Robert J. “A.” Schmidtberger, age 87, of Victoria, Kansas, died Wednesday, September 26, 2018, at Hays Medical Center, Hays, Kansas.

He was born October 7, 1930, on the farm south of Victoria, Kansas to Alphonse and Clara (Graf) Schmidtberger. He married Patricia “Pat” (Miller) on November 29, 1950, in Hays, Kansas.

He was a mechanic for over 50 years. He started working at O’Loughlin Chevrolet in Hays, then worked 30 plus years in Russell for Drube Chevrolet, Arnhold-Schlegeck Chevrolet and Lyda’s Chevrolet. He was an instructor at North Central Kansas Technical College in Hays for one semester, then worked for Ellis County Road and Bridge Department and retired in 1993. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army and a member of the American Legion. He attended Victoria High School, was a member of The Basilica of St. Fidelis, St. Fidelis 3rd Degree Knights of Columbus and held a number of board positions. He was a crossing guard at the Victoria Grade School for a number of years. Robert enjoyed his farming, playing cards and his family.

Survivors include his wife, Patricia “Pat” Schmidtberger, of the home; three sons, Robert L. Schmidtberger, William J. Schmidtberger and wife, Diana and Bradley A. Schmidtberger and wife, Lori, all of Victoria, KS; two daughters, Bonnie L. Sander and husband, Steve, Walker, KS; Rebecca A. “Becky” Scheck, and husband, Jim, Victoria, KS; one brother, Marvin Schmidtberger and wife, Nancy, Pratt, KS; three sisters, Albertina Foos and Rosie Leiker, both of Hutchinson, KS; Edna Ptacek, Minneapolis, KS; 28 grandchildren and 28 great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Michael Schmidtberger and wife Ann; one infant brother, Linus Schmidtberger; five sisters, Mary Schmidtberger and husband, Severin; Hubertine Schultz and husband, Sam; Hermina “Minnie” Roth and husband, Cecil; Sister Vivian Schmidtberger C.S.A.; Angelitta ‘Angie” Schmidtberger; three brothers-in-law, Clarence Foos, Al Ptacek and Edward Leiker.
Funeral services are at 10:00 A.M. Saturday, September 29, 2018, at The Basilica of St. Fidelis, Victoria, Kansas. With military honors by the Victoria V.F.W. Post #1751. A private family inurnment will be held at later date.

A vigil service and a Knights of Columbus / Daughters of Isabella rosary will be at 7:00 P.M. Friday, at The Basilica of St. Fidelis.

Visitation is from 6:00 to 9:00 P.M. Friday and from 9:00 to 10:00 A.M. Saturday, all The Basilica of St. Fidelis. Memorial to The Basilica of St. Fidelis.

Services are entrusted to Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary, 412 Main Street, Victoria, Kansas 67671.

Condolences can be left by guest book at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com or can be sent via email to [email protected].

Agra resident, Virginia Abbott, passed away Sept. 27, 2018 at the Smith County Memorial Hospital in Smith Center at the age of 82.  She was born June 24, 1936, the daughter of Roy and Ruth (Wright) Fox.

Survivors include her son Travis and wife Anne of Kensington; two grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Oct. 1 at  in the St. John Lutheran Church, Kensington, with Pastor Lorna Paulus officiating. Burial will follow in the St. John Lutheran Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to her great-grandchildren’s education.

Visitation will be from noon to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, Phillipsburg, with the family receiving friends from 3 to 4 Sunday afternoon.

Online condolences: www.olliffboeve.com.

Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

Richard Lee Scott, 102, of Russell, Kansas, died on Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2018, at Main Street Manor in Russell, with his family by his side.

