Donna Jean Phillips, age 78, of Manhattan, died January 9, 2022, at Meadowlark Hills – Stolzer House. 
 She was born June 22, 1943, in Dodge City, Kansas, the daughter of Ward and Edna (Beard) Sims. 
 Donna graduated from Hays High School in Hays, KS. 
 She married Stanley Vincent Irvin in Hays. They later divorced. She 
married Alan Lee Phillips on June 10,1972, in Lincoln, Nebraska. 
 While visiting the Phillips Family farm pasture near Olsburg, KS, in 
the early 1970’s, she and Alan became inspired and decided their life 
mission would be to form a retreat at that location. In 1974, they 
founded the Living Water Ranch Retreat and Conference Center. This 
God-inspired retreat became a beloved location, not only to area 
residents but to countless others who came for rest, relaxation, 
business, pleasure or simply to get away from life’s distractions. 
 Alan preceded Donna in death on January 8, 2018. 
 Survivors include her two sons: Mark Irvin and his wife Rafeala of 
Germany, and Mike Irvin and his wife Lisa of Olsburg; seven 
grandchildren: Blessed, Melissa, Crystal, Jeremy, Braden, Jaron and 
Machella; numerous great-grandchildren: and three sisters: Linda North 
of Hays, KS, Cindy Schwartz of Breckenridge, CO, and Janet Sims of 
Lenexa, KS. 
 The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. Monday, January
 17th, at the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home. Private family 
services will be held at a later date. 
 Online condolences may be left for the family by clicking on "Send Condolences" on this page. 
 In lieu of flowers the family has requested that memorial 
contributions may be made to either the Living Water Ranch or the Flint 
Hills Foster Teen Camps. Contributions may be left in care of the 
Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, KS
 66502.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1642085454833.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Donna Jean Phillips, age 78, of Manhattan, died January 9, 2022, at Meadowlark Hills – Stolzer House. 
 She was born June 22, 1943, in Dodge City, Kansas, the daughter of Ward and Edna (Beard) Sims. 
 Donna graduated from Hays High School in Hays, KS. 
 She married Stanley Vincent Irvin in Hays. They later divorced. She 
married Alan Lee Phillips on June 10,1972, in Lincoln, Nebraska. 
 While visiting the Phillips Family farm pasture near Olsburg, KS, in 
the early 1970’s, she and Alan became inspired and decided their life 
mission would be to form a retreat at that location. In 1974, they 
founded the Living Water Ranch Retreat and Conference Center. This 
God-inspired retreat became a beloved location, not only to area 
residents but to countless others who came for rest, relaxation, 
business, pleasure or simply to get away from life’s distractions. 
 Alan preceded Donna in death on January 8, 2018. 
 Survivors include her two sons: Mark Irvin and his wife Rafeala of 
Germany, and Mike Irvin and his wife Lisa of Olsburg; seven 
grandchildren: Blessed, Melissa, Crystal, Jeremy, Braden, Jaron and 
Machella; numerous great-grandchildren: and three sisters: Linda North 
of Hays, KS, Cindy Schwartz of Breckenridge, CO, and Janet Sims of 
Lenexa, KS. 
 The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. Monday, January
 17th, at the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home. Private family 
services will be held at a later date. 
 Online condolences may be left for the family by clicking on "Send Condolences" on this page. 
 In lieu of flowers the family has requested that memorial 
contributions may be made to either the Living Water Ranch or the Flint 
Hills Foster Teen Camps. Contributions may be left in care of the 
Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, KS
 66502.

Donna Jean Phillips

Helen Marie (Mason) Isom was born October 14, 1932, in Rooks County 
near Woodston, Kansas, to Lawrence and Winnie (Haines) Mason.  She was 
the oldest of six children, having three brothers and two sisters.  She 
was baptized in the First Methodist Church in Woodston.  Helen attended 
elementary and high school through her junior year in Woodston, KS.  She
 spent her senior year of high school with the family of Nick 
Heidtschmidt and graduated from Covert High School with the Class of 
1950.  After high school, Helen moved to Osborne, KS and worked at 
Duckwalls, JC Penney’s, and several cafes. 

Helen met the love of her life, Arden
 Isom, in January of 1952.  They were married on June 22, 1952, on one 
of the hottest days of the year, and were blessed with seven children:  
five boys and two girls.  At the time of Helen’s passing, they had 
celebrated 69 years of marriage.  During these many years together, they
 moved several times as that was part of working in the fossil fuel 
industry and lived in as many as five state in one year.   

They settled in Banner County, NE in 
1962 where they lived for 27 years.  From there, they moved to LaSalle, 
CO where they were again involved in the fossil fuel industry.  During 
their time in Colorado, Helen had a cleaning business and worked in 
property management.  There were very few that could outwork Helen, a 
quality she was proud of and instilled in her children.  Goodness knows 
that Helen had a knack for getting everyone up and moving as there was 
always something that needed to be done! 
Helen’s first priority was her family and very often, friends became 
family and were treated as such.  Wherever Arden and Helen lived, they 
had the gift of making many life-time friends, with Helen often keeping a
 watchful eye on neighbors, sharing meals, and generally just looking 
out for those around her.  Helen was an excellent cook and her kitchen 
was always open.  She was known for her hot rolls, jellies, and cinnamon
 rolls.  Helen took great pleasure in preparing favorite meals for those
 at her table.  Helen loved to garden and to preserve her produce which 
she gladly shared with those around her.  There are many stories about 
how many loaves of bread and hot rolls she baked while kids were still 
at home and about the huge gardens planted all over the county just in 
case one might be hailed on.  The Banner County Cookbook was never far 
away and she made sure all her children and their children had a copy of
 their own, as it was the “Kitchen Bible.”  She took great pride and 
enjoyment in gathering those important to her and cooking for all of 
them, which was rarely a small gathering.  It is hard to say how many 
electric roasters Helen has worn out over the years, doing just that. 


