Kayden Lee Starr, 29, of Larned Kansas, passed away on the morning of May 7th, 2019 at the University of Kansas Health Systems – Pawnee Valley Campus in Larned.

He was born on April 18th, 1990 in Iowa City, Iowa to Brenda L. Allen (Ganzer) and Tony L. Starr. Kayden spent the last nearly two and a half years working for the Larned State Hospital. Anyone who knew him and worked with him would say that he was a hard worker and always got things done – his work ethic was one to be admired. He loved playing video games and was a very good artist.

Kayden had a very big heart and always did whatever he could for those he cared about. His mother and his wife were two of the most important people in his life and he never hesitated to let anyone know it. He was a very honest and opinionated individual and was certainly not shy about it. Kayden always had a way of getting along with just about anyone. He is and will be very greatly missed by everyone who loved him.

He married Kamryn Hofstad September 18, 2018 in Larned. She survives.

He is survived by his wife Kamryn J. Starr, Larned, parents, Tony L. Starr and Brenda L. Allen (Ganzer); step-dad Kendall Stout, Wichita, step-brother, Michael Stout, Iowa City, Iowa; two step-sisters, Amanda Stout, Cedar Rapids, Iowa and Jackie Dominguez, Iowa City, Iowa and many close friends as well as family who loved him dearly. He and his wife had no children together aside from their 7 ‘fur babies’ – Khaos, Quinn, Smurfette, Batman, Shamus, Dobby, and Bella.

Cremation has taken place and private family services will be at a later date.

Memorials may be made given to the Kayden Lee Starr memorial fund in care of Beckwith Mortuary , P.O. Box 477, Larned, KS 67550. Personal condolences may be left at www.beckwithmortuary.com

Clinton Clifford Karst, 88, passed away on Feb. 17, 2019, at Medicalodges of Great Bend. He was born Nov. 28, 1930, at Galatia, to Seigmond and Pauline (Miller) Karst. Clinton married Loene Schwein on Aug. 28, 1955, at Milberger.

A lifetime resident of Barton County, Clinton was a veteran of the Korean War, serving in the U.S. Navy, earning the rank of DC3. He was an accomplished welder, working in the construction field all of his life, owning and operating Karst Welding. Previous employment were held at Bureau of Mines, Otis, Stanion Wholesale and Murphy Tractor and Equipment. Clinton had been a member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Hoisington, where he had served faithfully on church council, life member of V.F.W. Post 7428, Fraternal Order of the Eagles and the Sunflower Polka Club.

Survivors include wife, Loene of the home; two sons, Curtis Karst of Great Bend, Craig Karst and wife Amy of Hoisington; one daughter, Colleen Karst and husband Joe Hines of Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.; one brother, Leonard Karst and wife May of Great Bend; one sister, Darlene Reber of Roseville, Cal.; two grandchildren, Amber Young and husband Austin of Great Bend, Ally Karst of Hoisington; one great grandchild, Bentley Young of Great Bend; and several nieces and nephews.

Memorial Services have been scheduled for 11:00 a.m. Friday, Feb. 22, 2019, at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Hoisington, with the Rev. Wayne Baldyga presiding. A prayer service will be at 7:00 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 21, at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, with the family greeting friends at 6:00 p.m. A private family inurnment will be at Hoisington City Cemetery, Hoisington, at a later date with military honors conducted by the U.S. Navy Honor Guard. Memorials may be given to Emmanuel Lutheran Church or Kans for Kids, in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington, KS.

Betty Juanita Leerskov Brenner, 99, of Russell, Kansas, died on May 06, 2019at the Brookdale East Senior Living Center in Wichita, Kansas.

Betty was born on May 10, 1919, in Atwood, Oklahoma, the daughter of Oscar M. and Maggie (Slaten) Bishop. Betty grew up in Oklahoma, Texas and New Mexico. She met, fell in love and was united in marriage to Leo Noble “Swede” Leerskov on December 02, 1939, in Bowlegs, Oklahoma. From this union Betty and Leo were blessed with two daughters Yvette and Brenda. Her great pleasure was being a wife, mother and homemaker. She also enjoyed her avocation as a master seamstress and was employed in the fabric department at Bankers Mercantile in Russell for many years. In 1979, Leo died, after 40 years of marriage. Betty was fortunate to find love again and was united in marriage to Leo Brenner on February 17, 1984, and he also preceded her in death in 1986. Betty was a longtime member of First Baptist Church and Trinity United Methodist Church in Russell. She was very active participating in church groups and committees, Russell American Legion #99 auxiliary, Russell V.F.W. #6240 auxiliary and TOPS. She loved spending time with her many friends, sewing, knitting, ceramics, arts and crafts. She enjoyed attending performances at the Russell Community Theater, dancing with her husband and spending time and taking care of her family.

