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Month: November 2018

Angela Marie Stecklein Friess

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Angela Marie Stecklein Friess, age 99, passed away on November 11, 2018 at Cedar Village, Ness City, Kansas.  She was born on January 17, 1919 in Ness County, Kansas the daughter of Paul and Cecilia (Klaus) Gabel.

At the young age of 13 she entered the Adorers of Precious Blood Convent in Wichita on August 25, 1932. She served as a nun for 32 years before leaving on June 3, 1964.  She received her Masters in Education from Creighton University in 1961.  She taught in many schools in Colorado, Oklahoma, and Kansas. She ended her teaching career at Sacred Heart School in Ness City.  She played the organ for Sacred Heart Church and was a member of the Altar Society.

On August 1, 1964 she married Isadore Stecklein in LaCrosse, Kansas.  He preceded her in death on January 4, 1984.  She then married Lewis Friess on August 31, 1985 in Ness City.  He preceded her in death on August 8, 2011.

She was also preceded in death by her parents; six brothers, Louis, Sebastine, Pete, Mike, Emanuel, and Joe; and ten sisters, Adeline, Regina, Rose, Francis, Pauline, Irene, Louise and two infant sisters.

She is survived by many nieces and nephews and grandnieces and grandnephews.

Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, November 17, 2018, 10:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church, 510 S. School St.
Ness City, Kansas, followed by burial in the Sacred Heart Cemetery. Rosary and Parish Vigil will be held on Friday, November 16, 2018, 6:30 p.m. at Fitzgerald Funeral Home, 207 North Pennsylvania Ave., Ness City, Kansas.  Viewing will be on Friday from 9:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be given toward masses or to the Sacred Heart School.

Memories and words of support may be left for the family by writing in the guest book on the Fitzgerald Funeral Home website.

David F. Hertel

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David F. Hertel

David F. Hertel, 64, Louisville, CO, formerly of Hays, died Sunday, November 11, 2018 at Juniper Village in Louisville.

He was born November 16, 1953 in Hays, the son of Albinus F. “Al” and Lucy C. (Lietz) Hertel. He was a graduate of Thomas More Prep-Marian High School in the class of 1972 and received an associate degree from Fort Hays State University. On May 17, 1974 he was united in marriage to Virginia Stecklein at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Munjor. They celebrated over 44 years of marriage.

He was an oilfield roustabout and pumper and worked at Stecklein Oil Company and Hertel Tank Service, a family business. He loved cutting wheat and custom cutting. David received the Hays All American Citizen Award in 1996, he taught first and seventh grade religion classes at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, and he and Virginia sponsored couples through Engaged Encounters.

His memberships include St. Joseph Catholic Church and the St. Joseph Third Degree Knights of Columbus Council #1325.

Hobbies included woodworking, making functioning miniature pumping units, and he loved to tinker and could fix anything. He was very patient, stuck with a project until it was completed, and most of all, he loved his family and they always came first.

Survivors include his wife, Virginia of Arvada, CO, two daughters; Christina Hertel and partner Stacy Kadota of Arvada and Lisa Hertel and husband Heath Ritchie of Westminster, CO, two brothers; Mike Hertel and wife Lori and John Hertel and wife Laura, all of Hays, a sister; Kathy and husband Patrick Thrash of Eastvale, CA, two grandsons; Spencer and Caden Hertel-Kadota of Arvada, and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 am on David’s birthday, Friday, November 16, 2018 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 215 W. 13th Street, with Fr. Fred Gatschet officiating. Burial will follow in the St. Francis Cemetery, Munjor. Visitation will be from 4:00 pm until 8:00 on Thursday and from 9:00 am until 9:45 on Friday, all at the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine Street. A Daughters of Isabella rosary will be at 5:00 pm, a vigil service will be at 6:30, followed by a Knights of Columbus rosary at 7:00, all on Thursday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to TMP-Marian High School or the Alzheimer’s Association, in care of the funeral chapel.

