Tamela G. Turley, age 63, passed away on Friday, November 27, 2020, at the Scott County Hospital in Scott City, Kansas.  She was born on November 5, 1957, in Garden City, Kansas, the daughter of Gale &amp; Sharon Sue Thomas Heinrich.  A lifetime resident of Scott City, Kansas, she was a nanny and homemaker.

She was a member of the First Baptist Church and Celebrate Recovery both of Scott City, Kansas.  In 1975 she graduated from Scott Community High School in Scott City, Kansas.

On October 5, 1974, she married Steve Turley in Scott City, Kansas.  He survives.

Survivors include her Husband - Steve Turley of Scott City, Kansas, One Son - Stevie Turley II of Scott City, Kansas, Two Brothers - Mike Heinrich of Scott City, Kansas, David Heinrich of Scott City, Kansas, Two Sisters - Julie &amp; DeWayne Ferrell of Scott City, Kansas, Lisa &amp; Jeff Buffington of Scott City, Kansas, and Mother In Law - Vada Turley of Scott City, Kansas.

She was preceded in death by her parents, One Son - Tony Turley, and One Brother - Alan Heinrich.

Services will be held on Wednesday, December 2, 2020, at 2:00 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in Scott City, Kansas with Rev. Kyle Evans presiding.  The funeral services will be live-streamed on Price &amp; Sons Facebook page starting at 1:50 p.m.

Burial will be in the Scott County Cemetery in Scott City, Kansas

Memorials in Lieu of Flowers can be made to the Tamela G. Turley Memorial Fund in care of Price and Sons Funeral Home.

Visitation will be from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Monday and 10:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. Tuesday at Price &amp; Sons Funeral Home in Scott City, Kansas.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1606618843964.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Tamela G. Turley, age 63, passed away on Friday, November 27, 2020, at the Scott County Hospital in Scott City, Kansas. She was born on November 5, 1957, in Garden City, Kansas, the daughter of Gale &amp; Sharon Sue Thomas Heinrich. A lifetime resident of Scott City, Kansas, she was a nanny and homemaker.She was a member of the First Baptist Church and Celebrate Recovery both of Scott City, Kansas. In 1975 she graduated from Scott Community High School in Scott City, Kansas.On October 5, 1974, she married Steve Turley in Scott City, Kansas. He survives.Survivors include her Husband - Steve Turley of Scott City, Kansas, One Son - Stevie Turley II of Scott City, Kansas, Two Brothers - Mike Heinrich of Scott City, Kansas, David Heinrich of Scott City, Kansas, Two Sisters - Julie &amp; DeWayne Ferrell of Scott City, Kansas, Lisa &amp; Jeff Buffington of Scott City, Kansas, and Mother In Law - Vada Turley of Scott City, Kansas.She was preceded in death by her parents, One Son - Tony Turley, and One Brother - Alan Heinrich.Services will be held on Wednesday, December 2, 2020, at 2:00 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in Scott City, Kansas with Rev. Kyle Evans presiding. The funeral services will be live-streamed on Price &amp; Sons Facebook page starting at 1:50 p.m.Burial will be in the Scott County Cemetery in Scott City, KansasMemorials in Lieu of Flowers can be made to the Tamela G. Turley Memorial Fund in care of Price and Sons Funeral Home.Visitation will be from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Monday and 10:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. Tuesday at Price &amp; Sons Funeral Home in Scott City, Kansas.

Tamela G. Turley

Thursday, October 9th, 1930-Thursday, November 26th, 2020

An obituary is pending with Baalmann Mortuary.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1606618463187.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Thursday, October 9th, 1930-Thursday, November 26th, 2020An obituary is pending with Baalmann Mortuary.Click HERE fer service details.&nbsp;

Mary A. Juenemann

Democrat counters COVID-19 economy forces families to measure job rewards against health risks

By TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2020/11/23/gop-legislators-kansans-choosing-jobless-benefits-cheat-system-guilty-of-complacency/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — The pandemic’s 
building strength in Kansas exacerbates the threat to public health and 
further diminishes the survivability of businesses and the availability 
of good jobs.

It also generates 
political frustration at the Capitol as hundreds of millions of dollars 
flow to the unemployed and the state trust fund built by employers to 
cover these costs rapidly dwindles. It stings more when lawmakers hear 
anecdotal reports of unemployed Kansans rejecting job offers because it 
may be possible to earn more in the short term by cashing benefit checks
 than returning to work.

Rep. Sean Tarwater, a 
Stilwell Republican, said the Kansas Department of Labor should take 
action against Kansans who refuse opportunity to get back to work. He 
encouraged an executive at a Kansas human resource company to turn such 
people into the state.

“They should stop paying 
those people when you let them know that because you’ve offered them a 
job,” Tarwater said. “Instead, we’re just paying out funds that aren’t 
ours to these people. And it’s going to be on our businesses to 
replenish this, because our governor isn’t going to stand up for him.”

Sen. Julia Lynn, a Johnson
 County Republican who chairs an interim House and Senate committee 
studying how to position the state for economic recovery from COVID-19, 
said she was disturbed by signs of sloth.

“It’s almost like there’s a — on the part of the job seekers, you know — just a lot of complacency,” she said.

The state’s unemployment 
rate spiked to 11.9% in April, but has constricted in the past six 
months to 5.3% in October. That means 80,000 Kansans were unemployed 
last month, an increase of 33,000 over October 2019 when the state 
wasn’t being ravaged by a pandemic.

Rep. Stephanie Clayton, an
 Overland Park Democrat on the Legislature’s coronavirus recovery 
committee, said decisions by Kansans thrown out of jobs and considering a
 return to work were nuanced. She said some businesses posed more 
significant health risks than others and spreading the virus from 
workplace to home wasn’t an option in some households.

“It’s people having to 
really do a lot of emotional labor and figure out what is the best job 
in order to provide for our families, which isn’t just going out and 
getting some random job where you can get sick, especially when we see a
 lot of mask mandates that aren’t being followed. Disease is spreading,”
 Clayton said.

Of the 12 committee 
members in the room with Clayton, only four were wearing a mask. It was 
Clayton, two other Democrats and a House Republican battling a serious 
medical condition. The eight other senators and representatives were 
Republicans and maskless.

“It’s important for 
mothers and fathers to stay healthy and not end up putting their kids in
 quarantine,” said Clayton, who is a participant in the part-time worker
 economy. “So, these people are not being lazy. They’re being smart and 
they’re playing the long games for their families. I really do think 
that we can all work together and find solutions, but I’ve got to be a 
voice for these folks.”

Wichita Sen. Gene 
Suellentrop, a Republican skeptic of the Democratic governor’s 
leadership in the pandemic, said Clayton’s analysis was cause for 
concern. Kansans who decline jobs to keep unemployment checks flowing 
are turning their backs on essential workers who stock grocery shelves, 
deliver fuel to gas stations and perform other important services, he 
said.

“They expect all this from
 everyone else. And they themselves won’t do their part. So, I’m not 
feeling much sympathy for those folks right now,” he said.

Much has happened since 
March to bring the state to this juncture. The pandemic threw tens of 
thousands out of work and they quickly overwhelmed the Department of 
Labor in a quest to obtain unemployment benefits. Exasperating computer 
woes at the agency delayed payment of claims as Kansas’ jobless rate 
surged to double digits. There was the temporary school and business 
shutdown designed to slow spread of COVID-19. Families have suffered 
both medically and financially. Businesses are struggling. The state 
began the unexpectedly difficult task of spending $1.2 billion in 
federal aid. The state’s labor secretary was sacked in June.

New unemployment benefit 
programs authorized by Congress and President Donald Trump haven’t been 
easy for states to manage. There’s been an upswing in partisan 
finger-pointing as a wave of fraudulent jobless claims landed at the 
Department of Labor. The state’s unemployment rate has fallen for six 
consecutive months.

At this point, more than 
1,400 Kansans with the virus have died. The state is on pace for nearly 
500 people to perish in November alone. Kelly revised her statewide mask
 order in an attempt to gain broader acceptance. Cities and counties are
 taking steps to limit mass gatherings capable of spreading the virus.

Absent a miracle 
contraction of COVID-19, the state’s unemployment fund built up by 
employers to more than $900 million in early 2020 could drop into the 
red by spring.

Kansas has an opportunity 
to borrow from the federal government to fill a shortfall, but Kansas 
employeers will eventually face higher taxes to recharge the fund. That 
obligation led Republican legislators to convince Kelly of the need to 
earmark for the trust fund any of the $1.2 billion in federal 
coronavirus relief funding left at the end-of-year spending deadline.

In an interview, Kelly 
said the outdated labor department computer system was not set up to 
handle the crush of applicants nor the sudden addition of new 
unemployment benefit programs. She said the labor department deserved 
credit for responding as it has to unprecedented challenges during a 
global pandemic.

Sen. Richard Hilderbrand, a
 Galena Republican, said he was frustrated Pandemic Unemployment 
Assistance benefits made available to people not typically covered by 
unemployment programs had yet to be paid to Kansas who legitimately 
qualified. At the same time, he said, the state was allowing an 
undetermined number of people to claim jobless funds through fraudulent 
means.

“It’s just irritating 
knowing that we have people still today, and I’m gonna harp on this 
until they get paid, PUA applicants since March and April that still 
have not received a paycheck. Fraudulent claims are being paid above 
these people,” Hilderbrand said.

Peter Brady, deputy 
secretary of the state Department of Labor, said the agency had thwarted
 more than 100,000 attempts to defraud the unemployment system in 
Kansas.

He said he would be 
willing to reveal more about the agency’s obstacles and tactics in a 
closed-door session with legislators, which is expected to occur in 
December before the joint House and Senate committee working on COVID-19
 recovery strategy.

Rep. Tom Burroughs, a 
Democrat from Kansas City, Kansas, said he had been around the Capitol 
long enough to know Republican and Democrat legislators and governors 
shared culpability for information technology problems that persist at 
the labor department and were the target of GOP critiques.

“There’s enough blame in 
this room to go around everywhere in reference to the continuity and 
past administrations,” he said. “We’re attacking everything and not 
looking at what needs to be done.”

