Patricia Jean Platt Montgomery, of Lawrence, Kansas, died July 21, 2018. She was born to Harold and Freda Platt on October 30, 1932, in the home of her grandparents, John and Alice Greer, in Marion, Kansas. Her mother was born in this same home. Patricia learned to be gritty after her mother suddenly died before she was a teen. For a number of years during the post-depression years in San Antonio, Texas, she helped her father with the household and the management of her three younger sisters.

Patricia graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in San Antonio. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Emporia State University and her master’s degree from Fort Hays State. Patricia was a life-long teacher. She taught in junior high school and at Barton County Community College in Great Bend, Kansas. To the dismay of her children, even after her retirement, she continued to voluntarily school many physicians, attorneys, accountants and other professionals in proper grammar, spelling and sentence construction.

She met her husband, John, after she was persuaded that he needed her short-hand skills while he was scouting a rival high school football team. John was an assistant coach in Junction City, Kansas, and as Patricia was by far the prettiest single woman teaching in Junction City, John convinced her that he would be unable to complete his scouting report without her assistance. This was the beginning of Patricia’s attendance at youth sporting events. Through the years, she attended countless sporting events in which John coached or her children participated.

John and Patricia moved from Junction City to Limon, Colorado, then to Great Bend in 1956. After retiring, John and Patricia traveled extensively. They spent their winters in Mesa, Arizona, and summers in Estes Park, Colorado. In 2005, they moved to Lawrence, Kansas. After 61 years of marriage, John predeceased her in 2015.

Patricia is survived by her son, Steve (Jane), of Spring Hill, Kansas; daughter, Terri Schenkel (Steve), of Great Bend; and son, Chris (Margaret), of Richmond, Virginia; as well as seven grandchildren. Of her three younger sisters, two survive: Janette (James) Moya of Austin, Texas, and Dianne (Bob) Ott of Salina, Kansas. Carolyn Platt predeceased Patricia.

Patricia enthusiastically read and studied many American and English authors. One of her favorites was Mark Twain. She would wholeheartedly approve of Twain’s observation: “Life would be infinitely happier if we could only be born at the age of eighty and gradually approach eighteen.”

Services will be conducted on Friday, July 27, 2018, 10:30 a. m., at the First Congregational Church, Great Bend, Kansas. A private graveside service will be held at the Marion, Kansas, cemetery on Saturday, July 28, 2018. In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to Hospice Care of Kansas, 117 North Washington, Great Bend, Kansas 67530.

Bryce M. Nagel Colgan, 29, Colby died Tue., July 24, 2018, at his residence in Colby, Kansas.

Services are pending with Kersenbrock Funeral Chapel in Colby.

Maxine Marie Zollinger, 78, of Belton, Missouri, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 11th with family at her side.

Maxine was born on July 21, 1939 in Hugo, Colorado to Omar Riley and Edrie Avis (Summers) Oster.  She was the youngest of six children.  While Omar Riley was her birth father, she claimed William J Oster as her Dad.

After graduating high school, Maxine moved to the Denver area and worked as a bookkeeper.  She met Willie Warnie Alley at the Western Drive Inn in Aurora, Colorado.  They were married on April 2, 1960.  Willie was a Technical Sergeant in the United States Air Force so the couple lived many places but considered Colorado their home.  Upon his death in Vietnam on September 1, 1969, she moved herself and her three young children from Aurora to Hugo to be near family.

In 1973, she met Ralph Orland Zollinger (aka Zolly & Hugo) while working as a waitress in Limon Colorado.  The two married and combined families on July 31, 1974 in Goodland Kansas.  Maxine was both a homemaker and worked with USD 352 in Goodland as a bookkeeper and also served as the Board Treasurer.

Her hobbies include bowling, reading, crocheting and baking.  She loved to play computer games, especially POGO.  She never denied the family when they wanted a burrito night, homemade dinner rolls or vacuum cleaner cookies.

Just over a year following Orland’s death in 2008, Maxine moved to Hutchinson, Kansas to be closer to Connie and Bob, and a bit closer to Cyndy.  She was an active participant at craft shows with Connie for many years.  She remained there just over 8 years before moving in March 2018 to Belton Missouri to be near Cyndy.

Maxine is preceded in death by both parents, Bill & Edrie, sister Patsy, brother James, both spouses, Bill & Orland and two grandchildren, Bryce & Krista Gotchall.