Helen was involved with and 
supportive of her children and did whatever she could to attend their 
many events through the years, often traveling many miles and sometimes 
in weather that it might have been better stay home in.  Many of you 
might remember the blue station wagon packed with whatever you might 
need for travel or feeding several hungry kids along the way. 

Helen was a lifetime member of the 
Order of the Eastern Star.  Arden and Helen retired back to Ogallala, NE
 in 2006 to be centrally located among their children.  It didn’t hurt 
to have a lake big enough to put a boat in and spend a little time 
fishing.  Very often, Helen was along to fish but also made sure 
everyone had a great meal at the end of the day and a bed to stay in for
 the night. 

Helen is survived by her husband, 
Arden, of 69 years; brother Clifford Mason of Hays, KS; sister Peggy 
(Gene) Bockeresett of Cuttoff, LA; children:  Larry (Gloria) of 
Lewistown, MT, Thresa Cary of Gillette, WY, Stephen (Jamie) of 
Valentine, NE, Charles (Michele) of Hemingford, NE, Jerry (Bobbi) of 
North Platte, NE, and Barbara (Larry) Wolfe of Cheyenne, WY; 17 
grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; 7 great-great-grandchildren; and 
many nieces, nephews, family, and friends. 

Helen was preceded in death by her 
son John Oliver; son-in-law Wayne Cary, parents Lawrence and Winnie 
Mason, brothers Delane Mason and Dale Lee Mason, and sister Louise 
Johnson and her husband Arlen. 

Helen’s visitation will be held from 4
 to 7 PM on Friday, January 14, 2022 at Dugan Kramer Funeral Chapel in 
Scottsbluff. Her graveside funeral service will be held at 2 PM on 
Saturday, January 15, 2022 at Chaulk Creek Cemetery with Phillip 
McConnell officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be left at <a href="http://www.shareomaha.org;" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.shareomaha.org;</a>
 select Nebraska Walleye Association Kids Fishing, and use Isom for the 
code or a charity of the donor’s choice. Fond memories and expressions 
of sympathy may be shared at <a href="http://www.dugankramer.com" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.dugankramer.com</a> for the Isom family.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1642000070998.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Helen Marie (Mason) Isom was born October 14, 1932, in Rooks County 
near Woodston, Kansas, to Lawrence and Winnie (Haines) Mason. She was 
the oldest of six children, having three brothers and two sisters. She 
was baptized in the First Methodist Church in Woodston. Helen attended 
elementary and high school through her junior year in Woodston, KS. She
 spent her senior year of high school with the family of Nick 
Heidtschmidt and graduated from Covert High School with the Class of 
1950. After high school, Helen moved to Osborne, KS and worked at 
Duckwalls, JC Penney’s, and several cafes. Helen met the love of her life, Arden
 Isom, in January of 1952. They were married on June 22, 1952, on one 
of the hottest days of the year, and were blessed with seven children: 
five boys and two girls. At the time of Helen’s passing, they had 
celebrated 69 years of marriage. During these many years together, they
 moved several times as that was part of working in the fossil fuel 
industry and lived in as many as five state in one year. They settled in Banner County, NE in 
1962 where they lived for 27 years. From there, they moved to LaSalle, 
CO where they were again involved in the fossil fuel industry. During 
their time in Colorado, Helen had a cleaning business and worked in 
property management. There were very few that could outwork Helen, a 
quality she was proud of and instilled in her children. Goodness knows 
that Helen had a knack for getting everyone up and moving as there was 
always something that needed to be done! 
Helen’s first priority was her family and very often, friends became 
family and were treated as such. Wherever Arden and Helen lived, they 
had the gift of making many life-time friends, with Helen often keeping a
 watchful eye on neighbors, sharing meals, and generally just looking 
out for those around her. Helen was an excellent cook and her kitchen 
was always open. She was known for her hot rolls, jellies, and cinnamon
 rolls. Helen took great pleasure in preparing favorite meals for those
 at her table. Helen loved to garden and to preserve her produce which 
she gladly shared with those around her. There are many stories about 
how many loaves of bread and hot rolls she baked while kids were still 
at home and about the huge gardens planted all over the county just in 
case one might be hailed on. The Banner County Cookbook was never far 
away and she made sure all her children and their children had a copy of
 their own, as it was the “Kitchen Bible.” She took great pride and 
enjoyment in gathering those important to her and cooking for all of 
them, which was rarely a small gathering. It is hard to say how many 
electric roasters Helen has worn out over the years, doing just that. 
Helen was involved with and 
supportive of her children and did whatever she could to attend their 
many events through the years, often traveling many miles and sometimes 
in weather that it might have been better stay home in. Many of you 
might remember the blue station wagon packed with whatever you might 
need for travel or feeding several hungry kids along the way. Helen was a lifetime member of the 
Order of the Eastern Star. Arden and Helen retired back to Ogallala, NE
 in 2006 to be centrally located among their children. It didn’t hurt 
to have a lake big enough to put a boat in and spend a little time 
fishing. Very often, Helen was along to fish but also made sure 
everyone had a great meal at the end of the day and a bed to stay in for
 the night. Helen is survived by her husband, 
Arden, of 69 years; brother Clifford Mason of Hays, KS; sister Peggy 
(Gene) Bockeresett of Cuttoff, LA; children: Larry (Gloria) of 
Lewistown, MT, Thresa Cary of Gillette, WY, Stephen (Jamie) of 
Valentine, NE, Charles (Michele) of Hemingford, NE, Jerry (Bobbi) of 
North Platte, NE, and Barbara (Larry) Wolfe of Cheyenne, WY; 17 
grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; 7 great-great-grandchildren; and 
many nieces, nephews, family, and friends. Helen was preceded in death by her 
son John Oliver; son-in-law Wayne Cary, parents Lawrence and Winnie 
Mason, brothers Delane Mason and Dale Lee Mason, and sister Louise 
Johnson and her husband Arlen. Helen’s visitation will be held from 4
 to 7 PM on Friday, January 14, 2022 at Dugan Kramer Funeral Chapel in 
Scottsbluff. Her graveside funeral service will be held at 2 PM on 
Saturday, January 15, 2022 at Chaulk Creek Cemetery with Phillip 
McConnell officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be left at <a href="http://www.shareomaha.org;" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.shareomaha.org;</a>
 select Nebraska Walleye Association Kids Fishing, and use Isom for the 
code or a charity of the donor’s choice. Fond memories and expressions 
of sympathy may be shared at <a href="http://www.dugankramer.com" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.dugankramer.com</a> for the Isom family.

