October 27, 1949 ~ January 8, 2022

An obituary is pending with Koons-Russell Funeral Home.

Click <a href="https://www.koonsrussellfuneralhome.com/obituary/Clarence-Farr">HERE</a> for service details.&nbsp;

October 27, 1949 ~ January 8, 2022An obituary is pending with Koons-Russell Funeral Home.Click <a href="https://www.koonsrussellfuneralhome.com/obituary/Clarence-Farr">HERE</a> for service details.&nbsp;

Clarence Thomas Farr

Mary Lou Adams, age 71, passed away on Saturday, January 8, 2022, at 
the Scott County Hospital in Scott City, Kansas.&nbsp; She was born on 
October 1, 1950, in Dodge City, Kansas, the daughter of Howard and Joann
 Hedges Koehn.&nbsp; A resident of Scott City, Kansas since the early 1970s, 
she was a waitress at several different restaurants in Scott City, 
Kansas.

On March 16, 1981, she married Jim L. Adams in Miami, Oklahoma.&nbsp; He passed away on August 2, 2016, in Scott City, Kansas.

Survivors include her one Sister - Linda Dinning of Scott City, 
Kansas, Three Step-Daughters - Carole &amp; Robert Mackenzie of 
Lawrenceburg, Indiana, Brenda &amp; Harvey Tucker of Scott City, Kansas,
 Dana &amp; Donald Rains of Thackerville, Oklahoma, Numerous 
Grandchildren, Great Grandchildren, Great Great Grandchildren, Nieces, 
and Nephews.

She is preceded in death by her Parents, and Husband.

Private family graveside services will be held at a later date.

Memorials in Lieu Of Flowers may be made to the Mary Lou Adams 
Memorial Fund in care of Price &amp; Sons Funeral Home, PO Box 553, 
Scott City, Kansas, 67871.

Inurnment will be in the Scott County Cemetery.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1641695933310.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Mary Lou Adams, age 71, passed away on Saturday, January 8, 2022, at 
the Scott County Hospital in Scott City, Kansas.&nbsp; She was born on 
October 1, 1950, in Dodge City, Kansas, the daughter of Howard and Joann
 Hedges Koehn.&nbsp; A resident of Scott City, Kansas since the early 1970s, 
she was a waitress at several different restaurants in Scott City, 
Kansas.On March 16, 1981, she married Jim L. Adams in Miami, Oklahoma.&nbsp; He passed away on August 2, 2016, in Scott City, Kansas.Survivors include her one Sister - Linda Dinning of Scott City, 
Kansas, Three Step-Daughters - Carole &amp; Robert Mackenzie of 
Lawrenceburg, Indiana, Brenda &amp; Harvey Tucker of Scott City, Kansas,
 Dana &amp; Donald Rains of Thackerville, Oklahoma, Numerous 
Grandchildren, Great Grandchildren, Great Great Grandchildren, Nieces, 
and Nephews.She is preceded in death by her Parents, and Husband.Private family graveside services will be held at a later date.Memorials in Lieu Of Flowers may be made to the Mary Lou Adams 
Memorial Fund in care of Price &amp; Sons Funeral Home, PO Box 553, 
Scott City, Kansas, 67871.There will be no calling times.Inurnment will be in the Scott County Cemetery.

Mary Lou Adams

Joan Marie Krische Boos passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on January 6, 2022, at Olathe Health Hospice House.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Joan was born in Topeka, Kansas on October 15, 1934, to Frank and Pauline (Melchior) Krische, the third of seven children.&nbsp;&nbsp;The Krische house on Buchanan Street was always full of family and friends, overflowing with love.&nbsp;&nbsp;Joan grew up actively involved in St Joseph Parish, attending elementary school there and graduating from Hayden High School. For years Joan was an organist at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Following high school, Joan worked for Southwestern Bell Telephone.&nbsp;

In August of 1955, Joan met the love of her life, Donald G. Boos.&nbsp;&nbsp;They were married on January 28, 1956. One year ago, they celebrated their 65th anniversary.&nbsp;&nbsp;A true couple, they were each one-half of the same whole.&nbsp;&nbsp;They did everything together throughout their lives.&nbsp;&nbsp;Sadly, Joan lost her beloved husband when he passed away on July 30, 2021.&nbsp;

Just a year after their wedding, Joan gave birth to her first of four sons. In the early years, Joan stayed home choosing motherhood over a career. She was a wonderful, selfless, caring mother, the constant inspiration behind the success of the family.&nbsp;&nbsp;When the boys were in school, Joan returned to the workplace.&nbsp;&nbsp;She was a gifted bookkeeper, an absolute perfectionist.&nbsp;&nbsp;Joan spent the last 25 years of her career in accounting for the HD Lee Company in Overland Park.&nbsp;&nbsp;She enjoyed her time and co-workers at Lee.&nbsp;&nbsp;Joan was an extremely loyal employee always looking out for the company’s interests. Joan’s true passion was her family, her husband, her four sons and their families.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Joan, a devout Catholic, was a member of Prince of Peace Catholic Church.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Joan was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Donald G. Boos, her brother Rev. Frank Krische, sister-in-law, Lynne Krische, daughter-in-law, Gina Ross Boos, and grandson, Vincent Edward Boos.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Joan is survived by her brothers, Jim (Marilyn) Krische, of Chicago, IL, Msgr. Vincent Krische of Lawrence, Larry (Sue) Krische, and Bob Krische, both of Topeka, her sister, Lois (Tom) Phillips, of Olathe, sons, John (Rochelle) Boos, Ron (Jill) Boos, David Boos, all of Olathe, and Don (Cathy) Boos of Salina, KS, along with seventeen grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren.&nbsp;

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, January 13th, 2022, at 11:00AM, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 227 SW Van Buren St., Topeka, KS. A visitation and Rosary will precede the Mass beginning at 9:30AM. Interment will be at Mount Calvary Cemetery in Topeka, KS following Mass.&nbsp;

Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to Prince of Peace Catholic Church in Olathe, KS, or St. Joseph/Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Topeka, KS directly or through Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home, 800 SW 6th Avenue, Topeka, KS 66603.&nbsp;

To share a memory or to leave condolences, please visit,&nbsp;<a href="http://www.brennanmathenafh.com/">www.brennanmathenafh.com</a>.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1641663454266.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Joan Marie Krische Boos passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on January 6, 2022, at Olathe Health Hospice House.&nbsp;&nbsp;Joan was born in Topeka, Kansas on October 15, 1934, to Frank and Pauline (Melchior) Krische, the third of seven children.&nbsp;&nbsp;The Krische house on Buchanan Street was always full of family and friends, overflowing with love.&nbsp;&nbsp;Joan grew up actively involved in St Joseph Parish, attending elementary school there and graduating from Hayden High School. For years Joan was an organist at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Following high school, Joan worked for Southwestern Bell Telephone.&nbsp;In August of 1955, Joan met the love of her life, Donald G. Boos.&nbsp;&nbsp;They were married on January 28, 1956. One year ago, they celebrated their 65th anniversary.&nbsp;&nbsp;A true couple, they were each one-half of the same whole.&nbsp;&nbsp;They did everything together throughout their lives.&nbsp;&nbsp;Sadly, Joan lost her beloved husband when he passed away on July 30, 2021.&nbsp;Just a year after their wedding, Joan gave birth to her first of four sons. In the early years, Joan stayed home choosing motherhood over a career. She was a wonderful, selfless, caring mother, the constant inspiration behind the success of the family.&nbsp;&nbsp;When the boys were in school, Joan returned to the workplace.&nbsp;&nbsp;She was a gifted bookkeeper, an absolute perfectionist.&nbsp;&nbsp;Joan spent the last 25 years of her career in accounting for the HD Lee Company in Overland Park.&nbsp;&nbsp;She enjoyed her time and co-workers at Lee.&nbsp;&nbsp;Joan was an extremely loyal employee always looking out for the company’s interests. Joan’s true passion was her family, her husband, her four sons and their families.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Joan, a devout Catholic, was a member of Prince of Peace Catholic Church.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Joan was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Donald G. Boos, her brother Rev. Frank Krische, sister-in-law, Lynne Krische, daughter-in-law, Gina Ross Boos, and grandson, Vincent Edward Boos.&nbsp;&nbsp;Joan is survived by her brothers, Jim (Marilyn) Krische, of Chicago, IL, Msgr. Vincent Krische of Lawrence, Larry (Sue) Krische, and Bob Krische, both of Topeka, her sister, Lois (Tom) Phillips, of Olathe, sons, John (Rochelle) Boos, Ron (Jill) Boos, David Boos, all of Olathe, and Don (Cathy) Boos of Salina, KS, along with seventeen grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren.&nbsp;Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, January 13th, 2022, at 11:00AM, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 227 SW Van Buren St., Topeka, KS. A visitation and Rosary will precede the Mass beginning at 9:30AM. Interment will be at Mount Calvary Cemetery in Topeka, KS following Mass.&nbsp;Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to Prince of Peace Catholic Church in Olathe, KS, or St. Joseph/Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Topeka, KS directly or through Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home, 800 SW 6th Avenue, Topeka, KS 66603.&nbsp;To share a memory or to leave condolences, please visit,&nbsp;<a href="http://www.brennanmathenafh.com/">www.brennanmathenafh.com</a>.&nbsp;

Joan Marie Krische Boos

KANSAS CITY (AP) — A judge has sentenced a Missouri man to 28 years in prison — the maximum he could impose — for the 2019 killing of his wife, whose body he buried in a state park and whose death he misled the authorities about for more than a year. 

The sentence Judge Brouck Jacobs gave to 26-year-old Joseph Elledge was the one jurors recommended in November when they convicted Elledge of second-degree murder in the killing of his wife, Mengqi Ji. 

She met Elledge after she moved to the U.S. from China to study engineering at the University of Missouri. Elledge will have to serve at least 85% of his sentence before he will be eligible for parole.

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — A Missouri man who admitted to burying his wife’s body and misleading authorities for more than a year about her whereabouts will be sentenced Friday for killing her.

