Robert Jean Abell, 87, of Grinnell, died Thursday, April 13, 2017, at the Logan County Manor, in Oakley. He was born May 2, 1929, in Gove County, KS, to Jean and Vergie (Scott) Abell. He graduated from Greely High School in Greely, CO and then served in the United States Army during the Korean War. On August 17, 1957, Bob married Marjorie Nelson. He was a rancher and farmer and was a member of the Grinnell United Methodist Church and lifetime member of the VFW POST 2864 in Grinnell. Bob served on the Grinnell, USD 291 School Board, and the Board of Directors for the Western Electric COOP, in WaKeeney and the Grinnell Mercantile COOP.

Robert was preceded in death by his parents and sisters, Edna Wiggins and Lola Wilkins.

He is survived by his wife Marjorie, of Grinnell; children, Roger Abell, of Orion, KS, Dwight (Rhonda) Abell, Oakley, Gordon (Stacy) Abell, Olathe, KS, Cathleen Abell, Holcomb, KS and Charlotte Bailey, Olathe, KS; seven grandchildren, Hannah Pauls, Laura Abell, Kelsey Brown, Kayla Abell, Wyatt Abell, Ethan Abell and Nelson Bailey and great grandchild Zaiden Brown.

Cremation was chosen. Memorials are suggested to Miles of Smiles Therapeutic Horsemanship Endowment Fund, in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 204, Oakley, KS. For condolences or information visit www.baalmannmortuary.com

Darlene Marie Ficken, 84, Hays, died Thursday, April 13, 2017 at the Hays Medical Center.

She was born July 13, 1932 in her Grandmother Keith’s house in country, near Penokee, Kansas, the daughter of Frank and Marie (Thomas) Keith. She attended grade school at Columbia, a one-room country school. She graduated high school in Morland, Kansas in 1950. She attended Fort Hays State University, earning a 60 hour degree to teach Elementary School. While at Fort Hays, she met a handsome young man with a Harley Davidson motorcycle named Dale L. Ficken. They were united in marriage on August 10, 1952 in Morland and they celebrated over 59 years of marriage prior to him preceding her in death on January 27, 2012. Darlene taught school at Otis, Kansas then moved to Haines, Alaska. Her son Jerry was born in Juneau. She did substitute teaching at Haines High School the following year. In 1954, the family moved to Bison, Kansas. A son Kent was born in 1955 and the family moved to Claflin where Dale taught high school.

In 1956, the family moved to a farm near Bazine where Dale farmed and taught at Ness City. Darlene enjoyed the animals and gardening. She also enjoyed teaching Sunday School and Bible School for many years. She organized Cub Scouts and helped with Boy Scouts. She was the township committeewoman for several years and enjoyed working with the local and state candidates. In 1965, the family moved to Hays where Dale taught at Fort Hays State University. Darlene was a charter member of the Hays League of Women Voters, later working during enrollment at FHSU. She made quilts for her grandchildren and great grandchildren, and loved to cook and bake, especially desserts like cherry cheesecake, and other cakes and cookies. Family and friends especially remember her Halloween caramel corn and peanut brittle at Christmas. She enjoyed gardening, canning pickles, and making homemade ice cream. She loved her family and especially enjoyed her grandchildren and great grandchildren and all will miss her hugs and her laughter.

Survivors include two sons; Jerry Ficken of Bazine and Kent Ficken and wife Joan of Hays, two granddaughters; Rachael Werth and husband Brian of Wichita and Arielle Drees and husband Michael of Hays, seven great grandchildren; Leah, Elaina, Lily, Alliana, Adrian, Dominic, and Ava, a sister-in-law; Jody Cochran of Luray, and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers; Ronald Keith and Max Keith, and her husband Dale L. Ficken.
A celebration of Darlene’s life will be at 10:00 am on Friday, April 21, 2017 at the Cornerstone Southern Baptist Church, 1605 E. 29th Street, Hays, with Pastor Kyle Ermoian and Pastor Gary Simon officiating. Inurnment will follow in Fort Hays Memorial Gardens Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 9:00 am until service time on Friday at the church.

Memorials are suggested to the Moss-Thorns Gallery of Art at Fort Hays State University, in care of the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine Street, Hays. Condolences may be left for the family at www.haysmemorial.com

Mary Werth, 97, Olathe, formerly of Hays, died April 6, 2017 in Olathe, Kansas surrounded by family.