Helen Marie (Mason) Isom

By DAVE BERGMEIER <a href="https://www.hpj.com">High Plains Journal</a>

Farmers and ranchers are continuing 
cleanup work from a Dec. 15 windstorm that led to a wildfire scorching 
nearly 163,000 acres in central Kansas. That fire is now known as the 
Four County Fire as the epicenter was in Ellis, Russell, Rooks and 
Osborne counties.

The Kansas
 Forest Service originally reported nearly 400,000 acres burned in a 
preliminary report but revised it downward as it worked with the 
National Interagency Fire Coordination Center to get additional 
information. Wind speeds exceeded 80 mph during the peak of 
the storm in the afternoon, according to the National Weather Service in
 Dodge City.

The wind and fire impact was felt in and
 around the region. The body of Derrick Kelley, 36, Hays, was found near
 his burned vehicle in rural Ellis County. Farmer and rancher Richard 
Shimanek, 84, Leoti, Kansas, died from injuries he sustained while 
trying to put out a fire at his home. The windstorm was also the cause 
of an eight-vehicle accident that claimed the lives of two western 
Kansas men well known and respected in the agricultural sector. Thomas 
W. Peterson, 55, of Cimarron, and Doyle E. Kauk, 78, of Hoxie, died 
while trying to help accident victims along U.S. Highway 160 in rural 
Grant County.

Generous 
contributors from across the country continue to donate funds for 
wildfire and severe storm relief to the Kansas Livestock Foundation. As 
of Dec. 21, the foundation collected or had commitments for $507,748. 
All the proceeds will be used to help producers affected by recent 
wildfires and severe weather.

Large
 contributions or commitments to KLF relief efforts have been from 
Cargill at $100,000; Tyson at $100,000 and an online stallion auction 
that raised $47,485. In addition, four Farm Credit Associations of 
Kansas, Oklahoma Ag Credit, Premier Farm Credit, Farm Credit of Southern
 Colorado and CoBank are donating a total of $141,000 to KLF.

Donations still are welcome and encouraged to help producers rebuild. To donate, go to <a href="http://www.kla.org/affiliates/kansas-livestock-foundation/donations">www.kla.org/affiliates/kansas-livestock-foundation/donations</a>. Checks can be sent to KLF, 6031 SW 37th Street, Topeka, KS 66614. Please put wildfire relief in the memo line.

For
 hay and fencing supply donations, Heartland Regional Stockyards at 
Plainville and the Russell County Fairgrounds in Russell are serving as 
collection and distribution sites. Contact the auction market at 
785-688-4080 and the Extension office at 785-483-3157.

Secretary
 of Agriculture Mike Beam and Animal Health Commissioner Dr. Justin 
Smith, DVM, visited local officials, farmers and ranchers in several of 
the Kansas communities which are working to recover from the wildfires 
and storm that raged through the area.

There
 has been an outpouring of support from near and far, offering 
everything from clothing and food to labor and use of large equipment 
for recovery efforts.

Local 
services—including local emergency management offices, Extension 
offices, veterinarians, churches and others—have been instrumental in 
providing the help that the families in that area need right now. They 
know the communities and the people involved, and have been able to work
 on specific needs of the individual families who were impacted, 
ensuring that they have safe places to stay and support as they move 
forward.

“Kansans—and farmers 
and ranchers in particular—are resilient,” said Secretary Beam. “Even in
 the best of times, they endure under forces they can’t control and keep
 working day-in and day-out to care for their livestock and to harvest 
their crops.”

He noted that many of the ranchers 
focused their most immediate attention, after the fires were 
extinguished, to care for their livestock and help their neighbors, even
 before considering their own personal needs. “This disaster will 
certainly test that resilience to the limit, but the communities which 
surround these individuals will continue to support them and will help 
them persevere.”

The total 
impact of the storm is difficult to quantify, partly due to the many 
layers of the disaster. Clearly, the Four County Fire, which burned over
 a 100,000 acres, had the largest immediate impact. But there 
were several other smaller fires across the state as well, which 
affected Kansans in other communities, Beam said.

The
 extreme high winds caused damage to many agricultural entities 
statewide, especially those with greenhouses and high tunnel growing 
systems, Beam said. In addition, the wind, dust and ash may have caused 
damage to crops in the ground, like the winter wheat crop, that will not
 be known for several months.

What
 is known is that dozens of homes were reported to be destroyed or 
heavily damaged, over 1,000 cattle were lost, and thousands more 
cattle survived but are displaced because of the loss of grassland to 
sustain them, the state secretary of agriculture said.

