Services for Deana Reimer, 76, Lawrence, will be at 2pm Friday at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home.

Deana left this world peacefully on Sunday, March 5th, 2023.

She was born on October 19, 1946, in Neodesha, KS, the daughter of 
Arlie Dale Hixon and Bonniemae Hixon. She graduated from Pawnee Rock 
High School in 1964 and earned her Bachelor’s degree in Spanish and 
English in 1968 and her Master’s degree in 1983 in school administration
 from Fort Hays State University.

Deana and Keith were married June 11, 1966, in Pawnee Rock, KS, they 
settled in Dodge City, KS, in 1968 and later moved to Lawrence, KS, in 
2002.

Deana started her work in education in the Cimarron school district 
teaching English and Spanish to students of all ages. Deana began 
working in Migrant Education in 1990.

She dedicated her life to helping migrant families and continued 
until her retirement in 2004. Deana enjoyed spending time with her 
family, especially her grandkids.

Deana shared her love for the KC Chiefs and KU Jayhawks with anyone 
who would listen. She enjoyed spending time on ‘Lucy’ her iPad, sending 
messages and jokes at all hours of the day and night. Deana never met a 
stranger and always had a hug and joke to give. She was an inspiration 
to all that met her, loved being on stage and left everyone with a smile
 on their face and a “Deana” story.

Deana is survived by her husband Keith; son Tyson (Val) Lawrence; 
daughter Keena Schmidt (Chet) Lawrence; five grandchildren, Crosby, 
Rileigh, Ava, Caeson, and Greysen; two brothers, Larry Hixon (Ronda) 
Pawnee Rock, KS ; Jon Hixon (Karen) Storm Lake, IA; sister-in-law Sally 
Hixon, Howard CO; many nieces and nephews, and her beloved dog Skeeter.

Deana was preceded in death by her brother Jerry Hixon and parents, Dale and Bonniemae Hixon.

The family suggest memorials be made to the Interstitial Cystitis 
National Association, sent in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, P.O. Box
 1260 Lawrence, KS 66044.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678225004476.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Services for Deana Reimer, 76, Lawrence, will be at 2pm Friday at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home.Deana left this world peacefully on Sunday, March 5th, 2023.She was born on October 19, 1946, in Neodesha, KS, the daughter of 
Arlie Dale Hixon and Bonniemae Hixon. She graduated from Pawnee Rock 
High School in 1964 and earned her Bachelor’s degree in Spanish and 
English in 1968 and her Master’s degree in 1983 in school administration
 from Fort Hays State University.Deana and Keith were married June 11, 1966, in Pawnee Rock, KS, they 
settled in Dodge City, KS, in 1968 and later moved to Lawrence, KS, in 
2002.Deana started her work in education in the Cimarron school district 
teaching English and Spanish to students of all ages. Deana began 
working in Migrant Education in 1990.She dedicated her life to helping migrant families and continued 
until her retirement in 2004. Deana enjoyed spending time with her 
family, especially her grandkids.Deana shared her love for the KC Chiefs and KU Jayhawks with anyone 
who would listen. She enjoyed spending time on ‘Lucy’ her iPad, sending 
messages and jokes at all hours of the day and night. Deana never met a 
stranger and always had a hug and joke to give. She was an inspiration 
to all that met her, loved being on stage and left everyone with a smile
 on their face and a “Deana” story.Deana is survived by her husband Keith; son Tyson (Val) Lawrence; 
daughter Keena Schmidt (Chet) Lawrence; five grandchildren, Crosby, 
Rileigh, Ava, Caeson, and Greysen; two brothers, Larry Hixon (Ronda) 
Pawnee Rock, KS ; Jon Hixon (Karen) Storm Lake, IA; sister-in-law Sally 
Hixon, Howard CO; many nieces and nephews, and her beloved dog Skeeter.Deana was preceded in death by her brother Jerry Hixon and parents, Dale and Bonniemae Hixon.The family suggest memorials be made to the Interstitial Cystitis 
National Association, sent in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, P.O. Box
 1260 Lawrence, KS 66044.

Deana Dalene Reimer

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. health officials are alerting consumers about two more recalls of eyedrops due to contamination risks that could lead to vision problems and serious injury.

The announcements follow a recall&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/new-york-city-business-health-4572be6da44f4fab4e0f691f5e37e3ed">last month</a>&nbsp;of eyedrops made in India that were linked to an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/eyedrops-recall-ezricare-delsam-outbreak-2320289a358e9fe6fa7d38a1fc5f19f7">outbreak of drug-resistant infections.</a>&nbsp;One person died and at least five others had permanent vision loss.

There's no indication the latest recalls are related to those products.

The Food and Drug Administration posted separate recall notices for certain eyedrops distributed by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/pharmedica-usa-llc-issues-voluntary-worldwide-recall-purely-soothing-15-msm-drops-due-non-sterility">Pharmedica</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/apotex-corp-issues-voluntary-nationwide-recall-brimonidine-tartrate-ophthalmic-solution-015-due">Apotex</a>&nbsp;after the companies said they are voluntarily pulling several lots of their products from the market. Both companies said the recalls were conducted in consultation with the FDA.

Pharmedica on Friday said it is recalling two lots of Purely Soothing 15% MSM Drops due to problems “that could result in blindness." The over-the-counter drops are designed to treat eye irritation. The Phoenix-based company said consumers should immediately stop using the drops and return them to the place they were purchased.

The recall affects nearly 2,900 bottles, according to the company. The drops were manufactured in Arizona.

Last week, the FDA posted a separate recall announcement from Apotex recalling six lots of prescription eyedrops used to treat a form of glaucoma. The company said it launched the recall after finding cracks in a handful of bottle caps.

The drops are distributed as Brimonidine Tartrate Ophthalmic Solution. 0.15% and were sold between last April through February.

Apotex said in an email that the eyedrops were manufactured in Canada. The company hasn't received any reports of injuries related to the drops.

NEW YORK (AP) — The patients' eyes were painfully inflamed. They could sense light but could see almost nothing else. A doctor called one case the worst eye infection he’d ever seen.

It was the beginning of a national outbreak caused by an extremely worrisome bacteria — one that some say heralds an era in which antibiotics no longer work and seemingly routine infections get horribly out of hand.

At last count, 58 Americans in 13 states have been infected, including at least one who died and at least five who suffered permanent vision loss. All have been linked to tainted eyedrops, leading to a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/new-york-city-business-health-4572be6da44f4fab4e0f691f5e37e3ed">recall</a>.

Experts marvel at how disease detectives pieced together the case: Patients were scattered across the country. The illnesses occurred over the span of months. The infections were found in different parts of the body — in the blood of some patients, in the lungs of others.

But scientists also shudder, because they have long worried common bacteria will evolve so that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/science-health-infectious-diseases-antibiotics-fungi-2c661fd0c6ed899bedc51238d390603a">antibiotics no longer work against them</a>.

"This really shows us that it's not something theoretical and in the future. It's here,” said Dr. Luis Ostrosky, an infectious diseases expert at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston.

This account is drawn from phone and email interviews with U.S. disease investigators, health officials in three states and regulators in the U.S. and India.

The investigation started in May in Los Angeles County, California. A patient who'd recently been to an ophthalmologist came in with a bad eye infection. A month later, local health officials got a second report. Another bad eye infection, same eye doctor.

Two more cases were reported in the county before the summer was over. The patients’ eyes were inflamed with heavy yellow pus that obscured most of the pupil. Among the four, two had complete vision loss in the affected eye.

The hospital that reported the first infection determined it was caused by a bacteria called Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The institution, which was equipped to do advanced genetic testing, quickly realized the bacteria had a rare gene that protected it from the effects of commonly used antibiotics.

It was an early break for investigators, said Kelsey OYong, of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.

OYong and her colleagues knew they were dealing with a scary germ, and they notified the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Pseudomonas infections are not new. Drug-resistant strains of the bacteria cause more than 30,000 infections annually among hospitalized patients in the U.S. and more than 2,500 deaths, the CDC said. It can spread through contaminated hands or medical equipment, and is particularly dangerous to fragile patients who have catheters or are on breathing machines.

But the California infections were in patients' eyes, not more common spots like the blood and lungs. Also, the lab analysis determined the infections were caused by a Pseudomonas germ that could resist just about every antibiotic.

The only thing that worked was a newer antibiotic called cefiderocol, administered by IV.

Over the summer, Pseudomonas outbreaks were seen at long-term care facilities in two other states.

In Connecticut, the first case was in June. Eventually, the bacteria was found in 25 patients from five nursing homes in different parts of the state, said Christopher Boyle, a spokesperson for Connecticut’s health department.

In Davis County, Utah, north of Salt Lake City, the first of six cases was reported to the CDC in August. While the patients had the bacteria, none actually got sick, said Sarah Willardson of the Davis County Health Department.

L.A. County health investigators thought the cases there might be due to some kind of equipment contamination at the eye doctor’s office.

But that suspicion faded in early October, when genetic testing showed the clusters in California, Connecticut and Utah were all caused by the same bacteria strain — a version of the germ that hadn’t been seen anywhere before.

“That made us start thinking that this was some kind of a product,” said Maroya Walters, the CDC official supervising the investigation.

As the year went on, other reports of drug-resistant Pseudomonas came in, including a Washington man who died with a bloodstream infection.

Given the initial cluster at the California ophthalmologist’s office, investigators suspected an eye care product was the culprit, though that hypothesis was complicated by the fact that the infections at the long-term care facilities were mainly found in the lungs.

But it wasn’t impossible. Tear ducts drain into the nasal cavity, which leads to the lungs and could provide a path to deep inside the body.

In early November, investigators determined most of the infected Connecticut patients had been given artificial tears, though it wasn't clear who had been given which brand.

Then, on Nov. 9, a Florida hospital contacted the CDC to report bad eye infections connected to an outpatient clinic. A check of artificial tears brands used in Connecticut, Florida and Utah pointed to one common product: EzriCare Artificial Tears, an over-the-counter product marketed in the U.S. by New Jersey-based EzriCare LLC and made in India by Global Pharma Healthcare.

The Pseudomonas bacteria is “pretty much everywhere” in India and the drug-resistant germ is common in many hospitals, said Dr. Gagandeep Kang, who studies microbes in the Christian Medical College in the same state as Global Pharma's factory.

In January, genetic sequencing confirmed the Florida cases were caused by the same bacteria strain as the clusters in California, Connecticut and Utah. On Jan. 20, the CDC urged doctors to avoid recommending the EzriCare product.

There was no recall or widespread public notice, however. Investigators had strong circumstantial evidence pointing toward the EzriCare drops, but didn’t get more conclusive proof until more than a week later after testing found the bacteria in seven open bottles of EzriCare Artificial Tears in Connecticut and New Jersey.

In early February, CDC officials issued a public health alert and the FDA recalled the EzriCare eyedrops and Delsam Pharma’s Artificial Tears, another product made by Global Pharma. Last week, the recall was expanded to include Delsam Pharma’s Artificial Eye Ointment.

Global Pharma didn't respond to emailed requests for comment.

A month before the first recall, the FDA blocked imports of Global Pharma products.

FDA spokesperson Audra Harrison said the U.S. import ban was “unrelated to the outbreak," and was instead based on the company’s “inadequate response” to a records request and problems with its manufacturing procedures. She wouldn't say what those problems were.

The subsequent recall, she said, was recommended due to lack of microbial testing and issues with the product’s formulation and packaging.

The FDA, tasked with assuring the safety of drug products shipped to the U.S., has long struggled to inspect facilities in China and India that account for the vast majority of raw materials used in American medicines. A search of FDA’s online inspection database shows no records of agency staff visiting the plant.

Indian drug inspectors visited the plant and the country's drug controller asked Global Pharma to stop making all products related to treating eye disorders until they finish their investigation, said P.V. Vijayalakshmi, the drug controller for southern Tamil Nadu state.

Ostrosky, the University of Texas expert, called the U.S. investigation “a public health victory” saying it shows that fighting drug-resistant bacteria requires international collaboration and investment. But he also said the case is disheartening.

An infection that's usually easy to treat with common antibiotic eyedrops "has become an infection that can be deadly and has pretty much no treatment except one IV antibiotic,” he said.

Pseudomonas now joins a growing list of bugs — including bacteria that cause urinary tract infections — that are getting increasingly difficult to treat, Ostrosky added.

“It's like a wave coming for us," he said.

AP writers Matthew Perrone in Washington and Aniruddha Ghosal in New Delhi contributed.

