Charlene A. Kramer, 84, longtime Goodland resident died Tuesday, February 7, 2017 at the Goodland Regional Medical Center.  Charlene was born to Charles and Elbertine Hayden on November 22, 1932 in Wallace County, Kansas.

Following the death of her father in 1940, the family moved to Goodland where she graduated from Goodland High School in the class of 1950.  She married Lowell Kramer on May 31, 1952.  They moved to California while Lowell served in the Marine Corps.  They returned to Goodland in 1954 to raise their family.

Lowell and Charlene purchased the Ford dealership in the 1970’s, where Charlene worked as a bookkeeper until they sold the business in 1997.

The center of Charlene’s life was her family, and she dearly loved Goodland’s beauty, the plains and the sunsets.

She is pre-deceased by her husband, Lowell, her parents, two sisters, Josephine Cain and Donna Hurd, and her grandson Daniel Moore.

Survivors are her daughters Ardith (Darrell) Moore of Salina, Kansas; Rhonda Kramer of Goodland, Kansas; Lana (Steve) Krug of Benkelman, Nebraska; sister Vida Rice of Middleton, Idaho, 10 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.

Visitation will be Friday, 4 to 6 p.m. MT at Bateman Funeral Home, Funeral Service will be Saturday, 1 p.m. MT at the United Methodist Church at 1116 Sherman in Goodland with burial to follow at the Goodland Cemetery.

 

Memorials may be left of sent to the Bateman Funeral Home, P. O. Box 278, Goodland, KS  67735.  Online condolences: www.batemanfuneral.com

Victor “Vic” Groff, 71, Hays, died Wednesday, February 8, 2017 at his home.

He was born August 20, 1945 in Norton, Kansas the son of Albert and Dolores (Dawson) Groff.  On August 20, 1966 he married Carol Landauer and they later divorced.  On August 18, 1979 he married Cheryl Davis and they later divorced.  He previously worked at Enersys, Inc. and retired in 2013 after working for ten years at Gib’s NAPA Auto Supply store.  He was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, and enjoyed fishing, boating, camping, and going to the lake.  Hobbies included gardening, working on small and larger old engines, working on his ’55 Chevy or “old car” as he called it, and helping his friends.  He loved his family, his grandchildren, going to family gatherings, and his dogs, Fritz, Heidi, and Harley.

Survivors include his six children; Michael Groff and wife Kristine of Vancouver, WA, Chris Groff of Burleson, TX, Torrie Groff-Fivash and husband Glenn of McKinney, TX, Lisa Groff-Day of LaCrosse, Matt Groff of Hays, and Kari Groff-Basgall of Hays, eleven grandchildren; Korynn Groff, Nathan Groff, Ethan Groff, Elizabeth Groff, Alexyss Landers, Savanah Fivash, Gray Fivash, Keldon Day, McKaylee Day, Kelby Day, and Audrey Basgall, a great granddaughter; Avery Woodward, four sisters; Cathy, Alberta, Regina, and Becky, and four brothers; Jamie, Robert, Gary, and Ronnie, and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:15 am on Saturday, February 11, 2017 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 1805 Vine Street, with Fr. Barry Brinkman officiating.  Visitation will be from 6:15 pm until 8:15 on Friday at the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine Street, and from 9:15 am until service time on Saturday at the church.  A parish vigil service will be at 7:15 pm on Friday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested in Vic’s memory to the Hays Dog Park, in care of the funeral home.  Condolences may be left for the family at www.haysmemorial.com

Francis Henry Richmeier, 84, passed away January 7, 2017, at Covenant Village in Westminster, Colorado. Frank was the 3rd eldest child born to Angela Lioba (VonLintel) Richmeier and Balthazor Joseph Richmeier on May 11, 1932. He was born at home in St. Peter, Kansas. Frank graduated from Quinter High School in 1950, and worked on the family farm in St. Peter, Kansas until joining the US Army in 1953. While stationed in Germany, he toured around France, Italy, Ireland, and Scotland. He had earned the rank of Corporal by the time he was honorably discharged in 1955, although he continued on with the US Army Reserve until 1961. Frank was proud to be a veteran.

