Bonny Leah, daughter of George Fultz and Zealia Fay (Stokes) Turner was born April 2, 1926 at Grinnell, Kansas.

She lived all her growing up years in Gove County except the last semester of her senior year, when she moved with her parents and siblings to Dodge City, Kansas. There she graduated with the Class of 1943. Bonny attended Dodge City Community College and graduated with an Associate of Arts Degree in 1945.

After a three-year romance by mail during World War II, she married Walter Andrew Stevenson on Nov. 11, 1945 at Dodge City. To this union two children were born, a son David and a daughter Peggy.

After briefly working for a farmer in Southwest Kansas, the couple purchased the land in Gove County upon which they would reside for the next 62 years, where they raised wheat and cattle.

Bonny sold Avon in the 1970’s and 1980’s to rural Gove County. She also served on the Gove County Historical Association Board of Directors for many years. Bonny was a member of the DAR Front Range Chapter and also the Methodist Church in Oakley.

On Dec. 22, 2017 Bonny passed away at SunPorch of Dodge City (formerly Good Samaritan). She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Walter, in 2008; sisters: Betty, Beula and Beverly; and brothers: Byron and Bryce.

Bonny is survived by her two children, three grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and a brother Beuford in Washington.

Services will be conducted at the Kennedy-Koster Funeral Home at 2 p.m. Tuesday, January 2, 2018. Visitation will be from nonn  to 1:30 p.m. immediately preceding the service. Memorials may be made in lieu of flowers to Gove County Historical Association or Hospice of the Prairie in care of Kennedy-Koster Funeral Home.

Almena resident, Gerald D. Wilson, 79, passed away Dec. 26, 2017 at his home.

He was born April 14, 1938 in Norton County, Kansas, the son of Kenneth and Helen M. (Roeder) Wilson.

He was united in marriage to Jacqueline L. Merryman on April 18, 1965 in Norton. She preceded him in death in 2011. He was also preceded in death by his parents and an infant daughter, Charlotte Sue.

Survivors include a son, David Wilson and wife, Twila of Ellis, Kan.; daughter, Laquita Smith and husband, Travis of Almena, Kan.; his brother, Gene Wilson and wife, Linda of Halstead, Kan.; and five grandchildren.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Friday, Dec. 29, 2017 in the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, 1115 2^nd St., Phillipsburg, KS  67661, with Rev. Terrill Worthington officiating. Burial will follow in the Mt. Hope Cemetery, Almena, Kan., with military honors conducted by the Roy C. Goodrich American Legion Post No. 304.

Mr. Wilson will lie in state from noon until 9 p.m. Thursday at the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, Phillipsburg, where the family will receive friends for visitation from 7 to 8 p.m. that evening.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Gerald D. Wilson Memorial Fund.

Online condolences may be left at www.olliffboeve.com.

Former Goodland, Kan., resident, Johnny Lee Cole of Arvada, Colo., passed in peace Dec. 21, 2017 at the age of 87 at his home in Arvada.

John was born on Dec. 30, 1929 in McDonald, Kansas, to Archie and Electa (Blakely) Cole. He was one of seven children.

John grew up and attended school in McDonald, Kan., graduating from McDonald High School in 1947. He then went on and became a Maintenance Engineer for the Burlington Northern Railroad. He was an avid Denver Broncos fan, and loved to play and watch sports of all kinds. He also enjoyed hunting, fishing and bowling, as well as tinkering with anything and everything. He was a member of the Goodland Elks Club.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife Margie Lou Cole (Rohr), three sisters and three brothers.

John is survived by his son Dwight C. Cole of Bellevue, Neb., and his daughter Dara L. Landoll of Georgetown, Texas; nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Services will be held on Friday, Dec. 29, 2017 at 10:30 a.m. MT at the Koons-Russell Funeral Home in Goodland, with Pastor Brian Fugleberg officiating. Visitation will be from 9 to 10:30 a.m. on Dec. 29, 2017. Burial will follow in the Goodland Cemetery.

Memorials in lieu of flowers may be designated to the American Lung Association or the American Cancer Society and may be left at the services or mailed to Koons-Russell Funeral Home, 211 N. Main Ave., Goodland, KS 67735.

Online condolences may be left at www.koonsrussellfuneralhome.com.

Funeral services are entrusted to Koons-Russell Funeral Home in Goodland.

(January 5, 1967 – December 23, 2017) 

Virginia “Sue” Stroud, 74, died Dec. 24, 2017, at Clara Barton Hospital, Hoisington. She was born July 16, 1943, at Oakley, the daughter of Victor and Irene (Herrman) Schmitt. She was united in marriage to Lloyd Stroud June 11, 1962, at Ellinwood. He died Nov. 18, 2016. A long time Great Bend resident, she worked for USA Gymnastics & Supplies for over 40 years. She loved to sew, garden and take photos.