Survivors include Maxine’s siblings, Jane Hoyt, Don & Joyce Riley and Virginia Chaffin all of Hugo Colorado, her 3 children with Willie, Bob (Marilyn) Zollinger, Ellinwood Kansas, Cyndy (Tim) Hurd, Peculiar Missouri and Connie Zollinger, Hutchinson Kansas.  She is also survived by Orland’s 4 children, Paula (Dave) Krizek, Jennings Kansas, Donna (Dean) Fenner, Goodland Kansas, Carol (Larry) Gotchall, Schoenchen Kansas & Michael Zollinger, Clayton Kansas.

Grandchildren include April (David) Hegarty, Matthew (Mindy) Zollinger, Hayley McKee, Brett Hurd, Emily Hurd, Joshua Zollinger, Edriana (Chuck Barrow) Zollinger, Devin Thomas, Jamie (Chad) Dolan, Justin Bolt, Tyler (Lisa) Bolt, Andrea (Eric) Lobmeyer, Derek (Trista) Fenner, Shayla Gotchall, Amanda (Joe) Strnad, & Savannah Zollinger and fiancé Chris.

Great-Grandchildren include Zack, Riley, Addyson, Finley, Olivia L, Kodi, Gavyn, Blakely, Kaydee, Bryson, Maycee, Taylor, Kimber, Kaitlind, Olivia S, Kolby, Klayton, Kolin, Jada & Everlee.

Memorial services for Maxine will be held on Saturday, July 28, 2018 at 10:30 AM MT at Koons-Russell Funeral Home in Goodland with Pastor Zach Anderson officiating.  Inurnment will follow in the Goodland Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be designated to the American Diabetes Association or Serenity Care Hospice and may be left at the services or mailed to Koons-Russell Funeral Home, 211 N. Main Ave., Goodland, KS 67735.

Online condolences may be left at www.koonsrussellfuneralhome.com.

Service arrangements are entrusted to Koons-Russell Funeral Home in Goodland.

Clair W. Kopsa, son of Charles W. Kopsa and Hattie V. (Peterson) Kopsa was born September 1, 1923 at rural Munden, Kansas and passed away on July 21, 2018 at the Mount Joseph Senior Village in Concordia, Kansas at the age of 94 years, 10 months and 20 days.

Clair graduated from Munden High School. He served with the United States Marine Corps during World War Two from 1943-1946. He was united in marriage to Gail M. Tunks on May 10, 1952 and to this union three sons were born, Dale, Carl, David.

Clair was a member of the United Methodist Church, Agenda, KS, William Fleming American Legion Post # 345, Cuba, KS.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Hattie Kopsa.

He is survived by his wife, Gail M. Kopsa of Agenda, KS, three sons, Dale (Vicki) Kopsa of Agenda, KS, Carl (Rita) Kopsa of Laverne, OK, David (Ellen) Kopsa of Concordia, KS, three grandchildren, Lydia Kopsa of Hays, KS, Lyndsey Kopsa of Concordia, KS, Michelle (Shawn) Pollman of St. Paul, KS, five step grandsons, Ricky (Nikki) Munsch of Great Bend, KS, Bill (Maria) Munsch of Hutchinson, KS, Allen (Ivone) Munsch of Hutchinson, KS, Michael Hendershott of Wichita, Ks, Mark (Jennifer) Hendershott of Kansas City, MO, twelve great grandchildren, two great great grandchildren, two brothers, Donald Kopsa of Craig, CO, Bob Kopsa of Chester, NE, one sister, Betty Evert of Republic, KS, nieces and nephews, other relatives and many friends.

Cremation was chosen.

Memorial services will be held 10:30 AM, Saturday, July 28, 2018, Bachelor-Surber Memorial Chapel, Belleville, KS, conducted by, Pastor Kathy Aeillo.

Military graveside services by the William Fleming American Legion Post # 345, Cuba, KS.

Inurnment will be in the National Bohemian (Kopsa) Cemetery, rural Cuba, KS.

Memorials may be given to the United Methodist Church, Agenda, KS, William Fleming American Legion Post # 345, Cuba, KS, Meadowlark Hospice.

