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Month: October 2017

Lillian Kathryn (Bauer) Rusch

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Lillian Kathryn (Bauer) Rusch, 88, of Russell, Kansas, passed away Thursday, October 5, 2017 at the Hays Med Center in Hays, Kansas.

Lillian was born May 12, 1929 in Wakeeney, Kansas, the daughter of John Jacob (Jake) and Eva K. (Bauer) Resley. She was baptized as an infant at the Zion Lutheran Church of Trego Center. She was confirmed in the Lutheran Faith at St. John Lutheran Church in Russell. She attended Russell schools and graduated with the Class of 1947 from Russell High School.
On August 14, 1949, she married Louis A. Rusch at Hoisington, Kansas. They lived in Russell before moving out to the family farm in 1966. They had two children, Connie Lynn and Louis Alan. Her husband preceded her in death on July 21, 1987 after a long illness. In 1997 she sold the family farm and moved back into Russell.

Lillian started working in the Russell community at about 1943. She worked for the Dream Theater and Mecca Theater as a ticket taker and Box office cashier. She was working at the Dream at the time of the fire, worked there until October, 1950. She then worked several years as a waitress at Bonnie’s Steak House, Eat in Time Café and the Tower Café. She then went to work for the A.L. Duckwall Store as head cashier. In April of 1966, she went to work for the Home State Bank as a bookkeeper and teller. She was there when the bank changed hands in March of 1988. She worked for Sunflower Bank until her retirement in 1990.

Lillian was very active in the American Legion Auxiliary. She served her unit as President four times. She was elected 6th District President for the year 1999-2000 here in Russell. She served on many chairmanships on the unit, District and Department level. She was Girl State Chairman for her unit for many years. She was a member of the Past Presidents Parly and a VIM (Life) member of the American Legion Auxiliary and a member of the V.F.W. Ladies Auxiliary.

Lillian’s surviving family include her daughter, Connie Klein of Russell, Kansas; son, Alan Rusch of Russell, Kansas; four grandchildren, Tiffinie Mai (Monty), Tammie Becker, Mersadi Rusch and Alexis Rusch; three great grandchildren, Lane Mai, Braden Mai and Bailey Kilian, and a great great grandson, Brantley John Kilian. Freida Bauer sister in law San Diego, CA and nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Louis and brother, Vernon Bauer.

A Private family service will be held on Wednesday, October 11, 2017. Visitation will be held from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM, Tuesday, October 10, 2017 at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary with the family present to greet friends from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM. A Memorial has been established with American Legion Post #99 Auxiliary. Contributions and condolences may be sent to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, who is in charge of these arrangements.

Florence C. ‘Flo’ (Urban) Hertel

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Florence C. “Flo” (Urban) Hertel, 90, Hays, died Friday, October 6, 2017 at Ascension Via Christi Village, Hays.

She was born January 30, 1927 in Pfeifer, Kansas the daughter of Jacob and Agnes (Doerfler) Urban. On September 2, 1947 she was united in marriage to Fredolin Hertel of Schoenchen, Kansas at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Hays. He preceded her in death on January 25, 1984. Besides being a loving wife and mother, Flo was active in the VFW Auxiliary and enjoyed cooking, bowling, and playing bingo. She was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church.

Survivors include three sons; Wesley Hertel and wife Maggie of Enon, Ohio, Bruce Hertel and wife Karen of Hays, and Thaddeus Hertel of Hays, a daughter; Karen Hertel of Hays, five grandchildren, three step grandchildren, three great grandchildren, and seven step great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, three brothers; Clarence, Alfred, and Alvin Urban, and four sisters; Josephine Michlitsch, Lavina Dreiling, Norma Dreiling, and Marietta Urban, and a grandson.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 am on Thursday, October 12, 2017 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 1805 Vine St., with Fr. Barry Brinkman officiating. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 5:00 pm until 8:00 on Wednesday and from 9:00 am until 9:45 on Thursday all at Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine Street.  A VFW Auxiliary rosary will be at 6:00 pm followed by a parish vigil service at 6:30 pm both on Wednesday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to Hospice of HaysMed or to Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church. Condolences may be left for the family at www.haysmemorial.com

Celebration​ ​to​ ​host​ ​Night​ ​to​ ​Shine​ ​prom​ ​for​ people​ ​with​ ​special​ ​needs

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Submitted

Celebration​ ​Community​ ​Church​ ​announced​ Monday it ​will​ ​serve​ ​as​ ​a​ ​host for​ ​Night​ ​to​ ​Shine,​ ​sponsored​ ​by​ ​the​ ​Tim​ ​Tebow​ ​Foundation​ ​on​ ​Friday,​ ​Feb. ​9.​ ​Night​ ​to​ ​Shine​ ​is​ ​an unforgettable​ ​prom​ ​night​ ​experience,​ ​centered​ ​on​ ​God’s​ ​love,​ ​for​ ​people​ ​with​ ​special​ ​needs,​ ​ages​ ​14​ ​and​ ​older.