Surviving family include her two daughters Yvette Leerskov Ehrlich and husband Mel of Bakersfield, California and Brenda Leerskov of Wichita, Kansas; sister Kitty Kingsley of Santee, California, and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, both husbands, 3 brothers Gladstone, Alvin and Oscar M. Bishop and two sisters Foye Paasch and Dessie Griffith.

A celebration of Betty’s life will be held at 1 P.M. on Tuesday, May 14, 2019, at the Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary in Russell, Kansas, with Reverend Paul Ellis Jackson officiating. Burial will follow at the Russell City Cemetery. Visitation will be from 9 A.M. to 8 P.M. on Monday, May 13, 2019, at the mortuary, with family greeting guests from 6 P.M. to 7 P.M. Monday evening. Memorials may be given to the Russell Senior Center or Russell Community Theater and sent in care of the mortuary. Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas, is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.

Joan Dechant, age 67 of Hays, Kansas passed away Monday, May 6, 2019 at her home in Hays.

She was born February 14, 1952 in Bison, Kansas to Joseph J. and Caroline (Hammerschmidt) Kisner. On May 4, 1974 she married Lawrence Dechant in Pfeifer, Kansas.

Joan worked at the Hays Pathology Lab and did medical transcription for Hays Medical Center, Dr. A. Christine Kelly and numerous other medical offices. She was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Hays.

She is survived by her husband, Lawrence of Hays; two sons, Jesse Dechant and Joshua (Alyssa) Dechant all of Hays; two sisters, Caroline Perrer of Mississippi and Kay Kisner of Wichita; one granddaughter, Marley Dechant of Hays as well as another granddaughter expected in September 2019.

She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Harold “Hank” Kisner.

Funeral services will be 10:00 AM Thursday, May 9, 2019 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church. Burial will follow in the Holy Cross Cemetery in Pfeifer, Kansas.

Visitation will be Wednesday 4 PM – 8 PM and Thursday 9 AM – 9:30 AM all at Brock’s Keithley Funeral Chapel and Crematory 2509 Vine Hays, KS 67601.

A combined parish vigil and rosary service will be Wednesday at 6:30 PM at the funeral chapel.
Memorials are suggested to the Styles Dance Centre Scholarship Fund.

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

Mark D. Arthur Jr. died peacefully, May 2, 2019 at his home in Russell, Kansas. He was born February 7, 1940 in Odessa, Texas, to Mark D. and Ruby M.(Vanderlip) Arthur. He is survived by his children, Danica L. Hoffman (David) of Emporia and Mark David Arthur (Brenda) of Hays, grandchildren Aidan, David Christopher and Ethan Hoffman; Ashly Rollo (Jordan), Rachael, Elizabeth, Joshua and Gabriela Arthur, and his dear friend, Dolores Wren.
   
Mark graduated from Great Bend High School in 1958 and from Southwestern College, Winfield, KS in 1962. He married the love of his life, Judith Kathryn Wedel (deceased), December 17, 1961. He graduated with his law degree from Washburn University, Topeka KS in 1964 and moved to Russell to join the law firm Holland, Thompson & Arthur in 1965.
 
Mark was active in the leadership of Kiwanis for many years. He received the Kiwanis International Distinguished Governor award while serving as District Governor (1977-78), was elected to the International Board of Trustees (1980) and to Vice-President of Kiwanis International (1983-84).
   
Mark also helped establish The Russell Community Theatre where he enjoyed both acting and directing. He loved to hunt and fish, bird watch, read, eat gourmet meals and dance with his beautiful wife, Judy, throughout their 56 year marriage. He will be greatly missed.

