Alfred N Flax, age 81, of WaKeeney, passed away Monday, May 15, 2017 at his residence in rural WaKeeney. He was born in rural Ellis on July 4, 1935 to Albert Sr and Rosie (Augustine) Flax.

He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. On May 12, 1962, he was united in marriage to Verna Katherine Nemechek, at Christ the King Catholic Church, WaKeeney. They just celebrated 55 years of marriage.

Alfred loved farming and raising cattle. He also drove water truck in the oil fields as well as a custodian for 11 years at USD #208 in WaKeeney. He enjoyed his grandchildren and traveling to their many school and sporting events. He especially enjoyed watching his grandson race. His annual fishing trips to Nebraska was a highlight of the summer, especially when he caught the big one.

After retirement he loved making and fixing things around the yard and home. He especially liked sitting outdoors on the swing and spending time with his dog, Toby. The days were spent watching his “cowboy shows” and the nights cheering on the Royals.

Survivors include his wife of the family home; five children, Angela (Lawrence) Walt and Laura (Terrence) Walt, both of Collyer, Darren (Sheree) Flax of Quinter, Karen (Dale) Napier of Wichita, and Galen Flax of WaKeeney; twelve grandchildren, Tyler (Cristina) Walt, Keith (Merry) Walt, Brittney Walt, Blaine (Ryan) Walt, Derek Walt all of Collyer and his fiancé Nicole Martin of Kansas City, Brooke and Justin Flax of Hays, David, Jacob, Janessa, Kara, Brayden Napier of Wichita; six great-grandchildren, Cody, Taylor, Cayden Walt, Grayson & McCoy Walt and Jordi Walt all of Collyer; two brothers, Lawrence (Pearl) Flax of Salina, Albert Jr (Shirley) Flax of Ellis; and three sisters, Freda Dietz, Agnes Burns both of Ellis and Anna Pfeifer of WaKeeney. He was preceded in death by his parents; infant son, Aaron Alfred; five brothers, Joseph, William, Tony, Clarence and Phillip Flax; and three sisters, Elizabeth Lang, Theresa Gnad, Rosie Burns and one infant sibling.

Visitation will be Thursday, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. with a parish vigil service and rosary following at 7:00. All will be at Christ the King.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m., Friday, May 19, 2017, at Christ the King Catholic Church, WaKeeney. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Christ the King Catholic Church or the Masses.

Contributions may be sent to Schmitt Funeral Home, 336 North 12th, WaKeeney, Ks 67672.

Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.schmittfuneral.com.

Hays, Kansas – Frances N. Bader, age 92, died Monday, May 15, 2017, at the Brookdale Senior Living Solutions in Hays.

She was born April 12, 1925, in Jennings, Kansas to George T. and Helen Marie (Kasper) Coleman. She married Erwin E. Bader on September 25, 1945. He preceded her in death on February 12, 1994.

She was a farmer’s wife and a beautician, living on the farm for 65 years north of Allison, Kansas until moving in 2011, to the Centennial Towers in Hays. She attended the Jennings Schools and was a 1943 graduate of Jennings High School, she was a graduate of at cosmetology school in Topeka, Kansas. She was a member of the Methodist Church in Jennings and Allison. She was very active in her area, serving on the Jennings School Board, Township Board, served as records keeper for the Allison Township Cemetery, volunteer as a census worker and senior income taxes provider, was an organizer of the Jennings Kolache Festival. She enjoyed spending time with her family and community and became a resident of Brookdale in February of 2017.

Survivors include one daughter, Sharon Mathews and spouse, Diana Justice, Braggs, OK; four sisters, Marie Ellis, Salem, OR; Bonnie Urling, McCook, NE; Margaret Hoffman, Hot Springs Village, AR; Nancy Bristow and husband, David, Springdale, AR; four grandchildren, Thomas Mathews, Todd Mathews, Brian Bader, Allison Bader; and seven great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; son, Dennis Bader, and brother, Ray George Coleman.
Graveside services will be at 11:00 A.M. Friday May 19, 2017 at the Allison Township Cemetery in Allison, Kansas.
Visitation will be from 5:00 to 8:00 P.M. Thursday, at Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary of Hays, 1919 East 22nd Street, Hays, Kansas 67601.

