January 25, 1965 – April 26, 2019

An obituary and services are pending with Plumer Overlease Funeral Homes.

Geneva M. (Noren) Christensen was born on the family farm near Oberlin, Kansas to David Theodore and Esther Amanda (Carlson) Noren on October 6, 1925. She passed away peacefully at home in Farmington Hills, Michigan, on April 27, 2019, at the age of 93.

Geneva attended a one-room school house near her family farm for grades 1-8. She then “batched” in town on a weekly basis for all four of her high school years. She graduated with highest honors from Decatur County High School in 1943. In Geneva’s own words: “I was born and raised in a Christian home and always loved Jesus but never committed my life to Him until I was 12 years old. A great burden was lifted from my soul at that time. The Lord has patiently led and guided me through the years. Praise His name!”

Since she wasn’t old enough to go directly into a nurses’ training program upon graduating from high school, and since she was not financially able to go to college, she worked in Denver, CO for one year. In the fall of 1944, she was accepted to enter the Swedish Covenant Hospital Nursing Program. It was war time, and when the Cadet Nursing Program was offered through the Swedish Covenant Hospital, Geneva signed up and graduated as an RN with highest honors in 1947. She then entered North Park Junior College and Bible Institute.

When great need arose on the Congo mission field, she quickly accepted the call to go after only one year at North Park. In August 1949, she sailed for the Belgian Congo. Gordon Christensen followed a year later, and they were married on September 2, 1950 in Leopoldville, the capital of the Belgian Congo. Geneva and Gordon served together on the Covenant Field in Congo until their retirement in 1990. Most of their time was spent at the Bible Institute where pastors and their wives were trained. Geneva served as a nurse as well as taught at the Bible Institute.

Probably Geneva’s greatest contribution to the pastor’s wives was to teach them that they were people of worth. She taught them that God made them, and He doesn’t make useless or second-grade things. Geneva received a medal from the Congolese government for long service to the Congo. Geneva said she had a graduate degree: “MOM”. In Lingala, she was called “Mama” and “Koko” meaning “Mom” and “Grandmother.”

Geneva’s root gifts were those of counseling, teaching, and mentoring. During her retirement years, these gifts were in use regularly. Both Geneva and Gordon were prolific writers, producing helpful booklets for the Christian life for the Congolese. No doubt, the greatest gift to the African church was and is the three volume New Testament commentary, “Mai Na Bomoi” (“Living Water”) that Gordon wrote with Geneva’s assistance. These volumes have been used as textbooks in many Congolese Bible Schools. After their retirement, both Geneva and Gordon served in interim pastor capacities in several places and were involved in Schools of Prayer and Evangelism, and Spiritual Intervention.

Geneva is survived by her three children and their spouses: Susan and Dale Lovercheck (Media, PA), Michael and Angela Christensen (Hampton, VA), and Mary Lynn and Dennis Carlson (Farmington Hills, MI). She is also survived by her five grandchildren: James Lovercheck, Timothy Carlson (Kathryn), Kristin Bransford (Scott), Nathan Christensen and Katelin Christensen. Geneva was preceded in death by her husband, Gordon Christensen; grandson, Phillip Christensen; sister, Evelyn Noren; brother, Edwin Noren and brother, Willard Noren.

Funeral services will be held 11:00 AM Friday, May 3, 2019 at the Herndon Covenant Church. Burial will follow at Herndon Covenant Cemetery. Visitation will be 10:00 – 11:00 AM. Memorial contributions may be made to the Herndon Covenant Church or Paul Carlson Partnership – Congo Clinic Initiative (Chicago, IL). Condolences may be left at www.paulsfh.com

Rebecca D. Russell was born on November 15, 1960, in La Mesa, California, to parents, Dean Filener and Jessie Walker. She died on April 24, 2019, at her home in Hermiston, Oregon at the age of 58 years.

Rebecca was raised in Kansas, attending schools in Valley Center, Kansas. She graduated from Valley Center High School in the class of 1978. Rebecca then attended Fort Hays College where she earned her bachelor of arts degree in photography. She moved to Nyssa, Oregon in 1982 where she married Gary Russell on March 21, 1987. They moved to Portland, Oregon in 1987 and later Prineville, Oregon before settling in Hermiston, Oregon in 2012 where they have lived since. Rebecca enjoyed quilting, hunting, fishing, butterflies, humming birds, gardening and photography. She was a longtime advocate and supporter of World Vision International.

She is survived by her husband: Gary Russell, Hermiston, OR; mother: Jessie Walker, Pendleton, OR; sons: William Russell, Richland, WA, Mitchell Russell, Troutdale, OR & Jeremiah Russell, Jacksonville, FL; daughters: Genie Ross, Portland, OR & Rebecca Ramer, Vancouver, WA; brothers: William Filener, Broken Arrow, OK, David Filener, Tuscan, AZ & Randall Melton, Pendleton, OR; sisters: Mary Powell-McConnell, Tuscan, AZ, Cynthia Russell, La Grande, OR, Julia Flynn, Pendleton, OR & Willa Wallace, Pendleton, OR; 8 grandchildren; 1 great grandson; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Rebecca was preceded in death by her father.

A celebration of life service will be held on Saturday, May 4, 2019 at 1:00 P.M. at Burns Mortuary Chapel, Hermiston, Oregon.

Those who wish may make contributions in Rebecca’s memory to World Vision International at www.wvi.org

Please share memories of Rebecca with her family at burnsmortuaryhermiston.com

Burns Mortuary of Hermiston, Oregon is in care of arrangements.

