TOPEKA — The Kansas Chamber announced its 2022 Leadership Kansas class, which includes two Hays residents.

Sara Bloom is executive director of the Downtown Hays Development Corporation. Schamra&nbsp;Detherage is vice-president of human resources for Midwest Energy.&nbsp;

As one of the oldest and most prestigious statewide leadership programs in the country, Leadership Kansas, or LK, is focused on developing and motivating Kansas leaders from across the state.

Kansas Chamber President and CEO Alan Cobb said the Kansas Chamber is excited to welcome the newest Leadership Kansas class — a great representation of the state's demographics.

"Leadership Kansas has a long history of fostering greater awareness and understanding of statewide economic, business, and political issues. The program helps develop our state leaders to make Kansas a stronger and more vibrant business engine," said Cobb. "Graduates of the LK program have gone on to take on key leadership roles at the local, state, and national levels."

Leadership Kansas received more than 600 nominations for the 2022 program. After a thorough&nbsp;and thoughtful application and selection process, the selection committee chose 40 individuals for the 2022 class.&nbsp;

The committee and the Leadership Kansas Board of Advisors make every effort to ensure the class reflects the state in regard to geographic, ethnic, occupational, and gender diversity.&nbsp;

The program begins in April with an orientation session in Lawrence and ends with graduation in October after the completion of seven sessions.

The other cities the 2022 class will visit for this year's program include Garden City, Liberal, Overland Park, Olathe, Lenexa, Kansas City, KS, Leavenworth, Hays, Pittsburg, Hutchinson, Wichita, El Dorado, Manhattan, and Topeka.&nbsp;

&nbsp;Throughout the seven-month program, the class interacts with a variety of experts and community leaders through three-day educational training sessions. The diverse discussion topics include business, education, agriculture, public policy, societal health, economic development, and government. 

<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001Sf9se_i4qbVqJukPShgGEr4Nmqh1clDdLiGORCe6bCpGlvS5DxMcRssbUDkMwnJmn53pVlTiNmyw3IQqk-Oqj8hWhFoi-fYWPcclDWnIXawdMa-0J6tENl1Ob7h01TYi1TKkNy6OH4R0IbgsrjDekz9He0w7V7RKiFxHj98gtRM7qsGlzYwKzWs37ozrWEDG30Mf1dGXbiMtU44t_vLmR48tMLDXfflUSAJj-mAxILo=&amp;c=6QSTGopWa-01_ZnrU2hIsuGGwtqY_tV_qBbU4IS6CW3I2Lfrh2ejkA==&amp;ch=LE6dEBnanBUi7e9wv7iOcG2IRHV7LB11_4yJylpfosuixEH40R8PcA==" target="_blank">Click here</a>&nbsp;to see a complete list of the 2022 Leadership Kansas class.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1583264003733.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Leadership KansasTOPEKA — The Kansas Chamber announced its 2022 Leadership Kansas class, which includes two Hays residents.Sara Bloom is executive director of the Downtown Hays Development Corporation. Schamra&nbsp;Detherage is vice-president of human resources for Midwest Energy.&nbsp;As one of the oldest and most prestigious statewide leadership programs in the country, Leadership Kansas, or LK, is focused on developing and motivating Kansas leaders from across the state.Kansas Chamber President and CEO Alan Cobb said the Kansas Chamber is excited to welcome the newest Leadership Kansas class — a great representation of the state's demographics. "Leadership Kansas has a long history of fostering greater awareness and understanding of statewide economic, business, and political issues. The program helps develop our state leaders to make Kansas a stronger and more vibrant business engine," said Cobb. "Graduates of the LK program have gone on to take on key leadership roles at the local, state, and national levels."Leadership Kansas received more than 600 nominations for the 2022 program. After a thorough&nbsp;and thoughtful application and selection process, the selection committee chose 40 individuals for the 2022 class.&nbsp;The committee and the Leadership Kansas Board of Advisors make every effort to ensure the class reflects the state in regard to geographic, ethnic, occupational, and gender diversity.&nbsp;The program begins in April with an orientation session in Lawrence and ends with graduation in October after the completion of seven sessions. The other cities the 2022 class will visit for this year's program include Garden City, Liberal, Overland Park, Olathe, Lenexa, Kansas City, KS, Leavenworth, Hays, Pittsburg, Hutchinson, Wichita, El Dorado, Manhattan, and Topeka.&nbsp;&nbsp;Throughout the seven-month program, the class interacts with a variety of experts and community leaders through three-day educational training sessions. The diverse discussion topics include business, education, agriculture, public policy, societal health, economic development, and government. <a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001Sf9se_i4qbVqJukPShgGEr4Nmqh1clDdLiGORCe6bCpGlvS5DxMcRssbUDkMwnJmn53pVlTiNmyw3IQqk-Oqj8hWhFoi-fYWPcclDWnIXawdMa-0J6tENl1Ob7h01TYi1TKkNy6OH4R0IbgsrjDekz9He0w7V7RKiFxHj98gtRM7qsGlzYwKzWs37ozrWEDG30Mf1dGXbiMtU44t_vLmR48tMLDXfflUSAJj-mAxILo=&amp;c=6QSTGopWa-01_ZnrU2hIsuGGwtqY_tV_qBbU4IS6CW3I2Lfrh2ejkA==&amp;ch=LE6dEBnanBUi7e9wv7iOcG2IRHV7LB11_4yJylpfosuixEH40R8PcA==" target="_blank">Click here</a>&nbsp;to see a complete list of the 2022 Leadership Kansas class.&nbsp;&nbsp;<figure>
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Two Hays residents selected for 2022 Leadership Kansas class

Evelyn Ada “Bum” Goll, 97, of Phillipsburg, died on Friday, 
March 4, 2022, at her daughter and son-in-law’s home in Phillipsburg.

 Memorial services will be on Saturday, March 26, at 10:30 at Zion Lutheran Church in Phillipsburg with Pastor Lee Bennight officiating.&nbsp; Bum and her husband, Burnell, will be laid to rest at Olive Branch Cemetery near Kensington following the luncheon and fellowship. 

Evelyn Ada Madison was born on July 27, 1924, to William 
“Mackie” and Jessie (Christoffersen) Madison in Phillips County, KS.&nbsp; 
Her formative years were in Pudville where she attended the Gooder 
School and got her nickname Bum. Evelyn graduated from 
Kensington High School with the Class of 1944. Bum attended her 75th 
Class Reunion in 2019 where she was the oldest Goldbug in attendance.

Bum worked for Rietzke’s Grocery Store and Waite’s Sundrie in Kensington.&nbsp;
 She and Cleo Dressel were united in marriage on December 21, 1946.&nbsp; 
Cleo died on April 24, 1953.&nbsp; Bum and Burnell were married on August 18,
 1955, in an outdoor ceremony by the parsonage of St. John’s Lutheran 
Church in Kensington.&nbsp; Bum played in a softball game that afternoon 
hitting a home run to win the game for her team. They celebrated 65 
Years of Marriage Together in 2020.

Bum and Burnell moved to Pueblo, CO, for Burnell to attend Union Pacific Railroad Telegraph School.&nbsp; Their son Micheal Elwin “Mike”
 was born on March 11,1957.&nbsp; The Golls moved back to Kensington until 
Burnell began working for CRA, Inc. Refinery and the family moved to 
Phillipsburg.&nbsp; On May 13, 1959, their daughter Michela
 Jean “Mick” was born.&nbsp; Evelyn was baptized with her daughter, 
confirmed, and became a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Phillipsburg 
on March 26, 1961.

Bum was the ultimate full time loving Mom.&nbsp; 
She and Burnell enjoyed watching sports and following their children and
 grandchildren as they participated in many activities. She enjoyed 
spending time with her family and cooking for them. Playing Pokeno or 
cards with her friends, going to Bingo, and sharing a visit over a cup 
of coffee were highlights of her day. Bum was athletic and played 
softball and tennis through the years. She loved walking every day and 
playing Word Search.&nbsp; She and Burnell enjoyed hunting, fishing, and 
camping.&nbsp; Her faith in God and her family were very important to her. 
She was so proud to become a Great Grandma to Brooklyn Elizabeth and 
Bailey Samantha.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Evelyn and Burnell became residents of Phillips County 
Retirement Center on October 1, 2020.&nbsp; Bum joined Burnell so he did not 
have to quarantine by himself due to COVID.&nbsp; As fate would have it, 
Burnell died of COVID on January 6, 2021.&nbsp; On January 14, Bum moved in 
with her daughter, Mick, and son-in-law, Joel,
 for which she was so grateful. They shared many hours reminiscing about
 family, recipes, ball games—you name it. Bum enjoyed it when Mike, 
Brenda, and family came to visit as well as their video phone calls. She
 was always smiling.

Survivors include her two children, Micheal (Brenda) Goll of 
Salina, KS, and Michela (Joel) Hiesterman of Phillipsburg, KS; her 
sister, Carrie “Nette” Philbrick of Sidney, NE; three grandsons, 
Chandler (Carissa) Brass of Stockton, KS, Connor (Mary Claire) Brass of 
North Kansas City, MO, Spencer Brass of Los Angeles, CA, and two great 
granddaughters, Brooklyn and Bailey Brass of Stockton, KS; 
brother-in-law &amp; sister-in-law; Lawrence and Kay Goll of Blue Hill, NE,
 along with nieces, nephews, family and friends, and the Hospice 
personnel that were so good to Bum. She will be dearly missed by all 
those that knew and loved her.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Burnell, first husband, Cleo, her parents, sister, Kathleen “Kassie” Bronson, and infant brother, Merval Madison.&nbsp;In-Laws: Walter “Fat” Bronson, Charles “Chuck” Philbrick, Myrnah and Eldon Ratliff, Naomi and Don Seibrass, and Lloyd and Luetta Dressel.

