Robert L.Walters, 63, of Russell, Kansas died on Friday, February 9, 2018 at the Russell Regional Hospital in Russell, Kansas.

Robert was born on June 02, 1954, in Russell, Kansas, the son of William R. and Clarice L. (Metz) Walters. He grew up in Russell and graduated from Russell High School in the class of 1972.

After high school, he attended Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas. He met, fell in love and was united in marriage to LuAnn L. Schulze on June 04, 1977, in Norton, Kansas. From this union Robert and LuAnn were blessed with three sons, Luke, Steven and Tristan. Robert began his career working beside his father and grandfather at Russell Automotive Supply. At the time of his passing, he was a parts buyer for S&W Supply in Russell, Kansas, having recently completed 20 years with the company. He was a longtime member of First Congregational Church and Trinity United Methodist Church. He was also a member of the Russell Masonic Lodge, Russell Shrine Club and Isis Shrine Temple.

Robert was the 1968 National Spelling Bee Champion. He loved music and enjoyed singing bass with the 4-Told Quartet, traveling the country and attending quartet sing fests. Robert enjoyed hunting and fishing with his family and friends. In recent years, he volunteered at Trinity Community Thrift Store. He was especially gifted at telling jokes and had a special talent in remembering all of them. Most of all Robert enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his children and grandchildren.

Surviving family include his wife LuAnn from the home; sons Luke Walters (Bern) of Kansas City, MO, Steven Walters (Jenny) of Hays, KS and Tristan (Ammi) of Wichita, KS; brothers William Clay Walters (Jean) of Topeka, KS and John Matthew Walters (Janell) of Manhattan, KS; sister Phoebe Walters of Salina, KS; six grandchildren Willem and Theron Walters, Magnolia and Giovanni Hayes, Anniston and London Rudisell. He was preceded in death by his parents.

A celebration of Robert’s life will be held at 11 A.M. on Thursday, February 15, 2018, at Trinity United Methodist Church in Russell, Kansas. Masonic services will follow and be performed at the church. Services will conclude at the church. Visitation will be from 9 A.M. to 8 P.M. on Wednesday, February 14, 2018, at the mortuary. Family will greet guests from 6 P.M. to 7 P.M. Wednesday evening. Memorials may be given to the Community Thrift Store and sent in care of the mortuary. Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas, is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.

Emma Louise Wiesendanger Yanda, age 94, of Sun City West, Arizona, passed away after a brief illness on February 3, 2018. She was born in Randolph, Kansas on September 28, 1923, to J.J. and Marie Elizabeth Peterson Wiesendanger.

She graduated from Salina High School in 1941 and Kansas City Art Institute in 1946. On September 4, 1948, Emma married Albert Yanda in Salina, Kansas. Emma owned her own Graphic Design Studio for 30 years, retiring in Del Mar, California for six years prior to moving to Sun City West. While in Sun City West, she began weaving, and taught and gave presentations on the art of weaving throughout Arizona, and had her work published in Handwoven Magazine.

Emma and her late husband of 55 years, Albert, traveled extensively throughout the world. Emma moved to Grandview Terrace in 2004, and was elected Vice President of the Grandview Terrace Community Service Foundation and Funds Developer until prior to her death.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Albert, an Architect; and her parents. Survivors include her sister, Mary Elzea of Lawrence, Kansas; brother, James Wiesendanger of Salina, Kansas; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Graveside service will be at 11 AM on February 24, 2018 at Christ the King Catholic Cemetery, WaKeeney, Kansas. There will be no visitation as cremation was chosen.

A memorial gathering will also be held at Grandview Terrace in Sun City West, Arizona on March 28, 2018 from 2:30 – 4:30 PM.

Memorials are suggested to The Grandview Terrace Scholarship Fund, Sun City West, Arizona. Contributions may be left at the service or sent to Schmitt Funeral Home, 336 North 12th, WaKeeney, KS 67672.

David Charles Cozad, son of Rex and Merle (Knutson) Cozad was born January 7, 1945 in McCook, Nebraska and passed away at his home in Holly Lake Ranch, Tx on February 12, 2018 at the age of 73.

