Wanda Mae Farr, 54, passed away March 29, 2018, at the Olathe Medical Center in Olathe, Kansas, surrounded by her family. She was born November 30, 1963, to Claude and Ina Marie (Scott) Pierce and was raised in Oberlin. Wanda attended Oberlin Elementary School and Decatur Community High School, later earning her General Education Diploma, which she was very proud of.

For the past 10 years, Wanda and husband Stann Hartzog made their home in Jennings and farmed in the Jennings area. She enjoyed driving her combine, baling, calving time and all aspects of farming and the rural way of life. In addition, Wanda had worked as a bartender, something she enjoyed very much. Spending time with family was important to her, especially with her five grandchildren. She liked to watch football and was an avid Pittsburg Steelers fan. Wanda was a gentle and kind soul and her presence will be greatly missed.

Survivors include Stann Hartzog of Jennings; two sons, Matthew Farr (Tiffanie) of Gothenburg, NE, and Wiley Farr of Cozad, NE; mother, Ina Marie Goodnight of Oberlin; brother, Mitchell Pickett (Rhonda) of Hayes Center, NE; half-brother, Randy Pierce (Sue); two sisters, Rhonda Barth (Mick) of Oberlin and Valerie Faris of Oberlin; three half-sisters, Beck Pierce, Cindy Ware and Jenifer Pierce; five beloved grandchildren: Brittani, Kylie, Carsen, Justice and Kadence; nephews and nieces, other relatives and many friends.

Wanda was preceded in death by her father and a son, Eric Boyde Farr.

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Margaret Elizabeth Ridgway, age 97, of Ellis, passed away on Friday, March 16, 2018 at the Good Samaritan Society, Ellis. She was born on February 7,1921, at home in WaKeeney, KS, to Beryl (Hanks) and W.C. Wollner and was the third of four children. A cum lauded graduate of Trego community High School, she was a member of the National Honor Society. While in high school, she worked as an usher at the Kelly Theatre in WaKeeney.

She worked as a writer and copy editor at the Western Kansas World in WaKeeney where she met her future husband, Roy LuVerne Ridgway, who was a Linotype operator there. Margaret and LuVerne married in 1941 and made their home at the Ridgway farm in Trego County which was homesteaded by Cleggett Castille Ridgway, LuVerne’s grandfather in 1878. Their only child, Richard, was born in 1944.

The Ridgway farm raised Richard, wheat and beef cattle. After Richard was in school, Margaret worked as a dental assistant to Dr. F.A. Brown in Ellis for several years. Margaret and LuVerne had many friends in the area and made many new ones during their winter trips to Casa Grande, AZ, traveling in and enjoying their Fifth Wheel camper. After a sudden illness and hospitalization, LuVerne died in 1995. Margaret continued to manage and live on the Ridgway farm keeping it as her husband would have kept it.

She was an active member of the Ellis United Methodist Church, the Y.M.P. Club and the P.E.O. and volunteered at long-term-care facilities in Ellis and WaKeeney up until the time she moved into the Meadowlark assisted living facility at the Good Samaritan Center in Ellis in 2010.

She is survived by her son, Richard and daughter-in-law, Krispen of St, Paul, MN, her granddaughter, Erin Zolotukhin-Ridgway (Andrei) and great grandson, Maxim of St. Paul, MN, her grandson Benjamin. Ridgway (Eugenie Chao) of Tacoma, WA.

Funeral services will be 10:30 AM on Tuesday, April 3, 2018 at the Ellis United Methodist Church. Burial will be in the Ogallah Cemetery.

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

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Ellis United Methodist Church or the Good Samaritan Foundation to benefit the Ellis Good Samaritan Center.

