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Annetta Sue Rome

Annetta Sue Rome, 68, passed away Tuesday, October 29, 2019 in Hays, Kansas.

She was born January 2, 1951, in Logan to William Edward and Virginia Lee (Sherling) Hooper. She married Galen Rome; they later divorced. Annetta was preceded in death by her parents and one sister.

Surivors include her sons: Scott Rome (Ashley Richmeier) of Bogue, and Jamey Rome (Tess) of Gibbon, Nebraska; brother, Bryce Hooper (Suzie); sister, Billie Desbien (Steve); and numerous grandchildren.

Click HERE for service details.

Student arrested after fatal ‘accidental discharge of firearm’ at UC Missouri

WARRENSBURG, Mo — Law enforcement authorities are investigating the accidental shooting death of a college student.

Just after 3:30p.m. the Department of Public Safety at the University of Central Missouri responded to a report of an accidental discharge of a firearm at an on-campus apartment, according to a media release from the school.

The accident resulted in the death of Stephon Abron, a student from St. Charles, Missouri. Campus officers immediately determined there was no ongoing threat to the community. The investigation has resulted in the arrest of a UCM student Jeremy Manley on a charge of involuntary manslaughter.

“The UCM community is saddened by this tragedy. The university will offer assistance through the counseling center to students who may need support. The Employee Assistance Program is available to assist employees,” according to a statement the release.

The Johnson County Sheriff’s Department and Warrensburg Police Department have been working with UCM Public Safety on the investigation.

Authorities have not released details surrounding the shooting.

Brenda Dome-Luff

Brenda Dome-Luff, age 62, died Monday, November 4, 2019, at her home in Wichita, Kansas.

She was born July 10, 1957, in Hays, Kansas, to Floris and Bernadette ‘Bernie” (Stremel) Dome. She married Clyde Luff on October 24, 1992, at Wichita, Kansas.

She was an office administrator for Keurig-Dr. Pepper in Wichita for 26 years. She grew up in Pfeifer, Kansas, attended Pfeifer Grade School, and was a 1975 graduate of Victoria High School. She has lived in Wichita since 1988 and was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Derby, Kansas.

Survivors include her husband, Clyde Luff, of the home; one step-son, Shannon Luff and wife, Channing, Valley Center, KS; one step-daughter, Melissa Luff, Wichita, KS; her father, Floris Dome, Pfeifer, KS; five brothers, Florian Dome, Pfeifer, KS; Darrell Dome, Victoria, KS; Marion Dome and wife, Susan, Olathe, KS; Stan Dome, Hays, KS; Stuart Dome and wife, Tammy, Victoria, KS; two step-grandchildren, Christopher and Allison Luff; and several nephews, nieces, great nephews and great nieces.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Bernadette “Bernie” Dome, Jan. 29, 2017.

Funeral services will be at 10:00 A.M. Saturday, November 9, 2019, at Holy Cross Catholic Church, Pfeifer, Kansas. Burial will be at Holy Cross Cemetery in Pfeifer, Kansas.

A vigil and rosary will be at 7:00 P.M. Friday, at Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary of Hays

Visitation will be from 6:00 to 9:00 P.M. Friday, at Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary of Hays and from 9:00 to 10:00 A.M. Saturday at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Pfeifer, Kansas.
The family suggests memorials to a cancer support group, “Victory in the Valley” of Wichita or Holy Cross Charities, Inc.

Services are entrusted to Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary of Hays, 1919 East 22nd Street, Hays, Kansas 67601.

Condolences can be sent via e-mail to [email protected] or can be left by guestbook at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com.

FHSU’s cross country team racks up MIAA Academic Honors

FHSU Athletics / Allie Schweizer photo

FHSU Athletics

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Fifteen student-athletes representing the Fort Hays State cross country program were listed on the MIAA Academic Honor Roll, released Tuesday by the league office. Three Tigers picked up additional honors, including Carson Pierce earning the Academic Excellence Award, Seppe van ‘t Westende picking up Scholar-Athlete honors and Abigail Stewart achieving both Scholar-Athlete and Academic Excellence status.

By carrying a perfect 4.00 GPA and finishing with All-MIAA honors at the MIAA Championships, Stewart is one of just four student-athletes in the league to earn both distinguished awards.