Memorial to Allison Township Cemetery and Jennings Fire Department.

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

Marilyn E. Marshall, 83, Hays, died Saturday, May 13, 2017 at the Ellis Good Samaritan Society.

She was born October 23, 1933 in Hutchinson, Kansas the daughter of Walter and Irene (Behnke) Rinehart. After graduating high school, she received her BS degree in Biology from Emporia State University and her MS degree in Microbiology from Kansas State University.

During her time at Emporia State, she met a fellow student in the chemistry department named Delbert A. Marshall. They were united in marriage on June 5, 1964 in Topeka, Kansas. He preceded her in death on October 16, 2009.

Marilyn worked at the Hays Pathology Laboratory and at the Hays Public Library and was a member of the First United Methodist Church. Marilyn and Delbert were also friends and volunteers at the Humane Society of the High Plains since its inception in 1978. She enjoyed flower gardening and tending to her lawn, her bridge club, traveling with her husband to the British Isles and Western Europe, taking train rides in Colorado, and was very well known for her “Ask Marilyn” newspaper column in the Hays Daily News. She also enjoyed discussing events at the Humane Society during radio and television shows. She loved her family and friends and adored her three cats, affectionately being called the “Cat Lady” in her neighborhood.

She is survived by numerous cousins and a host of friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Delbert.

A celebration of Marilyn’s life will be at 10:30 am on Thursday, May 18, 2017 at the First United Methodist Church, 305 W. 7th Street, Hays. Private family inurnment will take place at a later date. The family will receive friends from 10:00 am until service time on Thursday at the church.

Memorials are suggested to the First United Methodist Church or to the Humane Society of the High Plains, in care of the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine Street. Condolences may be left for the family at www.haysmemorial.com

Gilbert J. Augustine Jr., 71, Hays, died Tuesday, May 9, 2017, at Hays Medical Center. 

He was born April 20, 1946 in Hays the son of Gilbert J. and Juanita (Knauss) Augustine.  After graduating from High School, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and was assigned to Amphibious Construction Battalion One (Seebees) responsible for construction and maintenance of the Khe Sanh Combat Base in Vietnam from 1965 until 1969.

Upon leaving the U.S. Navy Reserve in 1971, he worked at Travenol in Hays where he met Sheila Brungardt.  They were united in marriage on May 26, 1973 in Catherine, Kansas.  She preceded him in death on November 7, 2010.  Gilbert spent many years working in the Oilfield as a roughneck and prior to his retirement, as a tool pusher for John O. Farmer, Inc. in Russell.  He was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus Council #6984, the Hays VFW Post #9076, and the Perpetual Adorers.  He taught religious education and was a Eucharistic minister for many years at St. Joseph Catholic Church.  He also taught hunter’s safety courses for many years.  He loved to garden and grow roses, and was an avid hunter and fisherman.

Survivors include three daughters; Michelle Hafliger and husband Jeff of WaKeeney, Nichole Burns of Hays, and Natascha Degenhardt and husband B.J. of Hays, two brothers; Gary Augustine and wife Janice of Wichita, and Greg Augustine and wife Debbie of Ellis, six grandchildren; Jordyn Berry and husband David, Andria Buchholz, Bryn Hafliger, Nikolas Armbrister, T.J. Hafliger, and Kelsiy Burns, and three great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Sheila, and an infant child.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 am on Friday, May 19, 2017 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 1805 Vine Street, Hays.  Inurnment with Military Honors by the U.S. Navy Honor Guard will be in the Kansas Veterans’ Cemetery, WaKeeney.  Visitation will be from 9:00 am until service time on Friday at the church.  Memorials are suggested to Wreaths Across America or to the Wounded Warriors Project, in care of the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine Street, Hays, Kansas 67601.  Condolences may be left for the family at www.haysmemorial.com

Lifelong Goodland, Kansas, resident Alberta Bessie Harding, 89, passed away on Monday, May 8, 2017 at the Good Samaritan Center-Sherman County in Goodland, KS.