The Family has chosen Hospice Services, Inc. for their memorial. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1646946307871.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Evelyn Ada “Bum” Goll, 97, of Phillipsburg, died on Friday, 
March 4, 2022, at her daughter and son-in-law’s home in Phillipsburg. Memorial services will be on Saturday, March 26, at 10:30 at Zion Lutheran Church in Phillipsburg with Pastor Lee Bennight officiating.&nbsp; Bum and her husband, Burnell, will be laid to rest at Olive Branch Cemetery near Kensington following the luncheon and fellowship. Evelyn Ada Madison was born on July 27, 1924, to William 
“Mackie” and Jessie (Christoffersen) Madison in Phillips County, KS.&nbsp; 
Her formative years were in Pudville where she attended the Gooder 
School and got her nickname Bum. Evelyn graduated from 
Kensington High School with the Class of 1944. Bum attended her 75th 
Class Reunion in 2019 where she was the oldest Goldbug in attendance.Bum worked for Rietzke’s Grocery Store and Waite’s Sundrie in Kensington.&nbsp;
 She and Cleo Dressel were united in marriage on December 21, 1946.&nbsp; 
Cleo died on April 24, 1953.&nbsp; Bum and Burnell were married on August 18,
 1955, in an outdoor ceremony by the parsonage of St. John’s Lutheran 
Church in Kensington.&nbsp; Bum played in a softball game that afternoon 
hitting a home run to win the game for her team. They celebrated 65 
Years of Marriage Together in 2020.Bum and Burnell moved to Pueblo, CO, for Burnell to attend Union Pacific Railroad Telegraph School.&nbsp; Their son Micheal Elwin “Mike”
 was born on March 11,1957.&nbsp; The Golls moved back to Kensington until 
Burnell began working for CRA, Inc. Refinery and the family moved to 
Phillipsburg.&nbsp; On May 13, 1959, their daughter Michela
 Jean “Mick” was born.&nbsp; Evelyn was baptized with her daughter, 
confirmed, and became a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Phillipsburg 
on March 26, 1961.Bum was the ultimate full time loving Mom.&nbsp; 
She and Burnell enjoyed watching sports and following their children and
 grandchildren as they participated in many activities. She enjoyed 
spending time with her family and cooking for them. Playing Pokeno or 
cards with her friends, going to Bingo, and sharing a visit over a cup 
of coffee were highlights of her day. Bum was athletic and played 
softball and tennis through the years. She loved walking every day and 
playing Word Search.&nbsp; She and Burnell enjoyed hunting, fishing, and 
camping.&nbsp; Her faith in God and her family were very important to her. 
She was so proud to become a Great Grandma to Brooklyn Elizabeth and 
Bailey Samantha.&nbsp;&nbsp;Evelyn and Burnell became residents of Phillips County 
Retirement Center on October 1, 2020.&nbsp; Bum joined Burnell so he did not 
have to quarantine by himself due to COVID.&nbsp; As fate would have it, 
Burnell died of COVID on January 6, 2021.&nbsp; On January 14, Bum moved in 
with her daughter, Mick, and son-in-law, Joel,
 for which she was so grateful. They shared many hours reminiscing about
 family, recipes, ball games—you name it. Bum enjoyed it when Mike, 
Brenda, and family came to visit as well as their video phone calls. She
 was always smiling.Survivors include her two children, Micheal (Brenda) Goll of 
Salina, KS, and Michela (Joel) Hiesterman of Phillipsburg, KS; her 
sister, Carrie “Nette” Philbrick of Sidney, NE; three grandsons, 
Chandler (Carissa) Brass of Stockton, KS, Connor (Mary Claire) Brass of 
North Kansas City, MO, Spencer Brass of Los Angeles, CA, and two great 
granddaughters, Brooklyn and Bailey Brass of Stockton, KS; 
brother-in-law &amp; sister-in-law; Lawrence and Kay Goll of Blue Hill, NE,
 along with nieces, nephews, family and friends, and the Hospice 
personnel that were so good to Bum. She will be dearly missed by all 
those that knew and loved her.She was preceded in death by her husband, Burnell, first husband, Cleo, her parents, sister, Kathleen “Kassie” Bronson, and infant brother, Merval Madison.&nbsp;In-Laws: Walter “Fat” Bronson, Charles “Chuck” Philbrick, Myrnah and Eldon Ratliff, Naomi and Don Seibrass, and Lloyd and Luetta Dressel.The Family has chosen Hospice Services, Inc. for their memorial.

Evelyn Ada 'Bum' Goll

Blanche Elizabeth Zerr, 91, of Grainfield, died Monday, March 7, 2022, 
at the Gove County Medical Center Long Term Care, in Quinter, KS. She 
was born during the dirty thirties, on October 31, 1930, in Hill City, 
KS, and was the first born of Joseph and Elizabeth (Dinkel) Richmeier. 
She grew up in St. Peter, KS and attended St. Anthony’s Catholic School 
there, where she learned her prayers and received her sacraments. After 
the 8th grade, at age 12, Blanche was sent to live with a group of young
 girls at a convent in Topeka, KS, where she worked at a hospital and 
sent the money she earned home to help support her family. Blanche was 
homesick, so after six months she was transferred to Hays, KS, to be 
closer to her family. She lived and worked there until she was 17. 
In May of 1947, Blanche met Peter C. Zerr at the wedding of Clem and 
Pauline Zerr. On November 16, 1948, shortly after Blanche turned 18, 
they were married in the basement of St. Anthony’s School, in St. Peter,
 because the church was being rebuilt. Blanche fondly recalled her and 
Peter praying together with both of their parents before the wedding. 
The couple continued to carry on the faith to their own family. They 
were blessed with five children (though they initially both wanted 14). 
Blanche was a true model for her family in the way she lived her 
Catholic faith, following the 10 commandments, praying, and sharing her 
devotion for the rosary. 
Blanche was an excellent farm wife. She was hard working and always 
filled in wherever she was needed. She milked the dairy cows, raised a 
large garden, cooked full meals for her family and the hired hands, all 
while maintaining the household and attending all her children’s events.
 She loved spending time with her family on Sundays, going to church and
 attending get-togethers. Blanche lived for her children and later her 
grandchildren and was always there to support them in their endeavors. 
She was a member of the Go-Getters EHU, Hackberry Hoppers, Grainfield 
Tri S Federated Women’s Club, Immaculate Conception Altar Society and 
later the St. Agnes Ladies. 
Blanche was preceded in death by her parents; husband Peter; son Keith 
Zerr; daughter-in-law Karen Zerr and sisters, Luella Kinderknecht, 
Carmella Jones and Clarita Kollhoff. 
She is survived by her sons, Dennis Zerr, of Garden City, KS, Kevin Zerr
 (Peggy Huelsman), of Perry, KS and Darren (Sherri) Zerr, of Baldwin 
City, KS; daughter Lynette (Terry) Steinbrecher, of Denver, CO; 
daughter-in-law Jacky Zerr; sister Eileen Bellairs; brothers, Edwin and 
Larry Richmeier; ten grandchildren, Chad Zerr, Mike (Tiffany) Zerr, 
Christopher (Ines) Wildeman, Kelly Steinbrecher, Gregory (Casi) 
Wildeman, Jordan Zerr, Jason (Whitney) Zerr, Kenton (Jennifer) Zerr, 
Kaitlyn (Keaton) Knott and Kirsten Zerr (fiancé Collin Schmidt) and 11 
great grandchildren. 
Visitation will be from 5-7:00 p.m., with a Rosary at 7:00 p.m., 
followed by a Vigil, Friday, March 11, 2022, at the St. Agnes Religious 
Education Center, in Grainfield. Funeral Mass is 10:00 a.m. Saturday, 
March 12, 2022, at St. Agnes Catholic Church, Grainfield, with burial in
 the Grainfield City Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the St. Agnes 
Church or the Grainfield American Legion and sent in care of Baalmann 
Mortuary, PO Box 204, Oakley, KS 67748. 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/2022/3/1646937690038.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Blanche Elizabeth Zerr, 91, of Grainfield, died Monday, March 7, 2022, 
at the Gove County Medical Center Long Term Care, in Quinter, KS. She 
was born during the dirty thirties, on October 31, 1930, in Hill City, 
KS, and was the first born of Joseph and Elizabeth (Dinkel) Richmeier. 
She grew up in St. Peter, KS and attended St. Anthony’s Catholic School 
there, where she learned her prayers and received her sacraments. After 
the 8th grade, at age 12, Blanche was sent to live with a group of young
 girls at a convent in Topeka, KS, where she worked at a hospital and 
sent the money she earned home to help support her family. Blanche was 
homesick, so after six months she was transferred to Hays, KS, to be 
closer to her family. She lived and worked there until she was 17. 
In May of 1947, Blanche met Peter C. Zerr at the wedding of Clem and 
Pauline Zerr. On November 16, 1948, shortly after Blanche turned 18, 
they were married in the basement of St. Anthony’s School, in St. Peter,
 because the church was being rebuilt. Blanche fondly recalled her and 
Peter praying together with both of their parents before the wedding. 
The couple continued to carry on the faith to their own family. They 
were blessed with five children (though they initially both wanted 14). 
Blanche was a true model for her family in the way she lived her 
Catholic faith, following the 10 commandments, praying, and sharing her 
devotion for the rosary. 
Blanche was an excellent farm wife. She was hard working and always 
filled in wherever she was needed. She milked the dairy cows, raised a 
large garden, cooked full meals for her family and the hired hands, all 
while maintaining the household and attending all her children’s events.
 She loved spending time with her family on Sundays, going to church and
 attending get-togethers. Blanche lived for her children and later her 
grandchildren and was always there to support them in their endeavors. 
She was a member of the Go-Getters EHU, Hackberry Hoppers, Grainfield 
Tri S Federated Women’s Club, Immaculate Conception Altar Society and 
later the St. Agnes Ladies. 
Blanche was preceded in death by her parents; husband Peter; son Keith 
Zerr; daughter-in-law Karen Zerr and sisters, Luella Kinderknecht, 
Carmella Jones and Clarita Kollhoff. 
She is survived by her sons, Dennis Zerr, of Garden City, KS, Kevin Zerr
 (Peggy Huelsman), of Perry, KS and Darren (Sherri) Zerr, of Baldwin 
City, KS; daughter Lynette (Terry) Steinbrecher, of Denver, CO; 
daughter-in-law Jacky Zerr; sister Eileen Bellairs; brothers, Edwin and 
Larry Richmeier; ten grandchildren, Chad Zerr, Mike (Tiffany) Zerr, 
Christopher (Ines) Wildeman, Kelly Steinbrecher, Gregory (Casi) 
Wildeman, Jordan Zerr, Jason (Whitney) Zerr, Kenton (Jennifer) Zerr, 
Kaitlyn (Keaton) Knott and Kirsten Zerr (fiancé Collin Schmidt) and 11 
great grandchildren. 
Visitation will be from 5-7:00 p.m., with a Rosary at 7:00 p.m., 
followed by a Vigil, Friday, March 11, 2022, at the St. Agnes Religious 
Education Center, in Grainfield. Funeral Mass is 10:00 a.m. Saturday, 
March 12, 2022, at St. Agnes Catholic Church, Grainfield, with burial in
 the Grainfield City Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the St. Agnes 
Church or the Grainfield American Legion and sent in care of Baalmann 
Mortuary, PO Box 204, Oakley, KS 67748. For information or condolences 
visit www.baalmannmortuary.com&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

Blanche Elizabeth Zerr

Patricia Coker, 78, died March 6, 2022, at Research Medical Center in 
Kansas City, Missouri. She was born on February 4, 1944, at Loretta, 
Kansas, the daughter of Severin Sr. and Adeline (Befort) Werth.

She married Donald Coker on April 18, 1964 in Schoenchen, Kansas. He 
preceded her in death on October 10, 2007. Mrs. Coker enjoyed knitting 
and gardening and shopping in her spare time. She loved spending time 
with her family.

She was a member of the Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe of Dodge City.

She is survived by two daughters Carrie Koehn and husband Doyle of 
Montezuma; Tammie Spire and husband Richard of Belton, Missouri as well,
 as two sisters Darlene Williams of Olathe, Kansas; Sharon Unrein of 
Louisberg, Kansas and one brother Severin Werth Jr and companion 
Marjorie Dansel of Hays, Kansas. She is also survived by four 
grandchildren and ten great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband Donald Coker.

Funeral Mass will be held at Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe on 
Saturday March 12, 2022, at 10:00 AM with Fr. Rudin Din presiding.&nbsp; 
Burial will follow at St. Andrew's Cemetery in Wright. Visitation will 
be held at Swaim Funeral Chapel on Friday, March 11, 2022, from 12:00 PM 
to 4:00 PM. Vigil service will be held at 7:00 PM Friday, March 11, 2022,&nbsp; at Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe. 

Memorials are suggested to St. 
Andrews Cemetery Fund in care of the funeral home.&nbsp; Thoughts and 
memories may be shared in the online guest book at 
www.swaimfuneralhome.com.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1646867145891.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Patricia Coker, 78, died March 6, 2022, at Research Medical Center in 
Kansas City, Missouri. She was born on February 4, 1944, at Loretta, 
Kansas, the daughter of Severin Sr. and Adeline (Befort) Werth.She married Donald Coker on April 18, 1964 in Schoenchen, Kansas. He 
preceded her in death on October 10, 2007. Mrs. Coker enjoyed knitting 
and gardening and shopping in her spare time. She loved spending time 
with her family.She was a member of the Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe of Dodge City.She is survived by two daughters Carrie Koehn and husband Doyle of 
Montezuma; Tammie Spire and husband Richard of Belton, Missouri as well,
 as two sisters Darlene Williams of Olathe, Kansas; Sharon Unrein of 
Louisberg, Kansas and one brother Severin Werth Jr and companion 
Marjorie Dansel of Hays, Kansas. She is also survived by four 
grandchildren and ten great grandchildren.She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband Donald Coker.Funeral Mass will be held at Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe on 
Saturday March 12, 2022, at 10:00 AM with Fr. Rudin Din presiding.&nbsp; 
Burial will follow at St. Andrew's Cemetery in Wright. Visitation will 
be held at Swaim Funeral Chapel on Friday, March 11, 2022, from 12:00 PM 
to 4:00 PM. Vigil service will be held at 7:00 PM Friday, March 11, 2022,&nbsp; at Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Memorials are suggested to St. 
Andrews Cemetery Fund in care of the funeral home.&nbsp; Thoughts and 
memories may be shared in the online guest book at 
www.swaimfuneralhome.com.&nbsp;

Patricia Coker

Paul D. Berkley, 91, formerly of Downs, passed away March 6, 2022.  He was born October 5, 1930, on a farm near Tescott, the son of H.J. and Paulina (Boller) Berkley. 

