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Year: 2019

Matthew’s Gift offers necessities to families during medical emergencies

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Jeanna Wellbrock talks about her son 3-year-old Matthew, who was killed in a tragic accident in 2016. She is accompanied by her husband Curtis, sons Christian, Levin and Lucas and daughters Ann and Elizabeth.

By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post

A tragedy for a Victoria family has led to what they hope will be a blessing for others.

On Sept. 11, 2016, 3-year-old Matthew Wellbrock was injured in a tragic accident at his family’s home.

On the day of Matthew’s accident, Curtis, Matthew’s father, was mowing. Matthew loved everything to do to with gardening and farming and he loved to be with his dad, Matthew’s mother, Jeanna said.

Matthew Wellbrock

Matthew escaped from lunch and snuck outside. Jeanna called to her husband to send Matthew back in the house. Matthew tried to come in through the garage.

“We will never know exactly what happened that day. Curt came in about 15 minutes later and asked where Matthew was. I had assumed that he had convinced Curt to let him stay with him,” Jeanna said. “Curt immediately went to the garage and found him trapped between the tailgate of the truck and the garage door. How it happened is anyone’s guess.”

The couple called 911 and started CPR. Victoria first responders quickly filled the home.

Matthew was taken to HaysMed and then flown to Wichita for further treatment.

Matthew’s parents refused to leave Matthew’s side while he was in the hospital in Wichita. A fellow Norwex consultant, who was also an EMT, showed up at the hospital with a bag of random items.

“Such things as toothbrushes, which I greatly appreciated after not brushing my teeth for more than 24 hours, water bottles snacks and other random things,” Jeanna said. “We had thrown some things in a bag before we took off, but we hadn’t taken our suitcases into the hospital. That bag had every necessity we needed, and it was a huge blessing.

Items that will be included in Matthew’s Gift bags for families faced with medical emergencies at HaysMed.

“Although we did not have the ending that we hoped and prayed for, we have been able to continue to see the blessings we have been given from the first responders, the staff at HaysMed, Dr. Pope, who came in in her running clothes and had to identify herself to the ER nurses, EagleMed team, doctors and nurses in Wichita, our family and our friends. We have been blessed.”

In Matthew’s memory, Wonder Woman League, HaysMed and the Wellbrocks in cooperation with other sponsors have created a program in which other loved ones who are facing medical emergencies will receive the same bags of blessings the Wellbrocks received in the hospital when Matthew was injured.

The bags, which have been named Matthew’s Gift, will include snacks, basic toiletries, a deck of playing cards, a throw blanket, water, a gas card and other items a family might need.

“Because Matthew loved life and lived it with his whole being every day, when we were approached about this project, we wanted to team up with Wonder Women League, HaysMed as well as all the other generous sponsors to provide families and loved ones with loved ones being flown out with a bag that has the basic necessities in it,” Jeanna said.

Jeanna, surrounded by her husband and five other children, thanked the Wonder Woman League for allowing her family to share Matthew’s memory in a meaningful way.

“Matthew’s Gift is a way we can continue to honor all that Matthew gave us in his three and half short years,” Jeanna said.

HaysMed transfers between six and 10 patients a month out of its emergency department to other hospitals, said Terry Siek, HaysMed chief of nursing.

“When we heard the story and heard the part that we are not filling, which is how can we help someone who is in that situation and they don’t really have time to think or really do anything, they just need to grab and go. This is something we felt very important to work with,” he said.

He said one of the goals of HaysMed this year is to give back to the community and support volunteerism.

Other sponsors for Matthew’s Gift include D & L Bodyshop (Curtis and Jeanna Wellbrock), Hays Medical Center Foundation, Karst Water Well Drilling & Service, Jeter Law Firm, Victoria Knights of Columbus—Council 1867, First Kansas Bank, Five Star Auto Repair & Towing, Hamlin Creative Consulting, Kiwanis—Hays, ServiceMaster of Hays, State Farm Insurance-Wayne Voss, Walmart Supercenter of Hays, Golden Plains Credit Union and Werth Wealth Management.