Jurors in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/columbia-missouri-22361d38ef3006058d45291d78120060">November</a>&nbsp;convicted 26-year-old Joseph Elledge of second-degree murder in the killing of 28-year-old Mengqi Ji, whom he met after she moved from China to study engineering at the University of Missouri.

The jury recommended that Elledge be&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lifestyle-columbia-missouri-china-2562d32d7c5b1ba0132c0682ef81dd15">sentenced to 28 years</a>&nbsp;in prison, and the judge’s sentence can’t exceed that recommendation. A second-degree murder conviction requires Elledge to serve at least 85% of his sentence before he would be eligible for parole.

Elledge reported Ji missing in October 2019, prompting&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/columbia-michael-brown-missouri-river-boonville-bc6f1f2ad82ad48ebb6073cbbf257776">months of extensive searches.</a>&nbsp;Her remains&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-tigers-mens-basketball-columbia-0f341cef77aa806e3973186497383c9c">were found last March</a>&nbsp;in a park near Columbia, where the couple lived.

Boone County Prosecuting Attorney Dan Knight described Elledge as a “stone cold killer” and argued that he was guilty of first-degree murder because he intentionally killed Ji. Prosecutors used social media posts, audio tapes and a journal Elledge kept to document the couple’s volatile relationship.

But Elledge said Ji’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-columbia-52ef87b9ad760f2385213c702a47fc67">death was accidental.</a>&nbsp;He said Ji fell and hit her head on Oct. 8, 2019, after he pushed her during an argument, and that he found her dead in bed the next morning. He said he panicked, put her body in the trunk of her car and didn't report what happened while he tried to decide what to do.

On Oct. 10, 2019, with the couple’s then-year-old daughter in the car, Elledge drove to Rock Bridge State Park, about 5 miles south of Columbia. There, he dug a grave and buried Ji at a site near the spot where he had proposed to her. He then returned home and reported her missing.

Elledge's attorney Scott Rosenblum argued that his client was awkward and made “unbelievably dumb” decisions after Ji died, but that he never intended to kill his wife and should not have been charged with murder.

Jurors opted for a second-degree murder conviction, which doesn’t carry a mandatory life sentence.

Elledge said he discovered in the days before Ji's death that she had been exchanging sexually suggestive messages with a man from China via social media. He also testified that the couple’s relationship suffered because of tension caused by her parents, who moved from China to live with them after their daughter was born in October 2018.

The couple met in 2015 at Nanova, a company that makes dental products, where Ji was Elledge’s supervisor. They began dating the following year and eventually traveled to China, where Elledge asked Ji’s parents for permission to marry her. The couple married in 2017.

Ji earned a master’s degree in mechanical and aerospace engineering from the University of Missouri in December 2014. Elledge was a student at the university when his wife died.

An attorney for Ji’s family told the Columbia Daily Tribune after the verdict that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lifestyle-columbia-missouri-china-2562d32d7c5b1ba0132c0682ef81dd15">they were pleased</a>&nbsp;with Knight’s efforts.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/10/1572177968305.png" alt="Joseph Elledge-photo Boone Co." />
 <figcaption>Joseph Elledge-photo Boone Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — A judge has sentenced a Missouri man to 28 years in prison — the maximum he could impose — for the 2019 killing of his wife, whose body he buried in a state park and whose death he misled the authorities about for more than a year. The sentence Judge Brouck Jacobs gave to 26-year-old Joseph Elledge was the one jurors recommended in November when they convicted Elledge of second-degree murder in the killing of his wife, Mengqi Ji. She met Elledge after she moved to the U.S. from China to study engineering at the University of Missouri. Elledge will have to serve at least 85% of his sentence before he will be eligible for parole.-------COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — A Missouri man who admitted to burying his wife’s body and misleading authorities for more than a year about her whereabouts will be sentenced Friday for killing her.Jurors in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/columbia-missouri-22361d38ef3006058d45291d78120060">November</a>&nbsp;convicted 26-year-old Joseph Elledge of second-degree murder in the killing of 28-year-old Mengqi Ji, whom he met after she moved from China to study engineering at the University of Missouri.The jury recommended that Elledge be&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lifestyle-columbia-missouri-china-2562d32d7c5b1ba0132c0682ef81dd15">sentenced to 28 years</a>&nbsp;in prison, and the judge’s sentence can’t exceed that recommendation. A second-degree murder conviction requires Elledge to serve at least 85% of his sentence before he would be eligible for parole.Elledge reported Ji missing in October 2019, prompting&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/columbia-michael-brown-missouri-river-boonville-bc6f1f2ad82ad48ebb6073cbbf257776">months of extensive searches.</a>&nbsp;Her remains&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-tigers-mens-basketball-columbia-0f341cef77aa806e3973186497383c9c">were found last March</a>&nbsp;in a park near Columbia, where the couple lived.Boone County Prosecuting Attorney Dan Knight described Elledge as a “stone cold killer” and argued that he was guilty of first-degree murder because he intentionally killed Ji. Prosecutors used social media posts, audio tapes and a journal Elledge kept to document the couple’s volatile relationship.But Elledge said Ji’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-columbia-52ef87b9ad760f2385213c702a47fc67">death was accidental.</a>&nbsp;He said Ji fell and hit her head on Oct. 8, 2019, after he pushed her during an argument, and that he found her dead in bed the next morning. He said he panicked, put her body in the trunk of her car and didn't report what happened while he tried to decide what to do.On Oct. 10, 2019, with the couple’s then-year-old daughter in the car, Elledge drove to Rock Bridge State Park, about 5 miles south of Columbia. There, he dug a grave and buried Ji at a site near the spot where he had proposed to her. He then returned home and reported her missing.Elledge's attorney Scott Rosenblum argued that his client was awkward and made “unbelievably dumb” decisions after Ji died, but that he never intended to kill his wife and should not have been charged with murder.Jurors opted for a second-degree murder conviction, which doesn’t carry a mandatory life sentence.Elledge said he discovered in the days before Ji's death that she had been exchanging sexually suggestive messages with a man from China via social media. He also testified that the couple’s relationship suffered because of tension caused by her parents, who moved from China to live with them after their daughter was born in October 2018.The couple met in 2015 at Nanova, a company that makes dental products, where Ji was Elledge’s supervisor. They began dating the following year and eventually traveled to China, where Elledge asked Ji’s parents for permission to marry her. The couple married in 2017.Ji earned a master’s degree in mechanical and aerospace engineering from the University of Missouri in December 2014. Elledge was a student at the university when his wife died.An attorney for Ji’s family told the Columbia Daily Tribune after the verdict that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lifestyle-columbia-missouri-china-2562d32d7c5b1ba0132c0682ef81dd15">they were pleased</a>&nbsp;with Knight’s efforts.

Man who killed, buried his wife gets maximum sentence

Viola&nbsp;Marie Depperschmidt&nbsp;Enslinger,&nbsp;94, of La Crosse, Kansas, 
passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 5, 2022, at Rush County
 Memorial Hospital. No longer hindered by a failing body and mind, she 
went to be with the Lord and was reunited with the love of her life, 
Ben.&nbsp;

Viola was born on&nbsp;September 24, 1927,&nbsp;in La Crosse, Kansas, to John 
and Bernadina (Werth) Depperschmidt.&nbsp;She was a graduate of Schoenchen 
High School, Schoenchen, Kansas. While attending school, she met her 
sweetheart, Ben Enslinger. They were married on October 27, 1948, at St.
 Joseph’s Catholic Church in Liebenthal, Kansas. They then settled in La
 Crosse, Kansas. In 1972 Viola and Ben became co-owners of Enslinger 
Lumber and ran their business for nearly 40 years until they reluctantly
 entered into semi-retirement. After 63 years of marriage, Ben passed 
away July, 14, 2012.&nbsp;

Viola and Ben happily welcomed three children, Belinda, Kathy, and 
Lynn, into their family. Viola loved being a mother and being home with 
her children. She often spoke of how she had cookies waiting for not 
only her children but many neighborhood kids when they came home from 
school. She relished her role as Grandmother to seven grandchildren and 
was very involved in supporting them throughout their lives. She was 
also Great-Grandma to 20 great-grandkids. She and Ben took great pride 
in their posterity.

Viola enjoyed embroidery, sewing, quilt making, cooking, baking, 
playing cards, eating sweets,&nbsp;and traveling.&nbsp;She was a gifted seamstress
 and created beautiful quilts that will be cherished by her family and 
friends for years to come. She took great pride in her work and would 
correct mistakes until it was perfect. She won numerous ribbons for her 
handiwork in the local fair. Viola loved to travel with her husband and 
they visited many countries together. Viola was an avid walker and could
 be seen walking around the neighborhood well into her late 80s. She was
 an excellent cook, loved to feed her family, and she especially enjoyed
 dessert.

In addition to working alongside her husband at Enslinger Lumber, 
Viola was an active member of St. Michael’s Catholic Church and of the 
Altar Society, she volunteered at Second Chance thrift store for 25 
years, and was a regular blood donor.&nbsp;

Viola leaves behind her daughters: Belinda (Bruce Axelrod) Tomlinson 
of Fort Collins, Colorado, and Kathy (John) Stockton of Lafayette, 
Colorado; a son, Lynn of La Crosse, Kansas; seven grandchildren: Ryan 
(Candise) Tomlinson, Scott (Sarah) Tomlinson, Eric (Ellen) Stockton, 
Jason (Kristin) Stockton, Kelsey (Josh) Clemens, Dustin (Heather) 
Enslinger, and Melissa (Shawn) Minge; and 20 great-grandchildren.&nbsp;

Viola was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; 
daughter-in-law, Patricia Enslinger; her brothers: Eugene, Alfred, 
Harold, and&nbsp;Pat; and sisters: Esther Enslinger, Louise Rupp, Vernita 
Linenberger, Edna Depperschmidt,&nbsp;and JoAnna Depperschmidt.&nbsp;Viola was the
 last surviving sibling of the Depperschmidt family.