David grew up in Decatur County, Ks and attended the Spring Branch School for the first 8 years of his education. He then attended high school in Norcatur graduating in 1963. On January 30, 1965 he married his high school sweetheart Karen Jackson, they were married in the Maple Grove Church of the Brethren northwest of Norton, KS. January 30, 2018 they celebrated their 53rd wedding anniversary.

David was a man of many talents and did many things in his 73 years; he farmed until moving to Norton in 1976 where he was in construction building homes. For a few years he owned and operated a commercial laundry in Norton until he pursued a life long dream of learning to fly. Once he got his private pilot license he continued on to achieve his instrument rating and then a commercial license. He taught ground school and several of his students went on to get their private licenses under his direction. While flying brought about many numerous experiences, his favorite part of it was crop dusting. That aspect of flying combined things he loved best – farming and flying and being outdoors.

When he physically could no longer crop dust, he left aviation and worked for the Kansas Dept of Correction for 5 years. He had an opportunity then to buy an automotive sales route business which he continued for several years. When he retired he went back to construction and remodeled his parents old home place into a cabin for family and friends to gather for reunions and hunting and just enjoying life in the country.

In the fall of 2014, Karen and David moved to Texas to be closer to their grandchildren. His health started deteriorating soon after but he loved his time in Texas. He attended numerous activities involving the grandchildren and enjoyed the times they visited in Holly Lake. He was able to watch numerous birds, deer and other wildlife from his patio. His family remembers him as a very special father and grandfather, and have lots of memories of how much he loved them.

Survivors include: his wife Karen of the home; one daughter, Tracy and Dan Engelhardt of Norton; two sons, Jon and Maria Cozad and their children Jack and Jennica of North Richland Hills, Tx; Jeremy and Claire Cozad and their children Lucy and Rose of Tyler, Tx; his mother, Merle Cozad of Lee Summit, Mo; one sister, Mary Lynn and Bill Vanderburg of Clinton, MO; two nephews and six nieces and their families; many other relatives and friends.

David was preceded in death by his father, Rex; one sister, Beverly Morton; one brother, John Cozad; his paternal grandparents, Bert and Naomi Cozad; maternal grandparents, Elmer and Helen Knutson.

FUNERAL SERVICE – Friday, February 16, 2018 –10:30 A.M.

PLACE – Enfield Funeral Home – Norton, Kansas

VISITATION – Thursday, February 15, 2018 from 5:00 P.M until 7:00 P.M.

at the Enfield Funeral Home in Norton.

INTERMENT – Norcatur Cemetery – Norcatur, Kansas

Emma Louise Wiesendanger Yanda, age 94, of Sun City West, Arizona, passed away after a brief illness on February 3, 2018. She was born in Randolph, Kansas on September 28, 1923, to J.J. and Marie Elizabeth Peterson Wiesendanger.

She graduated from Salina High School in 1941 and Kansas City Art Institute in 1946. On September 4, 1948, Emma married Albert Yanda in Salina, Kansas. Emma owned her own Graphic Design Studio for 30 years, retiring in Del Mar, California for six years prior to moving to Sun City West. While in Sun City West, she began weaving, and taught and gave presentations on the art of weaving throughout Arizona, and had her work published in Handwoven Magazine.

Emma and her late husband of 55 years, Albert, traveled extensively throughout the world. Emma moved to Grandview Terrace in 2004, and was elected Vice President of the Grandview Terrace Community Service Foundation and Funds Developer until prior to her death.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Albert, an Architect; and her parents. Survivors include her sister, Mary Elzea of Lawrence, Kansas; brother, James Wiesendanger of Salina, Kansas; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Graveside service will be at 11 AM on February 24, 2018 at Christ the King Catholic Cemetery, WaKeeney, Kansas. There will be no visitation as cremation was chosen.

A memorial gathering will also be held at Grandview Terrace in Sun City West, Arizona on March 28, 2018 from 2:30 – 4:30 PM.

Memorials are suggested to The Grandview Terrace Scholarship Fund, Sun City West, Arizona. Contributions may be left at the service or sent to Schmitt Funeral Home, 336 North 12th, WaKeeney, KS 67672.

Condolences may be left online at www.schmittfuneral.com.

LaCrosse, Kansas – Mary Lou (Hammersmith) Wherry, age 76, died Friday, February 9, 2018, at her home in LaCrosse, Kansas.

