Louise Evelyn Smith, 89, of Winona, passed away on July 17, 2018, at the Hospice House in Hutchinson.

Louise Evelyn (Stoecker) Smith was born on October 20, 1928, the fourth child of Gottlieb B. and Anna Elizabeth (Uhrich) Stoecker, of rural Oakley. During her childhood and school years, Louise, her parents and siblings lived on a farm southeast of Monument, popularly known as Stoeckerville. She graduated from Monument High School in 1945. While attending, and after high school, Louise worked at Stetz’s in Oakley.

On November 12, 1947, Louise married Kenneth J. Smith in Oakley. Kenneth and Louise lived in Winona from November, 1947 to April, 2013. Devoting years to wheat farming, they referred to themselves as “city farmers”.

Louise dearly loved sewing and kept Bernard in fashion from pre-school through high school. She even tailored suits; he wore during his early years in college. Louise also enjoyed knitting, crocheting, cooking and baking. When Triplains High School had a bake sale, her cinnamon rolls and pastries were sold before making it to the oven. Louise had the ability to transform a well-used upholstered chair, destined for the landfill, to a beautiful piece of furniture anyone would be proud to display in his or her home. This became a business for which her skills and creativity were in high demand.

Louise was as skillful driving an over-heated farm truck, loaded with wheat through an elevator, as she was threading a sewing machine needle. Since farming was not always fruitful, Louise supplemented the family income by working at: The Winona Leader, Winona Liquor store, Hess’ Dress Shop, selling AVON and Amway products, driving school buses, and operating an upholstery business from the basement of their home.

Louise never hesitated to assist neighbors in need, typically refusing compensation. The community of Winona was welcome in her home, and many of the town’s children saw her as a trusted second Mom. She enjoyed a good visit with friends and strangers alike, causing Kenneth to seek out the waiting benches at Wal-Mart in the event she encountered someone with common interests.

Louise was Bernard’s first teacher, using phonics for reading during a time when the school was experimenting with less viable sight-reading methodology. She modeled compassion, honesty, friendship, morality and a committed work ethic.

In July 2005, Louise and Kenneth retired from farming. Less time preparing lunches for Kenneth to take to the field, and laundering work clothes, gave Louise additional time to quilt, walk, talk and enjoy the company of her friends at the Winona Community Building. Louise and Kenneth continued to live in Winona until May 2013 when Kenneth’s health necessitated a move to Hutchinson, Kansas.

Louise was a parishioner of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, in Oakley, for 65 years. Louise and Kenneth were faithful members, the first 65 years of marriage, and celebrated their 67th anniversary on November 12, 2014.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Gottlieb and Anna, brothers: Leo, Herman, and Lawrence Stoecker, her husband, Kenneth, son, Joseph, and daughter, Mary.

Louise is survived by her son, Bernard and his wife, Mary, of Hutchinson; granddaughter, Lindsay Kubina and her husband, Tony, of Manhattan; grandson, Aaron Smith of Hutchinson; great grandson, Gage Smith; great granddaughters, Brinley Smith and Claire Kubina; her sister, Luella Baalman of Gardner, and many nieces and nephews.

On the evening of July 17, 2018 Louise was reunited with Kenneth, Joseph, Mary, and other family and friends awaiting her in God’s kingdom.

The family extends a heartfelt welcome to this celebration of Louise’s life, and is deeply grateful for your prayers and presence at her Mass.

Funeral service will be at 10:00 a.m. Monday, July 23, 2018 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Oakley, with Fr. Donald Pfannenstiel officiating. Visitation: 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Sunday at Kennedy-Koster Funeral Home, Oakley, with vigil service at 7:00 p.m. Interment will be in St. Joseph Cemetery. Memorials: St. Joseph’s School in care of the funeral home, P.O. Box 221, Oakley, KS 67748.

Online Guestbook: www.kennedykosterfh.com

Dr. Richard “Kay” Driver, 86, of Goodland Kansas, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 17, 2018 at the Good Samaritan Society in Goodland after a yearlong battle with lung cancer.

Kay was born on March 2, 1932 in Great Bend, KS to Gladys & Guy Driver. He was baptized in Rush Center, KS in 1944. He graduated from La Crosse High School in 1950. He graduated from Southwestern College in Winfield, KS in 1954. He then enlisted in the Army in 1955, and served in the Field Artillery Division in Germany for 2 years. After returning he attended the Illinois College of Optometry in Chicago, Illinois and received his Doctor of Optometry Degree in 1960. In 1961, he & wife, Kathyrn “Jane” (Basinger) moved to Goodland where he acquired an optometry practice and continued to serve his family of patients until retiring in 2004.

Kay was accomplished at wood working, welding, and golf club repair. He also enjoyed tending to his garden and corn patch west of town. He was an avid golfer and spent countless hours at his beloved Sugar Hills Country Club, not just golfing, but as a volunteer assisting his friends in maintaining the integrity and natural beauty of the golf course. He was most proud of helping to establish thousands of pine trees thought out the property. Kay was a Life member of the American Optometric Association and the Kansas Optometric Association, serving as president in 1975. He was also a member of the Elks Lodge 1528, VFW, Masonic Lodge and the Goodland United Methodist Church.

