Bobbie Lee Graham, 83, of WaKeeney KS, passed away August 5, 2019 at his home surrounded by his family after a long journey with cancer. He was born February 6, 1936 in Vinton, Iowa to Joseph and Lettie Larson (Lint) Graham. He attended Vinton Grade School and High School. Later he joined the National Guard in 1953 and the US Navy in 1955. Bob also attended Barber School in Oklahoma City, Auctioneering School in Kansas City, and The Law Enforcement Academy in Hutchinson, KS.

Bob married Vera Shieb and together they had 3 daughters, Lettie, Ginger, and Debbie. He later met JoAnn Kloefkorn and together they had Patsy and Rickey. Bob married Judith Ann Fabrizius on Oct 29, 1961 at Zion Lutheran Church in Trego Center-WaKeeney, KS. Together they had Jeff, Jeana, and Joe, and were blessed with 57 years of marriage before his passing.

Bob had various jobs throughout his life and was a man of many trades. In his early years he was a roofer, welder, barber, service station owner, auctioneer, truck driver, and car salesman. He worked in the oil fields for many years and law enforcement for 20 years in several towns, but retiring as Chief of Police in Downs, KS in 1994. After his retirement, he moved to WaKeeney where he continued to keep himself busy by helping family and friends with farm work.

Bob had a one of a kind sense of humor, and loved sharing stories of his shenanigans to his grandkids and friends. Anyone who knew Bob probably has a “Bob Graham” memory/story that would bring a smile to your face. Bob always enjoyed playing games with his family, particularly Booray, dominoes, and other card games.

Bob is survived by his wife, Judy; children, Lettie Neary, Cedar City, UT, Ginger Graham, Winfield, KS, Debbie (Jim) Phillips, Winfield, KS, Rickey (Cathy) Graham Yukon, OK, Jeff (Dot) Graham, Wakeeney, KS, Jeana (Kirk) Sullivan, Shawnee, KS, Joe (Lisa) Graham, Wakeeney, KS; 27 grandchildren; 64 great-grandchildren; 4 great-great grandchildren; brother John (Mamie) Graham, Haven Ks; and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends. Bob was preceded in death by his parents,Joseph and Lettie, brothers Elzo, Ernest, and Charles Lint, sister Neta (Lint) Comley, and infant daughter Patsy.

Funeral service will be 2:30 p.m., Saturday, August 10, 2019 at Zion Lutheran Church, Trego Center-WaKeeney. Visitation and viewing will be Friday from 5 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home in WaKeeney.

Memorial contributions are suggested to Hospice Services, Inc., or Zion Lutheran Church. Donations made payable to the fund may be sent to Schmitt Funeral Home, 336 North 12th, WaKeeney, KS 67672.

Eloise J. “Frenchie” Newell, age 92, passed away Tuesday, August 6, 2019 at Hays Medical Center, Hays, Kansas.

Eloise was born December 7, 1926 to Arthur and Alice (Thibault) Newell. Eloise was one of seven children. He grew up on a farm in Graham County and attended Bogue High School.

Eloise met the love of his life, Frances Goetz, and they married at St. Joseph’s Church, Hays, Kansas, on August 5, 1946. They celebrated 67 years of marriage. To this union were three children: Joan, Arlen and Mary.

Eloise worked at Walker Army Airbase after high school. After marrying Frances, he pursued employment with the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) Engineering Department at the Hays office. He retired from KDOT after 40 years of service. He was a Certification Senior Engineer Technician and was also a Registered Land Surveyor. He had a license to operate the Division’s short wave radio, if needed. He also helped maintain the local office.

Eloise enjoyed fishing, hunting, maintaining beautiful flowers in their manicured yard and growing an abundant large garden. He had great devotion to his faith and practiced it all his life.

Eloise is survived by sister Pat Belisle (Duane), Damar Ks: Daughter, Joan (Dick) Palmer of Haysville Ks: daughter in law, Pat Newell, Versailles Ky; grandchildren, Lisa (Nick) Aschenbrenner of Bonner Springs Ks: Laurie Guilbault, Topeka Ks: Jeremy (Shiloh) Newell, Fairfield Ohio: Leticia Newton, Mt Eden Ky: and, Bonnie (Kenneth) Johns, Versailles Ky, seven great great grandchildren, a bunch of awesome nieces and nephews and wonderful friends.

