Harold Dewayne Morell, 93, died April 18, 2016 at Salina.

He was born March 20, 1923, near Collyer on the family farm to Arthur Louis and Ruth “Boyer” Morell. He grew up on the farm and attended Collyer public schools and was a graduate of Collyer High School in 1941. A resident of Salina the past two years living at Eaglecrest, formerly of Glasco and Collyer.

He married Deloris L. Wanker July 21, 1946 at WaKeeney. She died April 9, 1985. He was a farmer south and east of Collyer. Harold was a former member of the First United Methodist Church, WaKeeney and a life member of VFW, WaKeeney and a member of the Collyer American Legion now closed and a US Navy WWII veteran serving on the USS Kent and USS Procyon in the Pacific fleet.

He is survived by his wife, Janice Fife-Morell, Salina; children, Nancy and Rich McCoy, Rio Rico, Arizona, Randall and Gloria Morell, Wichita, Peggy Lang and Frank Flax, WaKeeney; grandchildren, Alicia Martin, Clint Hafliger, Jorge Morell, Kami Jamison, Amber Thompson, Ashley Garrett, Angel Penka and Kirk Lang; great grandchildren, Chase Penka, Duncan Edgin, Scarlett Thompson, Dalton Penka, Jillian Edgin, Keaton Thompson, Mason Hafliger, Faith Thompson, Avery Hafliger, Ella Jamison, Adeline “Addie” Morell, Emry Jamison and Caleb Morell.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Deloris Morell, daughters, Janice C. Morell, Angie Hafliger, sisters, Lela Tuttle, Doris Crum and Joan Sprenkel.

Funeral will be at 11:00 a.m. Friday, April 22, 2016, at First United Methodist Church, WaKeeney, with Pastor Bob Clemens presiding. Burial will be in the Collyer Cemetery, Collyer.

Memorials are suggested to Gentiva Hospice in care of Baker Funeral Home, P.O. Box 242, Valley Center, Kansas, 67147.

Dan Wesley Oard, 69, of Colby, KS, was born October 15, 1946 to Earl & Mary (Brown) Oard in Colby, KS. He departed from this life to join his Lord and Savior on Tuesday, April 19, 2016 at Citizens Medical Center in Colby, KS, after a long battle with MS. Dan accepted his Lord and Savior at an early age and maintained his faith throughout his life.

Dan attended grade school in Levant. He went to Colby Junior High and then finished his education by graduating Colby High School in 1964. He married Carolyn Mann December 28, 1966. To this union was born Maria Dawn Oard – Milberger (John) of Pueblo West, Colorado, Jennifer Jo Bruebaker (Tim) of Wichita and William Wesley Oard of Holcomb.

In 1990, Dan was united in marriage to Maria Teresita Ku Ortiz. He loved the additional children that Maria brought into this marriage as his own; Martina Leonor Emeka (Ken) of Colby, Braulio Borges of Mexico and Janeth Thorstenberg (Damon) of Wichita.

Dan is survived by his wife Maria of Colby, his children and step children, 11 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren, his mother Mary Oard of Colby, sister Lila Amos (Bob) of Colby and brother Dale Oard (Vickie) of Colby and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his grandparents Virgil and Margaret Brown and Fred and Grace Oard, father Earl Oard and sister Shirley Frame and brother-in-law Harlan Frame.

Dan loved to shoot guns, reload shells, and hunt and fish; he loved the outdoors. Guns were a cherished treasure to him; he even finished his own rifle that was custom made. He also was a huge fan of Caterpillar machinery of which he worked with throughout his lifetime in different construction jobs. In the early 1980’s, he bought his first motorcycle and became involved with the “Bikers for Christ”. He was a member of the National Guard for several years. Dan lived at home in Colby with Maria, the love of his life. As the disease advanced, a move to Prairie Senior Living Center was needed. His wife Maria was steadfast and faithful in her love and care for him until the very end. He was a member of the First Christian Church, Colby.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, April 23 at 2:00 pm, at the Kersenbrock Chapel, Colby, KS. Burial will be at Beulah Cemetery following the service. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Dan Oard Memorial; a memorial will be designated at a later date.

Lifelong area resident Iris Roberta Press passed away Tuesday, April 19, 2016 at Hays Medical Center. She was 87 years of age. Iris was born May 28, 1928, on the family farm near Ogallah, to Robert and Glenae Iris (Schuman) Keady.

