuel Louis Brock, 79, of Russell, passed away after a courageous battle with cancer on Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2022, at his home with his loved ones by his side.

Sam was born Sept. 27, 1943, in Sabetha.&nbsp; He was one of three sons born to Dale A., Sr., and Lucille N. (Spiker) Brock.&nbsp; He grew up in Wetmore and graduated from Wetmore High School in the Class of 61.&nbsp; He then attended Emporia State University where he graduated in 1965 with a degree in Accounting and Business.&nbsp; He also served his country in the Army National Guard.

Sam was united in marriage to Marcia McCuistion on June 4, 1966.&nbsp; This union was blessed with two daughters; Sonya and Stephanie.&nbsp; Later he was united in marriage to Lana (Teel) Foster on July 10, 1998.&nbsp; They made their home in Russell.

Sam was a Co-Owner of Morris &amp; Brock Accounting which later became Gudenkauf, Malone &amp; Brock, Inc.&nbsp; He retired in 2014.&nbsp; He was an active member of the Russell Elks Lodge # 1715.&nbsp; He enjoyed all aspects of sports, fishing, following his family’s activities, and spending time at his cabin at the lake.

Sam’s surviving family include his wife of 24 years, Lana of the home; daughters, Sonya Schinkel of Lawrence, and Stephanie Dunn (Chris) of Lenexa; step-sons, Douglas Foster (Bonnie) of Wichita, and David Foster (Summer) of Alva, Okla.; brothers, Dale Brock (Esther) of Spiceland, Ind. and Dennis Brock (Carol) of Reading; sister-in-law, Mickey Long of Russell; seven grandchildren, Jane, Peter, Neva, Merle, Sydney, Beau and Mary Kate; many nieces, nephews, and many friends.&nbsp; Sam was preceded in death by his parents.

A Gathering in Sam’s Memory will be held at the Russell Elks Lodge #1715 from 1 to 3 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022.&nbsp; Memorials have been established with Russell Elks Lodge or Russell Regional Hospital.&nbsp; Contributions and condolences may be sent to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, who is in charge of these arrangements.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1667226904513.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Samuel Louis Brock, 79, of Russell, passed away after a courageous battle with cancer on Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2022, at his home with his loved ones by his side.Sam was born Sept. 27, 1943, in Sabetha.&nbsp; He was one of three sons born to Dale A., Sr., and Lucille N. (Spiker) Brock.&nbsp; He grew up in Wetmore and graduated from Wetmore High School in the Class of 61.&nbsp; He then attended Emporia State University where he graduated in 1965 with a degree in Accounting and Business.&nbsp; He also served his country in the Army National Guard.Sam was united in marriage to Marcia McCuistion on June 4, 1966.&nbsp; This union was blessed with two daughters; Sonya and Stephanie.&nbsp; Later he was united in marriage to Lana (Teel) Foster on July 10, 1998.&nbsp; They made their home in Russell.Sam was a Co-Owner of Morris &amp; Brock Accounting which later became Gudenkauf, Malone &amp; Brock, Inc.&nbsp; He retired in 2014.&nbsp; He was an active member of the Russell Elks Lodge # 1715.&nbsp; He enjoyed all aspects of sports, fishing, following his family’s activities, and spending time at his cabin at the lake.Sam’s surviving family include his wife of 24 years, Lana of the home; daughters, Sonya Schinkel of Lawrence, and Stephanie Dunn (Chris) of Lenexa; step-sons, Douglas Foster (Bonnie) of Wichita, and David Foster (Summer) of Alva, Okla.; brothers, Dale Brock (Esther) of Spiceland, Ind. and Dennis Brock (Carol) of Reading; sister-in-law, Mickey Long of Russell; seven grandchildren, Jane, Peter, Neva, Merle, Sydney, Beau and Mary Kate; many nieces, nephews, and many friends.&nbsp; Sam was preceded in death by his parents.A Gathering in Sam’s Memory will be held at the Russell Elks Lodge #1715 from 1 to 3 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022.&nbsp; Memorials have been established with Russell Elks Lodge or Russell Regional Hospital.&nbsp; Contributions and condolences may be sent to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, who is in charge of these arrangements.