Condolences and memories of David may be shared with the family at www.haysmemorial.com

SCHLAGECK: Give thanks

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John Schlageck writes for the Kansas Farm Bureau.

When people think of Thanksgiving, what images come to mind?

Family, friends, an extra couple days of vacation, a big turkey dinner, pumpkin pie, football games, the beginning of the Christmas holiday season – the list is endless.

But what about the real reason for thanksgiving – what about the act of giving thanks or a prayer expressing gratitude?

After all, that’s how Thanksgiving Day began in this country back in 1621. The Pilgrims had just completed their first year in North America and the fall harvest was bountiful. As the story goes, there was plenty of corn, fruits, vegetables, fish packed in salt and cured meat. They harvested enough food to store some away for the long, cold winter.

To help give thanks for their abundant food and celebrate a peaceful co-existence with their Indian neighbors, Gov. William Bradford proclaimed a day of giving thanks. This annual celebration has continued throughout the years and become a U.S. custom.

As we prepare to travel to see loved ones or begin work on Thanksgiving in our own homes, let’s remember what this celebration is really about. Don’t forget when you’re eating all those wonderful holiday trimmings to give thanks for the wholesome, bountiful food we enjoy all year.

When it comes time to give thanks before the family dinner, remember to thank the good Lord for his blessings. Also include words of thanks for the farmers and ranchers in Kansas and across the United States.

Ask a blessing for those who prepared the wonderful meals and all the appetizers. Let them know during the meal how much you appreciate their culinary skills. They will appreciate the compliment.

As we wrap up 2018, it is important to give thanks to our agricultural producers. This year has been extremely tough on many farmers and ranchers.

In particular those producing grain, are struggling, thanks mostly to low commodity prices amid a global grain glut.

Net farm income is down for the fifth straight year, cut in half since 2013. Farmers continue to wrestle to cover expenses while their farms do not make a profit. Some producers say they’re running on empty.

Without question, challenges will continue to test the mettle of all those engaged in production agriculture. Challenges, like change, remain a constant part of our daily lives. In today’s business climate, all of us work hard, long hours and rarely think about it. We accept it as part of our lifestyle – it’s just the way it is, probably always has been and always will be.

Still, if we take a good look at our situations, we have plenty to be thankful for. Consider our good health, family, friends and the best country in the world to live in.

This Thanksgiving be thankful for all the gifts you are blessed with. Be happy and secure that family, and those you love surround you. Look back and smile about your successes and feel confident that you have learned from your mistakes.

After you’ve eaten all the turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, gravy and pumpkin pie you can hold, remember the farmers who grow the food we eat. And don’t forget to say a prayer for those less fortunate and all those who helped make Thanksgiving a day we can all be thankful for.

Happy Thanksgiving.

John Schlageck is a leading commentator on agriculture and rural Kansas.

Brown scores 25 to lift No. 12 Kansas St over Denver

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MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) – Barry Brown scored 15 of his 25 points in the second half and No. 12 Kansas State held off pesky Denver 64-56 on Monday night.

Dean Wade and Xavier Sneed each had 12 points for the Wildcats (2-0), who have won 25 consecutive home games against nonconference opponents. Wade added 16 rebounds and four assists.

Joe Rosga paced the Pioneers (1-1) with 18 points. Ronnie Harrell Jr. and Ade Murkey scored 14 apiece. Harrell also grabbed 12 rebounds.

Kansas State pulled this one out despite shooting 38 percent from the field, including 6 of 27 (22 percent) from 3-point range. The Wildcats were terrible at the foul line, too, going 12 for 27.

But the Pioneers were hurt by 17 turnovers, and they forced only nine.

Sneed got the Wildcats going in the first 10 minutes as he scored seven of the first nine points for Kansas State.

Denver held a 12-11 lead with nine minutes left in the first half before Kansas State went on a 7-0 run highlighted by Brown’s dunk. The Pioneers kept the game close with a 7-0 spurt to end the half and trailed 31-28 going into the locker room.