To be recognized on the Academic Honor Roll, one must have a grade point average used by the institution for purposes of NCAA academic certification of 3.00 at the certifying member institution. The individual must also have at least two terms of attendance at the certifying member institution, excluding summer terms. Transfers and true freshman are recognized at the conclusion of the school year, after they meet the two terms of attendance requirement.

To qualify as a Scholar-Athlete an individual must have a grade point average used by the institution for purposes of NCAA academic certification of 3.50 at the certifying member institution. They must also have at least two terms of attendance at the certifying member institution, excluding summer terms. If competing in a championship sport of the MIAA, the student-athlete must earn All-MIAA honors.

An MIAA Academic Excellence Award recipient must have a grade point average used by the institution for purposes of NCAA academic certification of 4.00 or better at the certifying member institution. The honoree also must have at least two terms of attendance at the certifying member institution, excluding summer terms.

Stewart earned All-MIAA honors after placing 19th at the MIAA Championships, completing the 6k race in 22:44.9. In the men’s 8k race at the league meet, van ‘t Westende finished 12th in a personal-best 25:10 to earn a spot on the all-conference podium. The Dutch senior was one of four male student-athletes to earn Scholar-Athlete status.

The complete list of Fort Hays State cross country MIAA Academic Honor Roll recipients is below.

Motorcycle was traveling over 140mph before crash that injured Kan. undersheriff

KIOWA COUNTY —A teen suspect arrested in connection with a high-speed chase and crash that sent a Kansas deputy to the hospital remains in custody in Pratt County.

Mason photo Pratt County

The chase initially started Thursday on the Kansas Turnpike, according to Lt. John Lenherr with the Kansas Highway Patrol. Troopers responded to reports of reckless driver on a motorcycle.  When authorities first observed the red 2001 Honda motorcycle, it was traveling at over 140 miles per hour, according to Lenherr. Due to the danger involved, troopers ultimately discontinued the pursuit and notified law enforcement agencies east of Wichita.

The suspect later identified as 18-year-old Isaac Mason of Wisconsin continued west quickly through Pratt County. Authorities in Kiowa County located the motorcycle on U.S. 54 just east of Greensburg, according to Sheriff Chris Tedder.

As officers turned to stop the vehicle, the motorcycle accelerated gaining about a half mile on the deputies and traveled into Greensburg.

During the pursuit into town, the driver of lead patrol unit Undersheriff Scott McCann lost control of a 2019 Dodge Charger. The vehicle hit a curb drove across Olive Street into a field, struck a sign and came to rest upright in a drainage ditch, according to the Kansas Highway Patrol

Authorities eventually stopped Mason at the Ford-Kiowa County line and took him into custody without further incident.

EMS transported McCann to Kiowa County Memorial Hospital and he was later transported by ambulance to Wichita, in stable but critical condition. The sheriff’s office has not provided an update on his condition. He was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

Mason is being held on a $50,000 bond on requested charges that include aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer, aggravated assault of a law enforcement officer; use of a deadly weapon, Interference with a law enforcement officer; falsely report a crime intending to obstruct and felony failure to stop at an accident, according to online jail records.

David Lee Gallagher

David Lee Gallagher, age 66, passed away on November 4, 2019, at his home in Oakley, KS with his family by his side, after his bout with pancreatic cancer. Dave was welcomed in to this world on December 6, 1952, in Wichita, KS. Dave was one of six children of Frank and Joyce Gallagher.

Dave grew up in Hoxie and spent his days hunting, fishing, and had an abundant love for cars. He expended a lot of time with his adored maternal grandparents, Loyal and Elsie Jacob. He was active in sports and had many friends through school. In 1970, Dave graduated from Hoxie High School and attended Goodland Vo-Tech specializing in auto body repair.

The newly high school graduate, Rosemary Vahling, caught Dave’s attention while in passing in Lenora, KS, and they were wed in St. Joseph Catholic Church in New Almelo, KS on December 2, 1972.

Dave and Rosie made their home in Lenora, then Garden City where Dave worked at local auto body shops. They were happy to move closer to home, returning to Hoxie in 1973 and continuing work in auto body repair.

During their marriage, they bore a son, Christopher Lee [1977], and daughter, Sonya Kay [1980]. The family loved Hoxie and having family close, however, they chose to relocate to Oakley in 1990 where Dave’s Body Shop flourished. Dave became the proud ‘PaPa’ to his three adorned grandchildren.

