Wanda F. Vester, age 86, died on Wednesday, March 13, 2019 at the Garden Valley Retirement Village in Garden City, Kansas. She was born on July 29, 1932 in Tribune, Kansas, the daughter of Herman and Iva Phillipy Smith.

She was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Garden City.

On September 3, 1950 she married Carl H. Vester in Tribune. He survives.

Other survivors include:

Three Daughters
Debra McNaught (Richard) of Garden City, Kansas
Sheryl Clevenger (Steve) of Broomfield, Colorado
Brenda Engler (Terry) of Liberal, Kansas

Two Sisters
Jean Cobb of Saguache, Colorado
Joyce Nemechek of Tribune, Kansas

Nine Grandchildren and Fifteen Great Grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers and two sisters.

The family will receive friends from 5-7 at Price and Sons Funeral Home on Friday, March 15, 2019.

Memorial services will be held at the Price and Sons Funeral Home of Garden City at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 16, 2019 with Terry Engler presiding.

Interment will be held at a later date at the Greeley County Cemetery in Tribune, Kansas.

Memorials are suggested to the First United Methodist Church or St. Catherine Hospice in care of Price and Sons Funeral Home, 620 N. Main St. Garden City, Kansas 67846.

Leona Mae Conaway, 92, passed away Tuesday, March 12, 2019 at her home in Smith Center, KS.

A celebration of Leona’s life will be held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, March 18, 2019 at All Faiths Funeral Chapel, Smith Center, KS, with Pastor Lance McDowell officiating. There will not be a public visitation as cremation was chosen.

Memorials may be given to the Athol Congregational Church or Hospice Services of NW Kansas or Smith Center Library and can be sent in care of the funeral chapel.

Margaret J. Gemaehlich, 85, of Osborne, KS, (formerly of Kensington, KS) died Sunday, March 10, 2019 at Parkview Care Center in Osborne, KS. She was born in Ellsworth, KS on April 13, 1933 to the late James H. & Mary (Warta) Malir.

Margaret was a retired county home economics agent for Ellis Co, Sott Co. & Smith Co.

Margaret is survived by her husband, Lloyd H. Gemaehlich of the home; son: Donald Gemaehlich of Chandler, AZ; brother: Larry Malir of Overland Park, KS.

Click HERE for service details.

Thomas Edward “Tom” Bigge, 72, of Stockton, Kansas passed away March 11, 2019 at the Rooks County Health Center in Plainville, Kansas. He was born May 20, 1946 in Hays, Kansas to Edward Kirk and Bethyl Maxine (Fry) Bigge. Tom graduated from Stockton High School in 1964. Four years later, February 18, 1968, he married the love of his life Ruth Ann Wilhite in Basehor, Kansas.

He and Ruth Ann raised five children to adulthood, all of which have remained within driving distance of “home.” Tom worked hard on the land he loved raising kids, crops, and livestock. He especially obtained great satisfaction from working with his livestock.

To say the least, Tom wore many hats throughout his life time. He was a family man, farmer, stockman, house mover, hunter and a demolition contractor. Known as a man of integrity, Tom’s word was his bond. He believed there is very little that hard work cannot overcome. However, he also made time to enjoy life. He rarely missing the opportunity to travel, enjoy a joke and a have good laugh.

Tom was very involved in his community and its activities. Having served as President of the Unified School District #271, President of Rooks County Farm Bureau Board of Directors, President of Farmers Union Cooperative, Trustee of the Congregational Church and a member of the Board of Directors of Friends of Historic Fort Hays.

He was preceded in death by his parents, an infant brother, an infant daughter, two grandsons and a granddaughter.

Tom is survived by his loving wife Ruth Ann of the home, Stockton; sons: Curt Thomas (Rebecca) Bigge, Douglas Edward (Kori) Bigge, Stephen Louis (Melissa) Bigge all of Stockton; daughters: Beth Ann (Jason) Pfeifer, Russell, Holly Marie (Aaron) Beaton, Scott City; sisters: Robyn Harris, Kansas City, Missouri, Cynthia J. Kindall, Norton and a “special daughter” Christine M. (Thomas) Patry who has meant so much to Tom and Ruth Ann; and 13 grandchildren.

A good man is gone from our midst but never will be forgotten.

In lieu of flowers the family is requesting memorials be given to FFA Chapter in Stockton, Friends of Historical Ft. Hays or Rooks County Health Center Physical Therapy Department.

Click HERE for service details.

