Betty Florine Kopsa, daughter of Charles W. Kopsa and Hattie Vaneta Peterson, was born on July 15, 1925 on a farm near Cuba, Kansas and passed away at Republic County Hospital on October 10th, 2018 at the age of 93 years, 2 months and 25 days. After graduating from Munden High School in 1942, she obtained her teaching certificate from Kansas State University. She taught country school and also 1st and 2nd grades in Republic Kansas where she was affectionately called “Miss Betty”. She married Elden Lorraine Evert on August 29, 1949 and together they raised four children.

She held a variety of jobs, throughout her life. She worked at the nursing home, the hospital, library, and later the Republic and Jamestown post offices before becoming the Postmaster at Webber, Kansas. Her most important job titles, however were “Mom”, “Grandma Betty”, and “Grandma Great”.

Betty had a strong faith and was very committed to her family and the farm. She loved working outdoors, checking the electric fences, and raising chickens and the occasional orphaned lambs and calves. She was a very humble and giving person but preferred to work behind the scenes, washing dishes after church dinners and typing the church newsletter. She prepared wonderful meals for her family but Sunday dinners were an extra special event with many family members often in attendance.

Her hobbies included playing bridge with her “8 to 12” club, reading, and working crossword puzzles. She was excellent seamstress making many of her and her daughter’s dresses and patching scores of blue jeans. She also enjoyed feeding her wild birds and the farm cats. She also cherished the time that she spent with her many grand and great-grandchildren.

Survivors include: Daughters: Vicki (Ron) Hallagin of Ellis, KS; Lorraine (Carl Hoskins) Evert of Parsons, KS; and Sons: Randy (Betsy) Evert and Ron Evert, both of Belleville, KS.

Grandchildren: Troy (Mary) Hallagin, Trent (Deanna) Hallagin, Trevor (Tammy) Hallagin, Chris (Kim) Springer, Neil Springer, Holle Evert, Heidi Nordstrom, Krystal (Dave) Lantz, Lynsey (Braden) Damman, Shelby Hergott, Andy (Shayna) Evert, Erin Williams, Ethan Evert, and Lacey (Thayne) Clark.

Great Grandchildren: Tyler Hallagin, Brianna (Tom) Hargis, Tanner Hallagin, Courtney Hallagin, Tayton Hallagin, Tristen Hallagin, Talon Hallagin, Kristi (Joe) Wood, Noah Springer, Jacob Springer, Kambree Judy, Brylee Judy, Sterling Judy, Taylor Manos, Paige Kniep, Kara Kniep, Bryn Kniep, Ava, Kniep, Nina Nordstrom, Henry Hatcher, MacKenzie Hergott, Tinley Lantz, Wesley Lantz, Brecklyn Damman, Wyatt Evert, Becca Evert, Kyra Evert, Waylan Evert, Isaiah Evert, Alexandria Williams, Ashton Williams, Kennedy Clark, Mason Clark, and Arlo Clark.

Brothers; Bob (Phyllis) Kopsa of Chester, NE and Don (Elaine) Kopsa of Craig, CO; sisters-in-law; Gail Kopsa of Agenda, KS, Darlene Kopsa of Courtland, KS, Jetty Evert of California.

She also had many nieces, nephews and a host of other family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Elden, a brother, Clair Kopsa and a grandson Clayton Hergott.

Visitation will be at Tibbetts-Fischer Funeral Home in Belleville on Sunday October 14th from 6 to 8 p.m. Memorial Service will be held at the Republic United Methodist Church at 10:30 a.m, with inurnment following at Prairie Rose Cemetery, rural Republic.

Memorials in Betty’s name can be made to United Methodist Church and the Rae Hobson Memorial Library and sent to the funeral home.

Tibbetts-Fischer Funeral Home assisted the Evert family with arrangements.

Doyle G. Graham, age 85, United States Army Veteran and Purple Heart Recipient, and retired Express Mail Clerk for the USPS, passed away peacefully at his home in Arlington, KS, Oct. 10, 2018.

He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend, who will be dearly missed.

He is preceded in death by his wife of 51 years, Carra Lee, sons, Mike, Steve, and Gerry, and siblings, Bertha, Beulah, Ross, Stan, and half brother, V.O. He is survived by his wife, Bobbie; daughters-in-law, Lori, Brenda and Rhonda; grandchildren, Amy, Chad, Sarah (Tom), Michael, Jamie (Beau), Jared, and Meghan (Ted).