Dave surpassed many in trap shooting across Kansas, Nebraska, and Colorado and family loved to watch. He made many memories with his family, taking his restored ‘hot rods’ to cars shows across the tri-states. The family loved camping, fishing, boating, and hunting and still share stories of their adventures. Dave had the opportunity to hunt in Alaska, go to Canada fishing, take a buffalo south of Oakley, elk hunt in Colorado, and years of hunting and fishing locally. Dave enjoyed nature and the outdoors and was a lifelong archery hunter. He enjoyed the challenge and thrill of archery turkey hunting – his favorite. He and Rosie loved to golf as they traveled to many courses to golf together and with friends. Dave & Rosie also loved to go dancing with a group of good friends. Their favorite destination was Hawaii.

Dave was a man of many talents. He was a generous, honest, hardworking man, and volunteered in his community. He built his business on a handshake and good word. He is proud the name carried on after retirement in 2014 and sale to his longtime employee, Mike Chrisler.

Dave was a member of Pheasants Forever, National Rifle Association, Oakley Trap Club, Oakley Chamber of Commerce, and Oakley Country Club. He served as Master Hunter Education Instructor for many years and loved to hear successful stories from now adults that he mentored at a young age.

Dave’s surviving family includes his wife Rosie Gallagher; two children, Chris Gallagher, and Sonya (Robert) Cooksey, all of Oakley, KS; three grandchildren, Preslee, Karver, and Jentry; his mother and father, Frank and Joyce (Jacob) Gallagher; three sisters, Leanna (Tom) Sloan, Ladonna (Mark) Joslyn, and Mary (Alex) Dumler, all of Hoxie. His surviving in-laws are Florence Vahling, Hoxie, KS, Laura (Joe) Dorenkamp, Selden, KS, Jim (Christine) Vahling, Mesa, AZ, Marcia (Russ) Aumiller, New Almelo, KS, Paul (Donna) Vahling, Denver, CO, Estella (Phil) Kirkham, Sharon Springs, KS, George Vahling, Plainville, KS, and Annette (Clint) Follis, Hoxie, KS, and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his siblings, Stan Gallagher and Maryln Rogers; brother-in-law, William ‘Bill’ Vahling, and father-in-law, Henry Vahling.

There will be a visitation for Dave’s family and friends on Thursday November 7, 2019 at the Buffalo Bill Cultural Center in Oakley from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m. Funeral services for Dave will follow, starting at 2:00 p.m. Graveside services will be at St. Frances Cemetery, just west of Hoxie at 4:00 p.m. Memorials are suggested to the Oakley 4-H Shooting Sports or Logan County Physical Therapy and Wellness Center, send to David Gallagher, PO Box 244, Oakley, KS 67748. For condolences or information visit www.baalmannmortuary.com

🎥 New election equipment debuts in Ellis County; paper ballots return

Ellis County voters are using new election equipment today with a return to paper ballots.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Voters in Hays were lined up and awaiting the opening of polling locations just before 7 a.m. Tuesday.

Balloting is underway statewide for city and school board elections.

Ellis County is using new voting equipment for the first time. It was first available to advance voters at the Ellis County Administrative Center.

In April, the Ellis County Commission approved the purchase from Election Systems & Software of Omaha, Neb.

Paper ballots for Hays voters living in Ward 4, Precinct 5

Voters are seeing the return of paper ballots, now marked with a standard black ink pen. Previously, the entire balloting process was done electronically using touchscreen machines.

Once a voter is identified at their polling location check-in, they get a paper ballot specific to their ward and precinct.

Voters then sit down at a table with privacy sleeves and mark their ballot by completely filling in ovals with the provided pen.

Once people are finished voting, they feed their ballot into a scanner which tabulates each ballot and then drops it into secure bins.

Tom McClelland, poll worker at the Hays Recreation Center, explains the new ballot scanner/tabulator.

“This machine will read the ballot any of the four ways you can put it in there. It’ll go and it’ll count them,” explained Tom McClelland, a poll worker at the Hays Recreation Center. “From there, it drops into a basket on the bottom, under lock and key. If there’s ever any problem, with the votes like there was previously, they can always go back and open these boxes and count every one of them by hand.”

HRC poll worker Pat Lang said this morning she had no complaints from voters about the equipment change.

“It’s going fast here and it should be faster tonight when the polls close,” Lang said.

Each polling location has a designated runner who will take the printed ballot scanner information to the county administrative center in Hays just after 7 p.m. to be compiled. According to Lang, each polling location previously packed up the equipment and brought it and the ballots to the center at the same time. “It’s gonna be faster results,” she predicted.