“Ranchers
 are now focused on the health and welfare of the cattle who have 
survived,” said Smith. “They may still see health decline due to 
exposure to smoke and heat, but most should recover. The majority of 
those cattle will need to move to other locations, though, because the 
grazing land destroyed in the fire won’t grow back for several months.”

This
 recovery can take a significant physical and emotional toll on the 
individuals who have experienced these losses. Resources are available 
to help those who need this support and can be found at <a href="http://KansasAgStress.org">KansasAgStress.org</a>.

Other
 information about recovery efforts and lists of resources available to 
those who have suffered damage from the storm can be found at KDA’s 
Recovery Resources webpage at <a href="http://agriculture.ks.gov/Recovery">agriculture.ks.gov/Recovery</a>. That page also includes ways to make a donation to help with recovery efforts.

Dave Bergmeier can be reached at 620-227-1822 or <a href="mailto:dbergmeier@hpj.com">dbergmeier@hpj.com</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1641564488141.png" alt="A burned tractor shows the intensity of the heat from the Dec. 15 wildfire from a farm in Russell County, Kansas. (Journal photo by Payton Stoppel)" />
 <figcaption>A burned tractor shows the intensity of the heat from the Dec. 15 wildfire from a farm in Russell County, Kansas. (Journal photo by Payton Stoppel)</figcaption>
 </figure>By DAVE BERGMEIER <a href="https://www.hpj.com">High Plains Journal</a>Farmers and ranchers are continuing 
cleanup work from a Dec. 15 windstorm that led to a wildfire scorching 
nearly 163,000 acres in central Kansas. That fire is now known as the 
Four County Fire as the epicenter was in Ellis, Russell, Rooks and 
Osborne counties.The Kansas
 Forest Service originally reported nearly 400,000 acres burned in a 
preliminary report but revised it downward as it worked with the 
National Interagency Fire Coordination Center to get additional 
information. Wind speeds exceeded 80 mph during the peak of 
the storm in the afternoon, according to the National Weather Service in
 Dodge City.The wind and fire impact was felt in and
 around the region. The body of Derrick Kelley, 36, Hays, was found near
 his burned vehicle in rural Ellis County. Farmer and rancher Richard 
Shimanek, 84, Leoti, Kansas, died from injuries he sustained while 
trying to put out a fire at his home. The windstorm was also the cause 
of an eight-vehicle accident that claimed the lives of two western 
Kansas men well known and respected in the agricultural sector. Thomas 
W. Peterson, 55, of Cimarron, and Doyle E. Kauk, 78, of Hoxie, died 
while trying to help accident victims along U.S. Highway 160 in rural 
Grant County.Generous 
contributors from across the country continue to donate funds for 
wildfire and severe storm relief to the Kansas Livestock Foundation. As 
of Dec. 21, the foundation collected or had commitments for $507,748. 
All the proceeds will be used to help producers affected by recent 
wildfires and severe weather.Large
 contributions or commitments to KLF relief efforts have been from 
Cargill at $100,000; Tyson at $100,000 and an online stallion auction 
that raised $47,485. In addition, four Farm Credit Associations of 
Kansas, Oklahoma Ag Credit, Premier Farm Credit, Farm Credit of Southern
 Colorado and CoBank are donating a total of $141,000 to KLF.Donations still are welcome and encouraged to help producers rebuild. To donate, go to <a href="http://www.kla.org/affiliates/kansas-livestock-foundation/donations">www.kla.org/affiliates/kansas-livestock-foundation/donations</a>. Checks can be sent to KLF, 6031 SW 37th Street, Topeka, KS 66614. Please put wildfire relief in the memo line.For
 hay and fencing supply donations, Heartland Regional Stockyards at 
Plainville and the Russell County Fairgrounds in Russell are serving as 
collection and distribution sites. Contact the auction market at 
785-688-4080 and the Extension office at 785-483-3157.<h2>Top ag officials tour</h2>Secretary
 of Agriculture Mike Beam and Animal Health Commissioner Dr. Justin 
Smith, DVM, visited local officials, farmers and ranchers in several of 
the Kansas communities which are working to recover from the wildfires 
and storm that raged through the area.There
 has been an outpouring of support from near and far, offering 
everything from clothing and food to labor and use of large equipment 
for recovery efforts.Local 
services—including local emergency management offices, Extension 
offices, veterinarians, churches and others—have been instrumental in 
providing the help that the families in that area need right now. They 
know the communities and the people involved, and have been able to work
 on specific needs of the individual families who were impacted, 
ensuring that they have safe places to stay and support as they move 
forward.“Kansans—and farmers 
and ranchers in particular—are resilient,” said Secretary Beam. “Even in
 the best of times, they endure under forces they can’t control and keep
 working day-in and day-out to care for their livestock and to harvest 
their crops.”He noted that many of the ranchers 
focused their most immediate attention, after the fires were 
extinguished, to care for their livestock and help their neighbors, even
 before considering their own personal needs. “This disaster will 
certainly test that resilience to the limit, but the communities which 
surround these individuals will continue to support them and will help 
them persevere.”The total 
impact of the storm is difficult to quantify, partly due to the many 
layers of the disaster. Clearly, the Four County Fire, which burned over
 a 100,000 acres, had the largest immediate impact. But there 
were several other smaller fires across the state as well, which 
affected Kansans in other communities, Beam said.The
 extreme high winds caused damage to many agricultural entities 
statewide, especially those with greenhouses and high tunnel growing 
systems, Beam said. In addition, the wind, dust and ash may have caused 
damage to crops in the ground, like the winter wheat crop, that will not
 be known for several months.What
 is known is that dozens of homes were reported to be destroyed or 
heavily damaged, over 1,000 cattle were lost, and thousands more 
cattle survived but are displaced because of the loss of grassland to 
sustain them, the state secretary of agriculture said.“Ranchers
 are now focused on the health and welfare of the cattle who have 
survived,” said Smith. “They may still see health decline due to 
exposure to smoke and heat, but most should recover. The majority of 
those cattle will need to move to other locations, though, because the 
grazing land destroyed in the fire won’t grow back for several months.”This
 recovery can take a significant physical and emotional toll on the 
individuals who have experienced these losses. Resources are available 
to help those who need this support and can be found at <a href="http://KansasAgStress.org">KansasAgStress.org</a>.Other
 information about recovery efforts and lists of resources available to 
those who have suffered damage from the storm can be found at KDA’s 
Recovery Resources webpage at <a href="http://agriculture.ks.gov/Recovery">agriculture.ks.gov/Recovery</a>. That page also includes ways to make a donation to help with recovery efforts.Dave Bergmeier can be reached at 620-227-1822 or <a href="mailto:dbergmeier@hpj.com">dbergmeier@hpj.com</a>.

