Fern Nadine Keller, age 88, of Ellis, passed away Monday, April 3, 2017 at Trego Lemke Memorial Hospital in WaKeeney, Kansas. She was born July 23, 1928 in Hays, Kansas to William and Frieda (Hagen) Zerfas. She graduated from Ellis High School in 1947. On October 16, 1947, she married Wilbert Keller at Christ Lutheran Church in Ellis.

Fern was a homemaker. She was a past member of St. John Lutheran Church and a current member of Christ Lutheran Church where she was part of the ladies sewing circle. She was also a member of the Ellis VFW Ladies Auxiliary post 9139 and the Sunflower Polka Club. Fern and Wilbert led many wedding marches for family and friends. She was a wonderful cook and she enjoyed gardening, embroidery and quilting. She enjoyed babysitting her grandchildren as well.

She is survived by her husband of nearly 70 years, Wilbert Keller of Ellis; her daughter Twila Large of Ellis; two sons, Tim Keller and wife Aleta and Danny Keller all of Ellis; two sisters, Irene Loflin of Ogallah, Kansas and Florence Armbruster of Houston, Texas; seven grandchildren, Christine Large, Heidi Fawcett and husband Matt all of Phoenix, Arizona, Meredith Keller of Ellis, Rachel Keller of Ellis, Laycie Haas and husband Todd of Antonino, Kansas, Emily Burd and husband Shaun of Ellis and Katelyn Steffens and husband Erik of Dighton, Kansas as well as 11 great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a daughter, Faye Jean Keller; two brothers, Willard and Lawrence Zerfas and a sister, Ruth Nutsch.

Funeral services will be 10:30 AM Friday, April 7, 2017 at Christ Lutheran Church in Ellis. Burial will follow services in Mt. Hope Cemetery in Ellis.

Visitation will be Thursday 5 PM – 8 PM with a prayer service at 7 PM and Friday 10 AM until service time all at Christ Lutheran Church.

Arrangements in care of Keithley Funeral Chapel 400 E. 17th Ellis, KS 67637.

Memorial contributions are suggested to Christ Lutheran Church or the VFW Ladies Auxiliary post 9139, Ellis.

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

Marvin Henry Rajewski, 83, died April 1, 2017, at Brookdale Senior Living, Great Bend. He was born May 13, 1933, at Victoria, the son of Frank and Mary (Wittman) Rajewski. Marvin married Betty Lou Kronewitter Feb. 4, 1956, at Schoenchen. She died Jan. 21, 2012. Mr. Rajewski was a Great Bend, Kansas resident since 1959 coming from Hays. He served during Korean War as a SP3 (T) in the Army.

Marvin was a member of Prince of Peace Parish at St. Patrick, and American Legion Argonne Post 180, both of Great Bend. He was also a 4th degree member of the Knights of Columbus Council #862 and a past commander of V.F.W. Post #3111, both of Great Bend. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, gardening and flying, holding a private pilot’s license for many years.

Survivors include one son, Mike Rajewski and wife Penny of Lake Charles, La.; two daughters, Connie Kerr and husband David of Flower Mound, Texas; and Bonnie McPherson and husband Jerry of Tyler, Texas; eight grandchildren, Christopher Rajewski, Matthew Burgardt, Michael Burgardt, Melissa Burgardt, Marsha Greenway, Cassandra Kerr, Ashley Kerr and Katie Kerr; two step-grandchildren, Cody McPherson and Abby McPherson; nine great-grandchildren: Nicole Kegler, Quincy Corbin, Ashton Burgardt, Olivia Burgardt, Breanna Kegler, Chloe Burgardt, Ariana McPherson, Cayden Rajewski and Harper Rajewski. He was preceded in death by three brothers, Hubert Rajewski, Charles Rajewski and Vern Rajewski; and three sisters, Evelyn Chase, Georgine Wolf and Ceclia Yost.

