Lois Margaret Elizabeth Wheeler, 96, Hays and WaKeeney, died Friday, January 20, 2017 at the Trego County Lemke Memorial Hospital’s Long Term Care.

She was born January 2, 1921 in Grinnell, Kansas the daughter of Kilby and Pearl (Widdifield) Borah. On May 25, 1941 she married her childhood sweetheart, Paul Ray Wheeler in Grinnell. He preceded her in death on February 4, 2004. Lois worked in an airplane factory in California during World War II building B-29 bombers.

Along with her husband, she was a school teacher in Gove County, teaching the subjects of English, Spelling, and Reading. They also managed the movie theater in Bird City and Lois taught dance classes. She worked at J.M. McDonalds department store in Hays for many years. Her memberships include, the First Presbyterian Church in Hays, the Presbyterian Church of WaKeeney, Eastern Star, VFW Auxiliary, American Legion Auxiliary, and she was a Golden Girl member of the PEO. She loved to sing and dance, play bridge, square dance, play basketball and tennis in her youth, and she was an accomplished tap dancer and tap dance teacher. She was a bible school teacher, a Girl Scout Leader, and she was regarded as a great hostess who had a deep love for her children, grandchildren, and sons-in-law.

Survivors include three daughters; Leta Deines and husband Rick of WaKeeney, Linda Cross and husband David of Lewis, KS and Lana Sleeper and husband Tommy of Beaver, OK, a sister; Doris Campbell and husband Craig of Pueblo, CO, eight grandchildren; Cody Kemp and wife Kasey, Tyson Deines and wife Beth, Aaron Cross and wife Bobi, Kara Jiles and husband Jon, Sally Standard and husband Brett, Carrie Newbern and husband Mike, Aimee Rottinghaus and husband Josh, and Kylie Dodds and husband Dakota, twenty three great-grandchildren, one great great granddaughter, and one great great grandchild on the way.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Paul, a daughter Paula Kay Wheeler, and two brothers; Adalton and Gerald Borah.

Funeral services will be at 3:00 pm on Tuesday, January 24, 2017 at the Presbyterian Church of WaKeeney. Graveside services will be at a later date in the WaKeeney City Cemetery. Visitation will be from 2:00 pm until service time on Tuesday at the church.

Memorials are suggested in Lois’ memory to the Trego County Lemke Memorial Hospital’s Long Term Care, in care of the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine Street, Hays,KS 67601. Condolences may be left for the family at www.haysmemorial.com.

Munjor, Kansas – Margie J. (Walker) Rohr, age 84, died Friday, January 20, 2017, at Via Christi Village Care Center, Hays, Kansas.

She was born November 19, 1932, in Garden City, Kansas to Ted and Helen (Hipp) Walker. She married Eugene Rohr on September 25, 1954, in Wichita, Kansas.

She was a registered nurse for over 50 years and a homemaker. She attended St. Joseph Nursing School in Wichita and worked in Wichita for a few years then at Hadley Hospital and Hays Medical Center. After her retirement she worked In-Home nursing care. She was a member of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church and Christian Mothers both of Munjor, Kansas.

Survivors include her husband, Eugene Rohr, Via Christi Village Hays, KS; one son ,Tom Rohr and wife, Therese, Rogers, AR; three daughters, Patricia Rohr, Minneapolis, MN; Laura VonLintel and husband, Bill, Hays, KS; Cheryl Bohacek and husband, Matt, Omaha, NE; one brother, Ray Walker, Wichita, KS; one sister, Mary Jean Williams, Wichita, KS; one sister-in-law, Jeanette Walker, Wichita, KS; seven grandchildren, Katie Griest (Justin), Mary Beth Rohr, Annie Rohr, Ben VonLintel, Nick VonLintel, Hannah Bohacek and Cate Bohacek; four great grandchildren, Carter VonLintel, Charlotte Griest, Jack Griest and Benjamin Griest.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and one brother, Jim Walker.

Services are 11:00 A.M. Tuesday, January 24, 2017, at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, Munjor, Kansas. Burial in St. Francis of Assisi Cemetery, Munjor, Kansas.

A Munjor Christian Mothers rosary will be at 6:30 P.M. Monday, followed by a vigil service at 7:00 P.M. Monday, both at Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary of Hays, 1919 East 22nd Street, Hays, Kansas 67601.

Visitation is from 5:00 to 8:00 P.M. Monday, at Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary of Hays and from 10:00 to 11:00 A.M. Tuesday, at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church Munjor, Kansas.

Memorials to St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church or Alzheimer’s Association of Central and Western Kansas. Condolences can be left by guestbook at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com or via e-mail to [email protected].

Goodland, Kansas, resident and former Greeley, Colorado, resident Archie Ruibal Jr., 55, passed away on Monday, January 16, 2017 at the Goodland Regional Medical Center in Goodland, KS.

Archie was born on June 3, 1961 in Greeley, Colorado to Archie Ruibal, Sr. and Maryann (Badial) Ruibal. He was one of two children.