Samuel Brock, age 79

Leonard Joseph “Butch” Stos, 77, died Oct. 27, 2022, at his home in Otis. He was born April 25, 1945, in Great Bend, Kansas, the son of Leonard Valentine and Helen Marie (Budig) Stos. He graduated from Otis Rural High School in 1963 and later earned his mechanic certification from Vo-Tech School in Kansas City.

Butch then served in the United States Army as a motor sergeant, stationed in Korea and then Vietnam from 1965 to 1968. He worked as a mechanic at Gibson, Titus &amp; Stafford and also owned Stos Radiator in Great Bend for many years.

He is survived by his wife Kim Ann Stos of the home; siblings, Karolyn (Charles) Schaffer of La Crosse, Debra Stos of Newton, Randy (Heather) Stos of Hoisington, and Tim (Lynette) Stos of Olmitz; father and mother-in-law, Stan &amp; Bi Hannigan, and sister-in-law, Kim Le (Tom) Rebein, all of Great Bend; seven nieces and nephews and many great-nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, with family to greet friends from 6 to 8 p.m., Rosary will begin at 7 p.m. all at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m., Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2022, at St. Ann Catholic Church, Olmitz, celebrated by Father Anselm Eke, MSP. With burial and military honors to follow at St. Ann Cemetery, Olmitz.

Memorials may be made to the Butch Stos Funeral Expense Fund, in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington, KS 67544.

Notices may viewed and condolences sent at www.nicholsonrickefh.net

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1667220795937.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Leonard Joseph “Butch” Stos, 77, died Oct. 27, 2022, at his home in Otis. He was born April 25, 1945, in Great Bend, Kansas, the son of Leonard Valentine and Helen Marie (Budig) Stos. He graduated from Otis Rural High School in 1963 and later earned his mechanic certification from Vo-Tech School in Kansas City.Butch then served in the United States Army as a motor sergeant, stationed in Korea and then Vietnam from 1965 to 1968. He worked as a mechanic at Gibson, Titus &amp; Stafford and also owned Stos Radiator in Great Bend for many years.He is survived by his wife Kim Ann Stos of the home; siblings, Karolyn (Charles) Schaffer of La Crosse, Debra Stos of Newton, Randy (Heather) Stos of Hoisington, and Tim (Lynette) Stos of Olmitz; father and mother-in-law, Stan &amp; Bi Hannigan, and sister-in-law, Kim Le (Tom) Rebein, all of Great Bend; seven nieces and nephews and many great-nieces and nephews.Visitation will be 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, with family to greet friends from 6 to 8 p.m., Rosary will begin at 7 p.m. all at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home.Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m., Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2022, at St. Ann Catholic Church, Olmitz, celebrated by Father Anselm Eke, MSP. With burial and military honors to follow at St. Ann Cemetery, Olmitz.Memorials may be made to the Butch Stos Funeral Expense Fund, in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington, KS 67544.Notices may viewed and condolences sent at www.nicholsonrickefh.net

Leonard 'Butch' Stos, age 77

Mary Jo Hirsch Cunningham, 77, passed away Jan. 30, 2022, in Ellinwood, KS. She was born on Jan. 1st, 1945, in Manhattan, KS to Charles &amp; Stella Dyche Hirsch. She attended St. Joseph School and graduated from EHS in 1963 and from Kansas State with a degree in Technical Journalism in 1967 and has advanced hours in Museology from Bowling Green State University. She married Ronald Gene Cunningham in 1967.

Mary Jo is survived by husband Ron Cunningham, Ellinwood, KS; sister Kathleen Hildenbrand, Hutchinson, KS; niece Star Hildenbrand. She was preceded in death by her parents.

Graveside service will take place 2:00 PM, Nov. 7th, 2022 at Lakin-Comanche Cemetery in Ellinwood, KS with Father Terrance Klein officiating. Memorials are suggested to Ellinwood Heritage Club and Senior Center in care of Minnis Chapel in Ellinwood.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1666979589667.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Mary Jo Hirsch Cunningham, 77, passed away Jan. 30, 2022, in Ellinwood, KS. She was born on Jan. 1st, 1945, in Manhattan, KS to Charles &amp; Stella Dyche Hirsch. She attended St. Joseph School and graduated from EHS in 1963 and from Kansas State with a degree in Technical Journalism in 1967 and has advanced hours in Museology from Bowling Green State University. She married Ronald Gene Cunningham in 1967.Mary Jo is survived by husband Ron Cunningham, Ellinwood, KS; sister Kathleen Hildenbrand, Hutchinson, KS; niece Star Hildenbrand. She was preceded in death by her parents.Graveside service will take place 2:00 PM, Nov. 7th, 2022 at Lakin-Comanche Cemetery in Ellinwood, KS with Father Terrance Klein officiating. Memorials are suggested to Ellinwood Heritage Club and Senior Center in care of Minnis Chapel in Ellinwood.

