I remember a turkey hunt along the river some years back and the discovery that it led us to.&nbsp; We had hunted along the river west of Inman, and parked near an adjacent alfalfa field. As we crawled into the pickup to leave, my wife pointed toward the treetops along the river and asked “Is there a bird in that nest?” I looked where she pointed, and saw a haphazard collection of twigs or something in the very top of a tall dead Cottonwood. The ensuing conversation went something like this: “No dear that looks like a squirrel’s nest to me.” “I don’t think so,” she replied, “and I’m sure that’s a bird in it.” “Here then,” I said, handing her the binoculars. “See for yourself.” “Just like I thought,” she answered. “That is a bird. It looks like one of those big tall birds we see wading along the river.” “A Blue Heron,” I corrected, “and I don’t think so; not way up there!” I snatched the binoculars from her, and peered at the “squirrels’ nest” high in the tree. Sure enough! Sticking out like a sore thumb in the tallest tree around was a large willy-nilly collection of branches and sticks, and square in the middle of it stood the unmistakable silhouette of a Great Blue Heron, better known as a “crane” to most of us. Now, had “mom heron” not been standing in her nest, the squirrels nest theory would certainly have “flown,” and we’d have never given the spectacle a second glance. When we left, we took the gravel road along the other side of the river, and stopped for another look. We found the nest to be hidden by green trees, but discovered yet a second nest in which we also found an adult heron a few days later. A trip to that spot along the river today revealed 7 heron nests in that tree alone, along with 3 adult herons, and as we drove farther up the road, several more nests could be seen in an adjacent tree.

Great Blue Herons of some subspecies or coloration exist across the entire continental United States and Alaska. For Kansas herons, southern migration to Mexico or South America begins in October where they winter until March. They are very tall, gangly birds with immense wingspans of up to six feet, yet weigh less than ten pounds. Depending upon conditions, a few awkward “steps” may be required to launch them into flight, but once in the air, they move with slow, rhythmic, effortless strokes of those immense wings. Unlike most birds of their stature, they fly with their necks crooked and folded back against their bodies and their heads held upright. They have practically no tail at all, so they also fly with their long legs straight out behind them, acting as rudders to help steer them in flight.&nbsp;

I’m sure we’ve all seen “cranes” fishing in rivers and streams and along the banks of ponds. Although fish, frogs and small snakes make up the vast majority of their diet, they are not above eating insects and small rodents also. Their long, pointed beaks are perfectly designed for stabbing prey, which is always killed and swallowed head first. The enzymes in their digestive system are so strong that most bone matter is completely dissolved.

Great Blue Herons demand isolation in their nesting sites, and are very sensitive to human disturbance. Nests are often found in colonies known as “heronries,” and can be anywhere from treetops like the ones we found, to rocky ledges and crevices on the ground. When satisfied with a nesting site, the birds usually return year after year to enlarge and reuse the same structures whenever possible. Three or four bluish-green eggs are laid and incubated for twenty-eight days by both parents. Research shows that heron chicks are extremely unpleasing to look at until fully feathered, and stay in the nest until they are nearly full-grown.

Great Blue Herons are far form rare, and I remember as a kid learning to know them as “cranes” as we watched them hunt around the edges of the farm pond where my dad took me to fish for bass and bullheads. Your grandparents no doubt knew them as “shitepokes.” Writing this piece showed me how little I really knew about these birds, especially about where they built their nests. Yet another reason to Explore Kansas Outdoors!

Steve Gilliland, Inman, can be contacted by email at stevenrgilliland@gmail.com.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574696211722.png" alt="Steve&nbsp;Gilliland" />
 <figcaption>Steve&nbsp;Gilliland</figcaption>
 </figure>I remember a turkey hunt along the river some years back and the discovery that it led us to.&nbsp; We had hunted along the river west of Inman, and parked near an adjacent alfalfa field. As we crawled into the pickup to leave, my wife pointed toward the treetops along the river and asked “Is there a bird in that nest?” I looked where she pointed, and saw a haphazard collection of twigs or something in the very top of a tall dead Cottonwood. The ensuing conversation went something like this: “No dear that looks like a squirrel’s nest to me.” “I don’t think so,” she replied, “and I’m sure that’s a bird in it.” “Here then,” I said, handing her the binoculars. “See for yourself.” “Just like I thought,” she answered. “That is a bird. It looks like one of those big tall birds we see wading along the river.” “A Blue Heron,” I corrected, “and I don’t think so; not way up there!” I snatched the binoculars from her, and peered at the “squirrels’ nest” high in the tree. Sure enough! Sticking out like a sore thumb in the tallest tree around was a large willy-nilly collection of branches and sticks, and square in the middle of it stood the unmistakable silhouette of a Great Blue Heron, better known as a “crane” to most of us. Now, had “mom heron” not been standing in her nest, the squirrels nest theory would certainly have “flown,” and we’d have never given the spectacle a second glance. When we left, we took the gravel road along the other side of the river, and stopped for another look. We found the nest to be hidden by green trees, but discovered yet a second nest in which we also found an adult heron a few days later. A trip to that spot along the river today revealed 7 heron nests in that tree alone, along with 3 adult herons, and as we drove farther up the road, several more nests could be seen in an adjacent tree.Great Blue Herons of some subspecies or coloration exist across the entire continental United States and Alaska. For Kansas herons, southern migration to Mexico or South America begins in October where they winter until March. They are very tall, gangly birds with immense wingspans of up to six feet, yet weigh less than ten pounds. Depending upon conditions, a few awkward “steps” may be required to launch them into flight, but once in the air, they move with slow, rhythmic, effortless strokes of those immense wings. Unlike most birds of their stature, they fly with their necks crooked and folded back against their bodies and their heads held upright. They have practically no tail at all, so they also fly with their long legs straight out behind them, acting as rudders to help steer them in flight.&nbsp;I’m sure we’ve all seen “cranes” fishing in rivers and streams and along the banks of ponds. Although fish, frogs and small snakes make up the vast majority of their diet, they are not above eating insects and small rodents also. Their long, pointed beaks are perfectly designed for stabbing prey, which is always killed and swallowed head first. The enzymes in their digestive system are so strong that most bone matter is completely dissolved.Great Blue Herons demand isolation in their nesting sites, and are very sensitive to human disturbance. Nests are often found in colonies known as “heronries,” and can be anywhere from treetops like the ones we found, to rocky ledges and crevices on the ground. When satisfied with a nesting site, the birds usually return year after year to enlarge and reuse the same structures whenever possible. Three or four bluish-green eggs are laid and incubated for twenty-eight days by both parents. Research shows that heron chicks are extremely unpleasing to look at until fully feathered, and stay in the nest until they are nearly full-grown.Great Blue Herons are far form rare, and I remember as a kid learning to know them as “cranes” as we watched them hunt around the edges of the farm pond where my dad took me to fish for bass and bullheads. Your grandparents no doubt knew them as “shitepokes.” Writing this piece showed me how little I really knew about these birds, especially about where they built their nests. Yet another reason to Explore Kansas Outdoors!Steve Gilliland, Inman, can be contacted by email at stevenrgilliland@gmail.com.

Exploring Outdoors Kansas: Have you a heron in your hedgerow?

Calvin&nbsp; L. Hair, 67 of Savannah, Mo, died April 2, 2021, at his home 
after a lengthy illness.&nbsp; Calvin was born October 17, 1953, in Ransom KS 
to Orville and Willa (Snodgrass) Hair.

He was a graduate of Ransom High School and Cleveland Chiropractic College.

He served in the Kansas National Guard from 1986 to 1990 and was 
honorably discharged.&nbsp; He owned and operated Hair Chiropractic Clinic in
 Plainville KS; retiring in 2012. He was a member of the Savannah United
 Methodist Church and the Savannah Lions Club.

He married Jeanette Sommer on January 1, 1998 in Oregon, MO, and together they moved to Savannah in 2012.

Preceding him in death was his wife Jeanette in December of 2020, his father, infant sister, and a granddaughter.

Survivors include children Matthew Hair of Wichita, KS, &nbsp;Christopher 
Hair of Lawton, OK, Lisa Jordan and husband MJ of Emporia, KS, Alaura 
Leff of Wichita, KS, and Patrick Crain and wife Karine of Overland Park,
 KS; his mother Willa Hair of Hays, KS; six grandchildren; two brothers 
Melvin Hair and wife Loretta of Brownell, KS; &nbsp;Arlan Hair and wife Ellen
 of Pratt, KS; a sister Juliana Wagner of Ness City, KS; sister-in-law 
Alda Sommer of Oregon, MO; &nbsp;other relatives and friends.

Calvin enjoyed carpentry and woodworking.&nbsp; He loved to help out the 
local 4-H Club with their projects and was a mentor and friend to many.

Memorial contributions to the Savannah United Methodist Church or to the Andrew County 4-H would be appreciated.

Joint memorial services for Calvin and his wife Jeanette will be held
 Thursday, April 8, 2021, at 1:30 pm at the Savannah United Methodist 
Church.&nbsp; Visitation will be one hour prior to service at the church.&nbsp; 
Inurnment with Military honors will follow at the Maple Grove Cemetery&nbsp; 
in Oregon, MO.&nbsp; Arrangements under the direction of Heaton-Bowman-Smith 
Savannah Chapel.

Masks and social distancing will be&nbsp;required&nbsp;for all attending the service.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1617715238434.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Calvin&nbsp; L. Hair, 67 of Savannah, Mo, died April 2, 2021, at his home 
after a lengthy illness.&nbsp; Calvin was born October 17, 1953, in Ransom KS 
to Orville and Willa (Snodgrass) Hair.He was a graduate of Ransom High School and Cleveland Chiropractic College.He served in the Kansas National Guard from 1986 to 1990 and was 
honorably discharged.&nbsp; He owned and operated Hair Chiropractic Clinic in
 Plainville KS; retiring in 2012. He was a member of the Savannah United
 Methodist Church and the Savannah Lions Club.He married Jeanette Sommer on January 1, 1998 in Oregon, MO, and together they moved to Savannah in 2012.Preceding him in death was his wife Jeanette in December of 2020, his father, infant sister, and a granddaughter.Survivors include children Matthew Hair of Wichita, KS, &nbsp;Christopher 
Hair of Lawton, OK, Lisa Jordan and husband MJ of Emporia, KS, Alaura 
Leff of Wichita, KS, and Patrick Crain and wife Karine of Overland Park,
 KS; his mother Willa Hair of Hays, KS; six grandchildren; two brothers 
Melvin Hair and wife Loretta of Brownell, KS; &nbsp;Arlan Hair and wife Ellen
 of Pratt, KS; a sister Juliana Wagner of Ness City, KS; sister-in-law 
Alda Sommer of Oregon, MO; &nbsp;other relatives and friends.Calvin enjoyed carpentry and woodworking.&nbsp; He loved to help out the 
local 4-H Club with their projects and was a mentor and friend to many.Memorial contributions to the Savannah United Methodist Church or to the Andrew County 4-H would be appreciated.Joint memorial services for Calvin and his wife Jeanette will be held
 Thursday, April 8, 2021, at 1:30 pm at the Savannah United Methodist 
Church.&nbsp; Visitation will be one hour prior to service at the church.&nbsp; 
Inurnment with Military honors will follow at the Maple Grove Cemetery&nbsp; 
in Oregon, MO.&nbsp; Arrangements under the direction of Heaton-Bowman-Smith 
Savannah Chapel.Masks and social distancing will be&nbsp;required&nbsp;for all attending the service.