Frank married Verna Jean Boyle at St Rose Catholic Church in Great Bend, Kansas, on January 24, 1956. After marrying, Frank and Verna lived in Hutchinson, Kansas, where they became the parents of two daughters, Janet Marie in October, 1956 and Judy Ann in January, 1959. Frank attended Hutchinson Junior College on the GI Bill earning an associate degree in Accounting. He then worked as an accountant in Hutchinson until they moved to Denver, Colorado, in 1961. A son, James William was born in July, 1962.

Frank was a farm boy at heart and decided that a working as a tradesman rather than in an office would be more satisfying. He attended Emily Griffith Opportunity School in Denver to learn machining. After completion, he worked at Winter Weiss Company in downtown Denver. He also worked a second job as an evening shift manager at the McDonald’s on Federal and Jewell in Denver. He later worked for Gates Rubber Company as a journeyman machinist and finished his career at Coors Brewery Company in Golden retiring in 1992. Frank was very skilled at his trade — he could machine products from conceptual designs not yet on paper. He liked the challenge of machining jobs on the lathe or mill before computerization was commonplace. While working for Coors, he purchased a lathe and a mill and ran his own machine shop out of the garage.

In Colorado, Frank and Verna lived in Denver, Lakewood, Littleton, and Golden, retiring to Mountain Home, Arkansas in 1994. In 1998, they moved back to Canon City, Colorado; and their final residence was Covenant Village in Westminster, Colorado. Frank and Verna were married for 58 years, until Verna’s passing in 2014.

Frank is survived by two daughters, Janet Richmeier of Tucson, Arizona and Judy Richmeier-Harney (Frank) of Louisville, Colorado; a son, James Richmeier of Lochbuie, Colorado; three grandchildren, Jacob William Richmeier (Sabrina), Bridgett MaryAnne Harney, and Bernadette Regina Harney; two great grandchilden, Avery Marie and Reagan Elizabeth Richmeier. He is also survived by one brother, Gerald John Richmeier (Connie) of Liberal, Kansas; six sisters, Margaret Mary Mealer of Thorton, Colorado, Sophie Ann Breit (Edwin-deceased) of Larned, Kansas, Roselia Ann Urban (Arsenius) of Seward, Kansas, Jean Angela Graf (Charles-deceased) of Salida, Colorado, Patricia Louise Graf (Arsenius-deceased) of Brighton, Colorado, Roberta Reitcheck of Colby, Kansas; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father and mother; two brothers, Rudolph Valerion and (infant) William; and his sister, Agnes Marie Geist (Wilhelm-deceased).

Frank enjoyed doing projects in his garage, traveling, reading, and spending time with those he loved. He enjoyed automobiles and restored a 1931 Ford Model A to its original factory specifications, using lots of catalogs, mail order parts and his machining abilities. In his 60’s, Frank decided to start designing and piecing quilt tops. His quilts have been on display at the Royal Gorge Quilt Council in Canon City, Colorado. He also donated many of his quilts to Catholic Schools and Churches for fundraisers.

Catholic Services are Friday, January 20, 2017, at Covenant Village Smith Fellowship Hall, 9153 Yarrow Street, Westminster, CO 80021.

Interment is Monday, January 23, 2017, at Ft. Logan National Cemetery, Staging Area A, 4400 W. Kenyon Ave., Denver, CO 80236.

Frank’s daughter, Judy, is very thankful to the Chaplaincy and his many dedicated caregivers at Covenant Village of Colorado. MEMORIALS may be sent to the Covenant Village Benevolence Fund. Covenant Village of CO, 9153 Yarrow Street, Westminster, CO 80021.