Doyle’s visitation will be held from 12-4 p.m. with family receiving from 2-4 p.m. Sun. Oct. 14, 2018 and Funeral Service at 10 a.m. Mon. Oct. 15, 2018 both at Resthaven Mortuary.

Memorials may be made to your veterans charity of choice in Doyle’s name.

Roger L. Nuzum, 78 years old of Osborne, KS, passed away on October 2, 2018 at the Osborne County Memorial Hospital in Osborne, KS. Roger was born on September 11, 1940 to Oliver R. & Pauline W. (Heusi) Nuzum in Troy, KS.

Roger graduated from Osborne High School in 1958. He has lived in Osborne, KS all his life except for when he served in the U. S Army. Roger married Carol “Putz” Meshloh and to this union, several children were born.

Roger worked as an Auto Mechanic at the Osborne Auto Service from 1963 – 1990. He worked for the City of Osborne from 1990 – 1995 at which time he retired.

Roger is survived by his wife, Carolyn “Putz” (Mesloh) Nuzum of the home; daughter: Debbie (Joe) Aceto of Houston, TX; sons: Scott (Kristy) Nuzum of Osborne; Neil (Michelle) Nuzum of Raleigh, NC; brother: Paul of Phillipsburg, KS; 7 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.

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Irene Rosella Marie (Ackerman) Deschner was born on July 20, 1922 in Rexford, Kansas to Henry and Henrietta (Rall) Ackerman, the second of five children and only daughter. She died at Hilltop Lodge, Beloit, KS on October 6, 2018 at the age of 96.

She moved with her family to Hoxie, Kansas when she was one year old. There she was baptized and confirmed in her faith at Emmanuel Lutheran Church and graduated from Sheridan County High School in 1940. Irene subsequently completed studies at Gradwohl School of Laboratory Technique in St. Louis, Missouri in June, 1941 for certification as a Laboratory and X-Ray Technician. After completing her training, she moved to Beloit, Kansas where she was employed as a Laboratory/X-Ray Technician at the Beloit Community Hospital. She later worked for many years in the office of Drs. Collins, Nienstedt, and Dobratz.

Irene met her future husband, Ernest Deschner, through mutual friends at Zion Lutheran Church. They were married on October 15, 1944 and lived on the family farm south of Beloit, where Ernest was born and where the couple lived for 50 years. It was here that they raised their family of three children; a son, Dennis, and daughters Jean and Marilyn.

Irene and Ernest were life-long partners in their farming business. They sold their farm home and moved to Beloit in 1993. Irene was active in her community and a woman of strong Christian faith. She was a member of Zion Lutheran Church for 75 years and filled many roles during that time. She was a Sunday School teacher, member of the altar guild and women of the ELCA. She was also involved for many years in the Bloomfield EHU and Minerva Club and was a 4-H Club leader in activities with her children. Irene was a master gardener, seamstress, and quilter. She never sat down without some type of craft in front of her. She loved playing bridge and cards of any kind, china painting, birding and traveling with Ernest throughout the U.S. and abroad.

Preceding Irene in death were her parents Henry and Henrietta Ackerman, husband Ernest, grandson Allen Deschner, and brothers Gilbert Ackerman and wife Norma, Carl Ackerman and wife Janese, and Richard Ackerman. Irene is survived by her three children and their spouses: Dennis and Carola Deschner, Phillipsburg, KS; Jean and Walter Wesselowski, Hays, KS; and Dr. Marilyn and John Buchheister, Kitty Hawk, NC. Irene leaves five grandchildren: Patricia Callegari and husband, Andy, Olathe, KS; Lara Adams, Loganville, GA; Dr. Sonya Wesselowski and husband Dr. Luis Braz-Ruivo, College Station, TX; Bryan Buchheister, Washington, DC, and Elizabeth Buchheister, Annapolis, MD. She is also survived by three great grandchildren Melina and Holly Callegari and Vincent Braz-Ruivo, her brother, Robert Ackerman and wife Alice, Park, KS, sister-in-law Gloria Ackerman, Beloit, KS and thirteen nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be at 2 PM Saturday, October 13 at the Zion Lutheran Church. Visitation will be Friday, October 12 from 1-8 PM & family present from 7-8 PM at the Roberts Family Funeral Home. Memorials may be given to the Zion Lutheran Church or Mitchell County Regional Medical Foundation.

Gail Ellen Patterson, 81, Wilson, passed away October 4, 2018 at LakePoint of El Dorado, El Dorado, Kansas.

