Phillipsburg resident, Irene M. Hilbrink, passed away Wed., Oct. 10, 2012 at the Deseret Nursing Home in Kensington, KS at the age of 85. She was born July 19, 1927 in Kensington, KS to Ranke & Marie (Rahjes) Bienhoff. Irene worked as a Measurement Clerk for KN Energy in Phillipsburg.

Survivors include her sons, Kent of White Plains, NY and Steve of Phillipsburg, KS; her daughter, Carol Dooley of Wichita, KS; one brother, Don Bienhoff of Kearney, NE; 6 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held Sat., Oct. 13, at 2:00 p.m. in the Zion Lutheran Church, Phillipsburg, with Pastor Lorna Paulus officiating. Burial will follow in the Fairview Cemetery, Phillipsburg.

Visitation will be Friday from noon – 9:00 p.m. and Sat. from 9:00 a.m. – noon at the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, Phillipsburg.
Memorial contributions may be given to Hospice Services or the American Cancer Society. Online condolences to: www.olliffboeve.com.

Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, Phillipsburg, is in charge of arrangements.

Kirwin resident, Nila Eilert, passed away Monday, October 1, 2012 at her home in Kirwin, KS at the age of 68.  She was born in Smith County, KS on February 4, 1944, the daughter of Charles & Beth (Carhill) Merrill.  Her husband, Albert, preceded her in death in 1990.

Survivors include her son, Dallas Eilert, of McPherson, KS; her daughter, Gina Peak, of Kirwin, KS; seven grandchildren; a brother, John Merrill, of Marysville, KS; and three sisters: Linda Eckland of Port Orchard, WA; Marta Chandler of Mankato, KS; and April Humphrey of West Manchester, WA.

Cremation was planned.  A memorial service will be held Tuesday, October 9, at 11:00 a.m. in the Kirwin United Methodist Church, Kirwin, KS with Pastor Becky Davison and Janet Reynolds officiating.

Friends may sign her memory book on Monday, Oct. 8, from 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. at the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel in Phillipsburg, KS.

Memorial contributions may be given to the Kirwin Library, Kirwin United Methodist Church or Phillips County E.M.S.

Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, Phillipsburg, is in charge of arrangements.

Neola C. Schmidtberger

Hays, Kansas – Neola C. Schmidtberger, age 71, former Russell, Kansas, resident died Friday, September 28, 2012, at Hays Medical Center, Hays, Kansas.

She was born June 20, 1941, in Hyacinth, Kansas, to Isidor P. and Lidwina (Younker) Kreutzer. She married Robert F. Schmidtberger on June 18, 1960, in Victoria, Kansas. He died April 30, 2007.

She was a homemaker, a member of St. Fidelis Catholic Church and a volunteer worker on the funeral dinner committee. She lived in Russell, Kansas, since 2001, moving from Greeley, Colorado.

Survivors include two brothers, Marvin Kreutzer, Brighton, CO; LeRoy Kreutzer and wife, Sandy, Hays, KS; four sisters, Ann Sander, Littleton, CO; Verla Staab and husband, Roger, and Millie Flax, both of Hays, KS; Firma Pfannenstiel, WaKeeney, KS; one sister-in-law, Judy Kreutzer, Russell, KS.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; one brother, Kenneth Kreutzer; one sister, Alice Nemechek; one infant brother and one infant sister.

Services are 10:00 A.M. Tuesday, October 2, 2012, at St. Fidelis Catholic Church, Victoria, Kansas. Burial in St. Fidelis Cemetery, Victoria, Kansas.

A vigil service is at 6:30 P.M. Monday, at Cline’s Mortuary of Hays,1919 East 22nd, Hays, Kansas 67601. Visitation is from 5:00 to 8:00 P.M. Monday, and from 8:30 to 9:30 A.M. Tuesday, all at Cline’s Mortuary of Hays.

Memorial to St. Fidelis Catholic Church, Victoria, Kansas. Condolences can be sent via e-mail to [email protected].

Betty Lou Longpine

Betty Lou Longpine, Hays KS passed Friday, September 28, 2012, at the age of 79. She was born July 24, 1933 in Dalhart, TX to Ervin & Hazel (Rollins) Barrow.

