Stanley S. Gallagher, 69, went to be with the Lord on July 6, 2018. He passed away at the Sheridan County Health Complex surrounded by two of his sisters. Stan was born in Hoxie, Kansas on February 7, 1949. He was the son of Frank and Joyce (Jacob) Gallagher and the father of Samuel and Sigrid Gallagher. Stan attended Hoxie Grade and High School. In high school, Stan was a member of the Hoxie High School State Basketball Team. He graduated with the class of 1967. He attended Garden City Junior College.

Stan joined the United States Navy and proudly served his country. During his four year tour of duty, Stan was stationed in San Diego, California and spent much of his time out to sea. Stan never talked much about his military career, but he was always a very patriotic man who had a love for his country.

After completing his time with the Navy, Stan returned home and moved to Basalt, Colorado where he spent the next 25 years as a finish carpenter. He loved the mountains and wildlife of Colorado. While in Basalt, he met and married his best friend Melony. Stan and Melony had only one precious year together before the Lord called her home. A few years after Melony’s death, Stan moved back to Oakley, Kansas where he worked as a finishing carpenter. In Oakley, Stan met and married Bea Albers. They were blessed with a son, Sam of Oakley, Kansas and a daughter Sig of Grinnell, Kansas. Stan continued to reside in Oakley until his passing.

Stan is survived by his parents, Frank and Joyce Gallagher; son, Samuel Gallagher of Oakley, Kansas; daughter, Sigrid Gallagher of Grinnell, Kansas; brother, David Gallagher and wife Rosie of Oakley, Kansas; sisters, Maryln Rogers of Colby, Kansas, Leanna Sloan and husband Tom of Hoxie, Kansas; Ladonna Joslyn and husband Mark of Hoxie, Kansas and Mary Dumler and husband, Alex of Hoxie, Kansas.

Stan was a quiet soft spoken man with patients of a saint.

A Celebration of Life will be held Tuesday, July 10, 2018, at 2:00 P.M., at the Mickey-Leopold Funeral Home, Hoxie, Kansas. A visitation will be held July 9, 2018, 1:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. with a Rosary service at 7:00 P.M. The family will receive friends from 6:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. A private family inurnment will take place at a later date. The family suggests memorial to the Stan S. Gallagher Memorial Fund, and the may be sent in care of Mickey-Leopold Funeral Home, PO Box 987, Hoxie, Kansas 67740.

“All things are connected,
Whatever befalls the earth
Befalls the sons of the earth.
Man did not weave the web of life.
He is merely a strand in it.
Whatever he does to the web,
He does to himself.”
~ Chief Seattle, 1854 ~

Craig Joseph Walters, 47, Hays, died Friday, July 6, 2018 at HaysMed.

He was born September 19, 1970 in Hays the son of Gerald and Marjorie (Rohr) Walters. In 1989 he graduated from TMP-Marian High school and attended Dodge City Junior College. On July 29, 2000 he was united in marriage to Cindy Rose Flax in Salina, Kansas. He was a cattleman and farmer and worked at Enersys. Growing up he was an avid 4-H member with the Buckeye Jr. Farmers and won grand champion showmanship many times in both the Ellis County Fair and the Salina Free Fair. He was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, and he enjoyed working with cattle, his trucks, and was a huge Dallas Cowboys fan. He was kind hearted, had a wonderful sense of humor and loved his family and children very much.

Survivors include his wife, Cindy of the home in Hays, one son; Clayton Walters of the home, two daughters; Crystal Walters of the home and Christina Walters of Nebraska, his parents; Gerald and Marjorie Walters of Hays, his grandmother; Mildred Walters of Hays, four sisters; Jennifer Husselman and husband Chris of Augusta, KS, Jolene Wellbrock of Hays, Janell Williams of Wichita, Jessica Bridges and husband John of Hays, his father and mother-in-law; Lawrence and Pearl Flax of Salina, brothers and sisters-in-law; Ricky Flax of Salina, Cheryl West and husband Mark and Shelly Roth and husband Tony, all of Texas, and nine nieces and nephews; Lance and Caleb Husselman, Anna Wellbrock, Alyssa and Amaya Williams, Braxton and Sammy Roth, and Hayden and Kellan West.

He was preceded in death by his brother; Curtis J. Walters in 1998 and a brother-in-law; Steve Wellbrock.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 am on Tuesday, July 10, 2018 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 1805 Vine Street, with Fr. Barry Brinkman officiating. Burial will follow in the St. Joseph Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4:00 pm until 8:00 on Monday and from 9:00 am until 9:45 on Tuesday, all at the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine Street. A parish vigil service and rosary will begin at 6:30 pm on Monday at the funeral home.

