Robert E. “Bob” Schmidt, 90, Hays, passed away on Tuesday, August 8, 2017, at his home.

He was born June 20, 1927 in La Crosse, Kansas, the only child of Andrew and Mary (Petrik) Schmidt. He grew up in La Crosse where he attended school until leaving High School to join the U.S. Navy, where he served in the Philippines during World War II. He then began a career in radio while in college as a sportscaster.

On December 28, 1949, he was united in marriage to Patricia Ann “Pat” Everton in LaCrosse. They enjoyed nearly 69 years of wedded life together before she preceded him in death on August 28, 2015. Continuing with his career in radio and upon graduation from Fort Hays State University in 1950, he was appointed General Manager of KAYS Radio. He was elected Vice President and Director of KAYS, Inc. (now Eagle Communications). In 1989, he purchased control of the corporation and was elected President/CEO.

While leading the corporation, the company built or purchased twenty four radio and television stations and twelve cable systems in Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and Texas. The company now has twenty eight radio stations and sixty cable systems serving communities with broadband, video, and telephony services. Bob retired as President/CEO of Eagle Communications in 1998 and sold the majority interest in the company to its employees through an Employee Stock Ownership Plan. Nearly 300 Eagle Employee-Owners continue to build the company and share in the value of ownership. Bob has continued to maintain his office in Hays and has supervised the management of Sweetwater Ranch near Hays, and has been actively involved in numerous business projects including real estate, banking, stocks/bonds, and oil and gas development.

He has been a leader in the Broadcast Industry having served as Chairman of the CBS Television Network Affiliates Association, Chairman of the National Associated Press Broadcasters Association, Chairman of the Kansas Association of Broadcasters, Chairman of the Kansas State Chamber of Commerce, and many others. Numerous honors and recognition have been afforded Bob through the years including; Ward L. Quall Leadership Award from the Broadcasters Foundation of America in 2013, Distinguished Service Award from the Kansas Association of Broadcasters in 1972, Kansas Broadcasters Hall of Fame from the Kansas Association of Broadcasters in 2000, Broadcaster of the Year from the University of Kansas in 1964, Huck Boyd Community Media Leader of the Year for Radio from the Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development at Kansas State University in 2013, Hall of Fame Award from Hays, Kansas in 2003, Most Valuable Citizen Award from Hays, Kansas in 1989, Alumni Achievement Award for Public Service from Fort Hays State University in 1973, and the Outstanding Young Man of the Year Award from the Hays Chamber of Commerce in 1956.

Bob continues to be a major contributor to projects important to Ellis County and Kansas through the Bob and Pat Schmidt Foundation. Fort Hays State University, Hays Medical Center, numerous civic groups and industry groups have received their generous philanthropic support and will continue to do so through the foundation.

Survivors include a son; Anthony Schmidt and wife Loreta of Lawrence, Kansas and their children; Andrew Schmidt and wife Paula, Lexie Baker and husband Jeff, Zachary Schmidt, and Olivia Schmidt, two daughters; Ann Onymous of Lewiston, Idaho, and Sue K. Schmidt of Deerfield, Florida.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife Pat.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 am on Saturday, August 12, 2017 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 215 W. 13th Street with Fr. Fred Gatschet officiating. Private family burial will take place at Sweetwater Ranch in Ellis County at a later time. Visitation will be from 5:00 pm until 8:00 on Friday and from 9:30 am until 10:15 on Saturday, all at the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine Street. A vigil service will be at 7:00 pm on Friday at the funeral home.

Memorials are suggested in Bob’s memory to St. Joseph Catholic Church or to TMP-Marian High School, in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be left for the family at www.haysmemorial.com.

Lola Faye Nuss, 83, of Russell, Kansas, passed away Thursday, August 3, 2017 at the Russell Regional Hospital.

Lola was born January 11, 1934 in Russell. She grew up on a farm south of Gorham, Kansas, and graduated from Gorham High School.

Lola was a devoted homemaker for her family. She worked in the Medical Records department of Russell Regional Hospital for many years. She also was a cook and waitress for the Russell Elk Lodge and many local restaurants. She was a member of St. John Lutheran Church. She was a Past President of the Russell V.F.W. Ladies Auxiliary. She enjoyed reading, was an avid cat lover, crocheting and spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She baby sit numerous children in Russell and was a loving nanny for two special families.

Lola’s surviving family include five children; Melbirn Nuss of Russell, Kansas; Jeffrey Nuss (Joleen) of Topeka, Kansas; Jason Nuss (Crystal) of Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Rola Funk (Stephanie Stieben) of Hutchinson, Kansas and Lori Hurst of Russell, Kansas; three brothers, LaVern Lindenmuth (Karen) of Longview, Texas, Pete Lindenmuth (Joni )of Hays, Kansas and Darwin Lindenmuth (Diane) of Woodward, Oklahoma; sister, Shirley Brown of Russell, Kansas; son-in-law Dave Funk; eleven Grandchildren Steven, Kara, Jerome, Erica, Ellen, Zach, Taylor, Alex, Caitlin, Marissa, and Austin, and seven great grandchildren, Kohle, Joseph, Colton, Jerrod, Jamie, Carver, and Rowan, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Lola was preceded in death by her parents, daughter Jolene Nuss, grandson Jerrod Nuss and sister Lois Zordel.