Alberta was born on July 24, 2017 on the homestead in Sherman County to John Robert and Evelyn Bessie (Kolsky) Kling. She was one of three children. She attended school up through the 11th grade in Edson.

On October 6, 1948, Alberta was united in marriage to Lowell Eugene Harding in Goodland. To this union, two daughters were born, Dianna and Janet.

Alberta enjoyed working with her husband on the farm. She taught herself how to sew and crochet, and was a 4-H sewing leader. She also enjoyed traveling with Lowell to California to see his brother, or to Idaho to see her sister. She was a member of the First Christian Church in Goodland.

Preceding her in death were her parents, her husband Lowell in 2009, her sister Lorena Anderson and her brother Paul Kling.

She is survived by her two daughters; Dianna Elliott and her husband Chuck of Tribune; Janet Mehling and her husband Bill of Goodland. Also surviving are four grandchildren, Sherri Elder, Travis Elliott, Crystal Cutbirth, and Scott Gausman; and six great grandchildren, Irelyn and Tayber Elder, Blaze and Neeley Gausman, and Kailee and Kaiden Cutbirth. She is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

Funeral services for Albert will be held on Tuesday, May 16, 2017 at 10:30 AM MT at the First Christian Church in Goodland with Reverend Doug Amend officiating. Visitation will be held on Monday, May 15, 2017 from 5:00 to 8:00 PM MT at the Koons-Russell Funeral Home in Goodland.

Memorials are designated to the First Christian Church or to NWKS Hospice Services 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.

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

Dorothy Marie Walker, 85, passed away on May 12, 2017 at Trego Manor in WaKeeney, Kansas. She was born on January 28, 1932 in Rural Trego County, Kansas the daughter of Joe and Theresa (Ashenbrenner) Schuster.

She was a homemaker and a member of the St. Aloysius Church and Altar Society, Ransom. She loved Polka dancing and was a member of the Sunflower Polka Club. She was a former member of the Soil Conservation Board and she was a Red Hat Lady. She married Richard Walker on January 28, 1953, in Ellis, Kansas. He died on January 17, 1978.

Survivors include three sons, Bob and Melinda Walker, Ness City, John and Sherry Walker, Ness City, and Chuck Walker, Brownell; brother, Alfred Schuster, Hays; sister, Carol and Joe Eckhardt, Topeka; 5 grandchild and 10 great-grandchild. She was preceded in death by her husband, Richard and brother, Ralph Schuster.

Funeral Service will be on Tuesday, May 16, 2017, 10:00 AM, at the St. Aloysius Church, Ransom, Kansas. Burial in the Vansburgh Cemetery, Brownell, Kansas. Rosary and Parish Vigil will be on Monday, May 15 starting at 6:30 PM at Fitzgerald Funeral Home, Ness City.

Memorial contributions may be given to the American Legion and Volunteer Fire Department both of Brownell.

Henry A. Ostmeyer Jr., 94, of Oakley, died, Thursday, May 11, 2017 at Logan County Manor. Henry was born in Angelus, KS September 10, 1922 to Henry and Mary (Haverkamp) Ostmeyer. He was married to Vesta Fern Hatten Ostmeyer on January 4th 1944. He was a farmer for his entire life.

He is preceded in death by his parents, 4 brother, 5 sisters and great granddaughter.

Survivors include wife, Vesta; three sons, Larry (Cathy) Ostmeyer, of Royce City, TX, Tom (Diana) Ostmeyer, of Arvada, CO and Jerry Ostmeyer, of Dallas, TX; three daughters, Mary Lu (Rodney) Kruse, of Oakley, KS, Pat Wycoff, of Oakley, KS and Karen (Ken) Huelsman, of Lakewood, Co; 18 grandchildren and 27 great grandchildren.