Richard was born on Oct. 11, 1915, in Rural Russell County, Kansas, the son of Allen Ray and Jessie Ester (Herron) Scott. He grew up in Russell County and graduated from Russell High School. He later joined the United States Army, fought during World War II in the Pacific Theater and served in the 1st Battalion 43rd Engineer Regiment. After serving his country, he settled in the Waldo, Kansas, area.  He met, fell in love and was united in marriage to Mable (Luder) Finkenbinder on Jan. 14, 1961, in Russell, Kansas. Richard and Mable worked together on the farm and raising Mable’s children Mike, Carolyn and Tom. Mable preceded him in death on March 10, 1997. Richard was fortunate to find love a second time and was united in marriage to Joyce Lorenc on Feb. 17, 2006, in Waldo, Kansas. She preceded him in death on April 2, 2015.  Richard worked most all his life in Waldo and enjoyed working as a successful farmer and stockman. He was a life member of the Russell V.F.W. Post #6240, charter member of the Waldo Fire Department for 23 years, Waldo Township Trustee for 34 years, American Legion and Waldo City Council. 

Surviving family include his step-children Mike Finkenbinder and wife Judy of Waldo, Kansas; Carolyn Schultz and husband Melvin of Lucas, Kansas and foster son Tom Buzzell and wife Velina of Wichita, Kansas; brother Don Scott of Washington state; sisters Ruth Bartlett, Bessie Maranville and Carol Murphy all of Russell, Kansas; nine grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren and four great-great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his two wives and brothers Glen and Howard Scott and a sister Mary Ann.

A graveside celebration of Richard’s life will be at 11 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 1, 2018, at the Luray City Cemetery in Luray, Kansas. Burial will follow the graveside services and military rites will be performed by the Russell V.F.W. Post #6240. Visitation will be from 1 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018, at the mortuary in Russell, with family present to greet guests from 4 to 6 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 30. Memorials can be given to the Waldo Fire Department or Waldo Senior Center and sent in care of the mortuary. Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas, is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.

Gary Eugene Anschutz, 78, of Galatia, Kansas, passed away Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2018 at the Hays Medical Center in Hays, Kansas.

Gary was born June 13, 1940 in Hays, the son of Jacob and Lorraine (Trapp) Anschutz. He grew up in Paradise, Kansas, and graduated from Luray High School.

Gary served his country in the U.S. Navy from 1962 to 1968. He served on the USS Compton and the USS Arcadia.  He was also stationed at Imperial Beach, California, and Newport, Rhode Island. After his tour of duty was completed, he returned to Hays to attend college.

He then married Peggy Osthoff, rural Athol, Kansas, had two children, John and Judy, and lived in rural Paradise and Gorham. Then from 1995 to 2000 he lived in Rocky Ford, Colorado. From 2000 to 2007 he lived in Great Bend, Kansas, and from 2007 on he lived in Galatia.

Gary was a teacher and coach in Paradise, Osborne Jr. High, Rocky Ford, Colorado, and Great Bend Middle School.  He taught history, social science and English as a second language. He also was a rancher, noxious weed supervisor and emergency management coordinator. He had a great love for working with horses and cattle. He was a member of the St. John Lutheran Church in Russell and the Trinity Lutheran Church in Great Bend. He was a member of the Russell V.F.W. #6240 and the American Legion Post 0509. He was active in the Russell Masonic Lodge, ISIS Shrine, Scottish Rite, ISIS Gridiron Club, Santa Fe Trail Association and the Ft. Larned Old Guard.  During his free time, he enjoyed live music, hunting, fishing, sport shooting and spending time with his grandchildren.

Gary’s surviving family include his daughter, Judy Robbins (Isaiah) of Gorham, Kansas; son, John Anschutz (Becky) of Russell, Kansas; sisters, Dianna Wise of Belveu, Washington and Rebecca Keil of Galatia, Kansas; and seven grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and two grandchildren.

A gathering service will be from 5 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 29, 2018 at the Russell V.F.W. Post #6240. Military Rites will be conducted by the Russell V.F.W. Post #6240 Honor Guard.

Memorials have been established with the ISIS Shrine and the Russell V.F.W. Post 6240. Contributions and condolences may be sent to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, who is in charge of these arrangements.

SMITH CENTER — Lucille Esther (Huwe) Kugler went to be with the Lord on Sept. 25, 2018.

Lucille was affectionately known as “Grandma Kugler” because of her love of people, especially children.

Lucille was born to Harry Irwin Huwe and Ella Paulina Finster Huwe on Dec. 26, 1930 in Crosby, North Dakota. She was raised near Hamlet, North Dakota, where her family attended the Lutheran Church.

