Patsy (Pat) Ruth Billings went to be with the Lord on January 31, 2018 at the age of 83. Pat was born August 6, 1934 to Edward and Nora (Roots) Naasz in Hardtner Kansas.

Pat graduated from Pratt Kansas High School in 1952. Shortly after high school she met Frank Billings and they were married on February 10, 1956. They lived in Smith Center Kansas and together raised their four children, Evelyn, Bill, Jody, and Debbie. In 1975, Frank and Pat moved to Watonga Oklahoma were Frank worked in the oil field and Pat worked mainly as a child care provider and cared for many children including her grandchildren, her nephew’s children, and friend’s children. Pat and Frank resided in Watonga until Frank passed away in 1992.

After Franks passing Pat moved to Mustang Oklahoma to be nearer to her children and grandchildren, whom she loved so dearly. While in Mustang Pat worked at Cushman Wakefield for several years before retiring in 2008. Pat spent her remaining years loving and helping her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, friends, and family.

Pat was preceded in death by her parents, Edward and Nora, her husband Frank, two children, daughter Evelyn Seems, and son Bill Billings, one granddaughter, and one great grandson, brothers Frank Winters, Tom Naasz, and Ralph Naasz.

Pat is survived by her daughter Debbie Pearson and husband Dewayne of Mustang Oklahoma, her son Jody Billings of Concho Oklahoma, sisters Nancy Swonger and husband Chuck of Sawyer Kansas, Betty Wilson of Edmond Oklahoma, Jackie Naasz of Spearville Kansas, and Margaret Gleich and husband Roland of Halliday North Dakota, brothers Edward Naasz and wife Donna of Wichita Kansas, and John Naasz of Amarillo Texas. Pat also is survived by nine grandchildren, 19 great great-grandchildren, a host of nephews, nieces, other relatives and friends, including her senior community at the Strawberry Fields in Mustang.

Steven D. Camp, 79, passed away February 4, 2018, surrounded by family at his home.

Steve was born July 9, 1938, in Leavenworth, Kansas, to Anson W. and Eunice M. (Moore) Camp. He married Judith A. Seeler on February 15, 1958, in Leavenworth. Steve had a lifelong love of automobiles and worked selling cars, both retail and wholesale, for many years. He enjoyed spending time with his family, watching NASCAR races and tinkering in his garage. He was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Leavenworth.

He is survived by his wife of the home; three daughters: Tracy (Gary) Kaufman of Leawood, Kari (Charlie) Schultz of Hays, and Kandy (David) Price of Leavenworth; six grandchildren: Rachel (Cameron) Bliss, Madison Schultz, Aaron Kaufman, Mark Kaufman, Natalie Price, and Mallory Price; a sister, Eleanor (Don) Denney; a stepmother, Caroline; and many extended family members and friends.

Visitation will be Wednesday, February 7, from 6-8 p.m. at Davis Funeral Chapel, Leavenworth. Service will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, February 8, at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Leavenworth. Memorial contributions can be made to the American Diabetes Association, the National Kidney Foundation, and St. Paul Lutheran Church.

Arrangements entrusted to Davis Funeral Chapel. Condolences may be left on Steve’s online guestbook at www.davisfuneralchapelinc.com.

Funeral Mass: Tuesday, February 6th at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary’s Assumption Catholic Church in Herndon with Rev. Gnanasekar Kulandai officiating

Rosary: A rosary will be recited Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. before the funeral Mass.

Burial: St. Mary’s Cemetery, Herndon

Visitation: Monday, February 5th from 8:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. at the funeral home in Oberlin

Memorials: To the church or Good Samaritan Society-Decatur County, in care of the funeral home (121 N. Penn Ave., Oberlin, KS 67749)

In Loving Memory
Marcella Rose Leitner was born on March 22, 1925 in Herndon, Kansas to William J. and Anna (Hutfles) Riepl. She attended grade school for seven years at St. Mary’s Parochial School in Herndon, except for one year of country school southwest of Herndon. Marcella graduated from Herndon High School with the class of 1945. Upon graduating, she attended Marymount College in Salina, Kansas where she received her certificate in accounting and business administration. With her certificate in hand, Marcella began employment at War Assets Administration and Lowry Air Force Base in Denver, Colorado.

