WYANDOTTE COUNTY —A suspect in the October shooting at a Kansas bar that killed four people and injured five others is now back in a Kansas jail after an arrest in Mexico.

Hugo Villanueva-Morales, 29, was booked over the weekend into the Wyandotte County Detention Center, according to online jail records.

He is a suspect in the shooting at a Tequila KC bar.  Villanueva-Morales and another man, 23-year-old Javier Alatorre, are charged each with four counts of first-degree murder, with bond set at $1 million each. Alatorre was arrested shortly after the shooting.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1576421528335.png" alt="Hugo Villanueva-Morales" />
 <figcaption>Hugo Villanueva-Morales</figcaption>
 </figure>WYANDOTTE COUNTY —A suspect in the October shooting at a Kansas bar that killed four people and injured five others is now back in a Kansas jail after an arrest in Mexico.Hugo Villanueva-Morales, 29, was booked over the weekend into the Wyandotte County Detention Center, according to online jail records.He is a suspect in the shooting at a Tequila KC bar. Villanueva-Morales and another man, 23-year-old Javier Alatorre, are charged each with four counts of first-degree murder, with bond set at $1 million each. Alatorre was arrested shortly after the shooting.&nbsp;

Bar shooting suspect returned from Mexico to Kansas jail

KANSAS CITY– A Virginia man was convicted by a federal jury In Kansas City Friday for his role in wire fraud and money laundering conspiracies as part of a nearly $3 million romance fraud scheme, according to the United State's Attorney's office.

Henry N. Asomani, 34, a naturalized U.S. citizen from Ghana, was found guilty of one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, two counts of wire fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering, and two counts of money laundering. The court ordered Asomani taken into federal custody at the close of today’s proceedings to await sentencing.

Evidence introduced during the trial indicated that Asomani was the middle man who received the proceeds of the fraud conspiracy from unknown co-conspirators into his bank accounts. Asomani transferred the funds among various accounts; he kept a portion of the proceeds for himself, and funneled the rest of the proceeds to co-conspirators in Ghana. Asomani operated five different companies with 16 different accounts at eight different banks.

Asomani received a total of $2,993,354 from more than a dozen victims across the United States, including three victims in the Kansas City metropolitan area, from Sept. 15, 2015, to Oct. 17, 2017. Although bank investigators and FBI agents repeatedly warned Asomani that his bank accounts were receiving the proceeds of a fraud scheme, he continued to receive the funds and simply closed accounts when funds were frozen, then opened new accounts at a different bank.

Unknown co-conspirators targeted individuals through online dating websites with various romance frauds. The unknown co-conspirators impersonated individuals who were involved in businesses overseas. They convinced the victims that they needed funds to help with moving gold from a foreign country, orphanage expenses, and school and travel expenses. The co-conspirators told the victims they would share the profits when the gold was returned to the United States. In fact, none of the victims received any profit or received any gold from the co-conspirators.

For example, one victim who resides in Lee’s Summit, Missouri, set up a profile on ChristianMingle.com following the death of her husband to brain cancer. In October 2015, an individual claiming to be “Larry B. White” initiated contact with her. Following numerous conversations by email and telephone, “White” convinced the victim to invest in a Ghana gold mine. “White” promised a 40 percent return on the investment of money. From November 2015 through January 2016, under the direction of “White,” the victim sent funds to multiple entities by check and wire totaling approximately $3,292,000. Of that amount, $2,292,000 was transferred to accounts controlled by Asomani. Asomani spent $50,000 of those proceeds to make a down payment on a 2019 silver Lexus NX300. To date, the victim has not received any money or gold profits from “White.”

Another victim, who resides in Kansas City, Missouri, met “Bradley Fischer” on ChristianMingle.com. “Fischer” convinced the victim to send funds for school expenses, travel expenses, and to start a new life in Kansas City. On July 19, 2017, the victim wired $24,000 to Asomani’s bank account. “Fischer” promised to pay the victim back when he got to Kansas City. &nbsp;To date, the victim has received $1,000 back from “Fischer.”

Other victims reside in Kansas, New Jersey, Alaska, Oklahoma, Florida, Texas and Iowa.

Asomani wired $1,789,416 from his bank accounts in the United States to bank accounts in Ghana. He spent approximately $342,278 on auto purchases and auto- or shipping-related expenses as part of the money-laundering scheme. Asomani shipped 18 vehicles to Ghana, having a declared value of approximately $284,190.

Following the presentation of evidence, the jury in the U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Mo., deliberated for approximately two hours before returning the guilty verdict to U.S. District Judge Roseann Ketchmark, ending a trial that began Monday, Dec. 9.

Under federal statutes, Asomani is subject to a sentence of up to 20 years in federal prison without parole on each of the four conspiracy and wire fraud counts, and up to 10 years in federal prison without parole on each of the two money laundering counts. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1576340160303.png" alt="Henry N. Asomani -photo Alexandria, Virginia Sheriff&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Henry N. Asomani -photo Alexandria, Virginia Sheriff&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY– A Virginia man was convicted by a federal jury In Kansas City Friday for his role in wire fraud and money laundering conspiracies as part of a nearly $3 million romance fraud scheme, according to the United State's Attorney's office.Henry N. Asomani, 34, a naturalized U.S. citizen from Ghana, was found guilty of one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, two counts of wire fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering, and two counts of money laundering. The court ordered Asomani taken into federal custody at the close of today’s proceedings to await sentencing.Evidence introduced during the trial indicated that Asomani was the middle man who received the proceeds of the fraud conspiracy from unknown co-conspirators into his bank accounts. Asomani transferred the funds among various accounts; he kept a portion of the proceeds for himself, and funneled the rest of the proceeds to co-conspirators in Ghana. Asomani operated five different companies with 16 different accounts at eight different banks.Asomani received a total of $2,993,354 from more than a dozen victims across the United States, including three victims in the Kansas City metropolitan area, from Sept. 15, 2015, to Oct. 17, 2017. Although bank investigators and FBI agents repeatedly warned Asomani that his bank accounts were receiving the proceeds of a fraud scheme, he continued to receive the funds and simply closed accounts when funds were frozen, then opened new accounts at a different bank.Unknown co-conspirators targeted individuals through online dating websites with various romance frauds. The unknown co-conspirators impersonated individuals who were involved in businesses overseas. They convinced the victims that they needed funds to help with moving gold from a foreign country, orphanage expenses, and school and travel expenses. The co-conspirators told the victims they would share the profits when the gold was returned to the United States. In fact, none of the victims received any profit or received any gold from the co-conspirators.For example, one victim who resides in Lee’s Summit, Missouri, set up a profile on ChristianMingle.com following the death of her husband to brain cancer. In October 2015, an individual claiming to be “Larry B. White” initiated contact with her. Following numerous conversations by email and telephone, “White” convinced the victim to invest in a Ghana gold mine. “White” promised a 40 percent return on the investment of money. From November 2015 through January 2016, under the direction of “White,” the victim sent funds to multiple entities by check and wire totaling approximately $3,292,000. Of that amount, $2,292,000 was transferred to accounts controlled by Asomani. Asomani spent $50,000 of those proceeds to make a down payment on a 2019 silver Lexus NX300. To date, the victim has not received any money or gold profits from “White.”Another victim, who resides in Kansas City, Missouri, met “Bradley Fischer” on ChristianMingle.com. “Fischer” convinced the victim to send funds for school expenses, travel expenses, and to start a new life in Kansas City. On July 19, 2017, the victim wired $24,000 to Asomani’s bank account. “Fischer” promised to pay the victim back when he got to Kansas City. &nbsp;To date, the victim has received $1,000 back from “Fischer.”Other victims reside in Kansas, New Jersey, Alaska, Oklahoma, Florida, Texas and Iowa.Asomani wired $1,789,416 from his bank accounts in the United States to bank accounts in Ghana. He spent approximately $342,278 on auto purchases and auto- or shipping-related expenses as part of the money-laundering scheme. Asomani shipped 18 vehicles to Ghana, having a declared value of approximately $284,190.Following the presentation of evidence, the jury in the U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Mo., deliberated for approximately two hours before returning the guilty verdict to U.S. District Judge Roseann Ketchmark, ending a trial that began Monday, Dec. 9.Under federal statutes, Asomani is subject to a sentence of up to 20 years in federal prison without parole on each of the four conspiracy and wire fraud counts, and up to 10 years in federal prison without parole on each of the two money laundering counts. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.

Man convicted in KC in $3M romance fraud scheme

The angels called Clifford James Werth 
home on December 12, 2019. He was born in Schoenchen, Kansas on 
September 7, 1933 to Rudolph and Irene (Zimmerman) Werth. He resided at 
Via Christi with his wife Helen.

Clifford married the love of his life 
“the girl from Hays” Helen Frances Braun at St. Joseph Catholic Church 
in Hays on October 6, 1952. They had 67 beautiful years of marriage and 
were blessed with six children: Robert Werth (Silvana, James Werth 
(Susan, Dick Werth (Kay, Dave Werth (Debbie, Tim Werth (Sandee) and 
Kay Gottschalk (Gene). Sixteen grandchildren: Aaron Gottschalk (Julie, 
Clint Gottschalk (Cristan, Brandon Werth (Amanda, Erica Bittel 
(Brett, Travis Werth, Holly Gottschalk, Amy Evans (Dave, Matt Werth 
(Jen, Shelly Werth, Cory Werth, Kelsey Bailey (Sam, Tyler Werth, 
Preston Werth (Macy Ziegler, Austin Werth (Adiba Matin, Collin Werth 
and Tanner Werth. Ten great-grandchildren: Eleanor and Frances Bittel, 
Sadie and Connor Werth, Bladyn and Bodhi Werth, Charles and Patrick 
Evans, Trinity Gottschalk, Emmett Bailey, and two step 
great-grandchildren, Lydia and Uriah Hoag.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Roger Werth and wife Carrie, and a sister Nancy Ingle.

Dad was our best friend, mentor, and 
champion. He left a legacy of how to work hard and make time for fun. In
 1968 he opened Hays Car and Truck Alignment. After many successful 
years, he retired and began traveling. Fishing, having fun at his lake 
house with his best cousins for 22 years then spilled over to 20 plus 
years as winter snowbirds. Golfing and deep-sea fishing became his new 
winter sports. Visiting the casinos was also a favorite pastime. Many 
good times were also spent watching the KC Royals and the Jayhawks.