He is preceded in death by his wife, JoAnn in 2015; three brothers, Robert Berkley, Jack Berkley, Jerry Berkley, and sister, Arliene Matthews.

Paul is survived by his son Bill Berkley (Claudia) of Downs, Mary Berkley (Eryn and her daughter, Marian) of Salina; grandchildren Bradley Berkley (Lindy), Brandon Berkley (Laura) and Cara Filipski (Jon); great grandchildren, Bauer, Braden, Alexander, Carter and Lauren Berkley, Carsyn, Colby, Berkley Kate Filipski; brothers, Hal (Eleanor), Don (Pat), and Mike (Debbie); sisters-in-law, Lila Berkley and Eleanor Berkley and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held Friday, March 11, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at the United Methodist Church, Downs.  No Visitation.  Burial will be at the Franklin Cemetery, Tescott, at 2:30 p.m. on Friday afternoon.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be given to the Downs Senior Center and the United Methodist Church in care of Domoney Funeral Home, PO Box 127, Downs, KS 67437.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1646857576170.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Paul D. Berkley, 91, formerly of Downs, passed away March 6, 2022. He was born October 5, 1930, on a farm near Tescott, the son of H.J. and Paulina (Boller) Berkley. He was a retired banker and lawyer.He is preceded in death by his wife, JoAnn in 2015; three brothers, Robert Berkley, Jack Berkley, Jerry Berkley, and sister, Arliene Matthews.Paul is survived by his son Bill Berkley (Claudia) of Downs, Mary Berkley (Eryn and her daughter, Marian) of Salina; grandchildren Bradley Berkley (Lindy), Brandon Berkley (Laura) and Cara Filipski (Jon); great grandchildren, Bauer, Braden, Alexander, Carter and Lauren Berkley, Carsyn, Colby, Berkley Kate Filipski; brothers, Hal (Eleanor), Don (Pat), and Mike (Debbie); sisters-in-law, Lila Berkley and Eleanor Berkley and many nieces and nephews.Funeral services will be held Friday, March 11, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at the United Methodist Church, Downs. No Visitation. Burial will be at the Franklin Cemetery, Tescott, at 2:30 p.m. on Friday afternoon. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be given to the Downs Senior Center and the United Methodist Church in care of Domoney Funeral Home, PO Box 127, Downs, KS 67437.

Paul D. Berkley

Rosa's service will be available as a Zoom Meeting at 1:00 p.m., March 
9, 2022. Anyone who wishes to may join the meeting. It must be viewed at
 this time because it won't be recorded for viewing later. The Zoom 
meeting information is:
 844 4645 8584
 778062 
 Rosa Lee Stokes, 97, died in Hays, Kansas, March 1, 2022. She was 
born April 18, 1924, to Schuyler and Mary (Cannon) Jones in Rural Graham 
County, Kansas. She grew up with 12 brothers and sisters. In October 1969, Rosa married Oliver Stokes in Denver, Colorado. 
 		Rosa loved gardening, cooking, quilting, sewing, and taking care 
of others. She was an extremely hard worker. She was an assertive, 
strong-willed loving soul. When Rosa spoke, everyone listened! She had
 no problem speaking her mind. But then she would turn right around and 
nurture you.
 		Everything Rosa cooked (fried chicken, deep fried turkey, deep 
fried catfish, fresh pies, yummy cobblers, homemade ice cream; the list 
goes on and on!) All of it was made with so much love. Even if you 
didn’t want to eat you had to, because you never wanted to disappoint 
Rosa. And, with bellies full she’d give you more!
 		There are so many memories of life around Rosa, but here are a few. 
 Terry and Kim Ryines recalled a time when they, their children as 
well as other young ones and family members, visited Aunt Rosa at her 
home in Nicodemus. They decided to deep fry a turkey and catfish. Rosa
 deep fried the turkey first with all it’s seasonings and then the 
catfish. Cousin Thomas said prior to eating Rosa’s catfish that he 
didn’t like catfish. Well, after eating at least four pieces of that 
catfish, he declared, “Well, I guess I like catfish now!”
 		Another wonderful memory of Rosa involved go-carts. Terry and Kim
 thought of a time when they took go-carts to Aunt Rosa’s home for the 
little kids. Rosa said she hated those go-carts. She called them, 
“Do-do Bugs."&nbsp; But after a while…there goes Rosa driving on of those 
“Do-do Bugs” and having a ball! But that’s not all. The kids drove 
those go-carts down into the town of Nicodemus. Well, the town Sheriff 
(Freddie Switzer) pulled them over and gave them flags and badges. He 
made them honorary deputies! After which they stopped by every house in
 town and introduced themselves as the new deputies in town! Aunt 
Shirley has fond memories of the times that she and Aunt Ethel 
(affectionately referred to as the twins by Rosa) worked as waitresses 
for Rosa at the Nicodemus restaurant. She recalls all the laughter, 
the good times, and the mischievousness that went on. Sometimes until 
5:00 A.M., and, oh how they terrorized Sheriff Switzer!
 		Rosa was a true matriarch for the family. She brought generations
 together. The younger generations were made to feel comfortable and 
loved around Rosa. And, you’d better not come to Kansas without 
visiting Rosa!
 She loved Jehovah God and His Son Jesus Christ! And, following in 
the footsteps of our Lord Jesus Christ, she would feed anyone and 
everyone. 
 		She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Oliver; 
siblings: Freeman, Lawrence, Kenneth, Helen, Elizabeth, Alta, Oletha and
 Margaret.
 		Rosa is survived by her daughter, Norma Lois Willis of Garden 
Grove, California; four grandchildren: Vanessa, Margo, Rayford and 
Karrita; nine great grandchildren: Rochelle, Raquel, Tiara, Timmara, 
Joel, Latifah, Azia, Kiara and Jahquon; nine great-great grandchildren; 
as well as many, many nieces and nephews. Her surviving siblings are: 
Justina Johnson of Houston, Texas, Ethel Johnson of Kansas City, 
Missouri, Francis Jones of Hill City, Shirley Ryines of Colorado 
Springs, Colorado. 
 All Loving Her Very Dearly!&nbsp;

Click <a href="https://www.stinemetzfh.com/obituaries/Rosa-Lee-Stokes?obId=24176573#/obituaryInfo">HERE</a> for service details.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1646692718558.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Rosa's service will be available as a Zoom Meeting at 1:00 p.m., March 
9, 2022. Anyone who wishes to may join the meeting. It must be viewed at
 this time because it won't be recorded for viewing later. The Zoom 
meeting information is:
 844 4645 8584
 778062 
 Rosa Lee Stokes, 97, died in Hays, Kansas, March 1, 2022. She was 
born April 18, 1924, to Schuyler and Mary (Cannon) Jones in Rural Graham 
County, Kansas. She grew up with 12 brothers and sisters. In October 1969, Rosa married Oliver Stokes in Denver, Colorado. 
 		Rosa loved gardening, cooking, quilting, sewing, and taking care 
of others. She was an extremely hard worker. She was an assertive, 
strong-willed loving soul. When Rosa spoke, everyone listened! She had
 no problem speaking her mind. But then she would turn right around and 
nurture you.
 		Everything Rosa cooked (fried chicken, deep fried turkey, deep 
fried catfish, fresh pies, yummy cobblers, homemade ice cream; the list 
goes on and on!) All of it was made with so much love. Even if you 
didn’t want to eat you had to, because you never wanted to disappoint 
Rosa. And, with bellies full she’d give you more!
 		There are so many memories of life around Rosa, but here are a few. 
 Terry and Kim Ryines recalled a time when they, their children as 
well as other young ones and family members, visited Aunt Rosa at her 
home in Nicodemus. They decided to deep fry a turkey and catfish. Rosa
 deep fried the turkey first with all it’s seasonings and then the 
catfish. Cousin Thomas said prior to eating Rosa’s catfish that he 
didn’t like catfish. Well, after eating at least four pieces of that 
catfish, he declared, “Well, I guess I like catfish now!”
 		Another wonderful memory of Rosa involved go-carts. Terry and Kim
 thought of a time when they took go-carts to Aunt Rosa’s home for the 
little kids. Rosa said she hated those go-carts. She called them, 
“Do-do Bugs."&nbsp; But after a while…there goes Rosa driving on of those 
“Do-do Bugs” and having a ball! But that’s not all. The kids drove 
those go-carts down into the town of Nicodemus. Well, the town Sheriff 
(Freddie Switzer) pulled them over and gave them flags and badges. He 
made them honorary deputies! After which they stopped by every house in
 town and introduced themselves as the new deputies in town! Aunt 
Shirley has fond memories of the times that she and Aunt Ethel 
(affectionately referred to as the twins by Rosa) worked as waitresses 
for Rosa at the Nicodemus restaurant. She recalls all the laughter, 
the good times, and the mischievousness that went on. Sometimes until 
5:00 A.M., and, oh how they terrorized Sheriff Switzer!
 		Rosa was a true matriarch for the family. She brought generations
 together. The younger generations were made to feel comfortable and 
loved around Rosa. And, you’d better not come to Kansas without 
visiting Rosa!
 She loved Jehovah God and His Son Jesus Christ! And, following in 
the footsteps of our Lord Jesus Christ, she would feed anyone and 
everyone. 
 		She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Oliver; 
siblings: Freeman, Lawrence, Kenneth, Helen, Elizabeth, Alta, Oletha and
 Margaret.
 		Rosa is survived by her daughter, Norma Lois Willis of Garden 
Grove, California; four grandchildren: Vanessa, Margo, Rayford and 
Karrita; nine great grandchildren: Rochelle, Raquel, Tiara, Timmara, 
Joel, Latifah, Azia, Kiara and Jahquon; nine great-great grandchildren; 
as well as many, many nieces and nephews. Her surviving siblings are: 
Justina Johnson of Houston, Texas, Ethel Johnson of Kansas City, 
Missouri, Francis Jones of Hill City, Shirley Ryines of Colorado 
Springs, Colorado. 
 All Loving Her Very Dearly!&nbsp; Click <a href="https://www.stinemetzfh.com/obituaries/Rosa-Lee-Stokes?obId=24176573#/obituaryInfo">HERE</a> for service details.

Rosa Lee Stokes

Friday, October 31st, 1930-Monday, March 7th, 2022

An obituary is pending with Baalmann Mortuary.

Click <a href="https://memorials.baalmannmortuary.com/blanche-zerr/4874102/index.php">HERE</a> for service details.

Friday, October 31st, 1930-Monday, March 7th, 2022An obituary is pending with Baalmann Mortuary.Click <a href="https://memorials.baalmannmortuary.com/blanche-zerr/4874102/index.php">HERE</a> for service details.

Blanche E. Zerr (Richmeier)

Betty M. Volz, 94, died Sunday, March 6, 2022, at Reflections Living of Dodge City.

