Marilyn Jane (Renner) Appl, age 82, passed away on Sunday, July 8, 2018 at the Providence Medical Center in Kansas City, Kansas. She was born on August 22, 1935, the daughter of Fred Renner and Mildred Fiegel in Cunningham, Kansas

She was a member of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, St. Anthony of Padua Alter Society and V.F.W. Auxiliary of Leoti, Kansas.

On December 28, 1957 she married Keith A. Appl in Marienthal, Kansas. He passed away on January 10, 2003 in Boston, Massachusetts.

Survivors include:

Four Sons Dr. Brad (Nancy) Appl of Prairie Village, Kansas

Clay (Sheryl) Appl of Wichita, Kansas

Cory (Stefanie) Appl of Kansas City, Kansas

Gunnar (Amanda) Appl of Kansas City, Kansas

One Daughter Allison (Monte) Stewart of Belle Plaine, Kansas

One Sister Kathy (Ross) Lane of Baldwin City, Kansas

Fourteen grandchildren; Two Great Grandchildren.

Mass of the resurrection will be held on Friday, July 13, 2018 at 10:30 a.m. at the St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church of Leoti, Kansas with Father Chris Renner officiating.

Graveside services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 14, 2018 at Gate of Heaven Catholic Cemetery in Kansas City, Kansas with Father Meinrad Miller officiating.

Vigil Service will be on Thursday, July 12, 2018 at 7:00 p.m. at the St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church of Leoti, Kansas.

Friends may call from 10:00 am until 5:00 p.m. Thursday, July 12, 2018 at Price and Sons Funeral Home of Leoti, Kansas.

Memorials are suggested to the St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in care of Price and Sons Funeral Home.

Martina “Tina” Staab, 95, Hays, died Tuesday, July 10, 2018 at Via Christi Village.

She was born March 22, 1923 in Munjor, Kansas one of 12 children to Michael and Eva (Degenhardt) Pfannenstiel. On November 10, 1941 she was united in marriage to Wendelin Staab at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Munjor. They celebrated over 62 years of marriage prior to him preceding her in death on June 15, 2004.

Martina was a cook at St. Joseph Military Academy/TMP-Marian High School and was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, the St. Joseph Christian Mothers, and the St. Anthony Hospital/Hays Medical Center Auxiliary. She was a “noodle lady”, a volunteer at the Community Assistance Center, and was a sample lady at Dillons Grocery Store. She enjoyed sewing, embroidery, quilting, cooking and trying new recipes, and she also loved to travel.

Survivors include two sons; Leon Staab and wife Ann and Tom Staab and wife Lenora, all of Hays, two daughters; Jolene Kreitler and husband Ralph of Greeley, CO and Margaret “Maggie” Leiker and husband Allen of Hays, two brothers; Frank Pfannenstiel and wife Celie and Marvin Pfannenstiel and wife Jane, all of Hays, a sister; Aggie Miller and husband Jim of Hays, two sisters-in-law; Esther Pfannenstiel of Billings, MT and Alice Gerstner of Hays, nine grandchildren; Christine Mellin and husband Rick, Laura Kreitler, Amy Gustafson and husband Marc, Jennifer Parsons and husband Bridger, Dara Thompson and husband Jason, Jared Staab and wife Julie, Ryan Leiker, Derek Leiker, and Austin Leiker, twelve great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Wendelin, seven brothers; Victor, Eddie, Ted, Clarence, Julius, Walter, and Paul Pfannenstiel, and a sister; Marcella Eickbush.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 am on Saturday, July 14, 2018 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 215 W. 13th, Hays, with Fr. Fred Gatschet officiating. Burial will follow in the St. Joseph Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4:00 pm until 8:00 on Friday and from 9:00 am until 9:45 on Saturday, all at the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine Street. A scripture rosary will be at 6:00 followed by a vigil service at 6:30, both on Friday at the funeral home.

Memorials are suggested to the Hays Community Assistance Center or to St. Joseph Catholic Church, and can be left in care of the funeral home. Condolences and memories of Martina may be left for the family at www.haysmemorial.com.

Tony Ray Harp, 71, passed away on July 9, 2018 at his home in McCracken, Kansas. He was born in Closplint, Kentucky on January 12, 1947. He was the son of Claude Harp and Bernice (Bennett) Rollins.