Friends may call on Friday to sign the register book from 1 PM to 8 PM at Bachelor-Surber Funeral Home, Belleville, KS, where the family will receive friends from 6 PM to 7 PM

Online condolences and information at www.bachelor-surber.com

Bachelor-Surber Funeral Home, Belleville, KS in charge of arrangements

Chad Alan Record, age 48, passed away suddenly at his home on July 18, 2018 in Hays, KS.

Chad was born in Flint Michigan to Carol J. and Robert A. Record on November 16, 1969

Chad joined the Army after high school and was in Operation Desert Storm. He mustered out of the Army in Kansas and liked the state so much that he decided to make it his home. Chad always loved talking to people and was always ready with a kind word, a big smile and a helping hand if it was needed.

He will be missed by his two sisters, Holli and Jennifer and his one brother Jason. Bob, his dad and Sandy will also miss him. I’m sure that all the people that ever came in contact with him through the years will also miss him very much.

Per Chad’s wishes, cremation has taken place. A private family service will be held in Michigan at a later date.

To share a memory or to leave condolences, please visit www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com or via email to [email protected].

Donald D. Krenzel, age 89, of Leoti, KS, passed away on Friday, July 20, 2018 at HaysMed.

Donald was born on April 18, 1929 in rural Wichita County, KS to Otto F. and Ellen (Rosebrook) Krenzel. He was a lifetime resident of Wichita County, Kansas where he was a farmer and rancher. On August 7, 1949 he married Ramona Ruth Reifschneider in Leoti, KS. Together they shared 69 years before her passing on May 10, 2018. Donald was considered a “jack of all trades”, he could design, build and fix anything that he needed to especially around the farm. Donald served his community well as Road Supervisor for Wichita County for several years. He enjoyed tending to his land and livestock and he especially enjoyed a good phone chat with family and friends.

Survivors include two sons; Steven Krenzel and his wife Rosa of Leoti, Troy Krenzel and his wife Robin Zvolanek-Krenzel of Rogers, AR; two daughters, Sheri Goodrow and her husband Kenneth of Albuquerque, NM, Kathy Mullen and her husband Kevin of Leoti; nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; sister, Joy Lee Civetti.

Cremation has taken place and a private family service will be held at a later date.

Memorial contributions can be made in Donald’s memory to Wichita County Junior-Senior High School Music Department, 800 W. Broadway, Leoti, KS 67861.

To share a memory or to leave condolences, please visit www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com or via email to [email protected].

Arrangements are by Brock’s-Keithley Funeral Chapel & Crematory, 2509 Vine St., Hays, KS 67601.

Patricia Ann Wyka (Cowan) passed away in Plainville, KS on July 19, 2018 at the age of 74.
She was born November 5, 1943 in Lucas, KS to Nathaniel and Opal Cowan.

Patricia was a 1961 graduate of Russell High School and had a Masters Degree in Psychology from the University of Kansas. She was employed by the Colorado Springs Police Department for over 20 years.

Patricia enjoyed gardening and playing cards but her grandchildren were the light of her life.

Patricia is survived by her children, Brett (Shanta) of Black hawk, Colorado and Sean (Maureen) of Plainville, Kansas; two grandchildren Jax and Vella Wyka, Black Hawk, Colorado; four brothers, Dale Cowan (Janie), Portland Oregon, Bill Neil (Carla), Russell, Kansas, Allan Neil (Jenny), Derby, Kansas, Richard Cowan (Joyce), Palco, Kansas; four sisters, Linda Renberger (Garey), Derby, Kansas, Debra Klaus (Jerry), Russell, Kansas, Donna Hooton (Harold), Ulysses, Kansas, Diana Gilmore (Mike), Plainville, Kansas; and many nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by both parents and a brother Gordon Neil.

A private family service will take place at a later date.

The family would like to thank the amazing staff of Rooks County Health Center for their loving care.

Longtime Goodland, Kansas, resident V. Kay Melia, 88, passed away on Thursday, July 19, 2018, surrounded by his family, at the Parker Adventist Hospital in Parker, Colorado.

Kay was born on May 9, 1930 near Bucklin, Kansas to Gordon and Lula (Skeen) Melia. He attended school in Bucklin, Kansas and graduated from Bucklin High School in 1948. He went on to Fort Hays State University where he received his bachelor’s degree.

