John Lee Balderston, 72, was called to his Heavenly Home on September
 3, 2022, surrounded by his wife and family at his home in Beaver, 
Kansas.&nbsp; He was born July 10, 1950, in Clay Center, Kansas, the son of 
John William and Hazel (Forney) Balderston. John served as a SP4 in the 
Army from 1968 to 1974..&nbsp;

He worked for the United States Postal Service as a letter carrier in
 Great Bend from 1978 until his retirement in 2005.. He later began 
working as a custodian for USD 431, at Lincoln Elementary.

He loved his job, enjoyed the staff and interacting with the children who labeled him as “The Whistling Janitor."

On April 8, 1980, he married Mary E. (Meyeres) Flaherty, in Great 
Bend, Kansas.&nbsp; In 1988, on their anniversary, they renewed their vows at
 Holy Family Catholic Church, in Odin, Kansas. John was currently a 
member of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, in Hoisington, Kansas
 and a member of the V.F.W. John loved the great outdoors, everything 
from fishing and camping to bowhunting.&nbsp; He excelled at archery and made
 his own arrows.&nbsp; He was a Boy Scout Leader in Claflin Kansas when his 
stepchildren were growing up.&nbsp; In his later years his family would often
 gather at Sylvan Park at Wilson Lake to camp. A handyman in all 
aspects, John could fix or build anything and never turned down an 
opportunity to help his kids in whatever they needed, whether it was 
home improvement or working on automobiles. &nbsp;He was always up for the 
task.&nbsp; John loved to listen to Christian Music.&nbsp; The Gaithers was just 
one of his many favorites.&nbsp; He learned to play the guitar and with his 
love of woodworking he built a cigar box guitar which brought him much 
joy. John will always be remembered for his deep love and dedication to 
God and his family.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Balderston of the home; a son, Heath
 Balderston and wife Jamie of Andover; stepsons, John P. Flaherty of 
Lenexa, Michael Flaherty and wife Angela of Derby; and a stepdaughter, 
Shelly Keller and husband Travis of Hays; ex-wife, Sharon (Lagasse) 
Angelmeyer of Great Bend; and eight grandchildren, Dayton Balderston, 
Avery Balderston, Jordan Flaherty, Madisyn Keller, Quinton Flaherty, 
Kaitlyn Flaherty, Camryn Flaherty, and Karlynn Flaherty; and numerous 
nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a grandson, Tanner Starkey 
Flaherty, brother, Larry Balderston, sisters, JoAnn Krager and LaDonna 
Rundle, and an infant brother, Ray.

Services will be Tuesday, October 11th, 2022, at 
Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, Hoisington.&nbsp; A Rosary will begin at 1:30 
p.m., with Memorial Service beginning at 2 p.m., with Father Anselm Eke,
 MSP, presiding.&nbsp;Inurnment will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery, Beaver, 
Kansas, with military honors conducted by Fort Riley Army Honor Guard.

Memorials may be made to the Beaver Volunteer Fire Department or St. 
John the Evangelist Catholic Church in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral 
Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington, KS 67544.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1664544098643.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>John Lee Balderston, 72, was called to his Heavenly Home on September
 3, 2022, surrounded by his wife and family at his home in Beaver, 
Kansas.&nbsp; He was born July 10, 1950, in Clay Center, Kansas, the son of 
John William and Hazel (Forney) Balderston. John served as a SP4 in the 
Army from 1968 to 1974..&nbsp;He worked for the United States Postal Service as a letter carrier in
 Great Bend from 1978 until his retirement in 2005.. He later began 
working as a custodian for USD 431, at Lincoln Elementary.He loved his job, enjoyed the staff and interacting with the children who labeled him as “The Whistling Janitor."On April 8, 1980, he married Mary E. (Meyeres) Flaherty, in Great 
Bend, Kansas.&nbsp; In 1988, on their anniversary, they renewed their vows at
 Holy Family Catholic Church, in Odin, Kansas. John was currently a 
member of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, in Hoisington, Kansas
 and a member of the V.F.W. John loved the great outdoors, everything 
from fishing and camping to bowhunting.&nbsp; He excelled at archery and made
 his own arrows.&nbsp; He was a Boy Scout Leader in Claflin Kansas when his 
stepchildren were growing up.&nbsp; In his later years his family would often
 gather at Sylvan Park at Wilson Lake to camp. A handyman in all 
aspects, John could fix or build anything and never turned down an 
opportunity to help his kids in whatever they needed, whether it was 
home improvement or working on automobiles. &nbsp;He was always up for the 
task.&nbsp; John loved to listen to Christian Music.&nbsp; The Gaithers was just 
one of his many favorites.&nbsp; He learned to play the guitar and with his 
love of woodworking he built a cigar box guitar which brought him much 
joy. John will always be remembered for his deep love and dedication to 
God and his family.He is survived by his wife, Mary Balderston of the home; a son, Heath
 Balderston and wife Jamie of Andover; stepsons, John P. Flaherty of 
Lenexa, Michael Flaherty and wife Angela of Derby; and a stepdaughter, 
Shelly Keller and husband Travis of Hays; ex-wife, Sharon (Lagasse) 
Angelmeyer of Great Bend; and eight grandchildren, Dayton Balderston, 
Avery Balderston, Jordan Flaherty, Madisyn Keller, Quinton Flaherty, 
Kaitlyn Flaherty, Camryn Flaherty, and Karlynn Flaherty; and numerous 
nieces and nephews.He was preceded in death by his parents, a grandson, Tanner Starkey 
Flaherty, brother, Larry Balderston, sisters, JoAnn Krager and LaDonna 
Rundle, and an infant brother, Ray.Services will be Tuesday, October 11th, 2022, at 
Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, Hoisington.&nbsp; A Rosary will begin at 1:30 
p.m., with Memorial Service beginning at 2 p.m., with Father Anselm Eke,
 MSP, presiding.&nbsp;Inurnment will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery, Beaver, 
Kansas, with military honors conducted by Fort Riley Army Honor Guard.Memorials may be made to the Beaver Volunteer Fire Department or St. 
John the Evangelist Catholic Church in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral 
Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington, KS 67544.

John Lee Balderston

Regan Laine Lewis, 20, of Grinnell, KS, died Tuesday, September 27, 
2022, at Kearney Regional Medical Center, in Kearney, NE. She was born 
in Hays, KS, on April 9, 2002, to Patrick and Connie (Werth) Lewis. 

Regan grew up on the family farm, where she loved being around animals. 
She enjoyed training horses, barrel racing, working and sorting cattle, 
and driving the combine. She was active in 4-H and FCCLA president. One 
of her favorite FCCLA projects was training her cat Tigger (Tubby) to 
become a service cat, which she took to the state level. Regan was also a
 talented artist and like painting. Along with caring for animals, Regan
 was good at caring for people, which lead her to pursue a career in 
nursing. Regan worked her way up from a CNA to a CMA, and then in May of
 2022, became a Licensed Practical Nurse. She worked at Colby Health and
 Rehab and was continuing her studies at Colby Community College to 
receive her Associates Degree in Nursing and become a Registered Nurse. 
 
Regan was preceded in death by her grandparents, Julian Werth, Ronald 
Lewis and Jeannine Lewis; uncle Larri Lewis and her trained service cat 
Tigger (Tubby). 
She is survived by her parents Patrick and Connie Lewis, of Grinnell; 
brothers, Logan Lewis, Merritt Island, FL and Weston Lewis, Wichita, KS;
 grandmother Elaine Werth, WaKeeney, KS; aunts and uncles, Terry 
(Stefanie) Werth, Parkville, MO, Tami (Troy) Wilson, Galva, KS, Lynda 
(Mike) Jamison, Great Bend, KS, Julie Werth, Shawnee, KS, Rhonda (Tom) 
Unruh, Newton, KS, Brenda (Brent) Blocker, Chapman, KS, Brian (Rachael) 
Werth, Wichita, KS, Loren (Kristie) Werth, Dearborn, MO, Starla (Allen) 
Donnel, Edmond, OK and Teresa Lewis, of Grinnell; many cousins and 
friends and her beloved cats, Beans, Unyen and Kevin. 
Visitation is 5-7:00 p.m. Friday, September 30, 2022, at Baalmann 
Mortuary, Oakley, with a vigil at 7:00 p.m. Funeral Mass is 10:00 a.m. 
Saturday, October 1, 2022, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Oakley. Burial
 will take place in the Gove Cemetery, Gove, KS.

Memorials are suggested
 to the Northwest Kansas Animal Shelter or CCC Endowment Foundation, for
 the nursing program and sent in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 391, 
Colby, KS 67701. For information or condolences visit 
www.baalmannmortuary.com&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1664456120860.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Regan Laine Lewis, 20, of Grinnell, KS, died Tuesday, September 27, 
2022, at Kearney Regional Medical Center, in Kearney, NE. She was born 
in Hays, KS, on April 9, 2002, to Patrick and Connie (Werth) Lewis. 
Regan grew up on the family farm, where she loved being around animals. 
She enjoyed training horses, barrel racing, working and sorting cattle, 
and driving the combine. She was active in 4-H and FCCLA president. One 
of her favorite FCCLA projects was training her cat Tigger (Tubby) to 
become a service cat, which she took to the state level. Regan was also a
 talented artist and like painting. Along with caring for animals, Regan
 was good at caring for people, which lead her to pursue a career in 
nursing. Regan worked her way up from a CNA to a CMA, and then in May of
 2022, became a Licensed Practical Nurse. She worked at Colby Health and
 Rehab and was continuing her studies at Colby Community College to 
receive her Associates Degree in Nursing and become a Registered Nurse. 
 
Regan was preceded in death by her grandparents, Julian Werth, Ronald 
Lewis and Jeannine Lewis; uncle Larri Lewis and her trained service cat 
Tigger (Tubby). 
She is survived by her parents Patrick and Connie Lewis, of Grinnell; 
brothers, Logan Lewis, Merritt Island, FL and Weston Lewis, Wichita, KS;
 grandmother Elaine Werth, WaKeeney, KS; aunts and uncles, Terry 
(Stefanie) Werth, Parkville, MO, Tami (Troy) Wilson, Galva, KS, Lynda 
(Mike) Jamison, Great Bend, KS, Julie Werth, Shawnee, KS, Rhonda (Tom) 
Unruh, Newton, KS, Brenda (Brent) Blocker, Chapman, KS, Brian (Rachael) 
Werth, Wichita, KS, Loren (Kristie) Werth, Dearborn, MO, Starla (Allen) 
Donnel, Edmond, OK and Teresa Lewis, of Grinnell; many cousins and 
friends and her beloved cats, Beans, Unyen and Kevin. 
Visitation is 5-7:00 p.m. Friday, September 30, 2022, at Baalmann 
Mortuary, Oakley, with a vigil at 7:00 p.m. Funeral Mass is 10:00 a.m. 
Saturday, October 1, 2022, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Oakley. Burial
 will take place in the Gove Cemetery, Gove, KS. Memorials are suggested
 to the Northwest Kansas Animal Shelter or CCC Endowment Foundation, for
 the nursing program and sent in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 391, 
Colby, KS 67701. For information or condolences visit 
www.baalmannmortuary.com&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

