Waltraud “Susie” Butler, age 77 of Plainville, passed away on Saturday, September 28, 2019 at the Hays Medical Center, in Hays, Kansas. Susie was born to Friedrich and Adelheid (Jockschat) Stuttfeld in Essen, Germany on March 19, 1942. She attended school in Germany and graduated from high school before moving to Zurich in 1968 and later making her permanent home in Plainville in 1977. She married and later divorced Richard Butler. They had two children: Jutta and Dick.
Susie worked as a CNA for the Plainville Hospital for over 30 years and retired in 2007. She enjoyed spending her time with friends, cross stitching, and reading her bible. She was a member of the Assembly of God Church in Stockton. Her faith and family were her priorities; she loved spending time with her family, especially the grandchildren.
Susie is survived by her children, Jutta Smee and husband Gary Handler of Liberty, MO and Dick Butler and wife Christina of Plainville; grandchildren, T.J. and Dyson Butler, Caden Hunt, Stephen Smee, Johnathan Smee, and Stephanie Crawford; great-grandchildren, Chalel, Jaithyn, and Zahya Crawford, and Eleanor Louise Smee.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Friedrich and Adelheid Stuttfeld; and brothers, Gustauv and Fritz Stuttfeld.
Susie was a woman of deep love and devotion. Her faith in God was not only a constant source of strength for herself, but also for her family and friends. Although she has now gone home to be with her Lord, her memories and kind and caring ways will live on in our hearts for all eternity.
A memorial service will be held at the First Christian Church of Plainville on Thursday, October 3, 2019 at 10:30 AM. Memorials are suggested in lieu of flowers to Susie Butler designated for a memorial bench in Plainville’s City Park and may be sent in care of Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home, 320 SW 2nd St, Plainville, KS 67663.
BARTON COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas felon on new charges after a weekend arrest.
Bowers photo Barton Co.
Just after 4p.m. Sunday, police were dispatched to the Super 8 Motel, 911 Grant Street in Great Bend in reference to a suspicious subject on the property, according to a media release.
Upon Officers arrival, they made contact with the subject later identified as 35-year-old Leroy Bowers inside the business. He initially provided officers with a false name. Officers were able to identify Bowers, who was wanted on five warrants. Bowers was placed under arrest, and found to be in possession of methamphetamine, marijuana, and drug paraphernalia.
Bowers was transported to the Barton County Jail, where he was booked and confined on his five warrants, along with his new charges.
He has previous convictions for burglary, theft and obstruction, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections. He had been out of prison since December 2017.
Patricia Claire “Pat” (Hoffnagle) Berry, daughter of Clair and Marie (Kaiser) Hoffnagle, was born September 29, 1930, in Denver, Colorado, and passed away at the Good Samaritan Society nursing home in Hays, Kansas, on September 28, 2019, at the age of 88.
Pat grew up in Denver and graduated from East High School with the class of 1948. She joined the U.S. Navy in 1952 and served at the U. S. Naval Station, Treasure Island, San Francisco, California, until honorably discharged upon her marriage. On July 15, 1954, she and Delbert “Red” Berry were united in marriage in Denver, Colorado, and made their home in California until Delbert completed his service in the Navy. In 1955, they moved to Kansas where Delbert farmed with his father, and they lived on Bow Creek in Graham County for a short time before relocating to Lenora. After retirement, they moved to Norton.
Pat was an active member, Past Worthy Matron, and Past Worthy Grand Matron of The Grand Chapter of Kansas (1991-1992), of the Order of the Eastern Star. She served the Lenora community as a Brownie Scout Leader, a 4-H Community Leader, a member of the Lenora Library Board, a member of the Northwest Kansas Circulating Library Board, and a member of the Harmonson-Redd American Legion Post #63. A member of the Episcopal Church from her young adulthood, Pat was also active in the United Parish in Lenora for many years.
Pat worked as the Lenora High School secretary in the 1970s and 1980s, until choosing to devote more time to the travel required by her responsibilities to The Grand Chapter of Kansas. In retirement, she and Delbert traveled in the United States and internationally; and wintered in Arizona near her niece’s and nephew’s families for many years. Pat dearly enjoyed time spent with family and many friends.
