George Allen Morrill, 70, went home to be with the Lord, Wednesday Jan. 30th, 2019. He passed away quietly in his home with his wife by his side after suffering a long illness.
George was born Nov. 7th, 1948, in Great Bend, Ks. He was the son of Ernest and Jane Morrill. Survivors include: wife, Ruth (Hanson) Morrill, Sons, Joshua, Paola, Ks., and James, New York, NY and four grandsons, Isaac, Chillicothe, Mo., Aaron, Jacob, and Seth, Paola,Ks. One sister, Marsha Morrill, Lindstrom, Minnesota.
George owned and operated Morrill Hay Co. which he founded in 1970 until 2017, growing the business from a few hundred acres to nearly 10,000 acres at one time. Morrill Hay Company was a custom harvesting business, processing Alfalfa hay and supplying local feed yards, at one time employing 25 to 30 people. George was gifted in business and business management and was very servant minded, wanting the best for his customers.
George was a good and godly man, giving his life to the Lord in 1985 at the age of 37. He was a generous man with a constant smile. He loved his family and doted on his four grandsons. Words cannot express how much he will be missed.
Two scriptures that brought much comfort to George and the family are:
“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.” Psalm 116:15 and, Psalm 73:26
“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”
Funeral will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday, February 9, 2019 at Beckwith Mortuary Chapel with Pastors Ryan Webster, Duane Kershner and Rob Schmutz presiding. Visitation will be 9:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. Friday with family present from 6-8 p.m.
Memorials may be given to Roca Blanca Missions, 8242 S Harvard Ave Ste D, Tulsa, Ok 74137, Ministry Outdoor Adventures, PO Box 71, Haven, Ks 67543 or
Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, all in care of Beckwith Mortuary, P.O. Box 477, Larned, KS 67550. Personal condolences may be left at www.beckwithmortuary.com.
Dorthea Mae Cauble (James) was born May 14, 1928 on the farm in Zook, Kansas. Her early years were spent in western Kansas in Big Bow on a homestead. The Dust Bowl drove the family back to Zook where she went to grade school and high school and played on the high school basketball team and formed friendships that lasted a lifetime. She went to work after high school in Larned as a secretary for a year before attending Haviland Business College. She met the love of her life when her brother brought Dale James home from Fort Hays State for a hunting trip. When she was really tired she would say, he shot, I fell, end of love story.
They married March 23, 1951 in Larned at the first of many celebrations of their life together. After a short honeymoon, they lived in a small trailer in Hays while Dale finished college. They loved their early life together weathering a flood and snowstorms and added more lifetime friends. After graduation, they returned to the family farm in Shields, Ks. Raising their three children, Rose, Diana and Danny, Dorthea was the epitome of the farmer’s wife and helpmate. She loved her friends, quilting, gardening, sewing, and being involved in all her children’s activities. They loved owning a stock race car (although she never let him drive it) and dragging their children along every weekend to the races. After raising her own three kids, she actively participated in her grandchildren’s lives, passing on her values and love to all her grandchildren.
She was a Shields 4-H leader for 20 years. She belongs to TOPS for over 20 years, ESA Sorority for 10 years, UMW, As You Like It Club, and was a founding member of the Lane County Red Hat Society. She was an active member of The Joy Center as a board member and president. She loved to golf and was a member of the Lane County Country Club. She was a member of the Shields Methodist Church and later the Dighton United Methodist Church.
She loved to watch sports, especially basketball, going to all the Dighton games with her friends whether she had a child or grandchild in school or not.
After her husband passed away in 2003, she continued to manage their farm and moved to Dighton. In 2016, she moved to assisted living in Wichita to be closer to her doctors, and daughter Rose. This was just another chapter in her life that she once again took on with delight, meeting new friends immediately and finding ways to make this chapter as special as the others. Dorthea died on Sunday, February 3, 2019 at Via Christi Village in Wichita.
