Elsie Bittel, age 85, of WaKeeney, passed away Saturday, January 5, 2019, at Trego County Lemke Memorial Hospital – Long Term Care, WaKeeney.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, January 9, 2019, at Christ the King Catholic Church, WaKeeney, KS. Private family burial will follow at St. Anthony Cemetery, St. Peter, KS.

Visitation will be Tuesday evening, from 5 to 7, with a parish vigil following at 7 p.m. All will take place at the funeral home in WaKeeney.

IN LIEU OF FLOWERS, memorial contributions are suggested to the Trego Hospital Endowment Foundation (to benefit the long term care unit). Donations may be left at the visitation, service, or sent to Schmitt Funeral Home, 336 North 12th, WaKeeney, KS 67672.

A complete obituary is pending with Schmitt Funeral Home.

Elvin Leroy Patee, age 75 of Ellis, Kansas passed away Thursday, January 3, 2019 at Trego County Lemke Memorial Hospital in WaKeeney, Kansas.

Memorial services will be 2 PM on Saturday, January 12, 2019 at the Ellis United Methodist Church. Inurnment will follow in the Mt. Hope Cemetery.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Trego Hospital Endowment Foundation.

A complete obituary is pending with Keithley Funeral Chapel 400 E. 17th Ellis, KS 67637.

Juanita G. Stieben, age 82, passed away on January 5, 2019 at Cedar Village Care Center, Ness City.

She was born on October 26, 1936 in Ness County to Orville John and Evelyn (Wilkens) Strait. She had two sisters Joyce and Marilyn. Juanita grew up on the farm in Southern Ness County. She graduated from Ness City High School in 1954.

She married Leroy Stieben at the St. Paul Congregational Church on May 11, 1958 in Bazine where she and Leroy made their home. To this union one son, Gary, was born. Juanita worked at the Ness County Hospital as a cook in the dietary department for over 40 years. She loved to cook for her family and work in her yard and garden. She loved dogs and most of her years she had one as a companion. When she had time, she would also help on the farm. Juanita was an avid KU Basketball fan watching any and every game she could.

She is survived by her son Gary Stieben and his wife, Chris; two step-grandchildren, Nick Schwien and his wife, Jess and Kendra Stukey and her husband, Brian; and two step great-grandchildren, Brenna and Kale Schwien. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Leroy, and sisters, Joyce Briscoe and Marilyn Strait.

Funeral Service will be held on Tuesday, January 8, 2018, 10:30 a.m. at Fitzgerald Funeral Home, Ness City. Friends may call at the funeral home on Monday from 9:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. with the family present from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Memorial contributions, in lieu of flowers, may be given to the Bazine Cemetery Fund, Bazine Fire Department, or the St. Paul Congregational Church.

Mary Ann (Pfannenstiel) Schmeidler, age 88, of Hays, Kansas passed away Friday, January 4, 2019 at her home. She was born March 25, 1930 in Hays to Joe M. and Sophie (Rupp) Pfannenstiel. She attended Girl’s Catholic High and on March 1, 1954 she married Gilbert J. Schmeidler at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Hays. He preceded her in death June 18, 2009.

Mary Ann was a Homemaker and assisted Gilbert with the family farming activities. Before marriage she completed Nurses aide training and worked at St. Anthony Hospital in Hays. She was known to make sure the day ended with a full hot meal and made sure that there were baked goods available for all that stopped by. She was a member of St. Catherine Church.

She is survived by a Son, Terry Schmeidler and Carla Kriley of Walker, KS; two Daughters, Debra Schmeidler and friend Neal Rajewski, Kaylene Kruse and husband Dave all of Hays; a Sister, Rita Bieker of Hays; a Sister-in-law, Doris Pfannenstiel of Hays; Brothers-in-law, Cyril Schmeidler and wife Alice of Catharine, KS and Harold Schmeidler of Walker, KS; Grandchildren, Lance (Tracy) Schmeidler, Lynn (Michael) Schmeidler, Lacey (Caleb) Schmeidler, Tyler (Amanda) Kruse and Breanne Kruse as well as Great Grandchildren, Landon Schmeidler and Melanie Kruse.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; Brothers, Ignatius and Edward Pfannenstiel; Sisters, Sr. Carmelyn “Irene”, Jeanette, Edna Jane Pfannenstiel, Philomena “Minnie” Lang and Matilda “Tillie” Wittman.

