Karen Dee Gillaspie, age 74, died at the Grisell Memorial Hospital on April 10, 2019. She was born on July 28, 1944 in Quinter, Kansas the daughter of Kenneth and Izetta Johnson Shaw.
She was married to Jerry Gillaspie. Together they had two children Rod Gillaspie of Utica and Tina Major of Peyto, Colorado.
A family scattering service of her cremated remains will be held at a later date.
Zena Patricia Scroggins, age 68, died at her home in Brownell, Kansas with her family on April 10, 2019.
She was born in Fairmont, West Virginia, on March 17, 1951, the daughter of Howard and Betty Alexander Kelley.
A private family cremated remains scattering service will be held at a later date.
Robert L. Clark, 87, of Osborne, KS passed away on Saturday, April 13, 2019 at the Osborne County Memorial Hospital. Bob was born on January 20, 1932 in Ravenna, NE to Alonzo and Mildred (Cullip) Clark. Bob was one of five children.
Bob graduated from high school in Kenesaw, NE in 1950. Bob joined the Air Force. He served 20 years and served in the Korean & Vietnam Wars. When Bob was stationed in Plattsburg, NY, he met a young lady, Diana Furnia, that became his bride. They were married for 57 years. To this union, 4 children were born.
After Bob retired from the service, he moved his family to Clarks, NE where he worked for Coop. In 1975, Bob moved his family to Osborne, KS to work at the Light Plant for 8 years. He then worked for different farmers and businesses. Bob retired in 1994, and became very involved in the VFW and the American Legion. He was very active with the American Legion baseball program.
Aside from Diana, his next love was fishing. He enjoyed “Going to dip his line”.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents; son, Mitchell; sisters: Nellie Nabower and Marjorie Pierce; brothers: Clairmont and DeAlton.
Bob is survived by his wife, Diana of the home; daughter: Joyce (John) Clark of Oakdale, MN; sons: Allan (Julie) Clark of Osborne, KS and Robbie (Cari) Clark also of Osborne, KS; 10 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.
Click HERE for service details.
Kieth Alan Alstrom was born April 23, 1928, in Summit Township to Hjalmer Carl and Bessie Carr (Huff) Alstrom. He passed away at Decatur Health on April 11, 2019, at the age of 90.
Kieth was raised with his brother Max, and sister Nadine, on a farm in the Lund Community, southwest of Oberlin. He attended Swede Home School and graduated from Decatur Community High School in 1946. He helped his father farm and run the junk yard until 1951 when he was drafted into the United States Army. He served until 1953 during the Korean War as a PFC. He was stationed in Alaska.
On December 25, 1953, he was united in marriage to Dorothy Lorentz at the Evangelical Reformed Church in Herndon, KS. They started their married life on the farm of his parents. To this union twin boys were born; Gary Kieth and Jerry Ray.
In 1973, the family moved to Oklahoma City where they ran a Kerr-McGee filling station. They moved back to Oberlin in 1975 when Kieth took over his father’s salvage yard.
Kieth had many interests, but the one he will be remembered the most for is his joke telling. He never met a stranger and had a big heart. He liked to have coffee at the round table with his buddies, play pool, sing, fish and hunt. He was a simple man who enjoyed life to the fullest. Above all he loved his Lord and enjoyed his grandchildren. He was a member of the Oberlin United Methodist Church and the Oberlin American Legion.
Survivors include his wife of 65 years, Dorothy, his two sons, Gary Alstrom and Jerry Alstrom and wife Montine, his three grandchildren, Casey Alstrom and Missy Uehlin, Nikki Amlong and husband John, and Jessica Luck and husband Mark, his eight great grandchildren, Wyatt and Owen Amlong, Allason Alstrom, Corbin, Cyler, Camden and Cailynn Luck and Gavon Uehlin; plus many nieces, nephews and friends of all ages.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Max and wife Jackie, sister Nadine Anderson and husband Don, daughter-in-law, Becky Alstrom, sisters-in-law Betty Smith and Evelyn Lorentz, brothers-in-law Marvin Lorentz, Bob Smith and Jim Rippetoe.
A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, April 16, 2019 at 11:00AM at the Oberlin United Methodist Church. A visitation will be held on Monday, April 15 from 1:00PM to 7:00PM with family receiving guest from 5:00PM to 7:00PM at Pauls Funeral Home. Burial will be in Oberlin Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Oberlin United Methodist Church or The Golden Age Center. Condolences can be left at www.paulsfh.com.