Tim Carpenter has reported on Kansas for 35 years. He covered the Capitol for 16 years at the Topeka Capital-Journal and previously worked for the Lawrence Journal-World and United Press International.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1606238403818.png" alt="Stilwell Republican Rep. Sean Tarwater and other Republican legislators are frustrated with reports people made jobless by the COVID-19 pandemic are declining offers for work because they make more money collecting unemployment that if hired. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Stilwell Republican Rep. Sean Tarwater and other Republican legislators are frustrated with reports people made jobless by the COVID-19 pandemic are declining offers for work because they make more money collecting unemployment that if hired. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Democrat counters COVID-19 economy forces families to measure job rewards against health risks</h2>By TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2020/11/23/gop-legislators-kansans-choosing-jobless-benefits-cheat-system-guilty-of-complacency/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — The pandemic’s 
building strength in Kansas exacerbates the threat to public health and 
further diminishes the survivability of businesses and the availability 
of good jobs.It also generates 
political frustration at the Capitol as hundreds of millions of dollars 
flow to the unemployed and the state trust fund built by employers to 
cover these costs rapidly dwindles. It stings more when lawmakers hear 
anecdotal reports of unemployed Kansans rejecting job offers because it 
may be possible to earn more in the short term by cashing benefit checks
 than returning to work.Rep. Sean Tarwater, a 
Stilwell Republican, said the Kansas Department of Labor should take 
action against Kansans who refuse opportunity to get back to work. He 
encouraged an executive at a Kansas human resource company to turn such 
people into the state.“They should stop paying 
those people when you let them know that because you’ve offered them a 
job,” Tarwater said. “Instead, we’re just paying out funds that aren’t 
ours to these people. And it’s going to be on our businesses to 
replenish this, because our governor isn’t going to stand up for him.”<div><iframe width="100%" height="300" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/934224730&color=%232b7fb4&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true&visual=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/kansas-reflector-podcast" title="Reflector Podcast" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Reflector Podcast</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/kansas-reflector-podcast/sparks-fly-as-kansas-legislators-debate-pandemic-recovery" title="Sparks fly as Kansas legislators debate pandemic recovery" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Sparks fly as Kansas legislators debate pandemic recovery</a></div></div>Sen. Julia Lynn, a Johnson
 County Republican who chairs an interim House and Senate committee 
studying how to position the state for economic recovery from COVID-19, 
said she was disturbed by signs of sloth.“It’s almost like there’s a — on the part of the job seekers, you know — just a lot of complacency,” she said.The state’s unemployment 
rate spiked to 11.9% in April, but has constricted in the past six 
months to 5.3% in October. That means 80,000 Kansans were unemployed 
last month, an increase of 33,000 over October 2019 when the state 
wasn’t being ravaged by a pandemic.<h2>‘Not being lazy’</h2>Rep. Stephanie Clayton, an
 Overland Park Democrat on the Legislature’s coronavirus recovery 
committee, said decisions by Kansans thrown out of jobs and considering a
 return to work were nuanced. She said some businesses posed more 
significant health risks than others and spreading the virus from 
workplace to home wasn’t an option in some households.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1606238532913.jpeg" alt="Rep. Stephanie Clayton, a Democrat from Johnson County, says her legislative colleagues should understand nuanced reasons a person might not accept a job offered during the pandemic, including the potential of catching COVID-19 and spreading it to family members. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Rep. Stephanie Clayton, a Democrat from Johnson County, says her legislative colleagues should understand nuanced reasons a person might not accept a job offered during the pandemic, including the potential of catching COVID-19 and spreading it to family members. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>“It’s people having to 
really do a lot of emotional labor and figure out what is the best job 
in order to provide for our families, which isn’t just going out and 
getting some random job where you can get sick, especially when we see a
 lot of mask mandates that aren’t being followed. Disease is spreading,”
 Clayton said.Of the 12 committee 
members in the room with Clayton, only four were wearing a mask. It was 
Clayton, two other Democrats and a House Republican battling a serious 
medical condition. The eight other senators and representatives were 
Republicans and maskless.“It’s important for 
mothers and fathers to stay healthy and not end up putting their kids in
 quarantine,” said Clayton, who is a participant in the part-time worker
 economy. “So, these people are not being lazy. They’re being smart and 
they’re playing the long games for their families. I really do think 
that we can all work together and find solutions, but I’ve got to be a 
voice for these folks.”Wichita Sen. Gene 
Suellentrop, a Republican skeptic of the Democratic governor’s 
leadership in the pandemic, said Clayton’s analysis was cause for 
concern. Kansans who decline jobs to keep unemployment checks flowing 
are turning their backs on essential workers who stock grocery shelves, 
deliver fuel to gas stations and perform other important services, he 
said.“They expect all this from
 everyone else. And they themselves won’t do their part. So, I’m not 
feeling much sympathy for those folks right now,” he said.<h2>A quick summary</h2>Much has happened since 
March to bring the state to this juncture. The pandemic threw tens of 
thousands out of work and they quickly overwhelmed the Department of 
Labor in a quest to obtain unemployment benefits. Exasperating computer 
woes at the agency delayed payment of claims as Kansas’ jobless rate 
surged to double digits. There was the temporary school and business 
shutdown designed to slow spread of COVID-19. Families have suffered 
both medically and financially. Businesses are struggling. The state 
began the unexpectedly difficult task of spending $1.2 billion in 
federal aid. The state’s labor secretary was sacked in June.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1606238567283.jpeg" alt="Gov. Laura Kelly says the Kansas Department of Labor’s antiquated computer system for processing unemployment benefits was overwhelmed by claims as COVID-19 began to grip the state, but the agency deserves credit for its response during the the public health emergency. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Gov. Laura Kelly says the Kansas Department of Labor’s antiquated computer system for processing unemployment benefits was overwhelmed by claims as COVID-19 began to grip the state, but the agency deserves credit for its response during the the public health emergency. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>New unemployment benefit 
programs authorized by Congress and President Donald Trump haven’t been 
easy for states to manage. There’s been an upswing in partisan 
finger-pointing as a wave of fraudulent jobless claims landed at the 
Department of Labor. The state’s unemployment rate has fallen for six 
consecutive months.At this point, more than 
1,400 Kansans with the virus have died. The state is on pace for nearly 
500 people to perish in November alone. Kelly revised her statewide mask
 order in an attempt to gain broader acceptance. Cities and counties are
 taking steps to limit mass gatherings capable of spreading the virus.Absent a miracle 
contraction of COVID-19, the state’s unemployment fund built up by 
employers to more than $900 million in early 2020 could drop into the 
red by spring.Kansas has an opportunity 
to borrow from the federal government to fill a shortfall, but Kansas 
employeers will eventually face higher taxes to recharge the fund. That 
obligation led Republican legislators to convince Kelly of the need to 
earmark for the trust fund any of the $1.2 billion in federal 
coronavirus relief funding left at the end-of-year spending deadline.In an interview, Kelly 
said the outdated labor department computer system was not set up to 
handle the crush of applicants nor the sudden addition of new 
unemployment benefit programs. She said the labor department deserved 
credit for responding as it has to unprecedented challenges during a 
global pandemic.<h2>Delays, fraud</h2>Sen. Richard Hilderbrand, a
 Galena Republican, said he was frustrated Pandemic Unemployment 
Assistance benefits made available to people not typically covered by 
unemployment programs had yet to be paid to Kansas who legitimately 
qualified. At the same time, he said, the state was allowing an 
undetermined number of people to claim jobless funds through fraudulent 
means.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1606238598636.jpeg" alt="Galena Republican Rep. Richard Hilderbrand, right, says the Kansas Department of Labor has made strides since March, but continues to struggle with payment legitimate unemployment claims at the same time perpetrators of fraud have made their way into the state’s computer system. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Galena Republican Rep. Richard Hilderbrand, right, says the Kansas Department of Labor has made strides since March, but continues to struggle with payment legitimate unemployment claims at the same time perpetrators of fraud have made their way into the state’s computer system. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>“It’s just irritating 
knowing that we have people still today, and I’m gonna harp on this 
until they get paid, PUA applicants since March and April that still 
have not received a paycheck. Fraudulent claims are being paid above 
these people,” Hilderbrand said.Peter Brady, deputy 
secretary of the state Department of Labor, said the agency had thwarted
 more than 100,000 attempts to defraud the unemployment system in 
Kansas.He said he would be 
willing to reveal more about the agency’s obstacles and tactics in a 
closed-door session with legislators, which is expected to occur in 
December before the joint House and Senate committee working on COVID-19
 recovery strategy.Rep. Tom Burroughs, a 
Democrat from Kansas City, Kansas, said he had been around the Capitol 
long enough to know Republican and Democrat legislators and governors 
shared culpability for information technology problems that persist at 
the labor department and were the target of GOP critiques.“There’s enough blame in 
this room to go around everywhere in reference to the continuity and 
past administrations,” he said. “We’re attacking everything and not 
looking at what needs to be done.”Tim Carpenter has reported on Kansas for 35 years. He covered the Capitol for 16 years at the Topeka Capital-Journal and previously worked for the Lawrence Journal-World and United Press International.

GOP legislators: Kansans choosing jobless benefits guilty of ‘complacency’

Rebecca Avila, 80, passed away Wednesday, November 25, 2020 at the Wichita County health center in Leoti, Kansas. Rebecca was born on October 30, 1940 in Fronton, Texas , the daughter of Pantaleon and Genoveva Guerra. Rebecca had been a resident of Leoti since moving here from Texas in 1980. Rebecca was a member of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Leoti, Kansas.

In 1958, Rebecca married Santiago Garcia in Leoti, Kansas. Santiago passed away in 1978. In 1987, she married Gustavo Orlando Avila in Leoti, Kansas.  

She was preceded in death by parents, her first husband, Santiago Garcia, her second husband Gustavo Avila, her four brothers; Ramiro Guerra, Romeo Guerra,Ruben Guerra, Pantaleon Jr. Guerra, and Jose Luis Guerra, and three of her sisters; Aurora Guerra, Amelia Salas, and Matilda Medina.  

Survivors include six children including Santiago &amp; Karen Garcia, Jr. of Leoti, Kansas, Samuel &amp; Hortensia Garcia of Hays, Kansas, Jose Ruben Garcia of LaJunta, Colorado, Rose Marie Garcia of Garden City, Kansas, Genoveva Garcia of Garden City, Kansas, and Juliana and Tomas Santos of Leoti, Kansas, three sisters; Maria L. Mankin of Ranger, Texas, Martha Vestal of Leoti, Kansas, and Yolanda Montoya of Mission Texas, 12 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.  

Graveside services will be held at 2:00 pm on Monday, November 30, 2020, at Leoti Cemetery in Leoti, Kansas with Father Tim Hickey officiating.

Friends may call on Saturday, November 28, 2020, from 2:00 pm until 8:00 pm and from 1:00 pm until 8:00 pm on Sunday, November 29, 2020 and Monday from 10:00 am until 12:00 pm, at Price and Sons Funeral Home in Leoti, Kansas. 

Memorials may be given to the Rebecca Avila Memorial Fund in care of Price and Sons Funeral Home. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1606573677683.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Rebecca Avila, 80, passed away Wednesday, November 25, 2020 at the Wichita County health center in Leoti, Kansas. Rebecca was born on October 30, 1940 in Fronton, Texas , the daughter of Pantaleon and Genoveva Guerra. Rebecca had been a resident of Leoti since moving here from Texas in 1980. Rebecca was a member of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Leoti, Kansas.In 1958, Rebecca married Santiago Garcia in Leoti, Kansas. Santiago passed away in 1978. In 1987, she married Gustavo Orlando Avila in Leoti, Kansas. She was preceded in death by parents, her first husband, Santiago Garcia, her second husband Gustavo Avila, her four brothers; Ramiro Guerra, Romeo Guerra,Ruben Guerra, Pantaleon Jr. Guerra, and Jose Luis Guerra, and three of her sisters; Aurora Guerra, Amelia Salas, and Matilda Medina. Survivors include six children including Santiago &amp; Karen Garcia, Jr. of Leoti, Kansas, Samuel &amp; Hortensia Garcia of Hays, Kansas, Jose Ruben Garcia of LaJunta, Colorado, Rose Marie Garcia of Garden City, Kansas, Genoveva Garcia of Garden City, Kansas, and Juliana and Tomas Santos of Leoti, Kansas, three sisters; Maria L. Mankin of Ranger, Texas, Martha Vestal of Leoti, Kansas, and Yolanda Montoya of Mission Texas, 12 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Graveside services will be held at 2:00 pm on Monday, November 30, 2020, at Leoti Cemetery in Leoti, Kansas with Father Tim Hickey officiating.Friends may call on Saturday, November 28, 2020, from 2:00 pm until 8:00 pm and from 1:00 pm until 8:00 pm on Sunday, November 29, 2020 and Monday from 10:00 am until 12:00 pm, at Price and Sons Funeral Home in Leoti, Kansas. Memorials may be given to the Rebecca Avila Memorial Fund in care of Price and Sons Funeral Home.

Rebecca Avila

Wilma “Billie” Lee (Luder) McAlexander, aged 93, died peacefully on 
November 26, 2020, in LaGrange, Georgia. Billie was born moments after 
her twin sister, Beth, on July 21, 1927 in Waldo, Kansas to parents 
Clemmer D. (Knapp) and Jacob “Pop” K. Luder. She married Harold “Herk” 
McAlexander on August 18, 1945 and travelled with him to Army posts 
around the U.S. and in Japan. They moved to Hoisington in early 1950. 
Two sons came along, K.C. in March 1950 and Dan in October 1953.

