PLAINVILLE– The magnet for Rooks County Health Center’s new MRI & Nuclear Medicine suite arrived on-site Wednesday, January 4. The 4 1/2 ton magnet, known in the industry as the OR200, is the core of the Toshiba built Vantage Titan Magnetic Resonance Imaging unit and it is the only one of its kind in Kansas or Missouri.
Selected for its imaging prowess as well as patient comfort, the Vantage Titan features an extra large bore, making it more comfortable for patients big and tall or patients who are anxious in confined spaces. The new MRI & Nuclear Medicine suite will be also equipped with an overhead video screen so patients can view pictures or slide shows of their own choosing while receiving services. Special noise reduction elements are also planned for the suite to reduce stress and make the experience as comfortable as possible.
Calibration of the various coils in the magnet is expected to take from 4 to 6 weeks. After the calibrations and necessary certifications are completed the unit will be ready to go operational. A grand-opening ceremony is tentatively planned for late-February.
Benefits for patients of RCH’s new MRI & Nuclear Medicine suite include quicker scheduling, lessened stress, the convenience of money and time saved by receiving services close to home.
“When patients benefit, the county benefits by keeping Rooks County dollars in Rooks County. For people from surrounding counties for whom a trip to a large regional center would be even more inconvenient, time consuming and expensive they now have another option, keeping their dollars closer to home as well,” explained RCH CEO, Mike Sinclair.
The opening of the new MRI & Nuclear Medicine suite will conclude one portion of RCH’s recent expansion plans. The next major hospital expansion is expected to include new patient rooms and a Rehabilitation Center for Physical Therapy featuring a zero-entry hydro-therapy pool.
The hospital’s expansion serves to fulfill RCH’s mission to provide the most advanced health care available to residents of Rooks County and beyond.
Helen Helena (Benisch) Rhoades Flax, age 82, of WaKeeney, passed away Wednesday, January 11, 2017, at Trego County Lemke Memorial Hospital, WaKeeney.She was born December 21, 1934, on the Benisch family farm in rural Trego County, to Frank and Nellie (Ptaschek) Benisch.
Helen was united in marriage to Lyman Rhoades in WaKeeney, on August 18, 1951.He passed away on August 10, 1972, after 20 years of marriage.On June 15, 1975, she was united in marriage to William Flax, in Salina.They enjoyed 17 years of marriage before his passing on February 18, 1993.Helen was a loving and caring mother of three children, Kenneth, Mary, and Kathryn Rhoades.
She was a member of Christ the King Catholic Church and Altar Society, and VFW Ladies Auxiliary.Helen enjoyed cooking for family and friends.She was known for her delicious food and homemade noodles.She worked in many restaurants and auctions.
Helen is survived by a daughter, Kathryn Rhoades, of WaKeeney; two stepdaughters, Carol and Rose (and families); a brother, Joseph Benisch and wife Mil, of Davenport, Iowa; and many nieces and nephews.She was preceded in death by her parents; her husbands; a son, Kenneth Rhoades; a daughter, Mary Rhoades; two brothers, Clarence (Edith), and George (Ruth); two sisters, Mildred and Millie; and three infant siblings.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m., Friday, January 13, 2017, at Christ the King Catholic Church, WaKeeney.Burial will be in the WaKeeney City Cemetery.
Visitation will be 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. prior to services on Friday at Christ the King Parish Center, WaKeeney.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to Trego County Lemke Memorial Hospital – LTC.Donations made to the organization may be sent to Schmitt Funeral Home, 336 North 12th, WaKeeney, KS67672.
Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.schmittfuneral.com.
MooreBy STEPHENE MOORE U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
For more than four years, I’ve had the responsibility – and the distinct pleasure – of overseeing the federal government’s health and social services operations in Missouri, Kansas, Iowa and Nebraska. I’ve seen up close the kind of impact that government programs have on local communities.
I saw the aftermath of the tornado that ripped through Joplin, Mo., and I marveled at the resilience of people who quickly set about to rebuild a devastated community. I’ve seen the quiet efforts of our environmental health staff to reduce the levels of lead in the bloodstreams of children in Iola, Kan.
And I met a St. Louis woman whose breast cancer was discovered just five months after she was able to obtain health insurance through the Health Insurance Marketplace.
In each of these emergencies – both public and private – employees and programs of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services were there to help people recover.
As the Obama administration draws to a close on Jan. 20, I’ll be stepping down as HHS regional director. I’ll be leaving behind an often-unheralded staff of nearly 500 people in 10 agencies who serve the people of this region in myriad ways both large and small.
