Sylvester W. “Bud” Habiger, 90, passed away September 4, 2022, at 
Brookdale Senior Living in Great Bend. He was born December 10, 1931, at
 Beaver, to Francis “Frank” &amp; Sophia (Meyeres) Habiger. He married 
Sandra Lue Brougher October 5, 1957, at Great Bend, Kansas.&nbsp; She died 
September 30, 1998.

A longtime Great Bend resident, Bud moved from the family farm out in
 Western Kansas. He was the shop manager for various fishing tool 
companies in the oilfield, retiring as the Kansas Area Manager for N.L. 
Acme Tool. He was a member of Prince of Peace Parish at St. Rose of Lima
 Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus Post #862 and VFW Post #3111. He 
was a veteran of the United States Army having served during the Korean 
Conflict.

Survivors include, three sons, Kerry Habiger and wife Julie of 
Stilwell, Kan., Kenyon Habiger and wife Kelley and Karl Habiger and wife
 Theresa all of Great Bend; a brother, Walter Habiger of Kalvesta; a 
sister, Alice Cohoon of Jetmore; four grandchildren, Marcus Habiger 
(Rebekah), Andrew Habiger (Giovana), Colby Habiger (Katie) and Caitlyn 
Lott (Michael); a step granddaughter, Conor Bird; and four great 
grandchildren, Evey and Zelie Habiger and Rowan and Weylyn Lott. He was 
preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Sandra Habiger; a son, Kevin
 Habiger; a brother, Edwin Habiger; and two sisters, Pauline Radke and 
Leona Dome.

Visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Thursday, 
September 8, 2022, at Bryant Funeral Home, with Vigil service and 
Knights of Columbus Rosary at 7:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be
 held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, September 9, 2022, St. Rose of Lima 
Catholic Church in Great Bend, with Father Aneesh Parappanattu 
presiding. Interment will be in Hillcrest Memorial Park, Great Bend, 
with Military Rites conducted by the Fort Riley Honor Guard. 

Memorials 
have been designated to Prince of Peace Parish, in care of Bryant 
Funeral Home.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1662488411383.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Sylvester W. “Bud” Habiger, 90, passed away September 4, 2022, at 
Brookdale Senior Living in Great Bend. He was born December 10, 1931, at
 Beaver, to Francis “Frank” &amp; Sophia (Meyeres) Habiger. He married 
Sandra Lue Brougher October 5, 1957, at Great Bend, Kansas.&nbsp; She died 
September 30, 1998.A longtime Great Bend resident, Bud moved from the family farm out in
 Western Kansas. He was the shop manager for various fishing tool 
companies in the oilfield, retiring as the Kansas Area Manager for N.L. 
Acme Tool. He was a member of Prince of Peace Parish at St. Rose of Lima
 Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus Post #862 and VFW Post #3111. He 
was a veteran of the United States Army having served during the Korean 
Conflict.Survivors include, three sons, Kerry Habiger and wife Julie of 
Stilwell, Kan., Kenyon Habiger and wife Kelley and Karl Habiger and wife
 Theresa all of Great Bend; a brother, Walter Habiger of Kalvesta; a 
sister, Alice Cohoon of Jetmore; four grandchildren, Marcus Habiger 
(Rebekah), Andrew Habiger (Giovana), Colby Habiger (Katie) and Caitlyn 
Lott (Michael); a step granddaughter, Conor Bird; and four great 
grandchildren, Evey and Zelie Habiger and Rowan and Weylyn Lott. He was 
preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Sandra Habiger; a son, Kevin
 Habiger; a brother, Edwin Habiger; and two sisters, Pauline Radke and 
Leona Dome.Visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Thursday, 
September 8, 2022, at Bryant Funeral Home, with Vigil service and 
Knights of Columbus Rosary at 7:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be
 held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, September 9, 2022, St. Rose of Lima 
Catholic Church in Great Bend, with Father Aneesh Parappanattu 
presiding. Interment will be in Hillcrest Memorial Park, Great Bend, 
with Military Rites conducted by the Fort Riley Honor Guard. Memorials 
have been designated to Prince of Peace Parish, in care of Bryant 
Funeral Home.

Sylvester W. 'Bud' Habiger

Norma Lee Deyoe-Swart, 94, of Oakley, KS, died Saturday, September 3, 
2022. She was born October 30, 1927, in Garden City, KS, to Chet and 
Marie (Dufrin) Beatty. 

On February 7, 1946, Norma married Robert Deyoe. 
The couple lived in Ulysses, KS, where Norma worked as an artist, and 
they attended the Episcopal Church of Ulysses. Norma was also a 4-H 
leader, board member on the Kansas Arts Commission, and a founding 
member of the Wheat Hearts. Norma made many lifelong friends through 
her work with these organizations, including Lloyd Swart, who was a 
fellow leader on the Kansas Wheat Commission board. 

After the passing of
 both of their spouses, Norma and Lloyd began dating in 1991, and were 
married on December 22, 1994, in Ulysses. They spent 27 years together 
in Oakley, where they were active in the Oakley Shrine Club, K-State 
Alumni tour group, and were members of the Oakley Country Club. Norma 
was active with Logan County 4-H, a board member of the Logan County 
Extension. She enjoyed participating in the Oakley Chapter EX PEO, 
"Sing-a-Longs", doing Aqua-sizes at the Oakley city pool and was devoted
 to the Oakley United Methodist Church. Norma was full of love, life and
 laughter...which she shared with everyone around her. 
Norma was preceded in death by her parents; brother Alayne Beatty and husband Robert Deyoe. 
She is survived by her husband Lloyd; children, Eddie (Sheila) Deyoe, 
Dennis (Sheryl) Deyoe, Diana Lightcap and Bev (Dennis) Ragland; 
stepchildren, Linda (Brent) Logan, Lori (Troy) Sporer and Ryan (Karen) 
Swart; grandchildren, Velvet Randolph, Nikki Siler, Cherry Hale, Dylan 
Gill, Dimitra Becker, Matt Deyoe, Wade Deyoe, Kelsey Jones, Spencer 
Childress, Savanah Sporer, Abbey Elliott, Madison Swart and Marlie 
Swart, along with her many great grandchildren. 
Visitation is 5-7:00 p.m. Tuesday, September 6, 2022, at the United 
Methodist Church, Oakley. The funeral will be at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, 
September 7, 2022, also at the church. Interment will take place at 
Grant County Cemetery, Ulysses, KS.

Memorials are suggested to the 
Kansas Arts Commission and may be 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/2022/9/1662466298435.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Norma Lee Deyoe-Swart, 94, of Oakley, KS, died Saturday, September 3, 
2022. She was born October 30, 1927, in Garden City, KS, to Chet and 
Marie (Dufrin) Beatty. On February 7, 1946, Norma married Robert Deyoe. 
The couple lived in Ulysses, KS, where Norma worked as an artist, and 
they attended the Episcopal Church of Ulysses. Norma was also a 4-H 
leader, board member on the Kansas Arts Commission, and a founding 
member of the Wheat Hearts. Norma made many lifelong friends through 
her work with these organizations, including Lloyd Swart, who was a 
fellow leader on the Kansas Wheat Commission board. After the passing of
 both of their spouses, Norma and Lloyd began dating in 1991, and were 
married on December 22, 1994, in Ulysses. They spent 27 years together 
in Oakley, where they were active in the Oakley Shrine Club, K-State 
Alumni tour group, and were members of the Oakley Country Club. Norma 
was active with Logan County 4-H, a board member of the Logan County 
Extension. She enjoyed participating in the Oakley Chapter EX PEO, 
"Sing-a-Longs", doing Aqua-sizes at the Oakley city pool and was devoted
 to the Oakley United Methodist Church. Norma was full of love, life and
 laughter...which she shared with everyone around her. 
Norma was preceded in death by her parents; brother Alayne Beatty and husband Robert Deyoe. 
She is survived by her husband Lloyd; children, Eddie (Sheila) Deyoe, 
Dennis (Sheryl) Deyoe, Diana Lightcap and Bev (Dennis) Ragland; 
stepchildren, Linda (Brent) Logan, Lori (Troy) Sporer and Ryan (Karen) 
Swart; grandchildren, Velvet Randolph, Nikki Siler, Cherry Hale, Dylan 
Gill, Dimitra Becker, Matt Deyoe, Wade Deyoe, Kelsey Jones, Spencer 
Childress, Savanah Sporer, Abbey Elliott, Madison Swart and Marlie 
Swart, along with her many great grandchildren. 
Visitation is 5-7:00 p.m. Tuesday, September 6, 2022, at the United 
Methodist Church, Oakley. The funeral will be at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, 
September 7, 2022, also at the church. Interment will take place at 
Grant County Cemetery, Ulysses, KS. Memorials are suggested to the 
Kansas Arts Commission and may be 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;

Norma Lee Deyoe-Swart

Sunday, October 30th, 1927-Saturday, September 3rd, 2022

An obituary is pending with Baalmann Mortuary.

Click <a href="https://memorials.baalmannmortuary.com/norma-deyoe-swart/5016603/index.php">HERE</a> for service details.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1662392942669.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Sunday, October 30th, 1927-Saturday, September 3rd, 2022An obituary is pending with Baalmann Mortuary.Click <a href="https://memorials.baalmannmortuary.com/norma-deyoe-swart/5016603/index.php">HERE</a> for service details.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Nikiesha Thomas was on her way to work one day when she told her sister that she was thinking about getting involved with domestic violence prevention.

The idea gave Keeda Simpson pause. Her younger sister had never mentioned anything like that before, and she was bringing it up in a phone call just days after filing for a protective order against her ex-boyfriend.

Less than an hour later, Thomas' ex-boyfriend walked up to her parked car in a southeastern neighborhood of the nation's capital and shot through her passenger window, killing the 33-year-old.

It's cases like hers, where warning signs and legal paperwork weren't enough to save a life, that lawmakers had in mind this summer when they crafted the first major&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-gun-violence-bill-live-updates-20f7c9738fee4eba1d7fed155301ee25">bipartisan law</a>&nbsp;on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-health-mental-gun-violence-government-and-politics-1cf62afca004ec613ad76e8808cbfb50">gun violence</a>&nbsp;in decades.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-signs-gun-violence-bill-c21249287f976c2c164d8753205c2e6d">The measure signed by President Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;in June was part of a response to a harrowing string of shootings over the summer, including the slaying of 19 children at an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/shootings-texas-education-violence-school-31aa135678f8118ed96d893ea77cf8ea">elementary school in Uvalde, Texas.</a>

The package included tougher background checks for the youngest gun buyers and help for states to put in place “red flag” laws that make it easier for authorities to take weapons from people adjudged dangerous.

Also tucked into the bill was a proposal that will make it more difficult for a convicted domestic abuser to obtain firearms even when the abuser is not married to or doesn’t have a child with the victim.