She was born December 1, 1927, at Wamego, Kansas, the daughter of 
Clarence Albert and Clara (McKown) Tanner.&nbsp; She moved to Dodge City in 
August 1946 from Wamego, and from 1946 to 1957 worked as a billing clerk
 for Kansas Power and Light.&nbsp; On November 8, 1952, she married William 
“Bill” Volz at St. Mary, Kansas.&nbsp; He preceded her in death on October 
10, 2012.

She was a member of the Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe and Altar Society in Dodge City as well as numerous card clubs.

Survivors include: her son, Tim Volz and wife Jackie, Dodge City; her
 daughter, Tama Hanson and husband Lynn, Pawnee Rock; 4 grandchildren, 
Kylie Keller and husband Kevin, Brooks Hanson and fiancé Meghann 
Winkler, Dustin Volz and wife Natalie and Brandon Volz and wife Sydney; 
and 3 great grandchildren, Vail Volz, Miles Volz and Brexley Volz.

She was also preceded in death by her parents, 8 brothers, Wilber, 
John William, Ronald, Dale, Argel, Harold, Charles and Darrell Tanner 
and 4 sisters, Alice Davenport, Mary Turner, Lucille Frazier and Dorothy
 Judy.

Vigil service will be at 7:00 pm Thursday, March 10, 2022, at Ziegler 
Funeral Chapel, Dodge City.&nbsp; Funeral Mass will be at 10:00 am Friday at 
the Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe with Fr. Rudin Din presiding.&nbsp; 
Burial will follow in Greencrest Memorial Gardens, Dodge City.&nbsp; 
Visitation will be Thursday from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm at Ziegler Funeral 
Chapel.

The family suggests memorials to the Cathedral of Our Lady of 
Guadalupe or Hospice of the Prairie both in care of Ziegler Funeral 
Chapel, 1901 N. 14th Ave., Dodge City, Kansas 67801.&nbsp;

Betty M. Volz, 94, died Sunday, March 6, 2022, at Reflections Living of Dodge City.She was born December 1, 1927, at Wamego, Kansas, the daughter of 
Clarence Albert and Clara (McKown) Tanner.&nbsp; She moved to Dodge City in 
August 1946 from Wamego, and from 1946 to 1957 worked as a billing clerk
 for Kansas Power and Light.&nbsp; On November 8, 1952, she married William 
“Bill” Volz at St. Mary, Kansas.&nbsp; He preceded her in death on October 
10, 2012.She was a member of the Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe and Altar Society in Dodge City as well as numerous card clubs.Survivors include: her son, Tim Volz and wife Jackie, Dodge City; her
 daughter, Tama Hanson and husband Lynn, Pawnee Rock; 4 grandchildren, 
Kylie Keller and husband Kevin, Brooks Hanson and fiancé Meghann 
Winkler, Dustin Volz and wife Natalie and Brandon Volz and wife Sydney; 
and 3 great grandchildren, Vail Volz, Miles Volz and Brexley Volz.She was also preceded in death by her parents, 8 brothers, Wilber, 
John William, Ronald, Dale, Argel, Harold, Charles and Darrell Tanner 
and 4 sisters, Alice Davenport, Mary Turner, Lucille Frazier and Dorothy
 Judy.Vigil service will be at 7:00 pm Thursday, March 10, 2022, at Ziegler 
Funeral Chapel, Dodge City.&nbsp; Funeral Mass will be at 10:00 am Friday at 
the Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe with Fr. Rudin Din presiding.&nbsp; 
Burial will follow in Greencrest Memorial Gardens, Dodge City.&nbsp; 
Visitation will be Thursday from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm at Ziegler Funeral 
Chapel.The family suggests memorials to the Cathedral of Our Lady of 
Guadalupe or Hospice of the Prairie both in care of Ziegler Funeral 
Chapel, 1901 N. 14th Ave., Dodge City, Kansas 67801.&nbsp;

Betty M. Volz

Virginia was born April 13, 1923, in Sharon Springs. Kansas, and died there on March 2, 2022. She&nbsp;was&nbsp;a resident of&nbsp;Wallace County Community Care Center&nbsp;for the last several years. The family wishes to thank John Kennedy and his staff for the tremendous care she received, especially considering the recent challenges from COVID and staff shortages.&nbsp;

Virginia was born to Howard and Nina Bates, following a brother (Warren), and in 1930, the family moved to a farm south of Sharon Springs. They survived the “Dirty '30s” and moved back into town in 1944. She had attended WCHS and graduated in 1940 as valedictorian of her class. She attended Hutchinson Business School for a short time and returned home to work as an assistant cashier at the People’s State Bank.&nbsp;

On October 2, 1946, Virginia married Charles “Irish”&nbsp;McNerny. They had two children, Nancy and Matt.&nbsp;They&nbsp;lived on&nbsp;Ferlen&nbsp;Avenue from 1948. Virginia&nbsp;belonged to the United Methodist Church, serving as treasurer many years. She was also a member of the VFW Auxiliary. She worked again at the Peoples State Bank in the 1960’s and 1970’s.&nbsp;

Virginia is survived by her son Matt (Michele) of Denver, CO and daughter Nancy Wells (Bill) of Helena, MT; two grandchildren: Jennifer&nbsp;Wampler&nbsp;(Terry) of Alta, Wyoming and Eric Wells (Emily) of Boise, Idaho; two great grandchildren: Charlie and Henry Wells of Boise; and&nbsp;manynephews and nieces and their families. &nbsp;Ione&nbsp;McNerny&nbsp;Brown of Sharon Springs was Virginia’s high school classmate and sister-in-law and friend for over 85 years. Virginia will be buried next to Irish in the Sharon Springs Cemetery.&nbsp;

A memorial service will be held later this year.&nbsp;

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the&nbsp;Sharon Springs&nbsp;United Methodist Church or the&nbsp;Wallace County Community&nbsp;Care Center and may be sent to Koons-Russell Funeral Home, 211 N. Main Ave., Goodland, KS 67735.

Online condolences for the family may be left at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.koonsrussellfuneralhome.com/">www.koonsrussellfuneralhome.com</a>.

Services have been entrusted to Koons-Russell Funeral Home in Sharon Springs, KS.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1646674051018.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Virginia was born April 13, 1923, in Sharon Springs. Kansas, and died there on March 2, 2022. She&nbsp;was&nbsp;a resident of&nbsp;Wallace County Community Care Center&nbsp;for the last several years. The family wishes to thank John Kennedy and his staff for the tremendous care she received, especially considering the recent challenges from COVID and staff shortages.&nbsp;Virginia was born to Howard and Nina Bates, following a brother (Warren), and in 1930, the family moved to a farm south of Sharon Springs. They survived the “Dirty '30s” and moved back into town in 1944. She had attended WCHS and graduated in 1940 as valedictorian of her class. She attended Hutchinson Business School for a short time and returned home to work as an assistant cashier at the People’s State Bank.&nbsp;On October 2, 1946, Virginia married Charles “Irish”&nbsp;McNerny. They had two children, Nancy and Matt.&nbsp;They&nbsp;lived on&nbsp;Ferlen&nbsp;Avenue from 1948. Virginia&nbsp;belonged to the United Methodist Church, serving as treasurer many years. She was also a member of the VFW Auxiliary. She worked again at the Peoples State Bank in the 1960’s and 1970’s.&nbsp;Virginia is survived by her son Matt (Michele) of Denver, CO and daughter Nancy Wells (Bill) of Helena, MT; two grandchildren: Jennifer&nbsp;Wampler&nbsp;(Terry) of Alta, Wyoming and Eric Wells (Emily) of Boise, Idaho; two great grandchildren: Charlie and Henry Wells of Boise; and&nbsp;manynephews and nieces and their families. &nbsp;Ione&nbsp;McNerny&nbsp;Brown of Sharon Springs was Virginia’s high school classmate and sister-in-law and friend for over 85 years. Virginia will be buried next to Irish in the Sharon Springs Cemetery.&nbsp;A memorial service will be held later this year.&nbsp;In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the&nbsp;Sharon Springs&nbsp;United Methodist Church or the&nbsp;Wallace County Community&nbsp;Care Center and may be sent to Koons-Russell Funeral Home, 211 N. Main Ave., Goodland, KS 67735.Online condolences for the family may be left at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.koonsrussellfuneralhome.com/">www.koonsrussellfuneralhome.com</a>.Services have been entrusted to Koons-Russell Funeral Home in Sharon Springs, KS.

Virginia McNerny

Tony Alan Wolters, 55, of Osborne, KS passed away on Sunday, 
September 5, 2021, at the Colby Medical Center of Colby, KS. &nbsp;He was born
 on October 5, 1965, in Smith Center, KS to John L. &amp; Arlene B. 
(Pletcher) Wolters of Portis, KS.

Tony grew up in&nbsp;Portis, KS. 
&nbsp;He graduated from Osborne High School in 1984. &nbsp;Tony attended Fort Hays
 State College, and graduated from Beloit Vo-Tech.&nbsp;Tony has lived his 
whole life in the Portis/Osborne area.

Tony met and married 
Anita Seller in August of 1985 &amp;&nbsp;to this union 2 children were born.
 &nbsp;Tony enjoyed watching his children grow and attending their different 
sport events through school.

Tony has worked as a farmer/rancher
 all his working life.&nbsp; He was a faithful member of the Grace Brethren 
Church of Portis, KS all his life. &nbsp;Tony didn't know a stranger. &nbsp;He 
also was quite a shooting enthusiast &amp; participated in many local 
area shooting competitions. &nbsp;Cycling was another favorite activity Tony 
loved to do.

Tony was preceded in death by his father, John in 1989 and a brother, Christopher in 2008.

Tony
 is survived by his mother, Arlene of Portis, KS; wife, Anita of 
Osborne, KS; son: Miles (Jessica) of Salina, KS; daughter: Jeni (Josh) 
Farrell of Derby, KS; sister: Shari (Nate) Brown&nbsp;of Osborne, KS; 
brother: Curt (Joni) of Portis, KS; along with a host of other family 
and friends.

Click <a href="https://www.rfmortuaries.com/obituaries/Tony-Alan-Wolters?obId=23506666#/celebrationWall">HERE</a> for service details.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1646661238215.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Tony Alan Wolters, 55, of Osborne, KS passed away on Sunday, 
September 5, 2021, at the Colby Medical Center of Colby, KS. &nbsp;He was born
 on October 5, 1965, in Smith Center, KS to John L. &amp; Arlene B. 
(Pletcher) Wolters of Portis, KS.Tony grew up in&nbsp;Portis, KS. 
&nbsp;He graduated from Osborne High School in 1984. &nbsp;Tony attended Fort Hays
 State College, and graduated from Beloit Vo-Tech.&nbsp;Tony has lived his 
whole life in the Portis/Osborne area.Tony met and married 
Anita Seller in August of 1985 &amp;&nbsp;to this union 2 children were born.
 &nbsp;Tony enjoyed watching his children grow and attending their different 
sport events through school.Tony has worked as a farmer/rancher
 all his working life.&nbsp; He was a faithful member of the Grace Brethren 
Church of Portis, KS all his life. &nbsp;Tony didn't know a stranger. &nbsp;He 
also was quite a shooting enthusiast &amp; participated in many local 
area shooting competitions. &nbsp;Cycling was another favorite activity Tony 
loved to do.Tony was preceded in death by his father, John in 1989 and a brother, Christopher in 2008.Tony
 is survived by his mother, Arlene of Portis, KS; wife, Anita of 
Osborne, KS; son: Miles (Jessica) of Salina, KS; daughter: Jeni (Josh) 
Farrell of Derby, KS; sister: Shari (Nate) Brown&nbsp;of Osborne, KS; 
brother: Curt (Joni) of Portis, KS; along with a host of other family 
and friends.Click <a href="https://www.rfmortuaries.com/obituaries/Tony-Alan-Wolters?obId=23506666#/celebrationWall">HERE</a> for service details.