On May 1, 1950 Kay started his broadcasting career at KIUL AM in Garden City as a nighttime radio announcer. Shortly after, on June 11, 1950, Kay married Marilyn Johnson at the Methodist Church in Garden City. In November of 1950, Kay and Marilyn moved to Emporia where Kay was the first ever sports director for KSTW AM, doing play by play for Emporia High School and Emporia State College. In early 1952 Kay was drafted and served as a cryptographer in the US Army during the Korean War.

After returning from serving in Korea, Kay took a new job at KAYS in Hays in November 1953. Kay spent 7 years at KAYS, eventually becoming the voice of the Fort Hays State Tigers and Sales Manager for the station.

While in Hays, Kay and Marilyn’s three children were born. Marty in 1955, Marla in 1956 and Mindy in 1959. Also during this time, Kay completed his bachelor’s degree from Fort Hays State.

In 1960, KAYS Inc. purchased what is now KLOE Radio in Goodland, and Kay was appointed General Manager, and moved his family to Goodland. In addition to KLOE Radio, Kay would eventually manage KLOE TV and the Goodland Cable TV Company, all owned by KAYS, Inc., now known as Eagle Communications. Kay would continue managing the stations and Cable TV for Eagle Communications until retiring in 1993, when son Marty succeeded him. Kay would continue to work for the stations part time until 2009.

Kay was a member of the Goodland United Methodist Church, Goodland Elks Lodge, VFW and Sugar Hills Golf Club, and was a K-State Master Gardener.

In 1963 Kay was appointed to succeed Max Jones on the Goodland School Board during the time the Board decided to build the Max Jones Fieldhouse and Vocational Technical School. He was also a member of the Kansas Association of Broadcasters board, where he served as president, and the National Association of Broadcasters where he was Vice Chairman of the Board. Kay is a member of the Kansas Broadcasters Hall of Fame.

Preceding Kay in death was his wife Marilyn, his parents and brother Max.

Kay is survived by his three children; Marty (Kathy) Melia of Goodland, Kansas; Marla (Bob) Cherryhomes of Conifer, Colorado and Melinda (Dana) Kroner of Westminster, Colorado. He is also survived by 6 grandchildren, Sarah (Trevor) Linton, Goodland, Kansas; Marcy Melia, Goodland, Kansas; Andrew (Jen) Melia, Atwood, Kansas; Daniel (Kolby) Melia, Burlington, Colorado; Kelsey Cherryhomes Conifer, Colorado and Brennan Cherryhomes Conifer, Colorado. Plus 9 great grandchildren.

Funeral services for Kay will be held on Thursday July 26, 2018 at 10:30 AM MT at the United Methodist Church in Goodland. Burial will follow in the Goodland Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 25, 2018 from 5:00 to 7:00 PM MT at the Koons-Russell Funeral Home in Goodland.

Memorial contributions may be designated in Kay’s name to the Goodland Public Library or Goodland Regional Medical Center Home Health Care, and may be left at the services or mailed to Koons-Russell Funeral Home, 211 N. Main Ave., Goodland, KS 67735.

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

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

Brenda Arnelle Blain was born on June 4, 1937 to John and Beulah Blain and was raised in Goodland, Kansas. She married the love of her life, Chester Charles Frankenfeld, in 1957. They celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in 2017. During their marriage Brenda and Chuck lived in Goodland, Denver, Stratton, and Phillipsburg. Brenda and Chuck had 4 children, Bryan (Chip), Bruce, Camie, and John.

Brenda Frankenfeld was a caregiver of others. Taking care of her husband, children, grandchildren, and anyone else that needed her was a priority and something she did well.

Brenda enjoyed all things associated with being a wife and mother. Her house was always clean and open to any friends: her’s or her children’s. She was the type of hostess that made sure everyone was comfortable and well fed. Brenda would tell stories about learning to cook from her father-in-law, Chet Frankenfeld. Every one of her family members can name a favorite meal that she would make for them because everyone enjoyed her wonderful cooking.

Some of Brenda’s interests and hobbies included sewing and doing crafts. Brenda was very creative and spent hours upon hours mastering her skills. She sewed wedding and bridesmaids dresses for her daughter Camie and daughter in-law Stephanie. Brenda also enjoyed taking care of her yard, sharing recipes, playing bridge, and cheering on her beloved Denver Broncos.

Listening and dancing to music were other pastimes of Brenda’s. You could find her listening to music on the radio at home or asking Chuck to take her for a drive with the family so she could go get an ice cream and hear Candlelight and Silver on KLOE in the car. Dancing at the Elks and VFW were special times she shared with her friends, family, and her husband.

