Jennifer Lea Dohl, age 57, of Chicago, Illinois, died on May 17, 2022. 
She was born on October 6, 1964, in Lincoln, Kansas, the daughter of 
Herman and Arlene (Blase) Dohl. 
 She attended Bethlehem Lutheran Grade School in Sylvan Grove, KS, 
and graduated from Sylvan Unified High School in 1982. She attended 
Bethany College in Lindsborg, KS, and graduated with a BA degree in 
English Literature. In 1988, she went to work as a graduate assistant at
 Kansas State University, in Manhattan, KS, and studied Theatre 
Performance.
 Jennifer met her future husband, Donald Olsen, while at K-State. 
They were married on February 2, 2002 (02-02-02) at Emmaus Lutheran 
Church in Bonner Springs, KS, during an epic ice storm. However, their 
marriage was always warm. They celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary
 on February 2, 2022 (02-02-22).
 Jennifer worked for 27 years at a toy invention company in Chicago, 
IL. She was the office manager and served in many capacities. Jennifer 
enjoyed cooking and the entire family delighted in the wonderful parties
 she and Don hosted on their trips to Sylvan Grove. Events were always 
filled with good food, fellowship and a wide variety of their current 
favorite beers. They had a shared passion for motorcycle riding and went
 on numerous road trips. They put many miles on their Harley Davidson in
 the USA and also rode in Canada and Italy. They loved to travel and 
took several trips to Europe and a trip to Hawaii. Neither of them ever 
met a stranger and they made friends quickly in the pubs and bars they 
visited while traveling. Jennifer had a very generous spirit. Whether 
she was treating the nieces and nephews to the latest toys or the latest
 fashions, they always looked forward to her gifts. Jennifer especially 
enjoyed reading and always had boxes of books to lend or give to family 
and friends. 
 In July of 2021, Jennifer became ill with cancer. Despite a 
courageous fight, the cancer quickly overtook her body and life. After a
 brief period on hospice in Chicago, she traveled to Sylvan Grove for 
her remaining days. Don and Jennifer’s family thank Solomon Valley 
Hospice, Beloit, KS, for their compassionate care of Jennifer. Jennifer
 died in the family farmhouse surrounded by her loving husband, her 
family and closest friends.
 Jennifer was preceded in death by her parents, Herman and Arlene 
Dohl; infant sister, Erica Dohl; and older brother, Arthur Dohl; 
father-in-law, Fred D. Olsen; and Don’s half siblings, Mike Albright and
 Gay Cole.
 Jennifer is survived by her husband, Donald Olsen, of Chicago, IL; 
mother-in-law, Betty Olsen, of Rehoboth Beach, DE; Gerald (Barbara) 
Howard of Rehoboth Beach, DE; and Doris Duvall of Millsboro, DE. 
Sisters, Marjorie (Alfred) Aufdemberge of Lincoln, KS; Mary Dohl of 
Wichita, KS; Lorelei Dohl of Sylvan Grove, KS; brother, Edward Dohl of 
Sylvan Grove, KS; sister-in-law, Justine Dohl, of Sylvan Grove, KS. 
Also, nieces and nephews: Christopher (Kristi) Dohl of Netawaka, KS; 
Jason (Anne) Dohl of Sylvan Grove, KS; Chesley Dohl of San Diego, CA; 
Lyle Dohl of Los Angeles, CA; Madelyn (Devin) Henderson of Shawnee, KS; 
Esther (Eric) Spooner of Kansas City, MO; Megan (Charlie) Huehl of 
Sylvan Grove, KS; Ian (Alicia) Dohl of Russell, KS; Cedric (Bethany) 
Schofield of Kansas City, MO; Sophia Schofield of Sylvan Grove, KS; 
Genevieve Schofield of Kansas City, MO; Broderick Schofield of Kansas 
City, MO; Adelyn, Brayden, Felicity and Caitlyn Dohl of Sylvan Grove, 
KS; and Michael (Shannon) Ulrich of Senoia, GA. Also, great nieces and 
nephews: Braden, Kylie and Brantley Dohl; Valden, Vance and Tevis Dohl; 
Claire, Charlotte, Cambry, Elsie, Eva, Emmaus and Haven Henderson; 
Elizabeth Spooner; Codie and Cael Huehl; Kamryn and Krew Dohl. And she 
leaves behind extended family and many dear friends, including Kelli 
Wondra and Mike Spicer.&nbsp;

Click&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rfmortuaries.com/obituaries/Jennifer-Lea-Dohl?obId=24874203#/celebrationWall">HERE</a>&nbsp;for service details.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1652898248316.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Jennifer Lea Dohl, age 57, of Chicago, Illinois, died on May 17, 2022. 
She was born on October 6, 1964, in Lincoln, Kansas, the daughter of 
Herman and Arlene (Blase) Dohl. 
 She attended Bethlehem Lutheran Grade School in Sylvan Grove, KS, 
and graduated from Sylvan Unified High School in 1982. She attended 
Bethany College in Lindsborg, KS, and graduated with a BA degree in 
English Literature. In 1988, she went to work as a graduate assistant at
 Kansas State University, in Manhattan, KS, and studied Theatre 
Performance.
 Jennifer met her future husband, Donald Olsen, while at K-State. 
They were married on February 2, 2002 (02-02-02) at Emmaus Lutheran 
Church in Bonner Springs, KS, during an epic ice storm. However, their 
marriage was always warm. They celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary
 on February 2, 2022 (02-02-22).
 Jennifer worked for 27 years at a toy invention company in Chicago, 
IL. She was the office manager and served in many capacities. Jennifer 
enjoyed cooking and the entire family delighted in the wonderful parties
 she and Don hosted on their trips to Sylvan Grove. Events were always 
filled with good food, fellowship and a wide variety of their current 
favorite beers. They had a shared passion for motorcycle riding and went
 on numerous road trips. They put many miles on their Harley Davidson in
 the USA and also rode in Canada and Italy. They loved to travel and 
took several trips to Europe and a trip to Hawaii. Neither of them ever 
met a stranger and they made friends quickly in the pubs and bars they 
visited while traveling. Jennifer had a very generous spirit. Whether 
she was treating the nieces and nephews to the latest toys or the latest
 fashions, they always looked forward to her gifts. Jennifer especially 
enjoyed reading and always had boxes of books to lend or give to family 
and friends. 
 In July of 2021, Jennifer became ill with cancer. Despite a 
courageous fight, the cancer quickly overtook her body and life. After a
 brief period on hospice in Chicago, she traveled to Sylvan Grove for 
her remaining days. Don and Jennifer’s family thank Solomon Valley 
Hospice, Beloit, KS, for their compassionate care of Jennifer. Jennifer
 died in the family farmhouse surrounded by her loving husband, her 
family and closest friends.
 Jennifer was preceded in death by her parents, Herman and Arlene 
Dohl; infant sister, Erica Dohl; and older brother, Arthur Dohl; 
father-in-law, Fred D. Olsen; and Don’s half siblings, Mike Albright and
 Gay Cole.
 Jennifer is survived by her husband, Donald Olsen, of Chicago, IL; 
mother-in-law, Betty Olsen, of Rehoboth Beach, DE; Gerald (Barbara) 
Howard of Rehoboth Beach, DE; and Doris Duvall of Millsboro, DE. 
Sisters, Marjorie (Alfred) Aufdemberge of Lincoln, KS; Mary Dohl of 
Wichita, KS; Lorelei Dohl of Sylvan Grove, KS; brother, Edward Dohl of 
Sylvan Grove, KS; sister-in-law, Justine Dohl, of Sylvan Grove, KS. 
Also, nieces and nephews: Christopher (Kristi) Dohl of Netawaka, KS; 
Jason (Anne) Dohl of Sylvan Grove, KS; Chesley Dohl of San Diego, CA; 
Lyle Dohl of Los Angeles, CA; Madelyn (Devin) Henderson of Shawnee, KS; 
Esther (Eric) Spooner of Kansas City, MO; Megan (Charlie) Huehl of 
Sylvan Grove, KS; Ian (Alicia) Dohl of Russell, KS; Cedric (Bethany) 
Schofield of Kansas City, MO; Sophia Schofield of Sylvan Grove, KS; 
Genevieve Schofield of Kansas City, MO; Broderick Schofield of Kansas 
City, MO; Adelyn, Brayden, Felicity and Caitlyn Dohl of Sylvan Grove, 
KS; and Michael (Shannon) Ulrich of Senoia, GA. Also, great nieces and 
nephews: Braden, Kylie and Brantley Dohl; Valden, Vance and Tevis Dohl; 
Claire, Charlotte, Cambry, Elsie, Eva, Emmaus and Haven Henderson; 
Elizabeth Spooner; Codie and Cael Huehl; Kamryn and Krew Dohl. And she 
leaves behind extended family and many dear friends, including Kelli 
Wondra and Mike Spicer.&nbsp;Click&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rfmortuaries.com/obituaries/Jennifer-Lea-Dohl?obId=24874203#/celebrationWall">HERE</a>&nbsp;for service details.

Jennifer Lea Dohl

Lowell D. Whitlock III, 76, Wichita, Kansas, passed away Sunday, May 15, 2022, at Larksfield Place, Wichita, Kansas.

The oldest of four boys born to Dr. Lowell D. Whitlock, Jr. and Oneta
 Nadine (Moore) Whitlock, of Glencoe, Oklahoma, Lowell was born on July 
23, 1945, in Stillwater, Oklahoma.&nbsp; He was a resident of Wichita, 
Kansas, for three years, moving there from Hesston, Kansas.&nbsp; He was a 
1963 graduate of Altus High School, Altus, Oklahoma.&nbsp; Lowell was a 1968 
graduate of Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, majoring in
 marketing with a minor in psychology.&nbsp;

After graduation from Oklahoma State University, Lowell was employed 
as a buyer at Foley’s Department Store in Houston, Texas, prior to 
owning and operating a men’s clothing store, The Surrey Shop of 
Weatherford, Oklahoma, for eight years.

In 1978, Lowell began his career with Southwestern Bell 
Corporation/AT&amp;T.&nbsp; After retirement from AT&amp;T, he accepted a 
position in Colorado Springs, Colorado, as President of Vanion, a Koch 
Industries investment for three years.

After retirement, Lowell volunteered at Fort Hays State University, 
Hays, Kansas, as Advisor to the Dean of Business and Executive in 
Residence for several years.

He was a member of the Oklahoma National Guard for eight years.

On October 25, 1980, he married Rebecca Stejskal at Shangr-la, Oklahoma.

A devout Christian, Lowell was born and raised in the Baptist faith.&nbsp;
 Later, honoring Rebecca’s Roman Catholic faith, and his respect of 
Catholicism, he and his wife, Rebecca, were confirmed and attended the 
Episcopal Church.&nbsp; He was a former member of St. Martin’s Episcopal 
Church Vestry Board, Houston, Texas; and the San Antonio Symphony Board,
 San Antonio, Texas.&nbsp; He was also a former member of Rotary Clubs in the
 various cities in which they resided.

Survivors include:&nbsp; his wife, Rebecca Whitlock, Wichita, Kansas; two 
daughters, Wende Wayne, and her husband, Peter, Houston, Texas, and 
Stacy Miller, and her husband, Roddrick, Atlanta, Georgia; six 
grandchildren, Madelyn, Parker, and Travis Wayne, all of Houston, Texas,
 and Karston, Gracyn, and Braxton Miller, all of Atlanta, Georgia; and 
two brothers, Mark Whitlock, and his wife, Joy, Altus, Oklahoma, and 
Reverend Dr. David B. Whitlock, and his wife, Lori, Lebanon, Kentucky.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and one brother, Dougie Whitlock.

Visitation will be Wednesday, May 18, 2022, from 4:00 P.M. to 8:00 
P.M. at the Janousek Funeral Home, La Crosse, Kansas, with the family 
receiving friends from 6:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. &nbsp;A remembrance service and
 rosary will be at 7:00 P.M.&nbsp;

Graveside service will be Thursday, May 19, 2022, at 10:00 A.M. at La
 Crosse City Cemetery, La Crosse, Kansas, with Reverend Dr. David B. 
Whitlock officiating.&nbsp; Interment will be in the La Crosse City Cemetery,
 La Crosse, Kansas.

In lieu of flowers or plants, the family requests memorials to the MD
 Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas (memorial donations may be made 
in Lowell’s name online), or St. Michael’s Catholic Church, La Crosse, 
Kansas.

Condolences or remembrances may be left for the family at www.janousekfuneralhome.com.