Survivors include: daughter, Dawn Berry, Hays, Kansas; nieces and nephews Thea and Bob Cable, San Tan Valley, Arizona; Ron and Arlene “Skip” Ancker, Mesa, Arizona; Steve and Joni Berry, Lenora, Kansas; Janet and David Oswalt, Lenexa, Kansas, Elizabeth and David Epperson, Minnetonka, Minnesota; John and Annette Berry, Los Angeles, California; sister-in-law Ann Berry, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 18 grand-nieces and grand-nephews, and other relatives and friends.
Pat was preceded in death by her parents, sister Vivian, and husband Delbert.
FUNERAL SERVICE – Friday, October 4, 2019 – 10:30 A.M.
PLACE – Lenora United Parish Church – Lenora, Kansas
VISITATION – Thursday, October 3, 2019 from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM at Enfield Funeral Home in Norton.
INTERMENT – Lenora South Cemetery – Lenora, Kansas
Memorials are suggested to The Alzheimer’s Association; Braden’s Hope for Childhood Cancer; and The Grand Chapter of Kansas, Order of the Eastern Star, OES Scholarships.
INDEPENDENCE — Police reported just after 1 p.m. Monday that a cougar on the loose after escaping from the zoo has been captured. According to a social media media report from the Independence Police Department, the animal is safely back in its enclosure.
Photo courtesy Riverside Park and Ralph Mitchell Zoo
Authorities have not released details on the escape or where the animal was found. There have been no injuries reported.
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INDEPENDENCE (AP) — Officials at a southeast Kansas zoo say a cougar is on the loose after escaping from the zoo.
The cougar escaped Monday morning from Riverside Park and Ralph Mitchell Zoo in Independence.
The zoo said in a news release that park officials and police officers are searching for the animal. They urged citizens to be cautious and not approach the cougar if they see it.
Details on how the cougar escaped have not been released.
Independence is about 113 miles southeast of Wichita.
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly has opened a review of options for expanding Medicaid in Kansas with warnings against work requirements and a limited expansion.
The Governor’s Council on Medicaid Expansion before their first meeting on Monday-photo courtesy office of Kan. governor
Kelly gave opening remarks Monday at the first meeting of a council she appointed to provide the Republican-controlled Legislature with policy guidance ahead of next year’s expected debate on the issue.
Kelly said she wants the council to develop “guiding principles” for lawmakers. She described work requirements and a limited Medicaid expansion as ideas that haven’t worked well in other states.
The governor took office in January pushing to expand the state’s Medicaid health coverage for as many as 150,000 additional residents. An expansion plan passed the House, but conservative GOP leaders blocked it in the Senate, expressing concerns about its potential costs to the s
SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating the death of a child and have made two arrests.
Aviles photo Sedgwick Co.
Just after 11a.m. Sunday, police responded to a residence in the 1100 Block of Munnell in Wichita where a two-year-old boy was not breathing, according to Captain Brent Allred. Despite efforts by police, fire and EMS crews, the child was pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigators found the child had extensive bruising all over his body. This led to the arrest of the boy’s mother Stephanie Avilas, 24, for alleged aggravated child endangerment and her boyfriend Bernardo Gonzalez-Mejia, 31, Wichita for alleged child abuse, according to Allred.
Berardo Gonzalez-Mejia photo Sedgwick Co.
The mother had called 911. She was on an errand and not home at the time and the boyfriend had contacted her about the child not breathing. Gonzalez-Mejia and the 2-year-old were home alone at the time of the incident.
An autopsy is scheduled to determine the cause of death. That will determine if additional charges will be filed, according to Allred. He did not release the boys’s name.
Two other children in the home a 6-year-old boy and a 5-year-old girl are in police protective custody, according to Allred.
There was one report from the Department of Children’s Familes in 2015 on the family. It did not involve abuse, according to Allred.