Occasionally, their work is big news, such as helping communities recover in the wake of floods or tornadoes. More often, they work with little fanfare to assess threats to public health, fund services for the disabled and confront hunger and homelessness. They work to ensure that seniors have the services and care they need to age with dignity and grace.
The department’s impact in this region is immense. It funds state and local governments, hires a wide range of small businesses and provides grants to hundreds of nonprofit agencies to improve the quality of life throughout the region.
In 2015 and 2016, HHS provided $33.35 billion in grants to organizations in this region: $16.4 billion was spent in Missouri and $5.6 billion in Kansas. Iowa organizations received nearly $8 billion, while Nebraska agencies took in $3.4 billion.
These funds make possible programs like Head Start, which gets children in disadvantaged families ready for school. These funds pay for domestic violence shelters, nutrition programs for seniors, winter heating assistance and disease prevention.
This funding also helps people stay in the workforce by making child care more affordable. It provides grants that promote responsible fatherhood, provide personal responsibility education and enforce child support orders. In recent years, these and other programs have allowed our states to make tremendous progress in combatting homelessness.
The biggest strides during my tenure with HHS have come in access to health care and health insurance. In this region, 56 community health clinics have opened since 2012, boosting the number from 345 to 401.
In Iowa, just one person in 20 lacked health insurance in 2015, a dramatic drop of nearly half since 2010. Uninsured rates in surrounding states also fell. In Nebraska, the rate was just 8.2 percent. In Kansas, the rate fell to 9.1 percent. Even Missouri’s rate came in below 10 percent.
The progress in this region is impressive. But as I travel around the region these days, I hear the same concerns expressed in small towns and big cities: What is going to happen to my Social Security? My Medicare? Will my local clinic lose its funding? What will happen to my health insurance?
Recent political rhetoric questioning the future of many programs has triggered concerns about what the future holds.
A new Congress and a new president will face a choice: Build on the progress that has been made, or take back the protections and advancements on which people depend.
Especially in regard to health insurance, residents of this region should not let the present political uncertainty discourage them from getting covered. Financial help for people of modest incomes is still in place. The law still requires insurance to cover a wide range of preventive care. And you can still keep your kids on your insurance plan until age 26.
All the programs that I’ve mentioned are part of the fabric of our nation, and until the laws are changed, they will continue to help millions of people.
As Winston Churchill said, “The future is unknowable, but the past should give us hope.”
Stephene Moore is the regional director for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. She serves Missouri, Kansas, Iowa and Nebraska from the department’s offices in Kansas City, Mo.
Mary Frances (Brown) Craven, 89, of Larned and formerly of Russell died Friday morning, January 6, 2017 at Diversicare in Larned, Kansas. Frances was born September 29, 1927 in Hays, Kansas the daughter of John A. and Dorothy Ruth (Lacey) Brown. As the first child in her family to be born in a hospital, Frances was amused by the fact that St. Anthony Hospital of Hays charged only $13.00 for the birth. Frances grew up on the family farm just west of Russell, was a Merit Scholar and graduated from Russell High School in 1945.
Frances was united in marriage to Arthur Loyd “Red” Craven on April 25, 1947 at Emporia Kansas by the Reverend Stephen J. Williams, a former Russell resident and high school teacher of Red’s. This union was blessed with three children, Teresa Jean, Robert Dean and Barbara Lynn. Red preceded her in death on May 2, 1993. She helped Red operate his plumbing business by answering the phone and taking messages. Although Frances never considered herself a good cook, her family has many fond memories of delicious turkey dinners with all the trimmings, mouthwatering bierocks, pecan brittle, and many other culinary delights she whipped up over the years. Sewing was a lifelong passion. Frances made clothes for herself and her family, sewed dozens of “Dressy Bessie” type stuffed dolls, made countless outfits for Barbie dolls, reupholstered chairs, made quilts, and was a whiz at mending everything from bib overalls to socks. Frances could do anything with a needle and thread. Knitting was also a passion. Frances produced mittens, sweaters, dog sweaters and even tiny Barbie doll sweaters. She attended craft shows with daughter Teresa, selling “Clothes for Barbie & Ken” and other handmade items. Genealogy research was another passion. Her knowledge of the Lacey/Brown and Craven/Foulke lines was extensive. Frances was researching the family tree and collecting family history before this was a common hobby. Frances enjoyed woodworking and built many items including bird houses and bookshelves. She was especially pleased when Red bought her a circular saw along with a Black & Decker Workmate.
