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Year: 2019

TMP-M announces 2019 Point of Light recipients

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TMP-M

Thomas More Prep-Marian this week announced the 2019 Point of Light Award recipients. The Point of Light Award is given annually at homecoming to people who have contributed to the traditions of excellence of TMP-M through their service, stewardship and example.

This year’s awardees will be honored at halftime of the homecoming football game.

Glen & Anita Neuburger: faithful and dedicated friends
Glen and Anita Neuburger are being honored as Points of Light for their years of service and commitment to Thomas More Prep-Marian, Immaculate Heart of Mary and the Hays community. Glen graduated from St. Joseph’s Military Academy in 1967, joined the Navy and served in Vietnam. In 1969, he married Anita Ruiz. This year (2019), they celebrated 50 years of marriage. They have three children, Dawn ’88 (Neuburger) Brown, Ed ’90 Neuburger and Olivia ’93 (Neuburger) Becker. Glen and Anita are active members of IHM parish where they serve as greeters, money counters, Eucharistic Ministers and lector. Glen is a member of the Knights of Columbus and Anita is a member of the VFW Auxiliary. They owned Western Aluminum & Glass Company in Hays for 31 years. One of their proudest accomplishments while in business was helping establish the Mary Elizabeth Maternity Home, where they donated new doors, windows and siding. Both Glen and Anita are dedicated to Holy Family Elementary and TMP-Marian. Their children are alums of TMP-M and their grandchildren attend HFE. They are generous donors to ACE and have actively supported it through the years. During the last year that Glen and Anita owned their business, they donated a full house of steel siding to the auction. It is with great appreciation that we thank Glen and Anita Neuburger for their powerful faith, strong commitment to family, support of their community and generosity to Thomas More Prep-Marian.

Don & Debra Klaus: faithful alumnus and dedicated friends
We are honored to present the Point of Light Award to Don & Debra Klaus for their commitment to Thomas More Prep-Marian and the Hays Community. Don, a 1969 graduate of St. Joseph’s Military Academy, is the son of Marvin and Mary Frances Klaus. His wife Debra, is the daughter of Virgil and Janice Larsen. They married in 1979 and have two children, Rebecca ’03 (Klaus) Schmidt and David ’08 Klaus. Don, who is now retired, worked in the grocery business for over 50 years and Debbie continues to work as a registered nurse. They are deeply involved in the community, Don with the Knights of Columbus and Boy Scouts. Debbie volunteers with the Hays Community Theatre, Girl Scouts and is a member of Crossroads, a gospel chorus group. They are devoted to Immaculate Heart of Mary parish. Don serves as Eucharistic Minister for the parish and the Good Samaritan Home, on the church counsel, liturgical committee and Adoration Chapel. Debbie has provided music ministry for over 38 years including kids, young adults and adult choirs, plays piano and organ and is a member of Full Measure and the liturgical committee. They are strong supporters of Holy Family Elementary and Thomas More Prep-Marian and have been involved in many activities. Some of these activities include school council members, helping with soup supper, security, field days, driving, 2010 ACE co-chairs, ACE decorating, bierock bake sale and many other school activities. We extend a huge thank you to Don and Debbie for their many years of service to the Hays community and Catholic schools.

Barbara G. (Bange) Rietcheck

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Barbara G. (Bange) Rietcheck passed away Tuesday, September 17, 2019, at Sheridan County Health Complex Independent Living in Hoxie, Kansas at the age of 86. Barbara was born in rural Logan County to Joseph H. and Anna Mary (Schwarz) Bange on April 28, 1933. She attended Scott Country School up to grade 8 and then transferred to the Hoxie Community High School graduating with the class of 1951. On August 25, 1956, Barbara Bange and Alfred John Rietcheck were united in marriage at St. Martin’s Catholic Church in Seguin, Kansas. They celebrated sixty-three years of marriage this August. They were blessed with a family of eleven boys.

Barbara was a lifelong member of St. Martin’s Catholic Church. She was a very faithful and devoted Christian. Barbara served as the sacristan of St. Martin’s for many years lovingly taking care of the church. She worked behind the scenes making sure everything was just right. Barbara was a member of St. Ann’s Sodality and a member of the VFW Auxiliary #2864, Grinnell Wheatland Post. Barbara was an avid supporter of DSNWK. Being of assistance to special needs children was near and dear to Barbara’s heart.