Arrangements were by Janousek Funeral Home, 719 Pine Street, P O Box 550, La Crosse, Kansas 67548, 785/222-2517.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1652882250567.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Lowell D. Whitlock III, 76, Wichita, Kansas, passed away Sunday, May 15, 2022, at Larksfield Place, Wichita, Kansas.The oldest of four boys born to Dr. Lowell D. Whitlock, Jr. and Oneta
 Nadine (Moore) Whitlock, of Glencoe, Oklahoma, Lowell was born on July 
23, 1945, in Stillwater, Oklahoma.&nbsp; He was a resident of Wichita, 
Kansas, for three years, moving there from Hesston, Kansas.&nbsp; He was a 
1963 graduate of Altus High School, Altus, Oklahoma.&nbsp; Lowell was a 1968 
graduate of Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, majoring in
 marketing with a minor in psychology.&nbsp;After graduation from Oklahoma State University, Lowell was employed 
as a buyer at Foley’s Department Store in Houston, Texas, prior to 
owning and operating a men’s clothing store, The Surrey Shop of 
Weatherford, Oklahoma, for eight years.In 1978, Lowell began his career with Southwestern Bell 
Corporation/AT&amp;T.&nbsp; After retirement from AT&amp;T, he accepted a 
position in Colorado Springs, Colorado, as President of Vanion, a Koch 
Industries investment for three years.After retirement, Lowell volunteered at Fort Hays State University, 
Hays, Kansas, as Advisor to the Dean of Business and Executive in 
Residence for several years.He was a member of the Oklahoma National Guard for eight years.On October 25, 1980, he married Rebecca Stejskal at Shangr-la, Oklahoma.A devout Christian, Lowell was born and raised in the Baptist faith.&nbsp;
 Later, honoring Rebecca’s Roman Catholic faith, and his respect of 
Catholicism, he and his wife, Rebecca, were confirmed and attended the 
Episcopal Church.&nbsp; He was a former member of St. Martin’s Episcopal 
Church Vestry Board, Houston, Texas; and the San Antonio Symphony Board,
 San Antonio, Texas.&nbsp; He was also a former member of Rotary Clubs in the
 various cities in which they resided.Survivors include:&nbsp; his wife, Rebecca Whitlock, Wichita, Kansas; two 
daughters, Wende Wayne, and her husband, Peter, Houston, Texas, and 
Stacy Miller, and her husband, Roddrick, Atlanta, Georgia; six 
grandchildren, Madelyn, Parker, and Travis Wayne, all of Houston, Texas,
 and Karston, Gracyn, and Braxton Miller, all of Atlanta, Georgia; and 
two brothers, Mark Whitlock, and his wife, Joy, Altus, Oklahoma, and 
Reverend Dr. David B. Whitlock, and his wife, Lori, Lebanon, Kentucky.He was preceded in death by his parents; and one brother, Dougie Whitlock.Visitation will be Wednesday, May 18, 2022, from 4:00 P.M. to 8:00 
P.M. at the Janousek Funeral Home, La Crosse, Kansas, with the family 
receiving friends from 6:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. &nbsp;A remembrance service and
 rosary will be at 7:00 P.M.&nbsp;Graveside service will be Thursday, May 19, 2022, at 10:00 A.M. at La
 Crosse City Cemetery, La Crosse, Kansas, with Reverend Dr. David B. 
Whitlock officiating.&nbsp; Interment will be in the La Crosse City Cemetery,
 La Crosse, Kansas.In lieu of flowers or plants, the family requests memorials to the MD
 Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas (memorial donations may be made 
in Lowell’s name online), or St. Michael’s Catholic Church, La Crosse, 
Kansas.Condolences or remembrances may be left for the family at www.janousekfuneralhome.com.Arrangements were by Janousek Funeral Home, 719 Pine Street, P O Box 550, La Crosse, Kansas 67548, 785/222-2517.

Lowell D. Whitlock III

Leona Bell, 94, passed away Thursday, May 12, 2022, at the Hays 
Medical Center, Hays, Kansas. She was born December 24, 1927, in rural 
Graham County to Wallace Frederick and Lena Alice (Kaufman) Kerbaugh. 
She attended the Miller District 52 Country School until the summer of 
1936. Then the family moved to Loveland, Colorado, hoping that her 
father could find work. The summer of 1937 their family returned to 
Graham County where Leona again attended the Miller School. In 1939 they
 moved to Hill City and in 1942 they returned to Morland where Leona 
finished school. She graduated from Morland High School in 1946.
 On October 10, 1948, Leona was united in marriage to Lawrence Bell. 
Following her high school graduation Leona had worked in a post office, 
as a waitress, cook and grocery store clerk, before she became a 
full-time partner and farm wife. Three children were born to this union:
 Larry Wayne, Carol Jane and Janet Kay. They raised their family on a 
farm north of Morland. 
 Leona drove the tractor, hauled grain to the elevator, tended to the
 cattle, was the chief cook and parts runner, and did everything else 
that was needed. And she still found time to raise a huge garden! She 
always said if you had meat and potatoes, you didn’t need much else to 
feed a family. 
 Loving to cook, she hosted many family holiday dinners. You never 
left her house hungry. She was her children and grandchildren’s biggest
 fan, no matter what sport they were participating in. She was an avid 
Chiefs, Royals and KU Jayhawks fan. Leona watched her beloved Jayhawks 
win the national championship game and then quit watching TV because all
 they ever did was advertise. 
 After Lawrence passed away January 2, 1989, Leona continued to run 
the farm. She had no desire to leave that farm to seek a city job. She
 stated many times, there was no better place to die than in her garden 
under her tomato plants. She almost got her wish, as she was still 
living alone on the farm until she went into the hospital on Mother’s 
Day, May 8, 2022.
 She was preceded in death by her husband, Lawrence, her parents, her
 two brothers, Wayne and Rex Kerbaugh, and two sisters, Bernita Bell and
 Jean Nickelson. 
 Surviving is her son, Larry Wayne Bell, Morland; daughters Carol 
Jane Bedore, Hill City and Janet Kay and Ace Billips, Hill City; a 
sister-in-law, Delores Kerbaugh, Hill City; nine grandchildren: Lynette 
and Mike King, Lance Bedore (Julie Brown), Layne and Katie Bedore, Bruce
 and Roseanne Billips, Brett and Michelle Billips, Roger Billips 
(Chelsie Wolf), Dr. Jordan Bell, Kayla and Tyler Waggoner, and Chase 
Bell; 21 great grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren. 
 Although we are sad she left us, she had told us several times, and 
again on Mother’s Day, “I am tired and just want to go to sleep and not 
wake up. After all, I am almost one hundred years old, and no one lives
 forever.” But she will forever live in our hearts.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Click <a href="https://www.stinemetzfh.com/obituaries/Leona-Bell?obId=24834149#/obituaryInfo">HERE</a> for service details.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1652796341736.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Leona Bell, 94, passed away Thursday, May 12, 2022, at the Hays 
Medical Center, Hays, Kansas. She was born December 24, 1927, in rural 
Graham County to Wallace Frederick and Lena Alice (Kaufman) Kerbaugh. 
She attended the Miller District 52 Country School until the summer of 
1936. Then the family moved to Loveland, Colorado, hoping that her 
father could find work. The summer of 1937 their family returned to 
Graham County where Leona again attended the Miller School. In 1939 they
 moved to Hill City and in 1942 they returned to Morland where Leona 
finished school. She graduated from Morland High School in 1946.
 On October 10, 1948, Leona was united in marriage to Lawrence Bell. 
Following her high school graduation Leona had worked in a post office, 
as a waitress, cook and grocery store clerk, before she became a 
full-time partner and farm wife. Three children were born to this union:
 Larry Wayne, Carol Jane and Janet Kay. They raised their family on a 
farm north of Morland. 
 Leona drove the tractor, hauled grain to the elevator, tended to the
 cattle, was the chief cook and parts runner, and did everything else 
that was needed. And she still found time to raise a huge garden! She 
always said if you had meat and potatoes, you didn’t need much else to 
feed a family. 
 Loving to cook, she hosted many family holiday dinners. You never 
left her house hungry. She was her children and grandchildren’s biggest
 fan, no matter what sport they were participating in. She was an avid 
Chiefs, Royals and KU Jayhawks fan. Leona watched her beloved Jayhawks 
win the national championship game and then quit watching TV because all
 they ever did was advertise. 
 After Lawrence passed away January 2, 1989, Leona continued to run 
the farm. She had no desire to leave that farm to seek a city job. She
 stated many times, there was no better place to die than in her garden 
under her tomato plants. She almost got her wish, as she was still 
living alone on the farm until she went into the hospital on Mother’s 
Day, May 8, 2022.
 She was preceded in death by her husband, Lawrence, her parents, her
 two brothers, Wayne and Rex Kerbaugh, and two sisters, Bernita Bell and
 Jean Nickelson. 
 Surviving is her son, Larry Wayne Bell, Morland; daughters Carol 
Jane Bedore, Hill City and Janet Kay and Ace Billips, Hill City; a 
sister-in-law, Delores Kerbaugh, Hill City; nine grandchildren: Lynette 
and Mike King, Lance Bedore (Julie Brown), Layne and Katie Bedore, Bruce
 and Roseanne Billips, Brett and Michelle Billips, Roger Billips 
(Chelsie Wolf), Dr. Jordan Bell, Kayla and Tyler Waggoner, and Chase 
Bell; 21 great grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren. 
 Although we are sad she left us, she had told us several times, and 
again on Mother’s Day, “I am tired and just want to go to sleep and not 
wake up. After all, I am almost one hundred years old, and no one lives
 forever.” But she will forever live in our hearts.&nbsp;&nbsp;Click <a href="https://www.stinemetzfh.com/obituaries/Leona-Bell?obId=24834149#/obituaryInfo">HERE</a> for service details.

Leona Bell

WASHINGTON (AP) — Under fire from parents and politicians, President Joe Biden is offering formula manufacturers and retailers transportation and logistics support to ease the nationwide shortage of baby formula, as the administration works to bring the largest domestic plant back on line after it was shut down early this year due to safety issues.

The<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2022/05/12/fact-sheet-president-biden-announces-additional-steps-to-address-infant-formula-shortage/"> White House said </a>it is working with all major formula producers to boost production, including reaching out to their suppliers to encourage them to prioritize production and delivery of formula ingredients. It comes as the Biden administration has come under intense pressure over the last week to do more to ease&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/baby-formula-shortage-what-to-know-735cef06e68ed9c5a46233bdfcf0573d">the shortage of formula</a>&nbsp;that has forced parents of infants to go to significant lengths to feed their children.

The shortage stems from a February recall by Abbott, the nation’s largest formula maker, that shuttered the company’s Michigan plant and exacerbated ongoing supply chain disruptions among formula makers, leaving fewer options on stores shelves across much of the country. The shortage has led retailers like CVS and Target to limit how many containers customers can purchase per visit and forced some parents to swap and sell formula online.

<a href="https://www.hhs.gov/formula/index.html">Click here to view </a>the government infant formula web site.

On Monday, FDA Commissioner Robert Califf told ABC News’ “Good Morning America” that the federal agency is “working really closely with Abbott” to reopen the closed Michigan factory and he expects that “in a very short period of time we’re going to have an announcement about the path forward.”

Califf said an announcement is forthcoming about importing baby formula from abroad, noting that the key is making sure the instructions for the formula are in languages that mothers and caregivers can understand.

The FDA warned families against making their own baby formula because it has 30 distinct constituents that have to be in the right amount, otherwise the formula can possibly be dangerous to consume.

Abbott’s voluntary recall was triggered by four illnesses reported in babies who had consumed powdered formula from the Michigan plant. All four infants were hospitalized with a rare type of bacterial infection and two died.

Abbott is one of just four companies that produce roughly 90% of U.S. formula, so its shutdown squeezed already tight supplies.

After a six-week inspection, FDA investigators published&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/science-business-health-michigan-a4205025fc781b1fb902cdd9e1264b41">a list of problems</a>&nbsp;in March, including lax safety and sanitary standards and a history of bacterial contamination in several parts of the plant.

But Chicago-based Abbott has emphasized that its products have not been directly linked to the bacterial infections in children. Samples of the bacteria found at its plant did not match the strains collected from the babies by federal investigators. The company has repeatedly stated it is ready to resume manufacturing, pending an FDA decision.

Former FDA officials say fixing the type of problems uncovered at Abbott’s plant takes time, and infant formula facilities receive more scrutiny than other food facilities. Companies need to exhaustively clean the facility and equipment, retrain staff, repeatedly test and document there is no contamination.

Even if the facility reopens soon, the FDA will still face scrutiny for its handling of the issues at the plant.

FDA inspectors visited the factory in September for a routine inspection, around the time that the first bacterial infection was reported in an infant. Although inspectors uncovered several violations— including standing water and unsanitary conditions— the FDA did not shut down the plant or issue any formal warning.

Only after several more illnesses were reported did the FDA return to the plant in January, this time finding a history of bacterial contamination in several parts of the plant. Abbott then shut down the facility and recalled several powdered formulas in mid-February.

Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro reported last month that a whistleblower had contacted the FDA in October about unsafe conditions and practices at the plant, including falsifying plant records and failing to properly test formula for contamination.