Most important was his faith in God and
 love of family. Clifford was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary 
Parish and the Knights of Columbus Third Degree Council #6984.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 
10:00 am on Thursday, December 19, 2019 at Immaculate Heart of Mary 
Catholic Church, Hays.&nbsp; Burial will follow in the St. Joseph Cemetery.&nbsp; 
Visitation will be from 4:00 pm until 8:00 on Wednesday, and from 9:00 
am until 9:45 on Thursday, all at the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral 
Home.&nbsp; A Daughters of Isabella rosary will be at 6:00 pm, a parish vigil
 service will be at 6:30, followed by a Knights of Columbus rosary at 
7:00, all on Wednesday at the funeral home.&nbsp; Memorials in memory of 
Cliff may be made to St. John’s Chapel at Via Christi or to the 
Immaculate Heart of Mary Church Building Fund.&nbsp; Condolences and memories
 of Cliff may be left for the family at www.haysmemorial.com

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1576358668480.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The angels called Clifford James Werth 
home on December 12, 2019. He was born in Schoenchen, Kansas on 
September 7, 1933 to Rudolph and Irene (Zimmerman) Werth. He resided at 
Via Christi with his wife Helen.Clifford married the love of his life 
“the girl from Hays” Helen Frances Braun at St. Joseph Catholic Church 
in Hays on October 6, 1952. They had 67 beautiful years of marriage and 
were blessed with six children: Robert Werth (Silvana, James Werth 
(Susan, Dick Werth (Kay, Dave Werth (Debbie, Tim Werth (Sandee) and 
Kay Gottschalk (Gene). Sixteen grandchildren: Aaron Gottschalk (Julie, 
Clint Gottschalk (Cristan, Brandon Werth (Amanda, Erica Bittel 
(Brett, Travis Werth, Holly Gottschalk, Amy Evans (Dave, Matt Werth 
(Jen, Shelly Werth, Cory Werth, Kelsey Bailey (Sam, Tyler Werth, 
Preston Werth (Macy Ziegler, Austin Werth (Adiba Matin, Collin Werth 
and Tanner Werth. Ten great-grandchildren: Eleanor and Frances Bittel, 
Sadie and Connor Werth, Bladyn and Bodhi Werth, Charles and Patrick 
Evans, Trinity Gottschalk, Emmett Bailey, and two step 
great-grandchildren, Lydia and Uriah Hoag.He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Roger Werth and wife Carrie, and a sister Nancy Ingle.Dad was our best friend, mentor, and 
champion. He left a legacy of how to work hard and make time for fun. In
 1968 he opened Hays Car and Truck Alignment. After many successful 
years, he retired and began traveling. Fishing, having fun at his lake 
house with his best cousins for 22 years then spilled over to 20 plus 
years as winter snowbirds. Golfing and deep-sea fishing became his new 
winter sports. Visiting the casinos was also a favorite pastime. Many 
good times were also spent watching the KC Royals and the Jayhawks.Most important was his faith in God and
 love of family. Clifford was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary 
Parish and the Knights of Columbus Third Degree Council #6984.Mass of Christian Burial will be at 
10:00 am on Thursday, December 19, 2019 at Immaculate Heart of Mary 
Catholic Church, Hays.&nbsp; Burial will follow in the St. Joseph Cemetery.&nbsp; 
Visitation will be from 4:00 pm until 8:00 on Wednesday, and from 9:00 
am until 9:45 on Thursday, all at the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral 
Home.&nbsp; A Daughters of Isabella rosary will be at 6:00 pm, a parish vigil
 service will be at 6:30, followed by a Knights of Columbus rosary at 
7:00, all on Wednesday at the funeral home.&nbsp; Memorials in memory of 
Cliff may be made to St. John’s Chapel at Via Christi or to the 
Immaculate Heart of Mary Church Building Fund.&nbsp; Condolences and memories
 of Cliff may be left for the family at www.haysmemorial.com

Clifford James Werth


				Evelyn Mary Kopriva Freeburn was born on October 16, 1926 in rural 
Hill County near Abbott, Texas to Vinc and Amalie Ruzijcka Urbanovsky. 
She died Tuesday, December 10, 2019 at Hilltop Lodge in Beloit, Kansas 
at the age of 93.


She was the third of four children, and had one brother and two sisters.
 At a very young age, she and her family survived the total destruction 
of their home by a tornado. The family later moved to a farm closer to 
Abbott. There, she attended grade school and perfected the English 
language as Czech was spoken at home. After school, she helped with the 
cotton and tobacco farming.


Her early teen years were spent working as a home domestic helper and 
then as a clerk in department and 5&amp;10 stores in Waco and Hillsboro.
 She boarded a train every day to get to her jobs.


In the early years of WWII, she responded to a request in a local 
Catholic newspaper for correspondence with Catholic soldiers. She began 
writing to John Kopriva from Ludell, Kansas, who was stationed in Texas 
and also a Czech. They met for the first time just before he received 
orders to the South Pacific. He returned in January of 1946, and they 
were married in May. They moved to the Kopriva family farm north of 
Atwood. To this union five girls and two boys were born. She kept busy 
sewing dresses for the girls, helping with 4-H projects, tending a large
 flower and vegetable garden, and serving as president of the Altar 
Society for their rural parish. 


After the children were grown, she worked at the grocery store in 
Atwood, and drove a rural school bus route. She and John frequently 
enjoyed dances and playing cards with friends. John passed away in 
August of 1975. She continued to live on the farm until she met Merle 
Freeburn of McCook, Nebraska through Parents Without Partners. They 
lived in McCook when she gardened and tended her many bird feeders while
 working a grocery store, a bakery, and lastly at Alco, retiring at age 
70. Merle passed away in 1995.


Evelyn taught herself to play the organ, sang in church choirs, and 
loved watching the New York Yankees and Nascar racing. Matt Kenseth is 
still her favorite driver. She loved to tell about her family connection
 to Willie Nelson, as they shared the same childhood hometown. 


She entered Hilltop Lodge in Beloit in November 2015, and enjoyed bingo,
 music, and church activities, as well as going out to the beauty shop.


In addition to her husbands, she was preceded in death by her parents; 
sister, Marie Matula and husband Robert; brother-in-law, Bernard Lenart;
 sister-in-law, Bettye Urbanovsky; father-in-law, Joseph Kopriva; 
sisters-in-law, Mary Oborny, Agnes Sramek and husband Lewis, Theresa 
Blanding and husband Lloyd, Anne Gaspar and husband Julius, Lillian Kidd
 and husband John; brother-in-law, Paul Kopriva; son-in-law, Daniel 
Marazon; and granddaughter, Jennifer Marazon.


She is survived by her sister, Helen Lenart of Texas; sister-in-law, 
Julia Kopriva of Atwood; children, Beth and John Duden of Beloit, John 
Kopriva of Atwood, Margo Marazon of Ohio, Mary and Mike Chervenka of 
Woodbridge, VA, Joe Kopriva of Ludell, Pam of Beloit, Dee and Dick Hazen
 of Salina; as well as grandchildren, great-grandchildren, 
great-great-grandchildren; and many cousins, nieces, nephews, and 
friends.


Rosary is 12:30 p.m. followed by a Funeral Mass at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, 
December 14, 2019, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Atwood. Burial will 
take place in Sts. Cyril and Methodius Cemetery. Memorials are suggested
 to St. John’s Catholic Church, Beloit or Sts. Cyril &amp; Methodius 
Cemetery Fund. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1576171311954.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>
				Evelyn Mary Kopriva Freeburn was born on October 16, 1926 in rural 
Hill County near Abbott, Texas to Vinc and Amalie Ruzijcka Urbanovsky. 
She died Tuesday, December 10, 2019 at Hilltop Lodge in Beloit, Kansas 
at the age of 93.
She was the third of four children, and had one brother and two sisters.
 At a very young age, she and her family survived the total destruction 
of their home by a tornado. The family later moved to a farm closer to 
Abbott. There, she attended grade school and perfected the English 
language as Czech was spoken at home. After school, she helped with the 
cotton and tobacco farming.
Her early teen years were spent working as a home domestic helper and 
then as a clerk in department and 5&amp;10 stores in Waco and Hillsboro.
 She boarded a train every day to get to her jobs.
In the early years of WWII, she responded to a request in a local 
Catholic newspaper for correspondence with Catholic soldiers. She began 
writing to John Kopriva from Ludell, Kansas, who was stationed in Texas 
and also a Czech. They met for the first time just before he received 
orders to the South Pacific. He returned in January of 1946, and they 
were married in May. They moved to the Kopriva family farm north of 
Atwood. To this union five girls and two boys were born. She kept busy 
sewing dresses for the girls, helping with 4-H projects, tending a large
 flower and vegetable garden, and serving as president of the Altar 
Society for their rural parish. 
After the children were grown, she worked at the grocery store in 
Atwood, and drove a rural school bus route. She and John frequently 
enjoyed dances and playing cards with friends. John passed away in 
August of 1975. She continued to live on the farm until she met Merle 
Freeburn of McCook, Nebraska through Parents Without Partners. They 
lived in McCook when she gardened and tended her many bird feeders while
 working a grocery store, a bakery, and lastly at Alco, retiring at age 
70. Merle passed away in 1995.
Evelyn taught herself to play the organ, sang in church choirs, and 
loved watching the New York Yankees and Nascar racing. Matt Kenseth is 
still her favorite driver. She loved to tell about her family connection
 to Willie Nelson, as they shared the same childhood hometown. 
She entered Hilltop Lodge in Beloit in November 2015, and enjoyed bingo,
 music, and church activities, as well as going out to the beauty shop.
In addition to her husbands, she was preceded in death by her parents; 
sister, Marie Matula and husband Robert; brother-in-law, Bernard Lenart;
 sister-in-law, Bettye Urbanovsky; father-in-law, Joseph Kopriva; 
sisters-in-law, Mary Oborny, Agnes Sramek and husband Lewis, Theresa 
Blanding and husband Lloyd, Anne Gaspar and husband Julius, Lillian Kidd
 and husband John; brother-in-law, Paul Kopriva; son-in-law, Daniel 
Marazon; and granddaughter, Jennifer Marazon.
She is survived by her sister, Helen Lenart of Texas; sister-in-law, 
Julia Kopriva of Atwood; children, Beth and John Duden of Beloit, John 
Kopriva of Atwood, Margo Marazon of Ohio, Mary and Mike Chervenka of 
Woodbridge, VA, Joe Kopriva of Ludell, Pam of Beloit, Dee and Dick Hazen
 of Salina; as well as grandchildren, great-grandchildren, 
great-great-grandchildren; and many cousins, nieces, nephews, and 
friends.
Rosary is 12:30 p.m. followed by a Funeral Mass at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, 
December 14, 2019, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Atwood. Burial will 
take place in Sts. Cyril and Methodius Cemetery. Memorials are suggested
 to St. John’s Catholic Church, Beloit or Sts. Cyril &amp; Methodius 
Cemetery Fund.