Archie grew up and lived in Greeley for most of his life. He moved to Goodland seven years ago to be with his two children here. He attended Greeley West High School through 11th grade. Archie worked in construction as a laborer.

He enjoyed spending time with his family, shooting guns, stock car races, and listening to music. He really cared about his dogs, and helped in Goodland with the PBR.

Preceding him in death was his mother Maryann.

He is survived by his father Archie Ruibal, Sr. of Greeley, Colorado, four children; Anthony Ruibal and his wife Elizabeth Yanez and Amanda Aguirre and her husband Efrain, all of Goodland, KS, Kerystin Ruibal and Chelsey Ruibal, both of Greeley, CO, grandchildren Janea Balberrama, Anthony Ruibal, Jr., Angelina Ruibal, Annamarie Ruibal, Aalisa Ruibal, Maryalice Aguirre, Myles Aguirre, Janeva Aguirre, Mae Aguirre and Arthur Ruibal, all of Goodland, Lucas Ruibal, Abel Ruibal, Vladmiri Ruibal, Nikolei Ruibal, and Cecilia Ruibal all of Greeley, CO. He is also by one sister Beverly Ybarra and her husband Elias, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

Memorial services for Archie will be held on Saturday, January 21, 2017 at 1:00 PM MT at the Koons-Russell Funeral Home in Goodland with Father Norbert Dlabal officiating. Services will also be held at a later date in Greeley, CO.

Memorials may be made to the Archie Ruibal Memorial Fund and may be left at the service or mailed to Koons-Russell Funeral Home, 211 N. Main St., Goodland, KS 67735.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.koonsrussellfuneralhome.com.

Service arrangements were entrusted to Koons-Russell Funeral Home, Goodland, KS.

Doris Jean (Bowman) Weeks, 93, of Russell, Kansas, passed away Tuesday, January 17, 2017, at the Russell Regional Hospital in Russell.

Doris was born January 29, 1923 on the family farm in Stafford County, Kansas, the daughter of Isom and Lurline (Newton) Bowman. She grew up in Stafford and graduated from Stafford High School.

Doris was united in marriage to Thomas Harrison Weeks on June 14, 1942 in Russell. Shortly after their marriage Thomas was called to duty during WWII, so Doris lived with her family in Stafford. After the war, they made their home in Russell. This union was blessed with three daughters; Carol, Pam and Colleen. Thomas preceded her in death on May 12, 2002.

Doris was a devoted wife and homemaker for her daughters. She enjoyed China painting, playing Bridge with friends, doing jigsaw puzzles, needlepoint and embroidering.

Surviving family include her three daughters, Carol J. Scheck (Alan) of Hays, Kansas, Pamela K. Ptacek (Craig) of Russell, Kansas and Colleen P. McGreevy (Michael) of Denver, Colorado; brother, Ben Hargett of Durango, Colorado; six grandchildren and fifteen great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, three brothers, two sisters and granddaughter Cherie Lyn Scheck.

Celebration of Doris’ Life will be held at 10:30 AM Friday, January 20, 2017 at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary in Russell with Pastor Michael Eurit officiating. Burial will follow at Cross Plains Cemetery in rural Russell County. Visitation will be from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM Thursday, January 19, 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 Susanne G. Koman Breast Cancer Awareness. Contributions and condolences may be sent to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, who is in charge of these arrangements.

Mary Lou Mather Larson, widow of John A. (Jack) Larson, passed away Thursday, January 12, 2017, in Thornton, Colorado at age 89.  She was born in a sod house in the Morton Township of Wallace County on October 28, 1927, the daughter of Elden Mather and Grace Phillips.

She excelled in school and was Valedictorian of her class.  After high school she worked as an abstracter in Sharon Springs before moving to Denver and working at Montgomery Wards and living with her future sister-in-law Ellen Larson Huffman.

She married John A. (Jack) Larson on June 26, 1947.  Jack and Mary Lou spent the early part of their marriage in Newcastle, Wyoming, where his mother’s and her half-sister’s family lived.  After a short time, they moved back to Wallace County, and worked hard building and managing a dairy farm.  Mary Lou enjoyed milking the cows, gardening, canning, sewing, making candy, and cooking.

The highlight of her life was her two children, Larry and Mary.  She made sure they had wonderful memories of childhood birthdays and holidays.

Jack and Mary Lou retired from dairy farming and moved back to Newcastle in 1987.  While retired, she still enjoyed gardening, canning, sewing, cooking, and making candy.  She began working at the Newcastle Public Library in 1990, and thoroughly enjoyed it until her retirement in 1995.  She and Jack also enjoyed going up to Deadwood to gamble, pretty much every week, unless the weather was so bad they couldn’t go.  They also enjoyed having relatives come visit, and would spend hours and hours at the card table having fun playing cards and other games.