Marjorie “Marge” (Marcotte) McCants passed away on March 8, 2019 at Penrose Hospital in Colorado Springs, Colorado. She lived in Colorado Springs three years prior to her death and was a long-time resident of Goodland, Kansas.

Marge was born on July 4, 1927 in Thomas County, Kansas to Jewell (Miller) and Henry Marcotte. She graduated from Sherman County Community High School, Goodland, Kansas. She married the late Robert R. McCants on December 4, 1947 and remained devoted to her husband until his death in 1984.

She is survived by her children Larry (Brenda) McCants and Randy (Muriel) McCants, six grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren, three sisters; Beth Stull of Goodland, Carol Jones of Concordia, and Pearl Chadwick of Delores, Colorado. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and three sisters; Dorothy Patrick, Shirley Scott, and Betty Goodhue.

Marge worked for 32 years as a dental assistant beginning with Dr. Neal Hirsch. She was a Master Bridge player, and belonged to several bridge clubs. She was a member of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, where she served with the Altar Society as a Eucharistic Minister. Marge was a member of the Goodland Hospital Auxiliary, Sugar Hills Golf Club, supported and served on the board of the Goodland Library. Fishing at Trenton Reservoir was also a family favorite and created many fond memories for Marge and her late husband Rob. She was an excellent cook and enjoyed cooking for others, especially her family. Marge found great joy in taking care of others, but especially enjoyed spending time with her children and grandchildren.

A Memorial Mass for Marge will be held on Saturday, March 16, 2019 at 10:30 AM MT at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Goodland with Father Andrew Rockers officiating. Inurnment will follow in the Goodland Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be designated to the Sherman County Community Foundation and may be left at the services or mailed to Koons-Russell Funeral Home, 211 N. Main Ave., Goodland, KS 67735.

Online condolences for the family may be left at www.koonsrussellfuneralhome.com.

Service arrangements have been entrusted to Koons-Russell Funeral Home in Goodland.

Elizabeth “Betty” Legleiter, age 86, of Hays, Kansas, passed away Wednesday, March 13, 2019 at Via Christi Village, Hays.

She was born July 1, 1932 in Schoenchen, Kansas, to Martin and Julia (Kronewitter) Dreher. She married Gerald H. Legleiter on Sept. 1, 1952 in Schoenchen. He preceded her in death March 10, 2010.

Betty was a member of St. Joseph’s Church in Hays. She enjoyed cooking, reading, sewing and spending time with her grandchildren. Her faith was also important to her.

She is survived by four sons, Neil Legleiter and wife Patty of Hays, Gerald Legleiter Jr. and Kathy McGinnis of Hays, Mark Legleiter and wife Kelly of Topeka and Patrick Legleiter and wife Tammy of Hays; a daughter, Diantha Doyle and husband Stuart of Kearney, Missouri; five grandchildren, Brett Doyle, Melissa Jensen, Nathan Legleiter, Conner Legleiter and Dylan Legleiter and four great-grandchildren, Brandon Doyle, Breanna Doyle, Cuylar Jensen and Sofie Jensen.

She was preceded in death by her parents; six brothers, Thobald Dreher, Frank Dreher, Sylvester “Fess” Dreher, Seraphine Dreher, Sylvanus “Lefty” Dreher and Wendelin “Lynn” Dreher, as well as two sisters, Mary Rose Legleiter, Mathilda “Tillie” Braun.

Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 16, 2019 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church with burial to follow in the church cemetery.

Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. Friday 9 to 9:30 a.m. and Saturday at Brock’s-Keithley Funeral Chapel & Crematory, 2509 Vine St., Hays, KS 67601.

A combined parish vigil and Rosary service will be at 7 p.m. Friday at the funeral chapel.

Memorials are suggested to St. Joseph’s Church or Via Christi Village.

Condolences may be sent to the family by guest book at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com or email at [email protected]

Duane E. Williams, age 90, passed away on Tuesday, March 12, 2019 at the Park Lane Nursing Home in Scott City, Kansas. He was born on October 21, 1928 in Scott County, Kansas, the son of Foster Mortin and Lora Alberta Dague Williams. A lifetime resident of Scott County, Kansas, he was a farmer and stockman.

He was a member of Pence Community Church in Pence, Kansas, KLA, Isabel Township Trustee, Modoc School Board and Farm Credit Board.

On February 26, 1950 he married Molly E. Stark in Garden City, Kansas. She survives.

