Lakewood, Colorado – Kenneth Dwaine Riedel, age 75, died Sunday, December 3, 2017, at St. Anthony Hospital in Lakewood, Colorado.

He was born on March 1,1942, in Hays, Kansas, to Arthur and Thelma (Sander) Riedel. He married Geraldine “Gerri” (Dreiling) on October 24,1970 in Victoria, Kansas.

Ken’s most recent career was in accounting for Harding and Associates. He grew up in Hays, graduated from St. Joseph Military Academy and received his Bachelor’s Degree from Fort Hays State College. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army and has lived in Colorado for 45 years. He was a member of Christ on the Mountain Catholic Church, a member of the Knights of Columbus 3rd Degree and 4th Degree Assembly and held many titles. Ken had a passion for talking about his time in the military and giving people a hard time with his dry sense of humor.

Survivors include his wife of the home; two daughters, Rebecca Rubel and husband, William, Metuchen, NJ; Elizabeth Hines and husband, Harley, Arvada, CO; two grandchildren, Aaron Hines and Catherine Rubel; three brothers, Art Riedel Jr. and wife, Penny, Larned, KS; William Riedel and wife, Tammy, Aurora, CO; Robert Riedel and wife, Evelyn, Papillion, NE; and one sister, Kathy Petr and husband, Don, Wichita, KS. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Services are Thursday, December 7, 2017, in Lakewood, Colorado and a funeral mass will be 10:00 A.M. Saturday, December 9, 2017, at The Basilica of St. Fidelis, Victoria, Kansas. Burial is in St. Fidelis Cemetery, Victoria, Kansas, with military honors by the Victoria V.F.W. Post No. 1751.

Visitation will be from 9:00 to 10:00 A.M. Saturday, at The Basilica of St. Fidelis, Victoria, Kansas.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials to Christ on the Mountain Catholic Church, Brookdale Meridian Lakewood Senior Living, both of Lakewood, Colorado or Thomas More Prep-Marian High School, Hays, Kansas.

Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary of Hays is in charge of local arrangements. Condolences can be left by guestbook at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com or can be sent via e-mail to [email protected]

Goodland, Kansas resident, Mariah Lynne Soderlund “Dr. Berry, DVM”, 43, passed away on Sunday, December 3, 2017 at her home south of Goodland following a courageous battle with cancer.

Mariah was born on September 21, 1974 in Colby, Kansas to Mark and Mildred (Williams) Berry. Mariah always had a love for animals, her first word was dog. She had horses, mules, donkeys, dogs, cats, rabbits, anoles, woodsy the owl, chickens, goats, and whatever other animal she could find to take care of. There was never a time when she did not want to be a veterinarian.

She started school at Tri-Plains in Winona, and continued at Cheylin in McDonald and Bird City. In high school, Mariah was very active with Honor Society, FFA, Volleyball, Cheerleading, POM, and Academic Bowl. Her sophomore summer she went to Australia on a walkabout tour. The next summer, she visited walkabout friends in Washington, D.C. and did a tour of the Nation’s Capital.

Mariah finished her High School career graduating Valedictorian from Cheylin High School in Bird City, Kansas in 1993. She then went Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kansas to obtain her Doctorate Degree in Veterinary Medicine. She made many lifelong friends at this time. It was at this time that Mariah succumbed to the joys of Wildcat Football and Coach Snyder. Her blood ran purple from that point on. She graduated from K-State in 2000.

Mariah was working at her first job in Oberlin, KS where she met her future husband, when he brought in a cow for her to work on. On April 20, 2002, she married Kevin Soderlund at the Berry Ranch north of McDonald. To this union, she welcomed two children Gage and Dallas Soderlund into her life.
Mariah and Kevin lived in Hugoton, Kansas for 10 years where she worked as a veterinarian. She was involved in many community things including the Dusty Trail Saddle Club; she enjoyed raising the kids and attending all of their sporting events, and school activities. The family enjoyed attending yearly K-State Football games.

In 2011, Mariah achieved her lifelong dream of owning her own Veterinary practice, when they bought the Vet Clinic in Goodland. Mariah had a love for animals, and through her job as a veterinarian, she has made many wonderful friends throughout the area.

Preceding her in death were her maternal grandparents and her paternal grandfather.