A Hays voter feeds her completed ballot into the ballot scanner/tabulator which produces a paper tally that will be transported to the Ellis Co. Administrative Center. The actual ballots are dropped into locked bins.

The new machines allow Ellis County to comply with Kansas law requiring every county to complete an election audit.

In Ellis County there are four positions open on each of the school boards in Hays, Ellis and Victoria. Three seats are open on both the Hays city commission and Ellis city council as well as Ellis mayor and treasurer. All Kansans are voting on a constitutional amendment question regarding the census.

Five candidates are running for the three Hays city commission seats – Michael Berges, Ron Mellick, Mason Ruder, Ryan Rymer, and Henry Schwaller IV. The top two vote-getters will each serve a four-year term while the third highest vote-getter will serve two years.

There are nine people running for the four open positions on Hays USD 489 – Paul Adams, Cole Engel, Alex Herman, Lori Ann Hertel, Jessica Ann Berg Moffitt, Craig Pallister, Allen Park, Luke Oborny, and Tammy Wellbrock.

Polls close at 7 p.m.

Check Hays Post and Eagle Radio for election results and candidate reactions.

Cybersecurity expert offers tips on keeping your data safe

Dallas Haselhorst, founder of TreeTop Security, discusses cybersecurity at the Hays Public Library on Wednesday night as he wrapped up a series of sessions to mark Cybersecurity Month.

By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post

Your data is today’s gold.

Dallas Haselhorst, founder of TreeTop Security, discussed cybersecurity at the Hays Public Library on Wednesday night as he wrapped up a series of sessions to mark Cybersecurity Month.

“At the end of the day, there are a lot of people’s livelihoods that get affected adversely by getting hacked,” Haselhorst said.

Sixty percent of small business go out of business within six months of a major cyberattack, he said.

“That’s people’s jobs. That’s people feeding their families,” he said.

One misconception is that technology — anti-virus software or firewalls — will protect you from cyberattacks.

Attackers are going to go after wherever your business or home is weakest. If you are a business owner, Haselhorst suggested offering cybersecurity awareness training for your employees. At home, hackers will target the most vulnerable, too. That could be parents, kids or seniors.

“People say, ‘I don’t have anything that an attacker would possibly want,’ ” Haselhorst said. “That just couldn’t be further from the truth.”

Some of this information can include:

  • Credit card and financial information
  • Medical data and insurance information
  • Computer resources
  • Use or your email credentials

Medical data is seven times more valuable than credit card data, Haselhorst said. Credit card companies are getting exceptionally good at stopping fraud, he said. With medical data a scammer can perpetrate identity fraud, prescription fraud and insurance fraud.

You can change a credit card number, but you can’t change your Social Security number, Haselhorst noted.

Hackers can use your computer for nefarious purposes. They can use it to send ransomeware. They can use it as a jump point, which is when your computer is used to attack someone else.

“The FBI has unfortunately kicked down wrong doors before thinking someone has child pornography things on their computer,” he said.

Your email is tied to many other aspects in your life, such as resetting passwords on your bank account.

“If you think there is nothing on my computer,” he said, “there absolutely is in every single situation.”

Backups are one of the only guaranteed ways to get your information back from ransomware.

“In doing IT for the past 20-some years, one thing I can tell you is that I have seen time and time again somebody says, ‘We have backups. We have tons of backups.’ You go back and find they don’t have any backups and they haven’t been backing up for the last six months,” Haselhorst said.

Thirty-five percent of users never have backed up their data. Only 6 percent of users back up daily.

He also warned against leaving a USB drive or an external hard drive plugged into your computer. If your backup device is attached to your computer, it can be ransomwared too. Use the Cloud or disconnect your backup device.

Every day, 360,000 pieces of malware are released. Keep your devices updated. Most updates contain security updates. This includes operating systems on computers, tablets and cellphones.

Anti-virus software needs to be updated every few hours to keep up with the onslaught of malware. Browsers matter too. Haselhorst said Microsoft is no longer recommending using Internet Explorer.

Devices in the realm referred to as “the internet of things,” such as dog food feeders and surveillance systems, do not update automatically. Alexa, Google Home, a lot of the doorbells and thermostats do update automatically.

Passwords are still important to protecting your data. Don’t write down your passwords and stick them on your computer.

If you store passwords anywhere on your computer in a Word, Excel or Notepad document, these can be easily found by hackers.