Kay is survived by his wife, Beatrice of the home; his son, Kenton Driver (Stacy) of Salina, Ks, their children Bailey & Benjamin; Teresa Driver, wife of his late son Kirby & their children; Kirby Driver Jr., (Brenda), their daughter Kaylee; and Kelly Driver and her daughter Kennedy, all of Dallas Texas; his step-daughter Mary Beth Zweygardt, (Keith) and her son Kaleb Zwick all of St. Francis Kansas, his step-grandson Oskar Okeson, son to his late step-son Mark Struckhoff; and his sister Jody Horne of Bradenton Florida.

He is also preceded in death by his parents, a brother Arthur “Jack” Driver, and sister Doris Ford.

A Celebration of Life is scheduled for 10:30 am, Monday, July 23, 2018 at the Goodland United Methodist Church with Pastor Gordon Pettibone officiating. A reception will follow in the Fellowship Hall.

In lieu of flowers or plants, memorial contributions may be designated to The Goodland United Methodist Church, The Kansas Optometric Foundation or Sugar Hills Country Club and can be left at the service or mailed to Koons -Russell Funeral Home, 211 N. Main St in Goodland, Ks.

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

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

Karen Ann Ryan, age 76, passed away from kidney failure on Tuesday, July 17, 2018 at her home in Scott City, Kansas.

She was born on April 3, 1942 in Shallow Water, Kansas, the daughter of Paul D. & Dora Scovill Ryan.

Karen was a lifetime resident of Scott City, Kansas and was a homemaker, wife and mother.

She was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints of Scott City, Kansas.

On September 17, 1960 she married Larry E. Ryan in Tucumcari, New Mexico. He passed away on April 17, 2002 in Hays, Kansas.

Survivors include her three daughters – Denise Craig of Scott City, Kansas, Linette & Brian Little of Bartlesville, Oklahoma, Mershon Misner of Colorado Springs, Colorado, three sons – Aaron Ryan of Scott City, Kansas, Bryan & Gaynelle Ryan of Henderson, Nevada, Chad & Jessie Ryan of Scott City, Kansas, two sisters – Betty Dunlap of Caballo, New Mexico, Nancy & John Witt of Caballo, New Mexico; twenty one grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.

Karen was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and three sisters – Mary Ryan, Dorin Penka, Peggy VanWey, and one infant brother, Paulin E. Ryan and one brother, Dean Ryan.

Funeral Services will be held at the Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 906 Cresant Ave. in Scott City, Kansas on Saturday, July 21, 2018 at 2:00 p.m.with Bishop James A. Yager presiding.

Memorials, in lieu of flowers, may be made to the Karen Ryan Memorial Fund in care of Price & Sons Funeral Homes.

Interment will be in the Scott County Cemetery in Scott City, Kansas.

Visitation will be at Price & Sons Funeral Home from 1pm – 8pm Friday in Scott City, Kansas.

Melanie Ann Nelson passed away on Sunday, July 15, 2018, at her home in Plainville, Kansas at the age of 57. She was born March 11, 1961 in Leominster, Massachusetts to Donald and Mary Ann (Moeder) Fisher. She attended Fort Hays State University earning a Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice. She married Brian Nelson on April 26, 1980. They became parents of two sons, Tyler and Tanner Nelson. Melanie and Brian later divorced. At the time of her death, she was engaged to Tim Beim of Phillipsburg.

Melanie was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Plainville, Daughters of Isabella, and VFW.

Melanie worked as a manager for Leo’s Liquor in Plainville, Kansas. She enjoyed helping and visiting with customers who came into the store. Melanie also worked as a substitute teacher for the public and Catholic Schools.

Melanie enjoyed cooking. Her family can verify what great meals she prepared. She loved decorating her house for holidays, especially Christmas. She had a large collection of snowmen that she loved to display and share with others. Family was the most important thing in her life, and she enjoyed and loved them very much.

Melanie is survived by her parents, Donald and Mary Ann Fisher; fiancé, Tim Beim; sons, Tyler Nelson and wife Kristan of Plainville, and Tanner Nelson and wife Charley of Plainville; step-son, Alex Beim and wife Ketino of Lakewood, Colorado; sisters, Melissa Dreher and husband Joe of Oberlin, and Mindy Flenniken and husband Larry of Tulsa, Oklahoma; grandchildren, Thaniel Nelson, Tabor Nelson, Khloe Nelson, Allessandro Beim, and Nina Beim; and many numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents and sister Michelle Fisher.

A Celebration of life is planned for Friday, July 20, 2019, 10:30 A.M., at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Plainville. Visitation will be held Thursday, July 19, 2018, at the Church, from 6:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. with a Vigil service at 7:00 P.M. Memorials are suggested to the Sacred Heart Catholic School and may be sent in care of Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home, 320 2nd SW Street, Plainville, Kansas 67663.