Nearly a decade in the making, lawmakers' move to close the “boyfriend loophole” received far less attention than other aspects of the legislation. But advocates and lawmakers are hopeful this provision will save lives and become a major part of the law's legacy.

“We have so many women killed — one every 14 hours, from domestic partners with guns in this country,” Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., a longtime advocate for the proposal, said before passage of the bill in June. “Sadly, half of those involve dating partners, people who aren’t married to someone, but they are in a romantic relationship with them in some way.”

Federal law has long barred people convicted of domestic violence or subject to a domestic violence restraining order from being able to buy a gun. But that restriction had only applied to an individual who is married to the victim, lived with the victim or had a child with the victim. As a result, it missed a whole group of perpetrators — current and former boyfriends or intimate partners — sometimes with fatal consequences.

At least 19 states and the District of Columbia have taken action on this issue, according to data compiled by Everytown for Gun Safety. Klobuchar and domestic violence advocates have worked for years to do the same on the federal level, with little success.

The struggle over defining a boyfriend in the law remained difficult to the end. Negotiations in Congress nearly broke down over the provision. The same thing happened in March when a similar bipartisan effort to reauthorize a 1990s-era law that extended protections to victims of domestic and sexual violence&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-congress-gun-politics-violence-edc7fb5f3bc0261cdbe7a29c50ec7c8e">passed only after Democratic lawmakers took out the loophole provision</a>&nbsp;to ensure Republican support.

“That was the toughest issue in our negotiations,” Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., a lead negotiator of the gun package, said of the loophole proposal. “The biggest discussion that took us a long time at the end was around the question of how you would get your rights back after you had been prohibited."

Murphy and other Democratic negotiators were able to persuade Republicans by including a narrow path to restoring access to firearms for first-time offenders after five years, only if they are not convicted of another misdemeanor for violent crime. For married couples, and those who have had a child together, the firearm ban is permanent.

To some advocates, more change is still needed. The legislation only partially closes the loophole because dating partners subject to a domestic violence restraining order, as in Thomas' case, are still able to buy and maintain access to firearms.

“It will for sure save lives. But also to be clear, this is a partial closure of what’s known as the boyfriend loophole. There’s still a lot of work to be done,” Jennifer Becker, the legal director and senior attorney for Legal Momentum, a legal defense and education fund for women, told The Associated Press.

Federal crime data for 2020 showed that out of all murder victims among intimate partners — including divorced and gay couples — girlfriends accounted for 37%, while wives accounted for 34%. Only 13% of the victims were boyfriends, and 7% were husbands.

In 2018, a group of researchers who looked at intimate partner homicides in 45 states from 1980 to 2013 found that when firearm prohibitions linked to domestic restraining orders included people who were dating, deaths dropped by 13%.

“It suggests that when you cast that wider net, by covering boyfriends, you are able to cover people who are more dangerous and potentially save more lives,” April Zeoli, a researcher at the University of Michigan who was part of that study, told the AP.

Thomas' family hopes the changes in the law will save lives and ensure their daughter's death wasn't in vain. They say Thomas was doing everything she could to protect herself when she left her yearslong relationship with 36-year-old Antoine Oliver in late September 2021.

It was only after her death in October that her family members found out that the protective order Thomas had filed three days earlier, detailing how her former partner had access to firearms and she felt unsafe, was never served. Sheriff’s deputies in Prince George’s County, Maryland, where Oliver lived, had been trying to reach him by phone.

When law enforcement finally reached Oliver, he told them he would come to accept service of the judicial order the following day. Instead, authorities said, he killed Thomas that day before fatally shooting himself.

“Some days I just sit and review the paper she had filed with the court just a few days prior and just think, what else could she have done to protect herself?" said Nadine Thomas, her mother. Gilbert Thomas, her father, said his daughter did everything she was supposed to do, but it was the system that failed her.

“She feared for her life and what did the police do? They called him and made arrangements for him to come to pick up the order,” he said. "There was no urgency placed on it."

But now the family is bracing for the anniversary of Thomas' killing. The weight of grief is heavy, particularly for her 11-year-old daughter, Kylei, whom Thomas had from a relationship before she met Oliver.

In the months before her death, Thomas had been making plans to buy a home for her and her daughter. She was saving up from her job with the D.C. Office of the State Superintendent of Education, where she was assigned to an intervention program to help some of the district's most challenged students.

“We really were starting to map out some things and it just got taken away,” her sister, Keeda Simpson, said. “One of the last things we talked about was her wanting to evoke change for other women."

"I’m going to do whatever it takes — even if it’s a small thing — to help someone else that’s in her situation, not to lose their life," she added.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1656165369360.png" alt="<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-signs-gun-violence-bill-c21249287f976c2c164d8753205c2e6d">The measure signed by President Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;in June was part of a response to a harrowing string of shootings over the summer, including the slaying of 19 children at an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/shootings-texas-education-violence-school-31aa135678f8118ed96d893ea77cf8ea">elementary school in Uvalde, Texas.</a>" />
 <figcaption><a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-signs-gun-violence-bill-c21249287f976c2c164d8753205c2e6d">The measure signed by President Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;in June was part of a response to a harrowing string of shootings over the summer, including the slaying of 19 children at an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/shootings-texas-education-violence-school-31aa135678f8118ed96d893ea77cf8ea">elementary school in Uvalde, Texas.</a></figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Nikiesha Thomas was on her way to work one day when she told her sister that she was thinking about getting involved with domestic violence prevention.The idea gave Keeda Simpson pause. Her younger sister had never mentioned anything like that before, and she was bringing it up in a phone call just days after filing for a protective order against her ex-boyfriend.It was their last conversation.Less than an hour later, Thomas' ex-boyfriend walked up to her parked car in a southeastern neighborhood of the nation's capital and shot through her passenger window, killing the 33-year-old.It's cases like hers, where warning signs and legal paperwork weren't enough to save a life, that lawmakers had in mind this summer when they crafted the first major&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-gun-violence-bill-live-updates-20f7c9738fee4eba1d7fed155301ee25">bipartisan law</a>&nbsp;on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-health-mental-gun-violence-government-and-politics-1cf62afca004ec613ad76e8808cbfb50">gun violence</a>&nbsp;in decades.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-signs-gun-violence-bill-c21249287f976c2c164d8753205c2e6d">The measure signed by President Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;in June was part of a response to a harrowing string of shootings over the summer, including the slaying of 19 children at an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/shootings-texas-education-violence-school-31aa135678f8118ed96d893ea77cf8ea">elementary school in Uvalde, Texas.</a>The package included tougher background checks for the youngest gun buyers and help for states to put in place “red flag” laws that make it easier for authorities to take weapons from people adjudged dangerous.Also tucked into the bill was a proposal that will make it more difficult for a convicted domestic abuser to obtain firearms even when the abuser is not married to or doesn’t have a child with the victim.Nearly a decade in the making, lawmakers' move to close the “boyfriend loophole” received far less attention than other aspects of the legislation. But advocates and lawmakers are hopeful this provision will save lives and become a major part of the law's legacy.“We have so many women killed — one every 14 hours, from domestic partners with guns in this country,” Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., a longtime advocate for the proposal, said before passage of the bill in June. “Sadly, half of those involve dating partners, people who aren’t married to someone, but they are in a romantic relationship with them in some way.”Federal law has long barred people convicted of domestic violence or subject to a domestic violence restraining order from being able to buy a gun. But that restriction had only applied to an individual who is married to the victim, lived with the victim or had a child with the victim. As a result, it missed a whole group of perpetrators — current and former boyfriends or intimate partners — sometimes with fatal consequences.At least 19 states and the District of Columbia have taken action on this issue, according to data compiled by Everytown for Gun Safety. Klobuchar and domestic violence advocates have worked for years to do the same on the federal level, with little success.The struggle over defining a boyfriend in the law remained difficult to the end. Negotiations in Congress nearly broke down over the provision. The same thing happened in March when a similar bipartisan effort to reauthorize a 1990s-era law that extended protections to victims of domestic and sexual violence&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-congress-gun-politics-violence-edc7fb5f3bc0261cdbe7a29c50ec7c8e">passed only after Democratic lawmakers took out the loophole provision</a>&nbsp;to ensure Republican support.“That was the toughest issue in our negotiations,” Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., a lead negotiator of the gun package, said of the loophole proposal. “The biggest discussion that took us a long time at the end was around the question of how you would get your rights back after you had been prohibited."Murphy and other Democratic negotiators were able to persuade Republicans by including a narrow path to restoring access to firearms for first-time offenders after five years, only if they are not convicted of another misdemeanor for violent crime. For married couples, and those who have had a child together, the firearm ban is permanent.To some advocates, more change is still needed. The legislation only partially closes the loophole because dating partners subject to a domestic violence restraining order, as in Thomas' case, are still able to buy and maintain access to firearms.“It will for sure save lives. But also to be clear, this is a partial closure of what’s known as the boyfriend loophole. There’s still a lot of work to be done,” Jennifer Becker, the legal director and senior attorney for Legal Momentum, a legal defense and education fund for women, told The Associated Press.Federal crime data for 2020 showed that out of all murder victims among intimate partners — including divorced and gay couples — girlfriends accounted for 37%, while wives accounted for 34%. Only 13% of the victims were boyfriends, and 7% were husbands.In 2018, a group of researchers who looked at intimate partner homicides in 45 states from 1980 to 2013 found that when firearm prohibitions linked to domestic restraining orders included people who were dating, deaths dropped by 13%.“It suggests that when you cast that wider net, by covering boyfriends, you are able to cover people who are more dangerous and potentially save more lives,” April Zeoli, a researcher at the University of Michigan who was part of that study, told the AP.Thomas' family hopes the changes in the law will save lives and ensure their daughter's death wasn't in vain. They say Thomas was doing everything she could to protect herself when she left her yearslong relationship with 36-year-old Antoine Oliver in late September 2021.It was only after her death in October that her family members found out that the protective order Thomas had filed three days earlier, detailing how her former partner had access to firearms and she felt unsafe, was never served. Sheriff’s deputies in Prince George’s County, Maryland, where Oliver lived, had been trying to reach him by phone.When law enforcement finally reached Oliver, he told them he would come to accept service of the judicial order the following day. Instead, authorities said, he killed Thomas that day before fatally shooting himself.“Some days I just sit and review the paper she had filed with the court just a few days prior and just think, what else could she have done to protect herself?" said Nadine Thomas, her mother. Gilbert Thomas, her father, said his daughter did everything she was supposed to do, but it was the system that failed her.“She feared for her life and what did the police do? They called him and made arrangements for him to come to pick up the order,” he said. "There was no urgency placed on it."But now the family is bracing for the anniversary of Thomas' killing. The weight of grief is heavy, particularly for her 11-year-old daughter, Kylei, whom Thomas had from a relationship before she met Oliver.In the months before her death, Thomas had been making plans to buy a home for her and her daughter. She was saving up from her job with the D.C. Office of the State Superintendent of Education, where she was assigned to an intervention program to help some of the district's most challenged students.“We really were starting to map out some things and it just got taken away,” her sister, Keeda Simpson, said. “One of the last things we talked about was her wanting to evoke change for other women.""I’m going to do whatever it takes — even if it’s a small thing — to help someone else that’s in her situation, not to lose their life," she added.___

In new gun law, a quiet breakthrough for victims of abuse

G. Patrick Wanker was born August 16, 1939, to Gernald Mertis and Pauline Gladys (Close) Wanker. He passed away on September 2, 2022, at the Trego Lemke Memorial Hospital at the age of 83 years.