Eloise was preceded in death by his wife, Frances; son, Arlen; and daughter, Mary. Also preceded by sisters, Eleanor Bellerive, ODella Bedard, Priscilla Emigh, and brothers, Robert and Mitchell Newell.
Funeral services will be 10 AM Friday, August 9, 2019 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Hays with burial to follow in the church cemetery.

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

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

Linda K. Freeland, 70, passed away on Monday, August 5, 2019, at Salina Regional Health Center in Salina, Kansas.

She was born to Dale Renberger and Dolores (Nuss) Renberger on April 13, 1949, in Hays, Kansas. She graduated from McPherson High School in 1967.

Linda married David E. Freeland on January 10, 1971, in McPherson, and they celebrated their 48th anniversary just this year. Son Paul David was born February 15, 1975, and son Michael Robert was born September 28, 1979.

Linda received her degree in Early Childhood Education from Kansas State University in May 1971. She owned her own preschool, Four Seasons Preschool, for nearly 40 years, and retired in spring 2017. She taught more than 1,400 children during her time as a preschool teacher.

Survivors include husband Dave; son, Paul (Rachel), Melissa, Texas and their children, Sydney, Chase and Erynn; son, Michael (Kristina), Salina and their children, Gabriel, Dominic and Oliver; sister, Alana (Larry) Schafer, Salina; brother, Terry (Estelle) Renberger, McPherson; sister-in-law Gloria Freeland (Art Vaughan), Manhattan; sister-in-law, Gaila Freeland de Chambi (Humberto Chambi), La Paz, Bolivia; and six nieces and four nephews.

Linda was preceded in death by her parents, her father-in-law, Edgar Freeland, her mother-in-law Edla (Mostrom) Freeland; and her grandparents.

A memorial service will be at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, August 9, at First Baptist Church of Salina, 843 Lewis Ave., with Pastor Dave Walters officiating. Burial will be at Roselawn Cemetery. Friends may call at the Ryan Mortuary on Thursday from 4 until 8 pm where the family will receive friends from 5 until 7 pm.

Memorial gifts may be made to First Baptist Church of Salina, The Greater Salina Community Foundation’s Linda K. Freeland Scholarship, which goes to Salina students who plan to study early childhood education, or to the Tammy Walker Cancer Center.

Howard L. Kerr, 91, passed away on August 5, 2019 at the Cedar Village Care Center in Ness City. He was born on December 13, 1927 on the farm in Ness County, Kansas the son of Paul and Frances (Fercking) Kerr.

Howard was a farmer stockman. He was a member of Sacred Heart Church where he was a member of the Knights of Columbus for over 70 years. He belonged to motorcycle clubs for 10 years, traveling around the states. He was always active in his children’s activities. He married Florence Gabel on April 29, 1947, in Ness City. She died on April 30, 2010.

Survivors include four sons, Gaylen (Debra) Kerr of Ness City, Franklin (Linda) Kerr of Topeka, David (Mary) Kerr of Ballwin, MO, Rick Kerr of Lawerence; a daughter, Leigh Ann Hendrickson of WaKeeney; 10 grandchildren; and 19 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, infant son, Howard, and brother, Wayne Kerr.

Rosary and Parish Vigil will be on Saturday, August 10, 10:30 A.M., with funeral service at 1:30 P.M., at Sacred Heart Church, Ness City. Burial in the Sacred Heart Cemetery, Ness City. Friends may call at Fitzgerald Funeral Home, Ness City, from 9:00 A.M. to 9:00 A.M. Friday, August 9, with the family present from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M.

Memorial contributions may be given to the Sacred Heart Cemetery or Hospice of the Prairie.

Words of sympathy and support may be left for the family at www.fitzgeraldfuneral.com.

Josefa Chason was born in Krakow, Poland. She met and married Aubrey Chason, who was serving in the armed forces in Germany. After WWII, she emigrated to America and was proud to become an American Citizen. She donated generously to the Statue of Liberty refurbishing in honor of her citizenship.