On June 30, 1957, Iris was united in marriage to Victor John Press, in WaKeeney. They enjoyed 46 years of marriage together. Vic preceded Iris in death on May 6, 2004. In 1952, Iris moved to Galveston, TX to attend the University of Texas’s School of Nursing. Upon receiving her certification as a Registered Nurse, she worked at the University of Texas Hospital for one year then began working at the Gove County Hospital.

It was there she received the nickname “Tex” (due to her alma mater and a couple of creative physicians) and served the community for 32 years in a variety of nursing capacities. Iris enjoyed camping, crocheting, watching sports, being “Grandma”, “gardening, cooking and baking, as well as traveling and laughing with her family.

She is survived by two sons, Randall John “Randy” (Kelli White) of Madison, Wisconsin, and Bret Allen (friend Sylvia Ochoa) of Kansas City, Missouri; one daughter, Carrie Lynn (Roger) Ringer of Quinter; three grandchildren, Francis (Jennifer) Ringer, Adrienne (Ryan) Morey, and Trace Press; three great-grandchildren, Madison Ringer, Trinity Ringer, and Evelyn Morey. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; and two beloved step-fathers, Clyde Hoover and Forrest Hendricks.

Her ready smile and ornery sense of humor were a delight to all who knew her.

Memorial service will be 10:30 a.m., Saturday, April 23, 2016, at Schmitt Funeral Home, Quinter. Private inurnment will take place at a later date.

Memorial contributions are suggested to Jay Johnson Public Library or Gove County Medical Center. Contributions made to the organization may be sent to Schmitt Funeral Home, 901 South Main, Quinter, KS 67752.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.schmittfuneral.com.

Alvena (Deines) Dietz was born January 25, 1922 on the family farm, in rural Trego County to John G. and Eva M. (Maier) Deines. She passed away Monday, April 18, 2016 at Trego County Lemke Memorial Hospital, WaKeeney.

Alvena was a lifelong resident of Trego County, graduating from Pleasant Valley Grade School and Trego Community High School in 1940. She was baptized as a Lutheran and was a faithful servant of her church. She was united in marriage on August 17, 1941 to Solomon “Solly” Dietz, in the Lutheran Church Parsonage at WaKeeney.

Growing up in a rural farm family, Alvena was instilled with a work ethic that was carried on all of her life.

Always very proud of her German heritage, Alvena taught all of her grandchildren at least one German prayer. She was very talented as a cook, as well. No one could make butter balls, apple pie or angel food cake like Grandma Al. In her younger days, she enjoyed going to dances that were very common in the area, tagging along with her brothers Paul and Edward, who played in the band. She enjoyed polka music, playing cards, athletics and being with family especially her grandchildren.

In 1958, Alvena and Solly started managing a grain elevator in Voda. In 1966, they began managing Robinson Milling/Smoot Grain in WaKeeney and stayed there until retiring in 1984. After retirement, Alvena started playing golf and particularly enjoyed the association with the Big Creek Golf Ladies group.

She is survived by two sons, Larry (Kathy) Dietz of WaKeeney and Raydene (Nancy) Dietz of Estes Park, Colorado; five grandchildren, Alisa (Ted) Odell of Prairie Village, Nikki (Ryan) Daubert of Wamego, Kurt (Brandy) Dietz of Overland Park, LaTisha (Jarrod) Connelly of North Platte, Nebraska, and Kodi (Adam) Clark of Englewood, Colorado; nine great-grandchildren, Taylor and Katherine Odell, Averi, Madilyn and Reagan Daubert, Solly Dietz, Andrew Connelly, and Hayley and Sawyer Clark; and sisters-in-law, Clara Deines of Lincoln, Nebraska, and Margaret Dietz of Amarillo, Texas. She was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; and siblings, Mollie Deines, Godfried Deines, Anna Deines, Minnie Deines, Marie Mai, Edward Deines, Martha Dietz, Esther Deines, Paul G. Deines, Frieda Hoffman, Helene Deines, Irene Turner, and one infant child who died in infancy.

Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m., Saturday, April 23, 2016, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, WaKeeney with Pastor Randy Gibbs officiating. Burial will be in the WaKeeney City Cemetery.

Visitation will be Friday evening from 5:00 to 7:00 at the funeral home in WaKeeney.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the Big Creek Golf Course or Bethlehem Lutheran Church. Donations to the organization may be sent to Schmitt Funeral Home, 336 North 12th, WaKeeney, KS 67672.

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

Arsenius J. Wasinger, 94, Hays, died Tuesday, April 19, 2016 at Trinity Nursing Rehabilitation Center, Merriam, KS.