Patrick attended the WaKeeney Grade School and graduated from the Trego Community High School.

He attended the Bethlehem Lutheran Church and was a member of ATA, KTA, NRA, and Hays Sportsman Club. He married Charlotte R. Schneider on October 19, 1967, at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church.

Upon graduation, Patrick worked for a seismograph company from Texas. After working for several years, he decided he would open a grocery store.&nbsp; It was opened on June 26, 1961. It later became known as Pat’s Grocery and Sporting Goods, selling beer, ice, fishing, and hunting supplies and guns. The store was probably the first “convenience store” in Kansas. He sold the store in 1981.

In 1984, Pat, and two partners began Wes-Kan Towers, LLC. which constructed and erected two-way radio communication towers. When cell phones were introduced, the towers were also used to house cell phone equipment which provided coverage for a large area. The company was sold in 2000.

Being interested in the oil industry, Pat and a partner started Nor-West Kansas Oil, LLC in 1985.&nbsp; They began leasing ground, drilling oil wells, and operating them in Northwest Kansas. When Pat’s health began to fail, it was decided to sell the company, which was sold in July 2022.

He leaves to mourn his passing his wife (Charlotte) of the home and one sister, Carely (James) Yaeger of Branson West, MO. He also leaves to mourn many nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.

Those preceding him in death are his parents, Gernald and Pauline Wanker; his brother, David A. Wanker, his grandparents Patrick and Gladys Close, Frank and Mary Wanker, and a great nephew Tyler Lotz.

Pat enjoyed hunting, fishing, and shooting trap competitively, attending NASCAR races and NFL football. Pat will be greatly missed by his family, business associates, and friends.

Services will be on September 6, 2022, at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church at 10:30 a.m. Visitation will be on September 5, 2022, from 5:00 to 7:00 at Schmitt Funeral Home. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Prairie Faith Shared Ministry Nursing Program, Trego Lemke Memorial Hospital Endowment Association, or Hays, Kansas Sportsman Club.

Condolences may be left for the family by visiting www.schmittfuneral.com

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1662309682149.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>G. Patrick Wanker was born August 16, 1939, to Gernald Mertis and Pauline Gladys (Close) Wanker. He passed away on September 2, 2022, at the Trego Lemke Memorial Hospital at the age of 83 years.Patrick attended the WaKeeney Grade School and graduated from the Trego Community High School.He attended the Bethlehem Lutheran Church and was a member of ATA, KTA, NRA, and Hays Sportsman Club. He married Charlotte R. Schneider on October 19, 1967, at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church.Upon graduation, Patrick worked for a seismograph company from Texas. After working for several years, he decided he would open a grocery store.&nbsp; It was opened on June 26, 1961. It later became known as Pat’s Grocery and Sporting Goods, selling beer, ice, fishing, and hunting supplies and guns. The store was probably the first “convenience store” in Kansas. He sold the store in 1981.In 1984, Pat, and two partners began Wes-Kan Towers, LLC. which constructed and erected two-way radio communication towers. When cell phones were introduced, the towers were also used to house cell phone equipment which provided coverage for a large area. The company was sold in 2000.Being interested in the oil industry, Pat and a partner started Nor-West Kansas Oil, LLC in 1985.&nbsp; They began leasing ground, drilling oil wells, and operating them in Northwest Kansas. When Pat’s health began to fail, it was decided to sell the company, which was sold in July 2022.He leaves to mourn his passing his wife (Charlotte) of the home and one sister, Carely (James) Yaeger of Branson West, MO. He also leaves to mourn many nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.Those preceding him in death are his parents, Gernald and Pauline Wanker; his brother, David A. Wanker, his grandparents Patrick and Gladys Close, Frank and Mary Wanker, and a great nephew Tyler Lotz.Pat enjoyed hunting, fishing, and shooting trap competitively, attending NASCAR races and NFL football. Pat will be greatly missed by his family, business associates, and friends.Services will be on September 6, 2022, at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church at 10:30 a.m. Visitation will be on September 5, 2022, from 5:00 to 7:00 at Schmitt Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Prairie Faith Shared Ministry Nursing Program, Trego Lemke Memorial Hospital Endowment Association, or Hays, Kansas Sportsman Club.Condolences may be left for the family by visiting www.schmittfuneral.com

G. Patrick Wanker

Jarold "Jerry" William Boettcher of Manhattan, age 82, formerly of 
Beloit, died surrounded by family on Sunday, August 21, 2022, at Stormont
 Vail Hospital in Topeka, Kansas.

Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Barbara; children Chris 
Boettcher (Lynne) of Benton, Melinda Grafel (Dan) of Oberlin, Andy 
Boettcher (Wendy) of Dayton, Ohio, and Miranda Grummon (David) of 
Shawnee; grandchildren Kade, Brittan, Isabel, Aidan, Drew, Dylan, Ella, 
Josh, Addyson, and Isaiah; and sisters Janet Wesselowski of Wichita and 
Kathy Aros (Richard) of Tucson, Arizona.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Zelma 
Boettcher, and one sister, Sylvia Wolf of Quinter. Jerry was born on May
 19, 1940, in Beloit. After graduating from Beloit High School in 1958, 
he continued his education at Kansas State University.

He married the love of his life, Barbara, on December 30, 1961, 
and graduated with a degree in Nuclear Engineering in 1963. He began 
considering graduate school, and was admitted to MIT's Sloan School of 
Management where he earned a Master's Degree in Industrial Management in
 1966. He worked in finance in New York City, then in Kansas City, 
Missouri. In 1979, he switched gears and moved his family to Beloit to 
help his father with the management of Boettcher Supply. He worked as
 President and CEO of Boettcher Enterprises until his retirement in 
2007. He and Barbara then moved to Manhattan.

Jerry loved many things - education, his K-State Wildcats, dogs, 
working on and racing cars, and traveling, but what he loved most was 
his family. He was a wonderful husband, father, and grandfather, and 
will be missed terribly.

In memory of Jerry, contributions may be made to a few 
institutions that were close to Jerry's heart: Purple Paws 2nd Chance 
Rescue in Manhattan, First Presbyterian Church of Beloit, or towards a 
Beloit High School scholarship for graduates attending Kansas State 
University. The family will host a Celebration of Life service on 
Saturday, October 15 at 11 a.m., at First Presbyterian Church, 321 E. 
Main St., Beloit, followed by a gathering to enjoy food, laughs and 
memories at the Municipal Building, 2nd and Hersey, Beloit. Guests are 
invited to dress casually and wear K-State purple.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1662304522196.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Jarold "Jerry" William Boettcher of Manhattan, age 82, formerly of 
Beloit, died surrounded by family on Sunday, August 21, 2022, at Stormont
 Vail Hospital in Topeka, Kansas.Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Barbara; children Chris 
Boettcher (Lynne) of Benton, Melinda Grafel (Dan) of Oberlin, Andy 
Boettcher (Wendy) of Dayton, Ohio, and Miranda Grummon (David) of 
Shawnee; grandchildren Kade, Brittan, Isabel, Aidan, Drew, Dylan, Ella, 
Josh, Addyson, and Isaiah; and sisters Janet Wesselowski of Wichita and 
Kathy Aros (Richard) of Tucson, Arizona.He was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Zelma 
Boettcher, and one sister, Sylvia Wolf of Quinter. Jerry was born on May
 19, 1940, in Beloit. After graduating from Beloit High School in 1958, 
he continued his education at Kansas State University.He married the love of his life, Barbara, on December 30, 1961, 
and graduated with a degree in Nuclear Engineering in 1963. He began 
considering graduate school, and was admitted to MIT's Sloan School of 
Management where he earned a Master's Degree in Industrial Management in
 1966. He worked in finance in New York City, then in Kansas City, 
Missouri. In 1979, he switched gears and moved his family to Beloit to 
help his father with the management of Boettcher Supply. He worked as
 President and CEO of Boettcher Enterprises until his retirement in 
2007. He and Barbara then moved to Manhattan.Jerry loved many things - education, his K-State Wildcats, dogs, 
working on and racing cars, and traveling, but what he loved most was 
his family. He was a wonderful husband, father, and grandfather, and 
will be missed terribly.In memory of Jerry, contributions may be made to a few 
institutions that were close to Jerry's heart: Purple Paws 2nd Chance 
Rescue in Manhattan, First Presbyterian Church of Beloit, or towards a 
Beloit High School scholarship for graduates attending Kansas State 
University. The family will host a Celebration of Life service on 
Saturday, October 15 at 11 a.m., at First Presbyterian Church, 321 E. 
Main St., Beloit, followed by a gathering to enjoy food, laughs and 
memories at the Municipal Building, 2nd and Hersey, Beloit. Guests are 
invited to dress casually and wear K-State purple.

Jarold 'Jerry' William Boettcher

Kathern M. “Blondie” Barry, 78, passed away September 2, 2022, at 
Hays Medical Center. She was born on October 26, 1943, at Great Bend, to
 Harvey &amp; Albertia (Blair) Barry.

Blondie was a lifetime Great Bend resident, having worked for Barry 
Tree Service and the Salvation Army. She loved bright colors and enjoyed
 sharing gifts with family and friends. Blondie had a heart of gold and 
especially loved spending time with her family, pets and nature.

Survivors include, a sister, Evon Gallant of Great Bend; a brother, 
David M. Blair, Sr., of Leonardville, Kan.; and numerous nieces and 
nephews, including, Shawnda Gallant, Tony Morgan and Barry Gallant; She 
was preceded in death by her parents; an infant brother, Nathine Barry; a
 brother, Howard Barry; and two half-sisters, Una Helmric and Diane 
Kirkham.

Visitation will be held from Noon to 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, September 
7, 2022, at Bryant Funeral Home, with family to receive friends from 
6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, 
September 8, 2022, at Bryant Funeral Home, with Reverend Dick Ogle 
presiding. Interment will be in the Hoisington Cemetery. 

