Thomas Joseph “Tom” Schulte, age 66, of Victoria, Kansas died Wednesday, April 10, 2019, at Via Christi Village Care Center Hays, Kansas.

He was born April 21, 1952, in Hays, Kansas to Otto H. and Hermina (Giebler) Schulte. He married Vicki (Jacobs) on October 1, 1982, in Hays, Kansas and they later separated.

He was a farmer/rancher and owned T & J Construction for over 45 years. He grew up on the farm at Vincent and attended grade school at Vincent. Tom took his first two years of high school at St. Francis Seminary at Victoria and was a 1970 graduate of Victoria High School. He attended two years at Seward Community College and two years at McPherson College both on basketball scholarships. He was a member of the Victoria Knights of Columbus, a member of the Basilica of St. Fidelis and attended St. Boniface Catholic Church, Vincent, Kansas. Tom enjoyed his farming, concrete work and the people he worked for and especially his family and grandkids.

Survivors include two sons, Seth Schulte and wife, Abby, Victoria, KS; Kyle Schulte and wife, Charlotte, Victoria, KS; two step-daughters, Gabby Lenger and husband, Jared, Shawnee Mission, KS; Megan Gramly, Hays, KS; his former wife, Vickie Schulte, Hays, KS; one brother, Gary Schulte and wife, Bonita, Salina, KS; one sister-in-law, Wanda Schulte, Hays, KS; three grandchildren, Ethan, Alice and Benjamin.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his step-mother, Mary (Hammerschmidt) Schulte; one brother, Norman Schulte; one sister, Donna Jean Pauls and her husband, Gerald.

Funeral services are at10:00 A.M. Saturday, April 13, 2019, at The Basilica of St. Fidelis, Victoria, Kansas. Burial in St. Boniface Cemetery, Vincent, Kanas.

A vigil service is at 6:15 P.M. Friday, followed by a Victoria Knights of Columbus Rosary at 6:30 P.M. Friday, both at The Basilica of St. Fidelis.

Visitation is from 6:00 to 9:00 P.M. Friday and from 9:00 to 10:00 A.M. Saturday, all at The Basilica of St. Fidelis.

The family Suggests memorials to the Concerned Descendants of St. Boniface Cemetery or Hospice of Hays Medical Center.

Services are entrusted to Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary, 412 Main Street, Victoria, Kansas 67671. Condolences can be left by guestbook at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com or can be send via e-mail to [email protected]

Sharon “Sherry” Mikkelson, 75, of Osborne died on Sunday, April 7, 2019, at Parkview Care Center of Osborne. She was born in Minot, N.D., on March 10, 1944, to Einar & Ruth (Simonson) Gay.

Sherry was a retired restaurant & bar manager.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Tom Weeth on March 9, 2019.

Sherry is survived by a daughter: Jodee Mikkelson of Grand Fork, ND; 3 sons: Steve (Kathy) Mikkelson of Portis, KS; Greg (Kiki) Mikkelson of Dracula, GA; Jon (Beth) Mikkelson of Hamilton, MN; 8 grandchildren & 6 great-grandchildren.

Donations may be made to: Parkview Care Center Activity Fund, c/o Parkview Care Center, 811 N 1st St., Osborne KS 67473.

Clark-Gashaw Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Donald E. “Don” Baker, 88, passed away April 9, 2019 at Medicalodges of Great Bend. He was born October 22, 1930 at Great Bend, the son of Elmer and Velma Neva (Cook) Bortz. He married Joan Jecha July 7, 1956 at Bison.

Don, a long time resident of Rush and Barton Counties, was a graduate of Fort Hays State University. Don was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, based at Schilling Air Force Base, Salina, serving during the Korean War, earning the rank of 1st Lt. Much of his military career was spent on tankers and B-47 bombers. Following his military discharge, Don continued his aviation career with Boeing in Wichita as a B-52 test pilot. It was not long before he and Joan found their way back to the family farm, where he farmed, raised livestock and worked for Timken State Bank. After retirement from the farm, Don was blessed with employment with Dee Doves, KVGB, KSN and Head Start. Don was a life member of the V.F.W. Post #3111, member of the American Legion Argonne Post #180, and enjoyed sports, reading, playing cards and fishing.

Survivors include, his wife Joan of the home; two sons, Stuart Baker and wife Lisa Ann and Clark Baker, all of Great Bend; one daughter, Lisa Oborny and husband Jim of Bells, TX; and six grandchildren, Andrew Baker, Jonathan Baker, Amber Hart and husband Michael, Nicholas Oborny and wife Samantha, Alexander Oborny and wife Rachel, and Victoria Oborny. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Elizabeth Jeanne Degner.

Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Friday, April 12, 2019 at Bryant Funeral Home, with family receiving friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Funeral Service will be held at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, April 13, 2019 at Bryant Funeral Home, with Pastor Larry Schumacher presiding. Interment will be in the Great Bend Cemetery, Great Bend, with Military Rites conducted by the United States Air Force. Memorials are suggested to the Golden Belt Humane Society or Kansas Wetlands Education Center, in care of Bryant Funeral Home.