For almost 60 years, she was Hoisington’s all-round organist and 
piano teacher. She played for thousands of services—church, weddings, 
funerals, and high school commencements. She taught hundreds of kids 
piano, bringing music alive with her upbeat spirit. She taught a young 
adult Sunday School class called “Pairs and Spares.” She loved movies 
and dogs and was an inveterate walker.&nbsp;

In 2006, Herk died, and in 2013 she moved into assisted living in LaGrange, Georgia.

She is survived by; her two sons, K.C. (Suzanne) of Huntingtown, 
Maryland and Dan (Celeste Myall) of LaGrange, Georgia; her sister, Donna
 Beth Whitman of Paradise, Kansas; her five grandchildren, Caitrin 
McAlexander Huntzinger (John) of Ashton, Maryland, Noel Tarlton 
McAlexander (Stacey) of Austin, Texas, Ian Tarlton McAlexander (Joanna) 
of Elkton, Virginia, Anne Myall McAlexander (Carson Cerney) of Lincoln, 
Nebraska, and Alice Myall McAlexander (Warren Flood) of Detroit, 
Michigan; her five great grandchildren, Cormac Olson McAlexander, John 
Edward Huntzinger IV, Mary Blythe Huntzinger, Malcolm Lewis 
McAlexander-Flood, and Lorelei Anne McAlexander-Flood; and many 
wonderful nieces, nephews, and their children. Billie was preceded in 
death by her parents, her husband, her infant brother Noel, and her 
younger brother, James Kirk Luder.

Owing to the pandemic, a private burial for immediate family will be 
held graveside at Hoisington Cemetery. A memorial service will be 
planned at a later date to celebrate her life.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First United 
Methodist Church or to Kans for Kids Fighting Cancer Foundation, in care
 of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington, KS 67544.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1606517598868.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Wilma “Billie” Lee (Luder) McAlexander, aged 93, died peacefully on 
November 26, 2020, in LaGrange, Georgia. Billie was born moments after 
her twin sister, Beth, on July 21, 1927 in Waldo, Kansas to parents 
Clemmer D. (Knapp) and Jacob “Pop” K. Luder. She married Harold “Herk” 
McAlexander on August 18, 1945 and travelled with him to Army posts 
around the U.S. and in Japan. They moved to Hoisington in early 1950. 
Two sons came along, K.C. in March 1950 and Dan in October 1953.For almost 60 years, she was Hoisington’s all-round organist and 
piano teacher. She played for thousands of services—church, weddings, 
funerals, and high school commencements. She taught hundreds of kids 
piano, bringing music alive with her upbeat spirit. She taught a young 
adult Sunday School class called “Pairs and Spares.” She loved movies 
and dogs and was an inveterate walker.&nbsp;In 2006, Herk died, and in 2013 she moved into assisted living in LaGrange, Georgia.She is survived by; her two sons, K.C. (Suzanne) of Huntingtown, 
Maryland and Dan (Celeste Myall) of LaGrange, Georgia; her sister, Donna
 Beth Whitman of Paradise, Kansas; her five grandchildren, Caitrin 
McAlexander Huntzinger (John) of Ashton, Maryland, Noel Tarlton 
McAlexander (Stacey) of Austin, Texas, Ian Tarlton McAlexander (Joanna) 
of Elkton, Virginia, Anne Myall McAlexander (Carson Cerney) of Lincoln, 
Nebraska, and Alice Myall McAlexander (Warren Flood) of Detroit, 
Michigan; her five great grandchildren, Cormac Olson McAlexander, John 
Edward Huntzinger IV, Mary Blythe Huntzinger, Malcolm Lewis 
McAlexander-Flood, and Lorelei Anne McAlexander-Flood; and many 
wonderful nieces, nephews, and their children. Billie was preceded in 
death by her parents, her husband, her infant brother Noel, and her 
younger brother, James Kirk Luder.Owing to the pandemic, a private burial for immediate family will be 
held graveside at Hoisington Cemetery. A memorial service will be 
planned at a later date to celebrate her life.In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First United 
Methodist Church or to Kans for Kids Fighting Cancer Foundation, in care
 of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington, KS 67544.

Wilma 'Billie' Lee (Luder) McAlexander

Lydia M (Leiker) Kuhn, age 90, died Wednesday, November 25, 2020, at Via Christi St. Francis Hospital/Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice Wichita, Kansas.&nbsp;

She was born February 14, 1930, at Vincent, Kansas to&nbsp; Ludwig “Louis” and Lidwina (Mermis) Leiker.&nbsp; She married George Kuhn on June 14, 1956, at Vincent, Kansas and he preceded her in death on March 1, 1990.&nbsp; She married Richard Wallace on September 6, 2003, at Wichita, Kansas and he preceded her in death on August 31, 2012.

She was a hair dresser for 65 years having a beauty shop in her home for 53 years, at one point with 75 standing weekly appointments.&nbsp; After her career as a hair dresser she started working at Dillon’s grocery part time in Wichita.&nbsp; She worked as a cashier and in the floral department.&nbsp; She retired in October of 2020 from Dillon’s.

She was a member of The Church of the Magdalen until later when they joined St. Anthony parish both of Wichita.&nbsp; A member of the Arthritis Water Exercise Club and served as the President then Treasurer and worked many nights raising money at the Bingo Casino.&nbsp; It was while working bingo that she met Richard Wallace 7 years after George passed away.&nbsp; Anyone that knew Lydia would know her extreme love for her dogs and her flowers.&nbsp; Friends and family and even people just walking by would comment about her beautiful flower gardens around her home.&nbsp; She loved the KC Royals and Wichita State Shockers.&nbsp; She loved attending WSU basketball games and watching her grandkids play sports.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

Survivors include her daughter, Cheryl New and husband, Jerry; her son, Bryan Kuhn and wife, Shelley; six grandchildren: Dustin Kuhn, Katie New, Marshall New, Dylan Kuhn, Kelsey Kuhn and Adrian New; two brothers, Verlin Leiker and Katie; Joe Leiker and wife, Erlene; one sister-in-law, Sheila Leiker-Page; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her first husband; her second husband; three &nbsp; brothers, Elbert Leiker; Robert Leiker;&nbsp; Adrian Leiker; and one sister, Lialda Mader-Walker.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 A.M. Monday, November 30, 2020, at The Basilica of St. Fidelis, Victoria, Kansas and burial in St. Fidelis Cemetery, Victoria, Kansas.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

A visitation will be from 9:00 to 11:00 A.M. Monday with a family rosary at 10:30 A.M. Monday all at The Basilica of St. Fidelis, Victoria, Kansas.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests Memorials to St. Boniface Catholic Church in Vincent, Kansas in care of the mortuary.&nbsp;

Due to the coronavirus if you have a cough, fever or are not feeling well, please use our e-mail or on line guestbook.&nbsp; Social distancing and wearing masks will be required at the visitation and funeral services.&nbsp;

Services are entrusted to Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary, 412 Main Street Victoria, Kansas 67671.&nbsp; Condolences can be sent via e-mail to <a href="mailto:clinesmortuary@eaglecom.net">clinesmortuary@eaglecom.net</a> or can be left at guest book at <a href="http://www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com">www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com</a> &nbsp; &nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1606357189308.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Lydia M (Leiker) Kuhn, age 90, died Wednesday, November 25, 2020, at Via Christi St. Francis Hospital/Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice Wichita, Kansas.&nbsp;She was born February 14, 1930, at Vincent, Kansas to&nbsp; Ludwig “Louis” and Lidwina (Mermis) Leiker.&nbsp; She married George Kuhn on June 14, 1956, at Vincent, Kansas and he preceded her in death on March 1, 1990.&nbsp; She married Richard Wallace on September 6, 2003, at Wichita, Kansas and he preceded her in death on August 31, 2012.She was a hair dresser for 65 years having a beauty shop in her home for 53 years, at one point with 75 standing weekly appointments.&nbsp; After her career as a hair dresser she started working at Dillon’s grocery part time in Wichita.&nbsp; She worked as a cashier and in the floral department.&nbsp; She retired in October of 2020 from Dillon’s.She was a member of The Church of the Magdalen until later when they joined St. Anthony parish both of Wichita.&nbsp; A member of the Arthritis Water Exercise Club and served as the President then Treasurer and worked many nights raising money at the Bingo Casino.&nbsp; It was while working bingo that she met Richard Wallace 7 years after George passed away.&nbsp; Anyone that knew Lydia would know her extreme love for her dogs and her flowers.&nbsp; Friends and family and even people just walking by would comment about her beautiful flower gardens around her home.&nbsp; She loved the KC Royals and Wichita State Shockers.&nbsp; She loved attending WSU basketball games and watching her grandkids play sports.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Survivors include her daughter, Cheryl New and husband, Jerry; her son, Bryan Kuhn and wife, Shelley; six grandchildren: Dustin Kuhn, Katie New, Marshall New, Dylan Kuhn, Kelsey Kuhn and Adrian New; two brothers, Verlin Leiker and Katie; Joe Leiker and wife, Erlene; one sister-in-law, Sheila Leiker-Page; and many nieces and nephews.She was preceded in death by her parents; her first husband; her second husband; three &nbsp; brothers, Elbert Leiker; Robert Leiker;&nbsp; Adrian Leiker; and one sister, Lialda Mader-Walker.A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 A.M. Monday, November 30, 2020, at The Basilica of St. Fidelis, Victoria, Kansas and burial in St. Fidelis Cemetery, Victoria, Kansas.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;A visitation will be from 9:00 to 11:00 A.M. Monday with a family rosary at 10:30 A.M. Monday all at The Basilica of St. Fidelis, Victoria, Kansas.In lieu of flowers the family suggests Memorials to St. Boniface Catholic Church in Vincent, Kansas in care of the mortuary.&nbsp;Due to the coronavirus if you have a cough, fever or are not feeling well, please use our e-mail or on line guestbook.&nbsp; Social distancing and wearing masks will be required at the visitation and funeral services.&nbsp;Services are entrusted to Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary, 412 Main Street Victoria, Kansas 67671.&nbsp; Condolences can be sent via e-mail to <a href="mailto:clinesmortuary@eaglecom.net">clinesmortuary@eaglecom.net</a> or can be left at guest book at <a href="http://www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com">www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com</a> &nbsp; &nbsp;

Lydia M. (Leiker) Kuhn

Ronald Jay Shearer

Milton A. Meyer age 96 passed away Tuesday November 24, 
2020, at the Smith County Memorial Hospital in Smith Center, KS. He was 
born the son of Paul &amp; Lena (Giese) Meyer on October 5, 1924, in 
Smith County, KS.
 He was a farmer and a US Army World War II veteran. 
 He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Irene; and infant son- Roger; a brother – Donald; and a grandson – A.J. Black.
 He is survived by his daughter Debra (Jim) Black of Lawrence; 3 sons
 Randall (Sharol) of Smith Center, Craig (Debbie) of Pratt, Timothy 
(Susan) of Smith Center; 7 grandchildren; 10 Great Grandchildren.

Click <a href="https://www.simmons-rentschler.com/obituaries/Milton-A-Meyer?obId=19080936#/celebrationWall">HERE</a> for service details.

Milton A. Meyer

Patricia A. McConnell, 83, Salina, passed away November 24, 2020, at 
Salina Regional Health Center. She was born September 8, 1937, in 
Hoisington, KS, to Leonard and Clara (Birzer) Bahr.

She married Warren Ervin McConnell on October 6, 1959.&nbsp;&nbsp; Patricia 
worked as a Registered Nurse at Clara Barton Hospital up until her 
retirement. She was a member of St. John’s Catholic Church and Altar 
Society, Hoisington.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Leonard and Clara Bahr; and brother, Donald Bahr.