Evelyn Freeburn

Estella R. Miller, age 74, of WaKeeney, KS, passed away December 11, 
2019, at Good Samaritan Society in Hays, KS. She was born on April 23, 
1945, to Elmer and Ethel (Morgan) Boese, the youngest of their 6 
children. Estella graduated from Alexander High School.

Estella married Vernon Wittman on July 23, 1965 and together they had 4 children; Connie, Richard, Scott and Donnie.

She later married Allen Miller on October 2, 1987 in Alexander, KS. 
Together, she and Allen farmed in the Ransom and WaKeeney area until 
retirement, at which point they moved to WaKeeney. Estella was a 
homemaker, and she also worked for many years as a Certified Nursing 
Assistant, serving her community and taking care of several elderly 
ladies in their homes. Estella enjoyed compiling genealogy the 
old-fashioned way, and kept extensive records dating far back in her 
family history.

Estella is survived by her loving husband, Allen Miller; sons Richard
 (Yolanda) Wittman of Holyoke, CO and Scott Wittman of Wiley, CO; 
daughters Connie Nelson of Wichita, KS, Julie (J.R.) Mauch of Ness City,
 KS, and Jeannie (Peter) Westby of Pelican Rapids, MN; 13 grandchildren;
 3 great-grandchildren; and brother Roger (Judy) Boese of California.

Estella was preceded in death by both parents; son Donnie Wittman; 
Granddaughter Faith Westby; brothers Henry Swartz, Bert Swartz, and 
Wayne Boese; sisters Hazel Scheuerman and Erma Stegman.

Visitation will be from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM on Monday, December 16, 2019 at Schmitt Funeral Home in WaKeeney.

Services will be held at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, December 17, 2019 at 
Schmitt Funeral Home in WaKeeney with Pastor Monty Roths officiating. 
Burial will follow at the WaKeeney City Cemetery.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Trego Recreation 
Commission or the Ronald McDonald House. Donations may be sent to 
Schmitt Funeral Home, 336 N 12th, WaKeeney, KS&nbsp; 67672.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1576358139407.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Estella R. Miller, age 74, of WaKeeney, KS, passed away December 11, 
2019, at Good Samaritan Society in Hays, KS. She was born on April 23, 
1945, to Elmer and Ethel (Morgan) Boese, the youngest of their 6 
children. Estella graduated from Alexander High School.Estella married Vernon Wittman on July 23, 1965 and together they had 4 children; Connie, Richard, Scott and Donnie.She later married Allen Miller on October 2, 1987 in Alexander, KS. 
Together, she and Allen farmed in the Ransom and WaKeeney area until 
retirement, at which point they moved to WaKeeney. Estella was a 
homemaker, and she also worked for many years as a Certified Nursing 
Assistant, serving her community and taking care of several elderly 
ladies in their homes. Estella enjoyed compiling genealogy the 
old-fashioned way, and kept extensive records dating far back in her 
family history.Estella is survived by her loving husband, Allen Miller; sons Richard
 (Yolanda) Wittman of Holyoke, CO and Scott Wittman of Wiley, CO; 
daughters Connie Nelson of Wichita, KS, Julie (J.R.) Mauch of Ness City,
 KS, and Jeannie (Peter) Westby of Pelican Rapids, MN; 13 grandchildren;
 3 great-grandchildren; and brother Roger (Judy) Boese of California.Estella was preceded in death by both parents; son Donnie Wittman; 
Granddaughter Faith Westby; brothers Henry Swartz, Bert Swartz, and 
Wayne Boese; sisters Hazel Scheuerman and Erma Stegman.Visitation will be from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM on Monday, December 16, 2019 at Schmitt Funeral Home in WaKeeney.Services will be held at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, December 17, 2019 at 
Schmitt Funeral Home in WaKeeney with Pastor Monty Roths officiating. 
Burial will follow at the WaKeeney City Cemetery.Memorial contributions are suggested to the Trego Recreation 
Commission or the Ronald McDonald House. Donations may be sent to 
Schmitt Funeral Home, 336 N 12th, WaKeeney, KS&nbsp; 67672.

Estella R. Miller

Opal (Beougher) Zimmerman, 84, of Quinter, Kansas, passed away 
December 12, 2019, with her family by her side in Quinter, Kansas at the
 Gove County Long Term Care Facility. She was born on October 1, 1935, 
in Grinnell Kansas to Gael and Mary Beougher. She graduated in 1953 from
 Grinnell High School and played the clarinet in the band. She graduated
 from Fort Hays State University majoring in Business.

Opal married Fabian Zimmerman on August 30, 1955, in Grinnell, KS. 
She had the longest running business in Quinter (51 years, Zimmerman 
Agency Tax Services before retiring at the age of 82. Fabian and Opal 
farmed south of Quinter and owned the Rustic Inn restaurant for many 
years. Many customers enjoyed her cooking and her awesome cinnamon 
rolls. Her interests included her family, bingo, traveling, selling her 
handmade items in craft shows, and going to casinos to play the slot 
machines. Opal was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, VFW 
Auxiliary, the Fraternal Order of Eagles Ladies Auxiliary in WaKeeney, 
and the Sacred Heart Altar Society in Park, KS.

Opal is survived by her two sons, Alan Zimmerman of Quinter, KS and 
Steven (Robin) Zimmerman of Cheney, KS; five daughters, Connie Albin of 
Quinter, KS, Betty (Jerry) Pelzel of Salina, KS, Brenda Ikenberry of St.
 Louis, MO, JoAnn (Duane) Williams of Topeka, KS, and Lois (Greg) Mans 
of St. Louis, MO; 11 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; sister Donna
 (Chuck) Spath of Grand Junction, CO; and brothers, Ken Beougher of Bird
 City, KS, John (Mary) Beougher of Pierre, SD, and Max (Dee) Beougher of
 Denver, CO.

Opal was preceded in death by her husband, Fabian Zimmerman; her 
mother and father, Mary and Gael Beougher; brother Virgil Beougher; and 
son-in-law, Ed Albin.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Gove County 
Medical Center Long-Term Care Facility in Quinter Kansas, the Kansas 
Veteran’s Cemetery in WaKeeney, Kansas, or masses in her honor at the 
Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Park, Kansas. Donations made to the 
organizations may be sent to Schmitt Funeral Home, 901 South Main, 
Quinter, KS&nbsp;67752.

Visitation will be from 9:00 AM until 10:00 AM Wednesday, December 18, 2019, at Schmitt Funeral Home in Quinter.

Services will be held at 10:00 AM Wednesday, December 18, 2019, 
directly following the visitation with Father Don Zimmerman officiating.
 Burial will follow at the Kansas Veteran’s Cemetery in WaKeeney, KS.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1576358033509.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Opal (Beougher) Zimmerman, 84, of Quinter, Kansas, passed away 
December 12, 2019, with her family by her side in Quinter, Kansas at the
 Gove County Long Term Care Facility. She was born on October 1, 1935, 
in Grinnell Kansas to Gael and Mary Beougher. She graduated in 1953 from
 Grinnell High School and played the clarinet in the band. She graduated
 from Fort Hays State University majoring in Business.Opal married Fabian Zimmerman on August 30, 1955, in Grinnell, KS. 
She had the longest running business in Quinter (51 years, Zimmerman 
Agency Tax Services before retiring at the age of 82. Fabian and Opal 
farmed south of Quinter and owned the Rustic Inn restaurant for many 
years. Many customers enjoyed her cooking and her awesome cinnamon 
rolls. Her interests included her family, bingo, traveling, selling her 
handmade items in craft shows, and going to casinos to play the slot 
machines. Opal was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, VFW 
Auxiliary, the Fraternal Order of Eagles Ladies Auxiliary in WaKeeney, 
and the Sacred Heart Altar Society in Park, KS.Opal is survived by her two sons, Alan Zimmerman of Quinter, KS and 
Steven (Robin) Zimmerman of Cheney, KS; five daughters, Connie Albin of 
Quinter, KS, Betty (Jerry) Pelzel of Salina, KS, Brenda Ikenberry of St.
 Louis, MO, JoAnn (Duane) Williams of Topeka, KS, and Lois (Greg) Mans 
of St. Louis, MO; 11 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; sister Donna
 (Chuck) Spath of Grand Junction, CO; and brothers, Ken Beougher of Bird
 City, KS, John (Mary) Beougher of Pierre, SD, and Max (Dee) Beougher of
 Denver, CO.Opal was preceded in death by her husband, Fabian Zimmerman; her 
mother and father, Mary and Gael Beougher; brother Virgil Beougher; and 
son-in-law, Ed Albin.In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Gove County 
Medical Center Long-Term Care Facility in Quinter Kansas, the Kansas 
Veteran’s Cemetery in WaKeeney, Kansas, or masses in her honor at the 
Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Park, Kansas. Donations made to the 
organizations may be sent to Schmitt Funeral Home, 901 South Main, 
Quinter, KS&nbsp;67752.Visitation will be from 9:00 AM until 10:00 AM Wednesday, December 18, 2019, at Schmitt Funeral Home in Quinter.Services will be held at 10:00 AM Wednesday, December 18, 2019, 
directly following the visitation with Father Don Zimmerman officiating.
 Burial will follow at the Kansas Veteran’s Cemetery in WaKeeney, KS.

