Betty Jo Engel, 82, Hays, died Saturday, March 11, 2017 at the Hays Medical Center.

She was born September 20, 1934 in Hays the daughter of A.F. and Ruby (McIntosh) Debes. She graduated from Hays High School and on September 9, 1952 she was united in marriage to Ernest K. Engel at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Hays. She was her husband’s right hand on the farm and was a very accomplished pianist, playing at numerous events throughout her lifetime. With her husband, she loved to travel and they would ride their Harley Davidson to the west coast and up the coast and into Canada. She enjoyed her first jet airplane flight during a trip to Alaska last fall, and loved to cook, tend to her beautiful flower beds, and play pinochle and drink coffee with her friends and family.

Survivors include her husband Ernest, of the home, a daughter Debbie Engel of Hays, three grandchildren; Shannon Deitering and husband Chris of Phenix City, Alabama, Chad Burgardt of Hays, and Misti Burgardt of Hays, two great grandchildren; Ryan and Aaron Deitering of Phenix City, Alabama, and two sisters; Virginia Alanis of Hays and Carol Karlin of Stockton.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 am on Thursday, March 16, 2017 at the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine Street, with Fr. Barry Brinkman officiating. Inurnment will take place at a later date. The family will receive friends from 10:00 am until service time on Thursday at the funeral home.

Memorials are suggested in Betty Jo’s memory to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital or to the Humane Society of the High Plains, in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be left for the family at www.haysmemorial.com.

Keith Edwin Neal, 85, of Russell, Kansas, died on Thursday, March 09, 2017, at the Hays Medical Center in Hays, Kansas.

Keith was born on January 19, 1932, in Manning, Kansas, one of twin boys born to Frank and Grace (See) Neal. Following his mother’s death in early 1933, Keith and his twin brother Ken were cared for and raised by their father’s parents, William and Amelia (Worley)Neal. The grandparents moved to Scott City when it was time for the twins to start school. Keith and his brother graduated from Scott City High School in the class of 1949. Keith and Ken joined the United States Air Force in 1951, and served four years together during the Korean war era. It was during that time Keith met, fell in love and was united in marriage to Amy Cross. They were married on June 21, 1952, at the Grant Avenue Methodist Church in Denver, Colorado. From this union they were blessed with 3 boys William Douglas, Kenneth Thomas and John Alan.

After serving his country, Keith graduated from Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado and graduated with a bachelor degree in Biological Science and a masters degree in Education. He was a science teacher, coached basketball, football and baseball at Highland High School in Ault Colorado. He was also the principal at Highland High School and worked in education for 17 years. He was a member of and actively involved with the Lions Club in Ault. After retiring, Keith was involved in a number of businesses as well as a home-based business which he and Amy operated for several years.

Keith and Amy resided in Castle Rock, Colorado for a number of years, where they belonged to Castle Pines/Cornerstone Presbyterian Church. In 2006, they moved to Russell, Kansas where they have resided for the last 11 years. Keith was a member of the Otterbein United Methodist Church in Russell and had made many friends in Russell. They have been active also in the Russell Senior Center. He enjoyed traveling, playing golf and was a huge sports nut who enjoyed watching his favorite sports teams such as the St. Louis Cardinals, Colorado State University, Colorado Rockies, Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs and Royals. Most of all he enjoyed spending time with his family and grandson.

Surviving family include his wife of 64 years Amy Neal of the home, son Kenneth Thomas Neal of Aurora, Colorado and John Alan Neal and wife MaLaura Deeter of Topeka, Kansas; brother Kenneth F. Neal and wife Sandra of Thornton, Colorado and grandson Ty Alan Deeter-Neal.

He was preceded in death by his parents, son William Douglas Neal; brothers Troy and Don; sisters Della, Beulah and Barbara.

A celebration of Keith’s life will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Tuesday, March 14, 2017, at the Otterbein United Methodist Church in Russell, Kansas, with Pastor Michael Eurit officiating. Services will conclude at the church. Viewing will be from 9 A.M. to 8 P.M. on Monday, March 13, 2017, at the mortuary with family greeting guests from 6 P.M. to 7 P.M. Monday night. Memorials may be given to the Otterbein United Methodist Church and sent in care of the mortuary. Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.

Josephine “Jo” Werth, 95, Hays, died Thursday, March 9, 2017 at the Via Christi Village Long Term Care.

She was born October 17, 1921 in Norton County, Kansas the daughter of John and Frances (Swingler) Vahling. Growing up on the family farm, she milked cows, butchered chickens, and learned to cook and bake. On May 8, 1950 she was united in marriage to Victor J. Werth in New Almelo, Kansas. They celebrated nearly 42 years of marriage before he preceded her in death on March 19, 1992. Jo was a nurse at the original St. Anthony’s Hospital and at Hadley hospital for many years. She was a farmwife, a homemaker, and a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church. Her yard was her pride and joy, and she enjoyed cleaning, cooking, baking, going for walks, and watching sports on television. She was very faithful and prayed the rosary often.