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

Clarence W. Bieker passed away Friday, March 30, 2018 at his home in Hoxie, Kansas at the age of 83. He was born on August 27, 1934 in Rural Sheridan County to the late Louis and Ludwina (Munsch) Bieker. He was the third of thirteen children. Clarence grew up in Hoxie, Kansas and attended the Hoxie Schools. He entered the United States Army in 1957. He was stationed in Salt Lake City, Utah where he met and married Virginia J. Butcher on July 16, 1959 in Kearns, Utah. After Clarence was discharged from the Army, they continued to live in Salt Lake City for a short while. Clarence and Virginia moved to Topeka, Kansas where their first daughter Kathy was born, to Hoxie where Michele and Lisa were born, moved to Kearns, Utah where Mike was born, to Oberlin, Kansas, to Colby where David was born, finally moving to Hoxie that became their permanent home. Kevin and Christina were born after the final move to Hoxie. They raised a family of seven children.

Clarence was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend. He worked at several jobs, but he worked most of the time as a service station attendant and retired from the Hoxie Co-op. When Clarence was not working, he loved to fish and garden, hunt, watch sports, bird watch, listen to country music, watch KU basketball, Fox News, “Wheel of Fortune”, old movies, and nature shows like “Alaska, the Last Frontier”. In his younger years he loved to play basketball. He enjoyed getting his mail every day from various charities that he could provide donations. Clarence always had a pack of Double Mint gum in his pocket and a dish full of candy for his grandchildren. Most of all Clarence was devoted to family and loved and cared for them with all his heart. One great memory the family has is when their dad would make pancakes on Sunday mornings after they had all been to church.

Clarence was a member of the St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church of Hoxie. All his life, Clarence’s faith was important to him. He felt every day it was essential to pray the rosary and for all the souls in purgatory, something he modeled and impressed upon his family.

Clarence is survived by his loving wife, Virginia of the home; sons, Mike Bieker and wife Laurie of Colorado Springs, Colorado, David Bieker and Kevin Bieker of Hoxie, Kansas; daughters, Kathy Riedel of Quinter, Kansas, Lisa Bieker of Hoxie, Kansas, Michele Mason and husband Michael of Colorado Springs, Colorado, and Christina Hall and husband Brian of Sublette, Kansas; brothers, Ralph Bieker of Hoxie, Kansas, Eugene Bieker of Oberlin, Kansas, Alex Bieker and wife Willetta of McCook, Nebraska, and Charles Bieker and wife Sue of Salina, Kansas; sisters, Eleanora Douglass of Afton, Oklahoma, Mary Kay Sanders and husband Bill of Hoxie, Kansas, and Elizabeth Ann Stillman of Hoxie, Kansas; twenty-one grandchildren; sixteen great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

He was preceded in death by parents, Louis and Ludwina Bieker; brothers, Tony Bieker and Harold Bieker; and sisters, Viola Bieker, Barbara Lynn Irwin, and Louise Bryant.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, April 6, 2018, 10:30 A.M. at the St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church, Hoxie, Kansas with interment to follow in the Hoxie City Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday, April 5, 2018 from 11:00 A.M. until 8:00 P.M. with family receiving friends from 6:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. with a Vigil at 7:00 P.M., all at the Mickey-Leopold Funeral Home in Hoxie. Memorials are suggested to the Sheridan County Benefit Walk and may be sent in care of Mickey-Leopold Funeral Home, PO Box 987, Hoxie, Kansas 67740. Condolences may be left at mickeyleopoldfuneral.com

It has been said, “Kindness is like a seed that when cultivated will continue to grow”. Clarence was a man who loved his Lord, Jesus Christ, and passed that love on to his family so it would continue to grow and be nurtured in their lives. He tended the hearts and souls of all who knew him and made a life that will continue to grow for eternity.

Gola Lee (Brokaw) Williams passed away on Thursday, March 29, 2018 at Redbud Village in Plainville, Kansas at the age of 93. She was born on September 20, 1924 in rural Rooks County, Kansas to the late William J. and Mildred (Liebenau) Brokaw. She grew up in Rooks County and graduated from Stockton High School with the Class of 1942. She later eloped with Eldon A. Williams and they were united in marriage on December 29, 1942 in Santa Monica, California. They were blessed with two children, Terry and Karen.