Lucille fondly remembers playing tag, hide and go seek, and jumping in the hay on the family farm with her nine siblings. Lucille helped care for their many animals and took pride in milking five cows. She said they never had to buy milk or cream, and they enjoyed a lot of homemade ice cream!

Her mother baked and cooked, but when asked if she learned her cooking from her mom. Lucille replied she could just open a cookbook and follow a recipe.

Lucille and her sisters helped in the family convenience store in Hamlet. As a child, Lucille said they traveled by “horse and bus” as her dad built a platform and attached a horse to take all the kids to the town of Hamlet for school, where she attended through eighth grade. Her family moved to Williston, North Dakota, in 1949.

As a teen, Lucille worked cleaning houses and babysitting.

She met J.D. (Duane) Kugler when he came to town for harvest. When the harvest season was over, he came back to North Dakota as he had promised her. They married on Jan. 15, 1951.

They moved in with Duane’s parents for about a year before moving to the farm where they raised their 11 children in Smith County. They attended the Methodist Church in Womer. Lucille never had a driver’s license, so on infrequent trips to town the whole family would pile into the station wagon with Duane at the wheel and two kids facing backward in the rear seats. Lucille did drive a couple of miles once during a medical emergency for one of the kids, but once she realized he was OK, she went back home.

Her family moved to Smith Center in 1981, and she worked outside the home at Brown’s Café and cleaning the Post Office in Smith Center. She also worked at Dale’s Supermarket in the deli and at Wagon Wheel Café.

However, her greatest joy in life was raising their 11 children and helping care for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She could pat any baby to sleep and she welcomed all of her friends, family and their friends into her home.

No matter what time of the day or night someone would show up, she was known to ask, “Have you eaten yet?” She could have a pot of coffee, hamburger and potatoes started in no time and would often bake a pie from scratch while playing a hand of cards. She enjoyed sharing her love of baking, especially during the holiday season when she took orders for her famous butter rolls and pies.

Lucille was preceded in death by her parents, Harry and Ella Huwe; and husband, J.D. (Duane) Kugler; grandson Thomas Arnett; granddaughter Atlanta Coronado; brothers LeRoy (Lois) and Lowell (Harriett) Huwe; sisters Blanche (Stuart) Grove, Verna (Obert) Hanson, Leona (Dean) Washburn, Joyce (Melvin) Wrolson, Cherol Alton; sister-in-law Lola Huwe; and son-in-law Don Arnett.

She is lovingly remembered by her children Marian Kay (Ed) Shellito, Marilyn Arnett of Lebanon, Martha (Mitch) Smith of Shickley, Nebraska, Marva Hayward of Concordia, Marcia (Steve) Peterson of Lebanon, Mary VanderGiesen of Smith Center, Marlys (Phil) Strait of Johnstown, Colorado, Marjorie (Bob) Hitchcock of Wichita, Jay Dee (Joanne) Kugler of Billings, Montana, Marla (Gary) VanderGiesen of Smith Center, and Johnny Ray (Jina) Kugler of Wamego; 33 grandchildren; 55 great-grandchildren; 19 great-great grandchildren; two brothers, Lyle (Lillie) Huwe and Clair Huwe of Bismarck, North Dakota; brother-in-law Tex Alton of Williston, North Dakota, brother-in-law Marvin (Elsie May) Kugler of Smith Center; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. today at Simmons-Rentschler Mortuary, 116 W. First St., Smith Center, KS 66967. Celebration of life service will at 2:30 Friday, Sept. 28 at the mortuary. Burial will be at Fairview Cemetery, North Main Street, Smith Center, KS 66967.

Memorial contributions may be made to Smith Center High School FCCLA, 300 Roger Barta Way Smith Center, KS 66967, or to Hospice Services of Smith County.

 

Tessie Mae Pringle, age 89, passed away on Sunday, September 23, 2018 at Greeley County Long Term Care in Tribune, Kansas. Tessie was born May 3, 1929 in Chicago, Illinois, the daughter of Rev Herman George & Tessie Mae (Muller) Twietmeyer. Tessie had been a resident of Greeley County since 1954 and was a medical records specialist for Greeley County Hospital in Tribune, Kansas.