She and other lawmakers are set to question FDA Commissioner Califf about that issue and others at a hearing scheduled for Thursday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1652447550275.png" alt="On Thursday, President Biden spoke with retailers and manufacturers to discuss ways to do more to help families access infant formula." />
 <figcaption>On Thursday, President Biden spoke with retailers and manufacturers to discuss ways to do more to help families access infant formula.</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Under fire from parents and politicians, President Joe Biden is offering formula manufacturers and retailers transportation and logistics support to ease the nationwide shortage of baby formula, as the administration works to bring the largest domestic plant back on line after it was shut down early this year due to safety issues.The<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2022/05/12/fact-sheet-president-biden-announces-additional-steps-to-address-infant-formula-shortage/"> White House said </a>it is working with all major formula producers to boost production, including reaching out to their suppliers to encourage them to prioritize production and delivery of formula ingredients. It comes as the Biden administration has come under intense pressure over the last week to do more to ease&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/baby-formula-shortage-what-to-know-735cef06e68ed9c5a46233bdfcf0573d">the shortage of formula</a>&nbsp;that has forced parents of infants to go to significant lengths to feed their children.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1648164055231.png" alt="In February Abbott, one of the country’s largest infant formula makers announced a recall of Similac-FDA image" />
 <figcaption>In February Abbott, one of the country’s largest infant formula makers announced a recall of Similac-FDA image</figcaption>
 </figure>The shortage stems from a February recall by Abbott, the nation’s largest formula maker, that shuttered the company’s Michigan plant and exacerbated ongoing supply chain disruptions among formula makers, leaving fewer options on stores shelves across much of the country. The shortage has led retailers like CVS and Target to limit how many containers customers can purchase per visit and forced some parents to swap and sell formula online.<a href="https://www.hhs.gov/formula/index.html">Click here to view </a>the government infant formula web site.On Monday, FDA Commissioner Robert Califf told ABC News’ “Good Morning America” that the federal agency is “working really closely with Abbott” to reopen the closed Michigan factory and he expects that “in a very short period of time we’re going to have an announcement about the path forward.”Califf said an announcement is forthcoming about importing baby formula from abroad, noting that the key is making sure the instructions for the formula are in languages that mothers and caregivers can understand.The FDA warned families against making their own baby formula because it has 30 distinct constituents that have to be in the right amount, otherwise the formula can possibly be dangerous to consume.Abbott’s voluntary recall was triggered by four illnesses reported in babies who had consumed powdered formula from the Michigan plant. All four infants were hospitalized with a rare type of bacterial infection and two died.Abbott is one of just four companies that produce roughly 90% of U.S. formula, so its shutdown squeezed already tight supplies.After a six-week inspection, FDA investigators published&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/science-business-health-michigan-a4205025fc781b1fb902cdd9e1264b41">a list of problems</a>&nbsp;in March, including lax safety and sanitary standards and a history of bacterial contamination in several parts of the plant.But Chicago-based Abbott has emphasized that its products have not been directly linked to the bacterial infections in children. Samples of the bacteria found at its plant did not match the strains collected from the babies by federal investigators. The company has repeatedly stated it is ready to resume manufacturing, pending an FDA decision.Former FDA officials say fixing the type of problems uncovered at Abbott’s plant takes time, and infant formula facilities receive more scrutiny than other food facilities. Companies need to exhaustively clean the facility and equipment, retrain staff, repeatedly test and document there is no contamination.Even if the facility reopens soon, the FDA will still face scrutiny for its handling of the issues at the plant.FDA inspectors visited the factory in September for a routine inspection, around the time that the first bacterial infection was reported in an infant. Although inspectors uncovered several violations— including standing water and unsanitary conditions— the FDA did not shut down the plant or issue any formal warning.Only after several more illnesses were reported did the FDA return to the plant in January, this time finding a history of bacterial contamination in several parts of the plant. Abbott then shut down the facility and recalled several powdered formulas in mid-February.Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro reported last month that a whistleblower had contacted the FDA in October about unsafe conditions and practices at the plant, including falsifying plant records and failing to properly test formula for contamination.She and other lawmakers are set to question FDA Commissioner Califf about that issue and others at a hearing scheduled for Thursday.

Biden offers logistics support to ease baby formula shortage

The U.S. death toll from COVID-19 hit 1 million on Monday, a once-unimaginable figure that only hints at the multitudes of loved ones and friends staggered by grief and frustration.

The confirmed number of dead is equivalent to a 9/11 attack every day for 336 days. It is roughly equal to how many Americans died in the Civil War and World War II combined. It’s as if Boston and Pittsburgh were wiped out.

“It is hard to imagine a million people plucked from this earth,” said Jennifer Nuzzo, who leads a new pandemic center at the Brown University School of Public Health in Providence, Rhode Island. “It’s still happening and we are letting it happen.”

Some of those left behind say they cannot return to normal. They replay their loved ones’ voicemail messages. Or watch old videos to see them dance. When other people say they are done with the virus, they bristle with anger or ache in silence.

“‘Normal.’ I hate that word,” said Julie Wallace, 55, of Elyria, Ohio, who lost her husband to COVID-19 in 2020. “All of us never get to go back to normal.”

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/covid-science-health-native-americans-hispanics-d2234e9d7df7ca8026faf9f88c7baeac">Three out of every four deaths</a>&nbsp;were people 65 and older. More men died than women. White people made up most of the deaths overall. But Black, Hispanic and Native American people have been roughly twice as likely to die from COVID-19 as their white counterparts.

Most deaths happened in urban areas, but rural places — where opposition to masks and vaccinations tends to run high — paid a heavy price at times.

The death toll less than 2 1/2 years into the outbreak is based on death certificate data compiled by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics. But the real number of lives lost to COVID-19, either directly or indirectly, as a result the disruption of the health care system in the world’s richest country, is believed to be far higher.

The milestone comes more than three months after the U.S. reached 900,000 dead. The pace has slowed since a harrowing winter surge fueled by the omicron variant. The U.S. is averaging about 300 COVID-19 deaths per day, compared with a peak of about 3,400 a day in January 2021.

The largest bell at Washington National Cathedral in the nation’s capital tolled 1,000 times a week ago, once for every 1,000 deaths. President Joe Biden on Thursday ordered flags lowered to half-staff and called each life “an irreplaceable loss.”

“As a nation, we must not grow numb to such sorrow,” he said in a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2022/05/12/statement-from-president-joe-biden-marking-one-million-american-lives-lost-to-covid-19/" target="_blank">statement</a>. “To heal, we must remember.”

More than half the deaths occurred since vaccines became available in December of 2020. Two-thirds of Americans are fully vaccinated, and nearly half of them have had at least one booster dose. But demand for the vaccine has plummeted, and the campaign to put shots in arms has been plagued by misinformation, distrust and political polarization.

Unvaccinated people have a 10 times greater risk of dying of COVID-19 than the fully vaccinated, according to the CDC.

“To me, that is what is just so particularly heartbreaking,” Nuzzo said. Vaccines are safe and greatly reduce the likelihood of severe illness, she said. They “largely take the possibility of death off the table.”

Angelina Proia, 36, of New York, lost her father to COVID-19 in April 2020. She runs a support group for grieving families on Facebook and has seen it divided over vaccinations. She has booted people from the group for spreading misinformation.

“I don’t want to hear conspiracy theories. I don’t want to hear anti-science,” said Proia, who wishes her father could have been vaccinated.

Sara Atkins, 42, of Wynnewood, Pennsylvania, channels her grief into fighting for global vaccination and better access to health care to honor her father, Andy Rotman-Zaid, who died of COVID-19 in December 2020.

“My father gave me marching orders to end it and make sure it doesn’t happen again,” Atkins said of the pandemic. “He told me, ‘Politicize the hell out of my death if I die of this.’”

Julie Wallace and her husband, Lewis Dunlap, had cellphone numbers one digit apart. She continues paying to keep his number. She calls it just to hear his voice.

“It’s just so important to hear that sometimes,” she said. “It gives you a little bit of reassurance while also tearing your heart out.”

Some have offered solace in poetry. In Philadelphia, poet and social worker Trapeta Mayson, created a&nbsp;<a href="https://philadelphiacontemporary.org/projects/healing-verse-poetry-line" target="_blank">24-hour poetry hotline called Healing Verse</a>. Traffic to the Academy of American Poets’&nbsp;<a href="https://poets.org/" target="_blank">poets.org website</a>&nbsp;rose during the pandemic.

Brian Sonia-Wallace, poet laureate of West Hollywood, California, has traveled the country&nbsp;<a href="https://rentpoet.com/" target="_blank">writing poems for hire</a>. He imagines a memorial of a million poems, written by people who don’t normally write poetry. They would talk to those who are grieving and listen for points of connection.

“What we need as a nation is empathy,” said Tanya Alves, 35, of Weston, Florida, who lost her 24-year-old sister to COVID-19 in October. “Over two years into the pandemic, with all the cases and lives lost, we should be more compassionate and respectful when talking about COVID. Thousands of families changed forever. This virus is not just a cold.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1652709604973.png" alt="COVID deaths by county. Not all states report the same information on COVID -Map courtesy John Hopkins Covid Research Center&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>COVID deaths by county. Not all states report the same information on COVID -Map courtesy John Hopkins Covid Research Center&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>By CARLA K. JOHNSON, Associated PressThe U.S. death toll from COVID-19 hit 1 million on Monday, a once-unimaginable figure that only hints at the multitudes of loved ones and friends staggered by grief and frustration.The confirmed number of dead is equivalent to a 9/11 attack every day for 336 days. It is roughly equal to how many Americans died in the Civil War and World War II combined. It’s as if Boston and Pittsburgh were wiped out.“It is hard to imagine a million people plucked from this earth,” said Jennifer Nuzzo, who leads a new pandemic center at the Brown University School of Public Health in Providence, Rhode Island. “It’s still happening and we are letting it happen.”Some of those left behind say they cannot return to normal. They replay their loved ones’ voicemail messages. Or watch old videos to see them dance. When other people say they are done with the virus, they bristle with anger or ache in silence.“‘Normal.’ I hate that word,” said Julie Wallace, 55, of Elyria, Ohio, who lost her husband to COVID-19 in 2020. “All of us never get to go back to normal.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1652709580859.png" alt="Map courtesy John Hopkins " />
 <figcaption>Map courtesy John Hopkins </figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://apnews.com/article/covid-science-health-native-americans-hispanics-d2234e9d7df7ca8026faf9f88c7baeac">Three out of every four deaths</a>&nbsp;were people 65 and older. More men died than women. White people made up most of the deaths overall. But Black, Hispanic and Native American people have been roughly twice as likely to die from COVID-19 as their white counterparts.Most deaths happened in urban areas, but rural places — where opposition to masks and vaccinations tends to run high — paid a heavy price at times.The death toll less than 2 1/2 years into the outbreak is based on death certificate data compiled by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics. But the real number of lives lost to COVID-19, either directly or indirectly, as a result the disruption of the health care system in the world’s richest country, is believed to be far higher.The milestone comes more than three months after the U.S. reached 900,000 dead. The pace has slowed since a harrowing winter surge fueled by the omicron variant. The U.S. is averaging about 300 COVID-19 deaths per day, compared with a peak of about 3,400 a day in January 2021.The largest bell at Washington National Cathedral in the nation’s capital tolled 1,000 times a week ago, once for every 1,000 deaths. President Joe Biden on Thursday ordered flags lowered to half-staff and called each life “an irreplaceable loss.”“As a nation, we must not grow numb to such sorrow,” he said in a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2022/05/12/statement-from-president-joe-biden-marking-one-million-american-lives-lost-to-covid-19/" target="_blank">statement</a>. “To heal, we must remember.”More than half the deaths occurred since vaccines became available in December of 2020. Two-thirds of Americans are fully vaccinated, and nearly half of them have had at least one booster dose. But demand for the vaccine has plummeted, and the campaign to put shots in arms has been plagued by misinformation, distrust and political polarization.Unvaccinated people have a 10 times greater risk of dying of COVID-19 than the fully vaccinated, according to the CDC.“To me, that is what is just so particularly heartbreaking,” Nuzzo said. Vaccines are safe and greatly reduce the likelihood of severe illness, she said. They “largely take the possibility of death off the table.”Angelina Proia, 36, of New York, lost her father to COVID-19 in April 2020. She runs a support group for grieving families on Facebook and has seen it divided over vaccinations. She has booted people from the group for spreading misinformation.“I don’t want to hear conspiracy theories. I don’t want to hear anti-science,” said Proia, who wishes her father could have been vaccinated.Sara Atkins, 42, of Wynnewood, Pennsylvania, channels her grief into fighting for global vaccination and better access to health care to honor her father, Andy Rotman-Zaid, who died of COVID-19 in December 2020.“My father gave me marching orders to end it and make sure it doesn’t happen again,” Atkins said of the pandemic. “He told me, ‘Politicize the hell out of my death if I die of this.’”Julie Wallace and her husband, Lewis Dunlap, had cellphone numbers one digit apart. She continues paying to keep his number. She calls it just to hear his voice.“It’s just so important to hear that sometimes,” she said. “It gives you a little bit of reassurance while also tearing your heart out.”Some have offered solace in poetry. In Philadelphia, poet and social worker Trapeta Mayson, created a&nbsp;<a href="https://philadelphiacontemporary.org/projects/healing-verse-poetry-line" target="_blank">24-hour poetry hotline called Healing Verse</a>. Traffic to the Academy of American Poets’&nbsp;<a href="https://poets.org/" target="_blank">poets.org website</a>&nbsp;rose during the pandemic.Brian Sonia-Wallace, poet laureate of West Hollywood, California, has traveled the country&nbsp;<a href="https://rentpoet.com/" target="_blank">writing poems for hire</a>. He imagines a memorial of a million poems, written by people who don’t normally write poetry. They would talk to those who are grieving and listen for points of connection.“What we need as a nation is empathy,” said Tanya Alves, 35, of Weston, Florida, who lost her 24-year-old sister to COVID-19 in October. “Over two years into the pandemic, with all the cases and lives lost, we should be more compassionate and respectful when talking about COVID. Thousands of families changed forever. This virus is not just a cold.”___