She was born October 9, 1941, on the family farm south of Gorham, Kansas, to Isadore and Agatha (Sander) Hammersmith. She married John H. Wherry on October 1, 1966, at Gorham, Kansas.

She was a daycare provider for over 20 years and a member of St. Michael’s Catholic Church, St. Michael’s Altar Society/St. Michael’s Social Commission, the Prayer Group and the Rosary Makers all of LaCrosse, Kansas. She also was a member of the Gorham Daughters of Isabella. Mary Lou grew up in the Gorham area and was a 1959 graduate of Gorham High School. She was a big part of many kids’ lives who attended her daycare and she will be remembered for her great cooking, crafts and flower arrangements. She enjoyed following her children’s and then her grandchildren’s sports and other activities.

Survivors include her husband, John H. Wherry, of the home; three sons, Todd Wherry and wife, Lanese, Lenexa, KS; Kyle Wherry and wife, Debi, LaCrosse, KS; Chad Wherry, Osborne, KS; one daughter, Tonya Howden and husband, Kevin; one sister, Katie Bellendir, Victoria, KS; one sister-in-law, Shirley Hammersmith, Horton, KS; eight grandchildren, Ashton, Alyssa and Andrew Wherry; Jordan, Shelby and Payton Wherry; Landon and Logan Howden; two step-grandchildren, Mike Staab, Nikki Conner and husband, Mitch; three step-great grandchildren, Mikey Staab, Natalie and Bryce Conner.

She was preceded in death by her parents; one brother, Marvin Hammersmith, and one brother-ln-law, Marvin Bellendir.

A mass of christian burial will be at 11:00 A.M. Tuesday, February 13, 2018, at St Michael’s Catholic Church, 918 Lincoln Street, Lacrosse, Kansas, and a graveside service will be at 3:00 P.M. Tuesday, at St. Mary Cemetery, Gorham, Kansas.

A vigil service and rosary with the St. Michael’s Altar Society/ St. Michael’s Social Commission and the Gorham Daughters of Isabella joining will be at 7:00 P.M. Monday, at St. Michael’s Catholic Church LaCrosse, Kansas.

Visitation will be from 6:00 to 8:30 P.M. Monday, and from 10:00 to 11:00 A.M. Tuesday, all at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, LaCrosse, Kansas.

Memorial to St. Michael’s Catholic Church.

Services are entrusted to Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary, 412 Main Street, Victoria, Kansas 67671.

Condolences can be left by guestbook at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com or can sent via e-mail to [email protected]

Roberta Ann “Bert” Brewer, age 92, of Hays, Kansas died Saturday, February 10, 2018, at the Good Samaritan Society of Hays. She was born December 28, 1925, in Erick, Oklahoma to William C. and Maude Louise (Brooks) Theimer. She married Max Ellis Brewer on May 29, 1949, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

She was a 1st grade teacher at Johnson, Kansas from 1962 until she retired in 1987. She was named Teacher of the Year during her years at Johnson. She started out teaching High School and then teaching Kindergarten in Moscow, Kansas for a few years. Then moved to Colby, Kansas in 1991 and moved to Hays, Kansas in 2003.

She grew up in Erick, Oklahoma then moved to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and was a graduate of the new North East High School. She was a 1947 graduate from Oklahoma College for Women with degrees in Psychology, Philosophy and a Lifetime Teaching Certificate K-12.

She was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Hays, Kansas and was a Sunday School Teacher for over 55 years during her years in the Methodist Church. She was very active with Special Olympics, food banks, the Senior Center, volunteering at the museum and hospital and loved gardening. She published her book, “Psalms for the Millennium and Wee Words of Wisdom” in 2000.

Survivors include her husband, Max Brewer, Hays, KS; two daughters, Kathie Burnett and husband, David, Corinth, TX; Kristie Cox and husband, Rich, DeSoto, KS; four grandchildren, Leslie Schmidt and husband, Tyson, Lindsey Bailey and husband, Mitch, Matt Burnett, Amy Burnett; six great grandchildren, Rylee, Kaden and Madison Schmidt; Quinn, Keira and Elias Bailey.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Dr. William Charles Theimer Jr. and James Edward Theimer; and great granddaughter, Aliah Marie Bailey.