Relief efforts continue for ranchers impacted by Kansas wildfires

On this episode of the Post Podcast, Hays Chamber president and CEO Sarah Wasinger introduces the new vice president of marketing and communications, Mariah Leglighter.

The Hays Chamber has a new Vice President of Marketing and Communications. President and CEO Sarah Wasinger joins us to introduce Mariah Legleiter on this episode of the posts podcast.

So this is Mariah Legleiter, she is our Vice President of Marketing and Communications. We are so thrilled to have her here today. We wanted to give her just a few months to get her feet wet before we kind of hear her into the fire right away. So

that seems fair. Mariah, thanks for joining us. Good to see you. Good to meet you.

So down at the Chamber, you're the new Vice President of Marketing and Communications. I know we talked about your your, what's the word swear word? The last guy in the job that press? Well, I wasn't gonna give his name because I figured he was dead all of us. But no, no, he's great. And he's a really cool role now. But yeah, he used to come on once in a while. So I'm glad that you got to come in as well. And we're gonna talk a little bit about what kind of what you're doing because with Scott, it was a different job than it is now from what we've talked about, right?

There's a little painful, but there's gonna be a few little tweaks here and there. And specifically, we shared Scott a little bit with the CVB. before. And with Mariah, we get to keep her full time. So we're very excited about that. Nice. Yes. So Brian, I would love for people at home to know a little bit about your background and expertise. Do you want to share a little bit about yourself?

Yeah, I would love to. So I moved to Hays in August of 2012 to continue my education after getting an associate's degree in accounting from Dodge City Community College. And I went to Fort Hays State University graduated there in 2016. I met my husband while I was going to school there, his name is Devin, like LIDAR. And we have a beautiful little girl named Olivia. She goes to school to Laughlin Elementary. And actually, I just realized that this year marks 10 years in haze. So I'm super excited about that. You hit the deck? I did.

I love that. Because you know, so many so many people I know came to haze for four days, just like you the same reason I'm here. And stock. Really, it's a testament to our community. Because I mean, if you if it wasn't a quality of life here, people would just leave. 

Glad to hear so. So you're at the Chamber now. We're gonna talk a little bit about your background, like, what your experiences are. Yeah. 

So I used to work at Herman physical therapy and wellness. And I did a lot of his marketing and a lot of his social media presence for him. So I just brought all of that experience over to the chamber. And I'm did a lot of his graphic design work, too. And so I'm so looking forward to being able to explore creatively, a little bit further for the chamber, and just be able to do that for them. I'm, I can't wait to do that.

Yeah, she brings a lot of different skill sets to the table, she's probably more humble than what she's sharing. But when we were replacing Scott, we were looking at, oh, my gosh, this is quite a diverse job. Who are we going to get he knows how to do video, who knows how to do marketing, who knows how to do writing, and all those things really well. And she's really hit the ground running and has I'm just very much impressed so far.

Awesome. Yeah. Cuz, you know, it is one of those things. And this is exactly what we talked about in the past, right? It's those skill sets, you know, you might have one like a Scott was an amazing graphic designer, and you know, he did all the logo work. But that's a very different skill set than social media, marketing. And you got to kind of find that right fit to get what you need out of it. And the extra is always good, right? Like, I can run a camera. Sure, but I can't shoot video, you know what I mean?

Right? So she's been doing such a good job, even if there have been a few things that she's like, Well, I haven't done that. But I'm a very fast learner. She's proved time and time again that yes, indeed, she is a very fast learner. So we couldn't be more happy to have her be a part of our team.

That's awesome. So you know what, down there at the chamber and your experience so far, what's uh, you know, what surprised you the most

anything, they, I would say the magnitude of what they have their hands in. I mean, the chamber is does a great job of advocating for the business community on every level. And just how fast paced everything is, like I saw my job before was fast paced, but nope. So but I love that kind of environment. And so I've kind of been thriving in that. And just like she said, hit the ground running like it's been it's been a fun adventure so far.

Her heads only spin in circles. She's keeping up.

You know, Sarah, I think a lot of people might struggle to keep up with you, just because you guys do so very much here. I mean, you literally sometimes you'll leave the show here and I'll pop on to Facebook and you're doing a live somewhere you already set up here. And then there's like two more going on that day. It's crazy. Crazy. We

have one of the best jobs in the world because we truly get to work with our businesses across the community and make sure that we are pulling resources and people together, giving folks the opportunity to collaborate and We think that it's going to be great to have where I come in and reading up a little bit of what we're doing it with social media and things of that nature. So

very cool. You know, I want to talk some of the specifics here. You know, we've got, we've talked a little bit, I think, oh, about a month ago or so The Community Guide. And that was something I think Scott was heavily invested in. Is that going to be? Yeah, you're picking that up as well?

