Tammy Jo Hayes, 59, passed away Dec. 26, 2018, at her home in Great Bend. She was born August 24, 1959, at Spearman, Texas, to Ambrose and Victoria (Brack) Kramer.

Tammy grew up in Great Bend, moved to Larned where she lived for 17 years and then four years ago, she moved back to Great Bend. She worked for the Larned State Hospital as a mental health tech. Tammy loved to crochet, garden and collect cookie jars.

Survivors include, three sons, Heath Kramer of Benton, Louisiana, Jamie Sparks and wife Ashley of Wichita, and Terry Sparks and wife Kimberly of Otis; two daughters, Bobbie Driscoll of Salina and Tracy Vsetecka and husband Jason of Great Bend; three brothers, Robert Patrick of Topeka, Ross Kramer and wife Jennifer of Kansas City, Kansas, and Michael Bradley Kramer and wife Angie of Larned; five sisters, Rose Lind of WaKeeney, Becky Kramer Lloyd of Larned, Cindy Schetrom of Great Bend, Patricia Garner of Kansas City, Missouri, and Sandra Thompson of Russell; and 20 grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Ambrose and Victoria Brack; her step-mother, Anna May Kramer; one brother, David Walker; and one sister, Fatima Simpson.

Visitation will be from 1 to 9 p.m., Friday, Dec. 28, 2018 at Bryant Funeral Home, with the family receiving friends from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Funeral service will be at 10 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 29, 2018, at Bryant Funeral Home, with Pastor Curt Reinhardt presiding.

Interment will be in the Great Bend Cemetery North, Great Bend.

Memorials are suggested to the Tammy Jo Hayes Funeral Expense Fund, in care of Bryant Funeral Home.

Kenneth Herbert Bieker, 81, of Hoisington, Kansas, former Wallace, Kansas, resident, passed away at his home Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2018.

He was born Oct. 26, 1937, in Hays, Kansas, to Herbert Leo and Amelia Josephine (Staab) Bieker. He was the second born child out of six and the only son.

He attended school through first grade at Coddell, Kansas, where he had to walk to school uphill, in the cold, both ways. Then he moved to grade school in Wallace, Kansas, until the sixth grade, then attended school in Sharon Springs until he graduated in 1955.

When he was young, he was a member of 4-H, raising beef calves. He enjoyed playing football and running track in school.

After graduation, he enlisted in the Navy and traveled the world, earning a rank of Petty Officer First Class E6 (Engineman). He was aboard the USS Comstock and sailed to places such as Hawaii, Japan, Hong Kong, China, and the Philippines, and earned his certificate for crossing the equator. While in the service, Ken attended Nashville Auto-Diesel College in Tennessee for diesel mechanics. After his honorable discharge in October 1961, he returned home and worked for his dad on the farm near Wallace, Kansas.

He married Linda Louise Connolly on March 3, 1963. They moved to a dairy farm near Houston, Missouri and milked cows. In 1964, they moved back to Sharon Springs, Kansas, and Ken worked for Witzel & Rhea, working on tractors. In 1972, the family moved to the farm near Wallace where they lived and worked. Ken and Linda were blessed with eight wonderful children during their 55 years of marriage: Peggy Lynn, Barbara Sue, Larry Leon, Lori Ann, Angela Louise, Monte Lee, Melissa Kaye, and Martin William. They retired in 2003 and moved to Hoisington, Kansas, where they resided at the time of his death.

Ken was preceded in death by his parents, his daughter Peggy, and his sisters Yvonne Hileman and Joyce Engel.

He is survived by his wife Linda of Hoisington; children Bobbi Griffin of WaKeeney, Kansas, Larry (Susan) of Larned, Kansas, Lori Ann Ross of Okay, Oklahoma, Angie Meye of Bastrop, Texas, Monte of Salina, Kansas, Melissa White of Curtis, Nebraska, and Marty (Nicole) of Great Bend, Kansas; sisters Wanda Kupfner of Knoxville, Tennessee, Cheri (Bob) Thummel and Cindy (Bill) Foley, both of Salina, Kansas; 24 grandchildren; and 25 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. He will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his family and all who knew him.

Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., with Vigil and Rosary at 7 p.m. Friday, all at the funeral home. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 29, 2018, celebrated by Father Don Bedore. Burial will follow in Hoisington City Cemetery with military honors conducted by the United States Navy Honor Guard.

Memorials may be made to the Hoisington EMS in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington, KS 67544.

Arlene Hix, daughter of Elmer and Velma States Carver, was born Feb. 20, 1919 at the family farm southwest of Logan, Kansas, and passed away at Hadley Memorial Hospital in Hays, Kansas on Dec. 24, 2018.

She married Harold Stanton of Parkville, Missouri, in 1936, to which three children were born: Harold, Lloyd and Marjorie.

In 1944 Arlene married Meryl Bailey and to this union a son, Gail Bailey, was born. They farmed and raised cattle near Logan, Kansas, then later lived in Norton and Clayton, Kansas. Meryl passed away in 1964.