Josefa lived and worked for many years in Topeka, KS. She loved to bake cakes, cookies, and candies in her spare time and treated family & friends. Josefa was a devout Catholic and took part in many activities at the Sacred Heart Church in Topeka.

Josefa passed quietly on August 5, 2019 at the Good Samaritan Society of Decatur County in Oberlin, Kansas. She is survived by her son, Audie Chason and his wife Ella of Captain Cook, HI; son, Ronald Chason and his wife Marcia of Overland Park, KS; her granddaughter, Jennifer Juenemann and her husband Gary and great grandchildren: Wade, Brent, Troy, Jeffrey, Andrew, Jenna and Josh Juenemann.

She was preceded in death by her great grandson Gabe Thomas Juenemann.

Graveside service will be held 12:00 pm Saturday, August 10, 2019 at Mt. Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Topeka, KS. Condolences may be left at www.paulsfh.com

Jerry Eugene “Jake” Rider, age 64, passed away on Tuesday, August 6, 2019 at the Ness County Hospital, Ness City. He was born September 20, 1954 in Ness City, Ks to Earl and Opal (Likes) Rider. Jake was raised in rural Brownell and graduated from Ransom High School in 1973.

Jake was a lifetime resident of Ness County. On September 2, 1978 he married Jan Schlegel in Ness City. Together they raised two boys, Tyler and Tanner. After working in the oil fields as a floor hand for Warrior Drilling, he went to work for D & S Machine as a roustabout. Later he joined his father-in-law on the family farm. When his father-in-law, Pete, retired he was joined on the farm by his sons. His hobby was making scale toy farm implements for friends and family and taking them to toy shows to sell. Jake was an avid K-State fan and enjoyed following the team and traveling to bowl games. He cherished spending time with his five grandchildren and being a part of their many activities.

Jake is survived by his wife, Jan; sons, Tyler Rider and his wife, Becky and Tanner Rider; five grandchildren: Eve, Daphne, Asher, Titus, and Jayne Rider all of Ness City, brother Jim Rider and his wife, Bessie, and his sister, Sue Luetters, and her husband, John, all of Hutchinson. Preceding Jake in death were his parents and a brother, Billy Rider.

Visitation will be held at Fitzgerald Funeral Home, Ness City, on Thursday, August 8, 2019 from 6:00 –8:00 p.m. A memorial service will be on Friday, August 9, 2019, 10:00 a.m. at the United Methodist Church, Ness City with Pastor Deb Harvey presiding. Graveside inurnment will follow the memorial service at the Ransom Cemetery. Friends may sign the book at the funeral home on Thursday from 9:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Ness County Hospital or the United Methodist Church.

Larry Insley, 71, of Creighton, SD passed away on Saturday, August 3, 2019 at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls. A celebration of his life will be held Saturday, August 10th from 1:00 to 3:00pm at The Dakota Prairie Playhouse in Madison, SD. We will be honoring Larry with prayers & reflections on his life & the lives he touched at 2:00pm. Please come & share your memories.

Larry Wayne Insley was born on January 21, 1948 in Akron, OH. He was adopted in June 1948 by Wayne & Vesta (Lindenmann) Insley, and grew up on the farm in northwest Ohio. Adoption day was special and he always said he had won the lottery.

He graduated from high school in McComb, OH and went on to receive his Bachelor’s Degree in Animal Science at The Ohio State University, Master’s Degree from Kansas State University and completed his education with a PhD from North Dakota State University.

Larry married Christine Anderson on January 18, 1975 in rural Argusville, ND. They had two children, Aaron Wayne & Stacy Marie. Larry taught at Fort Hays State University from 1976-1980. After finishing his education in Kansas and North Dakota, the family moved to Brookings, SD where Larry began his 15 year career at South Dakota State University in the Animal Science Department as a Beef & Horse Extension Specialist and also taught the horse classes there. He absolutely loved teaching & always said he truly missed the students when he decided to leave.