Tony Alan Wolters

BANGKOK (AP) — The official global death toll from COVID-19 eclipsed 6 million on Monday — underscoring that the pandemic, now entering its third year, is far from over.

The milestone, recorded by Johns Hopkins University, is the latest tragic reminder of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic">unrelenting nature of the pandemic</a>&nbsp;even as people are shedding masks, travel is resuming and businesses are reopening around the globe.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-health-religion-new-zealand-fiji-27b40edd3d6e94c5b10185e49bbf182f">Remote Pacific islands,</a>&nbsp;whose isolation had protected them for more than two years, are just now grappling with their first outbreaks and deaths, fueled by the highly contagious omicron variant.

Hong Kong, which is seeing deaths soar, is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-health-china-hong-kong-400065ee2ffd08eee45411d6dc099cca">testing its entire population of 7.5 million&nbsp;</a>three times this month as it clings to mainland&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-health-china-hong-kong-2f6cf36849799aa67cd8ee8d4f5bfd64">China’s “zero-COVID” strategy</a>.

As death rates remain high in Poland, Hungary, Romania and other Eastern European countries, the region has seen more than 1.5 million refugees arrive from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">war-torn Ukraine</a>, a country with poor vaccination coverage and high rates of cases and deaths.

And despite its wealth and vaccine availability, the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-hits-covid-deaths-milestone-coronavirus-omicron-76dc452fb7263612529e09eb23bc0f24">United States is nearing 1 million</a>&nbsp;reported deaths on its own.

Death rates worldwide are still highest among people unvaccinated against the virus, said Tikki Pang, a visiting professor at the National University of Singapore’s medical school and co-chair of the Asia Pacific Immunization Coalition.

“This is a disease of the unvaccinated — look what is happening in Hong Kong right now, the health system is being overwhelmed,” said Pang, the former director of research policy and cooperation with the World Health Organization. “The large majority of the deaths and the severe cases are in the unvaccinated, vulnerable segment of the population.”

It took the world seven months to record its first million deaths from the virus after the pandemic began in early 2020. Four months later another million people had died, and 1 million have died every three months since, until the death toll hit 5 million at the end of October. Now it has reached 6 million — more than the populations of Berlin and Brussels combined, or the entire state of Maryland.

But despite the enormity of the figure, the world undoubtedly hit its 6 millionth death some time ago. Poor record-keeping and testing in many parts of the world has led to an undercount in coronavirus deaths, in addition to excess deaths related to the pandemic but not from actual COVID-19 infections, like people who died from preventable causes but could not receive treatment because hospitals were full.

Edouard Mathieu, head of data for the&nbsp;<a href="https://ourworldindata.org/coronavirus" target="_blank">Our World in Data</a>&nbsp;portal, said that — when countries’ excess mortality figures are studied — as many as nearly four times the reported death toll have likely died because of the pandemic.

An&nbsp;<a href="https://www.economist.com/graphic-detail/coronavirus-excess-deaths-estimates" target="_blank">analysis of excess deaths by a team at The Economist</a>&nbsp;estimates that the number of COVID-19 deaths is between 14.1 million and 23.8 million.

“Confirmed deaths represent a fraction of the true number of deaths due to COVID, mostly because of limited testing, and challenges in the attribution of the cause of death,” Mathieu told The Associated Press. “In some, mostly rich, countries that fraction is high and the official tally can be considered to be fairly accurate, but in others it is highly underestimated.”

The United States has the biggest official death toll in the world, but the numbers have been trending downward over the last month.

Lonnie Bailey lost his 17-year-old nephew, Carlos Nunez Jr., who contracted COVID-19 last April — the same month Kentucky opened his age group to vaccinations. The Louisville resident said the family is still suffering, including Carlos’ younger sibling, who had to be hospitalized himself and still has lingering symptoms. The aggressive reopening of the country has been jarring for them to witness.

“For us it is hard to let our guard down; it’s going to take a while for us to adjust,” Bailey said.

The world has seen more than 445 million confirmed COVID-19 cases, and new weekly cases have been declining recently in all regions except for the Western Pacific, which includes China, Japan and South Korea, among others, the World Health Organization reported this week.

Although the overall figures in the Pacific islands seeing their first outbreaks are small compared to larger countries, they are significant among their tiny populations and threaten to overwhelm fragile health care systems.

“Given what we know about COVID ... it’s likely to hit them for the next year or so at least,” said Katie Greenwood, head of the Red Cross Pacific delegation.

Tonga reported its first outbreak after the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tonga-volcano-covid-outbreak-lockdown-73b2d73b2b41092898b3d92be3dabcc4">virus arrived with international aid vessels</a>&nbsp;following the Jan. 15 eruption of a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tonga-volcano-eruption-impact-whats-next-01288e5ecc43aa9a9bf3bc2803efd7e2">massive volcano</a>, followed by a tsunami. It now has several hundred cases, but — with 66% of its population fully vaccinated — it has so far reported people suffering mostly mild symptoms and no deaths.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-health-solomon-islands-honiara-30d3df8cb0f809c9e3e5a0cc5c6f886f">Solomon Islands</a>&nbsp;saw the first outbreak in January and now has thousands of cases and more than 100 deaths. The actual death toll is likely much higher, with the capital’s hospital overwhelmed and many dying at home, Greenwood said.

Only 12% of Solomon Islanders are fully vaccinated, though the outbreak has provided new impetus to the country’s vaccination campaign and 29% now have at least one shot.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-vaccine-inequality-dac9c07b324e29d3597037b8dc1d908a">Global vaccine disparity continues</a>, with only 6.95% of people in low-income countries fully vaccinated, compared to more than 73% in high-income nations, according to Our World in Data.

In a good sign, at the end of last month Africa surpassed Europe in the number of doses administered daily, but only about 12.5% of its population has received two shots.

The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is still pressing for more vaccines, though it has been a challenge. Some shipments arrive with little warning for countries’ health systems and others near the expiration date — forcing doses to be destroyed.

Eastern Europe has been particularly hard hit by the omicron variant, and with the Russian invasion of Ukraine, a new risk has emerged as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-refugees-diversity-230b0cc790820b9bf8883f918fc8e313">hundreds of thousands of people flee</a>&nbsp;to places like Poland on crowded trains. Health officials there have been offering free vaccinations to all refugees, but have not been making them test upon arrival or quarantine.

“This is really tragic because great stress has a very negative effect on natural immunity and increases the risk of infections,” said Anna Boron-Kaczmarska, a Polish infectious disease specialist. “They are in very high stress, being afraid for their lives, the lives of their children, they family members.”

Mexico has reported 300,000 deaths, but with little testing, a government analysis of death certificates puts the real number closer to 500,000. Still, four weeks of falling infection rates have left health officials optimistic.

In India, where the world was shocked by images of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-india-coronavirus-8788a4dadc2103ec30f40111dec92f15">open-air pyres of bodies</a>&nbsp;burned as crematoria were overwhelmed, the scars are fading as the number of new cases and deaths has slowed.

India has recorded more than 500,000 deaths, but experts believe its true toll is in the millions, primarily from the delta variant. Migrants from India’s vast hinterland are now returning to its megacities in search of jobs, and the streets are packed with traffic. Shopping malls have customers, albeit still masked, while schools and universities are welcoming students after a months-long gap.

In Britain, infections have fallen since an omicron-driven surge in December, but remain high. England has now&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/boris-johnson-coronavirus-pandemic-health-europe-london-6a4a2509fd5443d7b36f5331b01f7431">lifted all restrictions</a>, including mask mandates and the requirement that all who test positive isolate at home.

With about 250,000 reported deaths, the African continent’s smaller death toll is thought to stem from underreporting, as well as a generally younger and less mobile population.

“Africa is a big question mark for me, because it has been relatively spared from the worst so far, but it could just be a time bomb,” Pang said, noting its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-health-middle-east-africa-lifestyle-1f2c92d6a306819c363c87661dc7818d">low vaccination rates</a>.

In South Africa, Soweto resident Thoko Dube said she received news of the deaths of two family members on the same day in January 2021 — a month before the country received its first vaccines.

