Sally Ann Nuss, 82, of Olathe, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on August 11th, 2019. She was born at home on February 10th, 1937 to Otis and Elsie (Brassfield) Foster in Miami County, KS.

Sally grew up in the same area and attended a one room schoolhouse. She then graduated from Rantoul High School in 1954. While there, she was on the basketball team and softball team, a cheerleader, involved in theatre, and the Homecoming Queen. After high school, Sally attended Clark’s Business School in Topeka where she learned shorthand which she would later use to amaze her grandchildren who thought she knew secret code.

Sally met a handsome Woolworth manager in Ottawa, Kansas, William (Bill) Nuss, and they were married for over 50 years. Together they owned Nuss’ Ben Franklin in Hays, Kansas for over 20 years. They then moved to Lenexa, Kansas and had Debbie’s Hallmark and Debbie’s Card and Gift in Lenexa that they managed with daughter Debbie. She later retired with Bill and became a Grandma and Great-Grandma before her passing.

Sally loved to laugh, be silly, and loved her family. She was a lover of dogs, coffee, fishing, horses, TV shows, KU Basketball, romance novels, and going out to dinner with family. She taught her family to not take yourself so seriously and the value of spending quality time together.

She is survived by her son Tony Nuss and his wife Connie of Chanhassen, Minnesota, granddaughter Emily Lazar and her husband Joe of Minneapolis, Minnesota, 3 great-grandchildren Joey, Audrey, and Leah Lazar of Minneapolis, and grandson Michael Nuss, also of Minneapolis. She is also survived by her daughter Debbie Medlin and her husband Mark of Overland Park, Kansas, her granddaughter Jessica Collins and her husband Brenton of Olathe, Kansas, and her granddaughter Katlin Medlin of Overland Park, Kansas. Also survived by: cousins Bob and Marlene Smith of Paola, Kansas and Tom Foster, sister-in-law Mariette Green of Tujunga, California.

She is preceded in death by her parents Otis and Elsie (Brassfield) Foster, her husband William Nuss, her aunts Ollie Brassfield, Grace LaVern Brassfield, and Faye (Foster) Smith and husband Willis, uncles Roy Foster, Vinton Foster, and William Foster.

A celebration of Sally’s life will be held at 10:00 am on Friday, August 16, 2019 at Penwell Gabel’s Olathe Chapel.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to Kansas City Hospice and Palliative Care, donations can be mailed to KCHPC, 1500 Meadow Lane Parkway, Suite 200, Kansas City, MO, 64114.

Joyce Arlene (Bannister) Bromlow of Overland Park, Kansas passed away in her sleep in the early morning hours of October 30, 2018.

Joyce was born on August 27, 1939 at St. Joseph’s Memorial Hospital in Larned, Kansas and was the only daughter to Charles Bannister and Gladys (Hanson) Bannister of Alexander, Kansas. She grew up on the family farm outside of Alexander, was an active member of the United Methodist Church and graduated from Alexander High School in 1957. Joyce then graduated from Fort Hays Kansas State College with a Bachelor of Science in Education in 1961 and subsequently a Master of Science in Elementary Education in 1966.

On November 24, 1960, Joyce married James D. Bromlow of Fairview, Oklahoma in the Vassar United Methodist Church in Vassar, Kansas. Together they had two children: a daughter, Kerri and a son, Kris. James and Joyce lived in Alexander, Kansas until 1987 when they relocated to LaCrosse, Kansas.

Joyce began her teaching career at the age of nineteen and taught for over forty-two years in the communities of Bazine, Alexander and LaCrosse. After retirement, she continued to serve as a substitute teacher at area elementary schools in the Rush County area. Throughout her adult life, she was an active member of the United Methodist Church, Rebecca Circle, United Methodist Women, and lifelong church choir member. Joyce participated in Rotary Club and served on the Barnhard Library Board for many years. She also held memberships in the Kansas State Teacher’s Association, National Education Association, as well as Rush and Ness County Teacher’s Associations. Joyce was a member of the Beta Gamma Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma for over 40 years, and a lifetime member of the Fort Hays State Alumni Association. She taught Sunday School as well as Vacation Bible School classes, was a member of the Pro Art Music Club, a leader in Girl Scouts, 4-H and served as the Mayor of Alexander.

As evidenced by her commitment to teaching, Joyce thoroughly enjoyed working with children and helping the people in her community. Her biggest enjoyment in life centered around the time spent with her family and in particular making memories while watching her children and grandchildren grow. She loved visiting with friends both old and new. She took pleasure in singing, playing the piano, working in her yard, taking long walks with her husband and friends, cooking, and reading books. Her favorite family outings included attending dinner theaters, concerts, plays, and sporting events. Joyce traveled extensively throughout the continental United States and took trips to Canada as well as Europe. She enjoyed a full life pursuing her passion for knowledge. She lived life with the goal of serving God, her family and her community.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Gladys Bannister as well as her brother William C. (Bill) Bannister.