Memorials are suggested in Craig’s memory to his children’s education fund or to Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church. Condolences and memories of Craig may be left for the family at www.haysmemorial.com

Janis Meredith (Gross) Schwab, 75, Hays, died Monday, June 18, 2018 at her home.

She was born December 29, 1942 in Hays, Kansas the daughter of Joseph Cleveland and Mary Lois (Archer) Gross. Jan grew up on a farm northeast of Russell, attended public schools in Russell and graduated from Russell High School in 1961.

In 1996 she received a B.A. degree in Human Resources Management from Friends University. She lived for most of her adult life in Hays where she attended North Oak Community Church, was a member of Sisters of Survivorship, and volunteered for many organizations, including Relay for Life, Susan Komen Breast Cancer Foundation Fashion Shows, and the Fort Hays State University Senior Companion and Foster Grandparent programs. She was a talented artist and deeply religious.

Survivors include two sons; Lionel Reilly II and wife Jayne of Waldo, KS and Bradley Reilly and wife Stephanie of Houston, TX, two daughters; Deidra Quedensley and husband Brad of Omaha, NE and Heather Branton and husband Vance of Omaha, NE, one brother; Joseph McPherson Gross and wife Karen of Winchester, IL, one sister; Linda Brauner and husband David of Forest Knolls, CA, nine grandchildren; Jessie Reilly, Garrett Reilly, Jack Reilly, Sarah Reilly, Liam Quedensley, Drew Quedensley, Caleigh Cooprider, Taylor Branton, and Olivia Branton, one nephew; Michael Gross of New York City, NY, and three nieces; Angela Gross of San Francisco, CA, Lindsay Brauner, and Hallie Brauner both of Forest Knolls, CA.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

A memorial service will be at 10:00 am on Thursday, July 12, 2018 at the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine Street, Hays with Pastor Ken Ediger officiating. Family will receive friends from 9:30 am until service time.

Memorials may be left in Janis’s memory to The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, in care of the funeral home. Condolences and memories of Janis may be left for the family at www.haysmemorial.com

Josephine Hale, age 86, formerly of Topeka, KS, passed away on Thursday, June 28, 2018 at the Good Samaritan Society-Hays. Josephine was born on June 11, 1932 in Covington, TN at her grandparents’ home to Elbert Lee Roper, Jr. and Mary Frances (Hunt) Roper.

She moved to Oklahoma City at age 8. She attended Lincoln Grade School for a couple of months and later, Edgemere Grade School. Josephine then, attended junior high at Harding and graduated high school at Classen. After high school, she enrolled in junior college at Mt. Vernon in Washington D.C. In 1955, she graduated from Oklahoma University with a BA in Fine Arts Painting. While at OU, she was a member of the Chi Omega Sorority. On December 5, 1955 she married Donald Ray Hale in Oklahoma City and honeymooned in New Orleans, LA. Together, they shared 53 years of marriage until Donald’s passing on January 16, 2009. Josephine was an antiques dealer for much of her life. She enjoyed early American antiques, watching old movies and spending time with her family.

Survivors include her daughter, Elizabeth “Betsy” Lynn Clark and her husband Edwin “Ed” of Hays; brother, John Parrish III; two sisters, Mary Lee Hurst and Laura Midgely; eight grandchildren, Jeremy Clark of Hays, Brandon Clark of Greer, SC, Amber Hale of Topeka, KS, Ashley Feurborn of Carbondale, KS, Tyler Hale of Chesapeake, Virginia, Bobbi Hase of Olathe, KS, Miles Dean of Olathe, KS and Randee Wisdom of Hiawatha, KS as well as five great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Donald Ray Hale; son, Scott Hale; daughter, Alison Hale; and grandson, Joshua Wells.

There will be no visitation as cremation has taken place.

A memorial visitation will be held at the Brock’s-Keithley Funeral Chapel & Crematory on Saturday, July 7, 2018 from 5-7:00 PM.

Inurnment will take place in Topeka, KS at a later date.

Memorial contributions can be made in Josephine’s memory to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37839, Boone, IA 50037 and/or the Salvation Army, 2905 SW Topeka Blvd, Topeka, KS 66611. Contributions can be left or mailed to the funeral home.

