Lifelong Sharon Springs, Kansas, resident Layal Grund, 64, passed away Saturday March 25, 2017, at Tribune, KS.

He was born June 18, 1952, at Goodland, Kansas, son of Juanita (Mather) and Leslie Grund. He attended school in Sharon Springs and graduated high school.

On February 21, 1970, he married Donna Lowe at the Dinas Community Church, south of Wallace, Kansas. During the first six years of marriage he worked for Bud Fulton and Donna’s dad, Claude Lowe, while also running some cattle with his Uncle John Grund.

In 1976, Layal and Donna started their own farming and ranching endeavor when Donna’s dad passed away and it continues to this day. Farming, ranching, and family were the loves of his life.

Layal served on the Wallace County School Board for four years and during that time he served on the Northwest Kansas Technical College Board. He was a member of the American Gelbvieh Association, American Angus Association, American Red Angus Association and served many years as a 4-H leader for the Smoky Valley 4-H Club.
Layal had a love for 4-Hers and the livestock project. There were many kids that he helped in numerous ways. He was known to help youth buy their first steer or heifer, many times provided a place to house livestock projects, or taught them how to clip and groom their animal. He hauled many Wallace county Judging teams around the state and passed onto his children the love of showing and raising cattle throughout their 4-H careers. He was a steadfast supporter of the livestock auction and many other 4-H activities.

Layal was preceded in death by his parents Leslie and Juanita Grund; his sisters Leta Kay Grund and Elaine Chisum; father in law Claude Lowe, mother in law Ila Lowe; and brothers in law Steve Seibel and Ron Kreigh. Survivors include his wife Donna Grund of Sharon Springs; son Jerry Grund and wife Chrysanne; daughter Christy Hammer and husband Lyle; and daughter Becky Vandike and husband Darrell, all of Wallace, Kansas.

Surviving family includes Allen Grund of Goodland, Kansas, Evan Grund and Wife Delores of Pratt, Kansas, Lenora Dyer and husband Dave of Little Rock, Arkansas, Jane Kreigh of Salina, Kansas, and Navene Rains and husband Eriv of McPherson, Kansas. Sisters in law Sharon Robb and husband Dave of Dodge City, Kansas, and Tracy Lowe of Peabody, Kansas. He was a beloved grandfather to Grace, Callahan, Grady, Chisum, Gabrielle, Calley, Hayden, and Jensen.

Funeral services for Layal will be held on Thursday, March 30, 2017 at 10:30 AM MT at the Wesleyan Church in Sharon Springs with Pastor Paul McNall officiating. Burial will follow in the Sharon Springs Cemetery.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, March 29, 2017 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM MT at the Koons-Russell Funeral Home in Sharon Springs.

Memorials may be designated to the Layal Grund Memorial Fund to be used in the Wallace County 4-H program 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 service arrangements were entrusted to Koons-Russell Funeral Home in Sharon Springs.

Thelma Mary (Workman) Conway passed away Thursday, March 23, 2017 at Redbud Village in Plainville, Kansas at the age of 101. She was born on October 17, 1915 in Plainville to the late Harry and Ruth (Henrie) Workman. After graduating from Plainville High School, she went on to attend beauty school in Wichita, Kansas. On November 24, 1937 she was united in marriage to Loyd Conway in Plainville. They were blessed with three children, Pat, Greg, and Ken.

Along with working as a beautician, Thelma was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and homemaker. Always the quintessential farm wife, she worked hard, raising her family and doing whatever needed to be done, including driving that dirty tractor, which may have been about the only job she didn’t do happily. She also enjoyed knitting, and was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Plainville and the Daughters of Isabella.

Thelma is survived by her sons Greg Conway of Plainville, and Ken Conway and wife Charlotte of Hays; daughter Pat Barton and husband Bill of Great Falls, MT; sisters Laverne Hackerott of Plainville, and Marjorie Jones of Plainville; grandchildren Don Kirkhart, Shelley Fimrite, Debra Swanson, Steve Kirkhart, Angela Grothaus, Melissa Hallin, Chad Conway, Caleb Conway, Seth Conway, Cary Creed, and Ryan Conway; and twenty-one great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents Harry and Ruth Workman, husband Loyd Conway, brother Oren Workman, sister Eva Ross, and infant daughter Sheila Conway.