A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 PM, Friday, May 10, 2019 at the Trinity United Methodist Church. Visitation will be held Thursday, May 9, 2019 at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM. A private burial will take place Friday morning. A Memorial has been established with the Russell Community Theater. Contributions and condolences may be sent to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, who is in charge of these arrangements.

Connie Marie Dawson, 73, of Oakley, died Sunday, May 5, 2019 at Gove County Medical Center, Quinter. She was born December 1, 1945, in Colby, KS, to Leonard and Elizabeth (Schurr) Swart. She married Dennis Dawson on April 18, 1964. Connie was a member of the Sun Beam Club and enjoyed quilting. She was a bookkeeper and secretary.

Connie was preceded in death by her parents and favorite Uncle George, and Mildred Schurr.

She is survived by her husband Dennis; brother Terry (Carol) Swart; chosen daughter Michele Dawson, chosen granddaughter April (Ryan) Sidesinger, and great- grandchildren Lennox and Hadley Sidesinger.

Visitation is 5-7:00 p.m. Tuesday, May 7, 2019, at Baalmann Mortuary, Oakley. Funeral Service is 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, May 8, 2019, also at the Mortuary. Memorials are suggested to the Oakley Library or Baalmann Mortuary to help with funeral expenses, and can be sent in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 204, Oakley, KS 67748. For condolences or information visit www.baalmannmortuary.com

Merle Edgar “Bud” Sturm was born on June 24, 1950 and passed away on May 1, 2019 at the age of 68 with this best friend, Maggie, by his side.

Bud was a kind soul who maintained relationships with friends and peers from high school, college and his work in Hays and Osborne, Kansas. He graduated from the University of Kansas with a Master of Social Work. He practiced his area of expertise in the Hays and Osborne High Plains Mental Health Centers.

After returning to Oklahoma, he continued to work in the same field with a focus on seeing to the needs of nursing home residents for whom he felt great compassion and caring. Bud spent his years of retirement in Shawnee during which he cared for his Mother, Jo Ellen who lived with him until the time of her death in September 2013.

After his mother’s death, Bud found more dear friends at the VFW in Shawnee sharpening his pool playing skills. In addition to his Mother, Bud was preceded in death by his father, Merle Edgar Sturm November 1967 and grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins on both sides of the family. He is survived by his sister Debbie Coleman, Joe Coleman and double cousins Sue Drake and Bruce (B.C.) Smith and their families as well as cousins Rhonda Balsey and Lyndell Warren.

Bud’s memorial service will be on Tuesday, May 7, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. at Resthaven Funeral Home followed by a gathering at the Shawnee VFW. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Shawnee VFW. Please sign the online guestbook at www.resthavenfh.com.

Petra Moreno, age 79, of Goodland passed away Friday, May 3, 2019 at the Goodland Regional Medical Center.

Petra was born June 15, 1939, to Agapito Moreno and Anita Rodriguez in Chipicuaro Michuacan, Mexico.

She was a woman who loved spending time with her family, children, grandchildren. She was known for her cooking and delicious plates. She was a hospitable woman who loved to share what she had with others and have them over to her home. Despite her health conditions towards the end, she did what she could for others and continued meeting with her congregation.

Preceding her in death are her parents and grandparents.

She is survived by her husband, Primitivo Lopez; children, Elesvan Villa, Roberto Villa, Angel Villa, Alma Delia Villa, Marilu Villa, Jose Luiz Gonzalas. Grandchildren, Christina, Jennifer, Roberto, Adrian, Daniel, Ana María, José Luis, Roció, Eric, Krissel, Johnny, Estevan, Marlyn, Andrew, Gael, Darlene, Wilbert, Gregorio, Linda, David and Nathanael. Great-grandchildren, Sophia, Julián, Michael, Alex, Ismael Jonathan, Jennifer Sonia, Noah, Ivory, Alexious, Lazarus, Zenith and Elena.

Memorial Service will be Tuesday, May 7, 2019 at 6 p.m. MT at Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 808 Wyoming Avenue, Goodland. Visitation will be Thursday, May 9, 2019 from 4 to 6 p.m. MT at Bateman Funeral Home, 211 East 11th Street, Goodland. Funeral service will be Friday, May 10, 2019 at 10:30 a.m. MT at the funeral home. Memorials will be designated by the family later and may be left at the services or mailed to Bateman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 278, Goodland, KS 67735. Online condolences and information www.batemanfuneral.com

Wilma Orlene Anderson (Carpenter), born March 8, 1928 died Sunday, May 5, 2019 in Oakley, Kansas.