The Wonder Women League is a comprised of women celebrating the power and influence to bring about positive change in the community through philanthropy and service. It operates under the umbrella of the United Way of Ellis County.

Other projects the group has worked on in its first year include the Born Learning Trail at Sunrise Park in Hays with partners Adams, Brown, Beran and Ball, a self-defense course, and cyber safety education at Hays USD 489 elementary schools.

The organization is accepting members. Donations made to the group are used for the health and betterment of children, families, community and neighborhoods.

The annual Power of the Purse fundraiser for the Wonder Women League will be 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 2, at Smoky Hill Country Club. Enjoy dinner with a purse auction and drawing for your opportunity to win handbags with extra goodies inside. Tickets are $40 and go on sale Friday. Raffle tickets are $5 each or five tickets for $20. Seating is limited.

Police arrest suspect for fatal shooting in Kan. health club parking lot

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SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal shooting and have made an arrest.

Mora -photo Sedgwick Co.

Just after 8:30p.m. February 6, police were dispatched to a shooting call at the Genesis Health Club parking lot in the 3700 Block of East 13th Street North, according to officer Paul Cruz.

A citizen discovered an injured victim and provided aid until EMS arrived. EMS pronounced the victim dead just before 9p.m., according to Cruz.

Investigators determined the victim identified as 22-year-old Lorenzo Wade of Wichita died from several gunshot wounds

Police on the scene of the shooting investigation -photo courtesy KWCH

On Tuesday night, police arrested 25-year-old Tanner Mora on a charge of first-degree , according to police captain Brent Allred.  Authorities are expected to interview others in connection with the shooting as they continue their investigation, according to Allred.

MASON: Where innovation and service flourish, partners find each other

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Dr. Tisa Mason, FHSU president

I love how our spirit of innovation combines education with service to our communities! It is especially gratifying when community partners join us to accomplish goals of education, access, opportunity and service.

I have written previously about several of our community-based partnerships, as we are so proud of our faculty and students and how they positively contribute to Western Kansas communities. In fact, over the past couple of weeks, Dr. Tim Davis, chair of the Department of Social Work, and I have been visiting with legislators about furthering the work we are accomplishing in addressing the state’s need for social workers – especially in Western Kansas. Did you know that only 11 percent of the state’s Licensed Bachelor’s Social Workers and Licensed Addiction Counselors live and work in Western Kansas?

One of the key aspects our faculty realized early on is that if we were going to make an impact on social worker needs in Western Kansas, we could not wait for students to come to us. Boldly, we would go to them.

So in 2006, we partnered with Garden City Community College to address a severe shortage of licensed social workers in Southwest Kansas. The solution was a partnership between the state’s AccessUS program through the Kansas Board of Regents, Garden City Community College and our Department of Social Work. Students who were committed to their home communities could gain their associate degrees through Garden City Community College and then, without leaving their homes, enter into the three-year social work cohort program and gain the credentials needed to seek licensure.

A cohort is a group of students who enter the program together and stay for the three-year course of education. Classes are taught by FHSU faculty at the local community college. Dr. Davis said the model has proven successful in Southwest Kansas, noting in a recent story that, “The first three Garden City cohorts graduated 30 Bachelor of Social Work students, the majority of whom have remained in Finney County to practice. These students now make up over half of the Licensed Bachelor’s Social Workers in the county.”

The program later expanded to Dodge City, and Dr. Davis said the cohort scheduled to graduate there this year has 13 students. If all finish, it will double the number of LBSWs in Ford County.

Social workers perform valuable services in their communities. They work in child and family service agencies, mental health centers, hospitals and health care agencies, schools, nursing homes, social service agencies, addiction treatment centers, the courts and more. The services they provide, as it says on the FHSU Social Work website, help “people cope with complex interpersonal and social problems and assist in obtaining resources.”
The program also expanded into Seward County, Dr. Davis said, because local child welfare agencies could not fill open professional positions. The eight in the cohort there will more than double the number of the county’s licensed social workers.

