Thomas John Baumrucker, age 77, of Hays, passed away Friday, Dec. 22, 2017 in Hays.

He was born Nov. 15, 1940 in Hays to Ralph M. and Martina (Drees) Baumrucker. He graduated from Gorham High School in 1958 and earned two bachelor’s degrees and a master’s degree all from Fort Hays State University.

Tom owned and operated Hays Greenhouse for 42 years. He was a very hands-on owner who was always eager to use his expertise in helping customers with their projects. Prior to operating the Hays Greenhouse, he ran the family farm at the age of 19 after both of his parents died in a car accident. He enjoyed the Denver Broncos, the Nebraska Cornhuskers and he was an avid supporter of Fort Hays State University.

He is survived by his sister, Eileen Regier of Hutchinson; his brother, Steve Baumrucker and wife Nancy of Hays; and their sons David of Hays and Brian of Spring, Texas.

He was preceded in death by his parents. 

Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2017 at Brock’s-Keithley Funeral Chapel and Crematory 2509 Vine St. Hays, KS 67601. Inurnment will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Gorham, Kan.

A memorial visitation will be at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday until service time at the chapel.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Fort Hays State University Foundation (foundation.fhsu.edu).

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

November 25, 1943 ~ December 21, 2017 (age 74)

Jerry Celestin Dreiling, age 74, passed away Dec. 21, 2017 at Hutchinson Regional Hospital.  He was born on Nov. 25, 1943 at Ellis, Kan., the son of Celestin J. and Bernadette M. (Riedel) Dreiling.

Jerry was a retired Independent trucker, farmer and cattleman. He was a resident of Stafford County for 47 years.

On Nov. 6, 1970 he married Janice K. (Curtis) at St. John.  Survivors include his wife, Janice K. Dreiling, St. John; a daughter, Janette L. Meis (Tom), Hays; a son, Michael J. Dreiling, Great Bend, Kan.; two brothers, Robert Dreiling, Hays, Clarence “Butch” Dreiling, Holdredge, Neb.; a sister, El Freda Eberle, Fort Collins, Colo.; two grandchildren, Nicholas and Zachary Meis.

He was preceded in death by both parents and a sister, Alice Weber.

Memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 28, 2017 at Minnis Chapel, St. John with Pastor Dan Daniels presiding.

Memorials may be given to the Rebecca A. Morrison House in care of Minnis Chapel, P.O. Box 34, St. John, KS 67576.

Alberta Pfannenstiel, born March 15, 1936, passed away Dec. 22, 2017 in her home surrounded by her family.

Alberta and her identical twin sister, Albertina, were born in their parents’ farm home in Ellis County. Alberta married Marvin Pfannenstiel on April 30, 1956 and settled on Marvin’s family farm west of Antonino, Kan. Alberta and Marvin adopted four children through Catholic Charities: Kathleen, Douglas, Michelle and Michael. They lived on the farm until 1970 when they moved to Hays.

Marvin passed away June 26, 1975, leaving Alberta to raise the children. Alberta worked hard and raised their children. She worked as a janitor at Kennedy Middle School, Travenol, So Fro Fabrics, Hays Medical Center, Walmart and TMP-Marian. Alberta was a master seamstress and sewed for countless clients, family and friends.

Alberta is survived by her four children; Kathy McClain of Salina, Douglas Pfannenstiel of Hays, Michelle Pfannenstiel of Salina and Michael Pfannenstiel and wife Lori of Berthoud, Colo. She has 10 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren, three sisters; Melinda Lang of Hays, Alice Fisher and husband Cyril of Hays, and Albertina (Tina) Rohleder and husband Valarius of Abilene, plus many nieces and nephews.

Alberta was preceded in death by her husband Marvin Pfannenstiel, her parents Nick and Lidwina Geist, a sister Irene Windholz, and her brother Alfred Geist.

Mass of Christian burial will be at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 28, 2017 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 1805 Vine St. with Fr. Barry Brinkman officiating. Burial will follow in the St. Joseph Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 until 7 p.m. Wednesday and from 9 until 9:45 a.m. Thursday, all at Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine St. A parish vigil service and Rosary will be at 7 p.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home.