Funeral services will be 10 AM on Tuesday, January 8, 2019 at St. Catherine’s Catholic Church in Catharine, KS. With burial to follow in the church cemetery.

Visitation will be Monday, January 7th 4 PM – 8 PM and Tuesday, January 8th 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM all at Brock’s-Keithley Funeral Chapel and Crematory 2509 Vine Hays, KS 67601.

A St. Catherine Christian Mothers rosary will be at 6:45 PM Monday followed by a parish vigil service all at the funeral home chapel.

Memorial contributions are suggested to St. Catherine Church, Angel’s Care Home Health or HaysMed Hospice.

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

Mark A. Robins, 70, of Oakley, passed in his home January 2, 2019. Mark was born to Bert and Elizabeth (Schreiber) Robins on June 7, 1948 in Dodge City, Kansas. The family settled in Holcomb, Kansas where Mark graduated from high school.

Mark was always active in sports in some way. He participated in sports in high school and college level. He played football at Ottawa University and was a four year letterman. His love was always for baseball and he was an avid Kansas City Royals and Chiefs fan.

While at Ottawa University Mark met and married his wife Cicily ‘Cis’ Park and they were married 47 wonderful years. To this union three children were born Tanya, Lance, and Erin.

Mark coached high school athletes for 31 years he was known by his athletes to be dedicated to their improvement on a daily basis. One athlete stated, “Mark played a huge part in making me the person that I am today.” Mark helped to train many successful athletes in football, basketball, and track. In 1998, he coached the Oakley boys track team to a second place finish at the Kansas High School State Track Meet.

Mark’s children and grandchildren were his life! He enjoyed spending time with them and watching them participate in their sports and activities. Mark always enjoyed spending time with family around the holidays but he especially loved the Fourth of July!

Mark was active in the United Methodist Church in Oakley Kansas. He was a youth leader with his wife Cis and served on various committees for the church.

After retiring from teaching and coaching in 2002 you could always find Mark active in the community. His love was to be outside and he assisted his wife with their greenhouse and lawn care business.

Mark was preceded in death by his parents Bert and Elizabeth Robins. Surviving are his wife Cis Robins; son Lance and wife Linda Robins; daughters Tanya Robins and Erin and husband Chris Notestein; eight grandchildren James, Jayden, Marcus, Tharron, Jenasea, Olivia, Elyn and Annissa; his brother Robin and wife Gail Robins; sisters, Annette and husband Bob Blecha and Janelle and husband Gene Gaede; brother in law Benjamin Park and family; sister in law Emy Jacobsen; seven nieces and nephews and many cousins.

Mark will be dearly missed by all of his family.

The family will receive friends at the Oakley United Methodist Church basement on Sunday, January 6, 2019, from 3-5:00 p.m. A graveside service will take place at 2:00 p.m. Monday, January 7, 2019, at the Cimarron Township Cemetery, Cimarron, KS. For condolences or information visit www.baalmannmortuary.com

Shirley Ann Hrabe, 79, passed away Thursday, January 3, 2019 at Hays Medical Center, Hays, KS.

She was born January 9, 1939 in Plainville, KS, the daughter of Steve and Dorothy (Allen) Hrabe. She was a member of Celebration Community Church of Hays, Webster Dam Babes, Red Hat Club and Sunflower Polka Club. Shirley was also a past owner of the Palco Grocery where she owned and operated the store for 15 years.

Shirley thoroughly enjoyed being with her family, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She loved playing cards, domino’s, dancing, going with the family on camping outings, and laughing! With a smile on her face, she never met a stranger.

She was preceded in death by her parents, a brother, Forrest (Dale) Hrabe and a brother-in-law, Bill Beitz.

Shirley is survived by two sons, Michael (Judith) Whisman of Irmo, SC, Danny (Shayne) Whisman of Victoria, KS; two daughters, Kim (Jerry) Terrell of Athol, KS, Brenda Odle & significant other, Kenny Rabe of Dodge City, KS; sister, Marvil Beitz of Wichita, KS; 14 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren.

A celebration of Shirley’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, January 7, 2019 at the Celebration Community Church, 5790 230th Ave., Hays, KS, with Pastor Brant Rice officiating. There will not be a public visitation as cremation was chosen. Memorials may be given to Cancer Council of Ellis County and can be sent in care of All Faiths Funeral Chapel, 113 S. Madison St., Smith Center, KS 66967.