Melanie loved her family with all her heart. In life, they loved her dearly and in death they hold her close. Although she will be greatly missed, she will live forever in the hearts of those who knew her best, for they were greatly loved.

Philip Henry Beam, 86, of WaKeeney, Kansas, died following a stroke on 15 July 2018.

Philip was born in Dodge City, Kansas on February 3rd, 1932 to Henry Bridgeman Beam and Ruth Adeline Kirk. Adeline suffered from tuberculosis of the hip which necessitated walking on crutches and led to medical advice to not carry a pregnancy to term. Nevertheless, when she became pregnant, both she and Henry wanted their child so desperately that they risked Adeline’s life to bring Phil into the world. Adeline did survive the pregnancy and Philip became their only and much-loved son. They lived in different parts of Kansas over the years and Philip graduated high school in Emporia, Kansas before going on to earn a Bachelor’s of Science in Forestry at University of California at Berkeley.

Philip was married first to Marjorie Lee Hammer and later to Barbara Jean Wedow, with whom he had two daughters, Rosemary Grace Beam de Azcona and Serena Ruth Beam Fox. He adored his girls beyond words and throughout his life, he made many sacrifices for their welfare. He instilled in his children a love of nature, creativity, and self-expression. Among their memories are his creative and caring bedtime stories and his renditions of the Wabash Cannonball.

Philip had a love of nature, the country, and especially trees. He served in the army as a construction engineer in Japan during the Korean War. He loved taking things apart and seeing how they worked, especially Saabs and computers. He was an avid reader and letter-writer. Introspective and concerned with solving problems, he literally tried to change the world one letter at a time. Philip suffered from depression and solitude over the years but late in life found a community in the long-term care facility at the Trego County-Lemke Memorial Hospital. There he found love again with Shirley Smith, made friends, sung and played the guitar, helped announce the bingo numbers, participated in a range of activities, explored different religions and, finally, reconnected with his daughters. It may have been one of the happiest times of his life.

Philip is survived by his daughter, Serena and son-in-law Jeffrey Fox of Lenexa, Kansas and his daughter, Rosemary, and granddaughter, Erin Nikte’ha’ Azcona-Beam, of Mexico City.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Adeline and Henry and his beloved childhood dog, Snow Queen.

The memorial service will be held at Schmitt Funeral Home in WaKeeney on Thursday the 19th at 10:30 am. Pastor Randy Gibbs of Bethlehem Lutheran Church will be officiating. Inurnment will follow the funeral at the Wakeeney Veterans’ Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to the American Legion of WaKeeney. Contributions may be sent to Schmitt Funeral Home, 336 North 12th, WaKeeney, KS 67672. The family wishes to thank the employees of the Trego County-Lemke Memorial Hospital who cared for Philip in recent years and provided comfort to him and his daughters in his final days.

Johnny Lemual Lawrence passed away on Monday, July 9, 2018 at Wheatland Nursing Center in Russell, Kansas at the age of 86. He was born on April 19, 1932 in Ellsworth, Kansas to the late John and Mary (Batthauer) Lawrence. Eighteen months later, after his mother died in childbirth, he and his older brother George went to live with their Grandfather and Grandmother Batthauer on the family farm near Dorrance, Kansas, as per their mother’s wishes. Together they grew up in the Dorrance area and Johnny graduated from Dorrance High School with the Class of 1951. In 1953 he enlisted in the United States Army and proudly served his country during the Korean conflict. On April 2, 1955 he was united in marriage to Lillian Bricker in Lucas, Kansas.

After being honorably discharged, Johnny soon went to work for the Russell County Highway Department where he eventually became a Bridge Forman before retiring after more than 30 years of service. He also worked raising wheat crops and cattle ranching. To say that he and Lillian were avid Bingo fans would be an understatement. Together they travelled the local Bingo circuits wherever the game would take them and never failed to have a great time with friends, win or lose. Of course winning and crying out “Bingo” were always the preferred outcome of any event. Johnny was a member of the American Legion Post #334 of Dorrance.

Johnny is survived by his sons Don Lawrence and wife Judy of Omaha, NE, and Ronald Lawrence of Dorrance; daughter Virginia “Ginny” Hubka and husband Ron of Wilson; grandchildren Melissa and Andrew Tayles, Kevin Lawrence, Robert Lawrence, Kyle and Ashley Lawrence, Theresa Lawrence, Jeremy and Amber Hubka, Darcy and Dustin Vopat, and Toby and Richelle Hubka; and great-grandchildren Elise, Libby, Landon, Bailey, Liam, Sydney, and one-on-the-way.

He was preceded in death by his parents John and Mary Lawrence, wife Lillian Lawrence, infant son John Lawrence, Jr., son Alvin Lawrence, infant sister Mary Lawrence, and brother George Lawrence.

Memorial Services will be held at 10:30am on Wednesday, July 18, 2018 at First Lutheran Church in Dorrance. Inurnment will follow in the Dorrance City Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6:00-8:00pm on Tuesday at the funeral home in Wilson. The family will receive friends during that time.