Visitation will be Sunday, January 9, 2022, from 4:00 P.M. to 8:00 
P.M. at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, La Crosse, Kansas, with the 
family receiving friends from 6:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M.&nbsp; A vigil service 
and rosary will be at 7:00 P.M.&nbsp;

Church visitation will be Monday, January 10, 2022, from 9:30 A.M. to
 10:20 A.M. at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, La Crosse, Kansas.

Funeral service will be Monday, January 10, 2022, at 10:30 A.M. at 
St. Michael’s Catholic Church, La Crosse, Kansas, with Father Stephen 
Dabanka officiating.&nbsp; Interment will be in the La Crosse City Cemetery, 
La Crosse, Kansas.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to St. 
Michael’s&nbsp; &nbsp;Catholic Church, La Crosse, Kansas, and Sunflower 
Diversified Services, Great Bend, Kansas.&nbsp;

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

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1641595633023.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Viola&nbsp;Marie Depperschmidt&nbsp;Enslinger,&nbsp;94, of La Crosse, Kansas, 
passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 5, 2022, at Rush County
 Memorial Hospital. No longer hindered by a failing body and mind, she 
went to be with the Lord and was reunited with the love of her life, 
Ben.&nbsp;Viola was born on&nbsp;September 24, 1927,&nbsp;in La Crosse, Kansas, to John 
and Bernadina (Werth) Depperschmidt.&nbsp;She was a graduate of Schoenchen 
High School, Schoenchen, Kansas. While attending school, she met her 
sweetheart, Ben Enslinger. They were married on October 27, 1948, at St.
 Joseph’s Catholic Church in Liebenthal, Kansas. They then settled in La
 Crosse, Kansas. In 1972 Viola and Ben became co-owners of Enslinger 
Lumber and ran their business for nearly 40 years until they reluctantly
 entered into semi-retirement. After 63 years of marriage, Ben passed 
away July, 14, 2012.&nbsp;Viola and Ben happily welcomed three children, Belinda, Kathy, and 
Lynn, into their family. Viola loved being a mother and being home with 
her children. She often spoke of how she had cookies waiting for not 
only her children but many neighborhood kids when they came home from 
school. She relished her role as Grandmother to seven grandchildren and 
was very involved in supporting them throughout their lives. She was 
also Great-Grandma to 20 great-grandkids. She and Ben took great pride 
in their posterity.Viola enjoyed embroidery, sewing, quilt making, cooking, baking, 
playing cards, eating sweets,&nbsp;and traveling.&nbsp;She was a gifted seamstress
 and created beautiful quilts that will be cherished by her family and 
friends for years to come. She took great pride in her work and would 
correct mistakes until it was perfect. She won numerous ribbons for her 
handiwork in the local fair. Viola loved to travel with her husband and 
they visited many countries together. Viola was an avid walker and could
 be seen walking around the neighborhood well into her late 80s. She was
 an excellent cook, loved to feed her family, and she especially enjoyed
 dessert.In addition to working alongside her husband at Enslinger Lumber, 
Viola was an active member of St. Michael’s Catholic Church and of the 
Altar Society, she volunteered at Second Chance thrift store for 25 
years, and was a regular blood donor.&nbsp;Viola leaves behind her daughters: Belinda (Bruce Axelrod) Tomlinson 
of Fort Collins, Colorado, and Kathy (John) Stockton of Lafayette, 
Colorado; a son, Lynn of La Crosse, Kansas; seven grandchildren: Ryan 
(Candise) Tomlinson, Scott (Sarah) Tomlinson, Eric (Ellen) Stockton, 
Jason (Kristin) Stockton, Kelsey (Josh) Clemens, Dustin (Heather) 
Enslinger, and Melissa (Shawn) Minge; and 20 great-grandchildren.&nbsp;Viola was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; 
daughter-in-law, Patricia Enslinger; her brothers: Eugene, Alfred, 
Harold, and&nbsp;Pat; and sisters: Esther Enslinger, Louise Rupp, Vernita 
Linenberger, Edna Depperschmidt,&nbsp;and JoAnna Depperschmidt.&nbsp;Viola was the
 last surviving sibling of the Depperschmidt family.Visitation will be Sunday, January 9, 2022, from 4:00 P.M. to 8:00 
P.M. at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, La Crosse, Kansas, with the 
family receiving friends from 6:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M.&nbsp; A vigil service 
and rosary will be at 7:00 P.M.&nbsp;Church visitation will be Monday, January 10, 2022, from 9:30 A.M. to
 10:20 A.M. at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, La Crosse, Kansas.Funeral service will be Monday, January 10, 2022, at 10:30 A.M. at 
St. Michael’s Catholic Church, La Crosse, Kansas, with Father Stephen 
Dabanka officiating.&nbsp; Interment will be in the La Crosse City Cemetery, 
La Crosse, Kansas.In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to St. 
Michael’s&nbsp; &nbsp;Catholic Church, La Crosse, Kansas, and Sunflower 
Diversified Services, Great Bend, Kansas.&nbsp;Condolences or remembrances may be left for the family at www.janousekfuneralhome.com.Arrangements by Janousek Funeral Home, 719 Pine Street, PO Box 550, La Crosse, Kansas 67548, 785-222-2517.

Viola Marie Enslinger

Saturday, October 27th, 1928-Friday, December 31st, 2021

An obituary is pending with Baalmann Mortuary.

Click <a href="https://memorials.baalmannmortuary.com/jack-faber/4816312/index.php">HERE</a> for service details.

Saturday, October 27th, 1928-Friday, December 31st, 2021An obituary is pending with Baalmann Mortuary.Click <a href="https://memorials.baalmannmortuary.com/jack-faber/4816312/index.php">HERE</a> for service details.

Jack Ellis Faber

WASHINGTON (AP) — Fully vaccinated and mostly masked, the Supreme Court’s conservative majority appeared skeptical Friday of the Biden administration’s authority to impose a vaccine-or-testing requirement on the nation’s large employers. The court seemed more open to a separate vaccine mandate for most health care workers.

<a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?516920-1/justices-hear-case-vaccine-test-mandate">CLICK here to listen </a>to a replay of Friday's oral arguments

The arguments in the two cases come at&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-health-education-detroit-cde614839b15d02a594dab1e690c7d46">a time of spiking coronavirus cases</a>&nbsp;because of the omicron variant, and the decision Friday by seven justices to wear masks for the first time while hearing arguments reflected the new phase of the pandemic.

An eighth justice, Sonia Sotomayor, a diabetic since childhood, didn’t even appear in the courtroom, choosing to remain in her office at the court and take part remotely. Two lawyers, representing Ohio and Louisiana, argued by telephone after recent positive COVID-19 tests, state officials said.

But the COVID circumstances did not appear to outweigh the views of the court’s six conservatives that the administration overstepped its authority in its vaccine-or-testing requirement for businesses with at least 100 employees.

“This is something the federal government has never done before,” Chief Justice John Roberts said, casting doubt on the administration’s argument that a half-century established law, the Occupational Safety and Health Act, confers such broad authority.

Roberts and Justices Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett probably hold the key to the outcome in both cases, as they have been more receptive to state-level vaccine requirements than the other three conservative justices. Barrett and Kavanaugh also had tough questions for Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar, the administration’s top Supreme Court lawyer.

The court’s three liberal justices suggested support for the employer rule. Justice Elena Kagan said officials have shown “quite clearly that no other policy will prevent sickness and death to anywhere like the degree that this one will.” And Justice Stephen Breyer said he found it “unbelievable” that it could be in the “public interest” to put that rule on hold. He said that on Thursday there were some 750,000 new cases in the country and that hospitals are full.

Beginning Monday, unvaccinated employees in big companies are supposed to wear masks at work, unless the court blocks enforcement. But testing requirements and potential fines for employers don’t kick in until February.

Legal challenges to the policies from Republican-led states and business groups are in their early stages, but the outcome at the high court probably will determine the fate of vaccine requirements affecting more than 80 million people.

Roberts, Kavanaugh and Barrett seemed to have fewer doubts about the health care vaccine mandate. Kavanaugh said it was a “very unusual situation” that hospitals and health care organizations affected by the regulation were “not here complaining” about the rule but instead support it. “What are we to make of that?” he asked.

The second regulation is a mandate that would apply to virtually all health care staff in the country. It covers health care providers that receive federal Medicare or Medicaid funding, potentially affecting 76,000 health care facilities as well as home health care providers. The rule has medical and religious exemptions.

Decisions by federal appeals courts in New Orleans and St. Louis have blocked the mandate in about half the states. The administration has said it is taking steps to enforce it in the rest.

“I think effectively what is at stake is whether these mandates are going to go into effect at all,” said Sean Marotta, a Washington lawyer whose clients include the American Hospital Association. The trade group is not involved in the Supreme Court cases.

Both vaccine rules would exacerbate labor shortages and be costly to businesses, lawyer Scott Keller argued Friday on behalf of more than two dozen business groups. Without an immediate order from the court, “workers will quit right away,” Keller said.

Administration lawyer Prelogar told the justices that COVID-19 “is the deadliest pandemic in American history and it poses a unique workplace danger.” OSHA has estimated that its emergency regulation will save 6,500 lives and prevent 250,000 hospitalizations over six months.

Nearly 207 million Americans, 62.3% of the population, are fully vaccinated, and more than a third of those have received booster shots, including the nine justices.

Andy Slavitt, a former adviser to the Biden administration on COVID-19, said the vaccine requirements are extremely effective for 15% to 20% of Americans “who don’t like to get a shot but they will and don’t have any strenuous objection.”

The high court is weighing in on administration vaccine policies for the first time, although the justices have turned away pleas to block state-level mandates.

A conservative majority concerned about federal overreach did bring an end to a federal moratorium on evictions put in place because of the pandemic.

Both the vaccination case came to the court on an emergency basis, and the court took the unusual step of scheduling arguments rather than just ruling on briefs submitted by the parties. Unlike in other cases the court hears, a decision from the justices could come in weeks if not days.