Regan Laine Lewis

Virginia Jacqueline Clapp, age 86, Hays, Kansas passed away on Wednesday September 28, 2022, at Hays Medical Center. She was born October 28, 1935, in Salina, Kansas, to Anthony and Edith (Pihl) Zamrzla. A 1953 graduate of Sacred Heart High School, she was known as "Zam" by her friends. She was particularly proud of this nickname, as it was shared with her dad, Sacred Heart basketball's Coach Zam. Virginia met the love of her life, a tall, handsome US Air Force airman named Gene Clapp, on her front porch for a blind date, a date that had been set up by her best friend. Gene and Virginia were married in Salina on June 2, 1957, the day after she graduated from Marymount College. Gene preceded her in death November 27, 1988. Making their home in several Kansas towns as teachers, the Clapps made their final move in 1971 to Hays, KS. Virginia began teaching English at Hays Junior High, which later transitioned to Felten Middle School, teaching in the same classroom for 23 years. She was known by all for her red grading pen, finding and correcting writing and grammatical errors of both pupils and colleagues. A favorite last day of school tradition blossomed during those years where Mrs. Clapp and a teaching friend would engage in a water gun fight in the hallways of FMS. Mrs. Clapp retired from teaching in 1992 but kept busy with many activities. She served as an elder, deacon, and chairwoman for Presbyterian Women of Hays First Presbyterian Church. A favorite part of her service was the weekly Wednesday Bible study with friends from church. She also met weekly with a group of retired teacher friends, known as "The Wednesday Night Club," who went out to eat at all the different restaurants Hays had to offer. Virginia also served several years as chairperson for the Humane Society of the High Plains' annual fundraiser, The Souper Bowl. Virginia was preceded in death by her husband of 32 years, daughter Gayla Amend, stillborn daughter Holly, her father and mother, brothers Bruce Zamrzla and Larry Zamrzla, sister-in-law Shirley Zamrzla, nephew Brett Zamrzla, father and mother-in-law Fred and Myrtle Clapp. She is survived by daughters Lanette Shaffer and husband Kevin of Fort Morgan, CO, Jenny Prine and husband Toby of Hays, KS, son-in-law Ty Amend of Wichita, KS, grandchildren Lexi (Nate) Rogers, Tyler Shaffer, Emily (Michael) Stefan, and Andrew Prine, great grandchildren Oaklyn and Easton Rogers, Eleanor Stefan, sister-in-law Jeanette Zamrzla, and many nieces and nephews. Visitation will be 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, September 30th, at Brock's-Keithley Funeral Chapel, 2509 Vine Street, Hays. Funeral Services will be held 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 1st, at the First Presbyterian Church, 2900 Hall Street, Hays. A private graveside service will be held at Roselawn Memorial Park in Salina, KS. Memorials are suggested to the HaysMed Hospice or Amazing Grace Homecare in care of the mortuary. Condolences may be shared by guest book at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com/">www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1664487664429.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Virginia Jacqueline Clapp, age 86, Hays, Kansas passed away on Wednesday September 28, 2022, at Hays Medical Center. She was born October 28, 1935, in Salina, Kansas, to Anthony and Edith (Pihl) Zamrzla. A 1953 graduate of Sacred Heart High School, she was known as "Zam" by her friends. She was particularly proud of this nickname, as it was shared with her dad, Sacred Heart basketball's Coach Zam. Virginia met the love of her life, a tall, handsome US Air Force airman named Gene Clapp, on her front porch for a blind date, a date that had been set up by her best friend. Gene and Virginia were married in Salina on June 2, 1957, the day after she graduated from Marymount College. Gene preceded her in death November 27, 1988. Making their home in several Kansas towns as teachers, the Clapps made their final move in 1971 to Hays, KS. Virginia began teaching English at Hays Junior High, which later transitioned to Felten Middle School, teaching in the same classroom for 23 years. She was known by all for her red grading pen, finding and correcting writing and grammatical errors of both pupils and colleagues. A favorite last day of school tradition blossomed during those years where Mrs. Clapp and a teaching friend would engage in a water gun fight in the hallways of FMS. Mrs. Clapp retired from teaching in 1992 but kept busy with many activities. She served as an elder, deacon, and chairwoman for Presbyterian Women of Hays First Presbyterian Church. A favorite part of her service was the weekly Wednesday Bible study with friends from church. She also met weekly with a group of retired teacher friends, known as "The Wednesday Night Club," who went out to eat at all the different restaurants Hays had to offer. Virginia also served several years as chairperson for the Humane Society of the High Plains' annual fundraiser, The Souper Bowl. Virginia was preceded in death by her husband of 32 years, daughter Gayla Amend, stillborn daughter Holly, her father and mother, brothers Bruce Zamrzla and Larry Zamrzla, sister-in-law Shirley Zamrzla, nephew Brett Zamrzla, father and mother-in-law Fred and Myrtle Clapp. She is survived by daughters Lanette Shaffer and husband Kevin of Fort Morgan, CO, Jenny Prine and husband Toby of Hays, KS, son-in-law Ty Amend of Wichita, KS, grandchildren Lexi (Nate) Rogers, Tyler Shaffer, Emily (Michael) Stefan, and Andrew Prine, great grandchildren Oaklyn and Easton Rogers, Eleanor Stefan, sister-in-law Jeanette Zamrzla, and many nieces and nephews. Visitation will be 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, September 30th, at Brock's-Keithley Funeral Chapel, 2509 Vine Street, Hays. Funeral Services will be held 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 1st, at the First Presbyterian Church, 2900 Hall Street, Hays. A private graveside service will be held at Roselawn Memorial Park in Salina, KS. Memorials are suggested to the HaysMed Hospice or Amazing Grace Homecare in care of the mortuary. Condolences may be shared by guest book at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com/">www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com</a>

Virginia Jacqueline Clapp

Darrell Keith Barton, 82, of Russell, Kansas, passed away on Monday, September 26, 2022, in Hays, Kansas.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Darrell was born on April 29, 1940, in El Dorado, Kansas. He was the son of Delmar Milton Barton and LaVada Mae (Strain) Barton. He was raised in Russell and graduated from Russell High School in 1958.&nbsp; Shortly after graduation, he joined the United States&nbsp;Marine Corps. His overseas duty assignments included Okinawa, Japan. DaNang Vietnam and Subic Bay, Philippines.&nbsp; While stationed in Japan he met, fell in love with and married Akemi (Kim) Honda on September 26, 1961, in Fukuoka, Japan. From this union Darrell &amp; Kim were blessed with two children, a son, Dan, and a daughter, Raelene. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Darrell served his country honorably in the Marine Corps for 20 years and while he had a few overseas assignments, he was fortunate to spend most of his career in the Kansas&nbsp;City area. After retiring from the Marine Corps, he spent several years in the trucking industry as well as owning his own business. He was a member of the local V.F.W.&nbsp;and the American Legion. He enjoyed watching his Kansas City Royals and Chiefs as well&nbsp;as the Kansas Jayhawks. If there was a Chiefs or Royals game on, he was watching it.&nbsp;

Surviving family include his son Dan and daughter-in-law Gayle of Cumming, Georgia;&nbsp;his daughter Raelene and son-in-law Bob Herndon of Overland Park, Kansas; and his grandchildren Emily, Matthew, Katie and Nick. He was preceded in death by his wife, Kim, his parents and sister, LaVonne Buehler.&nbsp;&nbsp;

A celebration of Darrell’s life will be held at 1:00 on Monday, October 3rd, at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary in Russell, KS. &nbsp;Burial will follow at the Russell&nbsp;City Cemetery&nbsp;where Russell V.F.W. Post 6240 Honor Guard will conduct Military Rites. &nbsp;Visitation will be held Monday morning from 9:00 AM to Service time at the mortuary. &nbsp;

Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary is in charge of these arrangements.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1664482281132.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Darrell Keith Barton, 82, of Russell, Kansas, passed away on Monday, September 26, 2022, in Hays, Kansas.&nbsp;&nbsp;Darrell was born on April 29, 1940, in El Dorado, Kansas. He was the son of Delmar Milton Barton and LaVada Mae (Strain) Barton. He was raised in Russell and graduated from Russell High School in 1958.&nbsp; Shortly after graduation, he joined the United States&nbsp;Marine Corps. His overseas duty assignments included Okinawa, Japan. DaNang Vietnam and Subic Bay, Philippines.&nbsp; While stationed in Japan he met, fell in love with and married Akemi (Kim) Honda on September 26, 1961, in Fukuoka, Japan. From this union Darrell &amp; Kim were blessed with two children, a son, Dan, and a daughter, Raelene. &nbsp;&nbsp;Darrell served his country honorably in the Marine Corps for 20 years and while he had a few overseas assignments, he was fortunate to spend most of his career in the Kansas&nbsp;City area. After retiring from the Marine Corps, he spent several years in the trucking industry as well as owning his own business. He was a member of the local V.F.W.&nbsp;and the American Legion. He enjoyed watching his Kansas City Royals and Chiefs as well&nbsp;as the Kansas Jayhawks. If there was a Chiefs or Royals game on, he was watching it.&nbsp;Surviving family include his son Dan and daughter-in-law Gayle of Cumming, Georgia;&nbsp;his daughter Raelene and son-in-law Bob Herndon of Overland Park, Kansas; and his grandchildren Emily, Matthew, Katie and Nick. He was preceded in death by his wife, Kim, his parents and sister, LaVonne Buehler.&nbsp;&nbsp;A celebration of Darrell’s life will be held at 1:00 on Monday, October 3rd, at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary in Russell, KS. &nbsp;Burial will follow at the Russell&nbsp;City Cemetery&nbsp;where Russell V.F.W. Post 6240 Honor Guard will conduct Military Rites. &nbsp;Visitation will be held Monday morning from 9:00 AM to Service time at the mortuary. &nbsp;Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary is in charge of these arrangements.

Darrell Keith Barton

Thelma Mae Strecker Blasé, 90, of Sylvan Grove, Kansas, passed 
away Tuesday, September 27, 2022, at Salina Regional Hospital.  Thelma 
was born June 1, 1932, in Russell County. 

 She was the daughter of David
 George Strecker and Elizabeth Mae Stellings Strecker.  She attended, 
was confirmed and graduated from the Bethlehem Lutheran Grade school.  
She attended Lucas high school but quit and got married to Raymond Blasé
 on November 27, 1949, in Sylvan Grove.  They had six children, 3 girls 
and 3 boys: Shirley Mae Blasé Small, Sylvan Grove; Judy Kay Blasé, 
Wilson; Marilyn Fay Errebo, Wilson; Louis Ray Blasé, Sylvan Grove; 
Robert David Blasé, Hoisington; and Richard Allan Blasé, deceased.   She
 also had 16 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren and 14 great-great 
grandchildren.

Thelma went back to high school in 1977 
and graduated with a diploma. Beside being a busy Mom, Grandma and Great
 Grandma, she was the bookkeeper for "Ray's Garage" on Main Street in 
Sylvan Grove. Thelma and Ray spent a lot of time fishing and camping.  
She took up tying fish flies; loved to read books from the library; 
collected butterflies and loved to cook.  She decorated many of her kids
 and grandchildren’s wedding cakes.

Thelma was a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church.

A
 10 AM funeral service is planned for Monday, October 3, 2022, at 
Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Sylvan Grove.  Pastor Christopher Craig is 
the officiant.  Burial is at the Lutheran Cemetery.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1664476324031.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Thelma Mae Strecker Blasé, 90, of Sylvan Grove, Kansas, passed 
away Tuesday, September 27, 2022, at Salina Regional Hospital. Thelma 
was born June 1, 1932, in Russell County. She was the daughter of David
 George Strecker and Elizabeth Mae Stellings Strecker. She attended, 
was confirmed and graduated from the Bethlehem Lutheran Grade school. 
She attended Lucas high school but quit and got married to Raymond Blasé
 on November 27, 1949, in Sylvan Grove. They had six children, 3 girls 
and 3 boys: Shirley Mae Blasé Small, Sylvan Grove; Judy Kay Blasé, 
Wilson; Marilyn Fay Errebo, Wilson; Louis Ray Blasé, Sylvan Grove; 
Robert David Blasé, Hoisington; and Richard Allan Blasé, deceased. She
 also had 16 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren and 14 great-great 
grandchildren.Thelma went back to high school in 1977 
and graduated with a diploma. Beside being a busy Mom, Grandma and Great
 Grandma, she was the bookkeeper for "Ray's Garage" on Main Street in 
Sylvan Grove. Thelma and Ray spent a lot of time fishing and camping. 
She took up tying fish flies; loved to read books from the library; 
collected butterflies and loved to cook. She decorated many of her kids
 and grandchildren’s wedding cakes.Thelma was a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church.A
 10 AM funeral service is planned for Monday, October 3, 2022, at 
Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Sylvan Grove. Pastor Christopher Craig is 
the officiant. Burial is at the Lutheran Cemetery.&nbsp;

Thelma Mae Blasé

WASHINGTON (AP) — Six Republican-led states are suing the Biden administration in an effort to halt its plan to forgive student loan debt for tens of millions of Americans, accusing it of overstepping its executive powers.