Harriet B. Wittig, age 88, passed away on Monday, September 30, 2019 at her home in Leoti, Kansas. Harriet was born June 20, 1931 in Jerome, Kansas, the daughter of William John & Edith Mae (Garner) McLean. A resident of Leoti since 1976 moving from Oklahoma, she was a homemaker and custodian for Wichita County School System.
Harriet was a member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Scott City, Kansas
In the 1950’s she married Freddie Hammons. On May 30, 1978 she married Virgil Wittig at Larned, Kansas. Virgil passed away on September 7, 2017 in Tribune, Kansas
Harriet’s surviving family include her Seven children – Marvin Hammons of Alderson, Oklahoma, Gary Hammons of Garden City, Kansas, Margaret Hammons of Fort Gibson, Oklahoma, Sharon Paxman of Tribune, Kansas, Donnie Hammons of Blytheville, Arkansas, Dell Hammons of Pennsylvania, Keith Hammons of Carnegie, Oklahoma, Two step children – Tammy Banta of Medicine Lodge, Kansas, Connie Stiles of Altoona, Kansas, One sister – Eunice Maurer of Chino, California, Thirty-three grandchildren, numerous great grandchildren, nieces and nephews and friends.
Funeral services will beheld at 11:00 am Thursday, October 3, 2019 at Leoti Cemetery in Leoti, Kansas with Pastor Warren Prochnow officiating.
Burial will be in Leoti Cemetery in Leoti, Kansas
Friends may call from1:00 pm until 5:00 pm Wednesday at Price & Sons Funeral Home in Leoti, Kansas.
Memorials may be given to the Wichita County Library in care of the funeral home.
Jerry Lee Millard, 69, of WaKeeney, Kansas passed away on September 22. Jerry was born January 24, 1950 to Jack and LaVanche Millard. Jerry was a graduate of Trego Community High School. He is survived in death by his son Jeremy and his wife Ashley and their son Hunter; daughter Megan (Mowery) and her husband Jason and their children Jessica, Kiera, Brylee, Taryn and Lucas; and niece Tara and husband John and great niece Oasis. He was preceded in death by his wife, Cathy, his parents Jack and LaVanche, and brother Monty.
Jerry served in the Navy from 1969-72. He was stationed in Bermuda, Nantucket and Greenland, and attended Colby Community College after his discharge. Jerry joined his father in running the Western Kansas World in 1973. The newspaper in every sense of the word was his life. He worked in varying capacities as Editor and co-owner/President of the business until it sold in 2017. Jerry also served on the Board of Directors for First Federal Savings and Loan for several decades until the merger with Lyons Federal.
Jerry was a caring husband, father, and grandfather. His friends often mentioned how often and how fondly he spoke of his children, how proud he was of both Jeremy and Megan, and the love he had for Cathy. After Cathy passed Jerry spent time traveling, visiting friends, and tinkering on the farm. Jerry loved the outdoors, fishing, cooking, creating stained glass and wood working. He also spent many hours enjoying his pond. After retirement, his greatest joy was doting over his grandchildren, especially when they played at his pond. He enjoyed feeding them dessert before and after dinner, and exploring the farm with them. He would always go outside his comfort zone with them, whether it was dancing, searching for farm kittens, smiling about little handprints on the mirror, or scooping them up when his body really didn’t want to, he enjoyed every moment with his grandkids.
Jerry will be missed. He had a profound impact on so many folks over the years.
A memorial visitation will be October 1, from 4:30 to 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home in WaKeeney. The family will hold a private graveside service.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Donations made to the hospital may be sent to Schmitt Funeral Home, 336 North 12th, WaKeeney, KS 67672.
Members of the Hays Volga German Society, organizers of the Hays Oktoberfest, have released the full schedule for the newly extended event. The 47th Annual Volga German Oktoberfest will take place Friday, October 11 and Saturday, Oct. 12, in Municipal Park.
The mission of the Hays Oktoberfest is to celebrate the rich German heritage of Ellis County while generating scholarship money for students of Volga German descent and fundraising for area churches in need.