Entertaining others with stories was something Brenda did well. She was a wonderful storyteller and loved hearing other people laugh.

Brenda was very active in her family’s lives. She was the type of mother and grandmother who attended all of her children’s and grandchildren’s activities. She loved going to their events and watching them. She was also a defender and protector of the family. Brenda let it be known that when her children had made poor decisions that she would be the one to reprimand them, no one else needed to be involved. And as most of you know, there were more than a few bad decisions between the four children and some of the grandchildren.

Brenda loved living in Goodland and enjoyed being a member of the Sugar Hills Country Club. Brenda and her daughter Camie won the Sweet Sue tournament one year and without a doubt this was one of her fondest memories she held. Some of her other special memories included playing golf with her friends and family and chairing the infamous Sweet Swinger tournament.

Brenda cherished spending time with her husband Chuck. During the last six years she devoted her life to being his primary caregiver. Her love and patience with her husband while he suffered with Alzheimer’s knew no boundaries. Chuck preceded her in death by just three short months.

Brenda Arnelle Frankenfeld, 81, passed away on July 20, 2018 at the Kearney Regional Medical Center in Kearney, Nebraska surrounded by her children.

Surviving family members are her children, Chip and his wife Jenny of Sterling, CO; Bruce of Sterling, CO; Camie Schneider and husband Randy of Phillipsburg, KS; John and his wife Stephanie of Denver, CO; Grandchildren, Mike (Melissa) Frankenfeld; Dustin (Amber) Frankenfeld; Kamie (Damien) Wagner; Chris, Matt, and Emily Schneider; Jeff and Ashley Frankenfeld; Great-grandchildren, Taylor and Connor Frankenfeld, Charli and Morgan Frankenfeld; Krissy, Kaden, Kaylee, Korbin, and Kelton Wagner; sister-in-law, Virginia Blain; nieces, Carla Schmidt and Jeri Ann Blain; cousins, Jeff Eberhart, Jill Eberhart County, Mike O’Halloran; and Donna Frankenfeld.

Funeral service will be Friday, July 27, 2018 at 10:30 a.m. MT at Bateman Funeral Home, 211 East 11th Street in Goodland. Interment following service at the Goodland Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday, July 26, 2018 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m MT at Bateman Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s -Team Sonny (https://act.alz.org/goto/team_sonny), First Christian Church of Phillipsburg, Prairie Wind Villa of Phillipsburg, and Remembering Ron Schneider Cancer Memorial and may be left at the services or mailed to Bateman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 278, Goodland, KS 67735. Online condolences may be left at www.batemanfuneral.com

Evelyn Sue Pywell, 72, passed away Friday, July 20, 2018. Born November 6, 1945, the daughter of Albert (Bud) Corwin and Mary Bos. She is survived by husband Roy, McPherson; sons Mark and wife Sally of Burdett, Brad and wife Mary of Lindsborg; daughter Joy Edghill and husband Darre, Murfreesboro, TN; grandsons, Lane Pywell, Chase and Corbin Pywell, Malachi and Syre Edghill; siblings, Karen Dunn and husband Roy, Lucille Kriley and husband Ray, Rosie Hake and husband Bill, Connie Allen and husband Bob, Melva Vopat, Becky Brungardt and husband Dennis, Roger Corwin, Theresa Earles. She was preceded in death by Bud Corwin and Mary Bos.

She married her husband of 54 years, Roy Pywell, on August 11, 1963. She committed her life to serving the Lord in her church, and caring for children in her home as a Daycare Provider for over 31 years.

She cherished her family, and loved them extraordinarily. She enjoyed spending as much time as she could with them. And delighted in spoiling her grandchildren to no end.

Much of her life was spent giving of her time and resources to make sure children’s needs were met. In retirement she volunteered her time and effort to the Salida Pregnancy Resource Center. And to this end, the lives of countless children were immeasurably blessed by her loving care, and generous heart. They are the living legacy she has bequeathed to us, and the world.

We celebrate her life, one well lived, and relish the time we were blessed to share it with her.

She is immensely loved, and will be greatly missed.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:30am on Wednesday, July 25, 2018 at First Baptist Church in Plainville. Burial will follow at Pleasant View Cemetery near Palco. Visitation will be from 5:00-7:00pm with family receiving friends during that time.