Gola was a loving hardworking wife, mother, and grandmother. Along with raising her family, she worked as a secretary for several local businesses, the last one being Schult Homes of Plainville, from which she retired. Her home and yard were always decorated with beautiful flower gardens, and she made certain that her grandchildren never ran out of her homemade cookies. She continued to babysit, even for her great-grandchildren, well into her 80’s. Before Eldon passed away they spent several winters in Arizona, and she always loved camping and being outdoors. She was a member of First Christian Church in Plainville, Dorcas Ladies ministry, and Rooks County Health Center Auxiliary.

Gola is survived by her son Terry Williams of Cape Girardeau, MO; daughter Karen Vanhoose and husband Orvil of Plainville; grandchildren Cory and Christy Stahl, Brett Stahl, Kyle Williams, Kim Williams, Kristina Williams, Tyler Williams, Dr. Chuck and Brenda Mader, Dan and Heather Mader, Nikki and Jason Rivers, and Joel and Sheila Vanhoose; and fourteen great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents William and Mildred Brokaw, husband Eldon Williams, and brother Leonard Brokaw.

The Apostle Paul reminds us, “Now these three remain: faith, hope, and love… but the greatest of these is love.” Gola lived her life setting an example, for each of us, how to love one another. For her family, friends, and neighbors, she leaves a legacy that proves, the greatest of these is love.

A Memorial Service will be held at 10:30am on Wednesday, April 4, 2018 at Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home in Plainville. Burial will follow in the Plainville City Cemetery. There will be no visitation.

Lifelong Goodland, Kansas, resident Rita Marie Erickson, 90, passed away on Friday, March 30, 2018 at Wheat Ridge Acres in Goodland. She was affectionately known as GMa or GG.

Rita was born on October 21, 1927 in Dodge, Nebraska, the daughter of Adolf and Bessie (Stecher) Evert. When Rita was a little girl, the family moved to Goodland. She attended school in Goodland, and graduated from Sherman County High School in 1945. She married Robert Andrew Erickson in Goodland on May 18, 1948. To this union, six children were born. Rita worked at Safeway for many years before retiring, and then worked as a cook for USD 352 at the Grant Jr. High School.

Rita was very active with Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church serving as President of the Ladies Auxiliary, helping deliver communion to the home bound members of the church community. Rita was also a very active member of the Lowell Coleman Post 1133 Ladies Auxiliary, serving as President and Conductress for several years. Rita is most known for her famous cinnamon rolls, crescent rolls and bread, in addition to making pies for the church fair booth.

Preceding her in death were her parents, her husband Robert, son William, sisters Delores, Wilma, Lorena, Dorothy, and brothers LeRoy, Robert John and Norval.

She is survived by her children; Mary Ann (Mike) Elliott of Goodland, KS, Richard (Teresa) Erickson of Tulsa, OK, Barbara (Kent) Whisler of Manhattan, KS, Phillip (Kathy) Erickson of Goodland, KS and Donna (Bob) Hagans of Severance, CO. She is also survived by eleven grandchildren and twenty-three great grandchildren, as well as two sisters; Loretta Boyington and Norma Graham.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, April 4, 2018 at 10:00 AM MT at the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church with Father Norbert Dlabal officiating. Burial will follow in the Goodland Cemetery, Goodland, KS.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, April 3, 2018 from 5:00 to 7:00 PM MT at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, with a Vigil and Rosary service to begin at 7:00 PM MT.

Memorials are designated to the Veterans Home of Kansas or to the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Goodland, 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 services are entrusted to Koons-Russell Funeral Home in Goodland, Kansas.

Angela Janice (Krob) McNeal passed away on Wednesday, March 28, 2018 at Rooks County Health Center in Plainville, Kansas at the age of 75. She was born on September 24, 1942 in Plainville to the late Charles and Donavene (Benedick) Krob. Her early childhood days were spent growing up on the farm near Fairport, Kansas. Later the family moved to a farm near Woodston, Kansas where she attended country school before attending Paradise High School with the Class of 1960. It was here she met the love of her life, Denzil McNeal. They were united in marriage on December 28, 1958 at the Paradise Methodist Church.