Barbara was always busy. When she was in high school, she worked for the Ben Franklin Store in Hoxie, KS. After she was married, she worked as a homemaker raising eleven sons and as a bookkeeper for Rietcheck Repair. Prior to retirement, Barbara also served as a bookkeeper for the Seguin Branch of Grinnell Cooperative for eighteen years. She was rarely idle and when she went anywhere, she was on the run.

Barbara loved her family very much. She wanted her house clean and her yard perfect. She was also an excellent cook. Her favorite thing to do was work. When she wasn’t working, she enjoyed baking, sewing, making many clothes for her family and gardening. She raised a large garden which fed her family throughout the winter.

Barbara is survived by her loving husband, Alfred of the home, Hoxie, Kansas; sons, Donald Rietcheck of Hoxie, Kansas, Ronald Rietcheck of Hoxie, Kansas, Gerald Rietcheck and wife Cynthia of Wichita, Kansas, David Rietcheck and wife Lori of Goodland, Kansas, Daniel Rietcheck and wife Char of Colby, Kansas, Roger Rietcheck and wife LaDonna of Hoxie, Kansas, Gregory Rietcheck and wife Kriste of Bavaria, Kansas, Terrance Rietcheck of Collyer, Kansas, Richard Rietcheck of Rochester, Washington, Andrew Rietcheck and wife Denise of Rossville, Kansas, and Brian Rietcheck of Hays, Kansas; sisters, Rosella Meitl of Oberlin, Kansas and Mildred Hill and husband Dennis of Great Bend, Kansas; brothers, Sylvester Bange of Colby, Kansas and Ed Bange of Garden City, Kansas; grandchildren, Raina, Drew, Brady, Rhonda, Kyle, Lucinda, Jayme, Trevor, Kaleen, Kayler, Lacee, Lane, Chase, Daniel, Austin, Laura, Jeremiah, Cody, Bryna, Brandon, Wesley, Sierra, Daisy, Andrea, Ashley, and Dylan; great grandchildren, Abbigail, Elliott, Kenzie, Carter, Octavia, Jackson, Jaron, Josie, Jayla, Remi, Isla, Harley, Grace, Clark, Penny; and many friends and relatives.

She was preceded in death by parents, Joseph and Anna Mary Bange; infant sister, Agnes Bange; brothers, Raymond Bange and Vincent Bange; sisters-in-law, Frances Bange and Rosemary Bange; brother-in-law, Walter Meitl; grandchildren, Dustin John Rietcheck and Kinsey Elizabeth Rietcheck; and great grandchild Kimber Marie Rietcheck.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, September 21, 2019, 10:00 A.M. at St. Martins Catholic Church in Seguin, Kansas. Visitation will be on Friday, September 20, 2019 from 11:00 A.M. until 8:00 P.M. with family receiving friends from 4:30 P.M. until 6:00 P.M. with the Vigil Service at 6:00 P.M. all at Mickey-Leopold Funeral Home. Memorials are suggested to the St. Martins Catholic Church, the St. Martins Cemetery Fund or Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas (DSNWK) and may be sent to Mickey-Leopold Funeral Home, PO Box 987, Hoxie, Kansas 67740. Online condolences may be sent left at Mickeyleopoldfuneral.com

Barbara was a faith-filled woman of prayer who dedicated her life to unity, friendship, and charity. She taught us by example how to trust in God and care for one another. Her legacy of love, care, and devotion will remain with us forever. Barbara will be missed by those she leaves behind, but her memory will remain in the hearts of family and friends.

With Honors College and flags, student finds strength to stretch her boundaries at FHSU

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By DIANE GASPER-O’BRIEN
FHSU University Relations and Marketing

Lailah Collins didn’t think she would have time for one of her favorite extracurricular activities in college.

A 4.0 student and one of the valedictorians of her senior class at Wichita South High School, Collins decided to give up choir when she came to Fort Hays State University in the fall of 2018.

She thought she would be busy enough with her classes and involvement in the Honors College. The HC is a scholarship program that requires students to maintain a high GPA and participate in a certain number of activities on and off campus while focusing on the program’s four pillars: academic excellence, engagement, leadership and continuous growth.

On her first day of classes, Collins discovered a new activity that aligns with several of those pillars – one that she calls life-changing.