Calvin  L. Hair

Nymex settlement prices last week ranged from $59 to $61 per barrel. But light sweet crude ended the week just a dime higher than the week before, settling Thursday at $61.45 per barrel. In lunchtime trading Monday, the benchmark contract was down nearly five percent to $58 56 per barrel. London Brent dropped to $62.15. Some analysts are calling the selloff a delayed reaction to news last week that OPEC Plus will ease its self-imposed production cuts.&nbsp; Kansas Common crude at CHS in McPherson remains unchanged since Thursday due to the holiday, and started the week Monday at $51.75 per barrel.&nbsp; The average price for the month of March was just short of $52.89 a barrel, marking the best monthly average for Kansas Common in McPherson since April of 2019. U.S. crude production last year dropped by eight percent from the record high set the year before. As we've told you, the decrease last year was the largest annual decline in EIA records. But Kansas output dropped even more, down 17 percent from the previous year. Drilling down into the data offered in a new report from the Kansas Geological Survey, we find the local totals are also significantly lower. Barton County output averaged 3,787 barrels per day (bpd) last year, down from 4,459 bpd the year before. Ellis County pumped 5,990 bpd, down from 6,925 bpd in 2019. Russell County production dropped from 4,107 bpd in 2019 to 3,593 bpd last year. Stafford county dipped below one million barrels total production last year for the first time in decades. Average output fell to 2,488 bpd, from 2,848 bpd the year before. State regulators reported a small spike in drilling notices in March. The Kansas Corporation Commission reported 103 intent-to-drill notices statewide compared to just 31 the month before. That's 213 intents during the first three months of the year, compared to 171 during the first quarter of last year. The KCC notes one new intent in Barton County, three in Russell County and one in Stafford County.&nbsp; Overall drilling activity in Kansas through the first three months of the year is down by about half compared to the first quarter of last year.&nbsp; That's based on new wells spud in the state. During the first quarter of 2021, Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service reports 102 wells drilled to total depth. There are 18 active drilling rigs in Kansas, a 200% increase from a year ago. There are five active rigs in eastern Kansas, up four from the week before, and 13 west of Wichita, up two.&nbsp; Operators say they will soon spud a new well in Barton County. The weekly Rotary Rig Count from Baker Hughes rose to 430 Friday, an increase of 13 oil rigs. That's the largest jump since January 2020. The count in Texas was up four, New Mexico was up three, and Utah was up two. Kansas regulators approved seven new drilling permits last week, three in the eastern half of the state and four in Western Kansas, for a year-to-date total of 195 new permits. Out of 19 newly-completed wells in Kansas last week, Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service says 14 are in Western Kansas, including one in Barton County, two in Ellis county and two in Stafford County. Operators have completed 178 wells across Kansas so far this year. For the first time in over a month, weekly U.S. oil-by-rail traffic declined last week. The Association of American Railroads reports 10,694 tanker cars hauling petroleum during the week ended March 27, down 945 tankers from the week before, and a 4.8% drop from a year earlier. The government says U.S. crude-oil inventories decreased by 900,000 barrels last week. At nearly 502 million barrels, stockpiles are about six percent above the five-year seasonal average. U.S. crude production topped eleven million barrels per day for the first time since late January. The U.S. Energy Information Administration reports production of 11.145 million barrels per day for the week ending March 26. That's up 191,000 barrels per day from the week before, but down nearly two million barrels per day from last year at this time. U.S. crude-oil imports increased by half a million barrels per day last week. Over the past four weeks, imports were down more than nine percent from the same four-week period last year. Gasoline stockpiles were up 1.7 million barrels last week, and are about four percent below the five-year seasonal average. Triple-A says growing stockpiles and cheaper crude are putting downward pressure on pump prices, but not enough to report a steady trend just yet. The national average pump price on Monday (3/29) was lower than the average a week earlier for the first time since last November. Ships resumed transit through the Suez Canal last week, as port authorities braced for a flood of traffic that was diverted or delayed by that grounded container vessel. Authorities in the Canal Zone hoped to quickly clear the traffic jam, including a backlog of more than four hundred ships. Energy Giant Pioneer Natural Resources, announced another huge takeover deal. Two deals total $11 BILLION in cash, stock and debt to acquire competitors in the Permian Basin. Pioneer will buy DoublePoint Energy in a deal valued at $6.4 BILLION. The deal increases Pioneer's position to more than 1 million net acres, adding what the company called primarily undrilled new land.&nbsp; The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter. It would be Pioneer’s second big buy in just over six months, after announcing in October it would buy Parsley Energy for $4.5 billion. Tallgrass Pony Express Pipeline announced a binding open season looking for crude-oil shippers. They're offering volume incentive tariff rates to move crude some 830 miles from North Dakota, Wyoming and Colorado to Cushing, Oklahoma. Along the way the pipeline connects to refineries in McPherson and El Dorado, Kansas as well as Ponca City, Oklahoma. Tallgrass converted a 430-mile natural gas pipeline, and built another 260 miles of new pipe, to extend Pony Express through southern Kansas into Oklahoma.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1592847975802.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By JOHN P. TRETBARNymex settlement prices last week ranged from $59 to $61 per barrel. But light sweet crude ended the week just a dime higher than the week before, settling Thursday at $61.45 per barrel. In lunchtime trading Monday, the benchmark contract was down nearly five percent to $58 56 per barrel. London Brent dropped to $62.15. Some analysts are calling the selloff a delayed reaction to news last week that OPEC Plus will ease its self-imposed production cuts.&nbsp; Kansas Common crude at CHS in McPherson remains unchanged since Thursday due to the holiday, and started the week Monday at $51.75 per barrel.&nbsp; The average price for the month of March was just short of $52.89 a barrel, marking the best monthly average for Kansas Common in McPherson since April of 2019. U.S. crude production last year dropped by eight percent from the record high set the year before. As we've told you, the decrease last year was the largest annual decline in EIA records. But Kansas output dropped even more, down 17 percent from the previous year. Drilling down into the data offered in a new report from the Kansas Geological Survey, we find the local totals are also significantly lower. Barton County output averaged 3,787 barrels per day (bpd) last year, down from 4,459 bpd the year before. Ellis County pumped 5,990 bpd, down from 6,925 bpd in 2019. Russell County production dropped from 4,107 bpd in 2019 to 3,593 bpd last year. Stafford county dipped below one million barrels total production last year for the first time in decades. Average output fell to 2,488 bpd, from 2,848 bpd the year before. State regulators reported a small spike in drilling notices in March. The Kansas Corporation Commission reported 103 intent-to-drill notices statewide compared to just 31 the month before. That's 213 intents during the first three months of the year, compared to 171 during the first quarter of last year. The KCC notes one new intent in Barton County, three in Russell County and one in Stafford County.&nbsp; Overall drilling activity in Kansas through the first three months of the year is down by about half compared to the first quarter of last year.&nbsp; That's based on new wells spud in the state. During the first quarter of 2021, Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service reports 102 wells drilled to total depth. There are 18 active drilling rigs in Kansas, a 200% increase from a year ago. There are five active rigs in eastern Kansas, up four from the week before, and 13 west of Wichita, up two.&nbsp; Operators say they will soon spud a new well in Barton County. The weekly Rotary Rig Count from Baker Hughes rose to 430 Friday, an increase of 13 oil rigs. That's the largest jump since January 2020. The count in Texas was up four, New Mexico was up three, and Utah was up two. Kansas regulators approved seven new drilling permits last week, three in the eastern half of the state and four in Western Kansas, for a year-to-date total of 195 new permits. Out of 19 newly-completed wells in Kansas last week, Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service says 14 are in Western Kansas, including one in Barton County, two in Ellis county and two in Stafford County. Operators have completed 178 wells across Kansas so far this year. For the first time in over a month, weekly U.S. oil-by-rail traffic declined last week. The Association of American Railroads reports 10,694 tanker cars hauling petroleum during the week ended March 27, down 945 tankers from the week before, and a 4.8% drop from a year earlier. The government says U.S. crude-oil inventories decreased by 900,000 barrels last week. At nearly 502 million barrels, stockpiles are about six percent above the five-year seasonal average. U.S. crude production topped eleven million barrels per day for the first time since late January. The U.S. Energy Information Administration reports production of 11.145 million barrels per day for the week ending March 26. That's up 191,000 barrels per day from the week before, but down nearly two million barrels per day from last year at this time. U.S. crude-oil imports increased by half a million barrels per day last week. Over the past four weeks, imports were down more than nine percent from the same four-week period last year. Gasoline stockpiles were up 1.7 million barrels last week, and are about four percent below the five-year seasonal average. Triple-A says growing stockpiles and cheaper crude are putting downward pressure on pump prices, but not enough to report a steady trend just yet. The national average pump price on Monday (3/29) was lower than the average a week earlier for the first time since last November. Ships resumed transit through the Suez Canal last week, as port authorities braced for a flood of traffic that was diverted or delayed by that grounded container vessel. Authorities in the Canal Zone hoped to quickly clear the traffic jam, including a backlog of more than four hundred ships. Energy Giant Pioneer Natural Resources, announced another huge takeover deal. Two deals total $11 BILLION in cash, stock and debt to acquire competitors in the Permian Basin. Pioneer will buy DoublePoint Energy in a deal valued at $6.4 BILLION. The deal increases Pioneer's position to more than 1 million net acres, adding what the company called primarily undrilled new land.&nbsp; The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter. It would be Pioneer’s second big buy in just over six months, after announcing in October it would buy Parsley Energy for $4.5 billion. Tallgrass Pony Express Pipeline announced a binding open season looking for crude-oil shippers. They're offering volume incentive tariff rates to move crude some 830 miles from North Dakota, Wyoming and Colorado to Cushing, Oklahoma. Along the way the pipeline connects to refineries in McPherson and El Dorado, Kansas as well as Ponca City, Oklahoma. Tallgrass converted a 430-mile natural gas pipeline, and built another 260 miles of new pipe, to extend Pony Express through southern Kansas into Oklahoma.

News From the Oil Patch: Kan. March crude prices best in two years

Viva Caroline Witzel, 82, of the Thompsonville Community of rural Perry, KS, died April 2, 2021 at the Homestead Assisted Living Center in Topeka, KS.&nbsp; 

She was born November 22, 1938 at Bethune, CO, the daughter of William Harrison “Willie” and Pearl Jane Geering Eslinger. She attended Bethune schools and was a 1956 graduate of Bethune High School. In January 1957, she worked as a telephone operator for Mountain Bell in Burlington, CO.&nbsp; In February of 1969 she transferred to Southwestern Bell Company in Colby, KS, and in August of 1977, she transferred to Topeka, KS. She&nbsp; retired&nbsp; October 30, 1987 after more than 30 years of service.&nbsp; Viva continued working after retirement, including the Co-Op in Lawrence, KS, until 2011.&nbsp; She was a member and volunteer of&nbsp; the Telephone Pioneers of America and a member of&nbsp; Communication Workers of America. She married Darrell J. Witzell on October 5, 1958 at Burlington, CO, they later divorced. To this union were born two children.&nbsp; &nbsp;Survivors include one son, Dennis Witzel, Grantville, KS, one daughter, Debbie (Dennis) Huebner, Hays, KS, one brother, Wesley Eslinger, Burlington, CO, three sisters, Ruby Hundertmark, Garden City, KS, Annabell Weehunt, Idaho, Goldie Weber, Garden City, KS, two grandchildren, Taylor D. Huebner, Tanner D. (Amber) Huebner, two-step-grandchildren, Rick (Jenifer) Huebner, Shelly (Jeff) Warren, two great-grandchildren, Adrian Huebner, Caroline Huebner, and four step-great-grandchildren, Adrianna Huebner, and John Warren, Caylex Vest and Kinley Vest.&nbsp; Ms. Witzel was preceded in death by a step-great-grandson, Stacey Warren, a brother, Virgil Eslinger, two half brothers, Wallace Eslinger and Melvin Eslinger, two half sisters, Velma Sweet and Opal Schaal. Graveside Service will be 1:00 PM, Thursday, April 8, 2021 at Oak Ridge Cemetery, Perry, KS. Visitation and Viewing will be 6:00 to 8:00 PM Wednesday, April 7, 2021 at Barnett Family Funeral Home, Oskaloosa, KS.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Memorials suggested to Jefferson County Humane Society in care of the Funeral Home, P.O. Box 602, Oskaloosa, KS, 66066.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.barnettfamilyfh.com/">www.barnettfamilyfh.com</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1617639097602.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Viva Caroline Witzel, 82, of the Thompsonville Community of rural Perry, KS, died April 2, 2021 at the Homestead Assisted Living Center in Topeka, KS.&nbsp; She was born November 22, 1938 at Bethune, CO, the daughter of William Harrison “Willie” and Pearl Jane Geering Eslinger. She attended Bethune schools and was a 1956 graduate of Bethune High School. In January 1957, she worked as a telephone operator for Mountain Bell in Burlington, CO.&nbsp; In February of 1969 she transferred to Southwestern Bell Company in Colby, KS, and in August of 1977, she transferred to Topeka, KS. She&nbsp; retired&nbsp; October 30, 1987 after more than 30 years of service.&nbsp; Viva continued working after retirement, including the Co-Op in Lawrence, KS, until 2011.&nbsp; She was a member and volunteer of&nbsp; the Telephone Pioneers of America and a member of&nbsp; Communication Workers of America. She married Darrell J. Witzell on October 5, 1958 at Burlington, CO, they later divorced. To this union were born two children.&nbsp; &nbsp;Survivors include one son, Dennis Witzel, Grantville, KS, one daughter, Debbie (Dennis) Huebner, Hays, KS, one brother, Wesley Eslinger, Burlington, CO, three sisters, Ruby Hundertmark, Garden City, KS, Annabell Weehunt, Idaho, Goldie Weber, Garden City, KS, two grandchildren, Taylor D. Huebner, Tanner D. (Amber) Huebner, two-step-grandchildren, Rick (Jenifer) Huebner, Shelly (Jeff) Warren, two great-grandchildren, Adrian Huebner, Caroline Huebner, and four step-great-grandchildren, Adrianna Huebner, and John Warren, Caylex Vest and Kinley Vest.&nbsp; Ms. Witzel was preceded in death by a step-great-grandson, Stacey Warren, a brother, Virgil Eslinger, two half brothers, Wallace Eslinger and Melvin Eslinger, two half sisters, Velma Sweet and Opal Schaal. Graveside Service will be 1:00 PM, Thursday, April 8, 2021 at Oak Ridge Cemetery, Perry, KS. Visitation and Viewing will be 6:00 to 8:00 PM Wednesday, April 7, 2021 at Barnett Family Funeral Home, Oskaloosa, KS.&nbsp;&nbsp; Memorials suggested to Jefferson County Humane Society in care of the Funeral Home, P.O. Box 602, Oskaloosa, KS, 66066.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.barnettfamilyfh.com/">www.barnettfamilyfh.com</a>

Viva Caroline Witzel

October 30, 1934
 -
 March 30, 2021

An obituary is pending with Stinemetz Funeral Home.