Memorials are suggested to Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be left for the family at www.haysmemorial.com.

(February 14, 1930 – December 23, 2017) 

Online condolences: www.olliffboeve.com.

Logan Funeral home is in charge of arrangements.

(July 29, 1923 – December 18, 2017) 

Virgil Lynn Hamm, 81, Hays, died Saturday, Dec. 23, 2017, at Via Christi Nursing Home, Hays.

He was born July 23, 1936 in Fort Scott, Kansas. He married Allura (Steely) Hamm on Aug. 15, 1954.

He was employed as an assistant manager at Otasco in Wichita before moving to Hays in 1963. He became the manager/owner of the Hays Otasco store (Coast to Coast, Hamm’s True Value) for almost 50 years. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, and watching the K.C. Royals. He especially loved spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Survivors include his wife of 63 years, Allura; three daughters, Brenda Epperson and husband Scott, Owasso, Oklahoma, Julia Kuntz and husband Andy, Hays, and Nikki Hamm, Enid, Oklahoma; three grandchildren, Heather Schmitz and Joshua Kuntz, Hays, and Garrett Epperson, Owasso, Oklahoma; two great-grandchildren, Savannah and Elijah Schmitz, Hays.

Visitation and service information to follow.

Helen R. Dickey, age 81, passed away on Tuesday, December 19, 2017 at the Scott County Hospital in Scott City, Kansas. She was born on January 1, 1936 in Emporia, Kansas, the daughter of Roy & Margaret Heaney Parker. She moved to Memphis, Tennessee in 1968 where she worked for Saunders & Associates as a Food Broker and Secretary until 1992 when she moved back to Healy, Kansas.

She was a member of the United Methodist Church in Healy, Kansas. She was a member and officer of the National Organization of Women in Memphis, Tenn, a CASA volunteer, Healy UMW and an election volunteer.

On June 11, 1953 she married Elliott D. Dickey in Kansas City. He passed away on February 21, 2012 in Scott City, Kansas.

Survivors include her Three Daughters – Donna McLelland of Healy, Kansas, Lisa Schneider & Rick Davis of Memphis, Tennessee, Rita & Scott Burch of Atlanta, Georgia, One Brother – Don & Gerri Parker of Conception, Missouri, Two Brother In Laws – Harold Dickey of Dighton, Kansas, Keith Dickey of Healy, Kansas, Six Grandchildren and Ten Great Grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her Parents & Husband.

Memorial Services will be held at the United Methodist Church in Healy, Kansas at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, December 30, 2017, with the Rev. Robert Nuckolls presiding.

Memorials may be given to the Healy United Methodist Church or Lane County Library % Price & Sons Funeral Home.

Interment will be in the Healy Cemetery in Healy, Kansas.

There will be no calling times.

Lucille Stroup passed away on Monday December 18, 2017 at the Presbyterian Manor in Newton, Kansas at the age of 90.

She was born on September 15, 1927 in Alton, Ks. to Everett and Viola O. (Kissell) Clausen. Lucille attended school in the Alton community and graduated from Alton High School. She married Ralph Stroup and to this union five children were born.

Lucille was a housekeeper working for many people. She also worked as a telephone operator for the Alton Telephone Exchange. Lucille also worked at the Corner Grocery in Alton and for Cady’s Meat Processing in Osborne, Ks. She is preceded in death by her husband Ralph in 1963; sons Wayne, Glenn, Bradley and John and grandson Jesse Stroup.

Lucille is survived by her daughter Billie Harr of Newton, Ks., 8 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Click HERE for service details.

Christine Elizabeth Chalender, Manhattan, died Thursday, December 21, after a long, hard fought battle with cancer at Meadowlark Hills.

She was born October 5, 1930, in Paola, to Arthur Eugene and Adeline O. (Hinkle) Allen. She attended schools in Paola and graduated from Olathe High School. She received a bachelor of science degree in Home Economics and Social Science from Kansas State University in 1951, where she was member of Clovia 4-H Scholarship House. She received her Master of Science degree from Fort Hays State University in 1983 and took post-graduate coursework at Kansas State, Fort Hays State, and Wichita State Universities.