He was born May 20, 1921, in Schoenchen, Kansas, to Aloysius and Veronica (Zimmerman) Wasinger. He farmed and raised cattle and was a delivery driver for Mid-Continent Gas Service. He enjoyed his spare time on the golf course.

He graduated from St. Joseph’s Military Academy in 1941, served in the United States Army during World War II, and then married Lucy Karlin of Catherine, Kansas on February 13, 1946. She died August 10, 2012. He was a member of the St. Joseph Catholic Church, the Secular Franciscans, VFW Post #9076 and the Knights of Columbus 3rd degree council #1325.

Survivors include five daughters, Judy Dischner, San Marcos, CA; Kathy Ulibarri, Denver; and Barb Fyler, Christine Hanks and Carrie Young, all of Kansas City; 17 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his dear wife, Lucy, a son Steven Joseph, a daughter Mary Ellen, parents Aloysius and Veronica, two brothers Edward Wasinger and Msgr. Alfred Wasinger, and two sisters Mary Rose Cupparo and Helen Hommel.

Funeral services will be at 10:00 am on Saturday, April 23, 2016 at the St. Joseph Catholic Church, 210 W. 13th Street, Hays. Burial with military honors by the Hays VFW Post #9076 Honor Guard will be in the St. Joseph Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5:00 pm until 8:00 on Friday and from 9:00 am until 9:45 on Saturday, all at the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine Street.

A Secular Franciscans rosary will be at 5:30 pm, a parish vigil service will be at 6:30, and a Knights of Columbus rosary will be at 7:00, all on Friday at the funeral home.

Memorials are suggested to St. Joseph Catholic Church or to TMP-Marian High School, in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be left for the family at www.haysmemorial.com.

Hulda (Franz) Goossen was welcomed into her eternal home in heaven on April 16, 2015, by her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, along with many other family members and friends who have “gone before.”

Hulda Ella was born to Peter J. and Anna Franz on April 6, 1921, in rural Canton, Kansas. She was the youngest of seven children. She married Cornelius D. Goossen on June 2, 1942, after which they settled on a farm near Mingo, Kansas. Eight children were born to the union. She is loved and remembered well by her family: Vernon and Linda Goossen of Mingo, Kansas; Simon and Carolyn Goossen of Westminster, Colorado; Andrew and Sheryl Goossen of Pryor, Oklahoma; Harold and Priscilla of Lincoln, Nebraska; Othelia and Bernie Vacura of Oberlin, Kansas; Tim and Micki Goossen of Goodland, Kansas; Arleta Wiebe of Elbing, Kansas; and Erna Goossen of Norton, Kansas. Hulda was predeceased by her husband, a son-in-law, Kevin Wiebe, and a grandson, Scott Goossen. She leaves many who will remember her including 23 grandchildren, and their spouses, 44 great-grandchildren, and 2 step-great-great-grandchildren.

In her early years, Hulda lived with her family lived on a farm about five miles from Goessel, Kansas. The house had a kitchen built onto the back and behind the house there were also steps, which led down to the cellar. Hulda was told not to go down there, but curiosity got the best of her and she disobeyed, sneaking down to the forbidden underground storeroom. The complete darkness and dampness scared her so much that she never went down there again.

The Franz family attended the Alexanderwohl Mennonite Church. Sometimes after church they sometimes went to Grandpa and Grandma Schmidt’s home for dinner. It was so much fun looking at the catalogs they had at their house. Hulda recalled the high shelves in her grandparent’s home. Aunt Maria had to really stretch to reach them. Years later upon visiting the home as an adult, she realized the shelves were actually regular in height. Aunt Maria was short and, of course, Hulda had been just a child.

Hulda preferred outdoor chores more than the indoor domestic ones, so sisters Bertha, Katherine and Anna Ruth helped their mother with the housework while Hulda helped her father and brothers, Jacob and Peter, with the outside work. She fed the chickens and gave the calves milk from a bucket. As she grew she took on the responsibility of milking ten cows. When she would go for the cows in the evening, she took the dog, Bobby, with her. He would help her round them up.

A few months after her sister, Bertha, married Alvin Goossen and moved to Thomas County in western Kansas, Hulda’s parents decided they would also move there. They purchased a 300-acre farm one-half miles west of Mingo, Kansas. Hulda was nine years old.

Hulda loved school and geography was her favorite subject. Although the class was taught in English, all the children spoke German. If they had a question, they asked it in German. German was all that was ever heard on the playground at recess. She finished her early education, completing eighth grade at the Mingo Country School. She was kept busy with schoolwork and chores at home. Hulda also enjoyed sewing and sometimes she found time and scraps of cloth to sew clothes for her niece Susy’s doll.

