Ray Pinney, 76, of North Platte, Nebraska, died at his home on Sunday, January 27, 2019.

Ray was born April 22, 1942, to Jack and Alta Pinney at Hays, Kansas. He graduated in 1960 from Ellis High School then worked for area farmers before hiring on with Peter Kiewit while they were building the I-70 section in Kansas.

In 1961 Ray joined the U.S. Army and served until 1963. After his discharge he returned to Kansas and went to work for Van Pac. His job brought him to Nebraska to help build the railroad from Wallace to the Gerald Gentleman Plant. When that job was completed he was employed by National Industrial Corporation (N.I.C) out of Texas and worked as a Pipe Foreman. Ray later went back to Peter Kiewit where he was a Mechanical Superintendent, working at 19 different locations. He eventually moved to Sutherland where he worked for Colorado Petroleum then the American Red Cross and later Lincoln County Roads Department before retiring in 2012.

Ray was married to Elizabeth Wever and they had three children, Jeff, Jennifer and Janelle. He was later united in marriage to Rosalie Houser on December 23, 1983, in Texas and the family lived wherever his job took them.

Ray was a member of P.R. Halligan Post #163 American Legion and attended Holy Spirit Catholic Church even though he was baptized in the Methodist Church when he was young.

Ray loved his family and enjoyed his work and class reunions.

He is survived by his wife, Rosalie, of North Platte; children, Jeff (Jana) Pinney, of Wichita, Kansas, Jennifer Pinney, of Hays, Kansas, Janelle Chevas, of Greeley, Colorado and Chris (Steve) Frame and Carylon (Rod) Dillenburg, of North Platte; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; sister, Janice Broome, of North Platte; and other family.

Ray was preceded in death by his parents, Jack and Alta; brother, John Pinney; sister, Nancy Pinney; and a great-grandson.

Cremation was chosen. Graveside Service with Military Honors will be at 11 a.m. on Friday, February 8, 2019, in Fort McPherson National Cemetery. The memorial book may be signed at odeanchapel.com or at the graveside. In lieu of flowers, memorials are to the North Platte Alzheimers Support Group. Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore is in charge of arrangements.

Mary G. (Juenemann) Braden, age 67, of Hays, passed away Sunday, February 3, 2019 at the Good Samaritan Society, Hays.

Funeral services will be 10:30 AM Saturday, February 9, 2019 at St. Nicholas of Myra Catholic Church in Hays. Private family inurnment will be at a later date.

Memorial visitation will be Friday 5 PM – 8 PM with a combined parish vigil service and rosary at 7 PM. All at Brock’s-Keithley Funeral Chapel and Crematory 2509 Vine Hays, KS 67601.

A complete obituary is pending.

Ivan LeRoy Holt was born in Russell, Kansas on December 30, 1938 to Enoch Ivan and Olive Loretta (Atkisson) Holt. His early childhood was spent living with his parents and sisters, Barbra Sue and Sandra Lou, in the Skelly Oilfield Camp near Russell.

The family eventually moved to Russell where LeRoy was active in sports and music. He graduated from Russell High School in 1956 and attended Kansas State University and Fort Hays State College where he earned his bachelor’s degree in 1961. While in college, he spotted a young woman in the town of Gorham, Kansas and declared “I am going to marry that girl.” He married the love of his life, Barbara Mae Withrow, on October 18, 1958 in Gorham. Following his graduation from college, he joined his parents, Ivan and Loretta, in the operation of the family business, Ivan Holt Well Servicing, Inc. He remained active in the oil industry throughout his life, both as an oil operator and oil investor.

The year after they were married, LeRoy and Barbara became proud parents with the birth of their son, Ivan LeRoy Holt II. Their family was completed with the birth of their daughter, Tonya, and son, Brett, in the next few years.

An avid outdoorsman, LeRoy was passionate about fishing and hunting. Some of his happiest hours were spent on his bass boat at Lake Wilson catching bass, walleye, and crappie. In later years, both he and Barbara became involved in shooting sporting clays. They both achieved national and regional titles in this sport. The competitions that they attended gave them the opportunity to travel over much of the United States and abroad, making friends along the way.