Tony attended McCracken Elementary every year except 2nd and 7th grades. He loved playing Basketball, Football and Baseball. He received academic awards in Geometry and Algebra II. He was the senior class Vice President and graduated from McCracken High School in 1965.

Tony enlisted with the USMC – United States Marine Corps from May 21, 1965 – May 15, 1969.  He attended basic training at the San Diego MC Recruiting Depot. While in the Marines, he was a Sergeant as a Radar Fire Control Technician. He was stationed at Huntsville, Alabama and DaNang, Vietnam, later Albany, Georgia and back to DaNang, Vietnam for a second tour.  While on leave he was able to visit Bangkok, Thailand twice and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. His awards with the Marines were: Combat Action Ribbon, Presidential Unit Citation, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry and Civil Action with Palm Unit Citation, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Bronze Service Star, 1st Marine Air Wing, Expert Rifle Badge.

After returning home from Vietnam, Tony married Shirley Kinderknecht, Grinnell, Kansas, June 6, 1970 and welcomed four children, Lynnette, Bill, Brian, and Michael. He was a farmer and rancher in rural McCracken and raised many animals. He loved planting a large garden in the summer, playing poker, pool, and snooker. He graduated from Fort Hays State University in 1989 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mathematics. Tony married Paulette Nicholson, Ellis, Kansas July 30, 1991. He was like a father to Daniel Zeller and Will Zeller. He began his teaching career in Ellis, Kansas, Globe Arizona, Haxtun, Colorado, Pinedale Wyoming, and many years at LaCrosse High School. He was also the Girls Basketball coach for several schools. It was a must for Mr. Harp’s class to show your work on every math problem assignment.

He was loved by many friends, family, and students including: Shirley Harp, Hays, Kansas, Paulette Harp Ellis, Kansas, a daughter Lynnette and Don Doornbos, McCracken, Kansas children Katelyn, Taylor, & John, son Bill and Kelly Harp, Great Falls, Montana, grandson Adam and Maggie Brecht, great-grandsons Jackson & Cooper, son Brian Harp and Lisa Day, LaCrosse, Kansas children Keldon, McKaylee, & Kelby, son Michael and Jennifer Harp, Cedar Rapids, Iowa children Dylan and Madelyn, son Daniel Zeller, McCracken, Kansas children Jacob and Abby, son Will and Jana Zeller LaCrosse, Kansas grandson Bodie, sister Wanda Fe Bankhead, Morriston, Florida, brother Donnie and Jeannie Harp, Council Grove, Kansas, sister Pam Bankhead, Ocala, Florida, brother Ricky ‘Mac’ Harp, Ness City, Kansas, sister Mary Hattan, Ness City, Kansas.

He was preceded in death by his father Claude Harp, mother Bernice Rollins, brother Ronnie Harp, brother Billy Harp, and niece Rosemarie “Marie” Buller.

Graveside memorial service will be Friday, July 13, 2018, at 11:00 A.M. at the McCracken City Cemetery, McCracken, Kansas.

In lieu of flowers or plants, the family requests memorials to Sons of the American Legion West-Burch, KS Post 59, McCracken, Kansas, or American Legion West-Burch, KS Post 59, McCracken, 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, P O Box 550, La Crosse, Kansas 67548, 785/222-2517.

Paul Jacob Flax Sr., age 84, of Hays, KS, passed away on Sunday, July 8, 2018 at HaysMed. He was born on February 22, 1934 in Ransom, KS to Frank I. and Catherine Flax. His mother, Catherine died in 1942 and Frank married Clara Weber.

Paul attended Ellis High School and graduated in 1951. After high school, Paul enlisted in the United States Army and served his country from 1954-1956. He had worked in the oilfield for most of his life and was a driller for Abercrombie Oil Company for over 31 years.

He lived in Ransom and then moved to Ellis. On September 7, 1957, Paul married Dolores Ann Rupp in Ellis. The family then moved to Hill City, where he lived for 55 years. In 2015, he moved to Hays. He enjoyed his family, nieces, nephews, camping and playing cards. Paul played the accordion for Andy Anderson Dance Band and played monthly music with his accordion at various nursing homes in the area. He was devoted in his Catholic faith and was a lifetime member of the VFW Post 9139 in Ellis.