The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678210738168.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. health officials are alerting consumers about two more recalls of eyedrops due to contamination risks that could lead to vision problems and serious injury.The announcements follow a recall&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/new-york-city-business-health-4572be6da44f4fab4e0f691f5e37e3ed">last month</a>&nbsp;of eyedrops made in India that were linked to an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/eyedrops-recall-ezricare-delsam-outbreak-2320289a358e9fe6fa7d38a1fc5f19f7">outbreak of drug-resistant infections.</a>&nbsp;One person died and at least five others had permanent vision loss.There's no indication the latest recalls are related to those products.The Food and Drug Administration posted separate recall notices for certain eyedrops distributed by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/pharmedica-usa-llc-issues-voluntary-worldwide-recall-purely-soothing-15-msm-drops-due-non-sterility">Pharmedica</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/apotex-corp-issues-voluntary-nationwide-recall-brimonidine-tartrate-ophthalmic-solution-015-due">Apotex</a>&nbsp;after the companies said they are voluntarily pulling several lots of their products from the market. Both companies said the recalls were conducted in consultation with the FDA.Pharmedica on Friday said it is recalling two lots of Purely Soothing 15% MSM Drops due to problems “that could result in blindness." The over-the-counter drops are designed to treat eye irritation. The Phoenix-based company said consumers should immediately stop using the drops and return them to the place they were purchased.The recall affects nearly 2,900 bottles, according to the company. The drops were manufactured in Arizona.Last week, the FDA posted a separate recall announcement from Apotex recalling six lots of prescription eyedrops used to treat a form of glaucoma. The company said it launched the recall after finding cracks in a handful of bottle caps.The drops are distributed as Brimonidine Tartrate Ophthalmic Solution. 0.15% and were sold between last April through February.Apotex said in an email that the eyedrops were manufactured in Canada. The company hasn't received any reports of injuries related to the drops.___<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1675357768410.png" alt="-photo Ezri care" />
 <figcaption>-photo Ezri care</figcaption>
 </figure>By MIKE STOBBE AP Medical WriterNEW YORK (AP) — The patients' eyes were painfully inflamed. They could sense light but could see almost nothing else. A doctor called one case the worst eye infection he’d ever seen.It was the beginning of a national outbreak caused by an extremely worrisome bacteria — one that some say heralds an era in which antibiotics no longer work and seemingly routine infections get horribly out of hand.At last count, 58 Americans in 13 states have been infected, including at least one who died and at least five who suffered permanent vision loss. All have been linked to tainted eyedrops, leading to a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/new-york-city-business-health-4572be6da44f4fab4e0f691f5e37e3ed">recall</a>.Experts marvel at how disease detectives pieced together the case: Patients were scattered across the country. The illnesses occurred over the span of months. The infections were found in different parts of the body — in the blood of some patients, in the lungs of others.But scientists also shudder, because they have long worried common bacteria will evolve so that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/science-health-infectious-diseases-antibiotics-fungi-2c661fd0c6ed899bedc51238d390603a">antibiotics no longer work against them</a>."This really shows us that it's not something theoretical and in the future. It's here,” said Dr. Luis Ostrosky, an infectious diseases expert at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston.This account is drawn from phone and email interviews with U.S. disease investigators, health officials in three states and regulators in the U.S. and India.___The investigation started in May in Los Angeles County, California. A patient who'd recently been to an ophthalmologist came in with a bad eye infection. A month later, local health officials got a second report. Another bad eye infection, same eye doctor.Two more cases were reported in the county before the summer was over. The patients’ eyes were inflamed with heavy yellow pus that obscured most of the pupil. Among the four, two had complete vision loss in the affected eye.The hospital that reported the first infection determined it was caused by a bacteria called Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The institution, which was equipped to do advanced genetic testing, quickly realized the bacteria had a rare gene that protected it from the effects of commonly used antibiotics.It was an early break for investigators, said Kelsey OYong, of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.OYong and her colleagues knew they were dealing with a scary germ, and they notified the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Pseudomonas infections are not new. Drug-resistant strains of the bacteria cause more than 30,000 infections annually among hospitalized patients in the U.S. and more than 2,500 deaths, the CDC said. It can spread through contaminated hands or medical equipment, and is particularly dangerous to fragile patients who have catheters or are on breathing machines.But the California infections were in patients' eyes, not more common spots like the blood and lungs. Also, the lab analysis determined the infections were caused by a Pseudomonas germ that could resist just about every antibiotic.The only thing that worked was a newer antibiotic called cefiderocol, administered by IV.___Over the summer, Pseudomonas outbreaks were seen at long-term care facilities in two other states.In Connecticut, the first case was in June. Eventually, the bacteria was found in 25 patients from five nursing homes in different parts of the state, said Christopher Boyle, a spokesperson for Connecticut’s health department.In Davis County, Utah, north of Salt Lake City, the first of six cases was reported to the CDC in August. While the patients had the bacteria, none actually got sick, said Sarah Willardson of the Davis County Health Department.L.A. County health investigators thought the cases there might be due to some kind of equipment contamination at the eye doctor’s office.But that suspicion faded in early October, when genetic testing showed the clusters in California, Connecticut and Utah were all caused by the same bacteria strain — a version of the germ that hadn’t been seen anywhere before.“That made us start thinking that this was some kind of a product,” said Maroya Walters, the CDC official supervising the investigation.___As the year went on, other reports of drug-resistant Pseudomonas came in, including a Washington man who died with a bloodstream infection.Given the initial cluster at the California ophthalmologist’s office, investigators suspected an eye care product was the culprit, though that hypothesis was complicated by the fact that the infections at the long-term care facilities were mainly found in the lungs.But it wasn’t impossible. Tear ducts drain into the nasal cavity, which leads to the lungs and could provide a path to deep inside the body.In early November, investigators determined most of the infected Connecticut patients had been given artificial tears, though it wasn't clear who had been given which brand.Then, on Nov. 9, a Florida hospital contacted the CDC to report bad eye infections connected to an outpatient clinic. A check of artificial tears brands used in Connecticut, Florida and Utah pointed to one common product: EzriCare Artificial Tears, an over-the-counter product marketed in the U.S. by New Jersey-based EzriCare LLC and made in India by Global Pharma Healthcare.___The Pseudomonas bacteria is “pretty much everywhere” in India and the drug-resistant germ is common in many hospitals, said Dr. Gagandeep Kang, who studies microbes in the Christian Medical College in the same state as Global Pharma's factory.In January, genetic sequencing confirmed the Florida cases were caused by the same bacteria strain as the clusters in California, Connecticut and Utah. On Jan. 20, the CDC urged doctors to avoid recommending the EzriCare product.There was no recall or widespread public notice, however. Investigators had strong circumstantial evidence pointing toward the EzriCare drops, but didn’t get more conclusive proof until more than a week later after testing found the bacteria in seven open bottles of EzriCare Artificial Tears in Connecticut and New Jersey.In early February, CDC officials issued a public health alert and the FDA recalled the EzriCare eyedrops and Delsam Pharma’s Artificial Tears, another product made by Global Pharma. Last week, the recall was expanded to include Delsam Pharma’s Artificial Eye Ointment.Global Pharma didn't respond to emailed requests for comment.___A month before the first recall, the FDA blocked imports of Global Pharma products.FDA spokesperson Audra Harrison said the U.S. import ban was “unrelated to the outbreak," and was instead based on the company’s “inadequate response” to a records request and problems with its manufacturing procedures. She wouldn't say what those problems were.The subsequent recall, she said, was recommended due to lack of microbial testing and issues with the product’s formulation and packaging.The FDA, tasked with assuring the safety of drug products shipped to the U.S., has long struggled to inspect facilities in China and India that account for the vast majority of raw materials used in American medicines. A search of FDA’s online inspection database shows no records of agency staff visiting the plant.Indian drug inspectors visited the plant and the country's drug controller asked Global Pharma to stop making all products related to treating eye disorders until they finish their investigation, said P.V. Vijayalakshmi, the drug controller for southern Tamil Nadu state.___Ostrosky, the University of Texas expert, called the U.S. investigation “a public health victory” saying it shows that fighting drug-resistant bacteria requires international collaboration and investment. But he also said the case is disheartening.An infection that's usually easy to treat with common antibiotic eyedrops "has become an infection that can be deadly and has pretty much no treatment except one IV antibiotic,” he said.Pseudomonas now joins a growing list of bugs — including bacteria that cause urinary tract infections — that are getting increasingly difficult to treat, Ostrosky added.“It's like a wave coming for us," he said.___AP writers Matthew Perrone in Washington and Aniruddha Ghosal in New Delhi contributed.___The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

FDA recalls more eyedrops brands due to risks

Doris Marie Knight Blanke, 93, of Russell, Kansas, and former 
Kensington, Kansas resident, died on Saturday, March 4, 2023, at the 
Russell Regional Hospital.

Doris was born on May 4, 1929, in Phillips County, Kansas, the 
daughter of Howard and Julia (Lala) Smith.&nbsp; She was born and raised on 
the family farm south of Kirwin, Kansas.&nbsp; She attended Jaybird country 
school through grade school.&nbsp; Her father died from tuberculosis when she
 was 12 and her mother remarried when she was 14.&nbsp; The family moved to a
 farm north of Kensington, Kansas, and Doris graduated from Kensington 
High School.&nbsp; 

She was united in marriage to Glen Knight on July 20, 
1947, in Kensington.&nbsp; From this union Doris and Glen were blessed 
raising four children Jerry, Terry, Glenda and Cindy.&nbsp; 

She was an 
accountant supervisor for Kansas Nebraska Energy for 28 years and worked
 as a county clerk, waitress and doctor’s assistant.&nbsp; Doris found love a
 second time and was united in marriage to Kenny Blanke on October 30, 
2000, in Athol, Kansas.&nbsp; She was a longtime member of Athol 
Congregational Church in Athol, Kansas.&nbsp; She was also a member of the 
American Legion Auxiliary and Eastern Star.&nbsp; She enjoyed dancing, 
working crossword puzzles, traveling with Kenny to all 50 states, 
camping and getting together with her family.&nbsp; She especially enjoyed 
snowbirding to Arizona with Kenny and spending time with her many 
grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Surviving family include her husband Kenny of the home, sons Jerry 
Knight and wife Vicki of Loveland, Colorado, and Terry Knight of North 
Platte, Nebraska; daughters Glenda Ratliff and husband Dennis of Smith 
Center, Kansas, and Cindy Beckmann and companion David Stewart of 
Gaylord, Kansas;&nbsp; brother Larry Westerman and wife Tonya of Kensington, 
Kansas; Kenny’s children Gene Blanke and wife Marsha of Lakehills, 
Texas, David Blanke and wife Pat of Florissant, Missouri, Heidi Blanke 
of Ballwin, Missouri, and Star Gates and husband Greg of Wichita, 
Kansas;&nbsp; 22 grandchildren and 36 great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, first husband Glen Knight 
on May 7, 1998, infant sister Gwen, step-father Frank Westerman 
grandchildren Sammy and Cory Reeves and son in-law David Beckmann.

A celebration of Doris’ life will be held at 11 A.M. on Saturday, 
March 11, 2023, at the Athol Church of Christ in Athol, Kansas, with 
Pastor Becky Sadler officiating.&nbsp; Burial will follow at Germantown 
Cemetery in North Kensington, Kansas.&nbsp; Visitation will be from 9 A.M. to
 8 P.M. on Friday, March 10, 2023, at the Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary
 in Russell, Kansas, with family greeting guests from 6 P.M. to 7 P.M. 
Friday evening. &nbsp;A Prayer Service will be held at 7:00 PM at the 
mortuary. &nbsp;

In Lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Kensington 
American Legion or Athol Church of Christ and sent in care of 
Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas who are in charge of 
the funeral service arrangements.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678198755534.jpeg" alt="Doris Blanke" />
 <figcaption>Doris Blanke</figcaption>
 </figure>Doris Marie Knight Blanke, 93, of Russell, Kansas, and former 
Kensington, Kansas resident, died on Saturday, March 4, 2023, at the 
Russell Regional Hospital.Doris was born on May 4, 1929, in Phillips County, Kansas, the 
daughter of Howard and Julia (Lala) Smith.&nbsp; She was born and raised on 
the family farm south of Kirwin, Kansas.&nbsp; She attended Jaybird country 
school through grade school.&nbsp; Her father died from tuberculosis when she
 was 12 and her mother remarried when she was 14.&nbsp; The family moved to a
 farm north of Kensington, Kansas, and Doris graduated from Kensington 
High School.&nbsp; She was united in marriage to Glen Knight on July 20, 
1947, in Kensington.&nbsp; From this union Doris and Glen were blessed 
raising four children Jerry, Terry, Glenda and Cindy.&nbsp; She was an 
accountant supervisor for Kansas Nebraska Energy for 28 years and worked
 as a county clerk, waitress and doctor’s assistant.&nbsp; Doris found love a
 second time and was united in marriage to Kenny Blanke on October 30, 
2000, in Athol, Kansas.&nbsp; She was a longtime member of Athol 
Congregational Church in Athol, Kansas.&nbsp; She was also a member of the 
American Legion Auxiliary and Eastern Star.&nbsp; She enjoyed dancing, 
working crossword puzzles, traveling with Kenny to all 50 states, 
camping and getting together with her family.&nbsp; She especially enjoyed 
snowbirding to Arizona with Kenny and spending time with her many 
grandchildren and great grandchildren.Surviving family include her husband Kenny of the home, sons Jerry 
Knight and wife Vicki of Loveland, Colorado, and Terry Knight of North 
Platte, Nebraska; daughters Glenda Ratliff and husband Dennis of Smith 
Center, Kansas, and Cindy Beckmann and companion David Stewart of 
Gaylord, Kansas;&nbsp; brother Larry Westerman and wife Tonya of Kensington, 
Kansas; Kenny’s children Gene Blanke and wife Marsha of Lakehills, 
Texas, David Blanke and wife Pat of Florissant, Missouri, Heidi Blanke 
of Ballwin, Missouri, and Star Gates and husband Greg of Wichita, 
Kansas;&nbsp; 22 grandchildren and 36 great grandchildren.She was preceded in death by her parents, first husband Glen Knight 
on May 7, 1998, infant sister Gwen, step-father Frank Westerman 
grandchildren Sammy and Cory Reeves and son in-law David Beckmann.A celebration of Doris’ life will be held at 11 A.M. on Saturday, 
March 11, 2023, at the Athol Church of Christ in Athol, Kansas, with 
Pastor Becky Sadler officiating.&nbsp; Burial will follow at Germantown 
Cemetery in North Kensington, Kansas.&nbsp; Visitation will be from 9 A.M. to
 8 P.M. on Friday, March 10, 2023, at the Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary
 in Russell, Kansas, with family greeting guests from 6 P.M. to 7 P.M. 
Friday evening. &nbsp;A Prayer Service will be held at 7:00 PM at the 
mortuary. &nbsp;In Lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Kensington 
American Legion or Athol Church of Christ and sent in care of 
Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas who are in charge of 
the funeral service arrangements.