It has been difficult, but “the family is coping,” she said. “We have accepted it because it has been happening to other families.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1593379644162.png" alt="And despite&nbsp; wealth and vaccine availability, the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-hits-covid-deaths-milestone-coronavirus-omicron-76dc452fb7263612529e09eb23bc0f24">United States is nearing 1 million</a>&nbsp;reported deaths on its own.-map courtesy John Hopkins University" />
 <figcaption>And despite&nbsp; wealth and vaccine availability, the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-hits-covid-deaths-milestone-coronavirus-omicron-76dc452fb7263612529e09eb23bc0f24">United States is nearing 1 million</a>&nbsp;reported deaths on its own.-map courtesy John Hopkins University</figcaption>
 </figure>BANGKOK (AP) — The official global death toll from COVID-19 eclipsed 6 million on Monday — underscoring that the pandemic, now entering its third year, is far from over.The milestone, recorded by Johns Hopkins University, is the latest tragic reminder of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic">unrelenting nature of the pandemic</a>&nbsp;even as people are shedding masks, travel is resuming and businesses are reopening around the globe.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-health-religion-new-zealand-fiji-27b40edd3d6e94c5b10185e49bbf182f">Remote Pacific islands,</a>&nbsp;whose isolation had protected them for more than two years, are just now grappling with their first outbreaks and deaths, fueled by the highly contagious omicron variant.Hong Kong, which is seeing deaths soar, is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-health-china-hong-kong-400065ee2ffd08eee45411d6dc099cca">testing its entire population of 7.5 million&nbsp;</a>three times this month as it clings to mainland&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-health-china-hong-kong-2f6cf36849799aa67cd8ee8d4f5bfd64">China’s “zero-COVID” strategy</a>.As death rates remain high in Poland, Hungary, Romania and other Eastern European countries, the region has seen more than 1.5 million refugees arrive from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">war-torn Ukraine</a>, a country with poor vaccination coverage and high rates of cases and deaths.And despite its wealth and vaccine availability, the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-hits-covid-deaths-milestone-coronavirus-omicron-76dc452fb7263612529e09eb23bc0f24">United States is nearing 1 million</a>&nbsp;reported deaths on its own.Death rates worldwide are still highest among people unvaccinated against the virus, said Tikki Pang, a visiting professor at the National University of Singapore’s medical school and co-chair of the Asia Pacific Immunization Coalition.“This is a disease of the unvaccinated — look what is happening in Hong Kong right now, the health system is being overwhelmed,” said Pang, the former director of research policy and cooperation with the World Health Organization. “The large majority of the deaths and the severe cases are in the unvaccinated, vulnerable segment of the population.”It took the world seven months to record its first million deaths from the virus after the pandemic began in early 2020. Four months later another million people had died, and 1 million have died every three months since, until the death toll hit 5 million at the end of October. Now it has reached 6 million — more than the populations of Berlin and Brussels combined, or the entire state of Maryland.But despite the enormity of the figure, the world undoubtedly hit its 6 millionth death some time ago. Poor record-keeping and testing in many parts of the world has led to an undercount in coronavirus deaths, in addition to excess deaths related to the pandemic but not from actual COVID-19 infections, like people who died from preventable causes but could not receive treatment because hospitals were full.Edouard Mathieu, head of data for the&nbsp;<a href="https://ourworldindata.org/coronavirus" target="_blank">Our World in Data</a>&nbsp;portal, said that — when countries’ excess mortality figures are studied — as many as nearly four times the reported death toll have likely died because of the pandemic.An&nbsp;<a href="https://www.economist.com/graphic-detail/coronavirus-excess-deaths-estimates" target="_blank">analysis of excess deaths by a team at The Economist</a>&nbsp;estimates that the number of COVID-19 deaths is between 14.1 million and 23.8 million.“Confirmed deaths represent a fraction of the true number of deaths due to COVID, mostly because of limited testing, and challenges in the attribution of the cause of death,” Mathieu told The Associated Press. “In some, mostly rich, countries that fraction is high and the official tally can be considered to be fairly accurate, but in others it is highly underestimated.”The United States has the biggest official death toll in the world, but the numbers have been trending downward over the last month.Lonnie Bailey lost his 17-year-old nephew, Carlos Nunez Jr., who contracted COVID-19 last April — the same month Kentucky opened his age group to vaccinations. The Louisville resident said the family is still suffering, including Carlos’ younger sibling, who had to be hospitalized himself and still has lingering symptoms. The aggressive reopening of the country has been jarring for them to witness.“For us it is hard to let our guard down; it’s going to take a while for us to adjust,” Bailey said.The world has seen more than 445 million confirmed COVID-19 cases, and new weekly cases have been declining recently in all regions except for the Western Pacific, which includes China, Japan and South Korea, among others, the World Health Organization reported this week.Although the overall figures in the Pacific islands seeing their first outbreaks are small compared to larger countries, they are significant among their tiny populations and threaten to overwhelm fragile health care systems.“Given what we know about COVID ... it’s likely to hit them for the next year or so at least,” said Katie Greenwood, head of the Red Cross Pacific delegation.Tonga reported its first outbreak after the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tonga-volcano-covid-outbreak-lockdown-73b2d73b2b41092898b3d92be3dabcc4">virus arrived with international aid vessels</a>&nbsp;following the Jan. 15 eruption of a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tonga-volcano-eruption-impact-whats-next-01288e5ecc43aa9a9bf3bc2803efd7e2">massive volcano</a>, followed by a tsunami. It now has several hundred cases, but — with 66% of its population fully vaccinated — it has so far reported people suffering mostly mild symptoms and no deaths.The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-health-solomon-islands-honiara-30d3df8cb0f809c9e3e5a0cc5c6f886f">Solomon Islands</a>&nbsp;saw the first outbreak in January and now has thousands of cases and more than 100 deaths. The actual death toll is likely much higher, with the capital’s hospital overwhelmed and many dying at home, Greenwood said.Only 12% of Solomon Islanders are fully vaccinated, though the outbreak has provided new impetus to the country’s vaccination campaign and 29% now have at least one shot.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-vaccine-inequality-dac9c07b324e29d3597037b8dc1d908a">Global vaccine disparity continues</a>, with only 6.95% of people in low-income countries fully vaccinated, compared to more than 73% in high-income nations, according to Our World in Data.In a good sign, at the end of last month Africa surpassed Europe in the number of doses administered daily, but only about 12.5% of its population has received two shots.The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is still pressing for more vaccines, though it has been a challenge. Some shipments arrive with little warning for countries’ health systems and others near the expiration date — forcing doses to be destroyed.Eastern Europe has been particularly hard hit by the omicron variant, and with the Russian invasion of Ukraine, a new risk has emerged as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-refugees-diversity-230b0cc790820b9bf8883f918fc8e313">hundreds of thousands of people flee</a>&nbsp;to places like Poland on crowded trains. Health officials there have been offering free vaccinations to all refugees, but have not been making them test upon arrival or quarantine.“This is really tragic because great stress has a very negative effect on natural immunity and increases the risk of infections,” said Anna Boron-Kaczmarska, a Polish infectious disease specialist. “They are in very high stress, being afraid for their lives, the lives of their children, they family members.”Mexico has reported 300,000 deaths, but with little testing, a government analysis of death certificates puts the real number closer to 500,000. Still, four weeks of falling infection rates have left health officials optimistic.In India, where the world was shocked by images of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-india-coronavirus-8788a4dadc2103ec30f40111dec92f15">open-air pyres of bodies</a>&nbsp;burned as crematoria were overwhelmed, the scars are fading as the number of new cases and deaths has slowed.India has recorded more than 500,000 deaths, but experts believe its true toll is in the millions, primarily from the delta variant. Migrants from India’s vast hinterland are now returning to its megacities in search of jobs, and the streets are packed with traffic. Shopping malls have customers, albeit still masked, while schools and universities are welcoming students after a months-long gap.In Britain, infections have fallen since an omicron-driven surge in December, but remain high. England has now&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/boris-johnson-coronavirus-pandemic-health-europe-london-6a4a2509fd5443d7b36f5331b01f7431">lifted all restrictions</a>, including mask mandates and the requirement that all who test positive isolate at home.With about 250,000 reported deaths, the African continent’s smaller death toll is thought to stem from underreporting, as well as a generally younger and less mobile population.“Africa is a big question mark for me, because it has been relatively spared from the worst so far, but it could just be a time bomb,” Pang said, noting its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-health-middle-east-africa-lifestyle-1f2c92d6a306819c363c87661dc7818d">low vaccination rates</a>.In South Africa, Soweto resident Thoko Dube said she received news of the deaths of two family members on the same day in January 2021 — a month before the country received its first vaccines.It has been difficult, but “the family is coping,” she said. “We have accepted it because it has been happening to other families.”

Death toll surpasses 6 million for pandemic now in 3rd year

By MIKE FITZGERALD <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/03/07/former-st-louis-teacher-helping-lead-coalition-pushing-back-on-book-bans/">Missouri Independent</a>

Heather Fleming, sitting on a bench in St. Louis’ Forest Park, takes in the view on a warm early afternoon in February.&nbsp;

Behind her is the Jewel Box, the 
giant glass-paneled greenhouse that’s a park emblem. Before her are rows
 of tall trees, their branches stripped bare. And further on, on nearby 
walkways and trails, is a steady single-file flow of joggers, walkers 
and cyclists — humans of all ages, sizes, shapes and colors.

Fleming has been coming here nearly 
her whole life, since she was a little girl growing up in one of St. 
Charles County’s relatively few black families.

One reason she likes this spot is because it offers a vision of the future she’s spent her life imagining.

Fleming, 46, worked 13 years as a 
high school English teacher, and worked another three years as an equity
 and diversity consultant.&nbsp;

“That’s why I like Forest Park so 
much,” she said. “It seems the one place in St. Louis that’s neutral. 
There’s so much of St. Louis that has been steeped in racism, that it’s 
almost palpable.”

But here, in this corner of town, 
Forest Park is “a testament to what I hope all of St. Louis can become,”
 she said. “It’s a place where you get lots of different types of people
 and lots of different types of experiences…So why can’t we do that 
everywhere?”&nbsp;

It is a question that weighs on 
Fleming these days as her vision of an inclusive America is being 
challenged like never before in her lifetime.

Fleming is the founder of Missouri Equity Education Partnership, which nearly a year ago started as an informal Facebook group.&nbsp;

It has since grown into the spearhead
 of a coalition of local groups pushing back against school district 
book bans, as well as efforts in Jefferson City to pass a deluge of 
bills to exert greater control over the ways race, gender and history 
are taught in Missouri classrooms.

And it has had an immediate impact.&nbsp;

Case in point: In
 a 4-3 decision back in January, the Wentzville School Board banned 
eight books, including “The Bluest Eye” by Toni Morrison after some 
parents complained it is not suitable for kids and contains “graphic 
sexual violence.”&nbsp;

The Morrison book, published in 1970,
 is about Pecola, a black girl growing up in rural Ohio during the World
 War II era. She wants blue eyes because she’s told she’s “ugly” because
 of her dark skin. The target of many previous attempts to ban it from 
school libraries nationwide, the novel explores the themes of racism, 
incest, rape and out-of-wedlock pregnancy.

Fleming partnered with the St. Louis bookstore EyeSeeMe to deliver free copies to anyone who requested it.

Mo. EEP raised more than $3,000 in 
the first few hours after launching the book program on January 27. 
Three weeks later, the program had raised more than $19,000 and sent out
 nearly 600 copies of the “Bluest Eye,” Fleming said.

Ultimately, the Wentzville book ban backfired, said Fleming, who previously taught English at Parkway North High School.

“What is really happening is that 
it’s alerting people to the underlying malignancy of this whole thing,” 
she said. “It’s starting to wake more people up.”

In late February the Wentzville Board
 of Education held a special meeting and voted to rescind their decision
 to remove the “Bluest Eye.”&nbsp;

‘…nothing around me represented me or included me’

Fleming said she always knew she wanted to be a teacher.

Growing up in St. Charles, Fleming 
has many good memories of school. But they are tempered by the fact she 
always felt, at least in the classroom, as an outsider. When she 
graduated from St. Chiarles West High School nearly 30 years ago, she 
was one of only five black students out of a class of almost 400, she 
said.

“And I think that’s why I’m 
passionate about this,” she said. “It’s that I know that experience of 
feeling like nothing around me represented me or included me.”&nbsp;

Fleming has an older sister and a 
much younger brother. Her parents are solidly middle class: her father 
worked as a production manager at the Airwick Industries plant in St. 
Peters, while her mother worked as an office assistant at McDonnell 
Douglas aircraft company in St. Louis.

In seventh grade, Fleming invited her best friend at the time, a white girl, to come to her house for a sleepover.&nbsp;

“And the day of, she called me and 
said her dad didn’t want her staying at any black people’s house,” she 
recalls. “The reality is that as black people we deal with a lot of 
those things. So we don’t have the luxury of saying it’s all 
colorblind.”

Married with two grown sons and a 
13-year-old daughter in middle school, Fleming began teaching English at
 Parkway North High School in 2005. Soon, she began teaching salary 
credit courses for fellow teachers on diversity and inclusion.&nbsp;

“Mostly what I taught is, ‘How do we 
allow all stories into a room?’ It’s actually giving empathy to anyone 
who can be other’ed,” she said. “It was allowing each person to feel 
like they were a valued part of the classroom.”

Fleming started her equity training 
company, In Purpose Educational Services, in 2018, when she approached a
 crossroad in her life.

After earning a master’s degree in 
school administration, Fleming said she interviewed for eight school 
administration jobs — and got turned down for each one.

“I can’t tell you how many times I was told a white male candidate was a better fit,” she said.&nbsp;

So, she said, she prayed on the matter, and realized she needed to make a big change.

“Kind of the question that came to me
 was, If you could be doing anything, and money wasn’t a consideration, 
what would it be?” she said. “It was equity work.”

While Fleming’s advocacy has shown 
results at the local level, her coalition has also trained its focus on 
action in Jefferson City — specifically, a spate of bills Fleming views as
 educational gag orders seeking to undermine public trust and prevent 
honest discussions of unpleasant topics like America’s history of 
slavery and the Tulsa Race Massacre.

Supporters of these measures call 
them overdue reforms that will bolster accountability and transparency 
in Missouri classrooms. They argue the goal is simply to ensure parental
 rights are being respected.

State Rep. Doug Richey, chairman of 
the legislature’s Joint Education Committee and the sponsor of one of 
the bills, said his goal is to improve public education, not harm it.

“I’m not a grenade thrower,’ said 
Richey, R-Excelsior Springs. “I’m someone who believes it’s important to
 do what’s necessary, but I’m not looking to burn down the institution 
and celebrate that I’ve done something. That doesn’t help anybody.”

“The real impact will be that as 
teachers attempt to discuss these issues, they’re going to be fearful of
 perhaps saying something that violates one of these laws,” Fleming 
said. “They’re going either a) avoid it altogether or b) have such a 
sanitized version that it’s not the truth.”

At a Jan. 11 House Education Committee hearing in Jefferson City centered on the first
 wave of education bills this legislative session, Fleming showed up 
with nearly 150 supporters to pack the hearing room. What’s more, the 
1,600 emailed testimonies from other witnesses — the vast majority 
opposed to the bills — set a record for the sheer number of written 
testimonies submitted.