Every​ ​guest​ ​of​ ​Night​ ​to​ ​Shine​ ​enters​ ​this​ ​complimentary​ ​event​ ​on​ ​a​ ​red​ ​carpet​ ​complete​ ​with​ ​a​ ​warm​ ​welcome​ ​from a​ ​friendly​ ​crowd​ ​and​ ​paparazzi.​ ​Once​ ​inside,​ ​guests​ ​receive​ ​the​ ​royal​ ​treatment,​ ​including​ ​hair​ ​and​ ​makeup​ ​stations, shoe​ ​shining​ ​areas,​ ​limousine​ ​rides,​ ​corsages​ ​and​ ​boutonnieres,​ ​a​ ​catered​ ​dinner,​ ​karaoke,​ ​prom​ ​favors​ ​for​ ​each honored​ ​guest,​ ​a​ ​Respite​ ​Room​ ​for​ ​parents​ ​and​ ​caretakers,​ ​and,​ ​of​ ​course,​ ​a​ ​dance​ ​floor — all​ ​leading​ ​up​ ​to​ ​the moment​ ​when​ ​each​ ​guest​ ​is​ ​crowned​ ​king​ ​or​ ​queen​ ​of​ ​the​ ​prom.

“We​ ​need​ ​your​ ​help​ ​to​ ​make​ ​Night​ ​to​ ​Shine​ ​an​ ​unforgettable​ ​experience​ ​for​ ​our​ ​guests,” organizers said in a news release. “​We​ ​are​ ​currently​ ​accepting registration​ ​for​ ​volunteers​ ​and​ ​donations.​ ​To​ ​fill​ ​out​ ​a​ ​volunteer​ ​registration​ ​form​ ​or​ ​to​ ​make​ ​a​ ​donation​ ​visit www.haysnighttoshine.com​.​ ​Your​ ​help​ ​will​ ​make​ ​a​ ​heartfelt​ ​difference​ ​in​ ​the​ ​lives​ ​of​ ​many​ ​individuals​ ​and​ ​families in​ ​our​ ​community.​ ​Honored​ ​guests​ ​who​ ​would​ ​like​ ​to​ ​attend​ ​Night​ ​to​ ​Shine​ ​may​ ​also​ ​sign​ ​up​ ​on​ ​our​ ​website. ”

For​ ​more​ ​information​ ​on​ ​the​ ​worldwide​ ​movement​ ​of​ ​Night​ ​to​ ​Shine,​ ​sponsored​ ​by​ ​the​ ​Tim​ ​Tebow Foundation,​ ​visit:​ ​http://www.timtebowfoundation.org/index.php/night-to-shine/

Lyle Verdin Davison

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Larger than life, the bull of the woods, granddad, dad, papa, a softie deep down, Lyle Verdin Davison said this party is over and quit life and loving on this old Earth on the sad day of October 4, 2017 at age 80.

Lyle was born on June 8, 1937 in Wichita, Kansas to Frank G Davison and Bertha Delilah Thomas. Bertha and Frank resided south of Beeler for a time but mostly raised Lyle and his siblings in Dighton. Lyle and Mary were childhood sweethearts and married April 29, 1956. They lived in Minnesota for part of Lyle’s stint in the US Air Force however most of their married life was spent on the farm SW of Ness City. In 1977 they built a fine home in Ness City where they remained until 2017.

Lyle won’t ever be gone because his example of generosity will live on in the productive and giving lives of the children and grandchildren of he and Mary Mack who predeceased him on March 24, 2017. Thinking of others before themselves was the way they both lived their lives.

A fourth-generation Kansan with farming and ranching in his blood Lyle watched the skies and gambled on crops and livestock as many Davison generations before him had. Those left behind will always recall his interest in the price of cattle, the joy in a good stand of wheat and the glory in seeing the lush beauty of milo in the field.

Stories, jokes and laugher around the dinner table kept family and friends in stitches not so much at the level of humor in the joke but in how grandly funny was the telling and how superb was his delight. Lyle loved Mary’s cooking. Lyle loved anybody’s cooking! Cool Whip with a little pumpkin pie was his favorite.