It’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-education-lawsuits-executive-branch-88a53926a6583fdb7b8c311206f5357f">at least the second legal challenge this week</a>&nbsp;to the sweeping proposal laid out by President Joe Biden in late August, when he said his administration&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/student-loan-forgiveness-biden-plan-d9c8e18774a744187c9af634bf4eb728">would cancel up to $20,000 in education debt</a>&nbsp;for huge numbers of borrowers. The announcement, after months of internal deliberations and pressure from liberal activists, became immediate political fodder ahead of the November midterms while fueling arguments from conservatives about legality.

In the lawsuit, being filed Thursday in a federal court in Missouri, the Republican states argue that Biden's cancellation plan is “not remotely tailored to address the effects of the pandemic on federal student loan borrowers,” as required by the 2003 federal law that the administration is using as legal justification. They point out that Biden, in an interview with CBS' "60 Minutes” this month, declared the Covid-19 pandemic over, yet is still using the ongoing health emergency to justify&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/student-loan-forgiveness-program-explained-d248f3b049c292856bb1c74be6aedef2">the wide-scale debt relief.</a>

“It’s patently unfair to saddle hard-working Americans with the loan debt of those who chose to go to college,” Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge, who is leading the group, said in an interview.

She added: “The Department of Education is required, under the law, to collect the balance due on loans. And President Biden does not have the authority to override that.”

The states of Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and South Carolina joined Arkansas in filing the lawsuit. Iowa has a Democratic attorney general, but the state's Republican governor, Kim Reynolds, signed on the state's behalf. The states argue that Missouri's loan servicer is facing a “number of ongoing financial harms” because of Biden's decision to cancel loans. Other states that joined the lawsuit argue that Biden's forgiveness plan will ultimately disrupt revenue to state coffers.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/how-to-get-student-loan-refund-if-you-paid-during-pandemic-ac42ffdca1d37d1fe8d1d63f6faeaa6f">Biden’s forgiveness program</a>&nbsp;will cancel $10,000 in student loan debt for those making less than $125,000 or households with less than $250,000 in income.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-education-higher-pell-grant-fce8a300f7d7400283891dc223cbc378">Pell Grant recipients</a>, who typically demonstrate more financial need, will get an additional $10,000 in debt forgiven.

The administration also said it would extend the current pause on federal student loan repayments — put on hold near the start of the pandemic more than two years ago — once more through the end of the year.

The administration faced threats of legal challenges to its plans almost immediately, with conservative attorneys, Republican lawmakers and business-oriented groups asserting that Biden was overstepping his authority in taking such sweeping action without the assent of Congress.

Democratic lawmakers battling in tough reelection contests also distanced themselves from the student loan plan, as Republican officials called it an unfair government giveaway for relatively affluent people at the expense of those who didn’t pursue higher education.

In their lawsuit, the Republican attorneys general also contend that the forgiveness program violates the Administrative Procedures Act, which lays out how federal agencies should make regulations in order to ensure executive branch policies are well-reasoned and explained.

“The president does not have the authority to put himself in the place of Congress,” Rutledge said in the interview. “These actions must be taken by Congress and he can’t override that.”

To justify the plan’s legality, the Biden administration is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-covid-health-education-0fea030a0875c0e4e1a39b0c098bd48a">relying on a post-Sept. 11, 2001, law</a>&nbsp;meant to help members of the military that the Justice Department says allows Biden to reduce or erase student loan debt during a national emergency. But Republicans argue the administration is misinterpreting the law because, in part, the pandemic no longer qualifies as a national emergency.

Another lawsuit against Biden’s student loan program was filed this week in an Indiana federal court by the Pacific Legal Foundation, a libertarian legal advocacy group that employs a lawyer who says he would be harmed by the forgiveness plan. The lawyer, Frank Garrison, says erasing his current debt load will trigger a tax liability from the state of Indiana, which is among at least a half dozen states where the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-education-minnesota-mississippi-ffe9ed18bf0a434970ab09b1d89800e2">forgiven loan amounts will be subject to state taxes</a>.

The White House dismissed the lawsuit as baseless because any borrower who does not want the debt relief can opt out. The Education Department is still on track to unveil the application for the forgiveness plan in early October.

Republicans have also seized on the Biden plan’s price tag and its impact on the nation’s budget deficit. The Congressional Budget Office said this week that the program will&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-education-congress-government-and-politics-359a28d9691745afd6154eac5f0550dc">cost about $400 billion over the next three decades</a>. The White House countered that the CBO’s estimate of how much the plan will cost just in its first year, $21 billion, is lower than what the administration initially believed.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1661367707782.png" alt="President Biden and Education Secretary Miguel Cardona during an August 24, announcement on student loan forgiveness. -White House Photo" />
 <figcaption>President Biden and Education Secretary Miguel Cardona during an August 24, announcement on student loan forgiveness. -White House Photo</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Six Republican-led states are suing the Biden administration in an effort to halt its plan to forgive student loan debt for tens of millions of Americans, accusing it of overstepping its executive powers.It’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-education-lawsuits-executive-branch-88a53926a6583fdb7b8c311206f5357f">at least the second legal challenge this week</a>&nbsp;to the sweeping proposal laid out by President Joe Biden in late August, when he said his administration&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/student-loan-forgiveness-biden-plan-d9c8e18774a744187c9af634bf4eb728">would cancel up to $20,000 in education debt</a>&nbsp;for huge numbers of borrowers. The announcement, after months of internal deliberations and pressure from liberal activists, became immediate political fodder ahead of the November midterms while fueling arguments from conservatives about legality.In the lawsuit, being filed Thursday in a federal court in Missouri, the Republican states argue that Biden's cancellation plan is “not remotely tailored to address the effects of the pandemic on federal student loan borrowers,” as required by the 2003 federal law that the administration is using as legal justification. They point out that Biden, in an interview with CBS' "60 Minutes” this month, declared the Covid-19 pandemic over, yet is still using the ongoing health emergency to justify&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/student-loan-forgiveness-program-explained-d248f3b049c292856bb1c74be6aedef2">the wide-scale debt relief.</a>“It’s patently unfair to saddle hard-working Americans with the loan debt of those who chose to go to college,” Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge, who is leading the group, said in an interview.She added: “The Department of Education is required, under the law, to collect the balance due on loans. And President Biden does not have the authority to override that.”The states of Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and South Carolina joined Arkansas in filing the lawsuit. Iowa has a Democratic attorney general, but the state's Republican governor, Kim Reynolds, signed on the state's behalf. The states argue that Missouri's loan servicer is facing a “number of ongoing financial harms” because of Biden's decision to cancel loans. Other states that joined the lawsuit argue that Biden's forgiveness plan will ultimately disrupt revenue to state coffers.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/how-to-get-student-loan-refund-if-you-paid-during-pandemic-ac42ffdca1d37d1fe8d1d63f6faeaa6f">Biden’s forgiveness program</a>&nbsp;will cancel $10,000 in student loan debt for those making less than $125,000 or households with less than $250,000 in income.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-education-higher-pell-grant-fce8a300f7d7400283891dc223cbc378">Pell Grant recipients</a>, who typically demonstrate more financial need, will get an additional $10,000 in debt forgiven.The administration also said it would extend the current pause on federal student loan repayments — put on hold near the start of the pandemic more than two years ago — once more through the end of the year.The administration faced threats of legal challenges to its plans almost immediately, with conservative attorneys, Republican lawmakers and business-oriented groups asserting that Biden was overstepping his authority in taking such sweeping action without the assent of Congress.Democratic lawmakers battling in tough reelection contests also distanced themselves from the student loan plan, as Republican officials called it an unfair government giveaway for relatively affluent people at the expense of those who didn’t pursue higher education.In their lawsuit, the Republican attorneys general also contend that the forgiveness program violates the Administrative Procedures Act, which lays out how federal agencies should make regulations in order to ensure executive branch policies are well-reasoned and explained.“The president does not have the authority to put himself in the place of Congress,” Rutledge said in the interview. “These actions must be taken by Congress and he can’t override that.”To justify the plan’s legality, the Biden administration is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-covid-health-education-0fea030a0875c0e4e1a39b0c098bd48a">relying on a post-Sept. 11, 2001, law</a>&nbsp;meant to help members of the military that the Justice Department says allows Biden to reduce or erase student loan debt during a national emergency. But Republicans argue the administration is misinterpreting the law because, in part, the pandemic no longer qualifies as a national emergency.Another lawsuit against Biden’s student loan program was filed this week in an Indiana federal court by the Pacific Legal Foundation, a libertarian legal advocacy group that employs a lawyer who says he would be harmed by the forgiveness plan. The lawyer, Frank Garrison, says erasing his current debt load will trigger a tax liability from the state of Indiana, which is among at least a half dozen states where the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-education-minnesota-mississippi-ffe9ed18bf0a434970ab09b1d89800e2">forgiven loan amounts will be subject to state taxes</a>.The White House dismissed the lawsuit as baseless because any borrower who does not want the debt relief can opt out. The Education Department is still on track to unveil the application for the forgiveness plan in early October.Republicans have also seized on the Biden plan’s price tag and its impact on the nation’s budget deficit. The Congressional Budget Office said this week that the program will&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-education-congress-government-and-politics-359a28d9691745afd6154eac5f0550dc">cost about $400 billion over the next three decades</a>. The White House countered that the CBO’s estimate of how much the plan will cost just in its first year, $21 billion, is lower than what the administration initially believed.

GOP states sue Biden administration over student loan plan

Ida Forristal passed away on September 17, 2022, at the age of 97. 
She was born on the family farm in Trego County, Kansas, on January 8, 
1925, to Nicholas and Anna (Stadelman) Dreiling. She was the youngest of
 nine children, was raised on the farm, and attended school in WaKeeney.
 She was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Ellis, where she was 
united in marriage to William L. Forristal on August 12, 1946.

Ida was a devout Catholic all her life. She loved dancing, playing 
golf, cheating at games, laughing with her friends and her caregivers at
 Riverview Estates. Most of all, she loved her children, grandchildren, 
and great-grandchildren. She was a wife for 32 years, a mother for 74 
years, a grandmother for 45 years, and a great-grandmother for eight 
years.

Ida was preceded in death by her parents; husband, William; five brothers; and two sisters.

Survivors include brother, Alfred Dreiling of Hays, who will soon be 
102; sons, David of Salina, and George Forristal (Nora) of Highlands 
Ranch, CO; daughters, Vicky Lonergan (Mark) of San Diego, CA, and Mary 
Kay Lindh (Kerry) of Marquette; eight grandchildren; and five 
great-grandchildren.

Her life will be celebrated with a Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral in 
Salina on Saturday, October 22, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. followed by 
interment at Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Salina. 

Memorials in honor of Ida may
 be made to Riverview Estates in Marquette, KS, and sent in care of Ryan
 Mortuary, 137 North Eighth Street, Salina, KS 67401.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1664471274876.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Ida Forristal passed away on September 17, 2022, at the age of 97. 
She was born on the family farm in Trego County, Kansas, on January 8, 
1925, to Nicholas and Anna (Stadelman) Dreiling. She was the youngest of
 nine children, was raised on the farm, and attended school in WaKeeney.
 She was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Ellis, where she was 
united in marriage to William L. Forristal on August 12, 1946.Ida was a devout Catholic all her life. She loved dancing, playing 
golf, cheating at games, laughing with her friends and her caregivers at
 Riverview Estates. Most of all, she loved her children, grandchildren, 
and great-grandchildren. She was a wife for 32 years, a mother for 74 
years, a grandmother for 45 years, and a great-grandmother for eight 
years.Ida was preceded in death by her parents; husband, William; five brothers; and two sisters.Survivors include brother, Alfred Dreiling of Hays, who will soon be 
102; sons, David of Salina, and George Forristal (Nora) of Highlands 
Ranch, CO; daughters, Vicky Lonergan (Mark) of San Diego, CA, and Mary 
Kay Lindh (Kerry) of Marquette; eight grandchildren; and five 
great-grandchildren.Her life will be celebrated with a Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral in 
Salina on Saturday, October 22, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. followed by 
interment at Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Salina. Memorials in honor of Ida may
 be made to Riverview Estates in Marquette, KS, and sent in care of Ryan
 Mortuary, 137 North Eighth Street, Salina, KS 67401.