I did. When I first that was kind of my first big, huge project. I did I send it to the printers Right, right before we left for Christmas. So nice. I'm very excited about that. I actually got it back as a proof and, and I was so happy. I was like, Oh, this is almost better than Christmas. So I was super excited about it in and it was a big project. But I really enjoyed it.

What's kind of special about that, though, is that she literally helped write it helped do the photographer pay for it designed work, but her husband is helping print it. So it's kind of a family affair. Yeah, really.

That's the I cuz he's the press operator at Northwestern printers. So I have an inside job or an inside guy that I can ask questions if I needed.

Okay. So what I'm hearing is if somebody finds a typo, we know where to go. Yes. Yes. That is true. That's very cool. And so one of those come out this Community Guides. 

So we will release that for the first time it debuts on our annual banquet every year. So we'll get those into the hands of those folks who attend the banquet, and from there on, distribute them across the community to our hotels, motels, all of our tourist attractions and a lot of our different restaurants in town.

Very cool. Hey, you mentioned that banquet, though. And we should probably talk a little bit about this today. Because those nominations we talked last time. And I know there was a story up on his post that I did for you guys on that. But it's coming up the deadline is this Friday, right for the nominations?

Absolutely. So we have eight awards that we're giving away this year, those nomination forms can be found on our website, it doesn't take very much time, you literally put the person's name on the forum, which award you want to nominate them for and then it's a fillable. PDF. So you can go in and type in why you feel that person or business or organization is deserving of that award, and then just submit those to ACC at Hays chamber.com. And our nomination committee will go through those and we will surprise all of our winners at the banquet on January 25.

That's awesome. Mariah, are you getting to pick the winners? No.

That is one thing that I did not take over, she does get to do a lot of work to plan for that.

I did I actually just finished well, I got the I just got back from the printers the ticket. So I know what the ticket looks like for the banquet. And that was a super fun, kind of first thing for me to do was design that ticket for the banquet and it was something to get my feet wet and kind of show them what I could do. And and I really enjoyed that as well.

That's awesome. Hey, and if you don't have one of those tickets, if you're listening, get your hands on it, because there's just a few left, right, right,

we actually have fewer than 100 tickets left. So they're $60 apiece. But it includes a night full of fun networking socialization. I'm just really getting a chance to be out there with some of the people who make such a big impact on our community every

year. Very cool. Yeah, it's always a fun time. And I'm going to make sure you got so few left. I gotta I'm gonna know right here. So I get my ticket. But anyway, there we go. Got it. Now. Also coming up is the Ag appreciation event. That's later on in January as well.

Right? Yes, actually, next week this Thursday.

Yeah, and Maria, did you get to work on that one as well?

I did. Um, I've made a lot of the signage around for that. I'm working right now on posting videos from all of our barn raisers sponsors, including many nine Ks. Yeah. Yeah. And actually, that one went out yesterday. So you can look at that on our Facebook page. Um, yeah, I've, I've done the videos, I'm working on those working on PowerPoint presentations that will have going at the event. And then all of us have a team as a team have kind of worked together to get things for the swag bags into just all the little fine details that go into it. You know, we have meetings about that and just kind of get it all going.

We have an ambassador committee that's been very instrumental and helping get a lot of those details planned and picked up too. So can we run through where people can go get tickets for that? So of course, 99 KC country Astro bank, you can also go to Kericho implement commerce, bank and equity bank, and then get terrorists Cosina AmEx, econ a trio Taphouse. And then the other three locations for our barberries responses are high plains Farm Credit, insurance planning, and next Tech, Hays Med and MITC are also sponsors but they are opting to not be ticket outlets, obviously, it doesn't have a huge location. So that would make it a little challenging case med. They're just trying to keep our community healthy right now. So probably fewer people going in there that don't need to be in there, the better off we are

probably for the best. Although you know I do always enjoy going in there and seeing that beautiful facility every time I'm in there, you know, it's usually not for a good cause. Yeah. but it is such such a neat, neat place. And then it's uh, yeah, we also

have a few cultivator ticket locations too, just in case any of those other Barney's response was run out of tickets. And those locations are ama course KSU Ag Research Center, Pepsi Cola, and then the TMP FFA chapter, and is also helping with the middle for that and doing some volunteer work. So definitely get your tickets for that event. And next week, Thursday, it'll be from five to 7pm at the shank building on Ellis County Fairgrounds.

Very cool. And get some tickets don't wait. Because there's, if you wait,

it's free to go. You don't have to pay for tickets. You just go get a ticket so we can make sure we have enough food for everybody.

Yeah, yeah. Very cool. Very cool. And such a neat, very new thing for you guys to do that. And we talked about that. And you could get that replay if you're interested. But yeah, you shifted up the time a little bit on this one cuz it used to be in the

in September. Yeah. Yeah. So that's obviously a very busy time for farmers and ranchers. So we thought, let's shift thinks a little bit. So it looks a little bit like we may have, you know, hit our heads and lost track of what we're doing. But I'm very intentional on why and how we are changing the date.

So yeah, makes perfect sense. Well, all right, guys, we've got just a couple minutes left. But from what I understand you've got some new Chamber members down there that we want to talk about before we go.

