On Wednesday, December 26, 2018, Michael E. Pollnow, loving husband, and father of three sons and one daughter, passed away at age 66. Mike was born on September 2, 1952, in Oberlin, KS. He graduated from Decatur County High School in 1970 and attended college at Colby College and Kansas State University where he majored in Animal Science. He was then drafted into the U.S. Army and served in the Colorado National Guard where he rose to the rank of Sergeant. After the Army, Mike served 26 years in various roles in farmers’ cooperatives before retiring from the Frenchman Valley Cooperative in 2014. He was General Manager and President/CEO for a total of 16 years of service at the Farmer’s Elevator Company in Chappell, NE. After retiring, Mike enjoyed driving his Peterbilt semi-truck as an owner/operator of M.P. Logistics, LLC.

Mike loved Jesus Christ and was involved in various ministries with his wife, Sue, and his church congregation, McCook Evangelical Free Church, serving on the security team, as an usher, and as an officer for the Men’s Retreat for several years. Additionally, he was a member of NRA, Gideons International, the American Legion, and held several officer positions in various other organizations. He enjoyed classic cars as well as restoring semi-trucks and tractors. He was an avid collector of Terry Redlin paintings, loved listening to many kinds of music, and enjoyed watching war documentaries or western movies. He was most at home when outdoors planting trees, working in his shop, landscaping and maintaining his property, and helping Sue with the horses. He was awarded the “Nebraska Outstanding Tree Planter” award from the Nebraska Association of Resources Districts in 2001. He loved remodeling homes and had a knack for interior design. He taught the value of hard work to his kids and grandkids and they enjoyed playing a part in some of his many projects.

Mike was a survivor. He was resilient despite multiple occasions where his body tried to give up on him. He endured Lymphoma in his late 20s between 1979-1981. In 2003, he had a double heart bypass and was given only five years to live. Heart ablation surgery was performed in 2015 to correct an arrythmia. In each of these instances, Mike exceeded the odds. He once quipped, “It looks like God still has a plan for me!” Following his recovery from each of these setbacks, you could find him in his shop, yard, or truck, working harder and longer than men half his age.

Mike was preceded in death by his father, Vollie, mother, Elizabeth Susan (Sue), and his father-in-law, Elton Lanka.

Mike is survived by his wife Sue (Lanka) Pollnow, his son Brandon (Kyla) Pollnow, step-daughter Samantha (Chris) Ewing, step-son Owen (Kim) Johnson, and step-son Luke (Maggie) Johnson. He is also survived by his mother-in-law Marian Lanka; his sisters Linda Pollnow, Carol (DeWayne) Knudson, and Janet (Steve) Myers; sisters-in-law Diane (Lee) Wonch and Vanessa (George) Grimsley; and brother-in-law Rex (Beth) Lanka; and their families. His beloved grandchildren are Bryce, Madison, Elizabeth, Silas, Emory, Elias, Owen Harold, and Grace. He also leaves behind numerous nieces and nephews.

A service will be held on Monday, December 31, 2018, at the McCook Evangelical Free Church at 1 PM followed by a procession to the Oberlin Cemetery. A visitation will be held at the church Monday, December 31, 2018 from 11:30 P.M. until service time. Memorials are suggested to Gideons International in lieu of flowers may be sent to 37161 Old Hwy 17, Culbertson, NE 69024.

Gary L. “Bear” Prester, 72, of Russell, Kansas passed away Tuesday, December 18, 2018 at the Russell Regional Hospital.

Gary was born August 17, 1946 at his parent’s home in Fairview Township near Lucas, Kansas. He was one of seven children born to Alex and Lilly (Heinze) Prester. At the age of 8, Gary and his family moved to Dorrance, Kansas, where he grew up and attended school.

Gary was united in marriage to Carol Krause on September 14, 1963 in Dubuque, Kansas. This union was blessed with two children; Brad and Debra. They lived in Dorrance and Kingman, until they moved to Russell, Kansas in 1966.

Gary was a truck driver traveling coast for coast for Schwan’s, until becoming an independent driver leased to Allied Cementing Inc. Later he drove for Farmers Oil, where he retired. He was a member of St. John Lutheran Church. In his spare time he enjoyed hunting, fishing, trap shooting, and shooting sporting clays. He also was a member of the coffee group at Buckeye Supply.

Surviving family include his wife of 55 years, Carol of the home; son, Brad Prester (Cheryl) of Russell, Kansas; daughter, Debra Spoonemore of Boonville, Missouri; three brothers, Larry Prester of Bartlesville, Oklahoma, Leon Prester (Helen) of Salina, Kansas and Terry Prester (Alice Mae) of Lyons, Kansas; sister, Patty (Roger) Kaufman of New Braunfels, Texas; four grandchildren, Corielle DeWitt (fiancé Zack Dilse), Chantal Prester, Caitlyn Spoonemore, and Chase Prester; and one great grandson, Grayden Dilse.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents, brother LeRoy Prester, and sister Mary Fern Bickelman.

