William Weston Artz was born August 10, 1977 in Hays, Kansas, to Ken & Linda Artz. He completed their family and brought immense joy, light, and laughter into their lives. On Tuesday, November 22, 2016, he passed away unexpectedly at the West Anaheim Medical Center in Anaheim, CA at the age of 39.

Will accepted Jesus as his Lord & Savior at an early age while attending the Englewood Wesleyan Church in Phillips County. As a boy he loved living on the farm next to his Grandma & Grandpa Artz where he enjoyed riding on the tractor with his Grandpa. He also enjoyed raising bucket calves and riding his Welch pony named Sunny Pony. But sometimes Sunny’s disposition wasn’t so sunny, and when Will would get on his back, Sunny Pony would head for the pond and roll in the water, baptizing Will by total immersion.

In the summer of 1983 our family hosted an exchange student, Ola Sjolander, from Kramfors, Sweden. He became like a son to us and brother & friend to Will, and still is to this day. He and his family – wife, Mika, and son, John – are an integral part of our life and Will’s life and memory.

Will was an active member of the Iowa Union 4-H Club and Boy Scouts, was trained and excelled in taekwondo karate, and was actively involved with the City Park Project in Phillipsburg.

Will attended Phillipsburg schools and graduated with the P.H.S. class of 1996. In high school he loved playing football and studying American History. He was fiercely patriotic and proud to be an American. After graduation he attended Fort Hays State University on a track scholarship and graduated with honors in the spring of 2001. Later he trained and worked with the Phillips County EMS, earning an EMT-I status.

In his early adult years he farmed with his Dad, specializing in alfalfa production. Will & Ken also enjoyed their “Harley” trips to Sturgis and Grove, Oklahoma, touring the Green Country Tri-State Area with friends, Ed & Kendra DeClue.

Several years ago Will moved to Orange County, CA where he entered the program offered at “Hope By The Sea”. He completed their program and entered college to become an addiction specialist for the state of California. His license, CATC 3, enabled him to become a counselor, addiction specialist, and friend to many.

One of his closest friends in California, Aaron Estrada, was a monumental force in Will’s life. Sunday mornings would find Will accompanying Aaron’s family to the South Coast Christian Church and on Friday nights attending a faith-based 12-step program.

Since his sudden passing, Will’s Facebook page has been full of messages & testimonials like the following one: “I am at a loss for words right now. You will never know how much I appreciated you for saving my life. You always knew what to say when I was struggling. You saved so many lives from this disease. Rest in peace, brother. You will be missed by so many.”

Left to mourn are his loving parents, Ken & Linda Artz of Phillipsburg, KS; his Swedish family, Ola, Mika and John, of Taby, Sweden; his aunt & uncle, Jackie & Steve “Pete” Horacek of Almena, KS; a host of loving cousins and innumerable friends.

Cremation was chosen. A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, December 3 at 2:00 p.m. in the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, Phillipsburg, with Pastor Aaron Rust officiating.

Friends may sign the book from 9:00 to 9:00 Thursday and Friday at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hope By The Sea.

Myles Dean Jennings, 29, passed away on Nov. 28, 2016. Myles was born April 7, 1987 in Oakley, Ks. the son of Greg and Tammy (Kester) Jennings.

The Rosary will be on Friday, Dec 2, 2016 at 7:00 P.M. with the Mass on Sat. Dec. 3, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. both at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Garden Plain, Ks. with Father Sam Pinkerton officiating.

Myles is survived by his wife: Anna, daughter; Kennedy, son; Coleman, parents; Greg and Tammy Jennings, grandmothers; Marie Kester, Lucille Jennings, brothers; Kody & wife Brianna Jennings and daughter Landry, and Lucas Jennings. Mother in law; Suzy Perry, Sister in Law; Jana & husband Eddie Weber and daughters Hazel and Nora, Brother in laws, Randy & wife Megan Perry, Kyle & wife Katie Perry.

Memorial Fund is to the Myles Jennings Memorial c/o Renwick Education Foundation. Wulf-Ast Mortuary, Garden Plain, Ks.