Dorthea was preceded in death by her husband Dale James, 2003, son Danny James, 2016, granddaughter Hope James, 2012 and brother Ronnie Cauble, 2017. She leaves behind her two daughters Rose Meals and husband Paul, Wichita, Ks, and Diana James-Cairns and husband Wally, Redwood City, Ca. Grandchildren Becky Cole and fiance Clint Brooks, Maize, Matthew James, Dodge City, Luke James and Julie, Olathe, Ks, Abby James and Dale James, Hays, Bridget James and Kaitlyn Danielson, Dighton. And 7 great grandchildren, Taylor, Kaden, Kaylee, and Tatum James, Lexi Cole, Tanner Stacy, and Natalie Raub. She also leaves behind a legacy of friendships with people from all walks of life. She had a big heart and was loved by all.
Funeral Service will be at 1:00 PM Thursday at United Methodist Church in Dighton with Rev Berniece Ludlum officiating. Burial will be in Shields Cemetery. Friends may call from Noon to 8:00 PM Wednesday at Boomhower Funeral Home in Dighton. Memorials are suggested to the JOY Center or United Methodist Church in care of Boomhower Funeral Home. Condolences may be posted at www.garnandfuneralhomes.com
Mable Ruth Bohl, daughter of Joseph and Hilda (Saltzman) Perrill, was born on April 6, 1924 and passed away peacefully at the Andbe Home on January 29, 2019 at the age of 94.
Mable grew up on the family farm in Decatur County with 3 brothers and 5 sisters. She graduated from Lenora High School in 1943 and married William (Willie) Bohl, Jr. on January 27, 1945. Willie and Mable made their home in Norton County. Willie passed in 1971 and Mable resided in Norton until her death.
Mable was an American Legion Auxiliary member since 1970 and an Eagles Auxiliary member since 1972. She worked at the Andbe Home for 33 years as Head Housekeeper.
She held many Officer roles over the decades dedicating her time and service within the Legion Auxiliary. Her most proud accomplishment was the honor of being State Auxiliary Chairwoman for the Cadet Law Academy Program for 20 years from 1983 to 2003.
Mable volunteered for decades at the American Legion Hall in Norton preparing and serving countless meals for many occasions held there along side her sister, Erma Hackney. She retired from the Auxiliary in her late 80’s and was able to continue her passion for quilting in her home. Many Norton residents brought their quilts to Mable so that she may finish them as they liked. Her living room was large enough that a full size quilt rack became a permanent piece of furniture and she could easily quilt while answering the Daily Double on Jeopardy or watching any sports broadcast, especially Royals baseball.
Mable enjoyed spending time with her nephew and nieces and their children, attending school activities, cheering them on at sporting events and family dinners.
Mable was preceded in death by her parents, husband, an infant son at birth and brothers: Lloyd, Elmer, Louis, sisters: Erma Hackney, Gladys Minshall, Ivalee Grove, Ellen Couchet, and Mille Byrne.
Survivors include many nephews, nieces, great nephews and great nieces.
Mable was laid to rest quietly, as she wished on Saturday, February 2, 2019 with a private burial in the Norton cemetery.
Francis J. “Frank” Ptacek, 85, of Russell, Kansas, passed away Saturday, February 2, 2019 at the Kansas Soldiers’ Home in Dodge City, Kansas, surrounded by family.
Frank was born June 25, 1933 in Dorrance, Kansas. He was one of ten children born to Frank C. and Anna (Kepka) Ptacek. He grew up on a farm near Dorrance and graduated from Dorrance High School in 1951. He then attended one year at Kansas State University before needing to return home and help on the family farm.
Frank served his country in the U.S. Army from 1953-1955. Throughout his service, he served within the Military Police and was stationed at Fort Chaffee in Fort Smith, Arkansas.
Frank was united in marriage to Betty LaFern Stickney on December 27, 1954 in Wilson, Kansas. This union was blessed with five children; Craig, Audrey, Carmen, Mark and Jerry. They lived in Russell for a few years before moving to Great Bend in the early 60’s. They then moved to Salina and lived there from 1970 to 1974, and ultimately made their home in Russell from 1974 to present. They spent many years watching their five children grow and create families of their own. Unfortunately, after a battle with brain cancer, Betty preceded him in death on August 30, 1993. Many years were spent missing Betty and he longed to be reunited with her in heaven. On December 4, 2013, Frank was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. He spent the next five years within his home, being cared for by his children. On January 16, 2018, Frank was moved to the Kansas Soldiers’ Home at Fort Dodge.
