Duane Woodrow Shackelford, age 62, of Monument, passed away on June 9, 2018 at his home. He was born February 21, 1956 in Denver, Colorado, to Jim and Tresa (Burris) Shackelford. Duane was known by many of his family and friends as “Pete” or “Slim” and graduated from Oakley High School.
He worked for many years at the Pioneer Feedlot in Oakley and enjoyed his job there. “Pete”/”Slim” loved to run the big equipment and even after he stopped working, he still loved to tinker with his front-end loader and his other machinery. He was a collector of many things. Slim loved to sit and watch movies and enjoyed visiting with his family and friends at social gatherings. His family wishes to thank everyone for all their support, assistance, and prayers.
He was preceded in death by his parents. Survivors include his brothers: Harold Burris of Oakley and Lincoln Bohall, and sisters: Shirley Arnberger of Colby, Elaine Prom of Monument, and Sharon DeSpain of Colorado Springs, Colorado, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Funeral service: 10:30 a.m. Friday, June 15, 2018, at Kennedy-Koster Funeral Home, Oakley, with Pastor Bob Kelly officiating. Interment will follow in the Monument Township Cemetery. Visitation: Thursday, 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home, Oakley. Memorials to the Duane Shackelford Memorial Fund may be sent to the funeral home, PO Box 221, Oakley 67748.
Sharon L. Anderson, age 66, passed away May 30, 2018 at the Wheatland Nursing Center in Russell, Kansas. She was born March 1, 1952 in West Palm Beach, Florida to Ernie and Betty (Tardy) Delburn. She married Stephen Anderson on January 31, 1985. He preceded her in death.
Sharon was a RN for several central Kansas facilities and home health care providers. She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary of Ness City. She enjoyed reading and being with her family.
She is survived by a son Shane Anderson and wife Jennifer and children, Robbie, Kevin and Donny all of Great Falls, Montana; a daughter, Olivia Anderson and her daughter Grace both of Claflin, Kansas; step daughters, Margie King and Sammie and family and Kimberly Waters of Florida; and a brother, Kevin Delburn of Florida.
She was preceded in death by her parents and a son, Donny Anderson.
Private family services will be held at a later date. Arrangements in care of Brock’s-Keithley Funeral Chapel and Crematory 2509 Vine Hays, KS 67601.
Condolences may be left by guest book at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com or by email at [email protected].
Phillipsburg resident Maxine Walker passed away Monday, June 11, 2018 at the Phillips County Retirement Center in Phillipsburg at the age of 87.
She was born June 26, 1930 in Oberlin, KS, the daughter of Orville & Opal (Sweet) Smallberger. She married Verle L. Walker on June 14, 1953. He preceded her in death on April 4, 1995.
Survivors include her daughter, Jean Stapel (David) of Phillipsburg, and three grandchildren.
Funeral services will be Saturday, June 16, at 10:30 a.m. in the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, Phillipsburg, with Pastor Chris Davis officiating. Burial will follow in the Fairview Cemetery, Phillipsburg.
Visitation will be Thursday, June 14, from noon – 9 p.m. and again Friday, June 15, from 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be given to the Maxine Walker Memorial Fund. Online condolences to: www.olliffboeve.com.
Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, Phillipsburg, is in charge of arrangements.
Timothy “Tim” J. Butts, 35, passed away on June 9, 2018 at his home in Augusta, Kansas.
Tim was a bright light to all that knew him and made friends with people from all walks of life. Many remember him for his sense of humor, his love of horror movies, and his penchant for collecting and selling things that he enjoyed such as comics, video games and pop culture figures.
Timothy ‘Tim’ J. Butts
Tim grew up in El Dorado, Kansas, where he attended El Dorado High School and Butler Community College, earning a Digital Media Certificate. He worked at the El Dorado Antique Mall, El Bowl Bowling Alley where he also bowled on a league, Circle School District, and the Walmart in Augusta.
Tim was born August 13, 1982. He struggled with a rare genetic kidney disease called Cystinosis, a progressive and terminal disease. Tim was an only child and was very close with his parents, Troy and Pam.
He was the first person in Kansas to be diagnosed with the disease in 1983 and miraculously lived beyond every life expectancy given to him, thanks in large part to the care and diligence of his mom Pam and the gift of a kidney from his aunt Bev Robles.