Memorials have 
been designated to Golden Belt Humane Society, in care of Bryant Funeral
 Home.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1662304448932.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Kathern M. “Blondie” Barry, 78, passed away September 2, 2022, at 
Hays Medical Center. She was born on October 26, 1943, at Great Bend, to
 Harvey &amp; Albertia (Blair) Barry.Blondie was a lifetime Great Bend resident, having worked for Barry 
Tree Service and the Salvation Army. She loved bright colors and enjoyed
 sharing gifts with family and friends. Blondie had a heart of gold and 
especially loved spending time with her family, pets and nature.Survivors include, a sister, Evon Gallant of Great Bend; a brother, 
David M. Blair, Sr., of Leonardville, Kan.; and numerous nieces and 
nephews, including, Shawnda Gallant, Tony Morgan and Barry Gallant; She 
was preceded in death by her parents; an infant brother, Nathine Barry; a
 brother, Howard Barry; and two half-sisters, Una Helmric and Diane 
Kirkham.Visitation will be held from Noon to 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, September 
7, 2022, at Bryant Funeral Home, with family to receive friends from 
6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, 
September 8, 2022, at Bryant Funeral Home, with Reverend Dick Ogle 
presiding. Interment will be in the Hoisington Cemetery. Memorials have 
been designated to Golden Belt Humane Society, in care of Bryant Funeral
 Home.

Kathern M. 'Blondie' Barry

Marvin J. Kaiser, 81, Hays, died Thursday, September 1, 2022, at HaysMed.

He was born October 12, 1940, in Great 
Bend the son of Joe L. and Regina (Debes) Kaiser.&nbsp; In 1958, he graduated
 from Odin High School and later served in the U.S. Army Reserves during
 the Cuban Missile Crisis.&nbsp; He worked as a manufactured housing 
executive, and for the majority of his career worked for Marlette Homes,
 now Clayton Homes.&nbsp; He had a love for farming and working cattle.&nbsp; On 
December 30, 1961, he was united in marriage to Bernice M. Rziha in Odin,
 and they were married nearly 61 years.&nbsp; 

He served on the Claflin School
 Board of Education, Kansas State Special Olympics Board, coached 
Claflin Recreation softball and baseball, McPherson American Legion 
Baseball, and Catholic school basketball.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Marvin’s memberships 
included St. Nicholas of Myra Catholic Church, St. Nicholas Third Degree
 Knights of Columbus Council # 10044, and the Bishop Cunningham Fourth 
Degree Assembly #282.&nbsp; During his 65 years in the Knights of Columbus, 
Marvin held many offices including:&nbsp; Faithful Navigator, Grand Knight, 
District Deputy, State Officer, Former State Advocate, and as Membership
 Director, started 16 new councils.&nbsp; He loved his grandchildren, enjoyed
 spoiling them, and was proud to be called Great Papa.&nbsp;

Survivors include his wife Bernice of 
Hays, a son: Brian Kaiser and wife Lynne of Wichita, a daughter: Paula 
Beck and husband Andy of Hays, a brother: Gilbert Kaiser and wife Kathy 
of Kingman, two sisters: Jolene Rziha and husband Jim of Great Bend, 
Marilyn Ricke of Hoisington, a sister-in-law: Lucille Kaiser of 
Hoisington, three grandchildren: Shawn Kaiser of Wichita, Jenna 
Barnthson and husband Beau of Olathe, and Brandon Beck of New York City,
 NY, a great granddaughter: Aleena Barnthson, and numerous nieces and 
nephews.

He was preceded in death by his 
parents, a brother: Ronald Kaiser, a sister: Corrine Finger and husband 
Larry, and a brother-in-law: Ted Ricke.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 
10:30 am on Tuesday, September 6, 2022, at St. Nicholas of Myra Catholic 
Church with Fr. Damian Richards Officiating.&nbsp; Burial will follow in St. 
Joseph Cemetery.&nbsp; Visitation will be from 5:00 pm until 8:00 on Monday 
and from 9:30 am until 10:15 on Tuesday, all at Hays Memorial Chapel 
Funeral Home.&nbsp; The Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus will stand honor 
guard from 5:30 pm until 6:30, a vigil service will be at 6:30, followed
 by a combined Third and Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus rosary, all 
on Monday at the funeral home.&nbsp; 

Memorials are suggested to Holy Family 
Elementary School or to TMP-Marian High School.&nbsp; Condolences and 
memories of Marvin may be shared with his family at <a href="http://www.haysmemorial.com">www.haysmemorial.com</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1662222335513.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Marvin J. Kaiser, 81, Hays, died Thursday, September 1, 2022, at HaysMed.He was born October 12, 1940, in Great 
Bend the son of Joe L. and Regina (Debes) Kaiser.&nbsp; In 1958, he graduated
 from Odin High School and later served in the U.S. Army Reserves during
 the Cuban Missile Crisis.&nbsp; He worked as a manufactured housing 
executive, and for the majority of his career worked for Marlette Homes,
 now Clayton Homes.&nbsp; He had a love for farming and working cattle.&nbsp; On 
December 30, 1961, he was united in marriage to Bernice M. Rziha in Odin,
 and they were married nearly 61 years.&nbsp; He served on the Claflin School
 Board of Education, Kansas State Special Olympics Board, coached 
Claflin Recreation softball and baseball, McPherson American Legion 
Baseball, and Catholic school basketball.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Marvin’s memberships 
included St. Nicholas of Myra Catholic Church, St. Nicholas Third Degree
 Knights of Columbus Council # 10044, and the Bishop Cunningham Fourth 
Degree Assembly #282.&nbsp; During his 65 years in the Knights of Columbus, 
Marvin held many offices including:&nbsp; Faithful Navigator, Grand Knight, 
District Deputy, State Officer, Former State Advocate, and as Membership
 Director, started 16 new councils.&nbsp; He loved his grandchildren, enjoyed
 spoiling them, and was proud to be called Great Papa.&nbsp;Survivors include his wife Bernice of 
Hays, a son: Brian Kaiser and wife Lynne of Wichita, a daughter: Paula 
Beck and husband Andy of Hays, a brother: Gilbert Kaiser and wife Kathy 
of Kingman, two sisters: Jolene Rziha and husband Jim of Great Bend, 
Marilyn Ricke of Hoisington, a sister-in-law: Lucille Kaiser of 
Hoisington, three grandchildren: Shawn Kaiser of Wichita, Jenna 
Barnthson and husband Beau of Olathe, and Brandon Beck of New York City,
 NY, a great granddaughter: Aleena Barnthson, and numerous nieces and 
nephews.He was preceded in death by his 
parents, a brother: Ronald Kaiser, a sister: Corrine Finger and husband 
Larry, and a brother-in-law: Ted Ricke.Mass of Christian Burial will be at 
10:30 am on Tuesday, September 6, 2022, at St. Nicholas of Myra Catholic 
Church with Fr. Damian Richards Officiating.&nbsp; Burial will follow in St. 
Joseph Cemetery.&nbsp; Visitation will be from 5:00 pm until 8:00 on Monday 
and from 9:30 am until 10:15 on Tuesday, all at Hays Memorial Chapel 
Funeral Home.&nbsp; The Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus will stand honor 
guard from 5:30 pm until 6:30, a vigil service will be at 6:30, followed
 by a combined Third and Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus rosary, all 
on Monday at the funeral home.&nbsp; Memorials are suggested to Holy Family 
Elementary School or to TMP-Marian High School.&nbsp; Condolences and 
memories of Marvin may be shared with his family at <a href="http://www.haysmemorial.com">www.haysmemorial.com</a>

Marvin J. Kaiser

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — NASA’s new moon rocket sprang another dangerous fuel leak Saturday, forcing launch controllers to call off their second attempt to send a crew capsule into lunar orbit with test dummies.

The first attempt earlier in the week was also marred by escaping hydrogen, but those leaks were elsewhere on the 322-foot (98-meter) rocket, the most powerful ever built by NASA.

There was no immediate word on when NASA might try again. After Tuesday, a two-week launch blackout period kicks in. Extensive fuel leak repairs could require that the rocket be hauled off the pad and back into its hangar, possibly pushing the flight into October.

Launch director Charlie Blackwell-Thompson and her team tried to plug Saturday’s leak the way they did the last time: stopping and restarting the flow of super-cold liquid hydrogen in hopes of removing the gap around a seal in the supply line. They tried that twice, in fact, and also flushed helium through the line. But the leak persisted.

Blackwell-Thompson finally halted the countdown after three to four hours of futile effort.

“We have a scrub for the day,” announced NASA's launch commentator, Derrol Nail.

NASA wants to send the crew capsule atop the rocket around the moon, pushing it to the limit before astronauts get on the next flight. If the five-week demo with test dummies succeeds, astronauts could fly around the moon in 2024 and land on it in 2025. People last walked on the moon 50 years ago.

After days of stormy weather, the weather cooperated early Saturday as the launch team began loading nearly 1 million gallons of fuel into the Space Launch System&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/astronomy-space-launches-spacex-exploration-technology-5db3523e917b5a4e612b0aef158286b8">rocket</a>.

But minutes into the operation, hydrogen fuel began seeping from the engine section at the bottom of the rocket, violating safety rules.

During Monday's launch attempt, hydrogen fuel escaped from elsewhere in the rocket. Technicians tightened up the fittings over the past week, but Blackwell-Thompson cautioned that she wouldn't know whether everything was tight until Saturday's fueling.

Even more of a problem on Monday, a sensor indicated one of the rocket's four engines was too warm, but engineers later verified it actually was cold enough. The launch team planned to ignore the faulty sensor this time around and rely on other instruments to ensure each main engine was properly chilled.

Mission managers accepted the additional risk posed by the engine issue as well as a separate problem: cracks in the rocket's insulating foam. But they acknowledged other problems — like fuel leaks — could prompt yet another delay.

That didn't stop thousands from jamming the coast to see the Space Launch System rocket soar. Local authorities expected massive crowds because of the long Labor Day holiday weekend.

The $4.1 billion test flight is the first step in NASA's Artemis program of renewed lunar exploration, named after the twin sister of Apollo in Greek mythology.

Twelve astronauts walked on the moon during NASA’s Apollo program, the last time in 1972.