She spent her childhood in Dalhart and graduated from Dalhart High School in 1951. Her life in the workforce began in Dalhart where she was employed by the SW Public Services. It was there, that she met her lifelong soul mate Bill R. Longpine. Bill and Betty later married on January 3rd, 1954 and four years later made “Hays” their home. Betty always dreamed of owning her own business and in 1972, her dream became reality when she opened her very own Fashion Two Twenty cosmetic studio. She thrived in the business winning numerous awards, trips, and automobiles. She sold the business after 11 years and soon found her next calling in volunteering. She began managing, marketing, and buying items for the Hadley Hospital gift shop. She loved all aspects of volunteering especially that it gave her time to spend with family & friends as well as enjoy her lake house at Cedar Bluff Lake. Betty always was an entertainer! Whether it be at her own home in Hays or her lake house, you could always find her planning her next bridge party, a game of dominoes, backyard pool parties, or just family get togethers. She would do anything to get people together and just have a good time.

In September of 1987, her keen business sense was put back to work when she joined her daughter Tonya and opened Mam’Zelles Ladies Apparel. She had always loved making women feel and look beautiful, and was always ready for to visit with all the ladies who came into the store. Betty retired from Mam’Zelles in 1997 and found a new passion in a special organization, better known as, The Red Hat Ladies. She soon found herself as a Queen mum when she brought the club to Hays and starting her own chapter, the “Hays Hat-a-tudes.” For everyone that had the privilege to know Betty knew she was a fighter! She was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in 1997, but that never held her back. She was still out and about in Hays whether it was playing bridge, making herself beautiful, or just to mingle with others. She handled her illness with grace and dignity down to the last second of her wonderful life.

Betty’s survivors include her husband Bill R. Longpine of the home; two sons, Curtis & his wife Renee of Hays; Randy and his wife Carrie of Antonino; and one daughter, Tonya Staab and her husband Brian of Hays; one sister, Marlene Key and her husband Bill of Dumas, TX; and sister-in-law, Yvonne Barrow of Dalhart, TX. Betty was also blessed with five grandchildren, Tyler Longpine, Brianne (Staab) Sultzer and husband Ryan, Ryan Longpine, Tasha (Staab) Lang and husband Kevin, and Kelsey Longpine, as well as 3 great grandchildren: Harper & Hudson Sultzer and Ashlen Lang.

She was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Choice Barrow.

Due to Betty’s abundant love for the colors red and purple and her Red Hat Ladies always putting a smile on her face, the family asks that we shower her with red and purple and keep that smile alive.

Betty’s celebration of life service is at 10:00 A.M. Thursday, October 4, 2012, at Cline’s Mortuary of Hays, 1919 East 22nd, Hays, Kansas 67601 with Rev. Delbert Stanton officiating. Inurnment will be in Mount Allen Cemetery, Hays, Kansas. A visitation for family and friends will be from 5:00 to 8:00 P.M. Wednesday, and from 9:00 to 10:00 A.M. Thursday, at Cline’s Mortuary of Hays.

Memorials to Hays Medical Center Foundation or Parkinson’s Disease Foundation in respect to Betty Longpine. Condolences can be sent via e-mail to [email protected].

Lawrence J. Brungardt Jr.

Emmeram, Kansas – Lawrence J. Brungardt Jr. age 71, died Thursday, September 13, 2012, at Hays Medical Center, Hays, Kansas.

He was born April 16, 1941, in Hays, Kansas, to Lawrence J. and Alexia (Herman) Brungardt Sr. He married M. Myrlene (Castor) on June 10,1961, in Russell, Kansas. She died May 7, 2002.

He was a1959 graduate of Victoria High School and a graduate of Fort Hays State College with a degree in Accounting/Finance. He worked with Agricultural Lending and Cattle Order Buying and was a farmer/stockman. He was a member of St. Ann’s Catholic Church, Walker, Kansas.

Survivors include two daughters, Cindy Pottorff and husband, Michael, TerreHaute, Indiana; Amanda Brungardt-Oxenford, Walker, KS; his mother, Alexia Brungardt, Hays, KS; one brother, Sam Brungardt, Minneapolis, Minnesota; two sisters, Marge Carlson, Hays, KS; Jackie Prickett, Wichita, KS; five grandchildren, Patrick and Peter Pottorff; Christian and Alexia Oxenford; Malachi Wilhelm; and his companion, Jackie House, Salina, Ks. Services are 11:00 A.M. Tuesday, September 18, 2012, at St. Ann’s Catholic Church, Walker, Kansas. The family will receive friends from 10:00 to 11:00 A.M. Tuesday at the church. A private family inurnment will be held at a later date.

Memorials to the Big Creek 4-H Club of Gorham, Kansas. Cline’s Mortuary of Hays, 1919 East 22nd, Hays, Kansas 67601 are in charge of arrangements. Condolences can be sent via e-mail to [email protected].