Angela was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, friend, and neighbor. Her family was the center of her life, and if she knew you, you were considered family. A talented homemaker, she enjoyed making and sharing baby quilts, afghans, alphabet & number books, pillows, and crocheted doilies. She was an amazing cook, and always made sure that no one left her table hungry. She liked relaxing with her color books and was an avid collector of salt and pepper shakers. Her love for her family was second only to her love for her Lord. She was a member of Plainville Nazarene Church and relished the time she spent with her church family in worship and fellowship.

Angela is survived by her husband Denzil McNeal of the home in Stockton; children Teri McAmoil and husband Dan of Penokee, D.J. McNeal and wife Kathy of Natoma, Devin McNeal of Ozark, MO, and LaDonna Shetterly of Stockton; sisters Pam Terry and husband Charles of Bakersfield, CA, and Shiela Jones of Plainville; brother Tim Krob and wife Amanda of Garfield; grandchildren Chris Crawford, Melanie and Jason Nelson, April and Vincent Hofstetter, Ed and Cierra McAmoil, Dawn and Brett Horyna, Crystal Lehmann, Amanda and Joe Wagner, Jeremy and Stefanie McNeal, Danielle McNeal, Kyle Burch, Kelley Burch, TJ and Chelsea Butler, Miles and Julia Shetterly, Alex Shetterly, and Raymond and Breanna Shetterly; and great-grandchildren Madalyn, Claudia, Sada, Tate, Jase, Emma, Adaline, Waylon, Elizabeth, Cody, Nathan, Tyler, Kaitlyn, Aubrey, Kira, Evelyn, Miya, Kolby, Maggy, Connor, Carter, Christopher, and Levi.

She was preceded in death by her parents Charles and Donavene Krob.

The Psalmist David said, “The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him.” Angela was a woman of strong faith who trusted every aspect of her life to the hands of her Lord. Although we love and miss her greatly, we rejoice that the strength and protection He gave her is no longer needed, for now her trust has found fulfillment in the same loving hands that have now carried her home.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:00am on Monday, April 2, 2018 at Plainville Nazarene Church. Burial will follow at Cedar Bluff Cemetery in Osborne County. Visitation will be from 2:00-8:00pm on Sunday at the funeral home in Plainville with family receiving friends from 4:30-6:00pm.

Mary Ann (Prester) Steinle passed away on Monday, March 26, 2018 at Hillside Village of De Soto, Kansas at the age of 80. She was born on April 7, 1937 in Russell, Kansas to the late Fred and Elizabeth (Milberger) Prester. She grew up in the Dorrance, Kansas area and was united in marriage to Leo David Steinle. They were blessed with four sons, Gary, Duane, Terry, and Bobby.

Mary Ann was a loving and hardworking farmwife and mother. A woman of deep faith, she was a member of First Lutheran Church in Dorrance. When her husband fell ill, she took care of him, worked the farm, and raised her boys. She worked part-time at the café in Dorrance and was also a member of the American Legion Auxiliary. Always a delightful and cheerful woman, she encouraged family and friends alike with her positive outlook and grateful attitude. An avid Kansas University Jayhawk fan, she never missed a game on her radio or television, and cheered them on into the Final Four this year. Her Lord and family were the loves of her life, but she also had a special affection for fried chicken.

Mary Ann is survived by her sons Gary Steinle and wife Andrea of Morrison, CO, Terry Steinle of Porterville, CA, and Bobby Steinle and wife Suzanne of Lawrence; daughter-in-law Teri-Lynette Steinle of Porterville, CA; grandchildren Matthew Tyler, Sean David, Jackson Daniel, and Natasha Elyse; and great-grandchildren Harper Michelle, Henry David, and Vera June.

She was preceded in death by her parents Fred and Elizabeth Prester, husband Leo David Steinle, and son Duane Steinle.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:30am on Saturday, March 31, 2018 at First Lutheran Church in Dorrance. Burial will follow in the Dorrance City Cemetery. There will be no visitation.