March 6, 1943 – April 10, 2019

An obituary is pending with Plumer Overlease Funeral Homes.

Click HERE for service details.

Leah Rae Metcalf, infant daughter of Shannon Michael Metcalf and Elizabeth “Libby” Jean Fort, passed away April 7, 2019 at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita.

She was born on November 23, 2018, in Wichita.

Leah is survived by her parents and brothers: Reid Fort, Aden Metcalf and Axel Metcalf, all of Danbury, NE; grandparents, Kent and Julie Legg of McCook, NE and Sid and Cheryl Metcalf of Oberlin, KS and many aunts, uncles and cousins.

Funeral service will be held 10:00 am Monday, April 15, 2019 at the United Methodist Church in Oberlin. Burial will follow at Oberlin Cemetery. Visitation will be 12:00 – 7:00 pm Sunday, April 14, 2019 at Pauls Funeral Home in Oberlin.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Ronald McDonald House Charities Wichita. Condolences may be left at www.paulsfh.com

Kenneth L. “Kenny” Zimmerman, 79, Hays, died Tuesday, April 9, 2019 at his home.

He was born September 3, 1939 in Chicago, Illinois the son of Celestine “Celly” and Barbara M. (Werth) Zimmerman. On August 8, 1970 he was united in marriage to Barbara Braun in Logan. They celebrated over 48 years of marriage. He drove truck for Aubel Asphalt and was a service man for Orkin Pest Control. For over 30 years, he was a service man for Universal Termite and Pest Control where he had a love for his pest control clients and was trusted throughout the community. His memberships included the St. Nicholas of Myra Catholic Church, the St. Anthony’s Third Degree Knights of Columbus Council #4166, and the Bishop Cunningham Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus. He enjoyed being outside, gardening, fishing, daily coffee at Daylight Donuts, had a great sense of humor, and was affectionately called Shotgun by his friends. Kenny had a great love for his family, enjoying many of his children’s and grandchildren’s events.

Survivors include his wife Barbara of the home, a son; Scott Zimmerman and wife Corrie of Hays, a daughter; Kathy Cossaart and husband Tim of Hays, two brothers; Cary Zimmerman and wife Theresa of Salina and Jude Zimmerman and wife Jackie of Lake Charles, LA, three sisters; Faye Geschwenter and husband Rich of Ellis, Jeanette Kraft and husband Marvin of Emporia, and Helen Godfrey and husband Dick of Salina, a sister-in-law Rose Ann Zimmerman of Hays, nine grandchildren; Brianna Pfannenstiel and boyfriend Tyler Foiles, Kenna Pfannenstiel, Ashley Cossaart, Alyssa Balandran and husband Juan, and Gabriella, Isaac, Jordon, Sarah, and Israel Zimmerman, four great-grandchildren; Lily, Faith, and Emma Balandran and Alex Zimmerman, and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his father and mother-in-law; Leonard and Regina Braun, a brother; Joel Zimmerman, two brothers-in-law; Leroy Braun and Warren Bennett, and two sisters-in-law; Judy Bennett and Thelma Braun.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 am on Friday, April 12, 2019 at St. Nicholas of Myra Catholic Church, with Fr. Joshua Werth and Fr. Alvin Werth officiating. Burial will follow in St. Fidelis Cemetery in Victoria. Visitation will be from 4:00 pm until 8:00 on Thursday and from 9:00 am until 9:45 on Friday, all at the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home. A Daughters of Isabella rosary will be at 5:00 pm, a parish vigil will be at 6:30 pm, followed by a combined third and fourth degree Knights of Columbus rosary, all on Thursday at the funeral home. The fourth degree Knights of Columbus will stand honor guard from 5:30 pm until 6:30 on Thursday. Memorials are suggested to the Bishop Cunningham Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus or for family wishes. Condolences and memories of Kenny may be shared with the family at www.haysmemorial.com

Former Norcatur resident Rodney C. New passed away Sunday, April 7, 2019 at the Decatur Health Systems in Oberlin, KS, at the age of 83.

He was born August 20, 1935 in Norton, KS the son of Ralph W. and Ruth Ann (Cleland) New.

Survivors include his two sons, Jeff of Goddard, KS and Steve of Big Spring, TX; his daughter, Rhonda Mertz of Arlington, NE; two brothers, Roger of Lincoln, NE and Mark of Reston, Virginia; multiple grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Cremation was planned. A private family inurnment will be held at a later date in the Norcatur Cemetery, Norcatur, KS.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Rodney C. New Memorial Fund c/o Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, P. O. Box 563, Phillipsburg, KS 67661.