Northwest Kansas also needs many more social workers than it has available. By Dr. Davis’s count, the 26 Northwest Kansas counties that the Dane G. Hansen Foundation in Logan considers its service area – stretching from Saline County in the southeast to Cheyenne County in the northwest – have a total of 166 licensed, bachelor’s level social workers, but 92 of them are in Ellis and Saline counties. Five of these counties have none, 16 have three or less.

But the AccessUS program was created by the Kansas Legislature to expand educational opportunity only in Southwest Kansas. The fund helps pay for the added costs that come with offering an entire educational program at a distance, and not only does it pay for certain administrative costs, but it also provides for student scholarships.

Absent additional legislative funding, Dr. Davis and the department sought other partners. The Hansen Foundation stepped in. A $95,000 grant will fund expansion of the program to Colby and Colby Community College this fall and, with the assistance of Valley Hope Inc. and the CCC outreach center, to Norton as well.

Two more communities and faculty with a vision to further serve the needs of Western Kansas – that is impact. That is evidence of a culture of thinking out of the box. We understand that our success is the community’s success and the region’s success. This is a great example of reshaping education and opportunity in new and creative ways to prepare students for the future and communities for success.

At Fort Hays State, we say that our personality as an institution and as people is one of innovation, hard work, dedication, and caring about others, seeking ways to help them succeed. In many ways, the same can be said about Western Kansas – the values of one reflect the other, and each is willing to invest its energy and creativity in the common goal of preparing people for successful lives and making the world better.

James ‘Jim’ Harrell Morelock

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James “Jim” Harrell Morelock was born to Cecil and Ruby Morelock on November 6, 1935, in Little Rock, Arkansas and died on February 20, 2019 at Rawlins County Health Center in Atwood, Kansas.

Jim and Ruth (Gayle) Morelock were married for 37 years before her death. Through this union, the couple had 3 children; Tim, Tom and Traci.

As a young man, Jim attended Kansas State University on a basketball scholarship before transferring to Washburn University to finish his Bachelor’s Degree. After school, Jim, a reservist in the Army, served as a tank driver and Sergeant First Class during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Following his military stint, Jim worked in the insurance industry for 36 years, with most of his service spent as a Regional Sales and Marketing Manager. His agents expressed respect for his honest and fair practices.

Jim and Lois met, after the death of their spouses, and were married on January 1, 1995. They spent the next 24 years enjoying time with family, traveling to various parts of the country and overseas. Jim was particularly fond of his visit to Normandy with his 2 sons and granddaughter, Megan. Jim also enjoyed time spent fishing, reading and discussing history. Those who knew him best can recount the wide array of stories he could bring to any conversation.

Preceding Jim in death were his parents; his first wife Ruth, and brothers Charles and Paul. Surviving him is his wife Lois Johnson-Morelock, of McDonald; sisters Mary Sylvis, of Riverview, FL and Shirley Woods, of Overbrook; son, Tim Morelock, of Topeka and daughters, Megan (Tyler) Pfannenstiel, of Hays and Madalyn Morelock, of Manhattan; son, Tom (Kristi) Morelock, of Kansas City, MO; daughter Traci Coulson, of Larned and daughter Kala (Steven) Schroer, of Larned; daughter Brooke Coulson, of Larned, son Trevor Coulson, of Larned and son Logan Coulson, of Larned; step-daughter Patti (Dexter) Leach, of Bird City, and daughter Kandi (Michael) Moore, of Fountain, CO, daughter Kalisa (Patrick) Buell, of Centennial, CO and daughter Leann (Phillip) DeLong, of Stillwater, OK; step-son Ray Dean (Edie) Johnson, of Cimarron and son Scott (Brittany) Johnson, of Craig, CO and daughter Laura Johnson, of Dodge City; step-daughter Peggy (Wayne) Sager, of Salina and son Garrett Sager, of Houston, TX, daughter Courtney (Jordan) Huggans, of Salina and son Kyler Sager, of Salina; and step-son Gary (Lisa) Johnson, of Goddard and daughter Jordann (Tom) Sewell, of Mayetta and son Jon (Jess) Johnson, of Colwich. Also surviving are 11 great-grandchildren.