Garlan “Mr. G’s” Schoenrock

Victoria, Kansas – Garlan “Mr. G’s “Schoenrock, age 80, died Monday, August 20, 2012, at the Wheatland Nursing Center, Russell, Kansas. He was born in LaMars, Iowa, to Emil and Ellen (Durr) Schoenrock. He married Sandra (Hall) on June 3, 1955, at Reno, Nevada.

He was a graduate of Hawarden High School, Hawarden, Iowa. He was veteran of the U.S. Air Force and served during the Korean Conflict. He worked for the Hested-Newburry Corporation and in lumber sales for 20 years. He then worked for Chief Building and Zetlow farm equipment for 8 years. He started Mr. G’s food vending trailer and catering in the late 1980’s and G & S sales until he retired in 2010. He moved to Victoria, Kansas, in 1978. He was a member of Messiah Lutheran Church and American Legion both of Hays, Kansas.

Survivors include his wife, Sandra Schoenrock, of the home; two sons, Garlan Schoenrock Jr. and wife, Jennifer, Waynesville, MO; Sue Stahlecker and husband, David, Pocatello, Idaho; Ken Schoenrock and wife, Amy, Elk City, OK; two brothers, Garry Schoenrock and wife, (Holly),Atlantic, Iowa; Denis Schoenrock Hawarden, Iowa; one sister, Elaine Kerr, San Diego, CA; eight grandchildren, Richard Schoenrock, Susan Shawger, Christina and Tim Schoenrock; Dirk and Kip Stahlecker; Aspen and Grant Schoenrock; one great grandchild, Ivy Schoenrock.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Services are 11:00 A.M. Friday, September 14, 2012, at Messiah Lutheran Church 2000 Main Street, Hays, Kansas, with Rev. Kenton Rohrberg officiating.

The family will receive friends from 10:00 to 11:00 A.M. Friday at the church. Graveside services were Held at 1:00 P.M. Thursday, August 23, 2012, at St. Fidelis Cemetery, Victoria, Kansas, with military honors by the Hays V.F.W. and American Legion.

Memorial to Messiah Lutheran Church. Cline’s Mortuary of Hays, 1919 East 22nd , Hays, Kansas 67601 is in charge of arrangements. Condolences can be sent via e-mail to [email protected].

Ted R. Nowak

Hays, Kansas – Ted R. Nowak, age 76, died Tuesday, September 4, 2012, at Hays Medical Center, Hays, Kansas.

He was born September 28, 1935, in Manhattan, Kansas. He was adopted at the age of 3 and raised by Clem and Rosalin (Munk) Nowak. He married Tina (Gottschalk) on November 25, 1972, in Schoenchen, Kansas. He was a bus driver for Hays U.S.D. 489 School District for 31 years. He moved to Hays, Kansas, in 1975, and was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church. He was member of the Schoenchen 3rd Degree Knights of Columbus. He enjoyed gardening, playing cards, Polka music, dancing, his family and grandchildren.

Survivors include his wife, Tina Nowak, of the home; one son, John Nowak and wife, Karen, Victoria, KS; two daughters, Kristi Wasinger and husband, Mitchell, Victoria, KS; Lisa Chappell, Hays, KS; one brother, Jerry Nowak and wife, Pam, Gorham, KS; one sister, Jan Kirk, Salina, KS; five grandchildren, Brooklyn, Brody and Broc Nowak, Alaya and Avianna Chappell.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two grandchildren, Lacey Wasinger and Dalton Wasinger; two brothers-in-law, Gene Kirk and Eugene Otis; three sisters, Lorraine Webb, Virginia Schaeffer and Donna Otis. Services are 10:00 A.M. Saturday, September 8, 2012, at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, Hays, Kansas. Burial in St. Joseph Cemetery, Hays, Kansas.

A Schoenchen Knights of Columbus rosary is at 6:30 P.M. Friday, followed by a vigil service at 7:00 P.M. Friday, both at Cline’s Mortuary of Hays, 1919 East 22nd, Hays, Kansas 67601.

Visitation is from 5:00 to 9:00 P.M. Friday and from 8:30 to 9:45 A.M. Saturday at Cline’s Mortuary of Hays.

Memorials to Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, Ronald McDonald House or USD 489 Foundation for Education. Condolences can be sent via e-mail to [email protected].