Vigil Service with 4th Degree Knights of Columbus Rosary will be at 7 p.m., Thursday, April 6, 2017, at Bryant Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 am, Friday, April 7, 2017, St. Patrick Catholic Church in Great Bend with Father Don Bedore celebrating. Burial will be at 2 p.m., Friday at St. Boniface Cemetery, Vincent. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Thursday, April 6, 2017 at Bryant Funeral Home. Memorials have been established with St. Boniface Cemetery Fund, in care of Bryant Funeral Home.

Bryan Lee Tholen, 55, Hays, died Sunday, April 2, 2017 at the Hays Medical Center.

He was born January 2, 1962 in Hays the son of Elmer W. and Helen (Rohr) Tholen. He graduated from Hays High School in 1981 and from North Central Kansas Technical College. He was a certified mechanic at Paul MacDonald Chevrolet and later Clay Chevrolet for many years. On October 4, 1997 he was united in marriage to Glenda Jo Butcher at the First United Methodist Church in Hays. She preceded him in death on December 5, 2016. Bryan enjoyed riding dirt bikes, fishing, barbecuing, and watching college basketball. He was an avid Denver Broncos fan and loved restoring old cars and trucks.

Survivors include a brother; Curtis E. Tholen and wife Maggie of Littleton, Colorado, a sister; Gloria Wolf and husband Dr. David Wolf of Windsor, Colorado, a nephew; Jeffrey Tholen and wife Kim, two nieces; Ashley Hatfield and husband Dr. Robert, and Angie Chaffin and husband Matt, a great nephew; Payson Hatfield, and three great nieces; Amanda Hatfield, Kylie Collins, and Maleia Chaffin.

A celebration of Bryan’s life will be at 2:00 pm on Saturday, April 8, 2017 at the First United Methodist Church, 305 W. 7th Street, Hays. Inurnment will follow in the Mt. Allen Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5:00 pm until 7:00 on Friday at the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine Street, and from 1:00 pm until service time on Saturday at the church. Memorials are suggested in Bryan’s memory to the Cancer Council of Ellis County, in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be left for the family at www.haysmemorial.com

Ronald Calvin Franklin passed away Thursday, March 30, 2017 at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita, Kansas at the age of 67. He was born on February 26, 1950 in Knox County, Texas to the late Calvin M. and Bertie E. (Meeks) Franklin. After school, Ron went on to enjoy welding for Longhorn Metal in Fort Worth, Texas.

Ron was a great brother, uncle and friend. He was always willing to lend a hand and would give the shirt off his back for someone in need. His nieces and nephews said he was very affectionate and had a way of always making them laugh. Over the last several years he became very close to his sister-in-law, Theresa. When Ron lived in Stockton he would walk to Woodston to see Ray and Theresa all the while picking up aluminum cans along the way.

Ron is survived by his brother Rayford Franklin and wife Theresa of Scandia; sisters Linda Edington of Roanoke, Texas and Marcene Machuca and husband Billy of Fort Worth, Texas; and numerous nieces and nephews

He was preceded in death by his parents Calvin and Bertie Franklin; brothers Curtis Franklin and Larry Franklin; and sister Jodean Rogers.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 4, 2017 at Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home. Private interment will take place at a later date in the Woodston Cemetery. Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. until service time at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the Park Villa Nursing Home and may be sent in care of Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home, 723 N. First, Stockton, Kansas 67669.

Lucille D. Dirks, age 87, passed away on Saturday, April 1, 2017 at the Scott County Hospital in Scott City, Kansas. She was born on December 8, 1929 in Cimarron, Kansas, the daughter of Enoch D. and Suzanna Ratzlaff Unruh. A lifetime resident of Scott City, Kansas since 1945 when she moved from Fredonia, Kansas, she was a CNA and EKG Technician.

She was a member of the Scott Mennonite Church and Garden Club both of Scott City, Kansas.

On March 20, 1949 she married Marvin L. Dirks in Scott City, Kansas. He passed away on April 6, 2001 in Hays, Kansas.