Lyle is survived by his children, Kathy Brown (Marc) of Hutchinson, Susan Seib of Commerce City, Colorado, Steve Davison (Mindy) of Salina, and John Davison of Ness City; sister, Myra Muzinger (Dick) and sister-in-law Alvera Davison. Other survivors are grandchildren, Perry Carr (Erica) of Ness City, Audrey Carr Cook (Christopher) of Haysville, Kayla Brown Jandera (Jason) of Frisco, TX and Dalton and Dylan Brown of Hutchinson, Anson Seib (Lana) of Ness City, Derrick Seib (Tami) of Fort Hood, Texas, Taylor Davison and Lauren Davison of Salina, Sarah Dechant of Ness City ; great-grandchildren Natalie Seib, Jackson Seib, Brayden Cook, Melanie Cook, Wyatt Sutton, Callie Carr, Clara Carr and Lylah Carr, Karmen Herrera, Jonathan Arteaga, Elianna Corona. He is preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Bertha; wife, Mary, and brother, Kent Davison.

Funeral service will be on Friday, October 13, 2017, 10:30 a.m. at the United Methodist Church, Ness City with burial in the Ness City Cemetery. Friends may call on Wednesday, from 1:00 until 9:00 p.m. and on Thursday from 9:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. at Fitzgerald Funeral, Ness City.

Donna Marie North

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Donna Marie North, age 88, died Wednesday, October 4, 2017 at the Rhode Island Suites, Ransom, Kansas. She was born on April 15, 1929 in Ransom, Kansas the daughter of William and Enid Buxton Scott.

She was a homemaker and a nurses aide for many years. She was a graduate of Ransom High School and attended the University of Kansas. She was a long time resident of Brownell and a member of the Red Hat Ladies.

On December 1, 1949 she married Harley G. North in Ransom, Kansas. He preceded her in death on May 17, 2015.

Donna is survived by two sons, Bill North and his wife Ramona of Ellis and Joe North and his wife Kathy of Raeford, North Carolina; daughters, Rita North of Bartlesville, Oklahoma, Enid John of Scott City, and Diana North of Bison; brothers, Dick Scott of Kansas City and Tom Scott and his wife Marabeth of Topeka; 14 grandchildren, 3 step-grandchildren and several great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her sister Wilma “Billie” North.

Memorial services are being planned for a later date.

Memorial contributions may be given to the Rhode Island Suites, Ransom.

Noma A. Reeves

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Noma A. Reeves, 93, La Crosse, Kansas, died Friday, October 6, 2017, at Leisure Homestead, St. John, Kansas.

Mrs. Reeves was born October 18, 1923, in Kansas City, Kansas, the daughter of Noel and Nima (Schwindt) Mellick. She was a lifelong resident of Rush County, Kansas, before becoming a resident of Leisure Homestead, St. John, Kansas, in September, 2012. A 1941 graduate of La Crosse High School, La Crosse, Kansas, she was a teacher before her retirement. She taught for USD 328, Quivira Heights school district in Holyrood, Kansas, from 1952 to 1988

She was a member of the First Christian Church, La Crosse, Kansas; and the NEA (National Education Association).

In 1943, she married Frank Cotropia. He was killed in 1944 while serving in the United States Army during World War II.

On June 11, 1959, she married Clifford C. Reeves at the First Christian Church, La Crosse, Kansas. He preceded her in death September 19, 2008.

Survivors include: one son, David Reeves (Tamara), La Crosse, Kansas; one daughter, Marsha Cain, Hays, Kansas; two granddaughters, Brianna Reeves, and Kimberly Roberts; one brother, Thayne Mellick, Moultrie, Georgia; and one sister, Marcine Durrant, Port Charlotte, Florida.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husbands; and one son in law, John Cain.

Visitation will be Wednesday, October 11, 2017, from 9:30 A.M. to 10:30 A.M. at the Janousek Funeral Home, La Crosse, Kansas.

Funeral service will be Wednesday, October 11, 2017, at 10:30 A.M. at the Janousek Funeral Home, La Crosse, Kansas, with Pastor Mark Sizemore officiating. Interment will be in the La Crosse City Cemetery, La Crosse, Kansas.

Memorials are suggested to Leisure Homestead, St. John, Kansas.

Condolences or remembrances may be left for the family at www.charterfunerals.com/locations/janousek-lacrosse.php.