Arlen Polifka, 85, Hays, died Friday, April 12, 2019 at HaysMed.
He was born March 31, 1934 in Hays the son of Frank and Alice (Polifka) Polifka. Arlen graduated from Hays High School in 1952. He then worked on the family farm near Catharine where they farmed, ran cattle, and a host of other jobs. On February 16, 1957 he was united in marriage to Mary Jane Rohleder in Emmeram. They enjoyed 56 years of marriage before she preceded him in death on January 3, 2013. To this union were born three sons. In 1961 they moved to a farm south of Quinter where they lived for 37 years before retiring to Hays in 1998. He was a member of St. Nicholas of Myra Catholic Church and Park Knights of Columbus Council #2538. Arlen had a passion for farming, ranching, and building. He especially loved harvest time, growing crops, cattle, and his children. When grandchildren came along he found a new love, his grandchildren. He loved telling and teaching them about agriculture and they enjoyed listening to him and learning from him. When great-grandchildren arrived, Arlen moved on to teaching and loving them with a big heart. They loved his stories, looking forward to them whenever they were together.
Survivors include three sons; David Polifka of Quinter, Mark Polifka and wife Karin of Ellis, and John Polifka and wife Eliane of San Diego, CA, a sister; Jeanette DeNucci of Westminster, CA, a sister-in-law; Ruth Polifka of Catharine, eight grandchildren; Justin Polifka and wife Amy of Quinter, Joel Polifka and wife Allison of Quinter, Audrey Girard and husband Joey of Bryan, TX, Jared Polifka and wife Tracy of Hays, Bethany Polifka of Lenexa, Sam Polifka of Ellis, Kiara Polifka of San Diego, CA and Alex Polifka of San Diego, CA, five great-grandchildren; Braden and Camden Polifka of Quinter, Bryson and Karston Polifka of Quinter, and Kruze Polifka of Hays, and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Mary Jane, and a brother; Francis Polifka.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 am on Tuesday, April 16, 2019 at St. Nicholas of Myra Catholic Church with Fr. Jarett Konrade officiating. Burial will be at a later date in St. Catherine Cemetery, Catharine. Visitation will be from 5:00 pm until 8:00 on Monday and from 9:30 am until 10:45 on Tuesday, all at Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home. A vigil service and rosary will be at 6:30 pm on Monday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the Gove County Medical Center Physical Therapy Department or to masses. Condolences and memories of Arlen may be shared with the family at www.haysmemorial.com
Eldon Martell, 62, Quinter, died Saturday, April 13, 2019 at Gove County Medical Center.
Funeral Arrangements are pending and will be announced by Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home.
Alfred L. “Lynn” Hall, 81, of Russell, Kansas, died on Tuesday, April 09, 2019, surrounded by his family in Russell, Kansas.
Lynn is a native of Russell, Kansas and was born on December 13, 1937, the son of Alfred Bert and Louise (Gosser) Hall. He grew up in Russell, Kansas and graduated from Gorham High School in Gorham, Kansas in the class of 1955. After high school, he joined the military and served our country for 20 years in the United States Navy. He served in the Submarine Force and retired in 1975, as a Commissioned Warrant Officer. While in the service he met, fell in love and was united in marriage to Betty R. Sapp in San Diego, California. From this union Lynn and Betty were blessed with 3 sons, Keith, Roy and Scott.
Since his retirement from the Navy; he served as district Magistrate Judge of Russell County and was a very active member of the V.F.W. Post 6240 and served as Post Commander. He also served as the V.F.W. District 6 Commander, State Judge Advocate, State Commander of the Department of Kansas, Chairman of the V.F.W. Western Conference (including 17 States) and Judge Advocate General of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S.. He was also a member of the Russell Masonic Lodge, Scottish Rights and Isis Shriners of Salina. He was also owner and operator of Kansas Kawasaki and H & H Auto Sales with his son Roy.
Surviving family include his wife Betty of the home, sons Keith Hall, Roy Hall and wife Tori all of Russell, Kansas and Scott Hall of Tampa, Florida; sister Lois Craig of Russell, Kansas; 3 grandchildren Jenny Walters (Steven), Justin Hall and Halle Hall and 2 great grandchildren Theron and Estelle Walters. He was preceded in death by his parents.