Surviving family members at her time of death include: husband James Bromlow of Overland Park, Kansas (now deceased); daughter, Kerri Renz (and husband Keith) of Overland Park; son, Kris Bromlow (and wife Laura) of Katy, Texas. Also surviving Joyce are: her five grandchildren, Andrew Renz of Arvada, Colorado; Landon and Hayden Renz of Overland Park; Kaitlyn and Jack Bromlow of Katy, Texas; two great grandchildren, Hailey and Nathan Renz of Lawrence, Kansas; her sister in law Marcia Bannister of Hays, Kansas; and numerous loving nieces, nephews and cousins on both the Bromlow and Bannister sides of the family.

The family has planned a celebration of life ceremony to be held in honor of both James and Joyce at the United Methodist Church in LaCrosse, Kansas on Saturday, August 24, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family would encourage donations to the Alzheimer’s Association which can be made at www.alz.org or the United Methodist Church located at 220 Washington, LaCrosse, Kansas 67548.

James Deollis Bromlow of Overland Park, Kansas passed away peacefully surrounded by family on the evening of July 11th, 2019.

James was born on November 16, 1935 at the family home located near Chester in West Dane Township, Major County, Oklahoma and was the second of six children born to Fletcher Deollis Bromlow and Dolah Elisabeth (Thomas) Bromlow. He grew up working on the family farm with his father outside of Chester and graduated from Longdale High School in 1955.

Following graduation, James began his farming career in the summer of 1955 when he was hired by Charles Bannister of Alexander, Kansas. Unbeknownst to him, he also met his future wife at this time. James served two stints in the United States Army from September, 1958 until September, 1960 and again from September 1961 until final discharge in 1962.

On November 24, 1960, James married Joyce Arlene (Bannister) Bromlow of Alexander, Kansas in the Vassar United Methodist Church in Vassar, Kansas. Together they had two children: a daughter, Kerri and a son, Kris. James and Joyce lived in Alexander, Kansas until 1987 when they relocated to LaCrosse, Kansas.

James was a farmer and a life-long caretaker of the land. He enjoyed spending time with his family which often included fishing, trips to visit extended family and friends, going to his childrens’ activities and ball games as well as helping with various 4-H projects. James always made himself available to help out neighbors and fellow farmers when the situation called for it. He also loved playing cards and dominoes while visiting with friends.

James was a member of the Alexander Kiwanis Club; board member of the Alexander Co-op; member of the Rush County Extension Board; member, trustee and usher of the United Methodist Church; Alexander Council Member; and served as the Mayor of Alexander.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Joyce (Bannister) Bromlow, his parents, Fletcher and Dolah Bromlow; brothers Louie and Kenneth; sisters Nidella Gibson and Alzadia Kirkham.

Surviving family members include: daughter, Kerri Renz (and husband Keith) of Overland Park; son, Kris Bromlow (and wife Laura) of Katy, Texas. Also surviving James are: his five grandchildren, Andrew Renz of Wheat Ridge, Colorado; Landon and Hayden Renz of Overland Park, Kansas; Kaitlyn and Jack Bromlow of Katy, Texas; two great grandchildren, Hailey and Nathan Renz of Lawrence, Kansas; his brother Leslie and sister in law Caroline of Seiling, Oklahoma; his sister in law Marcia Bannister and husband Ken Griffin of Hays, Kansas; and numerous loving nieces, nephews and cousins on both the Bromlow and Bannister sides of the family.

The family has planned a celebration of life ceremony to be held in honor of both James and Joyce at the United Methodist Church in LaCrosse, Kansas on Saturday, August 24, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family would encourage donations to the Alzheimer’s Association which can be made at www.alz.org or the United Methodist Church located at 220 Washington, LaCrosse, Kansas 67548.

Reza “Ray” Marefat, age 80, of Hays, Kansas passed away on Sunday August 18, 2019 in Hays. Ray was born on August 30, 1938 in Saveh, Iran.

Ray came to the United States in 1960 for work and school. He attended Highland Community College in Coffeyville and Pittsburg, KS. He graduated with a BS in Math from FHSU in 1969, then continued on to the University of Oklahoma for a BS in Chemical Engineering followed by a Master’s Degree in Petroleum Engineering from Ohio State – Columbus.

He returned to Iran in 1973 to work for the National Oil Company of Iran until the revolution of 1979. Upon returning to the United States in 1986 he opened Maxim’s Restaurant in Hays until his retirement in 1996.

Ray’s commitment to education was passed along to his children. His daughter is a RN graduate of FHSU, and now on staff at UCSF Medical Center. His son also graduated from FHSU and is a KU Medical Graduate practicing Ophthalmology in Topeka, KS.

Ray is survived by his wife, Mary Marefat; Son, Babak Marefat; Daughter, Simin Marefat (married to Kreg Rotthoff); and a Grandson, Kai Rotthoff.

Memorial Services for Ray will be Saturday September 28, 2019 from 3 to 6 PM in the 1St floor conference room of the Hadley Center, 205 East 7th Street Hays, KS 67601.

Cremation entrusted to Brock’s-Keithley Funeral Chapel and Crematory 2509 Vine Hays, KS 67601. Condolences may be left online at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com or by email at [email protected]