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

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

Patricia Marie (Brin) Knipp Ficken of rural Damar, Kansas, died Sunday, July 1, 2018, at the Graham County Hospital, Hill City, Kansas. She was 84.

“Pat,’’ was born on December 21, 1933, to Mary (Morin) and Oliver Brin in Damar, Kansas. She was the eighth of their eleven children.

She graduated from Damar Consolidated High School, class of 1951. Pat met Charles E. Knipp at a dance in Damar. She recalled their first date to a spring wedding at which they danced quite a bit. They married November 5, 1951. They had six children. “Charlie,’’ died an untimely death February 8, 1978, at the age of 53. Pat raised their children and then married Warren Ficken of LaCrosse in October, 1995. Pat and Warren lived together on their farm near Damar until his death in January of this year. Pat remained on the farm.

Pat was a member of the Catholic Diocese of Salina, St. Joseph Parish, Damar, and a former member of St. Anne’s Sodality, Damar, and the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 356, Bogue. She was an Avon dealer for thirty years and a lifelong homemaker. Pat enjoyed outdoor chores such as milking cows as well as skating, dancing, gardening, babysitting, sewing and reading. She developed ataxia in her later years yet remained active and independent. She was a feisty card player, loved her family, continually gave gifts and made people laugh until the end of her life.

Pat was preceded in death by an infant brother, her parents, three sisters and three additional brothers; two grandsons, a daughter-in-law and her husbands.

She is survived by her younger sisters Iona Knipp, Hill City; Annette Benoit, Damar; and Sr. Diane Brin, Rome, Georgia; a daughter, Jeanice and husband Sidney Gosselin, Norton; sons: Daniel and wife Cindi, Francis, Doug and wife Lori, Rodney and girlfriend Patty Akins and Mark and wife Ann, all of Damar; 22 grandchildren; 33 great grandchildren; 3 great-great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. She will be greatly missed by everyone who knew and loved her.

Click HERE for service details.

Norma Kathleen Wiedeman, 67, passed away on June 30th, 2018 in Colorado Springs, CO. 

Norma was born October 24th, 1950 in Dallas, TX to Sam and Juanita Bradley. She was the youngest of four children, and the only daughter (Sammy, Kenny, Willy).

She spent most of her life in Texas, but would later live in Colorado, and eventually Kansas. Norma was an amazing and free spirit that blessed everyone’s life she touched.

She was preceded in death by her husband and love of her life, Steve Wiedeman, and their four damn dogs: Gretchen, Levi, Dallas, and Wags (who passed away last month).

Norma is survived by her brother Sammy, sister-in-law Carol, nephew Sammy, Sammy’s wife Mary, son Robin, daughter-in-law Bekka, and grandchildren Nick and Roxy, as well as her many beloved friends.

Goodbye, our little Texas Rose, you will be always missed and never forgotten.

Graveside services will be held on Monday, July 9, 2018 at 10:00 AM MT at the Sharon Springs Cemetery in Sharon Springs, KS with Pastor Seth McGregor officiating.  Visitation will be held on Sunday, July 8, 2018 from 5:00 to 7:00 PM MT at Koons-Russell Funeral Home in Sharon Springs.

Memorials may be designated to the Northwest Kansas Animal Shelter 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.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Koons-Russell Funeral Home in Sharon Springs.

Melvin “Mel” James Pfannenstiel, age 76, of Hays, Kansas passed away on Wednesday, July 4th, 2018 at HaysMed. He was born February 27, 1942 in Munjor, Kansas to Theodore “Ted” J. and Pauline (Wittman) Pfannenstiel. He was a graduate of Hays High School and Fort Hays State University.

Mel was a car salesman for Happy’s Auto in Hays. He was an avid sports fan particularly the KU Jayhawks.

He is survived by a son, Theodore J. Pfannenstiel of Syracuse, NY; three brothers, Kenneth J. Pfannenstiel and wife Ann of Hays, Thomas J. Pfannenstiel of Kansas City, KS and Gordon F. Pfannenstiel and wife Lynn of Russell, KS and a sister, Annette Pfannenstiel-Brhel of Syracuse, NY.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Funeral services was 10:30 AM Monday, July 9, 2018 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Munjor. Inurnment followed in the church cemetery with Fr. Jarett Konrade officiated.

A Memorial visitation was Monday at the church 9:30 AM.

Memorial contributions are suggested to St. Francis Church.

Arrangements in care of Brock’s-Keithley Funeral Chapel & Crematory, 2509 Vine St., Hays, KS 67601.

Condolences may be left by guest book at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com or by email at [email protected].