Mildred G. Bugbee was born September 18, 1915 on the family farm near Sargent, NE to Roy V and Lula (Owen) Town. She passed away September 30, 2017 in Lenexa, KS at the age of 102.

Millie attended country school through the 8th grade and graduated high school at Taylor, NE. Following graduation she and her sister Louise moved to Lincoln, NE to look for work. She worked at a soda fountain in a drug store where Bob Bugbee was also working. Bob and Millie were married November 17, 1941 in Seward, NE at the Presbyterian minister’s home.

After Bob was drafted into the army in 1942, Millie worked at Western Electric in Lincoln helping with the war effort. The family moved to Kearney in 1953, to Lewis, KS. in 1956, and then on to Quinter, KS in 1963. It was here that Bob & Millie purchased the First National Bank of Quinter.

Millie was always deeply involved in her community. During that time, she was instrumental in securing the funding for the low-income Sr. citizen housing project and the senior citizen center. She was also involved in the Quinter chapter of the American Red Cross, and led the chapter for 19 years. Also, she was a founding member of Clothes like New and Things which supported the Quinter Golf Course. She was a faithful member of the Quinter United Methodist Church. Millie was a Quinter supporter through and through. She loved her puppies, flowers, her yard, and sports, but most of all she loved her family and many friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, two brothers and a sister. She is survived by her older sister Louise and brothers Bill and Bob, a son Roderick G. and wife Kathy of Louisburg, KS, a daughter Kathy Marie and husband Terry of Florence, OR; five grandchildren, Scott Bugbee and wife Ronda of Wichita, KS, Amy Reed, of Roeland Park, KS, Darin Bugbee of Basehor, KS, Andrea Valdez and husband Freddie of Sedona, AZ, and Amber Barrett and husband Fabian Hohmuth of Portland, OR and ten great grandchildren.

Funeral service will be 10:00 a.m., Thursday, October 5, 2017 at Quinter United Methodist Church. Burial will be in the Baker Township Cemetery, Quinter.

Visitation will be Wednesday, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home in Quinter.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Quinter United Methodist Church or the Quinter Senior Citizen’s Center. Donations made to the organization may be sent to Schmitt Funeral Home, 901 South Main, Quinter, KS 67752.

Condolences may be left for the family at www.schmittfuneral.com.

Betty Jean (Parker) Eliott, age 86, passed away September 29, 2017, at Dawson Place in Hill City, Kansas.

She was born October 25, 1930, in Lincoln, Nebraska, the daughter of Bryan B. and Rubey (Price) Parker. The family later returned to Hill City where they spent the majority of her early years. She had many happy memories spending time with her Nanny and PaPa Parker and Aunt Mary. Betty had a special bond with her cousin Katie (Parker) Law. Early in their lives they made a pact that when they had children they’d each be their nephews and nieces and that is why she was “Aunt Katie”. Every summer Betty and her mother went to California on the train to visit her Grandma Ann (her maternal grandmother). These trips were very special. Her father would drive out and pick them up and they would enjoy the trip back to Hill City.

In 1944, after the start of World War II, Bryan joined the Navy and the family moved to El Cajon, California. Betty was a freshman in high school. She enjoyed sunny California, but was happy when they returned to Graham County after her father’s discharge from the Navy.

In 1947, Betty began dating the love of her life Dale Elliott. Following her graduation from high school in May of 1948, the couple were married on August 24, 1948. They lived in Berkenfield, Oregon, for a short time, returning to Hill City in 1949. One of the greatest gifts her folks gave her was they dearly loved Dale, as the son they never had. To Rubey, he was perfect.

To this union their four children were born – Dale Allen, William Bryan, David Dwight and Ann Elizabeth. Following the marriages of their children she was blessed with 12 grandchildren. Betty was an outstanding and doting grandmother as she followed numerous sports activities, school and church events, attending as many things as was physically possible, even flying to some. In 1998 came the first of her great grandchildren, a total now of 27, with another one on the way. They were the new wonderful joy of her life. She was a very proud Grandma Great. Betty was loved by her family and all enjoyed the gatherings she organized including trips to the “Diamond J” and Christmas. Betty worked with her mother and father at Graham County Abstract and Title Co., Inc. for many years. In 1992 she retired leaving the family business to her son David. In 2000, at the age of 70 (“if she was going to try something new she better do it”) she moved to Lindsborg, Kansas, where she worked at the golf course and enjoyed meeting new friends. Her grandchildren there felt that “it was like God sent an angel to help them”. Betty moved back to Hill City after some health issues.

