Curtis William Roesch, 84, of Quinter, KS passed away on January 2, 2021, after a fall that caused a severe brain bleed. Curtis was born in Quinter, KS on June 2, 1936. He was the youngest of four children, the only son, and the 'living doll' for his sisters to dress up. His childhood was spent in Quinter, where he met his future sweetheart, Karen, in Sunday School. They began dating in high school and were married soon after she graduated. He graduated from Quinter High School in 1954, served four years in the Navy, receive an undergraduate degree in Education (English and German) from Fort Hays Kansas State College, a Masters Degree in Library Science at University of Northern Colorado, and a Masters Degree of Divinity from The Central Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City, KS.

Curtis was united in marriage to Karen Martz on October 9, 1955; they were married for 65 years. He served in the Navy at Pearl Harbor in the territory of Hawaii, was a public educator in Kansas, managed the Quinter Dairy Queen, was an inventory control manager, and answered God's call to pastor First Baptist Church in Osawatomie, KS. Curtis and Karen retired to Quinter, living in his boyhood home.

Curtis enjoyed sharing daily devotions and listening to Christian praise music for hours with Karen, visits with their children and grandchildren, playing games with friends, bus tours, marveling at the Kansas sky during storms, enjoying a wide variety of music, and caring for his 'livestock', the squirrels and birds in the backyard. The highlight of their life was taking their children and spouses on a cruise to Hawaii where they revisited the places where their marriage began. Curtis was a quiet man, yet the Lord led him to minister from the pulpit after the age of fifty. He was humbled by the call to share the love and grace of Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit. In retirement, he felt privileged to serve as a pulpit supply pastor to many churches.

Curtis is survived by Karen; their children Tina Burkholder (Steve) and Tamara Gayer, both of McPherson, KS, Kevin Roesch (Penny) of Akron, CO, and Janette Ward (Keven) of Tonganoxie, KS; thirteen grandchildren: Jennifer, Lance, Wade, Chad, Amanda, Mark, Robin, John, Kraig, Emily, Amanda, Nick, and Jeremy; twelve great grandchildren; and sister, Eugenia Ikenberry.

Curtis was preceded in death by parents Merle and Margaret Roesch; son-in-law Doug Gayer; and sisters Marilyn Roesch and Janice Schmidt.

A private funeral service will be held at 1:00 PM, Friday, January 8th at Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church, Hoxie, KS. Burial and military honors are open to the public and will follow at the Baker Township Cemetery in Quinter, KS. Services will be live streamed on the Mount Pleasant Baptist Church Facebook page at <a href="http://www.facebook.com/Mt-Pleasant-Baptist-Church-Hoxie-KS">http://www.facebook.com/Mt-Pleasant-Baptist-Church-Hoxie-KS</a>

Viewing is on Thursday, January 7th, 5-7 PM at Schmitt Funeral Home, Quinter, KS. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church or Gideon International.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1609703210191.jpeg" alt="Curtis Roesch" />
 <figcaption>Curtis Roesch</figcaption>
 </figure>Curtis William Roesch, 84, of Quinter, KS passed away on January 2, 2021, after a fall that caused a severe brain bleed. Curtis was born in Quinter, KS on June 2, 1936. He was the youngest of four children, the only son, and the 'living doll' for his sisters to dress up. His childhood was spent in Quinter, where he met his future sweetheart, Karen, in Sunday School. They began dating in high school and were married soon after she graduated. He graduated from Quinter High School in 1954, served four years in the Navy, receive an undergraduate degree in Education (English and German) from Fort Hays Kansas State College, a Masters Degree in Library Science at University of Northern Colorado, and a Masters Degree of Divinity from The Central Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City, KS.Curtis was united in marriage to Karen Martz on October 9, 1955; they were married for 65 years. He served in the Navy at Pearl Harbor in the territory of Hawaii, was a public educator in Kansas, managed the Quinter Dairy Queen, was an inventory control manager, and answered God's call to pastor First Baptist Church in Osawatomie, KS. Curtis and Karen retired to Quinter, living in his boyhood home.Curtis enjoyed sharing daily devotions and listening to Christian praise music for hours with Karen, visits with their children and grandchildren, playing games with friends, bus tours, marveling at the Kansas sky during storms, enjoying a wide variety of music, and caring for his 'livestock', the squirrels and birds in the backyard. The highlight of their life was taking their children and spouses on a cruise to Hawaii where they revisited the places where their marriage began. Curtis was a quiet man, yet the Lord led him to minister from the pulpit after the age of fifty. He was humbled by the call to share the love and grace of Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit. In retirement, he felt privileged to serve as a pulpit supply pastor to many churches.Curtis is survived by Karen; their children Tina Burkholder (Steve) and Tamara Gayer, both of McPherson, KS, Kevin Roesch (Penny) of Akron, CO, and Janette Ward (Keven) of Tonganoxie, KS; thirteen grandchildren: Jennifer, Lance, Wade, Chad, Amanda, Mark, Robin, John, Kraig, Emily, Amanda, Nick, and Jeremy; twelve great grandchildren; and sister, Eugenia Ikenberry.Curtis was preceded in death by parents Merle and Margaret Roesch; son-in-law Doug Gayer; and sisters Marilyn Roesch and Janice Schmidt.A private funeral service will be held at 1:00 PM, Friday, January 8th at Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church, Hoxie, KS. Burial and military honors are open to the public and will follow at the Baker Township Cemetery in Quinter, KS. Services will be live streamed on the Mount Pleasant Baptist Church Facebook page at <a href="http://www.facebook.com/Mt-Pleasant-Baptist-Church-Hoxie-KS">http://www.facebook.com/Mt-Pleasant-Baptist-Church-Hoxie-KS</a>Viewing is on Thursday, January 7th, 5-7 PM at Schmitt Funeral Home, Quinter, KS. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church or Gideon International.Condolences may be left for the family by visiting www.schmittfuneral.com

Curtis Roesch

WASHINGTON (AP) — As the economic effects of the coronavirus pandemic stretch into 2021, millions of U.S. renters are bracing for the possibility of having to show up in housing court to avoid getting evicted. But unlike their landlords, only a small fraction of them will do so flanked by an attorney.

Fewer than 10 cities and counties nationwide guarantee tenants the right to a lawyer in housing-related disputes, and for people struggling to make ends meet, an attorney is beyond their means, leaving many to skip their court hearings or walk in knowing they have little chance. Unlike criminal cases, an attorney won’t be assigned if someone can’t afford one. Legal aid organizations and pro bono lawyers represent many renters every year, but the need outpaces what they can handle.

While housing advocates have primarily pushed for rent relief from the government, experts also expect more cities to join the movement to give tenants the right to an attorney.

“The push for right to counsel preceded the pandemic, but it’s particularly acute and particularly urgent in light of the pandemic, given just the overall precarity that renters are facing,” said Gretchen Purser, an associate professor of sociology at Syracuse University who specializes in housing, homelessness and urban poverty.

She said legal representation “is going to be one of the most important things that groups around the country can be pushing for.”

Many people owe months of back rent, having lost their jobs or faced mounting medical bills during the health crisis. By January, renters will owe as much as $34 billion, according to estimates by the global investment bank and advisory firm Stout. An estimated 23 million people are at risk of getting evicted.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-health-care-reform-legislation-immigration-coronavirus-pandemic-3ba55f6ae819ad2be2319dfa218012b8">federal COVID-19 relief package</a>&nbsp;includes $25 billion for rental assistance and an extension of an eviction moratorium through January.

The moratorium is what Zachary Kettering thought would protect him when he lost two jobs during the pandemic, fell behind on rent and received a notice in October to vacate his one-bedroom apartment in the Dallas suburb of McKinney.

But he fell victim to a caveat that housing attorneys have warned about: The order from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is not a blanket moratorium; tenants must sign a declaration and give a copy to their landlord. By early December, Kettering, a disabled veteran, owed $6,900 in rent and a constable knocked on his door with an eviction notice.

A friend loaned him the money to cover his debt, and he agreed to sign a document from his landlord saying he won’t renew his lease in February in exchange for dropping the case.

“I just kind of acquiesce to whatever they wanted,” said Kettering, 33, who is now raising money online. “It’s like you’re playing a game, and one of the people involved doesn’t know the rules of the game. And that game is a very high stakes, to the point where, like, you will be homeless if you don’t play the game.”

The federal relief bill also includes $20 million for legal assistance for renters.

In Baltimore, only 1% of tenants have legal representation in eviction cases, compared with 96% of landlords. But this month, Maryland’s largest city became the latest U.S. jurisdiction to grant renters a right to counsel in those cases. A Stout report estimated that 92% of tenants represented by lawyers in Baltimore would avoid having to leave their homes.

The new ordinance requires the city’s Department of Housing and Community Development to hire nonprofit legal organizations and calls for funding to help spread the word and educate tenants. It gives the city four years to fully implement the requirements.

Attorney Matthew Hill with the Public Justice Center, which advocated for the new ordinance, said Baltimore could draw from general funds and federal money to cover the program’s costs. He said a measure proposing a right to counsel also will be introduced in the Maryland Legislature, potentially making state funds available for Baltimore’s effort.

“This is really supposed to level the playing field and really provide tenants access, because eviction court often is just about evictions, but tenants have a lot of defenses,” Hill said, including whether the place is livable and if landlords are licensed. “So, we want to try and change eviction court into housing court and make sure we enforce tenants’ rights to safe, stable, healthy housing.”

The Stout report estimated that an investment of $5.7 million a year to get legal representation for Baltimore renters would result in $35.6 million in savings to the city and state on homeless shelters, Medicaid spending, school funding and foster care costs.

In 2017, New York became the first U.S. city to guarantee the right to an attorney in housing court. Between July 1, 2019, and June 30, 86% of tenants represented by lawyers were able to stay in their homes, according to a city report released this fall.

Other cities with similar laws include San Francisco, Philadelphia and Newark, New Jersey.

Before the pandemic, about 300,000 evictions were filed in the U.S. in an average month, according to the Eviction Lab at Princeton University. A patchwork of local and state guidelines combined with the federal moratorium have provided some protections for people unable to pay rent. But in some places, including cities in South Carolina, Ohio, Florida and Virginia, renters are losing their homes.

Pablo Estupiñan, interim co-coordinator of Right to Counsel NYC Coalition, said eviction filings dropped in New York since its right-to-counsel ordinance took effect three years ago. But he said landlords’ attorneys have increased pressure on tenants and sometimes people choose to leave because they may not know their rights.

“As a result of right to counsel, we saw landlords changing their tactics, and we definitely heard from community members that landlord attorneys were threatening them, saying, ‘If you get an attorney to represent you, then I will fight your case harder and not give you a fair settlement,’” Estupiñan said.

WASHINGTON (AP) — As the economic effects of the coronavirus pandemic stretch into 2021, millions of U.S. renters are bracing for the possibility of having to show up in housing court to avoid getting evicted. But unlike their landlords, only a small fraction of them will do so flanked by an attorney.Fewer than 10 cities and counties nationwide guarantee tenants the right to a lawyer in housing-related disputes, and for people struggling to make ends meet, an attorney is beyond their means, leaving many to skip their court hearings or walk in knowing they have little chance. Unlike criminal cases, an attorney won’t be assigned if someone can’t afford one. Legal aid organizations and pro bono lawyers represent many renters every year, but the need outpaces what they can handle.While housing advocates have primarily pushed for rent relief from the government, experts also expect more cities to join the movement to give tenants the right to an attorney.“The push for right to counsel preceded the pandemic, but it’s particularly acute and particularly urgent in light of the pandemic, given just the overall precarity that renters are facing,” said Gretchen Purser, an associate professor of sociology at Syracuse University who specializes in housing, homelessness and urban poverty.She said legal representation “is going to be one of the most important things that groups around the country can be pushing for.”Many people owe months of back rent, having lost their jobs or faced mounting medical bills during the health crisis. By January, renters will owe as much as $34 billion, according to estimates by the global investment bank and advisory firm Stout. An estimated 23 million people are at risk of getting evicted.The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-health-care-reform-legislation-immigration-coronavirus-pandemic-3ba55f6ae819ad2be2319dfa218012b8">federal COVID-19 relief package</a>&nbsp;includes $25 billion for rental assistance and an extension of an eviction moratorium through January.The moratorium is what Zachary Kettering thought would protect him when he lost two jobs during the pandemic, fell behind on rent and received a notice in October to vacate his one-bedroom apartment in the Dallas suburb of McKinney.But he fell victim to a caveat that housing attorneys have warned about: The order from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is not a blanket moratorium; tenants must sign a declaration and give a copy to their landlord. By early December, Kettering, a disabled veteran, owed $6,900 in rent and a constable knocked on his door with an eviction notice.A friend loaned him the money to cover his debt, and he agreed to sign a document from his landlord saying he won’t renew his lease in February in exchange for dropping the case.“I just kind of acquiesce to whatever they wanted,” said Kettering, 33, who is now raising money online. “It’s like you’re playing a game, and one of the people involved doesn’t know the rules of the game. And that game is a very high stakes, to the point where, like, you will be homeless if you don’t play the game.”The federal relief bill also includes $20 million for legal assistance for renters.In Baltimore, only 1% of tenants have legal representation in eviction cases, compared with 96% of landlords. But this month, Maryland’s largest city became the latest U.S. jurisdiction to grant renters a right to counsel in those cases. A Stout report estimated that 92% of tenants represented by lawyers in Baltimore would avoid having to leave their homes.The new ordinance requires the city’s Department of Housing and Community Development to hire nonprofit legal organizations and calls for funding to help spread the word and educate tenants. It gives the city four years to fully implement the requirements.Attorney Matthew Hill with the Public Justice Center, which advocated for the new ordinance, said Baltimore could draw from general funds and federal money to cover the program’s costs. He said a measure proposing a right to counsel also will be introduced in the Maryland Legislature, potentially making state funds available for Baltimore’s effort.“This is really supposed to level the playing field and really provide tenants access, because eviction court often is just about evictions, but tenants have a lot of defenses,” Hill said, including whether the place is livable and if landlords are licensed. “So, we want to try and change eviction court into housing court and make sure we enforce tenants’ rights to safe, stable, healthy housing.”The Stout report estimated that an investment of $5.7 million a year to get legal representation for Baltimore renters would result in $35.6 million in savings to the city and state on homeless shelters, Medicaid spending, school funding and foster care costs.In 2017, New York became the first U.S. city to guarantee the right to an attorney in housing court. Between July 1, 2019, and June 30, 86% of tenants represented by lawyers were able to stay in their homes, according to a city report released this fall.Other cities with similar laws include San Francisco, Philadelphia and Newark, New Jersey.Before the pandemic, about 300,000 evictions were filed in the U.S. in an average month, according to the Eviction Lab at Princeton University. A patchwork of local and state guidelines combined with the federal moratorium have provided some protections for people unable to pay rent. But in some places, including cities in South Carolina, Ohio, Florida and Virginia, renters are losing their homes.Pablo Estupiñan, interim co-coordinator of Right to Counsel NYC Coalition, said eviction filings dropped in New York since its right-to-counsel ordinance took effect three years ago. But he said landlords’ attorneys have increased pressure on tenants and sometimes people choose to leave because they may not know their rights.“As a result of right to counsel, we saw landlords changing their tactics, and we definitely heard from community members that landlord attorneys were threatening them, saying, ‘If you get an attorney to represent you, then I will fight your case harder and not give you a fair settlement,’” Estupiñan said.