Opal (Beougher) Zimmerman

Shirley Ann (Blue) Barnhart, age 75, of Goodland passed away Tuesday, December 10, 2019 at Goodland Regional Medical.&nbsp;

Shirley was born October 9, 1944 to Purl Millard and Jessie Lydia 
(Dymond) Blue in Greeley, Colorado.&nbsp; She grew up and attended school in 
Goodland.&nbsp;

Shirley worked for the Goodland School District, 1980 to 1984 as a 
second-grade teacher’s aide, 1984 to 1986 a paraprofessional at Grant 
Junior High and she drove a school bus.&nbsp; For 28 years, Shirley worked at
 the State of Kansas Department of Transportation Weight Station as a 
Motor Carrier Inspector II, she retired December 8, 2012.&nbsp;

Shirley was a member of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary, she enjoyed sewing,
 dabbled in genealogy and spending time with her friends and family.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Preceding her in death are her grandparents and parents; ex-husband, Maurice; and grandson, Nathan Barnhart.&nbsp;

She is survived by her son, Bradley (Mary) of St. Francis, KS; son, 
Jack (Wendi) of Colby, KS; daughter, Dee Anna Barnhart of Goodland, KS; 
daughter, Polly (Jerry) Norris of Salina, KS; grandchildren, Ricki and 
Joel (Krista) Base; Jakalyn Glover and Joshua Barnhart; sister, Marie 
Blue Hevner Kleine of Gulf Breeze, FL.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Click <a href="https://www.batemanfuneral.com/notices/Shirley-Barnhart">HERE</a> for service details.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1576245456269.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Shirley Ann (Blue) Barnhart, age 75, of Goodland passed away Tuesday, December 10, 2019 at Goodland Regional Medical.&nbsp;Shirley was born October 9, 1944 to Purl Millard and Jessie Lydia 
(Dymond) Blue in Greeley, Colorado.&nbsp; She grew up and attended school in 
Goodland.&nbsp;Shirley worked for the Goodland School District, 1980 to 1984 as a 
second-grade teacher’s aide, 1984 to 1986 a paraprofessional at Grant 
Junior High and she drove a school bus.&nbsp; For 28 years, Shirley worked at
 the State of Kansas Department of Transportation Weight Station as a 
Motor Carrier Inspector II, she retired December 8, 2012.&nbsp;Shirley was a member of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary, she enjoyed sewing,
 dabbled in genealogy and spending time with her friends and family.&nbsp;&nbsp;Preceding her in death are her grandparents and parents; ex-husband, Maurice; and grandson, Nathan Barnhart.&nbsp;She is survived by her son, Bradley (Mary) of St. Francis, KS; son, 
Jack (Wendi) of Colby, KS; daughter, Dee Anna Barnhart of Goodland, KS; 
daughter, Polly (Jerry) Norris of Salina, KS; grandchildren, Ricki and 
Joel (Krista) Base; Jakalyn Glover and Joshua Barnhart; sister, Marie 
Blue Hevner Kleine of Gulf Breeze, FL.&nbsp; &nbsp;Click <a href="https://www.batemanfuneral.com/notices/Shirley-Barnhart">HERE</a> for service details.

Shirley Ann (Blue) Barnhart

October 10, 1939
 -
 December 10, 2019

An obituary and services are pending with Stinemetz Funeral Home.

October 10, 1939
 -
 December 10, 2019An obituary and services are pending with Stinemetz Funeral Home.

Sherral Calvin Perkins

It's been 34 years since the state of Kansas instituted a formal economic development strategy.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The&nbsp;<a href="https://ipsr.ku.edu/resrep/pdf/m108.pdf">Redwood-Krider report</a>&nbsp;was issued in 1986 by the&nbsp;Institute for Public Policy and Business Research at the University of Kansas.

A new economic development planning process was kicked off in October by Gov. Laura Kelly.

<a href="https://www.kansasgrowth.com/">Kansas Framework for Growth</a>&nbsp;is&nbsp;a comprehensive strategy to accelerate economic growth in Kansas.

KFG is in its first of three phases to be completed in the next several months: assessment and benchmarking, recommendations and best practices, and implementation planning.&nbsp;

Four town hall meetings are scheduled this week to engage the public. The series kicked off Tuesday night in Hays at BriefSpace.

Patty Clark, deputy secretary of the Kansas Department of Commerce, was joined by Marek Gootman of the Brookings Institution, hired to&nbsp;help research and analyze the Kansas economy and deliver a comprehensive economic development blueprint for the state.

"This is really important to Kansas," Clark said. "Our economy is flat-lining."

A group of about 25 area residents gave feedback to Gootman, based in Washington, D.C ., who began by sharing the preliminary data.&nbsp;

"The strategies and tactics question is not necessarily driven by state-level decision making," Gootman said. "It's got to have private and public&nbsp; participation, sector participation, and aligning with regional interests."

Jon Quinday, Russell city manager, was one of several Russell County residents attending the meeting.&nbsp;

Quinday suggested there needs to be a better definition of "rural."

"Some [state] legislation has defined rural as a population of less than 60,000," Quinday said, "but outside of Wichita and Kansas City there are very few actual cities that are over 60,000. So any incentive that's meant for rural Kansas, anybody could use [it] except for Wichita and Kansas City, Kansas."

Rural areas came up again during talk about the challenge of keeping well-educated Kansans in the state after they graduate.

"I think 'invest in urban vibrancy' is too limited. I think it should be 'invest in community vibrancy,'" said one woman.

"I think that's what all of us want from our local communities, regardless of size -&nbsp; creating quality of life, places that our young people want to come home to when they're ready to raise their family. That means we have to make our communities desirable places to live, work and play."

Quinday agreed, noting that Hays and Russell are already investing in their respective downtowns.

"Hays is a regional hub that everybody comes to but we're all in it together.&nbsp; If we all don't succeed, then the whole state (is affected.)"

Another woman pointed out urban areas have a larger population and therefore a bigger tax base.

"So we really should be talking about investing into our rural communities and let the urban communities invest in themselves," she said.

According to Gootman, economic development efforts in Kansas are "extraordinarily fragmented."

Working remotely, often considered a lure back home for residents who moved out of Kansas, is "a complicated issue" and it "didn't save rural America," Gootman said.

(The Statewide Broadband Expansion Planning Task Force, chaired by Lt. Gov. Lynn Rogers, will release its report to the Kansas Legislature in January 2020.)

Months-long paid apprenticeships and internships businesses were seen as a positive, but can be expensive for small businesses.

 "Our apprentices tend to stay with us," said Hess Services employee Joe Leroux. Hess Services in Hays, a turnkey operation producing&nbsp;oilfield and industrial equipment, currently has 352 employees with many open positions.

Another participant said there's a need for more skilled trades workers across the entire state.&nbsp; &nbsp;

&nbsp;A business council&nbsp;to provide insight from a broad spectrum of Kansas business leaders from multiple industries has been assembled by KFG and includes Hays resident Mark Hess,&nbsp;vice-president of operations at&nbsp;<a href="https://hess-services.com/" target="_blank">Hess Services</a>.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Edward Herrman, HaysMed President/CEO, talked about succession planning.

"In a lot of communities that are our size or even smaller, there's already existing companies that are very successful small businesses. There's no one to take them over," Herrman said.

"How do you identify individuals and tell them we can help you have a really great life in doing something&nbsp; you'd like to do in an existing business? And, how do you make that transition?," he asked Gootman.

"Succession has come up many times [in this process].&nbsp; Kansas has not really addressed it at the state level as an issue," Gootman answered.

More town hall meetings will be held. More feedback will be collected.&nbsp;

The next steps in the process are benchmarking best practices from other states, reviewing recommendations, and developing a proposed implementation plan to accelerate growth in Kansas. Upon delivery of the draft plan, stakeholder engagement will continue.&nbsp;

Clark says the state should spend a year creating its economic development strategy.

"It requires focus. It requires sustained investment. It requires partnerships and collaboration between economic development entities -&nbsp; whether it's the state or whether it's local - with businesses, with communities, with the education sector,&nbsp; healthcare sector," Clark stressed.

"You have to have those partnerships and that focused, sustained investment if you're going to succeed with growing your economy and competing with all the other states we're competing against."

Corrected 1 p.m. Thursday to reflect Gootman's correct organization.&nbsp;

Corrected 2:15 p.m. Thursday to reflect Quinday's correct title.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1576101338766.jpeg" alt="The average wage in Kansas has declined since 2010 and is projected to remain flat through 2023. Marek Gootman of the Brookings Institution says that may be the most concerning&nbsp; indicator of&nbsp; falling economic growth rankings for Kansas.&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>The average wage in Kansas has declined since 2010 and is projected to remain flat through 2023. Marek Gootman of the Brookings Institution says that may be the most concerning&nbsp; indicator of&nbsp; falling economic growth rankings for Kansas.&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure><div>By BECKY KISER Hays Post</div>It's been 34 years since the state of Kansas instituted a formal economic development strategy.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The&nbsp;<a href="https://ipsr.ku.edu/resrep/pdf/m108.pdf">Redwood-Krider report</a>&nbsp;was issued in 1986 by the&nbsp;Institute for Public Policy and Business Research at the University of Kansas.A new economic development planning process was kicked off in October by Gov. Laura Kelly.<a href="https://www.kansasgrowth.com/">Kansas Framework for Growth</a>&nbsp;is&nbsp;a comprehensive strategy to accelerate economic growth in Kansas. KFG is in its first of three phases to be completed in the next several months: assessment and benchmarking, recommendations and best practices, and implementation planning.&nbsp;Four town hall meetings are scheduled this week to engage the public. The series kicked off Tuesday night in Hays at BriefSpace.Patty Clark, deputy secretary of the Kansas Department of Commerce, was joined by Marek Gootman of the Brookings Institution, hired to&nbsp;help research and analyze the Kansas economy and deliver a comprehensive economic development blueprint for the state.<figure>
 <iframe width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/YgEsKd5hQLA"></iframe>
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>"This is really important to Kansas," Clark said. "Our economy is flat-lining."A group of about 25 area residents gave feedback to Gootman, based in Washington, D.C ., who began by sharing the preliminary data.&nbsp; "The strategies and tactics question is not necessarily driven by state-level decision making," Gootman said. "It's got to have private and public&nbsp; participation, sector participation, and aligning with regional interests."Jon Quinday, Russell city manager, was one of several Russell County residents attending the meeting.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1576117388559.jpeg" alt="Jon Quinday, Russell city manager, (center) with several other&nbsp; Russell County residents at Tuesday's Hays town hall meeting for Kansas Framework for Growth." />
 <figcaption>Jon Quinday, Russell city manager, (center) with several other&nbsp; Russell County residents at Tuesday's Hays town hall meeting for Kansas Framework for Growth.</figcaption>
 </figure>Quinday suggested there needs to be a better definition of "rural.""Some [state] legislation has defined rural as a population of less than 60,000," Quinday said, "but outside of Wichita and Kansas City there are very few actual cities that are over 60,000. So any incentive that's meant for rural Kansas, anybody could use [it] except for Wichita and Kansas City, Kansas."Rural areas came up again during talk about the challenge of keeping well-educated Kansans in the state after they graduate."I think 'invest in urban vibrancy' is too limited. I think it should be 'invest in community vibrancy,'" said one woman."I think that's what all of us want from our local communities, regardless of size -&nbsp; creating quality of life, places that our young people want to come home to when they're ready to raise their family. That means we have to make our communities desirable places to live, work and play."Quinday agreed, noting that Hays and Russell are already investing in their respective downtowns."Hays is a regional hub that everybody comes to but we're all in it together.&nbsp; If we all don't succeed, then the whole state (is affected.)"Another woman pointed out urban areas have a larger population and therefore a bigger tax base."So we really should be talking about investing into our rural communities and let the urban communities invest in themselves," she said.According to Gootman, economic development efforts in Kansas are "extraordinarily fragmented."Working remotely, often considered a lure back home for residents who moved out of Kansas, is "a complicated issue" and it "didn't save rural America," Gootman said.(The Statewide Broadband Expansion Planning Task Force, chaired by Lt. Gov. Lynn Rogers, will release its report to the Kansas Legislature in January 2020.)Months-long paid apprenticeships and internships businesses were seen as a positive, but can be expensive for small businesses. "Our apprentices tend to stay with us," said Hess Services employee Joe Leroux. Hess Services in Hays, a turnkey operation producing&nbsp;oilfield and industrial equipment, currently has 352 employees with many open positions.Another participant said there's a need for more skilled trades workers across the entire state.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;A business council&nbsp;to provide insight from a broad spectrum of Kansas business leaders from multiple industries has been assembled by KFG and includes Hays resident Mark Hess,&nbsp;vice-president of operations at&nbsp;<a href="https://hess-services.com/" target="_blank">Hess Services</a>.&nbsp; &nbsp;Edward Herrman, HaysMed President/CEO, talked about succession planning.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1576117641108.jpeg" alt="Edward Herrman, HaysMed&nbsp; President/CEO, (center front, says Kansas needs to help support business succession planning in small communities." />
 <figcaption>Edward Herrman, HaysMed&nbsp; President/CEO, (center front, says Kansas needs to help support business succession planning in small communities.</figcaption>
 </figure>"In a lot of communities that are our size or even smaller, there's already existing companies that are very successful small businesses. There's no one to take them over," Herrman said."How do you identify individuals and tell them we can help you have a really great life in doing something&nbsp; you'd like to do in an existing business? And, how do you make that transition?," he asked Gootman."Succession has come up many times [in this process].&nbsp; Kansas has not really addressed it at the state level as an issue," Gootman answered.More town hall meetings will be held. More feedback will be collected.&nbsp;The next steps in the process are benchmarking best practices from other states, reviewing recommendations, and developing a proposed implementation plan to accelerate growth in Kansas. Upon delivery of the draft plan, stakeholder engagement will continue.&nbsp;Clark says the state should spend a year creating its economic development strategy."It requires focus. It requires sustained investment. It requires partnerships and collaboration between economic development entities -&nbsp; whether it's the state or whether it's local - with businesses, with communities, with the education sector,&nbsp; healthcare sector," Clark stressed."You have to have those partnerships and that focused, sustained investment if you're going to succeed with growing your economy and competing with all the other states we're competing against."Corrected 1 p.m. Thursday to reflect Gootman's correct organization.&nbsp;Corrected 2:15 p.m. Thursday to reflect Quinday's correct title.