The two GOP bills that drew Fleming and her supporters were Richey’s <a target="_blank" href="https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB1995&amp;year=2022&amp;code=R">House Bill 1995</a> and <a target="_blank" href="https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB1474&amp;year=2022&amp;code=R">House Bill 1474</a>, sponsored by Rep.<a target="_blank" href="https://www.house.mo.gov/MemberDetails.aspx?year=2022&amp;code=R&amp;district=107"> Nick Schroer</a>,
 R-O’Fallon. The bills were combined into a “Parents’ Bill of Rights,” 
with a section restricting the teaching of critical race theory, a 
decades-old academic framework that focuses on the idea that race and 
racism permeate America’s institutions and hurt people of color.

Republicans deride CRT as divisive 
and formulated to make white kids feel ashamed about their forebears’ 
treatment of minority groups. Educators such as Fleming, however, argue 
there’s no evidence CRT is being taught in any Missouri classrooms.

In response to the show of public 
opposition, Richey said language specifically citing CRT was removed 
from the bill, though it still refers to several topic areas that would 
be prohibited in the classroom, such as making students feel “collective
 guilt” for their ancestors’ misdeeds

“The language we’ve landed on now closes the door to that kind of chilling effect,” Richey said.

Soon after the Wentzville book ban 
took effect back in January, the ACLU of Missouri filed a lawsuit in 
U.S. District Court in St. Louis on behalf of two Wentzville school 
district students.&nbsp;

The civil liberties group sought to 
stop the removal of the books on the grounds “the decisive factor in the
 decisions to remove the Banned Books was dislike of the ideas or 
opinions contained in the books by policymakers, school officials, 
community members, or a combination of those,” according to the lawsuit.

As for rescinding the district ban on
 “The Bluest Eye,” Anthony Rothert, the ACLU’s director of integrated 
advocacy, called it “welcome news,” but added the ban remains in effect 
for the other books, while the district’s “policies make it easy for any
 community member to force any book from the shelves even when they 
shamelessly target books by and about communities of color, LGBTQ people
 and other marginalized groups.”&nbsp;

Fleming’s efforts to challenge the 
book ban and to raise money to purchase the banned books for students 
who want to read them has led to a flood of abuse on TikTok, Facebook 
and other social media, she said.

“At this point I’ve been told I’m 
pro-pornography, pro-molestation and pro-incest,” she said. “And that’s a
 ridiculous claim. What I am for is the ability to teach kids that there
 are so many experiences, and not all of them are going to be good.”

In October, a member of Concerned 
Parents of Rockwood, filed a consumer complaint against Fleming and Mo. 
EEP with Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt’s office.&nbsp;

The woman alleged that Fleming used Mo. EEP “to disparage, silence and publicly shame parents” in the Rockwood district.

Fleming denies the allegations. Schmitt’s office has not moved on the complaint.

What’s happening in Jefferson City is being echoed nationwide.

Since Jan. 2021, nearly 160 “educational
 gag order” bills have been introduced or prefiled in 39 states, 
according to PEN America, a group that represents authors.&nbsp;

The measures span a wide gamut, from 
Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill, which would prohibit public K-12 
teachers from “encourag[ing] classroom discussion about sexual 
orientation or gender identity” in primary grade levels,” to efforts 
working through the Indiana and Iowa legislatures to
 place cameras in classrooms so that parents can view livestreams of 
their children and keep teachers under constant surveillance.

To Fleming, the engine behind these efforts is fueled by shifting demographics.

America is on its way to becoming a 
majority-minority nation at the same time its white population is 
shrinking. After centuries of dominance, white people will become a 
numerical minority over the course of the next generation. A lot of 
Americans are unhappy with that prospect, she said.&nbsp;

“When you can suddenly activate that 
fear in the majority that one day, because they might be a minority, 
they might be treated like minorities,” she said.

Critical Race Theory is an academic 
framework that few people outside law schools and graduate programs had 
heard of before mid-2020.&nbsp;

But since then it has become a 
rallying cry for conservatives who believe CRT is inherently divisive. 
In their minds, CRT has infiltrated classrooms with the aim of making 
white kids feel ashamed about unpleasant chapters in the American story.

Fleming denies that CRT is being 
taught in Missouri K-12 classrooms. They say attacks on it are part of 
an effort to turn CRT into an umbrella term that covers any serious attempt to teach about race, gender and racism in America.

Johnnie Calloway, a spokesman for the
 nonprofit Missouri Prosper, said schools should refrain from teaching 
about systemic or institutional racism.&nbsp;

His organization, according to its 
website, consists of a “group of parents dedicated to creating strong 
communities where families and individuals can have the opportunity to 
prosper and self-govern.” &nbsp;

“It has nothing to do with race at 
this point,” said Calloway, who is Black. “Much respect to Martin Luther
 King and the Civil Rights movement, but it’s disingenuous to say in 
2022 that race is stopping anybody from being successful.”&nbsp;

During public testimony before the 
legislature’s Joint Committee on Education last August, witnesses noted a
 survey by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
 to determine how many schools were teaching critical race theory.

Of the 425 Missouri schools that 
responded to the DESE survey, only one indicated it includes lessons 
about critical race theory.

Richey, based on his discussions with
 parents and school officials around the state, said he’s not surprised 
only one school district acknowledged teaching some aspect of CRT.

“When you ask the question that is 
more fitting for a K-12 school district, that number increases 
significantly because now you’re talking about using the assumptions of 
critical race theory,” he said.

He declined to cite specific evidence
 during an interview to support his assertions that CRT is being taught 
in Missouri classrooms, instead pointing to the goals of his bill.&nbsp;

“This is a bill that is responding to
 the fact that we do have public school districts supported by public 
tax dollars that are utilizing some of these concepts,” he said, “and 
that needs to stop.”

On a Saturday morning in late 
February more than 70 people gather outside the entrance to University 
City High School, located just outside of St. Louis. They have shown up 
for a “Rally for Truth in Education,” sponsored by Metropolitan 
Congregations United, a close Mo. EEP ally.

The mood is upbeat and energized. A 
series of speakers, including some high school students, read sections 
from an open letter to the Missouri General Assembly that call for the 
repudiation of the Richey bill.

A young woman, reading off a copy of 
the letter, tells her audience that a culturally “responsive education 
is student-centered and reflects students’ experiences. A public school 
should be where every student sees their identity included, represented,
 respected and honored.”&nbsp;

Lisa Thompson, a member of MCU’s 
education task force, tells the crowd the message has gotten out that 
most people will support equity and inclusion “and they will rise up and
 defend it.”

So the sponsors of HB 1995 changed the focus, she said.

“Now it’s called parents’ rights,” 
she said. “Who can oppose that? Parents should have rights, right? This 
language is a sneaky smokescreen for giving parents rights they already 
had, which also encourages a feeling of mistrust between parents and 
teachers.”

After an hour the rally ends and most
 of the crowd disperses. Fleming hangs back to talk to fellow Mo. EEP 
members. They climb a few steps to pose for a group photo, then break 
up.

&nbsp;Fleming
 acknowledges it’s possible HB 1995 could be passed into law, but if 
that happens she and the movement she leads won’t give up, she said.

