Elsie A. Eilts, 88, passed away March 18, 2019, at Pratt Health & Rehab, Pratt. She was born September 22, 1930, in rural Rush County, Kansas to Frank, Sr. and Emma (Josefiak) Sell. She married Glenn Eilts on October 29, 1951, at Rush Center. He died October 8, 2003.

Elsie was a retired telephone operator for AT&T. She volunteered for Girl Scouts, Reading Grandma’s and was an AT&T Pioneer. She loved to read, garden and fish. Her greatest love was her family and friends.

Survivors include, one son, Galen Eilts of Jefferson City, TN; Debra Hoffman and husband Terry of Albert, Pamela Brumfield and husband Ed of Plano, TX, and Laurie Eilts of Pratt; 10 grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Glenn Eilts; one brother, Frank Sell Jr.; one sister, Grace Heine; and one grandson, David Brumfield.

Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Friday, March 22, 2019 at Bryant Funeral Home. Funeral Service will be at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, March 23, 2019 at Bryant Funeral Home, with Rev. Morita Truman presiding. Memorials are suggested to St. Jude Children’s Hospital or the David Brumfield Endowment Memorial at Oklahoma State University, in care of Bryant Funeral Home.

Geraldine M. “Shirley” Bieker, 92, Schoenchen, died Monday, March 18, 2019 after a long battle with Alzheimer’s at the Hays Good Samaritan Society.

She was born June 28, 1926 on a farm near Liebenthal, the daughter of Aloys W. and Blanche C. (Herrman) Herrman. On February 23, 1974 she was united in marriage to Willard J. “Will” Bieker in Schoenchen. They celebrated 43 years of marriage before he preceded her in death on May 24, 2017. She was a homemaker and an excellent cook preparing meals for family and friends. Most remember Shirley’s Café in Schoenchen where she and her husband Willard cooked German food that was enjoyed by many from around the state.

She was a member of St. Anthony Catholic Church, St. Anthony Altar Society, an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion, and a volunteer at the St. Anthony Hospital Auxiliary Gift Shop. She was a devout Catholic, often praying the rosary, enjoyed gardening and canning, fishing, kept an immaculate house, loved to sew making numerous quilts, was a farm girl at heart, and had great love for her family.

Survivors include two sons; Bob Harvey and wife Dolly and Robert Rasmussen and wife Joanie, three daughters, Diane Hoar, Donna Campbell, and Janell Underwood, a brother; Art Herrman and wife Edna, two sisters; Tootsie Zimmerman and Ruby Bailey, twelve grandchildren; Ciarra Owens, Alyssa Underwood, Robert L. Rasmussen III, Bobbi Jo Harvey-Malcholz and husband Fred, Dwayne Campbell and wife Jenny, Gerarld Harvey, Jr., Lynna Campbell, Tammy Williams and husband Shawn, Dale Harvey and wife Teri, Dustin Harvey, Michelle Curington and husband Dan, and Heidi Harvey, 16 great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband; Willard, a son; Gerald “Jerry” Harvey, two sisters; Lillian Roth and Dody Trotter, and a grandson, Michael Harvey.

Mass of Christian burial will be at 10:00 am on Thursday, March 21, 2019 at the St. Anthony Catholic Church in Schoenchen. Inurnment will follow in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 5:00 pm until 8:00 on Wednesday at Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home and from 9:00 am until service time on Thursday at the church. A parish vigil service will be at 6:30 pm on Wednesday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the Hays Good Samaritan Society.

Condolences and memories of Shirley may be shared with the family at www.haysmemorial.com

Connie Sue Anderson, 74, of Osborne, KS passed away on March 14, 2019 at her home in Osborne after a long battle with cancer. She was born on August 19, 1944 in Paradise, KS to Carl & Anna C. (Webster) Anderson. Connie was one of several children.

Connie graduated from the Paradise Schools and then from the Willcox Beauty Academy in Dodge City, KS. She worked in beauty shops in Russell and Lincoln, KS. While she was working in Lincoln, she met her future husband, John Anderson. They were married and had 3 children.

While John was in the service, they lived in Pensacola, FL, Norfolk, VA and Bethesda, MD. After John was discharged from the service, they moved to Osborne, KS and made it their home. She later worked as a retail clerk in several businesses in Osborne.

Connie was a member of the Portis United Methodist Church. She was also an active member in the Osborne VFW Aux. #7743.

Connie was preceded in death by her parents.

Connie is survived by her husband John of Osborne; daughter: Shawn (Mark) Lofing of Kinsley, KS; sons: Christian (Mellisa) Anderson of Wamego, KS; Charles (Schanee) Anderson of Wichita, KS; 7 grandchildren; sister: Anita Swartz of Kansas City, KS; brothers: Jerry Webster of Landenburg, PA; Alvin Webster of Russell, KS.