Jeanette A. (Braun) Leiker, age 77, former Victoria, Kansas resident, died Monday, December 31, 2018, at Lubbock, Texas.

She was born July 5, 1941, in Hays, Kansas to Clarence P. and Pauline (Hammerschmidt) Braun. She married Anthony J. “Tony” Leiker on September 7, 1963, at Victoria, Kansas.

She was a registered nurse for over 40 years and retired in 2003. She was a 1959 graduate of Victoria High School and was a 1963 graduate of St. Anthony’s School of Nursing in Hays, Kansas. She was a member of the Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Lubbock, Texas. She moved from Kansas to Des Moines, Iowa in 1968, then in 1985 she moved to Lubbock, Texas.

Survivors include her husband, Anthony J. “Tony” Leiker, Lubbock, TX; two sons, Galen Leiker and wife, Jenny, Lubbock, TX; Kent “James” Leiker, Lubbock, TX; one grandson, Ryan; three granddaughters, Alexis, Kaitlyn and Jessica; four brothers, Leroy Braun and wife, Joann, Victoria, KS; Wayne Braun and wife, Edie, Hays, KS; Clarence Braun Jr., Hays, KS; Allen Braun and wife, Pattie, Claremore, OK; two sisters, Mary Jane Unrein, Hays, KS; Lorita Berens and husband, Ron, Great Bend, KS.

She was preceded in death by her parents, and one infant sister, Darlene Braun.

Funeral services will be at 10:00 A.M. Saturday, January 12, 2019, at The Basilica of St. Fidelis, Victoria, Kansas. Inurnment will be at St. Fidelis Cemetery, Victoria, Kansas.

A vigil service and rosary will be at 6:30 P.M. Friday, at Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary, 412 main Street, Victoria, Kansas 67671.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 9:00 P.M. Friday, at Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary, Victoria, Kansas and from 9:00 to 10:00 A.M. Saturday, at The Basilica of St. Fidelis, Victoria, Kansas.

The family suggests memorials to The Basilica of St. Fidelis or St. Fidelis Cemetery.

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

Mark A. Robins, 70, of Oakley, passed in his home January 2, 2019. Mark was born to Bert and Elizabeth (Schreiber) Robins on June 7, 1948 in Dodge City, Kansas. The family settled in Holcomb, Kansas where Mark graduated from high school.

Mark was always active in sports in some way. He participated in sports in high school and college level. He played football at Ottawa University and was a four year letterman. His love was always for baseball and he was an avid Kansas City Royals and Chiefs fan.

While at Ottawa University Mark met and married his wife Cicily ‘Cis’ Park and they were married 47 wonderful years. To this union three children were born Tanya, Lance, and Erin.

Mark coached high school athletes for 31 years he was known by his athletes to be dedicated to their improvement on a daily basis. One athlete stated, “Mark played a huge part in making me the person that I am today.” Mark helped to train many successful athletes in football, basketball, and track. In 1998, he coached the Oakley boys track team to a second place finish at the Kansas High School State Track Meet.

Mark’s children and grandchildren were his life! He enjoyed spending time with them and watching them participate in their sports and activities. Mark always enjoyed spending time with family around the holidays but he especially loved the Fourth of July!

Mark was active in the United Methodist Church in Oakley Kansas. He was a youth leader with his wife Cis and served on various committees for the church.

After retiring from teaching and coaching in 2002 you could always find Mark active in the community. His love was to be outside and he assisted his wife with their greenhouse and lawn care business.

Mark was preceded in death by his parents Bert and Elizabeth Robins. Surviving are his wife Cis Robins; son Lance and wife Linda Robins; daughters Tanya Robins and Erin and husband Chris Notestein; eight grandchildren James, Jayden, Marcus, Tharron, Jenasea, Olivia, Elyn and Annissa; his brother Robin and wife Gail Robins; sisters, Annette and husband Bob Blecha and Janelle and husband Gene Gaede; brother in law Benjamin Park and family; sister in law Emy Jacobsen; seven nieces and nephews and many cousins.

Mark will be dearly missed by all of his family.

The family will receive friends at the Oakley United Methodist Church basement on Sunday, January 6, 2019, from 3-5:00 p.m. A graveside service will take place at 2:00 p.m. Monday, January 7, 2019, at the Cimarron Township Cemetery, Cimarron, KS. For condolences or information visit www.baalmannmortuary.com