BIG PICTURE

Denver showed it they can compete with a ranked team. The Pioneers will need to play even better in a month when they face No. 3 Gonzaga on the road.

Kansas State struggled with a low-major program for the second straight game, a bit concerning for a team hoping to contend for a Big 12 title this season. The Wildcats will play more lower-tier teams in the Paradise Jam, but those games won’t be in the comfort of Bramlage Coliseum.

UP NEXT

Denver gears up for a home game against Abilene Christian on Thursday night.

Kansas State travels to the U.S. Virgin Islands to participate in the Paradise Jam, where the Wildcats will play Eastern Kentucky in the first round Friday night. A potential matchup with former Big 12 foe Missouri would be Monday night in the championship game if both teams win their first two games in the tournament.

Vick hits 8 3s, has 32 as No. 2 Kansas beats Vermont

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LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) – Lagerald Vick was 8 of 8 from beyond the 3-point arc and scored a career-high 32 points, Udoka Azubuike added 23 points and 10 rebounds, and second-ranked Kansas slogged its way to an 84-68 victory over Vermont on Monday night.

The Jayhawks (2-0) were jumped by Duke for the top spot in the AP poll earlier in the day, even though they beat then-No. 10 Michigan State in the Champions Classic last week. And for most of their game against the Catamounts (1-1), they did little to prove the voters wrong.

Kansas led just 40-36 at halftime before two big runs allowed coach Bill Self to breathe easy.

Anthony Lamb had 24 points, Ernie Duncan added 17 and Stef Smith scored 13 for the Catamounts, who have lost nine straight to ranked teams dating to a win over Boston College in 2006.

The Catamounts looked as if that streak might end when they went on an early 18-4 run, hitting a series of quick 3-pointers while double-teaming Azubuike on defense whenever he got the ball.

The Jayhawks’ 7-footer still muscled his way to 12 first-half points.

But while the Catamounts sent waves of bodies at Azubuike inside, and made fellow Kansas forward Dedric Lawson a non-factor, they didn’t account for Vick on the perimeter.

After struggling mightily in the Jayhawks’ season-opening win over the Spartans, Vick poured in four first-half 3s and piled up 16 points. Most of them came while the Jayhawks struggled to run offense through their two freshman guards, Devon Dotson and Quentin Grimes.

Eventually, the Jayhawks’ depth and talent wore down Vermont.

It was 44-40 before Azubuike added another of his rim-rattling dunks and then scored on a putback. Vick followed a jumper with his sixth 3-pointer and added his seventh a couple of minutes later as the Jayhawks’ lead swelled to 61-45 midway through the second half.

Vermont went on one last run to get its deficit under 10, but Azubuike added two more baskets and Vick curled in his eighth 3-pointer. That matched Mario Chalmers for the most in the Self era at Kansas and left Vick trailing only Terry Brown, who hit 11 in a game in 1991.

Vick finished 12 of 14 from the field in helping Kansas win its 46th straight home opener.

BIG PICTURE

Vermont: The favorites to win America East did nothing to diminish their outlook, standing toe-to-toe with the reigning Big 12 champs for nearly 30 minutes. In a league where they should match up better physically, keep an eye on Vermont to roll toward another NCAA Tournament appearance.

Kansas: Lawson followed his excellent debut against the Spartans, when he had 20 points and 14 boards, with a dud at the Phog. The transfer from Memphis and the Big 12’s preseason player of the year was held scoreless on 0-for-6 shooting.

UP NEXT

Vermont plays its home opener against Northern Vermont-Lyndon on Wednesday night.

Kansas plays Louisiana on Friday night before heading to New York for the NIT semifinals.

Tigers move up three spots in AFCA Top 25 Poll

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WACO, Texas – Fort Hays State moved up three positions in the latest AFCA Division II Top 25 Poll, released on Monday (Nov. 12). The Tigers are No. 19 in the latest poll as they enter the NCAA Playoffs for a second-straight year this week. Fort Hays State plays at University of Indianapolis in the first round Saturday (Nov. 17) at 12 pm CT / 1 pm ET.