Because of the pandemic the justices heard the cases in a courtroom closed to the public. Only the justices, lawyers involved in the cases, court staff and journalists were allowed inside. The public could listen live, however, a change made earlier in the pandemic when the justices for nearly 19 months heard cases via telephone.

The court has been asking arguing lawyers to have negative coronavirus tests and participate remotely if they have positive tests. Ohio Solicitor General Benjamin Flowers, who was arguing against the employer rule, had tested positive for COVID-19 after Christmas, had mild symptoms and fully recovered, but a test on Sunday required by the court detected the virus, a spokeswoman said. He had been vaccinated and had a booster shot.

Louisiana Solicitor General Elizabeth Murrill who was arguing against the health care workers rule, was also arguing remotely “based upon the court’s protocol,” state Attorney General Jeff Landry said. Landry was at the court for Friday’s arguments.

It was the first time since the court returned to in-person arguments in October that lawyers were arguing remotely.

Justice Neil Gorsuch was the only justice to remain unmasked throughout the arguments, which lasted more than 3 and 1/2 hours. He sits between Barrett and Sotomayor. The court did not explain why Sotomayor didn’t take the bench.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court is taking up two major Biden administration efforts to bump up the nation’s vaccination rate against COVID-19 at a time of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-joe-biden-health-pandemics-united-states-8d3195d162980fecb55e3d5da3794629">spiking coronavirus cases because of the omicron variant</a>.

The justices on the conservative-oriented court are hearing arguments Friday about whether to allow the administration to enforce a vaccine-or-testing requirement that applies to large employers and a separate vaccine mandate for most health care workers. The arguments were expected to last at least two hours.

The challengers argue that the vaccine rules exceed the administration’s authority, but Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar, the administration’s top Supreme Court lawyer, wrote that both are needed to avoid unnecessary hospitalizations and deaths.

Keeping the vaccine mandate for health care workers on hold “will likely result in hundreds or thousands of deaths and serious illnesses from COVID-19 that could otherwise be prevented,” Prelogar wrote.

Nearly 207 million Americans, 62.3% of the population, are fully vaccinated, and more than a third of the country has received a booster shot,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-joe-biden-us-supreme-court-health-centers-for-disease-control-and-prevention-85207706b48cc76147a17d7a476fd9c6">including the nine justices</a>.

The court said Friday that Justice Sonia Sotomayor would not be on the bench with her colleagues, opting instead to take part remotely from her office at the court. Sotomayor, who has had diabetes since childhood, has been the only justice who wore a mask to previous argument sessions in the courtroom.

Andy Slavitt, a former adviser to the Biden administration on COVID-19, said the vaccine requirements are extremely effective for 15% to 20% of Americans “who don’t like to get a shot, but they will and don’t have any strenuous objection.”

The high court will be weighing in on administration vaccine policies for the first time, although the justices have turned away pleas to block state-level mandates.

But a conservative majority concerned about federal overreach&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-courts-pandemics-coronavirus-pandemic-daa34fb48a04dc9f3ddad94fb6b4cbb2">did bring an end to the federal moratorium on evictions</a>&nbsp;put in place because of the pandemic.

Three conservatives, Chief Justice John Roberts and Justices Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett, probably hold the key to the outcome, Marotta said.

They broke with the other justices on the right over state mandates for health-care workers, but joined them to allow evictions to resume.

Both vaccine rules will exacerbate labor shortages and be costly to businesses, opponents said. “People are going to quit. It will make a bad situation worse and they’re not going to come back,” said Karen Harned, executive director of the National Federation of Independent Business’ Small Business Legal Center.

Her group is among those challenging an emergency rule adopted by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration under which workers at businesses with 100 or more employees must be vaccinated or get tested weekly and wear masks while working. The rule has exceptions for those who work alone or mostly outdoors.

The OSHA rule is supposed to take effect Monday, although the agency has said it would not impose fines on businesses that don’t comply before late February.

The vaccine mandate, for its part, applies to virtually all health care staff in the country. It covers health care providers that receive federal Medicare or Medicaid funding, potentially affecting 76,000 health care facilities as well as home health care providers. The rule has medical and religious exemptions.

Both cases are coming to the court on an emergency basis and the court took the unusual step of scheduling arguments rather than just ruling on briefs submitted by the parties. Unlike in other cases the court hears, a decision from the justices could come in weeks if not days.

Because of the pandemic the justices will hear the cases in a courtroom closed to the public. Only the justices, lawyers involved in the cases, court staff and journalists will be present. The public <a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/live.aspx">can listen live,</a> however, a change made earlier in the pandemic when the justices for nearly 19 months heard cases via telephone.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1641555607497.png" alt="Snow on the steps of the U.S. Supreme Court this week -photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Snow on the steps of the U.S. Supreme Court this week -photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Fully vaccinated and mostly masked, the Supreme Court’s conservative majority appeared skeptical Friday of the Biden administration’s authority to impose a vaccine-or-testing requirement on the nation’s large employers. The court seemed more open to a separate vaccine mandate for most health care workers.<a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?516920-1/justices-hear-case-vaccine-test-mandate">CLICK here to listen </a>to a replay of Friday's oral argumentsThe arguments in the two cases come at&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-health-education-detroit-cde614839b15d02a594dab1e690c7d46">a time of spiking coronavirus cases</a>&nbsp;because of the omicron variant, and the decision Friday by seven justices to wear masks for the first time while hearing arguments reflected the new phase of the pandemic.An eighth justice, Sonia Sotomayor, a diabetic since childhood, didn’t even appear in the courtroom, choosing to remain in her office at the court and take part remotely. Two lawyers, representing Ohio and Louisiana, argued by telephone after recent positive COVID-19 tests, state officials said.But the COVID circumstances did not appear to outweigh the views of the court’s six conservatives that the administration overstepped its authority in its vaccine-or-testing requirement for businesses with at least 100 employees.“This is something the federal government has never done before,” Chief Justice John Roberts said, casting doubt on the administration’s argument that a half-century established law, the Occupational Safety and Health Act, confers such broad authority.Roberts and Justices Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett probably hold the key to the outcome in both cases, as they have been more receptive to state-level vaccine requirements than the other three conservative justices. Barrett and Kavanaugh also had tough questions for Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar, the administration’s top Supreme Court lawyer.The court’s three liberal justices suggested support for the employer rule. Justice Elena Kagan said officials have shown “quite clearly that no other policy will prevent sickness and death to anywhere like the degree that this one will.” And Justice Stephen Breyer said he found it “unbelievable” that it could be in the “public interest” to put that rule on hold. He said that on Thursday there were some 750,000 new cases in the country and that hospitals are full.Beginning Monday, unvaccinated employees in big companies are supposed to wear masks at work, unless the court blocks enforcement. But testing requirements and potential fines for employers don’t kick in until February.Legal challenges to the policies from Republican-led states and business groups are in their early stages, but the outcome at the high court probably will determine the fate of vaccine requirements affecting more than 80 million people.Roberts, Kavanaugh and Barrett seemed to have fewer doubts about the health care vaccine mandate. Kavanaugh said it was a “very unusual situation” that hospitals and health care organizations affected by the regulation were “not here complaining” about the rule but instead support it. “What are we to make of that?” he asked.The second regulation is a mandate that would apply to virtually all health care staff in the country. It covers health care providers that receive federal Medicare or Medicaid funding, potentially affecting 76,000 health care facilities as well as home health care providers. The rule has medical and religious exemptions.Decisions by federal appeals courts in New Orleans and St. Louis have blocked the mandate in about half the states. The administration has said it is taking steps to enforce it in the rest.“I think effectively what is at stake is whether these mandates are going to go into effect at all,” said Sean Marotta, a Washington lawyer whose clients include the American Hospital Association. The trade group is not involved in the Supreme Court cases.Both vaccine rules would exacerbate labor shortages and be costly to businesses, lawyer Scott Keller argued Friday on behalf of more than two dozen business groups. Without an immediate order from the court, “workers will quit right away,” Keller said.Administration lawyer Prelogar told the justices that COVID-19 “is the deadliest pandemic in American history and it poses a unique workplace danger.” OSHA has estimated that its emergency regulation will save 6,500 lives and prevent 250,000 hospitalizations over six months.Nearly 207 million Americans, 62.3% of the population, are fully vaccinated, and more than a third of those have received booster shots, including the nine justices.Andy Slavitt, a former adviser to the Biden administration on COVID-19, said the vaccine requirements are extremely effective for 15% to 20% of Americans “who don’t like to get a shot but they will and don’t have any strenuous objection.”The high court is weighing in on administration vaccine policies for the first time, although the justices have turned away pleas to block state-level mandates.A conservative majority concerned about federal overreach did bring an end to a federal moratorium on evictions put in place because of the pandemic.Both the vaccination case came to the court on an emergency basis, and the court took the unusual step of scheduling arguments rather than just ruling on briefs submitted by the parties. Unlike in other cases the court hears, a decision from the justices could come in weeks if not days.Because of the pandemic the justices heard the cases in a courtroom closed to the public. Only the justices, lawyers involved in the cases, court staff and journalists were allowed inside. The public could listen live, however, a change made earlier in the pandemic when the justices for nearly 19 months heard cases via telephone.The court has been asking arguing lawyers to have negative coronavirus tests and participate remotely if they have positive tests. Ohio Solicitor General Benjamin Flowers, who was arguing against the employer rule, had tested positive for COVID-19 after Christmas, had mild symptoms and fully recovered, but a test on Sunday required by the court detected the virus, a spokeswoman said. He had been vaccinated and had a booster shot.Louisiana Solicitor General Elizabeth Murrill who was arguing against the health care workers rule, was also arguing remotely “based upon the court’s protocol,” state Attorney General Jeff Landry said. Landry was at the court for Friday’s arguments.It was the first time since the court returned to in-person arguments in October that lawyers were arguing remotely.Justice Neil Gorsuch was the only justice to remain unmasked throughout the arguments, which lasted more than 3 and 1/2 hours. He sits between Barrett and Sotomayor. The court did not explain why Sotomayor didn’t take the bench.___WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court is taking up two major Biden administration efforts to bump up the nation’s vaccination rate against COVID-19 at a time of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-joe-biden-health-pandemics-united-states-8d3195d162980fecb55e3d5da3794629">spiking coronavirus cases because of the omicron variant</a>.The justices on the conservative-oriented court are hearing arguments Friday about whether to allow the administration to enforce a vaccine-or-testing requirement that applies to large employers and a separate vaccine mandate for most health care workers. The arguments were expected to last at least two hours.Legal challenges to the policies from Republican-led states and business groups are in their early stages, but the outcome at the high court probably will determine the fate of vaccine requirements affecting more than 80 million people.“I think effectively what is at stake is whether these mandates are going to go into effect at all,” said Sean Marotta, a Washington lawyer whose clients include the American Hospital Association. The trade group is not involved in the Supreme Court cases.The challengers argue that the vaccine rules exceed the administration’s authority, but Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar, the administration’s top Supreme Court lawyer, wrote that both are needed to avoid unnecessary hospitalizations and deaths.Keeping the vaccine mandate for health care workers on hold “will likely result in hundreds or thousands of deaths and serious illnesses from COVID-19 that could otherwise be prevented,” Prelogar wrote.Nearly 207 million Americans, 62.3% of the population, are fully vaccinated, and more than a third of the country has received a booster shot,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-joe-biden-us-supreme-court-health-centers-for-disease-control-and-prevention-85207706b48cc76147a17d7a476fd9c6">including the nine justices</a>.The court said Friday that Justice Sonia Sotomayor would not be on the bench with her colleagues, opting instead to take part remotely from her office at the court. Sotomayor, who has had diabetes since childhood, has been the only justice who wore a mask to previous argument sessions in the courtroom.Andy Slavitt, a former adviser to the Biden administration on COVID-19, said the vaccine requirements are extremely effective for 15% to 20% of Americans “who don’t like to get a shot, but they will and don’t have any strenuous objection.”The high court will be weighing in on administration vaccine policies for the first time, although the justices have turned away pleas to block state-level mandates.But a conservative majority concerned about federal overreach&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-courts-pandemics-coronavirus-pandemic-daa34fb48a04dc9f3ddad94fb6b4cbb2">did bring an end to the federal moratorium on evictions</a>&nbsp;put in place because of the pandemic.Three conservatives, Chief Justice John Roberts and Justices Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett, probably hold the key to the outcome, Marotta said.They broke with the other justices on the right over state mandates for health-care workers, but joined them to allow evictions to resume.Both vaccine rules will exacerbate labor shortages and be costly to businesses, opponents said. “People are going to quit. It will make a bad situation worse and they’re not going to come back,” said Karen Harned, executive director of the National Federation of Independent Business’ Small Business Legal Center.Her group is among those challenging an emergency rule adopted by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration under which workers at businesses with 100 or more employees must be vaccinated or get tested weekly and wear masks while working. The rule has exceptions for those who work alone or mostly outdoors.The OSHA rule is supposed to take effect Monday, although the agency has said it would not impose fines on businesses that don’t comply before late February.The vaccine mandate, for its part, applies to virtually all health care staff in the country. It covers health care providers that receive federal Medicare or Medicaid funding, potentially affecting 76,000 health care facilities as well as home health care providers. The rule has medical and religious exemptions.Decisions by federal appeals courts in New Orleans and St. Louis have blocked the mandate in about half the states. The administration has said it is taking steps to enforce it in the rest.Both cases are coming to the court on an emergency basis and the court took the unusual step of scheduling arguments rather than just ruling on briefs submitted by the parties. Unlike in other cases the court hears, a decision from the justices could come in weeks if not days.Because of the pandemic the justices will hear the cases in a courtroom closed to the public. Only the justices, lawyers involved in the cases, court staff and journalists will be present. The public <a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/live.aspx">can listen live,</a> however, a change made earlier in the pandemic when the justices for nearly 19 months heard cases via telephone.