Stacy Albers-Leiker was born May 12, 1970, in Colby, Kansas. She died February 5, 2017, in Columbia, Missouri.

Stacy is the daughter of Marvin and Bette Albers of Oakley and Curly and Tamy Leiker of Hays. Survivors are a son; Cody and daughter; Cheyenne, sister; Kenda (Larry) Falley, brothers; Tyson Leiker, Jimmy (Lisa) Lampe, Travis (Veronica) Lampe, grandparents; Ralph and Marcella Albers.

Graveside services will be held at the St. Fidelis Cemetery, Victoria, Kansas on Sunday, February 19, 2017 at 1:00 pm.

The family requests no flowers but a memorial in memory of Stacy to Oak Street AA or Hospice of Hays Medical Center in care of Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine Street, Hays, Kansas 67601.

Jerry Lee Truax, age 77, of Victoria passed away Friday, February 3, 2017 in Victoria. He was born July 8, 1939 in Fremont, Nebraska to Ralph and Bessie (Sallstrom) Truax. He married Roberta Ann Kurz on August 1, 1963 in Long Beach, California.

He was a US Navy Veteran serving 4 years and then a National Guard member for 20 years. He worked at Kennedy Middle School in Hays, Kansas.

He is survived by his wife, Roberta of Victoria, Kansas; a daughter, Machelle Braun (Douglas) of Victoria, Kansas; sons, Scott Truax of North Platte, Nebraska and Steven Truax (Laura) of Monona, Wisconsin; a brother, Ronald Truax of Denver, Colorado; a son-in-law, Bryan Halstead of North Platte, Nebraska as well as 12 grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Scarlett Halstead and a sister, Terry.

Private family services will be held at a later date. Arrangements in care of Brock’s-Keithley Funeral Chapel and Crematory 2509 Vine Hays, KS 67601.

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

Omar F. Karlin, age 83, of Hays, passed away Saturday, February 4, 2017 at Hays Medical Center. He was born August 14, 1933 in Hays, Kansas to Celestin and Josephine (Staab) Karlin. He married Barbara Jean Peters on May 16, 1981. She preceded him in death November 30, 2016.

Omar was a farmer and stockman and worked at area sale barns as well as for Hilt Janitorial Service. He enjoyed Kansas City Royals Baseball.

He is survived by a brother, Jerry Karlin (Ciny) of Hays; four sisters, Alfreda Hammerschmidty of Holcomb, Wanda Schulte of Hays, Patty Kreutzer of Hays and Gerri Weber (Les) of Ellis; step children, Sheila Keil of Russell, Curtis Keil (Debra) of Garden City and Dale Keil of Russell; 3 step grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Alfred Karlin and a sister, Mildred Pfannenstiel.

Funeral services will be 10 AM Friday, February 10, 2017 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Hays. Burial will follow in the St. Severin Cemetery.

Arrangements in care of Brock’s-Keithley Funeral Chapel and Crematory 2509 Vine Hays, KS 67601.

Memorials are suggested to the St. Severin Cemetery Fund or the Senior Companion Program.

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

Luella Mae Davidson, age 83, of Hays, passed away Saturday, February 4, 2017 in Hays. She was born July 28, 1933 in Oakley, Kansas to Joseph and Angelina (Metro) Bechard. She graduated from Girl’s Catholic High School in 1951.On July 6, 1953 she married Harold C. Davidson at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Hays.

Luella had worked at Travenol as a payroll clerk and also at Hadley Hospital and Hays Medical Center where she was a CNA and a Ward Clerk. She was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church and a past FOE member. She enjoyed crocheting, bingo and playing cards.

She is survived by her husband, Harold of the Good Samaritan Society in Ellis; a son, Gregory Davidson (Rose) of Marion, Kansas; three daughters, Diana Riley (Edward) of Preston, Missouri, Roxie Ruder (Harvey) of Hays and Jeanette Schroeder of Tipton, Kansas; 11 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents 4 sisters and 3 brothers.