Laurian Leiker

Ellis, Kansas – Laurian Leiker, age 75, died Tuesday, September 4, 2012, at The Kay Pogue Hospice Center, in Salina, Kansas. He was born May 29, 1937, in Victoria, Kansas, to Pius and Anna (Sander) Leiker. He married Janice (Jacobs) on February 1, 1958, in Victoria, Kansas.

He was Park Manager at Cedar Bluff State Park, for 27 years and retired in 1989. He was U.S. Air Force Veteran. He was a1955 graduate of Victoria High School, Victoria, Kansas, attended Fort Hays State College and moved to Ellis, Kansas in 1962. He served on the Ellis U.S.D. 388 School Board for 5 years. He was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church and served as a Eucharistic Minister, a member of V.F.W. Post No. 9139 , the Knights of Columbus 3rd Degree and 4th Degree Assembly all of Ellis, Kansas.

Survivors include his wife, Janice Leiker, of the home; four sons, Greg Leiker and wife, Sandra, Prattville, AL; Bradley Leiker and wife, Julie, Norton, KS; Don Leiker and wife, Diane, Aurora, CO; Brian Leiker and wife, Monica, Austin TX; one daughter, Amy Roberts and husband, Tim, Aurora, CO; one brother, Robert Leiker and wife, Velma, Hays, KS; four sisters, Armella Thompson, Russell, KS; Aquina Rajewski and husband, Howard, Vincent, KS; Theresa Haselhorst, Hays, KS; Mary Schmidtberger and husband, Dan, Hill City, KS; one brother-in-law, George Gatschet, Hays, KS; eight grandchildren, Logan Roberts (Corbin), Brianna Lessin (Aaron), Taylor Roberts, Larissa Roberts, Reese Leiker, Brooke Leiker, Gabriel Leiker, Benjamin Leiker; two step grandchildren, Drew and Ryan Schrum; four great grandchildren, Brian Lessin, Peyton Lessin, Brody Lessin, Aiden Roberts. He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, Gilbert, Elmer and Neon Leiker; three sisters, Rosie Wiesner, Luella Dreiling, and Ethel Gatschet.

Services are 10:00 A.M. Monday, September 10, 2012, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Ellis, Kansas. Burial in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Ellis, Kansas, with military honors by the Ellis V.F.W. Post No. 9139. A Class of 1955 rosary is at 6:30 P.M. Sunday, a vigil service is at 7:00 P.M. Sunday, and a Knights of Columbus 3rd Degree and 4th Degree rosary at 7:30 P.M. Sunday, all at Cline’s Mortuary of Hays, 1919 East 22nd Hays, Kansas 67601.

Visitation is from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Saturday, and from 5:00 to 8:00 P.M. Sunday, all at Cline’s Mortuary of Hays and from 9:00 to 10:00 A.M. Monday, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Ellis, Kansas. Memorials to St. Mary’s Catholic Church, St. Fidelis Catholic Church or Holy Cross Charities Inc.

Condolences can be sent via e-mail to [email protected].

Lavina Vonfeldt

McKinney, Texas – Lavina Vonfeldt, age 79, former Hays, Kansas, resident died August 18, 2012, at the Orchard Park Assisted Living Center in McKinney, Texas.

Georgia M. Endsley

Kensington resident, Georgia M. Endsley, died, Saturday, September 1, 2012 at the Deseret Nursing Home in Kensington at the age of 66.

She was born October 10, 1945 in Lexington, NE the daughter of Fred & Mabel (Sheldon) Newton.

Survivors include her son, Dustin Farr & wife, Carrie of Platte City, MO; 2 sisters, Lois Runion & Donna Farr, both of Phillipsburg, KS; & 5 grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, September 5, 2012 at the First Christian Church in Phillipsburg, with Pastor LeRoy Herder officiating.  Burial will be held at 3:00 p.m. Wednesday, September 5, 2012 in the Evergreen Cemetery, Lexington, NE.

She will lie in state from Noon to 9:00 p.m. Sunday and from 2:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Tuesday at the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, Phillipsburg.

Memorial contributions may be made to the First Christian Church or March of Dimes.

Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, 1115 2^nd Street, Phillipsburg, Kansas  67661 is in charge of arrangements.  Online condolences may be left at www.olliffboeve.com.

Ralph A. Schukman

Hays, Kansas – Ralph A. Schukman, age 90, died Sunday, September 2, 2012, at his daughters home in Carrollton, Texas.

He was born June 28, 1922, on the farm North of Hays, Kansas, to Jacob and Bertha (Kohn) Schukman Sr. He married Rose M. (Wallsmith) on June 4, 1946, at Hays, Kansas.