Survivors include his daughter; Sharon Kay Flax of Phillipsburg; two sons, Paul Jacob Flax, Jr. and his wife Julie of Culver, KS, Bernard “Bernie” John Flax and his wife Teresa of Wichita; three brothers, Alfred Flax and his wife Ida of Wichita, Walter Hicks of Missouri and George Weber and his wife Charlotte of Wichita; two sisters, Agnes Richmeier and her husband Edwin and Dorothy Weber both of WaKeeney; four grandchildren, Cody & Kylie Flax, Courtney Johnson & Brandy Clinton; two great-grandchildren, Trinity & Paisley Johnson as well as a loving extended family.

He was preceded in death by his parents and stepmother; beloved wife, Dolores whom passed in September of 2008; twin sons, Gerald & Derald and son, Gregory Flax; sisters, Minnie Flax, Rosie Hicks, infant sister, Catherine Flax, Albertina Fehrenbach and her husband Frank, Virginia Weber Robinette and her husband Danny; brothers, Leonard Weber, Gilbert Flax and his wife Seraphine.

Funeral services for Paul will be held at 10:00 AM on Thursday, July 12, 2018 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Ellis. Burial will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery.

Visitation will be Wednesday, July 11 from 4-8:00 PM with a rosary and parish vigil service at 7:00 PM all at the Keithley Funeral Chapel. Visitation on Thursday will be from 9:00 AM until service time at St. Mary’s Catholic Church.

Memorial contributions can be made to the St. Mary’s Cemetery Fund and/or to the Masses.

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

Arrangements are in care of Keithley Funeral Chapel, 400 E. 17th St., Ellis, KS 67637.

Eldon Billips was born May 8, 1930 to Oren and Opal (Stone) Billips on the family farm in Graham County, Kansas. He died peacefully surrounded by loved ones at home on the family farm on July 2, 2018. He was 88 years old.

Eldon went to Spring Creek School for his first eight years of his education. He graduated from Hill City High School in 1948. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, playing cards, pool and gardening. He was a farmer and stockman most of his life.

Eldon married Leora (Cutting) November 2, 1952. They had four children: Judy, Janet, Larry and Gary. They divorced after 17 years.

Eldon married Bettie (Wharton) February 23, 1983.

Eldon is survived by his wife Bettie of the home; sons: Larry (Rita) of Oakley, Kansas, Gary (Deb) of Grand Island, Nebraska; daughters: Judy (Richard) Durham of Palisade, Nebraska, Janet (Raphael) Schmidtberger of Ellis, Kansas; step-sons: Jeff (Kim) Carter of Moore, Oklahoma, Russell (Lavonda) Carter of Lincoln, Nebraska; step-daughters: Melinda (Mike) Nickelson of Moore, Oklahoma, Teresa (Eric) Stinemetz of Pensacola, Florida; eight grandchildren; nine step-grandchildren; 18 great-grand children and 13 step great grandchildren; one brother Don (Mary) Billips of Hill City; numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sister Melvia Howard; brother-in-law Ivan Munson and his ex-wife Leora Adams.

Eldon was a member of the Hill City Christian Church. He loved animals and never met a stranger. He was an honest, hardworking man who was loved by his family and will be greatly missed.

Click HERE for service details.

Winona June Cook, 88, of Oakley, died Sunday, July 8, 2018. She was born in Cedar Rapids, IA, to Donald and Doris Anna (Boomershine) Townsend, on July 8, 1930. On January 13, 1955, she married Dwight H. Cook. Winona was an antiques dealer and was an excellent seamstress. She enjoyed sewing, fishing and traveling, especially to Canada. Winona was an animal lover and was particularly fond of dogs.

She was preceded in death by her husband Dwight and son Steven Cook.

She is survived by her children, Randy (Joni) Cook, Grinnell, KS and Tim (Jan) Cook, Joplin, MO; sister, Nancy (Don) Bricker, of IL; grandchildren, Ashley Cook, TJ Cook, Steven Cook, Seseley Cook, Levi (Kalaya) Cook, Nikki (Justin) Combs, Kylie Smith, Cody (Kayla) Smith, Cameron Skaggs, Lauren Qualls and Spencer Skaggs and eighteen great grandchildren.