Visitation will be 5-7:00pm, Monday, May 15, 2017 at Baalmann Mortuary, Oakley with Vigil service at 7:00pm. Funeral Mass will be 10:30am, Tuesday, May 16, 2017 at St Joseph Catholic Church, Oakley, KS. Burial will be at St Joseph Cemetery, Oakley, KS.

Memorials may be made to St Joseph Catholic Church or Logan County Hospital for the Independent living Center Activities Department in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 204, Oakley KS 67748. Online condolences: www.baalmannmortuary.com

Wauneta Elaine Wolters Schemper, the daughter of Herman and Elizabeth Tillema Wolters was born November 12, 1917 and passed away May 9, 2017 at the age of ninety-nine, at the Norton County Hospital.

She was raised in the Prairie View, Kansas area and attended the Prairie View Schools.

After she graduated she taught school one year at the Rock Island Country School.

She married Robert (Bob) Schemper in February of 1937. They lived in the Prairie View area the first few years and then moved to Long Island, Kansas to spend many years together.

Wauneta was a very faithful lifelong member of the Prairie View Reformed Church and a person who was always willing to lend a helping hand. She volunteered many hours at the Long Island Library. Wauneta loved following the lives of her children and their families. She moved to Whispering Pines at Norton, Kansas in February of 2012, making it her home the last few years.

Wauneta was the mother of six children. She had 17 grandchildren, 30 great grandchildren and 12 great great grandchildren. She is survived by three sons, Jan (Eileen), Kenneth (Bev), both of Prairie View, Kansas and Douglas (Jeniece) of Long Island, Kansas. Two daughters, Carolyn (Arlo) Tien of Prairie View, Kansas and Sandra (Dick) Dole of Almena, Kansas. One daughter-in-law Joyce Schemper of Kearney, NE. Two sisters, Dolores Walcott of Albuquerque, New Mexico and Rose (Norman) Erickson of Phillipsburg, Kansas and brother-in-law Virgil Whitsitt of Phillipsburg, Kansas, along with many nieces and nephews and other relatives. Those preceding her in death are her parents, husband Bob, son Gary, granddaughter Teresa Schemper, great granddaughter Chassidy Breese, two sisters Hazel Jansonius and Marilyn Whitsitt, one brother Alden Wolters, sister-in-law Marjorie Wolters, brother’s-in-Iaw , Harold Jansonius, Melvyn Walcott, and Ted Allen.

Wauneta will always be remembered for her many and wonderful ways of love and kindness to us all. She will be greatly missed.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, May 15, 2017 in the Prairie View Reformed Church, Prairie View, with Pastor Aaron Rust officiating. Burial will follow in the Prairie View Cemetery.

Mrs. Schemper will lie in state from Noon until 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, Phillipsburg. The family will receive friends from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Sunday evening at the funeral chapel for visitation.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Prairie View Reformed Church or Long Island Library.

Howard Dean DeWald, 84, of Russell, Kansas, died on Monday, May 08, 2017, in Russell, Kansas.

Howard was born on February 25, 1933, on the family farm in Milberger, Kansas, the son of Emanuel and Elizabeth (Schwartz) DeWald. He grew up in the Milberger and Russell areas and graduated from Russell High School in the class of 1950. After high school he worked on the family farm before joining the U. S. Army. He served his country from 1953 to 1955, and fought in the Korean war, achieving the rank of corporal. He met, fell in love and was united in marriage to Shirley Ann Batt on October 02, 1960, at the Bender Hill Church. From this union they were blessed with 2 children, a son Kurt and daughter Cheryl. Most all his life, Howard lived, worked and raised his family on the farm that his great grandfather first homesteaded in 1889. He was a longtime member of the United Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Milberger and served on the church council. He was also a lifetime member of the Russell V.F.W. Post #6240.