Celebration of Gary’s life will be held at 11:00 A.M., Friday, January 4, 2019 at St. John Lutheran Church. Visitation will be from 10:00 AM until service time at the Church. Cremation has preceded the services, and a burial of ashes will be held later that day. A memorial has been established with St. John Lutheran Church or Russell Regional Hospital. Contributions and condolences may be sent to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, who is in charge of these arrangements.

Allen Brooks, 81, of Colby, died Thursday, December 27, 2018, at Citizens Medical Center, Colby. He was born December 12, 1937, in Broken Arrow, OK. Allen served in the United States Army National Guard. He married Catherine “Annie” Carpenter on November 14, 1969, in Reno, NV. Allen had worked on the oil pipe line in California for many years and in the 1970’s he worked for the Atwood Police Department and as a Rawlins County Deputy. He then worked for Murfin Drilling for 18 years. Allen enjoyed fishing, golf, hunting, camping and going to dances. However, his favorite was getting to spend time with his family, especially his grandson and great grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife Annie, of the home; children, Carey Brooks, Allen Brooks, Jr., and Jacque Brooks-Horner; grandson Dusken (Emily) Juenemann; great grandchildren, Dakota and Elam Juenemann and many nieces and nephews.

A graveside service will take place at 3:00 p.m. Wednesday, January 2, 2019, at Beulah Cemetery, Colby. Memorials are suggested to the Allen Brooks Memorial Fund or the American Legion, in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 391, Colby, KS 67701. For condolences or information visit www.baalmannmortuary.com

Ruth Kelley Hayden, died Sat., Dec. 29, 2018, in Atwood, Kansas. She was born Jan. 22, 1921.

Services are pending with Baalmann Mortuary, 109 N. 2nd St., Atwood, Kansas.

Mary Jane Losey, 91, of Oakley, died Thursday, December 27, 2018, at the Logan County Manor, in Oakley. She was born November 17, 1927, in Gove County, KS, to Floyd and Pearl (Schaible) Burris. Mary Jane graduated from Gove High School in 1945 and married Dale Losey on June 7, 1947, in Oakley. She was a member of the Eastern Star and the Grainfield American Legion Auxiliary.

Mary Jane was preceded in death by her parents, husband Dale and daughter in-law Kathy Losey.

She is survived by her children, Linda (Ray) Manning, Oakley, Marilyn (Stan) Black, Estes Park, CO and Dave (Madeline) Losey, Wichita, KS; grandchildren, Michael Manning, Shannon Plummer, Jesse Manning, David Losey, Jr., Aimee Hunt and Sarah Black; ten great grandchildren, Callie Losey, Cammie Bice, Zachary Losey, Chase Garcia, Reagan Garcia, Reilly Ritter, Mackenzie Ritter, Allie Plummer, Payton Manning and McKinley Manning; one great-great grandchild Violet Bice.

Visitation will be 6:30pm – 8:00pm on Sunday, Dec 30, 2018 at Baalmann Mortuary, Oakley. Funeral Service will be 11:00am on Monday Dec 31, 2018 at the Oakley Christian Church. Burial will be at 2:00pm in the Gove Cemetery, Gove. Memorials are suggested to the Logan County Manor in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 204, Oakley, KS 67748. For condolences visit www.baalmannmortuary.com

Pauline Helen Parke, of Colyer, passed away suddenly on December 27, 2018 at Trego County Lemke Memorial Hospital in WaKeeney. Pauline was born in Seguin, Kansas to Felix and Helen Reitcheck on June 25, 1938. She was a graduate of Sheridan Community High School, in Hoxie, Kansas. Pauline married Curtis Parke on February 26, 1957.

Pauline was a strong and stoic person, a hard worker to the end of her life, but had a loving heart and gentle spirit. She was first and foremost a nurturer to her five children and their spouses, her fifteen grandchildren, and most recently for her husband during his long treatment and recovery from cancer. She was always thinking of others, even at the expense of her own needs. She rarely asked for anything for herself. Her greatest pride and joy were her fifteen grandchildren. She was always so proud of their accomplishments in school, in their careers, and in their lives.

Pauline loved to sew and cook, and she perfected these skills throughout her entire life. She made most of her own clothing and the clothing of her children with exceptional precision. She later used her sewing skills to make many beautiful crafts, including countless rugs and quilts for family and friends. Because of her tender care and attention to detail, she was known in her family as the ‘fixer’ of all things ripped, torn, and broken, clothing and otherwise. Pauline was also an accomplished cook and baker, often making her famous cinnamon rolls and peanut butter pie for family gatherings. But her work was not limited to the home. She played a very active role on the farm, driving the truck during harvest, feeding cattle, and helping to manage the operation.

Pauline was a devout and faithful Catholic and lifelong member of Christ the King Catholic Church in WaKeeney. She cherished her faith and held true to her beliefs her entire life. Her passing leaves a large void in the hearts of many people. We will do our best to fill that void by following her example by caring for those closest to us and doing good in this world.