You can use secure password managers, such as LastPass, KeePass and 1Password to keep your passwords safe. These applications will allow you to store all your passwords in one secure place. You unlock the program with one long password. The programs can also autofill passwords and usernames on your device.

If you use a password manager, you can use a different password for every account. If one account is compromised, that is the only data that is at risk. You can also use randomly generated passwords because you don’t have to remember them all.

“Everyone has heard about the breaches in the news. There is like a breach everyday. What happens is the systems get breached, and the hacker pulls down the password and username database,” Haselhorst said.

“What happens with that password and username data is you can get Gina’s email address and password and then I’m going to try it on Facebook. I’m going to try it on her bank account. I’m going to try it every single place I can think of that she might have an account for.”

Ninety-five percent of passwords are shared within their household. Fifth-nine percent of people use one password for all accounts.

Avoid using passwords that can easily associated with you. These include:

  • Address
  • Phone number
  • Pet name
  • Birthdate
  • Sports teams
  • Child’s name

Haselhorst recommends passwords of 16 to 18 characters. Length is more effective than complexity. He suggested using password phrases, such as MysonwasbornNovember1995! versus P@ssw0rd.

Haselhorst discussed ways to keep you safe from malicious links. These included verifying the link, hovering over the link, giving it the sniff test and finally clicking if it passes all of the previous three tests.

You may receive an email from someone you know, but red flags could be in the subject line, strange wording, an odd signature or a strange link, especially those outside of the U.S. To hover, let your cursor rest on the link without clicking. This will show where the link is actually going to take you.

Hackers can have a link that says anything in the text of an email or text, but it may take you to a completely different site. If there are numbers in the URL instead of letters, don’t trust it, Haselhorst said.

Scammers will also try to use condensed links to hide where they are really taking you. You can use www.linkexpander.com to find the expanded address.

You can also receive links through SMS messages. Is the message expected and from someone you trust? You can “hover” on a tablet or cell phone with a prolonged press on the link.

Scammers will also use a sense of urgency both online and over the phone to get you to click on links or had over sensitive information. Companies like Apple and Microsoft are never going to call or email you personally, Haslehorst said, although scammers are using their names.

Ninety-two percent of all malware is delivered by email. Stop and think before you click on attachments. Are you expecting the email? Are you expecting the attachment? Don’t enable editing if macros have been disabled.

Scammers will also using “phishing” or “whaling” to create a targeted attack. Haselhorst gave the example of a scammer using the name of the CEO of a company to send an email to the CFO of a company asking him or her to set up an illegitimate vendor or account. The scammer then asks the CFO to deposit money in the bogus account.

When individuals are targeted, scammers might ask for gift or prepaid credit cards or financial information. Technical safeguards are not effective in stoping these scam.

“These are emails. This is text,” Haselhorst said. “There is nothing on the planet that is going to stop these things except who is sitting in a chair. Somebody is going to have to think about that.”

Robocalls continue to be an epidemic in this country. Remember scammers can make the number look like it is coming from your local area. If you have any question about who you are talking to, hang up and call back on a published number.

Other general security tips include use caution when attaching phones or other devices to your computer that could infect your computer with malware. Be careful of WiFi hotspots and avoid public computers.

Haselhorst also noted even trusted websites can be hacked and be hosting malware.

You can contact TreeTop Security at www.treetopsecurity.com or 785-370-3444.

Police catch registered Kan. offender on late-night bicycle ride

SALINA —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a registered Kansas offender on new charges after an arrest.

Cody Talbott photo KBI offender registry

Just after 11:30p.m. Monday, a patrol officer noticed a man on a blue BMX bicycle riding in the middle of the street in the 800 block of Windsor Drive in Salina, according to Captain Paul Forrester.

The officer attempted to make contact with the man, but he rode the bicycle into the front yard of a residence and then took off on foot behind the residence.

The officer gave chase and was able to apprehend Cody Talbot in the backyard of another residence further south on Windsor Drive, Forrester said.

Talbot had several outstanding felony warrants, two violations of the registered offender act, and an aggravated failure to appear, according to Forrester.

While searching Talbot and the backpack he was carrying, the officer found slightly less than three ounces of methamphetamine and two handguns.