She is survived by her husband Kevin, her parents Mark and Mildred Berry of McDonald, KS, her maternal grandmother Maxine Berry of Monument, Kansas, her mother and father-in-law Delbert and Norma Lewis of Oberlin, Kansas, two step children Gage (Audry) Soderlund and their children Avery and Eva; and Dallas Soderlund and her son Kaiser, all of Oberlin, Kansas. She is also survived by many friends.

The family is having a Come and Go Celebration of Life on Tuesday, December 26, 2017 beginning at 5:00 PM MT, during the K-State Bowl Game at the Student Union at the Northwest Kansas Technical College in Goodland. They are asking friends to join them in celebrating Mariah’s life and her love for the Kansas State Wildcats. The family encourages everyone in attendance to wear your favorite K-State attire or something purple.

In Lieu of Flowers, memorials may be designated to the Mariah Berry Soderlund Memorial Fund and may be left at the service 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.

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

Alan Wayne Roop, 67, passed away Friday, December 1, 2017, surrounded by his family after a wonderful life.



Alan was born on January 6, 1950, in Dodge City, Kansas to Ernest Morton Roop, Jr. and Ramona Delilah (Lovette) Roop. As a young man he enjoyed riding horses and exploring the family property on the Arkansas River. He played basketball, football, and track at Ford High School and graduated in 1968 and got into endless trouble with his best friend, Duane Fowler.

Alan attended Kansas State University from 1968 to 1972 and there he met Ellen Anita Smith, the love of his life. Alan and Ellen were married in 1971 in Sharon Springs, Kansas. They moved to Sharon Springs in 1975 where Alan became co-owner of Sharon Springs Lumber with his father-in-law, Darwin Smith. Alan was very proud of his time in the business community and loved interacting with customers. Alan and Ellen and their young children were active in the Sharon Springs United Methodist Church and bought the first of many horses. Alan was a team roper with his lifelong friend, Jerry Collins and was involved in 4-H with his kids.

In 1985 Alan became the Wallace County Appraiser. 

In 1987 Alan moved his family to Garden City, Kansas and became the Finney County Appraiser, a job he held until his retirement in 2006. Alan and Ellen were members of the Garden City First United Methodist Church and the family was active in 4-H, Kansas Western Horseman’s Association, and the National Saddle Clubs Association. Alan loved being county appraiser and loved working with members of the public, even when they were not happy with their taxes. He was a member of the Kansas County Appraiser’s Association. Alan was very proud that all three of his kids graduated Kansas State University and followed their children’s activities with enthusiasm.

In 2008 Alan and Ellen moved to Michigan Valley, Kansas and began a new retirement life where they made many friends and Alan dabbled in the real estate business. 

They often boated on Pomona Lake and spent countless hours with kids and grandkids. Alan loved his kids, grandkids, horses, dogs, and any competitive event that he could watch. He especially loved watching his kids compete in activities and build their own families. Alan successfully fought a rare illness for 25 years and was proud that he continued to work and spend time with his family in spite of his fight. 



He is survived by his wife, Ellen; three children, Lori (Kyle Jenkins) Roop of Denver, Colorado, Tobin (Jennifer Macy) Roop of Emigrant, Montana, and Garett (Haley) Roop; five grandchildren, Zac, Veronika, Judson, Elle, and Chase; and sister, Betty (Rodger) Gracey of Cheney, Kansas.

Alan was preceded in death by his son, Garth Adam Roop; nephew, Travis Gracey; parents; and brother, Ronald Roop.

A memorial service will be at 10:30 a.m. MT on Saturday, December 9, 2017, at Sharon Springs United Methodist Church in Sharon Springs, KS. Inurnment will follow at Sharon Springs Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Overbrook United Methodist Church or to the Sharon Springs United Methodist Church and may be left at the service or mailed to Koons-Russell Funeral Home, 211 N. Main Ave., Goodland, KS 67735.

Online condolences may be left at www.koonsrussellfuneralhome.com.

Local service arrangements are entrusted to Koons-Russell Funeral Home in Sharon Springs, KS.

Victoria, Kansas – Edna E. (Schulte) Dreiling, age 94, died Sunday, December 3, 2017, at The Good Samaritan Society of Hays.

She was born November 19, 1923, on the family farm east of Victoria, Kansas, to Bernard H. and Clara (Linenberger) Schulte. She married Fridolin “Fred” B. Dreiling on June 2, 1947, in Victoria, Kansas.   He preceded her in death on February 17, 2013.