Upon graduation, she began her career as a county extension agent in Anderson County. She also taught home economics, worked as a family life research consultant, marketing researcher, TV host for “Cook’s Nook” with Chris, adjunct faculty at Fort Hays State, ESL teacher, and homemaker. She retired from teaching in 1992, and began a new opportunity working as special assistant to KSU’s dean of Human Ecology. Her career outside of the home provided her the opportunity to teach and influence many students and viewers, eliminating barriers and helping others reach their full potential, and encouraging all to live life to its fullest.

She was a member of Phi Kappa Phi, Delta Kappa Gamma, NEA, KSU President’s Club, PEO, Review Club, and the First United Methodist Church. She served on the board of directors for the Kansas Teacher Hall of Fame Board of Directors and Senator Nancy Kassebaum’s Excellence in Education Foundation.

Her work brought her many honors including Kansas Teacher of the Year, 1987, Master Reader’s Digest Hero in American Education, 1989, Master Teacher, 1992, and KSU Distinguished Alumni Award. She was an avid KSU fan and enjoyed her time playing bridge throughout the years.

She married Bob L. Chalender on May 24, 1952. He preceded her in death on December 28, 2002. She was also preceded in death by three brothers: Ghormley, Earl & Marvin.

Survivors include her 2 children Rob Chalender, Wichita and Beth Klug, Manhattan; three grandchildren Josh, Chris (Kristen), and Megan Klug, all Manhattan. Other survivors include sister, Lois (Gil) Park, Manhattan; brother, Dale (Beth), Wichita; sister-in-laws Mary Barbara Allen, Gardner, and Marie Allen, Olathe; brother-in-law, Jack Chalender, Estes Park, CO and numerous nieces and nephews.

Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, December 23rd, at First United Methodist Church in Manhattan, with Reverend Melanie Martin officiating. Burial will follow in Sunrise Cemetery in Manhattan. Visitation will be Friday, 6-7:30 p.m. at Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, Manhattan, who is in charge of arrangements.

Online condolences may be left for the family by clicking on “Send Condolences” on this page.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Kansas State University Foundation – Bob and Chris Chalender fund or to Shepherd’s Crossing, both in Manhattan. Contributions may be left in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, KS 66502.

Victoria, Kansas – Stanley Joseph “Stan Jr.” Stramel, age 46, died Wednesday, December 20, 2017, at Hays Medical Center, Hays, Kansas.

He was born August 10, 1971, in Hays, Kansas, to Stanley and Patricia Ann (Hertel) Stramel. He grew up in Victoria and was a 1989 graduate of Victoria High School. He worked for over 20 years at Fort Hays State University as a mechanic for the motor pool. He worked at King of the Road in Russell, at Schultz Homes in Plainville and Wellbrock’s repair in Victoria for a number of years. Stan was a member of Liberty Foursquare Church in Hays, he was a graduate of Liberty Bible School, he was a member of their hospitality committee and he traveled on a church mission trip to Mexico.

He enjoyed working on and restoring cars, fishing, hunting, gardening and spreading the word of the Lord. He attended a number of car shows and showing his 1959 “Biscayne” and he had just finished his 1949 “Rat Rod”.

Survivors include his parents, Stan and Patty Stramel, Pfeifer, KS; one brother, Stephen Stramel, Victoria, KS; two sisters, Stephanie Budig and husband, Art, Russell, KS; Sarah Stramel, Hays, KS; one sister-in-law, Nikki Stramel, Victoria, KS; seven nephews and nieces, Taylor Stramel, Lucas Stramel, Cydnee Stramel, Alyssa Budig, Morgan Budig, Jayden Stramel and Brexton Stramel; one great nephew, Quinn Budig; his grandmother, Aletha (Leiker) Hertel, Hays, KS; his aunts and uncles, Julian Stramel and wife, Gladys, Kansas City, MO; Robert Stramel and wife, Phyllis, Victoria, KS; MaryAnn Hagen and husband, George, Kansas City, MO; Pete Braun and wife, Tina, Victoria, KS; Robert Samenus and wife, JoAnn, Kansas City, KS; Pat Stramel, Kansas City, KS; James Hertel and wife, Jean, Victoria, KS; Larry Hertel, Hays, KS; Theresa Truan and companion, Robert Dinkel, Munjor, KS; Rosie Redetzke and husband, Matt, Hays, KS.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, I.A. and Mildred (Burgardt) Stramel; Elmer A. Hertel; one uncle Arthur Stramel; two aunts, Vera Braun and Sandra Samenus.