🎥 Kansas: 'Our economy is flatlining'

October 9, 1944 ~ December 10, 2019

An obituary and services are pending with Bateman Funeral Home, Goodland.

October 9, 1944 ~ December 10, 2019An obituary and services are pending with Bateman Funeral Home, Goodland.

Shirley A. Barnhart

<img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575911737884.jpeg">Harry Moser and Jerry Kuckelman are new KLA officers. Kuckelman is the former manager of Fairleigh Feed Yard in Scott City. KLA WICHITA – Members of the <a href="https://www.kla.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Kansas Livestock Association</a> elected Wheaton cow-calf producer Harry Moser as president during the group’s annual business meeting December 6 in Wichita. The membership chose Jerry Kuckelman, a cattle feeder from Manhattan, as KLA president-elect. Moser and Kuckelman will lead the 5,600-member organization during the next year. &nbsp;Moser and his family own a seedstock and commercial cow-calf enterprise in Marshall and Pottawatomie counties. Seedstock is merchandized by private treaty, with steers finished on the ranch and sold through a niche market. The cattle graze primarily on native Flint Hills pastures. All the feed for the cattle is grown on the ranch. Moser Ranch won the Beef Improvement Federation (BIF) Seedstock Producer of the Year award in 2003. The ranch was selected as Outstanding Stockman for 2012 by the K-State Block and Bridle Club. He is a second-generation cattle producer. His parents, LaVerne and Elaine Moser, moved to town in October after 61 years of life together on the ranch they purchased in 1958 near Elgin, ND, where Harry grew up. The North Dakota ranch remains in the Moser family. The third generation of Mosers is living and working on the Kansas ranch, with the fourth generation learning alongside their parents and grandparents. Moser, his wife Lisa, son Cameron and his wife Carrie, are involved in the day-to-day ranch operations. Daughter Kendra Michaelis is the office manager for Crist and Pieschl Rehab in Marysville, and her husband, Rex, is a crop adjuster for RCIS. Daughter Kayla Josefiak and her husband, Ty, farm and ranch in Pawnee County, where Kayla currently serves as KLA county chair. Harry and Lisa have nine grandchildren. Moser is a past chairman of both the KLA Stockgrowers Council and KLA Membership Committee. He has served on the KLA Executive Committee and is a member of the KLA Board of Directors. Moser, a graduate of the KLA Leadership Conference, served as 2018 vice chairman of the KLA Policy &amp; Resolutions Committee. He has represented KLA on the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Board of Directors. He is a past chairman of the board of the American Simmental Association and previously has served on the BIF Board of Directors. Moser also has served as president of the Kansas Simmental Association. He currently is serving on the Nemaha-Marshall Rural Electric Association Board of Directors. Harry and Lisa were 4-H beef leaders for three years in Jackson County and 17 years in Pottawatomie County. Moser graduated from North Dakota State in 1981 with a bachelor’s degree in animal sciences &amp; industry. &nbsp;Kuckelman is the president and chief executive officer of Innovative Livestock Services (ILS, which consists of eight feedyards in central Kansas and south central Nebraska and an extensive farming operation. He began his career as a cattle buyer for IBP, then transitioned into feedyard management where he spent 27 years, with most of that time as manager of Fairleigh Feed Yard in Scott City. Kuckelman joined ILS in early 2011 as chief operating officer. He grew up on a diversified farm near Baileyville that involved cattle feeding, dairy and hog operations. Today, he and his wife, Linda, reside in Manhattan. The couple have three grown daughters. Jill Miller and her husband, Justin, live in Kansas City, KS; Kelsey Kuckelman also resides in Kansas City, KS; and Amber Kuckelman lives in Dallas, TX.&nbsp;&nbsp; He was introduced to KLA in 1985 when he was elected as Scott County KLA director. Since that time, Kuckelman has held various positions within the organization. He currently is a member of the KLA Board of Directors and the KLA Risk Management Services Safety Committee. Kuckelman served as chairman of the KLA Cattle Feeders Council in 2017 and is a past member of the KLA Executive Committee. He also previously has represented KLA on the NCBA Board of Directors. In addition to his service to KLA and NCBA, he currently is a member of the Livestock and Meat Industry Council.&nbsp; KLA is a 5,600-member trade organization representing the state’s livestock business on legislative, regulatory and industry issues at both the state and federal levels. The association’s work is funded through voluntary dues dollars paid by its members.

Former western Kansas cattle feeder chosen KLA president-elect

Rachel Etiennette Oldham was born November 20th, 1984 to Dennis Oldham and Regina (Whipple) Oldham in Burlington, Colorado. She was welcomed home by her older sister, Hailey Oldham, who became her fierce protector. After a courageous battle with kidney disease starting at age 2, she passed away December 7th, 2019 at her home in Goodland, Kansas.

Rachel grew up in Burlington, Colorado attending the Burlington school system, graduating in 2004. Rachel took CNA classes in Colby, Kansas in the summer of 2002. She worked for Stratton Coop, Wheatridge Acres, and Res-care Golden West.

It was in Burlington that she met the love of her life and best friend, Zeb Smith. They both attended the Kit Carson Correction Center open house in October 1998, which offered an overnight stay in jail for those interested. Rachel and her many girlfriends and Zeb with his friends chose to stay. They all played games and chased each other throughout the night. They would joke they met while in prison. They started dating in 2000 and started sharing a life together in 2004. Brayden became part of their lives in November 2006, and with Brayden’s final adoption on September 9th, 2009, their family was complete.

Rachel was a devoted wife and mother, taking great pride in having a welcoming and warm home. She loved the change of seasons, adding and removing decorations around her house for each season and holiday. She loved the Christmas season with the birth of our Savior, the bright lights, and decorations. Rachel loved to cook and bake from an early age, starting at her parents’ and grandparents’ kitchens, which were always busy places.&nbsp; She especially loved cooking with her father and learning the family recipes. Christmas was always special as trays of goodies were taken to friends and neighbors to share and to visit. She loved collecting and sharing recipes and ideas.

Rachel loved living in the country with her garden, chickens, ducks, honey bees and various other animals. She was active with Zeb and Brayden in 4-H and school. Rachel and Zeb also enjoyed working together remodeling rental properties.

Rachel is preceded in death by her father, Dennis Oldham and father-in-law Rex Smith; Grandparents Forrest and Regina Whipple, Lois Crist, Viola and Jerome Janousek, and Royce and Blanche Smith; Aunts Kim Armbrister, Judy Hadley, and Joyce Meyer; Uncles Larry Oldham and Clifford Whipple; and her cousins Loyd Whipple, Jennifer Whipple, Grant Winslow and Brent Oldham.

The people she leaves behind with broken hearts and cherished memories are: Zeb and Brayden Smith, mother Regina Oldham, mother-in-law Colleen Smith and Mike Maupin, Grandpa Dale Crist, her sister Hailey Oldham, sister-in-law Jandi Smith, brother-in-law Spencer Smith as well as her aunts, uncles, cousins and many friends.

Honorary pallbearers are Kim Bohme, Chuck and Joyce Bohme, Kim and James Mayfield, Kyle and Danielle Ramsey, Nicole Holub, and Karen Loudon.

Rachel became a strong advocate of Donate Life and was an active participant in the annual donor dash. She had her team of family and friends joining her for this very important day. Rachel was very passionate about blood and organ donation. She wanted everyone to know how important it is to be a blood and organ donor. She wants everyone to donate blood on a regular basis and to register as an organ donor. Please keep in mind that when one recipient receives an organ donation, that recipient is not the only one affected; everyone around them is as well: spouses, children, parents, grandparents, siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. Organ donation is truly a gift that keeps on giving. It also gives the donor family comfort knowing their loss has truly blessed another family.

Services for Rachel will be held on Tuesday, December 17, 2019 at 10:00 AM MT at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Goodland with Father Andrew Rockers officiating.&nbsp; Inurnment will follow in the Fairview Cemetery in Burlington, CO.