Click <a href="https://www.stinemetzfh.com/obituaries/Teresa-Olive-Kemp?obId=20578066#/celebrationWall">HERE</a> for service details.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1617479984803.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>October 30, 1934
 -
 March 30, 2021An obituary is pending with Stinemetz Funeral Home.Click <a href="https://www.stinemetzfh.com/obituaries/Teresa-Olive-Kemp?obId=20578066#/celebrationWall">HERE</a> for service details.

Teresa Olive Kemp

By BECKY KISER Hays Post

Following a 35-minute discussion during their Thursday work session, Hays city commissioners decided they need more information and more time to review a request for allowing several types of alternative vehicles on city streets.

The request comes from Ellis County Commissioner Neal Younger who told commissioners he's been researching the situation since October. Petitions placed at eight local businesses in February yielded 330 signatures of support, according to Younger.

The specified vehicles are prohibited on city streets by state law but could be authorized by a city ordinance.&nbsp;

Ellis and Victoria allow the vehicles, as does Ellis County. Russell also permits such vehicles on its streets from dawn to dusk.

Younger provided the related city ordinances from Ellis and Victoria as well as Dodge City.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Commissioner Shaun Musil asked about traffic accidents with the vehicles in Dodge City, considered a peer city of Hays.

"When I started this process back in October, I did talk to the mayor in Dodge City. That was my first question to him. At that time, he told me none," Younger reported. "I was glad to hear that because I do not want to put them out and have accidents in Hays.

"I just want our community to be able to use their merchandise or equipment that they have purchased."

Don Scheibler, Hays police chief, confirmed the information about no accident reports in Dodge City, as well as Garden City.&nbsp; &nbsp;

"They really haven't had any problems with the side-by-sides as far as accidents," Scheibler said.&nbsp;

Commissioner Ron Mellick asked about safety equipment on Utility Task Vehicles (UTV),&nbsp;Work Site Utility Vehicles (WSUV) and&nbsp;Micro-Utility Vehicles (MUT).

Helmets for adults are not required, nor are they for adult motorcycle riders in Kansas. It was unclear whether helmets or car seats are required for minors. Mellick asked Scheibler to research state law and report back to the commission.

A windshield or safety goggles are required to be worn by the driver, according to Scheibler.&nbsp;

Kevin Bainter of BOS Motorsports in Hays said UTVs, WSUVs and MUTs are equipped with turn signals, horn, three mirrors and seat belts.

Billy Briney, Briney Motorsports, Hays, suggested the city could require alternative vehicles driven in Hays to be also equipped with a roll cage and a minimum tire size.&nbsp;

"That would help get away from the slower vehicles, the golf carts and some of the more unsafe vehicles," said Briney. 

He noted Ness City also allows alternative vehicles.&nbsp;

"We hear about the accidents. Most of those are from off-roading," Briney said. "My feeling is, when you get people in the city actually with other traffic, traffic signs, they pay a little more attention than when they're out there with their friends in the sand dunes."

Scott Braun, Ellis County sheriff, told the commission there are not a lot of accidents in the county "but we can tell when the young ones are playing. All you gotta do us go to the corner of the intersection and see how it's torn up. But as a whole, they're pretty safe."

Vehicle drivers, who must have a valid license and be at least age 16, obey the same rules of the road as cars. The alternative vehicles, however, cannot be driven on Highway US 183, which is Vine Street within the Hays city limits.&nbsp;

"We researched it because we were having some issues in the county," Braun said. "They can run any road in the county, except [Highway] 183. They can cross it," Braun said.

The city could require such vehicles to be registered and/or be insured.

Commissioner Ron Mellick supported the insurance requirement and a $1,000 fine if a driver is stopped and found to have no insurance on the vehicle.&nbsp;&nbsp;

A potential huge influx of alternative vehicles being driven on Hays streets by out-of-town visitors worries Commissioner Michael Berges.&nbsp;

"I don't mind my neighbors using alternative vehicles in Hays because they live in Hays and they understand Hays. So if that vehicle is registered as something that can be driven in Hays or Ellis County, I'm a little more open to that," said Berges.&nbsp;

"But we have events in Hays like the dirt races and Oktoberfest and they're coming from all over the state. And they bring these alternative vehicles and then they can just drive around Hays.&nbsp;&nbsp;

"But if we had some system where they had to register that vehicle to be in Hays, to me that would kind of narrow that field down."

According to Scheibler, in order to drive an alternative vehicle in Dodge City or Garden City, including those from out of town, it must be registered with those cities.&nbsp;

Berges also talked about possibly restricting the vehicles to certain hours on the streets or to certain months.

"We don't allow them in December and January when it's cold and snowy or maybe summer months when it's overly busy," he said.&nbsp;

"I know a lot of people use side-by-sides for snow removal," said Mason Ruder, vice-mayor. "Yeah, I see people do that all the time," agreed Musil.

The city should be able to put as many constraints on the alternative vehicles as commissioners desire, "as long as it doesn't conflict with state law," said Toby Dougherty, city manager.

City staff is supporting an ordinance allowing such vehicles in Hays.&nbsp;

Commissioners also heard details of a request for a transfer of mineral rights to Rich and Betty Wolf, a procedure City Attorney John Bird called a "bookkeeping matter."

Several years ago the city acquired the right of way for the northeast portion of what would be the 260th&nbsp;Avenue and 41st Street intersection. Along with that acquisition came the mineral rights.&nbsp;

The owners of the&nbsp;contiguous tract want to sell the property along with the mineral rights and have asked the&nbsp;city to deed those rights back to the adjacent property.

According to Bird, the city has nearly no monetary interest in the mineral rights and would not lose the right of way if commissioners decided to return the mineral rights.

Mayor Sandy Jacobs was absent from the meeting.

Prior to the meeting, Ruder read a city proclamation signed by Jacobs in awareness of Child Abuse Prevention Month.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1617324085497.jpeg" alt="Alternate vehicle supporters along with city and county law enforcement in the Hays city commission chambers Thursday, April 1. The room was reset to full-capacity accommodations after Gov. Laura Kelly's new statewide COVID-19 face mask order was overturned by the&nbsp; Legislative Coordinating Council earlier in the day.&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Alternate vehicle supporters along with city and county law enforcement in the Hays city commission chambers Thursday, April 1. The room was reset to full-capacity accommodations after Gov. Laura Kelly's new statewide COVID-19 face mask order was overturned by the&nbsp; Legislative Coordinating Council earlier in the day.&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>By BECKY KISER Hays PostFollowing a 35-minute discussion during their Thursday work session, Hays city commissioners decided they need more information and more time to review a request for allowing several types of alternative vehicles on city streets.The request comes from Ellis County Commissioner Neal Younger who told commissioners he's been researching the situation since October. Petitions placed at eight local businesses in February yielded 330 signatures of support, according to Younger.The specified vehicles are prohibited on city streets by state law but could be authorized by a city ordinance.&nbsp;Ellis and Victoria allow the vehicles, as does Ellis County. Russell also permits such vehicles on its streets from dawn to dusk.Younger provided the related city ordinances from Ellis and Victoria as well as Dodge City.&nbsp;&nbsp;Commissioner Shaun Musil asked about traffic accidents with the vehicles in Dodge City, considered a peer city of Hays. "When I started this process back in October, I did talk to the mayor in Dodge City. That was my first question to him. At that time, he told me none," Younger reported. "I was glad to hear that because I do not want to put them out and have accidents in Hays."I just want our community to be able to use their merchandise or equipment that they have purchased."Don Scheibler, Hays police chief, confirmed the information about no accident reports in Dodge City, as well as Garden City.&nbsp; &nbsp;"They really haven't had any problems with the side-by-sides as far as accidents," Scheibler said.&nbsp;<figure>
 <iframe width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/v2aaBtWSMJ0"></iframe>
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Commissioner Ron Mellick asked about safety equipment on Utility Task Vehicles (UTV),&nbsp;Work Site Utility Vehicles (WSUV) and&nbsp;Micro-Utility Vehicles (MUT).Helmets for adults are not required, nor are they for adult motorcycle riders in Kansas. It was unclear whether helmets or car seats are required for minors. Mellick asked Scheibler to research state law and report back to the commission.A windshield or safety goggles are required to be worn by the driver, according to Scheibler.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1617327845436.jpeg" alt="Kevin Bainter of BOS Motorsports in Hays said UTVs, WSUVs and MUTs are equipped with turn signals, horn, three mirrors and seat belts." />
 <figcaption>Kevin Bainter of BOS Motorsports in Hays said UTVs, WSUVs and MUTs are equipped with turn signals, horn, three mirrors and seat belts.</figcaption>
 </figure>Kevin Bainter of BOS Motorsports in Hays said UTVs, WSUVs and MUTs are equipped with turn signals, horn, three mirrors and seat belts.Billy Briney, Briney Motorsports, Hays, suggested the city could require alternative vehicles driven in Hays to be also equipped with a roll cage and a minimum tire size.&nbsp;"That would help get away from the slower vehicles, the golf carts and some of the more unsafe vehicles," said Briney. He noted Ness City also allows alternative vehicles.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1617333749089.jpeg" alt="Billy Briney, Briney Motorsports, Hays, feels alternative vehicle drivers pay better attention when driving in a town with other traffic than when they are off-road." />
 <figcaption>Billy Briney, Briney Motorsports, Hays, feels alternative vehicle drivers pay better attention when driving in a town with other traffic than when they are off-road.</figcaption>
 </figure>"We hear about the accidents. Most of those are from off-roading," Briney said. "My feeling is, when you get people in the city actually with other traffic, traffic signs, they pay a little more attention than when they're out there with their friends in the sand dunes."Scott Braun, Ellis County sheriff, told the commission there are not a lot of accidents in the county "but we can tell when the young ones are playing. All you gotta do us go to the corner of the intersection and see how it's torn up. But as a whole, they're pretty safe."Vehicle drivers, who must have a valid license and be at least age 16, obey the same rules of the road as cars. The alternative vehicles, however, cannot be driven on Highway US 183, which is Vine Street within the Hays city limits.&nbsp;"We researched it because we were having some issues in the county," Braun said. "They can run any road in the county, except [Highway] 183. They can cross it," Braun said.The city could require such vehicles to be registered and/or be insured.Commissioner Ron Mellick supported the insurance requirement and a $1,000 fine if a driver is stopped and found to have no insurance on the vehicle.&nbsp;&nbsp;A potential huge influx of alternative vehicles being driven on Hays streets by out-of-town visitors worries Commissioner Michael Berges.&nbsp;"I don't mind my neighbors using alternative vehicles in Hays because they live in Hays and they understand Hays. So if that vehicle is registered as something that can be driven in Hays or Ellis County, I'm a little more open to that," said Berges.&nbsp;"But we have events in Hays like the dirt races and Oktoberfest and they're coming from all over the state. And they bring these alternative vehicles and then they can just drive around Hays.&nbsp;&nbsp;"But if we had some system where they had to register that vehicle to be in Hays, to me that would kind of narrow that field down."According to Scheibler, in order to drive an alternative vehicle in Dodge City or Garden City, including those from out of town, it must be registered with those cities.&nbsp;Berges also talked about possibly restricting the vehicles to certain hours on the streets or to certain months."We don't allow them in December and January when it's cold and snowy or maybe summer months when it's overly busy," he said.&nbsp;"I know a lot of people use side-by-sides for snow removal," said Mason Ruder, vice-mayor. "Yeah, I see people do that all the time," agreed Musil.The city should be able to put as many constraints on the alternative vehicles as commissioners desire, "as long as it doesn't conflict with state law," said Toby Dougherty, city manager.City staff is supporting an ordinance allowing such vehicles in Hays.&nbsp;Commissioners also heard details of a request for a transfer of mineral rights to Rich and Betty Wolf, a procedure City Attorney John Bird called a "bookkeeping matter."Several years ago the city acquired the right of way for the northeast portion of what would be the 260th&nbsp;Avenue and 41st Street intersection. Along with that acquisition came the mineral rights.&nbsp;The owners of the&nbsp;contiguous tract want to sell the property along with the mineral rights and have asked the&nbsp;city to deed those rights back to the adjacent property.According to Bird, the city has nearly no monetary interest in the mineral rights and would not lose the right of way if commissioners decided to return the mineral rights.Mayor Sandy Jacobs was absent from the meeting.Prior to the meeting, Ruder read a city proclamation signed by Jacobs in awareness of Child Abuse Prevention Month.

