Sandra Lea (Newcomer) French, passed away Thursday, March 23, 2017 at Salina Regional Health Center at the age of 59. Sandra was born on November 13, 1957 to Duane and Elaine Newcomer in Hays, KS. 

Sandra was a graduate of Trego Community High School class of 1975. She married her husband David French in 1975 where they traveled the world with the military. After her husband retired, they moved back to Wakeeney, Kansas where she pursued her career as a florist. That career continued after moving to Salina, Kansas for a couple more years. She then began working at Salina Regional Health Center as a PBX/Doctors Exchange Operator. She stayed there for 15 years until retirement. Sandy spent all of her free time with her husband, kids, grandkids, and her beloved cats. She loved being a gramma and it consumed her life for the past five and a half years. Her grandchildren were her pride and joy and she wouldn’t have changed it for the world. 

Survivors Include her husband David, three sons, Cory of Wakeeney, Lance and wife Mu of Daegu, Korea, Gary and wife Kristin of Steamboat Springs, Colorado, a daughter Melanie and husband AJ Shehata of Junction City, Kansas; three grandchildren Kennan French, Michaella French, Caidan French; one unborn grandchild Layla Shehata; six brothers, David and wife Kathy Newcomer of Greeley, CO, Randy and wife Julie Newcomer of Louisburg, KS, Keevin and wife Mary Lou Newcomer of WaKeeney, KS, Brian and wife Jeris Newcomer of Wildwood, MO, Steve Newcomer and wife Brenda Newcomer of Wakeeney, KS, and Eric and wife Dolores Newcomer of Austin, TX; Numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. 

Sandra was preceded in death by, her parents, Duane and Elaine Newcomer; and granddaughter Caitlynn Lea Morrison. 

Mass of Christian Burial will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 29, 2017 at Christ the King Catholic Church, WaKeeney.  Burial will be in the Kansas Veterans’ Cemetery, WaKeeney.

Visitation will be Tuesday, from 5 to 7 p.m. with a parish vigil service at 6:00 p.m.  Both will take place at the funeral home.



In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to Christ the King Catholic Church or American Breast Cancer Foundation (www.abcf.org).  Contributions may be left on the ABCF website or sent to Schmitt Funeral Home, 336 N 12th, WaKeeney, KS  67672.


Larry Leo Langhofer, 78, of Russell, Kansas, passed away Wednesday, March 22, 2017 at the Wilson Care and Rehabilitation Center in Wilson, Kansas.

Larry was born September 11, 1938 on the family farm south of Bunker Hill, Kansas. One of three children born to Elmo and Ella (Feil) Langhofer. He grew up in the Bunker Hill area and graduated from Bunker Hill High School.

Larry served his country in the U.S. Army during the years of 1961 to 1963, and served in the Army Reserves until 1967. He was stationed at Ft. Leanardwood in Missouri. After his service, he returned to Bunker Hill.

Larry was united in marriage to Margaret Rae on December 14, 1963 in Russell. They made their home in Russell.

Larry started working in the oil fields when he was young. He began as a roughneck and finished as a tool pusher. He worked for many oil companies in the area like Big 3 and Shields Oil. Then in 1975 he started farming and continued until his health slowed him down. He was a member of the Russell Elks Lodge. He enjoyed gardening, hunting and fishing, being outdoors, and watching all types of sporting events especially those of Kansas State University and the Kansas City Chiefs.

Larry’s surviving family includes his wife of 53 years, Margaret of the home; daughter, Jody M. McGuirk (Ryan) of Denver, Colorado; brother, Jerry Langhofer of North Platte, Nebraska; and granddaughter Rinley McGuirk.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents, son Michael “Lefty” Langhofer, and sister Patty Bebermeyer.

Celebration of Larry’s Life will be held at 10:30 AM, Monday, March 27, 2017 at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary. Burial will follow at the Bunker Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be from Noon to 8:00 PM, Sunday, March 26, 2017 at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary with the family present to greet friends from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM. A Memorial has been established with the Town & Country Animal Clinic. Contributions and condolences may be sent to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, who is in charge of these arrangements.

Edwin J. “Eddie” Braun, 91, of Russell, Kansas, passed away Wednesday, March 22, 2017 at the Russell Regional Hospital in Russell.