Troy had quadriplegia as the result of an accident at the age of 22 but didn’t let that hold him back in life. As a result, Tim did not let his disease define him. He lived his life to the fullest, with humor, positivity, kindness and love. The family drew on each other’s strengths as they made it through each obstacle that came their way.
On July 11, 2009, Tim married his best friend, Sara, and they lived in Wichita, El Dorado, and Augusta throughout their marriage. Rather than having children, they had two cats, Trouble and Magnum, who brought a lot of joy to their lives. Sara works as a librarian at Wichita State University in Wichita.
Tim is preceded in death by his dad, Troy Butts of El Dorado; his grandpa Neil Butts of Goodland; grandparents Roy and Vera Beem of Goodland; his uncle Mike Butts; his aunt Patty Mills (Butts); his aunt Dee Butts (Wisby); and his uncles Ronald “Ron” and Donald “Don” Settle, originally of Leadville, Colorado.
He is survived by his wife Sara Butts (Fisher); mother Pamela “Pam” Butts (Beem) of El Dorado; grandma Barbara “Barb” Butts (Carl) of Goodland; aunts and uncles Rod Butts of Goodland; Tony and Michelle Butts of Colby; Kathie and Lonnie LaCome of Leadville, Colorado; Beverly “Bev” and Luis Robles of Denver; Patricia “Trish” and Eric Bechtel of Moscow, Idaho; Keith Beem of El Dorado; and many other relatives.
Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. MST Saturday, June 16 at Koons-Russell Funeral Home in Goodland, Kansas. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, June 16 at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be designated to the Cystinosis Research Foundation, National Kidney Foundation, or Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice of Wichita and may be left at the services or mailed to Koons-Russell Funeral Home, 211 N. Main Ave., Goodland, KS 67735.
Longtime Sharon Springs, Kansas, resident Karl Douglas Benisch, 67, passed away on Saturday, June 9, 2018 at the Greeley County Hospital in Tribune, Kansas.
Karl Benisch
Karl was born on Feb. 28, 1951 in Wakeeney, Kansas, to Clarence R. and Edith (Mangold) Benisch.He was one of three children.Karl attended school at Harrison Flats and graduated from Wallace County High School in 1969.He worked for 38 years as a parts salesman for the local Case IH dealer in Sharon Springs.
Karl had a love for the outdoors. He enjoyed hunting, shooting and tinkering with odds and ends.
Preceding Karl in death were his parents, Clarence and Edith Benisch, and his brother Francis Benisch.
He is survived by his sister, Barb Stockhaus of McCook, Nebraska; and four children Trent (Ambareen) Benisch of Falls Church, Virginia, Jevon (Wendy) Benisch of Sharon Springs, Danele (Josh) Wendland of Greenleaf, Kansas, and Kamee (Ben) Meyer of Washington, Kansas.He is also survived by his eight grandchildren, Ela, Joss, Jersi, Kemper, Gracen, Gaige, Grainger, and Gaines.
Memorial services for Karl will be at 9:30 a.m. MT Saturday, June 16, 2018 at the Sharon Springs United Methodist Church in Sharon Springs with Reverend Paul McNall officiating.Inurnment will follow in the Sharon Springs Cemetery.
Memorials are designated to the Karl Benisch Memorial Fund and may be left at the services or mailed to Koons-Russell Funeral Home, 211 N. Main Ave., Goodland, KS 67735.
The Janousek Funeral Home of La Crosse, Kansas, has announced Funeral Services for Ida A. Pfeifer, 96, Liebenthal, will be 10 a.m. Thursday, June 14, 2018, at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, La Crosse, Kansas.
Vernon A. Pfannenstiel, 81, Munjor, died Saturday, June 9, 2018 at Shawnee Mission Medical Center.
He was born August 22, 1936 in Hays the son of Edward and Oliva (Lang) Pfannenstiel. A graduate of Hays High School in 1954, he was united in marriage to Anna Mae Zimmerman on October 8, 1960 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Munjor. They celebrated over 51 years of marriage before she preceded him in death on June 8, 2012.
Vernon was a lifelong farmer and member of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, and he was also the owner of the Country Market in Munjor. He was an avid baseball and sports fan and enjoyed KU and FHSU athletics and the Kansas City Royals.