Hulda professed her faith in Jesus at an early age during daily vacation Bible school. When she told her father about it, he said that she was too young and did not understand. He thought she was just missing her mother who was away from home tending her daughter who had just had a baby. Years later after her marriage, Hulda was listening to the Back to the Bible Broadcast on the radio while ironing clothes. God spoke to her heart and she reaffirmed her faith in Christ for her eternal salvation. As an adult, she became a member of the Meadow Mennonite Church in Mingo.

During the Great Depression of the 1930’s, the Franz family considered a meal with meat a very special treat. Hulda’s father butchered for people and they would sometime give him pieces that they did not care for, such as the tongue and the tails. Her mother made a delicious oxtail soup. In order not to spend money on gasoline, her father removed the engine from his vehicle and hitched the horses to it, drawing the reins through an opening.

In this way the family could have the comfort of an enclosed vehicle without the expense of gasoline and engine repairs.

A three-day blizzard in 1933 left the Mingo area residents snowbound for over two weeks. Snow had drifted up to the barn roof on the Franz farm. Brother Pete and Hulda dug a tunnel through the snow from the house to the barn.

Then there was the Dust Bowl, which plagued the Midwest. While the family ate their meals, they would cover their plates with newspaper, only lifting it long enough to sneak a bite and then return it to its place where it protected their food from the gritty dust. In an effort to prevent the dust from entering the house, they would wet rags and put them in the windows.

Cornelius Goossen was from the same community as the Franz family when they lived in the Goessel community. His adopted sister, Hilda, was Hulda’s special friend. She tried to encourage him to date Hulda. His brother, Alvin, had married Hulda’s sister, Bertha. One Christmas, Corny visited his brother Heinrich and his wife, Martha in western Kansas. He attended a Christmas program in which Hulda gave a recitation. “Some of us may not be here when Christmas comes again,” she quoted. The idea of the recitation was that opportunities must be taken in the moment, because they may never happen again. Cornelius decided he had better not let the opportunity of seeing Hulda go by.

Several weeks after Christmas, a storm hit western Kansas, burying the countryside in deep snow. One day Peter came running into the Franz home. “Someone is coming to see you,” he announced to his sister. “That’s impossible,” was Hulda’s response. “The snow is too deep. No vehicle could get through.” But it was true. Cornelius had trudged two and a half miles through deep snow to see Hulda. Much of their courtship was done by mail, but occasionally Cornelius would make the trip west for a personal visit.

On June 2, 1942, they were married in the Meadow Mennonite Church (now the Mingo Bible Church), which at that time met in a school house moved onto the church property in Mingo. It was the first wedding celebrated in the church building. The whole church was in attendance, as well as the groom’s parents. Their honeymoon trip was Hulda’s move to eastern Kansas. Cornelius loaded his bride’s belongings into his father’s Model T dump truck. They moved onto the Goossen family farm and lived in an upstairs bedroom, sharing the house with his parents.
Later they moved to a farm 5 miles south and ½ mile east of Mingo, Kansas. The Lord blessed them with eight children (Vernon, Simon, the twins Andrew and Harold, Othelia, Timothy, Arleta and Erna) and a debt-free farm. A series of accidents served to draw them closer to the Lord. Cornelius and Hulda were very missionary minded. They gave generously to the Lord’s work and often had missionaries in their home. Hulda did not prize possessions over people, but the remembrances and souvenirs that missionaries gave them had great meaning for her.

Cornelius was diagnosed with cancer and after battling it for three years, he entered the presence of the Lord on November 3, 1959. Bravely, Hulda maintained the family while her two oldest sons shouldered the responsibility of the wheat farm, often missing school to carry out the work. Even with all the work to accomplish, Hulda found time to enjoy life. Sometimes the boys started a baseball game in the yard. She would come up to bat and crack one clear out into the field, all the runners would move forward, and it was a win. Her children all thought she was the best, most fun-loving mom ever! She could cook like none other, but the food always disappeared too fast. Then it was time to wash up and start the next round.

A large part of Mom’s life and responsibilities revolved around her youngest daughter, Erna, who is mentally and physically disabled. She loved Erna dearly and was incredibly proud of her accomplishments, and even though Erna lived in Winfield and then later in Norton, Kansas, she was always concerned that her daughter knew of her mother’s love.