Frances was an avid reader who made frequent trips to the library. Frances loved to take drives in the country in her pickup truck. She always seemed to take the long way home. Frances enjoyed those untraveled roads where she might spy a pretty rock to add to her rock garden. She once said, “I think I have driven on every country road in Russell county.” Frances quit going the long way home when she realized, “I could no longer walk that far.” In March 2011, Frances moved, under protest, to Larned to live with her daughter because of failing health. Due to further failing health, Frances moved to Diversicare of Larned in January 2014.
Surviving family include daughters, Teresa Craven of Larned, Kansas, Barbara Olsen (Patrick) of
Moscow, Idaho and son, Robert Craven (Charmarose) of Luray, Kansas; four grandchildren, Jennifer Miller (Craig) of Wichita, Kansas, Warren Craven (Joanna) of Luray, Kansas, Griffin Olsen, and Lacey Olsen of Moscow, Idaho; four great grandsons Warren Jr., Tyler, and Matthew Craven, Reed Thomas and 3 step great grandsons Mackenzie, Curtis, and Braeden Miller, sister-in-law, Mary Alice Craven of Hays, Kansas, several cousins, nieces, nephews and many special friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers John Brown and James Brown.
As she wished, there will be no service and a private burial of ashes will follow at a later date.
Memorials may be given to the Russell Library or the Jordaan Memorial Library, Larned.
Contributions and condolences may be sent in care of Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary who is in charge of these arrangements.
Florence Catherine Meyer, 96, of Hutchinson, Kansas, and former Russell, Kansas, resident died on Thursday, January 05, 2017, at the Hutchinson Regional Medical Center in Hutchinson, Kansas.
Florence was born on July 27, 1920, in Russell, Kansas, the daughter of Dr. Carl J. and Florence (Geisman) Cramm. She graduated from Russell High School, received her Bachelors’ Degree from Denver University and her Masters’ Degree from Ft. Hays State Univesity. She was united in marriage to Frank Meyer on June 20, 1942 in Denver, Colorado, from this union they were blessed with two children Mary Louise and Frank B. Meyer. She was a member of the Lutheran Church and enjoyed playing the piano and spending time with family and friends.
Surviving family include her daughter Mary Louise Meyer of Hutchinson; brother Dr. Russell Cramm and wife Mary Kay of Olathe, Kansas and sister Mary Elizabeth Cannady of Pueblo West, Colorado.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, son Frank B. Meyer and sister Leah Louise McKelvy.
A private service will be held at a later date. Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas, is in charge of the arrangements.
Magdalene Sophia “Peggy” (Krmela) Olson, 86, of Hays, Kansas and formerly of Russell, Kansas, passed away Monday, January 9, 2017 at the Via Christi Village in Hays.
Peggy was born April 2, 1930 in Barton County, Kansas, the daughter of William Max and Helen Magdalene (Kittle) Krmela. She grew up and attended country schools in the Otis, Kansas area.
Peggy met, fell in love, and was united in marriage to Verlan Victor Olson on April 25, 1950 in Russell. This union was blessed with two children, Robert and Donna. They made their home in the Russell County area. Verlan preceded her in death on November 14, 2005.
Peggy was a devoted farmer’s wife and homemaker for her children. She was a member of the St. John Lutheran Church, Martha Circle and Altar Guild. She was a Sunday school teacher and a Bible school teacher for many years. She was involved with Order of the Eastern Star, was a 4-H Leader and a member of the Happy Homemakers EHU. She enjoyed doing craft projects and sewing. She loved spending time with her family and watching her grandchildren.
Surviving family include her son, Robert Olson (Melinda) of Russell, Kansas; daughter, Donna Moffatt (David) of Fishers, Indiana; sister, Helen Jane Behr of Moore,Oklahoma; four grandchildren, Michael Olson, Jennifer Bareksten, Kiersten von Grimmenstein and Cole Moffatt; and eleven great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Verlan, brother Raymond Krmela and sisters, Angie Kraisinger and Lorraine Serpan.
Celebration of Peggy’s Life will be held at 10:30 AM, Friday, January 13, 2017 at St. John Lutheran Church with Pastor Roger Dennis officiating. Burial will follow at the Russell City Cemetery in Russell, Kansas. Visitation will be from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM Thursday, January 12, 2017 at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell with the family present to greet friends from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM. A Memorial has been established with St. John Lutheran Church. Contributions and condolences may be sent to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, who is in charge of these arrangements.
Elaine Marie (Schuler) Hilger, 52, of Russell, Kansas, passed away on Tuesday, January 10, 2017 at her home with her family by her side.