Mary Jo (Hirsch) Cunningham, age 77

Alfred Heustis, 77, died Oct. 25, 2022, at his home in rural Russell. He was born June 22, 1945, in Tampa, Flo., the son of Alfred W. Heustis, Sr. and Clyde (Ward) Heustis. Al graduated from Plant High School in Tampa, and then served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War.

On Dec. 23, 1965, he married Rose Harrell at Fort Sill, Okla. Together they raised five children.

Al worked for 23 years for the Hensel Phelps Construction Company in Greeley, Colo. In 2009 he retired and moved to Kansas. He was a member of St. Ann’s Catholic Church, Olmitz.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Rose Heustis of the home; five children, Irene Moore of Omaha, Neb., Tonya Schneck of Lebanon, Penn., Alfred Heustis, III of Russell, Phillip Heustis of Winchester, Va., and Christopher Heustis of Warrenton, Va.; 14 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.

Services will be Monday, Oct. 31, 2022, at St. Ann’s Catholic Church, Olmitz, with family to greet friends at the church at 1 p.m., and Rosary to follow at 1:30 p.m.. Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 2 p.m., celebrated by Father Anselm Eke, MSP. Burial will follow in St. Ann Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Ann’s Altar Society, in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington, KS 67544.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1666810011817.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Alfred Heustis, 77, died Oct. 25, 2022, at his home in rural Russell. He was born June 22, 1945, in Tampa, Flo., the son of Alfred W. Heustis, Sr. and Clyde (Ward) Heustis. Al graduated from Plant High School in Tampa, and then served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War.On Dec. 23, 1965, he married Rose Harrell at Fort Sill, Okla. Together they raised five children.Al worked for 23 years for the Hensel Phelps Construction Company in Greeley, Colo. In 2009 he retired and moved to Kansas. He was a member of St. Ann’s Catholic Church, Olmitz.He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Rose Heustis of the home; five children, Irene Moore of Omaha, Neb., Tonya Schneck of Lebanon, Penn., Alfred Heustis, III of Russell, Phillip Heustis of Winchester, Va., and Christopher Heustis of Warrenton, Va.; 14 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.Services will be Monday, Oct. 31, 2022, at St. Ann’s Catholic Church, Olmitz, with family to greet friends at the church at 1 p.m., and Rosary to follow at 1:30 p.m.. Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 2 p.m., celebrated by Father Anselm Eke, MSP. Burial will follow in St. Ann Cemetery.In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Ann’s Altar Society, in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington, KS 67544.

Alfred Heustis, age 77

Robert Dale Schmitt, 82, of Gorham, Kansas, passed away Tuesday, October 25, 2022 at the Russell Regional Hospital in Russell.

Bob was born May 26, 1940 in Hays, Kansas. He was the son of Gustav A. and Lydia (Wagner) Schmitt. At the age of two his family moved to the family farm south of Gorham which was homesteaded in 1888. He graduated from Gorham High School in the Class of 1958.

Bob was united in marriage to Lyla L. Prater on October 15, 1961 in Russell. They made their home on the family farm and was blessed with three children; Virginia, Dale and Kristin.

Bob was a Farmer and Rancher on the farm south of Gorham. He spent the next 80 years doing what he loved; farming, ranching, butchering and passing down family traditions. He took great pride in being the 3rd generation to live on the family farm. He was the youngest of 32 first cousins on the Schmitt side. He enjoyed visiting with everyone and sharing life lessons with the younger generations. He loved his food, he couldn’t have a meal without meat and dessert! Some of his favorite places to eat were Red Lobster and Dairy Queen.

He was a life member of St. John Lutheran Church. He also belonged to the Big Creek 4-H Club, the Cushman Motor Scooters Association and hosted a couple of Cushman gatherings at the farm. He served on the Federal Grand Jury and the Big Creek Township Board. He loved spending time with his family and following his grandchildren’s activities, pestering his friends and family, caring for his 1974 T-Bird and eating ice cream and popcorn.