The NCK Tech Drive Thru will again feature German food made by NCK Tech Culinary Arts students. Menu items available for pick up include bierocks, green bean dumpling soup, and spitzbuben cookies. Patrons can order in advance by calling the main office at NCK Tech at 785-625-2437. Food can be picked up on Friday only at the drive-up window at the NCK Tech building directly across from Municipal Park.
Anyone interested in being a vendor at Saturday’s German Market should call the Downtown Hays Development Corporation at 785-621-4171. Vendor forms can be downloaded at www.DowntownHays.com on the Downtown Hays Market page under the Events section.
Gates will open at Municipal Park on Saturday at 10 a.m. with activities starting after the 11 a.m. Fort Hays State University Homecoming Parade ends. New this year, for-profit businesses and organizations will be allowed to set up on this second day, alongside non-profits.
Late registration for Oktoberfest vendors is available through Friday, October 4. Vendors can reserve a spot by calling vendor committee chair Lee Dobratz at 620-803-2258. Registration forms can be downloaded at www.haysoktoberfest.com.
For details and updates on the event, check the group’s website at www.haysoktoberfest.com or the Hays Oktoberfest Facebook page.
DONIPHAN COUNTY– The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) confirmed that the man injured Sunday, Sept. 22, during a fight at a party in Doniphan County has died from his injuries.
Vandeloo has two previous drug convictions and one for Circumvention of Ignition Interlock Device, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections
According to a media release from the KBI, Jason W. Pantle, 42, of Cummings, died Saturday at the University of Kansas Medical Center where he was being treated for head injuries following an altercation with other party attendees. He was transported by a family member to a residence in the 1600 block of Jayhawk Dr., in Atchison, where police and EMS were called around 4:20 a.m. Sunday morning. The injured man was transported by EMS to a local Atchison hospital. He was later transferred to a Kansas City area hospital where he remains hospitalized in critical condition.
Then, on Wednesday evening, Sept. 25, KBI agents served several search warrants and arrest warrants connected to the case. At 6 p.m., 44-year-old Scott A. Vandeloo, of Atchison, was arrested at 1712 Prairie View Rd. in Platte City, Mo. He was arrested for aggravated battery, and booked into the Platte County Jail.
Brian Spillman photo Leavenworth Co.Matthew Scherer photo Leavenworth Co.
At approximately 7 p.m., 22-year-old Brian A. Spillman Jr., of Atchison, was arrested for aggravated battery after surrendering at the intersection of Mineral Point Rd. and Monument Rd. in rural Doniphan County. Then, at around 8:30 p.m., Matthew C. Scherer, 30, of Atchison, was arrested for aggravated battery when he surrendered at the Doniphan County Sheriff’s Office at 219 S. Main St. in Troy, Kan. Both Spillman and Scherer were booked into the Leavenworth County Jail.
Assisting in these arrests were the Atchison Police Department, the Doniphan County Sheriff’s Office, the Kansas Highway Patrol, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, and the Platte County Sheriff’s Office. The Doniphan County Attorney is expected to prosecute the case.
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DONIPHAN COUNTY– The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) made three arrests Wednesday evening related to a fight that occurred at a weekend party in Doniphan County.
The KBI was requested by the Doniphan County Sheriff’s Office to assist in investigating a confrontation that occurred at a party at 159 Monument Rd. in Doniphan County on Sunday, Sept. 22.
During the overnight party, a 42-year-old white male received serious head injuries during an altercation with other party attendees. He was transported by a family member to a residence in the 1600 block of Jayhawk Dr., in Atchison, where police and EMS were called around 4:20 a.m. Sunday morning. The injured man was transported by EMS to a local Atchison hospital. He was later transferred to a Kansas City area hospital where he remains hospitalized in critical condition.
Then, on Wednesday evening, Sept. 25, KBI agents served several search warrants and arrest warrants connected to the case. At 6 p.m., 44-year-old Scott A. Vandeloo, of Atchison, was arrested at 1712 Prairie View Rd. in Platte City, Mo. He was arrested for aggravated battery, and booked into the Platte County Jail.