Celebration of Lola’s Life will be held at 11:00 AM, Wednesday, August 9, 2017 at St. John Lutheran Church. Visitation will be held from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM, Tuesday, August 8, 2017 at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell with the family present to greet friends from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM. A Memorial has been established with Russell Area Youth Activities Fund. Contributions and condolence may be sent to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, who is in charge of these arrangements.

Orville Joyce Hair, age 89, died on Sunday, August 6, 2017 at Hays Medical Center, Hays, Kansas. He was born on the family farm to George and Grace (Holmes) Hair of Danby Valley near Brownell, Kansas.

He married Willa Snodgrass on September 19, 1948. He built the home he shared with her for nearly 69 years. He was a 1946 graduate of Langdon High School. He was a lifelong farmer and stockman until retirement four years ago. Hobbies and interests included fine woodworking, reading, astronomy, and watching his grandchildren play ball. He belonged to Brownell United Methodist Church until its close and then to Ransom UMC.

Orville was predeceased by his parents, George and Grace Hair; daughter, Darlene; sister, Wilma, grandson Aaron, and son-in-law Dick Wagner. He is survived by his wife, Willa; daughter, Juliana Wagner of Ness City; and sons, Calvin Hair and Jeanette Sommers of Sommerset, MO, Melvin and Loretta Hair of Brownell, and Arlan and Ellen Hair of Pratt; his grandchildren: Heather and Ivan Rivera, Rachelle Wagner, Matthew Hair, Chris Hair, Ruth Hair, Daniel Hair, Hannah Hair, Tim Hair; and three great-grandchildren, Autumn Hair, Keaton Hair, and Isabel Rivera-Wagner; sister-in-law, Wanda Wierman and brother-in-law, Lavern and Vienna Snodgrass.

Funeral Service will be on Thursday, August 10, 2017, 10:00 A.M. at the United Methodist Church, Ransom with burial in the Vansburgh Cemetery, Brownell. Visitation will be on Wednesday, August 9, from 9:00 A.M. until 9:00 P.M. at Fitzgerald Funeral Home, Ness City.

Memorial contributions may be given to Brownell/Waring Twp. Fire Department, Ransom United Methodist Church, or a charity of your choice.

Anna Marie Sander, 87, Englewood, Colorado, formerly of Hays, died Saturday, August 5, 2017 at Swedish Medical Center in Englewood.

She was born February 20, 1930 at St. Anthony’s Hospital in Hays the daughter of Isidor and Lidwina (Younker) Kreutzer. On April 13, 1948 she was united in marriage to Linus R. Sanders in Hyacinth, Kansas. To this union were born seven children. He preceded her in death on July 3, 1992. On May 28, 1999 she was united in marriage to Daniel F. Sander in Hays. He preceded her in death on January 13, 2011. She was a cook at many restaurants in Hays and was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church and the Daughters of Isabella Circle 254, both of Hays. She enjoyed volunteering for the HOPE food pantry in Englewood, and also quilting, cooking, gardening, embroidery, dancing polkas and waltzes, playing games, shopping, and she was an avid Colorado Rockies fan.

Survivors include five daughters; Sharon Richmeier and husband Ron of Hill City, SD, Roberta Braun and husband Mike of Centennial, CO, Carol Bouchard and Anita Paschal, both of Englewood, CO, and Kay Ballinger of Hill City, SD, a son; Bruce Sanders of Englewood, CO, two sisters; Imelda “Millie” Flax of Hays and Firma Pfannenstiel of WaKeeney, a brother; Leroy Kreutzer and wife Sandy of Hays, fourteen grandchildren, twenty-eight great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husbands, a daughter; Mary Ann Sanders, a daughter- in-law; Randi Sanders, a son-in-law; Harold Bouchard, a grandson; Ben Kuehn, four sisters; Alice Nemechek, Verla Staab, Neola Schmidtberger, and Viola Kreutzer, and three brothers; Marvin Kreutzer, Kenneth Kreutzer, and Leroy Kreutzer.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 am on Friday, August 11, 2017 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 1805 Vine Street, with Fr. Barry Brinkman officiating. Burial will follow in the St. Joseph Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5:00 pm until 8:00 on Thursday and from 9:00 am until 9:45 on Friday, all at the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine Street. A Daughters of Isabella rosary will be at 6:00 pm followed by a vigil service at 6:30 pm, both on Thursday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested in Anna’s memory to Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be left for the family at www.haysmemorial.com.

Longtime Quinter resident Robert Joseph Kepferle passed away Wednesday, August 3, 2017 at Gove County Medical Center, Quinter, after suffering a massive heart attack. He was born October 29, 1934, in Dover, Colorado, to Joseph Royal Kepferle and Dorothy Gladys Ayers, the second to the youngest of five boys.