Pauline leaves to mourn her passing her husband of 61 years, Curtis, of the home; five children and fifteen grandchildren, daughter Mary (Carlos) and her children Sean (Megan), Colin, and Nevan Madrid of Phoenix, AZ; daughter Susan (Martin) and her children Emilio, Ryan, and Geena Fajardo of Lenexa, KS; son Eugene (Tracey) and his children Liam and Madelyn of Noblesville, IN; daughter Lori (Brian) and her children Jon, Jacob, and Jessica Belleau of Berryton, KS; daughter Cindy (Bill), and her children Jordan (Kaitlinn), Caitlin, Branson, and Nicholas Billinger of Shawnee, KS; five siblings, Margaret Ritter, Delores Koerperich, Anna Rose Givens, Betty Jacob, and Gary Reitcheck; and sister-in-law Mary Reitcheck.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m., Monday, December 31, 2018, at Christ the King Catholic Church, WaKeeney. Burial will be in the Kansas Veterans’ Cemetery, WaKeeney.

Visitation and viewing will be Sunday evening, from 5 to 7 at the funeral home in WaKeeney. A parish vigil service will follow at 7:00 p.m., also at the funeral home.

IN LIEU OF FLOWERS, memorial contributions are suggested to American Red Cross, Salvation Army, or Christ the King Catholic Church. Donations made to the organization may be sent to Schmitt Funeral Home, 336 North 12th St., WaKeeney, KS 67672.

James Eugene Henson, age 52, of Hays, Kansas passed away Sunday, December 23, 2018 in Hays. He was born April 13, 1966 in Rogers, Arkansas to Billy Ray and Refinna (Hoskins) Keyes Henson.

He had worked as a mechanic and enjoyed 3D modeling, comic books and crocheting.

He is survived by his mother, Refinna Keyes of Plainville, Kansas, a brother, Jerry Keyes of Plainville and two sisters, Brenda Henson of Gothenburg, Nebraska, and Teri Ellenberger of Plainville.

He was preceded in death by his father and siblings, George Keyes, Donald Keyes and Teresa Keyes.

Private family services will be at a later date.

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]

Yvonne Marie Gnad Burtt was born Jan. 22, 1958, in Hays, Kan. to Clarence C. and Janet L. Morin Gnad. She died Dec. 17, 2018, at Conroe Regional Medical Center, Conroe, Texas.

Yvonne was a 1976 graduate of Hoisington High School, Hoisington, Kan. She lived most of her life in the Houston and Conroe area, graduating from Lone Star Community College with honors and a degree in psychology.

On June 8, 1991, Yvonne married Grant Edward Burtt and two children, a son and a daughter were born to this union.

Survivors include a daughter, Shannon Burtt of Houston and a son, Sean Burtt of Spring, Texas; her mother, Janet (Gnad) Morin of Hays, Kan.; sisters, Christina Smith (Ron) of Hoisington, Kan. and Leah Beck (Art) of Montezuma, Kan.; brothers, Steven Gnad of Hays, Keith Gnad of Overland Park, Kan. and Tracy Gnad (Noemi) of Peculiar, Mo.; one grandson, Lucas; several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and numerous cousins.

She was preceded in death by her father, Clarence C. Gnad July 2, 1992.

Click HERE for service details.

Mary Jane (Knoll) Davidson – age 72, of Hays, Kansas died Friday, December 28, 2018, at her home in Hays, Kansas.

She was born September 14, 1946, in Hays, Kansas to George J. and Mary (Giebler) Knoll. She married Donald D. Davidson on October 5, 1968 at Hays, Kansas.

She was a bookkeeper at the Hays Home Depot for twelve years. She previously worked at Baxter Lab Travenol, Food Bonanza and Apple Market all of Hays. She grew up in Voda and Hays, Kansas. She was a 1964 graduate of Hays High School, enjoyed polka dancing, cooking and her family.

Survivors include one son, William and wife, Kim, Wichita, KS; one daughter, Cheryl Chambers and James Pfaff, Hays, KS; one sister, Shirley Loyd, Logan, KS; Donald D. Davidson, Lucas, KS; special friend, Lyle Webb, Hays, KS; step-mother, Lucille Huser-Knoll, Hays, KS; one step-brother, Larry Huser and wife, Ruth, Hutchinson, KS; one step-sister, Deborah Huser-Allen, Hays, KS; four grandchildren, Charles Howell, Cydney Howell, Brandon Davidson and Logan Chambers.

She was preceded in death by her parents, and one brother, George Knoll Jr.

Services are 10:00 A.M. Monday, December 31, 2018, at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 1805 Vine Street, Hays, Kansas. Burial will be at 2:00 P.M. Monday, at St. Michael Cemetery, Collyer, Kansas.

A vigil service will be at 7:00 P.M. Sunday, December 30 at Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary of Hays, 1919 East 22nd Street, Hays, Kansas 67601.

Visitation is from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Sunday at Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary of Hays and from 9:00 to 10:00 A.M. Monday at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church

Memorials may be made to ARC of Central Plains-Playground.

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