We do so we had a lot of businesses join us in q4 of 2021. And with all the other things we've had going on, haven't had a chance to welcome them officially. So here's our official welcome wagon to them on the radio, American shooters, Sherry Brown, casual graphics, Chris Glassman Hayes greenhouse, Braden meets the Kiwanis Club of Hays Chuck white, as Special Olympics of Kansas sprint Kaiser. And then the final two are the gamers guild with Brandon NIMS. And then the master Matrice hub with Joe urban. So welcome to all of these folks. Obviously, they can be found on our chamber website at Hays chamber.com. Please feel free to check them out for all your local shopping needs.

Yeah, very cool. Yeah. Interesting list of diverse Yeah, diverse. That's the word and Yeah. Very cool. All right, guys. Well, we've like we're down to just a minute you've got a couple events we want to talk about before we go right.

<div><iframe title="New VP hits the ground running at the Hays Chamber" allowtransparency="true" height="300" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=pj6sx-116f74a-pb&from=pb6admin&square=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=3267a3&font-color=ffffff&btn-skin=3267a3&size=300" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>On this episode of the Post Podcast, Hays Chamber president and CEO Sarah Wasinger introduces the new vice president of marketing and communications, Mariah Leglighter.<h2>Transcript</h2>James Bell The Hays Chamber has a new Vice President of Marketing and Communications. President and CEO Sarah Wasinger joins us to introduce Mariah Legleiter on this episode of the posts podcast.Sarah Wasinger So this is Mariah Legleiter, she is our Vice President of Marketing and Communications. We are so thrilled to have her here today. We wanted to give her just a few months to get her feet wet before we kind of hear her into the fire right away. SoJames Bell that seems fair. Mariah, thanks for joining us. Good to see you. Good to meet you.Mariah Legleiter Yeah, it's nice to meet you, too.James Bell So down at the Chamber, you're the new Vice President of Marketing and Communications. I know we talked about your your, what's the word swear word? The last guy in the job that press? Well, I wasn't gonna give his name because I figured he was dead all of us. But no, no, he's great. And he's a really cool role now. But yeah, he used to come on once in a while. So I'm glad that you got to come in as well. And we're gonna talk a little bit about what kind of what you're doing because with Scott, it was a different job than it is now from what we've talked about, right?Sarah Wasinger There's a little painful, but there's gonna be a few little tweaks here and there. And specifically, we shared Scott a little bit with the CVB. before. And with Mariah, we get to keep her full time. So we're very excited about that. Nice. Yes. So Brian, I would love for people at home to know a little bit about your background and expertise. Do you want to share a little bit about yourself?Mariah Legleiter Yeah, I would love to. So I moved to Hays in August of 2012 to continue my education after getting an associate's degree in accounting from Dodge City Community College. And I went to Fort Hays State University graduated there in 2016. I met my husband while I was going to school there, his name is Devin, like LIDAR. And we have a beautiful little girl named Olivia. She goes to school to Laughlin Elementary. And actually, I just realized that this year marks 10 years in haze. So I'm super excited about that. You hit the deck? I did.James Bell I love that. Because you know, so many so many people I know came to haze for four days, just like you the same reason I'm here. And stock. Really, it's a testament to our community. Because I mean, if you if it wasn't a quality of life here, people would just leave. Sarah Wasinger We're catching like that. James Bell Absolutely.Mariah Legleiter I love it here.James Bell Glad to hear so. So you're at the Chamber now. We're gonna talk a little bit about your background, like, what your experiences are. Yeah. Mariah Legleiter So I used to work at Herman physical therapy and wellness. And I did a lot of his marketing and a lot of his social media presence for him. So I just brought all of that experience over to the chamber. And I'm did a lot of his graphic design work, too. And so I'm so looking forward to being able to explore creatively, a little bit further for the chamber, and just be able to do that for them. I'm, I can't wait to do that.Sarah Wasinger Yeah, she brings a lot of different skill sets to the table, she's probably more humble than what she's sharing. But when we were replacing Scott, we were looking at, oh, my gosh, this is quite a diverse job. Who are we going to get he knows how to do video, who knows how to do marketing, who knows how to do writing, and all those things really well. And she's really hit the ground running and has I'm just very much impressed so far.James Bell Awesome. Yeah. Cuz, you know, it is one of those things. And this is exactly what we talked about in the past, right? It's those skill sets, you know, you might have one like a Scott was an amazing graphic designer, and you know, he did all the logo work. But that's a very different skill set than social media, marketing. And you got to kind of find that right fit to get what you need out of it. And the extra is always good, right? Like, I can run a camera. Sure, but I can't shoot video, you know what I mean?Sarah Wasinger Right? So she's been doing such a good job, even if there have been a few things that she's like, Well, I haven't done that. But I'm a very fast learner. She's proved time and time again that yes, indeed, she is a very fast learner. So we couldn't be more happy to have her be a part of our team.James Bell That's awesome. So you know what, down there at the chamber and your experience so far, what's uh, you know, what surprised you the mostMariah Legleiter anything, they, I would say the magnitude of what they have their hands in. I mean, the chamber is does a great job of advocating for the business community on every level. And just how fast paced everything is, like I saw my job before was fast paced, but nope. So but I love that kind of environment. And so I've kind of been thriving in that. And just like she said, hit the ground running like it's been it's been a fun adventure so far.Sarah Wasinger Her heads only spin in circles. She's keeping up.James Bell You know, Sarah, I think a lot of people might struggle to keep up with you, just because you guys do so very much here. I mean, you literally sometimes you'll leave the show here and I'll pop on to Facebook and you're doing a live somewhere you already set up here. And then there's like two more going on that day. It's crazy. Crazy. WeSarah Wasinger have one of the best jobs in the world because we truly get to work with our businesses across the community and make sure that we are pulling resources and people together, giving folks the opportunity