She was employed as a cook at St. John’s Rest Home and St. Francis Seminary for eight years and then cooked for the Capuchin Friars in Victoria for 23 years.  She worked in her early years at the Victoria Co-op grocery store and was a 1942 graduate of Victoria High School.  She was a member of the Basilica of St. Fidelis, VFW Ladies Auxiliary Post # 1751, Daughters of Isabella all of Victoria.  She was an Affiliated Member of the Capuchin Province of Mid-America.  She enjoyed cooking, flower gardening, crossword puzzles, embroidery and spending time with her family.

Survivors include three sons, Rene Dreiling and wife, Marilyn “Mimi”, Syracuse, UT; Joel Dreiling and wife, Melinda, Hays, KS; and John Dreiling, Tulsa, OK; two daughters, Rose Rifford, Hays, KS; Mary Jones and husband, Carroll, Lexington, KY; one sister, Caroline Pfeifer, Hays KS; two sisters-in-law, Cora Schulte, Victoria, KS; Rosie Schulte, Hays; six grandchildren, Stephanie Boohar (Jim), Mark Dreiling, George Rifford (Michelle), Jennifer Altman (Brock), Jeremy Dreiling (Amy), and Jay Dreiling; and four great-grandchildren, Paige and Hailey Rifford, Katie Boohar, Grant Altman, and one soon to be great grand-daughter due in December.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; six brothers, Father Herman Schulte, John Schulte and wife, Molly, Robert Schulte and wife Verna, Ed Schulte and wife, Martha, Denis Schulte, Benny Schulte; and a sister, Georgina Schulte.

Services will be at 10:00 A.M. Friday, December 8, 2017, at the Basilica of St. Fidelis. Burial in St. Fidelis Cemetery, Victoria, Kansas.

Daughters of Isabella rosary and a V.F.W. Auxiliary memorial service at 5:30 P.M. Thursday, and a vigil service will be at 7:00 P.M. Thursday, both at Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary of Hays, 1919 East 22^nd Street, Hays, Kansas 67601.

Visitation will be from 5:00 to 8:00 P.M. Thursday, at Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary of Hays and from 9:00 to 10:00 A.M. Friday, at The Basilica of St. Fidelis

Memorials are suggested to Good Samaritan Society of Hays or Cathedral of the Plains Charitable Fund.

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

LaDonna L. (Fosdick) Koster Chappell, age 92, left this earthly life on Sat., Dec. 2, 2017 at the Bethany Home, Lindsborg, KS. She was born on July 27, 1925 on a farm north of Miltonvale, KS in the Colfax Twp.

At a very early age, LaDonna, her mother, Laura Rowena Fosdick & grandmother, Lydia Ann Fosdick moved to the Limestone Community north of Miltonvale, KS where she grew up and graduated from the Limestone grade school. Her mother and grandmother had also attended this school. She graduated from Miltonvale Rural High School in 1943.

After graduation, she attended Kansas Wesleyan in Salina and received an Emergency Teaching Certificate. She taught school for 2 years, 8 miles south of Minneapolis and 1 year at Dist. 90, west of Miltonvale. Later she worked for Hallmark Cards in Topeka and the Santa Fe Railroad offices.

On Aug. 19, 1947, LaDonna was united in marriage to Rex Milton Koster in Oregon, MO after he came home from WWII. To this union was born three children; Ginger Rexine Koster Jensen Gage, Billy Ray Koster & Clo Ann Koster Collette.

Rex and LaDonna farmed south of Miltonvale for 25 years. In 1956, they bought their farm southwest of Miltonvale. Most of their farming years were with Rex’s dad, George Koster and his brother Ralph. LaDonna said she raised her kids at the end of the field rows as she moved them down the rows as she worked her way across the fields. She talked often about the stories Grandpa George Koster would tell her as they waited on the next truck load of wheat being filled to haul to the grainery.

After the death of LaDonna’s step-father, Ivan Francis in 1970, Rex took over the gravel truck business and they moved to Miltonvale. After the children were all married, LaDonna went to work for the same construction company Rex worked for as a flagger. She flagged traffic for 2 years until Rex’s health forced them to retire. LaDonna was one of the first women to work this job and was interviewed on the job.

After Rex passed away in 1978, LaDonna went to work in the Miltonvale schools as a cook’s helper and eventually as head cook.

In 1986, LaDonna was united in marriage to Clell Chappell of Belleville. After moving to Belleville, she helped him farm until Clell’s health failed and they sold the farm to move into town. After Clell’s death in 1999, she moved back to Miltonvale, where she lived with her mother Laura until her mother’s death in 2004.