After leaving his postion at SDSU, Larry and Chris bought a ranch near Creighton, SD in 2003, where they raised cattle & horses. He loved livestock and horses, but especially his Belgian draft horses. Larry received the South Dakota Horseperson of the Year Award in 2012. He made it to his last Waverly Horse Sale this past spring where he sold many Belgians over the years. He really enjoyed watching the horses sell.

Larry is survived by his wife, Chris of Creighton, SD; children Aaron (Olivia) Insley of Kalispell, MT and Stacy (Todd) Klein of Winfred, SD; his beloved grandchildren who absolutely adored him, Shiloh Insley and Hayz, Elli and Newt Klein; and sisters-in-law Linda (Ken) Astrup of Jamestown, ND and Ann Killpack of Fort Collins, CO; niece Kim Astrup of Fargo, ND, and nephews Eric (Tennley) Astrup of Reno, NV and Jason (Jamie) Astrup of Mapleton, ND.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brother-in-law, Jim Killpack.

Walter J. Manteuffel, 88, formerly of Hays, Kansas, passed away Monday, August 5, 2019, at Aldersgate Village, Topeka, Kansas.

Walter was born March 19, 1931, in Cheyenne County, Kansas, the son of Walter and Viola Evins Manteuffel. He graduated from St. Francis Community High School in 1949. Walter earned his BS in Business Administration from Fort Hays Kansas State College in 1966 and MBA from Fort Hays State University in 1982. Walter married Winnie Belle Daniel on June 23, 1951, in St. Francis, Kansas. Walter and Winnie owned and operated a Grade A dairy farm south of St. Francis from 1955 to 1962. He retired from Fort Hays State University in 1993 as Comptroller in the business office. He was a member of First United Methodist Church of Hays, and on the board of trustees, finance committee, permanent endowment fund committee and the administrative board. Walter was a lifetime member of Alpha Kappa Psi and Fort Hays State University Alumni Association. He was on the board of directors of First Call for Help of Hays.

Walter is survived by his wife, Winnie; children, Robert (Martha), Pamela and Craig (Paula); grandchildren, Jessica Quinlan (Chad), Laura Johnson (Brandon), Alexa Deghand, Bradley Deghand, Michael Manteuffel (Kayla) and Matt Manteuffel; and five great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Deloy Manteuffel; and sister, Ellen June Manteuffel Henderson.

Private graveside will be in Lawn Ridge Cemetery in St. Francis, Kansas.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First Call for Help of Ellis County, or Meals on Wheels of Ellis County, sent in care of Kevin Brennan Family Funeral Home, 2801 SW Urish Road, Topeka KS 66614.

Edna Marie (Tauscher) Mills, 95, died August 6, 2019, at Country Place Senior Living, Hoisington. She was born July 27, 1924, in Schoenchen, Kansas, the daughter of George and Margaret (Ernst) Tauscher. Edna graduated from Hoisington High School in 1942.

On April 18, 1948, she married Harry T. Mills, Jr., in Ellinwood. He died January 2, 2001.

A lifetime Hoisington resident, Edna was a homemaker, and had worked as a telephone operator with Southwestern Bell. She then worked in admissions for Central Kansas Medical Center retiring in 1984.

Edna was a member of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church and Altar Society. She was also a member of Good Sam’s Camping Club. She enjoyed sewing, cooking and spending time with her family.

She is survived by daughter, Debbie Finn and husband Calvin of Hoisington; a sister, Virginia Boomhower of Russell; grandsons, Justin Martin of Overland Park and Kegan Martin of Larned, Kansas; and great grandchildren, Kaisia & Lucian Martin.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, sisters, La Netta McBride, Alice Hickel, Dolores Reif, and Dianne Winsky; and a brother LeVorne “Gus” Tauscher.

Friends may call 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, with family to receive friends from 6- 8 p.m.

Vigil service with Altar Society Rosary will begin at 7 p.m., all at the funeral home.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m., Friday, August 9, 2019, at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, celebrated by Father Anselm Eke, MSP. Burial will follow in St. John Cemetery, Hoisington.

Memorials may be made to the St. John Cemetery Fund or Kindred Hospice in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington, KS 67544.