Visitation will be held on Monday, December 16, 2019 from 5:00 to 6:00 PM MT at Koons-Russell Funeral Home in Goodland with a Parish Rosary to begin at 6:00 PM.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Rachel Oldham Memorial Fund to be used for her son Brayden, and may be left at the services or mailed to Koons-Russell Funeral Home, 211 N. Main Ave., Goodland, KS 67735.

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

Services for Rachel have been entrusted to Koons-Russell Funeral Home in Goodland.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575987033577.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Rachel Etiennette Oldham was born November 20th, 1984 to Dennis Oldham and Regina (Whipple) Oldham in Burlington, Colorado. She was welcomed home by her older sister, Hailey Oldham, who became her fierce protector. After a courageous battle with kidney disease starting at age 2, she passed away December 7th, 2019 at her home in Goodland, Kansas.Rachel grew up in Burlington, Colorado attending the Burlington school system, graduating in 2004. Rachel took CNA classes in Colby, Kansas in the summer of 2002. She worked for Stratton Coop, Wheatridge Acres, and Res-care Golden West.It was in Burlington that she met the love of her life and best friend, Zeb Smith. They both attended the Kit Carson Correction Center open house in October 1998, which offered an overnight stay in jail for those interested. Rachel and her many girlfriends and Zeb with his friends chose to stay. They all played games and chased each other throughout the night. They would joke they met while in prison. They started dating in 2000 and started sharing a life together in 2004. Brayden became part of their lives in November 2006, and with Brayden’s final adoption on September 9th, 2009, their family was complete.Rachel was a devoted wife and mother, taking great pride in having a welcoming and warm home. She loved the change of seasons, adding and removing decorations around her house for each season and holiday. She loved the Christmas season with the birth of our Savior, the bright lights, and decorations. Rachel loved to cook and bake from an early age, starting at her parents’ and grandparents’ kitchens, which were always busy places.&nbsp; She especially loved cooking with her father and learning the family recipes. Christmas was always special as trays of goodies were taken to friends and neighbors to share and to visit. She loved collecting and sharing recipes and ideas.Rachel loved living in the country with her garden, chickens, ducks, honey bees and various other animals. She was active with Zeb and Brayden in 4-H and school. Rachel and Zeb also enjoyed working together remodeling rental properties.Rachel is preceded in death by her father, Dennis Oldham and father-in-law Rex Smith; Grandparents Forrest and Regina Whipple, Lois Crist, Viola and Jerome Janousek, and Royce and Blanche Smith; Aunts Kim Armbrister, Judy Hadley, and Joyce Meyer; Uncles Larry Oldham and Clifford Whipple; and her cousins Loyd Whipple, Jennifer Whipple, Grant Winslow and Brent Oldham.The people she leaves behind with broken hearts and cherished memories are: Zeb and Brayden Smith, mother Regina Oldham, mother-in-law Colleen Smith and Mike Maupin, Grandpa Dale Crist, her sister Hailey Oldham, sister-in-law Jandi Smith, brother-in-law Spencer Smith as well as her aunts, uncles, cousins and many friends.Honorary pallbearers are Kim Bohme, Chuck and Joyce Bohme, Kim and James Mayfield, Kyle and Danielle Ramsey, Nicole Holub, and Karen Loudon.Rachel became a strong advocate of Donate Life and was an active participant in the annual donor dash. She had her team of family and friends joining her for this very important day. Rachel was very passionate about blood and organ donation. She wanted everyone to know how important it is to be a blood and organ donor. She wants everyone to donate blood on a regular basis and to register as an organ donor. Please keep in mind that when one recipient receives an organ donation, that recipient is not the only one affected; everyone around them is as well: spouses, children, parents, grandparents, siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. Organ donation is truly a gift that keeps on giving. It also gives the donor family comfort knowing their loss has truly blessed another family.Services for Rachel will be held on Tuesday, December 17, 2019 at 10:00 AM MT at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Goodland with Father Andrew Rockers officiating.&nbsp; Inurnment will follow in the Fairview Cemetery in Burlington, CO.Visitation will be held on Monday, December 16, 2019 from 5:00 to 6:00 PM MT at Koons-Russell Funeral Home in Goodland with a Parish Rosary to begin at 6:00 PM.Memorial contributions may be made to the Rachel Oldham Memorial Fund to be used for her son Brayden, and may be left at the services or mailed to Koons-Russell Funeral Home, 211 N. Main Ave., Goodland, KS 67735.Online Condolences for the family may be left at <a href="http://www.koonsrussellfuneralhome.com">www.koonsrussellfuneralhome.com</a>.Services for Rachel have been entrusted to Koons-Russell Funeral Home in Goodland.

Rachel Etiennette Oldham

Johnette Jolene Schaben, 90, passed away on December 9, 2019 at the 
Country Place Senior Living in Larned, Kansas. She was born on October 
8, 1929 on the farm south of Bazine, the daughter of John and Lucinda 
(Tittle) Wittman.

Johnette was a homemaker and farm wife. In her younger years, she 
worked at the Bazine Drug Store and the Bazine Bank. She later worked in
 the banking field after the couple briefly moved to Hoquiam, 
Washington. She married Ronald Schaben on Saturday, September 4, 1948, 
in Bazine. Rarely was one seen without the other. Ronald passed away on 
September 10, 2007.

Survivors include two sons, Johnny Schaben and wife Yolanda of Great 
Bend, Bradley and fiancé, Elaine Younger of Bazine; a daughter, Jolana 
McCart of Norman, OK; a brother, Robert Wittman; 5 grandchildren, and 9 
great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; 
sister, Ilene Maier; brother, Larry Wittman; son-in-law, Mark McCart; 
and grandson, Greg Schaben.

Funeral service will be on Wednesday, December 11, 2:00 P.M., at 
Fitzgerald Funeral Home, Ness City, Kansas. Burial in the Bazine 
Cemetery, Bazine, Kansas. Friends may call at Fitzgerald Funeral Home on
 Tuesday, December 10 from 4:00 P.M. - 8:00 P.M. with the family present
 from 6:00 P.M. - 8:00 P.M. Viewing will also be on Wednesday, December 
11, from 9:00 A.M. until service time.

Memorial contributions may be given to the Bazine Cemetery Fund.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575994255889.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Johnette Jolene Schaben, 90, passed away on December 9, 2019 at the 
Country Place Senior Living in Larned, Kansas. She was born on October 
8, 1929 on the farm south of Bazine, the daughter of John and Lucinda 
(Tittle) Wittman.Johnette was a homemaker and farm wife. In her younger years, she 
worked at the Bazine Drug Store and the Bazine Bank. She later worked in
 the banking field after the couple briefly moved to Hoquiam, 
Washington. She married Ronald Schaben on Saturday, September 4, 1948, 
in Bazine. Rarely was one seen without the other. Ronald passed away on 
September 10, 2007.Survivors include two sons, Johnny Schaben and wife Yolanda of Great 
Bend, Bradley and fiancé, Elaine Younger of Bazine; a daughter, Jolana 
McCart of Norman, OK; a brother, Robert Wittman; 5 grandchildren, and 9 
great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; 
sister, Ilene Maier; brother, Larry Wittman; son-in-law, Mark McCart; 
and grandson, Greg Schaben.Funeral service will be on Wednesday, December 11, 2:00 P.M., at 
Fitzgerald Funeral Home, Ness City, Kansas. Burial in the Bazine 
Cemetery, Bazine, Kansas. Friends may call at Fitzgerald Funeral Home on
 Tuesday, December 10 from 4:00 P.M. - 8:00 P.M. with the family present
 from 6:00 P.M. - 8:00 P.M. Viewing will also be on Wednesday, December 
11, from 9:00 A.M. until service time.Memorial contributions may be given to the Bazine Cemetery Fund.

Johnette Jolene Schaben

October 16, 1935 ~ December 9, 2019

An obituary and services are pending with Koons-Russell Funeral Home.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575986963364.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>October 16, 1935 ~ December 9, 2019An obituary and services are pending with Koons-Russell Funeral Home.

Beverly Elaine (Hawks) Hurd

 Norva Pruter, 87, of Great Bend, Kansas, and former Natoma and Russell, Kansas, resident died on Saturday, December 07, 2019, at the Harry Hynes Hospice in Wichita, Kansas.

Norva was born on 
October 01, 1932, in Natoma, Kansas, the daughter of Joseph and Adeline 
(Stiverson) Weldon.&nbsp; She grew up in Natoma and graduated from Natoma 
High School in the class of 1950.&nbsp;&nbsp; After high school, she attended the 
Kansas City Bible College in Overland Park, Kansas.&nbsp; As a young lady, 
she worked at the Natoma Ben Franklin Variety Store and the Natoma Post 
Office.&nbsp; She met, fell in love and was united in marriage to Ray Eldon 
Pruter on September 28, 1951, in Natoma, Kansas.&nbsp; From this union, Norva
 and Ray were blessed with three children: Jodell, Dale and Kenny. Norva
 remained a stay-at-home mom until her children were grown and then 
worked as a kitchen employee at the Russell Senior Center until retiring
 in 1999.

She dedicated her life 
to the Lord at an early age and was an active member of the Church of 
God (Holiness) in Natoma where she held various offices. Later in life, 
she attended Otterbein United Methodist Church in Russell, Kansas, and 
the Church of the Nazarene in Great Bend, Kansas.&nbsp; She loved and was 
passionate about her relationship with Christ and lived her life based 
on Christ's love and teachings.&nbsp; Because of her strong relationship with
 Christ, she faithfully read and studied the Bible on a daily basis and 
took great pride in fully reading the Bible for 35 years in a row.&nbsp; Her 
friends and family will fondly remember her as a devout Christian and 
devoted wife, mother and grandmother.&nbsp; She will also be remembered as a 
person who was a great listener and always took the time to help with 
and pray for her family and friends’ joys and concerns.

She enjoyed gardening, camping, fishing, going to family reunions, church camp, and gospel music, especially quartets.&nbsp;&nbsp; 

Norva's surviving family
 include her daughter Jodell Glick of Winfield, Kansas; sons Dale E. 
Pruter (Sherry) and Kenny Pruter (Patty) both of Great Bend, Kansas; 
sister Elsie Richmond of Plainville, Kansas; 4 grandchildren: Tarena, 
Trent, Luke and Audra; ten great grandchildren: Levi, Taylor, Sophia, 
Sydnee, Sylvia, Kaiden, Kenzlie, Maddie, Henry and Halle; and one great 
great grandchild Roland.

She was preceded in death by her parents and husband of 62 years, Ray Eldon, on April 29, 2014.