Doris M. Knight Blanke (1929-2023)

By COLE REIF Great Bend Post

The third year of Friday celebrations in downtown Great Bend will start with extra excitement in April as the Lovegrass Music Festival Association will introduce the area to three bluegrass bands.

Great Bend Alive, the downtown arm of Great Bend Economic Development, introduced “Fridays on Forest” as a way to bring entertainment, food and drinks outdoors along Forest Avenue. Economic Development Communications Director Lee Ann June said having a big show from Lovegrass Music Festival is a great way to kickoff the Friday events on April 28. "It was Lovegrass that reached out to us," said June. "They saw what we were doing and reached out at the end of last year. This could be a forum for them to bring bluegrass out to Great Bend." Lovegrass puts on a three-day music festival at Lake Wilson State Park in August, and will bring three bands to Great Bend, including Gravel Yard, Brook Blanche Band and Old Fangled. In addition to music, attendees can enjoy food and alcohol sold on Forest Avenue between Main and Williams. "What was wonderful was we sold all of our sponsorships before the end of the year," said June. "I think Great Bend gets what's going on. They want to be part of it." The alleyway between Forest and Lakin Avenue is also included in the consumption district between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. on the final Friday from April to October.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1677862225730.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By COLE REIF Great Bend PostThe third year of Friday celebrations in downtown Great Bend will start with extra excitement in April as the Lovegrass Music Festival Association will introduce the area to three bluegrass bands.Great Bend Alive, the downtown arm of Great Bend Economic Development, introduced “Fridays on Forest” as a way to bring entertainment, food and drinks outdoors along Forest Avenue. Economic Development Communications Director Lee Ann June said having a big show from Lovegrass Music Festival is a great way to kickoff the Friday events on April 28. "It was Lovegrass that reached out to us," said June. "They saw what we were doing and reached out at the end of last year. This could be a forum for them to bring bluegrass out to Great Bend." Lovegrass puts on a three-day music festival at Lake Wilson State Park in August, and will bring three bands to Great Bend, including Gravel Yard, Brook Blanche Band and Old Fangled. In addition to music, attendees can enjoy food and alcohol sold on Forest Avenue between Main and Williams. "What was wonderful was we sold all of our sponsorships before the end of the year," said June. "I think Great Bend gets what's going on. They want to be part of it." The alleyway between Forest and Lakin Avenue is also included in the consumption district between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. on the final Friday from April to October.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Bluegrass music to kick-off ‘Fridays on Forest’ in Great Bend

CIUDAD VICTORIA, Mexico (AP) — Gunmen kidnapped four U.S. citizens who crossed into Mexico from Texas last week to buy medicine but were caught in a shootout that killed at least one Mexican citizen, U.S. and Mexican officials said Monday.

The four were in a white minivan with North Carolina license plates. They came under fire on Friday shortly after entering the city of Matamoros from Brownsville, the southernmost tip of Texas near the Gulf coast, the FBI San Antonio Division office said in a statement Sunday.

“All four Americans were placed in a vehicle and taken from the scene by armed men,” the office said. The FBI is offering a $50,000 reward for the victims' return and the arrest of the kidnappers.

Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador said Monday the four were going to buy medicine, “there was a confrontation between groups, and they were detained,” without offering details.

A woman driving in Matamoros saw what appeared to be the shooting and abduction. She asked not to be identified for fear of reprisal.

The scene illustrates the terror that has prevailed for years in Matamoros, a city dominated by factions of the Gulf cartel who often&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/caribbean-mexico-shootings-health-coronavirus-pandemic-046b8c762155f8b5e5a3f24185d37a5b">fight among themselves</a>. Amid the violence, thousands of Mexicans have disappeared just in Tamaulipas state, where Matamoros is located.

The woman said she saw the white minivan get hit by another vehicle near an intersection, then gunfire rang out.

Another SUV rolled up and several armed men hopped out.

“All of a sudden they (the gunmen) were in front of us,” she said. “I entered a state of shock, nobody honked their horn, nobody moved. Everybody must have been thinking the same thing, ‘if we move they will see us, or they might shoot us.’”

She said the gunmen forced a woman, who was able to walk, into the back of a pickup truck. Another person was carried to the truck by the gunmen but could still move his head.

“The other two they dragged across the pavement, we don't know if they were alive or dead,” she said.

Mexican authorities arrived minutes later.

A video posted to social media Friday shows men with assault rifles and tan body armor loading the four people into the bed of a pickup truck in broad daylight. One was alive and sitting up, but the others appeared to be either dead or wounded.

Shootouts in Matamoros on Friday were so bad that the U.S. Consulate issued an alert about the danger and local authorities warned people to shelter in place. It was not immediately clear how the abductions could have been connected to that violence Friday.

U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Ken Salazar said in a statement Monday that the Americans were kidnapped at gunpoint and an “innocent” Mexican citizen died in the attack. He said various U.S. justice agencies were working with their Mexican counterparts to recover the missing. Authorities have provided no other details about who the victims were or where they were from.

President Joe Biden had been informed of the situation, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Monday. She declined to answer other questions, citing privacy concerns.

Tamaulipas state police said people had been killed and injured Friday, but not how many. The state police said on social media that neither law enforcement nor the military were involved in “two armed incidents between unidentified civilians.”

Victims of violence in Matamoros and other large border cities of Tamaulipas often go uncounted, because the cartels have a history taking bodies of their own with them. Local media often avoid reporting on such incidents out of safety concerns, creating an information vacuum.

Photographs from the scene viewed by The Associated Press show a white minivan with the driver’s side window shot out and all of the doors open, sitting on the side of the road after apparently colliding with red SUV. Multiple people were lying in the street beside it surrounded by rifle-toting gunmen.

Their positions appeared to correspond with the video posted online that was taken from another angle, which showed them being dragged across the street and loaded into the bed of a white pickup. One person who was sitting up in the street walks under their own power to the pickup. At least one other appeared to lift his head from the pavement before being dragged to the truck.

Tamaulipas state’s many border crossings with Texas make it lucrative for the cartels that move drugs, migrants and guns between Mexico and the U.S.

The State Department’s travel warning for Tamaulipas warns U.S. citizens not to travel there. However, being a border city, U.S. citizens who live in Brownsville or elsewhere in Texas frequently cross to visit family, attend medical appointments or shop. It would also be a crossing point for people traveling deeper into Mexico.

Previously, as the headquarters of the powerful Gulf cartel, Matamoros was relatively calm. For years, a night out in Matamoros was also part of the “two-nation vacation” for spring breakers flocking to Texas’ South Padre Island.

But increased cartel violence over the past 10 to 15 years&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mexico-immigration-donald-trump-caribbean-international-news-d3f0b97ae09d49f9842a92c20a70f20a">frightened away much of that business.</a>&nbsp;Sometimes U.S. citizens are swept up in the violence.

Three U.S. siblings disappeared near Matamoros in October 2014 and were later found shot to death and burned. They had disappeared two weeks earlier while visiting their father in Mexico. Their parents said they had been abducted by men dressed in police gear identifying themselves as “Hercules,” a tactical security unit in the violent border city.

CIUDAD VICTORIA, Mexico (AP) — Gunmen kidnapped four U.S. citizens who crossed into Mexico from Texas last week to buy medicine but were caught in a shootout that killed at least one Mexican citizen, U.S. and Mexican officials said Monday.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">ALERT: U.S. Consulate General Matamoros, México (March 3, 2023) <a href="https://t.co/m9o23gPsQx">https://t.co/m9o23gPsQx</a> <a href="https://t.co/nLDz143Eb2">pic.twitter.com/nLDz143Eb2</a>&mdash; Embajada EU en Mex (@USEmbassyMEX) <a href="https://twitter.com/USEmbassyMEX/status/1631772375430709249?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 3, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The four were in a white minivan with North Carolina license plates. They came under fire on Friday shortly after entering the city of Matamoros from Brownsville, the southernmost tip of Texas near the Gulf coast, the FBI San Antonio Division office said in a statement Sunday.“All four Americans were placed in a vehicle and taken from the scene by armed men,” the office said. The FBI is offering a $50,000 reward for the victims' return and the arrest of the kidnappers.Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador said Monday the four were going to buy medicine, “there was a confrontation between groups, and they were detained,” without offering details.A woman driving in Matamoros saw what appeared to be the shooting and abduction. She asked not to be identified for fear of reprisal.The scene illustrates the terror that has prevailed for years in Matamoros, a city dominated by factions of the Gulf cartel who often&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/caribbean-mexico-shootings-health-coronavirus-pandemic-046b8c762155f8b5e5a3f24185d37a5b">fight among themselves</a>. Amid the violence, thousands of Mexicans have disappeared just in Tamaulipas state, where Matamoros is located.The woman said she saw the white minivan get hit by another vehicle near an intersection, then gunfire rang out.Another SUV rolled up and several armed men hopped out.“All of a sudden they (the gunmen) were in front of us,” she said. “I entered a state of shock, nobody honked their horn, nobody moved. Everybody must have been thinking the same thing, ‘if we move they will see us, or they might shoot us.’”She said the gunmen forced a woman, who was able to walk, into the back of a pickup truck. Another person was carried to the truck by the gunmen but could still move his head.“The other two they dragged across the pavement, we don't know if they were alive or dead,” she said.Mexican authorities arrived minutes later.A video posted to social media Friday shows men with assault rifles and tan body armor loading the four people into the bed of a pickup truck in broad daylight. One was alive and sitting up, but the others appeared to be either dead or wounded.Shootouts in Matamoros on Friday were so bad that the U.S. Consulate issued an alert about the danger and local authorities warned people to shelter in place. It was not immediately clear how the abductions could have been connected to that violence Friday.U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Ken Salazar said in a statement Monday that the Americans were kidnapped at gunpoint and an “innocent” Mexican citizen died in the attack. He said various U.S. justice agencies were working with their Mexican counterparts to recover the missing. Authorities have provided no other details about who the victims were or where they were from.President Joe Biden had been informed of the situation, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Monday. She declined to answer other questions, citing privacy concerns.Tamaulipas state police said people had been killed and injured Friday, but not how many. The state police said on social media that neither law enforcement nor the military were involved in “two armed incidents between unidentified civilians.”Victims of violence in Matamoros and other large border cities of Tamaulipas often go uncounted, because the cartels have a history taking bodies of their own with them. Local media often avoid reporting on such incidents out of safety concerns, creating an information vacuum.Photographs from the scene viewed by The Associated Press show a white minivan with the driver’s side window shot out and all of the doors open, sitting on the side of the road after apparently colliding with red SUV. Multiple people were lying in the street beside it surrounded by rifle-toting gunmen.Their positions appeared to correspond with the video posted online that was taken from another angle, which showed them being dragged across the street and loaded into the bed of a white pickup. One person who was sitting up in the street walks under their own power to the pickup. At least one other appeared to lift his head from the pavement before being dragged to the truck.Tamaulipas state’s many border crossings with Texas make it lucrative for the cartels that move drugs, migrants and guns between Mexico and the U.S.The State Department’s travel warning for Tamaulipas warns U.S. citizens not to travel there. However, being a border city, U.S. citizens who live in Brownsville or elsewhere in Texas frequently cross to visit family, attend medical appointments or shop. It would also be a crossing point for people traveling deeper into Mexico.Previously, as the headquarters of the powerful Gulf cartel, Matamoros was relatively calm. For years, a night out in Matamoros was also part of the “two-nation vacation” for spring breakers flocking to Texas’ South Padre Island.But increased cartel violence over the past 10 to 15 years&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mexico-immigration-donald-trump-caribbean-international-news-d3f0b97ae09d49f9842a92c20a70f20a">frightened away much of that business.</a>&nbsp;Sometimes U.S. citizens are swept up in the violence.Three U.S. siblings disappeared near Matamoros in October 2014 and were later found shot to death and burned. They had disappeared two weeks earlier while visiting their father in Mexico. Their parents said they had been abducted by men dressed in police gear identifying themselves as “Hercules,” a tactical security unit in the violent border city.