While walking the quad and checking out various booths during the back-to-school picnic, Collins came across some information about the FHSU color guard, a group of students that does flag routines and performs with the Tiger band during home football games.

Right then and there, Collins decided to accept a new challenge and step out of her comfort zone. She has been a member of the color guard ever since.

Unlike many colleges, Fort Hays State does not hold tryouts for the color guard. So Collins began attending practices and started feeling more comfortable with her new venture.

The color guard and marching band are under the direction of Dr. Peter Lillpopp, assistant professor of music and theatre.

“Dr. Lillpopp believes if anyone has the desire to do something, then they have the right attitude and probably can do it,” said Shelby Schumacher, the color guard coach. “I have so many years experience coaching I can get about anyone caught up to speed.”

Indeed.

Schumacher, a December 2017 graduate of FHSU, has been teaching baton twirling classes for about 10 years to students ranging from 2 years old to college age. Now, she not only coaches the FHSU color guard but also directs the flag teams at Hays High School and Hays Middle School as well.

Collins hadn’t been involved in anything of the sort since she was in dance lessons as a 7-year-old but immediately felt comfortable with Schumacher as her coach.

“She is an amazing instructor,” Collins said. “She’s patient with us. And Dr. Lillpopp definitely is giving us a chance we wouldn’t get at other colleges.”

Collins, a double major (math and Spanish), was able to maintain a perfect 4.0 GPA during her freshman year and decided to continue with the color guard again this year.

Schumacher said it’s rewarding to watch students of all levels participate.

“It’s exciting because Lailah came to college not expecting anything like this,” Schumacher said.
“Now, she has a group of friends to last a lifetime and a new talent, too.”

The experience has been eye-opening for Collins.

“I have to do my hair and makeup all the time for the games,” Collins said, “and I don’t do that – ever.”

There also is a time commitment. The color guard rehearses with the band two hours every Monday and Thursday afternoon and at 9 a.m. on game days, then practices with its own group every Wednesday night.

But it’s something Collins will never regret trying.

“It’s definitely up there with difficulty, coming in with no high school experience,” she said. “But it’s more fun than I expected. We’ve bonded a lot this year. We’re more than a team, more like a family.”

Collins said she will never forget the feeling when she marched with the band from Tomanek Hall to Lewis Field Stadium for her first home game. It’s a feeling of exhilaration she gets every time out.

“The streets were filled with cars, you hit the parking lot, and there are people everywhere,” she said. “It’s different than what I expected tailgating to be. Here, you see people all the way from small kids to college students playing games and laughing, adults having a good time. It’s like a big family reunion, and it makes you feel so good to be a part of it.”

As the band nears the stadium, it stops to play a couple of songs, and the color guard performs some routines as tailgaters gather round to watch.

“It’s so crowded, and you have to really watch your flags not to hit something or someone,” Collins said. “It’s just a great feeling, all the excitement.”

Collins has her sights set on graduating in four years, then pursuing both a master’s and a doctorate with the goal of teaching at the college level.

She plans to use life skills learned at FHSU long after she leaves campus.

“When I have to apply for grad school or for a job, I will be more accustomed to doing things I’m not familiar with,” she said, “and not be afraid to do something different. That might have never happened if I hadn’t decided to try something new in college.”

Kan. lawyer helping 4 more families sue over vaccine requirements

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KANSAS CITY(AP) — Four families who don’t want to vaccinate their children allege in a lawsuit that the children’s schools and state health officials have made it increasingly difficult to file religious exemptions.

Vaccination shot
CREDIT STEVEN DEPOLO / FLICKR–CC

A federal judge has already ruled that one of the unvaccinated students may continue going to a charter school in Kansas City while the case continues. The child’s grandfather, Linus Baker, of Stilwell, Kansas, is representing his grandson’s family as well as families from Bates, Christian and Miller counties in Missouri.

Baker also sued last month in Kansas to keep from having to vaccinate his 4-year-old son.

The lawsuit says exemptions are harder to get, with parents required to fill out a form provided by the health department. He says, “The agency has gone rogue.”

Beverly Jeane (Lethem) Davis

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Beverly Jeane (Lethem) Davis, 72, of Salina, passed away peacefully at her home Sept. 15, 2019. Bev was born to Bill and Vera Lethem, Oct. 27, 1946.

