Sharon Katherine Cole, age 69, of Hays, passed away Friday, January 13, 2017 at Hays Medical Center. She was born July 3, 1947 in Arlington Heights, IL to Charles and Frances (Rome) Glimes.

She had worked with U-Haul in Phoenix where she became the first woman manager for the company, She also worked for the Phoenix Transit System as a bus driver and owned a catering business in Hill City. She was very active with the residents at Centennial Towers and made caps for newborn babies.

She is survived by her mother, Frances Glimes of Victoria; a son, John (Sheryl) Cole of Russell; a daughter, Roschelle (Lane) Pursel of Wells, MN; a sister, Diane Glimes of Russell; grandchildren, Stephanie, Mandy, Samantha, Sheree, and Ashlee; her great grandchildren, Sharmaigne, Abel, Brooklyn, Isabell, Jackson, Elijah, and Avery as well as two nephews, Michael and James Rosenberg.

She was preceded in death by her father, Charles Glimes; a daughter, RondaSue Nelson; a brother, Michael Glimes and a grandson, Austin Forde

Funeral services will be 3 PM Wednesday, January 18, 2016 at Brock’s-Keithley Funeral Chapel 2509 Vine Hays, KS 67601. Visitation will be Wednesday 11 AM – 3 PM at the funeral chapel.

Memorials are suggested to the Humane Society of the High Plains.

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

Jeanette Elizabeth (Skolout) Hartnett passed away on Thursday, January 12, 2017 at Holiday Resort Health and Rehab in Salina, Kansas at the age of 60. She was born on May 11, 1956 in Colby, Kansas to Frank and Mary Ann (Nelson) Skolout. She graduated from Colby High School with the Class of 1975, and was united in marriage to Glenn Hartnett on June 7, 1975 in Colby and eventually they made their home in Palco, Kansas. They were blessed with three children, Ashley, Luke, and Holly.

Jeanette was a loving wife, mother, and homemaker. She was always volunteering and very active in the community and school. She served on the Palco Public Library Board, and was a City Councilmember for the City of Palco. Some of her favorite times were spent supporting all of the activities the kids were involved with.

Jeanette is survived by her husband Glenn Hartnett of the home in Palco; mother Mary Ann Skolout of Hays; son Luke Hartnett of Topeka; daughters Ashley Hartnett of Topeka, and Holly Haselhorst and husband Jarod of Salina; brother Gene Skolout and wife Inez of Colby; sisters Marilyn Kopriva and husband Martin of Atwood, Pam Luedke and husband David of Atwood, and Jackie Skolout of Hays; and grandchildren Harrison Haines, Roenan Haselhorst, Darby Haselhorst, and Raef Haselhorst.

She was preceded in death by her father Frank Skolout.

It is written, “What does the LORD require of you? To act justly, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with God.” Jeanette showed us daily by her example how to give of ourselves, seeking to serve God and others. She leaves a legacy of love for family, friends, and neighbors and will be greatly missed, but never forgotten.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30am on Tuesday, January 17, 2017 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Plainville. Burial will follow in the Sacred Heart Cemetery. Visitation will be from 3:00-8:00pm on Monday at the funeral home with a Rosary at 3:00pm and Prayer Vigil and Rosary at 6:00pm.

Blanche A. Tomecek, 87, Timken, Kansas, died Wednesday, January 11, 2017, at Locust Grove Village, La Crosse, Kansas.

Mrs. Tomecek was born June 29, 1929, in rural Rush Center, Kansas, the daughter of Joseph and Anna (Oborny) Jecha. She was a lifelong resident of Rush County, Kansas. A 1947 graduate of La Crosse High School, La Crosse, Kansas, she was a homemaker and farm wife. After her children were raised, she was employed as a cook at the Rush County Nursing Home, La Crosse, Kansas, and Great Bend Manor, Great Bend, Kansas.

She was a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church, St. Ann’s Altar Society, Holy Trinity Parish Council, and was a trustee for the Bohemian National Cemetery, all of Timken, Kansas. She also was a member of FCSLA (Catholic Workman), Western Fraternal Lodge Association, Joy Club, Faith Sharing, Walnut Valley Senior Center, Rush Center, Kansas, and a Cub Scout den mother.

On April 23, 1952, she married James E. Tomecek at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Timken, Kansas. He preceded her in death October 24, 1992.