Thelma was a faith-filled woman of prayer who dedicated her life to unity, friendship, and charity. She taught us by example how to trust in God and care for one another. Her legacy of love, care, and devotion will remain with us forever.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30am on Tuesday, March 28, 2017 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Plainville. Inurnment will follow in the Sacred Heart Cemetery. Family will be receiving friends from 6:00-8:00pm on Monday at the funeral home with Vigil at 7:00pm.

Norman Craig Ritz, 83, of Parsons, passed away at 5:37 a.m., Saturday, March 25, 2017 at his home.

He was born June 30, 1933 in Fort Scott, Kansas to Andy and Lena (Tucker) Ritz. Norman grew up and attended school in Fort Scott and later graduated from Fort Scott High School.

From 1951-1953, he served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. While stationed in Japan, he served in the Military Police Unit No. 545. Upon his honorable discharge, he returned to Parsons.

Norman worked as a meat cutter and was manager of the meat department at the Safeway and Homeland stores for 35 years. He was a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He was also a member of the Elks – BPOE Lodge No. 527 in Parsons.

He and Paula Richardson were married. They later divorced. He then married Donna Ellis. They later divorced. On June 10, 1995, he and Ilene Gottschalk were married at St. Anthony’s Church in Strong City, Kansas. She survives of the home.

In addition to his wife, survivors include two sons, Chris Ritz and Andy Ritz, both of Missouri; seven step-children that he thought of as his own, numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren, one foster son, and a half-brother, John Morrow.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Henry and Keith Ritz; and a sister, Sandra Blackburn.

Following cremation, memorial services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, March 29, 2017 at the Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Parsons with military honors given by Brown-Bishop Post No. 704, Veterans of Foreign Wars. The family will receive friends from 1:00 p.m. until service time, on Wednesday, at the funeral home.

Memorials are suggested to Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice or the Parsons High School Honor Flight. These may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, KS 67357.

Patrick A. “Pat” Tacha, 62, of Meriden, KS, passed away on Thursday, March 9, 2017 at his home of cardiac arrest. He was born July 20, 1954 in Norton, KS, the son of Claude and Barbara (Wetter) Tacha.

Pat graduated from Norton High School and attended Vo-Tech School at Goodland, KS. He was employed at Brown Welding Supply / Airgas for 34 years.

Pat married Connie A. Hodgson on July 9, 1994 in Salina, KS. She survives. Other survivors include one son, Evan (Rachel) Tacha of Salina, KS, two brothers, Lynn (Sandy) Tacha of Kearney, NE Jim (Lori) Tacha of Kearney, NE, , four sisters, Mary Jo (Gale) Montgomery of Norton, KS, Sharon (Vance) Poage of Grainfield, KS, Anita (John) Covey of Colorado Springs, CO and Marcia Tacha of Hays, KS.

Pat was preceded in death by his brother, John Tacha, an infant sister, Gloria Lea, and his parents.

Memorial services will be at 3:00 PM, Thursday, March 30, 2017, at Penwell-Gabel Parker-Price Chapel, 245 NW Independence Avenue, Topeka. Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:30 a.m. Saturday, April 1, 2017, at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Norton, KS.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to the Kearney Volunteer Fire Department, 2211 Avenue A, Kearney, NE 68847.

Luella V. Evel, age 86, passed away on March 26, 2017 at the Ness County Hospital, Ness City, Kansas. She was born on September 11, 1930 in Red Haw, Ohio the daughter of Pearl and Elizabeth Carpenter Huff.

She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary Post 88 and the FOE both of Ashland, Ohio.

On October 13, 1962, she married Benjamin Evel in Ashland. He survives of the home. Other survivors include her sister Alffreta Gray, Ashland, Ohio and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her three brothers: Sam, Ellsworth, and Henry Huff; and her sister Lilly Gray.

No visitation or memorial services are planned at this time.

Norman Raphael Schippers, 74, retired regional sales manager, former principal and loving father and grandfather, passed away and closed his eyes on this earth and opened them to heaven on Sunday, March 26, 2017.

A Texas memorial service will be at 11:30 am, Wednesday March 29, 2017 at Salem Church, 22601 Lutheran Church Road, Tomball, Texas 77377. A Kansas funeral mass will be at 11:00 am, Friday, April 7, 2017 at Saint Fidelis Basilica, Victoria, KS followed by burial at Saint Fidelis Cemetery, Victoria, KS. Norman was married to his wife Lila Mae Hammerschmidt Schippers on August 7, 1965.

Preceded in death by his Wife, Lila Schippers; Parents, John and Anna Schippers; and his Brothers, Herman Schippers, George Schippers, John Schippers, Lawrence Schippers, and Art Schippers.