LeRoy was blessed with the gift of gab. He was quick to strike up conversations with all those that he encountered and no one was left with any doubt of where he stood on any given topic. His friendships spread far and wide, some lasting since childhood. LeRoy was a generous soul and frequently assisted others in their hour of need. He was a member of many organizations including the Masonic Lodge #177 of Russell, Kansas; the Scottish Rite and Isis Shrine Temple of Salina, Kansas; the Oklahoma City Gun Club; the National Rifle Association; and Ducks Unlimited.

In 2010, LeRoy and Barbara moved to Edmond, Oklahoma to be near their children. With their outgoing personalities, they quickly made friends in their neighborhood and community. Both LeRoy and Barbara battled cancer over the past three years. Her passing in May 2018 after 59 years of marriage left him heart broken and his health declined. He passed away peacefully on January 30, 2019 with his son, LeRoy II, by his side.

LeRoy is survived by his son, LeRoy II, and wife, Patti, of Edmond; his daughter, Tonya, of Hsinchu County, Taiwan; his son, Brett, of Edmond; former daughter-in-law, Jill Holt, of Edmond, former daughter-in-law, Marixa Holt, of Oklahoma City; and grandson, Aaron Janiec, of Edmond. Other survivors include his sisters, Barbra (Jay) Simpson of Manhattan Beach, California and Sandy (Don) Krug of Russell, Kansas as well as several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara, and his parents, Ivan and Loretta Holt.

LeRoy’s family would like to express their appreciation to the doctors, nurses and staff of Mercy Hospital for the loving care that they gave both LeRoy and Barbara. They also extend a special thank you to the caregivers from Home Care Assistance of Edmond whose care allowed LeRoy to remain at home in the final weeks of his life.

Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, February 5, 2019, at Matthews Funeral Home in Edmond, Oklahoma with burial following at the Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Edmond. Visitation will be held at the mortuary on Monday, February 4, 2019 from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Contributions in LeRoy’s memory may be made to the Justin Corbet Memorial Shooting Foundation, 5735 SW Urish Road, Topeka, Kansas, 66610.

Ralph F. Blecha, son of Charley and Leona (Hardenburger) Blecha, was born 13 January 1943 at the R.G. Patterson Memorial Hospital in Belleville, Kansas. He died on 1 February 2019 in Lawrence, Kansas, at the age of 76 years and 19 days.

Ralph attended grade school at Tabor Rural Public School, and graduated from Belleville High School in 1961. He then studied at the Conservatory of Music, UMKC, Kansas City, Missouri. He worked from 1967-1976 as opera coach, accompanist and rehearsal pianist for the Amato Opera Theatre, and the New York Grand Opera, in New York City. This was followed by working for the Opera Company of Boston, in Boston, Massachusetts.

In 1976-1984, Ralph worked as Music Therapist at Morningside House Nursing Home, Bronx, New York, and at Marcus Garvey Nursing Home, Brooklyn, New York. He eventually became director of AGED Senior Center in Bronx, New York, along with being Parish Musician at the Episcopal Church of St. Edward the Martyr in Spanish Harlem, New York City. In 1978, Ralph was proud to have helped with the creation and incorporation of Senior Action in a Gay Environment (SAGE) New York City. In 1984-1994, he was the receptionist and support secretary at the Episcopal Diocese of Ohio in Cleveland, Ohio. While there, he worked with the Assistant Bishop, the Right Reverand William Davidson, the retired Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Western Kansas. He was also the Parish Musician at All Saints Episcopal Church in Parma, Ohio. While in Ohio, he volunteered at Kamana House (AIDS Hospice) in Cleveland, Ohio.

In 1994-2001, he returned to New York City, and was Parish Musician at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Astoria, New York, and was secretary at the church of the Intercession in Harlem, New York City.

Ralph returned to Kansas in 2001, and worked as the Administrative Assistant for the Douglas County AIDS Project (DCAP), and as the rehearsal pianist for the Choral Department, University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kansas.

Ralph was preceded in death by his parents, Charley and Leona Blecha. He is survived by his twin brother, Robert E. Blecha of Hays, Kansas, and his older twin brothers, Loren C. Blecha of Kansas City, Missouri, and Louis J. (Janet) Blecha of Goodlettsville, Tennessee, along with many cousins, relatives and friends. Most important to him was the love for all of God’s creation.

S’ Panem Bohem, Ralph.

Memorial Services will be held on Saturday, February 16, 2019, at 1:00 p.m., at the Presbyterian Church in Cuba, Kansas, with inurnment following at Tabor Cemetery, rural Cuba. Ralph requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph of Concordia, Kansas, and can be sent in care of the Funeral Home.

