Thursday, July 12th, 1928 – Saturday, March 16th, 2019

An obituary and services are pending with Baalmann Mortuary.

Larry Dale Flora was born in Oshkosh, Nebraska on August 22, 1936 to Rev. George Flora and Genestia Foster Flora. As the son of missionaries, Larry grew up in a small village, twenty miles from the end of road in Liberia West Africa. After returning to the states, his family settled in Santa Cruz, California where he attended high school before going back to Nebraska at Midland College. There he met Bonita Bartels across the picket fence of his aunt’s house and later married her on August 24, 1958 – two days after his birthday, so they would be the same age. Moving to Northern California, he attended seminary and started his family. After serving for three years as a pastor, Larry felt called to serve his Lord in the secular world and so moved into sales, a job that allowed him to meet and share his faith with so many people.

Larry took an active role as father to his four children. He took them camping, taught them tennis, encouraged them to participate in community theater where he also took on occasional roles, and helped them understand that while life was not always fair, it was certainly worth living with a passion. He lived his passion every chance he got; he took his family canoeing down the rivers of Northern California. He could not get enough of boats.

Larry was an avid bridge player, eventually earning his Life Master Certificate. Larry was also active in Cursillo, a Christian organization that strives to build and renew leaders within churches. He often helped lead weekend retreats for churches up and down California, getting his children involved as well, and thereby building up a strong faith in them. Larry used God’s gift of a tenor voice and sang in several church choirs. And if you have ever sung in a choir, you know how hard it is to recruit tenors. Larry had an amazing and active sense of humor. Anyone who spoke to him could expect his demand: “Tell me a joke!” He always had one ready in return. In 2009, he and his wife moved to San Marcos in Southern California. There he continued his passions by taking on roles in community theater, finding some great bridge partners, and even playing the role of Santa Claus at various malls during the Christmas season.

In August of 2018, Larry and his wife moved to Hays, Kansas, to be closer to family. Here they celebrated their 60th anniversary. On March 16 of 2019 at age 82, Larry passed away at the Good Samaritan Society in Hays. He is survived by his wife Bonita Flora in Hays, KS; his siblings Miriam and Virgil Plautz in Walnut Creek, CA, Charles Flora in San Jose, CA, Russell and Donna Flora in Ormond By the Sea, Florida and Nita and Kent Mathews in Colorado Springs; his children Renee’ and Neil Scheuerlein from Cedar Rapids, IA, Melanie and Tim Folkerts in Hays, KS, Stephen and Michelle Flora and Daniel Flora in Washington state; ten grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Hays, KS, Wednesday, March 20. A private family inurnment will be held at a later date.

Arrangements in care of Brock’s-Keithley Funeral Chapel and Crematory 2509 Vine Hays, KS 67601.

Memorials can be made as donations in his name to My Brother’s Keeper Orphanage in Careysburg, Liberia West Africa. If making a donation, please make the check out to Trinity Lutheran Church.

Condolences may be left by guest book at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com or emailed to [email protected]

Herman J. Gerhardt Sr., 83, of Russell, Kansas, passed away Sunday, March 17, 2019, at Wheatland Nursing Center in Russell.

Herman was born October 19, 1935 in Victoria, Kansas. He was one of thirteen children born to Michael and Florence (Brungardt) Gerhardt. He grew up on a farm near Victoria and graduated from Victoria High School.

Herman served his country in the U.S. Army, serving stateside. After his tour of duty he returned to the Olmitz, Kansas area.

Herman was united in marriage to the love of his life, Cicily Ann Masters on February 20, 1957 in Olmitz. This union was blessed with five children; Jerry, Herman, Jr., Marvin, Dorothy and Debra. They made their home in Olmitz, Hoisington and in 1980 they moved to Russell.

Herman worked in the oil field his whole life. He worked for Ivan Holt Drilling on pulling units. After his retirement, he enjoyed tinkering on washers and dryers for family and friends. He also enjoyed listening and dancing to Polka music.

Herman’s surviving family include two daughters, Dorothy Ramirez (Martin) of Pierre, South Dakota and Debra Carillo (David) of Great Bend, Kansas; three sons, Jerald Gerhardt (Patty) of Hays, Kansas, Herman Gerhardt, Jr. (Anita) of Russell, Kansas and Marvin Gerhardt of Great Bend, Kansas; brother, Tony Gerhardt of Liberal, Kansas; sister, Katie Rohr of Hays, Kansas; 19 grandchildren and several great grandchildren.

Herman was preceded in death by his parents, wife Cicily, five brothers and five sisters.