Eddie was born December 13, 1925 in Hays, Kansas. He was one of five children born to John B. and Albina (Dreiling) Braun. He grew up in Victoria, Kansas and attended school there. During his senior year in high school he joined the U.S. Navy in 1944. He served his country during WWII in the Philippines.

Eddie was united in marriage to Wanda J. Stull on June 27, 1950 in Victoria. They made their home in Plainville, Kansas. This union was blessed with seven children; Cindy, Kurt, Steven, Kathleen, James, Karen and Susan.

Eddie started working for Skelly Oil Company in 1949 in Plainville. Then in 1968 Eddie and his family moved to Russell. When he retired from Getty Oil Company in 1985 he was a District Foreman in drilling and production. He was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church and was a 3rd Degree Knight of Columbus. He was a life member of the Russell V.F.W. Post 6240 and Russell Elks Lodge. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, tending his garden, playing golf, wood working and watching Fox News.

Eddie is survived by his wife of 66 years, Wanda of the home; four daughters, Cynthia Munsch (Harvey) of Hays, Kansas, Kathleen Hoss of Russell, Kansas, Karen Gutierrez (Mario) of Hays, Kansas, and Susan Dreiling (Todd) of Colorado Springs, Colorado; three sons, Kurt Braun (Cindy) and Steven Braun (Sue) all of Aurora, Colorado and James L. Braun (Sharon) of Surprise, Arizona; sister, Luarita Dinkel of Topeka, Kansas; 20 grandchildren and 42 great grandchildren.

Eddie was preceded in death by his parents, three sisters, Irene Weigel, Julie Marten and Arlene Zimmerman; and a grandson Travis Braun.

Celebration of the Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 AM, Saturday, March 25, 2017 at St. Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church. A Graveside service will be held at 1:00 P.M., Saturday at St. Fidelis Catholic Cemetery in Victoria where the Russell V.F.W. Post 6240 Honor Guard will conduct Military Rites. A Vigil will be held at 7:00 PM Friday, March 24, 2017 at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary. Visitation will be held Friday from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM at the Mortuary with the family present to greet friends starting at 6:00 PM. Memorials have been established with St. Mary’s Catholic Church Daily Masses or St. Fidelis Catholic Cemetery Fund. Contributions and condolences may be sent to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, who is in charge of these arrangements.

Agnes Elaine Wannamaker, age 87, of Ellis, Passed away Thursday, March 23, 2017 at the Good Samaritan Society, Ellis. She was born August 7, 1929 in in Ellis, Kansas to Rudolph and Regina (Tauscher) Waldschmidt. She graduated from Ellis High School in 1948. On September 7, 1949 she married Jim Wannamaker. He preceded her in death on February 3, 1995.

Agnes was a homemaker and farm wife. She had also worked at the Hays Livestock and Midwest Drug. She was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church.

She is survived by a son, Julen “Pete” Wannamaker II and wife Teri of Topeka, Kansas; a daughter, Jackie Shubert and husband Bruce of Manhattan, Kansas; two brothers, Bernard Waldschmidt of Fruita, Colorado and Eugene “Whitie” Waldschmidt of Grand Junction, Colorado; five grandchildren, Sonya Simpkins of Los Angelas, California, JJ Wannamaker II of Overland Park, Kansas, Jarod Wannamaker of Hutchinson, Kansas, Sam Shubert of rural St. George, Kansas and Ben Shubert of Manhattan, Kansas as well as four great grandchildren, Chloe, James III, Julen III and Noah Wannamaker.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a daughter, Jennifer Simpkins, a daughter and son-in-law, Jean and Russ Benedict; a great grandson, Cyrus Shubert; three brothers, A.J. Waldschmidt, Jim Waldschmidt and Tom Waldschmidt and a sister Esther Touslee.

Funeral services will be 10:00 AM Tuesday, March 28, 2017 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Ellis. Burial will follow in Mt. Hope Cemetery, Ellis.

Visitation will be Monday 5 PM – 8 PM with a combined vigil and rosary service at 7 PM all at Keithley Funeral Chapel 400 E. 17th Ellis, KS 67637.

Memorial contributions are suggested to St. Mary’s Church or the Good Samaritan Society, Ellis.