Elaine was born July 27, 1964 in Russell, the daughter of Albert, Jr. and Marilee Jo (Austin) Schuler. She grew up in the Waldo, Kansas area and graduated from Lucas/Luray High School in the Class of ’82. She then received a Travel/Tourism Degree from Brown Mackey College. In 1983 she returned home to take care of her mother. Then in 1988 she received a B.S. Business Education Degree from Ft. Hays State University.
Elaine was united in marriage to Patrick Hilger on July 31, 1987 in Russell, Kansas. This union was blessed with six children; Rachel, Nathan, Christopher, Sarah, Seth, Maria and Jamie. They made their home in Hays, Kansas for a couple of years before moving to Lawrence, Kansas. While living in Lawrence, Elaine worked as a Legal Secretary and Para Legal for Frank Taylor while Patrick finished Pharmacy school. Then in 1992, they moved to Russell where she was a devoted wife and homemaker, as well as, very active as an accountant and bookkeeper with Pat at the Pharmacy. She was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church where she helped in the children’s classes and taught religious classes. She was very active in the St. Mary’s Choir for over 30 years where she sang at weddings and church services. She started Cantoring in 1995 and Cantored over 250 funerals. She was a member of P.E.O., Delta Mu Sorority and the Russell Council of Catholic Women.
Surviving family include her husband Patrick of the home; six children, Nathan Hilger of New York, New York, Rachel Sipe (Chris), Christopher Hilger, Sarah Hilger, Seth Hilger, and Maria Hilger all of Russell, Kansas; brothers, Michael Schuler (Malissa) of Hot Springs, Arkansas and Mark Schuler (Jeanette) of Manhattan, Kansas; sisters, Marianne Ward (Kirk) of Perry, Oklahoma, Melanie Waymaster (Chuck) of Lawrence, Kansas and Marilyn Cederberg (Kevin) of Augusta, Kansas, and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents and infant, Jamie Lynn on November 21, 1999.
Celebration of the Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 AM, Saturday, January 14, 2017 at St. Mary, Queen of Angels Catholic Church of Russell. Burial will follow at the St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Russell. Visitation will be from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Friday, January 13, 2017, at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary. Vigil and Rosary will be held at 7:00 PM, Friday at St. Mary, Queen of Angels Catholic Church. A Memorial has been established with St. Mary, Queen of Angels Catholic Church Handicap Project or MSA Coalition. Contributions and condolences may be sent to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, who is in charge of these arrangements.
GENOA CITY, Wis. (AP) — Two girls reported missing in southeastern Wisconsin have been taken into protective custody in Kansas.
Authorities say eight-year-old Katie Brick and six-year-old Jenna Brick were last seen Tuesday leaving a home in Genoa City with their mother who does not have custody of the sisters. Police say the girls were found with their mother in a hotel in Overland Park, Kansas.
Police say the boyfriend of the mother was found wandering incoherently and shoeless in the area and took officers to the hotel. Authorities say the girls were not harmed.
The Kenosha News says the mother is scheduled in Walworth County Circuit Court Thursday on felony forgery and identity theft, charges unrelated to the incident.
Tiffany Brick-photo Geno City Police
On Tuesday at approximately 6:30 a.m., Tiffany Brick, 28, left her home in the Village of Genoa City with her 2 children against an order through the County of Walworth, according to a media release.
She was driving a black 2006 4-door GMC Sierra K1500 pickup with Wisconsin light truck registration JZ1918.
There is a pink “Browning” sticker on the back window. Tiffany has a confederate flag tattoo on her right shoulder.
Phyllis Mae Blehm, 89, of Russell, Kansas, died peacefully at her home on Wednesday, January 11, 2017, surrounded by her loving family.
Phyllis was born December 31, 1927 in Beaumont, Kansas, the daughter of O.R. and Audine (Arnold) Shipman. Phyllis grew up in Florence, Kansas, and graduated from Florence High School. She met and fell in love and was united in marriage to Fred Blehm and were united in marriage on December 25, 1946. Shortly after being married they moved to Russell, Kansas, in 1948, and were fortunate to raise 3 sons, Douglas, Michael and Mark.
Phyllis spent much of her time as a homemaker, and also held various jobs. She especially enjoyed working as a social service designee at the Russell Hospital, and traveling and working for Hallmark with her niece. Her family and her faith were central to her life.
She is survived by her sons Douglas Blehm of Hays, Kansas and Mark Blehm and wife Tia of Russell, Kansas; grandchildren Jessica and husband Ron, Katy and husband Brandon, Taelyr, and great-grandchildren Micah, Caleb, and Samuel. She is also survived and remembered by a host of other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Frederic on December 25, 1946 and son Michael Blehm on March 02, 1992.