Services will be at the McDonald Federated Church on Saturday, March 2nd at 10:00am. Interment to follow at the McDonald Grace Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the McDonald Legion Hall through Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 391, Colby, KS 67701. For condolences or information visit www.baalmannmortuary.com

Melissa Joan Therese (Morgan) Conaway

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Melissa Joan Therese (Morgan) Conaway, 39, of Athol, Kansas, was born in Aurora, Colorado to Daniel and Denise (Lyon) Mannion. Departed from this life to the next, February 23rd, 2019 in her home in Athol, Kansas.

Melissa attended Smith Center High School in Smith Center, Kansas. On January 10, 1998, she was blessed with a daughter, Taylor Rain Morgan (Massey). Short five years later in 2003, she was blessed with another daughter, Bayleigh Blaise Morgan. While raising two young daughters, she worked and cared for her Uncle Melvin Lyon and his wife, Lois.

On March 17, 2006, Melissa married the love of her life, Gregory Paul Conaway. To this union two children (twins) were born January 15, 2007, MacKenna Loren and Cort Kean Conaway. Melissa marrying Greg also brought two other children to the family, Brody Paul Conaway and Brandi Jo Conaway; making the family complete.

Melissa is preceded in death by, Grandfather, Elvin (Jiggs) Lyon; Aunt, Linda Lyon; Grandmother, Joan Mannion; and Uncle Shannon Mannion; and numerous other loved ones.

Melissa is survived by: her loving husband, Gregory; Children: Bayleigh Morgan, MacKenna Conaway, and Cort Conaway of the home. Daughter Taylor Massey and husband Clifford, of Phillipsburg, KS; Brody and Lauren, children Addison and Lily, of Hays, KS; Brandi and Neil, children Ian and baby Ella Mae, of Fort Scott, KS; Parents Daniel and Denise Mannion of Kensington, KS. Siblings, Jesse Morgan, John (Jennifer)Morgan, Gina (John) Long all of Smith Center Ks. and Jake and wife, Alexis Mannion, of Wichita, KS. And many dearly loved nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles.

Melissa was a loving mother, wife, sister and daughter. She will be greatly missed by many. One of her greatest accomplishments was being a mother. She loved each and every one of her kids with a great passion.

Services are private. You can still show your support by sending flowers directly to the family of Melissa Joan Conaway.

Update Police: Reported attempted Kansas child abduction fabricated

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POTTAWATOMIE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities have investigated a report of an attempted child abduction with a firearm within the city of Saint Mary’s. Kansas.

On Monday, Saint Marys Police investigated a reported child abduction which was said to have occurred in the area of US Highway 24 and Grand Ave. Given apparently credible information at the time, and airing on the side of caution, the police department immediately issued a statement with the information given by the child victim.

The subsequent investigation involved several neighborhood sweeps by officers who thoroughly searched the area the child was reported to have been taken. It also involved interviews with neighbors in that area, and the review of hours of video surveillance from local businesses.

Several tips were also followed up upon and evidence processed in an effort to identify a potential suspect or corroborate the victim’s report.

Neighbors who lived and worked in the area of the reported abduction, who would have been present to witness the incident, did not see the reported incident take place.

This was further corroborated by video surveillance footage from local businesses. As the canvass continued, it was also apparent the crime scene as reported by the child did not match his report of the incident.

