Graveside Service: Monday, June 13th at 1:00 p.m. in the Oberlin Cemetery with Pastor Gordon Pettibone officiating

Visitation: Monday, June 13th from 8 a.m.-noon at the funeral home in Oberlin

Memorial Fund: Elden Haas Memorial Fund

Rowena Frances (Thompson) Keener, age 83, of Great Bend, Kansas, passed away on Wednesday morning, June 8, 2016 at her home in Great Bend after a long battle with cancer.

She was born on September 16, 1932 at Lincoln, Nebraska to George Ellis and Freida Madeline (Hackstadt) Thompson. Rowena was a Great Bend Resident since the early 1950s, and she worked in the laundry at Central Kansas Medical Center in Great Bend for many years.

Rowena loved to sew, making clothing for her family for many years leading to sewing and alterations for friends and neighbors. She enjoyed quilting, tole painting, and crocheting – creating beautiful rugs from rags and yarn. She once crocheted a 12 by 16 foot rug from black and white yarn…such a huge endeavor done with so much love. In later years, reading (something she had enjoyed her whole life) became even more important, taking her to places she could only dream of. Word puzzles and challenges for her brain became her passion as she was determined to keep her spirits high and her mind sharp.

Rowena is survived by two daughters: Freda F. Chapman of Great Bend, Kansas and Paula S. Keener of La Crosse, Kansas; three sons: John W. Keener of Great Bend, Kansas, William L. (and his wife, Brenda) Keener of La Crosse, Kansas and Dalton L. (and his wife, Barbara) Keener of Pawnee Rock, Kansas; 15 grandchildren, 44 great-grandchildren, 6 great-great-grandchildren and one on the way; one brother, Keith M. Thompson of Otis, Kansas; many nieces and nephews too numerous to count. She was preceded in death by her parents, a younger brother Gordon E. Thompson, and a tiny precious great-grandson, Ethan Gentry Riley Keener.

According to Rowena’s wishes, cremation has been chosen. There will be no viewing or visitation. Memorial Graveside Services will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, June 18, 2016 at the Pawnee Rock Cemetery, Pawnee Rock, Kansas with a Celebration of Life beginning mid-afternoon the same day at Paula’s home in La Crosse, Kansas.

Memorials may be made in care of the Heartland Cancer Center, Great Bend, Kansas.

Stephen Joseph Hickert, 66, died Tuesday, June 7, 2016, in Lawrence, Kansas.

Mr. Hickert was born December 11, 1949, in Norton, Kansas, to Barney and Beatrice “Tucky” (Schandler) Hickert. He shared a happy childhood with his 10 brothers and sisters on a Norton County farm south of Lenora. Steve was united in marriage with Jody Bowen on November 6, 1976, in New Almelo, Kansas. Their union was blessed with two children, Audrey Opal and Austin Jacob.

Steve was a farmer for 30 years—thanks to the unwavering support of his wife Jody and opportunity provided by Bob Boyd, Fay Kline, Wilbur Kline and Mike Bangle. Later he was an auditor for the Kansas Department of Revenue for 12 years.

Mr. Hickert was a 3rd Degree member of the New Almelo Council #3124 Knights of Columbus. He was a lifelong resolute Square Deal, New Deal, Fair Deal liberal Democrat and a sustaining member of the ACLU. Steve served his community as a Lenora Mercantile Association Co-op director, Graham County Conservation District supervisor, Northwest Kansas Groundwater Management District #4 director and Graham County Hospital director.

Steve was a people person. His great pleasure/vice in life was engaging in spirited conversation with friends and acquaintances while sipping coffee at local cafes or drinking beer at nearby watering holes. The new acquaintances invariably enlarged his circle of friends. Paradoxically, he was energized by the open, empty solitude of the Great Plains.

Steve is survived by his wife Jody Hickert of Lawrence; daughter Audrey Hickert and husband Jason Franchuk of Albany, NY; son Austin Hickert and wife Kiedra (Riedel) Hickert , grandsons John Stephen and Dean Louis Hickert all of Pueblo West, CO; mother Beatrice “Tucky” Hickert of Wichita; sisters Susan (Scott) Brown, Nancy Kreutzer, Beatrice (Ron) Heikes, Dianne (George) Witwer, Maureen (Bill) Salomon, Caroline (Dale) Schippers, and Colette (Jawad) Haider; brothers Bernard (Barbara) Hickert, Joseph (Gail) Hickert, and George Hickert; mother-in-law Phyllis Bowen; sister-in-law Shelly (Ed) Wente; brother-in-law Doug Bowen; 27 nieces and nephews; and seven great nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father Barney Hickert, and brother-in-law Joseph Kreutzer.