🎥 City commission needs more time to research alternative vehicles on streets

Melva Torson Barnett, 62, died on Tuesday, March 30, 2021, at Hays 
Medical Center in Hays. On October 9, 1958, the Lord sent down a 
caregiving angel born to Vernon and Mary Alice (Teeters) Torson. She 
married Steven Barnett on February 11, 1977, at Dighton. 
Melva graduated from Dighton High School in 1977. She started working 
at Lane County Long Term care right out of high school, where she 
devoted her time taking care of others. She then started a lawn 
business in 1992. During this time she continued to care for the 
elderly in the community. In 1999 she started working at the Lane 
County Health Department. She was a loyal caregiver to many community 
members. She was well known in the community and very outgoing. She 
was known by several friends as “Mama Melva”. 
She is survived by her Husband- Steven, Son- Tod (Abby) Barnett of 
Brewster, Daughter-In-Law- Veronica Kennon of Chandler, Texas, Brother- 
Victor (Crysta) Torson of Crookston, Nebraska, Sister- Beverly (Lester) 
Bockelman of Dighton, 4 Grandchildren- Hunter Barnett, Brady Barnett, 
Rayah Barnett and Harley Kennon and several nieces and nephews. 
She was preceded in death by her Parents, Son- Vernon Barnett, Grandson-
 Harrison Barnett, 5 Brothers- Vern Torson, Jr., Marty Torson, Tony, 
Torson, Billie Jo Torson, &amp; Rickey Torson and 2 Sisters- Mary Jane 
Travis and Dixie McLendon. 
Funeral Service will be at 3:00 PM Friday at First Christian Church in 
Dighton with Rev Randy Barnett officiating. Burial will be in Dighton 
Memorial Cemetery. Friends may call from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM Thursday 
and 9:00 AM to Noon Friday at Boomhower Funeral Home in Dighton. In 
lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to Dighton Food Bank or JOY 
Center in care of Boomhower Funeral Home. Condolences may be posted at 
www.garnandfuneralhomes.com

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1617283977910.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Melva Torson Barnett, 62, died on Tuesday, March 30, 2021, at Hays 
Medical Center in Hays. On October 9, 1958, the Lord sent down a 
caregiving angel born to Vernon and Mary Alice (Teeters) Torson. She 
married Steven Barnett on February 11, 1977, at Dighton. 
Melva graduated from Dighton High School in 1977. She started working 
at Lane County Long Term care right out of high school, where she 
devoted her time taking care of others. She then started a lawn 
business in 1992. During this time she continued to care for the 
elderly in the community. In 1999 she started working at the Lane 
County Health Department. She was a loyal caregiver to many community 
members. She was well known in the community and very outgoing. She 
was known by several friends as “Mama Melva”. 
She is survived by her Husband- Steven, Son- Tod (Abby) Barnett of 
Brewster, Daughter-In-Law- Veronica Kennon of Chandler, Texas, Brother- 
Victor (Crysta) Torson of Crookston, Nebraska, Sister- Beverly (Lester) 
Bockelman of Dighton, 4 Grandchildren- Hunter Barnett, Brady Barnett, 
Rayah Barnett and Harley Kennon and several nieces and nephews. 
She was preceded in death by her Parents, Son- Vernon Barnett, Grandson-
 Harrison Barnett, 5 Brothers- Vern Torson, Jr., Marty Torson, Tony, 
Torson, Billie Jo Torson, &amp; Rickey Torson and 2 Sisters- Mary Jane 
Travis and Dixie McLendon. 
Funeral Service will be at 3:00 PM Friday at First Christian Church in 
Dighton with Rev Randy Barnett officiating. Burial will be in Dighton 
Memorial Cemetery. Friends may call from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM Thursday 
and 9:00 AM to Noon Friday at Boomhower Funeral Home in Dighton. In 
lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to Dighton Food Bank or JOY 
Center in care of Boomhower Funeral Home. Condolences may be posted at 
www.garnandfuneralhomes.com

Melva Barnett

Gabriel Christian “Gabe” Rupp, 18, Hays, died Tuesday, March 30, 2021, in a highway accident in Jewell County, Kansas.

He was born October 11, 2002, in Hays, 
the son of Michael “Mike” Huskey and Stacie Rupp.&nbsp; Gabe was a senior at 
Hays High School.&nbsp; He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and was
 an altar server.&nbsp; Gabe’s favorite thing was fishing, he loved music, 
playing guitar, sketching, and being around his family.&nbsp; With his 
natural smile and easy-going friendly nature, Gabe spread joy everywhere
 and quickly became a friend to all he met.&nbsp; He loved to have fun and 
was known to be a joker.&nbsp; His shenanigans will continue in heaven.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Survivors include his parents: Mike 
Huskey and Stacie Rupp of Hays, his grandparents: Mitchell and Geri Rupp
 of Hays, Terry Morris and wife Linda of Newburg, MO, and Theresa 
Horrell of Truxton, MO, two brothers: Reese and Ethan Rupp of Hays, one 
sister: Isabella Rupp of Hays, and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 
10:00 am on Tuesday, April 6, 2021 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, with 
Fr. Brian Lager officiating.&nbsp; Burial will follow in St. Joseph 
Cemetery.&nbsp; Visitation will be from 5:00 pm until 8:00 on Monday and from
 9:00 am until 9:45 on Tuesday, all at Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral 
Home.&nbsp; A vigil service and rosary will be at 6:30 pm on Monday at the 
funeral home.&nbsp; 

Memorials are suggested and payable to: Divine Mercy 
Radio.&nbsp; Condolences and memories of Gabe may be shared with the family 
at www.haysmemorial.com

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1617283739821.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Gabriel Christian “Gabe” Rupp, 18, Hays, died Tuesday, March 30, 2021, in a highway accident in Jewell County, Kansas.He was born October 11, 2002, in Hays, 
the son of Michael “Mike” Huskey and Stacie Rupp.&nbsp; Gabe was a senior at 
Hays High School.&nbsp; He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and was
 an altar server.&nbsp; Gabe’s favorite thing was fishing, he loved music, 
playing guitar, sketching, and being around his family.&nbsp; With his 
natural smile and easy-going friendly nature, Gabe spread joy everywhere
 and quickly became a friend to all he met.&nbsp; He loved to have fun and 
was known to be a joker.&nbsp; His shenanigans will continue in heaven.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Survivors include his parents: Mike 
Huskey and Stacie Rupp of Hays, his grandparents: Mitchell and Geri Rupp
 of Hays, Terry Morris and wife Linda of Newburg, MO, and Theresa 
Horrell of Truxton, MO, two brothers: Reese and Ethan Rupp of Hays, one 
sister: Isabella Rupp of Hays, and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.Mass of Christian Burial will be at 
10:00 am on Tuesday, April 6, 2021 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, with 
Fr. Brian Lager officiating.&nbsp; Burial will follow in St. Joseph 
Cemetery.&nbsp; Visitation will be from 5:00 pm until 8:00 on Monday and from
 9:00 am until 9:45 on Tuesday, all at Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral 
Home.&nbsp; A vigil service and rosary will be at 6:30 pm on Monday at the 
funeral home.&nbsp; Memorials are suggested and payable to: Divine Mercy 
Radio.&nbsp; Condolences and memories of Gabe may be shared with the family 
at www.haysmemorial.com

Gabriel Christian 'Gabe' Rupp

Ralph
 Stecklein, 65, of Lindsborg, KS, and formerly of McPherson, KS, passed 
away peacefully on Sunday, March 28, 2021, at Salina Regional Health 
Center, Salina, KS. He had previously worked in production at McPherson 
Industries at MCDS. He was born on October 31, 1955, at the 
St. Anthony Hospital in Hays, KS, the son of Steven and Louise Marie 
(Bieker) Stecklein. He had two older brothers, Steven and Alfred. As a 
child, Ralph lived in Ellis County, KS. Ralph was infatuated 
with water and loved to swim, bathe, and shower. Basically, anything to 
do with water, he loved! He also loved drinking water and milk. He was 
often found supporting the community sports, especially outings to the 
McPherson Friday night football games. He also loved the KU Jayhawks and
 KC Royals. He enjoyed the socialization at the Special Olympics. He had
 a favorite necklace he wore that he made out of plastic rings that were
 from containers he had been collecting. His close-knit circle of 
friends and caregivers would say he was normally always happy and had a 
smile on his face. He will be deeply missed. Survivors include: his loving MCDS family and caregivers; and guardian, Vaughn Ingram of McPherson, KS. 
 The memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM, Thursday, April 1, 2021, 
at Harmony Christian Church, 1713 Mohawk Rd, McPherson, KS 67460, with 
Pastor Troy Schroeder officiating. The service will be livestreamed on 
the Harmony Christian Church Facebook page. A private burial will be 
held at a later date in the McPherson Cemetery. Memorial 
donations may be given to Multi Community Diversified Services, Inc. 
(MCDS) in care of Stockham Family Funeral Home, 205 North Chestnut, 
McPherson, KS 67460.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1617140316862.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Ralph
 Stecklein, 65, of Lindsborg, KS, and formerly of McPherson, KS, passed 
away peacefully on Sunday, March 28, 2021, at Salina Regional Health 
Center, Salina, KS. He had previously worked in production at McPherson 
Industries at MCDS. He was born on October 31, 1955, at the 
St. Anthony Hospital in Hays, KS, the son of Steven and Louise Marie 
(Bieker) Stecklein. He had two older brothers, Steven and Alfred. As a 
child, Ralph lived in Ellis County, KS. Ralph was infatuated 
with water and loved to swim, bathe, and shower. Basically, anything to 
do with water, he loved! He also loved drinking water and milk. He was 
often found supporting the community sports, especially outings to the 
McPherson Friday night football games. He also loved the KU Jayhawks and
 KC Royals. He enjoyed the socialization at the Special Olympics. He had
 a favorite necklace he wore that he made out of plastic rings that were
 from containers he had been collecting. His close-knit circle of 
friends and caregivers would say he was normally always happy and had a 
smile on his face. He will be deeply missed. Survivors include: his loving MCDS family and caregivers; and guardian, Vaughn Ingram of McPherson, KS. 
 The memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM, Thursday, April 1, 2021, 
at Harmony Christian Church, 1713 Mohawk Rd, McPherson, KS 67460, with 
Pastor Troy Schroeder officiating. The service will be livestreamed on 
the Harmony Christian Church Facebook page. A private burial will be 
held at a later date in the McPherson Cemetery. Memorial 
donations may be given to Multi Community Diversified Services, Inc. 
(MCDS) in care of Stockham Family Funeral Home, 205 North Chestnut, 
McPherson, KS 67460.&nbsp;

Ralph Stecklein

KANSAS CITY - The FBI Kansas City Division along with the Kansas Bureau of Investigation is seeking information to identify the unknown individual(s) responsible for the 1998 murder of Rhonda Tribue, according to a media release from the agency.

FBI Kansas City Special Agent in Charge Timothy Langan announced Monday that the FBI is offering up to $50,000 for information leading to the arrest, prosecution, and conviction of the individual(s) responsible for the murder.

 Rhonda Tribue may also have been known by her maiden name Rhonda Easley.

Rhonda, 34-years-old and a mother of six children, living in Kansas City, Kansas, was found dead from apparent blunt force trauma at approximately 4:40 a.m. on October 8, 1998. Her body was discovered in the roadway at the 500 block of S. 94th Street near Edwardsville, Kansas.

In the early morning hours of that same day, Rhonda had been seen at the Firelight lounge. She was known to frequent the lounge and the area of 7th Street and Quindaro Blvd. in Kansas City, Kansas.