Survivors Include her One Son – Dale & Vicki Dirks of Scott City, Kansas, One Grandson – David Dirks Scott City, Kansas and One Sister – Floyd & Vivian Dirks of Scott City, Kansas.

She was preceded in death by her Parents, husband and Two Infant Sons – Terry & Tommy Dirks.

Funeral Services will be held at the Scott Mennonite Church in Scott County, Kansas at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, April 6, 2017 with Richard Koehn, Daniel Koehn, Charles Nightengale presiding.

Memorials in LIEU of flowers may be given to Park Lane Nursing Home or Scott County EMT’s or Scott County Hospital in car of Price & Sons Funeral Homes.

Interment will be in the Scott Mennonite Church Cemetery in Scott County, Kansas

Visitation will be from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m Tuesday and 10:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m Wednesday at Price & Sons Funeral Home in Scott City, Kansas.

Veta (Walker) Squier, age 87, passed away at the Rhode Island Suites, Ransom, on March 30, 2017. She was born on January 23, 1930, in Hays, to Marion and Dove (Stull) Walker.

She graduated Valedictorian from Brownell High School. On June 20, 1948, she was united in marriage to William Russel Squier. They enjoyed 68 years of marriage together, until his passing on July 24, 2016. Veta worked as a Postmaster in both Ransom and Alexander. She enjoyed collecting antiques and baking for her grandchildren. Known for her love of gardening, Veta loved spending time outdoors growing both vegetables and flowers. She kept the family tree current, as she was very interested in genealogy. Spending time with family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, was something she always cherished. Veta will be dearly missed.

Survivors include two sons, Marion Lee (Colette Pearce) Squier, Austin, Texas and John C. Squier, Ransom; two grandchildren, Stefanie Squier and Cecily (Steve Visser) Squier-Visser; and two great-grandchildren, Nels and Karsten Visser. She was preceded in death by her husband; a son, William R. Squier, Jr.; and a daughter, Doveta Squier.

Funeral service will be Friday, April 7, 2017, 10:30 a.m., at Fitzgerald Funeral Home, Ness City with burial in the Vansburgh Cemetery, Brownell. Friends may call at the funeral home on Wednesday from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., and Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be sent to Ness County Community Development Foundation (movie theater in memo), 105 Penn, Ness City, KS 67560.

Doyle Thaine Beamgard, 91, was born October 13, 1925, the only child of George and Myrtle
Brown Beamgard, in Atwood, Kansas. He died March 30, 2017, at Hays Medical Center.
His childhood was spent on a farm southwest of Atwood, where he attended eight years
of school at Harmony District #10. Doyle moved to Atwood in 1939 with his parents. He
attended and graduated from Atwood High School in 1943.

After graduation, Doyle was inducted into the United States Army. He served in the
South Pacific Theatre with the 43rd Infantry Division, WWII, for which he was awarded
the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with two Bronze Battle Stars. He participated in
the Invasion of Lingayen Gulf in the Philippine Islands, for which he received the Bronze
Star Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge and the Philippine Liberation Medal from the
Philippine Government. When the war was over, Doyle was one of the first two hundred
Americans on Japanese soil in Yokohama Bay, as the surrender was signed on the
Battleship Missouri. He was then transferred to Eight Army Headquarters. He became a
member of the Army of Occupation and was awarded the Army of Occupation Medal.
He returned to the United States in May 1946, and was discharged with the rank of
Technical Staff Sgt.

Doyle and Loraine Ewan were married June 9, 1946, at the First Christian Church in
Atwood, Kansas. To this union were born two daughters, Marcia Jan and Judy Rena.
Doyle and Loraine celebrated their 70th Wedding Anniversary in June, 2016.

Doyle was hired in 1946 as Director of the Rawlins County Agricultural and
Conservation Office. He remained in that position until 1953. During these years,
Doyle was instrumental in arranging the first annual Rawlins County Soil
Conservation meeting. He acquired 40 years of perfect attendance at the annual
meetings.