Memorial Services are at 11:00 A.M. Wednesday, February 14, 2018, at The First United Methodist Church, Hays, Kansas with Pastor Mike Rose Officiating. Inurnment will be at a later date in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Memorial to The First United Methodist Church.

Services are entrusted to Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary of Hays, 1919 East 22nd Street, Hays, Kansas 67601.

Robert L.Walters, 63, of Russell, Kansas died on Friday, February 9, 2018 at the Russell Regional Hospital in Russell, Kansas.

Robert was born on June 02, 1954, in Russell, Kansas, the son of William R. and Clarice L. (Metz) Walters. He grew up in Russell and graduated from Russell High School in the class of 1972. After high school he attended Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas.

He met, fell in love and was united in marriage to LuAnn L. Schulze on June 04, 1977, in Norton, Kansas. From this union Robert and LuAnn were blessed with three sons, Luke, Steven and Tristan. Robert began his career working beside his father and grandfather at Russell Automotive Supply. At the time of his passing, he was a parts buyer for S & W Supply in Russell, Kansas, having recently completed 20 years with the company. He was a longtime member of First Congregational Church and Trinity United Methodist Church. He was also a member of the Russell Masonic Lodge, Russell Shrine Club and Isis Shrine Temple. Robert was the 1968 National Spelling Bee Champion. He loved music and enjoyed singing bass with the 4-Told Quartet, traveling the country and attending quartet sing fests. Robert enjoyed hunting and fishing with his family and friends. In recent years, he volunteered at Trinity Community Thrift Store. He was especially gifted at telling jokes and had a special talent in remembering all of them. Most of all Robert enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his children and grandchildren.

Surviving family include his wife LuAnn from the home; sons Luke Walters (Bern) of Kansas City, MO, Steven Walters (Jenny) of Hays, KS and Tristan (Ammi) of Wichita, KS; brothers William Clay Walters (Jean) of Topeka, KS and John Matthew Walters (Janell) of Manhattan, KS; sister Phoebe Walters of Salina, KS; six grandchildren Willem and Theron Walters, Magnolia and Giovanni Hayes, Anniston and London Rudisell. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Services are pending at this time. Please check back later for funeral service date and times. Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas, is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.

Longtime Goodland, Kansas, resident Olathe “Ole” D. Juhl, 74, passed away on Wednesday, February 7,
2018 at the Swedish Medical Center in Englewood, Colorado.

Ole was born on October 21, 1943 in St. Francis, Kansas, and was adopted by James Estle and Gladys Elizabeth (McCurry) Cullum. He grew up in St. Francis where he attended school and graduated from St. Francis High School in 1963.

On April 27, 1968, Ole married Patricia Babcock in Goodland, Kansas. To this union, three children, Shaunna, Sharon and Stacey were born. Ole spent most of his life as a farmer. He enjoyed cooking and usually made peanut brittle to give at Christmas. He also loved to repair and fix anything he could.

Preceding him in death was his father James Cullum, and two daughters Shaunna Armknecht and Sharon
Juhl.

He is survived by his wife Pat of the home, his mother Gladys Cullum of St. Francis, Kansas, one daughter Stacey Rasmussen (Troy W.) of Newton, Kansas, one son-in-law Tim Armknecht of Goodland and two sisters, Goldie Harman of Otis, Colorado and Neva Pederson of Hutchinson, Kansas. He is also survived by four grandchildren and extended family and friends.

Mass of Christian Burial for Ole will be held on Monday, February 12, 2018 at 10:00 AM MT at the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Goodland, KS with Father Norbert Dlabal and Father Richard Daise officiating. Burial with Military Honors will follow in the Goodland Cemetery, Goodland, KS.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, February 11, 2018 from 5:00 to 7:00 PM MT at the Our Lady of
Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Goodland with a Vigil and Rosary service to begin at 7:00 PM MT.

Memorial contributions may be designated to the VFW Lowell Coleman Post 1133 or to the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church 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.

Funeral services are entrusted to Koons-Russell Funeral Home in Goodland.

Victor J. “Vic” Schmidtberger, 91, of Quinter, formerly of Grainfield, died Thursday, Feb. 8, 2018.