Saint Mary’s Police met with the family of the child and presented their findings. The family spoke with their child at which point the child admitted the incident had been fabricated. The child had not been in any danger by an armed suspect nor was any attempt made at abducting him. The child is safe. Authorities have not identified the child.

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POTTAWATOMIE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a report of an attempted child abduction with a firearm within the city of Saint Mary’s. Kansas.

The incident is reported to have occurred between 3:40 and 4:40 p.m. Monday in the area of Highway 24 and Grand Avenue, according to a social media report from Saint Mary’s Police.

Photo is reference only and not the actual vehicle, according to St. Mary’s Police

The victim reported he was approached by a possible red 2002-2005 Ford Explorer, lower tan trim, Dent on driver’s side rear door, and Scratches down the driver’s side.

The driver and only occupant of the vehicle; a Black Male, approx 40-50 years old, 5-foot-4,  Medium Build, Long hair, Devil/Demon tattoo on right forearm, Black coat, Black pants, No facial hair and Red Bandanna around his neck, reportedly brandished a handgun and ordered the victim into his vehicle. The suspect then drove the vehicle and parked in the area south of the city of St. Mary’s.

The victim managed to escape from the suspect, ran to a nearby home for assistance and is safe. Officers immediately canvassed the area but were unable to locate the unknown suspect who fled the area in an unknown direction.

Anyone with information about this incident is encourage to contact the Saint Mary’s Police Department or the Pottawatomie Sheriffs Office.

 

 

O’Loughlin educator named 2019 Kansas Master Teacher

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Gaughan

Emporia State University

Talented. Phenomenal. One in a million. These are the words used by the people who work and learn from the seven teachers chosen as the 2019 Kansas Master Teachers, announced today:

• Paula Barr, Second-Grade Teacher at Quail Run Elementary School in USD 497 Lawrence;
• Dedra Braxmeyer, Mathematics Teacher at Manhattan High School in USD 383 Manhattan-Ogden;
• Laura Gaughan, Elementary Reading Specialist at O’Loughlin Elementary School in USD 489 Hays;
• Michelle Hilliard, Mathematics Teacher at Complete High School in USD 266 Maize;
• Lisa Jarvis, English Language Arts Teacher at Council Grove Junior-Senior High School in USD 417 Morris County;
• Carolynn Phalen, First-Grade Teacher at Grace E. Stewart Elementary School in USD 305 Salina
• Linda Vena, Elementary Reading Specialist at Mission Trail Elementary School in USD 229 Blue Valley.

The 2019 master teachers represent 180 years of classroom experience.

Through the support of the Bank of America Charitable Foundation, each Master Teacher will be presented with a check for $1000.

The recipients were selected by a nine-member committee including representatives from the Kansas Association of Colleges of Teacher Education, Kansas Association of Elementary School Principals, Kansas Association of School Boards, Kansas Association of Secondary School Principals, Kansas Parent Teacher Organization, Kansas National Education Association, ESU’s Kappa Delta Pi student organization, and representatives of the 2018 Kansas Master Teacher class.

The 2019 Master Teachers will be honored on Master Teacher Day to be held Wednesday, April 3 at Emporia State University. On that day, as part of several recognition activities, the teachers will present a seminar at 2:30 p.m. in the W.S. and E.C. Jones Conference Center in Visser Hall. The teachers will then be honored during a social hour at 5:45 p.m. in Webb Hall Lobby of Emporia State’s Memorial Union followed by the banquet and award ceremony at 6:30 p.m. in Webb Hall.

Tickets for the dinner cost $20, and reservations are required by Friday, March 22. For more information, see www.emporia.edu/teach/master/reservationform.html.

Emporia State established the Kansas Master Teacher awards in 1954. The awards are presented annually to teachers who have served the profession long and well, who also typify the outstanding qualities of earnest and conscientious teachers. Information on the 65 years of educators named Kansas Master Teachers is available at www.emporia.edu/teach/master/past.html.