Tessie was a member of the United Methodist Church in Tribune, Kansas. She also held memberships in Planned Parenthood, 4-Teens, TYQW Extension, Greeley County Historical Society and the Red Hat Society.

On December 4, 1954, she married Calvin C. Pringle on December 4, 1954 in Chicago, Illinois. Calvin passed away on July 29, 2018 at Tribune, Kansas.

Tessie’s surviving family includes-

Four Children-
Dixi Coates- Derby, Kansas
Roxi Pringle- Tribune, Kansas
James Pringle- Manhattan, Kansas
Judi Bergner- Tribune, Kansas

Three grandchildren-
Casey Coates, Kelli Coates and Grant Bergner

Three Great -Grandchildren
Micah, Elsie & Eden Coates.

Three sisters-
Conni Swanson- Rockford, Illinois
Jean Dirksen- Augusta, Georgia
Faith Kopplin- Waco, Texas

Memorial services will be held at 2:00 p.m. (MST) Saturday, October 20, 2018 at St. Joseph Catholic Church Parish Hall in Tribune, Kansas. Burial will be in Greeley County Cemetery in Tribune, Kansas.

There will be no calling times.

Memorials may be given to Greeley County Hospital, United Methodist Church or Greeley County Historical Society in care of Price & Sons Funeral Home in Tribune, Kansas.

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

Kathryn “Kathi” D. Shearmire, age 65 passed away Friday, September 21, 2018 at the Scott County Hospital in Scott City, Kansas. She was born on January 18, 1953 in Boulder, Colorado, the daughter of Frederick Swain and Garelda (Maudie) Cumrine Longwedel. A resident of Modoc, Kansas since 1987 moving from Wichita, Kansas, she was a manager for several different convience stores in the western Kansas area.

She was a member of the Scott County Election Board and clerk for the Isbel Township.

On April 6, 1978 she married Randy Shearmire in Garden City. He survives.

Other survivors include: Three Sons, Donald D. Shearmire and wife Sharon, Enid, Oklahoma, Travis M. Shearmire and wife Teresa, Springfield, Missouri, and Ryan Scott Dyer of Wichita; Two sister-in-laws, Barbara Longwedel, Louisville, Co. and Vicki Bremer of Leoti; and one brother-in-law Terry Shearmire, Scott City; 11 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, Tommie Longwedel and John Longwedel; one brother-in-law Walter (Winnie) Shearmire; one grandson Joseph James Hall and two great-grandchildren James Chester Lee Hall and Heaven Grace Hall.

Graveside service will be held 10:00 a.m., Saturday, October 13 at the Modoc Cemetery, (8 miles west from Scott City on K96 Hwy, turn north onto Dakota Rd for 1 mile, turn left onto west Rd 160, 1 mile).

There are no calling times.

John R. Gilgenbach, 80, passed away Friday, September 14, 2018 at the Andbe Home in Norton, Kansas.

On December 11, 1937, he was born to Peter and Isabelle (Jensen) Gilgenbach, in Waukon, Allamakee County, Iowa. He attended McGregor Schools and graduated from McGregor High School with the class of 1955. He attended two years of college majoring in the Physical Sciences. ohn served in the Air Force as a pilot. He was stationed in Greenland and earned the rank of Airman Second Class Regular Air Force. John was a member of the St. Joseph Catholic Church in New Almelo, Kansas. He married Dolores Hillebrand January 18, 1958. She preceded him in death

John worked for the railroad for 40 years. He worked for the Kyle, Rock Island, and Burlington Northern Railroads. He was a supervisor for the Rock Island Railroad. John retired in 1996. Some of John’s hobbies were woodworking, fishing, and small mechanic work. Gardening was something he also enjoyed.