A celebration of Norva's
 life will be held at 10 A.M. on Thursday, December 12, 2019, at the 
Great Bend First Church of the Nazarene, Great Bend, Kansas, with 
Pastors Josh and Amy Foster officiating.&nbsp; Burial will take place at the 
Natoma City Cemetery at 2:30 PM on Thursday in Natoma, Kansas.&nbsp; 
Visitation will take place at 9 a.m. on Thursday, December 12.&nbsp; 
Memorials may be given to Great Bend First Church of the Nazarene and 
sent in care of the mortuary.&nbsp; Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell
 and Natoma are in charge of the funeral service arrangements.

<figure>
 <img src="http://www.pvpmortuary.com/images/Pruter,Norvacoveroval.gif" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure> Norva Pruter, 87, of Great Bend, Kansas, and former Natoma and Russell, Kansas, resident died on Saturday, December 07, 2019, at the Harry Hynes Hospice in Wichita, Kansas.Norva was born on 
October 01, 1932, in Natoma, Kansas, the daughter of Joseph and Adeline 
(Stiverson) Weldon.&nbsp; She grew up in Natoma and graduated from Natoma 
High School in the class of 1950.&nbsp;&nbsp; After high school, she attended the 
Kansas City Bible College in Overland Park, Kansas.&nbsp; As a young lady, 
she worked at the Natoma Ben Franklin Variety Store and the Natoma Post 
Office.&nbsp; She met, fell in love and was united in marriage to Ray Eldon 
Pruter on September 28, 1951, in Natoma, Kansas.&nbsp; From this union, Norva
 and Ray were blessed with three children: Jodell, Dale and Kenny. Norva
 remained a stay-at-home mom until her children were grown and then 
worked as a kitchen employee at the Russell Senior Center until retiring
 in 1999.She dedicated her life 
to the Lord at an early age and was an active member of the Church of 
God (Holiness) in Natoma where she held various offices. Later in life, 
she attended Otterbein United Methodist Church in Russell, Kansas, and 
the Church of the Nazarene in Great Bend, Kansas.&nbsp; She loved and was 
passionate about her relationship with Christ and lived her life based 
on Christ's love and teachings.&nbsp; Because of her strong relationship with
 Christ, she faithfully read and studied the Bible on a daily basis and 
took great pride in fully reading the Bible for 35 years in a row.&nbsp; Her 
friends and family will fondly remember her as a devout Christian and 
devoted wife, mother and grandmother.&nbsp; She will also be remembered as a 
person who was a great listener and always took the time to help with 
and pray for her family and friends’ joys and concerns.She enjoyed gardening, camping, fishing, going to family reunions, church camp, and gospel music, especially quartets.&nbsp;&nbsp; Norva's surviving family
 include her daughter Jodell Glick of Winfield, Kansas; sons Dale E. 
Pruter (Sherry) and Kenny Pruter (Patty) both of Great Bend, Kansas; 
sister Elsie Richmond of Plainville, Kansas; 4 grandchildren: Tarena, 
Trent, Luke and Audra; ten great grandchildren: Levi, Taylor, Sophia, 
Sydnee, Sylvia, Kaiden, Kenzlie, Maddie, Henry and Halle; and one great 
great grandchild Roland.She was preceded in death by her parents and husband of 62 years, Ray Eldon, on April 29, 2014.A celebration of Norva's
 life will be held at 10 A.M. on Thursday, December 12, 2019, at the 
Great Bend First Church of the Nazarene, Great Bend, Kansas, with 
Pastors Josh and Amy Foster officiating.&nbsp; Burial will take place at the 
Natoma City Cemetery at 2:30 PM on Thursday in Natoma, Kansas.&nbsp; 
Visitation will take place at 9 a.m. on Thursday, December 12.&nbsp; 
Memorials may be given to Great Bend First Church of the Nazarene and 
sent in care of the mortuary.&nbsp; Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell
 and Natoma are in charge of the funeral service arrangements.

Norva Pruter

Bertha (Flax) Riedel, 91, passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 7, 2019 in WaKeeney, KS with her family by her side.&nbsp;

Bertha was born on November 5, 1928 in Ellis, KS to Ignatz and 
Elizabeth (Weber) Flax.&nbsp;She was a lifetime resident of Trego County and a
 1946 graduate of Ellis High School. Bertha was married to Edward 
(Eddie) A. Riedel on April 13, 1948. Together they raised ten children, 
five boys and five girls. Edward passed away October 30, 1970. After his
 death, Bertha continued operating the family farm with the help of her 
children. She was a member of Saint Mary’s Catholic Church and Daughters
 of Isabella. She was also a former member of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary.

She is survived by nine children: Duane of Arvada, CO, Melvin 
(Donna, Marvin (Arlene) both of Ellis, KS, Darren of Talala, OK, Judy 
(Vic) Manz, Joyce Richardson both of Arvada, CO, Wanda (David) Hill of 
Peyton, CO, Bernita Augustine of WaKeeney, KS, Mary Kay (Curtis) Weber 
of Ellis, KS, and daughter in law, Laura Riedel of Wichita, KS. She is 
also survived by 22 grandchildren and 23 great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Edward, and son, Troy, her parents, six sisters and one infant brother.

Bertha often commented one of her favorite times in life was when her
 children were all at home and playing under her feet. She also enjoyed 
being outdoors on her farm, gardening, raising her chickens, and 
cooking.

Visitation will be Wednesday, 4&nbsp;PM - 8 PM with a Daughters of 
Isabella&nbsp;rosary at 6:30 PM followed by a parish vigil service at 7 PM 
all at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 703 Monroe Street, Ellis, KS 67637.

Funeral Services will be Thursday, December 12, 2019 at 10:00 AM at 
St. Mary's Catholic Church in Ellis.&nbsp; Burial will follow in the St. Mary
 Cemetery, Ellis.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to St. 
Mary’s Church, St. Mary’s School or Trego-Memorial Lemke Long Term Care.

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/2019/12/1575986536484.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Bertha (Flax) Riedel, 91, passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 7, 2019 in WaKeeney, KS with her family by her side.&nbsp;Bertha was born on November 5, 1928 in Ellis, KS to Ignatz and 
Elizabeth (Weber) Flax.&nbsp;She was a lifetime resident of Trego County and a
 1946 graduate of Ellis High School. Bertha was married to Edward 
(Eddie) A. Riedel on April 13, 1948. Together they raised ten children, 
five boys and five girls. Edward passed away October 30, 1970. After his
 death, Bertha continued operating the family farm with the help of her 
children. She was a member of Saint Mary’s Catholic Church and Daughters
 of Isabella. She was also a former member of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary.She is survived by nine children: Duane of Arvada, CO, Melvin 
(Donna, Marvin (Arlene) both of Ellis, KS, Darren of Talala, OK, Judy 
(Vic) Manz, Joyce Richardson both of Arvada, CO, Wanda (David) Hill of 
Peyton, CO, Bernita Augustine of WaKeeney, KS, Mary Kay (Curtis) Weber 
of Ellis, KS, and daughter in law, Laura Riedel of Wichita, KS. She is 
also survived by 22 grandchildren and 23 great grandchildren.She was preceded in death by her husband, Edward, and son, Troy, her parents, six sisters and one infant brother.Bertha often commented one of her favorite times in life was when her
 children were all at home and playing under her feet. She also enjoyed 
being outdoors on her farm, gardening, raising her chickens, and 
cooking.Visitation will be Wednesday, 4&nbsp;PM - 8 PM with a Daughters of 
Isabella&nbsp;rosary at 6:30 PM followed by a parish vigil service at 7 PM 
all at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 703 Monroe Street, Ellis, KS 67637.Funeral Services will be Thursday, December 12, 2019 at 10:00 AM at 
St. Mary's Catholic Church in Ellis.&nbsp; Burial will follow in the St. Mary
 Cemetery, Ellis.In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to St. 
Mary’s Church, St. Mary’s School or Trego-Memorial Lemke Long Term Care.Condolences may be left by guest book at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com or by email at keithleyfuneralhomes@gmail.com.

Bertha (Flax) Riedel

<img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575920720517.png">Liuqi Gu photo from <a href="https://eeb.ku.edu/liuqi-gu" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">his KU Bio page</a> in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology LAWRENCE –– A researcher at the University of Kansas has been charged with two counts of theft and four related criminal charges, according to Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt. Liuqi Gu, 37, of Lawrence, was charged Thursday in Douglas County District Court&nbsp;with one felony count of theft in excess of $100,000, one felony count of theft between $25,000 and $100,000, one felony count of unlawful acts concerning computers, one felony count of making false information, one misdemeanor count of official misconduct and one misdemeanor count of failure to pay state sales tax. Gu was taken into custody today by the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office. The complaint alleges from November 2016 to October 2018, Gu falsely represented that purchases he made from Thermo-Fisher Scientific were for the use of the University of Kansas in order to receive discounts from the company for his personal benefit or the benefit of another. It also alleges Gu used confidential information acquired in the course of his employment with the University of Kansas in order to avoid paying sales tax totaling between $25,000 and $100,000 on those purchases. The investigation in this case was conducted by the Fraud &amp; Abuse Litigation Division of the attorney general’s office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

University of Kansas researcher charged with theft and more

<img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575738423518.jpeg">Iris R. House, 71, passed away December 6, 2019, at Medicalodges of Great Bend. She was born on November 19, 1948 at Wichita to Russell J. &amp; Wilma I. (Smith) Paris. She married Martin House on October 21, 1978 at Great Bend and spent 41 years together. Coming from Russell in the 1960's, Iris was a Great Bend resident. She was the computer operator at Fuller Brush for 15 years and then retired from Bird Oil after 10 years. She was a member of the First Southern Baptist Church and was in the United States Navy from 1970-1973. She enjoyed reading, sewing and painting but especially loved being with her grandchildren. Survivors include, her husband Martin of the home; two daughters, Amber McHenry of Great Bend and Kelly Horning and husband Abe of Salina; two stepsons, Brian House and wife Molly of Fort Hood, Tex. and Michael House and wife Debbie of Harbor Beach, Mich; and eight grandchildren, Sydni, Rylan, Autumn, Ashlind, Wyatt, Dylani, David and Claudia. She was preceded in death by her parents, Russell and Wilma Paris. Visitation will be held from 1:00 to 9:00 p.m., Wednesday, December 11, 2019 at Bryant Funeral Home, with family receiving friends from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Funeral Service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, December 12, 2019, at First Southern Baptist Church in Great Bend, with Pastor Tim Singleton presiding. Interment will be in the Great Bend Cemetery North. Memorials are suggested to the Shriner’s Hospital for Children, in care of Bryant Funeral Home.&nbsp;