Since 1980, Bank of America has pledged more than $100,000 to permanently endow the Kansas Master Teacher awards. In 1984, the Black family of Broken Bow, Oklahoma, established an endowed chair for Kansas Master Teachers. The fund provides a stipend to bring two Master Teachers to Emporia State for several days. During this time, the teachers present to classes of education students.

Kansas man sentenced for the murder of his girlfriend

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SEDGWICK COUNTY — A Kansas man was sentenced Tuesday for the November 2017 murder of his girlfriend.

Suiter -photo Sedgwick Co.

According to a statement from the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s office, 34-year-old Aaron Ray Suiter will spend the next 226 months in prison for the death of 25-year-old Bryena Mcqitty.

On a Sunday morning in November of 2017, police responded to an unknown call for EMS at a residence in the 800 block of north Litchfield in Wichita, according to Lt. Todd Ojile.

Upon arrival officers located Mcqitty, a resident of the home who was unresponsive.

She was pronounced dead at the scene. Investigators did find trauma on the victim, according to Ojile.

Police on the scene of Sunday homicide investigation -photo courtesy KWCH

Investigators interviewed the Mcquitty’s boyfriend identified as Aaron Suiter and her roommate.

The investigation revealed the Mcqitty and Suiter had come home early Sunday and had a loud, verbal argument, according to Ojile.  “At some point during or just after the argument the woman was struck and killed.”

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Passage of Hays USD 489 bond could free up money for other repairs

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By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post

If the district could pass just a small bond, it would free up money in the capital outlay budget for other needs in the district, Hays USD 489 Superintendent John Thissen told the school board at its meeting Monday night.

The school board last month heard a proposal for a $29.4 million bond from its architect and construction manager. The plan included HVAC repairs at Hays High School, expansion of the cafeteria at Hays Middle School and renovation and repairs at Roosevelt Elementary School with expansion of the school to accommodate five sections of each grade.

The plan would allow the district to close Lincoln Elementary School, which is more than 90 years old and has significant infrastructure issues.

“The question is could this set the stage for some possibilities in the future?” Thissen said.

The heating and cooling systems at both Roosevelt and HHS need to be addressed very soon, Thissen said. If those projects were paid for through a bond, money dedicated to those projects in the current capital improvement plan could go to repairs that are needed at Wilson and O’Loughlin elementary schools.

“If you were able to walk away from another building, not just what has already happened with Washington and Munjor, but also walk away from Lincoln Elementary,” Thissen said, “once again you have buildings that have existing needs and you would be able to say we are not going to put money into those buildings and that money can be redirected.”

Thissen said the district could propose a bond just to make repairs, but it could end up investing hundreds of thousands of dollars into buildings the district ends up walking away from in just a few years.

“There are times when you live in a home long enough that you end up saying, ‘Is it worth the money to dump money into it or do you look for a new home?” he said.

Thissen said this plan does make repairs, but it takes the district one step forward toward the future with the expansion at Roosevelt.

Board member Paul Adams said he wanted to know what projects the district could do if it could redirect the approximately $6.7 million that had been budgeted for repairs of the HVAC system at HHS, as well as what could be done if repairs at Roosevelt were rolled into a bond.

“You are right,” Adams said to Thissen. “It is not just this work, but the work to the whole physical plant of the district. But I don’t really have a good sense of what that looks like. That comes back to some of what we have talked about — what’s our long-range planning?”

In November 2016, the board considered hiring a firm to complete a long-range facilities plan. However, the board decided not to move forward with that contract. Thissen said the board could revisit hiring a firm to do a long-range facilities plan.

However, a long-range plan would have to be altered if the district had a catastrophic failure in one of its systems, for example the HVAC at Roosevelt.

Adams said this latest proposal takes care of some of the district’s highest priority needs.

“Whether we move things around or do something with another building, we have to take care of the physical building we now call the high school. We have to get the HVAC. We need to take care of the needs at Roosevelt and repair it. The plan in place looks good, just also give me an idea of where we will realize the money we would have put to the high school. … You’re not just doing one project. That vote is actually several projects.”