Virus relief: Renters get right to lawyers in housing court

Myron Lee Deines, 89, of WaKeeney, Kansas, passed away on January 2, 2021, after a long life well lived.

Myron was born on October 20, 1931, to Gladys (Spena) and Bernhardt Deines in WaKeeney. After graduating from Trego County High School in 1949, he studied Industrial Arts at Fort Hays State Kansas College.

After college graduation, Myron served his country in the U.S. Army. He was certified as a crane shovel operator through the Army Engineer School in Fort Belvoir, Virginia, and spent 18 months in Japan building Air Force military air strips.&nbsp;

After honorably serving his country, Myron returned to WaKeeney to join his father in the construction business. Upon his father’s retirement, Myron became the owner of Deines Construction, Inc., and Deines Apartments. After more than 40 years running the companies, Myron turned the fourth-generation, family-owned business over to his son, Brian. Together, the Deines family has built many homes, business establishments, and churches in WaKeeney and throughout western Kansas.&nbsp;

Myron also served as President of the WaKeeney Redi-Mix company. In all his business affairs, he was known for his integrity and for always putting his clients first.

Myron married his high school sweetheart, Edna Mae Riedel, in 1957. They had four children, Brian, Tracey, Shelley, and Darcey. Together, Myron and Edna loyally supported their children by attending numerous school, athletic, and musical activities.

Myron gave generously of his time and talents to many community and civic organizations. He was a member of the VFW, Lions Club, High Plains Masonic Lodge, American Legion, Eagles, and the Trego County Historical Society. He served as a board member for the Trego Lemke Memorial Hospital, City Council, and Keeney Village. He was also a volunteer firefighter.&nbsp;

In his free time, Myron loved reading and watching old Western movies. In his later years, he could often be found in his workshop building gifts for his family and friends and assisting his grandchildren with their woodworking projects. He was an excellent craftsman.

Myron grew up attending the Presbyterian church with his family. He was later confirmed in the Catholic faith after years of attending Christ the King Catholic Church.&nbsp;

Anyone who knew Myron knew that he was a loving husband, father, and grandfather.&nbsp;

Myron was predeceased by his mother, Gladys Mae (Spena) Deines, and his father, Bernhardt Deines. He is survived by his wife, Edna Mae; his son Brian Deines of WaKeeney; three daughters, Tracey Davis (Dennis) of Palmdale, California, Shelley Hunt (Jim) of Wichita, Kansas, Darcey Tenbrink (Dean) of Overland Park, Kansas; six grandchildren, Chris and Michael Davis, Nathaniel and Elizabeth Hunt, Benjamin and Jack Tenbrink; and two great-granddaughters MaKenna and Brynlee Davis. He is also survived by his twin sister, Marlene Connell (Don, deceased) of Des Moines, Washington, and her children, Myra Jones (Clint) and Owen Connell (Allison).

Myron was a patient and kind-hearted man always putting the needs of others before his own. He lived a wonderful life and will be remembered, and truly missed, by all who knew him.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a private service will be held. Mass of Christian burial will be Thursday, January 7, 2021 at 10:30 A.M., at Christ the King Catholic Church, WaKeeney, Kansas. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the VFW Post 3449, Christ the King Catholic Church renovation fund, Presbyterian Church, or the Trego County Historical Society. Contributions made to these organizations may be sent to Schmitt Funeral Home, 336 North 12th, WaKeeney, KS 67672.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1609783516419.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Myron Lee Deines, 89, of WaKeeney, Kansas, passed away on January 2, 2021, after a long life well lived.Myron was born on October 20, 1931, to Gladys (Spena) and Bernhardt Deines in WaKeeney. After graduating from Trego County High School in 1949, he studied Industrial Arts at Fort Hays State Kansas College.After college graduation, Myron served his country in the U.S. Army. He was certified as a crane shovel operator through the Army Engineer School in Fort Belvoir, Virginia, and spent 18 months in Japan building Air Force military air strips.&nbsp;After honorably serving his country, Myron returned to WaKeeney to join his father in the construction business. Upon his father’s retirement, Myron became the owner of Deines Construction, Inc., and Deines Apartments. After more than 40 years running the companies, Myron turned the fourth-generation, family-owned business over to his son, Brian. Together, the Deines family has built many homes, business establishments, and churches in WaKeeney and throughout western Kansas.&nbsp;Myron also served as President of the WaKeeney Redi-Mix company. In all his business affairs, he was known for his integrity and for always putting his clients first.Myron married his high school sweetheart, Edna Mae Riedel, in 1957. They had four children, Brian, Tracey, Shelley, and Darcey. Together, Myron and Edna loyally supported their children by attending numerous school, athletic, and musical activities.Myron gave generously of his time and talents to many community and civic organizations. He was a member of the VFW, Lions Club, High Plains Masonic Lodge, American Legion, Eagles, and the Trego County Historical Society. He served as a board member for the Trego Lemke Memorial Hospital, City Council, and Keeney Village. He was also a volunteer firefighter.&nbsp;In his free time, Myron loved reading and watching old Western movies. In his later years, he could often be found in his workshop building gifts for his family and friends and assisting his grandchildren with their woodworking projects. He was an excellent craftsman.Myron grew up attending the Presbyterian church with his family. He was later confirmed in the Catholic faith after years of attending Christ the King Catholic Church.&nbsp;Anyone who knew Myron knew that he was a loving husband, father, and grandfather.&nbsp;Myron was predeceased by his mother, Gladys Mae (Spena) Deines, and his father, Bernhardt Deines. He is survived by his wife, Edna Mae; his son Brian Deines of WaKeeney; three daughters, Tracey Davis (Dennis) of Palmdale, California, Shelley Hunt (Jim) of Wichita, Kansas, Darcey Tenbrink (Dean) of Overland Park, Kansas; six grandchildren, Chris and Michael Davis, Nathaniel and Elizabeth Hunt, Benjamin and Jack Tenbrink; and two great-granddaughters MaKenna and Brynlee Davis. He is also survived by his twin sister, Marlene Connell (Don, deceased) of Des Moines, Washington, and her children, Myra Jones (Clint) and Owen Connell (Allison).Myron was a patient and kind-hearted man always putting the needs of others before his own. He lived a wonderful life and will be remembered, and truly missed, by all who knew him.Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a private service will be held. Mass of Christian burial will be Thursday, January 7, 2021 at 10:30 A.M., at Christ the King Catholic Church, WaKeeney, Kansas. Burial will be in the church cemetery.In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the VFW Post 3449, Christ the King Catholic Church renovation fund, Presbyterian Church, or the Trego County Historical Society. Contributions made to these organizations may be sent to Schmitt Funeral Home, 336 North 12th, WaKeeney, KS 67672.Online condolences may be left for the family by visiting <a href="http://www.schmittfuneral.com">www.schmittfuneral.com</a>.

Myron Lee Deines

David Albert Popp was born November 8, 1935, on the family farm north of 
Grainfield to Albert Jonathan and Mary Mabel (McWilliams) Popp. He went
 to Harmony and Beehive one room schools and then Sheridan County High 
School. His family moved to the "red line" in Graham County half a mile
 from Sheridan County when he was in 7th grade.
 He enjoyed football and was very successful at livestock judging. 
He started farming at a young age. He graduated from high school in 1953
 and attended one semester at Ottawa College. He was drafted into the 
army in 1958, serving at Ft. Leonard Wood, MO, Ft. Carson, CO, and Ft. 
Lewis, WA.
 It was at a "singspiration" with the church youth group while 
stationed in Washington that he met Phoebe Lynn Shaner. They were 
married in Tacoma on August 12, 1961. They started married life in 
Sheridan County, Kansas, but had been married only a short time when 
Dave was recalled to the army and again stationed in Washington state. 
Kenneth David Popp was born in Tacoma in June of 1962.
 The young family returned to Kansas and farm life, buying their home
 thirteen miles southeast of Hoxie in 1963. Corinne was born in March, 
1964. In May of 1966 the family suffered a terrible tragedy when Kenny 
was killed in a farm accident. This tragedy strengthened their marriage
 and their reliance on God. Kristin was born in September 1966, followed
 by Laura in February 1968, Kevin in September 1969, and Lisa in August 
1974.
 Dave and Lynn cared for at least 12 other children as well, as 
foster parents and in taking in children of friends and family. Dave 
loved children, and was often seen holding a baby or toddler at church 
or at another event. He taught Jr. High Sunday School for years. 
 Dave was a man of great faith, trusting in God for his salvation at 
an early age and surrendering to Him his life. He was generous with his
 money. He believed that it was God who brought success to his farm and
 that he was privileged to be able to share what God had given him. He 
rarely missed a church service, piling his family into the front of the 
pickup even on muddy days.
 He loved adventure and made at least eight trips to Alaska, one to 
Portugal, and one to Mozambique. He was one of the first farmers in 
Western Kansas to use AI to breed his cattle and was always interested 
in innovation. He sheared sheep, piloted an ultralight plane and fixed 
wing planes, and went everywhere with his horse, Duchess, in the back of
 his pickup. People said he had “nine lives” as he was not afraid of 
risk.
 Although he enjoyed his crops, including wheat, milo, sunflowers, 
etc., the cattle were his specialty. He owned cattle for about 70 
years. He could call them and they would come running!
 Dave and Lynn were married for 58 years when she went home to heaven
 in October of 2019. Dave is now reunited with her, Kenny, his parents,
 parents in law, brother Lorrel, sister in law Ruth, etc. He is 
survived by his children, Corinne (Bob) Talbott, Kristin (Rick) Johnson,
 Laura (Bryan) Anderson, Kevin (Karie) Popp, and Lisa Popp, and by 
twelve grandchildren: Stephen Anderson, Donna Talbott, Jeni (Brandon) 
Anderson Rutherford, Lincoln Talbott, Mitchel Johnson, Graham Talbott, 
Grant Johnson, Chloe Johnson, Becky Anderson, Clay Johnson, Alyssa Popp,
 and Riley Popp. He is also survived by his sisters Dorothy Cunningham,
 Mary (Larry) Beaver, and Alberta (JD) Bittel, brothers Jim (Barb) Popp 
and Conrad (Pam) Popp, sister in law Karen (Peter) Jordahl, as well as 
many nieces, nephews, cousins, etc. 
 Dave was a man of faith, contentment, and integrity. We are very privileged to be his family and to carry on his legacy.
 A Funeral Service is planned for Tuesday, January 5, 2021, at the 
Mount Pleasant Baptist Church, 10:30 A.M. The service will be 
livestreamed on the Mount Pleasant Baptist Church Facebook Page. 
Visitation will be held on Monday, January 4, 2021 from Noon until 6:00 
P.M. with family receiving friends from 4:30 P.M. until 6:00 P.M. at the
 Mickey-Leopold Funeral Home, Hoxie, Kansas 67740. Memorials are 
suggested to the Mount Pleasant Baptist Church and may be sent in care 
of Mickey-Leopold Funeral Home, PO Box 987, Hoxie, Kansas 67740. Word 
of comfort may be left at mickeyleopoldfuneral.com.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1609531591985.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>David Albert Popp was born November 8, 1935, on the family farm north of 
Grainfield to Albert Jonathan and Mary Mabel (McWilliams) Popp. He went
 to Harmony and Beehive one room schools and then Sheridan County High 
School. His family moved to the "red line" in Graham County half a mile
 from Sheridan County when he was in 7th grade.
 He enjoyed football and was very successful at livestock judging. 
He started farming at a young age. He graduated from high school in 1953
 and attended one semester at Ottawa College. He was drafted into the 
army in 1958, serving at Ft. Leonard Wood, MO, Ft. Carson, CO, and Ft. 
Lewis, WA.
 It was at a "singspiration" with the church youth group while 
stationed in Washington that he met Phoebe Lynn Shaner. They were 
married in Tacoma on August 12, 1961. They started married life in 
Sheridan County, Kansas, but had been married only a short time when 
Dave was recalled to the army and again stationed in Washington state. 
Kenneth David Popp was born in Tacoma in June of 1962.
 The young family returned to Kansas and farm life, buying their home
 thirteen miles southeast of Hoxie in 1963. Corinne was born in March, 
1964. In May of 1966 the family suffered a terrible tragedy when Kenny 
was killed in a farm accident. This tragedy strengthened their marriage
 and their reliance on God. Kristin was born in September 1966, followed
 by Laura in February 1968, Kevin in September 1969, and Lisa in August 
1974.
 Dave and Lynn cared for at least 12 other children as well, as 
foster parents and in taking in children of friends and family. Dave 
loved children, and was often seen holding a baby or toddler at church 
or at another event. He taught Jr. High Sunday School for years. 
 Dave was a man of great faith, trusting in God for his salvation at 
an early age and surrendering to Him his life. He was generous with his
 money. He believed that it was God who brought success to his farm and
 that he was privileged to be able to share what God had given him. He 
rarely missed a church service, piling his family into the front of the 
pickup even on muddy days.
 He loved adventure and made at least eight trips to Alaska, one to 
Portugal, and one to Mozambique. He was one of the first farmers in 
Western Kansas to use AI to breed his cattle and was always interested 
in innovation. He sheared sheep, piloted an ultralight plane and fixed 
wing planes, and went everywhere with his horse, Duchess, in the back of
 his pickup. People said he had “nine lives” as he was not afraid of 
risk.
 Although he enjoyed his crops, including wheat, milo, sunflowers, 
etc., the cattle were his specialty. He owned cattle for about 70 
years. He could call them and they would come running!
 Dave and Lynn were married for 58 years when she went home to heaven
 in October of 2019. Dave is now reunited with her, Kenny, his parents,
 parents in law, brother Lorrel, sister in law Ruth, etc. He is 
survived by his children, Corinne (Bob) Talbott, Kristin (Rick) Johnson,
 Laura (Bryan) Anderson, Kevin (Karie) Popp, and Lisa Popp, and by 
twelve grandchildren: Stephen Anderson, Donna Talbott, Jeni (Brandon) 
Anderson Rutherford, Lincoln Talbott, Mitchel Johnson, Graham Talbott, 
Grant Johnson, Chloe Johnson, Becky Anderson, Clay Johnson, Alyssa Popp,
 and Riley Popp. He is also survived by his sisters Dorothy Cunningham,
 Mary (Larry) Beaver, and Alberta (JD) Bittel, brothers Jim (Barb) Popp 
and Conrad (Pam) Popp, sister in law Karen (Peter) Jordahl, as well as 
many nieces, nephews, cousins, etc. 
 Dave was a man of faith, contentment, and integrity. We are very privileged to be his family and to carry on his legacy.
 A Funeral Service is planned for Tuesday, January 5, 2021, at the 
Mount Pleasant Baptist Church, 10:30 A.M. The service will be 
livestreamed on the Mount Pleasant Baptist Church Facebook Page. 
Visitation will be held on Monday, January 4, 2021 from Noon until 6:00 
P.M. with family receiving friends from 4:30 P.M. until 6:00 P.M. at the
 Mickey-Leopold Funeral Home, Hoxie, Kansas 67740. Memorials are 
suggested to the Mount Pleasant Baptist Church and may be sent in care 
of Mickey-Leopold Funeral Home, PO Box 987, Hoxie, Kansas 67740. Word 
of comfort may be left at mickeyleopoldfuneral.com.