He grew up in the Hays, Kansas, and moved to Texas, in 2012, He was a WWII veteran of the U.S. Army, and served as a Corporal in the 8th Air Force Division in Europe from 1942 to 1945. He worked for the JB Gilmore Construction Company in Hays, Kansas, for 39 years as a heavy equipment operator. He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and V.F.W. Post No. 9076, both of Hays, Kansas. He was a former member of the America Legion and the Eagles.

Survivors include his wife, Rose M. Schukman, of the home, one son, Harold Schukman and his wife, Diane, Knoxville, TENN; two daughters, Carol Baker and her partner, Tom Wallsmith, Levant, KS; Gloria Griffin and her husband, Larry, Addison, TX; one sister, Irene Leiker, Wichita, KS; ten grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, five brothers, Celly, Jim, Clarence, Edward and Jacob Schukman; and one sister, Virginia Schwartz.

Services are 10:00 A.M. Friday, September 7, 2012, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Hays, Kansas. Burial in St. Joseph Cemetery, Hays, Kansas, with military honors by the Hays V.F.W. Post No. 9076.

A vigil service is at 7:00 P.M. Thursday, at Cline’s Mortuary of Hays, 1919 East 22nd Street, Hays, Kansas 67601.

Visitation is from 5:00 to 8:00 P.M. Thursday and from 8:30 to 9:45 A.M. Friday, at Cline’s Mortuary of Hays. In lieu of flowers the family request memorials in care of the donors choice.

Condolences can be sent via e-mail to [email protected].

Don Hayes

Former Phillipsburg resident, Don Hayes of Logan, KS, passed away Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012 at Logan Manor in Logan at the age of 86.  He was born in Riley County, KS on June 10, 1926 to George & Alice (Jahnke) Hayes.  Don worked for Tamko Asphalt Products in Phillipsburg for 22 years, retiring in 1992.

Survivors include his wife, Pearl, of the home; daughter, Debbie Hays, of Phillipsburg; sister, Mary Alice Ewing of Illinois; and 2 grandchildren, Kadie & Rylan.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2012 at 10:30 a.m. in the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, Phillipsburg, with Pastors Chris Davis and Joel Hiesterman officiating.  Burial will follow in the Fairview Cemetery, Phillipsburg, with military honors by the U.S. Navy.

Mr. Hayes will lie in-state Sunday and Monday from noon – 9 p.m. at the funeral home, with the family receiving friends Monday evening from 7 – 8:30 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be given to the United Presbyterian Church, the Phillipsburg Fire Dept. or the Phillips County E.M.S.  Online condolences to:  www.olliffboeve.com.

Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, Phillipsburg, is in charge of arrangements.

Fern Colton

Fern Colton, age 84, of Hays died Wednesday, August 29, 2012, at the Via Christi-St. Francis Medical Center in Wichita, Kansas.

Fern was born November 8, 1927, in Brewster, Kansas, to Jess W. and Germaine (Richard) Jacobs. She married Charles R. Colton on November 28, 1947, in Colby, Kansas. He died January 11, 2011. Fern was a teacher and very educated working many years with special education students. She was a member of the St. Joseph Catholic Church, Altar Society Christian Mothers, Daughters of Isabella, VFW Auxiliary, Retired Teachers Association, and the FHSU Alumni. She dedicated her life in teaching and working with students to improve their skills.

Survivors include her daughter, Carolyn Sylvester of Wichita, Kansas; a brother, John Jacobs and his wife, Rosalie of Colby, Kansas; sisters, Madeline Gravener and her husband, Charles of Colby, Kansas, and Jessie Enfield and her husband, Bud of Goodland, Kansas; grandchildren, Nicole McClain and her husband, Brandon, Andrea Fleener, Kyle Sylvester, and Christopher Sylvester; and a great granddaughter, Maya McClain. She was preceded in death by her son, Ronald in 1989.

Funeral services will be at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, September 1, 2012, at the St. Joseph Catholic Church. Burial will be in the St. Joseph Cemetery. There will be a combined Altar Society Christian Mothers/Daughters of Isabella/VFW Auxiliary rosary service at 5:00 p.m. followed by a parish vigil service at 5:30 p.m. on Friday at the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 20th and Pine. Friends may call at the funeral home on Friday from 4 until 6 p.m. and on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. A memorial has been established in her name and memory with the Oncology Department atHays Medical Center in care of the funeral home. Condolences to the family at www.haysmemorial.com.