In 1953, Doyle joined the Keirns and Yager families at the State Bank of Atwood.
They became a part of Doyle and Loraine’s extended family. The State Bank of Atwood
was sold to the Starr family in 1977. Doyle remained with the bank, retiring in 1987, as
President and Chairman of the Board.

During his banking years, Doyle served on the Atwood City Council, which included two
terms as Mayor of the City of Atwood. He also served as board member and Chairman
of the Board of the Rawlins County Hospital in Atwood. During this time, he also
served 22 years on the Board of the High Plains Mental Health Center in Hays, Kansas,
two of which he was Chairman of the Board. Doyle was appointed to the Kansas State Judicial Council, Probate Law Division, by Governor Mike Hayden, then Speaker of the House. He attended monthly meetings in Topeka for 12 years. Doyle was a member of the Atwood Lions Club, and served two years as President. He was a 71-year
member of the American Legion Post #46 of Atwood, for which he served as financial
officer for several years. He was a 70-year member of Atwood Masonic Lodge #164.

He was also a Life Member of Radiant Chapter #229, of the Order of Eastern Star, of
which he served as Worthy Patron. He was also Guardian of the Order of Job’s Daughters, Atwood. Doyle is a Life Member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #9076 Hays, Kansas.

Doyle was a co-founder and original board member of the Atwood Second Century Fund,
and served on the Board of Directors until his retirement. He also served as Trustee for
the Francis and Lucille Obert Trust since its inception in 1987.

Doyle was a former member of the First Christian Church of Atwood, Kansas, where he
Served as Deacon, Treasurer and Board Chairman. After moving to Hays, Doyle and
Loraine joined the First Presbyterian Church of Hays, where he was ordained as Elder
and served as Elder. He also served on the Session and as a member of the Personnel
Committee. At present, he was serving as Assistant Treasurer of the church. He
particularly enjoyed his relationships with the youth of the church.

Doyle went to South McDonald’s in Hays each afternoon for coffee and developed
many close relationships with the young people employed there. He often said, “they
spoil me rotten, and I love it”.

A highlight in Doyle’s life was on a WWII Veterans Honor Flight to Washington D.C
with his grandson, Mitchell. Upon arrival, he was notified that he had been chosen to
place the wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery
during a regular ceremony. Due to diligent work by Ron and Dana Keller, Doyle was
presented the Quilt of Valor in recognition of his military service. The ceremony was at
the Presbyterian Church, Hays, Kansas, November of 2016.

Doyle was a great husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He leaves to mourn his passing his loving wife of 70 plus years, two daughters, Marcia Jan and her husband, Richard Dinkel of Hays, Kansas; Judy Rena and her husband, Larry Pitts of Blue Springs, Missouri; three grandchildren, Jill Luedke and Blake Bradford and their twins, Cyrus and Star of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Mitchell Mellick and his wife, Jennifer and their daughters, Emily, Isabel, Audrey and Olivia; Jim Dinkel and his wife, Cristi and their children Brandon and Paige; all of Lenexa, Kansas; special friends, Floyd and Marcia Henry of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma; Brandon, Katie and Lennon Mai of Hays; several cousins and their families; and a host of friends.

A celebration of Doyle’s life will be at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 8th at the First
Presbyterian Church, 2900 Hall Street, Hays, with military honors by the Hays Veterans of
Foreign Wars Post No. 9076 Honor Guard. The family will receive friends from 9:30 a.m.
until time of service on Saturday at the church. Private family inurnment will be at Fairview
Cemetery, Atwood, Kansas.