Survivors include; her husband, Warren “Ervin”; children, Edwinda 
(Wayne) Day of Isabel, Weldon (Karla) McConnell of Salina, Jan (Jody) 
Pfannenstiel of Salina, and Renee (Scott) Suppes of Great Bend; seven 
grandchildren, Miranda Flores, Kristen Flores, Erica Harford, Sarah 
McConnell, Nathan McConnell, Lauren Suppes and MaKayla Suppes; sisters, 
Luella Call of Rolla, MO, Rita Bahr of Jones, OK, Jenelda (Leo) Moore of
 Valdez, AK, and Francis Dietz of Milberger, KS; great-grandchildren, 
Dakotah and Colton Harlin of Ellensburg, WA, John, Matthew, Kallie, and 
Lucas Harford of Salina and Brook Harford of Wichita.

Services will be held at a later date. Memorials are suggested to 
Clara Barton Hospital Foundation, St. John’s Catholic Church, or St. 
Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Ellinwood, in care of Nicholson Ricke 
Funeral Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington, KS 67544.

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alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Patricia A. McConnell, 83, Salina, passed away November 24, 2020, at 
Salina Regional Health Center. She was born September 8, 1937, in 
Hoisington, KS, to Leonard and Clara (Birzer) Bahr.She married Warren Ervin McConnell on October 6, 1959.&nbsp;&nbsp; Patricia 
worked as a Registered Nurse at Clara Barton Hospital up until her 
retirement. She was a member of St. John’s Catholic Church and Altar 
Society, Hoisington.She is preceded in death by her parents, Leonard and Clara Bahr; and brother, Donald Bahr.Survivors include; her husband, Warren “Ervin”; children, Edwinda 
(Wayne) Day of Isabel, Weldon (Karla) McConnell of Salina, Jan (Jody) 
Pfannenstiel of Salina, and Renee (Scott) Suppes of Great Bend; seven 
grandchildren, Miranda Flores, Kristen Flores, Erica Harford, Sarah 
McConnell, Nathan McConnell, Lauren Suppes and MaKayla Suppes; sisters, 
Luella Call of Rolla, MO, Rita Bahr of Jones, OK, Jenelda (Leo) Moore of
 Valdez, AK, and Francis Dietz of Milberger, KS; great-grandchildren, 
Dakotah and Colton Harlin of Ellensburg, WA, John, Matthew, Kallie, and 
Lucas Harford of Salina and Brook Harford of Wichita.Services will be held at a later date. Memorials are suggested to 
Clara Barton Hospital Foundation, St. John’s Catholic Church, or St. 
Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Ellinwood, in care of Nicholson Ricke 
Funeral Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington, KS 67544.

Patricia A. McConnell

Don Nipple/Napell, age 68, of Hays, 
Kansas passed away Thursday, November 19, 2020 at his home in 
Hays&nbsp;surrounded by loved ones from pancreatic cancer. He was born 
October 15, 1952 in Moscow, Kansas to Lester and Alice Rose (Downing) 
Nipple. On October 26, 1974 he married Janice D. (Newell) in Damar, 
Kansas.

Don, the middle child of 5 boys, was 
raised on a farm near Moscow, Kansas. He graduated from Moscow High 
School and attended Fort Hays State University where he graduated with 
his bachelor’s degree in business in 1974. Through the years he would go
 on to be president of Associates in Hays, Kansas, co-owner of John 
Deere in Lacrosse, Kansas, assistant manager of John Deere in Hays, 
Kansas, Prudential Savings and Loan In Hays, Kansas, before accepting 
the position of president of Farmers Credit Union in 1990. There he 
would spend the next thirty plus years until his retirement on July 3, 
2020. During his career he served as president of the Wheatland Chapter 
of Credit Unions, as a board member on the Kansas Credit Union 
Association, and many other committees and boards. During Don’s brief 
illness, he had the pleasure of many friends and family, from near and 
far, visiting him. Don’s impact on those and others will be felt for 
years to come.&nbsp;&nbsp;He enjoyed fly fishing in Colorado, pheasant and quail 
hunting with his son and brother, Sunday morning coffee on his back deck
 and morning coffee meetings/visits with members at the office. Most of 
all, Don was a devoted family man who enjoyed his family time and 
especially the grandkids, never missing an event.&nbsp;

Don is survived by his wife of 46 
years, Janice of Hays; his son, Adam Napell and wife Nicole of Hays; 
three brothers, Fred Nipple and wife Diantha of Alamosa, Colorado, Stan 
Nipple and wife Bonnie of Liberal, Kansas and Cary Alexander and wife 
Muriel of Hays, his four grandchildren, Callum, Camden, Liam and 
Jamison.&nbsp;

Don was preceded in death by his father and mother Lester and Alice Rose Nipple&nbsp;&nbsp;, and a brother, Kermit Nipple.

Memorial services will be&nbsp;1:00 PM 
Saturday, November 28, 2020&nbsp;at Brock's-Keithley Funeral Chapel and 
Crematory&nbsp;2509 Vine Hays, KS 67601.

Memorial visitation will be&nbsp;Friday 5 PM - 8 PM&nbsp;at the funeral chapel.

All attending will be expected to wear
 masks and observe all Covid appropriate precautions. For those who are 
not comfortable with the regulations or being in a confined setting 
please use the guest book to express your condolences to the family.

For those unable to attend the 
services, please join the live stream beginning at 1:00 PM (CST) via:&nbsp; 
https://www.facebook.com/funeralserviceproviders

In lieu of flowers, contributions in 
memory of Don are suggested to the Ellis County Fire Department Company 5
 or the CCLJ Education Fund (for his grandchildren). Please make checks 
payable in the name of the donation you choose.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1606259414681.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Don Nipple/Napell, age 68, of Hays, 
Kansas passed away Thursday, November 19, 2020 at his home in 
Hays&nbsp;surrounded by loved ones from pancreatic cancer. He was born 
October 15, 1952 in Moscow, Kansas to Lester and Alice Rose (Downing) 
Nipple. On October 26, 1974 he married Janice D. (Newell) in Damar, 
Kansas.Don, the middle child of 5 boys, was 
raised on a farm near Moscow, Kansas. He graduated from Moscow High 
School and attended Fort Hays State University where he graduated with 
his bachelor’s degree in business in 1974. Through the years he would go
 on to be president of Associates in Hays, Kansas, co-owner of John 
Deere in Lacrosse, Kansas, assistant manager of John Deere in Hays, 
Kansas, Prudential Savings and Loan In Hays, Kansas, before accepting 
the position of president of Farmers Credit Union in 1990. There he 
would spend the next thirty plus years until his retirement on July 3, 
2020. During his career he served as president of the Wheatland Chapter 
of Credit Unions, as a board member on the Kansas Credit Union 
Association, and many other committees and boards. During Don’s brief 
illness, he had the pleasure of many friends and family, from near and 
far, visiting him. Don’s impact on those and others will be felt for 
years to come.&nbsp;&nbsp;He enjoyed fly fishing in Colorado, pheasant and quail 
hunting with his son and brother, Sunday morning coffee on his back deck
 and morning coffee meetings/visits with members at the office. Most of 
all, Don was a devoted family man who enjoyed his family time and 
especially the grandkids, never missing an event.&nbsp;Don is survived by his wife of 46 
years, Janice of Hays; his son, Adam Napell and wife Nicole of Hays; 
three brothers, Fred Nipple and wife Diantha of Alamosa, Colorado, Stan 
Nipple and wife Bonnie of Liberal, Kansas and Cary Alexander and wife 
Muriel of Hays, his four grandchildren, Callum, Camden, Liam and 
Jamison.&nbsp;Don was preceded in death by his father and mother Lester and Alice Rose Nipple&nbsp;&nbsp;, and a brother, Kermit Nipple.Memorial services will be&nbsp;1:00 PM 
Saturday, November 28, 2020&nbsp;at Brock's-Keithley Funeral Chapel and 
Crematory&nbsp;2509 Vine Hays, KS 67601.Memorial visitation will be&nbsp;Friday 5 PM - 8 PM&nbsp;at the funeral chapel.All attending will be expected to wear
 masks and observe all Covid appropriate precautions. For those who are 
not comfortable with the regulations or being in a confined setting 
please use the guest book to express your condolences to the family.For those unable to attend the 
services, please join the live stream beginning at 1:00 PM (CST) via:&nbsp; 
https://www.facebook.com/funeralserviceprovidersIn lieu of flowers, contributions in 
memory of Don are suggested to the Ellis County Fire Department Company 5
 or the CCLJ Education Fund (for his grandchildren). Please make checks 
payable in the name of the donation you choose.Condolences may be left by guest book at&nbsp;www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com&nbsp;or by email at&nbsp;keithleyfuneralhomes@gmail.com

Don Napell

Garth Guy Frydendall, 86, passed away November 23, 2020, at Country 
Place Memory Care, Hoisington.&nbsp; He was born November 23, 1934, at 
Bellaire, Smith County, Kansas, to Harold Guy and Ida Lenore (Baldwin) 
Frydendall.&nbsp; Garth married JoAnn Jewell October 10, 1955, in Osborne.

Garth, a Great Bend resident since 1964 coming from Smith Center, 
hauled grain and feed for Great Bend Feeding for 40 years, retiring in 
2004. &nbsp;Following retirement, he drove semi for various area farmers 
during harvest. In Garth's spare time, when he was not driving his 
truck, Garth did repairs on his truck.&nbsp; He got to enjoy flying on 
occasion.&nbsp; Garth also enjoyed mowing and keeping his yard looking sharp.

Survivors include his wife, JoAnn of the home; two daughters, Debbie 
Evers and husband Daryl of Olathe and Brenda Axman and husband Paul of 
Hoisington; four grandchildren, Derek Evers and wife Heather, Deren 
Evers, Dawna Konkel and husband Devin, Douglas Axman and wife Jenn; and 
two great grandchildren, Harrison Evers and Adalynn Axman.&nbsp; He was 
preceded in passing by his parents and two brothers.

Graveside services will be 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 25, 2020, at
 Great Bend Cemetery North, Great Bend, with Pastor Troy Miller 
presiding.&nbsp; Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Tuesday, 
November 24, 2020, at Bryant Funeral Home.&nbsp; Memorials may be given to 
the Garth Frydendall Memorial Fund or Kindred Hospice, in care of Bryant
 Funeral Home.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1606227342503.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Garth Guy Frydendall, 86, passed away November 23, 2020, at Country 
Place Memory Care, Hoisington.&nbsp; He was born November 23, 1934, at 
Bellaire, Smith County, Kansas, to Harold Guy and Ida Lenore (Baldwin) 
Frydendall.&nbsp; Garth married JoAnn Jewell October 10, 1955, in Osborne.Garth, a Great Bend resident since 1964 coming from Smith Center, 
hauled grain and feed for Great Bend Feeding for 40 years, retiring in 
2004. &nbsp;Following retirement, he drove semi for various area farmers 
during harvest. In Garth's spare time, when he was not driving his 
truck, Garth did repairs on his truck.&nbsp; He got to enjoy flying on 
occasion.&nbsp; Garth also enjoyed mowing and keeping his yard looking sharp.Survivors include his wife, JoAnn of the home; two daughters, Debbie 
Evers and husband Daryl of Olathe and Brenda Axman and husband Paul of 
Hoisington; four grandchildren, Derek Evers and wife Heather, Deren 
Evers, Dawna Konkel and husband Devin, Douglas Axman and wife Jenn; and 
two great grandchildren, Harrison Evers and Adalynn Axman.&nbsp; He was 
preceded in passing by his parents and two brothers.Graveside services will be 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 25, 2020, at
 Great Bend Cemetery North, Great Bend, with Pastor Troy Miller 
presiding.&nbsp; Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Tuesday, 
November 24, 2020, at Bryant Funeral Home.&nbsp; Memorials may be given to 
the Garth Frydendall Memorial Fund or Kindred Hospice, in care of Bryant
 Funeral Home.