Growing up in the Nunn and Pierce, Colorado area, Robert and his four brothers spent their childhood getting into all sorts of predicaments. Robert attended schools in Grainfield and Quinter graduating from Quinter High School in 1952. On October 29, 1954, he was united in marriage to Nellie Mae Jamison in Quinter. They enjoyed 61 years of marriage before Nellie passed away July 20, 2016. In the first nine years of their marriage Bob worked the oilfields. They moved to Quinter in 1961 when Robert went to work for John Ewing, at Ewings as a mechanic. During the 9 years with Ewings they added the services of selling iron, gases and cutting and welding iron. Robert purchased the shop from John in May 1972 and Bob’s Repair was born. He helped many people in the area keep their cars running and repairing their farm machinery. He enjoyed solving problems for anyone that had an idea that needed built, Robert would figure out a way to build it. But nothing interfered with his coffee breaks with his buddies throughout the years. He retired and closed Bob’s Repair in 2004 after 32 years. Robert and Nellie were instrumental in getting the stained glass windows for the Quinter United Methodist Church and the nativity scene that is on display at Christmas. He also served on the United Methodist Board of Trustees and other committees for many years. The family enjoyed annual camping and sightseeing trips while visiting relatives across the country. Bob and Nellie continued to enjoy their travels, especially the many fishing trips to Alaska. The most memorable trip was in 1986 when Robert caught a 64 lb King Salmon on the Kenai River at Centennial Park in Soldotna, Alaska.

Robert will be missed by many friends and his family, including, Shirley (Chuck) Comeau of Plainville, Kathleen (Gene) Eichman of Aurora, CO, Janell (Eugene) Ziegler of Grainfield, Donald (Helen) Kepferle of Ft. Worth, TX, and Diana Kepferle (Michael Reyer) of Lenexa, KS; six grandchildren, Jessica (Daniel) Reling of Topeka, Jacob McDaniel of Kansas City, MO, Michelle Sprigg of Norton, Adam (Ashley) Comeau of Plainville, Alex Comeau of Pomona, CA, and Colin Comeau of West Hollywood, CA; four great-grandchildren, Eli and Parker Reling of Topeka, Dustyna (Ernesto) Romano of Wichita, and Dylan (Jordan) Sprigg of Norton; 1 great-great grandson Grayson Sprigg; his four brothers, Roy Kepferle, Springfield, VA, Jim (Irene) Kepferle, Cody, WY, Dwight (Kay) Kepferle, Billings, MT, Loyd Kepferle, Lummi Island, WA; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; two sister-in-laws Rhua Kepferle and Susan Kepferle; a grandson, Andrew Comeau; and grandson-in-law Dwight Sprigg.

Funeral service will be 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, August 8, 2017 at Quinter United Methodist Church. Burial is in Baker Township Cemetery, Quinter.

Visitation will be Monday evening from 5 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to Quinter United Methodist Church. Donations made to the church may be sent to Schmitt Funeral Home, 901 South Main, Quinter, KS 67752.

Martha Bertha Peschka, 89, of Salina, Kansas, passed away Thursday, August 3rd, 2017.

Martha was born in Ransom, Kansas on February 9, 1928, a daughter of the late Theresia (Weber) and Joseph Flax.

She worked in food service for USD 305 and volunteered many hours at the Salina Food Bank. She and her husband received the JCPenney Volunteer of the Year for the Bread Ministry.

Martha was a member of RSVP and St. Mary’s Catholic Church Salina, Kansas.

On March 27, 1950, Martha married Francis J Peschka in Great Bend, Kansas, while living in Great Bend she was a house painter. Martha and Francis adopted two daughters and took in many foster children. Francis preceded her in death on September 23, 1998.

Survivors include two daughters, Loretta Brittain (Leon), of Great Bend, Kansas, Cheryl Gulickson, of Great Bend, Kansas; sisters, Sr. Doris Marie Flax, of Ellis, Kansas, Catherine O’Hare, of Hometown, Illinois; grandchildren, Adrian Brittain, of Canon City, Colorado, Austin Brittain (Yuki), of Sasebo, Japan, Sarah Gulickson, of Tucson, Arizona and great grandchildren, Gage Gulickson, of Tucson, Arizona, and Trinity and Amanda Brittain of Sasebo, Japan.

Martha is preceded in death by her husband, Francis Peschka; sister, Mary Prather; brothers, Joseph, Albert, Francis, George, John, Paul, and Leonard Flax.

Visitation will be held Monday, August 7 from 9:00 am – 8:00 pm at Carlson-Geisendorf Funeral Home, Salina with family present from 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Salina, Kansas, at 10:00 am on Tuesday, August 8th, with Fr. Luke Thielen officiating.

Graveside Services will be held at 3:00 pm, Tuesday, August 8, at Great Bend Cemetery Great Bend, Kansas.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 230 E. Cloud, Salina, Kansas 67401.