Fort Hays State and Northwest Missouri State continue to represent the MIAA in the Top 25. Northwest Missouri State moved up one spot this week, right in front of Fort Hays State at No. 18.

All seven of the participants in Super Region 3 of the NCAA Playoffs are inside the Top 25. The top three seeds in the super region are all inside the Top 10.

Below is the AFCA Division II Top 25 Poll for November 12, 2018.

 

Rank School (1st votes) Record Pts. Prev. Week 11 Next Game
1. Minnesota State (29) 11-0 818 1 D. Upper Iowa, 47-7 Nov. 24 vs. Opponent TBD
2. Ferris State (Mich.) (3) 11-0 789 2 D. William Jewell (Mo.), 47-6 Nov. 17 vs. No. 21 Harding (Ark.)
3. Valdosta State (Ga.) (1) 10-0 738 5 D. No. 3 West Georgia, 47-31 Nov. 24 vs. Opponent TBD
4. Ouachita Baptist (Ark.) 11-0 728 4 D. Henderson St. (Ark.), 38-10 Nov. 24 vs. Opponent TBD
5. Minnesota-Duluth 11-0 682 6 D. Northern St. (S.D.), 40-13 Nov. 17 vs. No. 15 Texas A&M-Commerce
6. Tarleton State (Texas) 10-0 664 7 D. Western New Mexico, 58-0 Nov. 17 vs. No. 24 Azusa Pacific (Calif.)
7. Grand Valley State (Mich.) 10-1 608 8 D. Wayne St. (Mich.), 45-21 Nov. 17 vs. No. 18 Northwest Missouri St.
8. West Chester (Pa.) 10-0 559 9 D. Slippery Rock (Pa.), 33-10 Nov. 17 vs. New Haven (Conn.)
9. Colorado State-Pueblo 10-1 539 10 D. Western St. Colorado, 41-3 Nov. 17 at No. 14 Colorado School of Mines
10. West Georgia 10-1 527 3 Lost to No. 5 Valdosta St. (Ga.), 47-31 Nov. 17 vs. Wingate (N.C.)
11. Notre Dame (Ohio) 11-0 491 11 D. Seton Hill (Pa.), 41-7 Nov. 24 vs. Opponent TBD
12. Indianapolis (Ind.) 9-1 446 12 D. No. 20 Hillsdale (Mich.), 34-24 Nov. 17 vs. No. 19 Fort Hays St. (Kan.)
13. LIU-Post (N.Y.) 10-0 410 13 D. New Haven (Conn.), 17-13 Nov. 17 vs. Slippery Rock (Pa.)
14. Colorado School of Mines 10-1 395 15 D. Chadron St. (Neb.), 49-20 Nov. 17 vs. No. 9 Colorado St.-Pueblo
15. Texas A&M-Commerce 9-2 366 14 D. Angelo St. (Texas), 41-13 Nov. 17 at No. 5 Minnesota-Duluth
16. Midwestern State (Texas) 8-2 310 16 D. West Texas A&M, 24-23 OT Season Complete
17. Lenoir-Rhyne (N.C.) 10-1 306 17 D. Catawba (N.C.), 63-21 Nov. 17 vs. Florida Tech
18. Northwest Missouri State 9-2 297 19 D. Central Missouri, 48-21 Nov. 17 at No. 7 Grand Valley St. (Mich.)
19. Fort Hays State (Kan.) 9-2 232 22 D. Northeastern St. (Okla.), 58-0 Nov. 17 at No. 12 Indianapolis (Ind.)
20. Kutztown (Pa.) 9-1 214 21 D. Edinboro (Pa.), 33-32 OT Nov. 17 vs. No. 23 Hillsdale (Mich.)
21. Harding (Ark.) 9-2 186 25 D. Arkansas Tech, 28-0 Nov. 17 at No. 2 Ferris St. (Mich.)
22. Ohio Dominican 9-2 91 NR D. Lake Erie (Ohio), 62-6 Season Complete
23. Hillsdale (Mich.) 9-2 68 20 Lost to No. 12 Indianapolis (Ind.), 34-24 Nov. 17 at No. 20 Kutztown (Pa.)
24. Azusa Pacific (Calif.) 8-3 48 NR D. No. 18 Central Washington, 42-35 Nov. 17 at No. 6 Tarleton St. (Texas)
25. Bowie State (Md.) 9-2 46 NR D. Fayetteville St. (N.C.), 30-10 Nov. 17 vs. West Alabama