Celebration of Herman’s Life will be held at 10:30 AM, Thursday, March 21, 2019 at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell. Burial will follow at the St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Russell. Visitation will be held from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM, Wednesday, March 20, 2019 at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary. A Memorial has been established with Wheatland Nursing Center. Contributions and condolences may be sent to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, who is in charge of these arrangements.

Estelene Mitten, age 94, was released into God’s loving hands on March 4th, 2019 at Citizens Health in Colby, Kansas. She was born in Utica, Kansas on May 16th, 1924 to her parents Art and Irene Hagans, where she was raised on the family farm. In 1945 she was united in marriage to her beloved husband of 72 years, Jim, after he returned from serving his country in World War II. Estelene lived her life as a homemaker who loved her home, flowers, garden and supported her husband in so many ways, including driving a semi with him when he was building his trucking business.

Gam, as she was fondly known by her family and many friends, was a loving Mother, Grandmother, and Great Grandmother who supported all by always being available to offer grandmotherly love, food and babysitting.

Horses were always a love of hers and she so enjoyed the time she spent traveling with her daughter Tami to AQHA horse shows and raising quarter horses. There was nothing she liked more than a good shopping trip and many were shared by her and her beloved daughter, Toni.

The winters she and Jim spent in Texas with wonderful friends were also a very important part of her life.
She was blessed to spend all but the ending months of her life in her beloved home with family and friends near.

Her family is grateful she is now reunited with her husband Jim (2013) and daughter Tami (2004).

Those left to miss her include daughter Toni and husband Gary Johnson; Larry Bley; Grandson Matt and Gam’s special care giver, his wife Misty; Grandson Chris Johnson and great granddaughters MaKenzie Estelene and Mariah Rae Mildenberger, all of Oakley, Kansas, the place she called home for over 50 years.

A memorial service to celebrate her life will be held Tuesday, March 19th at 10:00 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Oakley, Kansas. The family suggests memorials to the United Methodist Church of Oakley or the Logan County Community Foundation and can be sent in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 204, Oakley, KS 67748. For condolences or information visit www.baalmannmortuary.com

Charles Henry Jeroue, 90, passed away March 15, 2019, at Villa St. Francis, Olathe. He was born August 26, 1928 to Henry and Alice (Smith) Jeroue. He married Mary Ann Mahaffy, July 18, 1953, at Marlette, Michigan. She survives.

A former Great Bend resident, Charles worked for Barton Community College as the head maintenance supervisor. He was a loving husband and father. Charles served in the United States Air Force, obtaining the rank of E-3 Airman First Class. He enjoyed golfing, bowling, camping and fishing.

Survivors include, his wife, Mary Ann of the home; two sons, Kenneth (Barbara) Jeroue of Russell, KS, and Kelly (Kathi) Jeroue of Great Bend, KS; five daughters, Barbara Gordon of Priest River Idaho, Jody (Steve) Klepper of Great Bend, KS, Cindy Maser of Clovis, NM, Jacqueline Jeroue of Fresno, CA, and Tammy (Todd) Alsup of Olathe, KS; 14 Grandchidlren, Kasey (Kayla), Kaleb, Kynzi, Nicole (Dave), Kendra (Jerry), Tina, Charlie (Mandy), Mark (Misty), Brandon (Michelle), Michelle, Brian, Dannielle (Bryce), Taylor, Spencer; 20 Great-Grandchildren, Carter, Parker, Peighton, Braylynn, Phoebe, Samuel, Aiden, Jordan, Travis, Trystan, Austin, Ethan, Logan, Macy, Hayden, Harper, Karter, Makenna, Makeila, Taylor. He was preceded in death by a son, Tracy Jeroue; son-in-law, Douglas Gordon; a sister, Virginia Hobson; brother-in-law, William Hobson; a granddaughter, Dionne Jeroue Reed. Son in Law Douglas Gordon.

There will be no visitation as cremation has taken place. Memorial Service will be held at 1:00 p.m., Thursday, March 21, 2019, at First Assembly Of God in Great Bend, with Pastor Dottie Dozier presiding. Military Rites will be conducted by McConnell Air Force Base. Inurnment will take place at a later date. Memorials are suggested to the First Assembly of God Church or Vitas Hospice – Olathe, in care of Bryant Funeral Home.

Rita Hazlett, 58, of Atwood, died Wednesday, March 13, at Rose Medical Center, Denver, CO. She was born June 6, 1960, in Kansas City, MO, to John H. Palacios and Teresa (Florez). Rita loved spending time with her family. She was married to Ron for 18 years. In her spare time she enjoyed farm life which included taking care of the animals and riding horses.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

She is survived by her husband, Ron; daughters, Bethasia Rankin and Misty Palacios; nine grandchildren, Elijah, Isaiah, Imila, Nevaeh, Nelson, Nathaniel, Brailynn, Jace and Alexander; sister, Veronica and brothers, Joe, David, Daniel, Frank and White Fire.

