Diana Gaylene (Irby) Stagner, 69, Bogue, Kansas, passed away in her home, August 20, 2019. Gaylene, as she was called, was born May 9, 1950 in Hays, Kansas to Harold and Lenor (Manny) Irby. She grew up and attended schools in Bogue, surrounded by her eight siblings: Iona, Norma, Roger, Ronald, Randy, Leroy, Kevin and Luana.

In 1968, following graduation from Bogue High School, she attended college at Salt City Business College, Hutchinson, to complete a degree in bookkeeping and accounting. These business skills provided employment at Windom Grain Elevator, Johns Manville in McPherson, St. Francis Boys’ Home in Salina, Anderson Drilling in Hill City, and Graham County; also working for a time as a nurses’ aid at Sandstone Heights Nursing Home in Little River. Gaylene moved back to her hometown in 2007 and purchased a house across the street from her mother and father.

Although she had no children of her own, she loved and raised the kids and grandkids from a previous marriage. Later, her dogs became “her kids” and she loved them dearly. First there was Fancy, followed by Cindy and finally her Mandy. They were her constant companions and she would talk to them as if they were her kids and they appeared to understand every word. In fact, Mandy would even “talk” back to her and Gaylene seemed to understand her too.

Gaylene had a special relationship with the Lord; loved Christian music and had an extensive collection of that genre.

On many days, one could find her fishing at local ponds. She was always ready and willing to fish with anyone who wanted to go. She had a wonderful sense of humor; even when the joke was on her. She was often teased about losing her false teeth while opening a gate at a local fishing hole!

She was always ready to play cards, especially Pinochle, even if it was online. There were a varying variety of things that Gaylene loved to do and do very well. She was famous for her chicken fried steak, loved canning peaches and corn, raised sheep and even sheered them herself. However, in her later years she was plagued with many health problems.

She was preceded in death by her father Harold and one sister, Luana Croomes.

Leaving to mourn her passing are: her mother Lenor, Salina; sisters: Iona (Bob) DeLaney, Salina, Jeannie Taylor (Fred), Aurora, Colorado; brothers: Roger (Martha) Irby, Aurora, Colorado, Ronald (Marcia) Irby, Gainesville, Florida, Randy (Susan) Irby, Queen Creek, Arizona, Allen Irby, Pflugerville, Texas, Kevin (Nancie) Irby, Goodyear, Arizona, many nephews, nieces, other relatives, friends and her faithful dog and buddy, Mandy.

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Ruth May Butler Dyson, 82, passed away August 26, 2019, at Medicalodges of Great Bend. She was born on September 12, 1936, at Lakin to Lewis and Mary (Forge) Moore. She married C.W. Butler on June 21, 1953, at Lakin, and later divorced in 1973. She then married Loren Dyson in 1989, at Wichita. He died in August, 1997.

A Great Bend resident since 2015, Ruth previously lived in Lakin, Topeka and Wichita. She was a long time dedicated telephone operator for Southwestern Bell. She enjoyed square dancing and traveling the world.

Survivors include two sons, Curtis Butler and wife Norma of Great Bend and Keith Butler and wife Brenda of Parsons; two brothers, Charlie Moore of Arroya Grande, Calif., and Frank Moore of Kennewick, Wash.; five grandchildren, Dr. Matthew Butler and wife Maggie, Marisa Butler and husband Lucas Hannah, Dr. Caitlin Butler, Christina Butler Raz and husband Aran Raz and Angelina Butler; two great grandchildren, Christian Butler-Francis and Bentley Hannah; and one step great grandchild, Gabby. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Loren Dyson; three brothers, Robert Moore, George Moore and Dick Moore; and a sister, Fern Weachter.

Visitation will be held from 1:00 to 9:00 p.m., Wednesday, September 4, 2019, at Bryant Funeral Home, Great Bend. Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, September 5, 2019, at Garnand Funeral Home in Lakin, with Reverend Bill Johnson. Interment will follow at Lakin Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to The American Lung Association, in care of Bryant Funeral Home, 1425 Patton Rd., Great Bend, or Garnand Funeral Home, PO Box 91, Lakin, KS 67860.

Arthur E. Huslig, 83, passed away in Elinwood, KS on August 26, 2019. Born in Great Bend, KS on January 14, 1936 he was the son of Anton F. and Louise (Maneth) Huslig. He graduated from Cunningham High School in 1953 and later married Mercedes Hoffman in Great Bend, KS on April 27, 1963. She preceded him in death on July 16, 2016. Art was an Ellinwood resident since 1957 where he truly enjoyed his work as an auto mechanic.

Memberships include St. Joseph’s Church and St. Joseph Council 1187 Knights of Columbus and former member of the Ellinwood Fire Department and Ambulance crew. He also donated time as a scout leader for the local boy scouts.

Survivors include son, Eugene G. Huslig & wife, Chelle, Manhatten, KS; daughter, Christina D. Befort & husband Steve, Lacrosse, KS; brothers, Paul Huslig, Great Bend, KS, Jerome Huslig, Ellinwood, KS, and Charles Huslig, Ellsworth, KS; sisters, Mary Ann Wondra, Great Bend, KS and Helen Schnitther, Kingman, KS. Other survivors include grandchildren, Makenzie, Ezekiel, Finn, Rebecca, and Heather. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mercedes Huslig; brothers, Lawrence, Ervin & Marcus.

Funeral Mass will be 10:30 AM, Friday, August 30th at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Ellinwood, KS with Father Klein officiating. Interment will follow at Lakin-Comanche District Cemetery in Ellinwood. Visitation will be Thursday, August 29th from 1-6 PM at Minnis Chapel in Ellinwood, KS with K of C Rosary/Vigil at 7 PM that evening at the church. In lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to St. Joseph’s School Endowment Fund or Ellinwood Fire Dept. in care of Minnis Chapel, PO Box 246, Ellinwood, KS 67526.