Virginia Mae Schraeder, 91, passed away April 28, 2019 at the Long Term Care Unit of the Hodgeman County Hospital, Jetmore.

Jenny was born at the family home in Seneca, KS, to Harold and Elsie May (Fisher) Millen on August 7, 1927. Jenny is survived by her sister Donna (Bruce) Siemsen, Hollyrood, KS. Gary Glen, G.G, (Karen) Millen, Seattle WA., and two children; Mike M. Schraeder (Francine), Renee R. Sinclair (Mark). Many nieces and nephews, and many cherished friends

She attended Fort Hays College and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Home Economics, and English. She met the love of her life, Wilbur Wayne Schraeder and married him on Easter break in 1949. The newlyweds moved to Jetmore, KS for the summer and she worked at ACA office. While Wilbur finished his education, Jenny taught High School in Codel, KS. After graduation they moved back to the Jetmore and built a home where they lived until 1960 when they moved to the farm.

Jenny taught school in Jetmore for 4 years during the 1950s; 1yr-3rd grade, and 3 yr.-kindergarten and then substitute taught for many years.

Jenny was elected as District Magistrate Judge for Hodgeman Co District Court #24, and served from 1979 to 1985, as well as Municipal Judge until 1988. She was honored to be President of the National Judges Association, and well as President of the Kansas Municipal Judges Association from 1985 to 1988.

Jenny Loved to Travel, especially in their camper and visited multiple foreign countries & every state except Rhode Island.

She loved to camp with Girl Scouts & received the “Thanks Badge,” a great honor.

Jenny was a Master seamstress and tailor and a fabulous cook. She enjoyed reading and the latest gadget & was also involved with the Jetmore Methodist Church, Hospital Auxiliary, and Theta Pi.

Jenny was eternally grateful to her Aunt Irene Colyer, who encouraged her to attend college and employed her during her education.

Her Husband of 64 years Wilbur W. Schraeder preceded her on October 26, 2013, she missed him deeply but they are now reunited on their 70th wedding year.

Funeral will be 1 p.m. Thursday at United Methodist Church, Jetmore, with Pastor Cyd Stein presiding. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Beckwith Funeral Home, Jetmore.

Memorials may be given to the Hodgeman County Long Term Care Center or American Legion in care of Beckwith Funeral Home, Box 663 Jetmore, KS 67854. Condolences may be left at www.beckwithfuneralhome.com.

Mary Margaret Edell passed away at the age of 97 in Milwaukee, WI, on April 10th, 2019. There will be a Rosary at St. Mary’s Catholic Church on May 3rd at 7:30 pm. The Memorial Mass will be held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church on May 4th at 10:30 am followed by the burial at Fairview Cemetery.

Mary Margaret was born February 28th, 1922 in Baltimore, MD to Ethel (nee Ochiltree) and Earl Stephen Bishop, PhD. Mary Margaret grew up in Haddam, KS with her mother and older sister, Blanche Harlan. She graduated from Haddam High School, Class of 1940.

Mary Margaret attended Kansas State College of Agriculture and Applied Science, earning her Bachelor of Science in Microbiology in 1943. Following college, she ventured to Detroit for a year to work in the laboratory at Henry Ford Hospital. In 1944 she returned to Manhattan to wed James Green. Tragically, she was widowed in late June 1945 and gave birth to her first child in March 1946. Later that year Mary Margaret returned to Kansas State, earning her Masters of Science in Bacteriology in 1948. She continued her research activities and teaching responsibilities in the Department of Microbiology as she worked toward her PhD. It was during this time that she instructed a young US Army Air Corps veteran from Smith Center, KS, Cornelius Clyde “Casey” Edell. Mary Margaret and Casey were married on May 27th, 1950 in Manhattan, KS.

Mary Margaret was involved in many social groups and volunteer activities in Smith Center, including PEO. She was instrumental in the establishment of St. Mary’s Catholic Church. In 1970 Mary Margaret returned to college to obtain her teaching certificate; she was a highly respected faculty member and a much beloved science teacher in Kensington, KS until her retirement over 10 years later. Mary Margaret prepared taxes from her main street office for the next 20 years, finally retiring at the age of 90. Casey, the love of Mary Margaret’s life for over 67 years, passed away on March 2nd, 2018. She wanted to live her remaining days at home in Smith Center, and, with the help and support of so many in that community, she was able to remain until winter.

Mary Margaret was a remarkable woman, strong and independent, self-sacrificing, and tireless in her commitment to family, community and church. She epitomized the Greatest Generation and will continue to inspire those who loved her so dearly through their living memories.

Mary Margaret is survived by her children: Michaele “Mickey” Edell (Edward Polce) of Canton, MI; Julie Edell-Berlin of Milwaukee, WI; Eric Edell (Rosemary) of Rochester, MN; Thomas Edell (Joana) of San Antonio, TX; and David Edell of Houston, TX. Mary Margaret is also survived by six grandchildren: Jesse (Fernanda) Edell-Berlin of New York, NY; Katherine Edell of Denver, CO; Anna (Ryan) Cooksey of Salt Lake City, UT; Logan Edell of San Antonio, TX; Monica Edell of New York, NY; and Lewis Edell of Paris, France.

Click HERE for service details.

Marlaine F. “Mid” Keller, age 98, of Ellis passed away saturday, April 27, 2019, at Hays Medical Center.

Funeral services will be 11 AM Saturday, May 4, 2019, at Christ Lutheran Church in Ellis. Burial will be in Mt. Hope Cemetery in Ellis.

Visitation will be Friday, May 3, 2019 at Keithley Funeral Chapel, 400 E 17th, Ellis, KS 67637.

A complete obituary is pending.