CDC: US deaths from COVID hit 1 million

Walter "Walt" Keever, 87, passed away Saturday, May 14, 2022, at Smith Center Health and Rehab, Smith Center, KS. 
 Walt was born on April 4, 1935, on the family farm in rural Smith 
County, KS, the son of Alfred and Avis (Gilbert) Keever.&nbsp; On October 25,
 1953, he marred Vera Mae Stones in Lebanon, KS.&nbsp; To this union they 
were blessed with three sons, Alan, John and Bryce. Walt was a
 member of the First Christian Church and Lions Club, both of Smith 
Center and was a past board member of High Plains Mental Health. 
 He &nbsp;was preceded in death by his parents, two sons, Alan Wayne and 
Bryce Walter Keever, three brothers, Marion, Ora and Alvin Keever, four 
sisters, Arvilla Goebel, Oleta Pixler, Leota Arment and Rosalee 
Gutscher, a grandson Jeremiah Keever and a great-granddaughter Brayline 
Keever. Walt is survived by his wife Vera Keever of Smith 
Center; a son, John (Barbara) Keever of Smith Center; a brother &nbsp;Richard
 (Wanda) &nbsp;Keever of Russell; a sister Iris Rhoades of Plainville;&nbsp; six 
grandchildren, Joshua Keever, Elijah Keever, Hannah Wyman, Martha 
Roenne, Sarah Wyman and Mariah Keever and numerous great-grandchildren 
and step great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held 
at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, May 19, 2022, at All Faiths Funeral Chapel, 113
 S. Madison St., Smith Center, KS, with Elijah Keever officiating.&nbsp; 
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, May 18, 2022, from 2:00 p.m. - 
7:00 p.m. with family present to greet family and friends from 5:00 p.m.
 - 7:00 p.m. at the funeral chapel.&nbsp; Burial will take place in Mount 
Hope Cemetery, Lebanon, KS.&nbsp; Memorials may be given to the Smith Center 
Lions Club and/or First Christian Church of Smith Center and can sent in
 care of the funeral chapel.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1652632042631.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Walter "Walt" Keever, 87, passed away Saturday, May 14, 2022, at Smith Center Health and Rehab, Smith Center, KS. 
 Walt was born on April 4, 1935, on the family farm in rural Smith 
County, KS, the son of Alfred and Avis (Gilbert) Keever.&nbsp; On October 25,
 1953, he marred Vera Mae Stones in Lebanon, KS.&nbsp; To this union they 
were blessed with three sons, Alan, John and Bryce. Walt was a
 member of the First Christian Church and Lions Club, both of Smith 
Center and was a past board member of High Plains Mental Health. 
 He &nbsp;was preceded in death by his parents, two sons, Alan Wayne and 
Bryce Walter Keever, three brothers, Marion, Ora and Alvin Keever, four 
sisters, Arvilla Goebel, Oleta Pixler, Leota Arment and Rosalee 
Gutscher, a grandson Jeremiah Keever and a great-granddaughter Brayline 
Keever. Walt is survived by his wife Vera Keever of Smith 
Center; a son, John (Barbara) Keever of Smith Center; a brother &nbsp;Richard
 (Wanda) &nbsp;Keever of Russell; a sister Iris Rhoades of Plainville;&nbsp; six 
grandchildren, Joshua Keever, Elijah Keever, Hannah Wyman, Martha 
Roenne, Sarah Wyman and Mariah Keever and numerous great-grandchildren 
and step great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held 
at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, May 19, 2022, at All Faiths Funeral Chapel, 113
 S. Madison St., Smith Center, KS, with Elijah Keever officiating.&nbsp; 
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, May 18, 2022, from 2:00 p.m. - 
7:00 p.m. with family present to greet family and friends from 5:00 p.m.
 - 7:00 p.m. at the funeral chapel.&nbsp; Burial will take place in Mount 
Hope Cemetery, Lebanon, KS.&nbsp; Memorials may be given to the Smith Center 
Lions Club and/or First Christian Church of Smith Center and can sent in
 care of the funeral chapel.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Walter 'Walt' Keever

Esther L. Thul, 93, passed away May 12, 2022, at Ellinwood District 
Hospital. She was born on October 26, 1928, at Hominy, Okla., to Ira 
John &amp; Alta Mae (Parnell) Fosdick. She married Arthur N. Thul on 
July 29, 1944, at Dodge City.&nbsp; He died May 13, 1986.

A longtime Great Bend resident, Esther was a receptionist for Centel 
until she retired. She was a member of Prince of Peace Parish at St. 
Patrick Catholic Church, Altar Society, Daughters of Isabella, Bridge 
Club and the Ellinwood Bowling Team.

Survivors include, a sister in law, Geraldine “Gerry” Fosdick of 
Great Bend and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her
 parents; her husband, Arthur N. Thul; two sons, Arthur “Johnny” Thul 
and Franklin Thul; an infant daughter, Linda Thul; three brothers and 
their spouses, John Fosdick (June), J.R. Fosdick and Donald Fosdick; 
three sisters and their spouses, Alta Snow (Debbs), Mary Walter (Bud), 
Lorene Johnson (Jabe) and an infant sister, Pauline Fosdick.

Visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, May 
18, 2022 at Bryant Funeral Home, with Altar Society rosary at 4:00 p.m. 
and Vigil service with Daughters of Isabella rosary at 7:00 p.m. Mass of
 Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, May 19, 2022, at
 St. Patrick Catholic Church. Interment will be in Lakin-Comanche 
District Cemetery in Ellinwood. Memorials have been designated to Prince
 of Peace Parish, in care of Bryant Funeral Home.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1652631640277.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Esther L. Thul, 93, passed away May 12, 2022, at Ellinwood District 
Hospital. She was born on October 26, 1928, at Hominy, Okla., to Ira 
John &amp; Alta Mae (Parnell) Fosdick. She married Arthur N. Thul on 
July 29, 1944, at Dodge City.&nbsp; He died May 13, 1986.A longtime Great Bend resident, Esther was a receptionist for Centel 
until she retired. She was a member of Prince of Peace Parish at St. 
Patrick Catholic Church, Altar Society, Daughters of Isabella, Bridge 
Club and the Ellinwood Bowling Team.Survivors include, a sister in law, Geraldine “Gerry” Fosdick of 
Great Bend and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her
 parents; her husband, Arthur N. Thul; two sons, Arthur “Johnny” Thul 
and Franklin Thul; an infant daughter, Linda Thul; three brothers and 
their spouses, John Fosdick (June), J.R. Fosdick and Donald Fosdick; 
three sisters and their spouses, Alta Snow (Debbs), Mary Walter (Bud), 
Lorene Johnson (Jabe) and an infant sister, Pauline Fosdick.Visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, May 
18, 2022 at Bryant Funeral Home, with Altar Society rosary at 4:00 p.m. 
and Vigil service with Daughters of Isabella rosary at 7:00 p.m. Mass of
 Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, May 19, 2022, at
 St. Patrick Catholic Church. Interment will be in Lakin-Comanche 
District Cemetery in Ellinwood. Memorials have been designated to Prince
 of Peace Parish, in care of Bryant Funeral Home.

Esther L. Thul

WASHINGTON&nbsp;— Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland joined President Biden as he signed the Brown v. Board of Education National Historical Park Expansion and Redesignation Act into law today, providing for inclusion of additional related sites in the National Park System to reflect a more complete story of the landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision outlawing segregation in public schools in 1954, according to a statement from the U.S. Department of Interior.

This law, championed by a bipartisan coalition in Congress, redesignates the existing historic site in Topeka, Kansas to Brown v. Board of Education National Historical Park. 

The law also adds two school sites in South Carolina to the historical park upon acquisition by the National Park Service (NPS), and designates schools in Delaware, Virginia and the District of Columbia as affiliated areas of the NPS. Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site in Topeka, Kansas, was originally established as part of the National Park System on October 26, 1992.

“The expansion of Brown v. Board of Education National Historical Park to recognize sites in South Carolina, Delaware, Virginia and Washington, D.C. helps us to more fully tell the story of the struggle to end school segregation,” said&nbsp;Secretary Deb Haaland. “The Supreme Court’s finding that racially segregated schools were unconstitutional was unquestionably a pivotal event in our nation’s civil rights struggle and we are honored to serve as stewards to part of that history.” 

“It is our solemn responsibility as caretakers of America’s national treasures to tell the whole, and sometimes difficult, story of our nation’s heritage for the benefit of present and future generations,” said&nbsp;National Park Service Director Chuck Sams. “Including these important sites will broaden public understanding of the events that led to the 1954 landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision in Brown et. al v. Board of Education.”

From single-room shacks labeled “schools,” to student-led strikes with more than 400 participants, the Brown v. Board decision didn't stem from a single case; rather it was a ruling for a bundling of cases that all challenged racial segregation in public schools. With more than 200 total plaintiffs, the cases were filed in Delaware, the District of Columbia, Virginia, South Carolina, and Kansas.&nbsp;

The authorized additions to the park are: 

The newly authorized affiliated areas are:

The NPS will begin efforts to acquire the sites from willing sellers in South Carolina—Summerton High School and Scott’s Branch High School in Clarendon County. While the three affiliated areas will not be managed by the NPS, they will be eligible for NPS technical and financial assistance and be required to be managed in accordance with laws generally applicable to sites in the National Park System. The three new Brown v. Board affiliated areas bring the total number of areas affiliated with the NPS to 30.

To learn more about Brown v. Board National Historical Park, visit the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nps.gov/brvb/index.htm" target="_blank">Park Service's website</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1652448051068.png" alt="This law, championed by a bipartisan coalition in Congress, redesignates the existing historic site in Topeka, Kansas to Brown v. Board of Education National Historical Park-White House photo" />
 <figcaption>This law, championed by a bipartisan coalition in Congress, redesignates the existing historic site in Topeka, Kansas to Brown v. Board of Education National Historical Park-White House photo</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON&nbsp;— Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland joined President Biden as he signed the Brown v. Board of Education National Historical Park Expansion and Redesignation Act into law today, providing for inclusion of additional related sites in the National Park System to reflect a more complete story of the landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision outlawing segregation in public schools in 1954, according to a statement from the U.S. Department of Interior.This law, championed by a bipartisan coalition in Congress, redesignates the existing historic site in Topeka, Kansas to Brown v. Board of Education National Historical Park. The law also adds two school sites in South Carolina to the historical park upon acquisition by the National Park Service (NPS), and designates schools in Delaware, Virginia and the District of Columbia as affiliated areas of the NPS. Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site in Topeka, Kansas, was originally established as part of the National Park System on October 26, 1992.“The expansion of Brown v. Board of Education National Historical Park to recognize sites in South Carolina, Delaware, Virginia and Washington, D.C. helps us to more fully tell the story of the struggle to end school segregation,” said&nbsp;Secretary Deb Haaland. “The Supreme Court’s finding that racially segregated schools were unconstitutional was unquestionably a pivotal event in our nation’s civil rights struggle and we are honored to serve as stewards to part of that history.” “It is our solemn responsibility as caretakers of America’s national treasures to tell the whole, and sometimes difficult, story of our nation’s heritage for the benefit of present and future generations,” said&nbsp;National Park Service Director Chuck Sams. “Including these important sites will broaden public understanding of the events that led to the 1954 landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision in Brown et. al v. Board of Education.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1652448082184.png" alt="President Biden, Vice President Harris celebrate with members after he signed the Brown v. Board of Education National Historical Park Expansion and Redesignation Act into law." />
 <figcaption>President Biden, Vice President Harris celebrate with members after he signed the Brown v. Board of Education National Historical Park Expansion and Redesignation Act into law.</figcaption>
 </figure>From single-room shacks labeled “schools,” to student-led strikes with more than 400 participants, the Brown v. Board decision didn't stem from a single case; rather it was a ruling for a bundling of cases that all challenged racial segregation in public schools. With more than 200 total plaintiffs, the cases were filed in Delaware, the District of Columbia, Virginia, South Carolina, and Kansas.&nbsp;The authorized additions to the park are: <ul>
 <li>Summerton High School (Summerton, SC). Built in 1936 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Summerton High School was an all-white school that refused to admit black students prompting the&nbsp;Briggs v. Elliott&nbsp;case. </li><li>Scott’s Branch High School (Summerton, SC). The former “equalization school" was constructed for African American students in 1951 under the guise of providing facilities comparable to those for white students. Today, the former school is now the Community Resource Center owned by Clarendon School District 1.</li>
 </ul>The newly authorized affiliated areas are:<ul>
 <li>Robert Russa Moton School (Farmville, VA). The all-black school was the location of a student-led strike in 1951 that lead to Davis v. County School Board of Prince Edward County. The former school is a National Historic Landmark, and today serves as the Robert Russa Moton Museum, which is administered by the Moton Museum, Inc., and affiliated with Longwood University.</li><li>Howard High School (Wilmington, DE), Claymont High School (Claymont, DE), and Hockessin Colored School #107 (Hockessin, DE)Howard High School, already a National Historic Landmark, was the first high school for African Americans in the state of Delaware and the school to which the plaintiffs in&nbsp;Belton v. Gebhart&nbsp;were forced to travel. Today, the school is known as Howard High School of Technology and is administered by the New Castle County Vocational-Technical School District.Claymont High School denied admission to the plaintiffs in the&nbsp;Belton v. Gebhart&nbsp;case. Today, the former school is a community center.Hockessin Colored School #107 was an all-Black school one of the plaintiffs in&nbsp;Belton v. Gebhart&nbsp;was required to attend without public transportation. It is now used as a community facility.</li><li>Howard High School, already a National Historic Landmark, was the first high school for African Americans in the state of Delaware and the school to which the plaintiffs in&nbsp;Belton v. Gebhart&nbsp;were forced to travel. Today, the school is known as Howard High School of Technology and is administered by the New Castle County Vocational-Technical School District.</li><li>Claymont High School denied admission to the plaintiffs in the&nbsp;Belton v. Gebhart&nbsp;case. Today, the former school is a community center.</li><li>Hockessin Colored School #107 was an all-Black school one of the plaintiffs in&nbsp;Belton v. Gebhart&nbsp;was required to attend without public transportation. It is now used as a community facility.</li><li>John Philip Sousa Junior High School (Washington, D.C.). Built in 1950 in the Fort Dupont neighborhood, this was an all-white school where 12 African American students were denied admission, spurring the&nbsp;Bolling v. Sharpe&nbsp;case. Today, the school serves as a DC public middle school and was previously designated as a National Historic Landmark.</li>
 </ul>The NPS will begin efforts to acquire the sites from willing sellers in South Carolina—Summerton High School and Scott’s Branch High School in Clarendon County. While the three affiliated areas will not be managed by the NPS, they will be eligible for NPS technical and financial assistance and be required to be managed in accordance with laws generally applicable to sites in the National Park System. The three new Brown v. Board affiliated areas bring the total number of areas affiliated with the NPS to 30.To learn more about Brown v. Board National Historical Park, visit the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nps.gov/brvb/index.htm" target="_blank">Park Service's website</a>.