LaDonna moved into the Miltonvale Manor across the street from her house in Miltonvale in 2006. After it closed in 2015, she moved to the Bethany Home in Lindsborg, where she lived out the rest of her life.

LaDonna loved the color red, shoes, dancing, a good joke and her children and not necessarily in that order! There was always a sparkle in her eye and her life’s passion was taking care of others. She was accident prone, but it never slowed her down. She sewed, painted, did chores, ran the tractor, gardened, canned and was always busy.

She is survived by her children; Ginger Gage (Ted), Dallas, Bill Koster (Ginny), Miltonvale & Clo Ann Collette (Jerry), Lindsborg; 7 grandchildren, Mark Jensen (Michelle), Hays, Jennifer Cox (Michael), Andale, Justina Gooden, Blue Springs, MO, Jordan Koster (Reba), Wamego, Joshua Collette (Shannon), Wichita, Jared Collette (Anne), Belleville & Joel Collette (Davina), El Dorado; 17 great grandchildren, Cameron Jensen, Gage & Madison Cox, Paxton & Brodix Gooden, Brantley Koster, Ashley, Emily, Mallory, Ian, Abbygail & Elika Collette, Matthew & Leo Collette & William, Sophie & Bennie Collette & her niece, Pat Johnson (Delbert), Courtland.

Funeral services will be 1:30 pm, Wed., Dec. 6, 2017 at the Miltonvale Christian Church, Miltonvale. Burial will follow at the Miltonvale Cemetery, Miltonvale, KS. Visitation will be 12-9 pm Tues., Dec. 5, 2017 at the Chaput-Buoy Funeral Home, Concordia and from 11 until the service time on Wed. at the church. The family suggests memorials to Bethany Home in care of the funeral home. For online condolences, please visit www.chaputbuoy.com.

Mary Ann Rohleder, 86, Hays, died Thursday, November 30, 2017 at Hospice House in Hutchinson.

She was born January 10, 1931 in St. Peter, Kansas the daughter of Bernard and Clara (Stremel) Rome. She attended grade school in St. Peter, Sacred Heart High School in Salina, and in 1950, she graduated from St. Mary High School in Pittsburg, Kansas. On April 24, 1951 she was united in marriage to Leonard Rohleder in St. Peter, Kansas. They celebrated over 65 years of marriage before he preceded her in death on September 10, 2016. She was a member of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in St. Peter until she moved to Hays in 1987 and became a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church. She was a life member of the DAV Auxiliary and a member of the VFW Auxiliary, Hays. She enjoyed crocheting afghans for family and friends, baking and sending brownies home with her family, and reading and puzzles.

Survivors include four sons; Steven Rohleder and wife Linda of WaKeeney, David Rohleder and wife Susan of St. Peter, Patrick Rohleder and wife Karla of Collyer, and Michael Rohleder and wife Ella of Wheatridge, CO, three daughters; Clara Unrein and husband Joe of Kechi, Roberta Rein of ElDorado, and Tamara Poulton of Hutchinson, nine grandchildren, five great grandchildren, six step-grandchildren, nine step-great-grandchildren, and a step-great-great grandchild, two sisters; Albertina Wilson and husband Robert of Arvada, CO, and Vera Syvertson of Tempe, AZ, a half-sister; Martha Rome of Sioux City, IA, and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her step-mother; Lena, her husband, an infant sister; Albertina, a granddaughter; Christy Ann Rohleder, a brother; Charles “Virgil” Rome and his wife Virginia, a brother-in-law; Dave Syvertson, and a son-in-law; Gary Poulton.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 am on Wednesday, December 6, 2017 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 1805 Vine Street, with Fr. Barry Brinkman officiating. Burial will be at 2:00 pm in the Kansas Veterans Cemetery, WaKeeney. Visitation will be from 4:00 pm until 8:00 on Tuesday and from 9:30 am until 10:15 on Wednesday, all at the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine Street. A parish vigil service will be at 5:30 pm followed by a VFW Auxiliary rosary at 6:00 pm, both on Tuesday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested in Mary Ann’s memory to the Mary Elizabeth Maternity Home, the Herndon Clinic, or to masses, in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be left for the family at www.haysmemorial.com

Duane Robert Graeff, age 87, died on December 1, 2017 at the Hays Medical Center. He was born on April 18, 1930 in Shields, Kansas the son of Robert and Alma Reed Graeff.