At the time of her death, she was wearing a High-Sierra brand, dark-purple corduroy jacket over a gold lace top, pumpkin colored jeans, and brown sandals. Rhonda was described as follow 5-foot-5 inches tall, 145 pounds, medium build, light-skinned black female with brown eyes and&nbsp;dark brown hair with deep orange and yellow highlights

This cold case investigation was initiated again in 2020. Based upon new information developed during this investigation, law enforcement is asking for the public’s assistance. Anyone with information regarding this homicide should call the FBI’s toll-free tip line at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) or submit a tip online at tips.fbi.gov. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1615225616112.png" alt="Rhonda Tribue-Easley photo taken Sept. 1998&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Rhonda Tribue-Easley photo taken Sept. 1998&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY - The FBI Kansas City Division along with the Kansas Bureau of Investigation is seeking information to identify the unknown individual(s) responsible for the 1998 murder of Rhonda Tribue, according to a media release from the agency.FBI Kansas City Special Agent in Charge Timothy Langan announced Monday that the FBI is offering up to $50,000 for information leading to the arrest, prosecution, and conviction of the individual(s) responsible for the murder. Rhonda Tribue may also have been known by her maiden name Rhonda Easley.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1617047951265.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Rhonda, 34-years-old and a mother of six children, living in Kansas City, Kansas, was found dead from apparent blunt force trauma at approximately 4:40 a.m. on October 8, 1998. Her body was discovered in the roadway at the 500 block of S. 94th Street near Edwardsville, Kansas.In the early morning hours of that same day, Rhonda had been seen at the Firelight lounge. She was known to frequent the lounge and the area of 7th Street and Quindaro Blvd. in Kansas City, Kansas.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1615225573969.png" alt="Rhonda Tribue-Easley" />
 <figcaption>Rhonda Tribue-Easley</figcaption>
 </figure>At the time of her death, she was wearing a High-Sierra brand, dark-purple corduroy jacket over a gold lace top, pumpkin colored jeans, and brown sandals. Rhonda was described as follow 5-foot-5 inches tall, 145 pounds, medium build, light-skinned black female with brown eyes and&nbsp;dark brown hair with deep orange and yellow highlightsThis cold case investigation was initiated again in 2020. Based upon new information developed during this investigation, law enforcement is asking for the public’s assistance. Anyone with information regarding this homicide should call the FBI’s toll-free tip line at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) or submit a tip online at tips.fbi.gov.

$50K reward offered in Kansas cold case murder

Diane E. (Dowling) Arning, 76, of Bleiblerville, Texas, passed away Saturday, March 6, 2021, at home with family by her side.&nbsp;

She was born October 17, 1944, in Salina, Kansas. Diane grew up in 
Pittsburgh before moving to Houston, graduating from Spring Branch High 
School in 1962. She continued her education at the University of 
Houston. Diane married her high school sweetheart, Ben Arning, on August
 13, 1966, at Christ Church Cathedral. She was employed with Spring 
Branch ISD from 1966 until 1982 as a government and economics teacher. 
Diane then returned to the University of Houston to study law. She 
received her Doctor of Jurisprudence in 1985 and practiced family law 
until 2005. Diane and Ben moved to Bleiblerville after retirement.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Diane was a woman of faith, serving as Sunday School Education 
director at St Christopher’s Episcopal Church. She was also enthusiastic
 about government/politics and was a voting delegate at the National 
Republican Conventions. In her spare time, Diane (affectionately known 
as ‘Honey’), enjoyed volunteering at the nursing home calling bingo. She
 loved musicals, classic movies, music and cutting loose on a dance 
floor. She was an avid reader often saving books or articles to share 
with others. ‘Honey’ loved watching game shows and solving the 
newspaper’s daily puzzle pack, which the grandkids loved doing with her.

She is survived by her husband: Ben Arning, Jr of Bleiblerville; 
daughters: Kim Bond and husband, Randy, and Kris Harden and husband, 
Curtis, all of Bleiblerville; brother: Bill Dowling and wife, Lynn, of 
Hays, Kansas; grandchildren: Tyler Bond, Kyle Jones, Chase Harden, 
Rachel Bond and Peyton Bond; sister-in-law: June Dowling of San Marcos; 
brother-in-law: Craig Arning and wife, Debbie, of Cypress; nine nieces 
and nephews and their precious families, as well as other extended 
family and dear friends.

Diane was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Edgar Dowling Jr.

Friends who wish may make memorial gifts to either Amedisys Hospice, 226 South Live Oak, Bellville, Texas 77418, or to the charity of one's choice.

Click <a href="https://www.schmidtfunerals.com/obituary/diane-arning?lud=C0B369EA3161096F3F64E50EC3F76C5E">HERE</a> for service details.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1617027674381.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Diane E. (Dowling) Arning, 76, of Bleiblerville, Texas, passed away Saturday, March 6, 2021, at home with family by her side.&nbsp;She was born October 17, 1944, in Salina, Kansas. Diane grew up in 
Pittsburgh before moving to Houston, graduating from Spring Branch High 
School in 1962. She continued her education at the University of 
Houston. Diane married her high school sweetheart, Ben Arning, on August
 13, 1966, at Christ Church Cathedral. She was employed with Spring 
Branch ISD from 1966 until 1982 as a government and economics teacher. 
Diane then returned to the University of Houston to study law. She 
received her Doctor of Jurisprudence in 1985 and practiced family law 
until 2005. Diane and Ben moved to Bleiblerville after retirement.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;Diane was a woman of faith, serving as Sunday School Education 
director at St Christopher’s Episcopal Church. She was also enthusiastic
 about government/politics and was a voting delegate at the National 
Republican Conventions. In her spare time, Diane (affectionately known 
as ‘Honey’), enjoyed volunteering at the nursing home calling bingo. She
 loved musicals, classic movies, music and cutting loose on a dance 
floor. She was an avid reader often saving books or articles to share 
with others. ‘Honey’ loved watching game shows and solving the 
newspaper’s daily puzzle pack, which the grandkids loved doing with her.She is survived by her husband: Ben Arning, Jr of Bleiblerville; 
daughters: Kim Bond and husband, Randy, and Kris Harden and husband, 
Curtis, all of Bleiblerville; brother: Bill Dowling and wife, Lynn, of 
Hays, Kansas; grandchildren: Tyler Bond, Kyle Jones, Chase Harden, 
Rachel Bond and Peyton Bond; sister-in-law: June Dowling of San Marcos; 
brother-in-law: Craig Arning and wife, Debbie, of Cypress; nine nieces 
and nephews and their precious families, as well as other extended 
family and dear friends.Diane was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Edgar Dowling Jr.Friends who wish may make memorial gifts to either Amedisys Hospice, 226 South Live Oak, Bellville, Texas 77418, or to the charity of one's choice.Click <a href="https://www.schmidtfunerals.com/obituary/diane-arning?lud=C0B369EA3161096F3F64E50EC3F76C5E">HERE</a> for service details.

Diane E. (Dowling) Arning

Monday, October 3rd, 1921-Saturday, March 27th, 2021

An obituary and services are pending with Baalmann Mortuary.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1617116884779.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Monday, October 3rd, 1921-Saturday, March 27th, 2021An obituary and services are pending with Baalmann Mortuary.

Mary Ellen Horton

Richard John Linenberger, 57, passed away March 27, 2021, at his home
 in Great Bend.&nbsp; He was born February 6, 1964, in Great Bend, to 
Sylvester Cletus and Mary Evelyn (Lichter) Linenberger.&nbsp; He married Anne
 Hendee October 23, 1999, in Great Bend.&nbsp;

Survivors include his wife Anne; children, Elizabeth, William and 
Joseph all of the home; and mother, Mary Evelyn Linenberger of Great 
Bend.&nbsp; He was preceded in passing by his father, and an infant daughter,
 Kathryn Grace.

A complete obituary and additional survivors will be posted here, as 
we get further information, and announced in Tuesday’s edition of the 
Great Bend Tribune.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 3:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 30, 2021, 
at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Great Bend, with Father Don Bedore 
presiding.&nbsp; Visitation will be Noon to 9:00 p.m., Monday, March 29, with
 a Vigil at 7:00 p.m. and family receiving friends from 6:00 to 7:00 
p.m., all at Bryant Funeral Home.&nbsp; Additional visitation will be 9:00 
a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Tuesday at Bryant Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, 
Memorials may be given to Holy Family School Endowment Fund or Trinity 
Lutheran Church, in care of Bryant Funeral Home.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1616950088282.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Richard John Linenberger, 57, passed away March 27, 2021, at his home
 in Great Bend.&nbsp; He was born February 6, 1964, in Great Bend, to 
Sylvester Cletus and Mary Evelyn (Lichter) Linenberger.&nbsp; He married Anne
 Hendee October 23, 1999, in Great Bend.&nbsp;Survivors include his wife Anne; children, Elizabeth, William and 
Joseph all of the home; and mother, Mary Evelyn Linenberger of Great 
Bend.&nbsp; He was preceded in passing by his father, and an infant daughter,
 Kathryn Grace.A complete obituary and additional survivors will be posted here, as 
we get further information, and announced in Tuesday’s edition of the 
Great Bend Tribune.Mass of Christian Burial will be 3:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 30, 2021, 
at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Great Bend, with Father Don Bedore 
presiding.&nbsp; Visitation will be Noon to 9:00 p.m., Monday, March 29, with
 a Vigil at 7:00 p.m. and family receiving friends from 6:00 to 7:00 
p.m., all at Bryant Funeral Home.&nbsp; Additional visitation will be 9:00 
a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Tuesday at Bryant Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, 
Memorials may be given to Holy Family School Endowment Fund or Trinity 
Lutheran Church, in care of Bryant Funeral Home.

Richard John Linenberger

MISSION, Kan. (AP) — Relatives of a missing Chinese woman whose remains are believed to be have been found in a Missouri park said the discovery brings closure and the chance to have a funeral as they await the murder trial of the woman’s husband.

Amy Salladay, an attorney for Mengqi Ji’s family, said Friday in a statement that the family is still processing the news that a driver’s license and some credit cards with Ji’s name on them were found&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-tigers-mens-basketball-columbia-0f341cef77aa806e3973186497383c9c">Thursday,&nbsp;</a>along with the remains, in a remote area of Rock Bridge State Park in Boone County. The remains have preliminarily been identified as Ji’s, but DNA testing is planned to provide confirmation.

“As parents of a missing child they always hoped for their daughter’s return and for this to be a bad dream,” Salladay said. “At the same time they have wanted answers about what happened to Mengqi and this information now gives them some closure and a body so that a funeral can be planned for some time in the future.”

Ji’s husband, Joseph Elledge, who was a University of Missouri student, is jailed without bond while awaiting a Nov. 1 trial on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bb49ceba9e78fa8fc110e36d453865c5">charges of first-degree murder&nbsp;</a>in her October 2019 disappearance. He has pleaded not guilty to the murder charge and to related charges of child endangerment and domestic abuse.

The couple’s daughter turned a year old the weekend before Ji went missing; they took the baby to the St. Louis Zoo to celebrate. Salladay said Ji was still breastfeeding the girl at the time.

Prosecutors have speculated that Elledge strangled his wife to avoid a costly divorce and to stop her from fleeing to China with their daughter.

Assistant Columbia Police Chief Jeremiah Hunter said parts of Rock Bridge State Park had been previously searched but not the area where the remains were found, which is about 30 feet&nbsp; from a road.

The discovery, if confirmed, removes one hurdle for prosecutors: proving that Ji is dead. The Boone County prosecutor didn’t immediately return a phone message seeking comment.

Elledge’s attorney, Scott Rosenblum, said he had no comment Thursday evening.

Ji’s family described her as a highly educated woman who loved her daughter. She received a master’s degree in mechanical and aerospace engineering from the University of Missouri in December 2014. She previously attended the East China University of Science and Technology in Shanghai.

“She wanted to be in the United States for the opportunities available to her and her family through education and employment,” the statement said. “She was a victim of domestic violence. She reached out for help but help did not come soon enough for her.”