Bev attended District 4 Country School, Glade Grade School and graduated from Phillipsburg High School in 1964. Bev attended Fort Hays State University and graduated with a B.S. in Education from Kansas State University. She taught 8th grade English at Salina South Junior High, retiring in 1990. She enjoyed writing poems and short stories which led to her founding of Prairie Poets and Writers Association. This gave her the opportunity to tell the many stories of her life, building life-long friendships along the way.

There is no doubt, Bev loved her nieces and nephews. From the start she taught them her name: Favorite Beautiful Aunt Bev or FBAB for short. Every important moment in their lives brought thoughtful notes, words of wisdom (whether they were wanted or not) and the everlasting signature of FBAB. She carried this love to the next generation, telling her great nieces and nephews they were her “faux” grandchildren. When one of her faux grandkids confused the terms Aunt and Uncle, she loved it and from then on was known as Uncle Bev by all. She loved openly, guaranteeing those in her life knew how much she cared. It is this knowledge that will comfort them now in her absence.

She is survived by: her husband of 44 years, Mike Davis; son, Kevin Davis and daughter in law, Rasila Bhakta; her siblings, Vicki Patterson, and Pete Lethem (Jeri), brother-in-law, Mark (Therese) Davis (Therese), and Brad Davis (Debbie), sister-in-law, Elaine Nestler; and many nieces, nephews and faux grandkids.

She was preceded in death by: her parents; brother, Jon Alvin Lethem; and brother-in-law, Laurence Patterson.

Celebration of Life will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 21, at Ryan Mortuary, Salina, with inurnment in All Saints Catholic Cemetery, Salina.

Memorials to: Salina Public Library for the Spring Poetry Series, American Heart Association, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Salina, and Unitarian Universalist Church, in care of Ryan Mortuary.

New requirements may make it easier for some to get into Kansas colleges, harder for others

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By NOMIN UJIYEDIIN
Kansas News Service

The Kansas Board of Regents voted Wednesday to change the benchmarks for in-state students to attend the state’s six public universities, and class-rank requirements are out.

In-state college admissions will change for Kansas high school students like this chemistry class at Topeka West High School.
CHRIS NEAL / FOR THE KANSAS NEWS SERVICE

The move is meant to increase the number of Kansas high schoolers who are eligible to attend Kansas State University, Emporia State University, Pittsburg State University, Fort Hays State University, Wichita State University and the University of Kansas.

It’s also expected to help more first-generation college students attend Kansas universities and simplify the required list of academic prerequisites. But critics say they’re concerned changing standards could reduce high schoolers’ readiness for college.

Currently, Kansas high school students who want to attend a public university must take a specific number of classes in English, math, science, social sciences and electives. To attend any university except KU, they must have at least a 2.0 GPA in those classes; KU requires applicants to have a GPA of 3.25 in all classes and an ACT score above 21, or a GPA of 3.0 and an ACT score above 24.

“This has resulted in a pretty complicated process that creates confusion among the applicants and the counselors and the parents,” said Daniel Archer, vice president of academic affairs for the Board of Regents, at the meeting in Topeka.

Archer said it was hard for universities to keep track of which high school classes met which admissions requirements. “It’s a pretty onerous process to review individual courses,” he said, “because it’s not something you can automate.”

Under the new admissions criteria, the classes will be recommended, but not required.

Plus, students will be admitted if they meet the same ACT minimum or if they meet a new overall GPA requirement. Emporia State, Pittsburg State, Fort Hays State and Wichita State will require either an ACT score of 21 to get in or a GPA of 2.25. K-State will require either an ACT score of 21 or a GPA of 3.25.

Class rankings, which are currently taken into account, will go away. That’s because, Archer said, it’s easier to compare GPA across different high schools, while class rank is a less useful marker of academic ability.

This story has been corrected to show that the 2.0 GPA requirement at five schools only matters for the currently required set of classes, not a student’s overall GPA.

Nomin Ujiyediin reports on criminal justice and social welfare for the Kansas News Service. Follow her on Twitter @NominUJ or email nomin (at) kcur (dot) org.

Mary ‘Betty’ Elizabeth Price

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Mary “Betty” Elizabeth Price, 85, passed away September 17, 2019 at Medicalodge of Great Bend.