Artemis — years behind schedule and billions over budget — aims to establish a sustained human presence on the moon, with crews eventually spending weeks at a time there. It's considered a training ground for Mars.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — NASA’s new moon rocket sprang another dangerous fuel leak Saturday, forcing launch controllers to call off their second attempt to send a crew capsule into lunar orbit with test dummies.<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/21X5lGlDOfg" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>The first attempt earlier in the week was also marred by escaping hydrogen, but those leaks were elsewhere on the 322-foot (98-meter) rocket, the most powerful ever built by NASA.There was no immediate word on when NASA might try again. After Tuesday, a two-week launch blackout period kicks in. Extensive fuel leak repairs could require that the rocket be hauled off the pad and back into its hangar, possibly pushing the flight into October.Launch director Charlie Blackwell-Thompson and her team tried to plug Saturday’s leak the way they did the last time: stopping and restarting the flow of super-cold liquid hydrogen in hopes of removing the gap around a seal in the supply line. They tried that twice, in fact, and also flushed helium through the line. But the leak persisted.Blackwell-Thompson finally halted the countdown after three to four hours of futile effort.“We have a scrub for the day,” announced NASA's launch commentator, Derrol Nail.NASA wants to send the crew capsule atop the rocket around the moon, pushing it to the limit before astronauts get on the next flight. If the five-week demo with test dummies succeeds, astronauts could fly around the moon in 2024 and land on it in 2025. People last walked on the moon 50 years ago.After days of stormy weather, the weather cooperated early Saturday as the launch team began loading nearly 1 million gallons of fuel into the Space Launch System&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/astronomy-space-launches-spacex-exploration-technology-5db3523e917b5a4e612b0aef158286b8">rocket</a>.But minutes into the operation, hydrogen fuel began seeping from the engine section at the bottom of the rocket, violating safety rules.During Monday's launch attempt, hydrogen fuel escaped from elsewhere in the rocket. Technicians tightened up the fittings over the past week, but Blackwell-Thompson cautioned that she wouldn't know whether everything was tight until Saturday's fueling.Even more of a problem on Monday, a sensor indicated one of the rocket's four engines was too warm, but engineers later verified it actually was cold enough. The launch team planned to ignore the faulty sensor this time around and rely on other instruments to ensure each main engine was properly chilled.Mission managers accepted the additional risk posed by the engine issue as well as a separate problem: cracks in the rocket's insulating foam. But they acknowledged other problems — like fuel leaks — could prompt yet another delay.That didn't stop thousands from jamming the coast to see the Space Launch System rocket soar. Local authorities expected massive crowds because of the long Labor Day holiday weekend.The $4.1 billion test flight is the first step in NASA's Artemis program of renewed lunar exploration, named after the twin sister of Apollo in Greek mythology.Twelve astronauts walked on the moon during NASA’s Apollo program, the last time in 1972.Artemis — years behind schedule and billions over budget — aims to establish a sustained human presence on the moon, with crews eventually spending weeks at a time there. It's considered a training ground for Mars.

🎥:Fuel leak ruins NASA's 2nd shot at launching moon rocket

By MIKE COURSON Great Bend Post

On Sept. 4, 
2002, the tragic and inexplicable occurred: an unknown subject murdered 
two Great Bend residents and walked away from the Dolly Madison bakery -
 one of the city's busiest intersections at one of the busiest times of 
day. Yet 20 years later, the case remains unsolved.

Just before 8 
p.m. that evening, a delivery driver found the bodies of 24-year-old 
Mandi Alexander and 79-year-old Mary Drake. Alexander had recently begun
 working at the bakery outlet store, and Drake was a customer that day. 

Alicia
 Mong (Drake) graduated from Great Bend High School in 1996. In 2002,&nbsp; 
she was living in Hutchinson. Sept. 4 should have been an otherwise 
unremarkable day except it was a long one and Mong remembers being 
tired. She tried to call her grandmother, Mary, before going to bed.

"She
 didn’t answer," Mong said. "I was not at all concerned because she was 
fiercely independent and spent a lot of time at her sisters' houses. We 
went on with it and went to bed. I really do not know what time it was 
when we were awoken by loud banging on our front door. We opened it, and
 there were two police officers telling me that I needed to call my dad 
because something had happened to my grandma, and she was deceased."

With
 few details to go on, Mong gathered her family and made the 70-minute 
drive to Great Bend. She dropped her kids off with family and headed for
 the bakery.

"When we pulled up there were so many cars, lights and people 
standing around," said Mong. "I found my dad and just hugged him. He 
told me what he knew, which was very little. I just remember feeling so 
very sad for him. His mom was murdered, people were staring at our 
family, driving up asking questions. Officers were asking questions, and
 all he could do was stand there and endure it. It sucked, simple as 
that."

Once the body was removed from the bakery at 10th and 
Harrison, the family retreated to Mong's parents' home and began 
notifying other family members of the death. The following day, an agent
 from the Kansas Bureau of Investigation asked the family for access to 
Mary's home. Mong and her father accompanied the agent.

"The agent
 asked a lot of questions, as he should," Mong said, "but the one that 
stood out to me was directed to my dad. 'Did your mom have any enemies 
that we should know about? Is there anyone who was angry at her or would
 have reason to hurt her?' I don’t know why, but it angered me. I could 
only think, 'Seriously, no! What the heck! Why would you ask that?' No 
one was so mad at my 79-year-old, four-foot, 11-inch grandma that they 
would want to kill her. I know now they had to ask those types of 
questions, but man, did that hit me wrong."

Everything changed for
 the family after Sept. 4. All families deal with loss, but most, 
fortunately, never have to endure a murder investigation. "In my 
experience, everything was so secretive and scary," said Mong. "There 
was some sort of law enforcement around all the time, at the viewing, 
the funeral service, and the burial. I thought differently about going 
places. I looked at people differently."

Mong recalls attending 
the Kansas State Fair shortly after the double murder. She saw a 
potential suspect in every passerby. "I watched people walk by; I 
studied them," she said. "I remember thinking, 'Someone here could know 
something, or someone here could be the person who killed my grandma.' I
 remember internally yelling at myself to stop, put the thoughts away, 
enjoy the time with my family, but it wasn’t going to happen. We ended 
up leaving the fair pretty early."

The Dolly Madison case is also 
exceptional because it has yet to be solved. There is no closure in 
brutal crimes, but a conviction would provide some relief, and perhaps, 
even answers. The Drake family never received that. Alicia's father and 
Mary's son, Ron, passed away in October 2020, never seeing a killer 
brought to justice. The nature of the crime brought about many theories.

"I
 started to question the truth and believe all the stories I heard from 
people, hoping they were the one," Mong said. "The one that could give 
us the golden information. But I realized there were a lot of people 
that just thought they knew what happened or wanted to be the hero and 
had all the answers.

"This never heals. It never goes away. In the
 last 20 years, we have had several phone calls, texts, Facebook 
messages from strangers telling us they know what happened that night. 
They tell us names, places, and stories that we relay to law 
enforcement, but nothing ever comes from it. They also tell us the 
police know what happened, but they will never be able to convict anyone
 for the crime. It never slips your mind, and when it does finally get 
put to the back of your brain, something pops up again, and the pain and
 anger resurface."

There is one saving grace about Sept. 4, 2002. 
According to an eyewitness that day, before going to the bakery, Mary 
had stopped by Alicia's sister's home to pick up her granddaughter for 
the trip. Fortunately, no one was home. "Her daughter could have easily 
been with Grandma and things could have been much, much worse," Mong 
said. "This will always stick with us."

Mong remembers being close to her grandmother growing up. She said 
Mary was strong, independent, loving, compassionate, and resourceful. 
Mong wants her to be remembered as more than a murder victim but also as
 a sister, an aunt, a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.

"My
 grandma was my idol," Mong said. "She was my person. I can’t remember a
 time or a memory that she was not a part of. She meant so much to my 
family that there are no words to express how grateful I am to have had 
her in my life."

Mary's mother passed away at a young age during 
childbirth, so Mary and her siblings were raised by her father and 
grandmother. Mary had three sons, enduring her own grief when the eldest
 passed away in his 20s. She later divorced and raised her other two 
sons on her own, working at Fuller Brush until retirement. She enjoyed 
playing cards and spending time with her family.

Mong said her 
fondest childhood memories always include her grandmother. On Saturday 
nights, Mary set up the hideaway couch for Alicia and her sister, 
watching "Saturday Night Live" with some old-fashioned popcorn that 
included spray-on butter unique to Mary's house. Other nights it was the
 same routine in front of "Hee Haw" or "Barbara Mandrell &amp; the 
Mandrel Sisters." On especially good nights, Mary treated the girls to 
slivers of a frozen Snickers bar and ice-cold Pepsi.

"Then every 
Sunday morning there was no TV, but the radio was on, and the music was 
playing," Mong recalls. "She would clean and do laundry on Sundays, and I
 remember watching her dance around. She loved to Polka and sing while 
she was working. As my sister and I got older and busier, we didn’t 
spend as much time with Grandma but that changed again when mine and my 
sister’s oldest were born and Grandma became a great-grandma. Those 
girls changed her life, and she loved them. She was the center of our 
world when we were little, and then she became the center of their world
 as well. She was so much more than a murder victim."

Twenty years
 later, Mong still feels anger and disappointment. She said she knows 
about as much today as she did in 2002, but the feelings are compounded 
by not having any answers - of disappointing Mary and Ron for not being 
able to find the tip that might lead to the murderer. She's angry that 
she and her family have been denied the opportunity to properly grieve 
the loss of a loved one.

"Normally after the service and burial, 
you start to gradually heal," she said. "Your anger and sadness 
eventually turn into happy memories. Not with this. This will never end.
 I knew that no one was being held responsible for the murders. I knew 
the murderer was out there walking around among us somewhere. I was 
always on the lookout for someone that might match the sketch. I 
listened to every conversation I could, watched every person around me, 
and couldn’t think of anything else. 

"It was not because I was 
scared. I was angry. I was so very angry that this happened to my 
grandma. I was mad that it seemed everyone knew what was going on except
 for us. We knew very little. I was mad because it felt that there was 
not enough being done. I was angry that I knew how much my grandma 
suffered during her last minutes, instead of peacefully passing in her 
old age. I was angry that this affected my parents so severely. The two 
and their marriage were never the same. I was angry that my sister was 
so hurt and anxious, and there was absolutely nothing that I or anyone 
could do about it. I was angry that they took her from her 
great-grandchildren. 