Garth Guy Frydendall

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Surging pandemic numbers are straining hospitals across Kansas just days before Thanksgiving gatherings that public health officials fear could worsen the outbreak.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment reported on Monday 95 new hospitalizations, bringing the total of hospitalizations to 4,777 since the start of the pandemic. The state’s COVID-19 dashboard showed 240 coronavirus patients were in ICU units, with 36% of ICU capacity remaining in Kansas.

State health officials added 7,526 cases to the state’s pandemic tally since Friday, bringing the total to 142,059. The data showed that Kansas averaged 2,760 new confirmed and probable coronavirus a day for the seven days ending Monday. That is just slightly below the record average of 2,766 cases.

The number of COVID-19 related deaths also rose by 46 to 1,456.

Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly requested on Monday an extension of federal authority allowing the use of Kansas National Guard to combat the spread of COVID-19 in the state. The letter requests extension of 100% of funding for up to 500 National Guard members through the end of March.

“With the President’s approval, this extension will enable Kansas to maintain community-based testing, continue distributing medical and testing supplies, and ensure Kansas businesses can stay open,” Kelly said in a news release.

Chuck Welch, vice president of the Hutchinson Regional Healthcare System, said his hospital has averaged about 30 COVID-19 patients since October, compared to about four in the months before -- an increase of more than 600%. Nurses have had to take about 10 shifts in a row, with less time off, Welch said.

“And not just the nurses, the physicians, we have four pulmonologists that are working around the clock, our respiratory therapists, our lab people, our imaging people. Everybody is just stretched,” Welch said, “our housekeeping, they have to go in and clean those rooms thoroughly before we can put anybody else in them.”

The University of Kansas Hospital broke records on Monday for the total number of hospitalized coronavirus patients, those in the ICU and the number of virus patients on ventilators, the Kansas City Star&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/site-services/newsletters/coronavirus-latest-nl/article247369879.html" target="_blank">reported</a>.

The hospital had 139 COVID-19 patients, said Dana Hawkinson, medical director of infection prevention and control at The University of Kansas Health System.

Of the 100 patients deemed active coronavirus cases, 46 are in the intensive care unit, and 26 of those in the ICU are on a ventilator, he said. In addition to those active cases, 39 other patients are in recovery at the hospital.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1603360957118.png" alt="Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly requested on Monday an extension of federal authority allowing the use of Kansas National Guard to combat the spread of COVID-19 in the state." />
 <figcaption>Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly requested on Monday an extension of federal authority allowing the use of Kansas National Guard to combat the spread of COVID-19 in the state.</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Surging pandemic numbers are straining hospitals across Kansas just days before Thanksgiving gatherings that public health officials fear could worsen the outbreak.The Kansas Department of Health and Environment reported on Monday 95 new hospitalizations, bringing the total of hospitalizations to 4,777 since the start of the pandemic. The state’s COVID-19 dashboard showed 240 coronavirus patients were in ICU units, with 36% of ICU capacity remaining in Kansas.State health officials added 7,526 cases to the state’s pandemic tally since Friday, bringing the total to 142,059. The data showed that Kansas averaged 2,760 new confirmed and probable coronavirus a day for the seven days ending Monday. That is just slightly below the record average of 2,766 cases.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1606154907887.png" alt="Monday Nov. 23, 2020 KDHE image" />
 <figcaption>Monday Nov. 23, 2020 KDHE image</figcaption>
 </figure>The number of COVID-19 related deaths also rose by 46 to 1,456.Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly requested on Monday an extension of federal authority allowing the use of Kansas National Guard to combat the spread of COVID-19 in the state. The letter requests extension of 100% of funding for up to 500 National Guard members through the end of March.“With the President’s approval, this extension will enable Kansas to maintain community-based testing, continue distributing medical and testing supplies, and ensure Kansas businesses can stay open,” Kelly said in a news release.Chuck Welch, vice president of the Hutchinson Regional Healthcare System, said his hospital has averaged about 30 COVID-19 patients since October, compared to about four in the months before -- an increase of more than 600%. Nurses have had to take about 10 shifts in a row, with less time off, Welch said.“And not just the nurses, the physicians, we have four pulmonologists that are working around the clock, our respiratory therapists, our lab people, our imaging people. Everybody is just stretched,” Welch said, “our housekeeping, they have to go in and clean those rooms thoroughly before we can put anybody else in them.”The University of Kansas Hospital broke records on Monday for the total number of hospitalized coronavirus patients, those in the ICU and the number of virus patients on ventilators, the Kansas City Star&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/site-services/newsletters/coronavirus-latest-nl/article247369879.html" target="_blank">reported</a>.The hospital had 139 COVID-19 patients, said Dana Hawkinson, medical director of infection prevention and control at The University of Kansas Health System.Of the 100 patients deemed active coronavirus cases, 46 are in the intensive care unit, and 26 of those in the ICU are on a ventilator, he said. In addition to those active cases, 39 other patients are in recovery at the hospital.

Pandemic straining Kansas hospitals days before Thanksgiving

Ricky Lee Hardiek was born October 8, 1957, in Norton, KS to Virgil Joseph and Kathryn Irene (Reedy) Hardiek. He passed away November 20, 2020, at his home in Norton at the age of 63. 

Rick grew up in Lenora and was a 1975 Lenora High School graduate. He went on to attend Fort Hays State and Wichita State Universities. Rick married Lisa Chaney on October 9, 1993 in Las Vegas, NV. He has worked for the Norton Correction Facility for the last 29 years. Rick enjoyed golfing and watching Jayhawks Basketball and Dodgers Baseball. He loved his family and his dog Annie. 

Rick was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Kay Berls and Rhonda Frack; infant siblings, David and Judith; brothers-in-law, Danny McMillin and Jerry Berls. He is survived by his wife of 27 years, Lisa of Norton; step-daughter, Colleen Rivera; brother, Roger (Bev) Hardiek of Norton; sisters, Pat (John) VanDiest of Lenora, Connie (Roger) Dreher of Hays and Cathy (Danny) McMillin of Hays and step-grandchildren, Joshua and Jacob Rivera and Kelby Santiago.

Inurnment will be at a later date at Calvary Cemetery, Densmore, KS. Memorial contributions may be made to the Rick Hardiek Memorial Fund in care of Enfield Funeral Home, 215 W. Main St., Norton, KS 67654. Condolences may be left at www.enfieldfh.com

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1606163731698.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Ricky Lee Hardiek was born October 8, 1957, in Norton, KS to Virgil Joseph and Kathryn Irene (Reedy) Hardiek. He passed away November 20, 2020, at his home in Norton at the age of 63. Rick grew up in Lenora and was a 1975 Lenora High School graduate. He went on to attend Fort Hays State and Wichita State Universities. Rick married Lisa Chaney on October 9, 1993 in Las Vegas, NV. He has worked for the Norton Correction Facility for the last 29 years. Rick enjoyed golfing and watching Jayhawks Basketball and Dodgers Baseball. He loved his family and his dog Annie. Rick was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Kay Berls and Rhonda Frack; infant siblings, David and Judith; brothers-in-law, Danny McMillin and Jerry Berls. He is survived by his wife of 27 years, Lisa of Norton; step-daughter, Colleen Rivera; brother, Roger (Bev) Hardiek of Norton; sisters, Pat (John) VanDiest of Lenora, Connie (Roger) Dreher of Hays and Cathy (Danny) McMillin of Hays and step-grandchildren, Joshua and Jacob Rivera and Kelby Santiago.Inurnment will be at a later date at Calvary Cemetery, Densmore, KS. Memorial contributions may be made to the Rick Hardiek Memorial Fund in care of Enfield Funeral Home, 215 W. Main St., Norton, KS 67654. Condolences may be left at www.enfieldfh.com

Ricky Lee Hardiek

Cyril Fisher, 88, Hays, died Sunday, November 22, 2020 at Ellis Good Samaritan Society.

He was born May 17, 1932 in Hyacinth, 
the son of Zacheus and Monica (Rupp) Fisher.&nbsp; On May 3, 1955 he was 
united in marriage to Alice Geist at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Hays,
 and they celebrated 65 years of marriage before she preceded him in 
death on October 2, 2020.&nbsp; Cyril entered the United States Army in 1952 
during the Korean War, serving most of his time in Korea with the 3rd 
Infantry Division achieving the rank of Sergeant.&nbsp; Upon returning from 
the Army, he worked for Ford Plumbing and Heating and his brother Ralph 
Fisher at Fisher Floor Covering before moving to Phillipsburg, Kansas in
 December 1958.&nbsp;&nbsp; In Phillipsburg, Cyril and Alice owned and operated 
C&amp;A Floor Covering Store working side-by-side until their retirement
 in November 1995.&nbsp; They moved back to Hays in February 2003 to a 
retirement home.&nbsp; He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, St. 
Anthony Third Degree Knights of Columbus of Schoenchen, Fourth Degree 
Knights of Columbus Bishop Cunningham Assembly, and Hays VFW Post 
#9076.&nbsp; He was a charter Grand Knight when the Phillipsburg Knights of 
Columbus Council started.&nbsp; Cyril enjoyed golf and achieved two holes in 
one, one at Phillipsburg and one at Fort Hays Golf Course.

Survivors include a brother: Victor 
Fisher and wife Lillian of Hays, a sister: Dolores Pfannenstiel and 
husband Virgil of Hays, three sisters-in-law: Josie Fisher and Diane 
Fisher, both of Hays, and Tina Rohleder and husband Val of Abilene, and 
many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his 
parents, his wife Alice, four brothers: Edwin, Ralph, Alvin, and Francis
 Fisher, three sisters: Agnes Waldschmidt and her husband Rudy, Rita Mae
 Giebler and her husband John, and Georgine Jacobs and husband Louis, 
and a sister-in-law: Anna Mary (Pfeifer) Fisher.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 
10:00 am on Saturday, November 28, 2020 at St. Joseph Catholic Church 
with Fr. Matthew Cowan and Fr. Alvin Werth officiating.&nbsp; Burial with 
military honors by the Hays VFW Post #9076 Honor Guard will follow in 
St. Joseph Cemetery.&nbsp; Visitation will be from 6:00 pm until 8:00 on 
Friday and from 9:00 am until 9:45 on Saturday at Hays Memorial Chapel 
Funeral Home.&nbsp; The Bishop Cunningham Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus 
will stand honor guard from 5:30 pm until 6:30, a vigil service will be 
at 6:30 pm, followed by a combined Third and Fourth Degree Knights of 
Columbus rosary, all on Friday at the funeral home.&nbsp; 

Memorials are 
suggested for masses, to St. Joseph Catholic Church, or to TMP-Marian 
High School.&nbsp; Condolences and memories of Cyril may be shared with the 
family at www.haysmemorial.com