“We’re going to be successful in the 
end because we have enough people that care, that are passionate about 
this” she said. “Because as we can tell by that rally, there are so many
 people that imagine a different future for America.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1646670728736.png" alt="Heather Fleming in St. Louis’ Forrest Park (photo by Mike Fitzgerald). " />
 <figcaption>Heather Fleming in St. Louis’ Forrest Park (photo by Mike Fitzgerald). </figcaption>
 </figure>By MIKE FITZGERALD <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/03/07/former-st-louis-teacher-helping-lead-coalition-pushing-back-on-book-bans/">Missouri Independent</a>Heather Fleming, sitting on a bench in St. Louis’ Forest Park, takes in the view on a warm early afternoon in February.&nbsp;Behind her is the Jewel Box, the 
giant glass-paneled greenhouse that’s a park emblem. Before her are rows
 of tall trees, their branches stripped bare. And further on, on nearby 
walkways and trails, is a steady single-file flow of joggers, walkers 
and cyclists — humans of all ages, sizes, shapes and colors.Fleming has been coming here nearly 
her whole life, since she was a little girl growing up in one of St. 
Charles County’s relatively few black families.One reason she likes this spot is because it offers a vision of the future she’s spent her life imagining.Fleming, 46, worked 13 years as a 
high school English teacher, and worked another three years as an equity
 and diversity consultant.&nbsp;“That’s why I like Forest Park so 
much,” she said. “It seems the one place in St. Louis that’s neutral. 
There’s so much of St. Louis that has been steeped in racism, that it’s 
almost palpable.”But here, in this corner of town, 
Forest Park is “a testament to what I hope all of St. Louis can become,”
 she said. “It’s a place where you get lots of different types of people
 and lots of different types of experiences…So why can’t we do that 
everywhere?”&nbsp;It is a question that weighs on 
Fleming these days as her vision of an inclusive America is being 
challenged like never before in her lifetime.Fleming is the founder of Missouri Equity Education Partnership, which nearly a year ago started as an informal Facebook group.&nbsp;It has since grown into the spearhead
 of a coalition of local groups pushing back against school district 
book bans, as well as efforts in Jefferson City to pass a deluge of 
bills to exert greater control over the ways race, gender and history 
are taught in Missouri classrooms.And it has had an immediate impact.&nbsp;Case in point: In
 a 4-3 decision back in January, the Wentzville School Board banned 
eight books, including “The Bluest Eye” by Toni Morrison after some 
parents complained it is not suitable for kids and contains “graphic 
sexual violence.”&nbsp;The Morrison book, published in 1970,
 is about Pecola, a black girl growing up in rural Ohio during the World
 War II era. She wants blue eyes because she’s told she’s “ugly” because
 of her dark skin. The target of many previous attempts to ban it from 
school libraries nationwide, the novel explores the themes of racism, 
incest, rape and out-of-wedlock pregnancy.Fleming partnered with the St. Louis bookstore EyeSeeMe to deliver free copies to anyone who requested it.Mo. EEP raised more than $3,000 in 
the first few hours after launching the book program on January 27. 
Three weeks later, the program had raised more than $19,000 and sent out
 nearly 600 copies of the “Bluest Eye,” Fleming said.Ultimately, the Wentzville book ban backfired, said Fleming, who previously taught English at Parkway North High School.“What is really happening is that 
it’s alerting people to the underlying malignancy of this whole thing,” 
she said. “It’s starting to wake more people up.”In late February the Wentzville Board
 of Education held a special meeting and voted to rescind their decision
 to remove the “Bluest Eye.”&nbsp;<h2>‘…nothing around me represented me or included me’</h2>Fleming said she always knew she wanted to be a teacher.Growing up in St. Charles, Fleming 
has many good memories of school. But they are tempered by the fact she 
always felt, at least in the classroom, as an outsider. When she 
graduated from St. Chiarles West High School nearly 30 years ago, she 
was one of only five black students out of a class of almost 400, she 
said.“And I think that’s why I’m 
passionate about this,” she said. “It’s that I know that experience of 
feeling like nothing around me represented me or included me.”&nbsp;Fleming has an older sister and a 
much younger brother. Her parents are solidly middle class: her father 
worked as a production manager at the Airwick Industries plant in St. 
Peters, while her mother worked as an office assistant at McDonnell 
Douglas aircraft company in St. Louis.In seventh grade, Fleming invited her best friend at the time, a white girl, to come to her house for a sleepover.&nbsp;“And the day of, she called me and 
said her dad didn’t want her staying at any black people’s house,” she 
recalls. “The reality is that as black people we deal with a lot of 
those things. So we don’t have the luxury of saying it’s all 
colorblind.”Married with two grown sons and a 
13-year-old daughter in middle school, Fleming began teaching English at
 Parkway North High School in 2005. Soon, she began teaching salary 
credit courses for fellow teachers on diversity and inclusion.&nbsp;“Mostly what I taught is, ‘How do we 
allow all stories into a room?’ It’s actually giving empathy to anyone 
who can be other’ed,” she said. “It was allowing each person to feel 
like they were a valued part of the classroom.”Fleming started her equity training 
company, In Purpose Educational Services, in 2018, when she approached a
 crossroad in her life.After earning a master’s degree in 
school administration, Fleming said she interviewed for eight school 
administration jobs — and got turned down for each one.“I can’t tell you how many times I was told a white male candidate was a better fit,” she said.&nbsp;So, she said, she prayed on the matter, and realized she needed to make a big change.“Kind of the question that came to me
 was, If you could be doing anything, and money wasn’t a consideration, 
what would it be?” she said. “It was equity work.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1646670795360.png" alt="Heather Fleming with Mo. EEP volunteers following their legislator lobbying day event at the Missouri State Capitol on March 3, 2022 (photo submitted)." />
 <figcaption>Heather Fleming with Mo. EEP volunteers following their legislator lobbying day event at the Missouri State Capitol on March 3, 2022 (photo submitted).</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Educational ‘gag orders’</h2>While Fleming’s advocacy has shown 
results at the local level, her coalition has also trained its focus on 
action in Jefferson City — specifically, a spate of bills Fleming views as
 educational gag orders seeking to undermine public trust and prevent 
honest discussions of unpleasant topics like America’s history of 
slavery and the Tulsa Race Massacre.Supporters of these measures call 
them overdue reforms that will bolster accountability and transparency 
in Missouri classrooms. They argue the goal is simply to ensure parental
 rights are being respected.State Rep. Doug Richey, chairman of 
the legislature’s Joint Education Committee and the sponsor of one of 
the bills, said his goal is to improve public education, not harm it.“I’m not a grenade thrower,’ said 
Richey, R-Excelsior Springs. “I’m someone who believes it’s important to
 do what’s necessary, but I’m not looking to burn down the institution 
and celebrate that I’ve done something. That doesn’t help anybody.”Fleming doesn’t buy it.&nbsp;“The real impact will be that as 
teachers attempt to discuss these issues, they’re going to be fearful of
 perhaps saying something that violates one of these laws,” Fleming 
said. “They’re going either a) avoid it altogether or b) have such a 
sanitized version that it’s not the truth.”At a Jan. 11 House Education Committee hearing in Jefferson City centered on the first
 wave of education bills this legislative session, Fleming showed up 
with nearly 150 supporters to pack the hearing room. What’s more, the 
1,600 emailed testimonies from other witnesses — the vast majority 
opposed to the bills — set a record for the sheer number of written 
testimonies submitted.The two GOP bills that drew Fleming and her supporters were Richey’s <a target="_blank" href="https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB1995&amp;year=2022&amp;code=R">House Bill 1995</a> and <a target="_blank" href="https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB1474&amp;year=2022&amp;code=R">House Bill 1474</a>, sponsored by Rep.<a target="_blank" href="https://www.house.mo.gov/MemberDetails.aspx?year=2022&amp;code=R&amp;district=107"> Nick Schroer</a>,
 R-O’Fallon. The bills were combined into a “Parents’ Bill of Rights,” 
with a section restricting the teaching of critical race theory, a 
decades-old academic framework that focuses on the idea that race and 
racism permeate America’s institutions and hurt people of color.Republicans deride CRT as divisive 
and formulated to make white kids feel ashamed about their forebears’ 
treatment of minority groups. Educators such as Fleming, however, argue 
there’s no evidence CRT is being taught in any Missouri classrooms.In response to the show of public 
opposition, Richey said language specifically citing CRT was removed 
from the bill, though it still refers to several topic areas that would 
be prohibited in the classroom, such as making students feel “collective
 guilt” for their ancestors’ misdeeds“The language we’ve landed on now closes the door to that kind of chilling effect,” Richey said.<h2>Pushback</h2>Soon after the Wentzville book ban 
took effect back in January, the ACLU of Missouri filed a lawsuit in 
U.S. District Court in St. Louis on behalf of two Wentzville school 
district students.&nbsp;The civil liberties group sought to 
stop the removal of the books on the grounds “the decisive factor in the
 decisions to remove the Banned Books was dislike of the ideas or 
opinions contained in the books by policymakers, school officials, 
community members, or a combination of those,” according to the lawsuit.As for rescinding the district ban on
 “The Bluest Eye,” Anthony Rothert, the ACLU’s director of integrated 
advocacy, called it “welcome news,” but added the ban remains in effect 
for the other books, while the district’s “policies make it easy for any
 community member to force any book from the shelves even when they 
shamelessly target books by and about communities of color, LGBTQ people
 and other marginalized groups.”&nbsp;Fleming’s efforts to challenge the 
book ban and to raise money to purchase the banned books for students 
who want to read them has led to a flood of abuse on TikTok, Facebook 
and other social media, she said.“At this point I’ve been told I’m 
pro-pornography, pro-molestation and pro-incest,” she said. “And that’s a
 ridiculous claim. What I am for is the ability to teach kids that there
 are so many experiences, and not all of them are going to be good.”In October, a member of Concerned 
Parents of Rockwood, filed a consumer complaint against Fleming and Mo. 
EEP with Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt’s office.&nbsp;The woman alleged that Fleming used Mo. EEP “to disparage, silence and publicly shame parents” in the Rockwood district.Fleming denies the allegations. Schmitt’s office has not moved on the complaint.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1646670835949.png" alt="Heather Fleming at University City High School (photo by Mike Fitzgerald)." />
 <figcaption>Heather Fleming at University City High School (photo by Mike Fitzgerald).</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Critical Race Theory</h2>What’s happening in Jefferson City is being echoed nationwide.Since Jan. 2021, nearly 160 “educational
 gag order” bills have been introduced or prefiled in 39 states, 
according to PEN America, a group that represents authors.&nbsp;The measures span a wide gamut, from 
Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill, which would prohibit public K-12 
teachers from “encourag[ing] classroom discussion about sexual 
orientation or gender identity” in primary grade levels,” to efforts 
working through the Indiana and Iowa legislatures to
 place cameras in classrooms so that parents can view livestreams of 
their children and keep teachers under constant surveillance.To Fleming, the engine behind these efforts is fueled by shifting demographics.America is on its way to becoming a 
majority-minority nation at the same time its white population is 
shrinking. After centuries of dominance, white people will become a 
numerical minority over the course of the next generation. A lot of 
Americans are unhappy with that prospect, she said.&nbsp;“When you can suddenly activate that 
fear in the majority that one day, because they might be a minority, 
they might be treated like minorities,” she said.Critical Race Theory is an academic 
framework that few people outside law schools and graduate programs had 
heard of before mid-2020.&nbsp;But since then it has become a 
rallying cry for conservatives who believe CRT is inherently divisive. 
In their minds, CRT has infiltrated classrooms with the aim of making 
white kids feel ashamed about unpleasant chapters in the American story.Fleming denies that CRT is being 
taught in Missouri K-12 classrooms. They say attacks on it are part of 
an effort to turn CRT into an umbrella term that covers any serious attempt to teach about race, gender and racism in America.Johnnie Calloway, a spokesman for the
 nonprofit Missouri Prosper, said schools should refrain from teaching 
about systemic or institutional racism.&nbsp;His organization, according to its 
website, consists of a “group of parents dedicated to creating strong 
communities where families and individuals can have the opportunity to 
prosper and self-govern.” &nbsp;“It has nothing to do with race at 
this point,” said Calloway, who is Black. “Much respect to Martin Luther
 King and the Civil Rights movement, but it’s disingenuous to say in 
2022 that race is stopping anybody from being successful.”&nbsp;During public testimony before the 
legislature’s Joint Committee on Education last August, witnesses noted a
 survey by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
 to determine how many schools were teaching critical race theory.Of the 425 Missouri schools that 
responded to the DESE survey, only one indicated it includes lessons 
about critical race theory.Richey, based on his discussions with
 parents and school officials around the state, said he’s not surprised 
only one school district acknowledged teaching some aspect of CRT.“When you ask the question that is 
more fitting for a K-12 school district, that number increases 
significantly because now you’re talking about using the assumptions of 
critical race theory,” he said.He declined to cite specific evidence
 during an interview to support his assertions that CRT is being taught 
in Missouri classrooms, instead pointing to the goals of his bill.&nbsp;“This is a bill that is responding to
 the fact that we do have public school districts supported by public 
tax dollars that are utilizing some of these concepts,” he said, “and 
that needs to stop.”<h2>‘A different future for America’</h2>On a Saturday morning in late 
February more than 70 people gather outside the entrance to University 
City High School, located just outside of St. Louis. They have shown up 
for a “Rally for Truth in Education,” sponsored by Metropolitan 
Congregations United, a close Mo. EEP ally.The mood is upbeat and energized. A 
series of speakers, including some high school students, read sections 
from an open letter to the Missouri General Assembly that call for the 
repudiation of the Richey bill.A young woman, reading off a copy of 
the letter, tells her audience that a culturally “responsive education 
is student-centered and reflects students’ experiences. A public school 
should be where every student sees their identity included, represented,
 respected and honored.”&nbsp;Lisa Thompson, a member of MCU’s 
education task force, tells the crowd the message has gotten out that 
most people will support equity and inclusion “and they will rise up and
 defend it.”So the sponsors of HB 1995 changed the focus, she said.“Now it’s called parents’ rights,” 
she said. “Who can oppose that? Parents should have rights, right? This 
language is a sneaky smokescreen for giving parents rights they already 
had, which also encourages a feeling of mistrust between parents and 
teachers.”After an hour the rally ends and most
 of the crowd disperses. Fleming hangs back to talk to fellow Mo. EEP 
members. They climb a few steps to pose for a group photo, then break 
up.&nbsp;Fleming
 acknowledges it’s possible HB 1995 could be passed into law, but if 
that happens she and the movement she leads won’t give up, she said.“We’re going to be successful in the 
end because we have enough people that care, that are passionate about 
this” she said. “Because as we can tell by that rally, there are so many
 people that imagine a different future for America.”

Former Mo. teacher helping lead coalition pushing back on book bans

William “Bill” Harold Novak, age 73, passed away on Friday, March 4, 
2022, at the Wichita County Health Center in Leoti, Kansas. He was born 
in Garden City, Kansas on October 3, 1948, to Glenn Joseph and Arlene 
Ethel Miller Novak. Bill spent his entire life in Modoc, farming, 
ranching, and attending the Modoc Coffee Club. He also took up fishing, 
snow skiing, and coin collecting.

Survivors include, two brothers; Robert “Bob” Novak of Modoc, Kansas,
 David &amp; Sherry Novak of Modoc, Kansas, one sister, Deana Novak of 
Hutchinson, Kansas, two nephews; Brian &amp; Xinjie (and newborn Zane 
Nick) Novak of Modoc, Kansas, and Matt Novak of Modoc, Kansas.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents and one nephew, Nick Novak.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1646584305052.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>William “Bill” Harold Novak, age 73, passed away on Friday, March 4, 
2022, at the Wichita County Health Center in Leoti, Kansas. He was born 
in Garden City, Kansas on October 3, 1948, to Glenn Joseph and Arlene 
Ethel Miller Novak. Bill spent his entire life in Modoc, farming, 
ranching, and attending the Modoc Coffee Club. He also took up fishing, 
snow skiing, and coin collecting.Survivors include, two brothers; Robert “Bob” Novak of Modoc, Kansas,
 David &amp; Sherry Novak of Modoc, Kansas, one sister, Deana Novak of 
Hutchinson, Kansas, two nephews; Brian &amp; Xinjie (and newborn Zane 
Nick) Novak of Modoc, Kansas, and Matt Novak of Modoc, Kansas.Bill was preceded in death by his parents and one nephew, Nick Novak.A graveside service will be planned at the Modoc Cemetery at a later date.In Lieu of flowers, memorials may be written to the Wichita County 
Health Center nursing staff in care of Price &amp; Sons Funeral Homes.