Vigil Service: Monday, June 13th at 7:30 p.m. at St. Joseph Parish Center in New Almelo

Funeral Mass: Tuesday, June 14th at 10:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church in New Almelo with Rev. Kerry Ninemire and Rev. Joseph Kieffer officiating

Burial: St. Joseph Cemetery

Memorial Funds: In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to St. Joseph Catholic Church or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (Memphis, TN)

Visitation: Monday, June 13th from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. at the funeral home in Oberlin and after 5 p.m. at the church parish center in New Almelo.

Mildred Mary Finnesy, 84, of Paradise and Russell County, Kansas, died on Wednesday, June 08, 2016, at the Ellinwood District Hospital in Ellinwood, Kansas.

Mildred was born on September 14, 1931, in the family home north of Russell, Kansas. The daughter of John W. and Margaret E. (Stielow) Fuller. She grew up in the Rural Russell, Kansas, area and graduated from Waldo High School in the class of 1949. She graduated from Kansas State University in 1953, with a Bachelor’s Degree in Home Economics.

She met, fell in love and was united in marriage to Joseph Patrick Finnesy on August 26, 1957, at the Episcopal Church in Hays, Kansas. From this union Mildred and Joe were blessed with 2 daughters Kathleen and Karen. During the first few years of marriage, she worked as a teacher in Inman and Natoma, Kansas, and taught Home Economics.

When she gave birth to her daughter Kathleen, she gave up teaching and decided to become a fulltime homemaker and farm wife. She was a former member of the Russell St. Elizabeth’s Episcopal Church and was a member of the Paradise Dell E.H.U. She enjoyed reading, sewing, cooking and being a farm wife. Most of all, she enjoyed spending time with her family and close friends.

Surviving family include her husband Joseph P. Finnesy, of the home, daughters Kathleen Waitt and husband Jim of Great Bend, Kansas and Karen Polson and husband Brad of Manhattan, Kansas and a brother Stephen Fuller and wife Martha of College Station, Texas.

She was preceded in death by her parents and an infant son.

A celebration of Mildred’s life will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Friday, June 10, 2016, at the Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary in Russell, Kansas, with Pastor Roger Dennis officiating. Burial will follow at the Russell City Cemetery. Visitation will be from Noon to 8 P.M. on Thursday, June 09, 2016, at the mortuary with family to greet guests from 7 P.M. to 8 P.M. Thursday evening. Memorials may be given to the Russell Regional Hospital and sent in care of the mortuary. Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell is in charge of the funeral services.

Sarah Boyd Jedlicka, 98, passed away on June 7, 2016 at the Cedar Village Care Center in Ness City, Kansas. She was born on November 21, 1917 in Pittsburg, Kansas, the daughter of Richard and Gabriella (Blair) Taylor.

She was a member of the Ness City First Baptist Church where she taught Sunday school and was the choir director. She was also active in the Women’s Christian Temperance Union where she held numerous local, national, and international leadership positions. She was an elementary teacher in the Ransom school district for many years. She also taught piano at the Ness City Grade School for several years.

She was joined in marriage to Marian Kimble shortly before he was killed during World War II. She married Will Roger Funk in 1951, who died on May 28, 1968. She married Frank Jedlicka on Friday, January 16, 1970 in Ness City. Frank preceded her in death on March 12, 2012.

Survivors include two sons, Terry and his wife Ruthie Funk, and Dean and his wife Mackey Funk; two grandchildren and three great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husbands; brother, Richard Taylor and sister, Mary Lee McGee.

Funeral Service will be on Friday, June 10, 2016, 10:00 A.M., at the First Baptist Church, Ness City. Burial in the Ness City Cemetery. Friends may call at Fitzgerald Funeral Home on Thursday from 9:00 A.M. until 9:00 P.M. with the family present from 7 – 9 P.M.

Memorial contributions may be given to the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union.

Robert Duane Krum died peacefully in his sleep on Friday, June 3, 2016 at Holiday Resort Nursing Home in Salina, Kansas at the age of 56. He was born on September 10, 1959 in Iowa City, Iowa. He lived in Smolan, Kansas with his caregiver and friend Linda Sutor and had previously worked at Columbia Windows in Lindsborg, Kansas. He was a long time dialysis patient and loved spending time with his fur baby Nick. After enjoying a beautiful day outside his body decided it was time to go rock out in heaven. He will be missed.

Robert leaves behind his daughter Jennifer Hamrick and husband Kyle along with their children, Matthew and Alicia, all of Statham Georgia; and brothers William Darrel Krum, Michael Lee Krum and Bruce Wayne Krum.

He was preceded in death by his parents Shirley and Darrel William Krum, and brothers Louis Allen Krum, and David Paul Krum.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, June 11, 2016 at Salemsburg Lutheran Church in Smolan. Visitation will be Friday evening from 5:00-7:00 pm at the church. His final resting place will be at Pleasant View Cemetery near Palco, KS. Memorials are suggested to Fresenius Kidney Care in Salina and may be sent in care of Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home, 320 SW 2nd Street, Plainville, KS 67663.