Services are at 10:00 A.M. Saturday, December 23, 2017, at Liberty Foursquare Church 400 East 7th Street, Hays, Kansas. Burial will be in Holy Cross Cemetery, Pfiefer, Kansas.

A celebration of his life service will be at 7:00 P.M. Friday, at Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary, 412 Main Street, Victoria, Kansas 67671.

Visitation is from 6:00 to 9:00 P.M. Friday, at Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary, Victoria, Kansas and from 9:00 to 10:00 A.M. Saturday, at Liberty Foursquare Church in Hays, Kansas.

Memorial to Liberty Foursquare Church, Hays, Kansas. Condolences can be left by guest book at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com or can be sent via e-mail to [email protected].

Rita M. Weigel, 86, Hays, died Wednesday, December 20, 2017 at her home.

She was born April 17, 1931 in Hays the daughter of John J. and Margaret (Schoenberger) Lang. A 1949 graduate of Hays High School, she was united in marriage to Everett A. Weigel on September 12, 1951 in Hays. He preceded her in death on September 22, 1994.

She worked for over 25 years at Montgomery Wards and upon their closing, she worked for another 12 years at the Senior Center in Hays.

She was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and was always willing to share her time and talent with the church. She was also a long time member of the Hays VFW Post #9076 Ladies Auxiliary, and was a twenty year volunteer at Hays Medical Center. Her hobbies included bowling, playing cards and card games, bird watching, collecting bird sculptures and bird houses, and she was a passionate reader. Above all, she was a proud mother and grandmother who always put her family first.

Survivors include one son; Robert J. “Bob” Weigel and wife Judy of Hays, two grandchildren; Justin J. Weigel of Kansas City, and Trina Proberts and husband Kevin of Hays, two great-grandchildren; Toby and JoLeigh Proberts, two sisters; Joann Brown of Hays and Lorrie Uttecht of California, a brother; Frank Lang and wife Micki of Arizona, and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, six sisters; Katie, Paulina, Marie, Anna, Marcella, and Mary Alice, and four brothers; Ray, Johnnie, Eugene, and Julius.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 am on Saturday, December 23, 2017 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 215 W. 13th Street, with Fr. Fred Gatschet officiating. Inurnment will follow in the St. Joseph Cemetery. Visitation will be from 9:30 am until service time on Saturday at the church with recitation of the rosary at 10:00 am.

Memorials are suggested to St. Joseph Catholic Church or to Hospice of Hays Medical Center, in care of the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine Street, Hays. Condolences may be left for the family at www.haysmemorial.com.

Barbara Hutchison, 70, died Dec. 18, 2017, at Hays Medical Center, Hays. She was born Dec. 31, 1946, at Ellsworth, the daughter of James and Elva (Trapp) Ray. She married Melvin D. Rush Jan. 9, 1965, at Ellsworth. He died April 27, 1992. She then married John Hutchison Oct. 12, 1996, at Great Bend. A long-time Great Bend resident, Mrs. Hutchison was a teller at Security State Bank and Landmark Bank.

Mrs. Hutchison was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Trinity Ladies Fellowship, and church prayer team. She enjoyed baking and collecting Precious Moments figurines.

Survivors include her husband, John Hutchison, of the home; two daughters, Donna Schloemer and her husband Damon of Tacoma, Wash., and Debbie Stoughton of Hutchinson; one brother, Stanley Ray and his wife Lori of Lyons; and three grandchildren, Deborah, Johnnie and Kaleb. She was preceded in death by one son, Steve Rush.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m., Friday, Dec. 22, 2017, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Great Bend with the Rev. Jon Brudvig officiating. Burial will be in Great Bend Cemetery. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., with the family present from 6-8 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 21, 2017, at Bryant Funeral Home. Memorials have been established with the Trinity Lutheran Church Window Fund, in care of Bryant Funeral Home.