She was born March 6, 1920 in Schoenchen, Kansas the daughter of Paul and Clara (Randa) Dinges. Mary was born the eighth of fifteen children which included ten boys and five girls. On October 26, 1936 she was united in marriage to Theobald “Ted” Werth who was a farmer and prominent builder of over 100 homes and commercial properties in and around Hays. They made their home in Hays, Kansas. Together they had six children, three boys and three girls, ten grandchildren, twenty-one great grandchildren, and twelve great-great grandchildren.

Survivors include two sons; Dick Werth and wife Peggy of Olathe, and Jeff Werth and wife Carol of Paola, and two daughters; Peggy Rohleder and husband Mike of Olathe, and Karla Werth of Topeka, her grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband Ted, her parents, her brothers and sisters, a son; Kenny Werth, and a daughter; Sue Leiker.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 am on Saturday, April 22, 2017 at the St. Joseph Catholic Church, 215 W. 13th, Hays, with Fr. Fred Gatschet officiating. Private family graveside services will be in the St. Joseph Cemetery. A rosary will be recited prior to the Mass at 9:30 am at the church.

Memorials are suggested in Mary’s memory to Great Lakes Caring, in care of the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine Street, Hays. Condolences may be left for the family at www.haysmemorial.com

Robert E. Vogt, age 94, passed away on Thursday, April 13, 2017 at the Greeley County Long Term Care Unit in Tribune, Kansas. He was born on August 28, 1922 in Lorena, Oklahoma, and he was the son of Robert W. And Jessie Marie Everett Vogt. A lifetime resident of Tribune, Kansas, he was a farmer and stockman.

Robert served for many years on School Board, ASC Committee, and Hospital Board. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church in Tribune, Kansas; where he served as an Elder.

On February 3,1968 he married Laura Neva Stratton Adams in Tribune, Kansas. She survives.

Survivors include: Children – Gail & Daryl Miller of Tribune, Kansas, Mary Katherine Vogt & Jay Rosner of Mill Valley, California, Cynthia & Ronald Miller of Tribune, Kansas, Robert Michael & Sharon K Vogt of Tribune, Kansas, Jennifer & Jeffery Crockett of Colorado Springs, Colorado, One Sister – Bertha Vogt of Tribune, Kansas, Ten Grandchildren – Shawn Miller, David Miller, Adam Miller, Jessica Rogers, Jayme Miller, Jordan Crain, Desiree Sanders, Simone Vogt, Weston Crockett, Aubree Crockett, Sixteen Great Grandchildren – Avery Miller, Quinn Miller, Lily Miller, Haley Miller, Nathan Miller, Jacob Miller, Jaxon Tuttle, Zunnicci Crain, Serenity Crain, Mikala Crain, Joshlynn Crain, Katelynn Wilkerson, Ryan Stacy, Tanaya Miller, Raylynn Miller, Elizabeth Sanders, three nephews and seven nieces.

He was preceded in death by his Parents, Robert W. Vogt, Jessie and Mary Vogt, three brothers, Elton & Frank Russell and Bruce Vogt, one Sister, Roberta McNay.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, April 19, 2017 at the Presbyterian Church in Tribune, Kansas with Pastors Andrew & Desiree Sanders presiding. 



Memorials may be given to Presbyterian Church in Tribune, Kansas in care of Price & Sons Funeral Home.

Interment will be in the Greeley County Cemetery in Tribune, Kansas.

Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Monday
 and 10:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. Tuesday at Price & Sons Funeral Home in Tribune, Kansas.

Gretchen Banker, age 74, of Hays, passed away Wednesday, April 12, 2017 at Hays Medical Center. She was born July 22, 1942 in Topeka, Kansas to Glenn and Mildred (Snow) Banker. She graduated from Russell High School in 1960.

She was a certified Medication Aide and worked for DSNWK. She enjoyed handiwork, sewing, knitting and puzzles.

She is survived by a son, Stu Flegler and wife Kayla and children, Devan and Dylan all of Hays; a daughter, Theresa Geist and husband Anthony of Hays and children, Angela Alvarez of Wichita, Michael Geist of Salina and Matthew Geist of Hays and another daughter, Lorina Dreher and husband Bill of Hays and children, Sharon Crain of Salina and Billy Dreher of Gardner. She is also survived by a brother, Jan Banker of Houston and 17 great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Memorial services will be 2 PM Saturday, April 15th at Brock’s-Keithley Funeral Chapel and Crematory 2509 Vine Hays, KS 67601.