He was born Aug. 24, 1926, in Pfeifer, Kansas, to Joseph and Anna Mary “Emma” (Mader) Schmidtberger. He attended grade school at a country school near their farm and high school in Grainfield, later receiving his honorary high school diploma.

Vic served in the United States Army stationed in Germany during WWII. As a telephone operator, part of his responsibility included handling orders to prepare troops for their return home.  He enjoyed being a farmer and rancher. Vic was well known in area sale barns for buying and selling baby calves. 

He was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Esta; infant son, Mark Alan; sons-in-law, Eugene Baalmann, Kenneth Cooksey and Russell Baker; sisters, Irene Ziegler, Hilda Wolf, Albina Mowery and Marcella Heier and second wife, Jane.

He is survived by his children, Sylvia (Terry) Krannawitter, Hays; Lela Cooksey, Quinter, Kansas; Doris Schmidtberger-Baker, Lemon Grove, California; Delores (Danny) Lockhart, Oakley, Kansas; Leroy (Pam) Schmidtberger, Collyer, Kansas; Joe (Jennifer) Schmidtberger, Grainfield, Kansas; Delmar(Linda) Schmidtberger, California; Arnold (Kathy) Schmidtberger, Salina, Kansas; Alvera (Gary) Bruggeman, Oberlin, Kansas and Vicki (Sean) Timiney, Plantation, Florida; 29 grandchildren; and 25 great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7:00 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 11, 2018, at the St. Agnes Education Center, Grainfield, with a Vigil at 7 p.m.  Funeral Mass is 11 a.m. Monday, Feb. 12, 2018 at St. Agnes Catholic Church, Grainfield, with burial to follow in the Grainfield Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the Grainfield Cemetery Fund, in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 204, Oakley, KS 67748. For condolences or information, visit www.baalmannmortuary.com.

Council Grove – Calvin Carl Hunter, 89, longtime resident of Council Grove, Kansas, passed away Thursday, February 8, 2018, at Diversicare.

He was born October 6, 1928, in Skiddy, KS, the son of Russell Floyd and Edna Mary (Kohler) Hunter. Cal graduated from White City High School. He attended the College of Emporia, where he was a 4 Sport Letterman.

Cal married Eunice Ann Bretz on September 10, 1949, in Council Grove. Over the years, Cal worked at various jobs; he worked as a mechanic for Hunter Chevrolet, Fairmont Creamery, Morris County Clerk, Bretz Shoe Store, Mayor and City Councilman of Council Grove, High School and College Sports official and he retired from the US Postal Service.

He was a member of the Council Grove Christian Church, Council Grove Country Club, Chamber of Commerce, Bowery Boys Slow Pitch, Coach of American Legion Baseball and a player for Council Grove Indians Baseball team.

Cal was an amazing husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. Family was of utmost importance to him and he treasured his three daughters. He loved watching his grandchildren play ball. Cal loved all sports, he enjoyed playing pitch and was an avid golfer. “Pistol” as his grandchildren called him, will be sadly missed by all.

He was preceded in death by his parents, infant sister, Edna Mary and brothers: Lloyd and Don.

Cal is survived by his loving wife Eunice, of the home; daughters: Carla Pruitt and husband Don, of Victoria, Kathy Litke and husband Darrell and Christine Ziegenhirt and husband Donnie, all of Council Grove; 9 grandchildren: Alycia Straight (Dane), Amanda Pruitt, Dara Fillmore (Jason), Dana Reddick (Bobby), Deanna Buttrey (Thomas), Dawn Palmquist (Lucas), Derek Ziegenhirt, Casey Ziegenhirt, and Jacob Ziegenhirt.; 14 great-grandchildren; sister, Shirley Hickman; sister-in-law, Donna Aldrich; and brother, Russell Hunter, Jr.; and many nieces and nephews.

Family will receive friends Monday, February 12th, at Zeiner Funeral Home, from 5:00 to 7:00. Funeral services will be at 10:00, Tuesday, February 13th, at Council Grove Christian Church.

Memorial contributions may be made to Cal Hunter Memorial Fund, which will go to the Ben I. Smith Baseball Field improvements. They may be sent in care of Zeiner Funeral Home, PO Box 273, Council Grove, KS 66846.