David 'Dave' Popp

Salvador Garcia, 87, passed away December 31, 2020, at his home in 
Great Bend. He was born January 1, 1933, at Abrego, Zacatecas, Mexico, 
to Manuel &amp; Maria (Ibarra) Garcia. He married Petra Banda in October
 1961, at Abrego, Fresnillo, Zacatecas, Mexico.

Salvador was a laborer for Acme Iron and a member of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Great Bend.

Survivors include, his wife, Petra Garcia of the home; his children, 
Martha Fletcher, Manuel Garcia, Pedro Garcia, Juan A. Garcia, Joaquin 
Garcia, Maria Ortiz, Salvador Garcia, Jose Alfredo Garcia, and Genevia 
Garcia; a sister, Maria Barraza; thirty-nine grandchildren; and 
twenty-three great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his 
parents; and a son, Francisco Garcia.

Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Monday, January 
4, 2021, with Vigil service at 7:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will 
be held at 9:30 a.m., Tuesday, January 5, 2021, at St. Rose of Lima 
Catholic Church in Great Bend, with Father Don Bedore presiding. 
Interment will be in Great Bend Cemetery North.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1609769206603.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Salvador Garcia, 87, passed away December 31, 2020, at his home in 
Great Bend. He was born January 1, 1933, at Abrego, Zacatecas, Mexico, 
to Manuel &amp; Maria (Ibarra) Garcia. He married Petra Banda in October
 1961, at Abrego, Fresnillo, Zacatecas, Mexico.Salvador was a laborer for Acme Iron and a member of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Great Bend.Survivors include, his wife, Petra Garcia of the home; his children, 
Martha Fletcher, Manuel Garcia, Pedro Garcia, Juan A. Garcia, Joaquin 
Garcia, Maria Ortiz, Salvador Garcia, Jose Alfredo Garcia, and Genevia 
Garcia; a sister, Maria Barraza; thirty-nine grandchildren; and 
twenty-three great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his 
parents; and a son, Francisco Garcia.Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Monday, January 
4, 2021, with Vigil service at 7:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will 
be held at 9:30 a.m., Tuesday, January 5, 2021, at St. Rose of Lima 
Catholic Church in Great Bend, with Father Don Bedore presiding. 
Interment will be in Great Bend Cemetery North.

Salvador Garcia

Betty Ann (Bradstreet) Hopkins, 89, died Friday, January 1, 2021 at the 
Hays Medical Center in Hays, Kansas. She was born October 5, 1931 in 
Dighton, Kansas the daughter of Waldo &amp; Lillie Belle (Sizemore) 
Bradstreet. 
 Betty Grew up in Dighton, attended Dighton schools, and graduated 
from Dighton High School in 1949. She then attended the University of 
Kansas. In 1966 she married Roscoe “Hop” Hopkins in Dighton, Kansas. 
The lived in Arvada, Colorado for many years. The later moved to the 
Dallas, Texas area where Betty lived until May of 2019 when she moved 
back to Dighton. Betty worked for many years for Braniff Airlines. 
After her retirement from Braniff, she worked as a travel agent in 
Dallas. She was a lover of fine dining, and enjoyed traveling the 
world. 
 Survivors include a sister-in-law Cindy Bradstreet of Dighton and 
many nephews and nieces. Betty is preceded in death by her husband 
Roscoe; her parents; and four brothers Rex Bradstreet, Max Bradstreet, 
Gary Bradstreet, and Neal Bradstreet. 
 A graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 
5, 2021 at the Dighton Memorial Cemetery in Dighton, Kansas with Rev. 
Berniece Ludlum officiating. Friends may call from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 
p.m. at Boomhower Funeral Home in Dighton. The family suggests 
memorials given to the JOY Center in care of the funeral home.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1609703719164.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Betty Ann (Bradstreet) Hopkins, 89, died Friday, January 1, 2021 at the 
Hays Medical Center in Hays, Kansas. She was born October 5, 1931 in 
Dighton, Kansas the daughter of Waldo &amp; Lillie Belle (Sizemore) 
Bradstreet. 
 Betty Grew up in Dighton, attended Dighton schools, and graduated 
from Dighton High School in 1949. She then attended the University of 
Kansas. In 1966 she married Roscoe “Hop” Hopkins in Dighton, Kansas. 
The lived in Arvada, Colorado for many years. The later moved to the 
Dallas, Texas area where Betty lived until May of 2019 when she moved 
back to Dighton. Betty worked for many years for Braniff Airlines. 
After her retirement from Braniff, she worked as a travel agent in 
Dallas. She was a lover of fine dining, and enjoyed traveling the 
world. 
 Survivors include a sister-in-law Cindy Bradstreet of Dighton and 
many nephews and nieces. Betty is preceded in death by her husband 
Roscoe; her parents; and four brothers Rex Bradstreet, Max Bradstreet, 
Gary Bradstreet, and Neal Bradstreet. 
 A graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 
5, 2021 at the Dighton Memorial Cemetery in Dighton, Kansas with Rev. 
Berniece Ludlum officiating. Friends may call from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 
p.m. at Boomhower Funeral Home in Dighton. The family suggests 
memorials given to the JOY Center in care of the funeral home.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

Betty Ann (Bradstreet) Hopkins

Florence Anna (Bockman) Vahling , age 99, departed this life on December
 25, 2020 at the Sheridan County Long Term Care with family by her side.
 Florence was welcomed into this world on March 7, 1921 at the family 
home North of Festina, Iowa. Florence was the sixth child of Frank and 
Elizabeth (Uhlenhake) Bockman. She attended school in Festina through 
eighth grade. At the age of fourteen, Florence packed one suitcase and 
moved to Chicago, Illinois to be a nanny and housekeeper. At 
twenty-three, she met the love of her life, Henry Vahling. On their 
first date, they danced to Lawrence Welk at the Aragon. Soon after 
meeting, Florence and Henry were married on October 16, 1945 in Festina,
 Iowa. They moved to a farm north of New Almelo where they lived for 
thirty-eight years. There they raised eight children, four girls and 
four boys. In 1983, they sold the farm to their son Bill and moved to 
Hoxie, Kansas and lived there for the next thirty-seven years. 
 Florence was a devoted Christian wife, mother, grandmother, 
great-grandmother and friend. She served her family in many ways: 
delicious homemade meals, canning, butchering chickens (her family 
always looked forward to fried chicken every Sunday), churning butter, 
baking bread, milking cows, and even driving the silage truck even 
though she didn’t have a driver’s license until the age of 62 after she 
moved to Hoxie.
 Florence was committed to her church. She helped with meals and 
helped make quilts for the church bazaar. She cleaned, made flower 
arrangements for the church and was involved in the alter society. 
 Florence’s garden was a source of pride and won her many grand prize
 ribbons at the county fair. Throughout the years, Florence completed 
numerous crochet and embroidery projects with the amazing feat of 
completing a quilt. Some of her favorite activities were bowling, 
playing cards and dancing. She requested a polka dance every year for 
her birthday. Florence loved playing Bingo, collecting stamps, and 
putting together puzzles (Urkel, Urkel). Her walls held many memories 
as they were covered with mounted puzzles for all to see. Florence’s 
most treasured hobby was collecting salt and pepper shakers. She had 
over 800 pair, from all over the world-Las Vegas to Africa.
 Florence is survived by her children Laura Dorenkamp and husband Joe
 of Selden, Kansas, Jim Vahling and wife Christine of Mesa, Arizona, 
Marcia Aumiller, New Almelo, Kansas, Paul Vahling and wife Donna of 
Aurora, Colorado, Rosie Gallagher of Oakley, Kansas, Estella Kirkham and
 husband Phil of Sharon Springs, Kansas, George Vahling of Plainville, 
Kansas, and Annette Follis and husband Clint of Hoxie, Kansas; 
twenty-five Grandchildren; Forty-six Great-Grandchildren.
 She was preceded in death by parents, Frank and Elizabeth(Uhlenhake)
 Bockman; husband, Henry Vahling; son, Bill Vahling; son-in-law, David 
Gallagher; and grandchildren, Patricia Haffner, Marsha Haffner, and 
Marisa Haffner, and great-grand son, Ezra Etherton.
 A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday January 2, 2021, 
10:30 A.M. at the St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church, Hoxie, Kansas. 
Interment will take place in the St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Cemetery 
immediately following the Service. Visitation will be held at the St. 
Frances Cabrini Catholic Church on Friday, January 1, 2021 from 3:30 
P.M. until 6:00 P.M. Family receiving friends from 3:30 P.M. until 6:00
 P.M. At 6:00 P.M. the Vigil and Rosary Service will be held at the 
church. The family suggests memorials to the Sheridan County Benefit 
Walk and the Christ Victory Centre. Memorials may be sent in care of 
Mickey-Leopold Funeral Home, PO Box 987, Hoxie, Kansas. Words of 
comfort may be left at www.mickeyleopoldfuneral.com. 
 Many were blessed to learn from Florence as she shared her skills, 
passion for life, and sense of humor. Florence was ALWAYS feisty, fun, 
and the life of the party. She was referred to as “The Rose” because 
she loved roses and always came out smelling like a rose. At the Long 
Term Care everybody referred to Florence as “Foxy”–a name she lived up 
to. She has left this earthly body and while it brings sadness, she 
would ask you to remember her with fond memories and love.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1609164622421.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Florence Anna (Bockman) Vahling , age 99, departed this life on December
 25, 2020 at the Sheridan County Long Term Care with family by her side.
 Florence was welcomed into this world on March 7, 1921 at the family 
home North of Festina, Iowa. Florence was the sixth child of Frank and 
Elizabeth (Uhlenhake) Bockman. She attended school in Festina through 
eighth grade. At the age of fourteen, Florence packed one suitcase and 
moved to Chicago, Illinois to be a nanny and housekeeper. At 
twenty-three, she met the love of her life, Henry Vahling. On their 
first date, they danced to Lawrence Welk at the Aragon. Soon after 
meeting, Florence and Henry were married on October 16, 1945 in Festina,
 Iowa. They moved to a farm north of New Almelo where they lived for 
thirty-eight years. There they raised eight children, four girls and 
four boys. In 1983, they sold the farm to their son Bill and moved to 
Hoxie, Kansas and lived there for the next thirty-seven years. 
 Florence was a devoted Christian wife, mother, grandmother, 
great-grandmother and friend. She served her family in many ways: 
delicious homemade meals, canning, butchering chickens (her family 
always looked forward to fried chicken every Sunday), churning butter, 
baking bread, milking cows, and even driving the silage truck even 
though she didn’t have a driver’s license until the age of 62 after she 
moved to Hoxie.
 Florence was committed to her church. She helped with meals and 
helped make quilts for the church bazaar. She cleaned, made flower 
arrangements for the church and was involved in the alter society. 
 Florence’s garden was a source of pride and won her many grand prize
 ribbons at the county fair. Throughout the years, Florence completed 
numerous crochet and embroidery projects with the amazing feat of 
completing a quilt. Some of her favorite activities were bowling, 
playing cards and dancing. She requested a polka dance every year for 
her birthday. Florence loved playing Bingo, collecting stamps, and 
putting together puzzles (Urkel, Urkel). Her walls held many memories 
as they were covered with mounted puzzles for all to see. Florence’s 
most treasured hobby was collecting salt and pepper shakers. She had 
over 800 pair, from all over the world-Las Vegas to Africa.
 Florence is survived by her children Laura Dorenkamp and husband Joe
 of Selden, Kansas, Jim Vahling and wife Christine of Mesa, Arizona, 
Marcia Aumiller, New Almelo, Kansas, Paul Vahling and wife Donna of 
Aurora, Colorado, Rosie Gallagher of Oakley, Kansas, Estella Kirkham and
 husband Phil of Sharon Springs, Kansas, George Vahling of Plainville, 
Kansas, and Annette Follis and husband Clint of Hoxie, Kansas; 
twenty-five Grandchildren; Forty-six Great-Grandchildren.
 She was preceded in death by parents, Frank and Elizabeth(Uhlenhake)
 Bockman; husband, Henry Vahling; son, Bill Vahling; son-in-law, David 
Gallagher; and grandchildren, Patricia Haffner, Marsha Haffner, and 
Marisa Haffner, and great-grand son, Ezra Etherton.
 A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday January 2, 2021, 
10:30 A.M. at the St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church, Hoxie, Kansas. 
Interment will take place in the St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Cemetery 
immediately following the Service. Visitation will be held at the St. 
Frances Cabrini Catholic Church on Friday, January 1, 2021 from 3:30 
P.M. until 6:00 P.M. Family receiving friends from 3:30 P.M. until 6:00
 P.M. At 6:00 P.M. the Vigil and Rosary Service will be held at the 
church. The family suggests memorials to the Sheridan County Benefit 
Walk and the Christ Victory Centre. Memorials may be sent in care of 
Mickey-Leopold Funeral Home, PO Box 987, Hoxie, Kansas. Words of 
comfort may be left at www.mickeyleopoldfuneral.com. 
 Many were blessed to learn from Florence as she shared her skills, 
passion for life, and sense of humor. Florence was ALWAYS feisty, fun, 
and the life of the party. She was referred to as “The Rose” because 
she loved roses and always came out smelling like a rose. At the Long 
Term Care everybody referred to Florence as “Foxy”–a name she lived up 
to. She has left this earthly body and while it brings sadness, she 
would ask you to remember her with fond memories and love.

Florence Vahling

Shirley Jean Miller, 86, of Claflin, Kansas, died on Wednesday, December 23, 2020, at her home in Claflin.