Board member Mandy Fox said she would to like the same information on long-range capital improvements. She said she thought the next step is to present the project to voters to get their feedback.

Board member Lance Bickle wanted to make sure any bond proposal would keep the cost within what surveys have said voters are willing to pay per month in a tax increase. He also noted voters have indicated they want a much shorter term than the 30-year bond that was proposed in the last bond issue.

Board member Greg Schwartz said he did not support the plan. He said he did not think it fit with the concept the board had discussed seven months ago that would have reduced the number of elementary schools from four to two. He said he wanted to know more about the cost savings that could be achieved by consolidating into two elementary schools.

“I think throwing out bonds without a plan, we are going to get the same results we have always gotten,” Schwartz said.

Thissen said there are districts that do 20-year plans, but they are usually large districts that are growing. Smaller districts, such as Hays, typically complete projects as they can.

“The issue of putting together a big plan is fantastic,” he said, “but, at some particular point, some people are going to have to start.”

The board is not scheduled to discuss the bond again until late March or early April.

In other business, the board:

• Designated board members Mike Walker and Lance Bickle and Interim Director of Finance Keith Hall as agents for teacher negotiations with board member Sophia Rose Young as an alternate.

• Adopted the five-year capital outlay resolution. The levy will remain at 8 mills.

• Approved administrative contracts for building level administrators

• Reviewed the 2019-20 school calendar.

Melvin Herman Aufdemberge

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Melvin Herman Aufdemberge, 89, of Lincoln, KS, passed away Monday, February 18, 2019, in Hays. He was born August 25, 1929, in Lincoln, KS, to Ernest W. and Leona (Achterberg) Aufdemberge.

Left to celebrate his life include: sons Alan Aufdemberge, of Lincoln, Michael (Laurie) Aufdemberge, of Bennington, Gary (Karen) Aufdemberge, of Wamego; brother, C.T. (Mary) Aufdemberge, of Flagstaff, AZ; sister, Bernita Krumbach, of Lincoln; sister-in-law, Beverly Aufdemberge, of North Hills, CA; 8 grandchildren and a great-granddaughter.

He was preceded in death by his parents, spouse, Barbara J. Feldt, brother, Orval Aufdemberge, and daughter-in-law, Vicki Aufdemberge.

Visitation: 1-7:00 P.M. Friday, March 1, at Hall Chapel, Lincoln, with family receiving friends 5-7:00 P.M.

Service: 10:30 A.M. Saturday, March 2, at St. John Lutheran Church, Lincoln, with interment following in St. John Lutheran Cemetery.

La Crosse man wins $20,000 playing Kansas Lottery

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Philip Likens

Winning ticket sold at Great Bend Casey’s

Kansas Lottery

Philip Likens of La Crosse has a particular strategy when buying instant tickets, and this time his plan paid off with a $20,000 win when he played the $2 Double Bonus Crossword!

“I always buy two of whatever tickets I’m getting,” said Likens. “This time I bought $18 worth of tickets, but only two of each kind. When we get home with the tickets, I’ll take one and my wife will take the other, and then we’ll scratch the tickets together.”

Likens explained he miscounted the number of words on his crossword ticket at first and his wife, Gretchen, figured out how much they had actually won.

“I only counted eight words at first, and I was pretty excited for $500! She’s the one who recounted and figured out how many words we had, and how much the ticket was worth. I still don’t believe it,” he said.

The Likens family was already planning a vacation, so their big win comes at the perfect time.

“We were planning a cruise for us and our daughters for this year. We will probably use some of the winnings to pay for the trip, and put the rest into savings for now,” said Likens.

The winning ticket was sold at Casey’s General Store 1905 at 1315 10th Street in Great Bend. There are still six $20,000 top prizes left in the $2 Double Bonus Crossword instant scratch game, as well as thousands in other cash prizes.

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