She is survived by son Larry Larson (Sherry Larson) of Oak Grove, Missouri, and daughter Mary Anne Larson (Chris Roger) of Arvada, Colorado.  She was preceded in death by her husband, John A. (Jack) Larson, father Elden Mather, mother Grace Phillips Mather, sister Juanita Grace Mather Grund, and brothers Edgar Elden and John Phillips Mather.  Half siblings from Elden Mather’s previous marriages that preceded her in death were Earl Mather (mother Jenny Roth), James Connolly, and Anna Gladys Mather Gibbs (mother Susan Pershing Connolly).

Funeral services will be held on Monday, January 23, 2017 at 10:30 AM MT at the United Methodist Church in Sharon Springs with Pastor Duncan Ibuuri and Reverend Paul McNall officiating.  Burial will follow in the Sharon Springs Cemetery.

Visitation was held on Sunday, January 22, 2017 from 5:00 to 7:00 PM MT at the Koons-Russell Funeral Home in Sharon Springs.

Memorials may be designated to NWKS Hospice Services and may be left at the service or mailed to Koons-Russell Funeral Home, 211 N. Main St., Goodland, KS 67735.

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

Funeral services were entrusted to Koons-Russell Funeral Home, Sharon Springs, KS.

Takoda Joseph Aeron Edward “Koda” Turner died unexpectedly on January 14, 2017 in Norton, Kansas at the age of 19.

Takoda was born on February 7, 1997 in Colby, Kansas to Regina (Pummer) Barnes and Marshall Turner. He graduated from Brewster High School in 2016.

Takoda is survived by his parents, Regina (Pummer) and David Barnes of Goodland, KS, Marshall and Amy Turner of McPherson, KS. Sisters: Shavaun Barnes and Katelynn Barnes of Goodland, KS, Andrea Turner of McPherson, KS. Brothers: Garrett Turner and Carter Turner of McPherson, KS. His Maternal grandparents: Mary and Kevin Delano of Goodland, KS, Floyd and Winona Barnes of Deshler, NE and Joe and Debra Bennett of Goodland, KS, his Paternal grandparents: Marshall and Joni Turner of Larned, KS, and Randy and Dora Hoover of Great Bend, KS. 

He is preceded in death by Maternal: Great Grandfather Carl (Gene) Johnson, Great Grandmother Juanita Wanda Johnson, Grandfather Ricky Gene Pummer. Paternal: Great Grandfather John Dailias (JD) Murphy, Great Grandmother Loraine Lenard, Great Grandmother Nadine Hammonds.

Takoda was involved in every sport that he could be. He especially enjoyed track and cross country.  He enjoyed band, where he played the saxophone.  He was everyone’s protector.  He always stood up for the underdog.  He was kind hearted and a friend to all.  He was an individual who loved his family and friends with his whole heart. 

Takoda attended EMT classes during his senior year in high school.  He began attending Colby Community College in August 2016 taking pre requisites for Paramedic School.

Funeral services for Takoda will be held on Friday, January 20, 2017 at 10:30 AM MT at the Brewster High School Gymnasium, Brewster, KS, with Pastor Rich Blanchette officiating.  Burial will follow in the Goodland Cemetery, Goodland, KS.  All are welcome to attend and celebrate Takoda’s life.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, January 19, 2017 from 5:00 to 7:00 PM MT at the Koons-Russell Funeral Home in Goodland.

Memorials may be designated to the Brewster High School Weight Department for new equipment, or in Takoda’s memory for a Memory Plaque and may be left at the service or mailed to Koons-Russell Funeral Home, 211 N. Main St., Goodland, KS 67735.

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

Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Koons-Russell Funeral Home, Goodland, KS.

Leon A. Werth, 81, died Jan. 16, 2017, at Almost Home, Inc., Great Bend. He was born Feb. 10, 1935, at Schoenchen, the son of Adolph and Serbina (Zimmerman) Werth. He married Joan E. Werth Aug. 30, 1955, at Schoenchen. A Great Bend resident since 1963, coming from Pratt, Mr. Werth was owner and operator of Leon Werth Plumbing, Heating and Air.

Mr. Werth was a member of Prince of Peace Parish at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church and Knights of Columbus Council #862, both of Great Bend.

Survivors include his wife, Joan E. Werth of the home; three sons, Keith Werth and his wife Ann of Great Bend, Neil Werth and his wife Fran of Great Bend, and Kurt Werth and his wife Dionne of Cimarron; three daughters, Colleen Kohls and her husband Doug of Great Bend, Michelle Schenkel and her husband Todd of Topeka, and Denise Thole and her husband Tony of Olathe; one brother, Duane Werth of Albuquerque, N.M.; 18 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Ron Werth and infant Leslie Werth; and one sister, Marva Klaus.

Vigil Service with Knights of Columbus Rosary will be at 7 p.m., Friday, Jan. 20, 2017, at Bryant Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 21, 2017, at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Great Bend with Father Ted Stoecklein celebrating. Burial will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at St. Anthony Cemetery, Schoenchen. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday, Jan. 20, 2017, at Bryant Funeral Home. Memorials have been established with Prince of Peace Parish or Almost Home, Inc., in care of Bryant Funeral Home.