Shirley was born on August 09, 1934, in Abilene, Kansas, the daughter of Herbert “Boots” and Helen (Sullivan) Shumaker.  She grew up in Russell, Kansas, and graduated from Russell High School.  After high school she attended Marymount College in Salina, Kansas, for 2 years and received an associate’s degree in Home Economics.  She met, fell in love and was united in marriage to Marvin Bryan Miller on October 09, 1954 in Russell, Kansas.  From this union, they were blessed with four children Linda, Debra, Marlene and Bryan.  She was a longtime member of St. Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church in Russell.  She was also a member of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority, T.O.P.S., and was an active member and leader of the Girl Scouts.  She enjoyed sewing, crafts, cooking, reading cook books, Daniel Steel books, butterflies, pets and going to Wilson Lake.  Most of all she enjoyed spending time with her family.  She especially enjoyed time with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Surviving family include her husband Marvin of the home, daughters Linda F. Michaelis and husband Dan of Claflin, Kansas, Debra Miller of Russell, Kansas, Marlene Harris and husband John of Raymore, Missouri; son Bryan E. Miller of Russell, Kansas; brother Tom Shumaker and wife Judy of Sturgis, Michigan; 5 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents and brother Herbert Shumaker II. Cremation has been selected by the family and a private family service will be held at a later time.  Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas, is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1609615651347.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Shirley Jean Miller, 86, of Claflin, Kansas, died on Wednesday, December 23, 2020, at her home in Claflin.Shirley was born on August 09, 1934, in Abilene, Kansas, the daughter of Herbert “Boots” and Helen (Sullivan) Shumaker. She grew up in Russell, Kansas, and graduated from Russell High School. After high school she attended Marymount College in Salina, Kansas, for 2 years and received an associate’s degree in Home Economics. She met, fell in love and was united in marriage to Marvin Bryan Miller on October 09, 1954 in Russell, Kansas. From this union, they were blessed with four children Linda, Debra, Marlene and Bryan. She was a longtime member of St. Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church in Russell. She was also a member of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority, T.O.P.S., and was an active member and leader of the Girl Scouts. She enjoyed sewing, crafts, cooking, reading cook books, Daniel Steel books, butterflies, pets and going to Wilson Lake. Most of all she enjoyed spending time with her family. She especially enjoyed time with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.Surviving family include her husband Marvin of the home, daughters Linda F. Michaelis and husband Dan of Claflin, Kansas, Debra Miller of Russell, Kansas, Marlene Harris and husband John of Raymore, Missouri; son Bryan E. Miller of Russell, Kansas; brother Tom Shumaker and wife Judy of Sturgis, Michigan; 5 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.She was preceded in death by her parents and brother Herbert Shumaker II. Cremation has been selected by the family and a private family service will be held at a later time. Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas, is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.

Shirley Jean Miller

Edna Niernberger Homburg, age 88, 
passed away peacefully on Wednesday, December 30, 2020 at El Dorado Care
 and Rehab in El Dorado, KS. She was born March 21,1932 in rural Trego 
County to J. George and Margaret (Deines) Fabrizius and was a graduate 
of Trego Community High School. She was united in marriage to Joe 
Niernberger on October 14, 1950. He passed away April 16, 1997. On 
November 7, 1999, she married Rev. August Homburg, and he died February 
26, 2016. She graciously and selflessly provided years of care to each 
of her husbands throughout their health challenges.

Edna was an active member of Christ 
Lutheran Church, Ellis, a life member of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary, and a
 volunteer at the Good Samaritan Center.

Edna was preceded in death by her 
parents, husbands, three sisters: Olga, Lydia, and Hulda, and four 
brothers: Herman, Argus, George Henry, and Richard.

Survivors include her children Joe 
(J.D.) Niernberger (Carol Jo) of Champaign, Illinois, Nancy Allison 
(Craig) of Lyons, Kansas, and Mark Niernberger of Grandview, Missouri, 
stepchildren Randy Homburg (Robyn) and Rebecca Reed (Paul) all of 
Oklahoma, brothers Art Fabrizius of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, and Paul 
Fabrizius (Darlyne) of Denver, Colorado, and many nieces and nephews. 
She is also survived by four grandchildren and four step grandchildren: 
Melissa Dougan (James) of El Dorado, Melanie Allison of Salina, Darren 
Allison and fiancé Brooke Adams of Wheat Ridge, Colorado, Haley 
Niernberger Keehn of Gardner, Kansas, Hannah and Sarah Homburg, Katie 
Bleeker (James), and Joshua Reed (Katy) all of Oklahoma. Great 
grandchildren and step great grandchildren are Bradyn, Bryce, and Brody 
Bergstrom, Paige and Lilly Drew, Cecilia and Eleanor Bleeker, Xander 
Samson, and Owen Reed.

Private family services will be held at
 Christ Lutheran Church in Ellis with burial in Mt. Hope Cemetery, 
Ellis. Services will be live streamed Monday, January 4, 2020 at 1 PM on
 the Christ Lutheran Facebook Page 
https://www.facebook.com/Christ-Lutheran-Church-111688785534530

Arrangements in care of Keithley Funeral Chapel 400 E. 17th Ellis, KS 67637

Memorials may be made to Christ 
Lutheran Church, Ellis, or Rice County District Hospital Swingbed Unit, 
Lyons. Contributions made payable to the organization may be sent to 
Keithley Funeral Homes PO Box 86 Hays, KS 67601

Condolences may be left by guest book at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com or by email at keithleyfuneralhomes@gmail.com

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1609615516378.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Edna Niernberger Homburg, age 88, 
passed away peacefully on Wednesday, December 30, 2020 at El Dorado Care
 and Rehab in El Dorado, KS. She was born March 21,1932 in rural Trego 
County to J. George and Margaret (Deines) Fabrizius and was a graduate 
of Trego Community High School. She was united in marriage to Joe 
Niernberger on October 14, 1950. He passed away April 16, 1997. On 
November 7, 1999, she married Rev. August Homburg, and he died February 
26, 2016. She graciously and selflessly provided years of care to each 
of her husbands throughout their health challenges.Edna was an active member of Christ 
Lutheran Church, Ellis, a life member of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary, and a
 volunteer at the Good Samaritan Center.Edna was preceded in death by her 
parents, husbands, three sisters: Olga, Lydia, and Hulda, and four 
brothers: Herman, Argus, George Henry, and Richard.Survivors include her children Joe 
(J.D.) Niernberger (Carol Jo) of Champaign, Illinois, Nancy Allison 
(Craig) of Lyons, Kansas, and Mark Niernberger of Grandview, Missouri, 
stepchildren Randy Homburg (Robyn) and Rebecca Reed (Paul) all of 
Oklahoma, brothers Art Fabrizius of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, and Paul 
Fabrizius (Darlyne) of Denver, Colorado, and many nieces and nephews. 
She is also survived by four grandchildren and four step grandchildren: 
Melissa Dougan (James) of El Dorado, Melanie Allison of Salina, Darren 
Allison and fiancé Brooke Adams of Wheat Ridge, Colorado, Haley 
Niernberger Keehn of Gardner, Kansas, Hannah and Sarah Homburg, Katie 
Bleeker (James), and Joshua Reed (Katy) all of Oklahoma. Great 
grandchildren and step great grandchildren are Bradyn, Bryce, and Brody 
Bergstrom, Paige and Lilly Drew, Cecilia and Eleanor Bleeker, Xander 
Samson, and Owen Reed.Private family services will be held at
 Christ Lutheran Church in Ellis with burial in Mt. Hope Cemetery, 
Ellis. Services will be live streamed Monday, January 4, 2020 at 1 PM on
 the Christ Lutheran Facebook Page 
https://www.facebook.com/Christ-Lutheran-Church-111688785534530Arrangements in care of Keithley Funeral Chapel 400 E. 17th Ellis, KS 67637Memorials may be made to Christ 
Lutheran Church, Ellis, or Rice County District Hospital Swingbed Unit, 
Lyons. Contributions made payable to the organization may be sent to 
Keithley Funeral Homes PO Box 86 Hays, KS 67601Condolences may be left by guest book at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com or by email at keithleyfuneralhomes@gmail.com

Edna Homburg

Wilbert Dean Keller, age 93 of Ellis, 
Kansas passed away Thursday, December 31, 2020 at the Trego Lemke 
Memorial Hospital in WaKeeney, Kansas. He was born May 3, 1927 on the 
family farm in Ellis County, Kansas. He graduated from Ellis High School
 in 1945. On October 16, 1947 he married Fern Nadine Zerfas at Christ 
Lutheran Church in Ellis. Fern preceded Wilbert in death on April 3, 
2017.

Wilbert was a lifelong Ellis County 
farmer and stockman. He was a past member of St. John Lutheran Church, 
current member of Christ Lutheran Church and he was a very active member
 in both. He was a US Army veteran of WWII and was the last WWII veteran
 in Ellis. He was a lifetime member of the Ellis VFW having served as 
commander and the American Legion and also a member of the Sunflower 
Polka Club. Wilbert and Fern had led many wedding marches and he enjoyed
 gardening and fishing.

Survivors include his daughter, Twila 
Large of Ellis; two sons, Tim Keller and wife Aleta and Danny Keller and
 fiancé, Verda Flinn all of Ellis; seven grandchildren, Christine Large,
 Heidi Fawcett and husband Matt all of Phoenix, Arizona, Meredith Keller
 and companion Marlin Sherfick of Ellis, Rachel Armbruster and husband 
Kobe of Paxico, Kansas, Laycie Haas and husband Todd of Antonino, 
Kansas, Emily Burd and husband Shaun of Ellis and Katelyn Steffens and 
husband Erik of Dighton, Kansas as well as 12 great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his 
parents; a daughter, Faye Jean Keller; two brothers, Arnold and Herman 
Keller as well as a sister, Adeline Fabrizius.

Due to COVID-19 concerns if you have a 
cough, fever or are not feeling well, please use our e-mail or on-line 
guestbook to share your condolences.&nbsp; Social distancing and wearing 
masks are suggested by family at the visitation and funeral services.

Services will be 10:00 AM Tuesday, 
January 5, 2020 at Christ Lutheran Church in Ellis. Burial will follow 
in Mt. Hope Cemetery, Ellis with military honors courtesy of the Ellis 
VFW Honor Guard and the Hays VFW Honor Guard. Services will be live 
streamed Tuesday, January 5, 2020 at 10 AM on the Christ Lutheran 
Facebook Page 
https://www.facebook.com/Christ-Lutheran-Church-111688785534530&nbsp;

Visitation will be Monday 6 PM – 8 PM with a prayer service at 7 PM and 9 AM until service time all at Christ Lutheran Church.

Arrangements in care of Keithley Funeral Chapel, 400 E. 17th Ellis, KS 67637

Memorials may be made to Christ 
Lutheran Church, Ellis, or the Ellis VFW. Contributions made payable to 
the organization may be sent to Keithley Funeral Homes PO Box 86 Hays, 
KS 67601

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1609615456507.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Wilbert Dean Keller, age 93 of Ellis, 
Kansas passed away Thursday, December 31, 2020 at the Trego Lemke 
Memorial Hospital in WaKeeney, Kansas. He was born May 3, 1927 on the 
family farm in Ellis County, Kansas. He graduated from Ellis High School
 in 1945. On October 16, 1947 he married Fern Nadine Zerfas at Christ 
Lutheran Church in Ellis. Fern preceded Wilbert in death on April 3, 
2017.Wilbert was a lifelong Ellis County 
farmer and stockman. He was a past member of St. John Lutheran Church, 
current member of Christ Lutheran Church and he was a very active member
 in both. He was a US Army veteran of WWII and was the last WWII veteran
 in Ellis. He was a lifetime member of the Ellis VFW having served as 
commander and the American Legion and also a member of the Sunflower 
Polka Club. Wilbert and Fern had led many wedding marches and he enjoyed
 gardening and fishing.Survivors include his daughter, Twila 
Large of Ellis; two sons, Tim Keller and wife Aleta and Danny Keller and
 fiancé, Verda Flinn all of Ellis; seven grandchildren, Christine Large,
 Heidi Fawcett and husband Matt all of Phoenix, Arizona, Meredith Keller
 and companion Marlin Sherfick of Ellis, Rachel Armbruster and husband 
Kobe of Paxico, Kansas, Laycie Haas and husband Todd of Antonino, 
Kansas, Emily Burd and husband Shaun of Ellis and Katelyn Steffens and 
husband Erik of Dighton, Kansas as well as 12 great grandchildren.He was preceded in death by his 
parents; a daughter, Faye Jean Keller; two brothers, Arnold and Herman 
Keller as well as a sister, Adeline Fabrizius.Due to COVID-19 concerns if you have a 
cough, fever or are not feeling well, please use our e-mail or on-line 
guestbook to share your condolences.&nbsp; Social distancing and wearing 
masks are suggested by family at the visitation and funeral services.Services will be 10:00 AM Tuesday, 
January 5, 2020 at Christ Lutheran Church in Ellis. Burial will follow 
in Mt. Hope Cemetery, Ellis with military honors courtesy of the Ellis 
VFW Honor Guard and the Hays VFW Honor Guard. Services will be live 
streamed Tuesday, January 5, 2020 at 10 AM on the Christ Lutheran 
Facebook Page 
https://www.facebook.com/Christ-Lutheran-Church-111688785534530&nbsp;Visitation will be Monday 6 PM – 8 PM with a prayer service at 7 PM and 9 AM until service time all at Christ Lutheran Church.Arrangements in care of Keithley Funeral Chapel, 400 E. 17th Ellis, KS 67637Memorials may be made to Christ 
Lutheran Church, Ellis, or the Ellis VFW. Contributions made payable to 
the organization may be sent to Keithley Funeral Homes PO Box 86 Hays, 
KS 67601Condolences may be left by guest book at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com or by email at keithleyfuneralhomes@gmail.com

Wilbert Dean Keller

Office of Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan.

U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., and Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn.,
 — chairman and member of the Commerce Subcommittee on Manufacturing, 
Trade and Consumer Protection — called on the Federal Trade Commission to protect seniors from holiday shopping scams. 

In response to 
recent reports of an increase in holiday scams targeting seniors – 
including scams soliciting donations to fake charities and scams falsely
 offering immediate coronavirus vaccination to seniors eager to spend 
the holidays with family – the letter urges the FTC to commit to taking 
action to better educate and assist seniors in recognizing holiday 
scams. The letter also urges the FTC to assist seniors in understanding 
their recourse options should they fall victim to these scams.&nbsp;

“Recent
 reports have highlighted a 14 percent increase in holiday shopping 
scams, including holiday scams targeting seniors—arguably the population
 most vulnerable to both the coronavirus and bad actors,”&nbsp;the senators wrote.&nbsp;“These
 scams range from charity scams soliciting holiday donations for fake 
charities to phone calls falsely offering immediate vaccinations to 
protect against COVID-19 infection.”