On May 24th 1949, she married her handsome “sailor boy” Harold Gene Leitner, son of Paul and Theresia (Wendelin) Leitner at St. Mary’s Assumption Catholic Church in Herndon. This union was blessed with three daughters, Patricia Tongish (Dave) of Newton, Kansas, Barbara Leitner (Wayne Darnell) of Farmington, New Mexico, and Donna Wilson (Steve) of Wichita, Kansas.

Marcella adored her five grandchildren, Ashley Houser (Britt) of Wichita, Kansas, Lesley Williams (Bryce) of Overland Park, Kansas, John Tongish of Newton, Kansas, Jarrett Tongish of Tokyo, Japan and Desiree Wilson of Kansas City, Missouri. Two great grandchildren, Knox Houser and Graham Williams, filled her life with joy and smiles.

Marcella was a loving and caring wife, mother, and grandma who lived for her daughters, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Writing letters and sewing for them was a special hobby she enjoyed so much.

She was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church where she was baptized, confirmed, and married; the Christian Mothers Altar Society, the Ladies Auxiliary of the VFW Post #368 in Herndon, a former member of the Traer Belles in Traer, Kansas, and a parishioner of the Sacred Heart Church in Oberlin, Kansas.

Marcella is survived by her youngest brother Larry Riepl of Bremerton, Washington and numerous nieces, nephews, & friends. She was preceded in death by her husband Gene, parents William and Anna Riepl, brother Don Riepl, and sister Lucille Barenberg.

Marcella will be interred next to her beloved husband Gene of 68 years at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Herndon, Kansas.

Loretta Marie (Schwarz) Bremer, 52, of Russell, Kansas, passed away Thursday, February 1, 2018 at the Hays Medical Center in Hays, Kansas.

Loretta was born May 9, 1965 in Colby, Kansas, the daughter of Irvin and Carol (Kleinsorge) Schwarz. She grew up in Colby and graduated from Colby High School in the Class of ’84.

Loretta was united in marriage to Frank B. Bremer in 2008. She was a homemaker. They made their home in the Russell area.

Surviving family include her husband Frank; daughter, Amber Troyer of Kansas City, Kansas; two sons, Ryan Schwarz (Evvie) of Augusta, Kansas and Jason Schwarz of Colby, Kansas; mother, Carol Schwarz of Colby, Kansas; brother, Jerome Schwarz of Oakley, Kansas; and three grandchildren, Landon Ritter, Nakyah Schwarz and Kohen Schwarz. She was preceded in death by her father Irvin.

A Private Service will be held by the family at a later date. The family has chosen cremation. Condolences may be sent to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, who is in charge of these arrangements.

Victoria, Kansas – Wilmer Rome, age 91, died Monday, December 11, 2017, at the Good Samaritan Society of Hays.

He was born December 16, 1925, in Victoria, Kansas to Jacob M. and Eva (Weigel) Rome. He married Valeria (Wittman) on May 1,1945 in Vincent, Kansas. She died May 26, 1999.

He was lifetime resident of Victoria, attended Victoria High School and was inducted into the U.S. Navy. He worked 12 years at the Carter Block Plant in Russell, then he was a cigar salesman for the Niles & Mosher Company for 15 years. He was a car salesman for a few years at Ben F. Dreiling Motors in Hays, then he was a courier driver for eight years for Premier Carriers and ASAP Land Express until he retired in 2012. He was a member of the Hays American Legion, the Hays Fraternal Order of Eagles, the Sunflower Polka Club and The Basilica of St. Fidelis.