Click HERE for service details.

Phillipsburg resident Robert “Bob” Ward passed away March 15, 2019 at the Hays Medical Center, Hays, KS at the age of 64. He was born Dec. 14, 1954 in Phillipsburg, the son of Carl & Hazel (Meyer) Ward.

Survivors include his wife Roxie of the home; his son, Westley of Columbus, OH; 2 daughters, Holly Ward of Tipton, KS and Ember Ward of Phillipsburg; 2 brothers, Doug of Glade & John of Phillipsburg; his sister, Shirley Robinson of Hoxie and one grandson.

Cremation is planned. A Memorial Service will be held Friday, March 22 at 2:00 p.m. in the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, Phillipsburg, with Pastor Blake Stanwood officiating.

Memorial contributions may be made to his grandson’s education.

William (Bill) Joseph Moriarity, 90, of Loveland, CO, died March 16, 2019 with his wife and family at his side.

He was born in Missouri Valley, Iowa on July 12, 1928 to Charles Edward Moriarity and Chloe Hazel (Hatcher) Moriarity. He was raised and attended school in Missouri Valley, Iowa. The day after high school graduation, he enlisted and served in the U.S. Navy from 1946-48. He graduated from Creighton University with a BS in Marketing in 1952. He was employed in merchandising 1952-1954 in Nebraska, Colorado and then in Colby, Kansas from 1954-59. In 1959, Bill helped organize the Colby Medical Clinic where he was administrator for 23 years. This experience led him to HMO Health Care Plus as an Account Executive from 1983-1985 in Salina, KS and Oklahoma City, OK. In 1985, he returned to Hays, Kansas as Public Relations Outreach Liaison of Northwest Kansas for St. Anthony Hospital in Hays, Kansas until his retirement in 1992.

In 1956, he met Ruth May Grace in Colby, Kansas. They were married Nov 3, 1956.

Bill is survived by his wife Ruth; daughter Mary Eileen Moriarity Madrid and husband Anthony (Tony) Madrid, of Loveland, Colorado; grand-daughter Amalia (Molly) Madrid, of Wichita, Kansas, and many loved nieces, nephews, grand nieces and nephews.

Bill was preceded in death by his beloved sons, Patrick Joseph and William Joseph; his parents; two brothers, Maurice and Ed (Charles) and two sisters, Catherine Sigler and Margaret Hassett.

Bill valued his memberships in the Knights of Columbus (past Grand Knight), Lions International Club, (local, district, and state offices), and the American Legion. While living in Colby he served as Scoutmaster in the Coronado Boy Scouts of America for years. He then organized an Explorer Scout Troop at his daughter’s request.

Bill was always an active member of the Catholic Church. At Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, Hays, KS he served for many years as sacristan, server, and Eucharistic minister.

Also in Hays his volunteer service included eight years in the Area Agency of Aging SCHICK Program, AARP Tax Aide 18 years, Hays Senior Citizens Center board member 3 years, Ellis County Council on Aging for 13 years (Chairman 5 years), and on the Kansas State Advisory Board on Aging for 8 years. He enjoyed being a Docent and Attendant at the Sternberg Museum of Natural History.

Bill spent retirement with family and friends. He enjoyed Church, travel, golf, and other volunteer and leisure activities. In 2015, he and his wife Ruth relocated from Hays, Kansas to Loveland, Colorado to be closer to their daughter Mary and Tony Madrid. Bill’s greatest joy in life has always been his family and his Catholic faith.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 23rd, 2019 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Colby, KS. There will be a rosary at 9:30 followed by the Funeral Mass at 10:00. Burial with military honors will occur following the Mass at Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery.

Bill will always be remembered for his faith, devotion to family, loyalty, and service to his community. He was a gentle, humble, kind, caring man who always did “his very best”. He will be remembered.

Sandra Gail Wiederstein was called to be with the Lord on Friday, March 15, 2019. She was surrounded by family and friends.

Born to Merle and Leona (Waymire) Wiederstein on November 10, 1959 in Garden City. She graduated from Garden City High School in 1977 and later earned a B.S. from Fort Hays State University. She lived in Garden City her whole life. She worked 41 years caring for adults with special needs in Southwest Kansas. 15 years ago, she co-founded Karis with the dream of creating compassionate care for those she cared so deeply about.

Sandra was a member of New Life Community Church, Girl Scouts of America, and the American Red Cross. She survived cancer. There wasn’t a person or animal in need that Sandra wouldn’t help. She loved camping, hot air balloon rides, boating, and traveling. She had spontaneity down to a science. Sandra touched so many hearts and lives during her time here. What a blessing from God.