Mark Joseph Dolezal, age 47, of Hays passed away Tuesday, June 7, 2016 in Hays, Kansas. He was born December 2, 1968 in Belleville, Kansas to Joe F. and Carol Sue (Nelson) Dolezal. He graduated from Hays High School in 1987 and attended Fort Hays State University and Kansas State University.

Mark was the owner and operator of Dolezal Property Management in Hays. He was a member of Westview Church in Hays, a Sigma Chi member and he enjoyed KU Basketball, racquetball, reading and playing trivial pursuit.

He is survived by his parents, Joe and Sue Dolezal of Hays; a brother, Nelson Scott Dolezal and wife Darlene of Amarillo, Texas; a sister, Jan Dolezal Staab and husband Kirk of Irving, Texas; nephews, Steven Dolezal and wife Kate, Matthew Dolezal and Joshua Dolezal all of Amarillo, Texas, Kaden and Kyler Staab of Colby, Kansas; a grandniece, Sofia Dolezal and a grandnephew Riley Dolezal both of Amarillo, Texas and his grandmother, Marcella Dolezal of Belleville, Kansas.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Ransom and Ruth Nelson and his grandfather, Elmer Dolezal.

Funeral services will be 2 PM on Friday, June 10, 2016 at the First United Methodist of Hays with burial to follow in Mt. Allen Cemetery in Hays.

Visitation will be 6 PM – 8 PM Thursday at Brock’s-Keithley Funeral Chapel and Crematory 2509 Vine Hays, KS 67601. Friday visitation will be 1 PM until service time at the church.

Memorial contributions are suggested to Valley Hope in Norton, Kansas or Westview Church in Hays.

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

Jane Elizabeth Ratcliff, 81, of El Paso, TX, passed away Monday, May 2, 2016. Jane was born on August 28th, 1934 in Atwood, KS to Dewey James and Ona Mae (Minnick) Ratcliff.

She graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in music from the University of Kansas at Lawrence where she pledged to the Alpha Chi Omega Sorority. Jane was certified in Texas Music Education, UTEP. She also completed course work at Phillips University in Oklahoma, University of Hawaii and University of Colorado. Her career began by building a music program for 23 schools in New Westminster, Canada. She was an inspiration to her students and touched many lives with her smile and passion for teaching and music. Jane served as a teacher, supervisor, taught music and directed many music programs for the El Paso School District from 1967-1997. She was highly involved in the community with over 150 organizations benefiting from her talent and leadership. She served countless boards for city and community affairs and attended numerous Republican Conventions. Her selfless service and dedication were evident in the passion she had for the causes she supported. Jane’s love for music, teaching, and helping others were reflected in the successes of others. She is now able to conduct a choir of angels in heaven!

She was preceded in death by sister, Anne Schalker and her parents.

Jane is survived by her oldest son, Robert Ratcliff (wife, Christa Rotenberry), of Austin, TX.; three grandsons, Greyson, Carson, Hudson; her youngest son, James Ratcliff of El Paso, TX. and her beloved pets, Coco, Ollie, Ozzie, and Cleo.

A memorial service was held in El Paso, TX. A graveside service will take place at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, June 9, 2016 at Fairview Cemetery, Atwood. For information or condolences: www.baalmannmortuary.com.

Mary Barbara Purser, age 64, of Fayetteville, died Monday, December 7, 2015, in Fayetteville Ark.

She was born January 5, 1951 in Hays, Kansas, the daughter of Elmer and Mary Barbara Hammerschmidt Schmidt. She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister, Phyllis Pentecost and a sister-in-law, Sally Schmidt.

She spent 43 years working at Campbell Soup/Vlasic/Pinnacle Foods in Fayetteville and was a member of St. Raphael Catholic Church in Springdale.

She is survived by her husband, Larry Purser; a daughter, Sara Purser of Russellville, Arkansas; two sons, Mike Hignite and his wife Marjay of Springdale and Jim Hignite of Fayetteville; three step-children, Kimberly Honeycutt, Doug Purser and Sam Purser; four sisters, Dorothy Boulware of Kansas City, Missouri, Glenda Thompson of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Chloe Peters of Wichita, Kansas and Chris Purdy of Junction City, Kansas; four brothers, Terry Schmidt of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Melvin Schmidt of Beloit, Kansas, Elmer Schmidt of Hays, Kansas and Tom Schmidt of Hays, Kansas; five grandchildren, Jackson, Mary Emma, John Paul, Blake and Spencer and seven step-grandchildren.

Visitation will be 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., Thursday, December 10, 2015 at Moore’s Chapel. Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m., Friday, December 11 at St. Raphael Catholic Church in Springdale followed by burial at Fayetteville National Cemetery, under the direction of Moore’s Chapel.