"I have learned to deal with the anger for 
the most part, but I must admit that I am still angry after 20 years. 
"We are without answers and still no closer to justice and closure. I am
 angry because it doesn’t seem, in any way, that law enforcement is 
trying to find these monsters. Most of all, I am still angry that 
someone took my person away from me."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1662124319156.jpeg" alt="Mary Drake with her son and granddaughters years before the double homicide in Great Bend 20 years ago on Sept. 4, 2002." />
 <figcaption>Mary Drake with her son and granddaughters years before the double homicide in Great Bend 20 years ago on Sept. 4, 2002.</figcaption>
 </figure>By MIKE COURSON Great Bend PostOn Sept. 4, 
2002, the tragic and inexplicable occurred: an unknown subject murdered 
two Great Bend residents and walked away from the Dolly Madison bakery -
 one of the city's busiest intersections at one of the busiest times of 
day. Yet 20 years later, the case remains unsolved.Just before 8 
p.m. that evening, a delivery driver found the bodies of 24-year-old 
Mandi Alexander and 79-year-old Mary Drake. Alexander had recently begun
 working at the bakery outlet store, and Drake was a customer that day. Alicia
 Mong (Drake) graduated from Great Bend High School in 1996. In 2002,&nbsp; 
she was living in Hutchinson. Sept. 4 should have been an otherwise 
unremarkable day except it was a long one and Mong remembers being 
tired. She tried to call her grandmother, Mary, before going to bed."She
 didn’t answer," Mong said. "I was not at all concerned because she was 
fiercely independent and spent a lot of time at her sisters' houses. We 
went on with it and went to bed. I really do not know what time it was 
when we were awoken by loud banging on our front door. We opened it, and
 there were two police officers telling me that I needed to call my dad 
because something had happened to my grandma, and she was deceased."With
 few details to go on, Mong gathered her family and made the 70-minute 
drive to Great Bend. She dropped her kids off with family and headed for
 the bakery.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1662124347303.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>"When we pulled up there were so many cars, lights and people 
standing around," said Mong. "I found my dad and just hugged him. He 
told me what he knew, which was very little. I just remember feeling so 
very sad for him. His mom was murdered, people were staring at our 
family, driving up asking questions. Officers were asking questions, and
 all he could do was stand there and endure it. It sucked, simple as 
that."Once the body was removed from the bakery at 10th and 
Harrison, the family retreated to Mong's parents' home and began 
notifying other family members of the death. The following day, an agent
 from the Kansas Bureau of Investigation asked the family for access to 
Mary's home. Mong and her father accompanied the agent."The agent
 asked a lot of questions, as he should," Mong said, "but the one that 
stood out to me was directed to my dad. 'Did your mom have any enemies 
that we should know about? Is there anyone who was angry at her or would
 have reason to hurt her?' I don’t know why, but it angered me. I could 
only think, 'Seriously, no! What the heck! Why would you ask that?' No 
one was so mad at my 79-year-old, four-foot, 11-inch grandma that they 
would want to kill her. I know now they had to ask those types of 
questions, but man, did that hit me wrong."Everything changed for
 the family after Sept. 4. All families deal with loss, but most, 
fortunately, never have to endure a murder investigation. "In my 
experience, everything was so secretive and scary," said Mong. "There 
was some sort of law enforcement around all the time, at the viewing, 
the funeral service, and the burial. I thought differently about going 
places. I looked at people differently."Mong recalls attending 
the Kansas State Fair shortly after the double murder. She saw a 
potential suspect in every passerby. "I watched people walk by; I 
studied them," she said. "I remember thinking, 'Someone here could know 
something, or someone here could be the person who killed my grandma.' I
 remember internally yelling at myself to stop, put the thoughts away, 
enjoy the time with my family, but it wasn’t going to happen. We ended 
up leaving the fair pretty early."The Dolly Madison case is also 
exceptional because it has yet to be solved. There is no closure in 
brutal crimes, but a conviction would provide some relief, and perhaps, 
even answers. The Drake family never received that. Alicia's father and 
Mary's son, Ron, passed away in October 2020, never seeing a killer 
brought to justice. The nature of the crime brought about many theories."I
 started to question the truth and believe all the stories I heard from 
people, hoping they were the one," Mong said. "The one that could give 
us the golden information. But I realized there were a lot of people 
that just thought they knew what happened or wanted to be the hero and 
had all the answers."This never heals. It never goes away. In the
 last 20 years, we have had several phone calls, texts, Facebook 
messages from strangers telling us they know what happened that night. 
They tell us names, places, and stories that we relay to law 
enforcement, but nothing ever comes from it. They also tell us the 
police know what happened, but they will never be able to convict anyone
 for the crime. It never slips your mind, and when it does finally get 
put to the back of your brain, something pops up again, and the pain and
 anger resurface."There is one saving grace about Sept. 4, 2002. 
According to an eyewitness that day, before going to the bakery, Mary 
had stopped by Alicia's sister's home to pick up her granddaughter for 
the trip. Fortunately, no one was home. "Her daughter could have easily 
been with Grandma and things could have been much, much worse," Mong 
said. "This will always stick with us."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1662124384403.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Mong remembers being close to her grandmother growing up. She said 
Mary was strong, independent, loving, compassionate, and resourceful. 
Mong wants her to be remembered as more than a murder victim but also as
 a sister, an aunt, a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother."My
 grandma was my idol," Mong said. "She was my person. I can’t remember a
 time or a memory that she was not a part of. She meant so much to my 
family that there are no words to express how grateful I am to have had 
her in my life."Mary's mother passed away at a young age during 
childbirth, so Mary and her siblings were raised by her father and 
grandmother. Mary had three sons, enduring her own grief when the eldest
 passed away in his 20s. She later divorced and raised her other two 
sons on her own, working at Fuller Brush until retirement. She enjoyed 
playing cards and spending time with her family.Mong said her 
fondest childhood memories always include her grandmother. On Saturday 
nights, Mary set up the hideaway couch for Alicia and her sister, 
watching "Saturday Night Live" with some old-fashioned popcorn that 
included spray-on butter unique to Mary's house. Other nights it was the
 same routine in front of "Hee Haw" or "Barbara Mandrell &amp; the 
Mandrel Sisters." On especially good nights, Mary treated the girls to 
slivers of a frozen Snickers bar and ice-cold Pepsi."Then every 
Sunday morning there was no TV, but the radio was on, and the music was 
playing," Mong recalls. "She would clean and do laundry on Sundays, and I
 remember watching her dance around. She loved to Polka and sing while 
she was working. As my sister and I got older and busier, we didn’t 
spend as much time with Grandma but that changed again when mine and my 
sister’s oldest were born and Grandma became a great-grandma. Those 
girls changed her life, and she loved them. She was the center of our 
world when we were little, and then she became the center of their world
 as well. She was so much more than a murder victim."Twenty years
 later, Mong still feels anger and disappointment. She said she knows 
about as much today as she did in 2002, but the feelings are compounded 
by not having any answers - of disappointing Mary and Ron for not being 
able to find the tip that might lead to the murderer. She's angry that 
she and her family have been denied the opportunity to properly grieve 
the loss of a loved one."Normally after the service and burial, 
you start to gradually heal," she said. "Your anger and sadness 
eventually turn into happy memories. Not with this. This will never end.
 I knew that no one was being held responsible for the murders. I knew 
the murderer was out there walking around among us somewhere. I was 
always on the lookout for someone that might match the sketch. I 
listened to every conversation I could, watched every person around me, 
and couldn’t think of anything else. "It was not because I was 
scared. I was angry. I was so very angry that this happened to my 
grandma. I was mad that it seemed everyone knew what was going on except
 for us. We knew very little. I was mad because it felt that there was 
not enough being done. I was angry that I knew how much my grandma 
suffered during her last minutes, instead of peacefully passing in her 
old age. I was angry that this affected my parents so severely. The two 
and their marriage were never the same. I was angry that my sister was 
so hurt and anxious, and there was absolutely nothing that I or anyone 
could do about it. I was angry that they took her from her 
great-grandchildren. "I have learned to deal with the anger for 
the most part, but I must admit that I am still angry after 20 years. 
"We are without answers and still no closer to justice and closure. I am
 angry because it doesn’t seem, in any way, that law enforcement is 
trying to find these monsters. Most of all, I am still angry that 
someone took my person away from me."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1662124407999.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

20 years later: Memories of life before, after Great Bend murders

Marlys Joan Bernard, 82, of Hutchinson, died on August 31, 2022, at 
Hospice House. She was born October 7, 1939, in Little River, to Glenn 
and Marjorie (Clarke) Stowe.

Marlys moved to Hutchinson in 1958 and graduated from Adela Hale 
Business College. Her first job was with the county attorney’s office in
 Hutchinson as a legal secretary. Marlys the worked for Dick Rome and 
Time Chambers in their private practices. She went back to work in the 
county / district attorney’s office in 1984, as its first full-time 
diversion coordinator. Marlys was a member of the Kansas Victims 
Assistance Association and the board of directors for Sexual Assault and
 Domestic Violence Center of Hutchinson, serving as secretary, 
treasurer, and president. She retired as victim-witness coordinator for 
the Reno County district attorney’s office in 2007, after 23 years.

Marlys was a caring friend. She always sent cards for birthdays, 
anniversaries, and special occasions. She was also famous for being the 
“Cookie Queen” of Reno County. Marlys baked cookies for everyone that 
she loved. Those cards and cookies will be missed.

In 1999, Marlys received an award from the Kansas Coalition Against 
Sexual &amp; Domestic Violence and the Sexual Assault &amp; Domestic 
Violence Center of Hutchinson as a “Mother of Our Movement”, in 
recognition of contributions made to lay groundwork for advocates, 
victims, and survivors. She received the Liberty Bell Award from the 
Reno County Bar Association in 2000, in recognition of her contribution 
to the legal profession in Reno County.

Marlys is survived by: her husband of 51 years, Jewell R. Bernard; 
daughters, Debra J. Gardner (Greg), Kristi L. Bernard; son, Jewell R. 
Bernard; sister-in-law, Freddean Stowe; son-in-law, Charles Weible; 
niece, Krista Smalley; grandchildren, Grant Gardener (Megan), Brittany 
Gardner, Sierra Gardner, Erika Sutton (Mike), Brandon Bernard (Meagan), 
Aimee Bernard, Arrin Bernard (Molly); and seven great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by: her father, Glenn Stowe; mother, Marjorie Stowe; brother, Max Stowe; and daughter, Linda Weible.

Celebration of life will be 10 am Thursday, September 8, 2022, at 
First Congregational Church, Little River. Burial will follow in Bean 
Cemetery. Friends may call from 9 am to 8 pm Wednesday, with family 
present from 5 to 7 pm at Elliott Mortuary.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Kansas 
Organization for Victim Assistance in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N.
 Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1662152547824.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Marlys Joan Bernard, 82, of Hutchinson, died on August 31, 2022, at 
Hospice House. She was born October 7, 1939, in Little River, to Glenn 
and Marjorie (Clarke) Stowe.Marlys moved to Hutchinson in 1958 and graduated from Adela Hale 
Business College. Her first job was with the county attorney’s office in
 Hutchinson as a legal secretary. Marlys the worked for Dick Rome and 
Time Chambers in their private practices. She went back to work in the 
county / district attorney’s office in 1984, as its first full-time 
diversion coordinator. Marlys was a member of the Kansas Victims 
Assistance Association and the board of directors for Sexual Assault and
 Domestic Violence Center of Hutchinson, serving as secretary, 
treasurer, and president. She retired as victim-witness coordinator for 
the Reno County district attorney’s office in 2007, after 23 years.Marlys was a caring friend. She always sent cards for birthdays, 
anniversaries, and special occasions. She was also famous for being the 
“Cookie Queen” of Reno County. Marlys baked cookies for everyone that 
she loved. Those cards and cookies will be missed.In 1999, Marlys received an award from the Kansas Coalition Against 
Sexual &amp; Domestic Violence and the Sexual Assault &amp; Domestic 
Violence Center of Hutchinson as a “Mother of Our Movement”, in 
recognition of contributions made to lay groundwork for advocates, 
victims, and survivors. She received the Liberty Bell Award from the 
Reno County Bar Association in 2000, in recognition of her contribution 
to the legal profession in Reno County.Marlys is survived by: her husband of 51 years, Jewell R. Bernard; 
daughters, Debra J. Gardner (Greg), Kristi L. Bernard; son, Jewell R. 
Bernard; sister-in-law, Freddean Stowe; son-in-law, Charles Weible; 
niece, Krista Smalley; grandchildren, Grant Gardener (Megan), Brittany 
Gardner, Sierra Gardner, Erika Sutton (Mike), Brandon Bernard (Meagan), 
Aimee Bernard, Arrin Bernard (Molly); and seven great-grandchildren.She was preceded in death by: her father, Glenn Stowe; mother, Marjorie Stowe; brother, Max Stowe; and daughter, Linda Weible.Celebration of life will be 10 am Thursday, September 8, 2022, at 
First Congregational Church, Little River. Burial will follow in Bean 
Cemetery. Friends may call from 9 am to 8 pm Wednesday, with family 
present from 5 to 7 pm at Elliott Mortuary.In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Kansas 
Organization for Victim Assistance in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N.
 Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.