FBI: 4 kidnapped Americans crossed into Mexico to buy medicine

Ernest Albert Schlatter, 83 of Lebanon passed away March 3, 2023, at the Smith County Memorial Hospital in Smith Center, KS.

Ernie
 was born February 20, 1940, on the family home south of Lebanon, Smith 
County, Kansas.  He was one of three children of Albert (Curly) and Ruth
 (Pletcher) Schlatter.  He attended the Chalk Mound one room school 
house until 8th grade and then attended Lebanon High School, where he 
graduated in 1958.  Ernie was active in football, basketball, track and 
FFA.  In his high school yearbook, Ernie prophesied that he wanted to be
 the biggest farmer south of Hwy 36.  He received FFA’s highest honor, 
the American Farmer Degree in 1960.  After high school, Ernie joined his
 brother Jim to pursue his dream of farming.  On the farm, they raised 
hogs, cattle, and crops.  He enjoyed hunting, trapping and softball.

Ernie
 married Barbara Allen on May 10, 1964, at the Oak Creek Christian 
Church south of Lebanon.  To this union were born a son, Walter 
Frederick, on March 17, 1965, and a daughter, Sheila Marie on March 24, 
1968.  Ernie joined the National Guard in August of 1961 and received a 
medical discharge in 1966 at the rank of Sergeant E-5.  He told stories 
of summer camp and serving at Fort Knox during the Cuban Missile Crisis.
  He talked about how cold it was during the winter and how the Cubans 
being trained there would not leave their barracks.

He was a 
member of the Oak Creek Christian Church and served as a deacon for many
 years.  Ernie served on many boards in the area including Kansas Star 
Base, Kansas Wheat Commission, Midway Coop, Smith County Extension and 
Smith County Soil Conservation for 30 years.  Over the years, Ernie was 
active in K-State Extension activities and hosted many crop plots.  One 
year, he helped his granddaughter, Ashley with a wheat plot as a 4-H 
project.  Ernie and Barbara were awarded the 2006 Kansas Master Farmer 
and Master Homemaker awards.  Ernie won many crop yield contests over 
the years through the extension program.  In 2017, he won the Kansas 
State Soybean Yield contest on a no-till dryland division with 95.95 
bushels per acre.

Ernie was excited that his son received the 
American Farmer Degree in 1985, which was 25 years after he had received
 his degree.  Ernie was proud to see his granddaughter receive her 
American Farmer Degree in 2013 at the Louisville, Kentucky FFA 
convention.  While at the convention he was able to see his cousin Tony 
Small, who worked for the National FFA organization.

Barbara 
played a pivotal role in the family farm operation and fought a long 
battle of lung disease and passed away on October 16, 2012.  Ernie 
married Carla (Badger) Naasz on July 24, 2015, at the American Lutheran 
Church in Smith Center, KS.  Carla assisted with the farm operation and 
as Ernie’s health declined, she kept the farm going by running the 
day-to-day operations.

Ernie was a big fan of WWII history and 
read many books on the subject.  Part of the fascination was due to his 
uncle Walter F. Schlatter serving in WWII and passed on the stories from
 family members of Walter visiting home before being shipped off to 
England and later being killed in battle.  In later years, Ernie took a 
trip to see his uncles grave in France and had a picture taken at his 
graveside marker.

Ernie is survived by his wife, Carla (Naasz) 
Schlatter of the home, son Walter (Kim) Schlatter of Bates City, MO, 
daughter Sheila (Dwayne) Lorence of Lebanon, KS, Brock (Sheri) Naasz, 
Ami Naasz (Marshall Kohman), Brandon (Shelby) Naasz all of Downs, KS;   
grandchildren Dustin  (Deborah) Schlatter of Tucson, AZ, Clinton and 
Dylan Schlatter of Bates City, MO, Ashley (Jarrod) Blackburn of 
Marshfield, WI, Aubrey and Gavin Naasz, Keegan and Korbin Kohl, Avery, 
Ryder, and Ryp Naasz al of Downs, KS;  one great grandson (2 months) 
Tayson Dean Blackburn of Marshfield, WI;   one sister, Sharlyn Long of 
Smith Center, KS, sister-in-law, Marianne Schlatter of Smith Center, KS;
   brothers-in-law, Roger (Janice) Allen of Lebanon, KS, Gayle (Lois) 
Allen of Courtland, KS and sister-in-law Velma (Ernie) Befort of Clay 
Center, KS; and many nieces and nephews.

Ernie was preceded in 
death by his wife Barbara (Allen) Schlatter, his parents Albert and Ruth
 Schlatter, brother Jim Schlatter, brother-in-law Warren Long and 
in-laws Clarence and Julia Allen.

Click <a href="https://www.rfmortuaries.com/obituaries/Ernest-Ernie-Albert-Schlatter?obId=27429821#/celebrationWall">HERE</a> for service details.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678107531673.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Ernest Albert Schlatter, 83 of Lebanon passed away March 3, 2023, at the Smith County Memorial Hospital in Smith Center, KS.Ernie
 was born February 20, 1940, on the family home south of Lebanon, Smith 
County, Kansas. He was one of three children of Albert (Curly) and Ruth
 (Pletcher) Schlatter. He attended the Chalk Mound one room school 
house until 8th grade and then attended Lebanon High School, where he 
graduated in 1958. Ernie was active in football, basketball, track and 
FFA. In his high school yearbook, Ernie prophesied that he wanted to be
 the biggest farmer south of Hwy 36. He received FFA’s highest honor, 
the American Farmer Degree in 1960. After high school, Ernie joined his
 brother Jim to pursue his dream of farming. On the farm, they raised 
hogs, cattle, and crops. He enjoyed hunting, trapping and softball.Ernie
 married Barbara Allen on May 10, 1964, at the Oak Creek Christian 
Church south of Lebanon. To this union were born a son, Walter 
Frederick, on March 17, 1965, and a daughter, Sheila Marie on March 24, 
1968. Ernie joined the National Guard in August of 1961 and received a 
medical discharge in 1966 at the rank of Sergeant E-5. He told stories 
of summer camp and serving at Fort Knox during the Cuban Missile Crisis.
 He talked about how cold it was during the winter and how the Cubans 
being trained there would not leave their barracks.He was a 
member of the Oak Creek Christian Church and served as a deacon for many
 years. Ernie served on many boards in the area including Kansas Star 
Base, Kansas Wheat Commission, Midway Coop, Smith County Extension and 
Smith County Soil Conservation for 30 years. Over the years, Ernie was 
active in K-State Extension activities and hosted many crop plots. One 
year, he helped his granddaughter, Ashley with a wheat plot as a 4-H 
project. Ernie and Barbara were awarded the 2006 Kansas Master Farmer 
and Master Homemaker awards. Ernie won many crop yield contests over 
the years through the extension program. In 2017, he won the Kansas 
State Soybean Yield contest on a no-till dryland division with 95.95 
bushels per acre.Ernie was excited that his son received the 
American Farmer Degree in 1985, which was 25 years after he had received
 his degree. Ernie was proud to see his granddaughter receive her 
American Farmer Degree in 2013 at the Louisville, Kentucky FFA 
convention. While at the convention he was able to see his cousin Tony 
Small, who worked for the National FFA organization.Barbara 
played a pivotal role in the family farm operation and fought a long 
battle of lung disease and passed away on October 16, 2012. Ernie 
married Carla (Badger) Naasz on July 24, 2015, at the American Lutheran 
Church in Smith Center, KS. Carla assisted with the farm operation and 
as Ernie’s health declined, she kept the farm going by running the 
day-to-day operations.Ernie was a big fan of WWII history and 
read many books on the subject. Part of the fascination was due to his 
uncle Walter F. Schlatter serving in WWII and passed on the stories from
 family members of Walter visiting home before being shipped off to 
England and later being killed in battle. In later years, Ernie took a 
trip to see his uncles grave in France and had a picture taken at his 
graveside marker.Ernie is survived by his wife, Carla (Naasz) 
Schlatter of the home, son Walter (Kim) Schlatter of Bates City, MO, 
daughter Sheila (Dwayne) Lorence of Lebanon, KS, Brock (Sheri) Naasz, 
Ami Naasz (Marshall Kohman), Brandon (Shelby) Naasz all of Downs, KS; 
grandchildren Dustin (Deborah) Schlatter of Tucson, AZ, Clinton and 
Dylan Schlatter of Bates City, MO, Ashley (Jarrod) Blackburn of 
Marshfield, WI, Aubrey and Gavin Naasz, Keegan and Korbin Kohl, Avery, 
Ryder, and Ryp Naasz al of Downs, KS; one great grandson (2 months) 
Tayson Dean Blackburn of Marshfield, WI; one sister, Sharlyn Long of 
Smith Center, KS, sister-in-law, Marianne Schlatter of Smith Center, KS;
 brothers-in-law, Roger (Janice) Allen of Lebanon, KS, Gayle (Lois) 
Allen of Courtland, KS and sister-in-law Velma (Ernie) Befort of Clay 
Center, KS; and many nieces and nephews.Ernie was preceded in 
death by his wife Barbara (Allen) Schlatter, his parents Albert and Ruth
 Schlatter, brother Jim Schlatter, brother-in-law Warren Long and 
in-laws Clarence and Julia Allen.Click <a href="https://www.rfmortuaries.com/obituaries/Ernest-Ernie-Albert-Schlatter?obId=27429821#/celebrationWall">HERE</a> for service details.

Ernest Albert Schlatter

Wesley James Rahjes, son of Louie and Hilda Rahjes, was born October 
15, 1927, north of Smithfield, Nebraska.  Shortly after, his family 
moved to Kansas where they resided on several different farms throughout
 the Agra/Kensington area.

Wesley went to high school 
in Agra from 1941-1945.  He then enlisted with the United States Navy in
 November 1945, and left for the Naval Training Center in San Diego, 
California. He finished his training in Honolulu, Hawaii.  Upon 
completion, Wesley was then sent to Guam with the Naval Air Transport 
Service.  Later, he was transferred to Seattle, Washington, where he 
remained in active duty until his honorable discharge in 1949.

Wesley
 moved back home to begin his civilian life and started working on the 
farm with his father.  On one visit to Frank’s Cafe in downtown 
Kensington, he met a lovely young woman named Martha Isernhagen, who was
 working as a waitress.  One year later they were married at Zion 
Lutheran Church in St. Francis, Kansas.

They both 
resided in Kensington until the Korean War broke out in mid-1950, and 
Wesley was recalled to active duty.  On April 3, 1951, their first child
 (Ronald) was born.  Soon after, Wesley was ordered to leave for Japan 
and Korea.  He returned to the United States in 1952 after his second 
and final discharge.  Wesley and Martha remained in their original home 
until they were able to buy an 80-acre farm just southeast of 
Kensington.  By February 1956, they were blessed with two more children 
(Donald and Douglas).

After building their own new 
house, the family returned to Kensington in 1971.  When their three sons
 graduated college, they each chose to come back home and farm. Wesley 
enjoyed working alongside his sons, eventually developing a family farm 
they expanded together.  In 1989, Wesley began to gradually retire from 
farm work.  After his retirement, Wesley enjoyed a few part time jobs as
 well as taking part in the annual harvests.  Both Wesley and Martha 
enjoyed driving around the countryside making routine checks on various 
facets of the farm and occasionally “sneaking” into harvest suppers.

Wesley
 was preceded in death by his parents, Louie (Hilda) Rahjes; sisters, 
Arvella (Rahjes) Riat and Darlene (Rahjes) Miller; Wife, Martha Rahjes. 
 He was survived by three sons, Ron (Cindy), Don (Carol), Doug (Wanda) 
Rahjes, all of Kensington. He was also survived by 6 grandchildren and 8
 great grandchildren. In addition, he is survived by numerous relatives,
 friends, and acquaintances that touched his life over the past 95 
years.

Wesley built and left a legacy many of us can 
only dream of.  He will be missed, but not forgotten.  It warms our 
hearts to know he is now free of pain and reunited with the love of his 
life.  Rest in peace, Dad!

—The family of Wesley would 
also like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Judy Bates for her 
compassion and help with Wesley’s health late in his life.