Sandra is preceded in death by her grandparents Myron & Pauline Waymire and Harry and Helen Wiederstein, and her father Merle in 2015. She is survived by her mother Leona, aunts, cousins, friends, co-workers, and God children.

A Celebration of Sandra’s life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 20, 2019 at the First Assembly of God in Garden City with Pastor Jeff Mitchell officiating. Burial will follow at Valley View Cemetery in Garden City. There will be no calling hours. Memorials may be made to New Life Community Church, St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, Compassion International, or the Finney County Humane Society all in care of Garnand Funeral Home of Garden City.

Betty Lou (Sill) Schechinger, age 90, of Hutchinson, Kansas, in the early morning of March 17, 2019, was reunited with family and friends awaiting her in God’s kingdom.

She was born March 30, 1928, the second child of George H. and Myrtle Mae (Cox) Sill, of rural Odebolt, Iowa. She married Carl H. Schechinger on November 16, 1953, in Carroll, Iowa. They celebrated their 65th anniversary on November 16, 2018. Carl and Betty lived in Omaha from November 1953 to June 1957. While there, they co-owned and operated the Ten Mile Inn, a restaurant, gas station and motel.

During her childhood and school years, Betty, and her family lived on a farm near Ralston, Iowa. She graduated from Glidden High School in 1946. After high school, she attended St. Anthony School of Nursing in Carroll, Iowa, graduating in 1949. Following nurses training, Betty worked for Dr. A. Reas Anneberg, in Carroll, and the VA Hospital in Omaha, Nebraska.

Betty’s 45-year nursing career included private-duty nursing; Kansas Neurological Institute in Topeka, Ks; St. Anthony Hospital (Obstetrics) in Hays, Ks; and 19 years at The Medical Center as a pediatric nurse for Dr. David Tweito in Hutchinson, Ks. She retired from nursing in 1994.

Betty dearly loved gardening, fishing, camping, trying new recipes, making Holiday treats, such as rosettes and divinity. While in Colby, she also rescued many unwanted farm animals. Betty never hesitated to assist neighbors in need and was affectionately recognized by many community members, who knew her as children. She modeled compassion, honesty, friendship, morality and a committed work ethic. Betty was a parishioner of Holy Cross Catholic Church, in Hutchinson, Kansas for 45 years.

Survivors include her husband, Carl H. Schechinger, of the home; four daughters, Mary Smith and husband, Bernard, Hutchinson, KS; Lou Ann Geist and husband Gary, Hays, KS; Peggy Potter and husband, Dick Ness City, KS; and Janet Mishler and husband, Brian Arnold, KS; eight grandchildren: Lindsay Kubina and husband, Tony; Aaron Smith; Emily Palmer and husband, Nick; Brandon Geist; Kelly Geist; Alison Nuttle and husband, Jesse; Michelle Geist; Braden Mishler; six great-grandchildren, Gage Smith; Gracie Palmer; Brinley Smith; Liam Nuttle; Lyla Nuttle; and Claire Kubina.

She was preceded in death by her parents and one brother, Russell Dean Sill.

A funeral mass celebrating Betty’s life will be at 10:00 A.M. Thursday, March 21, 2019, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 215 West 13th Street, Hays, Kansas. Burial will be at St. Joseph Cemetery, Hays, Kansas.

The family will receive friends from 9:00 to 10:00 A.M. Thursday, at St. Joseph Catholic Church.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials to The Reins of Hope (therapeutic horseback riding program) of Hutchinson, Kansas in care of Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary of Hays
1919 East 22nd Street, Hays, Kansas 67601.

Condolences can be left by guestbook at www.keithleyfuneralchaples or can be sent via e-mail to [email protected]

Richard David Webster, 73, passed away March 16, 2019, at his home in Great Bend. He was born April 8, 1945 at Kingman, to Richard Leslie & Marietta (Fitzsimmons) Webster. He married Ann F. Reeder August 18, 1996 at Great Bend, She survives.

Coming from Pratt in 1996, Richard was a Great Bend resident. He was a truck driver for R.C. Williams and Rainbow Trucking. He was a member of St. Ann Catholic Church in Olmitz and the NRA and loved ham radios. He served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam war. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather.

Survivors include, his wife, Ann of the home; four sons, David Webster and wife Starr of Fort Collins, CO, Dustin Mitchell of MO, Brandon Clark of Kimberling City, MO and Kevin King of Hutchinson; one daughter, Evelyn Harr and husband Carl of Great Bend; one sister, Wendy Sloan and husband John of Norton; and 13 grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Cremation has taken place and services will be announced at a later date. Memorials are suggested to the National Rifle Association, in care of Bryant Funeral Home.