Survivors include five sons; Kevin Pfannenstiel and Dawn of Munjor, Keith Pfannenstiel and wife Jody of Hays, Vernon Pfannenstiel, Jr. and wife Autumn of Lenexa, Greg Pfannenstiel and wife Rene of Shawnee, and Troy Pfannenstiel and wife Laura of Orion, IL, a brother; Verlin Pfannenstiel and wife Elaine of Hays, six sisters; Darlene Dinges and husband Bob of Dalton, Georgia, Jeanette Tauscher and husband Charlie and Juanita Stecklein and husband Alan, all of Hays, Judy Pfannenstiel and husband Dave Waxse of Overland Park, Mary Ann Pfannenstiel-Miller and husband Tim of Leawood, and Joyce Allen and husband Gene of Atchison, twelve grandchildren; Josh Pfannenstiel, Ali Pfannenstiel, Sydni Pfannenstiel, Kyle Pfannenstiel, Randi Ziegler, Korey Pfannenstiel, Erin Engel, Cameron Pfannenstiel, Danielle Pfannenstiel, Alexis Pfannenstiel, Kian Pfannenstiel, and Owen Pfannenstiel, eight great-grandchildren; Brody Pfannenstiel, Kaydan Bednasek, Jordan Robinson, Makia Hykes, Kolter Pfannenstiel, Kyson Ziegler, Kimber Pfannenstiel, and Kambrie Ziegler, and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife Anna Mae Pfannenstiel.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 am on Thursday, June 14, 2018 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Munjor with Fr. Earl Meyer and Fr. Reggie Urban officiating. Burial will follow in the St. Francis Cemetery. A parish vigil service will be at 6:30 pm followed by a recitation of the rosary, both on Wednesday at the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine Street. Visitation will be from 4:00 pm until 8:00 on Wednesday and from 9:00 am until 9:40 on Thursday, all at the funeral home.
Memorials are suggested to St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, in care of the funeral home. Condolences and memories of Vernon may be left for the family at www.haysmemorial.com.
Letha Mae Harris, 81, of Russell, Kansas, died on Monday, June 04, 2018, at the Wheatland Nursing Center in Russell, Kansas.
Letha was born on August 05, 1936, in Norton County Kansas, the daughter of George E. and Evelyn G. (Cramer) Hendrickson. She grew up in the Norton county area and attended local schools. She also lived in Calvert county, Kansas and Almena, Kansas areas before moving to Colorado. She met, fell in love and was united in marriage to Albert S. Harris on November 30, 1974, in St. Rose Lima, Denver, Colorado. They were blessed with 4 children Randy, Ronda, Barry and Stephanie. She worked as a waitress for F.W. Woolworth and worked there for 40 years until her retirement in 1994. She was a member of St. Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church in Russell was a former member of St. Rose Lima Catholic Church in Denver. She enjoyed playing bingo and couponing. Mostly she enjoyed spending time with her family and organizing family barbeques and especially enjoyed spending time with her many grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Surviving family include her children son Randy Gonzales of Hays, Kansas, daughter Ronda Towery of Russell, Kansas, son Barry Harris of St. Petersburg, Florida and daughter Stephanie Beste of Denver, Colorado; 10 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren; brothers Larry Hendrickson of Denver, Colorado and David Hendrickson of Hays, Kansas and a sister Alice Hawks of Almena, Kansas. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband and sister Donna Maltsbarger.
A memorial service to celebrate Letha’s life will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Wednesday, June 13, 2018, at the Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary Chapel. Services will conclude at the mortuary. Family will greet guests the day of the service. Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas, is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.
Eugene “Gene” Jacobs, age 96, of Hays, KS, passed away on Saturday, June 9, 2018 at Good Samaritan Society-Hays.
Gene was born on July 1, 1921 in Pfeifer, KS to John and Pauline (Roth) Jacobs. He married Lillian Klaus on February 23, 1952 in Pfeifer, KS. She preceded him in death on September 3, 2014. Gene graduated from Schoenchen High School. He was an avid athlete and excelled in all sports. After high school, he attended Fort Hays College and was on the football team. Gene’s memberships included Holy Cross Catholic Church, St. Joseph Catholic Church, and third degree Knights of Columbus Council #4166 in Schoenchen. He was co-founder of the Ellis County Volga German Society and Holy Cross Charities. He was also a board member of Gorham Coop and USD #432, Victoria for numerous years. He was a lifelong farmer in the Pfeifer area, oil pumper, and retired from the City of Russell as a well supervisor. Gene loved to watch sports and was a fan of KU Basketball and the KC Royals. He attended several K-State Football Bowl games as a KU fan. Most of all, Gene enjoyed attending his granddaughter’s sport activities. He was never a stranger to anyone, had numerous stories and jokes with an infectious smile and will be dearly missed.