Marlys Joan Bernard

Paul Edward Kent passed away October 17, 2021, at the age of 84. He 
was born to Francis and Mattie (Ridgley) Kent on June 23, 1937. He was a
 1955 graduate of Norton Community High School.

Inurnment will be 
held 2:00 pm Thursday, September 15, 2022, at the Norton Cemetery with 
Father Matthew Cowan officiating. 

Arrangements by Plumer-Gobber Funeral 
Home, 215 W. Main St., Norton, KS 67654. Condolences may be left at 
www.plumergobber.com

Paul Edward Kent passed away October 17, 2021, at the age of 84. He 
was born to Francis and Mattie (Ridgley) Kent on June 23, 1937. He was a
 1955 graduate of Norton Community High School.Inurnment will be 
held 2:00 pm Thursday, September 15, 2022, at the Norton Cemetery with 
Father Matthew Cowan officiating. Arrangements by Plumer-Gobber Funeral 
Home, 215 W. Main St., Norton, KS 67654. Condolences may be left at 
www.plumergobber.com

Paul Edward Kent

Jeffrey John Riedesel, age 53, of Goodland, Kansas, passed away 
Tuesday, August&nbsp;30, 2022, at the Goodland Regional Medical Center in 
Goodland.

He was born in San Bernardino, California, October 12, 1968.

Jeff and his parents moved to Lakewood, Colorado, in March 1970. Jeff graduated&nbsp;from Alameda High School in 1987.

Jeff always had a passion as well as a talent for engineering and 
designing which&nbsp;was evident in his model creations and his street rod. 
Along with his beloved&nbsp;Grandpa and his dad, Jeff built his 1929 Model A 
Ford street rod that he named&nbsp;Toy A. And like his Grandpa, Jeff earned 
many awards for his craftsmanship and&nbsp;drag racing.

After marrying Susan Cooper on October 21, 2001, Jeff, Susan, along 
with son&nbsp;Corey and daughter Grace eventually moved to Goodland, Kansas, 
where Jeff&nbsp;pursued his Law Enforcement career. He was proud to have 
served the Sherman&nbsp;County Sheriff’s Office and the Goodland Police 
Department. At the time of his&nbsp;passing, Jeff was the Undersheriff of the
 Sherman County Sheriff’s Office.

Jeff is survived by his wife Susan, son Corey, (Monique and 
granddaughter&nbsp;Elizabeth), daughter Grace, parents Dallas and Janet Ann 
Wise Riedesel, his&nbsp;sister Tiffany Riedesel Romero (Mark), and a niece 
DallasAnn Romero.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, John and Beulah 
Riedesel of Kirk,&nbsp;CO and Lawrence and Mabel Wise of Winchester, KY.

Click <a href="https://www.koonsrussellfuneralhome.com/obituary/Jeffrey-Riedesel">HERE</a> for service and memorial details.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1662139604440.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Jeffrey John Riedesel, age 53, of Goodland, Kansas, passed away 
Tuesday, August&nbsp;30, 2022, at the Goodland Regional Medical Center in 
Goodland.He was born in San Bernardino, California, October 12, 1968.Jeff and his parents moved to Lakewood, Colorado, in March 1970. Jeff graduated&nbsp;from Alameda High School in 1987.Jeff always had a passion as well as a talent for engineering and 
designing which&nbsp;was evident in his model creations and his street rod. 
Along with his beloved&nbsp;Grandpa and his dad, Jeff built his 1929 Model A 
Ford street rod that he named&nbsp;Toy A. And like his Grandpa, Jeff earned 
many awards for his craftsmanship and&nbsp;drag racing.After marrying Susan Cooper on October 21, 2001, Jeff, Susan, along 
with son&nbsp;Corey and daughter Grace eventually moved to Goodland, Kansas, 
where Jeff&nbsp;pursued his Law Enforcement career. He was proud to have 
served the Sherman&nbsp;County Sheriff’s Office and the Goodland Police 
Department. At the time of his&nbsp;passing, Jeff was the Undersheriff of the
 Sherman County Sheriff’s Office.Jeff is survived by his wife Susan, son Corey, (Monique and 
granddaughter&nbsp;Elizabeth), daughter Grace, parents Dallas and Janet Ann 
Wise Riedesel, his&nbsp;sister Tiffany Riedesel Romero (Mark), and a niece 
DallasAnn Romero.He was preceded in death by his grandparents, John and Beulah 
Riedesel of Kirk,&nbsp;CO and Lawrence and Mabel Wise of Winchester, KY.Click <a href="https://www.koonsrussellfuneralhome.com/obituary/Jeffrey-Riedesel">HERE</a> for service and memorial details.

Jeffrey John Riedesel

October 12, 1968 ~ August 30, 2022

An obituary is pending with Koons-Russell Funeral Home.

Click <a href="https://www.koonsrussellfuneralhome.com/obituary/Jeffrey-Riedesel">HERE</a> for service details.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1662123875617.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>October 12, 1968 ~ August 30, 2022An obituary is pending with Koons-Russell Funeral Home.Click <a href="https://www.koonsrussellfuneralhome.com/obituary/Jeffrey-Riedesel">HERE</a> for service details.

Democratic governor invites independent Pyle to participate in each

By TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/09/01/kelly-schmidt-agree-to-take-part-in-two-debates-one-forum-in-governors-race/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Democratic Gov. Laura 
Kelly and Republican challenger Derek Schmidt plan to take part in two 
campaign debates and a question-and-answer forum over the next five 
weeks.

The first on the calendar would be the election forum hosted by the 
Kansas Chamber Sept. 7 in Olathe, in which the candidates appear alone 
with a moderator on a stage to answer a series of questions.

The next would be the colorful debate Sept. 10 hosted by WIBW Radio 
and Kansas Radio Networks at the Kansas State Fair in Hutchinson.

The other appearance would be the debate broadcast by Kansas City PBS
 television and organized by the Johnson County Bar Association on Oct. 
5.

Kelly, who was elected in 2018 and seeks reelection to another 
four-year term, said she would welcome participation by independent 
gubernatorial candidate Dennis Pyle, but it wasn’t clear if the 
conservative state senator from Hiawatha could be part of those three 
events.

Pyle, who has urged Kansans not to vote for Kelly or Schmidt, was 
expected to draw more support from the GOP nominee than the governor. 
Exclusion from the prominent campaign events would limit his ability to 
gain traction ahead of the November election.

“Debates are vital&nbsp;to the 
democratic process and every voter deserves to go to the polls knowing 
where the candidates stand on the issues,” said Lauren Fitzgerald, a 
spokeswoman for Kelly’s campaign.

She said Kelly looked forward to opportunities to speak to Kansans 
about funding of K-12 public schools, work on the state’s transportation
 infrastructure and “growing the Kansas economy and strengthening our 
workforce.”

C.J. Grover, spokesperson for Schmidt’s campaign, said the attorney 
general’s preference would be to engage in more one-on-one debates. He 
indicated the Schmidt campaign would propose dates for joint appearances
 with Kelly, but didn’t mention potential of including Pyle.

“We challenge her to do more real&nbsp;debates 
where she will have to give an account for the policies that have made 
the lives of Kansans more difficult every single day,” Grover said. 
“Laura Kelly cannot run from Kansas voters’ questions.”

Schmidt, who has served Kansas as attorney general since 2011, previously was a member of the Kansas Senate with Kelly and Pyle.

Kelly’s campaign referred to the Kansas Chamber event as a debate, 
but it takes the form of stand alone interview with Alan Cobb, president
 and chief executive officer of the state business lobbying 
organization. In those gatherings, candidates are given a series of 
questions about 10 minutes before taking the stage.

The Johnson County Bar Association and Kansas State Fair events would be conducted in debate formats.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1662042953338.png" alt="Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly and Republican Attorney General Derek Schmidt agreed to participate in campaign debates, one in September and the other in October. Both also will take part in the Kansas Chamber’s question-and-answer forum in September. (Photos by Sherman Smith and Thad Allton/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly and Republican Attorney General Derek Schmidt agreed to participate in campaign debates, one in September and the other in October. Both also will take part in the Kansas Chamber’s question-and-answer forum in September. (Photos by Sherman Smith and Thad Allton/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Democratic governor invites independent Pyle to participate in each</h2>By TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/09/01/kelly-schmidt-agree-to-take-part-in-two-debates-one-forum-in-governors-race/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Democratic Gov. Laura 
Kelly and Republican challenger Derek Schmidt plan to take part in two 
campaign debates and a question-and-answer forum over the next five 
weeks.The first on the calendar would be the election forum hosted by the 
Kansas Chamber Sept. 7 in Olathe, in which the candidates appear alone 
with a moderator on a stage to answer a series of questions.The next would be the colorful debate Sept. 10 hosted by WIBW Radio 
and Kansas Radio Networks at the Kansas State Fair in Hutchinson.The other appearance would be the debate broadcast by Kansas City PBS
 television and organized by the Johnson County Bar Association on Oct. 
5.Kelly, who was elected in 2018 and seeks reelection to another 
four-year term, said she would welcome participation by independent 
gubernatorial candidate Dennis Pyle, but it wasn’t clear if the 
conservative state senator from Hiawatha could be part of those three 
events.Pyle, who has urged Kansans not to vote for Kelly or Schmidt, was 
expected to draw more support from the GOP nominee than the governor. 
Exclusion from the prominent campaign events would limit his ability to 
gain traction ahead of the November election.“Debates are vital&nbsp;to the 
democratic process and every voter deserves to go to the polls knowing 
where the candidates stand on the issues,” said Lauren Fitzgerald, a 
spokeswoman for Kelly’s campaign.She said Kelly looked forward to opportunities to speak to Kansans 
about funding of K-12 public schools, work on the state’s transportation
 infrastructure and “growing the Kansas economy and strengthening our 
workforce.”C.J. Grover, spokesperson for Schmidt’s campaign, said the attorney 
general’s preference would be to engage in more one-on-one debates. He 
indicated the Schmidt campaign would propose dates for joint appearances
 with Kelly, but didn’t mention potential of including Pyle.“We challenge her to do more real&nbsp;debates 
where she will have to give an account for the policies that have made 
the lives of Kansans more difficult every single day,” Grover said. 
“Laura Kelly cannot run from Kansas voters’ questions.”Schmidt, who has served Kansas as attorney general since 2011, previously was a member of the Kansas Senate with Kelly and Pyle.Kelly’s campaign referred to the Kansas Chamber event as a debate, 
but it takes the form of stand alone interview with Alan Cobb, president
 and chief executive officer of the state business lobbying 
organization. In those gatherings, candidates are given a series of 
questions about 10 minutes before taking the stage.The Johnson County Bar Association and Kansas State Fair events would be conducted in debate formats.