She was born September 15, 1934 in Santa Ana, CA, the daughter of Norval and Grace Weddle Bright. A longtime area resident, she was a cook at the Larned State Hospital and Movin On Inn Restaurant where she was also the manager, school bus driver, and transportation director for USD 496.

She was a member of the Faith Fellowship Church, Hanston, Burdett City Council, and United Methodist Women. She enjoyed cooking, reading, and spending time with her grandchildren.

On August 13, 1983, she married Frank D. Price in Larned, KS, he preceded her in death July 17, 2017.

Survivors include: one son, Daniel (Traci) Nuckolls, Burdett; four daughters, Cara Sue (Terry) Ryan, Rozel, Nona Kay (Cecil) Stinemetz, Inman, Dona Rae Nuckolls, Larned, and Melissa Ann Lamp, Wichita; nine grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, and a sister, Patricia Rose Jensen.

Funeral will be 2:00 p.m. Saturday at Faith Fellowship Church, with Pastor Doug Ellison presiding. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday at Beckwith Mortuary, Larned. Burial will be in Brown’s Grove Cemetery, Burdett.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Faith Fellowship Church or Burdett EMS in care of Beckwith Mortuary P.O. Box 477 Larned, KS 67550.

Mary D. Mead

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Mary D. Mead, 103, of Russell, Kansas, and former Waldo, Kansas resident, died on Wednesday, September 18, 2019, surrounded by her loving family.

Services are pending with Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary.

Donald L. Coleman

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Donald L. Coleman, 60, of Russell, Kansas, died on Wednesday, September 18, 2019, at the Russell Regional Hospiatl emergency Room.

Services are pending with Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary.

Karla Kay Kingsbury

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Karla Kay Kingsbury, 64, of Dorrance, Kansas, died on Sunday, September 15, 2019, at her home in Dorrance.

Services are pending with Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary.

Robert Daise

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Longtime Sherman County resident Robert Daise, 92, passed away on Tuesday, September 17, 2019 at Topside Manor in Goodland, KS.

Robert (Bob) Daise, son of George and Frances Daise, was born October 17, 1926 on the Daise Homestead in Grant Township, Sherman County, Kansas.

He attended school at a rural school near his home (District 51, Union School) and graduated from Sherman Community High School, Goodland, KS, with the class of 1944.

He enlisted in the Maritime Service in 1944 and served on active duty until 1961. He returned home and started farming and continued farming until he retired.

He was employed by the U.S.D.A. Farm Service Agency since 1958. Robert probably measured every field in Sherman County at one time or another as well as many of the grain bins, in addition to other assigned duties.

As a youngster, he was active in 4-H and was a charter member of the Grant Boosters 4-H Club.

Robert was a member of the Goodland Elks Lodge and the Goodland Knights of Columbus. The Council recently observed their 100th anniversary and recognized Robert with a plaque for 72 years of membership.

Robert took classes in Emergency Medical Technician beginning in 1994, and was named EMT of the Year for the State of Kansas in 2002 at age 76. He assisted with the training of many EMTs over the years.

He was an avid square dancer and enjoyed dancing for many years. In recent years he has been a passionate Bridge player as well as Pinochle and Pitch.

Preceding him in death were his parents, George and Frances Daise, brothers Eugene and Francis Theodore, one sister, Kathryn and her husband Jack Fay. In addition to his brother, Father Richard, those left to mourn are his sister-in-law Caroline Daise, nephews Daniel and David Daise, nieces Shirley (Russ) Poole, Mary and Debra Daise, three great-nephews and one great-great niece as well as many friends throughout western Kansas and eastern Colorado.

Visitation will be Sunday, September 22, 2019 from 5:00-7:00 PM MT at Koons-Russell Funeral Home in Goodland. Rosary and Vigil service will be at 7:00 PM.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Robert will be held on Monday, September 23, 2019 at 10:30 AM MT at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Goodland. Interment will be in the Goodland Cemetery.

Memorials may be designated to Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church or to the NWKS Ambulance Service and may be left at the services or mailed to Koons-Russell Funeral Home, 211 N. Main Ave., Goodland, KS 67735.

Online condolences for the family may be left at www.koonsrussellfuneralhome.com.

Funeral services have been entrusted to Koons-Russell Funeral Home in Goodland.

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