Survivors include his two daughters, Patty Way and her husband Larry of Wichita, KS, Debbie Hoffman and her husband Tom of Hays; two sisters, Flo Beilman and Rosie Ziegler; two granddaughters, Whitney Woods and her husband Adam of Norman, OK, Kaylee Hoffman and her significant other, J.T. Thurston of Shawnee, KS; step-granddaughter, Brandi Way of Wichita, KS; one great-grandson, Zaddik Woods and three step great-grandchildren, Ryan, Tayton & Mallory. He also leaves behind many nieces, nephews and friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Lillian; four brothers, Lee, Florian, Adolph & Marcy Jacobs; three sisters, Armella Schulte, Erma Chrnalogar & Marietta Hillenkamp.
A Funeral Mass will be at 10:30 AM on Wednesday, June 13, 2018 at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Pfeifer, KS. Burial will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, June 12, from 4-8:00 PM and Wednesday from 9-10:00 AM at the Brock’s-Keithley Funeral Chapel & Crematory, 2509 Vine St., Hays, KS 67601.
A Schoenchen Knights of Columbus Council #4166 rosary will be held at 6:30 PM followed by a parish vigil service at 7:00 PM both at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions can be made in Gene’s loving memory to Holy Cross Charities and/or St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Hays.
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.
Jacob Lee Christie was born February 26, 1990, in Hiawatha, Kansas, to David Christie and Denise (Heineken)(Christie) Miller. He was loved deeply by two sets of parents, David Christie, Mik Christie, and Tim and Denise Miller.
Jacob was baptized at the First United Methodist Church, Hiawatha, Kansas, in 1990. He had a heart as big as they come. He was a loving and accepting young man that never met a stranger. Jacob loved his family, his friends, and life on the farm. As a boy he was active in 4-H and FFA, along with several other school organizations. He shared so many wonderful memories with both the Millers and Heinekens, and life will never be the same for either family without him. Jacob enjoyed hunting and fishing and proudly hosted his dad and Uncle Dean for deer season in the Kensington area, and spent time hunting in the Effingham area, as well. He also enjoyed attending Nascar Race Events and the yearly Christie family reunion in Branson with his dad.
After graduating from West Smith County High School in 2008, Jacob attended Kansas State University for 2 years. He joined the Army National Guard in 2012, completing Basic Training at Fort Jackson and AIT at Fort Lee.
Jacob enjoyed working outside, and also had an interest in electricity. He worked for Heineken Electric, Inc., BIH Plumbing and Electric, and also American Family Insurance. He was indispensable on the farm during wheat harvest and every time something needed repaired, because he was such a natural mechanic. Following the death of his little sister, Courtney, in 2015, (the day after his 25th birthday) Jacob struggled to find meaning in life. Jacob will always be remembered for his courage in difficult times. Though the battle proved to be too much, on June 8, 2018, we know he is now at rest in the arms of Jesus.
Jacob is survived by families, Tim, Denise, Elly, and Logan Miller, and David and Rhonda (Schuetz ) Christie, beloved stepmother Mik Christie, Jordan Gormley and Lindsey Rhodd. Grandparents Nancy Heineken, Nancy Christie, Darlene Miller, Toni Hull, and Ed and Deb Christian also survive, along with many Uncles, Aunts and cousins. He was preceded in death by a sister, Courtney Faith Miller, and grandfathers, F. Robert Christie, Leon J. Heineken, and Dean T. Miller.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 20, at Heartland Worship Center in Agra, Kansas. Following cremation, Jacob will rest beside his sister in the Family Memorial Garden at the Miller home, and honored in a private family service. In lieu of flowers memorial donations will be accepted to the Jacob Christie Memorial Fund and designated at later time.
The Janousek Funeral Home of La Crosse, Kansas, has announced Funeral Services for Anna M. Schenk, 92, La Crosse, will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 13, 2018, at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, La Crosse.
Duane Woodrow Shackelford, age 62, of Monument, passed away on June 9, 2018 at his home. He was born February 21, 1956 in Denver, Colorado, to Jim and Tresa (Burris) Shackelford. Duane was known by many of his family and friends as “Pete” or “Slim” and graduated from Oakley High School.