Bob’s surviving family include his wife of 61 years, Lyla of the home; daughters, Virginia Rohleder of Gorham, Kansas and Kristin Bay (Tony) of Russell, Kansas; son, Dale Schmitt (Nancy) of Russell, Kansas; eight grandchildren, Colby Rohleder (Ashley), Sadee Soldan (Rex), Brandon Schmitt, Mason Schmitt, Kendra Bay, Tytin Bay, Alex Underwood and Seth Underwood. Four great grandchildren, Colt and Owen Soldan, Otto and Tinzlee Rohleder; Sister-in-law Carol Walford and his only niece Stacy Waters (Paul) and her family.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents; son-in-law, Randy Rohleder; and brother-in-law, Larry Walford.

Celebration of Bob’s Life will be held at 11:00 AM, Friday, October 28, 2022 at St. John Lutheran Church. A private burial of ashes will follow at a later date. The family will be present to greet friends at 9:30 AM, Friday at the Church. A memorial has been established with the Gorham Senior Center. Contributions and condolences may be sent to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, who is in charge of these arrangements.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1666803747009.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Robert Dale Schmitt, 82, of Gorham, Kansas, passed away Tuesday, October 25, 2022 at the Russell Regional Hospital in Russell.Bob was born May 26, 1940 in Hays, Kansas. He was the son of Gustav A. and Lydia (Wagner) Schmitt. At the age of two his family moved to the family farm south of Gorham which was homesteaded in 1888. He graduated from Gorham High School in the Class of 1958.Bob was united in marriage to Lyla L. Prater on October 15, 1961 in Russell. They made their home on the family farm and was blessed with three children; Virginia, Dale and Kristin.Bob was a Farmer and Rancher on the farm south of Gorham. He spent the next 80 years doing what he loved; farming, ranching, butchering and passing down family traditions. He took great pride in being the 3rd generation to live on the family farm. He was the youngest of 32 first cousins on the Schmitt side. He enjoyed visiting with everyone and sharing life lessons with the younger generations. He loved his food, he couldn’t have a meal without meat and dessert! Some of his favorite places to eat were Red Lobster and Dairy Queen.He was a life member of St. John Lutheran Church. He also belonged to the Big Creek 4-H Club, the Cushman Motor Scooters Association and hosted a couple of Cushman gatherings at the farm. He served on the Federal Grand Jury and the Big Creek Township Board. He loved spending time with his family and following his grandchildren’s activities, pestering his friends and family, caring for his 1974 T-Bird and eating ice cream and popcorn.Bob’s surviving family include his wife of 61 years, Lyla of the home; daughters, Virginia Rohleder of Gorham, Kansas and Kristin Bay (Tony) of Russell, Kansas; son, Dale Schmitt (Nancy) of Russell, Kansas; eight grandchildren, Colby Rohleder (Ashley), Sadee Soldan (Rex), Brandon Schmitt, Mason Schmitt, Kendra Bay, Tytin Bay, Alex Underwood and Seth Underwood. Four great grandchildren, Colt and Owen Soldan, Otto and Tinzlee Rohleder; Sister-in-law Carol Walford and his only niece Stacy Waters (Paul) and her family.Bob was preceded in death by his parents; son-in-law, Randy Rohleder; and brother-in-law, Larry Walford.Celebration of Bob’s Life will be held at 11:00 AM, Friday, October 28, 2022 at St. John Lutheran Church. A private burial of ashes will follow at a later date. The family will be present to greet friends at 9:30 AM, Friday at the Church. A memorial has been established with the Gorham Senior Center. Contributions and condolences may be sent to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, who is in charge of these arrangements.

Robert Schmitt, age 82

Michael W. Jones, 70, of McPherson, passed away peacefully on Sunday, October 23, 2022, surrounded by family at Brookdale of McPherson where he had resided for the past three months during a short battle with cancer.

Michael was born on August 3, 1952, in McPherson, the son of Robert K. and Velma L. (Rickner) Jones.&nbsp; He graduated from North Kingstown, RI High School in 1970.&nbsp; He received an associate degree in Architectural Engineering&nbsp; from State Technical Institute in Memphis, TN. &nbsp;After college, he went to work for a prominent architect, John Millard, Jr., for three years before returning to McPherson, in 1976.&nbsp; He then worked for Johns Manville for 38 years, retiring in 2015.