Ida (Dreiling) Forristal

Lloyd William Littrell was born on August 21, 1948, in Holdrege, 
Nebraska, the son of George and Genevive Smith Littrell. He died Monday,
 September 26, 2022, at the Salina Regional Hospital in Salina, Kansas, at
 the age of 74.

He grew up in California before his family moved back to Nebraska 
and Kansas. He attended Phillipsburg High School, where he graduated in 
1966.

On September 20, 1967, he was united in marriage with Joyce 
McClintock, and they recently celebrated 55 years of marriage together. 
Four children, Dawn, Jana, Jeremy, and Heath were born to this union.

Lloyd joined the United States Air Force, and served in the 
Vietnam War.&nbsp; They lived in California for a brief time before returning
 to Beloit, where they currently reside.

He worked for the City of Beloit for 34 years, serving as the 
Director of Plant Operations. He also served two terms on the Beloit 
City Council, and was also very active in the Zion Lutheran Church, 
serving on the Church Council for many years. He was a life member of 
the VFW Post #6242, and was also a member of the American Legion.

In his spare time, Lloyd enjoyed doing genealogy, coaching baseball, and being active in the Boy Scouts.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Donna Maaske and
 Barbara Russell; brother, Darrell Bohl; parents-in-law, Vernice and 
Peggy McClintock; and a sister-in-law, Linda McClintock.

Lloyd is survived by his wife Joyce of the home; daughters, Dawn 
(Dale) Dolezal of Downs and Jana Fairchild of Lincoln, NE; sons, Jeremy 
(Tamara Brose-Littrell) of Lincoln, NE and Heath (Rhea 
Reitmeyer-Littrell) of Wamego; siblings, Gary (Peggy) of Phillipsburg, 
Dianne Johnson of Hays, and Eddie Bohl of Faucett, MO; brothers and 
sisters-in-law, Ralph Russell of Smith Center, Harry (Joan) McClintock 
of Clay Center, Randy (Paulette) McClintock of Beloit, Karl (Julie) 
McClintock of Lincoln, NE, Debbie (Dean) Walters of Beloit, and Kristi 
(Doug) Cox of Beloit; 16 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren; and a 
host of nieces, nephews, and friends.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 AM Saturday, October 1 at the 
Zion Lutheran Church in Beloit. Visitation will be from 1-7 PM with 
family present from 5-6 PM Friday at the Roberts Family Funeral Home. 

In
 lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Church or VFW Post 
#6242.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1664471151869.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Lloyd William Littrell was born on August 21, 1948, in Holdrege, 
Nebraska, the son of George and Genevive Smith Littrell. He died Monday,
 September 26, 2022, at the Salina Regional Hospital in Salina, Kansas, at
 the age of 74.He grew up in California before his family moved back to Nebraska 
and Kansas. He attended Phillipsburg High School, where he graduated in 
1966.On September 20, 1967, he was united in marriage with Joyce 
McClintock, and they recently celebrated 55 years of marriage together. 
Four children, Dawn, Jana, Jeremy, and Heath were born to this union.Lloyd joined the United States Air Force, and served in the 
Vietnam War.&nbsp; They lived in California for a brief time before returning
 to Beloit, where they currently reside.He worked for the City of Beloit for 34 years, serving as the 
Director of Plant Operations. He also served two terms on the Beloit 
City Council, and was also very active in the Zion Lutheran Church, 
serving on the Church Council for many years. He was a life member of 
the VFW Post #6242, and was also a member of the American Legion.In his spare time, Lloyd enjoyed doing genealogy, coaching baseball, and being active in the Boy Scouts.He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Donna Maaske and
 Barbara Russell; brother, Darrell Bohl; parents-in-law, Vernice and 
Peggy McClintock; and a sister-in-law, Linda McClintock.Lloyd is survived by his wife Joyce of the home; daughters, Dawn 
(Dale) Dolezal of Downs and Jana Fairchild of Lincoln, NE; sons, Jeremy 
(Tamara Brose-Littrell) of Lincoln, NE and Heath (Rhea 
Reitmeyer-Littrell) of Wamego; siblings, Gary (Peggy) of Phillipsburg, 
Dianne Johnson of Hays, and Eddie Bohl of Faucett, MO; brothers and 
sisters-in-law, Ralph Russell of Smith Center, Harry (Joan) McClintock 
of Clay Center, Randy (Paulette) McClintock of Beloit, Karl (Julie) 
McClintock of Lincoln, NE, Debbie (Dean) Walters of Beloit, and Kristi 
(Doug) Cox of Beloit; 16 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren; and a 
host of nieces, nephews, and friends.Funeral services will be at 10:30 AM Saturday, October 1 at the 
Zion Lutheran Church in Beloit. Visitation will be from 1-7 PM with 
family present from 5-6 PM Friday at the Roberts Family Funeral Home. In
 lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Church or VFW Post 
#6242.

Lloyd William Littrell 

LaDonna Jean Dirks, 84, departed from her earthly adventure to enter 
her heavenly home on September 28, 2022, at Wesley Medical Center, 
Wichita, Kan. She was born on May 17, 1938, at Dodge City, Kan., to 
Louis &amp; Elma (Deines) Dirks.

LaDonna grew up on a farm south of Dodge City and had many fond 
memories of 4-H and life on the farm. A lifelong learner and educator, 
LaDonna attended school in rural Richland Valley Elementary school, 
Dodge City Jr. and Senior High Schools, Texas Lutheran University in 
Sequin, Texas, where she earned her BA in 1960, and later received her 
master’s in education from Kansas State University in 1986. She spent 
most of her teaching career at Dodge City elementary schools. LaDonna 
retired from teaching and moved to Great Bend where she worked as an 
assistant at Rosewood Services until retirement. LaDonna loved children 
and cared for several children that consider her their "adopted 
grandmother."

LaDonna was a member of St. Mark Lutheran Church, was involved in 
women’s associations with the church, and served on various committees.

Survivors include many beloved family members. She is preceded in death by her parents; and a sister, Ruth (Virgil) Shank.

There will be no visitation as cremation has taken place. A 
celebration of life will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, October 7, 2022,
 at St. Mark Lutheran Church, Great Bend, Kan., with Pastor Adam Wutka 
and Pastor Chris Deines presiding. Inurnment will take place at 2:00 
p.m., Saturday, October 8, 2022, at Christ the King Cemetery, Dodge 
City, Kan. 

Memorials can be made to Oaks Indian Center or the LaDonna 
Dirks Memorial Fund, in care of Bryant Funeral Home.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1664471077430.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>LaDonna Jean Dirks, 84, departed from her earthly adventure to enter 
her heavenly home on September 28, 2022, at Wesley Medical Center, 
Wichita, Kan. She was born on May 17, 1938, at Dodge City, Kan., to 
Louis &amp; Elma (Deines) Dirks.LaDonna grew up on a farm south of Dodge City and had many fond 
memories of 4-H and life on the farm. A lifelong learner and educator, 
LaDonna attended school in rural Richland Valley Elementary school, 
Dodge City Jr. and Senior High Schools, Texas Lutheran University in 
Sequin, Texas, where she earned her BA in 1960, and later received her 
master’s in education from Kansas State University in 1986. She spent 
most of her teaching career at Dodge City elementary schools. LaDonna 
retired from teaching and moved to Great Bend where she worked as an 
assistant at Rosewood Services until retirement. LaDonna loved children 
and cared for several children that consider her their "adopted 
grandmother."LaDonna was a member of St. Mark Lutheran Church, was involved in 
women’s associations with the church, and served on various committees.Survivors include many beloved family members. She is preceded in death by her parents; and a sister, Ruth (Virgil) Shank.There will be no visitation as cremation has taken place. A 
celebration of life will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, October 7, 2022,
 at St. Mark Lutheran Church, Great Bend, Kan., with Pastor Adam Wutka 
and Pastor Chris Deines presiding. Inurnment will take place at 2:00 
p.m., Saturday, October 8, 2022, at Christ the King Cemetery, Dodge 
City, Kan. Memorials can be made to Oaks Indian Center or the LaDonna 
Dirks Memorial Fund, in care of Bryant Funeral Home.

LaDonna Jean Dirks

Pat Criss, of Colby, Thomas County, Kansas, passed from this life at her
 home on September 23, 2022, at the age of 85. Pat was born at Goodland,
 Kansas, to Alfred H. “Cotton” Stover and Fontella Mae (Perry) Stover on
 November 8, 1936, as Helen Patricia Stover. A few years later, Pat was 
joined by her sister, Kayla Sue Hawk Plume (d.2000). 
Pat grew up on the Stover family farm north of Winona, Kansas, and 
attended Winona High School in Winona. After graduation, she attended 
Kansas State University where she studied accounting, graduating cum 
laude with her Bachelors’ Degree in 1956. While at K-State she met and 
fell for her husband, B. Eugene Criss, whom she married in 1956. To this
 marriage, Pat and Gene welcomed a daughter, Nancy Lynne, and a son, 
Terry Dwayne. 
Pat and Gene worked together in Gene’s accounting practice in Colby and 
continued to do so after Gene sold the practice to Kennedy &amp; Coe, 
CPAs. Together they enjoyed weekends with friends at Lake Swanson, near 
Trenton, Nebraska, golf, bowling, travelling and Kansas State sports. 
They had a vacation home in Pagosa Springs, Colorado for many years. 
They were married for 54 years, until Gene’s death in 2010. 
Pat enjoyed golf and travelled around northwest Kansas playing in local 
tournaments with her friends. She played piano for many years. But 
undoubtedly, her most passionate interest was bridge. She was an intense
 player and competed for several years in tournaments throughout a 
multi-state region, eventually attaining status as a Gold Life Master in
 the American Contract Bridge Association. Pat was also active in 
community affairs and was an avid supporter of the Pickin’ on the Plains
 Bluegrass Festival, Prairie Museum of Art and History, and Colby 
Community College among others. Always a Wildcat, Pat generously 
contributed to scholarship funds at Kansas State University. She was a 
member of Pi Gamma Sorority and Colby Women’s League. 
Pat survived bouts with cancer in 1981 and 1998 before finally 
succumbing. She is survived by her daughter, Nancy Selinger (Doug) of 
Colorado Springs, Colorado, and their children Gregory, of Denver, and 
Christina, of Fort Collins, Colorado and her son, Terry (Patty) of Kemp,
 Texas and his children Marie, of St. Charles, Missouri and Blaine, of 
The Colony, Texas. 
Services will be held at the Colby United Methodist Church on October 7,
 2022, at 10:00 am, followed by a lunch at The Gathering Place.

In lieu 
of flowers, memorials may be made to the Pickin’ on the Plains Bluegrass
 Festival or to the Prairie Museum of Art and History and sent in care 
of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 391, Colby, KS 67701. 