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

Victoria, Kansas- John Leo Brungardt, age 79, died Wednesday, March 22, 2017, at the Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice Center at Via Christi Hospital St. Francis in Wichita, Kansas. He was born March 14, 1938, on the family farm south west of Victoria, Kansas to Leo F. and Mary (Kuhn) Brungardt. He married Eileen Kay (Herman) on October 6, 1962 in Gorham, Kansa

He was a oil field pumper for 23 years with Sun Oil Company and a farmer. He was a graduate of Victoria High School and served in the Kansas National Guard. He was a member of the Basilica of St. Fidelis and Knights of Columbus both of Victoria, Kansas.

Survivors include his wife, Eileen Kay Brungardt, of the home; one son, Russell John Brungardt and wife, Alison, Dallas, TX; two daughters, Rebecca Robben and husband, Mark, Victoria, KS; Tammy Brungardt and companion, Dan Pfannenstiel, Norton, KS; four grandchildren, Cole James Robben, Taylor James Meder, John Leo Brungardt and Victoria Ruth Brungardt; one brother, Gene Brungardt, Victoria, KS; two sisters, Connie Dreiling and husband, Allen, and Jane Dinges, both of Victoria, KS; one sister-in-law, Geraldine Brungardt-Kendel and husband, Don, Victoria, KS.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Cletus Brungardt and one brother-in-law, Robert Dinges.

Services are 10:00 A.M. Monday, March 27, 2017, at The Basilica of St. Fidelis Victoria, Kansas. Burial in St. Fidelis Cemetery Victoria, Kansas.

A vigil service is at 7:00 P.M. Sunday and a Victoria Knights of Columbus rosary is at 7:30 P.M. Sunday both at Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary, 412 Main Street, Victoria, Kansas 67671.

Visitation is from 5:00 to 9:00 P.M. Sunday and from 8:30 to 9:45 A.M. Monday all at Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary Victoria, Kansas.

Memorial to The Basilica of St. Fidelis.

Douglas Graydon Egger, age 88, of Hays, formerly of Ellis passed away Thursday, March 23, 2017 at the Good Samaritan Society in Ellis. He was born April 27, 1928 in Hays, Kansas to Ernest Edward and Ida Phyllis (Loflin) Egger. He graduated from Ellis High School in 1947. He married Betty Armbruster on February 13, 1954. She preceded him in death on April 9, 1996. On November 29, 1997 he married Rose Mary Rupp at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Ellis, KS.

Doug was a retired Farmer and Stockman. He was a US Army veteran serving in the Korean War. He was a member of Christ Lutheran Church of Ellis, lifetime member of the Ellis VFW, former Golden Belt CO-OP board member, and a member of the Sunflower Polka Club. He enjoyed auctions, antiquing, his family and family events.

He is survived by his wife, Rose Mary Egger of Hays; two daughters, Renee Rupp and husband Dave of Hays, Raimy Hester and husband Keith of Hutchinson; a step son, Kevin O’Rourke of Hays; five grandchildren, Travis Rupp and wife Kristin of Hays, Jeff Rupp and wife Deanna of Hays, Dallas Rupp of Hays, Brooke Hothan of Lawrence and Megan Hester of Hutchinson as well as eight great grandchildren, Brynlee, Bennett, Colten, Veya, Allie, Addison, Brantley and Ridge.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a step son, Sean O’Rourke.

Funeral services will be 10:30 AM on Monday, March 27, 2017 at Christ Lutheran Church in Ellis. Burial will follow in Mt. Hope Cemetery in Ellis with military honors.

Visitation will be Sunday 5 PM – 8 PM with a prayer service at 7 PM all at Keithley Funeral Chapel 400 E 17th Ellis, KS 67637. Visitation on Monday will be at 10 AM until service time at the church.

Memorial contributions are suggested to Christ Lutheran Church or The Special Olympics.

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

Arleda Rebecca (Ehlers) was born in rural Lahoma, Oklahoma to Henry C. & Frances (Windler) Ehers on July 26, 1932. She departed this life on March 21, 2017 at her home of 58 years in rural Hoxie, Kansas.