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

Velma Mae (Kaufman) Siefers

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Velma Mae (Kaufman) Siefers passed away on Saturday, October 7, 2017 in Manhattan, Kansas at the age of 90. She was born on July 5, 1927 in rural Russell County, Kansas to the late George and Eva (Whitmer) Kaufman. She grew up in the Dorrance, Kansas area and graduated from Dorrance High School with the Class of 1945, then attended Brown Mackie College where she received a certificate in office administration. On September 29, 1949 she was united in marriage to Orval M. “Casey” Siefers in Wilson, Kansas. They were blessed with four children, Susan, Debbie, Bill, and Mary Kay.

Velma was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. She not only worked to take care of her family at home, but was a part-time Postal Clerk for the United States Postal Service for over 40 years, and eventually retired from the Dorrance Schools in 1999, after 30 years as a school secretary. She enjoyed playing Bridge, and was a member of the Dorrance American Legion Auxiliary, Lions Club of Dorrance and Bunker Hill, St. Joseph Altar Society of Dorrance, Daughters of Isabella, and Sorosis Club of Wilson. But most of all, she loved being with family, friends, and neighbors at every opportunity.

Velma is survived by her children Susan Thielen of Dorrance, Debbie Brenneman and husband Greg of Solomon, Bill Siefers and wife Julie of Plainville, and Mary Kay Siefers and partner Nancy Bolsen of Manhattan; sister Joan Weigel and husband Fred of Russell; grandchildren Joe Thielen and wife Kelly, Matt Thielen and wife Lori, Kevin Thielen and wife Sharon, John Brenneman and wife Stacia, Jody McClelland and husband Tim, Adam Siefers, Alicia Basgall and husband D.J., and Rebecca Clem and husband Brett; and 17 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents George and Eva Kaufman, husband Casey Siefers, and son-in-law Joe Thielen.

It has been said that the best things in life are free: hugs, smiles, friends, family, love, laughter, and good memories. Velma will be forever missed and her memories forever cherished by family and friends alike. She showed us by example how to live every moment, laugh every day, and love beyond words.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30am on Wednesday, October 11, 2017 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Dorrance. Burial will follow in the St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be from 2:00-8:00pm on Tuesday at the funeral home in Wilson with family receiving friends from 6:00-8:00pm and Prayer Vigil at 7:00pm.

Exploring Outdoors Kansas: Mud on the boots

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This time of year when the eight letter word “football” fills many people’s thoughts, ours thoughts as deer hunters, predator hunters and trappers should dwell on another eight letter word, “scouting.” Here in the farm country of the Midwest, game movement patterns sometimes change from year to year and even from season to season because of annual crop rotation, weather extremes and habitat changes, among other things. Although many good hunting and trapping hotspots produce game and fur year after year, many do not because of these factors.

Steve Gilliland

Annual crop rotations play a big part in the daily lives of wildlife. Where we used to hunt deer in southern Meade County, the terrain is rather bleak and the main crop by far is wheat. There’s always some hay around for deer to feed on, but the tender green wheat is their mainstay. Changes in wheat field locations from year to year sometimes mean changes in deer patterns, and thus in the way we hunt them. Here around McPherson County annual crop changes have only minor effects on deer patterns because there’s always an edible field crop of some sort near a deer’s chosen home range, but crop changes here do sometimes effect wildlife movement. For instance, tall crops like corn and silage offer excellent cover for deer and coyotes as they travel. Movement of those crops probably won’t change where these animals hunt, feed and bed, but it will often change the way they travel to get there.

Weather extremes, namely droughts and floods change wildlife patterns dramatically. Floods have a very temporary effect as they dictate where wildlife can and cannot travel, feed, hunt and bed during those times of high water. When the waters recede, life soon goes on again as usual. Drought on the other hand can have a long lasting effect on wildlife patterns as they are often forced to relocate nearer to the few sources of water.

Habitat changes probably have the most effect on wildlife patterns. Removing overgrown tree and fence rows, bulldozing old orchards, tearing down and cleaning up old buildings in overgrown woodlots and even building a new home on a previously empty and overgrown lot all change travel ways and hunting areas of local wildlife. This summer acres of trees were removed from the property next to our deer blind. I know deer will continue to travel through there still, but removing all those trees destroyed a major deer bedding area, so it remains to be seen how that will all affect our deer harvest.

