Donald H. Vistuba, 79, of Gorham, Kansas, passed away Sunday, March 4, 2018 after a courageous battle with cancer.

Don was born December1, 1938 in Pawnee City, Nebraska, the son of Donald F. and Maytha K. (Jensen) Vistuba. Growing up Don and his family lived in Steinaur, Nebraska, Marysville, Kansas, Oketa, Kansas, Winifred, Kansas and then in 1953 his family moved to Gorham. He graduated from Gorham High School in 1957.

Don met, fell in love, and was united in marriage to Donna Tittel on October 12, 1958 in Milberger, Kansas. They made their home in Russell and Gorham before Don served his country in the U.S. Army during 1961 to 1963. During which they lived at Ft. Leonardwood in Missouri and Ft. Benning in Georgia. Then they returned to the Gorham area.

Don was a Lineman and later a Supervisor for Midwest Energy Company from 1955 to 1996. He was involved with the Gorham Fire Department from 1961 to 1999 and was the Fire Chief for over 11 years. He was a founding member and President of the Gorham Development Association, a founding member of the Butterfield Trail Auto Club and a founding member of the Gorham Community Church. Don enjoyed restoring old cars and motorcycles, fishing, golfing, boating, watching the Royals, playing Texas Hold’em, and traveling to Zapata, Texas during the winter with Donna. He loved teaching local children the song “Barley Boo”. He was a humorous person that loved to make friends and family laugh, attend car shows and always looking for a good bargain.

Don’s surviving family include his wife of 59 years, Donna of the home; three children, Jeff Vistuba of Frisco, Texas; Kristi Crumrine (Bob) of Olathe, Kansas and Jason Vistuba (Staci) of Overland Park, Kansas; sister, Colleen Hall (Richard) of Colorado Springs, Colorado; four grandchildren, Kirstin Crumrine, Tylor Crumrine, Jillian Vistuba and Ashlyn Vistuba. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother Jim Vistuba.

Celebration of Don’s Life will be held at 10:30 AM Thursday, March 8, 2018 at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell. Burial will follow at the Russell City Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm Wednesday, March 7, 2018 at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary with the family present to greet friends from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM. A Memorial has been established with the Gorham Community Church. Contributions and condolences may be sent to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, who is in charge of these arrangement.

Longtime Goodland, Kansas, resident Esther Kathryn Beard, 99, passed away on Friday, March 2, 2018 at the Goodland Regional Medical Center in Goodland.
Esther was born on February 24, 1919 in Beaver City, Nebraska, to John William and Mary Ellen (Cameron) Garey. She was an only child. She grew up in Beaver City and graduated from Beaver City High School in 1937.

On April 18, 1942, Esther married Almo Lee Beard in Beaver City. To this union, three children; Margaret, John and David were born. The family lived in Beaver City and Bertrand until 1957, when they then moved to Benkelman, Nebraska. In 1998, Esther moved from Benkelman, to Goodland.

Esther enjoyed traveling, quilting, card games, jigsaw puzzles, and most of all spending time with all her grandchildren.

Preceding her in death were her parents, and her husband Almo.

She is survived by her three children; Margaret Kaufman of Goodland, KS, John (Sandy) Beard of Apache Junction, AZ, and David (Jaci) Beard of Aurora, CO. She is also survived by ten grandchildren, seventeen great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild as well as a host of friends.

Memorial services will be held on Saturday, March 10, 2018 at 2:00 PM MT at the Koons-Russell Funeral Home in Goodland, with Pastor Zach Anderson officiating. Inurnment will be held at a later date at the Beaver City Cemetery in Beaver City, Nebraska.

Memorial contributions are designated to the Esther Beard Memorial Fund 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.

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

Verda O. Delaney was born November 15, 1938 on a farm south of Ness City, Kansas. She was the second of two children born to Lorin E. (Bub) and Ruby (Goss) Delaney. Verda attended rural Ness County schools and later graduated from Ness City High School in 1956.