Mrs. Stroud was a member of Prince of Peace Parish at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church and the Altar Society.

Survivors include son, Eugene “Huie” Stroud and wife Darla of Great Bend; daughter, Debby Stroud of Great Bend; sisters, Shirley Harris and Betty Bender, both of Great Bend; brother, Nick Schmitt and wife Rose of Great Bend; grandchildren, Jamie Stroud and fiancé Scott Johnson, Jessika Stroud and Kyle Stroud; and great-grandson, Hunter Lloyd Johnson. She was preceded in death by daughter, Diana Stroud.

Altar Society Rosary will be at 4 p.m. and Vigil Service will be at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 28, 2017 at Bryant Funeral Home in Great Bend. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 29, 2017 at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Great Bend with Father Don Bedore celebrating. Burial will be in Great Bend Cemetery. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday Dec. 28, 2017 at Bryant Funeral Home.

Memorials have been established to help with the funeral expense in care of Bryant Funeral Home.

Robert J. Staab, 91, passed away Saturday, Dec. 23, 2017 in Tulsa. He was born to Alexius and Celestina Staab in Catherine, Kan., Oct. 26, 1926.

Robert was a veteran and served in the Philippines and Japan during WWII. Robert met Beatrice Schenk in 1950 at Severin School, where his youngest siblings, Ruby and Dennis, attended. Robert and Bea were married June 17, 1952 at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Olmitz, Kan. Robert and Bea spent their working and married lives in Kansas, living in Plainville, Salina, Great Bend, Harper, and Wichita before moving on to Lansing, Mich., in the summer of 1974 and retiring to Naples, Fla. in 1986.

After Bea’s death, Robert married Mary Frances (Komarek) Pinkenberg in 1989, at St. Mary Queen of the Universe Catholic Church in Salina, Kan. They enjoyed 14 years of marriage in Salina, where they built great memories with their granddaughters Elizabeth and Cordelia. Robert and Mary Frances enjoyed traveling to Tulsa and Chicago to spend time with their grandchildren Blaise, Zane, Alec, Colton, Matthew and Sophia. Robert was also loved by Mary Frances’ family, including Francis and Linda Komarek, John Komarek, nephew James Komarek, and Gertrude and John Kohn.

Robert loved his retirement days in Salina. He became a lifetime member of Saint Mary’s Knights of Columbus Council 8196. Robert spent most afternoons at the Salina Senior Center, playing cards and hanging out with his friends. He loved Texas Hold ‘em, Pitch, and Pinochle, and he loved to bake birthday cakes for his fellow card players. His own birthday parties were events he looked forward to celebrating with friends and family. He marked his 90th year with a helicopter ride to celebrate both his birthday and the medical school graduation of his granddaughter, Dr. Cordelia Staab Whitlatch, with the help of his grandsons-in-law, David Van Deusen and Michael Whitlatch.

Robert moved to Oklahoma Methodist Manor in Tulsa, Oklahoma in January 2013, just in time for the birth of his great-grandson, Samuel Robert W. Van Deusen. He enjoyed spending time with Sammy and watching him dance along to the tunes of Lawrence Welk; a smile never left his face when they were together.

Robert is survived by: children, Mike of Winnetka, Ill., Alan of Tulsa, Eric of Topeka, Kan., and Mary Ann of Keller, Texas; daughters-in-law, Jenni Holt, Sharon Voskuhl, and Rae Kary Staab; siblings, Ruby Nowak, Erlene Leiker, Dennis Staab, and Ervell Staab; eight grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

He was preceded in death by: his parents; his first wife, Beatrice (Schenk) Staab; his second wife, Mary Frances (Komarek) Pinkenberg Staab; and siblings, William Staab Sr., Louella Staab, Norman Staab, and Roger Staab.

Visitation: 4-8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 28, at Ryan Mortuary, Salina, with a vigil service at 5 p.m.

Funeral Mass: 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 29, at St. Ann’s Church, Olmitz, with internment in St. Ann’s Cemetery, Olmitz.

Memorials to: St. Catharine Catholic Church, 1681 St. Joseph, Catharine, KS 67627.

“O Holy Mother of God, pray for us that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.”

Survivors include her sisters: Joan Thimesch of Kingman, Kan., and Catherine Haack of St. Louis, Mo.

Alice was preceded in death by her parents and sisters: Margaret Colburn and Theresa Mika.

Visitation will be 9-10 a.m. Friday, Dec. 29, 2017, followed by a Mass of Christian burial at 10:30 a.m., both at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Oakley.