Arrangements are pending with Baalmann Mortuary, 190 S. Franklin Ave., Colby, Kansas.

Connie Marie Dawson (Swart), born Dec. 1, 1945, died Sun., May 5, 2019.

Visitation will be held Tue., May 7, 5-7 p.m. at Baalmann Mortuary, 304 E. 8th St., Oakley, Kan.

Services are scheduled for Wed., May 8, 10 a.m. in Baalmann Mortuary. Interment will be in the Oakley city cemetery, East 8th. Street, Oakley.

Arrangements are with Baalmann Mortuary.

Christopher Gotts, 57, died May 2, 2019, at his home in Great Bend. He was born September 27, 1961, at Northrepps, Norfolk, United Kingdom, the son of Rodney and Brenda (Coates) Gotts.

A resident of Great Bend since 2008, moving from Hays, Christopher had worked as a health tech for Larned State Hospital.

Married Amanda R. Woydziak on October 17, 2009, at the Dozier Vineyard in Ellinwood.

Survived by his wife of ten years, Amanda R. Gotts of the home; and three children, Wyatt Woydziak, Addisyn Gotts, and Paisley Gotts; mother, Brenda Gotts; sisters, Valerie (Michael) Baker, Maureen Powell and Linda (Michael) Gibbons.

Memorial Service will be 7 p.m. Friday, May 10, 2019, at Heritage Baptist Church, 2000 Monroe St, Great Bend. No visitation as cremation has taken place.

Memorials may be made to The Children’s Education Fund, in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, P.O. Box 146, Hoisington, KS 67544.

Mabel Irene Koelling Pruter, 98, of Cartwright, Oklahoma, and former Natoma, Kansas resident, died on Sunday, May 05, 2019, at the Texoma Medical Center in Denison, Texas.

Mabel Irene Schneider was born at Laton, Kansas, December 18, 1920, to Emma (Rediker) and John A. Schneider.

She was baptized January 9,1921 in Immanuel Lutheran Church north of Natoma. Her father died when she was four and the family moved to Natoma. She was confirmed at St. John’s in Natoma. Mabel attended all twelve years of education in the Natoma school graduating in 1939.

She married Walter Koelling on September 6, 1939 in Grand Junction, Colorado. Mabel and Walter made their home in Natoma and raised two daughters, Kathleen and Kristine. Walter passed away in October 1974. She married Alvin Pruter on January 31, 1981. Alvin and Mabel lived 7 years on his farm north of Natoma, moved into Natoma in 1988 and lived in town seven years before he passed away August 5, 1995.

Mabel retired from working in the Ben Franklin Store and Boyd’s Variety after 30 years. She always remarked how thankful she was to have worked for good people and enjoyed the good people of the community. She spent her entire life in the Natoma community except three years with Kathleen in Kansas City and the last year close to Kristine and husband Terry Martin, Cartwright, Oklahoma, in the Southern Pointe Care Center, Colbert, Oklahoma.

She leaves her two daughters Kathleen Williams of Kansas City, Missouri and Kristine Martin (Terry) of Cartwright, Oklahoma, six grandchildren and twelve great grand-children. Mabel has one living brother, Virgil Schneider, Paonia, Colorado, and her brother Orville Schneider is deceased. One step son, Orville (Betty) Pruter of Natoma, Kansas, is still living. Step sons Ival and Keith have passed. Patty Pruter is a dear step daughter in law. She also has seven step grandchildren, fifteen step great grandchildren, and nine step great-great grandchildren.

A celebration of Mabel’s life will be held at 11 A.M. on Saturday, May 11, 2019, at the Peace Lutheran Church in Natoma, Kansas, with Pastor Michael Schmidt officiating. Burial will follow the church service at the Natoma Lutheran Cemetery in Natoma, Kansas. Viewing and visitation with the family will be from 10 A.M. to service time on Saturday.

Memorials may be given to Peace Lutheran Church or the Natoma Community Center and sent in care of the mortuary. Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Natoma, Kansas, is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.