Survivors include: two sons, Edward Tomecek, Timken, Kansas, and Frank Tomecek, Raytown, Missouri; four daughters, Julie Huber (Randy), La Crosse, Kansas, Martha Tomecek (Michel Cavigelli), Greenbelt, Maryland, Loretta Verhaeghe (Mel), Baldwin City, Kansas, and JoAnn Tomecek, Timken, Kansas; eight grandchildren, Justin Graff (Ashley), Anna Weinberg (Thomas), Noah Weinberg (Kaitlin), Brian Graff, Rebecca Verhaeghe, Kelsey Verhaeghe, Elizabeth Verhaeghe, and Katia Cavigelli; three great grandchildren, Emma Porras, Elliot Graff, and Graysen Porras; one brother in law, Edward Schwindt, La Crosse, Kansas; and one sister in law, Rosarie Jecha, La Crosse, Kansas.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; one son, Charles Lee Tomecek; one son in law, John Graff; one brother, Edward Jecha; one brother in law, Harry Folkerts; and two sisters in law, Mary Folkerts, and Betty Schwindt.

Visitation will be Tuesday, January 17, 2017, from 4:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. at the Janousek Funeral Home, La Crosse, Kansas, with the family receiving friends from 6:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. A vigil service and rosary will be at 7:00 P.M.

Church visitation will be Wednesday, January 18, 2017, from 9:30 A.M. to 10:20 A.M. at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Timken, Kansas.

Funeral service will be Wednesday, January 18, 2017, at 10:30 A.M. at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Timken, Kansas, with Father Matthew Kumi, Father Henry Baxa, Father Pascal Klein, Father Charles Mazouch, and Father Ultan Murphy officiating. Interment will be in the Bohemian National Cemetery, Timken, Kansas.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Bohemian National Cemtery, Timken, Kansas, or Holy Cross Cemetery, Timken, Kansas.

Condolences or remembrances may be left for the family at www.charterfunerals.com/locations/janousek-lacrosse.php.

Arrangements were by Janousek Funeral Home, 719 Pine Street, P O Box 550, La Crosse, Kansas 67548, 785/222-2517.

Gary Stuart Sandlin, 83, of Longmont, Colorado passed away on January 5, 2017, at St Anthony’s North Hospital, Westminster, Colorado.

He was born June 10, 1933, in Palco, Kansas, to Edwin Sandlin and Mary Rachael (Dorman) Sandlin.

He graduated from Hill City Memorial High School, in 1951, and went on to earn a Bachelors and Masters degree in Geology from Kansas State University.

Gary worked as a geologist in Casper, Wyoming and Albuquerque, New Mexico, before becoming an independent geologist in Denver, Colorado. He was the Owner and President of Sandlin Oil Corporation.

Gary enjoyed hunting, fishing, horseback riding, playing his guitar, loved his profession of geology, and was an avid reader.

Gary is survived by his wife, Kathie Sandlin, daughter, Laura Rodriguez Sandlin and her husband, Paul Rodriguez, stepson, Billy Kimbrough, Sister, Karen Summers, Brother, Steve Sandlin, and his wife, Cathy, many nieces and nephews, previous wife Betty Keiswetter Higbie and her husband, Lee.

Gary is preceded in death by his parents, Edwin and Mary (Dorman), Sandlin, son, Jeff Sandlin, brother,

Arlen Sandlin, brother, Curtis Sandlin.

A Celebration of Gary’s Life will be held Saturday, January 28, 2017, 11 AM, Rinn United Methodist Church, 3783 Bella Rosa Parkway, Longmont, CO 80504. (WCR 20 & I-25 Frontage Road)

In lieu of flowers, memorial may be given to the Salvation Army, c/o Donations, 1300 Pennsylvania Street, Denver, CO, 80203, or to the Gary and Kathie Sandlin Geology Scholarship, Kansas State Foundation, 1800 Kimball Avenue, Suite 200, Manhattan, KS, 66502-3373.

Ida Marie Kuntz was born April 20, 1923 in Quinter, to Frank and Elizabeth (Leiker) Herzog.  She passed away, January 11, 2017 at Cedar View Assisted Living, Hays, at the age of 93.

She attended school in Quinter.  On January 18, 1944, Ida married Tony Kuntz at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Park.  She was a lifetime resident of Park, and in 2013, she moved to Cedar View Assisted Living, Hays.

Ida was a loving homemaker whose hands touched many lives.  She was a person who made sure everyone was greeted with a gentle, warm hug, was well cared for, had plenty to eat, and made everyone feel welcomed.  Her hobbies included playing cards, quilting, crocheting rugs, reading, and watching the Royals.  Her biggest joy was being with her family.

Ida had a deep and unwavering faith and was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, the Daughters of Isabella, and the Altar Society.