Frank was a salesman most of his life and took great pride in his work. He instilled trust in others and people always sought him out for his help. He started out in the B.F. Goodrich store in Russell, sold insurance for American National Insurance in Salina, sold insurance for Farmers Insurance in Russell and sold cars for Paul McDonald Chevrolet in Hays, Kansas. He was an active member in St. Mary’s Catholic Church. He was a 3rd Degree Knight and a past Grand Knight for the Knights of Columbus. He served on the Parish Council and the Cemetery Board. He was an athlete and a true sports fan that was very active in coaching when his children were growing up. He was the American Legion Baseball coach for many years and also coached Babe Ruth baseball. One of Frank’s greatest passions was watching all sporting events, but especially those that included his children and grandchildren. Frank never met a stranger, he had a kind and loving heart and was always willing to lend a helping hand and help others in need. He valued his faith and family above everything else.
Surviving family include two daughters; Audrey Dougherty (Mitch) and Carmen Vonfeldt (Alan) all of Russell, Kansas; three sons, Craig Ptacek (Pam) and Mark Ptacek (Tammy) all of Russell, Kansas and Jerry Ptacek (Karen) of Round Rock, Texas; sister, Anna Mae Janda of Lyons, Kansas, twelve grandchildren and five great grandchildren.
Frank was preceded in death by his parents; wife Betty; five brothers and three sisters; and special friend, Gertie Steinlage.
Celebration of the Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 AM, Thursday, February 7, 2019 at St. Mary, Queen of Angels Catholic Church in Russell. Burial will follow at the St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery. Vigil and Rosary will be held at 7:30 PM, Wednesday, February 6, 2019 at St. Mary, Queen of Angels Catholic Church. Visitation will be held from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Wednesday, at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary in Russell. Memorials have been established with St. Mary’s Catholic Church or American Legion Baseball. Contributions and condolences may be sent to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, who is in charge of these arrangements.
Diana Landau, 64, of Oakley, died Monday, February 4, 2019. She was born March 14, 1954, in Norfolk, VA, to Donald and Goldie (Willson) Young. She was a pharmacist in Lawrence, KS.
She was preceded in death by her mom, Goldie.
She is survived by her father Donald Young, of Colby; sons, Dustin Landau, of Gardner, KS and Kirk Landau, of Lawrence, KS; brother, Robert Young and 5 grandchildren.
There will be a graveside service at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, February 7, 2019 at Beulah Cemetery, Colby, KS. For condolences or information visit www.baalmannmortuary.com
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly worked Monday to rescue a key budget proposal that would reduce Kansas’ annual payments to its public pension system by trying to sell the plan to wary retired teachers and government workers.
Governor Kelly during Monday’s State retiree rally at the Kansas Statehouse -photo courtesy WIBW TV
Kelly’s plan faces widespread opposition among Republican lawmakers, who view it as her way of freeing up state funds for additional spending on public schools and government programs. Her plan would reduce planned payments to the still-underfunded pension system for 17 years, delaying the closing of a long-term funding gap by 15 years.
The GOP-dominated Legislature shorted annual pension payments in recent years to help close budget shortfalls but balked in 2017 when then-GOP Gov. Sam Brownback proposed giving the state an additional decade to close the pension system’s funding gap. Kelly, formerly a veteran state senator from Topeka, was a strong critic of Brownback’s policies.
But Kelly told about 80 retirees gathered for an annual Statehouse rally that her proposal would give the state manageable annual payments to the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System and make it more stable. She insisted she isn’t trying to free up money for new spending and said retirees have heard “a lot of misinformation.”
“Whatever else you’re hearing is not true,” Kelly told the retirees. “I’ve just told you the truth.”
Legislators have wrestled with public pension costs for decades, and KPERS remains less than 70 percent funded, with its long-term funding gap projected at $8.9 billion. A 2012 law committed Kansas to aggressive increases in annual payments to close the gap by 2034 or 2035.
The governor’s office released projections Monday showing that the total annual payment is set to jump from $542 million to $681 million during the budget year beginning in July, then rise steadily to $923 million after 15 years.