Tibbetts-Fischer Funeral Home of Belleville assisted the Blecha family with these arrangements.

Mark Todd Goodwin, age 55, of Garden City, Kansas passed away on February 1, 2019 at the St. Catherine Hospital of Garden City, Kansas. He was born August 10, 1963 in Garden City, Kansas the son of Joe Goodwin Carolyn Manske.

He was a member of the Cornerstone Church of Garden City. Mark served his country as a member of the Marines.

Other Survivors include:

Three Children
Chandell and Justin Hayden of Hutchinson, Kansas
Marlie and Travis Harper of Hesston, Kansas
Jeremiah Goodwin and Crystal Dizmang of Minneola, Kansas

Mother
Carol Manske of Garden City, Kansas

Step Mother
Pauline Goodwin of Westville, Oklahoma

Brother
Bobby Dean Betts of Bullhead City, Arizona

Step-Brother
Robert Sheeks of Westville, Oklahoma

Seven Sisters
Beatrice and Jesse Ledesma of Hutchinson, Kansas
Connie and Randy Huber of Garden City, Kansas
Sheila and James Cox of Goodland, Kansas
Lisa Juel of Cimmerron, Kansas
Tanya Kleeman and Randy Graham of Garden City, Kansas
Shelly Goodwin Cott and Mike of Garden City, Kansas
Kari and Doug Halsch of Houston, Texas

Partner
Mary Osborn of Garden City, Kansas

Seven Grandchildren
Braylee Hayden of Hutchinson, Kansas
Noah Hayden of Hutchinson, Kansas
Rylee Harper of Hesston, Kansas
Emilee Goodwin of Minneola, Kansas
Jazzalyn Dizmand of Minneola, Kansas
Natalie Dizmang of Minneola, Kansas
Riley Ewing of Garden City, Kansas.

He was preceded in death by his father Joe Goodwin; brother, Lelyn Betts; step-brother David Sheeks.

Visitation will be on Wednesday February 6, 2019 from 1-8 at Price and Sons Funeral Home of Garden City, Kansas.

Funeral services will be at the Cornerstone Church at 10:30 A.M. on Thursday, February 7, 2019.

Private family interment will be held at a later date.

Lewis I. Hoffman, age 61, passed away on Thursday, January 31, 2019 at Greeley County Hospital in Tribune, Kansas. Lewis was born February 6, 1957 in Tribune, Kansas, the son of Jay Arthur & Hazel Irene (Thon) Hoffman. A lifetime resident of Greeley County, he was a farmer.

Lewis was a member of the First Baptist Church in Tribune, Kansas as well as the Greeley County Antiqueers Association.

On April 2, 1994 he married Wanda Rimmer at Tribune, Kansas.

Lewis’s surviving family includes:

His Wife-
Wanda Hoffman- Tribune, Kansas

Two Children-
Jennifer & Tim Luebbers- Tribune, Kansas
Lindsay & J.T. Henson- Schaller, Iowa

Five siblings-
Jay Hoffman- Hays, Kansas
David Hoffman- Hays, Kansas
Evelyn & Dan Wright- Scott City, Kansas
Darlene Turley- Dodge City, Kansas
Donna & Randy Johnson- Salina, Kansas

Five grandchildren

His parents, a sister, Mary Hoffman and two brothers, Harold Hoffman and LeRoy Hoffman precede him in death.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 am (MDT) Monday February 4, 2019 at the United Methodist Church in Tribune, Kansas with Pastor Justin Sherer officiating.

Burial will be in Greeley County Cemetery in Tribune, Kansas.

Friends may call from 1:00 pm until 8:00 pm Sunday at Price & Sons Funeral Home in Tribune, Kansas.

Memorials may be given to the Lewis Hoffman Memorial Fund in care of the funeral home.

Betty L. Eisenhour, age 84, passed away on Thursday, January 31, 2019 from injuries sustained from an automobile accident in rural Sheridan County, Kansas. Betty was born January 14, 1935 in Scott City, Kansas, the daughter of Leo C. & Anna B. (Frank) Beeson.

A lifelong resident of Scott City, Kansas, graduating from Scott Community High School with the class of 1953, and later graduating from Fort Hays State University in 1996. She was very proud of achieving her college education, taking over thirty years in summer and correspondence classes.