For information or 
condolences visit baalmannmortuary.com. The many visits, prayers and 
kind thoughts for Pat over the last two months have been sincerely 
appreciated.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1664470937525.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Pat Criss, of Colby, Thomas County, Kansas, passed from this life at her
 home on September 23, 2022, at the age of 85. Pat was born at Goodland,
 Kansas, to Alfred H. “Cotton” Stover and Fontella Mae (Perry) Stover on
 November 8, 1936, as Helen Patricia Stover. A few years later, Pat was 
joined by her sister, Kayla Sue Hawk Plume (d.2000). 
Pat grew up on the Stover family farm north of Winona, Kansas, and 
attended Winona High School in Winona. After graduation, she attended 
Kansas State University where she studied accounting, graduating cum 
laude with her Bachelors’ Degree in 1956. While at K-State she met and 
fell for her husband, B. Eugene Criss, whom she married in 1956. To this
 marriage, Pat and Gene welcomed a daughter, Nancy Lynne, and a son, 
Terry Dwayne. 
Pat and Gene worked together in Gene’s accounting practice in Colby and 
continued to do so after Gene sold the practice to Kennedy &amp; Coe, 
CPAs. Together they enjoyed weekends with friends at Lake Swanson, near 
Trenton, Nebraska, golf, bowling, travelling and Kansas State sports. 
They had a vacation home in Pagosa Springs, Colorado for many years. 
They were married for 54 years, until Gene’s death in 2010. 
Pat enjoyed golf and travelled around northwest Kansas playing in local 
tournaments with her friends. She played piano for many years. But 
undoubtedly, her most passionate interest was bridge. She was an intense
 player and competed for several years in tournaments throughout a 
multi-state region, eventually attaining status as a Gold Life Master in
 the American Contract Bridge Association. Pat was also active in 
community affairs and was an avid supporter of the Pickin’ on the Plains
 Bluegrass Festival, Prairie Museum of Art and History, and Colby 
Community College among others. Always a Wildcat, Pat generously 
contributed to scholarship funds at Kansas State University. She was a 
member of Pi Gamma Sorority and Colby Women’s League. 
Pat survived bouts with cancer in 1981 and 1998 before finally 
succumbing. She is survived by her daughter, Nancy Selinger (Doug) of 
Colorado Springs, Colorado, and their children Gregory, of Denver, and 
Christina, of Fort Collins, Colorado and her son, Terry (Patty) of Kemp,
 Texas and his children Marie, of St. Charles, Missouri and Blaine, of 
The Colony, Texas. 
Services will be held at the Colby United Methodist Church on October 7,
 2022, at 10:00 am, followed by a lunch at The Gathering Place. In lieu 
of flowers, memorials may be made to the Pickin’ on the Plains Bluegrass
 Festival or to the Prairie Museum of Art and History and sent in care 
of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 391, Colby, KS 67701. For information or 
condolences visit baalmannmortuary.com. The many visits, prayers and 
kind thoughts for Pat over the last two months have been sincerely 
appreciated.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

Pat Criss

By JIM MCLEAN <a href="https://www.kcur.org/2022-09-28/kansas-gets-ready-to-send-tax-dollars-to-small-businesses-hurt-by-pandemic-orders">Kansas News Service</a>

LAWRENCE —&nbsp;Tish Cobb figures she lost about $15,000 in
 the spring of 2020 when state and local health orders aimed at slowing 
the spread of the coronavirus shut down her hair salon.

“I lost business,” she said, “for eight weeks.”

Subsequent orders that limited the number of customers she could serve also cost her money.

Now, she and other small business owners can recoup some of their COVID-19 pandemic losses through a program established by the <a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/documents/summary_hb_2136_2022" target="_blank">Retail Storefront Property Tax Relief Act </a>passed in the final days of the Kansas Legislature’s 2022 session and signed into law by Gov. Laura Kelly in June.

The
 law earmarks $50 million in federal COVID tax dollars for partial 
property tax refunds to retail businesses forced to close or cut 
occupancy during the pandemic. Businesses with pandemic-related losses 
in 2020 and 2021 are eligible for up to $10,000 – $5,000 for each year.

The <a href="https://www.ksrevenue.gov/#:~:text=COVID%2D19%20Retail%20Storefront%20Property%20Tax%20Relief%20Act&amp;text=House%20Bill%202136%2C%20enacted%20during,tax%20years%202020%20and%202021." target="_blank">Kansas Department of Revenue</a> will start processing refund applications in October.

Revenue
 Secretary Mark Burghart said the agency is putting the finishing 
touches on a one-page application that business owners will complete 
online.

“We’re trying to keep this as simple as possible,” Burghart said.

A date hasn’t been set for the start of applications, he said, because the agency is still testing is website.

Only
 certain brick-and-mortar businesses are eligible for the refunds. 
Cobb’s salon, located in downtown Lawrence, qualifies. So do restaurants
 and other types of small retailers.

But the law excludes a long 
list of businesses, including grocery stores, pharmacies, liquor stores 
and service providers. Nonprofits, online businesses and companies that 
received more than $150,000 in Payroll Protection Loans or other types 
of federal and state COVID-19 assistance are also ineligible.

“That’s
 the way it should be,” Cobb said. “It was hard hearing about big 
companies getting bailouts when I don’t think they were impacted like we
 were.”

Refund amounts will be based on a businesses’ property taxes and the number of days it was affected by public health orders.

To
 assist businesses owners who may have incomplete records, the 
Department of Revenue has created a database of all the orders issued by
 the state and local governments during the pandemic. It will be linked 
to the online application form.

Business owners intending to apply for a refund from the state must first <a href="https://usfcr.com/" target="_blank">register online</a>
 for a federal ID number. Due to a backlog, Burghart said, that could 
take some time. So, he’s encouraging businesses to start the process 
before the state begins accepting refund applications.

“Because,” he said, “we will not be able to accept the application without that number.”

Kansas businesses have until April 15, 2023 to apply for assistance.

Jim McLean is the Statehouse Bureau Chief for Kansas Public Radio and
 the senior political reporter for the Kansas News Service. Follow him 
on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/jmcleanks" target="_blank">@jmcleanks</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1664401520936.png" alt="Tish Cobb hopes to recover some of the $15,000 she thinks she lost because of business restrictions during the pandemic. Jim McLean / Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption>Tish Cobb hopes to recover some of the $15,000 she thinks she lost because of business restrictions during the pandemic. Jim McLean / Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure>By JIM MCLEAN <a href="https://www.kcur.org/2022-09-28/kansas-gets-ready-to-send-tax-dollars-to-small-businesses-hurt-by-pandemic-orders">Kansas News Service</a>LAWRENCE —&nbsp;Tish Cobb figures she lost about $15,000 in
 the spring of 2020 when state and local health orders aimed at slowing 
the spread of the coronavirus shut down her hair salon.“I lost business,” she said, “for eight weeks.”Subsequent orders that limited the number of customers she could serve also cost her money.Now, she and other small business owners can recoup some of their COVID-19 pandemic losses through a program established by the <a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/documents/summary_hb_2136_2022" target="_blank">Retail Storefront Property Tax Relief Act </a>passed in the final days of the Kansas Legislature’s 2022 session and signed into law by Gov. Laura Kelly in June.The
 law earmarks $50 million in federal COVID tax dollars for partial 
property tax refunds to retail businesses forced to close or cut 
occupancy during the pandemic. Businesses with pandemic-related losses 
in 2020 and 2021 are eligible for up to $10,000 – $5,000 for each year.The <a href="https://www.ksrevenue.gov/#:~:text=COVID%2D19%20Retail%20Storefront%20Property%20Tax%20Relief%20Act&amp;text=House%20Bill%202136%2C%20enacted%20during,tax%20years%202020%20and%202021." target="_blank">Kansas Department of Revenue</a> will start processing refund applications in October.Revenue
 Secretary Mark Burghart said the agency is putting the finishing 
touches on a one-page application that business owners will complete 
online.“We’re trying to keep this as simple as possible,” Burghart said.A date hasn’t been set for the start of applications, he said, because the agency is still testing is website.Only
 certain brick-and-mortar businesses are eligible for the refunds. 
Cobb’s salon, located in downtown Lawrence, qualifies. So do restaurants
 and other types of small retailers.But the law excludes a long 
list of businesses, including grocery stores, pharmacies, liquor stores 
and service providers. Nonprofits, online businesses and companies that 
received more than $150,000 in Payroll Protection Loans or other types 
of federal and state COVID-19 assistance are also ineligible.“That’s
 the way it should be,” Cobb said. “It was hard hearing about big 
companies getting bailouts when I don’t think they were impacted like we
 were.”Refund amounts will be based on a businesses’ property taxes and the number of days it was affected by public health orders.To
 assist businesses owners who may have incomplete records, the 
Department of Revenue has created a database of all the orders issued by
 the state and local governments during the pandemic. It will be linked 
to the online application form.Business owners intending to apply for a refund from the state must first <a href="https://usfcr.com/" target="_blank">register online</a>
 for a federal ID number. Due to a backlog, Burghart said, that could 
take some time. So, he’s encouraging businesses to start the process 
before the state begins accepting refund applications.“Because,” he said, “we will not be able to accept the application without that number.”Kansas businesses have until April 15, 2023 to apply for assistance.Jim McLean is the Statehouse Bureau Chief for Kansas Public Radio and
 the senior political reporter for the Kansas News Service. Follow him 
on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/jmcleanks" target="_blank">@jmcleanks</a>.

Kansas set to send aid to small businesses hurt by pandemic orders

Neil Andrew Marshall was born on December 21, 1930, to Lawrence Henry
 Marshall &amp; Gladys (Penn) Marshall at the Benton Memorial Hospital 
in Oberlin, KS.  He passed away at Decatur Health Systems Hospital in 
Oberlin, KS in the early morning of September 28, 2022, at the age of 91
 years old.

Neil attended Liberty Township Country School, 
completing the 10th Grade. He grew up on the farm of Andrew Penn in 
Liberty Township through the '30s up to 1945. He and his brothers moved 
to Lincoln, NE where they worked at a bowling alley setting pins. He 
then went to Wyoming where he worked as a Lumber Jack till, he was 
drafted by the United States Army on September 9, 1952, sent to Korea, 
and was assigned to C Company 10th Field Artillery Battalion, 8th Army. 
 He served until September 9, 1954, as a forward observer and at a POW 
recovery camp.  He was awarded the Korean Service Medal with 2 Bronze 
Stars, United Nations Service Medal, the Good Conduct Medal and the 
National Defense Service Medal. He returned to Oberlin and began work 
with Leo and Opal Harman raising Greyhounds and farming.

On 
November 26, 1957, he married Barbara Kay Olmsted of Oberlin in Denver, 
CO. They made their home in Kanona, KS for a time, then moved to North 
Platte, NE where he was house painter.  They returned to Oberlin in 1962
 where they made their home. He worked as a custodian at Decatur 
Community High School for many years before finally retiring. They had 3
 sons, Tracy, Troy and Lamoine (stillborn).  They were happily married 
for nearly 31 years, till Barbara passed away just 21 days before their 
anniversary in 1988.

He loved to garden and put models together.  
Building ship models was a favorite hobby and he enjoyed giving them to 
family and friends.  One ship he made was a replica of the ship that his
 family came to America on.  He then turned his interest to oil painting
 and was quite talented.  He shared his paintings with family, friends, 
and places around town.  He loved his family and looked forward to 
seeing them whenever he could.  He had a great love of the Lord and read
 and studied his Bible daily.

He attended St. John’s Lutheran 
Church till he began attending the Oberlin Covenant Church in the '90s 
where he was very actively involved until mobility became challenging.

He
 was a gentleman and capable of accomplishing anything he set his mind 
to.  He continued to live in their house on the hill after the passing 
of his wife until he opted for less to care for and moved to the Goltl 
apartments for a few years prior to a move to Wheatridge in 2021, then 
to the Good Samaritan Home in 2022.  The family is so grateful to all of
 those who cared for him during those years.

He was preceded in 
death by his parents, Lawrence &amp; Gladys; his wife, Barbara; and 
infant son, Lamoine, as well as his three brothers, James (Jim) 
Marshall, Ronald Marshall, and Jerry Marshall

Survivors include 
his two sons and their wives: Tracy and Leigh Marshall of Waco, TX; Troy
 and Debra Marshall of Norcatur, KS. Five Grandchildren and their 
spouses: Matthew Marshall, Waco, TX; Austin and Joy Marshall of Lincoln,
 NE; Andrea and Adam Spanier of Kearney, NE; Anthony Marshall, Wichita 
KS; Amanda and Lucas Coryell of Oberlin, KS.  Seven Great Grandchildren:
 Evelyn and Tucker Spanier of Kearney, NE; Wyatt, Coulter, Adelia and 
Lydia Coryell of Oberlin, KS.  He is survived by numerous nieces, 
nephews, great nieces and nephews as well as great-great nieces and 
nephews, and numerous friends.