She was always an avid reader and enjoyed doing research. She began working with Lowell and Jan Beecher to get the information at the Graham County Historical Society organized. They worked countless hours in the basement of the library. She began researching Graham County soldiers, with many trips to cemeteries and other outlets, eventually writing a book with the information she had gathered. It didn’t get published but the material was placed in the records at the Historical Society. She enjoyed giving tours of the Historical Society as well as participating in some of the informational programs, like the cemetery tour.

Betty had her share of medical problems beginning in 1988. After two bouts of cancer the treatments took a toll on her body. Four years ago began the onset of Alzheimer’s and Dementia. She then moved to Dawson Place Nursing Home. Now she had a whole new family with the residents and staff. She received excellent care and they all were so helpful.

Betty was a member of the Presbyterian Church serving as a Deacon as well as on many committees. She was also active in the Kansas Land Title Association, a member of the Eastern Star, Daughters of the American Revolution, the American Cancer Society as well as many other interests.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, two infant brothers, and a great grandchild. Survivors left to celebrate her life and cherish her memory are sons: Dale Allen (Anne) Elliott, Savannah, Texas, Bill (Kay) Elliott, Norton, Kansas, David (Donna) Elliott, Hill City, and daughter Ann (Josh) Stetson, Anchorage, Alaska; 12 grandchildren, 27 great grandchildren; many nieces and nephews and friends abounding. Betty was a woman of strength and met life’s challenges with the Lord’s help. Rest in Peace dear mother. We all love you so much.

Click HERE for service details.

Josephine “Josie” Martinez, age 83, passed away on Friday, September 29, 2017 at Wichita County Health Center in Leoti, Kansas. Josie was born October 24, 1933 in Merrill, Nebraska, the daughter of Pedro & Dominga (Medina) Hernandez. A resident of Leoti since 1946 moving from Sugar City, Colorado, she was a Nurse Assistant and a homemaker.

Josie was a member of St. Anthony Of Padua Catholic Church, VFW Auxiliary, and Business and Professional Women, all of Leoti, Kansas. She was also a former 4-H leader, Girl Scout leader and Leoti EMT. She was a founding member of Virgin of Guadalupe in Ordway, Colorado, taught English to the Spanish community, loved to dance, crotchet, and cake decorating.

On June 3, 1961, she married Gregorio (Greg) Martinez at Marienthal, Kansas. Greg passed away on March 2, 2003 in Garden City, Kansas.

Josie’s surviving family includes-

Four Children-

Mark A. Martinez & Pamela Norwood-​Aurora, Colorado

Tom C. Martinez & Hilda Chairez-​Goshen, Indiana

Greg & Sheryl Martinez, Jr.-​Leoti, Kansas

Valerie Martinez-​Omaha, Nebraska

Nine siblings-

Carmen Hernandez-​Ordway, Colorado

Raymond Hernandez-​Deerfield, Kansas

Lupe Hernandez-​Meade, Kansas

Bertha McGann-​Palco, Kansas

Connie Maturey-​Satanta, Kansas

Theresa Torres-​Leoti, Kansas

Mary Hernandez-​Satanta, Kansas

Andrea Gerstberger-​Alamosa, Colorado

Rosario Klar-​Broadus, Montana

Eighteeen grandchildren, Twenty-one great grandchildren

Her parents, husband and three brothers, Nick Hernandez, Paul Hernandez and John Anthony Hernandez precede her in death.

Vigil Services will be held at 7:00 pm Wednesday, October 4, 2017 at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Leoti, Kansas.

Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 am Thursday, October 5, 2017 at St. Anthony Of Padua Catholic Church with Father Benjamin Martin officiating.

Burial will be in St. Mary Cemetery in Marienthal, Kansas.

Friends may call from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm Tuesday and from 10:00 am until 5:00 pm Wednesday at Price & Sons Funeral Home in Leoti, Kansas.

Memorials may be given to St. Anthony Of Padua Catholic Church, Leoti EMT’s or Wichita County Health Center in care of the funeral home.