Biden signs bill to expand Topeka’s Brown vs Board historic site

TOPEKA – Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt asked the U.S. Supreme Court to once again review the legality of the Biden administration’s vaccine mandate for healthcare workers, which is causing disruption in the healthcare workforce, particularly in small, rural communities, according to a statement from Schmidt's office.

<a href="https://ag.ks.gov/docs/default-source/documents/cmsmandatewritofcertiorari.pdf?sfvrsn=bff7a01a_2">Click here to read a copy</a> of the petition for writ of certiorari in the CMS challenge&nbsp;

Schmidt, together with officials from nine other states, filed a request for the U.S. Supreme Court to review the constitutionality of the federal vaccine mandate for healthcare workers, as well as questions of whether the Centers for Medicare &amp; Medicaid Services (CMS) properly followed the rulemaking process in issuing the mandate.

In January, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to temporarily block the healthcare mandate from being implemented, but did not reach all of the statutory or constitutional questions presented in the states’ petition.

Earlier this year, Schmidt sent a letter to Gov. Laura Kelly urging her to seek a waiver from CMS to exempt rural healthcare workers from the federal mandate, as has been sought by governors in other states. CMS responded by reducing the state’s survey and certification funding allocation by $348,723 for Kansas’ failure to enforce the mandate and indicated it would use those funds to pay for direct enforcement by the federal government.

Schmidt has aggressively fought back against federal vaccine mandates since Sept. 9, 2021, when President Biden announced his “patience is wearing thin” and began ordering federal vaccine mandates. To date, Schmidt has brought legal challenges to four of the Biden mandates, and three of those four were blocked from implementation in Kansas by federal court orders Schmidt has obtained. The OSHA mandate for private employers was blocked by the U.S. Supreme Court, and later withdrawn by the federal government. The federal contractor mandate that affects defense contractors and research universities is blocked by a federal appeals court, and the Head Start mandate that requires all staff and contractors in Head Start facilities to be vaccinated and requires toddlers age two and older to wear masks is blocked by a federal district court.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1637784447337.png" alt="In October, Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt spoke to the government overreach committee, where he outlined plans to challenge a vaccine mandate for federal contractors. image Kansas Legislature YouTube." />
 <figcaption>In October, Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt spoke to the government overreach committee, where he outlined plans to challenge a vaccine mandate for federal contractors. image Kansas Legislature YouTube.</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA – Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt asked the U.S. Supreme Court to once again review the legality of the Biden administration’s vaccine mandate for healthcare workers, which is causing disruption in the healthcare workforce, particularly in small, rural communities, according to a statement from Schmidt's office.<a href="https://ag.ks.gov/docs/default-source/documents/cmsmandatewritofcertiorari.pdf?sfvrsn=bff7a01a_2">Click here to read a copy</a> of the petition for writ of certiorari in the CMS challenge&nbsp;Schmidt, together with officials from nine other states, filed a request for the U.S. Supreme Court to review the constitutionality of the federal vaccine mandate for healthcare workers, as well as questions of whether the Centers for Medicare &amp; Medicaid Services (CMS) properly followed the rulemaking process in issuing the mandate.In January, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to temporarily block the healthcare mandate from being implemented, but did not reach all of the statutory or constitutional questions presented in the states’ petition.Earlier this year, Schmidt sent a letter to Gov. Laura Kelly urging her to seek a waiver from CMS to exempt rural healthcare workers from the federal mandate, as has been sought by governors in other states. CMS responded by reducing the state’s survey and certification funding allocation by $348,723 for Kansas’ failure to enforce the mandate and indicated it would use those funds to pay for direct enforcement by the federal government.Schmidt has aggressively fought back against federal vaccine mandates since Sept. 9, 2021, when President Biden announced his “patience is wearing thin” and began ordering federal vaccine mandates. To date, Schmidt has brought legal challenges to four of the Biden mandates, and three of those four were blocked from implementation in Kansas by federal court orders Schmidt has obtained. The OSHA mandate for private employers was blocked by the U.S. Supreme Court, and later withdrawn by the federal government. The federal contractor mandate that affects defense contractors and research universities is blocked by a federal appeals court, and the Head Start mandate that requires all staff and contractors in Head Start facilities to be vaccinated and requires toddlers age two and older to wear masks is blocked by a federal district court.

Kan. AG renews request for court to block health worker vaxx mandate

<a href="https://memorials.baalmannmortuary.com/Rietcheck-Darlene/4926952/">Darlene Rietcheck Obituary - Colby, KS | Baalmann Mortuary-Colby</a>

Long time Oakley resident Darlene A. Rietcheck, 66, died Wednesday, May 11, 2022, at Hays Medical Center, Hays, KS. At her request, no service will be held. The family will receive friends from 2-4:00 p.m. Sunday, May 15, 2022, at Gateway Fellowship, Oakley. Darlene was born on October 2, 1955, in Oakley, KS to Ambrose and Anna Selenke. Darlene was known for her competitive nature and could turn any mundane activity of daily living into a contest. Darlene worked in the medical field for nearly fifty years. She could often be seen wearing an EMT T-shirt.

Her children Rhonda and Kyle brought her much joy. Shopping for her six grandchildren was one of the joys of her life. She was happiest when they were in her home following her directions on how to decorate her house for various holidays. She had a “fairy village” for every season. Darlene loved her collections! She enjoyed being in charge, crafting, quilting, and gardening. She was preceded in death by her father Ambrose and her brother, Larry.

She is survived by her mother Anna; daughter Rhonda and spouse Jason; her son Kyle and spouse Heather’ and six grandchildren Jackson, Jaron, Josie, Jayla, Remi, and Isla. She is also survived by her brothers, David Selenke, his wife Gayle and Don Selenke, of Oakley, KS, a sister Anna Hillman, of Lincoln, NE, and a sister Diana England and her husband Bob, of Norman, OK and a host of nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers she would like donations to be made to either the Norman Yardley Cancer Foundation, c/o Farmers State Bank, 100 Center Ave., Oakley, KS or the Logan County EMS, 710 W 2nd St. Oakley, KS 67748.

For more information visit www.baalmannmortuary.com.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<h2>Darlene Ann Rietcheck , Oakley</h2><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1652447798364.png" alt="Darlene Ann Rietcheck" />
 <figcaption>Darlene Ann Rietcheck</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://memorials.baalmannmortuary.com/Rietcheck-Darlene/4926952/">Darlene Rietcheck Obituary - Colby, KS | Baalmann Mortuary-Colby</a>October 2nd, 1955 - May 11th, 2022Long time Oakley resident Darlene A. Rietcheck, 66, died Wednesday, May 11, 2022, at Hays Medical Center, Hays, KS. At her request, no service will be held. The family will receive friends from 2-4:00 p.m. Sunday, May 15, 2022, at Gateway Fellowship, Oakley. Darlene was born on October 2, 1955, in Oakley, KS to Ambrose and Anna Selenke. Darlene was known for her competitive nature and could turn any mundane activity of daily living into a contest. Darlene worked in the medical field for nearly fifty years. She could often be seen wearing an EMT T-shirt. Her children Rhonda and Kyle brought her much joy. Shopping for her six grandchildren was one of the joys of her life. She was happiest when they were in her home following her directions on how to decorate her house for various holidays. She had a “fairy village” for every season. Darlene loved her collections! She enjoyed being in charge, crafting, quilting, and gardening. She was preceded in death by her father Ambrose and her brother, Larry. She is survived by her mother Anna; daughter Rhonda and spouse Jason; her son Kyle and spouse Heather’ and six grandchildren Jackson, Jaron, Josie, Jayla, Remi, and Isla. She is also survived by her brothers, David Selenke, his wife Gayle and Don Selenke, of Oakley, KS, a sister Anna Hillman, of Lincoln, NE, and a sister Diana England and her husband Bob, of Norman, OK and a host of nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers she would like donations to be made to either the Norman Yardley Cancer Foundation, c/o Farmers State Bank, 100 Center Ave., Oakley, KS or the Logan County EMS, 710 W 2nd St. Oakley, KS 67748. For more information visit www.baalmannmortuary.com.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Darlene Ann Rietcheck 

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A film production company is contesting sanctions by New Mexico officials for alleged workplace safety violations on the set of “Rust,” where actor and producer Alec Baldwin fatally shot a cinematographer in October. 

In a filing made public Wednesday, Rust Movie Productions is challenging a $137,000 fine against the company by state occupational safety regulators who say production managers failed to follow standard industry protocols for firearms safety. 

Rust Movie Productions says misfires prior to the fatal shooting did not violate safety protocols and corrective action was taken. 

In October 2021, Baldwin was pointing a gun at cinematographer Halyna Hutchins during setup for filming when the firearm discharged.

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A film production company is contesting sanctions by New Mexico officials for alleged workplace safety violations on the set of “Rust,” where actor and producer Alec Baldwin fatally shot a cinematographer in October. In a filing made public Wednesday, Rust Movie Productions is challenging a $137,000 fine against the company by state occupational safety regulators who say production managers failed to follow standard industry protocols for firearms safety. Rust Movie Productions says misfires prior to the fatal shooting did not violate safety protocols and corrective action was taken. In October 2021, Baldwin was pointing a gun at cinematographer Halyna Hutchins during setup for filming when the firearm discharged.

Film producers defend safety in Alec Baldwin shooting

Freda Bell Sutton, age 95, of Sylvan Grove, Kansas, was born on June 21st, 1926, in Liberal, Kansas, to James M. Lewis and Jesse E. (Cone) Lewis.&nbsp; She was number 8 in line of 10 children and by the time she was born her parents were letting the older siblings name the younger ones, one of her older brothers happened to have a girlfriend named Freda. She was the first to be born in a hospital because she was born near wheat harvest and her farmer father didn’t have time to tend to her mother.

She grew up on a farm in the Oklahoma panhandle, in the Baker community on land that had been in the Lewis family.&nbsp; She lived in that home until she married then returned to it later to raise her family there for a time.&nbsp; When she was 4 years old, she wanted to go to town with her dad, but he said no.&nbsp; Determined to go anyway, she squatted on her knees on the running boards of his 1928 Nash and rode 20 miles to Liberal because she was wanting new shoes and some candy.&nbsp; She did get candy, a dad that collapsed and had to go to the hospital and a headline in the Wichita Beacon Newspaper.

On July 4, 1943, she told her parents she was going to a rodeo but instead eloped to Tucumcari, New Mexico, to marry the love of her life, Robert Lee Sutton.&nbsp; He passed away on October 1st, 2001, after 58 years of marriage. This union was blessed with 3 children: Geraldine (Delvin-deceased) Simmons; Margaret (Jerry) Barlow; Lonnie Sutton. One of her greatest joys was her family especially her 7 grandchildren: Tamie Simmons-deceased; Barry (Leslie) Barlow; Stacey (Debbie) Simmons; Jera Chovanec; Brady (Denise) Barlow; Shannon (Shawn) Henderson; Amanda (Corey) Uhl.&nbsp; Her pride and joy were her Great Grandchildren: Tyler (Caitlin) Simmons; Gabe Addington; Trever Simmons; Joey (Kaylie) Addington;&nbsp; Haupe (Derrick) Lanham; Caleb (Danica) Uhl; Ryanne Henderson; Preston (Corinne) Chovanec; Colten Uhl; Reese (Kayli) Chovanec; Bailey Barlow; Mackinzie Simmons; Cade Uhl; Bode Barlow; Elise Barlow; Rhett Barlow; Addison Barlow. She was also proud to have 11 GREAT-GREAT Grandchildren. She has one surviving sibling, Helen Parnell, her daily “words with friends” buddy on the internet.