Services will be held on Saturday, 
October 1, 2022 at Oberlin Covenant Church at 2:00 PM.  Visitation will 
be from 12:00 – 7:00 PM with family receiving guest from 5:00 – 7:00 PM.
  Burial will be in Oberlin Cemetery next to his wife Barbara. 

 
Memorials may be made to the Oberlin Covenant Church. Condolence can be 
left at www.paulsfh.com.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1664460521154.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Neil Andrew Marshall was born on December 21, 1930, to Lawrence Henry
 Marshall &amp; Gladys (Penn) Marshall at the Benton Memorial Hospital 
in Oberlin, KS. He passed away at Decatur Health Systems Hospital in 
Oberlin, KS in the early morning of September 28, 2022, at the age of 91
 years old.Neil attended Liberty Township Country School, 
completing the 10th Grade. He grew up on the farm of Andrew Penn in 
Liberty Township through the '30s up to 1945. He and his brothers moved 
to Lincoln, NE where they worked at a bowling alley setting pins. He 
then went to Wyoming where he worked as a Lumber Jack till, he was 
drafted by the United States Army on September 9, 1952, sent to Korea, 
and was assigned to C Company 10th Field Artillery Battalion, 8th Army. 
 He served until September 9, 1954, as a forward observer and at a POW 
recovery camp. He was awarded the Korean Service Medal with 2 Bronze 
Stars, United Nations Service Medal, the Good Conduct Medal and the 
National Defense Service Medal. He returned to Oberlin and began work 
with Leo and Opal Harman raising Greyhounds and farming.On 
November 26, 1957, he married Barbara Kay Olmsted of Oberlin in Denver, 
CO. They made their home in Kanona, KS for a time, then moved to North 
Platte, NE where he was house painter. They returned to Oberlin in 1962
 where they made their home. He worked as a custodian at Decatur 
Community High School for many years before finally retiring. They had 3
 sons, Tracy, Troy and Lamoine (stillborn). They were happily married 
for nearly 31 years, till Barbara passed away just 21 days before their 
anniversary in 1988.He loved to garden and put models together. 
Building ship models was a favorite hobby and he enjoyed giving them to 
family and friends. One ship he made was a replica of the ship that his
 family came to America on. He then turned his interest to oil painting
 and was quite talented. He shared his paintings with family, friends, 
and places around town. He loved his family and looked forward to 
seeing them whenever he could. He had a great love of the Lord and read
 and studied his Bible daily.He attended St. John’s Lutheran 
Church till he began attending the Oberlin Covenant Church in the '90s 
where he was very actively involved until mobility became challenging.He
 was a gentleman and capable of accomplishing anything he set his mind 
to. He continued to live in their house on the hill after the passing 
of his wife until he opted for less to care for and moved to the Goltl 
apartments for a few years prior to a move to Wheatridge in 2021, then 
to the Good Samaritan Home in 2022. The family is so grateful to all of
 those who cared for him during those years.He was preceded in 
death by his parents, Lawrence &amp; Gladys; his wife, Barbara; and 
infant son, Lamoine, as well as his three brothers, James (Jim) 
Marshall, Ronald Marshall, and Jerry MarshallSurvivors include 
his two sons and their wives: Tracy and Leigh Marshall of Waco, TX; Troy
 and Debra Marshall of Norcatur, KS. Five Grandchildren and their 
spouses: Matthew Marshall, Waco, TX; Austin and Joy Marshall of Lincoln,
 NE; Andrea and Adam Spanier of Kearney, NE; Anthony Marshall, Wichita 
KS; Amanda and Lucas Coryell of Oberlin, KS. Seven Great Grandchildren:
 Evelyn and Tucker Spanier of Kearney, NE; Wyatt, Coulter, Adelia and 
Lydia Coryell of Oberlin, KS. He is survived by numerous nieces, 
nephews, great nieces and nephews as well as great-great nieces and 
nephews, and numerous friends.Services will be held on Saturday, 
October 1, 2022 at Oberlin Covenant Church at 2:00 PM. Visitation will 
be from 12:00 – 7:00 PM with family receiving guest from 5:00 – 7:00 PM.
 Burial will be in Oberlin Cemetery next to his wife Barbara. 
Memorials may be made to the Oberlin Covenant Church. Condolence can be 
left at www.paulsfh.com.

Neil Andrew Marshall 

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

The Hays school district is changing its plans for heating and air conditioning work.

The district had planned on multi-phase HVAC work at Hays High School. The first phase of that work was completed this summer.

However, since a bond issue passed in May, the district will be renovating the existing Hays High School building into a middle school.

Superintendent Ron Wilson said some walls may be moved as part of that renovation, so district officials would like to postpone further work on the high school building until design work is finished on a renovation project.

He said officials did not want to complete HVAC work that might have to be ripped out later during the renovation.

Instead, district officials are proposing HVAC work at Wilson Elementary School. Wilson will be open for several more years but will be closed as an elementary school as part of the bond restructuring.

However, district officials have discussed moving other district services to that building and closing Rockwell Administration Center.

District officials plan to bid the Wilson HVAC work through the state cooperative pricing program and bring the bid back to the school board at its next meeting in October.

Hays Middle School students will receive new iPads this week. The district ordered about 800 new devices for students this fall.

The district has applied for a grant to pay for all or a portion of the devices. It is still waiting to hear back about that grant award.

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostThe Hays school district is changing its plans for heating and air conditioning work.The district had planned on multi-phase HVAC work at Hays High School. The first phase of that work was completed this summer. However, since a bond issue passed in May, the district will be renovating the existing Hays High School building into a middle school.Superintendent Ron Wilson said some walls may be moved as part of that renovation, so district officials would like to postpone further work on the high school building until design work is finished on a renovation project.He said officials did not want to complete HVAC work that might have to be ripped out later during the renovation.Instead, district officials are proposing HVAC work at Wilson Elementary School. Wilson will be open for several more years but will be closed as an elementary school as part of the bond restructuring.However, district officials have discussed moving other district services to that building and closing Rockwell Administration Center.District officials plan to bid the Wilson HVAC work through the state cooperative pricing program and bring the bid back to the school board at its next meeting in October.<h2>HMS iPads</h2>Hays Middle School students will receive new iPads this week. The district ordered about 800 new devices for students this fall.The district has applied for a grant to pay for all or a portion of the devices. It is still waiting to hear back about that grant award. Cover photo by Pixabay.

Hays USD 489 moves HVAC project to Wilson; HMS students receive new iPads

Thomas
 More Prep-Marian senior Rebekah Schroeder has been named a Commended 
Scholar in the 2023 National Merit Scholarship Program. The announcement
 was made by official letter to the school on Sept. 19.

In October of their junior year, TMP-Marian students take the 
Preliminary SAT National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. Based on 
their scores, students may qualify for scholarships and academic 
recognition. Only the top 1.4% of test takers are able to achieve 
Commended Scholar, Semifinalist, or Finalist status. That's only 50,000 
out of over 3.5 million students nationwide.

"Congratulations to Rebekah, her family, and her teachers for achieving this honor!" said TMP-Marian Principal Chad Meitner.

Rebekah will receive a letter of commendation, be recognized among 
the high school student body, and have her name added to the plaque in 
the main entryway along with the other students who have achieved 
Commended Scholar, Semifinalist, or Finalist distinction. Rebekah is the
 first Monarch to be named a scholar since 2019 and joins the 79 others 
so honored.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1664207762364.jpeg" alt="Rebekah Schroeder" />
 <figcaption>Rebekah Schroeder</figcaption>
 </figure>TMP-MThomas
 More Prep-Marian senior Rebekah Schroeder has been named a Commended 
Scholar in the 2023 National Merit Scholarship Program. The announcement
 was made by official letter to the school on Sept. 19.In October of their junior year, TMP-Marian students take the 
Preliminary SAT National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. Based on 
their scores, students may qualify for scholarships and academic 
recognition. Only the top 1.4% of test takers are able to achieve 
Commended Scholar, Semifinalist, or Finalist status. That's only 50,000 
out of over 3.5 million students nationwide."Congratulations to Rebekah, her family, and her teachers for achieving this honor!" said TMP-Marian Principal Chad Meitner.Rebekah will receive a letter of commendation, be recognized among 
the high school student body, and have her name added to the plaque in 
the main entryway along with the other students who have achieved 
Commended Scholar, Semifinalist, or Finalist distinction. Rebekah is the
 first Monarch to be named a scholar since 2019 and joins the 79 others 
so honored.

TMP-M senior earns Commended Scholar status 

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today warned taxpayers of a
 recent increase in IRS-themed texting scams aimed at stealing personal 
and financial information.

So far in 2022, the IRS has identified and reported thousands of 
fraudulent domains tied to multiple MMS/SMS/text scams (known as 
smishing) targeting taxpayers. In recent months, and especially in the 
last few weeks, IRS-themed smishing has increased exponentially.

Smishing campaigns target mobile phone users, and the scam messages 
often look like they're coming from the IRS, offering lures like fake 
COVID relief, tax credits or help setting up an IRS online account. 
Recipients of these IRS-related scams can report them to <a href="mailto:phishing@irs.gov">phishing@irs.gov</a>.

"This is phishing on an industrial scale so thousands of people can 
be at risk of receiving these scam messages," said IRS Commissioner 
Chuck Rettig. "In recent months, the IRS has reported multiple 
large-scale smishing campaigns that have delivered thousands – and even 
hundreds of thousands – of IRS-themed messages in hours or a few days, 
far exceeding previous levels of activity."

With the approach of October's Cybersecurity Awareness Month, the IRS and the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/security-summit">Security Summit</a>
 partners in the states and the nation's tax community remind people and
 the tax professional community to be on the lookout for phishing scams 
and other schemes that could put sensitive tax data at risk.

In the latest activity, the scam texts often ask taxpayers to click a
 link where phishing websites will try to collect their information or 
potentially send malicious code onto their phones. The IRS does not
 send emails or text messages asking for personal or financial 
information or account numbers. These messages should all be red flags 
for taxpayers.

Beginning in the fall of 2020, the IRS observed an <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-warns-people-about-a-covid-related-text-message-scam">increase</a>
 in reports of smishing scams requesting taxpayer personal and financial
 information. These smishing campaigns continued through the pandemic. 
The IRS has taken numerous steps to warn people of this ongoing threat, 
including posting a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JAKqrUNf-0">video</a> about how to avoid IRS text message scams.

Taxpayers should continue reporting these scams to <a href="mailto:phishing@irs.gov">phishing@irs.gov</a>.
 Their reporting allows the IRS to report these scams to the appropriate
 service providers for action, protecting other taxpayers who might 
receive a variant of the same scam.

While the IRS works to shut down online fraud, criminals are using 
ever-evolving tactics to cast a wider net and catch more victims, like 
using algorithms to automatically generate hundreds or even thousands of
 fraudulent domains. For example, a recent campaign used just three 
dozen stolen or bogus email addresses to create over 1,000 fraudulent 
domains.

"Particularly in these cases, the best offense is a good defense," 
said Rettig. "Taxpayers and tax pros need to remain constantly vigilant 
with suspicious IRS-related emails and text messages. And if you get 
one, sending the IRS important details from the text can help us disrupt
 the scams and protect others."

The IRS maintains an inbox, <a href="mailto:phishing@irs.gov">phishing@irs.gov</a>, to process IRS, Treasury and/or tax-related online scams only. Smishing involving other agencies and/or brands should not be reported to <a href="mailto:phishing@irs.gov">phishing@irs.gov</a>.

Reporting IRS-themed texts to the IRS allows security professionals 
to track and disrupt these scams. Individuals reporting scam texts to 
the IRS should include both the body of the message and the sender's 
information in one email or text. Copying the actual text into an email 
is preferred. However, if necessary, screenshots can be sent. Scam 
SMS/text messages can also be copied and forwarded to wireless providers
 via text to 7726 (SPAM), which helps them spot and block similar 
messages in the future.

The following process will help capture important details for reporting smishing to the IRS:

In addition to reporting the scam to <a href="mailto:phishing@irs.gov">phishing@irs.gov</a>, if IRS-related, report the message to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration using their <a href="http://www.treasury.gov/tigta/contact_report_scam.shtml">IRS Impersonation Scam Reporting form</a> and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) through their <a href="https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/#/?orgcode=IRS">Complaint Assistant</a> to make the information available to investigators.