Survivors include seven children, Robert and wife Kathy of Quinter, Eileen and husband, Richard Bergmann of Salina, Leon and wife Barbara of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Roger of Grainfield, Steve and wife Sharon of Ardmore, Oklahoma, Virgil and wife LeAnn of Abilene, Tina and husband, Jeff Wick of Wamego; a brother, Ralph Herzog of Hays; two sisters, Peggy Molitar of Offerle, and Deloris Fortin of Fort Collins, Colorado; seventeen grandchildren; twenty-four great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.  Preceding her in death were two brothers, Leo and Herbert Herzog; three sisters, Matilda “Tillie” Kuntz, Josephine “Jessie” Waldman, Viola Ochs; and a granddaughter, Melissa Kuntz.

Ida was a person of values.  She lived those values as she formed the foundation for a better life for her family and friends by passing those values on to them. We must all be grateful that we had an opportunity to be touched by her goodness and loving hands.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, January 18, 2017, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Park.  Burial will be in the church cemetery.

Visitation will be Tuesday evening, from 5 to 7, with a parish vigil service following at 7.  Both will take place at the funeral home in Quinter.

Memorials are suggested to Sacred Heart Church Cemetery.  Donations to the cemetery may be sent to Schmitt Funeral Home, 901 South Main, Quinter, KS  67752.

Condolences may be sent online at www.schmittfuneral.com.

Jerry K. VanAllen, 66, of Topeka, formerly of Sharon Springs, died January 8, 2017 at Topeka, Kansas.

He was born July 18, 1950 in Tribune, Kansas, the son of Cecil and Phyllis VanAllen, and graduated from Wallace County High School in 1968. He attended Colby Community College where he received his Associate of Arts Degree; Fort Hays State University where he received a Bachelor of Arts Degree and a Master of Science Degree. Jerry also held special degrees from the College of William and Mary, Williamsburg and Northwest Kansas Area Vocational School. He served in the US Navy as a Personnel Third Class Petty Officer.



Mr. VanAllen worked in the family businesses from 1972 to 1985 and was Executive Director of the Kansas Masonic Foundation from 1990 to 2000. His later years were spent with the State of Kansas in the Kansas Corporation Commission.

Jerry was a member of the United Methodist Church in Sharon Springs. He served as a lay-minister and on the stewardship committee for many years. Jerry was a member or past member of: the American Legion, Topeka Rotary Club, Philanthropic Society of Topeka, Public Relations Club of Topeka, Unity and Pride, Concerned Citizens of Topeka, and Volunteer for TAP, Sojourn and the American Red Cross. He was a Past Master and member of Sharon Springs Lodge #417 AF&AM since 1976. He was a Past Patron of Sharon Chapter #381 of Sharon Springs and Worthy Grand Patron of Kansas in 1988/89.



He is survived by his sisters, Patsy Studt of Hutchinson and Janet Weigel of Great Bend; brothers, Cecil Leroy VanAllen of Tucson, AZ, Larry and Richard VanAllen of Sharon Springs, Robert VanAllen of Wheeler; fifteen nephews and nieces and twenty-one great-nephews and nieces, as well as a multitude of friends and other relatives.


Memorial services will be held on Wednesday, January 18, 2017 at 10:00 AM MT at the United Methodist Church in Sharon Springs with Reverend Paul McNall officiating. Inurnment will follow in the Sharon Springs Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be designated to the United Methodist Church (Building Fund) in Sharon Springs; Fort Hays State University Endowment or the OES Grand Chapter (Scholarship Endowment Fund) and may be left at the services or mailed to Koons-Russell Funeral Home, 211 N. Main St., Goodland, KS 67735.

Online condolences may be left at: www.koonsrussellfuneralhome.com.
Local service arrangements were entrusted to Koons-Russell Funeral Home in Sharon Springs, KS.

Logan resident LaVergne L. Bietz passed away, Tuesday, January 10, 2017 at the Logan Manor in Logan, KS at the age of 101.

She was born March 15, 1915 in Phillips County, Kansas the daughter of Albert P. & Amalie A. (Jaenicke) Schick.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Carl; twin sister, Maxine Bietz; sister, Martha Bruning; and husband, Arthur F. C. Bietz.

Survivors include a son, Myron Bietz & wife, Sherland of Norton, Kansas; 4 grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren; and 3 great great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00p.m. Wednesday, January 18, 2017 in the Logan Funeral Home, Logan, KS, with Pastor Joel Hiesterman officiating. Burial will follow in the St. Peter’s Lutheran Cemetery, Phillips County, KS.

Mrs. Bietz will lie in state from noon until 9 p.m. Monday and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday in the Logan Funeral Home, 102 E. Church St., Logan, KS 67646.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Lutheran Hour.

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