Cremation was chosen. A memorial service will be 2 p.m., Monday, March 18, 2019, at Baalmann Mortuary, Colby. Memorials are suggested to Red Willow Cowboy Church, in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 391, Colby, KS 67701. For information and condolences visit www.baalmannmortuary.com

Catherine M. “Katie” Pfannenstiel, age 89, of Hays, Kansas passed away Friday, March 15, 2019 at Hays Medical Center. She was born August 25, 1929 in Walker, Kansas to Henry and Clementine (Dreher) VonLintel. She graduated from Victoria High School in 1947. On October 2, 1947 she married Justin Pfannenstiel in Victoria. He preceded her in death on March 12, 1999.

Catherine was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church and a 30 plus year member of the Daughters of Isabella. She enjoyed playing cards, socializing with her friends and her grandchildren.

She is survived by a son, Steven Pfannenstiel and wife Wanda of Hays; three daughters, Bonnie Ruder and husband Terry of Kansas City, Kansas, Jackie Creamer and husband Duane of Hays and Chris Minshew and husband George of Houston, Texas; a sister, Joan Murta of St. Charles, Missouri; nine grandchildren and nineteen great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; four brothers, Lawrence, Norbert, Gilbert and Otto VonLintel and a sister Venita Wolf.

Funeral services will be 10 AM Tuesday, March 19, 2019 at St. Joseph’s Church in Hays with burial to follow in St. Joseph’s Cemetery.

Visitation will be Monday 5 PM -7 PM and Tuesday 9 AM – 9:30 AM all at Brock’s-Keithley Funeral Chapel and Crematory 2509 Vine Hays, KS 67601.

A Daughters of Isabella rosary service will be Monday at 6:30 PM followed by a parish vigil at 7 PM all at the funeral chapel.

Memorials are suggested to St. Joseph’s Church.

Condolences may be left by guest book at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com or by email at [email protected]

Edward Charles (Chuck) Hageman passed away March 14, 2019 at Redbud Estates in Plainville, KS at the age of 94.

Chuck was born Nov. 8, 1924 in Stockton, KS to Edward C. and Rae (Maris) Hageman. He grew up in Stockton and graduated from Stockton High School in 1942. He served in the US Army during WWII, seeing action in the Battle of the Bulge, receiving two purple hearts and the Bronze Star for bravery.

After his honorable discharge he attended Washburn University in Topeka, KS receiving his undergraduate degree and JD in 1949. He then returned to Stockton to work at HC Sweet Abstract, and took over that business after the death of H.C. Sweet. He was proud to be a business owner for over 45 years on the same Main street that both of his parents (The Maris Store and the IGA) ran businesses for many years.

He married Beverly Jean Harris on October 23, 1949 in Stockton, KS, and they lived together in Stockton until Beverly’s death in 1997. Chuck was a man who liked to wear many hats. In addition to running the abstract business and his law practice, he started a credit bureau, was an Independent Insurance Agent, land developer and realtor. He was an active member of the Stockton business community and was a member of the Stockton Rotary Club for over 60.

He was a lifetime member of the Stockton United Methodist Church. Chuck became a Master Mason while in college in Topeka, and in April, 2018 he received his 70 year pin at Paradise Lodge #290 in Plainville.

Chuck had many passions. He enjoyed wood working and building things. He enjoyed having a hunting dog and he loved hunting, boating, fishing and camping. His favorite spots were Webster, Wilson and the Wind River Range near Lander, Wyoming where he went for many years enduring a 9 hour horse ride near the continental divide to fish for cut-throat trout in mountain lakes, and tell stories about growing up in Stockton and WWII, most of which may have been true. .

He is survived by sons, Ed (Pam) Poinciana, FL; John (Cindy) The Woodlands, TX; Blaine (Jan ) Mcpherson, KS; Eric Topeka, KS, and daughter Cassie (Tom) Nuckols, Plainville, KS.

11 Grandchildren

7 Great-Grandchildren

He was preceded in death by his wife, Beverly and a granddaughter, Karen Nuckols

Memorials may be made to Moore-Taylor-Barnes VFW Post 8873, Stockton, KS; Plainville Memorial Library; Stockton United Methodist Church or Paradise Lodge # 290 Plainville, KS in care of Plumer Overlease Funeral Homes, 320 Sw 2nd St., Plainville, KS 67663.

Cremation has been chosen, and there will be a celebration of life at a later day.