Survivors include one son, Randy Rome and wife, Julie, Landisville, PA; three daughters, Dorothy Taylor and husband, Leonard, Rapid City, S D; Donna Lovelady and husband, Stan, Plainville, KS; Betty Hansen and Roger Ferland, Hays, KS; one son-in-law, Floyd Windholz, Victoria, KS; one brother-in-law, Olmer Wittman and wife, Mildred, Hays, KS; 11 grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; two daughters, Diana Waldschmidt and husband, Ronald; Sherolyn Windholz; three brothers, Clarence Rome and wife, Lydia; Wilfred Rome and wife, Fidelia; Gilmore Rome; two sisters, Lucy Geist and husband, Anselm; Henrietta Dinkel and husband, Gerard.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 A.M. Friday, February 9, 2018, at The Basilica of St. Fidelis, Victoria, Kansas. Inurnment will be in St. Ann’s Cemetery Walker, Kansas.

The family will receive friends from 10:00 to 11:00 A.M. Friday, at The Basilica of St. Fidelis. Family suggests memorials to the Good Samaritan Society of Hays.

Services are entrusted to Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary of Hays, 1919 East 22nd Street, Hays, Kansas 67601. Condolences can be left by guestbook at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com or can be sent via e-mail to [email protected].

Tony R. LaRue, age 60, of WaKeeney, passed away Saturday, January 27, 2018 at Hays Medical Center. He was born July 24, 1957 in Hoxie, Kansas, to Ray and Virginia (Currier) LaRue.

On May 25, 1979, Tony was united in marriage to Marlene Zeman. They enjoyed thirty-seven years of marriage together, until Marlene’s passing on October 6, 2016. Tony worked in the oil field, as a truck driver, then went on to become an over the road driver, where he worked for Coomes Trucking for many years. He will be dearly missed by his family and friends.

Tony is survived by his children, Dawn and husband Michael Geist, of WaKeeney, Tony Ray LaRue, Jr. and wife LaVonne, of Nortonville, Frank Giebler and wife Maggie, of Valley Falls, Chris Giebler and wife Stacey of Topeka, and Tammie and husband Ron Williams of Hays; grandchildren, Harley, Brooklin, Sadie, Aivah, Spencer, Gabby, Gavin, Jayden, Christopher, Lauren, Tyler, Katie, Kale, Kyler, Kaitlyn, and Kierra; two great-grandchildren, Kyran and Khali; and a sister, Nancy of Tennessee. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, and brother-in-law, Charles Wadell.

Memorial service will be 10:30 a.m., Monday, February 5, 2018 at Schmitt Funeral Home, WaKeeney. There will be no visitation as cremation was chosen.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Tony LaRue Memorial Fund. Donations to the fund may be sent to Schmitt Funeral Home, 336 North 12th, WaKeeney, KS 67672.

Condolences may be left for the family online at www.schmittfuneral.com.

James L. “Jim” Warren, 75, Hays, died Tuesday, January 30, 2018 at the Hays Medical Center.

He was born March 8, 1942 in Hays the son of John and Irene (Coupal) Warren. He graduated from Hays High School in 1960 and attended Fort Hays Kansas State College for two years. On October 16, 1965 he married Lynda Meyers in Kismet, Kansas. His career included oilfield insulation, home insulation, parking lot maintenance and striping, a drywall business, and cleaning pumping units. He was an entrepreneur, an inventor, an artist, he loved his work, and was a dedicated father of his two sons. He was a former board member for The Arc of Central Plains, was very active and a former board member of the Early Childhood Development Center, was a board member of Strokes of Genius, and a founder of Erik’s Originals.

Survivors include his former wife and caregiver since his diagnosis with ALL, Lynda Warren of Hays, two sons; Jason Warren and Erik Warren, both of Hays, a sister; Kay Howell of Pasadena, TX, a niece; Stacey Broers and husband Scott of Ozawkie, KS, and three nephews; Scott Warren of Topeka, Wesley Howard and wife Carol of Pasadena, TX and Rodney Howard and wife Brenda of Round Rock, TX, and numerous friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and two brothers; Charles “Pat” Warren and Doug Warren.