So what to do? It’s called “mud on the boots!” Physically getting out into the areas you plan to hunt and trap before season is the only way to compensate for man and natures changes. Trail cameras are one good way to do help you with that. Hanging a couple near trails will soon show you if the trail is used, by what and how often. Another good way is scouring the area for tracks. Be it deer, raccoons or coyotes every critter has four feet and wherever you find tracks you can bet the animal belonging to those four paws was mighty close! Tonight before completing this column I drove into and walked some new property I have permission to trap. I was becoming disappointed at the few coyote tracks I was seeing…until I crossed over a brushy overgrown lane into another field and suddenly found more coyote tracks than I’d ever hoped to see. I had walked that field this summer and found nothing, proving my point about seasonal wildlife patterns.

In this age of digital trail cameras and GPS technology the best and most reliable scouting tool available to the hunter and trapper is still the farmer and land owner. If you have permission to harvest game on their land they are usually more than happy to talk with you about where and when they see that game, especially deer and coyotes.

Just like we have to find new ways to travel around construction projects, or choose a new place to shop when our favorite grocery store closes, so wildlife must adapt to the ever changing world in which they live. So to remain successful harvesters of that wildlife, we must occasionally get “some mud on our boots” and adapt our harvesting strategies to their changes…Continue to Explore Kansas Outdoors.
Steve can be contacted by email at [email protected].

LuElma Jane Cramer

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LuElma Jane Cramer, age 88, passed away on Saturday, October 7, 2017 at the Scott County Hospital in Scott City, Kansas. She was born on August 11, 1929 in Coldwater, Kansas, the daughter of Charles Harris & Zelda Albertie Kramer Murray. A lifetime resident of Healy, Kansas she was a Teacher and Homemaker.

LuElma was a member of the United Methodist Church, Healy UMW both of Healy, Kansas, Sigma Sigma Sigma Sorority and Eastern Star.

On August 14, 1955 she married George L. “Fuzz” Cramer at the United Methodist Church in Scott City, Kansas. He passed away on September 1, 2015 in Scott City, Kansas.

Survivors include her Three Daughters – Shawna Cramer of Scott City, Kansas, Georgia & Walter Johnson of Healy, Kansas, Lori Hawker of Scott City, Kansas, Three Grandchildren – Mark & Jenna Johnson of Wichita, Kansas, Luke Johnson of Kansas City, Missouri and Riley Jane Hawker of Garden City, Kansas.

She was preceded in death by her Parents, Husband, One Grandson – Clint Johnson, and Two Brothers and Two Sisters.

Funeral Services will be held at the Healy United Methodist Church of Healy, Kansas at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, October 12, 2017 with the Rev. Bud Tuxhorn presiding.

Memorials can be given to the Healy United Methodist Church in care of Price & Sons Funeral Home.

Interment will be in the Healy Cemetery in Healy, Kansas.

Visitation will be from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Tuesday and 10:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. Wednesday at Price & Sons Funeral Home in Scott City, Kansas.

Ellis student takes part in Emporia State theater production

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EMPORIA — Dustin Bittel of Ellis was part of the Emporia State University production of “Family Furniture.”

The play’s author A.R. Gurney – who passed away in June – is an audience favorite, and ESU Theatre has produced several of his works including “The Dining Room,” “Love Letters” and “Sylvia.”

“Family Furniture” was inspired by Gurney’s own life and the culture of the 1950s when he was a young adult. The show focuses on a young adult brother and sister pair who must come to terms with traumatic events going on in their family. The potential of a mother’s infidelity and a father’s apathy threatens to divide a seemingly normal, nuclear family in a society where keeping up with appearances can be more important than honesty.

Bittel, a senior theater major, was the production stage manager.

K-State investigating after Jewish structure on campus vandalized

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photo courtesy Glen Buickerood

MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — Authorities are investigating the vandalism of a temporary dwelling erected outside a Kansas State University residential complex for the Jewish harvest festival Sukkot.

The Topeka Capital-Journal reports that the sukkah was found late Friday wrapped around the car of graduate student Glen Buickerood, damaging the vehicle. Buickerood, who doesn’t identify as Jewish, had collaborated with the Jewish student group Hillel to put up the sukkah to promote diversity.

Buickerood said in an email to university officials that he distributed posters and hung one on the sukkah telling students about the structure before the vandalism.

poster found on campus in April -courtesy image

Hillel adviser Greg Newmark says what happened was “certainly anti-Semitic in effect.” Newmark says the “most generous” thing he can say is that the people involved “are remarkably insensitive.”

The sukkah was rebuilt Sunday morning.

In April the University condemned Anti-Semitic posters found on the KSU campus.

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