🎤Vaccine mandate showdown at the Supreme Court

Robert “Ed” Elliott, 81, passed away on January 5, 2022, at KU Med 
Center, Kansas City, Kansas. He was born on October 21, 1940, at Great 
Bend, Kansas to Harry William &amp; Mildred Oleta (Wisehart) Elliott. On
 July 1, 1992, he married Jan Brewer at Great Bend, Kansas.

A life-time Great Bend resident, Robert was the owner and operator of
 both Elliott Transfer and Storage and Blades Hair Technicians. He was a
 member of the Elks, American Legion, and "Great Bend Brothers and 
Sisters" group – a friend group that socialized and traveled together 
for more than 45 years. Robert also enjoyed hunting, fishing, and golf.

Survivors include his wife of the home; one daughter, Shala (Chad) 
Ehrlich of Great Bend; one sister, Lois Hickel of Salina; one 
granddaughter, Addie “The Gripper” Ehrlich; and one brother-in-law, Bill
 Keener. He was preceded in death by an infant brother, Darold Elliott; 
sister, Joan Keener; and brother-in-law Eddie Hickel.

Visitation will take place from 11:00 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, January
 11, 2022, at Bryant Funeral Home. Family will receive friends from 5:00
 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on 
Wednesday, January 12, 2022, at the First United Methodist Church with 
Reverend Tim Bever presiding. Interment will follow at Great Bend 
Cemetery. 

Memorials can be made to the First United Methodist Church or 
Golden Belt Humane Society, in care of Bryant Funeral Home.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1641564069699.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Robert “Ed” Elliott, 81, passed away on January 5, 2022, at KU Med 
Center, Kansas City, Kansas. He was born on October 21, 1940, at Great 
Bend, Kansas to Harry William &amp; Mildred Oleta (Wisehart) Elliott. On
 July 1, 1992, he married Jan Brewer at Great Bend, Kansas.A life-time Great Bend resident, Robert was the owner and operator of
 both Elliott Transfer and Storage and Blades Hair Technicians. He was a
 member of the Elks, American Legion, and "Great Bend Brothers and 
Sisters" group – a friend group that socialized and traveled together 
for more than 45 years. Robert also enjoyed hunting, fishing, and golf.Survivors include his wife of the home; one daughter, Shala (Chad) 
Ehrlich of Great Bend; one sister, Lois Hickel of Salina; one 
granddaughter, Addie “The Gripper” Ehrlich; and one brother-in-law, Bill
 Keener. He was preceded in death by an infant brother, Darold Elliott; 
sister, Joan Keener; and brother-in-law Eddie Hickel.Visitation will take place from 11:00 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, January
 11, 2022, at Bryant Funeral Home. Family will receive friends from 5:00
 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on 
Wednesday, January 12, 2022, at the First United Methodist Church with 
Reverend Tim Bever presiding. Interment will follow at Great Bend 
Cemetery. Memorials can be made to the First United Methodist Church or 
Golden Belt Humane Society, in care of Bryant Funeral Home.

Robert 'Ed' Elliott

By KEN CARPENTER Great Bend Post

Barton County Sheriff Brian Bellendir is criticizing Kansas Governor Laura Kelly for failing to adequately respond to security and operational issues at Larned State Hospital. Bellendir was a guest Thursday on 1590 KVGB and 95.5 FM's County Edition.&nbsp;

Bellendir cited the escape from the facility of 43-year-old Isaac Watts on Monday night. Watts was being held at the hospital for a mental evaluation after being charged with kidnapping and attempted second-degree murder in Grant County. He was apprehended by Garden City Police the next day. In June, 42-year-old John Freeman Colt escaped from the hospital's Sexual Predator Treatment Program and remained at large until his capture in Utah in September.&nbsp;

Bellendir was joined by 58 other county sheriffs in Kansas last October in sending a letter to Kelly to express their concern about the hospital's management. &nbsp;

"The Governor didn’t even bother to send us a response,” Bellendir reported. “The gist of that letter was that something needs to change over there drastically. We’re not talking about forced escapes and we’re not talking about overpowering people. These guys are just walking out of the facility. There needs to be, in my opinion, a change of leadership over there.” &nbsp;

Safety is not the only issue Bellendir is concerned about. He said that he knew of nine people in western Kansas this week who are on a waiting list to be admitted.&nbsp;

"We can’t get people into the state hospital who are in mental crisis. When you’ve got eight or nine people waiting to get in, the state needs to step up here. This is a disservice to those people as well.” &nbsp;

Kelly announced on Tuesday that she is directing the state agency in charge of Larned State Hospital to hire an independent firm to conduct a review of the facility's operations. Bellendir is not pleased with that approach. He said that process could take at least a year to complete and&nbsp;change&nbsp;is needed before then.&nbsp;

Listen below to the entire interview with Bellendir from Jan. 6, 2022.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1614955691374.jpeg" alt="Barton County Sheriff Brian Bellendir" />
 <figcaption>Barton County Sheriff Brian Bellendir</figcaption>
 </figure>By KEN CARPENTER Great Bend PostBarton County Sheriff Brian Bellendir is criticizing Kansas Governor Laura Kelly for failing to adequately respond to security and operational issues at Larned State Hospital. Bellendir was a guest Thursday on 1590 KVGB and 95.5 FM's County Edition.&nbsp;Bellendir cited the escape from the facility of 43-year-old Isaac Watts on Monday night. Watts was being held at the hospital for a mental evaluation after being charged with kidnapping and attempted second-degree murder in Grant County. He was apprehended by Garden City Police the next day. In June, 42-year-old John Freeman Colt escaped from the hospital's Sexual Predator Treatment Program and remained at large until his capture in Utah in September.&nbsp;Bellendir was joined by 58 other county sheriffs in Kansas last October in sending a letter to Kelly to express their concern about the hospital's management. &nbsp;"The Governor didn’t even bother to send us a response,” Bellendir reported. “The gist of that letter was that something needs to change over there drastically. We’re not talking about forced escapes and we’re not talking about overpowering people. These guys are just walking out of the facility. There needs to be, in my opinion, a change of leadership over there.” &nbsp;Safety is not the only issue Bellendir is concerned about. He said that he knew of nine people in western Kansas this week who are on a waiting list to be admitted.&nbsp;"We can’t get people into the state hospital who are in mental crisis. When you’ve got eight or nine people waiting to get in, the state needs to step up here. This is a disservice to those people as well.” &nbsp;Kelly announced on Tuesday that she is directing the state agency in charge of Larned State Hospital to hire an independent firm to conduct a review of the facility's operations. Bellendir is not pleased with that approach. He said that process could take at least a year to complete and&nbsp;change&nbsp;is needed before then.&nbsp;Listen below to the entire interview with Bellendir from Jan. 6, 2022.<div><iframe width="100%" height="265" src="https://clyp.it/hsj0rpnd/widget" frameborder="0"></iframe></div>

Barton Co. Sheriff challenges governor to take action at LSH

PAWNEE COUNTY– Liliana Guadalupe Houser, 45, of Garden City, appeared in the Pawnee County District Court Thursday afternoon before District Judge Bruce Gatterman for a Felony Arraignment, according to Pawnee County Attorney Doug McNett.