Survivors include a son; Ron J. Werth of McCracken, Kansas, a daughter; Mary Jo Werth and Jr. Fisher of Hays, three grandchildren; Amy (Caleb) Hudson of Ellis, Lori (Travis) Hearne of Bucklin, KS, and James (Jen) Werth of Hays, two step grandchildren; John George of LaCrosse, and Wade George of Rush Center, eight great grandchildren; Luke, Eli, and Noah Lohrmeyer of Ellis, Hunter and Gunnar Hearne of Bucklin, and Laine, Emerson, and Hadleigh Werth of Hays, a step great grandchild; Preston Palmer of Hays, and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, a son; James Werth in 1976, and by three brothers and five sisters.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 am on Monday, March 13, 2017 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 1805 Vine Street. Burial will follow in the St. Joseph Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4:00 pm until 8:00 on Sunday and from 9:00 am until 9:45 on Monday, all at the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine Street. A parish vigil service and rosary will begin at 6:30 pm on Sunday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested in Jo’s memory to nursing students at both Fort Hays State University and North Central Kansas Technical College. Condolences may be left for the family at www.haysmemorial.com

Hays, Kansas – Elmer E. Pfeifer, age 70, died Thursday, March 9, 2017, at Via Christi Village Hays, Kansas. He was born June 12, 1946, in Fremont, Nebraska to Leo Joseph and Catherine (Lattigan) Pfeifer.

He was a janitor at Fort Hays State University for 28 years and retired in 2011. He was a veteran of the US Air Force, attended the Fort Hays Campus Center, Hays, Kansas and a member of the Sunflower Polka Club. He grew up in Aurora and Concordia, Kansas and was a 1965 graduate of Notre Dame High School Concordia, Kansas.

Survivors include three brothers, Vernon Pfeifer, Garden City, KS; Leonard Pfeifer, Merriam, KS; Alfie Pfeifer and wife, Karen, Mesquite, TX; two sisters, Verna Lee Musselman and husband, Leon, Clay Center, KS; Trish Ardissone, Wichita, KS; two step sisters, Dorothy Hayes, Lynchburg, Virginia; Blanche Stanley, Raytown, MO; two step sister-in-law, Joan Colman, Dodge City, KS; Fern Coleman, independence, MO; several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his step mother, Ruth Dye-Coleman; one sister-in-law, Liz Pfeifer; three step brothers, Leonard Dye, Henry Coleman, Donald K. Coleman; three step sisters, Aileen Stanley, Velma Jackson, Helen Mumma.

Services are 10:00 A.M. Monday, March 13, 2016 at St. Joseph Catholic Church Hays, Kansas.

Burial will be at St. Joseph Cemetery Hays, Kansas with military honors by the Hays V.F.W. Post No. 9076.
Vigil service is at 7:30 P.M. Sunday, at Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary of Hays, 1919 East 22nd Street, Hays, Kansas 67601.

Visitation is from 5:00 to 9:00 P.M. Sunday and from 9:00 to 9:45 A.M. Monday at Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary of Hays.

Memorial to Fort Hays Sate University Nursing Department in care of the mortuary. Condolences can be left by guestbook at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com or via e-mail to [email protected].

Hays, Kansas – Elmer E. Pfeifer, age 70, died Thursday, March 9, 2017, at Via Christi Village Hays, Kansas. Services are pending at Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary of Hays, 1919 East 22nd Street, Hays, Kansas 67601.

Kim Steven Billinger, age 63, of Hays, passed away Wednesday, March 8, 2017 at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita.

Memorial services will be 11 AM on Tuesday, March 14, 2017 at Brock’s-Keithley Funeral Chapel and Crematory 2509 Vine Hays, KS 67601.

Visitation will be Monday 5 PM – 7:30 PM with a combined vigil and rosary service at 6:30 PM all at the funeral chapel.

A complete obituary is pending.

Josephine “Jo” Werth, 95, Hays, died Thursday, March 09, 2017 at the Via Christi Village Long Term Care.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 am on Monday, March 13, 2017 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 1805 Vine Street. Burial will follow in the St. Joseph Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 4:00 pm until 8:00 on Sunday and from 9:00 am until 9:45 on Monday, all at the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine Street. A vigil service will be at 6:30 pm on Sunday at the funeral home.

A complete obituary will follow.

Gertrude Louise Flegler, 84, of WaKeeney, Kansas, and formerly of Russell, Kansas, died on Wednesday, March 08, 2017, at the Trego County-Lemke Memorial Hospital in WaKeeney.

Gertrude was born on March 29, 1932, in Madison, Kansas, the daughter of Robert L. and Helen O. (McDowell) Madden. She grew up in Madison and Russell, Kansas, and graduated from Russell High School. She met, fell in love and was united in marriage to Clarence V. Flegler on January 28, 1951, in Russell, Kansas. From this union they were blessed with a son Bob and daughter Mitzi. She worked for the Russell High School in the kitchen as a cook manger for many years. She was a longtime member of St. John Lutheran Church in Russell. She enjoyed walking, gardening, cooking and being a care giver. Most of all she enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Surviving family include her daughter Mitzi Harrison of WaKeeney, Kansas, 4 grandchildren Sarah Shepard, Ben Flegler (Nicole), Rachel Moore (Chuck) and Paige Putnam and 6 great grandchildren Connor, Cobie, Trevor and Ty Flegler, Noah and Sophia Shepard.