At approximately 7 p.m., 22-year-old Brian A. Spillman Jr., of Atchison, was arrested for aggravated battery after surrendering at the intersection of Mineral Point Rd. and Monument Rd. in rural Doniphan County. Then, at around 8:30 p.m., Matthew C. Scherer, 30, of Atchison, was arrested for aggravated battery when he surrendered at the Doniphan County Sheriff’s Office at 219 S. Main St. in Troy, Kan. Both Spillman and Scherer were booked into the Leavenworth County Jail.
Assisting in these arrests were the Atchison Police Department, the Doniphan County Sheriff’s Office, the Kansas Highway Patrol, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, and the Platte County Sheriff’s Office. The Doniphan County Attorney is expected to prosecute the case.
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ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — Flash flooding has closed several roads in northwest Missouri.
The Missouri Department of Transportation reports while much of northwest Missouri has seen chronic flooding and road closures throughout the spring and summer, flash flooding is closing more roads.
MoDOT says its crews are closely monitoring road conditions. Several sections of roadway in northwest Missouri have been closed due to high water.
MoDOT points out flash flooding can close a road quickly and it can be reopened on short notice once water recedes from the pavement.
Motorists are warned not to drive through water over the road. According to MoDOT, it takes only 6 inches of water to lose control of a vehicle and possibly get swept away from floodwaters.
For more on flood conditions, click here for the MoDOT flood information page.
Last week’s inspection results from the Kansas Department of Agriculture:
A&A Coors 823 8th St., Hays – Sept. 26
A routine inspection found no violations.
Total Convenience 106 West Main, Victoria – Sept. 26
A routine inspection found three violations.
On the table next to the cash register there was a hot dog rolling cooking unit that did not have a sneeze guard / protected guard present to prevent contamination of the food on the rollers. Three hot dogs were present on the rollers at time of inspection.
In the walk-in cooler, there were made in house breakfast burritos that had eggs and sausage with no dates of when they were made.
There was a plastic bucket in the kitchen area with a clear liquid and a towel present. The container was without a label.
Victoria High School 1107 10th St., Victoria – Sept. 26
An FDA contract inspection found one violation.
On the floor mixer arm, there was dried food residue present and the bucket stored directly under.
Early Childhood Connections 2501 East 13th St., Hays – Sept. 23
A follow-up inspection found no violations.
Mokas Coffee 1230 East 27th St., Hays – Sept. 23
A routine inspection found six violations.
Above the single door mini refrigerator, there is a prep table for coffee with an opened container of milk that was being stored. The temperature of the Milk was 57 F. All Other Cold Holding Temperatures are in compliance.
In the walk-in refrigerator, there were two containers of cut ham that had dates of 6/4/19 on both containers. In the refrigerated display cooler, there were eight sections of assorted cheesecakes with no date of when they were opened.
In the two-door Traulsen refrigerator, there was an opened container of almond milk and organic milk with no dates of when they were opened.
On the storage rack in the back prep area, there was two of six food-grade plastic containers that had sticker residue present along the outside of the containers. All six containers were being stacked inside one another. The electric food slicer was stored as clean had dried food residue present on the backside of the blade.
No paper towels or other hand drying provisions at the prep and line handwashing sinks.
In the chemical storage area, there was a spray bottle that held a blue liquid with no label on the container.
RG&G Investments 1130 East 41st St., Hays – Sept. 23
A routine inspection found two violations.
In the self-service creamer dispenser, there was a container of 1/2 and 1/2 with no date of when it was opened.
In the back storage area, there were five containers of liquid hand soaps being stored directly above an opened case of lids for soda containers. No evidence of leaking was observed.
Waltraud “Susie” Butler, age 77 of Plainville, passed away on Saturday, September 28, 2019 at the Hays Medical Center, in Hays, Kansas. Susie was born to Friedrich and Adelheid (Jockschat) Stuttfeld in Essen, Germany on March 19, 1942. She attended school in Germany and graduated from high school before moving to Zurich in 1968 and later making her permanent home in Plainville in 1977. She married and later divorced Richard Butler. They had two children: Jutta and Dick.