Freda spent her life involved with her family’s activities; she had even attended ballgames of some of the great-great grandchildren.&nbsp; She was her family’s biggest supporter.&nbsp; She spent her life being a homemaker and there was never a white glove test that her house couldn’t pass.&nbsp; She was an amazing cook and is famous in the family for her hot rolls, chicken and homemade noodles, enchiladas and chocolate pies.&nbsp; Freda would be known to spend the morning cooking for the harvest hands and the afternoon hauling grain to the elevator, working just as long and as hard as the men. She was the master of crossword puzzles and could beat anyone at the Wheel of Fortune. Freda had a green thumb unlike any other.&nbsp; She could grow flowers anywhere, in fact, one year a volunteer petunia grew in the crack of her driveway to prove that fact.&nbsp; She was the Queen of cards, and she taught her grandchildren and most of her great-grandchildren to play spades. She never sat still for very long (unless she had her ipad in hand) even well into her 90s. She had a quick wit and was still cracking jokes on the day she passed.

Freda leaves behind a legacy of love.&nbsp; She was the cornerstone of her family and gave an abundance of unconditional love.&nbsp; She has shaped many lives/families by her example and will be forever missed.

Graveside services will be held in Oklahoma at a later date.&nbsp; Memorials are suggested to&nbsp;Ellsworth County Medical Center, in care of the Funeral Chapel.

Arrangements in care of Brock's-Keithley Funeral Chapel and Crematory 2509 Vine Hays, Kansas 67601.

Condolences may be left by guest book at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com/">www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com</a>&nbsp;or by email at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:keithleyfuneralhomes@gmail.com">keithleyfuneralhomes@gmail.com</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1652281788048.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Freda Bell Sutton, age 95, of Sylvan Grove, Kansas, was born on June 21st, 1926, in Liberal, Kansas, to James M. Lewis and Jesse E. (Cone) Lewis.&nbsp; She was number 8 in line of 10 children and by the time she was born her parents were letting the older siblings name the younger ones, one of her older brothers happened to have a girlfriend named Freda. She was the first to be born in a hospital because she was born near wheat harvest and her farmer father didn’t have time to tend to her mother.She grew up on a farm in the Oklahoma panhandle, in the Baker community on land that had been in the Lewis family.&nbsp; She lived in that home until she married then returned to it later to raise her family there for a time.&nbsp; When she was 4 years old, she wanted to go to town with her dad, but he said no.&nbsp; Determined to go anyway, she squatted on her knees on the running boards of his 1928 Nash and rode 20 miles to Liberal because she was wanting new shoes and some candy.&nbsp; She did get candy, a dad that collapsed and had to go to the hospital and a headline in the Wichita Beacon Newspaper.On July 4, 1943, she told her parents she was going to a rodeo but instead eloped to Tucumcari, New Mexico, to marry the love of her life, Robert Lee Sutton.&nbsp; He passed away on October 1st, 2001, after 58 years of marriage. This union was blessed with 3 children: Geraldine (Delvin-deceased) Simmons; Margaret (Jerry) Barlow; Lonnie Sutton. One of her greatest joys was her family especially her 7 grandchildren: Tamie Simmons-deceased; Barry (Leslie) Barlow; Stacey (Debbie) Simmons; Jera Chovanec; Brady (Denise) Barlow; Shannon (Shawn) Henderson; Amanda (Corey) Uhl.&nbsp; Her pride and joy were her Great Grandchildren: Tyler (Caitlin) Simmons; Gabe Addington; Trever Simmons; Joey (Kaylie) Addington;&nbsp; Haupe (Derrick) Lanham; Caleb (Danica) Uhl; Ryanne Henderson; Preston (Corinne) Chovanec; Colten Uhl; Reese (Kayli) Chovanec; Bailey Barlow; Mackinzie Simmons; Cade Uhl; Bode Barlow; Elise Barlow; Rhett Barlow; Addison Barlow. She was also proud to have 11 GREAT-GREAT Grandchildren. She has one surviving sibling, Helen Parnell, her daily “words with friends” buddy on the internet.Freda spent her life involved with her family’s activities; she had even attended ballgames of some of the great-great grandchildren.&nbsp; She was her family’s biggest supporter.&nbsp; She spent her life being a homemaker and there was never a white glove test that her house couldn’t pass.&nbsp; She was an amazing cook and is famous in the family for her hot rolls, chicken and homemade noodles, enchiladas and chocolate pies.&nbsp; Freda would be known to spend the morning cooking for the harvest hands and the afternoon hauling grain to the elevator, working just as long and as hard as the men. She was the master of crossword puzzles and could beat anyone at the Wheel of Fortune. Freda had a green thumb unlike any other.&nbsp; She could grow flowers anywhere, in fact, one year a volunteer petunia grew in the crack of her driveway to prove that fact.&nbsp; She was the Queen of cards, and she taught her grandchildren and most of her great-grandchildren to play spades. She never sat still for very long (unless she had her ipad in hand) even well into her 90s. She had a quick wit and was still cracking jokes on the day she passed.Freda leaves behind a legacy of love.&nbsp; She was the cornerstone of her family and gave an abundance of unconditional love.&nbsp; She has shaped many lives/families by her example and will be forever missed.Graveside services will be held in Oklahoma at a later date.&nbsp; Memorials are suggested to&nbsp;Ellsworth County Medical Center, in care of the Funeral Chapel.Arrangements in care of Brock's-Keithley Funeral Chapel and Crematory 2509 Vine Hays, Kansas 67601.Condolences may be left by guest book at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com/">www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com</a>&nbsp;or by email at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:keithleyfuneralhomes@gmail.com">keithleyfuneralhomes@gmail.com</a>

Freda Bell Sutton

Carol Jean Wood, 74, of Russell, Kansas, died on Saturday, April 23, 2022, at the Wheatland Nursing Center in Russell.

Carol was born on October 2, 1947, in Hays, Kansas, the daughter of John and Marge (Henn) Johnson. &nbsp;She grew up in Hays and graduated from Hays High School. &nbsp;After high school she attended Ft. Hays University where she met, fell in love and was united in marriage to Gale Ray Wood on June 3, 1967, in&nbsp;Ellis, Kansas. &nbsp;From this union Carol and Gale were blessed with two children a son Kelly and daughter Cindy. &nbsp;The family lived in several towns in Kansas and eventually moved closer to home and moved to Russell in 2000. &nbsp;She was a very artistic person and&nbsp;enjoyed working with various crafts, scrap booking photo albums and cake decorating. &nbsp;She also enjoyed sewing and making clothes for her children and her&nbsp;daughters&nbsp;dolls. &nbsp;Most of all she enjoyed spending time with her family and especially enjoyed time with her children and grandchildren.

Surviving family include her daughter Cindy Jury and husband Rod of Russell, Kansas; brothers Tom Johnson and wife Joyce of Hays, Kansas; sisters Leigh&nbsp;Mabb&nbsp;and husband Gary of Ellis County, Kansas, Becki Johnson&nbsp;of&nbsp;St. Paul, Nebraska&nbsp;and Chris Dietz and husband Perry of Ellis County, Kansas; granddaughter Sadie Wood and husband Bobby Elliott of Russell, Kansas and great grandchildren Ronan Elliott and Hayden Ruiz. &nbsp;

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Gale on November 04, 2020&nbsp;and son Kelly Ray Wood.

Cremation has been selected by the family.&nbsp;A&nbsp;memorial service&nbsp;to celebrate Carol’s life will be held at 10 A.M. on Friday,&nbsp;May 13, 2022, at the Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary in Russell, Kansas. &nbsp;Family will greet guests the day of the service. &nbsp;Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary in Russell, Kansas, is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1652211111065.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Carol Jean Wood, 74, of Russell, Kansas, died on Saturday, April 23, 2022, at the Wheatland Nursing Center in Russell.Carol was born on October 2, 1947, in Hays, Kansas, the daughter of John and Marge (Henn) Johnson. &nbsp;She grew up in Hays and graduated from Hays High School. &nbsp;After high school she attended Ft. Hays University where she met, fell in love and was united in marriage to Gale Ray Wood on June 3, 1967, in&nbsp;Ellis, Kansas. &nbsp;From this union Carol and Gale were blessed with two children a son Kelly and daughter Cindy. &nbsp;The family lived in several towns in Kansas and eventually moved closer to home and moved to Russell in 2000. &nbsp;She was a very artistic person and&nbsp;enjoyed working with various crafts, scrap booking photo albums and cake decorating. &nbsp;She also enjoyed sewing and making clothes for her children and her&nbsp;daughters&nbsp;dolls. &nbsp;Most of all she enjoyed spending time with her family and especially enjoyed time with her children and grandchildren.Surviving family include her daughter Cindy Jury and husband Rod of Russell, Kansas; brothers Tom Johnson and wife Joyce of Hays, Kansas; sisters Leigh&nbsp;Mabb&nbsp;and husband Gary of Ellis County, Kansas, Becki Johnson&nbsp;of&nbsp;St. Paul, Nebraska&nbsp;and Chris Dietz and husband Perry of Ellis County, Kansas; granddaughter Sadie Wood and husband Bobby Elliott of Russell, Kansas and great grandchildren Ronan Elliott and Hayden Ruiz. &nbsp;She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Gale on November 04, 2020&nbsp;and son Kelly Ray Wood.Cremation has been selected by the family.&nbsp;A&nbsp;memorial service&nbsp;to celebrate Carol’s life will be held at 10 A.M. on Friday,&nbsp;May 13, 2022, at the Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary in Russell, Kansas. &nbsp;Family will greet guests the day of the service. &nbsp;Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary in Russell, Kansas, is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.

Carol Jean Wood

Rowena Arlene Sheraden, 90, passed away May 6, 2022, at County Living Memory Care in Larned.

She was born September 17, 1931, in Larned, the daughter of Charles and Lillian Clark Dipman.

Returning to the area from Wichita in 2015, she was of the Christian 
Faith. She worked as a secretary for Midland Supply and was also a 
school teacher.

On September 30, 1961, Robert Sheraden in Larned; he preceded her in death on October 8, 2015.

Survivors include two brothers, Damon Dipman, Holly, Colorado, and Allen (Mary) Dipman, Larned.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and a brother, Donald Dipman.

Graveside Service will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday, May 14, 2022, at Larned
 Cemetery with Pastor Daryl Riffel presiding. Visitation will be 9:00 
a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Friday, May 13, at Beckwith Mortuary, Larned. Burial 
will be in the Larned Cemetery.

Memorials may be given to New Beginnings Church of the Nazarene in care of Beckwith Mortuary, PO Box 477, Larned, Kansas 67550.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1652207051245.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Rowena Arlene Sheraden, 90, passed away May 6, 2022, at County Living Memory Care in Larned.She was born September 17, 1931, in Larned, the daughter of Charles and Lillian Clark Dipman.Returning to the area from Wichita in 2015, she was of the Christian 
Faith. She worked as a secretary for Midland Supply and was also a 
school teacher.On September 30, 1961, Robert Sheraden in Larned; he preceded her in death on October 8, 2015.Survivors include two brothers, Damon Dipman, Holly, Colorado, and Allen (Mary) Dipman, Larned.She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and a brother, Donald Dipman.Graveside Service will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday, May 14, 2022, at Larned
 Cemetery with Pastor Daryl Riffel presiding. Visitation will be 9:00 
a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Friday, May 13, at Beckwith Mortuary, Larned. Burial 
will be in the Larned Cemetery.Memorials may be given to New Beginnings Church of the Nazarene in care of Beckwith Mortuary, PO Box 477, Larned, Kansas 67550.

Rowena Arlene Sheraden

As Fort Hays State University wraps the 2021-22 academic year with
commencement this weekend, it’s not just graduating seniors taking a moment to
look back and reflect on their accomplishments.

As the end of the academic year quickly approaches the university itself
is taking stock of the number of noteworthy accomplishments made by FHSU students
and staff over the year.

Chief Communications Officer Scott Cason recently shred some of those triumphs
as the university begins winding down operations for the summer break.

“One of
the things that I think is distinctive and unique with our year, is the way our
students have competed,” Cason said. “And we have a lot of experiential – we
call them experiential learning opportunities — for students, internships,
service learning, things like that.

“But
nothing quite like the crucible of competition to bring out and really hone
your skills,” he continued. “Skills that I think prepare our students for
successful lives after college.”

One
example of the athletic achievements of the year was Bennington native Ryan
Stanley.

Stanley,
he said, is “one of the all-time greatest NCAA Division II pole vaulters ever,”
Cason said.