She was born on June 28, 1937, in Ellsworth, Kansas, the daughter of John and Florence Kratky Chegwidden. A longtime area resident of Pawnee County raising her family and working in the nursing profession. Gail was married to Keith Patterson, they later divorced. Survivors include; two sons, Gary (Kelsey) Patterson, Fort Worth, TX, Greg (Tonya) Patterson, Rozel, KS; two daughters, Amy (Harlan) Tomlin, El Dorado, KS, Andrea Wells, Arlington, TX; ten grandchildren; Joshua (Kim) Patterson, Cade Patterson, Blake Patterson, Janelle (Mitchell) Jeffrey, Candice (James) Norman, Kayla (Chris) Long, Tessa (Derek) Spreier, Aaron Wells, Samantha Wells and Cory (Kacy) Wells; ten great grandchildren; Jett Patterson, Hallie Jeffrey, Izaiah Norman, Syler Norman, Austin Long, Connor Spreier, Brantley Spreier, Camryn Wells, Kipton Wells and Cainan Wells; and a sister-in-law, Beverly Chegwidden.

Memorial service will be 11:00 a.m. Friday, October 12, 2018 at Beckwith Mortuary Chapel with Pastor Gene Price presiding. Visitation will be 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 11, 2018, at the mortuary. Private Inurnment will be at a later date.

Memorials may be given to the St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital and the Wilson Senior Center, both in care of Beckwith Mortuary, P.O. Box 477, Larned, KS 67550.

Patrick Giannetti of Osborne, KS passed away on Saturday, October 6, 2018 at the Baptist Integres Hospital in Oklahoma City, OK. He was born on January 20, 1948 in Glen Ridge, NJ to the late John and Elleanor (Pedulla) Martin who lives in Osborne, KS.

Patrick was a farmer. He was a former high school teacher, insurance agent and worked for Star Seed of Osborne.

Patrick is survived by his wife Deborah (Martin) Giannetti of the home; sons: Jace Giannetti of Wichita, KS; Gabe Giannetti of Osborne, KS; sister: Linda LaGrutta of Tom’s River, NJ; brother: John Giannetti, Jr. of Bloomfield, NJ; mother: Elleanor Martin of Osborne, KS; 4 grandchildren.

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Archie L. Hunter, 78, died October 8, 2018, at Sandstone Heights Nursing Home, Little River, Kansas. He was born July 31, 1940, at Manila, Arkansas, the son of John and Clara (Downs) Hunter.

Archie graduated from Hays High School in 1958.

A longtime resident of Hoisington, living in Hays previously, he was a seismographic observer or “doodlebugger”. He worked for Seis Tech and Exploration-GeoSearch retiring in 2002.

Archie was a member of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus, and the NRA. An outdoor enthusiast he loved hunting and fishing and spending his summers at beautiful Lake Wilson.

On January 11, 1960, he married Lillian Marie Begler in Ellis, Kansas. She preceded him in death on February 24, 2010.

Survivors include; five children, Wesley Hunter of Salina, Gary Hunter of Hoisington, Curtis Hunter and wife Connie of Hoisington, Lily Fry and husband Chris of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, and Susan Lang and companion Kevin Hickel of Hoisington; two sisters, Connie Horine of Arkansas City and Shirley Hunter of Hays; 6 grandchildren, Jonathan Hunter, Joshua Hunter, Phillip Fry, Seth Hunter, Lydia Fry, and Muriel Nicole Pohlman; 5 step grandchildren, Blaize, Megan, Kyler, Kale, and Collin Schlochtermeier; and 3 great grandchildren, Cambree, Elaina, and Finnley.

He was preceded in death by his wife, parents, and an infant brother, J.W. Hunter.

Friends may sign the book 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. today through Thursday, and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday with family to receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. There will be no viewing as cremation has taken place.

Graveside service will be 11 a.m., Saturday, October 13, 2018, at St. John Catholic Church Cemetery, Hoisington.

Memorials may be made to St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington, KS 67544.

Richard L. Mai, 87, passed away Friday, October 5, 2018, surrounded by his family.

Richard was born February 15, 1931 to Louis M. and Thelma E. (Streck) Mai in Hays, Kansas.

Richard was the patriarch of his family. He loved golf and traveling, but most of all, he loved his family. Richard was charismatic and always positive mo matter the situation… and if you asked him, he was just “perfect”.