“Other reports have 
highlighted a 440 percent increase from October to November in the 
volume of shipping-related scam messages—fake emails and texts about 
delivery and tracking information sent by scammers to consumers in order
 to retrieve their financial account information,”&nbsp;the senators continued.&nbsp;

“Given
 the seriousness of this issue, we urge the FTC to take action to better
 protect seniors and ensure they understand their recourse options 
should they fall victim to these scams.”&nbsp;

In July, Sens. Moran and Klobuchar<a href="https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=74E49070-AC8A-436B-BE49-34676945CC15" target="_blank">&nbsp;led a letter</a>&nbsp;urging
 the FTC to protect seniors from contact tracing scams following reports
 that scammers were posing as contact tracers in an attempt to 
financially exploit consumers and steal their personal identifying 
information, such as Social Security numbers and credit card numbers. 
The letter also urged the FTC to commit to taking action to better 
educate and assist seniors in recognizing legitimate contact tracing and
 understanding their recourse options should they fall victim to these 
scams.

In May, Sens. Moran and Klobuchar introduced legislation to
 protect seniors from scams during the coronavirus pandemic,&nbsp;which 
passed the Senate Commerce Committee this week. The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2020/5/sens-moran-klobuchar-introduce-legislation-to-protect-seniors-from-scams-during-covid-19" target="_blank">Protecting Seniors from Emergency Scams Act</a>&nbsp;directs
 the Federal Trade Commission to report to Congress on scams targeting 
seniors during the coronavirus pandemic and make recommendations on how 
to prevent future scams during emergencies.

The full letter is below and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/_cache/files/0/a/0a6a1828-fa91-4560-8759-353b9a835173/CDC08593706E80039B11B5DA499D624D.1222ftcletter.pdf" target="_blank">here</a>.

We
 write to express our concerns regarding recent reports of an increase 
in holiday scams targeting seniors and to ask what actions the Federal 
Trade Commission (FTC) is taking to better protect and educate seniors.

More
 than 17 million confirmed coronavirus (COVID-19) cases have now been 
identified in the United States, and many of the most serious cases have
 affected seniors. At the same time, recent reports have highlighted a 
14 percent increase in holiday shopping scams, including holiday scams 
targeting seniors—arguably the population most vulnerable to both the 
coronavirus and bad actors. These scams range from charity scams 
soliciting holiday donations for fake charities to phone calls falsely 
offering immediate vaccinations to protect against COVID-19 infection. 
Other reports have highlighted a 440 percent increase from October to 
November in the volume of shipping-related scam messages—fake emails and
 texts about delivery and tracking information sent by scammers to 
consumers in order to retrieve their financial account information.

Given
 the seriousness of this issue, we urge the FTC to take action to better
 protect seniors and ensure they understand their recourse options 
should they fall victim to these scams. While the FTC has taken 
steps—including publishing consumer protection blogs —to protect seniors
 from holiday scams, additional actions must be taken. We respectfully 
request that you respond to the following questions:&nbsp;

1.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;What 
additional measures is the FTC planning to better protect seniors and 
assist them as they become victims of holiday scams?

2.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;How is the FTC working with other federal agencies to combat holiday scams?&nbsp;

3.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;What efforts is the FTC currently undertaking to educate seniors about holiday scams and how to protect themselves?&nbsp;&nbsp;

4.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;What
 additional resources does the FTC need in order to better protect 
seniors from holiday scams and educate them on how to prevent it?

&nbsp;Thank you for your prompt attention to this serious matter. We look forward to your response.

Office of Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan.U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., and Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn.,
 — chairman and member of the Commerce Subcommittee on Manufacturing, 
Trade and Consumer Protection — called on the Federal Trade Commission to protect seniors from holiday shopping scams. In response to 
recent reports of an increase in holiday scams targeting seniors – 
including scams soliciting donations to fake charities and scams falsely
 offering immediate coronavirus vaccination to seniors eager to spend 
the holidays with family – the letter urges the FTC to commit to taking 
action to better educate and assist seniors in recognizing holiday 
scams. The letter also urges the FTC to assist seniors in understanding 
their recourse options should they fall victim to these scams.&nbsp;“Recent
 reports have highlighted a 14 percent increase in holiday shopping 
scams, including holiday scams targeting seniors—arguably the population
 most vulnerable to both the coronavirus and bad actors,”&nbsp;the senators wrote.&nbsp;“These
 scams range from charity scams soliciting holiday donations for fake 
charities to phone calls falsely offering immediate vaccinations to 
protect against COVID-19 infection.”“Other reports have 
highlighted a 440 percent increase from October to November in the 
volume of shipping-related scam messages—fake emails and texts about 
delivery and tracking information sent by scammers to consumers in order
 to retrieve their financial account information,”&nbsp;the senators continued.&nbsp;“Given
 the seriousness of this issue, we urge the FTC to take action to better
 protect seniors and ensure they understand their recourse options 
should they fall victim to these scams.”&nbsp;In July, Sens. Moran and Klobuchar<a href="https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=74E49070-AC8A-436B-BE49-34676945CC15" target="_blank">&nbsp;led a letter</a>&nbsp;urging
 the FTC to protect seniors from contact tracing scams following reports
 that scammers were posing as contact tracers in an attempt to 
financially exploit consumers and steal their personal identifying 
information, such as Social Security numbers and credit card numbers. 
The letter also urged the FTC to commit to taking action to better 
educate and assist seniors in recognizing legitimate contact tracing and
 understanding their recourse options should they fall victim to these 
scams.In May, Sens. Moran and Klobuchar introduced legislation to
 protect seniors from scams during the coronavirus pandemic,&nbsp;which 
passed the Senate Commerce Committee this week. The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2020/5/sens-moran-klobuchar-introduce-legislation-to-protect-seniors-from-scams-during-covid-19" target="_blank">Protecting Seniors from Emergency Scams Act</a>&nbsp;directs
 the Federal Trade Commission to report to Congress on scams targeting 
seniors during the coronavirus pandemic and make recommendations on how 
to prevent future scams during emergencies.The full letter is below and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/_cache/files/0/a/0a6a1828-fa91-4560-8759-353b9a835173/CDC08593706E80039B11B5DA499D624D.1222ftcletter.pdf" target="_blank">here</a>.Dear Chairman Simons:We
 write to express our concerns regarding recent reports of an increase 
in holiday scams targeting seniors and to ask what actions the Federal 
Trade Commission (FTC) is taking to better protect and educate seniors.More
 than 17 million confirmed coronavirus (COVID-19) cases have now been 
identified in the United States, and many of the most serious cases have
 affected seniors. At the same time, recent reports have highlighted a 
14 percent increase in holiday shopping scams, including holiday scams 
targeting seniors—arguably the population most vulnerable to both the 
coronavirus and bad actors. These scams range from charity scams 
soliciting holiday donations for fake charities to phone calls falsely 
offering immediate vaccinations to protect against COVID-19 infection. 
Other reports have highlighted a 440 percent increase from October to 
November in the volume of shipping-related scam messages—fake emails and
 texts about delivery and tracking information sent by scammers to 
consumers in order to retrieve their financial account information.Given
 the seriousness of this issue, we urge the FTC to take action to better
 protect seniors and ensure they understand their recourse options 
should they fall victim to these scams. While the FTC has taken 
steps—including publishing consumer protection blogs —to protect seniors
 from holiday scams, additional actions must be taken. We respectfully 
request that you respond to the following questions:&nbsp;1.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;What 
additional measures is the FTC planning to better protect seniors and 
assist them as they become victims of holiday scams?2.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;How is the FTC working with other federal agencies to combat holiday scams?&nbsp;3.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;What efforts is the FTC currently undertaking to educate seniors about holiday scams and how to protect themselves?&nbsp;&nbsp;4.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;What
 additional resources does the FTC need in order to better protect 
seniors from holiday scams and educate them on how to prevent it?&nbsp;Thank you for your prompt attention to this serious matter. We look forward to your response.

Moran urges FTC to protect seniors from scams

KANSAS CITY (AP) — When Andre Avery drives his commercial truck through Detroit, he keeps his pistol close.

Avery, 57, grew up in the Motor City and is aware that homicides and shootings are surging, even though before the pandemic they were dropping in Detroit and elsewhere. His gun is legal, and he carries it with him for protection.

“I remain extremely alert,” said Avery, who now lives in nearby Belleville. “I’m not in crowds. If something looks a little suspicious, I’m out of there.”

In Detroit, Chicago, New York, Philadelphia and even smaller Grand Rapids, Michigan, and Milwaukee, 2020 has been deadly not only because of the pandemic, but because gun violence is spiking.

Authorities and some experts say there is no one clear-cut reason for the spike. They instead point to social and economic upheaval caused by the COVID-19 virus, public sentiment toward police following George Floyd’s death in Minneapolis police custody and a historic shortage of jobs and resources in poorer communities as contributing factors. It’s happening in cities large and small, Democrat and Republican-led.

Two years ago, Detroit had&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/c43536132a0996ba53d763cae281c084">261 homicides</a>&nbsp;— the fewest in decades. The tally has hovered around there with about 786 shootings for a city of more than 672,000.

But with only a few days left in 2020, homicides already have topped 300, while non-fatal shootings are up more than 50% at more than 1,124 through the middle of December.

“I think the pandemic — COVID — has had a significant emotional impact on people across the country,” Detroit Police Chief James Craig said. “Individuals are not processing how they manage disputes. Whether domestics, arguments, disputes over drugs, there’s this quickness to use an illegally carried firearm.”

About 7,000 guns had been seized through mid-December in Detroit, with more than 5,500 arrests for illegal guns. There were 2,797 similar arrests last year.

“I’ve not seen a spike like this. But when it’s happening in other cities — some smaller — what do we all have in common?” Craig said of the slayings and shootings. “That’s when you start thinking about COVID.”

Washington, D.C., a city of about 700,000, has seen more than 187 homicides this year, eclipsing last year’s total by more than 20. Among the most horrible: A 15-month-old baby boy was shot to death during a drive-by shooting.

“We’re all sick of the heinous crimes in our city,” said Mayor Muriel Bowser.

Crime in parts of the U.S. dropped during the early weeks of the pandemic when&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bbb7adc88d3fa067c5c1b5c72a1a8aa6">stay-at-home orders closed businesses and forced many people to remain indoors.</a>

University of Pennsylvania economics professor David Abrams said crime began to spike in May and June when initial orders in some states were lifted.

Some people “may have been a little stir crazy,” Abrams said. “At the end of May, George Floyd’s killing led to protests and looting. That led to police reform movements. Any of that could have potentially affected individual behavior and also the police response to that.”

Calls for some cities to reduce funding for police departments may have led some officers to take a less aggressive approach to policing, he added.

What the COVID-19 virus did was exacerbate all of the frustration and anger that some in Black and brown communities already were dealing with, according to retired Michigan State University sociology professor Carl Taylor. The virus has killed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-coronavirus-deaths-top-3-million-e2bc856b6ec45563b84ee2e87ae8d5e7">more than 300,000 people&nbsp;</a>across the country, with minority communities hardest hit.

“The COVID has been absolutely the trigger of an everlasting bomb that’s exploding in many parts of our community,”

Nowhere is that more true than inside people’s homes. “The COVID crisis and the economic shutdown is forcing people into their homes, creating conditions where people are more volatile,” said Kim Foxx, the top prosecutor in Cook County, which includes Chicago. And the most jarring statistic that illustrates that volatility is this: The number of domestic-related homicides in the nation’s third-largest city are up more than 60% compared with last year.

President Donald Trump claimed spiking crime was somehow related to massive protests over police brutality that swept the nation this year, but the majority of those protests were peaceful. Trump also claimed the crime was concentrated in Democratic-run cities, but there have been spikes in Republican-run cities as well. Federal agents and resources were poured into Detroit and a number of other cities this summer to help local authorities collar the rising crime rates.

By early October, more homicides — 363 — were recorded&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/virus-outbreak-homicide-shootings-violence-philadelphia-ebe03dcb7e05777b7e73892e46b78b01">in Philadelphia&nbsp;</a>than the 356 committed in 2019. There were 354 killings&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/virus-outbreak-new-york-violent-crime-new-york-city-violence-6d7e05e85b81d4281a14d3a03981d677">in New York</a>&nbsp;through Oct. 11 — 90 more than at the same time last year.

Between Jan. 1 and Nov. 5, 165 homicides were recorded in Milwaukee,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/virus-outbreak-homicide-milwaukee-shootings-5179d42d4cc421ce1178e6834b55f66e">the most&nbsp;</a>since 1991. And in Chicago, after three years of falling homicide numbers, the totals skyrocketed to 739 in mid-December compared with 475 at the same point last year.

Even smaller cities like Grand Rapids are suffering. By mid-December there were 35 homicides compared with 16 through all of 2019 and nine the year before. From this January to October, non-fatal shootings topped 200 in the city, which is home to about 200,000 people. Over the same period last year there were 131 non-fatal shootings.

“This year, is it because of COVID? The political polarization we have seen?” asked Sgt. Dan Adams, spokesman for the Grand Rapids Police Department. “This year has been a year like no other. I don’t think you can point to any one ‘why.’”

It is the same for other mid-sized cities. Last year, there were 18 homicides in Rockford, a city of about 170,000 people in northern Illinois. More than 30 have been killed so far this year,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rockford-shootings-illinois-c0692de8b46ca5cc8f642855eb2eef15">including three Saturday&nbsp;</a>at a bowling alley.

“As we come to the end of this most difficult year and we look ahead at this New Year upon us, we know that this type of violence needs to stop,” Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara said.