A celebration of Phyllis’ life will be held at 10 A.M. on Monday, January 16, 2017, at the First Southern Baptist Church in Russell, Kansas, with Dave Jones officiating. A graveside service will follow at 3 P.M. at the Hillcrest Cemetery in Florence, Kansas. Family will visit with friends the day of the service. Memorials may be given to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and sent in care of the mortuary. Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas, is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.
Patricia Ann Weber, 65, of Great Bend, Kansas, died on Friday, January 06, 2017, at the Wesley Medical Center in Wichita, Kansas.
Patricia was born on June 02, 1951, in Hays, Kansas, the daughter of Raymond and Catherine (Koppel) Weber. She lived in Victoria, Hays, Russell and Great Bend, Kansas. She worked for DSNWK at Sunflower Bank as a helper. She enjoyed shopping, eating out, arts and crafts, speaking German, dancing and socializing with friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers Donnie and Ronnie Weber and sister Rosie Weber.
A private service will be held at a later date and cremation has preceded the services. Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas, is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.
Residence halls at Fort Hays State University will open at noon on Saturday, Jan. 14 — a day early — because of concerns about inclement weather.
Arriving students should go to the front desk of their residence halls to begin the check-in process.
Christina Hurtado, director of residential life at FHSU, said that Monday may be a better travel day for students because the university will be closed for the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday and classes do not start until Tuesday, Jan. 17.
“The weather forecast has changed daily and we encourage you to monitor your travel path,” she said. “Students should plan accordingly and travel safely.”
The McMindes Café will re-open for dinner on Sunday. The Starbucks in the Memorial Union will be open on Saturday from 8 .m. to 10 p.m. and on Sunday from noon to 10 p.m. Starbucks will be open Monday from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
However, she said, Dining Dollars for the spring 2017 semester will not be active on FHSU ID cards until Tuesday, Jan. 17, but Dining Dollars remaining from the fall semester can be used.
Cash, debit and credit cards, or Flexi-Cash can also be used.
For more information, contact Residential Life at 785-628-4245 or email [email protected].
Lorraine Elizabeth Wasinger, age 85, of Hays, passed away Wednesday, January 11, 2017 at Hays Medical Center. She was born March 2, 1931 in Catharine, Kansas to Alois and Dora (Meis) Walters. She married Franklin D. “Red” Wasinger November 28, 1953 in Hays. He preceded her in death April 12, 2006.
Lorraine cooked for several years at TMP-Marian High School and was a longtime volunteer at ARC of Central Plains. She was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, Daughters of Isabella and a past VFW Auxiliary member. She enjoyed cooking and baking for her family and she also enjoyed reading.
She is survived by three sons, Gerald (Agnes) Wasinger of Hays, David (Theresa) Wasinger of Hays and Donald (Teresa) Wasinger of Wichita; a daughter, Christine (Ray) Palmer of Hays; a brother, Alfred “Freddie” Walters of Wichita; 16 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren and 4 foster grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; a granddaughter, Elizabeth Houghton; a great granddaughter, Chloe Wyatt; seven brothers, Marcellus, Archie, Seraphine, Albert, Alvin, Richard and Aloysius; and four sisters, Hilaria McGuire, Ella Marzano, Leona Schwartzenberger and Cecilia Basgall.
Funeral services will be 10 AM Saturday, January 14, 2017 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Hays.
Visitation will be Friday 4 PM – 8 PM and Saturday 9 AM – 9:30 AM all at Brock’s-Keithley Funeral Chapel and Crematory 2509 Vine Hays, Kansas.
A Daughters of Isabella rosary will be Friday at 6 PM followed by a parish vigil service at 7 PM all at the funeral chapel.
Memorials are suggested to ARC of Central Plains or for Masses.
Condolences may be left by guest book at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com or emailed to [email protected]
109th Dist. State Rep. Troy Waymaster, R-Bunker Hill
TOPEKA — On Feb. 19 and 20, the Kansas 4-H program will host Citizenship in Action, a program that seeks to inform 13- to 18-year-olds, as of Jan. 1, on how their state government functions.
Activities include mock legislative sessions in the House and Senate Chambers, meetings with elected officials, and tours of the Capitol.
For any student who wishes to apply, the fee is $170. Rep. Troy Waymaster, R-Bunker Hill, is offering one scholarship to the event for one Kansas 4-H student that resides in the 109th Kansas House District. To apply for the scholarship, interested students should mail Waymaster’s Topeka office a letter stating why they want to attend the event and what they want to learn from their participation in the program.
“I look forward to hearing from students in the 109th District,” Waymaster said, “This is a great learning opportunity and as a former 4-Her, the value of what is learned during the Citizenship in Action is immeasurable.”
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