Survived by his Son, Norman F Schippers of The Woodlands, TX; Brother, Paul Schippers of Victoria, KS; Sisters, Sister Mary Ann Schippers of Fon du Lac, WI, Lucy Baier of Hays, KS, Estella Kuhn of Victoria, KS, and Lillian Leiker of Hays, KS; Grandchildren Taylor Schippers and Nicholas Schippers both of The Woodlands, TX; Sisters-In-Law, Armella Schippers of Olathe, KS, Joann Schippers of Springfield, MO, and Marietta Schippers Lies of Wichita, KS; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorials have been established with: Salem Ministries, 22601 Lutheran Church Road, Tomball, TX 77377, and Thomas More Prep-Marian High School, 1701 Hall Street, Hays, KS 67601.

Donna Nadine (Miller) McComb passed away Saturday, March 25, 2017 at Parkview Care Center in Osborne, Kansas at the age of 81. She was born on January 2, 1936 in Alton, Kansas to the late Clarence Sylvester and Laura Areta (Sparks) Miller. Her father was 48, and her mother was 46 years of age when she was born. Her father died when Donna was three years of age, leaving her mother to raise the three youngest children alone, as the older daughters were already married.

At age 16, Donna’s mother gave permission for her to quit high school and marry a young, good-looking cowboy, and on May 17, 1952 she was united in marriage to Gail Leon McComb in Woodston, Kansas. He moved the city girl from Alton to his farm southeast of Stockton, Kansas where they lived without the luxury of indoor plumbing of any kind for their first 12 years of marriage. They stayed on the farm until moving to Stockton in 1972.

To their marriage three daughters were born: Kathryn Gail, Michele Lee, and Melanie Ann. After starting their family, Donna took correspondence courses through Alton High School, earning her diploma in 1957. She was a homemaker while the girls were younger, and volunteered as a room mother, Girl Scout leader, Sunday school teacher, and could often be found working into the night finishing an outfit for one of the girls, for the next day’s special occasion.

During the McComb rodeo years, from 1952-1972, Donna worked as a rodeo secretary along with her sister-in-law, Gwen McComb Brown, taking rodeo entries, keeping records, preparing programs, writing paychecks, and running the time clock and whistle during the rodeo season. As the girls got older, she worked for Ben Franklin/Scott Variety in Stockton from 1966-1971, and then Stockton High School secretary from 1971-1973. She worked as a medical receptionist for Dr. Harold Mauck and Dr. William Votopka from 1973-1992, Dr. Mark Kelly from 1992-1994, and Dr. Stephen Ellestad from 1994-2001 at both Stockton Health Center and Plainville Rural Hospital, retiring in 2001.

Starting with annual family vacations, as well as traveling the rodeo circuit, Gail and Donna later enjoyed bus tours, and an Alaskan cruise. As a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, she enjoyed attending her children’s and grandchildren’s activities. After she was diagnosed with dementia in 2008, Gail cared for her at home as long as he could because, as he said, she took care of him the first 60 years so it was his turn to take care of her. As her disease progressed and he could no longer care for her at home, she moved into the Memory Care Unit at Parkview Care Center in June 2014.

Donna is survived by her daughters Kathy Rees (Howard) of Dodge City, Michele Kee of Stockton, and Melanie Hoch (Charlie) of Topeka; grandchildren Brandi Garlock of Salina, Brian Kee of Assaria, Brianne Rush (Jez) of Stockton, Brooke Clayton (Ryan) of Stockton, Andy Rees (Erin) of Arvada, CO, and Kinsey Bruton (Jake) of Gunnison, CO; fifteen great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law Cathy Miller of Mesa, AZ, and Gwen Brown of Stockton; nephews Leo Oliva (Bonita) of Woodston, Junior Taylor (Barb) of Shenandoah, IA, Dennis McComb of Miller, MO, and David McComb (Heidi) of Pratt; and niece Diana Garten (Curtis) of Pratt.

She was preceded in death by her parents Clarence and Areta Miller; sisters Marge Miller, Madge Taylor, Lela Oliva, Georgia Schmitz, and Elouise Miller; brother Clarence Junior “C.J.” Miller; and husband Gail McComb on August 21, 2016.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 30, 2017 at Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home in Stockton. Burial will follow at Survey Cemetery near Woodston. Visitation will be from 2:00-7:00 p.m.on Wednesday at the funeral home with family receiving friends from 6:00-7:00 p.m.