A custody trial for Ji’s daughter is scheduled to take place after the criminal trial.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/10/1572177968305.png" alt="Joseph Elledge is awaiting trial for his wife's murder- Photo Boone Co. Jail" />
 <figcaption>Joseph Elledge is awaiting trial for his wife's murder- Photo Boone Co. Jail</figcaption>
 </figure>MISSION, Kan. (AP) — Relatives of a missing Chinese woman whose remains are believed to be have been found in a Missouri park said the discovery brings closure and the chance to have a funeral as they await the murder trial of the woman’s husband.Amy Salladay, an attorney for Mengqi Ji’s family, said Friday in a statement that the family is still processing the news that a driver’s license and some credit cards with Ji’s name on them were found&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-tigers-mens-basketball-columbia-0f341cef77aa806e3973186497383c9c">Thursday,&nbsp;</a>along with the remains, in a remote area of Rock Bridge State Park in Boone County. The remains have preliminarily been identified as Ji’s, but DNA testing is planned to provide confirmation.“As parents of a missing child they always hoped for their daughter’s return and for this to be a bad dream,” Salladay said. “At the same time they have wanted answers about what happened to Mengqi and this information now gives them some closure and a body so that a funeral can be planned for some time in the future.”Ji’s husband, Joseph Elledge, who was a University of Missouri student, is jailed without bond while awaiting a Nov. 1 trial on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bb49ceba9e78fa8fc110e36d453865c5">charges of first-degree murder&nbsp;</a>in her October 2019 disappearance. He has pleaded not guilty to the murder charge and to related charges of child endangerment and domestic abuse.The couple’s daughter turned a year old the weekend before Ji went missing; they took the baby to the St. Louis Zoo to celebrate. Salladay said Ji was still breastfeeding the girl at the time.Prosecutors have speculated that Elledge strangled his wife to avoid a costly divorce and to stop her from fleeing to China with their daughter.Assistant Columbia Police Chief Jeremiah Hunter said parts of Rock Bridge State Park had been previously searched but not the area where the remains were found, which is about 30 feet&nbsp; from a road.The discovery, if confirmed, removes one hurdle for prosecutors: proving that Ji is dead. The Boone County prosecutor didn’t immediately return a phone message seeking comment.Elledge’s attorney, Scott Rosenblum, said he had no comment Thursday evening.Ji’s family described her as a highly educated woman who loved her daughter. She received a master’s degree in mechanical and aerospace engineering from the University of Missouri in December 2014. She previously attended the East China University of Science and Technology in Shanghai.“She wanted to be in the United States for the opportunities available to her and her family through education and employment,” the statement said. “She was a victim of domestic violence. She reached out for help but help did not come soon enough for her.”A custody trial for Ji’s daughter is scheduled to take place after the criminal trial.

Woman's family: Discovery of body provides closure

<a href="https://www.dignitymemorial.com/">https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/boulder-co/mae-desch-boos-10109953</a>

February 12, 1931 - March 13, 2021 (age 90)

Mae Desch-Boos of Lafayette, CO died at home on Saturday, March 13, 2021, passing peacefully in her sleep. She was 90.

 Born to James and Virginia (Koerner) Giebler in Severin, Kansas on February 12, 1931, Mae was the tenth of twelve children. She helped out on the family farm and went to school in a two-room schoolhouse. She later attended Girls Catholic High School in Hays, KS. 

Mae’s lifelong love of music started in the Giebler home. Her father played piano and church organ, while Mae and her siblings sang together. She always had a song in her heart. 

She married Ralph Desch in Severin on November 10, 1949. The couple moved to Colorado in 1951 - first to Denver, then to Boulder eight years later, where they raised their five children. Mae and Ralph were loving, supportive parents to their two daughters and three sons, filling their home with music, laughter, and love. They sang together in the choir at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church, and Mae served in the Altar and Rosary Society for many years. She also sang with the Boulder Chorale. Mae lost her beloved Ralph on October 19, 1984, after a hard battle with cancer. 

She carried on, always keeping Ralph’s memory alive in the family. Mae moved to Lafayette in 1997. She surrounded herself with friends, and hosted family gatherings at her townhouse for over two decades. She even found love again, marrying Gilbert Boos in Greeley, CO on September 5, 2006. The newly expanded family brought Mae deep joy and contentedness, even though they weren’t together as long as she’d hoped they would be. Gib passed away on April 11, 2009, and his children and grandchildren will always hold a special place in the hearts of the Desch family. 

Mae was the family matriarch. She was lively and energetic, independent and opinionated, and always game for a laugh. She enjoyed gardening, music, dancing, singing, card games, playing bridge, and doing crossword puzzles. She loved her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren intensely, attending as many of their activities as she could. She cherished holidays with her family, and a gathering at Mae‘s house was sure to feature group singalongs at the piano, bad jokes, white wine, and a mountain of food (but eat it all, because Mae hated leftovers). Anyone who knew Mae knew what a beautiful smile and glorious, infectious laugh she had. We are going to miss that laugh, those gatherings, and every funny, sweet, feisty moment with her. 

She is preceded in death by her parents, James and Virginia; her husbands, Ralph Desch and Gilbert Boos; her son, Dale Desch; and nine of her siblings. Mae is survived by her sister and brother: Ruth Carter of Jacksonville, FL, and Vernon (Lori) Giebler of Hays, KS; her children: Danella (Mike) Lenz of Aurora, CO, Dianne (Jim) Borth of Olathe, KS, David (Ann) Desch of Helena, MT, and Donald (Barb) Desch of Erie, CO; her grandchildren: Brent (Denise) Lenz, Jeannette (Kenny) Naill, Shane (Abby) Borth, Michaela (Joseph DiMasi) Borth, Briana (John) Wirt, Jessica (Michael) Shamas, Libby Desch, Deanna (Patrick) Moonan, and Taylor (Marina Hanlon) Desch; seven great-grandchildren: Steven, GK, Jocelyn, Eliza, Caleb, Declan, and Adeline; and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends. 

Somewhere out there, Ralph is singing to Mae, and welcoming her home. “Let’s take the long way home...”

<h2>Mae Desch-Boos, Lafayette, Colorado</h2><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1616868655351.jpeg" alt="Mae Desch-Boos" />
 <figcaption>Mae Desch-Boos</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://www.dignitymemorial.com/">https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/boulder-co/mae-desch-boos-10109953</a>February 12, 1931 - March 13, 2021 (age 90)Mae Desch-Boos of Lafayette, CO died at home on Saturday, March 13, 2021, passing peacefully in her sleep. She was 90. Born to James and Virginia (Koerner) Giebler in Severin, Kansas on February 12, 1931, Mae was the tenth of twelve children. She helped out on the family farm and went to school in a two-room schoolhouse. She later attended Girls Catholic High School in Hays, KS. Mae’s lifelong love of music started in the Giebler home. Her father played piano and church organ, while Mae and her siblings sang together. She always had a song in her heart. She married Ralph Desch in Severin on November 10, 1949. The couple moved to Colorado in 1951 - first to Denver, then to Boulder eight years later, where they raised their five children. Mae and Ralph were loving, supportive parents to their two daughters and three sons, filling their home with music, laughter, and love. They sang together in the choir at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church, and Mae served in the Altar and Rosary Society for many years. She also sang with the Boulder Chorale. Mae lost her beloved Ralph on October 19, 1984, after a hard battle with cancer. She carried on, always keeping Ralph’s memory alive in the family. Mae moved to Lafayette in 1997. She surrounded herself with friends, and hosted family gatherings at her townhouse for over two decades. She even found love again, marrying Gilbert Boos in Greeley, CO on September 5, 2006. The newly expanded family brought Mae deep joy and contentedness, even though they weren’t together as long as she’d hoped they would be. Gib passed away on April 11, 2009, and his children and grandchildren will always hold a special place in the hearts of the Desch family. Mae was the family matriarch. She was lively and energetic, independent and opinionated, and always game for a laugh. She enjoyed gardening, music, dancing, singing, card games, playing bridge, and doing crossword puzzles. She loved her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren intensely, attending as many of their activities as she could. She cherished holidays with her family, and a gathering at Mae‘s house was sure to feature group singalongs at the piano, bad jokes, white wine, and a mountain of food (but eat it all, because Mae hated leftovers). Anyone who knew Mae knew what a beautiful smile and glorious, infectious laugh she had. We are going to miss that laugh, those gatherings, and every funny, sweet, feisty moment with her. She is preceded in death by her parents, James and Virginia; her husbands, Ralph Desch and Gilbert Boos; her son, Dale Desch; and nine of her siblings. Mae is survived by her sister and brother: Ruth Carter of Jacksonville, FL, and Vernon (Lori) Giebler of Hays, KS; her children: Danella (Mike) Lenz of Aurora, CO, Dianne (Jim) Borth of Olathe, KS, David (Ann) Desch of Helena, MT, and Donald (Barb) Desch of Erie, CO; her grandchildren: Brent (Denise) Lenz, Jeannette (Kenny) Naill, Shane (Abby) Borth, Michaela (Joseph DiMasi) Borth, Briana (John) Wirt, Jessica (Michael) Shamas, Libby Desch, Deanna (Patrick) Moonan, and Taylor (Marina Hanlon) Desch; seven great-grandchildren: Steven, GK, Jocelyn, Eliza, Caleb, Declan, and Adeline; and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends. Somewhere out there, Ralph is singing to Mae, and welcoming her home. “Let’s take the long way home...”

Mae Desch-Boos 

Darlene Adaline Boley, 87, died March 25, 2021, at Great Bend. She 
was born July 17, 1933, at Wichita, the daughter of Gerhardt and 
Margaret (Kraus) Orth. She married Joseph Ray Boley Dec. 26, 1955, in 
Wichita. A Great Bend resident since 1958, coming from Dorrance, Mrs. 
Boley was a music teacher for more than sixty years, teaching elementary
 music at Wilson and private piano and organ lessons in her home. She 
was also a legal secretary for Turner and Boisseau, Chtd.

Mrs. Boley was a member of the Prince of Peace Parish at St. Patrick 
Catholic Church, where she served as church organist; Daughters of 
Isabella, the Altar Society, Kansas Music Teachers Association, Music 
Teachers National Association, Central Kansas Piano Teachers, Golden 
Belt Community Concert Association, Parnassus Club, Etudian Club, 
Progress Club, Pilot Club, Cosmopolitan Club, Barton County Association 
of Retired School Personnel, Great Bend Garden Club, Phi Kappa Delta, 
American Legion Post 180 Auxiliary, Great Bend Kiwanis Club, Tangled 
Threads Sewing Club, and Thread Benders.

Survivors include her husband, Joe, of the home; three daughters, 
Maggie McKain of Osborne; Mary McMahan and husband Bryan of Granbury, 
Texas; and JoAnn Ishmael and husband Dugan of Lee's Summit, Mo.; eight 
grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and one due in October. She was 
preceded in death by one brother, Bill Orth and one son-in-law, C.J. 
McKain.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m., Monday, March 29, 2021, 
at St. Patrick Catholic Church, with Father Don Bedore celebrating. 
Altar Society Rosary will be at 4 p.m. and Vigil Service with Daughters 
of Isabella Rosary will be at 7 p.m., Sunday, March 28, 2021 at Bryant 
Funeral Home. Friends may call from 1 to 9 p.m., Sunday at the funeral 
home. Interment will be in the Great Bend Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, 
the family requests memorial contributions to Prince of Peace Parish, in
 care of the Bryant Funeral Home.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1616791614174.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Darlene Adaline Boley, 87, died March 25, 2021, at Great Bend. She 
was born July 17, 1933, at Wichita, the daughter of Gerhardt and 
Margaret (Kraus) Orth. She married Joseph Ray Boley Dec. 26, 1955, in 
Wichita. A Great Bend resident since 1958, coming from Dorrance, Mrs. 
Boley was a music teacher for more than sixty years, teaching elementary
 music at Wilson and private piano and organ lessons in her home. She 
was also a legal secretary for Turner and Boisseau, Chtd.Mrs. Boley was a member of the Prince of Peace Parish at St. Patrick 
Catholic Church, where she served as church organist; Daughters of 
Isabella, the Altar Society, Kansas Music Teachers Association, Music 
Teachers National Association, Central Kansas Piano Teachers, Golden 
Belt Community Concert Association, Parnassus Club, Etudian Club, 
Progress Club, Pilot Club, Cosmopolitan Club, Barton County Association 
of Retired School Personnel, Great Bend Garden Club, Phi Kappa Delta, 
American Legion Post 180 Auxiliary, Great Bend Kiwanis Club, Tangled 
Threads Sewing Club, and Thread Benders.Survivors include her husband, Joe, of the home; three daughters, 
Maggie McKain of Osborne; Mary McMahan and husband Bryan of Granbury, 
Texas; and JoAnn Ishmael and husband Dugan of Lee's Summit, Mo.; eight 
grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and one due in October. She was 
preceded in death by one brother, Bill Orth and one son-in-law, C.J. 
McKain.Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m., Monday, March 29, 2021, 
at St. Patrick Catholic Church, with Father Don Bedore celebrating. 
Altar Society Rosary will be at 4 p.m. and Vigil Service with Daughters 
of Isabella Rosary will be at 7 p.m., Sunday, March 28, 2021 at Bryant 
Funeral Home. Friends may call from 1 to 9 p.m., Sunday at the funeral 
home. Interment will be in the Great Bend Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, 
the family requests memorial contributions to Prince of Peace Parish, in
 care of the Bryant Funeral Home.