Visitation is 5-7:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 11, 2018 at Baalmann Mortuary, Oakley. A graveside service will take place at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, July 12, 2018 at Gaeland Cemetery, Orion, Gove County, KS.

Memorials are suggested to the Humane Society of Garden City, in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 204, Oakley, KS 67748. For condolences or information visit www.baalmannmortuary.com.

Marjorie M. Ballard, 92, of Alton, KS died on July 3, 2018 at the Osborne County Memorial Hospital. She was born on August 15, 1925 to Harold & Lydia (Roberts) Boland in the Hawkeye Township.

Marjorie graduated from the Alton School in 1943. After acquiring an emergency certification to teach, she taught in the Riverside District 14 for a couple of years and also grades 7 & 8 in the Woodston school for a while.

She married William (Bill) Ballard in 1946 and to this union, they had 4 children. They moved to a farm north of Woodston. They later moved to Alton where she worked in the gas station that Bill started up and at Alton’s Corner Grocery store.

Marjorie was a member of the United Methodist Church and the American Legion Auxiliary of Alton.

Marj is preceded in death by her parents, her husband Bill, sister Eilen, brother Elmer, grandsons Bradley & Bruce Ballard, Shane Conway & great-grandchild Kalham Byarlay. She is survived by her daughters: Lil (Pat) Conway; Sandy (Mark) Byarlay; sons: Bill (Bev); Roy (friend Linda); 9 grandchildren, 31 great-grandchildren & 1 great-great grandchild & many nieces, nephews, cousins & friends.

Click HERE for service details.

Virginia Delores (Zodrow) Feldt passed away at Good Samaritan Hospital, Kearney, Nebraska, Saturday, July 7, 2018 at the age of 57. She was born to Seraphine and Florence (Kruse) Zodrow on July 2, 1961 in Hoxie, Kansas. Virginia was the third youngest of eleven children. She grew up in Leoville, Kansas and attended Leoville Grade School and Hoxie High School graduating with the class of 1979.

On April 19, 1980, in Leoville, Kansas, Virginia married the love of her life and best friend, Birney Feldt. They were blest with two daughters, Angela and Erin.

After 36 years of living and raising their family in Hoxie, Birney and Virginia made the difficult decision to leave the only place they had ever called home to embark on a new journey in Kearney, NE.

Virginia had many hobbies that kept her busy. She enjoyed working in the yard and had the most beautiful, green thumb. She had an amazing talent of bringing failing plants back to a glorious existence. When she wasn’t tending to her plants, you could catch her watching for the robins, blue jays and the ever elusive cardinals. Virginia loved to spend time walking and exercising. Other interests include golf, fishing, needle point, and dabbling in origami. While all of these hobbies kept her busy, her love and devotion to her faith was of utmost importance to her. She loved her husband, girls, and grandchildren, and they were the most important thing in the world to her.

Virginia was a member St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church, Hoxie, Kansas; Prince of Peace Catholic Church, Kearney, Nebraska; St. Frances Cabrini Sodality, Hoxie Golf Club and the Prince of Peace Ladies Bible Study.

Virginia is survived by her husband and best friend, Birney Feldt; daughters Angela Paulsen and her husband Jeff of Lincoln, Nebraska; Erin Bieker and her husband Brent of Elizabeth, Colorado; grandchildren, Hayden Bieker, Jacob Paulsen, Tessa Bieker, Jace Paulsen; brothers, Raymond Zodrow, Leoville, Kansas, Jim Zodrow, Leoville, Kansas, David Zodrow, Leoville, Kansas, Leo Zodrow and wife Carrie, Oberlin, Kansas; sisters, Betty Newman and husband Gary, Hoxie, Kansas; Mary Schlick and husband Larry, Colby, Kansas; Elaine Haag and husband Gayle, Bartley, Nebraska; Lucille Heim and husband Ed, Hoxie, Kansas.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Seraphine and Florence Zodrow; brother, Michael Zodrow; sister, Jeanette Voss and father-in-law Robert Feldt.