His enjoyments were woodworking, fish keeping (in aquariums), dogs, and Thanksgiving family get togethers.

Survivors include: his aunt, Joyce Rickner of Wichita, KS; cousins, Glenyce (Tom) Maestas, Cheryl (Numa) Dupont, Darryl (Kathy) Rickner, Norma Sue Rockenbach, Gemma Rickner, Lori (Randy) Hurst, Diane (Brent) Rotha, Denny (Helen) Allison, Dean Allison, Shari (Daryl) Becker, Kim (Tom) Klocek, and Jeff Allison; and many more extended family.

He was preceded in death by his parents; aunts &amp; uncles, Glen &amp; Pauline Rickner, Norman &amp; Mary Jane Rickner, Mary Allison, and Keith Rickner; and cousins, Larry Rickner, Charlene Rickner, Courtney Allison, and Rocky Rockenbach.

A graveside service will be held at 10:00 AM, Saturday, October 29, 2022, at the McPherson Cemetery with Rev. Abby Walker officiating.&nbsp;

Michael W. Jones, 70, of McPherson, passed away peacefully on Sunday, October 23, 2022, surrounded by family at Brookdale of McPherson where he had resided for the past three months during a short battle with cancer.Michael was born on August 3, 1952, in McPherson, the son of Robert K. and Velma L. (Rickner) Jones.&nbsp; He graduated from North Kingstown, RI High School in 1970.&nbsp; He received an associate degree in Architectural Engineering&nbsp; from State Technical Institute in Memphis, TN. &nbsp;After college, he went to work for a prominent architect, John Millard, Jr., for three years before returning to McPherson, in 1976.&nbsp; He then worked for Johns Manville for 38 years, retiring in 2015.His enjoyments were woodworking, fish keeping (in aquariums), dogs, and Thanksgiving family get togethers.Survivors include: his aunt, Joyce Rickner of Wichita, KS; cousins, Glenyce (Tom) Maestas, Cheryl (Numa) Dupont, Darryl (Kathy) Rickner, Norma Sue Rockenbach, Gemma Rickner, Lori (Randy) Hurst, Diane (Brent) Rotha, Denny (Helen) Allison, Dean Allison, Shari (Daryl) Becker, Kim (Tom) Klocek, and Jeff Allison; and many more extended family.He was preceded in death by his parents; aunts &amp; uncles, Glen &amp; Pauline Rickner, Norman &amp; Mary Jane Rickner, Mary Allison, and Keith Rickner; and cousins, Larry Rickner, Charlene Rickner, Courtney Allison, and Rocky Rockenbach.A graveside service will be held at 10:00 AM, Saturday, October 29, 2022, at the McPherson Cemetery with Rev. Abby Walker officiating.&nbsp;

Michael W. Jones  |1952-2022|  

Marvin R. Voth, 99, passed away on Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022, after a short hospital stay. Marvin was born April 28, 1923 at his home on the farm in McPherson County to Herman S. and Elizabeth Enz Voth. He married Linda (Nickel) Voth on Sept. 3, 1947. She passed away in 2011. Marvin, of Goessel, is survived by sons, Verney and wife, Janice, James and wife, Gayle, and Dwight and wife, Jane Ann; and daughters, LaVera and husband, James Parker and Connie and husband, Jake Ward. He had eight grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. Also surviving is sister, Martha Voth, and sisters-in-law MaryAnn Woelk, Norma Duerksen, and Phyllis Nickel. He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings, Willard Voth, Otto Voth, Agnes Goossen, Ella Weinbrenner, Ruby Mastellar, Irene Janzen, and Marie Voth. Marvin was a lifetime farmer, who spent 47 years working the land and operating a dairy. He also raised sheep, cattle, hogs, and chickens at various times. He continued to keep up with crops and farming operations as he became older. He and wife Linda moved into Goessel in 1994, where they adjusted well to town life. After Linda’s death, he continued to live independently, learning to bake zwiebach and cookies and willingly sharing them with his coffee group and with his family. In 2021, at the age of 98, he moved into Bethesda Home, where he enjoyed socializing with others and attending many activities. His gracious spirit and friendly nature was enjoyed by those around him. Visitation will be Friday, Oct. 28, 2022, 6:00-8:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall at the Alexanderwohl Mennonite Church near Goessel. The memorial service will be on Saturday, Oct. 29, at 11:00 a.m. at Alexanderwohl.