Memorials are suggested to the Rooks County Fair Association and may be sent in care of Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home, 723 N. 1st Street, Stockton, KS 67669. Online condolences may be left at www.plumeroverlease.com.

Helen Delores Legleiter, 80, Hays, died Sunday, March 26, 2017 at Via Christi Village in Hays, Kansas.

She was born into a large family on December 4, 1936 in Hoxie, KS to John M. and Mary P. (Schoenberger) Albers. She lived the majority of her childhood life in Oakley, KS, graduating from Oakley High School in 1954. Helen came from humble beginnings and was the third of ten children. She began working as a dishwasher at the age of 11 to help out the family. She quickly graduated to waitress and then cook where she learned to make delicious fried chicken which her family enjoyed at Sunday suppers for years to come. Her generosity continued throughout her life through the many kind acts she did for family and friends. On February 12, 1958 she was united in marriage to Donald Legleiter in Oakley, Kansas. He preceded her in death on June 30, 1990.

She was a Jill-of-all-trades from helping her husband build houses, bartending at Donnie’s Tavern and working at Travenol, Adronics, U-Save, and Everybody’s Restaurant, just to name a few. After her husband’s death she spent numerous hours working with cattle at their farm. She also managed to sneak in a job she truly enjoyed but didn’t consider work – babysitting her grandchildren.

Helen enjoyed fishing with her son, Lester and vacationing with her daughter’s and sons’ families. She sewed clothes and numerous baby blankets which she gave as gifts. She also enjoyed gardening and walking for exercise. One of her favorite pastime activities was cheering on the Dallas Cowboys, her favorite football team. Her greatest joy came from spending time with her family especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Helen is survived by her four children, daughter; Mary (Doug) Leiker, Wichita, three sons; Dale (Dotty) Legleiter, Don (Sharon) Legleiter, and Lester (Mona) Legleiter all of Hays, nine grandchildren; Brandon (Andrea) Leiker, Amy Leiker, Michael Leiker, all of Wichita, Brian (Amanda) Legleiter, Hays, Andrea (Shawn Mellilo) Legleiter, Lakeside, CT, Devin (Mariah) Legleiter, Derek Legleiter, Chase Legleiter, Jesse Legleiter, all of Hays, step-grandchildren; Ashley (Darin) Rohr, Katie Christen, and Erika Werth, great-grandchildren; Austin, Madeleine, Dominic, Aiden, Leah, Addie, Cam, Amanda, Olivia, Emma, Bryce, Clay, and Kaycie, and one on the way, a sister; Evelyn Geist, Oakley, and three brothers; Gary (Chris) Albers, Gillette, WY, Jim Albers, Oakley, and Charles (Lois) Albers, Hays.

She was preceded in death by her husband Donald, her parents, brothers; Bernie Albers, Bill Albers and LeRoy Albers, and sisters; LoRee Albers and Roberta Robben.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 am on Saturday, April 1, 2017 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 1805 Vine Street, Hays. Burial will follow in the St. Joseph Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5:00 pm until 8:00 on Friday and from 9:00 am until 9:45 on Saturday, all at the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine Street in Hays. A parish vigil service and rosary will be at 6:00 pm on Friday at the funeral home. Memorials in Helen’s honor can be made to Hospice of Hays Medical Center, in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be left for the family at www.haysmemorial.com.

Helen will forever be remembered for her strong work ethic, kindness, and love of family.

Twila M. Ninemire, age 93, a life-long resident mostly of Trego and Graham Counties passed away at her home at Brookdale Senior Living in Hays, Kansas, Thursday morning, March 24, 2017, with loving family members and adoring staff at her bedside.

Twila was born October 4, 1923, at a farm in northern Trego County, the daughter of Claude Eugene and Mary Howard (Zeman) Howat. With her three sisters, she attended the Saline Valley School, eventually graduating from Trego Community High School in 1940. After graduation, she attended Kansas State University on a Union Pacific scholarship for two years before marrying and becoming a full-time mother and homemaker. On December 25, 1943, Twila was united in marriage to Floyd Ninemire at the WaKeeney United Methodist Church parsonage. She and Floyd settled in southern Graham County, farming and raising livestock, and creating and sustaining a family there in the Prairie Home Community.

Twila was well-known and a charismatic member of the community. She was active with her children in 4-H, Methodist youth groups, Sunday and Bible School at Prairie Home Methodist Church, and in her own right as a steadfast choir and WSCS member. Also, she was a long-time member of the Sunflower Club (her mother, Mary, being a charter member), The Tourists’ Club and in her later years was a much sought-after bowler—as much for her warmth and charm as her bowling prowess.