Helen Joan Albers, known as Joan, left family and friends to meet her Heavenly Father on Saturday, April 7th, 2019 at Benton House of Staley Hills, a caring and loving independent living community in Kansas City, Missouri. She was 87 years old and died peacefully surrounded by her loved ones.

Joan was born in Quinter, Kansas, on February 1,1932, the fifth of nine children born to Philip and Katherine (Leiker) Depperschmidt. She married George F. Albers on August 9, 1955 and enjoyed 44 wonderful years with him before he passed in 2000. Her oldest son, Gregory Joe, passed away in 1957, and her fourth oldest son, James died in January of this year.

Joan was also pre-deceased by her parents and siblings: Edwin (Ed) Depperschmidt, Bernadine (Bunny) Pomarico, Lillian (Lil) Walker, Alvera (Vera) Jackson, Ronald (Ron) Depperschmidt, Aileen Flipse, and Leroy (Lee) Depperschmidt and sister-in-law Barbara Depperschmidt, and brothers-in-law Pat Jackson, Dave Flipse, Leonard Nelke and Roxie Pomarico, and her great-granddaughter Brylee Albers.

She is survived by her children: Mike (Patti) Albers, Fred (Susan) Albers, Bart (Mary K) Albers, Mary (Rod) Jordan, and Tom (Tina) Albers; daughter-in-law Loraine (Jim) Albers; grandchildren: David (Melissa) Albers; Candace (Derek) McDonough; Holly Albers and Jordan Albers; Sarah Albers, Amanda Albers, Troy (Braylynn) Albers, and Christine Albers; Colt Albers; MacKenzie (Kris) Neuhauser, Kord Albers, Adyson Albers, Brenlynn Albers and Brogan Albers; great-grandchildren: Riley Trouster, Dillon Schmidt, Reagan Albers, and Maddison Ruppert; her only living sister: Judy Nelke; as well as numerous relatives and friends.

Joan had a love of music, graduating from Saint Mary College, Leavenworth, Kansas, in 1954 with a Bachelor of Music Education Degree; she instilled this love in her children and many students she taught during her tenure as an elementary music teacher in Grinnell, Oakley, and Colby, Kansas. She organized “Young at Heart”, a musical group of women who performed at various locations around Colby. She was also very active in the Western Plains Arts Association.

Joan was devoted to her family, her faith, and to her church, where she was active in Daughters of Isabella, Altar Society, served as Eucharistic Minister and choir director, and played the piano and organ until the age of 85. She had a unique way of drawing people in and endearing herself to them by making them believe in themselves and feel special. She had a wide circle of friends and enjoyed morning coffee after Mass with her “Coffee Gals.” Joan had a remarkable sense of humor with her witty one-liners bringing laughter to family and friends right up to the end.

The family would like to thank the staff at Benton House of Staley Hills in Kansas City for their attentiveness, loving care, and ability to bring Joan peace and make her feel like she was at home. During her last days Joan received a constant stream of visits, hugs, kisses, and tears from Benton House staff whose lives she had touched deeply in a short amount of time.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Colby, Kansas, on Friday, April 12th at 10:30 a.m. The Rosary will be at Baalmann Mortuary on Thursday, April 11th, at 7:00 p.m. with visitation from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Memorial donations may be made for Masses and/or to Sacred Heart Church in Joan’s name, in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 391, Colby, KS 67701. For condolences or information visit www.baalmannmortuary.com

Marlene Marie Cook, 81, of Littleton, passed away April 7, 2019.

She was born November 29, 1937 in Oberlin, Kansas, the daughter of Clem and Alice (Kompus) Hutfles.

Marlene was loved by everyone. She never met someone she didn’t give something of herself to. She was active in her church including serving as a Martha. Her faith in her God was unwavering. Sewing, gardening, music, dancing and cooking were passions of hers and she excelled at all of them. Always giving, she chose a career in nursing where she selflessly served those in need for many years. Married for over 50 years, she left behind a legacy of her love for her husband, Tom, in her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, all of whom will miss her dearly. God rest her soul in Heaven. She’s with the angels now…

Marlene is survived by Three Daughters, Deanna K. Cook, Jeanette M. Barrett, Marie E. Allen; Two Sons, Thomas L. Cook, Robert J. Cook. Also survived by Grandchildren; Hannah Confer, Chandler Cook, Cassidy Cook, Lawson Cook, Matthew Cook, Sarah Allen, Savannah Allen, Joshua Adams, Angela Adams, Nick DeBernardi, Chris DeBernardi; and Great Grandchildren; Mckenzie Confer, Tehya Miller, Arianny Miller, Isla Miller, Noa Miller. She is preceded in death by Husband, Thomas Gordon Cook, Father, Clem Hutfles, Mother, Alice Hutfles.

Funeral Mass is 10:00 a.m. Saturday, April 13, 2019, at Assumption of Mary Catholic Church, Herndon, KS, with a Rosary at 9:30 a.m. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the church, in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 391, Colby, KS 67701. For condolences or information visit www.baalmannmortuary.com