Surviving family include his wife Shirley of the home, son Kurt DeWald and wife Lois of Russell, Kansas; daughter Cheryl Itschner and husband Scott of Salina, Kansas; sister Alice Michaelis of Colorado Springs, Colorado; granddaughters Lisa and Kayla DeWald of Hays, Kansas and grandsons Jordan Itschner and wife Annie of Salina, Kansas and Aaron Itschner of Kansas City, Kansas.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Paul, Darrell, Harlan and LeRoy DeWald and sister Norma Feil.

A celebration of Howards life will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Friday, May 12, 2017, at the United Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Milberger, Kansas, with Nancy Mitchell P.M.A. officiating. Burial will follow the church services at Fairview Cemetery in Galatia, Kansas. Military rites will be performed by the Russell V.F.W. Post #6240 and Ft. Riley Honor Guard. Visitation will be from 9 A.M. to 8 P.M. on Thursday, May 11, 2017, at the mortuary with family greeting guests from 6 P.M. to 7 P.M. Thursday evening.

In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial contributions be given to the Fairview Cemetery and sent in care of the mortuary. Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.

Sandra Kay “Sandy” (Dirks) Waite, 66, of Salina, was called to be with the Lord on Monday, May 8, 2017. She was born Oct. 21, 1950, in Great Bend to Raymond H. and Irma G. (George) Dirks.

Sandy married Jerry L. Waite Jr. on July 1, 1995, in Salina.

She worked at Dillard’s in several beauty counters for more than 14 years. Many customers referred to her as the “Dillard’s Lady.” She even won the highly-coveted Pacesetter award in 2000. She loved to dance, listen to country music, make crafts and read.

Survivors include: her husband, Jerry, of the home; daughters, Holly Dinkel, of Salina, and Sheila Culver, of Norton; stepdaughter, Samantha Peery (Josh); stepson, Josh Waite (Brittany), of Newton; grandchildren, Shelby Dinkel, Colton Sanchez, and Lanae, Monica and Sierra Dial; stepgrandchildren, Serenity Peery and Gabriel Waite; mother-in-law, Lorna Waite; sister-in-law, Rhodona Berkhiem; brother-in-laws, Lyle Waite (baby brother) and Boyd Waite (boyfriend); and brother-in-law, LeRoy Walz.

She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Brenda Sue Walz (Dirks); and father-in-law, Jerry L. Waite Sr.

Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Thursday, May 11, at Ryan Mortuary, Salina.

Funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday, May 12, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Salina, with Rev. Ed Foster as officiant. Inurnment will take place at a later date.

Memorials may be made to Sunflower Adult Day Care or Alzheimer’s Association, in care of Ryan Mortuary, 137 N. Eighth St., Salina 67401.

Krista Charise Dietz, 46, passed away unexpectedly, Sunday, May 7, 2017 at her home in Westminster, CO. She was born in WaKeeney, March 1, 1971 to Dean Dietz and Linda Hicks.

Krista married Vahid Sheydaei. They were blessed with a son Chase. They later divorced.

Krista graduated from Goddard High School with the class of 1989 and continued on to earn a Bachelor’s degree at Kansas Newman. She taught school in Wichita and later moved to Denver where she worked in the financial field. At the time of her death she was working as a Lead Customer Service Rep/Operations Specialist at TransAmerica in Denver.

Her favorite pastimes were raising Chase and her pets. Her life revolved around her family.

Left to mourn her passing is a son, Chase of the home; mother, Linda of Wichita; father, Dean (Cindy Schoen) of Wyandotte, OK; sisters, Erin Dietz of Euless, TX, Shannon Fagen of Wichita; niece Ava of Wichita; and cousins and many friends.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Wilfred and Nina Dietz and Harlan and Emma Hicks.

Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday, May 13, 2017 at Schmitt Funeral Home, WaKeeney with Pastor Randy Gibbs officiating. Burial will be in the City Cemetery.

There will be a short visitation from 9 a.m. until service time at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Krista Dietz Memorial Fund and sent to Schmitt Funeral Home, 336 N 12th St, WaKeeney, KS 67672. Contributions may also be sent to your local humane society in her honor.

Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.schmittfuneral.com.