In addition to the outstanding warrants, Talbot was arrested on requested charges of Possession with the intent to distribute a stimulant, No drug tax stamp, Possession of methamphetamine with prior conviction, Criminal possession of a firearm by a felon, Possession of drug paraphernalia, Interference with a law enforcement officer and Improper bike lamps or reflectors.  He has previous convictions for burglary, drugs and violations of the offender registration act, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

KDWPT offers new details on mountain lion killed in Rooks Co.

Photo courtesy KDWPT game wardens

The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism has offered new details about a mountain lion kill in Rooks County earlier this year.

The mountain lion, found in late January, was shot and killed by bird hunters, according to the KDWPT.

The department sent tissue samples to the U.S. Forest Service’s Rocky Mountain Research Station in Missoula, Mont., for testing.

The results showed the male mountain lion had a 99.8 percent probability of belong to the South Dakota/Nebraska breeding population, which includes animals sampled from the Black Hills of South Dakota and western Nebraska, according to KDWPT.

For more information about wildlife sightings or other rare encounters, click HERE.

Wilbur Eugene ‘Gene’ Argo

Wilbur Eugene “Gene” Argo, 77, of Placerville, California, took his final ride into the sunset after battling complications from prostate cancer in the comfort of his own home, surrounded by his family.

He was born December 15,1941 and he always added, “It was the week after Pearl Harbor.” He was born to Dwight E. Argo and Sara (DeVan) Argo in Atlanta, Georgia. From there, the family moved to Centralia, Missouri – then moved to Dallas, Texas where he lived until he was 16 years old. Their final move as a family was to San Mateo, California where he attended Hillsdale High School.

Gene dreamed of being a cowboy and loved horses, rodeos, hunting and playing golf. He graduated from Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture. Gene was a proud member of the United States Marine Corps. He worked in the energy business starting at the age of eighteen as a lineman for PG&E in San Francisco, California, and continued on to retire as the CEO of Midwest Energy in Hays, Kansas. He spent his free time playing golf, marketing and attending rodeos and spending time with his grandchildren. He was well respected for his advice and strength of character by both friends and family. Gene enjoyed pulling off many pranks and brought laughter to everyday life.

Gene is survived by his wife Linda of 51 years, daughters Kathy Wong, (Alex) and their children Jade and Nicholas Wong, Gena Argo and her son Jake Keller and his son Michael Argo and his children, Whitney, Kolin and Karter – as well as his sister Dottie Norstrud of Overland Park, KS. So many wonderful nieces and nephews added joy and contentment to his life. He valued his best buddies whether he was hunting, golfing or finding the next rodeo.

The family would like to extend their sincerest gratitude towards Dr. Peter Barba and his incredible staff. He was not only our physician, but a dear friend who guided us every step of the way through this journey. A special thank you to the people at Snowline Hospice in Placerville for their loving care and support during his final days.

A Celebration of Life will be held for Gene in the upcoming weeks. In lieu of flowers, Gene would appreciate memorial donations to the Hays Medical Center Foundation, Hays, Kansas of which he served on the Board for many years.

Elaine Mary (Hamburg) Gillmore

Elaine Mary (Hamburg) Gillmore, 91, died on November 2, 2019.

Elaine was born on February 25, 1928 in Hays, Kansas to Ernest and Anna (Spilker) Hamburg. She grew up on a farm outside of Ellis with her parents and two brothers, Marvin and Clifford. She moved to Denver to attend business school and work, returned and graduated from Fort Hays State University with a degree in elementary education. She taught in Denver and Dodge City, before moving to Salina to teach. There she met Lee Gillmore, marrying him on January 29, 1961. This year they celebrated 58 years of marriage.

Survivors include her husband, Lee; daughters, Mary Genz (Keith) from Basehor, Kansas, and Donna Leeper (Chris) from Olathe, Kansas; three grandchildren, Nick Genz, Megan Leeper, and Ryan Leeper (Rachael Duden); two step-grandchildren, Amber Espy (Jeremy) and Brad Genz; and two step-great-grandchildren, Bailey Farris (Kaleb) and Adam Espy.

Visitation will be Thursday, November 7th from 12:00 to 1:00 pm at Carlson-Geisendorf Funeral Home, 500 S. Ohio Street, Salina, Kansas.

Funeral service will be Thursday, November 7th at 1:00 pm at the funeral home.

Burial will follow at Gypsum Hill Cemetery, Salina, Kansas.

Memorials may be given in Elaine’s name to Hospice of Salina or the Salina Presbyterian Manor, sent in care of Carlson-Geisendorf Funeral Home.

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