Edith “Kay” Catherine (Williams) Eggleston passed away on Saturday, November 26, 2016 at her home in Plainville, Kansas at the age of 94. She was born on May 17, 1922 in Plainville to the late Edward and Edith (McClay) Williams. She grew up in the Plainville area and graduated from Plainville High School with the Class of 1940. She went on to attend Business College for one year in Topeka, Kansas.

Kay’s life adventures took her to California and then settled in Nevada for 45 years before returning to Kansas. Her office, secretarial skills, and self employment kept her busy until retirement. Her travels during these years took her to Europe, Ireland, Russia, Alaska and 18 months in Africa.

She truly believed in “Busy Hands, Happy Heart”. Her love of sewing, knitting, crocheting and embroidery produced many beautiful creations. As an avid quilter, Kay was a charter member of both Truckee Meadows Quilters in Reno, Nevada and Crossroads Quilters in Stockton, Kansas. For 40 years, she made and donated quilts to various charities across the country, with over 100 given in the last ten years to Hospice of Hays Medical Center in Hays, Kansas.

Kay is survived by her son Charles L. Kittrell and wife Pat of Mineral Bluff, GA; daughter Karen K. Sears of Plainville; sister Mary Stepp of Plainville; four grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents Edward and Edith Williams; sisters Lois Macke, and Flora Wilbur; and son Francis Edward Kittrell.

Every stitch, of every block was given with love pouring from Kay’s heart, through her hands, to touch the lives of more people than can be counted, many of whom she never met. Although she will be greatly missed, our hearts will be encouraged, and we will stay wrapped in her warm and loving arms with every quilt she made.

A memorial service will be held at 1:00 pm on Friday, December 16, 2016 at Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home in Plainville. Inurnment will follow in the Plainville Cemetery. There will be no visitation.

Josita “Jo” Pfannenstiel, 83, Hays, died Tuesday, November 29, 2016 at the Hays Medical Center.

She was born October 6, 1933 on the family farm near Codell, Kansas, the daughter of Nick and Philomena (Dreiling) Rohleder.   She graduated from Girls Catholic High School in 1952.  On August 4, 1952 she married Arthur “Art” Pfannenstiel in Emmeram, Kansas.  He preceded her in death on March 3, 2014.  She worked at the Tempo store for seven years, at K-Mart for 14 years, and was in the Custodial Department at Fort Hays State University for eleven years.  She was a former 4-H leader, and was a Foster Grandparent for many years in the Head Start program.  She was a member of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Munjor, the Christian Mothers of Munjor, and the Daughters of Isabella in Hays.  She enjoyed baking and was known for her delicious Christmas cookies.  She loved having grandchildren out at the farm and spending time with them.

Survivors include three sons; Tom Pfannenstiel and wife Danielle of St. Paul, MN, Doug Pfannenstiel and wife Cathy and Dan Pfannenstiel and wife Michele, all of Hays, a daughter Gloria Pfannenstiel of Hays, a daughter-in-law Sue Pfannenstiel of Apple Valley, MN, a brother Val Rohleder and wife Tina of Abilene, a sister; Rita Wolf of Hays, six grandchildren; Melissa Pfannenstiel and husband Markus Anderson, John Pfannenstiel, Taylor Pfannenstiel, Kylee Pfannenstiel, Rachel Pfannenstiel, and Barry Baumfalk and wife Dr. Romana Baumfalk, four great grandchildren; Sydney, Bryant, Brenyn, and Kennedy Baumfalk, and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Art, a brother Ron Rohleder, three sisters; Petronella Graf, Theresa VonLintel, and Mary Jane Polifka, and a brother-in-law; Jerry Wolf.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 am on Friday, December 2, 2016 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Munjor, Kansas.  Burial will follow in the church cemetery.  The family will receive friends from 4:00 pm until 8:00 on Thursday and from 9:00 am until 9:30 on Friday, all at the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine Street.  A combined Daughters of Isabella and Christian Mothers rosary will be at 6:00 followed by a parish vigil service at 6:30, both on Thursday at the funeral home. 

Memorials are suggested to the St. Francis Cemetery fund or to donor’s choice, in care of the funeral home.  Condolences may be left for the family at www.haysmemorial.com