Others Receiving Votes: Central Washington, 30; New Haven (Conn.), 19; Pittsburg St. (Kan.), 18; West Alabama, 18; Fairmont St. (W.Va.), 17; Missouri S&T, 16; Tiffin (Ohio), 15; Slippery Rock (Pa.), 12; Virginia Union, 8; Indiana (Pa.), 6; Southern Arkansas, 6; Colorado Mesa, 1; Florida Tech, 1.

Sunny, cold Tuesday

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Today Sunny, with a high near 39. Wind chill values as low as 1. West southwest wind 3 to 6 mph.

Tonight Mostly clear, with a low around 18. West southwest wind around 5 mph.

Wednesday Sunny, with a high near 48. Light and variable wind becoming south southwest 5 to 7 mph in the afternoon.

Wednesday Night Clear, with a low around 26. Southwest wind 5 to 7 mph.

ThursdaySunny, with a high near 58. West southwest wind 6 to 8 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon.

Thursday NightClear, with a low around 30.

FridaySunny, with a high near 58.

Police: Victim in Kan. shooting not cooperating with detectives

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SHAWNEE COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting and asking the public for help.

Just before 10p.m. Sunday, police were dispatched to the Lazy Toad, 5331 SW 22nd Place in Topeka after report of a fight or disturbance, according to Lt. Manuel Munoz.

While in route to the call, officers were advised that it was now a shooting and a male victim was across the street  from the location lying in the grass.

Officers arrived and could not locate a victim at the scene.

At approximately 10:13 pm, dispatch was notified that a gunshot victim had been brought in to a local hospital by private vehicle.

The male victim was suffering from a non-life threatening injury and was refusing treatment. Victim was also not cooperating with detectives and would only say it happened in the area of SE 24th and SE Jefferson.

Anyone with information regarding this crime is encouraged to contact the Topeka Police Criminal Investigation Bureau.

Two hospitalized after pickup rolls in NW Kansas

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SHERMAN COUNTY — Two people were injured in an accident just before 4:30p.m. Monday in Sherman County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2001 Ford Ranger driven by Mallory Elaine O’Brien, 21, Hutchinson, was westbound at 3150 U.S. 24.

The pickup’s passenger side tires went off the roadway to the North. The driver overcorrected twice and the pickup rolled.

O’Brien and a passenger Kaitlyn Abigayle Dible, 15, Goodland, were transported to Goodland Regional Medical Center. Both were properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

Wreaths Across America advances its mission to Normandy

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WAA

Wreaths Across America (WAA) announces that it has been granted permission by the French authorities, on the basis of phytosanitary guarantees provided by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to place 9,387 Maine-made, balsam veterans’ wreaths on Saturday, Dec. 1, 2018, on the headstones of all U.S. service members laid to rest at Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial, located in Colleville-sur-Mer, France.

The cemetery is one of 14 permanent American World War II military cemeteries on foreign soil. The government of France granted use of the land, in perpetuity. United States President Dwight D. Eisenhower and French President René Coty dedicated the cemetery on July 18, 1956.

This is the first time WAA – whose mission it to Remember the fallen, Honor those that served, and Teach the next generation the value of Freedom – has sent U.S.-made balsam wreaths to be placed on foreign soil. The December wreath-laying event is a joint collaboration between the Normandy American Cemetery and American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) and will include ceremonial wreath placements on each of the five D-Day invasion beaches, at Pointe Du Hoc, and include a Canadian Wreath presentation.