Kelly’s office said her plan would cut the payment during the next fiscal year by $160 million to $521 million. For the 2035 budget year, it would be $654 million, or $269 million less than now planned. The governor said the lower payments are “much more sustainable.”
Asked whether she’s working an alternative in the face of GOP opposition, she told reporters, “I don’t need a Plan B on this.”
“The budget is balanced without any of this happening,” Kelly said.
Kelly’s proposed $18.4 billion budget for the state’s next fiscal year would leave cash reserves of $686 million, so there would be no shortfall if her pension plan failed. But she also argued that cash reserves are a hedge against a future economic downturn and made a point of not proposing to have annual spending outpace annual revenues.
Senate Vice President Jeff Longbine, a moderate Emporia Republican, said Kelly needs the pension proposal “to make her budget work.” Told that the governor disputed that assessment, Longbine replied, “OK, then why are we doing it?”
“It’s like refinancing your house in year 25 of a 30-year mortgage and taking the five years and spreading it out over 30,” Longbine said. “Nobody in their right mind would do that.”
Under Kelly’s plan, the state would not close the pension system’s long-term funding gap until 2049 or 2050. The pension system’s officials estimate that over that longer period, the total spending on pensions would be $7.4 billion higher.
Ernie Claudel, a retired Olathe teacher and school administrator who serves on the KPERS Board of Trustees, called Kelly’s plan a “terrible idea” last month. He is co-chairman of the retirees’ group that sponsored Monday’s rally and said he stands by those comments.
But Chris Huntsman, a retired Topeka teacher who attended the rally, said financially stressed families do refinance homes to lower mortgage payments and keep up with other bills.
“It’s not desired, but it keeps the family solvent,” Huntsman said.
Fort Hays State University is launching a redesigned website focused on delivering an exceptional user experience and telling the FHSU brand story of determination, innovation, and caring support.
The new website project has been in development for more than a year and is rooted in brand identity research involving faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community members, said Kelsey Stremel, co-assistant director of university relations and marketing and FHSU lead on the project.
“The redesigned website helps to tell the story of FHSU’s dedication, innovation, and community of support,” said Stremel. “The redesigned website tells that story through vibrant images and writing focused on our brand personality.”
She said the primary goals of the redesign include a focus on modern, clean and attractive aesthetic, user-experience design, clear and simple site navigation to strengthen the brand reputation and lead positive recruitment and revenue growth.
The redesigned website has a clear navigation to make sure prospective students can find the information they need to succeed. Prospective students can explore the 200-plus degree options, take a virtual tour of campus, or learn about the intramurals, student organizations, careers, internships and the endless opportunities available at FHSU.
In addition to the new design and simplified navigation, new pages have been added to allow current students, faculty, and staff to access frequently used applications, logins, and pages easily.
For students, the new “Students” page offers a quick resource to find the apps, programs, logins, and resources they use daily for success at FHSU including Blackboard, TigerTracks, the Forsyth Library, the academic calendar, and Gmail.
For faculty and staff, the new “Faculty/Staff” page brings frequently used resources and logins together on one page.
The website redesign is built over the top of the current FHSU website’s content. It is essentially a new frame on the current website to improve navigation and user experience. This also means that any page URLs that current users have bookmarked or use frequently will still work after the new website launches.
The foundation’s grant will support Smoky Hills Public Television’s educational programming and the Literacy Leadership program in Graham County. This program provides books to kids in Head Start and Early Head Start in the area.
“This grant helps support SHPTV’s educational mission,” said Larry Calvery, Smoky Hills Public Television general manager. “The Graham County Community Foundation has continued to provide quality educational resources to the children in Graham County and we want to thank them for their continued support.”
The Graham County Community Foundation provides small grants within the community to meet the Graham County community’s charitable, religious, educational, and scientific needs.
Smoky Hills Public Television serves 71 counties in central and western Kansas and has been named the Kansas Association of Broadcasters Non-Metro Station of the Year.
If you read “Insight” regularly you’ll know the man who started this column back in the late ‘70s, John Schlageck, retired from Kansas Farm Bureau in January.