All incidents, successful and attempted, should also be reported to the <a href="https://www.ic3.gov/">Internet Crime Complaint Center</a>.

Any individual entering personal information, or otherwise finding 
themselves a victim of tax-related scams, can find additional resources 
at <a href="https://www.irs.gov/identity-theft-central">Identity Theft Central</a> on IRS.gov.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599869632873.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>IRSWASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today warned taxpayers of a
 recent increase in IRS-themed texting scams aimed at stealing personal 
and financial information.So far in 2022, the IRS has identified and reported thousands of 
fraudulent domains tied to multiple MMS/SMS/text scams (known as 
smishing) targeting taxpayers. In recent months, and especially in the 
last few weeks, IRS-themed smishing has increased exponentially.Smishing campaigns target mobile phone users, and the scam messages 
often look like they're coming from the IRS, offering lures like fake 
COVID relief, tax credits or help setting up an IRS online account. 
Recipients of these IRS-related scams can report them to <a href="mailto:phishing@irs.gov">phishing@irs.gov</a>."This is phishing on an industrial scale so thousands of people can 
be at risk of receiving these scam messages," said IRS Commissioner 
Chuck Rettig. "In recent months, the IRS has reported multiple 
large-scale smishing campaigns that have delivered thousands – and even 
hundreds of thousands – of IRS-themed messages in hours or a few days, 
far exceeding previous levels of activity."With the approach of October's Cybersecurity Awareness Month, the IRS and the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/security-summit">Security Summit</a>
 partners in the states and the nation's tax community remind people and
 the tax professional community to be on the lookout for phishing scams 
and other schemes that could put sensitive tax data at risk.In the latest activity, the scam texts often ask taxpayers to click a
 link where phishing websites will try to collect their information or 
potentially send malicious code onto their phones. The IRS does not
 send emails or text messages asking for personal or financial 
information or account numbers. These messages should all be red flags 
for taxpayers.Beginning in the fall of 2020, the IRS observed an <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-warns-people-about-a-covid-related-text-message-scam">increase</a>
 in reports of smishing scams requesting taxpayer personal and financial
 information. These smishing campaigns continued through the pandemic. 
The IRS has taken numerous steps to warn people of this ongoing threat, 
including posting a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JAKqrUNf-0">video</a> about how to avoid IRS text message scams.Taxpayers should continue reporting these scams to <a href="mailto:phishing@irs.gov">phishing@irs.gov</a>.
 Their reporting allows the IRS to report these scams to the appropriate
 service providers for action, protecting other taxpayers who might 
receive a variant of the same scam.While the IRS works to shut down online fraud, criminals are using 
ever-evolving tactics to cast a wider net and catch more victims, like 
using algorithms to automatically generate hundreds or even thousands of
 fraudulent domains. For example, a recent campaign used just three 
dozen stolen or bogus email addresses to create over 1,000 fraudulent 
domains."Particularly in these cases, the best offense is a good defense," 
said Rettig. "Taxpayers and tax pros need to remain constantly vigilant 
with suspicious IRS-related emails and text messages. And if you get 
one, sending the IRS important details from the text can help us disrupt
 the scams and protect others."<h2>Reporting IRS-related smishing</h2>The IRS maintains an inbox, <a href="mailto:phishing@irs.gov">phishing@irs.gov</a>, to process IRS, Treasury and/or tax-related online scams only. Smishing involving other agencies and/or brands should not be reported to <a href="mailto:phishing@irs.gov">phishing@irs.gov</a>.Reporting IRS-themed texts to the IRS allows security professionals 
to track and disrupt these scams. Individuals reporting scam texts to 
the IRS should include both the body of the message and the sender's 
information in one email or text. Copying the actual text into an email 
is preferred. However, if necessary, screenshots can be sent. Scam 
SMS/text messages can also be copied and forwarded to wireless providers
 via text to 7726 (SPAM), which helps them spot and block similar 
messages in the future.The following process will help capture important details for reporting smishing to the IRS:<ul>
 <li>Create a new email to <a href="mailto:phishing@irs.gov">phishing@irs.gov</a>.</li><li>Copy the caller ID number (or email address).</li><li>Paste the number (or email address) into the email.</li><li>Press and hold the SMS/text message and select "copy".</li><li>Paste the message into the email.</li><li>If possible, include the exact date, time, time zone and telephone number that received the message.</li><li>Send the email to <a href="mailto:phishing@irs.gov">phishing@irs.gov</a>.</li>
 </ul><h2>Additional reporting</h2>In addition to reporting the scam to <a href="mailto:phishing@irs.gov">phishing@irs.gov</a>, if IRS-related, report the message to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration using their <a href="http://www.treasury.gov/tigta/contact_report_scam.shtml">IRS Impersonation Scam Reporting form</a> and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) through their <a href="https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/#/?orgcode=IRS">Complaint Assistant</a> to make the information available to investigators.All incidents, successful and attempted, should also be reported to the <a href="https://www.ic3.gov/">Internet Crime Complaint Center</a>.Any individual entering personal information, or otherwise finding 
themselves a victim of tax-related scams, can find additional resources 
at <a href="https://www.irs.gov/identity-theft-central">Identity Theft Central</a> on IRS.gov.<h2>Additional resources</h2><ul>
 <li>IRS.gov: <a href="https://www.irs.gov/privacy-disclosure/report-phishing">Reporting Phishing and Online Scams</a></li><li>IRS YouTube: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JAKqrUNf-0">Here's How to Avoid IRS Text Message Scams</a></li><li>COVID Tax Tip 2020-167, <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-warns-people-about-a-covid-related-text-message-scam">IRS warns people about a COVID-related text message scam</a></li><li>Federal Communications Commission: <a href="https://www.fcc.gov/smartphone-security">Smartphone Security Checker</a></li><li>Federal Trade Commission: <a href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-recognize-and-report-spam-text-messages">How to recognize and report spam text messages</a></li>
 </ul>

IRS reports significant increase in texting scams

Carol Diane Harding, age 75, of Great Bend, Kansas passed away 
peacefully on September 27, 2022, at Ascension Via Christ St. Francis 
Medical Center in Wichita, Kansas surrounded by her loving family.&nbsp; 
Carol was born on December 9, 1946, to Floyd and Dema (Delaney) Griffin 
of Fredonia and Sedgwick, Kansas.&nbsp; 

She graduated from Fredonia High 
School at Fredonia in 1962, and was united in marriage to John Richard 
Harding on April 30, 1965, at Independence, Kansas.&nbsp; The couple lived in 
Wichita, Fredonia, San Francisco, California, Pensacola, Florida, Long 
Beach California, Houston, Texas, back to Wichita, and Salina before 
moving to Great Bend in 1974.&nbsp; Carol was primarily a homemaker, but was 
employed at Superior Essex in Hoisington for 3 years, for the Great Bend
 Public Library in the Talking Books Program for 9 years, and for 
Nutrisystem for 3 years.&nbsp; She loved to cook and collecting recipe 
cookbooks, loved shopping, and was an avid reader of suspense novels.

Carol is survived by her husband John Richard Harding of Great Bend; 
two daughters:&nbsp; Carla King of Moberly, Missouri and Cara (&amp; Carl) 
Harding of Mary Ester, Florida; five grandchildren:&nbsp; Maegan (&amp; 
Kimon), Bryna, Kyler, Lydia (&amp; Jake), and Lily and one 
great-grandson, Milo; two sisters:&nbsp; Mary (&amp; Don) Reser of Topeka and
 Barbara Griffin of Great Bend, Kansas.&nbsp; She was preceded in death by 
her parens and her older sister, Marlene Kuntz of Wichita.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, October 1, 
2022, at Charter Funerals in Great Bend, Kansas.&nbsp; Visitation will be from
 9:00 AM to service time on Saturday at the funeral home.&nbsp; Interment 
will be in the Golden Belt Memorial Park Cemetery near Great Bend, 
Kansas.&nbsp; 

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, Memorial Donations
 may be made to your local animal shelter, military veteran 
organization, or other charitable organization.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1664396346764.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Carol Diane Harding, age 75, of Great Bend, Kansas passed away 
peacefully on September 27, 2022, at Ascension Via Christ St. Francis 
Medical Center in Wichita, Kansas surrounded by her loving family.&nbsp; 
Carol was born on December 9, 1946, to Floyd and Dema (Delaney) Griffin 
of Fredonia and Sedgwick, Kansas.&nbsp; She graduated from Fredonia High 
School at Fredonia in 1962, and was united in marriage to John Richard 
Harding on April 30, 1965, at Independence, Kansas.&nbsp; The couple lived in 
Wichita, Fredonia, San Francisco, California, Pensacola, Florida, Long 
Beach California, Houston, Texas, back to Wichita, and Salina before 
moving to Great Bend in 1974.&nbsp; Carol was primarily a homemaker, but was 
employed at Superior Essex in Hoisington for 3 years, for the Great Bend
 Public Library in the Talking Books Program for 9 years, and for 
Nutrisystem for 3 years.&nbsp; She loved to cook and collecting recipe 
cookbooks, loved shopping, and was an avid reader of suspense novels.Carol is survived by her husband John Richard Harding of Great Bend; 
two daughters:&nbsp; Carla King of Moberly, Missouri and Cara (&amp; Carl) 
Harding of Mary Ester, Florida; five grandchildren:&nbsp; Maegan (&amp; 
Kimon), Bryna, Kyler, Lydia (&amp; Jake), and Lily and one 
great-grandson, Milo; two sisters:&nbsp; Mary (&amp; Don) Reser of Topeka and
 Barbara Griffin of Great Bend, Kansas.&nbsp; She was preceded in death by 
her parens and her older sister, Marlene Kuntz of Wichita.Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, October 1, 
2022, at Charter Funerals in Great Bend, Kansas.&nbsp; Visitation will be from
 9:00 AM to service time on Saturday at the funeral home.&nbsp; Interment 
will be in the Golden Belt Memorial Park Cemetery near Great Bend, 
Kansas.&nbsp; The family requests that in lieu of flowers, Memorial Donations
 may be made to your local animal shelter, military veteran 
organization, or other charitable organization.

Carol Diane Harding

Grace Anderson, 71, passed away on Monday, 
September 19, 2022, at her home in Biloxi, Mississippi.&nbsp; She was born in
 Washington D.C. and lived in Kansas from 1982 until she moved to 
Biloxi, Mississippi in 2016.&nbsp; 

She is survived by her husband of 50 years
 Robert A. Anderson Sr.; daughter Jennifer Anderson and grandsons 
Braydon Dyer, Ashton Dyer and granddaughter Kennedy Grace Dyer of 
Manhattan, Kansas; son Donald Anderson (Megan) and granddaughters Gracie
 and Olivia of Ellinwood, Kansas, and son Robert Anderson Jr. (Abby) of
 Hays, Kansas.

She was a lifetime member of the Girl Scouts of America and a member 
of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). She was a retired 
employee of the Ellinwood Kansas Grade School and devoted a lot of her 
life to helping feed the homeless and assisting others in need in Kansas
 and Mississippi.