Houser plead No Contest to three felonies including Unlawful Sexual Relations with a patient while employed by Kansas Dept. of Aging and Disability Services(KDADS), Traffic in Contraband in a Care &amp; Treatment Facility while employed by KDADS and Obstructing in the Apprehension or Prosecution of a Registered Sex Offender.

In exchange for the plea, the State agreed to dismiss an additional count of Unlawful Sexual Relations with a patient while employed by KDADS and nine additional counts of Traffic in Contraband in a Care &amp; Treatment Facility while employed by KDADS.

The charges stem from an ongoing investigation by the Pawnee County Sheriff’s Department following the June 30, 2021, escape of John Freeman Colt from the Sexual Predator Treatment Program located on the campus of Larned State Hospital. Colt was captured in Wayne Country Utah on September 27.

In support of the plea, Pawnee County Attorney Douglas McNett advised the Court that had the matter proceeded to trial the State would have presented testimony that Houser, while employed at Larned State Hospital, engaged in a sexual relationship with Colt between January 17 and June 24, 2021, and that she sent sexually explicit videos to Colt utilizing the Facebook Messenger platform.

 When law enforcement interviewed her on July 1, Houser failed to disclose her relationship with Colt or the existence of Colt’s Facebook account. It is the State’s position this nondisclosure was intended to assist Colt avoid apprehension as information contained in the account later played a crucial role in the investigation. The defendant did not make any statement regarding the State’s proffer of evidence.

Prior to accepting the plea, Judge Gatterman advised Houser she would be subject to register as a Sex Offender for a period of twenty-five years. Under the Kansas Sentencing Guidelines she faces a presumptive prison sentence between 31 months and 136 months depending on her criminal history.

Sentencing has been scheduled for February 17. Houser has been in the custody of the Pawnee County Sheriff since her arrest on October 8, on a Bond of $45,000.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1634076547899.png" alt="Houser-photo Pawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Houser-photo Pawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>PAWNEE COUNTY– Liliana Guadalupe Houser, 45, of Garden City, appeared in the Pawnee County District Court Thursday afternoon before District Judge Bruce Gatterman for a Felony Arraignment, according to Pawnee County Attorney Doug McNett.Houser plead No Contest to three felonies including Unlawful Sexual Relations with a patient while employed by Kansas Dept. of Aging and Disability Services(KDADS), Traffic in Contraband in a Care &amp; Treatment Facility while employed by KDADS and Obstructing in the Apprehension or Prosecution of a Registered Sex Offender.In exchange for the plea, the State agreed to dismiss an additional count of Unlawful Sexual Relations with a patient while employed by KDADS and nine additional counts of Traffic in Contraband in a Care &amp; Treatment Facility while employed by KDADS.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1632850718422.png" alt="With assistance from three state hospital employees, John Freeman Colt escaped from the treatment program at the Larned State Hospital in June. He was captured in Utah on Sept. 27." />
 <figcaption>With assistance from three state hospital employees, John Freeman Colt escaped from the treatment program at the Larned State Hospital in June. He was captured in Utah on Sept. 27.</figcaption>
 </figure>The charges stem from an ongoing investigation by the Pawnee County Sheriff’s Department following the June 30, 2021, escape of John Freeman Colt from the Sexual Predator Treatment Program located on the campus of Larned State Hospital. Colt was captured in Wayne Country Utah on September 27.In support of the plea, Pawnee County Attorney Douglas McNett advised the Court that had the matter proceeded to trial the State would have presented testimony that Houser, while employed at Larned State Hospital, engaged in a sexual relationship with Colt between January 17 and June 24, 2021, and that she sent sexually explicit videos to Colt utilizing the Facebook Messenger platform. When law enforcement interviewed her on July 1, Houser failed to disclose her relationship with Colt or the existence of Colt’s Facebook account. It is the State’s position this nondisclosure was intended to assist Colt avoid apprehension as information contained in the account later played a crucial role in the investigation. The defendant did not make any statement regarding the State’s proffer of evidence.Prior to accepting the plea, Judge Gatterman advised Houser she would be subject to register as a Sex Offender for a period of twenty-five years. Under the Kansas Sentencing Guidelines she faces a presumptive prison sentence between 31 months and 136 months depending on her criminal history.Sentencing has been scheduled for February 17. Houser has been in the custody of the Pawnee County Sheriff since her arrest on October 8, on a Bond of $45,000.

State hospital employee had sex with offender before his escape

NEW YORK (AP) — Oh, how things have changed.

Just a year ago, many Republicans joined Democrats in reacting with horror to the Capitol insurrection, denouncing both the violence perpetrated by the rioters and the role played by former President Donald Trump in stoking the outrage that fueled their actions with lies about a “stolen” election.

But on the anniversary of the attack, top Republicans were far more muted. Some acknowledged the terror of the day but quickly pivoted to bashing Democrats. Many avoided observances planned at the Capitol. And still others didn’t say anything at all.

It’s all part of the political calculus in a party in which the former president remains very much in charge.

The party’s top congressional leaders were missing from Thursday’s commemoration events at the Capitol. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy did not make an appearance or issue a statement. Republican Senate leader Mitch McConnell, who delivered one of the sharpest denunciations of Trump after the attack, was in Atlanta for the funeral of former Sen. Johnny Isakson.

Indeed, during a moment of silence held in honor of law enforcement officers, only two Republicans were present in the House chamber: Rep. Liz Cheney of Wyoming, who has become a pariah in her party over her criticism of Trump’s actions, and her father, former Vice President Dick Cheney.

In a statement, McConnell called Jan. 6 “a dark day for Congress and our country” after “the seat of the first branch of our federal government was stormed by criminals who brutalized police officers and used force to try to stop Congress from doing its job.”

But he also criticized Democrats for what he said was their politicization of the attack. “It has been stunning to see some Washington Democrats try to exploit this anniversary to advance partisan policy goals that long predated this event,” he said.

It was a notable shift from the comments he had made last year after the Senate voted against Trump’s impeachment.

“There’s no question — none — that President Trump is practically and morally responsible for provoking the events of the day. No question about it,” he said then, calling it “a disgraceful, disgraceful dereliction of duty.”

Like McConnell, Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham, a friend and ally of the former president, was clear in his denunciation of Trump immediately following the Jan. 6 attack.

“All I can say is count me out. Enough is enough,” he’d said then.

On Thursday, however, Graham, who remains close to Trump, marked the occasion with a mix of shock and partisan attacks.

“I still cannot believe that a mob was able to take over the United States Capitol during such a pivotal moment — certifying a presidential election. It would have been so easy for terrorists to boot strap onto this protest and wreak even further destruction on the U.S. Capitol,” he wrote.

Still, he pivoted to politics, characterizing the speeches by President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris at the Capitol as an “effort to resurrect a failed presidency more than marking the anniversary of a dark day in American history.”

“Their brazen attempts to use January 6 to support radical election reform and changing the rules of the Senate to accomplish this goal will not succeed,” he wrote.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, considered a potential 2024 presidential candidate, was also quick to pounce. Speaking to reporters in Florida on Thursday morning around the same time Biden was addressing the nation, DeSantis slammed Democrats and the media for making so much hay of the event.

“This is their Christmas, January 6th,” he said. “They are going to take this and milk this for anything they could to try to be able to smear anyone who ever supported Donald Trump​.”

He lashed out at those who have compared the gravity of what happened on Jan. 6 to the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks and said most Florida residents have other issues on their minds.

“I think it’s going to end up being just a politicized Charlie Foxtrot today,” he said, using military slang for a chaotic situation. “I think it’s going to be nauseating, quite frankly.”

Other potential 2024 candidates, meanwhile, stayed conspicuously silent, underscoring the complicated calculus they face in a party in which Trump remains very much in charge, with the support of wide swaths of the primary-voting electorate.

Former Vice President Mike Pence — who fled for his life on Jan. 6 as rioters broke into the Capitol, chanting “Hang Mike Pence!” — did not not release a statement marking the occasion.

Pence has said that he and the former president will likely never “see eye to eye” on the events of Jan. 6 and has defended his role that day in rejecting Trump’s demands that he overturn the election results — something he did not have the power to do. At the same time, he has accused the media of reporting on the attack to “demean” Trump’s supporters and to “distract from the Biden administration’s failed agenda,” as he said on Fox News in October.

Also saying nothing were former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who has been laying the groundwork for a possible 2024 campaign by highlighting the Trump administration’s successes, and former Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley, who found herself on the wrong side of the party’s base when she criticized Trump immediately after the insurrection. She has since said that she will not run for the GOP nomination if Trump chooses to move forward with the comeback campaign he’s been teasing.

While Trump canceled the anniversary news conference he’d been planning in Florida for Thursday, several of his most ardent followers scheduled their own counterprogramming.

“We’re ashamed of nothing,” said GOP Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida during an appearance with Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene on a podcast hosted by former Trump strategist Steve Bannon, who has been indicted for defying a subpoena from the House committee investigating the insurrection. “We’re proud of the work that we did on Jan. 6 to make legitimate arguments about election integrity.”