Click <a href="https://www.rfmortuaries.com/obituaries/Wesley-James-Rahjes?obId=27428484#/celebrationWall">HERE</a> for service details.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678107480367.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Wesley James Rahjes, son of Louie and Hilda Rahjes, was born October 
15, 1927, north of Smithfield, Nebraska. Shortly after, his family 
moved to Kansas where they resided on several different farms throughout
 the Agra/Kensington area.Wesley went to high school 
in Agra from 1941-1945. He then enlisted with the United States Navy in
 November 1945, and left for the Naval Training Center in San Diego, 
California. He finished his training in Honolulu, Hawaii. Upon 
completion, Wesley was then sent to Guam with the Naval Air Transport 
Service. Later, he was transferred to Seattle, Washington, where he 
remained in active duty until his honorable discharge in 1949.Wesley
 moved back home to begin his civilian life and started working on the 
farm with his father. On one visit to Frank’s Cafe in downtown 
Kensington, he met a lovely young woman named Martha Isernhagen, who was
 working as a waitress. One year later they were married at Zion 
Lutheran Church in St. Francis, Kansas.They both 
resided in Kensington until the Korean War broke out in mid-1950, and 
Wesley was recalled to active duty. On April 3, 1951, their first child
 (Ronald) was born. Soon after, Wesley was ordered to leave for Japan 
and Korea. He returned to the United States in 1952 after his second 
and final discharge. Wesley and Martha remained in their original home 
until they were able to buy an 80-acre farm just southeast of 
Kensington. By February 1956, they were blessed with two more children 
(Donald and Douglas).After building their own new 
house, the family returned to Kensington in 1971. When their three sons
 graduated college, they each chose to come back home and farm. Wesley 
enjoyed working alongside his sons, eventually developing a family farm 
they expanded together. In 1989, Wesley began to gradually retire from 
farm work. After his retirement, Wesley enjoyed a few part time jobs as
 well as taking part in the annual harvests. Both Wesley and Martha 
enjoyed driving around the countryside making routine checks on various 
facets of the farm and occasionally “sneaking” into harvest suppers.Wesley
 was preceded in death by his parents, Louie (Hilda) Rahjes; sisters, 
Arvella (Rahjes) Riat and Darlene (Rahjes) Miller; Wife, Martha Rahjes. 
 He was survived by three sons, Ron (Cindy), Don (Carol), Doug (Wanda) 
Rahjes, all of Kensington. He was also survived by 6 grandchildren and 8
 great grandchildren. In addition, he is survived by numerous relatives,
 friends, and acquaintances that touched his life over the past 95 
years.Wesley built and left a legacy many of us can 
only dream of. He will be missed, but not forgotten. It warms our 
hearts to know he is now free of pain and reunited with the love of his 
life. Rest in peace, Dad!—The family of Wesley would 
also like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Judy Bates for her 
compassion and help with Wesley’s health late in his life.Click <a href="https://www.rfmortuaries.com/obituaries/Wesley-James-Rahjes?obId=27428484#/celebrationWall">HERE</a> for service details.

Wesley James Rahjes

James “Jim”&nbsp; Henry Popp, 85 years 
old, of Quinter, Ks., passed away on March 2, 2023.&nbsp; Jim was born at 
home, on the farm, north of Grainfield, Ks. on June 7, 1937.&nbsp; He 
graduated from Hoxie High School.

Jim was united in marriage to Barbara
 Louise Gaylord on October 20, 1962. They were married for 60 years. He 
worked as a farmer on his and Barbara’s farm until retirement.&nbsp; Jim 
enjoyed woodwork, chainsaw carving, and collecting antiques. He was also
 actively involved in church and Kiwanis.&nbsp;

Jim Popp is survived by spouse, 
Barbara, daughter, Garneita Davis &amp; husband Don of Tulsa OK, Daryl 
Popp and wife Carolyn of Hill City, KS, Yvonne Hackler &amp; husband 
Bill of WaKeeney, KS. They have 12 grandchildren and 6 
great-grandchildren. Jim is also survived by a sister, Dorothy 
Cunningham of Granville, OH,&nbsp; Mary Beaver &amp; husband Larry of 
Quinter, KS, Conrad Popp &amp; wife Pam of Quinter, KS, Alberta Bittel 
&amp; husband JD of Overland Park, KS, and many family, loved ones, and 
friends.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Jim was preceded in death by his 
parents Albert Jonathan &amp; Mary Mabel Popp (McWilliams), brother 
Lorrel Popp &amp; wife Ruth, brother David Popp &amp; wife Lynn, 
daughter Joyce Melinda Popp, and grandson, Levi James Hackler.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Services will be held on March 7, 
2023, at 10:00 am at Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church. Services will be 
conducted by Pastor Gary Simon. Burial will take place immediately after
 at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery.&nbsp;

Visitation will be on March 6, 2023, between the hours of 5:00-6:30 pm at Schmitt Funeral Home in Quinter, KS.&nbsp;

Memorial contributions are suggested 
to Hospice Services, Inc. of Northwest Kansas,&nbsp; Mt. Pleasant Baptist 
Church, or WaKeeney Church of God.&nbsp; Donations may be sent to Schmitt 
Funeral Home, 336 North 12th, WaKeeney, KS 67672.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678107384437.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>James “Jim”&nbsp; Henry Popp, 85 years 
old, of Quinter, Ks., passed away on March 2, 2023.&nbsp; Jim was born at 
home, on the farm, north of Grainfield, Ks. on June 7, 1937.&nbsp; He 
graduated from Hoxie High School.Jim was united in marriage to Barbara
 Louise Gaylord on October 20, 1962. They were married for 60 years. He 
worked as a farmer on his and Barbara’s farm until retirement.&nbsp; Jim 
enjoyed woodwork, chainsaw carving, and collecting antiques. He was also
 actively involved in church and Kiwanis.&nbsp;Jim Popp is survived by spouse, 
Barbara, daughter, Garneita Davis &amp; husband Don of Tulsa OK, Daryl 
Popp and wife Carolyn of Hill City, KS, Yvonne Hackler &amp; husband 
Bill of WaKeeney, KS. They have 12 grandchildren and 6 
great-grandchildren. Jim is also survived by a sister, Dorothy 
Cunningham of Granville, OH,&nbsp; Mary Beaver &amp; husband Larry of 
Quinter, KS, Conrad Popp &amp; wife Pam of Quinter, KS, Alberta Bittel 
&amp; husband JD of Overland Park, KS, and many family, loved ones, and 
friends.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Jim was preceded in death by his 
parents Albert Jonathan &amp; Mary Mabel Popp (McWilliams), brother 
Lorrel Popp &amp; wife Ruth, brother David Popp &amp; wife Lynn, 
daughter Joyce Melinda Popp, and grandson, Levi James Hackler.&nbsp;&nbsp;Services will be held on March 7, 
2023, at 10:00 am at Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church. Services will be 
conducted by Pastor Gary Simon. Burial will take place immediately after
 at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery.&nbsp;Visitation will be on March 6, 2023, between the hours of 5:00-6:30 pm at Schmitt Funeral Home in Quinter, KS.&nbsp;Memorial contributions are suggested 
to Hospice Services, Inc. of Northwest Kansas,&nbsp; Mt. Pleasant Baptist 
Church, or WaKeeney Church of God.&nbsp; Donations may be sent to Schmitt 
Funeral Home, 336 North 12th, WaKeeney, KS 67672.

James 'Jim'  Henry Popp

Eldon Don Gager was born October 29, 1935, in Woodston, Kansas, to Agnes
 Anne (Nech) and Clyde (Sliv) Merle Gager. Eldon grew up in Woodston and
 graduated from Woodston High School with the class of 1954. He 
continued his education at Ft. Hayes College in Hayes, Kansas. 
 On February 23, 1955, Eldon enlisted into the U.S. Navy where he served
 on the Essex-Class Aircraft Carrier the USS Antietam. While on the 
Antietam, Eldon was engaged in producing fresh water for the ship and 
was an MP during shore leave. Eldon was honorably discharged February 
13, 1959. On January 14, 1992, Eldon married Shirley Harrison 
in Imperial, Nebraska, and the couple settled in Imperial where they 
lived for 31 years. Eldon was employed as a police officer in several 
communities including McCook, Ogallala and Imperial. In addition to his 
service as a police officer, he also worked at the Union 76 Station, 
Cook Ready Mix, Groff Ag and the Chase County Transit. Eldon 
enjoyed playing the guitar and singing, crafts, hunting, playing pitch 
with friends, and fishing (which was his passion). He especially loved 
spending time with his family. Eldon passed away Monday, January 16, 2023, at the Chase County Community Hospital, Imperial, NE. He was 87 years of age. Eldon was preceded in death by his parents: Agnes and Clyde Gager. Survivors Include: Wife: Shirley of Imperial, NE. Son: Glenn (Bronco) Gager and wife, Laurie, of Lemoyne, NE. Daughter: Dawn Stewart of Plattsmouth, NE. Step-Sons: Duane Burton and wife, Carrie, of Palisade, NE. Keith Burton and wife, Heather, of Carmel, IN. 
 Grandchildren: Hagen Gager; Coy Gager; Daniel, Caitlyn, Graeme, Faith 
and Samuel Burton; Kayla and Ryan Burton; and Allison, Lauren and Kevin 
Stewart. Great-grandchildren: Chloe and Oakley Gager, Oaklyn Burton, Berklee, Braxton, Bodie and Bailey Loomis. Half-Brother: Mike Gilliland and wife, Tammy, of Bird City, KS. Sister: Joyce Sodden of Jacksonville, FL. 
 Graveside services (With Full Military Honors) will be held Saturday, 
March 11, 2023, 1:00 P.M. (MT) at Riverside Cemetery, Wauneta, Nebraska,
 with Rev. Lloyd Bley officiating. Eldon’s wishes were for cremation with no visitation. A memorial, In Eldon’s Memory, has been suggested to the Gager Family for a future designation. Online condolences may be left at liewerfuneralhome.com&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678108164682.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Eldon Don Gager was born October 29, 1935, in Woodston, Kansas, to Agnes
 Anne (Nech) and Clyde (Sliv) Merle Gager. Eldon grew up in Woodston and
 graduated from Woodston High School with the class of 1954. He 
continued his education at Ft. Hayes College in Hayes, Kansas. 
 On February 23, 1955, Eldon enlisted into the U.S. Navy where he served
 on the Essex-Class Aircraft Carrier the USS Antietam. While on the 
Antietam, Eldon was engaged in producing fresh water for the ship and 
was an MP during shore leave. Eldon was honorably discharged February 
13, 1959. On January 14, 1992, Eldon married Shirley Harrison 
in Imperial, Nebraska, and the couple settled in Imperial where they 
lived for 31 years. Eldon was employed as a police officer in several 
communities including McCook, Ogallala and Imperial. In addition to his 
service as a police officer, he also worked at the Union 76 Station, 
Cook Ready Mix, Groff Ag and the Chase County Transit. Eldon 
enjoyed playing the guitar and singing, crafts, hunting, playing pitch 
with friends, and fishing (which was his passion). He especially loved 
spending time with his family. Eldon passed away Monday, January 16, 2023, at the Chase County Community Hospital, Imperial, NE. He was 87 years of age. Eldon was preceded in death by his parents: Agnes and Clyde Gager. Survivors Include: Wife: Shirley of Imperial, NE. Son: Glenn (Bronco) Gager and wife, Laurie, of Lemoyne, NE. Daughter: Dawn Stewart of Plattsmouth, NE. Step-Sons: Duane Burton and wife, Carrie, of Palisade, NE. Keith Burton and wife, Heather, of Carmel, IN. 
 Grandchildren: Hagen Gager; Coy Gager; Daniel, Caitlyn, Graeme, Faith 
and Samuel Burton; Kayla and Ryan Burton; and Allison, Lauren and Kevin 
Stewart. Great-grandchildren: Chloe and Oakley Gager, Oaklyn Burton, Berklee, Braxton, Bodie and Bailey Loomis. Half-Brother: Mike Gilliland and wife, Tammy, of Bird City, KS. Sister: Joyce Sodden of Jacksonville, FL. 
 Graveside services (With Full Military Honors) will be held Saturday, 
March 11, 2023, 1:00 P.M. (MT) at Riverside Cemetery, Wauneta, Nebraska,
 with Rev. Lloyd Bley officiating. Eldon’s wishes were for cremation with no visitation. A memorial, In Eldon’s Memory, has been suggested to the Gager Family for a future designation. Online condolences may be left at liewerfuneralhome.com&nbsp;