John is survived by his sons, Larry Gilgenbach and wife Lois of Sierra Vista, Arizona, David Gilgenbach of Norton, Kansas, and John Gilgenbach and wife Susan of Norton, Kansas; daughters, Linda Scheetz of Norton, Kansas, Joan Dickinson and husband Tim of Salina, Kansas, Pamela Davis of Junction City, Kansas, and Beverly Burd and husband Scott of Burdett, Kansas; 18 Grandchildren and 30 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife Dolores Gilgenbach; parents, Peter and Isabelle Gilgenbach; brothers, Michael and Ronald Gilgenbach; sisters, Dorothy Fitzgerald, Ruth Howard, Viola Meana, Rosemary Schobert, Rita Borden, and Karen Minch; grandsons, John R. Scheetz and Cameron Burd; and great granddaughter, Natalee Gilgenbach.

A Graveside Service is planned for Saturday, September 29, 2018, at 2:00 P.M. in the Clayton Cemetery, Clayton, Kansas. Pastor Gordon Pettibone presiding. Military Honors by Oberlin American Legion Post #70 and Jennings American Legion Post #315. Memorials are suggested to the John R. Gilgenbach Memorial Fund and may be sent in care of Pauls Funeral Home, 121 N. Penn Avenue, Oberlin, Kansas 67749. Online condolences may be left at www.paulsfh.com.

Although your hearts are filled with sorrow, John would tell you, not to hold him in your sorrow, not to shed tears for him because he has found his heavenly home.

Goodland resident, Patricia Ann Smith, 63, passed away unexpectedly at her home in Goodland on Thursday, September 20, 2018.

Patricia was born on July 20, 1955 in Cleveland, Mississippi to Billy Tom and Mary Olene (Beach) Dempsey. She was one of 3 children. She grew up in Greenwood, Mississippi and graduated from Pillow Academy in 1973. She then went on and completed one year of college.

She enjoyed crafts, sewing and cooking. She was a member of the First Christian Church in Goodland.
She was preceded in death by her parents.

Surviving family includes her 4 children; Chris Dawdy of Cheyenne, WY, Anthony Dawdy (Ashley) of Manhattan, KS, Brian Dawdy (Brhandi) of Goodland, KS and Debra McEachron (Christopher) of Cheyenne, WY; nine grandchildren and one great grandchild. She is also survived by her brother Billy Tom (Peggy) Dempsey, Jr. of Greenwood, MS and a sister Linda (Roy) McCrory of Ethel, MS.

Memorial services for Patricia will be held at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be designated to the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation and may be sent to Koons-Russell Funeral Home, 211 N. Main Ave., Goodland, KS 67735.

Online condolences for the family may be left at www.koonsrussellfuneralhome.com.

Services have been entrusted to Koons-Russell Funeral Home in Goodland.

Kenneth F. Helton, age 77 of St. Francism passed away Friday 21, 2018 at Rose Memorial Hospital in Denver. Kenneth was born to Ben and Lavetta (Critchfield) Helton in Canon City, Colorado.

Kenneth graduated from Edson High School, in 1960. He attended college at Fort Hays State University. He married Sherry West on May 12, 1963 in Sabetha, Kansas.

For many years he was a member of the Wesleyan Church of Goodland. Kenneth worked as a farmer and implement dealer in the Sherman County and Cheyenne County areas. His favorite activities were his family, farming and watching football.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Ben and Levetta; sisters, Lois McClain, Lenora Somers and Pauline Spiker.

Kenneth is survived by his wife, Sherry; his sons: Kendall of St. Francis, KS; Kevin of Denver, CO; Kahle (Lori) of Goodland, KS; sister, Carol Lisowski of Las Vegas, NV. Grandchildren: Garth of Hays, KS; Gunner of St. Francis, KS; Tanner of Manhattan, KS; Hunter, Garrett and Brayden of St. Francis, KS; Kelly Pearson of Norwalk, NE; and Travis Scollard of Denver, CO.

Graveside service will be Wednesday, September 26, 2018 at 10:30 a.m. MT at the Goodland Cemetery, North Main Street in Goodland. Visitation will be Tuesday, September 25, 2018 from 4 to 6 p.m. MT at Bateman Funeral Home, 211 East 11th Street in Goodland. Memorials will be designated later and may be left at the services or mailed to Bateman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 278, Goodland, KS 67735. For condolences or information visit www.batemanfuneral.com