Memorials are suggested in Doyle’s memory to the First Presbyterian Church, Hays, or
Atwood Second Century Fund, Atwood, Kansas 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

Lucille Ernestine Drees, 96, Hays, was welcomed into her heavenly home on Friday, March 31, 2017. Lucille, born November 4, 1920 in Hays, was the youngest of eleven children born to Mary (Ubert) and Richard Michael Drees. She was preceded in death by her parents, her two brothers, Richard and Joseph, and her eight sisters: Anna, Susan, Emelie, Mary, Evarista, Mildred, Rita, and Tillie Deen.

Lucille was a 1938 graduate of Girls Catholic High School, and went to work at the Hays Flour Mill shortly thereafter as a secretary. In August of 1963 she began her career at Fort Hays State, working as secretary for the Dean of Students, for the Vice President for Academic Affairs, and eventually in the Virtual College. Lucille’s typing and shorthand skills were something to behold. She retired from Fort Hays in June of 1989, but continued to stay active in her church and her community.

Lucille was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, and for a time, the Comeau Catholic Campus Center, where she thoroughly loved praising God in song through her ministry in the choir.

Being a firm believer in the democratic process, Lucille was a tireless volunteer on Election Day, working the polls from sunup until sundown, and sometimes longer, for more years than even she could remember, and that is saying something.

Her memory remained sharp until the end of her life, and, being the avid family historian that she was, compiled a seventeen-page, hand-written, family history which included personal memories, terms of endearment, and old home remedies. As was Lucille, this is truly a treasure.

Lucille will be remembered as one of the most kind-hearted, generous people to ever grace the earth. She loved the holidays, especially Christmas, and she loved her family and any and all time spent together. Lucille had a terrific sense of humor and her laughter was infectious. Even forty plus years after she received it, she still got the biggest kick out a birthday card that her boss had given her with the punch line “you picked a fine time to leave me, loose wheel!”

Lucille is survived by four nieces – Patricia Coulter, Eileen Maxwell, Anita Deen, and Mary Ellen (Denis) Abbott, three nephews – Richard (Berniece) Deen, Thomas (Sharon) Drees, and Charles (Pam) Drees, fourteen great nieces and nephews, as well as numerous great great nieces and nephews.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 am on Tuesday, April 4, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. Inurnment will follow in the St. Joseph Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 9:00 am until service time and a rosary will begin at 9:30 am, all on Tuesday at the church.

Memorials in Lucille’s name may be made to Thomas More Prep-Marian High School or the St. Joseph’s Rectory Renovation fund. Condolences may be left at www.haysmemorial.com

Marcella Baumgartner, 88, WaKeeney, passed away Monday, March 27, 2017, at Trego County Lemke Memorial Hospital.

She was born October 2, 1928, in Ellis, Kansas to John and Rosie (Gaschler) Bollig. She attended school in Ellis and graduated from Ellis High School in 1946. She earned a teaching certificate and taught school at Maple Grove in Trego County. She married Adolph Baumgartner in May 1947. They were married for 56 years before his death in 2003. They ran a service station in Brownell, Kansas, farmed south of Cedar Bluff Lake and eventually moved to WaKeeney in 1958. Marcella took a job in the kitchen at Trego Hospital in 1961 and through hard work and schooling became the head of the dietary department. She retired in 1996. Marcella enjoyed cooking, baking, gardening and golf.

Survivors include son, David (Patty) Baumgartner, Mission, Kansas; daughters Janet and Betty Baumgartner, WaKeeney; grandson, Nick (Violet) Baumgartner, Topeka, Kansas; great-grandchildren, Jake (Allie) and Marisa (Michael) as well as many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Rosie Bollig.
Mass of Christian Burial will be Monday, April 3, 2017 at 10:30 a.m. at Christ the King Catholic Church, WaKeeney. Burial will be in the Kansas Veterans’ Cemetery.

Visitation will be Sunday, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home in WaKeeney.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to VFW Ladies Auxiliary, CTK Altar Society or Big Creek Golf Assn. Donations may be sent to Schmitt Funeral Home, 336 N 12th St. WaKeeney, KS 67672.

Condolences may be sent online at www.schmittfuneral.com.