KANSAS CITY (AP) — When Andre Avery drives his commercial truck through Detroit, he keeps his pistol close.Avery, 57, grew up in the Motor City and is aware that homicides and shootings are surging, even though before the pandemic they were dropping in Detroit and elsewhere. His gun is legal, and he carries it with him for protection.“I remain extremely alert,” said Avery, who now lives in nearby Belleville. “I’m not in crowds. If something looks a little suspicious, I’m out of there.”In Detroit, Chicago, New York, Philadelphia and even smaller Grand Rapids, Michigan, and Milwaukee, 2020 has been deadly not only because of the pandemic, but because gun violence is spiking.Authorities and some experts say there is no one clear-cut reason for the spike. They instead point to social and economic upheaval caused by the COVID-19 virus, public sentiment toward police following George Floyd’s death in Minneapolis police custody and a historic shortage of jobs and resources in poorer communities as contributing factors. It’s happening in cities large and small, Democrat and Republican-led.Two years ago, Detroit had&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/c43536132a0996ba53d763cae281c084">261 homicides</a>&nbsp;— the fewest in decades. The tally has hovered around there with about 786 shootings for a city of more than 672,000.But with only a few days left in 2020, homicides already have topped 300, while non-fatal shootings are up more than 50% at more than 1,124 through the middle of December.“I think the pandemic — COVID — has had a significant emotional impact on people across the country,” Detroit Police Chief James Craig said. “Individuals are not processing how they manage disputes. Whether domestics, arguments, disputes over drugs, there’s this quickness to use an illegally carried firearm.”About 7,000 guns had been seized through mid-December in Detroit, with more than 5,500 arrests for illegal guns. There were 2,797 similar arrests last year.“I’ve not seen a spike like this. But when it’s happening in other cities — some smaller — what do we all have in common?” Craig said of the slayings and shootings. “That’s when you start thinking about COVID.”Washington, D.C., a city of about 700,000, has seen more than 187 homicides this year, eclipsing last year’s total by more than 20. Among the most horrible: A 15-month-old baby boy was shot to death during a drive-by shooting.“We’re all sick of the heinous crimes in our city,” said Mayor Muriel Bowser.Crime in parts of the U.S. dropped during the early weeks of the pandemic when&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bbb7adc88d3fa067c5c1b5c72a1a8aa6">stay-at-home orders closed businesses and forced many people to remain indoors.</a>University of Pennsylvania economics professor David Abrams said crime began to spike in May and June when initial orders in some states were lifted.Some people “may have been a little stir crazy,” Abrams said. “At the end of May, George Floyd’s killing led to protests and looting. That led to police reform movements. Any of that could have potentially affected individual behavior and also the police response to that.”Calls for some cities to reduce funding for police departments may have led some officers to take a less aggressive approach to policing, he added.What the COVID-19 virus did was exacerbate all of the frustration and anger that some in Black and brown communities already were dealing with, according to retired Michigan State University sociology professor Carl Taylor. The virus has killed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-coronavirus-deaths-top-3-million-e2bc856b6ec45563b84ee2e87ae8d5e7">more than 300,000 people&nbsp;</a>across the country, with minority communities hardest hit.“The COVID has been absolutely the trigger of an everlasting bomb that’s exploding in many parts of our community,”Nowhere is that more true than inside people’s homes. “The COVID crisis and the economic shutdown is forcing people into their homes, creating conditions where people are more volatile,” said Kim Foxx, the top prosecutor in Cook County, which includes Chicago. And the most jarring statistic that illustrates that volatility is this: The number of domestic-related homicides in the nation’s third-largest city are up more than 60% compared with last year.President Donald Trump claimed spiking crime was somehow related to massive protests over police brutality that swept the nation this year, but the majority of those protests were peaceful. Trump also claimed the crime was concentrated in Democratic-run cities, but there have been spikes in Republican-run cities as well. Federal agents and resources were poured into Detroit and a number of other cities this summer to help local authorities collar the rising crime rates.By early October, more homicides — 363 — were recorded&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/virus-outbreak-homicide-shootings-violence-philadelphia-ebe03dcb7e05777b7e73892e46b78b01">in Philadelphia&nbsp;</a>than the 356 committed in 2019. There were 354 killings&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/virus-outbreak-new-york-violent-crime-new-york-city-violence-6d7e05e85b81d4281a14d3a03981d677">in New York</a>&nbsp;through Oct. 11 — 90 more than at the same time last year.Between Jan. 1 and Nov. 5, 165 homicides were recorded in Milwaukee,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/virus-outbreak-homicide-milwaukee-shootings-5179d42d4cc421ce1178e6834b55f66e">the most&nbsp;</a>since 1991. And in Chicago, after three years of falling homicide numbers, the totals skyrocketed to 739 in mid-December compared with 475 at the same point last year.Even smaller cities like Grand Rapids are suffering. By mid-December there were 35 homicides compared with 16 through all of 2019 and nine the year before. From this January to October, non-fatal shootings topped 200 in the city, which is home to about 200,000 people. Over the same period last year there were 131 non-fatal shootings.“This year, is it because of COVID? The political polarization we have seen?” asked Sgt. Dan Adams, spokesman for the Grand Rapids Police Department. “This year has been a year like no other. I don’t think you can point to any one ‘why.’”It is the same for other mid-sized cities. Last year, there were 18 homicides in Rockford, a city of about 170,000 people in northern Illinois. More than 30 have been killed so far this year,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rockford-shootings-illinois-c0692de8b46ca5cc8f642855eb2eef15">including three Saturday&nbsp;</a>at a bowling alley.“As we come to the end of this most difficult year and we look ahead at this New Year upon us, we know that this type of violence needs to stop,” Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara said.___

As COVID-19 ravages US, shootings, killings also up

Bruce James Wittman, age 49, died on December 28, 2020 at the Ness 
County Hospital, Ness City.&nbsp; Bruce was born on October 8, 1971 in Larned
 to Calvin and Earlene (Roberts) Wittman.

He graduated from Bazine High School in 1990.&nbsp; He received his 
Certified Nurses Aid certificate in 1999 and worked in Lacrosse as a 
Certified Nurses Aid from 1999 to 2009.&nbsp; Currently, he was a cattleman 
and hired hand for local farmers around Bazine.&nbsp;

Bruce is survived by his parents, Calvin and Earlene Wittman of 
Bazine, his 3 brothers, Mark Wittman of Memphis, TN, Darin Wittman and 
his wife, Amanda, of Bazine, and Luke Wittman of Great Bend; niece, 
Tenley, of Bazine, nephew, Tuff, and niece, Saylor, of Great Bend. He is
 also survived by many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.&nbsp; He is 
preceded in death by his grandparents, Theodore and Wilma Wittman and 
Earl and Esther Roberts, his uncle, Raymond and cousin, Aaron Gathman.&nbsp; &nbsp;

A family only funeral is scheduled for Saturday, January 2, 2021, 
1:00 p.m. at the St. Paul Congregational Church, Bazine where Bruce was a
 lifetime member.&nbsp; A graveside service will follow at 2:00 p.m. at the 
Bazine Cemetery.&nbsp; All are welcome to attend and celebrate the life of 
Bruce at the graveside services where social distancing and mask will be
 required.&nbsp; Viewing will be held at Fitzgerald Funeral Home, Ness City 
on Friday, January 1, 2021 from 10:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. with the 
family present from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Memorial Contributions may be given to the St. Paul Congregational Church, Bazine or the Bazine Cemetery.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1609531756926.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Bruce James Wittman, age 49, died on December 28, 2020 at the Ness 
County Hospital, Ness City.&nbsp; Bruce was born on October 8, 1971 in Larned
 to Calvin and Earlene (Roberts) Wittman.He graduated from Bazine High School in 1990.&nbsp; He received his 
Certified Nurses Aid certificate in 1999 and worked in Lacrosse as a 
Certified Nurses Aid from 1999 to 2009.&nbsp; Currently, he was a cattleman 
and hired hand for local farmers around Bazine.&nbsp;Bruce is survived by his parents, Calvin and Earlene Wittman of 
Bazine, his 3 brothers, Mark Wittman of Memphis, TN, Darin Wittman and 
his wife, Amanda, of Bazine, and Luke Wittman of Great Bend; niece, 
Tenley, of Bazine, nephew, Tuff, and niece, Saylor, of Great Bend. He is
 also survived by many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.&nbsp; He is 
preceded in death by his grandparents, Theodore and Wilma Wittman and 
Earl and Esther Roberts, his uncle, Raymond and cousin, Aaron Gathman.&nbsp; &nbsp;A family only funeral is scheduled for Saturday, January 2, 2021, 
1:00 p.m. at the St. Paul Congregational Church, Bazine where Bruce was a
 lifetime member.&nbsp; A graveside service will follow at 2:00 p.m. at the 
Bazine Cemetery.&nbsp; All are welcome to attend and celebrate the life of 
Bruce at the graveside services where social distancing and mask will be
 required.&nbsp; Viewing will be held at Fitzgerald Funeral Home, Ness City 
on Friday, January 1, 2021 from 10:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. with the 
family present from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.Memorial Contributions may be given to the St. Paul Congregational Church, Bazine or the Bazine Cemetery.

Bruce James Wittman

John Reynold Farrell, 91, of Russell, Kansas, died on Wednesday, December 30, 2020, at the Russell Regional Hospital in Russell, Kansas.

John was born on October 11, 1929, in Abbeyville, Louisiana, the son of James and Eunice (Herbert) Farrell.  He grew up in Graham County, Kansas and graduated from Palco High School in the class of 1947.  After high school he graduated from Fort Hays State University with a bachelor’s degree in education.  He moved to Russell, Kansas, in 1955, to take a job with the USD 407 school district, teaching elementary education.  He met, fell in love and was united in marriage to Laureen Goetz on May 30th, 1956, in Victoria, Kansas.  From this union they were blessed with two children Joel and Lynn.  In 1956, John was selected to be the principal at Bickerdyke school and later also at Simpson school, and continued to work for the Russell public schools until he retired in 1993.  He was a longtime member of St. Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church in Russell.  He was also a longtime member of the Russell Rotary Club and the Russell V.F.W. Post #6240.  He enjoyed playing tennis and golf and spending time with friends.  Most of all he enjoyed spending time with his family. 

Surviving family include his wife, of 64 years, Laureen; son Joel Farrell and wife Janet of Boston, Massachusetts; daughter Lynn Farrell of Kansas City, Kansas; brothers Joe Farrell and wife Ellen of Hill City, Kansas, Bob Farrell and wife Donna of Hill City, Kansas and Larry Farrell and wife Anita of Olpie, Kansas; sisters are Sister Rose Farrell of Silver City, New Mexico, Marleen Dockins and husband Ronnie of Casper, Wyoming, Agnes Steichen of Madison, Wisconsin and Joan Dolen and husband Mike of Topeka, Kansas; 2 grandchildren Jacob and Javian Farrell.

He was preceded in death by his parents and sister Anna Riemann.

A funeral mass to celebrate John’s life will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Tuesday, January 05, 2021, at the St. Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church in Russell, Kansas.  Burial will follow at the St. Fidelis Catholic Cemetery in Victoria, Kansas.  Visitation will be from 9 A.M. to 8 P.M. on Monday, January 04, 2021, at the mortuary.  Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1609531447195.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>John Reynold Farrell, 91, of Russell, Kansas, died on Wednesday, December 30, 2020, at the Russell Regional Hospital in Russell, Kansas.John was born on October 11, 1929, in Abbeyville, Louisiana, the son of James and Eunice (Herbert) Farrell. He grew up in Graham County, Kansas and graduated from Palco High School in the class of 1947. After high school he graduated from Fort Hays State University with a bachelor’s degree in education. He moved to Russell, Kansas, in 1955, to take a job with the USD 407 school district, teaching elementary education. He met, fell in love and was united in marriage to Laureen Goetz on May 30th, 1956, in Victoria, Kansas. From this union they were blessed with two children Joel and Lynn. In 1956, John was selected to be the principal at Bickerdyke school and later also at Simpson school, and continued to work for the Russell public schools until he retired in 1993. He was a longtime member of St. Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church in Russell. He was also a longtime member of the Russell Rotary Club and the Russell V.F.W. Post #6240. He enjoyed playing tennis and golf and spending time with friends. Most of all he enjoyed spending time with his family. Surviving family include his wife, of 64 years, Laureen; son Joel Farrell and wife Janet of Boston, Massachusetts; daughter Lynn Farrell of Kansas City, Kansas; brothers Joe Farrell and wife Ellen of Hill City, Kansas, Bob Farrell and wife Donna of Hill City, Kansas and Larry Farrell and wife Anita of Olpie, Kansas; sisters are Sister Rose Farrell of Silver City, New Mexico, Marleen Dockins and husband Ronnie of Casper, Wyoming, Agnes Steichen of Madison, Wisconsin and Joan Dolen and husband Mike of Topeka, Kansas; 2 grandchildren Jacob and Javian Farrell.He was preceded in death by his parents and sister Anna Riemann.A funeral mass to celebrate John’s life will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Tuesday, January 05, 2021, at the St. Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church in Russell, Kansas. Burial will follow at the St. Fidelis Catholic Cemetery in Victoria, Kansas. Visitation will be from 9 A.M. to 8 P.M. on Monday, January 04, 2021, at the mortuary. Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.

John Reynold Farrell

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Thanks to the government paying nearly 40% of their income, U.S. farmers were expected to end 2020 with higher profit than 2019 and the best net income in seven years, the Department of Agriculture said in its latest farm income forecast.

Farmers faced challenges throughout 2020 that included the impact of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bb54595393a14fcd867476996ef94129">trade dispute</a>&nbsp;s; low prices that drove down cash receipts for corn, cotton, wheat, chicken, cattle and hogs; and weather difficulties such as drought in some areas and an unusual August wind&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ap-top-news-iowa-chicago-storms-property-damage-e7bfc5351814eb111f90f540d605514a">storm</a>&nbsp;stretching from South Dakota to Ohio that centered on Iowa.

Farm cash receipts are forecast to decrease nearly 1% to $366.5 billion, the lowest in more than a decade, measured in real dollars. Direct federal government payments saved farmers’ bottom line: Farmers overall saw a 107% increase in direct payments from 2019, when a third of net income came directly from the government.

The impact of the money varies from one farm to another, depending on whether a farmer owns the land, has significant capital to draw from, has manageable debt and aggressively manages wide commodity price swings.

“The payment to one farm could be a matter of life and death of that farm and for another farm maybe just makes it not quite as bad of a year as it was going to be and everywhere in between,” said Mike Paustian, a farmer who raises hogs and grows soybeans and corn near Walcott in eastern Iowa. “I’ve described it as: If you’re drowning and somebody throws you a life preserver, you’re not going to argue too much about grabbing ahold of it.”

Excluding USDA loans and insurance indemnity payments made by the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation, farmers are expected to receive $46.5 billion from the government, the largest direct-to-farm payment ever. That includes $32.4 billion in assistance through coronavirus&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/virus-outbreak-financial-markets-iowa-archive-donald-trump-659457209d5ae93177ee529590f5a1b7">pandemic relief</a>&nbsp;food assistance and Paycheck Protection Program payments to farmers. Additional support comes from more traditional revenue loss programs due to low commodity prices, compensation for trade disruptions resulting from tariff battles and conservation programs assistance.

Federal court bankruptcy data indicates 433 U.S. farms filed for reorganization as of Sept. 30, down from 454 during the same period the previous year.

Overall, net farm income in the United States is expected to increase 43% from 2019 to $119.6 billion, the USDA estimated. Farmers will see the highest level of net farm income, a broad measure of profitability, since 2013, the agency said.

One northeast Iowa farmer said without the federal money it would have been difficult to make ends meet this year but it began to feel like the government checks were motivated by politics from a president seeking support for reelection.

“At first it did help, but then we kept getting payments and I don’t know that those were warranted,” said Rick Juchems, 65, who grows corn and soybeans and custom raises hogs. “The markets had already recovered quite a bit and they’re recovering yet more, so it helps some but it’s one of those things that the second one was more than we needed.”

In a late October campaign appearance in Omaha, Nebraska, President Donald Trump said he believed farmers were better off getting government payments than relying solely on their farming receipts.

“In fact, some people say our farmers do better now than when they actually had a farm,” he said.

Many top farm states voted again for Trump in November, including Iowa, Nebraska, Texas and Kansas. Several, however, left Trump to vote for Democrat Joe Biden, including Wisconsin, Michigan and Georgia.

Bill Gordon, who with his father raises soybeans and corn in southwestern Minnesota, hopes for improved free trade agreements and a less confrontational approach under Biden in 2021.