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1606163618194.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Cyril Fisher, 88, Hays, died Sunday, November 22, 2020 at Ellis Good Samaritan Society.He was born May 17, 1932 in Hyacinth, 
the son of Zacheus and Monica (Rupp) Fisher.&nbsp; On May 3, 1955 he was 
united in marriage to Alice Geist at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Hays,
 and they celebrated 65 years of marriage before she preceded him in 
death on October 2, 2020.&nbsp; Cyril entered the United States Army in 1952 
during the Korean War, serving most of his time in Korea with the 3rd 
Infantry Division achieving the rank of Sergeant.&nbsp; Upon returning from 
the Army, he worked for Ford Plumbing and Heating and his brother Ralph 
Fisher at Fisher Floor Covering before moving to Phillipsburg, Kansas in
 December 1958.&nbsp;&nbsp; In Phillipsburg, Cyril and Alice owned and operated 
C&amp;A Floor Covering Store working side-by-side until their retirement
 in November 1995.&nbsp; They moved back to Hays in February 2003 to a 
retirement home.&nbsp; He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, St. 
Anthony Third Degree Knights of Columbus of Schoenchen, Fourth Degree 
Knights of Columbus Bishop Cunningham Assembly, and Hays VFW Post 
#9076.&nbsp; He was a charter Grand Knight when the Phillipsburg Knights of 
Columbus Council started.&nbsp; Cyril enjoyed golf and achieved two holes in 
one, one at Phillipsburg and one at Fort Hays Golf Course.Survivors include a brother: Victor 
Fisher and wife Lillian of Hays, a sister: Dolores Pfannenstiel and 
husband Virgil of Hays, three sisters-in-law: Josie Fisher and Diane 
Fisher, both of Hays, and Tina Rohleder and husband Val of Abilene, and 
many nieces and nephews.He was preceded in death by his 
parents, his wife Alice, four brothers: Edwin, Ralph, Alvin, and Francis
 Fisher, three sisters: Agnes Waldschmidt and her husband Rudy, Rita Mae
 Giebler and her husband John, and Georgine Jacobs and husband Louis, 
and a sister-in-law: Anna Mary (Pfeifer) Fisher.Mass of Christian Burial will be at 
10:00 am on Saturday, November 28, 2020 at St. Joseph Catholic Church 
with Fr. Matthew Cowan and Fr. Alvin Werth officiating.&nbsp; Burial with 
military honors by the Hays VFW Post #9076 Honor Guard will follow in 
St. Joseph Cemetery.&nbsp; Visitation will be from 6:00 pm until 8:00 on 
Friday and from 9:00 am until 9:45 on Saturday at Hays Memorial Chapel 
Funeral Home.&nbsp; The Bishop Cunningham Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus 
will stand honor guard from 5:30 pm until 6:30, a vigil service will be 
at 6:30 pm, followed by a combined Third and Fourth Degree Knights of 
Columbus rosary, all on Friday at the funeral home.&nbsp; Memorials are 
suggested for masses, to St. Joseph Catholic Church, or to TMP-Marian 
High School.&nbsp; Condolences and memories of Cyril may be shared with the 
family at www.haysmemorial.com

Cyril Fisher

Loran Charles Zimmerman, 64, formerly of Schoenchen now residing in LaCrosse, died Saturday, November 21, 2020, at HaysMed.

He was born September 7, 1956, in Wichita, the son of Lester C. and Lillian (Herrman) Zimmerman.&nbsp; He was a graduate of Thomas More Prep High School in the class of 1974 and Goodland Vocational Technical School.&nbsp; On October 8, 1977, he was united in marriage to Jolene M. Hertel at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Schoenchen, and they celebrated 43 years of marriage.&nbsp; For nearly 20 years, he was service manager for James Lincoln Mercury GMC and McLaren Lincoln Mercury GMC.&nbsp; In the late 90’s he built up the family farm as a rancher and farmer and later was the vice president of production for IACX.&nbsp; His memberships included St. Anthony Catholic Church and the Schoenchen Third Degree Knights of Columbus, where he was past Grand Knight.&nbsp; He was a Schoenchen City Councilman, chairman of Rural Water District One, Ellis County Fair Board President, RPM Speedway board member, and on the St. Anthony Church and Cemetery committees.&nbsp; He loved classic cars, watching American Pickers, K-State sports, and the Kansas City Chiefs.&nbsp; He looked forward to Thursday night gatherings, going to Mecum Auctions with friends, and spending time with his children and grandchildren.

Survivors include his wife Jolene of LaCrosse, two sons: Lance Zimmerman and wife Andria of St. George and Kyle Zimmerman and wife Sara of Schoenchen, his mother-in-law: Delores Hertel of Schoenchen, a brother: Brian Zimmerman and wife Lori of Ulysses, four sisters: Linda Cole and husband Aaron of Russell, Bonnie Rose and husband Richard of Mobile, AL, Brenda Thyfault and husband Jim of Hays, and Shari Gale and husband Randy of Shell Knob, MO, three step-brothers: Lester Leiker and wife Jerri Ann of Hays, Terry Leiker of LaCrosse and Neal Leiker and wife Linda of Hays, a step-sister: Brenda Park and husband Dan of Olathe, four grandchildren: Lawson, Macie, Abigail, and Ellie Zimmerman, one grandchild on the way, and numerous nieces, nephews, and godchildren.&nbsp; &nbsp;

He was preceded in death by his parents and step-father Norbert K. Leiker.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 am on Wednesday, November 25, 2020, at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Schoenchen.&nbsp; Burial will follow in St. Anthony cemetery.&nbsp; Visitation will be from 5:00 pm until 8:00 on Tuesday and from 9:00 until 9:45 on Wednesday, all at St. Anthony Catholic Church.&nbsp; A combined Daughters of Isabella and Altar Society Christian Mothers rosary will be at 6:00 pm, a vigil service will be at 6:30 pm, and a Third Degree Knights of Columbus rosary will follow the vigil, all on Tuesday at the church.&nbsp; 

Instead of flowers and plants, the family suggests memorials to St. Anthony Catholic Church or to St. Anthony Cemetery, in care of Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home.&nbsp; Condolences and memories of Loran mare be shared with the family at www.haysmemorial.com

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1606141061600.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Loran Charles Zimmerman, 64, formerly of Schoenchen now residing in LaCrosse, died Saturday, November 21, 2020, at HaysMed.He was born September 7, 1956, in Wichita, the son of Lester C. and Lillian (Herrman) Zimmerman.&nbsp; He was a graduate of Thomas More Prep High School in the class of 1974 and Goodland Vocational Technical School.&nbsp; On October 8, 1977, he was united in marriage to Jolene M. Hertel at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Schoenchen, and they celebrated 43 years of marriage.&nbsp; For nearly 20 years, he was service manager for James Lincoln Mercury GMC and McLaren Lincoln Mercury GMC.&nbsp; In the late 90’s he built up the family farm as a rancher and farmer and later was the vice president of production for IACX.&nbsp; His memberships included St. Anthony Catholic Church and the Schoenchen Third Degree Knights of Columbus, where he was past Grand Knight.&nbsp; He was a Schoenchen City Councilman, chairman of Rural Water District One, Ellis County Fair Board President, RPM Speedway board member, and on the St. Anthony Church and Cemetery committees.&nbsp; He loved classic cars, watching American Pickers, K-State sports, and the Kansas City Chiefs.&nbsp; He looked forward to Thursday night gatherings, going to Mecum Auctions with friends, and spending time with his children and grandchildren.Survivors include his wife Jolene of LaCrosse, two sons: Lance Zimmerman and wife Andria of St. George and Kyle Zimmerman and wife Sara of Schoenchen, his mother-in-law: Delores Hertel of Schoenchen, a brother: Brian Zimmerman and wife Lori of Ulysses, four sisters: Linda Cole and husband Aaron of Russell, Bonnie Rose and husband Richard of Mobile, AL, Brenda Thyfault and husband Jim of Hays, and Shari Gale and husband Randy of Shell Knob, MO, three step-brothers: Lester Leiker and wife Jerri Ann of Hays, Terry Leiker of LaCrosse and Neal Leiker and wife Linda of Hays, a step-sister: Brenda Park and husband Dan of Olathe, four grandchildren: Lawson, Macie, Abigail, and Ellie Zimmerman, one grandchild on the way, and numerous nieces, nephews, and godchildren.&nbsp; &nbsp;He was preceded in death by his parents and step-father Norbert K. Leiker.Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 am on Wednesday, November 25, 2020, at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Schoenchen.&nbsp; Burial will follow in St. Anthony cemetery.&nbsp; Visitation will be from 5:00 pm until 8:00 on Tuesday and from 9:00 until 9:45 on Wednesday, all at St. Anthony Catholic Church.&nbsp; A combined Daughters of Isabella and Altar Society Christian Mothers rosary will be at 6:00 pm, a vigil service will be at 6:30 pm, and a Third Degree Knights of Columbus rosary will follow the vigil, all on Tuesday at the church.&nbsp; Instead of flowers and plants, the family suggests memorials to St. Anthony Catholic Church or to St. Anthony Cemetery, in care of Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home.&nbsp; Condolences and memories of Loran mare be shared with the family at www.haysmemorial.com

Loran Charles Zimmerman

Minnie Keller, age 101, of Ellis, 
Kansas passed away Saturday, November 21, 2020 at the Good Samaritan 
Society in Ellis. She was born June 23, 1919 in Ellis County, Kansas to 
Frank and Carrie (Wendling) Keller. On November 5, 1942 she married 
Gerhard Keller. He preceded her in death October 7, 1980.

Minnie had worked at the Plainville 
hospital until her retirement. After retirement she stayed active 
working at the Palco Café. Minnie was very fond of Palco and was known 
to walk throughout the town and visit with the residents. She enjoyed 
flower gardening, birds and she especially liked Halloween and dressing 
up for it. She was a member of Christ Lutheran Church and St. John 
Lutheran Church.

She is survived by a son, Gerald Keller
 of Kansas City, Kansas; grandchildren, Brenda Schumacher and husband 
Bruce of Lawrence, Kansas, Mark Armbrister and wife Crystal of Ellis and
 her great grandchildren, Katelyn and Cole Schumacher and Logan and 
Morgan Armbrister.

She was preceded in death by her 
daughter, Carolyn Armbrister; brothers, Oscar and Arthur and sisters, 
Freda, Irene, Helen and Martha.

Funeral services will be 2:00 PM 
Tuesday, November 24, 2020 at Keithley Funeral Chapel 400 E. 17th Ellis,
 Kansas 67637. Burial will follow in Mt. Hope Cemetery.

Visitation will be Tuesday 1:00 PM until service time at the funeral chapel.

All attending will be expected to wear 
masks and observe all Covid appropriate precautions. For those who are 
not comfortable with the regulations or being in a confined setting 
please use the guest book to express your condolences to the family.

Memorial contributions are suggested to St. John Lutheran Church.

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/2020/11/1606140913367.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Minnie Keller, age 101, of Ellis, 
Kansas passed away Saturday, November 21, 2020 at the Good Samaritan 
Society in Ellis. She was born June 23, 1919 in Ellis County, Kansas to 
Frank and Carrie (Wendling) Keller. On November 5, 1942 she married 
Gerhard Keller. He preceded her in death October 7, 1980.Minnie had worked at the Plainville 
hospital until her retirement. After retirement she stayed active 
working at the Palco Café. Minnie was very fond of Palco and was known 
to walk throughout the town and visit with the residents. She enjoyed 
flower gardening, birds and she especially liked Halloween and dressing 
up for it. She was a member of Christ Lutheran Church and St. John 
Lutheran Church.She is survived by a son, Gerald Keller
 of Kansas City, Kansas; grandchildren, Brenda Schumacher and husband 
Bruce of Lawrence, Kansas, Mark Armbrister and wife Crystal of Ellis and
 her great grandchildren, Katelyn and Cole Schumacher and Logan and 
Morgan Armbrister.She was preceded in death by her 
daughter, Carolyn Armbrister; brothers, Oscar and Arthur and sisters, 
Freda, Irene, Helen and Martha.Funeral services will be 2:00 PM 
Tuesday, November 24, 2020 at Keithley Funeral Chapel 400 E. 17th Ellis,
 Kansas 67637. Burial will follow in Mt. Hope Cemetery.Visitation will be Tuesday 1:00 PM until service time at the funeral chapel.All attending will be expected to wear 
masks and observe all Covid appropriate precautions. For those who are 
not comfortable with the regulations or being in a confined setting 
please use the guest book to express your condolences to the family.Memorial contributions are suggested to St. John Lutheran Church.Condolences may be left by guest book at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com or by email at keithleyfuneralhomes@gmail.com.