Funeral services will be 10 AM Wednesday, February 8, 2017 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Hays. Burial will follow in St. Joseph’s Cemetery.

Visitation will be Tuesday 6 PM – 8 PM with a combined parish vigil service and rosary at 7 PM all at Brock’s-Keithley Funeral Chapel and Crematory 2509 Vine Hays, KS 67601.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Activities fund at the Good Samaritan Society of Ellis.

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

Lorene Rosa (Gfeller) Clark, 96 years, died on February 4, 2017, at the Logan County Hospital in Oakley, Kansas.  Lorene was born to Emil and Ivy (Shoffner) Gfeller on December 15, 1920, at the hospital in Hays, Kansas.  She grew up in the Winona area and graduated from Winona High School in 1938.

Lorene married Walter “Bus” Clark on July 4, 1941 in Sharon Springs, and to this union were born two sons:  Terry Lee Clark of Goshen, Kentucky and Jerry Dean Clark of Corinth, Texas.

Lorene was a homemaker and also a business woman.  She worked in the Oakley school cafeteria kitchen for eight years.  She owned and operated the Oakley Christian Bookstore for seventeen years and worked with her husband in the Oakley Shoe Shop for many years.  She truly loved the bookstore business and working with the public and serving the Lord.

Lorene accepted Jesus as her Lord and was baptized in March 1955, in the Oakley Christian Church.  She served the Lord faithfully by teaching Sunday school for over 50 years.  She was the leader of Junior Church for over fifteen years and was a Youth leader with her husband for several years.  Lorene also learned ventriloquism and had a little dummy named “Corky”, which all the children and even the adults loved.  She truly loved and enjoyed teaching and working with children. Lorene was also a strong believer in the power of prayer.

Lorene wrote the story of her life called “My Legacy of Love” which she gave to her children and grandchildren.  Lorene also belonged to RSVP, a Senior Volunteer Program for 11 years.

Survivors include two sons and their wives:  Terry and Rita Clark, Goshen, Kentucky and Jerry and Linda Clark, Corinth, Texas.  She had five grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren.

Funeral service:  10:00 a.m. Thursday, February 9, 2017 at Oakley Christian Church with Pastor Ja Whyte, Pastor Bob Kelly, and Jason Schmidt officiating.  Visitation:  Wednesday, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with family to receive friends from 6 – 8 p.m. at Kennedy-Koster Funeral Home, Oakley.  Memorials to Manhattan Christian College, Manhattan, in care of Kennedy-Koster Funeral Home, PO Box 221, Oakley  67748.

Online condolences:  www.kennedykosterfh.com

Colonel Jay G. Sekavec, D.D.S., born in Cody, Wyoming is survived by his wife, Pamela Masser Sekavec, and son, Dr. Jeffrey Guy Sekavec, and soon to be daughter-in-law, Brittany Lynn Ellegood. 

Dr. J, as he was known to many, served in the U.S. Air Force in excess of 30 years.  His career as a Command Dental Surgeon and pilot spanned several major conflicts to include augmenting MASH units in Vietnam, among other actions, with extensive U.S. and foreign awards being received to include the U.S. Legion of Merit.  Colonel Sekavec epitomized service to not only the nation but humankind through such actions as performing above and beyond to create clinics with exceptional service to the members of the USAF and their dependents as well as local personnel in “public health day” events overseas while also fostering joint operations among the branches of the armed forces overseas to the point that his clinic at Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan attained the first ever awarded “outstanding” rank to a USAF dental service by the USAF Health Services Management Inspection Program.  Indeed, Colonel Sekavec went on to author the first USAF Dental Surgeons Guide and be involved in notable high altitude dental research.  Furthermore, he went so far as to serve in numerous hospital commander positions and as a medical center deputy commander role with the culmination of such actions involving the leading of the USAF disaster response to the near magnitude 8 Baguio City earthquake in the Philippines in 1990 that impacted a substantial portion of the population of the country.  While in the USAF, Colonel Sekavec also became one of the leading consultants involving forensic dentistry for the service to culminate with him being significantly involved with the USS White Plains incident and, tangentially, involved with the Challenger Shuttle tragedy.