Iris R. House

<img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575738193745.jpeg">Lena Katharina Hagen, age 105, passed away Thursday, December 5, 2019 at the Good Samaritan Society, Ellis. Lena Hagen was born on a farm North of Ellis on October 27, 1914 to Adam and Minnie (Homburg) Massier. She was the oldest of the Massier’s four children. Lena was baptized and later confirmed in the German language at St John's Lutheran Church North of Ellis. As a young girl she attended the Old Star school, an elementary school from which she graduated upon completion of the 8th grade just up the road South of the farm on which she was born. As a young woman she taught herself to play the piano and enjoyed serving as the church organist at St John's Lutheran Church for several years. On September 12, 1934 she married the son of a neighboring farmer, William H. “Bill” Hagen and moved with him to a home in Ellis at North Washington and 4th Street. She lived in that same house until the age of 92 when she relocated to Cedar View assisted living in Hays. Her final residence was the Good Samaritan Society, Ellis. After her marriage and move to town, Lena became a member of Christ Lutheran Church in Ellis where she was a life-long member active in the ladies groups, Sunday school, the choir and various other functions of the church. Lena is survived by her son, Garnis Hagen of Santa Fe NM; a grandson, Tyson Hagen and his wife Susan and a great granddaughter Kaitlyn all of Boulder, CO; one remaining sister-in-law, Martha Massier of Ellis as well as numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Bill in 2001; her brothers, Edward Massier and Ernest Massier; a sister, Margaret Mohney all of Ellis and a daughter-in- law Susan Hagen of Santa Fe, NM. Funeral services will be at 10:30 AM Monday, December 9, 2019 at the Christ Lutheran Church in Ellis. Burial will follow in Mt. Hope Cemetery, Ellis.Visitation will be Sunday 5 PM – 8 PM with a prayer service at 7 PM all at Keithley Funeral Chapel 400 E. 17th Ellis, KS 67637. Memorial contributions are suggested to Christ Lutheran Church.Condolences may be left by guest book at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com or by email at keithleyfuneralhomes@gmail.com

Lena Katharina Hagen

<img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575410079384.png">Patterson photo Sedgwick County WICHITA, KAN. – A Wichita man who said he killed another man in self-defense was indicted this week on federal firearm and drug charges, according to U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister.&nbsp;Dalton Patterson, 26, Wichita, Kan., was charged in a superseding indictment with one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, one count of unlawful possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking and two counts of unlawful possession of firearms by a user of controlled substances.&nbsp;&nbsp;On October 18, 2019, Wichita police reported that Patterson shot and killed Charles Cunningham during a fight. Police said Cunningham physically attacked Patterson and Patterson shot him.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The federal charges allege that on the day of the shooting Patterson possessed more than 50 grams of methamphetamine. The indictment also alleges that while Patterson was a user of controlled substances he unlawfully possessed a 9 mm Ruger handgun on Nov. 1, 2019, and a .380 caliber Cobra handgun on Nov. 8, 2019.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;If convicted, he could face a penalty of not less than 10 years in federal prison on the drug charge, not less than five years on the charge of unlawful possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking and up to 10 years on each count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a user of controlled substances. The Wichita Police Department investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Debra Barnett is prosecuting.

Indictment: Kan. man who fired fatal shot  was distributing meth

<img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575468021936.jpeg">Robert Wayne Rhoades, age 72, of Quinter, Kansas, passed away on Wednesday, November 27, 2019, at Gove County Medical Center in Quinter. Bob was born on October 24, 1947 in Quinter, KS to Wayne and Doris (Jamison) Rhoades. Bob attended grade school in Wichita, KS, and graduated in 1965 from Monadnock Regional High School in Swanzey Center, New Hampshire.&nbsp;Bob was joined in marriage to Gail Lougee on June 4, 1966 in Swanzey Center, NH. Bob worked for the Rhoades Window Co. in Quinter, and shortly after their marriage, Bob joined the United States Air Force, where he proudly served his country as a Staff Sergeant working in ground communications until October 1970.&nbsp;Bob also worked as a welder for Flex King, drove a semi, both as an employee and owner/operator. Bob then joined the maintenance crew at Gove County Medical Center, where he worked for 17 years until his retirement. Bob was a member of the AARP, NRA, and the Local Hunter Safety Teacher organization. Bob was an avid hunter and fisherman, and he enjoyed boating, ammunition reloading, and chainsaw cutting, which he used to heat his shop with his barrel stove.&nbsp;Bob is survived by his beloved wife of 53 years, Gail Rhoades of Quinter, KS; step-mother Phyllis Rhoades of Wichita, KS; daughters Errin Arnold (Kevin) of Katy, TX and Jenna Simon (Les) of Morland, KS; Grandchildren Shiloh Wedermyer of South Bend, IN, Dalton Wedermyer (Makayla Gotchall) of Great Bend, KS, Heidi Simon and Micah Simon of Morland, KS, and Kaleigh Arnold and Lauren Arnold of Katy TX; great-granddaughter Dawn Wedermyer of Great Bend, KS and many nieces and nephews.&nbsp;Bob is preceded in death by both parents; brother Richard A. Rhoades; and sister Lynnette J. Rhoades.&nbsp;Visitation will be from 3:00 PM until 4:00 PM, Friday, December 6, 2019, at Schmitt Funeral Home in Quinter.&nbsp;A memorial service will be held at 4:00 PM, Friday, December 6, 2019, at Schmitt Funeral Home, Quinter, directly following the visitation.&nbsp;Memorial contributions are suggested to the American Heart Association or Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism (KDWPT) for Hunter’s safety. Donations may be sent to Schmitt Funeral Home, 901 South Main Street Quinter, KS&nbsp;67752.

Robert Wayne Rhoades

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — Authorities have used ground-penetrating radar to search for evidence in a 20-year-old missing person case. Kansas City, Kansas, police said in a news release that officers searched Monday on an empty lot and found an anomaly in an area that once contained a home where Star Boomer stayed off and on with her boyfriend. The release says the images don’t show exactly what is under the soil, but that the investigation will continue as police work to “bring an end to this cold case and hopefully some closure to the family. Boomer was last seen in February 1999 at a bar in the area. <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575390325110.png">Two Kansas City, Kansas, men were charged in her disappearance in October 1999. The case was dismissed after witnesses refused to testify. Detectives reopened the cold case in 2017.

Police search for evidence in 20-year-old Kan. cold case

<img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575412381011.png">Frick / Rawlins County photo ATWOOD – An Atwood man was sentenced today to more than 12 years in prison for child sex crimes, Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt said in a news release Tuesday. Kyle C. Frick, 41, pleaded guilty in October to one count of aggravated indecent liberties with a child, one count of sexual exploitation of a child and one count of unlawful possession of a controlled substance. Chief Judge Kevin N. Berens on Tuesday sentenced Frick to 151 months in the Kansas Department of Corrections. Frick is also subject to lifetime post-release supervision and sex offender registration. The crimes occurred in January. The case was investigated by the Kansas Bureau of Investigation and the Rawlins County Sheriff’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant Attorney General Melissa Johnson of Schmidt’s office.&nbsp;

Schmidt: Atwood man sentenced to prison for child sex crimes

<img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575300154814.png">TOPEKA - Secretary of Commerce David Toland announced today that four town halls have been scheduled to engage the public in the development of the Kansas Framework for Growth, the economic development planning process kicked off earlier this year by Governor Laura Kelly. “We’ve been very deliberate in engaging businesses and community partners in this process, and we’ve had great participation so far,” Secretary Toland said. “Now, we’re really looking forward to hearing more from the public about what they believe are our biggest opportunities and how we might overcome some of the challenges we’re facing.” The town halls are open to the public and scheduled at locations across the state in the evenings to encourage participation. Tues., Dec. 105:00-6:30 p.m.BriefSpace, Grow Hays Building219 W. 10th St., Hays, Kan. Wed., Dec. 115:15-6:45 p.m.Kansas City Kansas Chamber of Commerce727 Minnesota, Ave., Kansas City, Kan. Thurs., Dec. 125:00-6:30 p.m.Equity Bank1700 N. Lincoln Ave., Liberal, Kan. Thurs., Dec. 126:00-7:30 p.m.Citizens Hall, McPherson Community Building122 E. Marlin Street, McPherson, Kan. Each of the town halls will give the public the opportunity to view data around key indicators of economic performance in Kansas, including demographics, education, workforce participation, incentive efficiency and industry mix.&nbsp;&nbsp;“The development of a strategy to accelerate economic growth is a critical exercise to ensure that Kansas can compete in a global economy. Just as critical is ensuring all Kansans are represented and can participate in the development of the strategy,” Secretary Toland said. “We launched an&nbsp;<a href="https://gcc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.surveymonkey.com%2Fr%2FMLVNQHL&amp;data=02%7C01%7C%7C0c90fd6bf03246a03dae08d77735cd6e%7Cdcae8101c92d480cbc43c6761ccccc5a%7C0%7C0%7C637108945273035099&amp;sdata=kQIHThYLYJEE25UdeboRPdK%2BMmsJmWQ8c19oZk3Jy8A%3D&amp;reserved=0" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(149, 79, 114);">online survey</a>&nbsp;to get the public’s input when we kicked off the process in October, and these town halls are another important step to make sure all Kansans have the opportunity to engage in the process.” Kansas Framework for Growth is the first economic development strategy for the state of Kansas since the Redwood-Krider report was issued in 1986. For more information, visit<a href="https://gcc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kansasgrowth.com&amp;data=02%7C01%7C%7C0c90fd6bf03246a03dae08d77735cd6e%7Cdcae8101c92d480cbc43c6761ccccc5a%7C0%7C0%7C637108945273045089&amp;sdata=Pnj7QOGmWzr7O8esGqj4BoMVF5CTSDm%2BkTcXVO6nBhU%3D&amp;reserved=0" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(149, 79, 114);">www.kansasgrowth.com</a>.

Statewide economic development town halls include Hays stop

<img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575230274476.png">Dinger photo Jackson County JACKSON COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas man for alleged child sex crimes. On October 22, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office investigators and deputies served a search warrant on the home a home in rural Mayetta, according to Sheriff Tim Morse. During the search warrant, law enforcement interviewed 63-year-old Ronnie Jack Dinger, and collected evidence from the scene. Deputies arrested Dinger November 27 on a Jackson County District Court warrant for rape, aggravated indecent liberties to a child under sixteen years of age and aggravated indecent liberties to a child under 14 years of age, according to Morse. Dinger was booked into the Jackson County Jail where and was later released after posting bond. He is expected to make a court appearance this week.