Darlene Adaline Boley

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — Authorities say they believe that human remains first spotted by someone out walking in a state park Thursday afternoon are the body of a Chinese woman who has been missing since October 2019.

The skeletal remains, some clothing, a driver’s license and some credit cards with Mengqi Ji Elledge’s name on them were found in a remote area of Rock Bridge State Park in Boone County. Columbia Mayor Brian Treece and Columbia Police Chief Geoff Jones announced the findings Thursday evening.

Assistant Chief Jeremiah Hunter described the identification of the remains as preliminary. Hunter, Jones and Treece emphasized the importance of this development in beginning to provide closure to Ji’s family. Police officials said DNA and potentially other testing would be done to confirm that the remains are Ji’s.

Jones said authorities had contacted Ji’s family through their attorney.

“As a parent, I can only imagine how important it is to want to have some measure of closure in a tragedy such as this,” Jones said.

Ji’s husband, Joseph Elledge, was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/a77cf5d7402709f672060620c18c200d">charged in February</a>&nbsp;2020 with first-degree murder in her disappearance. He has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/3464aeebdecdfb6819997198bbb315e1">pleaded not guilty</a>&nbsp;to the murder charge and to related charges of child endangerment and domestic abuse.

The couple has a 2-year-old daughter. Elledge, a University of Missouri student, is jailed without bond. His trial is set for Nov. 1.

Prosecutors have speculated that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/754a42ae3659132b431a838ae833ee3e">Elledge strangled his wife</a>&nbsp;to avoid a costly divorce and stop her from fleeing to China with their daughter.

Elledge told authorities he realized his wife was missing on Oct. 9, 2019, but didn’t report she was gone until the next day— which is when a friend came to the house at the request of Ji’s mother. Authorities say he drove to remote areas, spending around 45 minutes at a secluded access point to the Lamine River after dark, during those 24 hours. Cadaver dogs detected the presence of human remains there, but law enforcement was unable to find a body despite multiple searches.

Hunter said parts of Rock Bridge State Park had been previously searched but not the area where the remains were found, which is about 30 feet from a road.

During a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/b8203ea6a4a34200bdbed74653732810">court hearing</a>&nbsp;in November 2019, Boone County Chief Prosecutor Dan Knight described Elledge as a “jealous, controlling, manipulative psychopath.” Knight played four audio recordings of the couple arguing.

In the recordings, the husband says, “I don’t like being with you,” ″I’m eager to end it” and “I will bury the earth under you.” Ji can also be heard arguing with her husband, who raised his voice several times. At one point, he told her, “I know you want me to hit you,” and, “This, it’s not abusive.”

He was also heard saying he wanted a divorce “the sooner the better.”

Defense attorneys argued during the hearing that Ji had exchanged sexually explicit messages with another person.

A message left with Ji’s family attorney was not returned Thursday.

Ji received a master’s degree in mechanical and aerospace engineering from the University of Missouri in December 2014. She previously attended the East China University of Science and Technology in Shanghai.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/10/1572177968305.png" alt="Ji’s husband, Joseph Elledge, was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/a77cf5d7402709f672060620c18c200d">charged in February</a>&nbsp;2020 with first-degree murder in her disappearance. Photo Boone Co. Jail" />
 <figcaption>Ji’s husband, Joseph Elledge, was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/a77cf5d7402709f672060620c18c200d">charged in February</a>&nbsp;2020 with first-degree murder in her disappearance. Photo Boone Co. Jail</figcaption>
 </figure>COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — Authorities say they believe that human remains first spotted by someone out walking in a state park Thursday afternoon are the body of a Chinese woman who has been missing since October 2019.The skeletal remains, some clothing, a driver’s license and some credit cards with Mengqi Ji Elledge’s name on them were found in a remote area of Rock Bridge State Park in Boone County. Columbia Mayor Brian Treece and Columbia Police Chief Geoff Jones announced the findings Thursday evening.Assistant Chief Jeremiah Hunter described the identification of the remains as preliminary. Hunter, Jones and Treece emphasized the importance of this development in beginning to provide closure to Ji’s family. Police officials said DNA and potentially other testing would be done to confirm that the remains are Ji’s.Jones said authorities had contacted Ji’s family through their attorney.“As a parent, I can only imagine how important it is to want to have some measure of closure in a tragedy such as this,” Jones said.Ji’s husband, Joseph Elledge, was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/a77cf5d7402709f672060620c18c200d">charged in February</a>&nbsp;2020 with first-degree murder in her disappearance. He has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/3464aeebdecdfb6819997198bbb315e1">pleaded not guilty</a>&nbsp;to the murder charge and to related charges of child endangerment and domestic abuse.The couple has a 2-year-old daughter. Elledge, a University of Missouri student, is jailed without bond. His trial is set for Nov. 1.Prosecutors have speculated that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/754a42ae3659132b431a838ae833ee3e">Elledge strangled his wife</a>&nbsp;to avoid a costly divorce and stop her from fleeing to China with their daughter.Elledge told authorities he realized his wife was missing on Oct. 9, 2019, but didn’t report she was gone until the next day— which is when a friend came to the house at the request of Ji’s mother. Authorities say he drove to remote areas, spending around 45 minutes at a secluded access point to the Lamine River after dark, during those 24 hours. Cadaver dogs detected the presence of human remains there, but law enforcement was unable to find a body despite multiple searches.Hunter said parts of Rock Bridge State Park had been previously searched but not the area where the remains were found, which is about 30 feet from a road.During a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/b8203ea6a4a34200bdbed74653732810">court hearing</a>&nbsp;in November 2019, Boone County Chief Prosecutor Dan Knight described Elledge as a “jealous, controlling, manipulative psychopath.” Knight played four audio recordings of the couple arguing.In the recordings, the husband says, “I don’t like being with you,” ″I’m eager to end it” and “I will bury the earth under you.” Ji can also be heard arguing with her husband, who raised his voice several times. At one point, he told her, “I know you want me to hit you,” and, “This, it’s not abusive.”He was also heard saying he wanted a divorce “the sooner the better.”Defense attorneys argued during the hearing that Ji had exchanged sexually explicit messages with another person.Elledge’s attorney, Scott Rosenblum, said he had no comment Thursday evening.A message left with Ji’s family attorney was not returned Thursday.Ji received a master’s degree in mechanical and aerospace engineering from the University of Missouri in December 2014. She previously attended the East China University of Science and Technology in Shanghai.___

Remains found believed to be woman missing since 2019

Dorothy Louise (Walters) Goetz, age 92 of Victoria, Kansas, died Tuesday, March 23, 2021, at Hays Homestead Assisted Living.

She was born October 5, 1928, on the farm at Severin, Kansas to Adam J. and Anna (Polifka) Walters. &nbsp;She married Paul L. Goetz on October 14, 1947, at Severin. &nbsp;He preceded her in death on July 27, 1980.

She retired in 1999 from Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas as a bookkeeper and office worker. &nbsp;She was a bookkeeper at Hartman Oil Company in Hays for many years, and a cook at Victoria High School. &nbsp;She grew up on the farm at Severin, was a graduate of Hays High School and has lived in Victoria since the 1950’s. &nbsp;Dorothy was a member of The Basilica of St. Fidelis, St. Fidelis Christian Mothers, St. Fidelis Daughters of Isabella, Victoria V.F.W. Auxiliary and was a former Eucharistic Minister for the church. &nbsp;She was an office worker volunteer at the St. Fidelis Parish Activity Center for 14 years and worked on the St. Fidelis Funeral Committee.

Survivors include three sons, Tom Goetz and wife, Jeanette, Salina, KS; Jerry Goetz and wife, Jeanie, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL; Ron Goetz and wife, Donna, Hoisington, KS; seven grandchildren, Jodi (Luke) Sarsfield; Natosha (Jeff) Walsh; Sara (Joe) Westerhaus; Nathan (Stephanie) Goetz; Emily Goetz; Matt (Kaitlin) Goetz; Lee (Bre) Goetz;&nbsp; eight great grandchildren, Olivia Walsh and Addison Walsh; Luke Sarsfield IV and Victoria Sarsfield; Carter Westerhaus, Grant Westerhaus and Bennett Westerhaus; Kennedy Jane Goetz; one brother, Kenneth Walters, Bend, OR; one sister, Eileen Leiker and husband, Wilfred, Hays, KS.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; four brothers and five sisters-in-law, Ernest and Leona Walters; Harold and Ida Walters; Irvin and Clara Walters; William “Bill” and Barbara Walters; Linda Walters; two sisters and two brothers-in-law, Mary Frances and Elmer Dreiling; Rose Ann and Marvin Augustine.&nbsp;

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 A.M. Wednesday, April 7, 2021, at The Basilica of St. Fidelis Victoria, Kansas. &nbsp;Burial will be in St. Fidelis Cemetery Victoria, Kansas.

A vigil service will be at 6:30 P.M. Tuesday with a V.F.W. Auxiliary Memorial Service/Daughters of Isabella and Christian Mothers rosary all at the church. &nbsp;

Visitation is from 6:00 to 9:00 P.M. Tuesday, and from 9:00 to 10:00 A.M. Wednesday, all at the church.

The family suggests memorials to The Basilica of St. Fidelis in care of&nbsp; Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary, 412 Main Street, Victoria, Kansas 67671.

Condolences can be sent via e-mail to <a href="mailto:clinesmortuary@eaglecom.net">clinesmortuary@eaglecom.net</a> or can be left at guest book at <a href="http://www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com">www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com</a> &nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1616599121637.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Dorothy Louise (Walters) Goetz, age 92 of Victoria, Kansas, died Tuesday, March 23, 2021, at Hays Homestead Assisted Living.She was born October 5, 1928, on the farm at Severin, Kansas to Adam J. and Anna (Polifka) Walters. &nbsp;She married Paul L. Goetz on October 14, 1947, at Severin. &nbsp;He preceded her in death on July 27, 1980.She retired in 1999 from Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas as a bookkeeper and office worker. &nbsp;She was a bookkeeper at Hartman Oil Company in Hays for many years, and a cook at Victoria High School. &nbsp;She grew up on the farm at Severin, was a graduate of Hays High School and has lived in Victoria since the 1950’s. &nbsp;Dorothy was a member of The Basilica of St. Fidelis, St. Fidelis Christian Mothers, St. Fidelis Daughters of Isabella, Victoria V.F.W. Auxiliary and was a former Eucharistic Minister for the church. &nbsp;She was an office worker volunteer at the St. Fidelis Parish Activity Center for 14 years and worked on the St. Fidelis Funeral Committee.Survivors include three sons, Tom Goetz and wife, Jeanette, Salina, KS; Jerry Goetz and wife, Jeanie, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL; Ron Goetz and wife, Donna, Hoisington, KS; seven grandchildren, Jodi (Luke) Sarsfield; Natosha (Jeff) Walsh; Sara (Joe) Westerhaus; Nathan (Stephanie) Goetz; Emily Goetz; Matt (Kaitlin) Goetz; Lee (Bre) Goetz;&nbsp; eight great grandchildren, Olivia Walsh and Addison Walsh; Luke Sarsfield IV and Victoria Sarsfield; Carter Westerhaus, Grant Westerhaus and Bennett Westerhaus; Kennedy Jane Goetz; one brother, Kenneth Walters, Bend, OR; one sister, Eileen Leiker and husband, Wilfred, Hays, KS.She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; four brothers and five sisters-in-law, Ernest and Leona Walters; Harold and Ida Walters; Irvin and Clara Walters; William “Bill” and Barbara Walters; Linda Walters; two sisters and two brothers-in-law, Mary Frances and Elmer Dreiling; Rose Ann and Marvin Augustine.&nbsp;Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 A.M. Wednesday, April 7, 2021, at The Basilica of St. Fidelis Victoria, Kansas. &nbsp;Burial will be in St. Fidelis Cemetery Victoria, Kansas.A vigil service will be at 6:30 P.M. Tuesday with a V.F.W. Auxiliary Memorial Service/Daughters of Isabella and Christian Mothers rosary all at the church. &nbsp;Visitation is from 6:00 to 9:00 P.M. Tuesday, and from 9:00 to 10:00 A.M. Wednesday, all at the church.The family suggests memorials to The Basilica of St. Fidelis in care of&nbsp; Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary, 412 Main Street, Victoria, Kansas 67671.Condolences can be sent via e-mail to <a href="mailto:clinesmortuary@eaglecom.net">clinesmortuary@eaglecom.net</a> or can be left at guest book at <a href="http://www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com">www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com</a> &nbsp;

Dorothy Louise (Walters) Goetz

October 3, 1922
 -
 March 21, 2021

Click <a href="https://www.stinemetzfh.com/obituaries/Ida-Alice-Montgomery?obId=20432627#/celebrationWall">HERE</a> for service details.