Marvin R. Voth, 99, passed away on Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022, after a short hospital stay. Marvin was born April 28, 1923 at his home on the farm in McPherson County to Herman S. and Elizabeth Enz Voth. He married Linda (Nickel) Voth on Sept. 3, 1947. She passed away in 2011. Marvin, of Goessel, is survived by sons, Verney and wife, Janice, James and wife, Gayle, and Dwight and wife, Jane Ann; and daughters, LaVera and husband, James Parker and Connie and husband, Jake Ward. He had eight grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. Also surviving is sister, Martha Voth, and sisters-in-law MaryAnn Woelk, Norma Duerksen, and Phyllis Nickel. He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings, Willard Voth, Otto Voth, Agnes Goossen, Ella Weinbrenner, Ruby Mastellar, Irene Janzen, and Marie Voth. Marvin was a lifetime farmer, who spent 47 years working the land and operating a dairy. He also raised sheep, cattle, hogs, and chickens at various times. He continued to keep up with crops and farming operations as he became older. He and wife Linda moved into Goessel in 1994, where they adjusted well to town life. After Linda’s death, he continued to live independently, learning to bake zwiebach and cookies and willingly sharing them with his coffee group and with his family. In 2021, at the age of 98, he moved into Bethesda Home, where he enjoyed socializing with others and attending many activities. His gracious spirit and friendly nature was enjoyed by those around him. Visitation will be Friday, Oct. 28, 2022, 6:00-8:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall at the Alexanderwohl Mennonite Church near Goessel. The memorial service will be on Saturday, Oct. 29, at 11:00 a.m. at Alexanderwohl.

Marvin R. Voth  |1923-2022|  

Mary Catherine Malek was born on Nov. 6, 1925, to Marguerite 
(Carl) and Valentine Malek at Cawker City. She left this life 
peacefully in Russell, on Sept. 14, 2022, at the age of 96. 

Mary 
grew up in the Malek bakery run by her parents along with her siblings, 
sister Louise and brothers Carl, Leo and Ted. She received her 
education at St. Theresa Academy and Cawker City High School. 

Her 
father, Valentine, died in November 1942. Mary and her mother moved to 
California to be near their family. She graduated with the Class of 
1943 at Pomona Valley High School. Mary returned to Kansas and with 
close friends from high school ventured into the working world in Iowa. 


On one bus ride from Kansas to Madison, Iowa, she met Nolan Lucas.&nbsp; True 
love prevailed and they were married on May 14, 1946, in Peoria, 
Ill.&nbsp; They resided in St. Joseph, Mo., for several years then moved 
to Kansas City, Kan. 

Near their retirement years, they moved to Mission,
 Kan. They were blessed to be married 44 years. They received the 
Blessed Sacrament of Matrimony in the Catholic Church on Sept. 7, 
1986.

They enjoyed visiting family and traveling throughout the world. 
Beaches were her favorite. Nolan died in 1990 of cancer.&nbsp; Mary went on 
to meeting another companion in her life and she and Dudley Potter 
enjoyed traveling, camping and friends for 29 years. When Mary’s health
 began failing, she moved to Russell to be near her niece Carleen. She 
was able to enjoy several trips to her hometown of Cawker City.

Mary spent most of her career working at Midwest Research Institute. 
It was a high-security research facility for the government. She was 
printing department manager and retired with over 30 years.