A funeral service is planned for Thursday, July 12, 2018, at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Leoville, Kansas at 10:00 A.M. with interment to follow in the St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Cemetery, Hoxie, Kansas. A visitation is planned for Wednesday, July 11, 2018, from 11:00 A.M. until 8:00 P.M. Family will receive friends from 5:00 P.M. until 6:30 P.M. A vigil service will be held at 6:30 P.M. on Wednesday, July 11, 2018. Visitation and Vigil will be held at the Mickey-Leopold Funeral Home. Memorials are suggested to the Sheridan County Benefit Walk. On-line condolences may be left at www.mickeyleopoldfuneral.com.

Virginia was a kind and gentle soul. She touched many lives and made many friends along the way. Her faith in God kept her fighting her battle and in the end, it took her home. Although she is gone from this earth, she is resting peacefully at home with the Lord.

Ruth Ann Nilhas, 90 died Friday, July  6, 2018 at the Trego County Long Term Care Facility in WaKeeney. Ruth Ann was born September 2, 1927 in rural Trego County, the daughter of John Biehler and Leta Merle (Hitt) Biehler.  She was a teacher following her graduation from Fort Hays State University in 1950 and a loving mother and wife devoted to the family farm and the lives of her family in the years that followed.

On August 6, 1955 she married Lloyd Nilhas at the First United Methodist Church in Collyer, KS.  Lloyd preceded her in death on September 18, 2016. Survivors include 2 sons, Steve Nilhas and wife Elena, Littleton, New Hampshire; John Nilhas and wife Vae, WaKeeney, Kansas; and 1 daughter Jill McReynolds and husband Jeff, Hays, Kansas; 6 grandchildren, Amy Lewis and husband Mike, Tyrel Nilhas and wife Breanne, Blake Nilhas and wife Erin,  Aaron Nilhas and wife Sara, Kaitlyn McReynolds and husband Lance Sauer, and Morgan Nilhas; 2 step grandchildren, Paula and Sofia Mendez-Sanchez; and 6 great grandchildren, Brenna Flax, Braden and Ryann Lewis, Adalyn and Aubree Nilhas, and Kalie Nilhas. She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother Wayne Biehler.

Ruth Ann took great pride that she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration with Teacher Certification from Fort Hays State University in 1950 and put her knowledge to great use while teaching accounting and shorthand at Bazine High School for three years and Dighton High School for one year. During her time at Fort Hays State, she was active in several campus organizations including the Tigerettes, YWCA, Campus Booster Council, and Alpha Sigma Alpha which then was a professional sorority made up of teachers.

Upon her marriage to Lloyd, Ruth Ann moved to rural Gove County, Kansas and lived on a farm until 1961 when they purchased a ranch located East of Wakeeney in Trego County Kansas. Upon moving to Trego County, Lloyd and Ruth Ann immediately began to refurbish the house that was located on the property. Together, they made a home for themselves along with their sons Steve and John and a few years later they welcomed Jill, their third child. Lloyd and Ruth Ann lived on the ranch until 1980 when they moved to WaKeeney. She went to live in the Assisted Living at the Trego County Lemke Memorial Hospital in 2011 and recently the Long Term Care where she remained until her death.

During Ruth Ann’s  years on the farm, she was a homemaker who prepared and delivered many meals to the harvest fields, made parts runs to help keep the machinery running, and raised her children making sure they always did their school work.  Her commitment was vital to making the farming and ranching operation a success. She was active in the Ogallah Christian Church, the Cooperative Extension Services, Ladies Aide, TOPS Club, 4-H and many other local civic organizations. She could always be counted on to help out whenever needed.

Ruth Ann was known for her love of knitting, crocheting, and other handiworks which made their way to the homes of her family and friends. She took a special joy in making afghans for her children and grandchildren, and her famous “scrubbies” found their way around the country and the world. During her last years at the Assisted Living, she enriched the lives of others with her generosity and her positive presence. She will be missed by her friends, family, and others whose lives she touched.  

Memorial service will be 10:00 a.m., Saturday, July 14, 2018 at Ogallah Christian Church, Ogallah. Inurnment will be in the Ogallah Cemetery. 

Visitation will be Friday evening, from 5 to 7 at the funeral home in WaKeeney.

The family suggests, in lieu of flowers, memorials to the Humane Society of the High Plains in Hays, Kansas, the Wakeeney City Library, or  the Ogallah Christian Church. Checks made to the organization my be sent to Schmitt Funeral Home, 336 North 12th, WaKeeney, KS 67672.