October 3, 1922
 -
 March 21, 2021 An obituary is pending with Stinemetz Funeral Home.Click <a href="https://www.stinemetzfh.com/obituaries/Ida-Alice-Montgomery?obId=20432627#/celebrationWall">HERE</a> for service details.

Ida Alice Montgomery

Visitation will be 3 to 8 p.m. Thursday, March 25 at&nbsp;Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home,&nbsp;320 SW Second, Plainville, Kan.&nbsp;

The funeral will be at 10 a.m. March 26 at Codell Community Church, 409 Codell Road, Codell, AK, 67663.

Smith's final resting place will be at&nbsp;Shiloh Cemetery 26 and X Road, Rooks County, Kansas.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Rooks County Township 12.

An full obituary is pending with <a href="https://www.plumeroverlease.com/obituaries/Lester-Lee-Smith?obId=20430446#/celebrationWall">Plumer-Overlease Funeral Homes.</a>

Lester Lee SmithOctober 2, 1914-March 22, 2021Visitation will be 3 to 8 p.m. Thursday, March 25 at&nbsp;Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home,&nbsp;320 SW Second, Plainville, Kan.&nbsp;The funeral will be at 10 a.m. March 26 at Codell Community Church, 409 Codell Road, Codell, AK, 67663.Smith's final resting place will be at&nbsp;Shiloh Cemetery 26 and X Road, Rooks County, Kansas.Memorial contributions can be made to the Rooks County Township 12.An full obituary is pending with <a href="https://www.plumeroverlease.com/obituaries/Lester-Lee-Smith?obId=20430446#/celebrationWall">Plumer-Overlease Funeral Homes.</a>

Lester Lee Smith

“How precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.” —&nbsp;Psalm 116:15

Jean Elizabeth (Rector) Krebs, beloved wife, mother, and grandmother entered into the joy of her Master on March 21, 2021.

Jean was born on October 12, 1944, in Lincoln, Nebraska. She was the 
second of four children to Merwin and Genevieve Rector. The family moved
 to Scott City, Kansas when Jean was in elementary school. She married 
her high school sweetheart, Don Krebs, on June 15, 1963. She devoted her
 life to her husband, six children, and twelve grandchildren. She 
exemplified the life of a Proverbs 31 woman.

Jean is survived by her husband, Don Krebs, of Hutchinson, KS; sons: 
Andy (Madonna) Krebs of Fairland, OK; Matt (Judy) Krebs of Lancaster, 
PA; Daniel (Angie) Krebs of North Newton, KS; daughters: Anna (Brad) 
Berg of McPherson, KS; Beth (Keith) Schobert of Buckner, KY; Abi (Will) 
Goertzen of Lawrence, KS; and 12 grandchildren: Caleb, Ethan, Makaela 
(Fairland, OK); Landry, Anika (Lancaster, PA); Mia, Nicholas (North 
Newton, KS); Katie (McPherson, KS); Emma, Lola (Buckner, KY); Hannah, 
Isaac (Lawrence, KS). She is also survived by her sisters Mary (Rector) 
Korf of Canon City, CO, and Alice (Rector) Collinsworth of Edmond, OK

She is preceded in death by her parents Merwin and Genevieve (Johnson) Rector, and her brother John Rector.

Graveside Services for all friends and family will be held at 11:00 
a.m. Friday, March 26, 2021, at the Scott County Cemetery in Scott City,
 Kansas with Andy Krebs presiding (masks encouraged).&nbsp; Services will be 
streamed live on Facebook at Price and Sons Funeral Home page 
(www.facebook.com/priceandsons) starting at 10:55 a.m.

In Lieu of Flowers memorials can be made to the Jean Krebs Memorial 
Fund in care of Price and Sons Funeral Home; PO Box 553; Scott City, 
Kansas, 67871

Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, March
 25, 2021, at Price &amp; Sons Funeral Home in Scott City, Kansas.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1616520707016.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>“How precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.” —&nbsp;Psalm 116:15Jean Elizabeth (Rector) Krebs, beloved wife, mother, and grandmother entered into the joy of her Master on March 21, 2021.Jean was born on October 12, 1944, in Lincoln, Nebraska. She was the 
second of four children to Merwin and Genevieve Rector. The family moved
 to Scott City, Kansas when Jean was in elementary school. She married 
her high school sweetheart, Don Krebs, on June 15, 1963. She devoted her
 life to her husband, six children, and twelve grandchildren. She 
exemplified the life of a Proverbs 31 woman.Jean is survived by her husband, Don Krebs, of Hutchinson, KS; sons: 
Andy (Madonna) Krebs of Fairland, OK; Matt (Judy) Krebs of Lancaster, 
PA; Daniel (Angie) Krebs of North Newton, KS; daughters: Anna (Brad) 
Berg of McPherson, KS; Beth (Keith) Schobert of Buckner, KY; Abi (Will) 
Goertzen of Lawrence, KS; and 12 grandchildren: Caleb, Ethan, Makaela 
(Fairland, OK); Landry, Anika (Lancaster, PA); Mia, Nicholas (North 
Newton, KS); Katie (McPherson, KS); Emma, Lola (Buckner, KY); Hannah, 
Isaac (Lawrence, KS). She is also survived by her sisters Mary (Rector) 
Korf of Canon City, CO, and Alice (Rector) Collinsworth of Edmond, OKShe is preceded in death by her parents Merwin and Genevieve (Johnson) Rector, and her brother John Rector.Graveside Services for all friends and family will be held at 11:00 
a.m. Friday, March 26, 2021, at the Scott County Cemetery in Scott City,
 Kansas with Andy Krebs presiding (masks encouraged).&nbsp; Services will be 
streamed live on Facebook at Price and Sons Funeral Home page 
(www.facebook.com/priceandsons) starting at 10:55 a.m.In Lieu of Flowers memorials can be made to the Jean Krebs Memorial 
Fund in care of Price and Sons Funeral Home; PO Box 553; Scott City, 
Kansas, 67871Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, March
 25, 2021, at Price &amp; Sons Funeral Home in Scott City, Kansas.

Jean Elizabeth Krebs

Crude futures prices on Friday climbed to a settlement above $61, but that still marked the largest weekly loss since October. U.S. crude prices were down slightly in midday trading Monday. At CHS in McPherson, crude prices are up a dollar fifty a barrel. Kansas Common crude starts the week at $51.75 per barrel. That's up from $51 at the first of the month, and a full $13 a barrel higher than at the first of the year. Two weeks of declining gasoline stockpiles pumped up national pump prices by 40 cents since the winter storm hit Texas. Triple-A reports Americans are paying an average of 14% more to fill up compared to February. EIA says gasoline inventories are now increasing, but stockpiles are about four percent below the five-year average for this time of year. The national average pump price for regular gasoline is just over $2.88, more than seventy cents higher than a year ago. The average across Kansas is $2.67 a gallon. Filling up a 15-gallon tank will cost you two dollars more than last week, six dollars more than last month, and 12 dollars more than a year ago at this time. The Rig Count in Kansas was up slightly, adding one rig west of Wichita last week. Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service reports operators about to spud a new well in Ellis County. Drilling is underway at one lease in Stafford County and one in Russell County.&nbsp; Baker Hughes reported 411 active drilling rigs across the US Friday. That's an increase of nine oil rigs including seven new entries in New Mexico. Regulators gave their okay to 12 new drilling permits across Kansas last week, four of them east of Wichita and eight in the western half of the state, including one new permit in Barton County. Independent Oil &amp; Gas reported 12 newly-completed wells for the week ending March 18. Five are east of Wichita and seven are in Western Kansas, including one each in Barton and Stafford counties. The government reports U.S. crude production last week was up 1,000 barrels per day over the week before at 10.86 million barrels per day. A year ago this week, operators pumped more than 13 million barrels per day. The Energy Information Administration reports U.S. crude-oil inventories jumped nearly two-and-a-half million barrels last week, topping 500 million barrels for the first time this year. Imports were down 332,000 barrels per day to 5.3 million. The four-week average is down nearly 14% from the same four weeks a year ago. Oil-by-rail shipments in the United States continue to grow, but still lag behind totals from a year ago. According to the Association of American Railroads, operators shipped 11,379 tanker cars of petroleum and petroleum product by rail during the week ending March 13. That's an increase of 877 cars from the week before, but the total remains about 14% behind last year.&nbsp; In Canada, oil-by-rail traffic increased by about a thousand rail cars week-over-week, but remain about 17% behind the totals from a year ago. Every two years the Legislative Assembly in North Dakota must approve state spending. As you might expect, predicting income two years in advance is a tall order for a budget that relies largely on oil and gas revenue. In the last two years, we've seen prices above $70 and below zero. On Monday, the lawmakers announced their best guess, marking an increase in expectations, based on an optimistic view of stable oil prices and production. It marks an increase of $95 million from their starting point in July.&nbsp; New data from an oil-and-gas watchdog in New Mexico show the state had fewer spills from the oil and gas industry last year than in years past, but greater emissions. According to the Carlsbad Current Argus newspaper, last year continued a string of annual declines in oil and wastewater spills reaching the lowest total since 2013. But the report suggests methane emissions were the highest since they began tracking them in 2013. The world's largest oil company saw profits tumble last year. Saudi Aramco reported earnings of $49 BILLION in 2020, which is down 44% from the $88 BILLION they reported the year before. The state-owned company's CEO described last year as one of the most challenging years in history.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1592847975802.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By JOHN P. TRETBARCrude futures prices on Friday climbed to a settlement above $61, but that still marked the largest weekly loss since October. U.S. crude prices were down slightly in midday trading Monday. At CHS in McPherson, crude prices are up a dollar fifty a barrel. Kansas Common crude starts the week at $51.75 per barrel. That's up from $51 at the first of the month, and a full $13 a barrel higher than at the first of the year. Two weeks of declining gasoline stockpiles pumped up national pump prices by 40 cents since the winter storm hit Texas. Triple-A reports Americans are paying an average of 14% more to fill up compared to February. EIA says gasoline inventories are now increasing, but stockpiles are about four percent below the five-year average for this time of year. The national average pump price for regular gasoline is just over $2.88, more than seventy cents higher than a year ago. The average across Kansas is $2.67 a gallon. Filling up a 15-gallon tank will cost you two dollars more than last week, six dollars more than last month, and 12 dollars more than a year ago at this time. The Rig Count in Kansas was up slightly, adding one rig west of Wichita last week. Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service reports operators about to spud a new well in Ellis County. Drilling is underway at one lease in Stafford County and one in Russell County.&nbsp; Baker Hughes reported 411 active drilling rigs across the US Friday. That's an increase of nine oil rigs including seven new entries in New Mexico. Regulators gave their okay to 12 new drilling permits across Kansas last week, four of them east of Wichita and eight in the western half of the state, including one new permit in Barton County. Independent Oil &amp; Gas reported 12 newly-completed wells for the week ending March 18. Five are east of Wichita and seven are in Western Kansas, including one each in Barton and Stafford counties. The government reports U.S. crude production last week was up 1,000 barrels per day over the week before at 10.86 million barrels per day. A year ago this week, operators pumped more than 13 million barrels per day. The Energy Information Administration reports U.S. crude-oil inventories jumped nearly two-and-a-half million barrels last week, topping 500 million barrels for the first time this year. Imports were down 332,000 barrels per day to 5.3 million. The four-week average is down nearly 14% from the same four weeks a year ago. Oil-by-rail shipments in the United States continue to grow, but still lag behind totals from a year ago. According to the Association of American Railroads, operators shipped 11,379 tanker cars of petroleum and petroleum product by rail during the week ending March 13. That's an increase of 877 cars from the week before, but the total remains about 14% behind last year.&nbsp; In Canada, oil-by-rail traffic increased by about a thousand rail cars week-over-week, but remain about 17% behind the totals from a year ago. Every two years the Legislative Assembly in North Dakota must approve state spending. As you might expect, predicting income two years in advance is a tall order for a budget that relies largely on oil and gas revenue. In the last two years, we've seen prices above $70 and below zero. On Monday, the lawmakers announced their best guess, marking an increase in expectations, based on an optimistic view of stable oil prices and production. It marks an increase of $95 million from their starting point in July.&nbsp; New data from an oil-and-gas watchdog in New Mexico show the state had fewer spills from the oil and gas industry last year than in years past, but greater emissions. According to the Carlsbad Current Argus newspaper, last year continued a string of annual declines in oil and wastewater spills reaching the lowest total since 2013. But the report suggests methane emissions were the highest since they began tracking them in 2013. The world's largest oil company saw profits tumble last year. Saudi Aramco reported earnings of $49 BILLION in 2020, which is down 44% from the $88 BILLION they reported the year before. The state-owned company's CEO described last year as one of the most challenging years in history.