In 1973, Betty opened B.L. Eisenhour Accounting in Scott City, Kansas and in the late 90’s added an office in Leoti, Kansas with Kathy Graff and with Alicia Buehler in Scott City for Eisenhour & Graff Accounting, retiring in 2017. She also was bookkeeper at Ike’s Body Shop for her husband Vearl and later, her son, Brett.

Betty was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Scott City, and spent many years as a Sunday School teacher. Betty also served the Scott City community as a board member of Park Lane Nursing Home. She was a member of the Public Accountants Association of Kansas, serving as a board member and as Past- President of the Western Chapter. For many years, she was the chairwoman of the Jennings 1040 Tax Seminars across the state. She was an active member of the local chapter of Business and Professional Women for many years.

Betty had a lifelong passion for health and fitness. She was an aerobics instructor for many years as well as an avid walker. While in her 70’s, she competed several times in the “Bolder Boulder” 5k marathon in Boulder, Colorado. For many years, Betty and Vearl opened their home as a safe have to many foster children in western Kansas, providing them with unconditional love and faith.

Betty loved to travel in adventurous ways. She traveled to most of the western United States, often stopping to see extended family along the way. Never knowing where the next stop was going to be, she would always call and have a story to tell upon arrival. She and her family spent numerous days camping and fishing at area lakes, primarily Cedar Bluff Reservoir. Later in life, Betty was blessed to find a companion in Mike Scott, who was always ready for her “unplanned adventures”.

On December 28, 1953, she married Vearl Dean Eisenhour at Raton, New Mexico. Betty & Vearl were able to spend thirty-seven years of loving marriage together until Vearl’s passing on April 3, 1991 in Scott City, Kansas.

Betty’s surviving family includes Her daughter and husband – Jeanette D. & Stephen Price of Ottawa, Kansas, Her daughter-in-law – Katie Eisenhour of Scott City, Kansas, Her companion – Mike Scott of Hoxie, Kansas, Her sister-in-law – Ella Mae Eisenhour of Scott City, Kansas, Four grandchildren and their spouses – Eric & Danita Price of Ottawa, Kansas, Courtney & Brian Williams of Baldwin City, Kansas, Blake & Grace Eisenhour of Moscow, Kansas, Brice & Sarah Eisenhour of Scott City, Kansas, A niece and her husband – Jill & Lance Tucker of Scott City, Kansas, A nephew – Cash Beeson of Scott City, Kansas, and thirteen grandchildren including Ayden, Paige, Dylan, Sadie, Ethan, Natalie, Easton, Hudson, Conlee, Cade, Cayden, Jessa & Korina.

Her parents, husband, son; Brett D. Eisenhour, and three siblings; C. Eugene Beeson, John C. Beeson and Mary Ann Beeson precede her in death.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Monday, February 11, 2019 at the First United Methodist Church in Scott City, Kansas with Pastor John Lewis officiating.

There will be no calling times.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be written to Camp Lakeside, First United Methodist Church or the scholarship fund for the Public Accountants of Kansas Association in care of Price & Sons Funeral Home in Scott City, Kansas.

Condolences may be sent to the family through the funeral home website at priceandsons.com

Nadine M. Giese, 81, passed away Saturday, February 2, 2019 at SunPorch of Smith Center.

Nadine was born April 13, 1937 in Smith County, KS, the daughter of Gilford and Frieda (Engelke) Frank. On April 10, 1980, she married Robert Lee Giese in Smith Center, KS.

She was a past member of Christ Lutheran Church, Gaylord, and when the church closed in 1968, she then joined the American Lutheran Church in Smith Center. On March 11, 2012, she joined St. John Lutheran Church, Athol. Nadine and Robert enjoyed going to church and singing together in the church choir.

Nadine and Robert both loved to raise a big garden, go fishing and do woodworking together. They both were very talented woodworkers and made items for all their family over the years.

She was preceded in death by her husband Robert on August 4, 2018, parents, a sister Juanita LeVan and a infant brother.

Nadine is survived by a brother, Eldon (Cindy) Frank of Minneapolis, KS and a host of other family and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, February 6, 2019 at All Faiths Funeral Chapel, Smith Center, KS, with Pastor Dave Kramer officiating. Visitation will be held Tuesday, February 5, 2019 from 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at the funeral chapel. Burial will be in Christ Lutheran Cemetery, Gaylord, KS. Memorial may be given to the Nadine M. Giese Memorial Fund and sent in care of the funeral chapel.