Richard is survived by his loving wife, Ellen E. Mai; sons, Rick L. Mai (Jolene), Mark G. Mai, and Kurt R. Mai (Roblyn); 13 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Lauri (Mai) Hoffman, and his parents.

Celebration of Richard’s Life will be held at 1:00 P.M., Friday, October 12, 2018 at St. John Lutheran Church. Burial of ashes will follow at the Russell City Cemetery. No visitation being done. A Memorial has been established with the St. John Scholarship Fund. Contributions and condolences may be sent to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, who is in charge of these arrangements.

Betty Maxine (Keith) Maier, the daughter of Gertrude and Logan Keith, was born on a farm south of Morland, Kansas on February 27, 1930. She departed this life on October 7, 2018 at the Good Shepard Hospice House in Manhattan, Kansas.

Betty attended Morland Grade School and High School. Because she enjoyed typing she decided to attend a secretarial school located in Topeka. After secretarial school in 1950 she went to work for the Kansas State Department of Motor Vehicles, where she was secretary to C. M. Voelker, the State Motor Vehicle Superintendent for several years. A picture of her holding the new 1951 car tag appeared in the Topeka Journal. After years away she returned to Hill City where she used her typing skills as a legal secretary at the law firm of Chipman and Clark. She remained at the firm until she met her future husband John (Jake) Maier. They were married on September 1, 1957. The couple then returned to Manhattan until Jake got his degree in engineering.

She loved typing and enjoyed writing letters. She never met a dog, large or small that she didn’t love. Her favorite flower was the sunflower. Sunflower pictures are on display in her home everywhere. She loved K-State! She and Jake went to football games for 40 years. After moving to Manhattan she also enjoyed going to the men and women’s basketball games. For several years after moving to Manhattan she enjoyed helping at the Bergman Elementary School with the first graders. She really enjoyed their antics and stories.

Betty was predeceased by her father Logan, her mother Gertrude, and her brother Fred and his wife Grenadine. She leaves to mourn her passing: her husband Jake; her nephew Logan and his wife Debra of Morland and their daughters Amanda Trujillo and her husband Zach; Nicole Timmerman and her husband Ryan; her niece Theresia Gillespie and her husband Mike of Grainfield, and their daughter Chasity Lewis and husband Mike and their son Keith Cressler and his wife Michelle.

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Lois Irene Axelson passed away on October 9, 2018, at the Rooks County Health Center in Plainville, Kansas, at the age of 82. She was born on May 4, 1936 in Cottonwood Falls, Kansas to the late Riley and Wanetta (Hulett) Storment. Lois grew up in Hays where she attended and completed tenth grade at Hays High School. On April 10, 1954 she was united in marriage to Robert Axelson at the Baptist Church in Codell, Kansas. To this union five children were born: Sherry, David, Rick, Robert, and Steven.

In her earlier years, Lois used her sewing skills to make and sell costumes out of her home. She was also a manager of Grandma’s Kitchen and owner of Turkville’s Bar and Grill. Lois was an avid Kansas City Chief’s fan and loved to play games with her grandchildren. She was not only lucky in love with her friends and family, but she also enjoyed trying her luck at gambling as she was an Elite Level Prairie Band Casino gambler.

Lois is survived by her sons David Axelson and wife Susan of Parachute, CO, Rick Axelson and wife Sheryln of Plainville, KS, and Robert Axelson and wife Lisa of Midlothian, TX; daughter Sherry Meitler and late husband Dean of Plainville, KS; sisters Kay Wadley of Little Rock, AR, Lucreta Cunningham of Wilson, KS, and Sue Storment and husband Charlie of Colorado Springs, CO; brothers Donnie Storment and wife Rose of Miami, OK, Danny Storment and wife Barbara of Parsons, KS, Barry Storment of Hutchinson, KS, and Sonny Storment and wife Jean of Amarillo, TX; thirteen grandchildren; and twenty-eight great-grandchildren.

Preceding Lois in death are her parents; husband Robert Axelson; son Steven Axelson; brothers Gene Storment and Jay Storment; sister Eunice Airhart; granddaughter, Megan Axelson; and son-in-law Dean Meitler.

Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, October 13, 2018, at 10:30 A.M. at the Christian Church in Plainville. Burial will follow in the Plainville Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday, 2:00 until 8:00 P.M. with the family receiving friends 6:00 to 7:00 P.M. at Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home in Plainville. Memorials are suggested to the Rooks County Health Care Foundation and may be sent in care of Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home, 320 SW 2nd, Plainville, KS 67663.