Eldon Don Gager

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1675357768410.png" alt="photo Ezri care" />
 <figcaption>photo Ezri care</figcaption>
 </figure>By MIKE STOBBE AP Medical WriterNEW YORK (AP) — The patients' eyes were painfully inflamed. They could sense light but could see almost nothing else. A doctor called one case the worst eye infection he’d ever seen.It was the beginning of a national outbreak caused by an extremely worrisome bacteria — one that some say heralds an era in which antibiotics no longer work and seemingly routine infections get horribly out of hand.At last count, 58 Americans in 13 states have been infected, including at least one who died and at least five who suffered permanent vision loss. All have been linked to tainted eyedrops, leading to a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/new-york-city-business-health-4572be6da44f4fab4e0f691f5e37e3ed">recall</a>.Experts marvel at how disease detectives pieced together the case: Patients were scattered across the country. The illnesses occurred over the span of months. The infections were found in different parts of the body — in the blood of some patients, in the lungs of others.But scientists also shudder, because they have long worried common bacteria will evolve so that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/science-health-infectious-diseases-antibiotics-fungi-2c661fd0c6ed899bedc51238d390603a">antibiotics no longer work against them</a>."This really shows us that it's not something theoretical and in the future. It's here,” said Dr. Luis Ostrosky, an infectious diseases expert at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston.This account is drawn from phone and email interviews with U.S. disease investigators, health officials in three states and regulators in the U.S. and India.___The investigation started in May in Los Angeles County, California. A patient who'd recently been to an ophthalmologist came in with a bad eye infection. A month later, local health officials got a second report. Another bad eye infection, same eye doctor.Two more cases were reported in the county before the summer was over. The patients’ eyes were inflamed with heavy yellow pus that obscured most of the pupil. Among the four, two had complete vision loss in the affected eye.The hospital that reported the first infection determined it was caused by a bacteria called Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The institution, which was equipped to do advanced genetic testing, quickly realized the bacteria had a rare gene that protected it from the effects of commonly used antibiotics.It was an early break for investigators, said Kelsey OYong, of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.OYong and her colleagues knew they were dealing with a scary germ, and they notified the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Pseudomonas infections are not new. Drug-resistant strains of the bacteria cause more than 30,000 infections annually among hospitalized patients in the U.S. and more than 2,500 deaths, the CDC said. It can spread through contaminated hands or medical equipment, and is particularly dangerous to fragile patients who have catheters or are on breathing machines.But the California infections were in patients' eyes, not more common spots like the blood and lungs. Also, the lab analysis determined the infections were caused by a Pseudomonas germ that could resist just about every antibiotic.The only thing that worked was a newer antibiotic called cefiderocol, administered by IV.___Over the summer, Pseudomonas outbreaks were seen at long-term care facilities in two other states.In Connecticut, the first case was in June. Eventually, the bacteria was found in 25 patients from five nursing homes in different parts of the state, said Christopher Boyle, a spokesperson for Connecticut’s health department.In Davis County, Utah, north of Salt Lake City, the first of six cases was reported to the CDC in August. While the patients had the bacteria, none actually got sick, said Sarah Willardson of the Davis County Health Department.L.A. County health investigators thought the cases there might be due to some kind of equipment contamination at the eye doctor’s office.But that suspicion faded in early October, when genetic testing showed the clusters in California, Connecticut and Utah were all caused by the same bacteria strain — a version of the germ that hadn’t been seen anywhere before.“That made us start thinking that this was some kind of a product,” said Maroya Walters, the CDC official supervising the investigation.___As the year went on, other reports of drug-resistant Pseudomonas came in, including a Washington man who died with a bloodstream infection.Given the initial cluster at the California ophthalmologist’s office, investigators suspected an eye care product was the culprit, though that hypothesis was complicated by the fact that the infections at the long-term care facilities were mainly found in the lungs.But it wasn’t impossible. Tear ducts drain into the nasal cavity, which leads to the lungs and could provide a path to deep inside the body.In early November, investigators determined most of the infected Connecticut patients had been given artificial tears, though it wasn't clear who had been given which brand.Then, on Nov. 9, a Florida hospital contacted the CDC to report bad eye infections connected to an outpatient clinic. A check of artificial tears brands used in Connecticut, Florida and Utah pointed to one common product: EzriCare Artificial Tears, an over-the-counter product marketed in the U.S. by New Jersey-based EzriCare LLC and made in India by Global Pharma Healthcare.___The Pseudomonas bacteria is “pretty much everywhere” in India and the drug-resistant germ is common in many hospitals, said Dr. Gagandeep Kang, who studies microbes in the Christian Medical College in the same state as Global Pharma's factory.In January, genetic sequencing confirmed the Florida cases were caused by the same bacteria strain as the clusters in California, Connecticut and Utah. On Jan. 20, the CDC urged doctors to avoid recommending the EzriCare product.There was no recall or widespread public notice, however. Investigators had strong circumstantial evidence pointing toward the EzriCare drops, but didn’t get more conclusive proof until more than a week later after testing found the bacteria in seven open bottles of EzriCare Artificial Tears in Connecticut and New Jersey.In early February, CDC officials issued a public health alert and the FDA recalled the EzriCare eyedrops and Delsam Pharma’s Artificial Tears, another product made by Global Pharma. Last week, the recall was expanded to include Delsam Pharma’s Artificial Eye Ointment.Global Pharma didn't respond to emailed requests for comment.___A month before the first recall, the FDA blocked imports of Global Pharma products.FDA spokesperson Audra Harrison said the U.S. import ban was “unrelated to the outbreak," and was instead based on the company’s “inadequate response” to a records request and problems with its manufacturing procedures. She wouldn't say what those problems were.The subsequent recall, she said, was recommended due to lack of microbial testing and issues with the product’s formulation and packaging.The FDA, tasked with assuring the safety of drug products shipped to the U.S., has long struggled to inspect facilities in China and India that account for the vast majority of raw materials used in American medicines. A search of FDA’s online inspection database shows no records of agency staff visiting the plant.Indian drug inspectors visited the plant and the country's drug controller asked Global Pharma to stop making all products related to treating eye disorders until they finish their investigation, said P.V. Vijayalakshmi, the drug controller for southern Tamil Nadu state.___Ostrosky, the University of Texas expert, called the U.S. investigation “a public health victory” saying it shows that fighting drug-resistant bacteria requires international collaboration and investment. But he also said the case is disheartening.An infection that's usually easy to treat with common antibiotic eyedrops "has become an infection that can be deadly and has pretty much no treatment except one IV antibiotic,” he said.Pseudomonas now joins a growing list of bugs — including bacteria that cause urinary tract infections — that are getting increasingly difficult to treat, Ostrosky added.“It's like a wave coming for us," he said.___AP writers Matthew Perrone in Washington and Aniruddha Ghosal in New Delhi contributed.___The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

How officials cracked case of eyedrops that blinded people

Dustin Dean Poche’, 44, of Russell, Kansas, passed away Tuesday, February 28, 2023, in the quiet peace of his home.

Dustin was born March 31, 1978, in Russell.&nbsp; He was one of two sons born to David Humphrey and Nancy Marie (Dole) Poche’.&nbsp; He grew up in Russell, Kansas and Gramercy, Louisiana and graduated from Russell High School in 1997.&nbsp; He then attended the Colorado Institute of Art in Denver receiving his BFA. Outside of Russell, Kansas, Dustin lived in Gramercy, Louisiana, New York City, New York, and Denver, Colorado.&nbsp; Dustin and lifelong partner, Matthew Driscoll, lived together until Matt’s passing on October 17, 2020.

Dustin, a globally recognized sculptor, attracted to unconventional beauty, classic glamour and humor specialized&nbsp; in whimsical character-based work, antique doll restoration, and his widely known ornaments of witches continued working until his last moments. Much of his work was built upon his experience as a drag artist, costume designer and his formative years as a window dresser in New York City at a prominent and internationally renowned department store, Jeffrey New York. Above all, he considered his mother, Nancy, his muse and lifelong inspiration.

Surviving family include his brother, Shane Poche’ (Kelly Dolezal) of Russell, Kansas, his sister Hayley Quave of Hammond, Louisiana, father, David Poche, Louisiana, nieces and nephews; Hannah Poche, Chandler Poche, Calum Quave, Trayson Brown, Kaitin Dolezal, as well as countless friends and loyal admires of his artwork both locally and globally.

Dustin was preceded in death by his mother, Nancy (Dole) Poche’ Stoppel; grandfather, Kenny Dole; grandmother, Dorothy Brown; paternal grandmother, Evelyn Poche’ and paternal grandfather, Bill Poche’.

Visitation will be held from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM, Monday, March 6, 2023, at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, with the family present from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM.&nbsp; A celebration of Dustin’s life will be held 10:30 AM, Tuesday, March 7, 2023, at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary.&nbsp; The family and close friends of Dustin will be hosting a reception Tuesday evening 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM at the Dienes Cultural Center. All are welcome to share in light appetizers, refreshments, and fond memories.&nbsp;&nbsp;

In lieu flowers, The Dustin Poche’ Memorial Fund has been established.&nbsp; Contributions and condolences may be sent to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1677861459613.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Dustin Dean Poche’, 44, of Russell, Kansas, passed away Tuesday, February 28, 2023, in the quiet peace of his home.Dustin was born March 31, 1978, in Russell.&nbsp; He was one of two sons born to David Humphrey and Nancy Marie (Dole) Poche’.&nbsp; He grew up in Russell, Kansas and Gramercy, Louisiana and graduated from Russell High School in 1997.&nbsp; He then attended the Colorado Institute of Art in Denver receiving his BFA. Outside of Russell, Kansas, Dustin lived in Gramercy, Louisiana, New York City, New York, and Denver, Colorado.&nbsp; Dustin and lifelong partner, Matthew Driscoll, lived together until Matt’s passing on October 17, 2020.Dustin, a globally recognized sculptor, attracted to unconventional beauty, classic glamour and humor specialized&nbsp; in whimsical character-based work, antique doll restoration, and his widely known ornaments of witches continued working until his last moments. Much of his work was built upon his experience as a drag artist, costume designer and his formative years as a window dresser in New York City at a prominent and internationally renowned department store, Jeffrey New York. Above all, he considered his mother, Nancy, his muse and lifelong inspiration.Surviving family include his brother, Shane Poche’ (Kelly Dolezal) of Russell, Kansas, his sister Hayley Quave of Hammond, Louisiana, father, David Poche, Louisiana, nieces and nephews; Hannah Poche, Chandler Poche, Calum Quave, Trayson Brown, Kaitin Dolezal, as well as countless friends and loyal admires of his artwork both locally and globally.Dustin was preceded in death by his mother, Nancy (Dole) Poche’ Stoppel; grandfather, Kenny Dole; grandmother, Dorothy Brown; paternal grandmother, Evelyn Poche’ and paternal grandfather, Bill Poche’.Visitation will be held from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM, Monday, March 6, 2023, at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, with the family present from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM.&nbsp; A celebration of Dustin’s life will be held 10:30 AM, Tuesday, March 7, 2023, at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary.&nbsp; The family and close friends of Dustin will be hosting a reception Tuesday evening 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM at the Dienes Cultural Center. All are welcome to share in light appetizers, refreshments, and fond memories.&nbsp;&nbsp;In lieu flowers, The Dustin Poche’ Memorial Fund has been established.&nbsp; Contributions and condolences may be sent to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary.

Dustin Dean Poche’

Janice Ann (Madden) Richmeier died in Hill City, Kansas, February 28, 2023, at the age of 96.  She was born October 19, 1926,&nbsp;

Janice
 had very fond memories and stories of growing up on the farm with her 
siblings: Ida Alice, Gene and Marcille.  Playing in the river and doing 
chores or getting out of doing chores made good stories.  Getting into 
trouble was always Gene’s fault, according to Janice.  Even though it 
was during the Dirty 30’s, she didn’t remember ever feeling like they 
were poor.

She attended grade school in Studley and graduated from
 Hoxie High School in 1944.  Part of the time she and other Studley 
students rode together to high school, or she boarded in Hoxie during 
the week.  After high school and during WWII, Janice earned an emergency
 teaching certificate by attending K-State and Fort Hays for two 
summers.  She taught elementary school for four years, two of which were
 in country schools and two years in Studley.  She had many stories 
about being such a young teacher who felt like a kid herself.  Through 
the years Janice reconnected with some of her students and was always 
happy to know them as adults.

Janice married Albert 
“Dutch” Richmeier March 1, 1949. Together they raised two children, 
Wayne, and Laura, on their farm south of Morland. As a farm wife and 
mother, she stayed busy with cooking, helping during harvest, raising 
chickens, gardening, and canning. Janice was also a very involved 4-H 
leader for many years. She was always full of ideas and knew how to 
make them happen.

When her children reached high 
school age, Janice began working at Citizens State Bank in Morland. She
 worked at the bank for 23 years. While there she was eventually 
promoted to vice-president and also served on the Board of Directors. 
Janice was also very active in the NABW, National Association of Bank 
Women. She served as president as well as all other offices in the area
 NABW. Janice also served on the Graham County Library Board.

Janice
 was very excited to become a grandmother to three grandsons and three 
granddaughters. All her grandchildren remember happy times staying with 
her on the farm. Grandma always had ideas for fun activities when they 
got to stay with her and Grandpa. As soon as they could see over the 
steering wheel, that fun turned into learning how to drive. She and 
Dutch loved having them around and watching them in sports and other 
activities.

Basketball was always their favorite sport both on
 television and in person.  They regularly attended college games and 
post season tournaments.  After her retirement from the bank, Janice and
 Dutch were able to travel.  Many of the trips were bus tours to 
different parts of the United States.  Along with seeing new things, 
they made many friends, some from as far away as Belgium.

The
 love of quilting was also developed. She enjoyed hand quilting for 
others with a Morland circle of friends. Her children, grandchildren 
and great-grandchildren all received special quilts that were pieced, 
and hand quilted by her.