“Volatility definitely causes volatility,” he said. “And so if we can get these free trade agreements set up, that are better, and not as confrontational but still benefit both sides, that just benefits agriculture and rural America.”

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Thanks to the government paying nearly 40% of their income, U.S. farmers were expected to end 2020 with higher profit than 2019 and the best net income in seven years, the Department of Agriculture said in its latest farm income forecast.Farmers faced challenges throughout 2020 that included the impact of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bb54595393a14fcd867476996ef94129">trade dispute</a>&nbsp;s; low prices that drove down cash receipts for corn, cotton, wheat, chicken, cattle and hogs; and weather difficulties such as drought in some areas and an unusual August wind&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ap-top-news-iowa-chicago-storms-property-damage-e7bfc5351814eb111f90f540d605514a">storm</a>&nbsp;stretching from South Dakota to Ohio that centered on Iowa.Farm cash receipts are forecast to decrease nearly 1% to $366.5 billion, the lowest in more than a decade, measured in real dollars. Direct federal government payments saved farmers’ bottom line: Farmers overall saw a 107% increase in direct payments from 2019, when a third of net income came directly from the government.The impact of the money varies from one farm to another, depending on whether a farmer owns the land, has significant capital to draw from, has manageable debt and aggressively manages wide commodity price swings.“The payment to one farm could be a matter of life and death of that farm and for another farm maybe just makes it not quite as bad of a year as it was going to be and everywhere in between,” said Mike Paustian, a farmer who raises hogs and grows soybeans and corn near Walcott in eastern Iowa. “I’ve described it as: If you’re drowning and somebody throws you a life preserver, you’re not going to argue too much about grabbing ahold of it.”Excluding USDA loans and insurance indemnity payments made by the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation, farmers are expected to receive $46.5 billion from the government, the largest direct-to-farm payment ever. That includes $32.4 billion in assistance through coronavirus&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/virus-outbreak-financial-markets-iowa-archive-donald-trump-659457209d5ae93177ee529590f5a1b7">pandemic relief</a>&nbsp;food assistance and Paycheck Protection Program payments to farmers. Additional support comes from more traditional revenue loss programs due to low commodity prices, compensation for trade disruptions resulting from tariff battles and conservation programs assistance.Federal court bankruptcy data indicates 433 U.S. farms filed for reorganization as of Sept. 30, down from 454 during the same period the previous year.Overall, net farm income in the United States is expected to increase 43% from 2019 to $119.6 billion, the USDA estimated. Farmers will see the highest level of net farm income, a broad measure of profitability, since 2013, the agency said.One northeast Iowa farmer said without the federal money it would have been difficult to make ends meet this year but it began to feel like the government checks were motivated by politics from a president seeking support for reelection.“At first it did help, but then we kept getting payments and I don’t know that those were warranted,” said Rick Juchems, 65, who grows corn and soybeans and custom raises hogs. “The markets had already recovered quite a bit and they’re recovering yet more, so it helps some but it’s one of those things that the second one was more than we needed.”In a late October campaign appearance in Omaha, Nebraska, President Donald Trump said he believed farmers were better off getting government payments than relying solely on their farming receipts.“In fact, some people say our farmers do better now than when they actually had a farm,” he said.Many top farm states voted again for Trump in November, including Iowa, Nebraska, Texas and Kansas. Several, however, left Trump to vote for Democrat Joe Biden, including Wisconsin, Michigan and Georgia.Bill Gordon, who with his father raises soybeans and corn in southwestern Minnesota, hopes for improved free trade agreements and a less confrontational approach under Biden in 2021.“Volatility definitely causes volatility,” he said. “And so if we can get these free trade agreements set up, that are better, and not as confrontational but still benefit both sides, that just benefits agriculture and rural America.”

Federal checks salvage otherwise dreadful 2020 for US farms

Louise Staab, age 98, of Hays, Kansas passed away Tuesday, Dec. 29 at Via Christi Assisted Living in Hays.

She was born October 27, 1922 in Ellis County to Henry and Clara (Pfannenstiel) Meier. She married Joseph A. Staab on August 9, 1950 in Antonino. He preceded her in death May 23, 2013. Louise was a homemaker. She enjoyed playing cards, baking, and spending time with her family. She was a member of St. Catherine Catholic Church, Catherine Christian Mothers, Hays Daughters of Isabella and the Hays VFW Auxiliary. She is survived by two sons, Garry (JoAnn) of Hays and Dennis (Diane) of Basehor; six daughters, Barbara McCormick, Sharon Howard, Diana Staab, Pam Munsch (Cory) all of Hays, Donna Perez (Gabe) of Lenexa, and Joann Lang (Brian) of Shawnee; a son-in-law, Tom Pfannenstiel of WaKeeney; a brother, Ernie Meier of Hays; three sisters, Rosie Schmidt of Hays, Leota Legleiter and Berdy Herrman both of Great Bend, 17 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; a daughter, Wanda Pfannenstiel; brothers, Milton, Walter, Robert, and Ralph Meier; sisters, Tina Ross and Gladys Moore; sons-in-law, Bob McCormick and Chuck Howard, and three infant granddaughters. Due to COVID-19 concerns if you have a cough, fever or are not feeling well, please use our e-mail or online guestbook to share your condolences. Social distancing and wearing masks are suggested by family at the visitation and funeral services. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 2 at St. Catherine Catholic Church, Catharine. Burial will follow in the St. Catherine Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at Brock's Keithley Funeral Chapel and Crematory 2509 Vine St., Hays, KS 67601. Rosary service led by the Catharine Christian Mothers and Hays Daughters of Isabella will be at 6:30 p.m. Friday followed by a parish vigil at 7 p.m., all at the funeral chapel. Memorial contributions are suggested to St. Catherine’s Church, HaysMed Hospice or Via Christi of Hays. Condolences may be left by guest book at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com/" target="_blank">www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com</a>&nbsp;or by email at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:keithleyfuneralhomes@gmail.com" target="_blank">keithleyfuneralhomes@gmail.com</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1609429642964.jpeg" alt="Louise Staab" />
 <figcaption>Louise Staab</figcaption>
 </figure>Louise Staab, age 98, of Hays, Kansas passed away Tuesday, Dec. 29 at Via Christi Assisted Living in Hays.She was born October 27, 1922 in Ellis County to Henry and Clara (Pfannenstiel) Meier. She married Joseph A. Staab on August 9, 1950 in Antonino. He preceded her in death May 23, 2013. Louise was a homemaker. She enjoyed playing cards, baking, and spending time with her family. She was a member of St. Catherine Catholic Church, Catherine Christian Mothers, Hays Daughters of Isabella and the Hays VFW Auxiliary. She is survived by two sons, Garry (JoAnn) of Hays and Dennis (Diane) of Basehor; six daughters, Barbara McCormick, Sharon Howard, Diana Staab, Pam Munsch (Cory) all of Hays, Donna Perez (Gabe) of Lenexa, and Joann Lang (Brian) of Shawnee; a son-in-law, Tom Pfannenstiel of WaKeeney; a brother, Ernie Meier of Hays; three sisters, Rosie Schmidt of Hays, Leota Legleiter and Berdy Herrman both of Great Bend, 17 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; a daughter, Wanda Pfannenstiel; brothers, Milton, Walter, Robert, and Ralph Meier; sisters, Tina Ross and Gladys Moore; sons-in-law, Bob McCormick and Chuck Howard, and three infant granddaughters. Due to COVID-19 concerns if you have a cough, fever or are not feeling well, please use our e-mail or online guestbook to share your condolences. Social distancing and wearing masks are suggested by family at the visitation and funeral services. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 2 at St. Catherine Catholic Church, Catharine. Burial will follow in the St. Catherine Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at Brock's Keithley Funeral Chapel and Crematory 2509 Vine St., Hays, KS 67601. Rosary service led by the Catharine Christian Mothers and Hays Daughters of Isabella will be at 6:30 p.m. Friday followed by a parish vigil at 7 p.m., all at the funeral chapel. Memorial contributions are suggested to St. Catherine’s Church, HaysMed Hospice or Via Christi of Hays. Condolences may be left by guest book at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com/" target="_blank">www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com</a>&nbsp;or by email at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:keithleyfuneralhomes@gmail.com" target="_blank">keithleyfuneralhomes@gmail.com</a>

Louise Staab

Earl Eugene Moss was born on October 11, 1933, at his family farm 11 west
 and ½ mile North of Hoxie, Kansas. He unexpectedly passed away 
December 25, 2020, at the Sheridan County Health Complex. 
 Earl attended grade school in the Bloomfield township school. This 
school house would eventually become the home he and Opal would share 
for over 67 years until his passing. He attended Hoxie High School his 
freshman year before transferring to Menlo High School where he 
graduated in 1951. After High School, Earl attended Fort Hays State for
 one semester until his true calling brought him home to farm.
 Earl had a great passion for basketball and played at Menlo High 
School where they placed third in State his Senior year. He also 
played on the Hoxie town team, where he was known for his “patented turn
 around fade away jump shot!”
 In the summer of 1952, Earl met the love of his life, Opal Barnett. 
 They were united in marriage at Opal’s parents' home north of Rexford 
June 2nd 1953. In order to get the Bloomfield School house ready for 
them to move into they had to auger wheat out of the basement. 
 Earl loved his community and was a great leader. He served as a 
county committee man for the ASCS office, Board of Directors of First 
National Bank, Elder at Hoxie Christian Church and a Past Exhaulted 
Ruler of the Hoxie Elks Lodge. 
 Earl was also a visionary and entrepreneur. He was one of the first
 farmers for Sheridan County to drill an irrigation well. He was one 
of the first in the area to introduce the use of a grain cart in 
harvest. In 1969, he was one of the original nine owners in the Hoxie 
Feed Lot. 
 Earl had a quick wit and great sense of humor. The only thing Earl 
loved more than card playing, golf and fishing, were his friendships and
 his family. And honestly, he became good friends with everyone he met!
 Earl is survived by his wife Opal; sons, Tim Moss and wife Dana of 
Selden, Kansas and Gary Moss and wife Teri of Hoxie, Kansas; sister, 
Margaret Muelenkamp of Oakley, Kansas; six grandchildren; seven 
step-grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and eight 
step-great-grandchildren; and many relatives and friends.
 He was preceded in death by his infant son, James Allen Moss; 
parents, James W. and Orpha M. Moss; and brother, Johnnie Moss; and 
sister, Esther Woofter.
 A funeral service is planned for Wednesday, December 30, 2020, 10:30
 A.M. at the Hoxie Christian Church in Hoxie, Kansas. Visitation will 
be held on Tuesday, December 29, 2020 at the Mickey-Leopold Funeral Home
 from Noon until 6:30 P.M. Family will receive friends from 5:00 to 
6:00 P.M. Memorials are suggested to the Earl Moss Memorial and may be 
sent in care of Mickey-Leopold Funeral Home, PO Box 987, Hoxie, Kansas. 
 Words of comfort may be left at www.mickeyleopoldfuneral.com. This 
service will be livestreamed by Open Spaces Sports. Please check the 
website, www.mickeyleopoldfuneral.com for the link to the service.
 Earl and Opals commitment to their 67 year marriage, along with his 
faith and trust in Jesus allowed Earl to maintain his positive outlook 
on life despite his health struggles.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1609089155077.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Earl Eugene Moss was born on October 11, 1933, at his family farm 11 west
 and ½ mile North of Hoxie, Kansas. He unexpectedly passed away 
December 25, 2020, at the Sheridan County Health Complex. 
 Earl attended grade school in the Bloomfield township school. This 
school house would eventually become the home he and Opal would share 
for over 67 years until his passing. He attended Hoxie High School his 
freshman year before transferring to Menlo High School where he 
graduated in 1951. After High School, Earl attended Fort Hays State for
 one semester until his true calling brought him home to farm.
 Earl had a great passion for basketball and played at Menlo High 
School where they placed third in State his Senior year. He also 
played on the Hoxie town team, where he was known for his “patented turn
 around fade away jump shot!”
 In the summer of 1952, Earl met the love of his life, Opal Barnett. 
 They were united in marriage at Opal’s parents' home north of Rexford 
June 2nd 1953. In order to get the Bloomfield School house ready for 
them to move into they had to auger wheat out of the basement. 
 Earl loved his community and was a great leader. He served as a 
county committee man for the ASCS office, Board of Directors of First 
National Bank, Elder at Hoxie Christian Church and a Past Exhaulted 
Ruler of the Hoxie Elks Lodge. 
 Earl was also a visionary and entrepreneur. He was one of the first
 farmers for Sheridan County to drill an irrigation well. He was one 
of the first in the area to introduce the use of a grain cart in 
harvest. In 1969, he was one of the original nine owners in the Hoxie 
Feed Lot. 
 Earl had a quick wit and great sense of humor. The only thing Earl 
loved more than card playing, golf and fishing, were his friendships and
 his family. And honestly, he became good friends with everyone he met!
 Earl is survived by his wife Opal; sons, Tim Moss and wife Dana of 
Selden, Kansas and Gary Moss and wife Teri of Hoxie, Kansas; sister, 
Margaret Muelenkamp of Oakley, Kansas; six grandchildren; seven 
step-grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and eight 
step-great-grandchildren; and many relatives and friends.
 He was preceded in death by his infant son, James Allen Moss; 
parents, James W. and Orpha M. Moss; and brother, Johnnie Moss; and 
sister, Esther Woofter.
 A funeral service is planned for Wednesday, December 30, 2020, 10:30
 A.M. at the Hoxie Christian Church in Hoxie, Kansas. Visitation will 
be held on Tuesday, December 29, 2020 at the Mickey-Leopold Funeral Home
 from Noon until 6:30 P.M. Family will receive friends from 5:00 to 
6:00 P.M. Memorials are suggested to the Earl Moss Memorial and may be 
sent in care of Mickey-Leopold Funeral Home, PO Box 987, Hoxie, Kansas. 
 Words of comfort may be left at www.mickeyleopoldfuneral.com. This 
service will be livestreamed by Open Spaces Sports. Please check the 
website, www.mickeyleopoldfuneral.com for the link to the service.
 Earl and Opals commitment to their 67 year marriage, along with his 
faith and trust in Jesus allowed Earl to maintain his positive outlook 
on life despite his health struggles.

Earl E. Moss

Michael Marshall Ayala, 68 of Leoti, KS died December 27, 2020 in Garden City, KS after a lengthy illness. He was born in La Junta, CO on October 11, 1952 to Nash and Virginia (Jaquez) Ayala. 

Michael was the youngest of three children, him being the only boy. He attended West Elementary, Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic School and junior high at St. Patrick’s Catholic School all in La Junta. He was fortunate to be able to attend 4 years of high school at Roncalli Catholic All-Boys school in Pueblo, CO, graduating with honors. After high school, he attended Otero Junior College for two years, transferring to Adams State College in Alamosa. 