She was preceded in death by her husband Clarence on February 13, 2006, son Bob Flegler, two brothers Bob and Phillip Madden and infant daughter Nancy Jo Flegler.

A celebration of Gertrude’s life will be held at 2:30 P.M. on Friday, March 10, 2017, at the Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary in Russell, Kansas, with Pastor Jim Alexander officiating. Burial will follow at the Trinity Lutheran Cemetery in Bender Hill, Kansas. Viewing will be from 9 A.M. to service time on Friday, March 10th, at the mortuary. Family will greet guest before and after the funeral service.

Memorials may be given to the V.F.W. Ladies Auxiliary and can be sent in care of the mortuary. Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.

Goodland, Kansas, resident and former Montrose, Colorado, resident, Dorothy Belle Krill, 90, passed away on Monday, March 6, 2017 at the Goodland Regional Medical Center in Goodland.

Dorothy was born on March 29, 1926 in Jetmore, Kansas to Herbert William and Lois May (Benson) Seip. She was one of six children. Dorothy spent her childhood years growing up in Jetmore and attending Pretty Prairie School. In 1939, the family moved to Olathe, Colorado, where she graduated from Olathe High School in 1945.

On April 30, 1955, she married Gerald (Rusty) Krill in Montrose, Colorado. To this union, two children Lana and Roxane were born. Dorothy worked as a telephone operator back on the old switchboard type; managing the San Miguel Ranch in Colorado; later as a metal buildings cost estimator for Walker & Krill Builders and as a homemaker. She enjoyed LIFE. She loved to can(preserve) all the family’s fruits & vegetables; host large family dinners and hosting family reunions; sewing, embroidering, crocheting, dancing(waltz & poka), arrowhead hunting, camping, fishing and yes, hunting(she has the deer horns to prove it). She was an avid sports fan and loved her Broncos; and following her grandchildren in every sport they participated in.

Preceding her in death were her parents, two brothers Hubert and Norman Seip and two sisters Viola Anders and Ada Mary Green.

She is survived by her loving husband Gerald (Rusty) of 61 years, two daughters; Lana Kinsey and her husband Kent of Montrose, Colorado, Roxane Brack and her husband Gary of Goodland, Kansas, a sister Peggy Ann Summers of Montrose, Colorado. She is also survived by two grandchildren Kendra Pearson and her husband Kirk of Parker, Colorado and Taylor Brack of Goodland, KS, as well as two great grandchildren Presley and Carson Pearson of Parker, Colorado.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, March 9, 2017 at 1:00 PM MT with Pastor Brent Flanders officiating. Graveside services will be held on Saturday, March 11, 2017 at 11:00 AM MT at the Valley Lawn Cemetery in Montrose, Colorado.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, March 8, 2017 from 5:00 to 7:00 PM MT at the Koons-Russell Funeral Home in Goodland.

Memorials may be designated to the Good Samaritan Society-Sherman County 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 have been entrusted to Koons-Russell Funeral Home in Goodland and Sunset Mesa Funeral Directors in Montrose, Colorado.

Victoria, Kansas – Sherolyn A. “Sherri” (Rome) Windholz, age 68, died Monday, March 6, 2017, at Hays Medical Center, Hays, Kansas.

She was born February 20, 1949, in Hays, Kansas to Wilmer J. and Valeria (Wittman) Rome. She married Floyd Windholz on November 3, 1979, in Victoria, Kansas.

She was a homemaker and a 1967 graduate of Victoria High School. She also worked at Travenol Laboratories, Stromgren Supports, Adronics Elrob Manufacturing, Thomas More Prep-Marian High School in the kitchen and laundry. She was a member of The Basilica of St. Fidelis and Christian Mothers both of Victoria, Kansas. She enjoyed cross word puzzles, making crafts and going to crafts shows.

Survivors include her husband, Floyd Windholz, of the home; two sons, Steven Windholz, Victoria, KS; Christopher Windholz, of the home; her father, Wilmer J. Rome, Hays, KS; one brother, Randy Rome and wife, Julie, Landisville PA; three sisters, Dorothy Taylor and husband, Leonard, Rapid City, SD; Donna Lovelady and husband, Stan, Plainville, KS; Betty Hansen and Roger Ferland, Hays, KS.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Valeria Rome; one sister, Diana Waldschmidt and her husband, Ronald J.; her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Seraphin and Felicitas (Gerhardt) Windholz.

Services are 11:00 A.M. Saturday, March 11, 2017, at the Basilica of St. Fidelis. A private family inurnment will be at St. Fidelis Cemetery, Victoria, Kansas.

A vigil service will be at 7:00 P.M. Friday, followed by a Christian Mothers rosary at Clines-Keithley Mortuary, 412 Main Street, Victoria, Kansas 67671.

Visitation will be from 5:00 to 9:00 P.M. Friday, at Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary Victoria, Kansas and from 9:30 to 11:00 A.M. Saturday, at The Basilica of St. Fidelis Victoria, Kansas.

Memorial to the Floyd Windholz family.

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