Minnie Keller

Mary Bernice Berning, age 91, peacefully passed away on Thursday, November 19, 2020, at the Wichita County Health Center in Leoti, Kansas.  She was born on July 22, 1929, in Marienthal, Kansas, the daughter of Alfons and Loretta Kreutzer Gerstberger.  A lifetime resident of Leoti, Kansas, she was a homemaker and a school cook.

She was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church in Marienthal, Kansas, and was a member of the Daughters of Isabella, Altar Society, Red Hat Society, and EHU.

On October 15, 1946, she married Joe Berning, Jr. at the St. Mary Catholic Church in Marienthal, Kansas.  He passed away on April 14, 2017 in Leoti, KS.

Survivors include her Seven Children - Jolene Thurston of Great Bend, Kansas, Terry &amp; Suzy Berning of Scott City, Kansas, Pam &amp; Mark Weinmann of Scott City, Kansas, David &amp; Nancy Berning of Marienthal, Kansas, Brad &amp; Louaine Berning of Leoti, Kansas, Jeff &amp; Becky Berning of Garden City, Kansas, Russell &amp; Jolene Berning of Leoti, Kansas, One Brother - Jerry Gerstberger of Overland Park, Kansas, One Sister - Shirley Kuriyama of Amarillo, Texas, 21 Grandchildren, 42 Great Grandchildren and 3 Great Great Grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her Parents, Husband, One Son - Bruce Berning, Two Sisters - Lillian Akagi &amp; Jola Kraus and One Son In Law - James Thurston.

Vigil Services will be held at 7:00 pm Monday, November 23, 2020, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Marienthal, Kansas.

Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 am Tuesday, November 24, 2020, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Marienthal, Kansas with Fathers Tim Hickey officiating.  Burial will be in St. Mary Cemetery in Marienthal, Kansas.

Friends may call from 2:00 pm until 8:00 pm Sunday and from 10:00 am until 5:00 pm Monday at Price &amp; Sons Funeral Home in Leoti, Kansas. 

Memorials may be written to the Wichita County Health Center LTCU or St Mary Catholic Church Cemetery Fund in care of Price &amp; Sons Funeral Homes.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1606058141994.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Mary Bernice Berning, age 91, peacefully passed away on Thursday, November 19, 2020, at the Wichita County Health Center in Leoti, Kansas. She was born on July 22, 1929, in Marienthal, Kansas, the daughter of Alfons and Loretta Kreutzer Gerstberger. A lifetime resident of Leoti, Kansas, she was a homemaker and a school cook.She was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church in Marienthal, Kansas, and was a member of the Daughters of Isabella, Altar Society, Red Hat Society, and EHU.On October 15, 1946, she married Joe Berning, Jr. at the St. Mary Catholic Church in Marienthal, Kansas. He passed away on April 14, 2017 in Leoti, KS.Survivors include her Seven Children - Jolene Thurston of Great Bend, Kansas, Terry &amp; Suzy Berning of Scott City, Kansas, Pam &amp; Mark Weinmann of Scott City, Kansas, David &amp; Nancy Berning of Marienthal, Kansas, Brad &amp; Louaine Berning of Leoti, Kansas, Jeff &amp; Becky Berning of Garden City, Kansas, Russell &amp; Jolene Berning of Leoti, Kansas, One Brother - Jerry Gerstberger of Overland Park, Kansas, One Sister - Shirley Kuriyama of Amarillo, Texas, 21 Grandchildren, 42 Great Grandchildren and 3 Great Great Grandchildren.She was preceded in death by her Parents, Husband, One Son - Bruce Berning, Two Sisters - Lillian Akagi &amp; Jola Kraus and One Son In Law - James Thurston.Vigil Services will be held at 7:00 pm Monday, November 23, 2020, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Marienthal, Kansas.Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 am Tuesday, November 24, 2020, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Marienthal, Kansas with Fathers Tim Hickey officiating. Burial will be in St. Mary Cemetery in Marienthal, Kansas.Friends may call from 2:00 pm until 8:00 pm Sunday and from 10:00 am until 5:00 pm Monday at Price &amp; Sons Funeral Home in Leoti, Kansas. Memorials may be written to the Wichita County Health Center LTCU or St Mary Catholic Church Cemetery Fund in care of Price &amp; Sons Funeral Homes.

Mary Bernice Berning

George Robert “Bob” Kennemer, 84, died Friday, November 20, 2020, at the 
Lane County Hospital in Dighton, Kansas. He was born October 6, 1936, in
 Springfield, Missouri the son of B.G. and Delores Kennemer. 
 Bob graduated from Strafford, Missouri High School in 1954. He was
 a veteran of the Korean War, having served in the United States Navy 
from 1954 to 1957. He was employed at Mumma Feed Yard, later known as 
Ranger Feeders, for more than 40 years. Bob was a member of the First 
Christian Church of Dighton, the VFW and the American Legion. 
 On July 12, 1958, he married Gwendolyn “Gwen” Mendenhall in Hays, 
Kansas. She died May 9, 2011. Bob is also preceded in death by his 
parents; a son Rod Kennemer; and two sisters Barbara Delp and Norma 
Kelley. 
 Survivors include a son Dr. Robert &amp; wife Traci Kennemer of 
Hays, Kansas; a daughter Joni &amp; husband Dan Bollinger of Dighton, 
Kansas; a daughter-in-law Jana Kennemer of Garden City, Kansas; and four
 grandchildren Trevor Bollinger of Lawrence, Kansas, Abby Kennemer of 
Hays, Kansas, Brandon Kennemer of Hays, Kansas, and Sean Kennemer of 
Garden City, Kansas. 
 Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, November 
25, 2020 at the First Christian Church in Dighton, Kansas with Rev. 
Berniece Ludlum officiating. Burial will follow at the Dighton Memorial
 Cemetery with military graveside rites conducted by the United States 
Navy Honor Guard and the Dighton American Legion, Post #190 Honor Guard.
 Friends may call from Noon to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday at Boomhower 
Funeral Home in Dighton, Kansas.

 The family suggests memorials given to
 the First Christian Church or to the Hays Humane Society both 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/2020/11/1606058045777.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>George Robert “Bob” Kennemer, 84, died Friday, November 20, 2020, at the 
Lane County Hospital in Dighton, Kansas. He was born October 6, 1936, in
 Springfield, Missouri the son of B.G. and Delores Kennemer. 
 Bob graduated from Strafford, Missouri High School in 1954. He was
 a veteran of the Korean War, having served in the United States Navy 
from 1954 to 1957. He was employed at Mumma Feed Yard, later known as 
Ranger Feeders, for more than 40 years. Bob was a member of the First 
Christian Church of Dighton, the VFW and the American Legion. 
 On July 12, 1958, he married Gwendolyn “Gwen” Mendenhall in Hays, 
Kansas. She died May 9, 2011. Bob is also preceded in death by his 
parents; a son Rod Kennemer; and two sisters Barbara Delp and Norma 
Kelley. 
 Survivors include a son Dr. Robert &amp; wife Traci Kennemer of 
Hays, Kansas; a daughter Joni &amp; husband Dan Bollinger of Dighton, 
Kansas; a daughter-in-law Jana Kennemer of Garden City, Kansas; and four
 grandchildren Trevor Bollinger of Lawrence, Kansas, Abby Kennemer of 
Hays, Kansas, Brandon Kennemer of Hays, Kansas, and Sean Kennemer of 
Garden City, Kansas. 
 Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, November 
25, 2020 at the First Christian Church in Dighton, Kansas with Rev. 
Berniece Ludlum officiating. Burial will follow at the Dighton Memorial
 Cemetery with military graveside rites conducted by the United States 
Navy Honor Guard and the Dighton American Legion, Post #190 Honor Guard.
 Friends may call from Noon to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday at Boomhower 
Funeral Home in Dighton, Kansas. The family suggests memorials given to
 the First Christian Church or to the Hays Humane Society both in care 
of the funeral home.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

George Robert 'Bob' Kennemer

MISSION, Kan. (AP) — In July, fourth-grade teacher Susanne Michael was ecstatic as she celebrated the adoption of a former student from a troubled home and two of the girl’s brothers. For the festivities, Michael dressed them and her other children in matching T-shirts that read “Gotcha FOREVER.”

By October, the 47-year-old Jonesboro, Arkansas, woman was dead — one of an estimated nearly 300 school employees killed by the coronavirus in the U.S. since the outbreak took hold. All together, the U.S. had more than 250,000 confirmed virus deaths as of Wednesday.

“She just basically would eat, sleep and drink teaching. She loved it,” said her husband, Keith Michael, who is now left to raise the three new additions, ages 3, 8 and 13, along with the couple’s two other children, 16 and 22.

Across the U.S., the deaths of educators have torn at the fabric of the school experience, taking the lives of teachers, principals, superintendents, coaches, a middle school secretary, a security guard. The losses have forced school boards to make hard decisions of whether to keep classrooms open and have left students and staff members grief-stricken.

Harrisburg Elementary, where Michael taught, remained open after her death, but 14 counselors descended on the school the next morning to help distraught students and teachers.

“I can honestly tell you now, none of us would have made the day if it were not for them,” Harrisburg School Superintendent Chris Ferrell recalled, choking up.

At home, Susanne Michael’s death has been particularly hard for her toddler. “He will just point to the sky and say, ‘Mama is up there,’” her husband said.

His wife had diabetes, was a uterine cancer survivor and had just one kidney. Therein lies the main challenge of operating schools: While children generally have mild cases or no symptoms at all, about 1 in 4 of their teachers, or nearly 1.5 million of them, have a condition that raises their risk of getting seriously ill from the coronavirus, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation.

Early research suggested that children are unlikely to contract or spread the coronavirus — an idea that influenced school reopenings in some communities. But Laura Garabedian, a professor of population medicine at Harvard Medical School, said much of that research was conducted during lockdowns when children were home and testing wasn’t being done on those with mild or symptomless cases.

“I think the key question is whether being at school puts teachers at increased risk of getting COVID. I don’t think we know that,” she said. But she added: “There are kids who definitely transmit it, and we know that.”

With community spread rampant across much of the country and contact tracers overwhelmed, it is is often hard to tell where teachers are becoming infected.

When cases can be traced back to their source, it is often an informal gathering, a restaurant or a sporting event, not a classroom, said Emily Oster, a Brown University economics professor whose analysis of in-school infection data from all 50 states found that bringing students together in schools does not appear to be driving the spread.

“I don’t think anyone would claim that no one has gotten COVID at a school. That would be unrealistic,” she said. “But in most of the cases we are seeing among people who are affiliated with schools, the actual case was not acquired at a school.”

Her database identified 17 cases per 100,000 students and 26 per 100,000 staff members as of Friday. She said the staff rate is slightly higher than the general rate in the community.

“There are people who would say if even one teacher acquires COVID at a school and dies, then it would not have been worth it to open schools,” Oster said. “I think that argument is complicated because people are going to suffer tremendously from schools being closed, but that is a tricky calculus.”

Keith Michael, who is the transportation supervisor for the city of Jonesboro, talked with his wife about the risk of returning to her school before classes started and suspects she might have been infected there.

Through the summer, his wife largely stayed at home, going out mainly to buy groceries. She worked diligently to space out desks in her classroom, according to her husband, though he added, “When you have a full classroom it is impossible to totally socially distance everyone.”

Soon, she was coughing, feverish and vomiting violently. She spent nearly two weeks on a ventilator before a blood clot broke loose and killed her.

Her death was another blow to the newly adopted children, the oldest of whom, Holly, met Susanne Michael during a year in which the youngster often missed class to care for her baby brother. When welfare officials stepped in, the Michaels volunteered to become the girl’s foster parents.

A social worker “showed up with Holly and the two brothers, and they said they were going to take them to two separate places,” Keith Michael recalled. His wife, he said, “looked at me and I knew what she was fixin’ to ask.” The couple ended up taking all three children.