Survivors Include his Wife – Molly Williams of Scott City, Kansas, Two Sons – Alan Williams of Modoc, Kansas, Andy & Jamie Williams of Wichita, Kansas, Five Daughters – Nancy & Paul Teetzen of Garden City, Kansas, Susie & Archie Gooden of Garden City, Kansas, Rita & Frank Williams of Troy, Alabama, Aleta & Scott See of Scott City, Kansas, Anita Hoeme of Scott City, Kansas, One Brother – Harold & Louise Williams of Scott City, Kansas, Nineteen Grandchildren and Thirty Two Great Grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his Parents, One Brother – Kenneth Jean Williams, Two Son In Laws – Clinton Okeson & Allan Hoeme and One Daughter In Law – Tonja Williams.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, March 15, 2019 at Pence Community Church in Pence, Kansas with Pastor Don Williams presiding.

Memorials In Lieu Of Flowers may be made to the Pence Community Church or the Scott County EMS in care of Price & Sons Funeral Homes.

Interment will be in the Scott County Cemetery, Scott City, Kansas.

Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m until 8:00 p.m. Thursday at Price & Sons Funeral Home in Scott City, Kansas.

Marcella Marie “GG” Stos, 85, passed away March 12, 2019, at Hays Medical Center, Hays.  She was born Jan. 23, 1934, in rural Bison, the daughter of Edward John and Mary Ann (Kopriva) Oborny.

She married Bernard Vincent Stos Dec. 29, 1953 at Timken. He died Aug. 26, 2005.

Marcella, a lifetime resident of Rush County, was a devoted member of St. Ann Catholic Church, Olmitz, and the Altar Society.  She was a school cook and reading grandma for Otis Bison High School, private caregiver and twinner for Essex. Marcella enjoyed embroidery, gardening, polka dancing, reading, crossword puzzles, and above all, spending time with her family. She was known for her gift of gab.

Survivors include four sons, Mike Stos of Hoisington, Patrick Stos and wife Sandy of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, David Stos and wife Renita of Moundridge and Kelly Stos of Costa Rica; five daughters, Bernadean Herl of Great Bend, Rita Engle and husband Ryan of Great Bend, Maureen Faber and husband Paul of Colwich, Kristina Von Elling and husband Bill of Manhattan, and Colleen Sharkey and husband Mike of Otis; one brother, Edward J. Oborny Jr. of Bison; 25 grandchildren, Danah, Mandy, April, Shawna, Chad, Brandee, Becky, Danny, Cody S., Chris, Pattye, Heather, Cody E., Ashley, Brian, Nikki, Tanner, Brittany, Travis, Todd, Taylor, Dawayne, Devon, Danielle and Rylee; 42 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in passing by a grandchild, Bobijo, and two great-grandchildren, Brogan and Audrey.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be at noon, Saturday, March 16, 2019, at St. Ann Catholic Church, Olmitz, with Father Anselm Eke presiding. Interment will follow at St. Ann Catholic Cemetery, Olmitz.

Visitation will be 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Friday, March 15, 2019, at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, with a Vigil and Rosary at 7 p.m. at St. Ann Catholic Church, Olmitz.

Memorials may be directed to Otis Fire Department in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington, KS, 67544.

Rose Marie Hughes, age 68, of Hays, Kansas passed away Wednesday, March 6, 2019 at Hays Medical Center. Rose Marie Hughes was born December 16, 1950, in Gulfport, Mississippi to Fannie (Gatlin) and C.L. Hughes.

She loved to BBQ, play dominoes and going fishing. When she was not enjoying those things, she would watch wrestling, football or her favorite talk shows. Although she was diagnosed with lung cancer, she never allowed that to slow her down. Rose made time to enjoy herself until she was hospitalized in January. She spent her last days in Kansas with her loving son and his family.

She is survived by her daughter: Margaret (Montoya) Thompson; two sons: Alex (Ayanna) Myers and Johnny (Michelle) Myers of Hays; seven grandchildren: Patricia (Brianne) Smith, Anthony (Khia) Myers, Jasmine Gamer, Shawanda Williams, Alex Williams, Johnny Myers and Christopher Lowry; two sisters: Marilyn Dillon and Martha Dallas; and three brothers: Marvin (Annie) Hughes, Sanders (Annette) Hughes and William Hughes; her special friend: Earline Beard; and a host of great grandchildren, nieces and nephews who loved her dearly.

A service of remembrance will be held 11AM Saturday, March 16, 2019 Allen Temple Church of God in Christ, 19506 Torrence Drive, Bogalusa, LA. Visitation will be at the church two hours prior to service time. Local arrangements in care of Brock’s-Keithley Funeral Chapel and Crematory 2509 Vine Hays, KS 67601.

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