He moved to Colorado Springs, working in construction for two years. Returning to La Junta, he was a fixture at Warehouse Liquors from 1979-1989. In 1990, he moved to Leoti, KS, hiring on at the Kansas Department of Transportation, working his way from maintenance to supervisor, retiring in 2015. Upon his retirement, he enjoyed following the local sports teams of Leoti and any and all sporting events, especially his beloved Denver Broncos. 

Michael was known for his care-free attitude, sense of humor which was above and beyond most. His sharp wit was tempered by his smile and laughter. He used to say his claim to fame was his starring roll as a field worker in Mr. Majestyk, filmed in La Junta in 1974. 

He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Ledia (Torrez) Ayala, his father, Nash Ayala, Sister, Margaret (Roy) Grasmick, Nephew, Matthew (Jill) Valdez, Niece, Erika Valdez, brother-in laws, Alvin Torrez, Joe (Darlene) Torrez, Blas (Tammi) Torrez and sister-in-law Catalina (Jim) Harris and several relatives. 

He was preceded in death by his mother, Virginia (Jaquez) Ayala, sister, Alice Jean Valdez, mother and father in-law, Mike and Rose Torrez, brother-in-laws, Eddie, Gilbert, Tim and Pete Torrez, both paternal and maternal grandparents, along with several uncles and aunts. 

In lieu of funeral services, he will be cremated and services to be held in La Junta at a later date.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1609192270162.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Michael Marshall Ayala, 68 of Leoti, KS died December 27, 2020 in Garden City, KS after a lengthy illness. He was born in La Junta, CO on October 11, 1952 to Nash and Virginia (Jaquez) Ayala. Michael was the youngest of three children, him being the only boy. He attended West Elementary, Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic School and junior high at St. Patrick’s Catholic School all in La Junta. He was fortunate to be able to attend 4 years of high school at Roncalli Catholic All-Boys school in Pueblo, CO, graduating with honors. After high school, he attended Otero Junior College for two years, transferring to Adams State College in Alamosa. He moved to Colorado Springs, working in construction for two years. Returning to La Junta, he was a fixture at Warehouse Liquors from 1979-1989. In 1990, he moved to Leoti, KS, hiring on at the Kansas Department of Transportation, working his way from maintenance to supervisor, retiring in 2015. Upon his retirement, he enjoyed following the local sports teams of Leoti and any and all sporting events, especially his beloved Denver Broncos. Michael was known for his care-free attitude, sense of humor which was above and beyond most. His sharp wit was tempered by his smile and laughter. He used to say his claim to fame was his starring roll as a field worker in Mr. Majestyk, filmed in La Junta in 1974. He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Ledia (Torrez) Ayala, his father, Nash Ayala, Sister, Margaret (Roy) Grasmick, Nephew, Matthew (Jill) Valdez, Niece, Erika Valdez, brother-in laws, Alvin Torrez, Joe (Darlene) Torrez, Blas (Tammi) Torrez and sister-in-law Catalina (Jim) Harris and several relatives. He was preceded in death by his mother, Virginia (Jaquez) Ayala, sister, Alice Jean Valdez, mother and father in-law, Mike and Rose Torrez, brother-in-laws, Eddie, Gilbert, Tim and Pete Torrez, both paternal and maternal grandparents, along with several uncles and aunts. In lieu of funeral services, he will be cremated and services to be held in La Junta at a later date.&nbsp;

Michael Marshall Ayala

Margaret Ann Brack, age 76, of Ellis, Kansas, passed away Saturday, December 26, 2020, at the&nbsp;Good Samaritan Society, Ellis, after a short battle with cancer. 

She was the eldest daughter of Frank J and Hanora (Henderson) Keller born on May 4th, 1944 in WaKeeney, Kansas.&nbsp;She attended Ellis High School graduating in 1962. On October 5, 1963 she married the love of her life,&nbsp;Morris Brack, in Ellis at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Margaret lived all of her adult life in Ellis, living on the farm with Morris, for many years she worked at Alloway’s Restaurant in the days of the buffet, patrons came from far and wide to eat the buffet especially on Mother's Days, Easter and Memorial Day weekend. She always spoke with pride of the days feeding the local families and friends as well as those who came to Ellis to visit. In more recent years she could be seen doing maintenance at Spruce Village, and making crafts and meals for some of her adopted residents there. She also worked at Meal site and with her daughter Margo at the Ellis Golf Club. All who knew Margaret knew she truly had a heart of gold, if she had a dollar, it meant someone else had 75 cents, she never wanted any attention for her kindness and good deeds, preferring instead to remain in the background. She loved anything to do with family, crafts, puzzles, sewing, canning, cooking, baking, attending the kids and grandkids games and activities and racing, especially racing, always cheering for her #8B Kaishen Brack and #08 Dakota Sproul. Margaret loved her husband Morris, taking care of him daily as he faded away from Alzheimer’s and was heartbroken when he passed away only 1.5 years ago. Without a doubt her greatest pride and joy was her 3 children, her grandchildren and her great grandchildren, her unselfish love and the gleam in her eyes, along with her warm smile were heartwarming, anytime she was around them. Her kindness and love of her family was apparent every day as she put everyone before herself and never asked anything in return since “she didn't want to bother anyone.”

She is survived by her son Mark Brack (Gail), two daughters, Maryl (Tim) Gottschalk and Margo Brack, all of Ellis, Three sisters, Virginia (Gina Sproul, Judy Kuhn and Deanna Wellbrock, all of Hays. Grandchildren, Jerome Gottshalk (Jenni), Kimberly Gottschalk, Keisha Ghumm (Ethan) Kaishen Brack; step grandchildren, Sarah Dreiling (Joe) Todd Walker, and Christy Schoenthaler (Devin) great grandchildren, Julian Gottschalk, Braxton Ghumm: and great step grandchildren, Elizabeth Dreiling, Eli Dreiling, Emmitt Dreiling and Easton Schoenthaler.

She was preceded in death by her husband Morris, her parents, and brothers Al and Darrell Keller, and brother in law Chuck Sproul. Funeral services will be 10:30 AM Thursday, December 31, 2020 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Ellis. Inurnment will follow in Mt. Hope Cemetery, Ellis. Memorial visitation will be Thursday 9:30 AM until service time with a rosary service will be at 10:00 AM all at St. Mary's Church. Memorial contributions are suggested to Ellis Meal Site or Ellis Food Pantry. Arrangements in care of Keithley Funeral Chapel 400 E. 17th Ellis, KS 67637.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1609178333727.jpeg" alt="" />
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 </figure>Margaret Ann Brack, age 76, of Ellis, Kansas, passed away Saturday, December 26, 2020, at the&nbsp;Good Samaritan Society, Ellis, after a short battle with cancer. She was the eldest daughter of Frank J and Hanora (Henderson) Keller born on May 4th, 1944 in WaKeeney, Kansas.&nbsp;She attended Ellis High School graduating in 1962. On October 5, 1963 she married the love of her life,&nbsp;Morris Brack, in Ellis at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Margaret lived all of her adult life in Ellis, living on the farm with Morris, for many years she worked at Alloway’s Restaurant in the days of the buffet, patrons came from far and wide to eat the buffet especially on Mother's Days, Easter and Memorial Day weekend. She always spoke with pride of the days feeding the local families and friends as well as those who came to Ellis to visit. In more recent years she could be seen doing maintenance at Spruce Village, and making crafts and meals for some of her adopted residents there. She also worked at Meal site and with her daughter Margo at the Ellis Golf Club. All who knew Margaret knew she truly had a heart of gold, if she had a dollar, it meant someone else had 75 cents, she never wanted any attention for her kindness and good deeds, preferring instead to remain in the background. She loved anything to do with family, crafts, puzzles, sewing, canning, cooking, baking, attending the kids and grandkids games and activities and racing, especially racing, always cheering for her #8B Kaishen Brack and #08 Dakota Sproul. Margaret loved her husband Morris, taking care of him daily as he faded away from Alzheimer’s and was heartbroken when he passed away only 1.5 years ago. Without a doubt her greatest pride and joy was her 3 children, her grandchildren and her great grandchildren, her unselfish love and the gleam in her eyes, along with her warm smile were heartwarming, anytime she was around them. Her kindness and love of her family was apparent every day as she put everyone before herself and never asked anything in return since “she didn't want to bother anyone.” She is survived by her son Mark Brack (Gail), two daughters, Maryl (Tim) Gottschalk and Margo Brack, all of Ellis, Three sisters, Virginia (Gina Sproul, Judy Kuhn and Deanna Wellbrock, all of Hays. Grandchildren, Jerome Gottshalk (Jenni), Kimberly Gottschalk, Keisha Ghumm (Ethan) Kaishen Brack; step grandchildren, Sarah Dreiling (Joe) Todd Walker, and Christy Schoenthaler (Devin) great grandchildren, Julian Gottschalk, Braxton Ghumm: and great step grandchildren, Elizabeth Dreiling, Eli Dreiling, Emmitt Dreiling and Easton Schoenthaler. She was preceded in death by her husband Morris, her parents, and brothers Al and Darrell Keller, and brother in law Chuck Sproul. Funeral services will be 10:30 AM Thursday, December 31, 2020 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Ellis. Inurnment will follow in Mt. Hope Cemetery, Ellis. Memorial visitation will be Thursday 9:30 AM until service time with a rosary service will be at 10:00 AM all at St. Mary's Church. Memorial contributions are suggested to Ellis Meal Site or Ellis Food Pantry. Arrangements in care of Keithley Funeral Chapel 400 E. 17th Ellis, KS 67637.

Margaret Ann Brack

SALINE COUNTY —Rolling Hills Zoo (RHZ) is celebrating the birth of the zoo’s second giraffe calf born in the Zoo, according to a media release from the zoo.

Since October 15th the RHZ staff has been on high alert as they awaited the birth, which was expected to happen sometime before Dec. 18.&nbsp; (The gestation time for a giraffe is normally 13-15 months and Billie, RHZ’s female giraffe, was in her 15 month at time of the birth.)

On Dec. 17 at 7:23 p.m., Billie gave birth to a healthy male calf.&nbsp; &nbsp;Once the calf was born, Billie went to work cleaning him and by 9:14 p.m. the calf was on his feet and taking his first steps.&nbsp; Standing close to six feet tall, the calf is nursing and doing well.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

As with any first time mother, there is a heightened concern, not only about the pregnancy and birth, but also with her mothering skills and the attention she will need to give to her calf.&nbsp;&nbsp; Fortunately for all concerned, Billie’s pregnancy and delivery have gone well.&nbsp;

“We are so excited for this little one’s birth,” shared Kathy Tolbert, RHZ’s interim director.&nbsp; &nbsp;“Not only does he carry on the legacy of BT, the male giraffe that we lost in October, but he has also brought a bright spot to the Zoo in the midst of what has been a challenging year for so many.&nbsp;&nbsp; We look forward to introducing him to Zoo guests in the New Year.”

This was Btuanya’s (BT) second calf sired, with the first being JoJo in 2016.&nbsp; (BT passed away in October 2020.)&nbsp; &nbsp;As the zoo’s ten-year-old female giraffe, this is Billie’s first offspring.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Billie was born February 22, 2010, at Dickerson Park Zoo, Missouri.&nbsp; Her parents were both from Dickerson Park Zoo, mother – Gidget, who is now 28 years old, and father – Stretch, who passed away at 23 years old. Billie arrived at Rolling Hills Zoo on Oct. 17, 2011.&nbsp;

But it wasn’t until 2014 that Billie was recommended for breeding with BT as part of the Species Survival Plan (SSP).&nbsp;&nbsp; At that time Billie would not allow BT to breed with her so Zuri, RHZ’s other female giraffe, moved ahead &nbsp;of the rotation and ended up breeding with BT first, giving birth to JoJo on Nov. 27, 2016.&nbsp;&nbsp; After JoJo’s departure from RHZ, the keepers were able successfully breed Billie with BT in September 2019.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1609166562849.jpeg" alt="Billie and her new calf -Photo courtesy Rolling Hills Zoo" />
 <figcaption>Billie and her new calf -Photo courtesy Rolling Hills Zoo</figcaption>
 </figure>SALINE COUNTY —Rolling Hills Zoo (RHZ) is celebrating the birth of the zoo’s second giraffe calf born in the Zoo, according to a media release from the zoo.Since October 15th the RHZ staff has been on high alert as they awaited the birth, which was expected to happen sometime before Dec. 18.&nbsp; (The gestation time for a giraffe is normally 13-15 months and Billie, RHZ’s female giraffe, was in her 15 month at time of the birth.)On Dec. 17 at 7:23 p.m., Billie gave birth to a healthy male calf.&nbsp; &nbsp;Once the calf was born, Billie went to work cleaning him and by 9:14 p.m. the calf was on his feet and taking his first steps.&nbsp; Standing close to six feet tall, the calf is nursing and doing well.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;As with any first time mother, there is a heightened concern, not only about the pregnancy and birth, but also with her mothering skills and the attention she will need to give to her calf.&nbsp;&nbsp; Fortunately for all concerned, Billie’s pregnancy and delivery have gone well.&nbsp;“We are so excited for this little one’s birth,” shared Kathy Tolbert, RHZ’s interim director.&nbsp; &nbsp;“Not only does he carry on the legacy of BT, the male giraffe that we lost in October, but he has also brought a bright spot to the Zoo in the midst of what has been a challenging year for so many.&nbsp;&nbsp; We look forward to introducing him to Zoo guests in the New Year.”This was Btuanya’s (BT) second calf sired, with the first being JoJo in 2016.&nbsp; (BT passed away in October 2020.)&nbsp; &nbsp;As the zoo’s ten-year-old female giraffe, this is Billie’s first offspring.&nbsp;&nbsp;Billie was born February 22, 2010, at Dickerson Park Zoo, Missouri.&nbsp; Her parents were both from Dickerson Park Zoo, mother – Gidget, who is now 28 years old, and father – Stretch, who passed away at 23 years old. Billie arrived at Rolling Hills Zoo on Oct. 17, 2011.&nbsp;But it wasn’t until 2014 that Billie was recommended for breeding with BT as part of the Species Survival Plan (SSP).&nbsp;&nbsp; At that time Billie would not allow BT to breed with her so Zuri, RHZ’s other female giraffe, moved ahead &nbsp;of the rotation and ended up breeding with BT first, giving birth to JoJo on Nov. 27, 2016.&nbsp;&nbsp; After JoJo’s departure from RHZ, the keepers were able successfully breed Billie with BT in September 2019.At this time the giraffe barn is closed for public viewing.&nbsp; The Zoo asks for the public’s patience and understanding as they allow time for the mother and calf to bond.&nbsp; It is also critical during this time that the mother does not get spooked and accidently kick her calf. &nbsp;For now, only the keepers are entering the building as necessary and the pair is being monitored via cameras throughout the day and night.&nbsp;Once the keepers feel that mother and calf are ready, an announcement will be made that the Giraffe Barn Viewing Room is once again open to visitors.