Verda grew up helping her parents on the farm. She recalled many times how she helped her mom clean and dress chickens every year. She helped her dad with other farm chores and often talked about the old Ford Model A she drove down deeply rutted country roads on her way to school. Verda and her parents moved into Ness City during her senior year of high school.

Verda and Rex recalled how they formally met. One of Rex’s friends, Walt Rohr was dating Verda’s cousin Dillie Turley. According to Rex, Walt insisted he go with him to Ness City one Saturday night because he and Dillie thought Rex and Verda should meet. Verda Delaney and Rex Albin were married July 15, 1956 at the United Methodist Church in Ness City and celebrated 60 years of marriage in July 2016.

Verda and Rex’s family grew to include their children: Nancy, Diana, Terri, Bill and Chris. They were also the parents of two stillborn daughters: Connie Sue and Debra Alice.

Sewing, gardening, cooking and baking were all ways Verda spent lots of her time. Her daughters all remember their little school dresses made for them by their mother. Verda sewed due to necessity early on, and later as a cherished pastime. No one who visited her home at or near mealtime ever left hungry, even though she liked to tell people, “Well we don’t have much, so it won’t take you long to eat it.” Verda was a passionate, staunch supporter of her kids and grandkids. One of her granddaughters recalled receiving more than one stern Grandma Albin lecture about things that concerned her. Those lectures were usually followed by a hug and a reminder of how much she loved her. Verda was a member of the United Methodist Church and the United Methodist Women in Quinter.

She is survived by her daughters Nancy Hargitt of Quinter, Diana (Lorne) Middleton of Gove, Terri (Bryan) Evans of Gove, and sons Bill Albin of Quinter and Chris McCullough of Russell, along with 19 grandchildren and 27 great grandchildren who include: Grandchildren, Lauren (Garret) Press, Michael (Tayler Wellbrock) Hargitt, Alison (Dustin Little) Hargitt, Lindsey Middleton, Curtis Middleton, Dylan (Sarah) Shoemaker , Elizabeth Quenzer, Brittany (Drew Pilger) Middleton, Joshua Middleton, Logan (Kelsey Voss) Middleton, Lacey (Wes) Heddlesten Ashley Evans, Jayme (Thomas) Zimmerman, Stephanie Albin, Daniel (Missy) Albin, Kaylee (Daniel) Martin,  Alex (Marissa Haffner) Albin, Cierra Albin, Brady Albin. Great Grandchildren, Ryleigh Hargitt, Delaney Hargitt, Brigham Press, Nelly Press, Brody Burns, Kyla Burns, Chance Hargitt, Kassy Marable, Serenity Middleton, Claire Middleton, Caroline Middleton, Jordan Shoemaker, Carter Quenzer, Miah Quenzer, Collin Pilger, Kinlee Middleton, Rody Heddlesten, Emery Heddlesten, Keiston Evans, Hendrix Evans, Lyla Zimmerman, Remy Zimmerman, Eli Zimmerman, Owen Zimmerman, Olivia Albin, Payten Albin, Braxten Albin, Aubree Martin, Brendon Martin.

Verda was preceded in death by her husband Rex, by her parents Lorin and Ruby Delaney, her brother Donald Delaney, and two daughters: Connie Sue Albin and Debra Alice Albin.

Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, March 6, 2018 at United Methodist Church, Quinter. Burial will be in the Baker Township Cemetery following the service.

Visitation will be Monday evening, from 5 to 7 at Schmitt Funeral Home, Quinter.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to Quinter United Methodist Women and Quinter Volunteer Ambulance Service. Donations to the memorials may be sent to Schmitt Funeral Home, 901 South Main, Quinter, KS  67752.

Condolences may be left for the family by signing the guest book at www.schmittfuneral.com

Maurice Arthur Annis, age 77, of Oakley, surrounded by loving family, passed away on Wednesday, February 28, 2018, at his home in Oakley. He was born on September 7, 1940 in Salina to Richard and Charlotte (Mullender) Annis. He was a financial advisor with Waddell & Reed in Oakley.