Memorials are suggested to the Community Assistance Center.

Condolences may be sent to her guest book at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com or emailed to [email protected]

Leon F. Fabrizius passed away on Monday, April 10, 2017 in his home south of Ogallah, Kansas at the age of 82. He was born on August 28, 1934 in WaKeeney, Kansas to the late Solomon and Pauline (Deines) Fabrizius. He grew up in Trego County, Kansas and graduated from Trego Community High School with the Class of 1952. He served in the United States Army from 1954-1956, and on October 19, 1957 he was united in marriage to Virginia “Ginger” Nelson at Zion Lutheran Church in Trego Center.

Leon was a man of many talents, hobbies, and interests. The quintessential collector of everything, he had a special affinity for bullet pencils, miniature tractors or cars, and anything else that might tickle his fancy. He enjoyed farming, working on antique tractors, and harvesting wheat; but the job he loved the most was being an auctioneer, some of his most well-known venues being livestock sales and of course many years with Stithem and Fabrizius Auction Service and Real Estate Brokers.

Never knowing a stranger, Leon was always a creative jokester and storyteller, or as some might say, “He was an over enthusiastic promoter of facts and a colorful hyperbolist!” He sold the shoe at many a wedding, helped with the FFA and 4-H clubs, and was always willing to step up and help friends and neighbors in need. He was a member of Emanuel Lutheran Church of Ogallah, a past member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles of WaKeeney, and as only Leon could do, was both a Kansas City Chiefs and Denver Broncos fan.

Leon is survived by his wife Ginger Fabrizius of the home near Ogallah; sons Kevin Fabrizius with Donna Brown of Kerrville, TX, Mark Fabrizius and wife Kathleen of Ogallah, and Danny Fabrizius of Memphis, TN; daughter Kelli Morrill and husband James of Pleasant Hill, MO; brother Melvin Fabrizius and wife Marian of WaKeeney; sister Florence Flinn and husband Wesley of Manhattan; grandchildren Erik Fabrizius with Ellen McNerney, Savannah Butler and husband Gordon, Sierra Fabrizius with Cory Lampe, Jackson Morrill, Nelson Fabrizius, Easton Morrill, and Drew Fabrizius; and great-grandchildren Eli, Nora, and Ella Butler.

He was preceded in death his parents Solomon and Pauline Fabrizius, brother LeRoy Fabrizius, daughter Paula Fabrizius, and infant son Scott Fabrizius.

It is said that the bidding of the Lord cannot be ignored; and so it is, that Leon has been given the final nod of the Master Auctioneer. As the angel voices sound, “Going…Going…Gone!” the hammer has fallen only on this side of heaven. Although we are sad because he has left us for a while, we look forward to the time when we too shall hear the final bid caller, and be reunited in that blessed ring, eternal in the heavens.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:00am on Friday, April 14, 2017 at the United Methodist Church in WaKeeney. Burial will follow in Emanuel Lutheran Cemetery south of Ogallah. Visitation will be from 4:30-7:00pm on Thursday at the church, and from 9:00am until service time on Friday. Memorials are suggested to Emanuel Lutheran Church, the Ashland Wildfire Relief Fund, or the Trego County Fair and may be sent in care of Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home, 723 N 1st Street, Stockton, KS 67669.

Gary Eugene Adams, 62, of Bridgeport, KS, passed away peacefully on Monday, April 10, 2017, at University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City, KS. He was a truck driver for Doug Bradley Trucking Company.

Gary was born on April 15, 1954, in Indianapolis, Indiana, the son of Eugene and Eileen (Wintjen) Adams.

Survivors include: daughter, Jeanette Adams (Matthew Koehn) of Galva, KS; son, Tony Taylor Adams of Hays, KS; grandson, Levi Koehn of Galva, KS; sisters, Nancy Brake (David) of Wichita, KS and Vicki Pennington (Brad) of Strasburg, CO; several cousins, nieces, nephews, and a special friend, Juanita Howerton.

A service will be held at a later date.

Memorial donations may be given to McPherson Animal Shelter in care of Stockham Family Funeral Home, 205 North Chestnut, McPherson, KS 67460.