She was baptized into the Christian faith on August 12, 1932, at Zion Lutheran Church in Lahoma, Oklahoma and confirmed in the same church by Reverend G.A. Chatt on April 14, 1946. Her confirmation verse was “Be thou faithful until death and I will give you the crown of life” Rev. 2:10. She diligently adhered to that verse as a faithful servant of the Lord all of her life. Arleda attended District # 100, a one room school west of Lahoma for grades 1-5. She then attended Zion Lutheran School in Lahoma for grades 6-8 followed by high school at Lahoma, graduating with the class of 1950.

During school, she played both guard for the girl’s “Bulldogs” basketball team and catcher for the softball team along with her sister, Elaine. The team was known throughout north central Oklahoma for their skill and winning seasons. This was in addition to helping her parents on the farm with milking cows, tending garden, raising and butchering chickens, meal preparation and all the other tasks farm children were expected to perform. After High School graduation, she attended Enid Business College and later worked at Buckheimer Jewelry Store in Enid.

Arleda met Carl Gaede while he was visiting his maternal grandmother in Lahoma. The couple were married on April 5, 1953 at the Zion Lutheran Church in Lahoma. Arleda and Carl celebrated 63 years of marriage before his death in 2016. To this union, two children were born, Cynthia Marie in 1955 and Grant Carl in 1961. They lived in Junction City, Kansas while Carl was active duty Army National Guard and upon discharge from the service. They lived briefly on Lookout Mountain, Colorado before returning to the family farm in Hoxie, Kansas in 1957.

In addition to being a full partner in working the farm, she was an active member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Hoxie, playing the organ for church service for 60 plus years. She also prepared food for many church and community events and was known for her delicious meals. Many in the Hoxie Community learned to play the piano under her tutelage. She is one of the last surviving members of the Harmony Club. She was a gifted seamstress and quilter. She dedicated many hours to the Sheridan County Historical Society and loved exploring genealogy of both the Gaede and Ehlers families. She tirelessly supported her children’s educational endeavors from kindergarten through higher education. She also enjoyed helping them with 4-H projects and watching them in sporting events. She was Co-Grand Marshall of the Sheridan County Fair Parade in 2003.

Arleda is survived by daughter, Cindie Streck and husband Pat of Ellinwoood, Kansas; son, Grant and wife Rhonda of Hoxie, Kansas and her 7 grandsons and families; Stuart Streck (Jen) of John’s Creek Georgia; Tim Streck (Tyra) of Newton, Kansas, Alex Gaede (Megan) and Erik Gaede (Courtney) of Hoxie, Kansas, Kelly Streck (Katie) of Elgin, Oklahoma, Scott Streck (Amy), Spring Hill, Kansas and Josh Gaede (Kim) of Salina, Kansas. Also grieving will be her great-grandchildren Issac, Nathaniel, Henry, Amelia, Sophie Gaede of Hoxie, Kansas, Elliott Gaede of Salina, Kansas, Kristian Streck of John’s Creek, Georgia, Allie and Vaughn Streck of Newton, Kansas, James and Ella Streck of Elgin, Oklahoma, and Claire Streck of Spring Hill, Kansas; sister Elaine Classen of Wichita, Kansas, and sisters-in-law Joann Gaede, Pasadena, Texas and Shirley Gaede, San Antonio, Texas and a host of other family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Carl; parents, Henry and Frances Ehlers; brother, Roland Ehlers; sister, Nadine and husband Larry Gilchrist and brother-in-law Walter Classen.
Funeral Services are planned for Friday, March 24, 2017, 10:30 A.M., at the Immanuel Lutheran church, Hoxie, Kansas, Pastor L.J. McDermott officiating. Burial will follow in the Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday, March 23, 2017, from 1:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. with family receiving friends from 5:30 P.M. to 6:30 P.M. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to Sheridan County Historical Society, Immanuel Lutheran Church, Hoxie, or a Nursing Scholarship. Words of comfort and support may be left at www.mickeyleopoldfuneral.com

Arleda was a honest, hardworking, frugal, talented woman who inspired others to reach for the stars, always encouraging them to be better than their very best. This was constantly demonstrated in her relationship with her 7 grandsons. The loves of Arleda’s life were the Lord Jesus Christ and her family. Although she is gone, she will never be forgotten; her memories and love will live forever in the hearts of each person she touched.

Click HERE for service details.