Janice and Dutch moved to Hill City 
in 1997.  They had many happy years there.  During those years, 
great-grandchildren started arriving which added even more joy to her 
life.  Janice was very active in the Hill City United Methodist Church. 
 She enjoyed playing bridge and pinochle with groups in Hill City.  Many
 of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren learned and loved to play 
pinochle with her.

Janice will be greatly missed and 
always loved by her family: her children, Wayne and wife Lois Richmeier 
of Morland and Laura and husband Doug Malsam of WaKeeney. She also 
leaves to mourn six grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren: 
Aaron, wife Becky, children: Kyle and Kaylee Richmeier of Hill City, 
Erica Malsam of Kansas City, Craig, and wife Stacey, children: Tyler and
 Annabelle Malsam of WaKeeney, Stephanie, and husband Nick, children 
Hannah and Eli Wuertz of Olathe, Jana, and husband Brian, children: 
Madison, Quintin, Aceton and Keaton Walt of Collyer, Neil, and wife 
Ingrid, children: Savannah, Garrett and Stella Malsam of WaKeeney. She 
is also survived by sister-in-law Blanche Williams, and many nieces, 
nephews and friends.

She was preceded in death by 
her husband Dutch in 2011 and her siblings and their spouses: Ida Alice 
and Jim Montgomery, Gene and Phyllis Madden, and Marcille and Don 
Currier.  Other losses she endured were cherished nieces, nephews, and 
Dutch’s siblings and families.

Click <a href="https://www.stinemetzfh.com/obituaries/Janice-Ann-Richmeier?obId=27413102#/obituaryInfo">HERE</a> for service details.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1677949203245.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Janice Ann (Madden) Richmeier died in Hill City, Kansas, February 28, 2023, at the age of 96. She was born October 19, 1926,&nbsp;Janice
 had very fond memories and stories of growing up on the farm with her 
siblings: Ida Alice, Gene and Marcille. Playing in the river and doing 
chores or getting out of doing chores made good stories. Getting into 
trouble was always Gene’s fault, according to Janice. Even though it 
was during the Dirty 30’s, she didn’t remember ever feeling like they 
were poor.She attended grade school in Studley and graduated from
 Hoxie High School in 1944. Part of the time she and other Studley 
students rode together to high school, or she boarded in Hoxie during 
the week. After high school and during WWII, Janice earned an emergency
 teaching certificate by attending K-State and Fort Hays for two 
summers. She taught elementary school for four years, two of which were
 in country schools and two years in Studley. She had many stories 
about being such a young teacher who felt like a kid herself. Through 
the years Janice reconnected with some of her students and was always 
happy to know them as adults.Janice married Albert 
“Dutch” Richmeier March 1, 1949. Together they raised two children, 
Wayne, and Laura, on their farm south of Morland. As a farm wife and 
mother, she stayed busy with cooking, helping during harvest, raising 
chickens, gardening, and canning. Janice was also a very involved 4-H 
leader for many years. She was always full of ideas and knew how to 
make them happen. When her children reached high 
school age, Janice began working at Citizens State Bank in Morland. She
 worked at the bank for 23 years. While there she was eventually 
promoted to vice-president and also served on the Board of Directors. 
Janice was also very active in the NABW, National Association of Bank 
Women. She served as president as well as all other offices in the area
 NABW. Janice also served on the Graham County Library Board. Janice
 was very excited to become a grandmother to three grandsons and three 
granddaughters. All her grandchildren remember happy times staying with 
her on the farm. Grandma always had ideas for fun activities when they 
got to stay with her and Grandpa. As soon as they could see over the 
steering wheel, that fun turned into learning how to drive. She and 
Dutch loved having them around and watching them in sports and other 
activities. Basketball was always their favorite sport both on
 television and in person. They regularly attended college games and 
post season tournaments. After her retirement from the bank, Janice and
 Dutch were able to travel. Many of the trips were bus tours to 
different parts of the United States. Along with seeing new things, 
they made many friends, some from as far away as Belgium.The
 love of quilting was also developed. She enjoyed hand quilting for 
others with a Morland circle of friends. Her children, grandchildren 
and great-grandchildren all received special quilts that were pieced, 
and hand quilted by her. Janice and Dutch moved to Hill City 
in 1997. They had many happy years there. During those years, 
great-grandchildren started arriving which added even more joy to her 
life. Janice was very active in the Hill City United Methodist Church. 
 She enjoyed playing bridge and pinochle with groups in Hill City. Many
 of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren learned and loved to play 
pinochle with her.Janice will be greatly missed and 
always loved by her family: her children, Wayne and wife Lois Richmeier 
of Morland and Laura and husband Doug Malsam of WaKeeney. She also 
leaves to mourn six grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren: 
Aaron, wife Becky, children: Kyle and Kaylee Richmeier of Hill City, 
Erica Malsam of Kansas City, Craig, and wife Stacey, children: Tyler and
 Annabelle Malsam of WaKeeney, Stephanie, and husband Nick, children 
Hannah and Eli Wuertz of Olathe, Jana, and husband Brian, children: 
Madison, Quintin, Aceton and Keaton Walt of Collyer, Neil, and wife 
Ingrid, children: Savannah, Garrett and Stella Malsam of WaKeeney. She 
is also survived by sister-in-law Blanche Williams, and many nieces, 
nephews and friends. She was preceded in death by 
her husband Dutch in 2011 and her siblings and their spouses: Ida Alice 
and Jim Montgomery, Gene and Phyllis Madden, and Marcille and Don 
Currier. Other losses she endured were cherished nieces, nephews, and 
Dutch’s siblings and families.Click <a href="https://www.stinemetzfh.com/obituaries/Janice-Ann-Richmeier?obId=27413102#/obituaryInfo">HERE</a> for service details.

Janice Ann (Madden) Richmeier

TOPEKA —For the second time in recent months, New York City Mayor Eric Adams made remarks critical of Kansas.&nbsp; Governor Laura Kelly is asking for an apology.

(click to watch Mayor Adams' latest comment on Kansas)

At an interfaith breakfast this week, Adams criticized Topeka, according to his YouTube&nbsp; page.&nbsp; “God said, ‘I’m going to take the most broken person and I’m going to elevate him to the place of being the mayor of the most powerful city on the globe. He could have made me the mayor of Topeka, Kansas. He could have made me the mayor of some small town or village somewhere.”

“I was in NYC visiting my granddaughter when you disparaged my hometown Topeka Kansas,” Kelly wrote on twitter. “It was this granddaughter who, with her parents, delivered Kansas kindness to you at Gracie Mansion when you disparaged my state last September. Enough already. You owe Kansas an apology.”

In September, the 110th mayor of New York City said Kansas doesn't have a brand. "New York has a brand, and when people see it means something. Kansas doesn't have a brand. When you go there it's OK, you’re from Kansas," Adams said.&nbsp;

In October, Big 12 Conference commissioner Brett Yormark visited with Adams and took him a basketball jersey from the University of Kansas, the defending national champions.

TOPEKA —For the second time in recent months, New York City Mayor Eric Adams made remarks critical of Kansas.&nbsp; Governor Laura Kelly is asking for an apology.(click to watch Mayor Adams' latest comment on Kansas)<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/HfoSj55HEOU?start=3777" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>At an interfaith breakfast this week, Adams criticized Topeka, according to his YouTube&nbsp; page.&nbsp; “God said, ‘I’m going to take the most broken person and I’m going to elevate him to the place of being the mayor of the most powerful city on the globe. He could have made me the mayor of Topeka, Kansas. He could have made me the mayor of some small town or village somewhere.”<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/NYCMayor?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NYCMayor</a> I was in NYC visiting my granddaughter when you disparaged my hometown Topeka KS. It was this granddaughter who, with her parents, delivered Kansas kindness to you at Gracie Mansion when you disparaged my state last September. Enough already. You owe Kansas an apology.&mdash; Governor Laura Kelly (@GovLauraKelly) <a href="https://twitter.com/GovLauraKelly/status/1631703549137518635?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 3, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>“I was in NYC visiting my granddaughter when you disparaged my hometown Topeka Kansas,” Kelly wrote on twitter. “It was this granddaughter who, with her parents, delivered Kansas kindness to you at Gracie Mansion when you disparaged my state last September. Enough already. You owe Kansas an apology.”In September, the 110th mayor of New York City said Kansas doesn't have a brand. "New York has a brand, and when people see it means something. Kansas doesn't have a brand. When you go there it's OK, you’re from Kansas," Adams said.&nbsp;<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">It’s true, I got a BRAND new feeling about Kansas. <a href="https://t.co/iIKdjHpKjH">https://t.co/iIKdjHpKjH</a>&mdash; Mayor Eric Adams (@NYCMayor) <a href="https://twitter.com/NYCMayor/status/1580203094977044480?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 12, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>In October, Big 12 Conference commissioner Brett Yormark visited with Adams and took him a basketball jersey from the University of Kansas, the defending national champions.

🎥Kansas governor asks New York City mayor for an apology

Brooke Justin Barlow, 50, died February 28, 2023, at Ascension Via 
Christi St. Francis, Wichita. Born October 6, 1972, in Newton, Kansas. 
He was the son of Ronald V. and Laura J. (Michaelis) Barlow.&nbsp; Brooke 
graduated from Hoisington High School in 1991.

Brooke worked as a technician for the US Infrastructure Company in 
Wichita, Kansas.&nbsp; He was an outdoor enthusiast and loved hunting and 
fishing.&nbsp; He also loved spending time on the golf course and cooking for
 his family, especially anything that could be made on his smoker.&nbsp; His 
pride and joy were his three grandsons, which he loved spending time 
with, and he was excited to have his first granddaughter who is due in a
 few weeks.

Survivors include two daughters, Taylor Spresser and significant 
other Tayton Moreland of Russell, and Savannah Sidebottom and husband 
Bryce of Salina; three grandsons, Graham Spresser, Brynk Sidebottom and 
Boyd Sidebottom; and soon to be, granddaughter, Baby Zoey. He is also 
survived by a sister, Jessica Campbell of Hoisington; niece, Rylie 
Campbell, and nephew, Peyton Campbell.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ron &amp; Laura Barlow, and 
grandparents, Reuben &amp; Babe Michaelis, and Dusty &amp; Helen Barlow.

Memorial service will be 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, March 14, 2023, at 
Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Hoisington, with Rhonda Templing, SAM 
presiding.&nbsp; Family will greet friends prior to the service starting at 
9:30 a.m. at the church.

Memorials may be made to Brooke Barlow Memorial Fund, in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington, KS 67544.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1677884327216.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Brooke Justin Barlow, 50, died February 28, 2023, at Ascension Via 
Christi St. Francis, Wichita. Born October 6, 1972, in Newton, Kansas. 
He was the son of Ronald V. and Laura J. (Michaelis) Barlow.&nbsp; Brooke 
graduated from Hoisington High School in 1991.Brooke worked as a technician for the US Infrastructure Company in 
Wichita, Kansas.&nbsp; He was an outdoor enthusiast and loved hunting and 
fishing.&nbsp; He also loved spending time on the golf course and cooking for
 his family, especially anything that could be made on his smoker.&nbsp; His 
pride and joy were his three grandsons, which he loved spending time 
with, and he was excited to have his first granddaughter who is due in a
 few weeks.Survivors include two daughters, Taylor Spresser and significant 
other Tayton Moreland of Russell, and Savannah Sidebottom and husband 
Bryce of Salina; three grandsons, Graham Spresser, Brynk Sidebottom and 
Boyd Sidebottom; and soon to be, granddaughter, Baby Zoey. He is also 
survived by a sister, Jessica Campbell of Hoisington; niece, Rylie 
Campbell, and nephew, Peyton Campbell.He was preceded in death by his parents, Ron &amp; Laura Barlow, and 
grandparents, Reuben &amp; Babe Michaelis, and Dusty &amp; Helen Barlow.Memorial service will be 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, March 14, 2023, at 
Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Hoisington, with Rhonda Templing, SAM 
presiding.&nbsp; Family will greet friends prior to the service starting at 
9:30 a.m. at the church.Memorials may be made to Brooke Barlow Memorial Fund, in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington, KS 67544.