Greene slammed Republican Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, another potential 2024 contender, for having characterized the anniversary as an event marking “a violent terrorist attack on the Capitol” Wednesday.

She accused Cruz of disrespecting “MAGA patriots” and “people that rioted at the Capitol and did breach the Capitol.”

Cruz later appeared on Fox News to walk back his comments, saying his phrasing was “sloppy” and “frankly dumb.”

The GOP’s transformation into the Party of Trump came perhaps most clearly into focus as former Vice President Dick Cheney paid an unexpected visit to the Capitol to support his daughter, who has become one of the most prominent anti-Trump voices.

Asked what he made of Republican leadership’s handling of the anniversary, Cheney, who served under George W. Bush, was glib in his assessment of an institution that has all but been remade in Trump’s image.

“It’s not a leadership that resembles any of the folks I knew when I was here for 10 years, dramatically,” Cheney, also a former congressman, told reporters.

“The importance of January 6th as an historic event cannot be overstated,” he added in a statement. “I am deeply disappointed at the failure of many members of my party to recognize the grave nature of the January 6 attacks and the ongoing threat to our nation.”

Karl Rove, who served as deputy chief of staff in the Bush administration and advised Trump at points during the 2020 campaign, wrote an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/republicans-jan-6-responsibility-anniversary-riot-storm-capitol-trump-protesters-investigation-11641417707" target="_blank">op-ed in the Wall Street Journal</a>&nbsp;addressing those in his own party “who for a year have excused the actions of the rioters who stormed the Capitol, disrupted Congress as it received the Electoral College’s results, and violently attempted to overturn the election.”

“There can be no soft-pedaling what happened and no absolution for those who planned, encouraged and aided the attempt to overthrow our democracy. Love of country demands nothing less. That’s true patriotism,” he wrote.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1641554009997.png" alt="Congressional leaders and lawmakers marked the one year anniversary of the January 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol with a vigil on the steps of the Capitol-photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Congressional leaders and lawmakers marked the one year anniversary of the January 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol with a vigil on the steps of the Capitol-photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — Oh, how things have changed.Just a year ago, many Republicans joined Democrats in reacting with horror to the Capitol insurrection, denouncing both the violence perpetrated by the rioters and the role played by former President Donald Trump in stoking the outrage that fueled their actions with lies about a “stolen” election.But on the anniversary of the attack, top Republicans were far more muted. Some acknowledged the terror of the day but quickly pivoted to bashing Democrats. Many avoided observances planned at the Capitol. And still others didn’t say anything at all.It’s all part of the political calculus in a party in which the former president remains very much in charge.MISSING IN ACTIONThe party’s top congressional leaders were missing from Thursday’s commemoration events at the Capitol. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy did not make an appearance or issue a statement. Republican Senate leader Mitch McConnell, who delivered one of the sharpest denunciations of Trump after the attack, was in Atlanta for the funeral of former Sen. Johnny Isakson.Indeed, during a moment of silence held in honor of law enforcement officers, only two Republicans were present in the House chamber: Rep. Liz Cheney of Wyoming, who has become a pariah in her party over her criticism of Trump’s actions, and her father, former Vice President Dick Cheney.In a statement, McConnell called Jan. 6 “a dark day for Congress and our country” after “the seat of the first branch of our federal government was stormed by criminals who brutalized police officers and used force to try to stop Congress from doing its job.”But he also criticized Democrats for what he said was their politicization of the attack. “It has been stunning to see some Washington Democrats try to exploit this anniversary to advance partisan policy goals that long predated this event,” he said.It was a notable shift from the comments he had made last year after the Senate voted against Trump’s impeachment.“There’s no question — none — that President Trump is practically and morally responsible for provoking the events of the day. No question about it,” he said then, calling it “a disgraceful, disgraceful dereliction of duty.”THEN AND NOWLike McConnell, Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham, a friend and ally of the former president, was clear in his denunciation of Trump immediately following the Jan. 6 attack.“All I can say is count me out. Enough is enough,” he’d said then.On Thursday, however, Graham, who remains close to Trump, marked the occasion with a mix of shock and partisan attacks.“I still cannot believe that a mob was able to take over the United States Capitol during such a pivotal moment — certifying a presidential election. It would have been so easy for terrorists to boot strap onto this protest and wreak even further destruction on the U.S. Capitol,” he wrote.Still, he pivoted to politics, characterizing the speeches by President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris at the Capitol as an “effort to resurrect a failed presidency more than marking the anniversary of a dark day in American history.”“Their brazen attempts to use January 6 to support radical election reform and changing the rules of the Senate to accomplish this goal will not succeed,” he wrote.POLITICS FIRSTFlorida Gov. Ron DeSantis, considered a potential 2024 presidential candidate, was also quick to pounce. Speaking to reporters in Florida on Thursday morning around the same time Biden was addressing the nation, DeSantis slammed Democrats and the media for making so much hay of the event.“This is their Christmas, January 6th,” he said. “They are going to take this and milk this for anything they could to try to be able to smear anyone who ever supported Donald Trump​.”He lashed out at those who have compared the gravity of what happened on Jan. 6 to the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks and said most Florida residents have other issues on their minds.“I think it’s going to end up being just a politicized Charlie Foxtrot today,” he said, using military slang for a chaotic situation. “I think it’s going to be nauseating, quite frankly.”NO COMMENTOther potential 2024 candidates, meanwhile, stayed conspicuously silent, underscoring the complicated calculus they face in a party in which Trump remains very much in charge, with the support of wide swaths of the primary-voting electorate.Former Vice President Mike Pence — who fled for his life on Jan. 6 as rioters broke into the Capitol, chanting “Hang Mike Pence!” — did not not release a statement marking the occasion.Pence has said that he and the former president will likely never “see eye to eye” on the events of Jan. 6 and has defended his role that day in rejecting Trump’s demands that he overturn the election results — something he did not have the power to do. At the same time, he has accused the media of reporting on the attack to “demean” Trump’s supporters and to “distract from the Biden administration’s failed agenda,” as he said on Fox News in October.Also saying nothing were former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who has been laying the groundwork for a possible 2024 campaign by highlighting the Trump administration’s successes, and former Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley, who found herself on the wrong side of the party’s base when she criticized Trump immediately after the insurrection. She has since said that she will not run for the GOP nomination if Trump chooses to move forward with the comeback campaign he’s been teasing.COUNTERPROGRAMMINGWhile Trump canceled the anniversary news conference he’d been planning in Florida for Thursday, several of his most ardent followers scheduled their own counterprogramming.“We’re ashamed of nothing,” said GOP Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida during an appearance with Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene on a podcast hosted by former Trump strategist Steve Bannon, who has been indicted for defying a subpoena from the House committee investigating the insurrection. “We’re proud of the work that we did on Jan. 6 to make legitimate arguments about election integrity.”Greene slammed Republican Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, another potential 2024 contender, for having characterized the anniversary as an event marking “a violent terrorist attack on the Capitol” Wednesday.She accused Cruz of disrespecting “MAGA patriots” and “people that rioted at the Capitol and did breach the Capitol.”“Shame on Ted Cruz,” she said.Cruz later appeared on Fox News to walk back his comments, saying his phrasing was “sloppy” and “frankly dumb.”THE OLD GUARDThe GOP’s transformation into the Party of Trump came perhaps most clearly into focus as former Vice President Dick Cheney paid an unexpected visit to the Capitol to support his daughter, who has become one of the most prominent anti-Trump voices.Asked what he made of Republican leadership’s handling of the anniversary, Cheney, who served under George W. Bush, was glib in his assessment of an institution that has all but been remade in Trump’s image.“It’s not a leadership that resembles any of the folks I knew when I was here for 10 years, dramatically,” Cheney, also a former congressman, told reporters.“The importance of January 6th as an historic event cannot be overstated,” he added in a statement. “I am deeply disappointed at the failure of many members of my party to recognize the grave nature of the January 6 attacks and the ongoing threat to our nation.”Karl Rove, who served as deputy chief of staff in the Bush administration and advised Trump at points during the 2020 campaign, wrote an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/republicans-jan-6-responsibility-anniversary-riot-storm-capitol-trump-protesters-investigation-11641417707" target="_blank">op-ed in the Wall Street Journal</a>&nbsp;addressing those in his own party “who for a year have excused the actions of the rioters who stormed the Capitol, disrupted Congress as it received the Electoral College’s results, and violently attempted to overturn the election.”“There can be no soft-pedaling what happened and no absolution for those who planned, encouraged and aided the attempt to overthrow our democracy. Love of country demands nothing less. That’s true patriotism,” he wrote.

Republican lawmakers mark Jan. 6 with silence, deflection

Harold Karspeck, 101, of Goodland, Kansas passed away peacefully January 4, 2022, at the Goodland Regional Medical Center with his family by his side.&nbsp; Harold was born October 27, 1920, in Syracuse, NE.&nbsp; He was the son of Henry and Elizabeth Karspeck and the youngest of ten children.&nbsp; Harold was baptized into the Christian faith at the Delaware Country Church in Nebraska.&nbsp; The family farmed near Syracuse until Harold was six years old at which time they moved to the new farm his dad built six miles south of Burlington, Colorado. He attended a country school through the eighth grade and then attended Burlington High School, graduating in 1939. After graduation, he worked on the family farm northeast of Burlington with his parents.

After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Harold enlisted in the United States Army in July of 1942. He served in the European Theatre with the 168th General Hospital &nbsp; Unit.&nbsp; He was a motor pool sergeant in charge of ambulances, trucks and jeeps. The 168th crossed the Atlantic Ocean on the Queen Mary with Winston Churchill. The 168th Hospital Unit entered France on the beaches of Normandy the same way it was done on D-Day. Harold was honorably discharged February 1946.