Following Dr. J’s retirement from active duty USAF service as a Command Dental Surgeon at the USAF Academy, he became a Deputy Coroner for Natrona County, Wyoming as well as a forensic dentistry consultant.  Concurrently, he also joined the Dental Hygiene Program Faculty at Colby Community College.  Once again, his character of selfless service was exemplified through his tenure at Colby Community College with an unending drive to allow the program to excel and propel his students to their utmost ability in the service of the dental community and associated population while supporting each and every student in any and every means possible until his day of passing.

Jay Gordon Sekavec, age 76, of Monument, CO and Oakley, KS, passed away on Saturday, February 4, 2017 at his home in Monument, CO.  Jay was born on January 12, 1941 in Cody, Wyoming to Gordon Bennett and Frances Lucile Albright Sekavec.

Jay married Pamela Andre` Masser.  He was a Vietnam War veteran with the U.S. Air Force, earned his Doctorate degree in dental surgery, served as a U.S.A.F. dental surgeon and obtained the rank of Colonel.  Among various accomplishments, he was a dental hygiene instructor at Colby Community College.

Funeral service:  2:00 p.m. Saturday, February 11, 2017 at the Gateway Fellowship Impact Center, Oakley, with Chaplain Paul Anderson, USAF retired, officiating.  Visitation:  4:00 to 8:00 p.m. Friday at Kennedy-Koster Funeral Home, Oakley.  Family will receive friends from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. 

Memorials:  Dr. J. Memorial Scholarship at Colby Community College may be sent in care of Kennedy-Koster Funeral Home, P.O. Box 221, Oakley, KS  67748.

Lois Elaine (Fabian) Sherfick, age 79, died Friday, February 3, 2017 at Trego County Lemke Memorial Hospital in WaKeeney, Kansas.

She was born at home on May 26, 1937, in Cowley County, Kansas, the daughter of Cecil and Nellie (Morgan) Fabian. She graduated from Trego Community High School in 1954.

On November 27, 1955, Lois was united in marriage to Marlin A. Sherfick in WaKeeney. He died on August 5, 1994. They enjoyed 38 years of marriage together.

A loving homemaker, mother, and grandmother, she cherished her family. She was a retired postmistress from both Ogallah and Penokee post offices. She was a member of the Ogallah Christian Church, where she taught Sunday School for many years. She was active in the Ogallah Christian Church Ladies Aid and the Ogallah Friendly Dozen. She enjoyed volunteering in the Trego County Lemke Memorial Hospital Auxiliary gift shop, as well as playing bridge and traveling. She was a member of the Shooting Stars Square Dance Club.

Survivors include a son, Wes (Barbara) Sherfick of WaKeeney; a daughter, Marla (Danny) Stephens of Cimarron, Kansas; three grandchildren, Ryan Day of WaKeeney, Brandy Sherfick of Hays, Kansas, and Marlin L. Sherfick of Scott City, Kansas; a sister, Twila and (Galen) Olson of Weslaco, Texas; sisters-in-law, Velma Sherfick, Loretta Tow, Virginia Hafliger, and Jane (Gary) Norseen; brother-in-law, Morton (Cathy) Sherfick; as well as many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; a son, Darren; brothers, William “Bill” and Milton “Bud” Fabian; and a sister, Leila Dick.

Funeral service will be 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, February 8, 2017, at Ogallah Christian Church. Burial will follow in the Ogallah Cemetery.

Visitation will be Tuesday evening from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to Ogallah Christian Church or DSNWK. Contributions made to the organization may be sent to Schmitt Funeral Home, 336 North 12th, WaKeeney, KS 67672.