Interment will follow in St. Joseph’s Cemetery. Memorials to: Cardinal Glennon Hospital, St. Louis, Mo., in care of Kennedy-Koster Funeral Home, P.O. Box 221, Oakley 67748.

Condolences:  www.kennedykosterfh.com.

Thomas John Baumrucker, age 77, of Hays, passed away Friday, Dec. 22, 2017 in Hays.

He was born Nov. 15, 1940 in Hays to Ralph M. and Martina (Drees) Baumrucker. He graduated from Gorham High School in 1958 and earned two bachelor’s degrees and a master’s degree all from Fort Hays State University.

Tom owned and operated Hays Greenhouse for 42 years. He was a very hands-on owner who was always eager to use his expertise in helping customers with their projects. Prior to operating the Hays Greenhouse, he ran the family farm at the age of 19 after both of his parents died in a car accident. He enjoyed the Denver Broncos, the Nebraska Cornhuskers and he was an avid supporter of Fort Hays State University.

He is survived by his sister, Eileen Regier of Hutchinson; his brother, Steve Baumrucker and wife Nancy of Hays; and their sons David of Hays and Brian of Spring, Texas.

He was preceded in death by his parents. 

Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2017 at Brock’s-Keithley Funeral Chapel and Crematory 2509 Vine St. Hays, KS 67601. Inurnment will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Gorham, Kan.

A memorial visitation will be at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday until service time at the chapel.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Fort Hays State University Foundation (foundation.fhsu.edu).

Condolences may be left by guest book at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com or by email at [email protected]

November 25, 1943 ~ December 21, 2017 (age 74)

Jerry Celestin Dreiling, age 74, passed away Dec. 21, 2017 at Hutchinson Regional Hospital.  He was born on Nov. 25, 1943 at Ellis, Kan., the son of Celestin J. and Bernadette M. (Riedel) Dreiling.

Jerry was a retired Independent trucker, farmer and cattleman. He was a resident of Stafford County for 47 years.

On Nov. 6, 1970 he married Janice K. (Curtis) at St. John.  Survivors include his wife, Janice K. Dreiling, St. John; a daughter, Janette L. Meis (Tom), Hays; a son, Michael J. Dreiling, Great Bend, Kan.; two brothers, Robert Dreiling, Hays, Clarence “Butch” Dreiling, Holdredge, Neb.; a sister, El Freda Eberle, Fort Collins, Colo.; two grandchildren, Nicholas and Zachary Meis.

He was preceded in death by both parents and a sister, Alice Weber.

Memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 28, 2017 at Minnis Chapel, St. John with Pastor Dan Daniels presiding.

Memorials may be given to the Rebecca A. Morrison House in care of Minnis Chapel, P.O. Box 34, St. John, KS 67576.

Alberta Pfannenstiel, born March 15, 1936, passed away Dec. 22, 2017 in her home surrounded by her family.

Alberta and her identical twin sister, Albertina, were born in their parents’ farm home in Ellis County. Alberta married Marvin Pfannenstiel on April 30, 1956 and settled on Marvin’s family farm west of Antonino, Kan. Alberta and Marvin adopted four children through Catholic Charities: Kathleen, Douglas, Michelle and Michael. They lived on the farm until 1970 when they moved to Hays.

Marvin passed away June 26, 1975, leaving Alberta to raise the children. Alberta worked hard and raised their children. She worked as a janitor at Kennedy Middle School, Travenol, So Fro Fabrics, Hays Medical Center, Walmart and TMP-Marian. Alberta was a master seamstress and sewed for countless clients, family and friends.

Alberta is survived by her four children; Kathy McClain of Salina, Douglas Pfannenstiel of Hays, Michelle Pfannenstiel of Salina and Michael Pfannenstiel and wife Lori of Berthoud, Colo. She has 10 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren, three sisters; Melinda Lang of Hays, Alice Fisher and husband Cyril of Hays, and Albertina (Tina) Rohleder and husband Valarius of Abilene, plus many nieces and nephews.

Alberta was preceded in death by her husband Marvin Pfannenstiel, her parents Nick and Lidwina Geist, a sister Irene Windholz, and her brother Alfred Geist.

Mass of Christian burial will be at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 28, 2017 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 1805 Vine St. with Fr. Barry Brinkman officiating. Burial will follow in the St. Joseph Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 until 7 p.m. Wednesday and from 9 until 9:45 a.m. Thursday, all at Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine St. A parish vigil service and Rosary will be at 7 p.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home.

Memorials are suggested to Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be left for the family at www.haysmemorial.com.

(February 14, 1930 – December 23, 2017) 

Online condolences: www.olliffboeve.com.

Logan Funeral home is in charge of arrangements.