“The mission of the American Battle Monuments Commission is to honor the service, achievements and sacrifices of our U.S armed forces in two World Wars. It closely parallels the mission of the Wreaths Across America organization — to Remember, Honor and Teach,” said Scott Desjardins, Superintendent, Normandy American Cemetery. “The Normandy American Cemetery is proud and pleased to be the first ABMC cemetery to have been chosen to attempt this important endeavor. As we approach the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings, conducted to establish a foothold in Western Europe to free it from tyranny, the Wreaths Across America organization storms the beaches of Normandy to establish a foothold and commemorate the sacrifice made by the men and women who never returned home and are now memorialized in our sites.”

The veterans’ wreaths are being gifted to WAA as a donation from its founder, Morrill Worcester. It has long been a dream of his to one day place a wreath in honor of every U.S. veteran laid to rest, worldwide. “When I began placing wreaths at Arlington National Cemetery in 1992, I could never have imagined that this idea would impact people around the world the way it has,” said Worcester. “To know that WAA will be able to place a wreath for each of those veterans and say their names out loud is truly incredible, and I am so honored to be able to help this effort however I can.”

The transportation of nearly 9,500 fresh balsam veterans’ wreaths from Maine to Normandy requires a massive and coordinated effort, and this complex transport would not be possible without the generous in-kind support of global supply chain management company CEVA Logistics, the transatlantic cargo capacity of United Airlines, and the over-the-road transport provided by Metropolitan Trucking.

“Our goal at Wreaths Across America is to honor and remember all those who served and sacrificed for the freedoms we as Americans enjoy every day,” said Wayne Hanson, chairman of the board of directors, Wreaths Across America. “To be given the opportunity and support needed to advance our mission to Normandy is truly a gift and we intend to continue to move forward until one day, all U.S. veterans laid to rest are honored.”

In 1992 in Harrington, Maine, wreath maker Morrill Worcester sought to turn a surplus of 5,000 holiday wreaths into an opportunity to pay tribute to our country’s veterans. With the help of then Maine Senator Olympia Snowe, Worcester arranged for the wreaths to be placed at Arlington National Cemetery. The tradition continued on for more than a decade before national attention spurred the start of the 501c3 Wreaths Across America in 2007. Since then, the program has grown in scope, touching the lives of thousands of veterans’ families and volunteers in every state across the country. In 2017 alone, Wreaths Across America and its national network of volunteers laid over 1.5 million veterans’ wreaths at 1,433 locations in all 50 U.S. states, at sea, and abroad.

This year, National Wreaths Across America Day is Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018. At least 1,500 participating locations across the country will host wreath-laying ceremonies, all run by dedicated volunteers. To learn more about how to sponsor wreaths or volunteer in your own community, please visit www.wreathsacrossamerica.org.

Kansas domestic violence deaths in 2017 highest in 2 decades

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TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas recorded more domestic violence related homicides in 2017 than it had in more than two decades.

In February 2018, Jacob Ohnmacht admitted the strangulation murder of his wife. He is currently being held in the Lansing Correctional Facility

A Kansas Bureau of Investigation report shows the 38 domestic violence deaths in 2017 was twice as many as 2016.

The agency says 20 of the deaths were female and 18 were male. Also, 33 of the suspects were male while five were female. And firearms were used in 26 of 38 cases.

KBI spokeswoman Melissa Underwood says 2017 was the second highest number of domestic violence-related deaths since records began in 1993, with 41 deaths.

In June of 2017 Jonathan Perret was sentenced for the murder of his girlfriend and texting a photo of her dead body. He is serving a life term in Lansing Prison, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections

Erin Reazin, a victim services coordinator for Topeka’s YMCA, says society needs to changes the culture from telling females they are responsible for reducing their risk to finding only the perpetrator at fault.

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