A four-time
All American, he won the national title and pole vault for the second straight
year, he said.

“The
height he hit to win the national championship — 17 feet, nine and a quarter
inch on his first attempt,” Cason said, “stands as the fifth best all
time in Division II and the third best in the Division II championship history.”

Cason also
noted, Stanley served as vice president of the FHSU Student Government.

“So,
there's a there's a young man who's gaining tremendous experience before he
goes out in the world,” Cason said.

While athletic
achievements are an often thought of examples of competition, he said FHSU is competitive
in academic areas as well.

On the non-athletic
completion side, he said students in the W.R. and Yvonne Robbins College of
Business and Entrepreneurship were able to continue their legacy of achievement
during a national financial planning challenge, bringing home a third place.

“You
talk about something that really prepares you for life in business, presenting
plans to boards and leadership groups, our students have great experience with
that with this financial planning challenge,” Cason said.

And technical
studies at the university also continue to shine.

“In the
last month (during the) annual International Technology and Engineering
Association conference in Orlando, our students won three of the five
individual events to claim the championship, and all-round honors with Purdue
University. … So truly a nationally dominant program in that regard.”

While
schools like Purdue may have more resources than a school the size of FHSU, he
said the caliber of students attending FHSU more than makes up for any size
advantage.

“It's that
that ethic of that perseverance, that innovation, that really is the hallmark
of our university and the kinds of students that we attract,” Cason said.

And
while academic and athletics programs at the university are notable for those accomplishments,
he said some campus club sports also highlighted the FHSU competitive spirit.

"We've
got the premier shooting sports team in the nation. Flat out hands down. We
just got our eighth national championship in October, in the Scholastic clay
targeting program in Columbus, Ohio. This is I think it's a pretty amazing
statistic, how good our students are. They hit 2,953 targets out of 3,000
targets that were served. That's a 98% hit percentage.”

Having competitors at that level
of ability, is a draw for future students.

“It really
is a reflection of our culture and where we live,” Cason said. “I think we have
students that come from California and north northwest, and obviously,
Nebraska, places like that, but they know about us, they know about our team,
and they want to come here and compete,” Cason said. “And they're also some of
the best students we have, as well. Their academic performance is top-notch.”

FHSU
graduations will once again be broken down into colleges with a mix of virtual
and in-person events beginning at 8 a.m. Friday.

<a href="https://www.fhsu.edu/commencement/">A full calendar of the graduation
events can be found on the FHSU website, fhsu.edu.</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1578077978142.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By JAMES BELL Hays PostAs Fort Hays State University wraps the 2021-22 academic year with
commencement this weekend, it’s not just graduating seniors taking a moment to
look back and reflect on their accomplishments.As the end of the academic year quickly approaches the university itself
is taking stock of the number of noteworthy accomplishments made by FHSU students
and staff over the year.Chief Communications Officer Scott Cason recently shred some of those triumphs
as the university begins winding down operations for the summer break.“One of
the things that I think is distinctive and unique with our year, is the way our
students have competed,” Cason said. “And we have a lot of experiential – we
call them experiential learning opportunities — for students, internships,
service learning, things like that.“But
nothing quite like the crucible of competition to bring out and really hone
your skills,” he continued. “Skills that I think prepare our students for
successful lives after college.”<div><iframe title="Fort Hays State University has lots to celebrate as year end nears" allowtransparency="true" height="300" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=g25qh-1220ee0-pb&from=pb6admin&square=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=3267a3&font-color=auto&logo_link=podcast_page&btn-skin=3267a3&size=300" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>One
example of the athletic achievements of the year was Bennington native Ryan
Stanley.Stanley,
he said, is “one of the all-time greatest NCAA Division II pole vaulters ever,”
Cason said.A four-time
All American, he won the national title and pole vault for the second straight
year, he said.“The
height he hit to win the national championship — 17 feet, nine and a quarter
inch on his first attempt,” Cason said, “stands as the fifth best all
time in Division II and the third best in the Division II championship history.”Cason also
noted, Stanley served as vice president of the FHSU Student Government.“So,
there's a there's a young man who's gaining tremendous experience before he
goes out in the world,” Cason said.While athletic
achievements are an often thought of examples of competition, he said FHSU is competitive
in academic areas as well.On the non-athletic
completion side, he said students in the W.R. and Yvonne Robbins College of
Business and Entrepreneurship were able to continue their legacy of achievement
during a national financial planning challenge, bringing home a third place.“You
talk about something that really prepares you for life in business, presenting
plans to boards and leadership groups, our students have great experience with
that with this financial planning challenge,” Cason said.And technical
studies at the university also continue to shine.“In the
last month (during the) annual International Technology and Engineering
Association conference in Orlando, our students won three of the five
individual events to claim the championship, and all-round honors with Purdue
University. … So truly a nationally dominant program in that regard.”While
schools like Purdue may have more resources than a school the size of FHSU, he
said the caliber of students attending FHSU more than makes up for any size
advantage.“It's that
that ethic of that perseverance, that innovation, that really is the hallmark
of our university and the kinds of students that we attract,” Cason said.And
while academic and athletics programs at the university are notable for those accomplishments,
he said some campus club sports also highlighted the FHSU competitive spirit."We've
got the premier shooting sports team in the nation. Flat out hands down. We
just got our eighth national championship in October, in the Scholastic clay
targeting program in Columbus, Ohio. This is I think it's a pretty amazing
statistic, how good our students are. They hit 2,953 targets out of 3,000
targets that were served. That's a 98% hit percentage.”Having competitors at that level
of ability, is a draw for future students.“It really
is a reflection of our culture and where we live,” Cason said. “I think we have
students that come from California and north northwest, and obviously,
Nebraska, places like that, but they know about us, they know about our team,
and they want to come here and compete,” Cason said. “And they're also some of
the best students we have, as well. Their academic performance is top-notch.”FHSU
graduations will once again be broken down into colleges with a mix of virtual
and in-person events beginning at 8 a.m. Friday.<a href="https://www.fhsu.edu/commencement/">A full calendar of the graduation
events can be found on the FHSU website, fhsu.edu.</a>

🎙 As commencement nears, Fort Hays State celebrating accomplishments

Robert L. Stockton was born December 24, 1940, to Leo B. and Neva 
Billings Stockton. He was born in Smith Center, KS and lived in the 
Kensington area for his entire life. He attended Hardilee Rural School, 
Kensington Grade School, and graduated from Kensington High School in 
1958. He attended Fort Hays State University and served in Kansas 
National Guard.
 On June 4, 1961, he married Margaret Rayburn Gilliland in 
Phillipsburg. Their daughter Katherine Ann (“Anne”) was born December 
26, 1965. Sadly she preceded her parents in death in June 1985 at the 
age of nineteen. Margaret passed away October 13, 2009.
 Bob and Margaret were very involved with Anne’s sports and 
activities. They were always very supportive of Anne’s friends and all 
youth in the community.
 Bob was a farmer his entire life. He was a very creative person. He 
could build and fix anything. His projects included beautiful furniture,
 working on farm equipment, doing carpentry and many other things. At 
one point, he built a train from barrels for the children of the 
Kensington community. He loved antique cars and would often participate 
in local parades and car shows. Restoring antique cars was a hobby of 
his.
 Bob is survived by his Sisters, Shirley Powell and Sharlene (John) 
Sampson, Nephews Mike (Ramona) Powell and Gary (Wendy) Powell and Niece 
Sharlyn (Chris) DeWeese. Many members of the Gilliland Family also 
survive him. Bob is survived by his dear dear friends Annette and Tim 
Riley. The Family wants to thank the Rileys (Annette, Tim) and Sherry 
Newbrey for all they have done as friends and caretakers. He was also 
preceded in death by his parents, Infant brother Kenneth (1936), 
Margaret’s parents Edwin and Florence (Dixon) Gilliland, Brother-in- Law
 Jack Powell and many members of the Gilliland Family. Many cousins who 
were dearly loved.

Click <a href="https://www.rfmortuaries.com/obituaries/Robert-Lee-Stockton?obId=24807983#/celebrationWall">HERE</a> for service details.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1652201651358.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Robert L. Stockton was born December 24, 1940, to Leo B. and Neva 
Billings Stockton. He was born in Smith Center, KS and lived in the 
Kensington area for his entire life. He attended Hardilee Rural School, 
Kensington Grade School, and graduated from Kensington High School in 
1958. He attended Fort Hays State University and served in Kansas 
National Guard.
 On June 4, 1961, he married Margaret Rayburn Gilliland in 
Phillipsburg. Their daughter Katherine Ann (“Anne”) was born December 
26, 1965. Sadly she preceded her parents in death in June 1985 at the 
age of nineteen. Margaret passed away October 13, 2009.
 Bob and Margaret were very involved with Anne’s sports and 
activities. They were always very supportive of Anne’s friends and all 
youth in the community.
 Bob was a farmer his entire life. He was a very creative person. He 
could build and fix anything. His projects included beautiful furniture,
 working on farm equipment, doing carpentry and many other things. At 
one point, he built a train from barrels for the children of the 
Kensington community. He loved antique cars and would often participate 
in local parades and car shows. Restoring antique cars was a hobby of 
his.
 Bob is survived by his Sisters, Shirley Powell and Sharlene (John) 
Sampson, Nephews Mike (Ramona) Powell and Gary (Wendy) Powell and Niece 
Sharlyn (Chris) DeWeese. Many members of the Gilliland Family also 
survive him. Bob is survived by his dear dear friends Annette and Tim 
Riley. The Family wants to thank the Rileys (Annette, Tim) and Sherry 
Newbrey for all they have done as friends and caretakers. He was also 
preceded in death by his parents, Infant brother Kenneth (1936), 
Margaret’s parents Edwin and Florence (Dixon) Gilliland, Brother-in- Law
 Jack Powell and many members of the Gilliland Family. Many cousins who 
were dearly loved.Click <a href="https://www.rfmortuaries.com/obituaries/Robert-Lee-Stockton?obId=24807983#/celebrationWall">HERE</a> for service details.

Robert L. Stockton

George Edwin Childs, 92, passed away May 5, 2022, in Hutchinson.&nbsp; He 
was born January 8, 1930, in Carroll County, MO, to Raymond and Allie 
(Melvin) Childs.

George graduated from Tina High School, Tina, MO.&nbsp; He was employed by
 Decker &amp; Mattison Co., Inc., Hutchinson, for over 30 years, and 
then worked with his son at Child’s Electric Heating &amp; Air, Inc., 
Hutchinson.&nbsp; George was a longtime member of Faith United Methodist 
Church, Hutchinson.

On October 29, 1950, he married Bonnie Violet Ferguson, in Colby, 
KS.&nbsp; They shared over 69 years of marriage, prior to her death on 
January 31, 2020.

George is survived by:&nbsp; his children, Betty (Roy) Cox of Council 
Grove, KS, Jim (Kris) Childs of Bruceton Mills, WV, David (Susie) Childs
 of Hutchinson, and Dan (Carla) Childs of Hutchinson; 15 grandchildren; 
36 great-grandchildren; sister, Anna Thomas of Chillicothe, MO; and best
 friend, Del Fesler of Hutchinson.

He was preceded in death by:&nbsp; his parents; wife; daughter, Glenda 
Meadows; grandson, Corey Meadows; brothers, Billy Childs, Tommy Childs, 
Warren Childs, Walter Childs, and Raymond Childs; and sister, Margie 
Lowe.

Funeral service will be 2 p.m. Wednesday, May 11, 2022, at Elliott 
Mortuary, with the Reverend Larry Brock officiating.&nbsp; Burial will be in 
Fairlawn Burial Park, Hutchinson, at a later date.&nbsp; Friends may call 
from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 10, 2022, at Elliott Mortuary.&nbsp; To 
view the funeral service online, the link will be available at the end 
of George’s obituary on the Elliott Mortuary website on the day of the 
service beginning at 1:45 p.m.