Keith Michael, third from left, sits on a sofa with his children, from left, Hunter, Jessica, Sara, Houston and Holly, at their home on Friday, Nov. 13, 2020, in Jonesboro, Ark. (AP Photo/Adrian Sainz)

Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, which has kept count of educators killed by the virus, said the stories “break your heart.”

They include 71-year-old South Carolina first-grade teacher Margie Kidd and 53-year-old Iowa special education assistant Jennifer Crawford. Their families said they suspect the two were infected at school.

A district in Phoenix lost special education worker Nawaialoha Keli’imahiai Kalai to COVID-19 earlier this month and began its board meeting with a moment of silence before deciding to keep classrooms open. There, too, grief counselors provided support to children and staff members.

“I am devastated by the fact that remote education is not an effective substitute. And I want probably as much as anybody else to reopen school buildings for children,” Weingarten said.

“But here is the caveat: You have to have the safeguards that the CDC recommends, and you can’t have a spike going on at the same time. And you have to have the testing, and all of that is expensive.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1596106754858.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By HEATHER HOLLINGSWORTHMISSION, Kan. (AP) — In July, fourth-grade teacher Susanne Michael was ecstatic as she celebrated the adoption of a former student from a troubled home and two of the girl’s brothers. For the festivities, Michael dressed them and her other children in matching T-shirts that read “Gotcha FOREVER.”By October, the 47-year-old Jonesboro, Arkansas, woman was dead — one of an estimated nearly 300 school employees killed by the coronavirus in the U.S. since the outbreak took hold. All together, the U.S. had more than 250,000 confirmed virus deaths as of Wednesday.“She just basically would eat, sleep and drink teaching. She loved it,” said her husband, Keith Michael, who is now left to raise the three new additions, ages 3, 8 and 13, along with the couple’s two other children, 16 and 22.Across the U.S., the deaths of educators have torn at the fabric of the school experience, taking the lives of teachers, principals, superintendents, coaches, a middle school secretary, a security guard. The losses have forced school boards to make hard decisions of whether to keep classrooms open and have left students and staff members grief-stricken.Harrisburg Elementary, where Michael taught, remained open after her death, but 14 counselors descended on the school the next morning to help distraught students and teachers.“I can honestly tell you now, none of us would have made the day if it were not for them,” Harrisburg School Superintendent Chris Ferrell recalled, choking up.At home, Susanne Michael’s death has been particularly hard for her toddler. “He will just point to the sky and say, ‘Mama is up there,’” her husband said.His wife had diabetes, was a uterine cancer survivor and had just one kidney. Therein lies the main challenge of operating schools: While children generally have mild cases or no symptoms at all, about 1 in 4 of their teachers, or nearly 1.5 million of them, have a condition that raises their risk of getting seriously ill from the coronavirus, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation.MORE COVID-19 NEWS:<ul>
 <li><a href="https://apnews.com/article/fda-allows-1st-rapid-virus-test-at-home-0430fe7460b4385bd952978f19b3d88d">–&nbsp;FDA allows 1st rapid virus test that gives results at home</a></li><li><a href="https://apnews.com/article/toilet-paper-limits-virus-surge-3e22bd5b4d448c3906c1dabd81f19abe">–&nbsp;Toilet paper limits, empty shelves are back as virus surges</a></li><li><a href="https://apnews.com/article/pandemics-thomas-bach-tokyo-coronavirus-pandemic-japan-4b6ce5c7e15d90af64b98b422f113635">–&nbsp;The Latest: S Korea begins stronger limits in some areas</a></li><li><a href="https://apnews.com/article/pfizer-covid-19-shot-95-percent-9d71455cfce0ff047dee4df873ec1023">–&nbsp;Pfizer: COVID-19 shot 95% effective, seeking clearance soon</a></li>
 </ul>Early research suggested that children are unlikely to contract or spread the coronavirus — an idea that influenced school reopenings in some communities. But Laura Garabedian, a professor of population medicine at Harvard Medical School, said much of that research was conducted during lockdowns when children were home and testing wasn’t being done on those with mild or symptomless cases.“I think the key question is whether being at school puts teachers at increased risk of getting COVID. I don’t think we know that,” she said. But she added: “There are kids who definitely transmit it, and we know that.”With community spread rampant across much of the country and contact tracers overwhelmed, it is is often hard to tell where teachers are becoming infected.When cases can be traced back to their source, it is often an informal gathering, a restaurant or a sporting event, not a classroom, said Emily Oster, a Brown University economics professor whose analysis of in-school infection data from all 50 states found that bringing students together in schools does not appear to be driving the spread.“I don’t think anyone would claim that no one has gotten COVID at a school. That would be unrealistic,” she said. “But in most of the cases we are seeing among people who are affiliated with schools, the actual case was not acquired at a school.”Her database identified 17 cases per 100,000 students and 26 per 100,000 staff members as of Friday. She said the staff rate is slightly higher than the general rate in the community.“There are people who would say if even one teacher acquires COVID at a school and dies, then it would not have been worth it to open schools,” Oster said. “I think that argument is complicated because people are going to suffer tremendously from schools being closed, but that is a tricky calculus.”Keith Michael, who is the transportation supervisor for the city of Jonesboro, talked with his wife about the risk of returning to her school before classes started and suspects she might have been infected there.Through the summer, his wife largely stayed at home, going out mainly to buy groceries. She worked diligently to space out desks in her classroom, according to her husband, though he added, “When you have a full classroom it is impossible to totally socially distance everyone.”Soon, she was coughing, feverish and vomiting violently. She spent nearly two weeks on a ventilator before a blood clot broke loose and killed her.Her death was another blow to the newly adopted children, the oldest of whom, Holly, met Susanne Michael during a year in which the youngster often missed class to care for her baby brother. When welfare officials stepped in, the Michaels volunteered to become the girl’s foster parents.A social worker “showed up with Holly and the two brothers, and they said they were going to take them to two separate places,” Keith Michael recalled. His wife, he said, “looked at me and I knew what she was fixin’ to ask.” The couple ended up taking all three children.Keith Michael, third from left, sits on a sofa with his children, from left, Hunter, Jessica, Sara, Houston and Holly, at their home on Friday, Nov. 13, 2020, in Jonesboro, Ark. (AP Photo/Adrian Sainz)Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, which has kept count of educators killed by the virus, said the stories “break your heart.”They include 71-year-old South Carolina first-grade teacher Margie Kidd and 53-year-old Iowa special education assistant Jennifer Crawford. Their families said they suspect the two were infected at school.A district in Phoenix lost special education worker Nawaialoha Keli’imahiai Kalai to COVID-19 earlier this month and began its board meeting with a moment of silence before deciding to keep classrooms open. There, too, grief counselors provided support to children and staff members.“I am devastated by the fact that remote education is not an effective substitute. And I want probably as much as anybody else to reopen school buildings for children,” Weingarten said.“But here is the caveat: You have to have the safeguards that the CDC recommends, and you can’t have a spike going on at the same time. And you have to have the testing, and all of that is expensive.”

Empty desks: Coronavirus robs US classrooms of teachers

Larry Gene Lauber, 65, passed away November 20, 2020, at Diversicare 
of Larned. He was born October 11, 1955, at Russell, to Wilford &amp; 
Peggy (Kuntzsch) Lauber. He married Mary Addington June 17, 1977, at 
Great Bend. She survives.

A lifetime Great Bend resident, Larry was a driller in the oilfield 
for 38 years. He was a member of the Church of God in Great Bend. He 
enjoyed fishing, hunting, riding Harley motorcycles. He especially loved
 to spend time with his children and grandchildren.

Survivors include, his wife Mary Lauber of the home; four sons, Larry
 Lauber, Jr., Andrew Lauber, and Daniel Lauber and wife Janice, all of 
Great Bend, and Jason Lauber of Lyons; a daughter, Raven Lauber-Hamit 
and husband David of Great Bend; a brother, Patrick Lauber and wife 
Dorothy of Osborne; a sister, Angela Lauber of Arizona; and fifteen 
grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Visitation will be held from 1:00 to 9:00 p.m., Monday, November 23, 
2020 at Bryant Funeral Home, with family to receive friends from 5:00 
p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Funeral Service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, 
November 24, 2020, at Bryant Funeral Home, with Chaplain Darren Johnson 
presiding. Interment will be in the Great Bend Cemetery. 

Memorials have 
been suggested to the Golden Belt Humane Society and St. Jude Children’s
 Research Hospital, in care of Bryant Funeral Home.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1605975536415.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Larry Gene Lauber, 65, passed away November 20, 2020, at Diversicare 
of Larned. He was born October 11, 1955, at Russell, to Wilford &amp; 
Peggy (Kuntzsch) Lauber. He married Mary Addington June 17, 1977, at 
Great Bend. She survives.A lifetime Great Bend resident, Larry was a driller in the oilfield 
for 38 years. He was a member of the Church of God in Great Bend. He 
enjoyed fishing, hunting, riding Harley motorcycles. He especially loved
 to spend time with his children and grandchildren.Survivors include, his wife Mary Lauber of the home; four sons, Larry
 Lauber, Jr., Andrew Lauber, and Daniel Lauber and wife Janice, all of 
Great Bend, and Jason Lauber of Lyons; a daughter, Raven Lauber-Hamit 
and husband David of Great Bend; a brother, Patrick Lauber and wife 
Dorothy of Osborne; a sister, Angela Lauber of Arizona; and fifteen 
grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents.Visitation will be held from 1:00 to 9:00 p.m., Monday, November 23, 
2020 at Bryant Funeral Home, with family to receive friends from 5:00 
p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Funeral Service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, 
November 24, 2020, at Bryant Funeral Home, with Chaplain Darren Johnson 
presiding. Interment will be in the Great Bend Cemetery. Memorials have 
been suggested to the Golden Belt Humane Society and St. Jude Children’s
 Research Hospital, in care of Bryant Funeral Home.

Larry Gene Lauber

TOPEKA—The Kansas District Judges Association, an organization open to all state district court judges, has elected officers to serve the organization in the coming year.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1605718382688.jpeg" alt="Kim Kudney, chief judge of the 12th Judicial District, composed of Cloud, Jewell, Lincoln, Mitchell, Republic, and Washington counties." />
 <figcaption>Kim Kudney, chief judge of the 12th Judicial District, composed of Cloud, Jewell, Lincoln, Mitchell, Republic, and Washington counties.</figcaption>
 </figure>OJATOPEKA—The Kansas District Judges Association, an organization open to all state district court judges, has elected officers to serve the organization in the coming year.Judge Dan Creitz was elected president. He is chief judge of the 31st Judicial District, composed of Allen, Neosho, Wilson, and Woodson counties."I am honored to serve as president of this outstanding, hard-working association," Creitz said. "The pandemic delivered the Kansas court system unprecedented challenges, which our courts are diligently working through. The judges on the KDJA executive committee play a critical role supporting our district court judges and the Kansas Supreme Court as we address these challenges."Creitz has served as a district judge since 2002 and chief judge since 2011. He is a native of Iola and graduated from Iola High School, Allen Community College, Emporia State University, and Washburn University School of Law.Creitz succeeds Judge Bruce Gatterman as president. Gatterman is chief judge of the 24th Judicial District, composed of Edwards, Hodgeman, Lane, Ness, Pawnee, and Rush counties. He will serve on the executive committee as immediate past-president.Other officers elected:<ul>
 <li>Judge Kim Cudney, president-elect. She is chief judge of the 12th Judicial District, composed of Cloud, Jewell, Lincoln, Mitchell, Republic, and Washington counties. </li><li>Judge Thomas Kelly Ryan, secretary. He is chief judge of the 10th Judicial District, composed of Johnson County. </li><li>Judge Brenda Cameron, treasurer. She is a district judge in the 10th Judicial District.</li>
 </ul>Members elected the new officers during a virtual conference for judges in October.