Brooke Justin Barlow

Ronnie Arthur Patterson left this earth for his heavenly home on 
February 20, 2023, in Marlow, Oklahoma, at the age of 75. A memorial 
service for family and friends will be held on Saturday, March 4th, at 
11:00 AM at the Chisholm Trail Heritage Center in Duncan, Oklahoma. All 
are welcome. Care and arrangements have been entrusted to Whitt Funeral
 Home. Ronnie was born to Arthur and Estelle Patterson on 
October 7, 1947. The second of four children, Ronnie was raised amidst 
rows of cotton and melons in Hollis, Oklahoma. After graduating from the
 Hollis High School, Ronnie found work at Republic Gypsum in Duke. 
Later, Ronnie met and married Debra Talley. From this union were born 
Ronnie's two daughters, Rebekah and Kimberly. Life brought 
Ronnie to Marlow, Oklahoma, and to Cable's Meat. The art of butchery and 
the love of meat learned there followed Ronnie all his days. Ronnie's 
spare time in Marlow was spent attending college at the Oklahoma 
Missionary Bible College and photographing weddings and events. Ronnie
 later met and married his best friend and lifelong companion, Carol 
Marie Stephenson of Little River, Kansas. Ronnie and Carol made a home 
in Larned, Kansas. In Larned, Ronnie worked for the Youth Center at 
Larned (YCAL) where found his calling in the protection and service of 
at-risk children. Ronnie later earned his degree in Social Work from 
Fort Hays State University in his early '50s. Ronnie's purpose of 
protecting and serving our most vulnerable took them to several 
locations in Kansas until finally settling in New Mexico until his 
retirement in 2014. Ronnie and Carol were steadfast partners in 
travel and adventure, sharing their love of the mountains and the magic 
within them. From the golden aspens in Colorado to New Mexico green 
chiles, they experienced life together completely. When home, their 
family of cats kept them company. Any given weekend they could be found 
at the nearest venue listening to their favorite country singers in 
concert. No matter the destination, they were together. Always. Ronnie
 is preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Estelle Patterson of 
Hollis, Oklahoma. Ronnie is survived by his wife, Carol Patterson of 
Marlow, Oklahoma, daughter Rebekah Herring and husband Ron of Velma, 
Oklahoma, and daughter Kimberly Smith and husband Dustin of Marlow, 
Oklahoma. Ronnie is further survived by his older brother JC Patterson 
and wife Mary, younger brother Tommy Patterson and wife Ada, and younger
 sister Betty Seba and husband Larry. Surviving grandchildren are Lily 
Swindell and husband Blake, Emma Herring, Nathan Herring, Addison 
Herring, and Lincoln Smith. Ronnie will be missed by countless cousins, 
nieces, nephews, brothers and sisters in law, and friends. Ronnie's
 family would like to extend a special and heartfelt thank you to the 
caring people at West Wind Assisted Living, Gregston's Nursing Home and 
Traditions Hospice.

In memoriam and in lieu of flowers, Ronnie's family 
asks that any contributions be made to Horizons Child Advocacy Center, 
1600 N. Lorraine, Suite 202, Hutchinson, KS 67502. Online condolences can be made at www.whittfh.com.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1677879019158.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Ronnie Arthur Patterson left this earth for his heavenly home on 
February 20, 2023, in Marlow, Oklahoma, at the age of 75. A memorial 
service for family and friends will be held on Saturday, March 4th, at 
11:00 AM at the Chisholm Trail Heritage Center in Duncan, Oklahoma. All 
are welcome. Care and arrangements have been entrusted to Whitt Funeral
 Home. Ronnie was born to Arthur and Estelle Patterson on 
October 7, 1947. The second of four children, Ronnie was raised amidst 
rows of cotton and melons in Hollis, Oklahoma. After graduating from the
 Hollis High School, Ronnie found work at Republic Gypsum in Duke. 
Later, Ronnie met and married Debra Talley. From this union were born 
Ronnie's two daughters, Rebekah and Kimberly. Life brought 
Ronnie to Marlow, Oklahoma, and to Cable's Meat. The art of butchery and 
the love of meat learned there followed Ronnie all his days. Ronnie's 
spare time in Marlow was spent attending college at the Oklahoma 
Missionary Bible College and photographing weddings and events. Ronnie
 later met and married his best friend and lifelong companion, Carol 
Marie Stephenson of Little River, Kansas. Ronnie and Carol made a home 
in Larned, Kansas. In Larned, Ronnie worked for the Youth Center at 
Larned (YCAL) where found his calling in the protection and service of 
at-risk children. Ronnie later earned his degree in Social Work from 
Fort Hays State University in his early '50s. Ronnie's purpose of 
protecting and serving our most vulnerable took them to several 
locations in Kansas until finally settling in New Mexico until his 
retirement in 2014. Ronnie and Carol were steadfast partners in 
travel and adventure, sharing their love of the mountains and the magic 
within them. From the golden aspens in Colorado to New Mexico green 
chiles, they experienced life together completely. When home, their 
family of cats kept them company. Any given weekend they could be found 
at the nearest venue listening to their favorite country singers in 
concert. No matter the destination, they were together. Always. Ronnie
 is preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Estelle Patterson of 
Hollis, Oklahoma. Ronnie is survived by his wife, Carol Patterson of 
Marlow, Oklahoma, daughter Rebekah Herring and husband Ron of Velma, 
Oklahoma, and daughter Kimberly Smith and husband Dustin of Marlow, 
Oklahoma. Ronnie is further survived by his older brother JC Patterson 
and wife Mary, younger brother Tommy Patterson and wife Ada, and younger
 sister Betty Seba and husband Larry. Surviving grandchildren are Lily 
Swindell and husband Blake, Emma Herring, Nathan Herring, Addison 
Herring, and Lincoln Smith. Ronnie will be missed by countless cousins, 
nieces, nephews, brothers and sisters in law, and friends. Ronnie's
 family would like to extend a special and heartfelt thank you to the 
caring people at West Wind Assisted Living, Gregston's Nursing Home and 
Traditions Hospice. In memoriam and in lieu of flowers, Ronnie's family 
asks that any contributions be made to Horizons Child Advocacy Center, 
1600 N. Lorraine, Suite 202, Hutchinson, KS 67502. Online condolences can be made at www.whittfh.com.

Ronnie Arthur Patterson

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Two defense attorneys who've questioned the fairness of a yearlong investigation in Kansas into Republican campaign activities accused the state ethics commission Thursday of violating Kansas' open meetings law.

The two attorneys represent people investigated by&nbsp;<a href="https://ethics.kansas.gov/">the Kansas Governmental Ethics Commission,</a>&nbsp;and they filed their complaint with state Attorney General Kris Kobach. The complaint said internal documents show that commission members had illegal, secret “serial communications” by email in April 2022 and took official action without a public meeting.

Records obtained by them and The Associated Press show commission members and staff decided by email how to counter a short-lived effort by Republicans in the GOP-controlled Legislature&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-campaigns-legislature-kansas-elections-a0e42fb5eb9b235f49946747ce644e50">to oust the commission's executive director.</a>

That ouster effort came less than six weeks after the commission subpoenaed at least seven Kansas Republican Party officials in February 2022, demanding that they turn over seven months' worth of communications in 2020 with more than 20 other people.

A commission report justifying those subpoenas suggested that it is investigating whether Republicans funneled national GOP funds through various committees to the state party and legislative candidates in 2020 to avoid contribution limits.

The attorneys filing the opening meetings complaint, Kansas City-area law partners Ryan Kriegshauser and Joshua Ney, also argue that the commission has a history of enforcing ethics rules inconsistently and violating people's constitutionally protected rights to free speech and fair treatment under the law.

Some Republican lawmakers believe the commission is on a fishing expedition, and the Kansas House is considering a bill&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-republican-party-wichita-kansas-topeka-subpoenas-20f32f2198174f8db446bee2c4039d85">to overhaul campaign laws and reduce the commission's power</a>&nbsp;over issues raised by Krieghauser, Ney and others.

“Ninety-five percent of the punishment is just the cloud of having an ethics investigation, and so ultimately, the process is the punishment,” Ney said in an interview Thursday. “There is something seriously broken and dysfunctional with this agency.”

The ethics commission's executive director, Mark Skoglund, dismissed the complaint as an effort “to rally support for an absurd bill” that he said would “unleash an endless stream of dark money into Kansas."

Both Kobach and local District Attorney Mike Kagay, who also could wade in, are elected Republicans.

Several people who received the commission's subpoenas are asking a state district court judge to quash them. The commission report justifying the subpoenas listed transactions in 2020 involving Kansas Senate President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/legislature-kansas-wichita-elections-topeka-b356a78372fd6db9d62ac996459ea641">Ty Masterson</a>&nbsp;and House Speaker&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/legislature-kansas-topeka-wichita-dan-hawkins-00703940e631419a6347afeee59e342a">Dan Hawkins,</a>&nbsp;both Wichita-area Republicans, before they had those offices.

The report didn't accuse Masterson or Hawkins of wrongdoing, and no complaints have been filed with the commission over such transactions. Masterson said the commission dropped a demand for records from him, while Hawkins said last week that he was never subpoenaed.

Kriegshauser is the attorney for a GOP consultant under investigation and Ney has long represented people facing commission investigations and complaints. They filed an open records request with the commission in late January to obtain more than 100 pages of emails and other communications.

Skoglund released the same documents Wednesday to The Associated Press and said in emails to the AP that the commission already had reported the email chain questioned by the two attorneys to Kagay, the local district attorney. Skoglund said the commission has "a persistent interest in transparency.”

By JOHN HANNA&nbsp;TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Two defense attorneys who've questioned the fairness of a yearlong investigation in Kansas into Republican campaign activities accused the state ethics commission Thursday of violating Kansas' open meetings law.The two attorneys represent people investigated by&nbsp;<a href="https://ethics.kansas.gov/">the Kansas Governmental Ethics Commission,</a>&nbsp;and they filed their complaint with state Attorney General Kris Kobach. The complaint said internal documents show that commission members had illegal, secret “serial communications” by email in April 2022 and took official action without a public meeting.Records obtained by them and The Associated Press show commission members and staff decided by email how to counter a short-lived effort by Republicans in the GOP-controlled Legislature&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-campaigns-legislature-kansas-elections-a0e42fb5eb9b235f49946747ce644e50">to oust the commission's executive director.</a>That ouster effort came less than six weeks after the commission subpoenaed at least seven Kansas Republican Party officials in February 2022, demanding that they turn over seven months' worth of communications in 2020 with more than 20 other people.A commission report justifying those subpoenas suggested that it is investigating whether Republicans funneled national GOP funds through various committees to the state party and legislative candidates in 2020 to avoid contribution limits.The attorneys filing the opening meetings complaint, Kansas City-area law partners Ryan Kriegshauser and Joshua Ney, also argue that the commission has a history of enforcing ethics rules inconsistently and violating people's constitutionally protected rights to free speech and fair treatment under the law.Some Republican lawmakers believe the commission is on a fishing expedition, and the Kansas House is considering a bill&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-republican-party-wichita-kansas-topeka-subpoenas-20f32f2198174f8db446bee2c4039d85">to overhaul campaign laws and reduce the commission's power</a>&nbsp;over issues raised by Krieghauser, Ney and others.“Ninety-five percent of the punishment is just the cloud of having an ethics investigation, and so ultimately, the process is the punishment,” Ney said in an interview Thursday. “There is something seriously broken and dysfunctional with this agency.”The ethics commission's executive director, Mark Skoglund, dismissed the complaint as an effort “to rally support for an absurd bill” that he said would “unleash an endless stream of dark money into Kansas."Both Kobach and local District Attorney Mike Kagay, who also could wade in, are elected Republicans.Several people who received the commission's subpoenas are asking a state district court judge to quash them. The commission report justifying the subpoenas listed transactions in 2020 involving Kansas Senate President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/legislature-kansas-wichita-elections-topeka-b356a78372fd6db9d62ac996459ea641">Ty Masterson</a>&nbsp;and House Speaker&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/legislature-kansas-topeka-wichita-dan-hawkins-00703940e631419a6347afeee59e342a">Dan Hawkins,</a>&nbsp;both Wichita-area Republicans, before they had those offices.The report didn't accuse Masterson or Hawkins of wrongdoing, and no complaints have been filed with the commission over such transactions. Masterson said the commission dropped a demand for records from him, while Hawkins said last week that he was never subpoenaed.Kriegshauser is the attorney for a GOP consultant under investigation and Ney has long represented people facing commission investigations and complaints. They filed an open records request with the commission in late January to obtain more than 100 pages of emails and other communications.Skoglund released the same documents Wednesday to The Associated Press and said in emails to the AP that the commission already had reported the email chain questioned by the two attorneys to Kagay, the local district attorney. Skoglund said the commission has "a persistent interest in transparency.”“There has been no determination of a violation and it is entirely possible that no violation occurred in this instance,” Skoglund said in email Thursday.Kobach’s office confirmed that it received the attorneys’ complaint electronically but said it could not comment further. Kagay did not immediately return telephone and email messages seeking comment.Internal documents show that on April 4, 2022, three days after legislators tried to oust Skoglund, the commission's general counsel, Brett Barry, emailed commission members a “reminder” that the Kansas Open Meetings Act greatly restricts discussing public business by email. Skoglund told The AP on Wednesday that the commission also had an open-meetings training session in October.The documents also show that after Skoglund notified commission members about the legislative effort to oust him, one of them, Wichita banker Jane Deterding, emailed back, “Well, that sucks!!”“I'm all in to help,” she added.Hours later, after the ouster attempt fizzled, another commission member, Kansas City-area attorney Kyle Krull, suggested an “unofficial” commission-and-staff meeting “at an offsite venue” to host lawmakers and discuss the matter “socially.” His email also said “we can even dip into” commission funds to cover such an event.That message prompted Skoglund to ask Berry to “gently remind” commissioners of the Open Meetings Act's restrictions, though he said of Krull, "I think he is likely joking.”But Kriegshauser said such an email shows a troubling “cavalier attitude” from commission members about the power they wield.