Arlene married Francis Hix in 1965 and the couple moved to Norcatur, Kansas, where Francis farmed. Francis died in 2007.

Arlene was a member of the Norcatur Methodist Church, as well as the Royal Neighbors, Rebekah Lodge, Norcatur Quilting Club and Norton Bowling League. She loved to work in her vegetable and flower gardens, and also enjoyed crocheting and quilting. Her favorite times were spent with family, especially with the grandchildren she adored.

Survivors include two sons, Lloyd (Leann) Stanton and Gail (Denise) Bailey; her daughter, Marjorie Prince; four grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and a sister-in-law, Lula Hix.

Arlene was preceded in death by her parents; her husbands; one son, Harold Stanton, and one grandson, Larry; two great-grandsons, Keith and Jake Mulberry; her sister, Fredia VanDerWege; a half-sister, Rosalie Earl; and her brother, Lloyd Carver.

Funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2018 in the Whispering Pines in Norton, Kansas, with Bob Stevenson officiating. Burial will follow in Norcatur Cemetery, Norcatur, Kansas.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Norcatur Citizens Alliance or Whispering Pines.

Arrangements are by Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel.

Marvin R. Poe passed away Friday, December 21, 2018 at the age of 82.

He was born Nov. 9, 1936 in El Dorado, Kansas. He found the love of his life, Ruby Dougherty, in December 1953. They were married June 5, 1955 in a double-wedding with his sister, Betty Poe, and her husband Merlin Glover.

He worked in the oilfield and eventually started his own business, Poe Well Service, Inc. Marvin was a hard-working family man and Ruby took care of the kids and the books for the business.

They took the family fishing and camping as much as possible. On family vacations, he always made sure they stopped at a motel early so the family could have a sit-down meal together as they did at home each night. The family loved Sunday drives to out-of-the-way places and would enjoy an ice cream dessert.

The family would sit together and watch “The Lawrence Welk Show” and have popcorn and apple slices. When he was home, everyone knew the recliner was his. Kids could always climb up in the chair and sit with him. As the grandkids came along, they continued the tradition of climbing up on Grandpa’s lap. When the babies were tired, they would end up rocking with Grandpa and falling asleep across his belly.

Marvin had nicknames for his and Ruby’s nieces and nephews and continued the tradition with the grandkids. Most of the granddaughters were Ugly #1, Ugly #2. and so on. They would tell him they were pretty and he would agree they could be Pretty Ugly, just to continue to tease them.

His daughter-in-law, Debbie Ann, knew he was always teasing since he had actually bought his first granddaughter a pretty dress and took it to her at the hospital all by himself. His teasing taught life lessons. He told the Leddy kids he was lost, and they had to tell him which way to go to get from their house to Lori’s house. When they made it to Lori’s due to James pulling through with directions, Ruby assured the kids their Grandpa knew where he was going, but wanted them to learn to remember directions.

He may not have said much at times, but through all his teasing, he taught us how to love without taking life too seriously. Our family has been getting together a few times a year ever since the kids of Marvin and Ruby were all out of the house. Marvin and Ruby Poe have created an amazing legacy in the wonderful family they have!

Stinemetz Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Genevieve Katherine Bellerive, 98, of St. Peter, Kansas, passed away Monday, Dec. 24, 2018, at Logan Manor in Logan.

Schmitt Funeral Home, WaKeeney, is handling arrangements.

Gloria C. Schultz, 76, passed away Dec. 24, 2018. She was born July 10, 1942 in Cleveland, Ohio, to Andrew and Ruth (Koeliger) Sivi.

Gloria lived in Cleveland until she was 6 years old and then her family moved to Denver, where she attended school. In 1979, she received her GED from Colby Community College.

Gloria married John Schultz on Feb. 28, 1962 in Denver. They moved to Oberlin in 1970. She was the USD Office Janitor for 20 years, retiring in 2006. She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, VFW Auxiliary and United Church, where she was also a council member.

Gloria was preceded in death by her parents.

She is survived by her husband, John of Oberlin, Kansas; sons: Danny Schultz and wife Angela of Fretch, Texas, Wesley Schultz of Oberlin, and Mark Schultz of Denver; daughter, Paula Henderson of Syracuse, New York; brother Thomas Sivi of Denver; 16 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

A funeral service will be at 1 p.m. Friday, Dec. 28, 2018 at Pauls Funeral Home, 121 N. Penn Ave., Oberlin, KS 67749, 785 475-3127.

Burial will follow at Oberlin Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. before the service at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Decatur County EMT.

Condolences may be left at www.paulsfh.com

Billie J. Slemp, 85, La Crosse, Kansas, died Tuesday, Dec. 25, 2018, at Rush County Memorial Hospital Intermediate Swing Bed, La Crosse, Kansas.

Mrs. Slemp was born April 3, 1933, in Olinger, Virginia, the daughter of Harme and Sarah (McClancy) Greene. She was a resident of Rush County, Kansas, since 1984, moving there from Florida. She was a homemaker.