Services will be October 15, 2022, at the Waveland United Methodist 
Church, 314 Vacation Lane, Waveland, Mississippi at 11:00 O’clock am, 
followed by a Celebration of Life Luncheon at 12:00 O’clock pm at the 
Church.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established with the 
Shepherd’s Kitchen &amp; Food Pantry, a Ministry of the Waveland United 
Methodist Church, P.O. Box 653, Waveland, MS 39576

Grace Anderson, 71, passed away on Monday, 
September 19, 2022, at her home in Biloxi, Mississippi.&nbsp; She was born in
 Washington D.C. and lived in Kansas from 1982 until she moved to 
Biloxi, Mississippi in 2016.&nbsp; She is survived by her husband of 50 years
 Robert A. Anderson Sr.; daughter Jennifer Anderson and grandsons 
Braydon Dyer, Ashton Dyer and granddaughter Kennedy Grace Dyer of 
Manhattan, Kansas; son Donald Anderson (Megan) and granddaughters Gracie
 and Olivia of Ellinwood, Kansas, and son Robert Anderson Jr. (Abby) of
 Hays, Kansas.She was a lifetime member of the Girl Scouts of America and a member 
of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). She was a retired 
employee of the Ellinwood Kansas Grade School and devoted a lot of her 
life to helping feed the homeless and assisting others in need in Kansas
 and Mississippi.Services will be October 15, 2022, at the Waveland United Methodist 
Church, 314 Vacation Lane, Waveland, Mississippi at 11:00 O’clock am, 
followed by a Celebration of Life Luncheon at 12:00 O’clock pm at the 
Church.In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established with the 
Shepherd’s Kitchen &amp; Food Pantry, a Ministry of the Waveland United 
Methodist Church, P.O. Box 653, Waveland, MS 39576

Grace Anderson

Howard Myron Hayward Jr., 74, passed away September 26, 2022, at Azria Health Woodhaven, Great Bend.

He was born October 26, 1947, in San Diego, California, the son of Howard Myron and Laura Jean Rogers Hayward Sr.

Moving from El Cajon, California, he was a longtime area resident. He
 was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Lattar Day Saints, Great 
Bend Ward. He liked to build model cars, do mechanic work on cars and 
spend time with his kids and grandkids. He loved being a grandpa and 
great grandpa.

On March 22, 1967, he married Dora Jeanne Prince at La Mesa, California; she survives.

Other survivors include: four daughters, Rebecca Hayward, St. George,
 Utah, Tamara (Josh) Williams, Menefee, California, Michelle (Randy) 
Bethel, Pawnee Rock, Linda Reyes, Great Bend; son, Howard “Ronnie” 
Hayward III, Ocala, Florida; four sisters, Linda Hill, Clinton, 
Missouri, Deborah (Barry) Lovelace, Arkansas, Donna (Dan) Hatch, 
Hurricane, Utah, Ada Farnesworth, Central Utah; Step Sister, Maureen 
Armstrong, Flint, Michigan; nineteen grandchildren, twenty-five great 
grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by: his parents Howard Myron Hayward Sr and 
Laura Jean Miller, step dad, Edward Miller; step mother, Irene Hayward; 
daughter, Kimberly Hayward; and a brother, Michael Hayward.

Cremation has taken place and no services are planned at this time.

Memorials may be given to Central Care Cancer Center or Ellinwood 
Hospital in care of Beckwith Mortuary, PO Box 477, Larned, Kansas 67550.
 Personal condolences may be left at www.beckwithmortuary.com.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1664389656581.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Howard Myron Hayward Jr., 74, passed away September 26, 2022, at Azria Health Woodhaven, Great Bend.He was born October 26, 1947, in San Diego, California, the son of Howard Myron and Laura Jean Rogers Hayward Sr.Moving from El Cajon, California, he was a longtime area resident. He
 was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Lattar Day Saints, Great 
Bend Ward. He liked to build model cars, do mechanic work on cars and 
spend time with his kids and grandkids. He loved being a grandpa and 
great grandpa.On March 22, 1967, he married Dora Jeanne Prince at La Mesa, California; she survives.Other survivors include: four daughters, Rebecca Hayward, St. George,
 Utah, Tamara (Josh) Williams, Menefee, California, Michelle (Randy) 
Bethel, Pawnee Rock, Linda Reyes, Great Bend; son, Howard “Ronnie” 
Hayward III, Ocala, Florida; four sisters, Linda Hill, Clinton, 
Missouri, Deborah (Barry) Lovelace, Arkansas, Donna (Dan) Hatch, 
Hurricane, Utah, Ada Farnesworth, Central Utah; Step Sister, Maureen 
Armstrong, Flint, Michigan; nineteen grandchildren, twenty-five great 
grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.He was preceded in death by: his parents Howard Myron Hayward Sr and 
Laura Jean Miller, step dad, Edward Miller; step mother, Irene Hayward; 
daughter, Kimberly Hayward; and a brother, Michael Hayward.Cremation has taken place and no services are planned at this time.Memorials may be given to Central Care Cancer Center or Ellinwood 
Hospital in care of Beckwith Mortuary, PO Box 477, Larned, Kansas 67550.
 Personal condolences may be left at www.beckwithmortuary.com.

Howard Myron Hayward Jr.

Judy Kay Crispin, 77, of Wichita, passed away Wednesday, September 21, 2022, in Derby.   She was born January 29, 1945, in Salina.

She worked as a Registered Nurse for 30 years retiring from Hays Medical Center in 2010.

She was preceded in death by her parents Claude Brann, Mildred &amp; Richard Brown, brother Bud Brann, and granddaughter Kirsten Brungardt.

Survivors include her son Cris (Heather) Crispin, of Holton; Carey (Eva) Crispin of Shawnee; Daughter Tracey (Dan) Jordan of Wichita; twelve grandchildren &amp; ten great grandchildren.

Burial services will be held Friday October 7, 2022, 11:00am at Roselawn Memorial Park, 1920 E. Crawford, Salina.

In lieu of flowers, Memorials may be made to Salina Humane Society in care of Roselawn Mortuary, PO Box 2322, Salina 67402

For online condolences contact Roselawn at www.roselawnsalina.com.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1664383504654.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Judy Kay Crispin, 77, of Wichita, passed away Wednesday, September 21, 2022, in Derby. She was born January 29, 1945, in Salina.She worked as a Registered Nurse for 30 years retiring from Hays Medical Center in 2010.She was preceded in death by her parents Claude Brann, Mildred &amp; Richard Brown, brother Bud Brann, and granddaughter Kirsten Brungardt.Survivors include her son Cris (Heather) Crispin, of Holton; Carey (Eva) Crispin of Shawnee; Daughter Tracey (Dan) Jordan of Wichita; twelve grandchildren &amp; ten great grandchildren.Burial services will be held Friday October 7, 2022, 11:00am at Roselawn Memorial Park, 1920 E. Crawford, Salina.In lieu of flowers, Memorials may be made to Salina Humane Society in care of Roselawn Mortuary, PO Box 2322, Salina 67402For online condolences contact Roselawn at www.roselawnsalina.com.

Judy Kay Crispin

Fort Hays State University's Moss-Thorns Gallery of Art is hosting its first traveling exhibit since moving to its new home in the Center for Art and Design building.

"Landfall Press: Five Decades Exhibition" is a retrospective of 50 years of Jack Lemon's print shop, which was in Santa Fe, N.M.

Lemon is a 1963 printmaking graduate of the Kansas City Art Institute. Landfall has printed more than 3,000 editions of lithographs, woodcuts, etchings and digital prints, according to the press's website. 

The exhibit includes 60 works. It was supposed to begin touring in 2019, but the pandemic delayed the tour. The Moss-Thorns is the first stop on the exhibition's tour.

Lemon was at a reception Sept. 16 that kicked off the exhibit's time at the Moss-Thorns, which will be on display through Oct. 28 at FHSU.

"I got tired of teaching," he said of the founding of the press. "I decided I would really do something. It just came alive."

Lemon said he choose the prints for the exhibit to represent each decade of the press's operation. There's a book that accompanies the exhibit titled "Landfall Press: Five Decades."

Lemon said he didn't have favorites among the exhibit's work.

"There's a lot of them that I do like," he said, "I actually like most of them because I picked them."

He said his greatest challenge was marketing the work once the prints were completed.

When Lemon started Landfall in the 1970s, the fine art print business was booming. The industry was depressed during the 1990s and stayed that way for some time, he said. 

Lemon said he enjoyed working with the artists in his print shop, some of which included Christo, Philip Pearlstein, Robert Cottingham, Vernon Fisher, Terry Allen, Robert Arneson, Jim Dine, Sal LeWitt, Allen Ruppersberg, Lesley Dill, Kara Walker and James Drake.

"Making is more fun," Lemon said. "If you're working with the artists, it's a lot of fun."

He added of the artists with whom he worked, "You pick one and you work with them. And there is just a lot of good camaraderie that goes on and a lot of connection in talking with them and sitting down at the lunch table.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663607128377.jpeg" alt=""Off the Grid," a group of seven lithographs by Mokha Laget (2016) is part of the exhibit, "Landfall Press: Five Decades Exhibition," which is on display now at the Moss-Thorns Gallery of Art on the Fort Hays State University campus. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post " />
 <figcaption>"Off the Grid," a group of seven lithographs by Mokha Laget (2016) is part of the exhibit, "Landfall Press: Five Decades Exhibition," which is on display now at the Moss-Thorns Gallery of Art on the Fort Hays State University campus. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post </figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostFort Hays State University's Moss-Thorns Gallery of Art is hosting its first traveling exhibit since moving to its new home in the Center for Art and Design building."Landfall Press: Five Decades Exhibition" is a retrospective of 50 years of Jack Lemon's print shop, which was in Santa Fe, N.M.Lemon is a 1963 printmaking graduate of the Kansas City Art Institute. Landfall has printed more than 3,000 editions of lithographs, woodcuts, etchings and digital prints, according to the press's website. The exhibit includes 60 works. It was supposed to begin touring in 2019, but the pandemic delayed the tour. The Moss-Thorns is the first stop on the exhibition's tour. Lemon was at a reception Sept. 16 that kicked off the exhibit's time at the Moss-Thorns, which will be on display through Oct. 28 at FHSU."I got tired of teaching," he said of the founding of the press. "I decided I would really do something. It just came alive."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663607421035.jpeg" alt=""Tropical Punch," a lithograph by Dan Nice (1994). The artwork is part of "Landfall Press: Five Decades Exhibition," which features 50 years of work produced by the press. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>"Tropical Punch," a lithograph by Dan Nice (1994). The artwork is part of "Landfall Press: Five Decades Exhibition," which features 50 years of work produced by the press. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>Lemon said he choose the prints for the exhibit to represent each decade of the press's operation. There's a book that accompanies the exhibit titled "Landfall Press: Five Decades." Lemon said he didn't have favorites among the exhibit's work."There's a lot of them that I do like," he said, "I actually like most of them because I picked them."He said his greatest challenge was marketing the work once the prints were completed.When Lemon started Landfall in the 1970s, the fine art print business was booming. The industry was depressed during the 1990s and stayed that way for some time, he said. <figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663607588370.jpeg" alt=""Some Waved," lithographs by Ericka Walker. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post " />
 <figcaption>"Some Waved," lithographs by Ericka Walker. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post </figcaption>
 </figure>Lemon said he enjoyed working with the artists in his print shop, some of which included Christo, Philip Pearlstein, Robert Cottingham, Vernon Fisher, Terry Allen, Robert Arneson, Jim Dine, Sal LeWitt, Allen Ruppersberg, Lesley Dill, Kara Walker and James Drake."Making is more fun," Lemon said. "If you're working with the artists, it's a lot of fun."He added of the artists with whom he worked, "You pick one and you work with them. And there is just a lot of good camaraderie that goes on and a lot of connection in talking with them and sitting down at the lunch table."It's been a really nice 50 years," he said. "There's been ups and downs and turnarounds, but I like it."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663608034356.jpeg" alt="Christo's lithograph and collage, "Wrapped Studebaker." Christo was internationally known for his site installations of landmarks and landscapes wrapped in fabric. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post " />
 <figcaption>Christo's lithograph and collage, "Wrapped Studebaker." Christo was internationally known for his site installations of landmarks and landscapes wrapped in fabric. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post </figcaption>
 </figure>Lemon, 86, is retired and still living in the Southwest. A long-time employee of the press took over the business, and it is now operating as Black Rock.Lemon said it's been hard to leave the profession. He still sees artists that he would like to work with, including at FHSU. The Moss-Thorns Gallery of Art is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. The gallery will be open from noon to 5 p.m. the first three Saturdays in October, especially for this exhibit."This is such a great opportunity for Fort Hays and the Moss-Thorns Gallery," said Colin Schmidtberger, gallery director. "For the community of Hays to have this level of artwork to come here is just fantastic. We can't thank Landfall Press enough for letting us be the inaugural show."&nbsp;