<a href="https://view.oneroomstreaming.com/authorise.php?k=1651960869182786">Click here to view the funeral service.</a>

George would ask that you not send flowers, but rather make a 
donation to Kansas Honor Flight.&nbsp; It would be his way of honoring his 
brothers who served in World War II.&nbsp; Donations can be mailed to Elliott
 Mortuary and Crematory, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1652029901910.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>George Edwin Childs, 92, passed away May 5, 2022, in Hutchinson.&nbsp; He 
was born January 8, 1930, in Carroll County, MO, to Raymond and Allie 
(Melvin) Childs.George graduated from Tina High School, Tina, MO.&nbsp; He was employed by
 Decker &amp; Mattison Co., Inc., Hutchinson, for over 30 years, and 
then worked with his son at Child’s Electric Heating &amp; Air, Inc., 
Hutchinson.&nbsp; George was a longtime member of Faith United Methodist 
Church, Hutchinson.On October 29, 1950, he married Bonnie Violet Ferguson, in Colby, 
KS.&nbsp; They shared over 69 years of marriage, prior to her death on 
January 31, 2020.George is survived by:&nbsp; his children, Betty (Roy) Cox of Council 
Grove, KS, Jim (Kris) Childs of Bruceton Mills, WV, David (Susie) Childs
 of Hutchinson, and Dan (Carla) Childs of Hutchinson; 15 grandchildren; 
36 great-grandchildren; sister, Anna Thomas of Chillicothe, MO; and best
 friend, Del Fesler of Hutchinson.He was preceded in death by:&nbsp; his parents; wife; daughter, Glenda 
Meadows; grandson, Corey Meadows; brothers, Billy Childs, Tommy Childs, 
Warren Childs, Walter Childs, and Raymond Childs; and sister, Margie 
Lowe.Funeral service will be 2 p.m. Wednesday, May 11, 2022, at Elliott 
Mortuary, with the Reverend Larry Brock officiating.&nbsp; Burial will be in 
Fairlawn Burial Park, Hutchinson, at a later date.&nbsp; Friends may call 
from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 10, 2022, at Elliott Mortuary.&nbsp; To 
view the funeral service online, the link will be available at the end 
of George’s obituary on the Elliott Mortuary website on the day of the 
service beginning at 1:45 p.m.<a href="https://view.oneroomstreaming.com/authorise.php?k=1651960869182786">Click here to view the funeral service.</a>George would ask that you not send flowers, but rather make a 
donation to Kansas Honor Flight.&nbsp; It would be his way of honoring his 
brothers who served in World War II.&nbsp; Donations can be mailed to Elliott
 Mortuary and Crematory, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

George Edwin Childs

Steve E. Larsen, 90, of Salina, passed away Tuesday,
 May 3, 2022.&nbsp; He was born in Lincoln County, Kansas to Edward Leaman 
and Myra Marie (Ackerman) Larsen on January 21, 1932.&nbsp;&nbsp; He married Mary 
Lou Willcoxon on October 7, 1961, in Salina.

Survivors include his children, Dan Larsen (Nancy), Tim E. Larsen and
 Penny Larsen; grandchildren, Shannen Morrow (Jason), Ashley Larsen, 
Kody Larsen (Taylor), and Chelsolyn Larsen; four great-grandchildren, 
Allie, Taylee, Weston and Emeree; sister Agnes Larsen Stamm.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Mary Lou; parents; siblings; 
Oscar Larsen, Esther Steinle, Rita Lehman, Leo Larsen, Mark Larsen, Ivan
 Larsen, Michael Larsen, and Rose Mary Thomas.

He worked various jobs from ranch hand in his early twenties around 
Hays, Kansas; to construction in Hutchinson, Kansas. He worked at a 
grain elevator west of Salina, Kansas until he was drafted into the Army
 in 1956; where he was stationed in Italy until he came home in 1958. He
 returned to the grain elevator until he started his business, Steve’s 
Refrigeration Service, in 1963. He ran his business for 50 years until 
his retirement in 2013.

He was active member of the Salina chapter of the AMBUCS Breakfast Bandits since around 1975.

He enjoyed golfing with different members of his family and was looking forward to getting back to it this summer.

Visitation will be 4-8 p.m. Sunday, May 8, 2022, at Ryan Mortuary.

Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m. Monday, May 9, at Ryan Mortuary.&nbsp; Interment will follow in Roselawn Memorial Park.

Memorials may be made to AMBUCS Breakfast Bandits, in care of Ryan Mortuary, 137 North Eighth Street, Salina, Kansas 67401.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1651843549164.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Steve E. Larsen, 90, of Salina, passed away Tuesday,
 May 3, 2022.&nbsp; He was born in Lincoln County, Kansas to Edward Leaman 
and Myra Marie (Ackerman) Larsen on January 21, 1932.&nbsp;&nbsp; He married Mary 
Lou Willcoxon on October 7, 1961, in Salina.Survivors include his children, Dan Larsen (Nancy), Tim E. Larsen and
 Penny Larsen; grandchildren, Shannen Morrow (Jason), Ashley Larsen, 
Kody Larsen (Taylor), and Chelsolyn Larsen; four great-grandchildren, 
Allie, Taylee, Weston and Emeree; sister Agnes Larsen Stamm.He is preceded in death by his wife, Mary Lou; parents; siblings; 
Oscar Larsen, Esther Steinle, Rita Lehman, Leo Larsen, Mark Larsen, Ivan
 Larsen, Michael Larsen, and Rose Mary Thomas.He worked various jobs from ranch hand in his early twenties around 
Hays, Kansas; to construction in Hutchinson, Kansas. He worked at a 
grain elevator west of Salina, Kansas until he was drafted into the Army
 in 1956; where he was stationed in Italy until he came home in 1958. He
 returned to the grain elevator until he started his business, Steve’s 
Refrigeration Service, in 1963. He ran his business for 50 years until 
his retirement in 2013.He was active member of the Salina chapter of the AMBUCS Breakfast Bandits since around 1975.He enjoyed golfing with different members of his family and was looking forward to getting back to it this summer.Visitation will be 4-8 p.m. Sunday, May 8, 2022, at Ryan Mortuary.Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m. Monday, May 9, at Ryan Mortuary.&nbsp; Interment will follow in Roselawn Memorial Park.Memorials may be made to AMBUCS Breakfast Bandits, in care of Ryan Mortuary, 137 North Eighth Street, Salina, Kansas 67401.

Steve E. Larsen

Brian Pattrick Smith was born October 31, 1975, on the USAH Base in 
Wurzburg, Germany, to Don Jay and Linda S. (Scott) Smith. He passed away 
May 3, 2022, in Norton, KS at the age of 46.
 Brian grew up in Stockton, KS and was a 1995 graduate of Stockton 
High School. He was very active in sports, competing in football, track,
 K-18 and the American Legion baseball teams and he was a state 
qualifier in wrestling. In high school, he was known to many as 
“Smithers." Brian married Corene Barnett on May 30, 2009, at the Hoxie 
Christian Church.

He worked for B&amp;B Redimix, Norton County Solid 
Waste/Landfill for many years and then was recently working for New Age 
Industrial in Norton. He enjoyed volunteering in the Norton community in
 many ways, from being on the Rural Fire Dept. to coaching recreational 
softball, tee ball, wrestling, and soccer. Brian was also very involved 
in the racing community, he raced cruisers, he was a tech for IMCA, and 
was known as “One Hit Wonder Smith” at the Demolition Derby. Brian was 
full of life and enjoyed having a good time with his friends and family.
 Brian had a great sense of humor, and he is especially remembered for 
misspelling his own name on his demo car and from then on, he was known 
as “Brain”. Most of all, Brian loved spending time with his family 
whether it be camping and fishing or helping coach his kids’ sports 
teams. He meant the world to his wife and kids, and he will be truly 
missed. 
 Brian was preceded in death by his parents, Don and Linda; children 
born into God’s arms, Caden and Avery; grandparents, Carolyn and Wallace
 Smith and Gerald and Jean McLaughlin; grandparents-in-law, Edwin and 
Lorraine Coulter, Vernon Barnett, Mildred and Gerald Green; and 
father-in-law, Richard Barnett. He is survived by his wife, Corene and 
children, Grace, Eden, and Axel Smith all of the home; brother, Michaell
 (Heather) Smith of Galveston, TX; mother-in-law, Janet (Ron) Dunbar of 
Menahga, MN; brothers-in-law, Conrad (Carolynn) Dunbar of Richville, MN 
and William (Keisha) Dunbar of Menahga, MN, and many aunts, uncles, 
nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, family and friends.
 Funeral services will be held 10:30 am Tuesday, May 10, 2022, at the 
Norton Christian Church. Cremation will follow the services. Visitation 
will be from 4-7:00 pm Monday, May 9, also at the church. In lieu of 
flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Brian Smith

Memorial 
Fund to help with their children’s education funds and may be sent in 
care of Plumer-Gobber Funeral Home, 215 W. Main St., Norton, KS 67654. 
Condolences may be left online at www.plumergobber.com&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1651843295385.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Brian Pattrick Smith was born October 31, 1975, on the USAH Base in 
Wurzburg, Germany, to Don Jay and Linda S. (Scott) Smith. He passed away 
May 3, 2022, in Norton, KS at the age of 46.
 Brian grew up in Stockton, KS and was a 1995 graduate of Stockton 
High School. He was very active in sports, competing in football, track,
 K-18 and the American Legion baseball teams and he was a state 
qualifier in wrestling. In high school, he was known to many as 
“Smithers." Brian married Corene Barnett on May 30, 2009, at the Hoxie 
Christian Church. He worked for B&amp;B Redimix, Norton County Solid 
Waste/Landfill for many years and then was recently working for New Age 
Industrial in Norton. He enjoyed volunteering in the Norton community in
 many ways, from being on the Rural Fire Dept. to coaching recreational 
softball, tee ball, wrestling, and soccer. Brian was also very involved 
in the racing community, he raced cruisers, he was a tech for IMCA, and 
was known as “One Hit Wonder Smith” at the Demolition Derby. Brian was 
full of life and enjoyed having a good time with his friends and family.
 Brian had a great sense of humor, and he is especially remembered for 
misspelling his own name on his demo car and from then on, he was known 
as “Brain”. Most of all, Brian loved spending time with his family 
whether it be camping and fishing or helping coach his kids’ sports 
teams. He meant the world to his wife and kids, and he will be truly 
missed. 
 Brian was preceded in death by his parents, Don and Linda; children 
born into God’s arms, Caden and Avery; grandparents, Carolyn and Wallace
 Smith and Gerald and Jean McLaughlin; grandparents-in-law, Edwin and 
Lorraine Coulter, Vernon Barnett, Mildred and Gerald Green; and 
father-in-law, Richard Barnett. He is survived by his wife, Corene and 
children, Grace, Eden, and Axel Smith all of the home; brother, Michaell
 (Heather) Smith of Galveston, TX; mother-in-law, Janet (Ron) Dunbar of 
Menahga, MN; brothers-in-law, Conrad (Carolynn) Dunbar of Richville, MN 
and William (Keisha) Dunbar of Menahga, MN, and many aunts, uncles, 
nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, family and friends.
 Funeral services will be held 10:30 am Tuesday, May 10, 2022, at the 
Norton Christian Church. Cremation will follow the services. Visitation 
will be from 4-7:00 pm Monday, May 9, also at the church. In lieu of 
flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Brian Smith Memorial 
Fund to help with their children’s education funds and may be sent in 
care of Plumer-Gobber Funeral Home, 215 W. Main St., Norton, KS 67654. 
Condolences may be left online at www.plumergobber.com&nbsp;

Brian Pattrick Smith

Dorothy Mae (Frazier) Smith, 84, of Smolan, KS 
passed away peacefully May 3, 2022, with family at her side.&nbsp; She was 
born August 12, 1937, in Bazine, to Otis James and Lillian (Burch) 
Frazier. She passed Hal Patrick Smith on October 26, 1959. They 
bought their house in Smolan where they raised their son and many 
others. Hal passed away in 2009.

She is preceded in death by her parents; two sisters, Lois Roubidoux 
and Carol Sharp; two brothers, Robert Frazier and Richard Frazier.

She is survived by her son Hal William “Bill” Richard Smith and wife 
Kathy, of Smolan; foster daughter Ruth Downey, of Kansas City, Kansas; 
grandchildren, Eric and Brandee Adam, Hal Kelly Smith, Kylee Smith, 
Chris and Rachel Ledbetter and Steven and Grace Buller; 
great-grandchildren, Katie, Karter, Karee, Kelsee Adam, Hal Ryddyk B. 
Smith, Isaiah and Gabriella Smith, Evangelina Buller and many close 
nieces and nephews.

There will be a memorial service planned at a later date.&nbsp; Memorials 
may be made to Dorothy Smith Memorial Fund, in care of Ryan Mortuary, 
137 North Eighth Street, Salina, Kansas 67401.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1651781808551.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Dorothy Mae (Frazier) Smith, 84, of Smolan, KS 
passed away peacefully May 3, 2022, with family at her side.&nbsp; She was 
born August 12, 1937, in Bazine, to Otis James and Lillian (Burch) 
Frazier. She passed Hal Patrick Smith on October 26, 1959. They 
bought their house in Smolan where they raised their son and many 
others. Hal passed away in 2009.She is preceded in death by her parents; two sisters, Lois Roubidoux 
and Carol Sharp; two brothers, Robert Frazier and Richard Frazier.She is survived by her son Hal William “Bill” Richard Smith and wife 
Kathy, of Smolan; foster daughter Ruth Downey, of Kansas City, Kansas; 
grandchildren, Eric and Brandee Adam, Hal Kelly Smith, Kylee Smith, 
Chris and Rachel Ledbetter and Steven and Grace Buller; 
great-grandchildren, Katie, Karter, Karee, Kelsee Adam, Hal Ryddyk B. 
Smith, Isaiah and Gabriella Smith, Evangelina Buller and many close 
nieces and nephews.There will be a memorial service planned at a later date.&nbsp; Memorials 
may be made to Dorothy Smith Memorial Fund, in care of Ryan Mortuary, 
137 North Eighth Street, Salina, Kansas 67401.

Dorothy Mae (Frazier) Smith

October 31, 1975
 -
 May 3, 2022

October 31, 1975
 -
 May 3, 2022An obituary is pending with Plumer Gobber Funeral Home.Click <a href="https://www.plumergobber.com/obituaries/Brian-Pattrick-Smith?obId=24781858#/celebrationWall">HERE</a> for service details.