She was a member of the First Baptist Church.

On Sept. 22, 1949, she married James B. Slemp at Pennington Gap, Virginia.

Survivors include: her husband, James Slemp, La Crosse, Kansas; one son, Joseph Slemp (Linda), La Crosse, Kansas; one daughter, Nancy Bollermann, Perry, Florida; three grandchildren, Jeremy Slemp (Ashley), Bison, Kansas, Lacy Quake (Andrew), Three Rivers, Michigan, and Ron Reed (April), La Crosse, Kansas; and six great-grandsons.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her son-in-law, Paul Bollermann; and numerous brothers and sisters.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 30, 2018 at the Janousek Funeral Home, La Crosse, Kansas.

Funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Monday, Dec. 31, 2018 at the Janousek Funeral Home, La Crosse, Kansas, with Pastor Tom Ferch officiating. Interment will be in the La Crosse City Cemetery, La Crosse, Kansas.

In lieu of flowers or plants, the family requests memorials to the Rush County Memorial Hospital Intermediate Swing Bed, La Crosse, Kansas.

Condolences or remembrances may be left for the family at www.charterfunerals.com/locations/janousek-lacrosse.php.

Arrangements were by Janousek Funeral Home, 719 Pine Street, PO Box 550, La Crosse, KS 67548, 785-222-2517.

Libbie A. (Borecky) Sebesta died Monday, Dec. 24, 2018 at her home in Wilson, Kansas at the age of 89. She was born Nov. 20, 1929 to John and Marie (Janda) Borecky in Palacky Township, Ellsworth County.

At the age of 3, her family moved to a farm in Nobel Township near Black Wolf. Libbie attended South Black Wolf School through eighth grade. She attended Wilson High School for two years, transferring to Ellsworth High School because her brother wanted to play football in 1947.

Libbie worked for numerous families as a hired girl during high school summers. Following graduation, she worked at the Black Wolf Store as a clerk and cream tester. Libbie wanted a better life so she with her sister Vi attended Brown Mackie Business College in Salina, Kansas. She convinced Black Wolf State Bank to loan her $500 without collateral to pay her education. Libbie worked at the cleaners on South Santa Fe to pay her living expenses while attending Brown Mackie.

Libbie married Joseph J. Sebesta on May 12, 1954 at the Presbyterian Church in Wilson, Kansas. To this union, two children were born, Diane Marie and Mark Jon. Libbie was a busy farm wife, mother, and community volunteer. She was a member of the Presbyterian Church, Noble Extension Homemaker Unit, and a Wilson Girl Scout Leader. Libbie was a member of numerous lodges associated with the Wilson Opera House. Eventually she became the volunteer caretaker and museum curator. Libbie was devastated when the Opera House burned.

Libbie was preceded in death by her husband Joseph J. Sebesta; parents John and Marie Borecky; her brother Lester Borecky; and sisters Vivian Kratzer and Vi Jireck.

She is survived by her daughter Diane Deaver and husband Tom of Manhattan; son Mark Sebesta and wife Susan of Wilson; grandchildren Allyson and Zachary Deaver and Lucas and Rachel Sebesta; sisters Mildred Hynes of Sylvan Grove and Myrene Soukup of Wilson; sister-in-law Elsie Sebesta of Wilson; and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services are planned for 10:30 a.m. Friday, Dec. 28, 2018 at Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home in Wilson with burial to follow in the City Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday from 2 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the Wilson Heritage Museum or the Lange Memorial Library and may be sent in care of Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home, P.O. Box 533, Wilson, Kansas 67490.

Gloria J. O’Bleness, age 71, passed away at her home in Scott City, Kansas on Wednesday, December 26, 2018. She was born on September 3, 1947 in Garden City, Kansas, the daughter of William Grant and Donna Dee Jewel Carpenter. A lifetime resident of Scott City, Kansas, she was a Family Nurse Practitioner. She was a member of the United Methodist Church in Scott City, Kansas.

Survivors include her three daughters – Lori Stephens of Lubbock, Texas, Lisa & Ryan Long of Parker, Colorado, Lizabeth & Eric Tanner of New Orleans, Louisiana; Mother – Dona Dee Carpenter of Scott City, Kansas; one sister – Jackie & Roger John of Phillipsburg, Kansas; Life Partner – Larry LaPlant of Scott City, Kansas; and four grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her father.

Memorial Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, December 29, 2018 at Price & Sons Funeral Home in Scott City, Kansas.

Memorials in lieu of flowers may be made to the Park Lane Nursing Home in care of Price & Sons Funeral Homes.

There will be no calling times.

Mary Agatha Koch (Cummings), 98, died Sat. Dec. 22, 2018. She was born Sept. 17, 1920.

Services are pending with Baalmann Mortuary, 109 N. 2nd St., Atwood, Kansas. Interment will be at Mount Calvary Cemetery, Highway 36, Atwood.