She was an active member of the WaKeeney First United Methodist Church and served faithfully as its treasurer for 23 years.

Survivors include four children, Gerald (Rebecca) Ninemire, of Madill, OK; Marjean Ninemire, of Glenview, IL; David Ninemire, of Philadelphia, PA; JoAnn (Wayne) Driggers, of Jenks, OK; four grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Floyd of nearly 50 years; three sisters, Adah Howat, Leola Marie Howat and Dorothy Cook.

Memorial service will be 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, March 28, 2017, at First United Methodist Church. There will be no visitation, as cremation was chosen.  Inurnment will take place following the service at WaKeeney City Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family request that memorials be made in Twila’s memory to Prairie Faith Shared Ministry. Contributions made to the organization may be sent to Schmitt Funeral Home, 336 North 12th, WaKeeney, KS  67672.

Former Sherman County resident Crystal Marie Anderson, 97, passed away March 22, 2017 at Sunrise Senior Living In Denver, CO.

Crystal was born January 14, 1920 at home near Ruleton KS, the daughter of Edward and Jennie McClung. On March 24, 1938, Crystal married Elton M. Anderson.

The Andersons farmed northeast of Kanorado where she was active in 4-H and various civic organizations in the county, earned her private plane pilot’s license and participated in the Flying Farmers Association. Elton and Crystal moved to Denver in 1951 where she attended Bon Ton Beauty School and became a successful business woman who owned Crystal’s Cut N Curl beauty shop in Arvada for many years. Crystal was a member of Alpha Mu Sorority.

Crystal was preceded in death by her parents and her husband of 60 years, Elton “Swede” Anderson.

Surviving family members include daughter Gaylene (David) Burdick, two granddaughters Kerri (Mark) McCloskey, Lori McMillan, great-granddaughter Morgan McCloskey, and two great nieces Anita (Chet) Wigton and Kristi (Steve) Householder.

Private graveside services were held on Monday, March 27, 2017 at the Goodland Cemetery.

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

Funeral service arrangements were entrusted to Koons-Russell Funeral Home in Goodland.

Frank D. Bradley, 96, Hays, died Friday, March 24, 2017 at Hays Good Samaritan Society.

He was born September 6, 1920 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma the son of Cornelius P. and Gertrude (Diller) Bradley. He graduated from High School in Detroit, Michigan and earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting at the University of Kansas in 1950, and became a C.P.A. in 1952. Frank was united in marriage to Donna M. Putnam on May 20, 1946, in Osborne, Kansas. They celebrated over 70 years of marriage before she preceded him in death on October 23, 2016. Before retiring in 1986, he worked for over 30 years as a Certified Public Accountant. He was a partner of firms in Lawrence, KS (1952-1972), Estes Park, CO (1973-1975), and Manhattan, KS (1976-1977). In 1978 he began a second career in the Municipal Accounting Section of the Department of Administration for the State of Kansas. Governor John Carlin appointed him to the State Board of Accountancy in 1984. He was an active member of the Presbyterian Church, serving as a Trustee, Elder, and Deacon. He was also active in the Chamber of Commerce, the Senior Companions, and the Boy Scouts of America. Professionally, he was a member and chair of numerous committees within the Kansas Society of Certified Public Accountants.

His military service as a Staff Sergeant in the United States Army Air Forces during World War II included deployment to Saipan in the South Pacific. He was assigned to the 73rd Bomb Wing under the command of General Curtis Lemay. He was a radar technician and crew chief for three B-29 bombers. Decorations included three bronze battle stars. Before deploying to Saipan, he was stationed at Walker Army Air Field east of Hays.

Survivors include a son; Bruce Bradley and wife Yvonne of Aurora, Nebraska, a brother; William Bradley of Trophy Club, Texas, a son-in-law; Robert Albers of Albuquerque, New Mexico, and five grandchildren; Jennifer Kysar, Wade Albers, Sean Bradley, Rodney Bradley, and Christian Bradley.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Donna, and a daughter; Lynne Albers.

Memorial services will be at 1:00 pm on Friday, March 31, 2017 at the First Presbyterian Church, 2900 Hall Street, Hays. Inurnment with military honors by the Hays VFW Post #9076 Honor Guard will follow in Fort Hays Memorial Gardens Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 12:00 noon until the time of service on Friday at the church. Memorials are suggested in Frank’s memory to the First Presbyterian Church 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