Kelly, Schmidt agree to take part in two debates, one forum

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

Higher food costs as well as other essentials, such as gas, are driving more people to use area food banks.

Theresa Hill, director of the Community Assistance Center food bank, said she has seen a significant increase in demand for food.

"I just spent $700 last month at Walmart. ... It's already gone," she said. "We have hardly anything in here. Our next food drive won't be until October.

"Just bring in food," she said. "We need it bad."

Hill said food costs are so high that even families who receive food stamps can't get all the food they need, so they come to the food bank.

Hill said she thought the increase in food needs was based on rising food costs due to inflation. Inflation on food had surged 10.9 percent as of July. 

During the pandemic, Hill said the food pantry saw a decrease in demand. She said she thought families were making ends meet with the help of stimulus checks.

Linda Mills, director of First Call for Help, also lamented that her agency's food pantry shelves were almost empty.

First Call for Help operates a smaller pantry and did receive a donation of spaghetti sauce and hamburger in addition to other canned goods from two local churches after putting out a call for assistance online and it the agency's newsletter.

"Anybody who has been to the grocery store knows its gone up quite a bit," she said. 

Families are being hit by a variety of factors, Mills said. Families with children in school are also dealing with back-to-school expenses right now.

"I think it's the price of gas, the price of food and August just being a really hard month for families," Mills said.

For the last two years, all students were provided free meals at school through a U.S. Department of Agriculture program. Although free and reduced-cost lunches are still available, Mills said families are having to adjust to paying those meal expenses again.

Renee Michaud, St. Joseph Food Pantry coordinator, said she is just now seeing an increase in demand for food.

So far, Michaud said the pantry has been able to keep up with the need, but the pantry always accepts donations.

The Ellis Food pantry has also seen an increase in food requests. The demand for food rose steadily in 2022, hitting a peak in April. During the summer, the demand dipped slightly, said Althea Cross, coordinator.

In April, the pantry served 178 people in 76 homes. The pantry serves families within the Ellis USD 388 school district.

Cross said the pantry always welcomes donations, but pantry has been well stocked from the Kansas Food Bank.

Brandon Nimz, who coordinates food commodity distributions in Hays, said he had seen a recent decrease in demand for commodities. Recipients must show proof of income to receive the commodities.

However, Nimz's Unite Ministries also offers a free store food pantry at the Gamers Guild that allows people to leave or take food as they need with no questions asked. That small pantry was almost empty. 

"Whenever food comes in, it disappears pretty fast," Nimz said. "I think it depends on the nature of it. If people have to show proof of income or feel like its formal or governmental ...

"I don't think people are pushed to the point of needing that type of assistance yet. I do think it's getting a little tighter out there because of the uptick in easy-access food."

A line of people was waiting for commodities at the most recent distribution on Friday. Joy Springer, commodities recipient, said increasing prices of food and other goods was making it more difficult to make ends meet.

Nimz said there also may be working poor who may be making too much to qualify for commodities, but not enough to make ends meet financially.

Mills said the food pantries were an essential resource in Ellis County.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1661789548154.jpeg" alt="Brandon Nimz of Unite Ministries readies to distribute commodities Friday at the Gamers Guild in Hays. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post " />
 <figcaption>Brandon Nimz of Unite Ministries readies to distribute commodities Friday at the Gamers Guild in Hays. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post </figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostHigher food costs as well as other essentials, such as gas, are driving more people to use area food banks.Theresa Hill, director of the Community Assistance Center food bank, said she has seen a significant increase in demand for food. "I just spent $700 last month at Walmart. ... It's already gone," she said. "We have hardly anything in here. Our next food drive won't be until October."Just bring in food," she said. "We need it bad."Hill said food costs are so high that even families who receive food stamps can't get all the food they need, so they come to the food bank.Hill said she thought the increase in food needs was based on rising food costs due to inflation. Inflation on food had surged 10.9 percent as of July. <figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1661789756054.jpeg" alt="Joy Springer signs for commodities Friday as Brandon Nimz of Unite Ministries looks on. Springer said increasing food costs are making it more difficult for her to make ends meet. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post " />
 <figcaption>Joy Springer signs for commodities Friday as Brandon Nimz of Unite Ministries looks on. Springer said increasing food costs are making it more difficult for her to make ends meet. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post </figcaption>
 </figure>During the pandemic, Hill said the food pantry saw a decrease in demand. She said she thought families were making ends meet with the help of stimulus checks.Linda Mills, director of First Call for Help, also lamented that her agency's food pantry shelves were almost empty.First Call for Help operates a smaller pantry and did receive a donation of spaghetti sauce and hamburger in addition to other canned goods from two local churches after putting out a call for assistance online and it the agency's newsletter."Anybody who has been to the grocery store knows its gone up quite a bit," she said. Families are being hit by a variety of factors, Mills said. Families with children in school are also dealing with back-to-school expenses right now."I think it's the price of gas, the price of food and August just being a really hard month for families," Mills said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1661789942954.jpeg" alt="These shelves were even more bare last week, but a couple of churches brought in food donations after First Call for Help issued a plea for food donations. Director Linda Mills said more food is needed to meet increased demand. Photo By Cristina Janney/Hays Post " />
 <figcaption>These shelves were even more bare last week, but a couple of churches brought in food donations after First Call for Help issued a plea for food donations. Director Linda Mills said more food is needed to meet increased demand. Photo By Cristina Janney/Hays Post </figcaption>
 </figure>For the last two years, all students were provided free meals at school through a U.S. Department of Agriculture program. Although free and reduced-cost lunches are still available, Mills said families are having to adjust to paying those meal expenses again.Renee Michaud, St. Joseph Food Pantry coordinator, said she is just now seeing an increase in demand for food.So far, Michaud said the pantry has been able to keep up with the need, but the pantry always accepts donations.The Ellis Food pantry has also seen an increase in food requests. The demand for food rose steadily in 2022, hitting a peak in April. During the summer, the demand dipped slightly, said Althea Cross, coordinator.In April, the pantry served 178 people in 76 homes. The pantry serves families within the Ellis USD 388 school district.Cross said the pantry always welcomes donations, but pantry has been well stocked from the Kansas Food Bank.Brandon Nimz, who coordinates food commodity distributions in Hays, said he had seen a recent decrease in demand for commodities. Recipients must show proof of income to receive the commodities.However, Nimz's Unite Ministries also offers a free store food pantry at the Gamers Guild that allows people to leave or take food as they need with no questions asked. That small pantry was almost empty. "Whenever food comes in, it disappears pretty fast," Nimz said. "I think it depends on the nature of it. If people have to show proof of income or feel like its formal or governmental ... "I don't think people are pushed to the point of needing that type of assistance yet. I do think it's getting a little tighter out there because of the uptick in easy-access food."A line of people was waiting for commodities at the most recent distribution on Friday. Joy Springer, commodities recipient, said increasing prices of food and other goods was making it more difficult to make ends meet. Nimz said there also may be working poor who may be making too much to qualify for commodities, but not enough to make ends meet financially. Mills said the food pantries were an essential resource in Ellis County."The thought of going hungry, for me anyway, doesn't sound very pleasant. I know we can always, as middle income, tighten our belts, but if you are low income or extremely low income, there's no place else you can cut."Even those who are low income and working are stretched very thin with the increased cost, Mills said."It comes down to decisions whether they buy gas or buy food, pay their electric bill or fill their car up with gas so they can go back and forth to work. It's a hardship if you are earning a low income," Mills said.Mills urged donations for the pantry."We wouldn't ask for it if we didn't need it," she said.Below is a list of the major food charities in Ellis County. A new website —&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kansasfoodsource.org/" target="_blank">www.kansasfoodsource.org</a>&nbsp;— is also designed to help people in need of food assistance find pantry locations&nbsp;in their areas, including smaller pantries in Ellis County. <h2>How to get food</h2>Community Assistance Center, 1108 Oak, 785-625-9110 To qualify • Proof of residence required (lease or Midwest Energy or water bill) • Proof of household income • If you have children, the school enrollment form When is food available? 8:30 to 1 p.m. Mondays through FridaysFirst Call for Help, 607 E. 13th, 785-623-2800 To qualify • No income qualifications • Must be from Ellis County. Will serve homeless. • Can receive food once a month When is food available? 8 to noon and 1 to 4:30 p.m. Mondays through FridaysEllis Food Pantry Call Ellis Alliance for food distribution dates at 785-726-2660. Must live in the Ellis USD 388. Food is distributed once a month. No proof of income is required. If someone has an emergency need for food, they can call and leave a message for the food bank with the Alliance.St. Joseph Food Pantry, 215 W. 13th, 785-625-7356 Do not need to meet income guidelines Serves anyone who lives in Ellis County When is food available? Open the first and third SaturdaysCommodities, The Gamers Guild, 200 E. Eighth, 785-259-2539 Must meet income guidelines See income guidelines and watch for updates on distribution dates on <a href="https://unitehays.com/index.php/hays-commodity-distribution/">Unite Ministry</a> or the Hays Post <h2>How to donate food</h2>Community Assistance Center 8:30 to 1 p.m. Mondays through Fridays Needs Monetary donations Baking mix Spaghetti sauce in a can Instant potatoes Corn Diced tomatoes in a can Canned meat (tuna or salmon) Soups First Call for Help 8 to noon and 1 to 4:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays Needs Peanut Butter Jelly Crackers Vegetable, chicken noodle, potato, chunky meat-Soups (pop-tops if you can) Pasta sauces Ready to eat meals Rice Beans Canned meats Instant potatoes Pancakes and syrup Canned vegetables and fruit Tuna and hamburger helper Ramen packets CerealEllis Food Pantry Food can be dropped off at the Ellis Alliance Office, 820 Washington St. Joseph Food Pantry Food can be dropped off at the pantry on the first and third Saturdays of the month or dropped off 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays through Fridays in food barrels just inside of the Kennedy gym doors. The pantry will accept garden produce from 8:30 and 9 a.m. on the first and third Saturdays during distribution hours as well. Needs Canned soups Canned beans (pinto or refried beans) Canned fruits