Mary Catherine Malek was born on Nov. 6, 1925, to Marguerite 
(Carl) and Valentine Malek at Cawker City. She left this life 
peacefully in Russell, on Sept. 14, 2022, at the age of 96. Mary 
grew up in the Malek bakery run by her parents along with her siblings, 
sister Louise and brothers Carl, Leo and Ted. She received her 
education at St. Theresa Academy and Cawker City High School. <figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1666796831041.jpeg" alt="Mary Catherine Malek Lucas" />
 <figcaption>Mary Catherine Malek Lucas</figcaption>
 </figure>Her 
father, Valentine, died in November 1942. Mary and her mother moved to 
California to be near their family. She graduated with the Class of 
1943 at Pomona Valley High School. Mary returned to Kansas and with 
close friends from high school ventured into the working world in Iowa. 
On one bus ride from Kansas to Madison, Iowa, she met Nolan Lucas.&nbsp; True 
love prevailed and they were married on May 14, 1946, in Peoria, 
Ill.&nbsp; They resided in St. Joseph, Mo., for several years then moved 
to Kansas City, Kan. Near their retirement years, they moved to Mission,
 Kan. They were blessed to be married 44 years. They received the 
Blessed Sacrament of Matrimony in the Catholic Church on Sept. 7, 
1986.They enjoyed visiting family and traveling throughout the world. 
Beaches were her favorite. Nolan died in 1990 of cancer.&nbsp; Mary went on 
to meeting another companion in her life and she and Dudley Potter 
enjoyed traveling, camping and friends for 29 years. When Mary’s health
 began failing, she moved to Russell to be near her niece Carleen. She 
was able to enjoy several trips to her hometown of Cawker City.Mary spent most of her career working at Midwest Research Institute. 
It was a high-security research facility for the government. She was 
printing department manager and retired with over 30 years.She enjoyed 
many close friendships with fellow workers and continued to stay in 
touch with them well after retirement. She was a loyal friend to many.&nbsp;
 Mary enjoyed sports especially football as she always said she grew up 
watching her brothers play football.Until arthritis took a toll on her 
fingers, she was an avid crochet fan. She enjoyed reading – always a 
book in her hand, listening to music and spending time by the pool. And
 could she shop – loved to shop and for many years she could outwalk her
 nieces at the malls. And she always had her lipstick on.One of the 
most important tasks in her life was having her hair done weekly.&nbsp; She 
was blessed to have the same hairdresser, Debbie, for over 40 years.&nbsp; 
Even in her last days of illness, her question would be “What about my 
hair?” And of course, no one could replace Debbie.Mary loved her family dearly and family times together. Even though no children were born to Nolan and her, they dearly loved
 the Malek and Lucas nieces, nephews and their families. Mary had three generations of great-nieces and nephews. &nbsp;Mary had many happy memories 
of the Lucas family and Macon County, Mo., where Nolan was raised.&nbsp; Mary 
spent many vacations in California to see her siblings and their 
children. &nbsp;Mary also enjoyed a close relationship with many Carl 
cousins. Growing up, they spent Sundays together when the large 
families would meet for Sunday dinner and fun. Throughout the years, 
she would meet and correspond with her cousins. Sadly, just a few 
remain, but she still tried to keep in touch with Jo Hadley and Loretta 
Brand along with cousin-in-law Mary (Mike) Baier.Mary is preceded in death by her husband Nolan, parents, Maggie and 
Val Malek, siblings Louise (Andy-deceased) Anderson, Carl, Bub and Ted 
Malek. Also nieces and nephews, &nbsp;Eddie and Ricky (Laura) Malek, Peggy 
(Leo-deceased) DeZoete, Patty Malek, Cathy Malek and Virgil 
(Pauline-deceased) Lucas along with his children Deborah, Karen, Sam, 
Phillip and many dear cousins and friends.Left to cherish her memory are nieces Carleen (Andy) Gilmore, Diane 
(Dan) Peterson, Linda (Mike-deceased) Palmer, Leslie (Claudio) Pasian,&nbsp; 
and nephews Roger (Janet) Lucas, Mike (Sue) Lucas, James Lucas and 
Michael Malek, &nbsp;special sister-in-law Mary (Harry-deceased) White and three generations of great-nieces and nephews along with special &nbsp;friends, 
Debbie Vunovich, Glenda VanNess and Joan Boyd.Mary’s wishes were no service and cremation. Interment will be next to Nolan at Resurrection Catholic Cemetery, Lenexa.Memorial gifts can be made to Ledger Restoration Fund/Malek Bakery, 
Cawker City Hesperian Historical Society, P.O. Box 235, Cawker City, KS 
67430.Within the Malek family, a birthday is special. Valentine Malek, the
 patriarch of the Malek family was born on Feb. 8, 1875. &nbsp;Eddie 
Malek (Carl Malek’s son) was born on Feb. 8, 1941, Eddie’s daughter 
Dr. Calista Malek Miller was born on Feb. 8, 1982, and Terry Malek’s 
(Eddie’s son) granddaughter, Emersyn Vaughn was born on Feb. 8, 
2018.

Obituaries