He married Mary Jane Anthis, the love of his life, December 8, 1946 in Cushing, Oklahoma. They enjoyed 65 years together. To this union three children were born:&nbsp; Steven, Kathy and Roger. Harold and Mary raised their family on the farm northeast of Burlington. They grew wheat, corn, milo and raised cattle. Some of the years were very hard with drought and terrible hail storms. But through these hard times Harold always enjoyed taking his family on fishing trips in the mountains.&nbsp; While we were fishing, Dad kept a hot fire with a fresh pot of coffee for everyone to enjoy.

While on the farm, the family was active members of First St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Burlington. When Harold and Mary moved to Goodland in 1977, they joined the Goodland United Methodist Church. At this time, they were still involved in the family farm but now had time to enjoy many cruises and visited numerous foreign countries.

Harold was a lifetime member of the Goodland VFW Post 1133.&nbsp; He served as post chaplain for many years. Harold was the last surviving WWII veteran in Sherman County.

Those preceding him in death were his wife Mary Karspeck, daughter Kathy Scott, his parents, siblings Agnes Tonsing, Hilda James, Ruby Tonsing, Omar Karspeck, Irene Skidmore, Edna Krebs, and three who died in infancy.

Survivors include sons Steven (JoAnn) Karspeck, Hoehne, CO; Roger (Deena) Karspeck, Burlington, CO; and son-in-law Bill (Jeanne) Scott, Gold Canyon, AZ; six grandchildren, fourteen great grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren.&nbsp;

Visitation will be held on Monday, January 10, 2022 6:00 PM-8:00 PM at Koons-Russell-Funeral Home in Goodland, KS.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, January 11, 2022, 10:00 AM at Goodland United Methodist Church, Goodland, KS.&nbsp; Interment will follow in Goodland Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be designated to the Goodland United Methodist Church and may be left at the services or mailed to Koons-Russell Funeral Home, 211 N. Main Ave., Goodland, KS 67735.

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

Funeral services have been entrusted to Koons-Russell Funeral Home in Goodland.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1641493203558.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Harold Karspeck, 101, of Goodland, Kansas passed away peacefully January 4, 2022, at the Goodland Regional Medical Center with his family by his side.&nbsp; Harold was born October 27, 1920, in Syracuse, NE.&nbsp; He was the son of Henry and Elizabeth Karspeck and the youngest of ten children.&nbsp; Harold was baptized into the Christian faith at the Delaware Country Church in Nebraska.&nbsp; The family farmed near Syracuse until Harold was six years old at which time they moved to the new farm his dad built six miles south of Burlington, Colorado. He attended a country school through the eighth grade and then attended Burlington High School, graduating in 1939. After graduation, he worked on the family farm northeast of Burlington with his parents.After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Harold enlisted in the United States Army in July of 1942. He served in the European Theatre with the 168th General Hospital &nbsp; Unit.&nbsp; He was a motor pool sergeant in charge of ambulances, trucks and jeeps. The 168th crossed the Atlantic Ocean on the Queen Mary with Winston Churchill. The 168th Hospital Unit entered France on the beaches of Normandy the same way it was done on D-Day. Harold was honorably discharged February 1946.He married Mary Jane Anthis, the love of his life, December 8, 1946 in Cushing, Oklahoma. They enjoyed 65 years together. To this union three children were born:&nbsp; Steven, Kathy and Roger. Harold and Mary raised their family on the farm northeast of Burlington. They grew wheat, corn, milo and raised cattle. Some of the years were very hard with drought and terrible hail storms. But through these hard times Harold always enjoyed taking his family on fishing trips in the mountains.&nbsp; While we were fishing, Dad kept a hot fire with a fresh pot of coffee for everyone to enjoy.While on the farm, the family was active members of First St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Burlington. When Harold and Mary moved to Goodland in 1977, they joined the Goodland United Methodist Church. At this time, they were still involved in the family farm but now had time to enjoy many cruises and visited numerous foreign countries.Harold was a lifetime member of the Goodland VFW Post 1133.&nbsp; He served as post chaplain for many years. Harold was the last surviving WWII veteran in Sherman County.Those preceding him in death were his wife Mary Karspeck, daughter Kathy Scott, his parents, siblings Agnes Tonsing, Hilda James, Ruby Tonsing, Omar Karspeck, Irene Skidmore, Edna Krebs, and three who died in infancy.Survivors include sons Steven (JoAnn) Karspeck, Hoehne, CO; Roger (Deena) Karspeck, Burlington, CO; and son-in-law Bill (Jeanne) Scott, Gold Canyon, AZ; six grandchildren, fourteen great grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren.&nbsp;Visitation will be held on Monday, January 10, 2022 6:00 PM-8:00 PM at Koons-Russell-Funeral Home in Goodland, KS.Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, January 11, 2022, 10:00 AM at Goodland United Methodist Church, Goodland, KS.&nbsp; Interment will follow in Goodland Cemetery.Memorial contributions may be designated to the Goodland United Methodist Church and may be left at the services or mailed to Koons-Russell Funeral Home, 211 N. Main Ave., Goodland, KS 67735.Online condolences for the family may be left at <a href="http://www.koonsrussellfuneralhome.com">www.koonsrussellfuneralhome.com</a>.Funeral services have been entrusted to Koons-Russell Funeral Home in Goodland.

Harold Karspeck

Lifelong Goodland, KS resident Angela Benavides, 41, passed away on January 2, 2022, at the Hays Medical Center in Hays, KS.

Angela was born on October 2, 1980, to Irma Benavides in Goodland, KS.&nbsp; She was raised in Goodland and graduated from Goodland High School with the Class of 1999.

Angela met her husband Rafael “Junior” Macias in high school and shared love for an amazing 23 years.&nbsp; Soon to follow was their first born Rafael “Ralf” Macias IV born in October 1999.&nbsp; Then came their second born Mariza Jade Macias born in March 2002.

She started working for the Sherman County Early Childhood Center (SCECC) in September of 2009 and had worked for them for 12 years.&nbsp; Throughout her years of working there, she cared deeply for her co-workers and absolutely adored all the kids.

She was preceded in death by her maternal grandmother Dominga Benavides, mother-in-law Ilda Macias and several aunts, uncles and cousins.

Angela is survived by her husband “Baby Daddy” Rafael Macias III, two wonderful children Rafael “Jay” Macias IV and Mariza Jade Macias, her mother Irma Benavides; four sisters, Melinda Benavides of Goodland, KS, Crisy (Adrian) Conde of Bossier City, LA, Mary Hernandez of Goodland, KS and Crystal (Chris) Irvin of Goodland, KS; nieces and nephews, Cesar Jr., Sebastian, Mackenzie and Mackayla Rodriguez, Javy, Evanie, Dominic, Gabriela and Adam Conde, Alexzander Boll, and Julian and Kilian Irvin; sister-in-law Vanessa (Jose) Galindo of Campwood, TX and nieces Vanessa “Tita”, Zenaida and Angela Galindo, father-in-law Rafael (Esther) Macias of Waxahachie, TX.

Funeral services for Angela will be held on Saturday, January 8, 2022, at 1:30 PM MT at Calvary Gospel Church in Goodland with Pastor Randy Payne officiating.&nbsp; Burial will follow in the Goodland Cemetery.

Visitation will be held on Friday, January 7, 2022, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM MT at Koons-Russell Funeral Home in Goodland.

Memorial contributions may be designated to the Sherman County Early Childhood Center and may be left at the services or mailed to Koons-Russell Funeral Home, 211 N. Main Ave., Goodland, KS 67735.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1641492930487.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Lifelong Goodland, KS resident Angela Benavides, 41, passed away on January 2, 2022, at the Hays Medical Center in Hays, KS.Angela was born on October 2, 1980, to Irma Benavides in Goodland, KS.&nbsp; She was raised in Goodland and graduated from Goodland High School with the Class of 1999.Angela met her husband Rafael “Junior” Macias in high school and shared love for an amazing 23 years.&nbsp; Soon to follow was their first born Rafael “Ralf” Macias IV born in October 1999.&nbsp; Then came their second born Mariza Jade Macias born in March 2002.She started working for the Sherman County Early Childhood Center (SCECC) in September of 2009 and had worked for them for 12 years.&nbsp; Throughout her years of working there, she cared deeply for her co-workers and absolutely adored all the kids.She was preceded in death by her maternal grandmother Dominga Benavides, mother-in-law Ilda Macias and several aunts, uncles and cousins.Angela is survived by her husband “Baby Daddy” Rafael Macias III, two wonderful children Rafael “Jay” Macias IV and Mariza Jade Macias, her mother Irma Benavides; four sisters, Melinda Benavides of Goodland, KS, Crisy (Adrian) Conde of Bossier City, LA, Mary Hernandez of Goodland, KS and Crystal (Chris) Irvin of Goodland, KS; nieces and nephews, Cesar Jr., Sebastian, Mackenzie and Mackayla Rodriguez, Javy, Evanie, Dominic, Gabriela and Adam Conde, Alexzander Boll, and Julian and Kilian Irvin; sister-in-law Vanessa (Jose) Galindo of Campwood, TX and nieces Vanessa “Tita”, Zenaida and Angela Galindo, father-in-law Rafael (Esther) Macias of Waxahachie, TX.Funeral services for Angela will be held on Saturday, January 8, 2022, at 1:30 PM MT at Calvary Gospel Church in Goodland with Pastor Randy Payne officiating.&nbsp; Burial will follow in the Goodland Cemetery.Visitation will be held on Friday, January 7, 2022, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM MT at Koons-Russell Funeral Home in Goodland.Memorial contributions may be designated to the Sherman County Early Childhood Center and may be left at the services or mailed to Koons-Russell Funeral Home, 211 N. Main Ave., Goodland, KS 67735.Online condolences for the family may be left at <a href="http://www.koonsrussellfuneralhome.com">www.koonsrussellfuneralhome.com</a>.Funeral services have been entrusted to Koons-Russell Funeral Home in Goodland.

Angela Benavides

October 27, 1920 ~ January 4, 2022

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1641479336385.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>October 27, 1920 ~ January 4, 2022An obituary is pending with Koons-Russell Funeral Home.Click <a href="https://www.koonsrussellfuneralhome.com/obituary/Harold-Karspeck">HERE</a> for service details.