Duane retired from United States Air Force in 1972 having served in Germany, Vietnam, Alaska, California, Utah, Texas, and Kansas. After retiring from the Air Force he managed the warehouse for Horton’s Furniture and drove a propane truck for Basinger LP Gas. Later in life he collected and recycled metal. He was a member of the First Christian Church and the American Legion both of Utica and the VFW, and Lions Club both of Ransom.

He married Mary Nora, they were later divorced. On July 5, 1973 he married Mary Henry in Wichita, Kansas. She survives of the home. Other survivors include nine daughters, Terry Gile of Wichita, Kathryn Herrman of Utica, Margaret Massey of Richmond, Virginia, Ruth Wise and Sandra Long both of Wichita, Patsy Rameriz of Lawrence, and Linda Davis of Oskaloosa; one son, Christopher Duane Graeff of Ogden, Utah; two sisters, Betty Whitehurst of Garden City and Susan Schmidt of Galva; a step-brother, Delbert West of Greeley, Colorado; 35 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren, and nine great-great grandchildren.

Duane was preceded in death by daughters Mary Jane Loudermilk and Pamela Grandstaff; brothers, Darrell, Fred, and Dexter Graeff; sister Colleen Fitzwater; grandchildren, Raymond Buhrle, Melissa and Jessica Jean Grandstaff and great granddaughter, Samantha.

Funeral service will be on Thursday, December 7, 2017, 10:30 a.m. at the First Christian Church, Utica followed by burial in the Utica Cemetery. Friends may call at Fitzgerald Funeral Home on Tuesday from 1:00 until 5:00 p.m. and Wednesday from 9:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. with the family present from 7:00 until 8:00 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to the First Christian Church, the American Legion, both of Utica or the American Cancer Society.

Marjorie M. Misfeldt, 96, former resident of Fremont, NE, died Monday, Nov 27, 2017, at Good Samaritan Nursing Home in Hays, KS.

She was born May 3, 1921, in Ames, Nebraska to Harry and Margaretha (Low) Dahl. She was a life-long member of the Lutheran Church having been baptized at the Bugby Church and confirmed at the St. John’s Lutheran Church in Bennington. She was a member of Salem Lutheran Church of Fremont since 1958.

When Marjorie was a toddler she moved with the family to Colorado in 1925 and returned to Nebraska in 1934. Marjorie graduated from Tecumseh High School in 1938. After graduation she worked at her father’s grocery store in Bennington.

Marjorie and Kenneth Steinert were married in 1941 in Bennington, NE. They farmed in the area up until 1958 when they moved to Fremont. Marjorie worked at the Dodge County Treasurer’s office for over 20 years and was deputy treasurer when she retired. She went on to manage the Senior Nutrition Site at the Alliance Church for the next 8 years. Kenneth preceded her in death in 1972. In 1975, Marjorie married George Misfeldt. They traveled extensively across the United States, Mexico and took two trips to New Zealand. George preceded her in death in 1995. Marjorie was an avid knitter and loved to sew. She knitted caps for the newborn babies at the hospital and students in the Head Start program. She sewed 300 school bags each year to be filled with school supplies and sent overseas to underprivileged children.

Survivors include:
Daughter Marcia and husband Cliff Smith of Hays, KS
Brother Carrol and wife Dorothy Dahl of Fresno, CA
Sister-in-Law Fran Steinert of Fremont
Granddaughter Jennifer and husband Darren Gaede of Blue Hill, NE. Their children Linsey and husband Ryan Huffaker, Damon Gaede and wife Alicia, and Gage Owens and his girlfriend Lexington Morrow Granddaughter Winifred and husband Clayton Unruh of Hays, KS, and their daughters Peyton and Parker of the home
Step-daughter LeMara and husband Artie Eicke of Washington, NE
Step-grandchildren Lynn and wife Lisa Eicke of Bennington, Eddie Eicke of Pappillion, Paula and husband Steve Schuman of Las Vegas, NV, Mae and husband Mike Farrar of Grand Prairie, TX, Mark Misfeldt of Omaha, Chris and wife Janie Misfeldt of Washington, David and wife Sarah Misfeldt of Washington, 14 step-great grandchildren, and 7 step-great-great grandchildren
Several nieces and nephews

She was also preceded in death by her parents, brothers Henry Dahl and Clarence Dahl, sisters Lois Ludvigsen and Harriet Arandus, and step-son Daryl Misfeldt.

Memorials may be directed to Salem Lutheran Church of Fremont, NE, or the Alzheimer’s Association.