A celebration of Lynn’s life will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Thursday, April 18, 2019, at the Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary in Russell, Kansas with Pastor Roger Dennis officiating. Graveside services will follow at 2 P.M. Thursday afternoon at the WaKeeney National Cemetery in WaKeeney, Kansas, with a military honor guard performed by the United States Navy and Russell V.F.W. Post #6240. Visitation will be from 9 A.M. to 5 P.M. Wednesday, April 17, 2019, at the mortuary. Family will greet guests from 9:30 A.M. to service time on Thursday morning. In lieu of flowers the family has requested that memorials be given to the Russell V.F.W. Post #6240 or Shriners Hospital and sent in care of the mortuary. Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas, is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.
Larry E. Rupp, age 77, of Ellis passed away Thursday, April 11 at his home in Ellis. He was born on February 12, 1942 in Hays, Kansas to Wendeline and Helen (Rupp) Rupp. He married Nancy York of Hoisington in 1966. They were later divorced.
He moved to New Orleans, LA in 1968 and joined the Teamsters Union as a painter. He also worked at restoring many historical sites. He returned to Kansas in l970 where he was known locally for restoring to its earlier state, the John Schlyer house, 601 Oak, in Hays.
He is survived by two children: Vaughn Rupp of Kansas City, KS and Deborah Pippin of Ft. Collins, CO; two brothers, Dean and wife Betty of Hays and Wayne and wife Norma of Weeping Water, NE; three grandchildren: Dustin, Dillon and Brooke
Pippin and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers: Irvin, Darrel, Delmar, Harvey and sister, Florie Seitzinger.
A memorial service will be held 11 AM on Monday, April 15, 2019 at the Keithley Funeral Chapel 400 E. 17th street in Ellis.
Memorial contributions are suggested to the Ellis Public Library.
Condolences may be left by guest book at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com or by email at [email protected]
Cindy L. Basgall, age 62, of WaKeeney, passed away, Sunday, April 14, 2019, at her home.
An obituary and services are pending with Schmitt Funeral Home.
December 3, 1934 – April 10, 2019
An obituary is pending with Stinemetz Funeral Home.
Click HERE for service details.
Small Town Sheriff
In one small rural town the sheriff also fulfilled the role of the
town’s veterinarian. One night the phone rang. The sheriff’s wife
answered.
An agitated voice inquired, “Is your husband there?”
“Well, do you need him as the sheriff or the vet?” the wife asked.
“Both,” came the reply. “We can’t get our dog’s mouth open, and there’s
a burglar in it!”
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The curator was glad to receive two pictures of early Ford and one of a uniformed policeman wearing spats and standing by his K-9, a Rin Tin Tin double. She soon posted them online. I embarrassed to see my paragraph detailing the relationships resulting in my having the documents included. I hadn’t meant to share that with the history-loving world, but I see why it’s important to maintain a chain of evidence, so to speak.
In short time, viewers responded to the photos. One even recognized that the old family boarding house is still in Ford, now functioning as a home on main street. Unfortunately, the accompanying livery stable once located behind this business is now gone. The highlight was a response from a fellow history buff who had tickets and warrants my Great Grandfather had signed. I was especially excited when she said she’d share her treasures.
Considering that I never look forward to receiving speeding or parking tickets, I laughed at my quick response, “I’d love to see them!” Then my mind took several bunny trails. Did this person have a relative inclined to break the law and run into my ancestor? Did she, like a friend in Ellis, inherit boxes filled with ancient documents from the early days of settlement? I haven’t inquired yet, but there’s still time.
Keep in mind, this grandpa was dead and buried in the Dodge Cemetery long before I was a sparkle in my mother’s eye. Despite that, stories his son, my grandpa, told wide-eyed grandchildren riding in his Mercury’s back seat on Sunday drives to Jetmore brought this early law enforcement officer and his era to life. I still hear Grandpa pointing out a washout where his dad once arrested bank robbers. I get lost while examining sepia-toned photos that relay snippets of the life he shared with his first wife, my great grandma.
While it was a thrill to think about receiving those old tickets and warrants my long dead police officer relative signed, I admit it’s a better idea for them to be included in the Ford County Historical Society Archives. The administrators responded as quickly as I did to the individual offering to share them. Now that I know where they are, I can either ask for copies or stop by to visit.
On that note, I encourage you to copy and share family documents with local historical organizations. Who knows when a researcher will discover the connecting piece that fills a hole in their ancestral jigsaw?
Native Kansan Karen Madorin is a local writer and retired teacher who loves sharing stories about places, people, critters, plants, food, and history of the High Plains.
Gary interviews Jenny Russell about ruralandremote.org