Five years after her husband’s death, Hulda decided to move to a home in Colby. There she found work as a nurse’s aide at the Good Samaritan Center, and later became the head baker at Colby Elementary School. Even though it was hard work, she enjoyed baking bread for all the school children. For several summers she served as the head cook during the summer at Maranatha Bible Camp near McCook, Nebraska. She was known for making delicious caramel pecan cinnamon rolls, and often shared them with the staff at the KGCR radio station.
In 1969, Hulda went back to school by taking GED classes and then went on to complete 33 hours at Colby Community College. She was proud that she could “hold her own” with the “youngsters” in her classes. She felt that her example was important to her children.

Eventually she became a professional seamstress, doing sewing and alterations for numerous customers. She also worked in the fabric department at Walmart. Hulda also found time to volunteer her time in order to help others. When the children were in grade school and high school, she taught Good News Clubs in Oakley. Hulda also helped found and enjoyed working at the U-Save Shop, a used clothing store that contributed their proceeds to the ARC (Association for Retarded Children) to benefit retarded children.

Hulda always had a smile on her face and a positive attitude, even when life brought her numerous difficulties. When her burdens here on earth were the heaviest, Hulda would often be humming and singing to lighten the load. She knew the words to every hymn and she enjoyed lifting her voice in praise to God. She enjoyed waking in the early hours and spending time in the Word with a cup of coffee in hand. She took the responsibility of making sure that all of her children went to church regularly and studied the Bible.

During her last years on earth, she resided at the Prairie Senior Living Complex where she received good care. Whenever her family visited her, Hulda was sure to repeat numerous times, “I like it here.” She was content to be wherever she was and found joy in little things. This was such an encouragement to her family.

Although we, her family, will miss her, we rejoice today because she has fulfilled her service on earth and has now heard her Father’s words, “Well done, my child. Welcome Home.”

Philip ‘Phil’ Finley, 86, Colby, Ks., died April 17, 2016, at Citizen’s Medical Center of complications from heart failure.

He was born March 25, 1930, in White City, Ks. the first of five children of Marshall A.and Zelma (Krenkle) Finley.

Philip graduated from Morrowville High School in 1947, and enrolled at Kansas State University. ROTC was mandatory, thus started his life long military career. He graduated from KSU in 1951 with an Agricultural Education Degree and a commission as a second Lieutenant of Artillery.

Philip was assigned to Fort Custer, where he met Jacquelin Lou Thomas of Battle Creek, Mich. and they married on the 24th of May 1952.  Four months after the marriage, Philip was sent to the Republic of Korea, serving as an artillery forward observer and artillery officer with the 59th Field Artillery Battalion and the 15th Automatic Weapons Artillery Battalion.

After returning home from overseas combat, Philip once again enrolled at KSU and graduated with a Masters Degree. This began a new career as an educator, a career he was familiar with, since both his parents had dedicated their lives to education. In 1954 he moved to western Kansas accepting a position at Bird City Rural High School as a Vocational Agricultural Instructor.

In 1955 the couple moved to Norton, Ks., and Phil assumed the duties of Vo. Ag. Instructor and Assistant Principal of Norton Community High School. While in Norton, two children were born, Jeffrey A. Finley and Robin L. (Finley) Binder.

Following 12 years in Norton, the Finley’s moved to Oberlin, Ks.. Phil once again affiliated with KSU became the Decatur County Extension agent and later a Northwest

Area Extension Specialist concentrating on community resource development.

Moving to Colby, Ks. in 1974 found Phil serving as Northwest Area Extension Director until resigning in 1987 to shift careers once more.

Having been a member of the Kansas National Guard for numerous years, Phil achieved the rank of Brigadier General, commuting the long distance on weekends to the Kansas National Guard Headquarters in Topeka, Ks..  Exposure to state government offered an opportunity to become Adjutant General of Kansas under Governor Mike Hayden until 1991. Having reached the rank of Major General , Philip retires from a 40 year military career.

Retirement found Phil trucking, spending time with granddaughter Kally, involved with the VFW and American Legion, and rendering care to family and friends. Phil was unfettered in serving God, Country, Community, and Family and Friends. Phil knew no stranger and will be missed by all. What a wonderful Father and Friend!

Phil was preceded in death by his parents, sister Bonnie Holman (4/2/2016), brother-in-law Ronald Hiatt, granddaughter Rebecca Binder, and a son-in-law Roger Binder.

Survivors include; a son Jeff Finley and friend Mary Juenemann, a daughter, Robin Binder; siblings and in-laws Robert (Delores) Finley, Sam (Donna) Finley, Virginia Hiatt and brother-in-law Jon Holman and a granddaughter Kally Binder.