Maurice graduated from Kansas State University with a B.S. degree in Mathematics. He married Ruth Ellen Sherbert on June 18, 1961 in Salina. They have two sons, Thomas and Douglas. They were members of the Oakley Country Chapel and were involved in many church and community activities over the years. He obtained Eagle Scout honors and worked many hours with the Boy Scouts. Maurice was a member of the Oakley Lions Club, Associated Grocers Board of Directors, Waddell & Reed Circle of Champions Crest Qualifier, and was very involved with the Logan County Healthcare Foundation. He liked to travel and loved his grandkids and enjoyed getting involved with anything that they were doing.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Richard and Charlotte, and two sisters: Alberta Davis and her husband, Von, and Margaret Hirsch.

Maurice is survived by his wife, Ruth, of the home, two sons: Thomas (Suzy) Annis and Douglas (Denise) Annis, all of Oakley, four grandchildren: Eric and Josiah of Oakley and Luke and Sarah Annis of Omaha, NE. Also surviving are his sister, Marjorie Carol Annis of Wichita, his brother, John Annis (Lynn) of Drums, PA, and brother-in-law, Glenn Hirsch of Minneapolis, MN.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 3:00 p.m. Saturday, March 10, 2018, at the Buffalo Bill Cultural Center, Oakley, with Phil Beesley officiating. Interment will follow in the Oakley Cemetery. Visitation will be on Friday, March 9, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Cultural Center. Memorials to the Oakley Country Chapel, Hospice Services of Northwest Kansas, and Logan County Healthcare Foundation may be sent in care of Kennedy-Koster Funeral Home, PO Box 221, Oakley 67748.

Online Guestbook www.kennedykosterfh.com

Virginia “Jeanie” Swift, 93, Hays, died Friday, March 2, 2018 at her home.

She was born June 27, 1924 in Hays, one of thirteen children of Alois and Caroline (Befort) Engel. On December 20, 1941 she was united in marriage to Robert M. “Bob” Swift in Hays. He preceded her in death on October 21, 2005. She was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, the VFW Auxiliary, and she was a former member and officer with the WBA, Womens Bowling Association. She was a meat wrapper at Dillons and U-Save grocery stores, was a cook and volunteer at the Hays VFW, and was a demo lady at Wal-Mart. Her hobbies included being an avid bowler, following the Kansas City Royals and Chiefs, and playing cards and bingo. She enjoyed playing softball in her youth, was very outgoing and loved people, was a woman of strong faith, and she loved spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Survivors include her son; Robert “Bob” Swift and wife Sondra of Hays, two grandchildren; Shawn Swift of Hays and Stacy Hammeke and husband Joe of Hutchinson, four great grandchildren; Emily, Kaleb, Lucas, and Blake Hammeke, all of Hutchinson, a brother; Al Engel and wife Ann of McPherson, and a sister; Dorothy Bahl and husband Kerry of Pleasanton, California.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, a son; Gary Lee Swift, by six brothers; Eugene Engel, Julius “Lefty” Engel, Alvin “Whitey” Engel, Jacob “Jake” Engel, Victor “Vic” Engel, and Robert Engel, and by four sisters; Martina Engel, Bernice “Bea” Cochran, Irene Stafford, and Mary Agnes Wenrich.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 am on Tuesday, March 6, 2018 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 1805 Vine Street, with Fr. Leo Blasi 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 VFW Auxiliary rosary will be at 6:00 pm followed by a vigil service at 6:30, both on Monday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested in Jeanie’s memory to the Hays Community Assistance Center, in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be left for the family at www.haysmemorial.com

Betty J. Schmidt, age 81, of Hays, Kansas died Friday, March 2, 2018, at Hays Medical Center, Hays, Kansas.