Filling the shoes of someone who’s lived and breathed telling the story of agriculture for 45 years is no easy feat. And to be honest there’s no replacement for the way John weaves a story and leaves you wanting to read more.
As with all things in life though, they change and evolve. We know people look forward to reading Insight and even though it will be different from what was, we want to continue the tradition.
For a time, we will have guest writers sharing viewpoints from the farm. We’re excited to showcase different voices from across the state. Each of the writers brings a different viewpoint and experience of farm and rural life. We hope you will enjoy this change of pace.
Let us introduce our “Insight” columnists.
Kim Baldwin
Originally a native of New Mexico, Kim has a unique career background as a teacher and a television news professional for PBS and NBC affiliates. She moved to Kansas to marry her husband, Adam, in 2010. With their children, Banks and Isannah, the family raises wheat, corn, soybeans, grain sorghum and popcorn on their McPherson County farm. Kim teaches English and Journalism and serves as the Inman FFA assistant sponsor at Inman Junior/Senior High School.
Glenn Brunkow
Brunkow is a fifth-generation farmer in the Northern Flint Hills of Pottawatomie County, and serves on the Kansas Farm Bureau board of directors. When he’s not working on the farm and ranch, he writes his own weekly column called Dust on the Dashboard. He was a county Extension agent for 19 years before returning to farm and ranch full time.
Jackie Mundt
Jackie grew up on a dairy farm in Wisconsin and now calls Pratt County home. She and her significant other live on an irrigated and dry-land crop and cattle farm in Preston. She’s lived and worked in large cities and today chooses to call rural Kansas home. When she’s not on the farm or mentoring students, she is the Communications and Marketing Manager for Kanza Cooperative Association.
Kim, Glenn and Jackie have made the decision to build a life in the Wheat State. And just like the 30,000 other farm and ranch families who call Kansas Farm Bureau their farm organization, they have decided to live and work in rural Kansas. We think their thoughts, feelings and experiences will resonate with many of our readers.
Thank you for your past support of “Insight,” and we hope you continue to join us on this journey.
“Insight” is a weekly column published by Kansas Farm Bureau, the state’s largest farm organization whose mission is to strengthen agriculture and the lives of Kansans through advocacy, education and service.
WICHITA – More than 1,000 students completed their degrees at Wichita State University in fall 2018.
Undergraduate students who have attained a grade point average of 3.9 out of a possible 4.0 received the summa cum laude award; those with an average of 3.55 received the magna cum laude award; and those with an average of 3.25 received the cum laude.
WSU enrolls over 15,000 students and offers more than 60 undergraduate degree programs in more than 150 areas of study in seven undergraduate colleges.
The following northwest Kansas students earned degrees:
Downs
Rachel C Renken, Bachelor of Science, Medical Laboratory Sciences, Magna Cum Laude
Goodland
Gage L Ihrig, Bachelor of Business Admin., General Business
Hays
Edgar I Vallejo, B.S. in Aerospace Engineering, Aerospace Engineering
Norton
Naomi A Sevart, Master of Education, Special Ed-Early Chlhd Unified
Victoria
Jublain J Wohler, B.S. in Aerospace Engineering, Aerospace Engineering
WaKeeney
Cade A Papes, B.S. in Mechanical Engr, Mechanical Engineering, Cum Laude
SHAWNEE COUNTY— Law enforcement authorities in Kansas are investigating a suspect wanted on a nationwide warrant from El Paso County, Colorado.
De La Vega-King- Shawnee Co.
Just after 4:00 a.m. Monday, police stopped a vehicle on I-70 near the Adams Street exit for a traffic infraction, according to a media release from Topeka Police.
Upon contact with the driver, officers smelled an odor of marijuana, which led to a search of the vehicle. Officers located two stolen firearms, marijuana and drug paraphernalia in the vehicle.
Police arrested 27-year-old Juan Sebastian De La Vega-King and charged with being a fugitive from justice, felon in possession of a firearm, possession of stolen property, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
George Allen Morrill, 70, went home to be with the Lord, Wednesday Jan. 30th, 2019. He passed away quietly in his home with his wife by his side after suffering a long illness.