A celebration of Jim’s life will be at 2:00 pm on Saturday, February 3, 2018 at the North Oak Community Church, 3000 Oak Street, Hays. Burial will follow in the Ft. Hays Memorial Gardens Cemetery. Visitation will be from 1:00 pm until service time on Saturday at the church. Memorials are suggested to Bethesda Place, fierceloveparents.com, or to Strokes of Genius, Inc., in care of the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine St., Hays. Condolences may be left for the family at www.haysmemorial.com

Virginia Ann Dinkel, 87, of Russell, Kansas died on Wednesday, January 31, 2018 at Russell Regional Hospital.

Virginia was born on January 26, 1931 in Ellis, Kansas, the daughter of Frank Gross and Mary Werth. She grew up in Gorham, Kansas and graduated from Gorham High School in1949. She was united in marriage to Loren Dinkel on May 21, 1951. They made their home initially in Gorham before moving to Russell. From this union they were blessed with seven children. She was a member of the St. Mary’s Catholic Church of Russell. She graduated from Brown Mackie Business School before her marriage when she became a full-time homemaker and mother of her children. Virginia enjoyed her many friends, with whom she kept in close contact for many years. The loves of her life where her husband, Loren as well as her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Surviving family include children Janice Dinkel and husband Glenn Phelps, Jay Dinkel, Bryan Dinkel and wife, Kay, Laurel Dinkel and husband Doug Cubberley, Bradley Dinkel and wife Denise, Kevin Dinkel and wife Teresa, and daughter Deanne Dinkel. Also surviving are her nephews, Verlin Fisher and wife, Kathy, Mike Gross and wife, Dawn, Wes Gross and nieces Leanne Gross, Teresa Gross and Del Herald. Also surviving are seven grandchildren, Brent Dinkel and wife, Stacy, Todd Dinkel and wife, Andrea, Angela Morris and husband, Bryan, Jesse Dinkel and wife, Cassandra, Cole Dinkel and wife, Nichole, Ashley Westerman and husband, Alex, and Sophia Cubberley Dinkel and twelve great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers Fred, Virgil, Leroy and sisters Jenny and Corrine (Butch) and infant sister Delphine.Virginia is also survived, by TwillaFroelich, her friend of 75 years, and her daughter, Colleen Cooper and dear friend, Alice Schmidt.

A celebration of Virginia’s life will be held at 11 A.M. on Saturday, February 03, 2018, at the St. Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church in Russell, Kansas. Burial will follow at the St. Mary Catholic Cemetery in Russell. A vigil and rosary will be held at 7 P.M. on Friday, February 02, 2018, at the St. Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church. Visitation will be on Friday, February 02, 2018, from 9 A.M. to 5 P.M. at the mortuary. Memorials may be given to the Dream Theater in Russell, Kansas, and may be sent in care of the morutary.

Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas, is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.

Dorothy E. Minson, 93, died January 26, 2018, at Cherry Village, Great Bend. She was born April 17, 1924, in Hoisington, the daughter of Christian and Marie Elizabeth (Karst) Kramer. Dorothy was a 1942 graduate of Hoisington High School.

A lifetime Hoisington resident she worked for the Hoisington Lutheran Hospital as an insurance clerk.

She was involved in the Concordia Lutheran Church where she had taught Sunday school and played the piano and organ. She was a member of the Lutheran Women Missionary League and also played in many different bridge clubs.

On May 26, 1942, she married Lawrence A. Minson, in Hoisington. He preceded her in death on March 16, 2009.

Survivors include; five children, Mike Minson and wife Judy of Boerne, Texas, Elizabeth Ann Lindquist and husband Jay of Great Bend, Gary Minson and wife Joyce of Abilene, D.J. Baird and husband Dean of Hoisington, and Sara Dutton and husband Gary of Salina; a sister, Chris Bickle and husband Don of Hays; 17 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, a sister, Esther Valerius, and three grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, February 7, 2018, at Concordia Lutheran Church, with Pastor Gary Wolf presiding. There will be a private family inurnment in the Hoisington Cemetery.

Family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to Concordia Lutheran Church or Kans for Kids in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington, KS 67544.