She was born June 25, 1936, in Victoria, Kansas to Balthasar P. and Elizabeth (Graf) Dreiling. She married Vernon F. Schmidt on August 24, 1957, in Victoria, Kansas. He preceded her in death on April 8, 2017.
She was a home day care provider for over 40 years, a homemaker and a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Hays, Kansas. Betty was an avid KU basketball fan, loved traveling and she took great pride in her yard work.

Survivors include one son, Tim Schmidt and wife, Linda, Wichita, KS; three daughters, Cyndy Dreiling and husband, Tony, Hays, KS; Sandy Fields, Overland Park, KS; Lisa Koppes and husband, Brian, Lawrence, KS; 11 grandchildren; 5 great grandchildren; one brother, Vince Dreiling, Hays, KS; two brothers-in-law, Dean Davis, Emporia, KS; Edwin “Eddy” Brungardt, Hays, KS; one sister-in-law, Dee Dreiling, Hays, KS.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; and one grandson, Jordan Fields; five brothers, Fridolin, Bill, Sylvester, Robert and Francis Dreiling; four sisters, Alfreda Grabbe and husband, Matt, Seraphina Davis, Caroline Schmidt and husband, George and Theresa Brungardt.

Services are at 10:00 A.M. Monday, March 5, 2018, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Hays, Kansas. Burial in St. Joseph Cemetery Hays, Kansas.

A vigil service is at 7:00 P.M. Sunday, at Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary of Hays, 1919 East 22nd Street, Hays, KS 67601.

Visitation is from 5:00 to 8:00 P.M. Sunday and from 8:30 to 9:45 A.M. Monday at Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary of Hays.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial to the St. Joseph Catholic Church Rectory Project.
Condolences can be left by guestbook at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com or can be sent via e-mail to [email protected].

Ronald E. Colglazier, 82, of Russell, Kansas, died on Wednesday, February 28, 2018, at the Hays Medical Center in Hays, Kansas.

Ronald was born on March 14, 1935, the son of Kenneth and Alice (Jennings) Colglazier. He grew up in rural Monument, Kansas, on the family farm. He graduated from Monument High School in the class of 1954. Ronald wanted to serve his country so he joined the United States Army and served from 1956 to 1958. He attended Ft. Hays State University and graduated with a B.S. in Agriculture. He met, fell in love and was united in marriage to Elin K. McCandless on May 11, 1960, in Oakley, Kansas. From this union Ronald and Elin were blessed with two sons John and Rob. Ron and Elin have lived in Russell, Quinter, Jennings and Oakley, Kansas as well as Manning Iowa. He was an electrician and was the owner and operator of Colglazier Electric for more than 30 years. He was a member of St. Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church in Russell, Kansas. He was also formerly a member of the Oakley City Council, Jennings City Council, was a 4-H Project leader, Lions Club member and Rotary member. Ron was a fanatical fisherman and really enjoyed spending time on the water. Most of all he enjoyed spending time with his two sons and grandchildren and his brothers and sisters.

Surviving family include his wife Elin of the home, sons John Colglazier and wife Anita of Tolar, Texas and Rob Colglazier of North Little Rock, Arkansas; brothers Don Colglazier of Longmont, Colorado and Tom Colglazier of Phoenix, Arizona; sisters Barbara Lett of Wichita, Kansas, Ann Beesley and husband Larry of McCune, Kansas and Becky Hill and husband Len of Wichita, Kansas and 4 grandchildren Douglas and Heather Anderson and Michael and Eric Colglazier.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Phil Colglazier and grandson Nick Colglazier.

A celebration of Ronald’s life will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, March 03, 2018, at St. Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church in Russell, Kansas. Services will conclude at the church and the family will have food and fellowship at the church fellowship hall immediately following the funeral mass. Visitation will be from 4 P.M. to 8 P.M. Friday, March 02, 2018, at the mortuary with family greeting guests from 6 P.M. to 7 P.M. Friday evening. Memorials may be given to the COPD Foundation and sent in care of the mortuary. Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.