to collaborate and We think that it's going to be great to have where I come in and reading up a little bit of what we're doing it with social media and things of that nature. SoJames Bell very cool. You know, I want to talk some of the specifics here. You know, we've got, we've talked a little bit, I think, oh, about a month ago or so The Community Guide. And that was something I think Scott was heavily invested in. Is that going to be? Yeah, you're picking that up as well?Mariah Legleiter I did. When I first that was kind of my first big, huge project. I did I send it to the printers Right, right before we left for Christmas. So nice. I'm very excited about that. I actually got it back as a proof and, and I was so happy. I was like, Oh, this is almost better than Christmas. So I was super excited about it in and it was a big project. But I really enjoyed it.Sarah Wasinger What's kind of special about that, though, is that she literally helped write it helped do the photographer pay for it designed work, but her husband is helping print it. So it's kind of a family affair. Yeah, really.Mariah Legleiter That's the I cuz he's the press operator at Northwestern printers. So I have an inside job or an inside guy that I can ask questions if I needed.James Bell Okay. So what I'm hearing is if somebody finds a typo, we know where to go. Yes. Yes. That is true. That's very cool. And so one of those come out this Community Guides. Sarah Wasinger So we will release that for the first time it debuts on our annual banquet every year. So we'll get those into the hands of those folks who attend the banquet, and from there on, distribute them across the community to our hotels, motels, all of our tourist attractions and a lot of our different restaurants in town.James Bell Very cool. Hey, you mentioned that banquet, though. And we should probably talk a little bit about this today. Because those nominations we talked last time. And I know there was a story up on his post that I did for you guys on that. But it's coming up the deadline is this Friday, right for the nominations?Sarah Wasinger Absolutely. So we have eight awards that we're giving away this year, those nomination forms can be found on our website, it doesn't take very much time, you literally put the person's name on the forum, which award you want to nominate them for and then it's a fillable. PDF. So you can go in and type in why you feel that person or business or organization is deserving of that award, and then just submit those to ACC at Hays chamber.com. And our nomination committee will go through those and we will surprise all of our winners at the banquet on January 25.James Bell That's awesome. Mariah, are you getting to pick the winners? No.Sarah Wasinger That is one thing that I did not take over, she does get to do a lot of work to plan for that.Mariah Legleiter I did I actually just finished well, I got the I just got back from the printers the ticket. So I know what the ticket looks like for the banquet. And that was a super fun, kind of first thing for me to do was design that ticket for the banquet and it was something to get my feet wet and kind of show them what I could do. And and I really enjoyed that as well.James Bell That's awesome. Hey, and if you don't have one of those tickets, if you're listening, get your hands on it, because there's just a few left, right, right,Sarah Wasinger we actually have fewer than 100 tickets left. So they're $60 apiece. But it includes a night full of fun networking socialization. I'm just really getting a chance to be out there with some of the people who make such a big impact on our community everyJames Bell year. Very cool. Yeah, it's always a fun time. And I'm going to make sure you got so few left. I gotta I'm gonna know right here. So I get my ticket. But anyway, there we go. Got it. Now. Also coming up is the Ag appreciation event. That's later on in January as well.Sarah Wasinger Right? Yes, actually, next week this Thursday.James Bell Yeah, and Maria, did you get to work on that one as well?Mariah Legleiter I did. Um, I've made a lot of the signage around for that. I'm working right now on posting videos from all of our barn raisers sponsors, including many nine Ks. Yeah. Yeah. And actually, that one went out yesterday. So you can look at that on our Facebook page. Um, yeah, I've, I've done the videos, I'm working on those working on PowerPoint presentations that will have going at the event. And then all of us have a team as a team have kind of worked together to get things for the swag bags into just all the little fine details that go into it. You know, we have meetings about that and just kind of get it all going.Sarah Wasinger We have an ambassador committee that's been very instrumental and helping get a lot of those details planned and picked up too. So can we run through where people can go get tickets for that? So of course, 99 KC country Astro bank, you can also go to Kericho implement commerce, bank and equity bank, and then get terrorists Cosina AmEx, econ a trio Taphouse. And then the other three locations for our barberries responses are high plains Farm Credit, insurance planning, and next Tech, Hays Med and MITC are also sponsors but they are opting to not be ticket outlets, obviously, it doesn't have a huge location. So that would make it a little challenging case med. They're just trying to keep our community healthy right now. So probably fewer people going in there that don't need to be in there, the better off we areJames Bell probably for the best. Although you know I do always enjoy going in there and seeing that beautiful facility every time I'm in there, you know, it's usually not for a good cause. Yeah. but it is such such a neat, neat place. And then it's uh, yeah, we alsoSarah Wasinger have a few cultivator ticket locations too, just in case any of those other Barney's response was run out of tickets. And those locations are ama course KSU Ag Research Center, Pepsi Cola, and then the TMP FFA chapter, and is also helping with the middle for that and doing some volunteer work. So definitely get your tickets for that event. And next week, Thursday, it'll be from five to 7pm at the shank building on Ellis County Fairgrounds.James Bell Very cool. And get some tickets don't wait. Because there's, if you wait,Sarah Wasinger it's free to go. You don't have to pay for tickets. You just go get a ticket so we can make sure we have enough food for everybody.James Bell Yeah, yeah. Very cool. Very cool. And such a neat, very new thing for you guys to do that. And we talked about that. And you could get that replay if you're interested. But yeah, you shifted up the time a little bit on this one cuz it used to be in theSarah Wasinger in September. Yeah. Yeah. So that's obviously a very busy time for farmers and ranchers. So we thought, let's shift thinks a little bit. So it looks a little bit like we may have, you know, hit our heads and lost track of what we're doing. But I'm very intentional on why and how we are changing the date.James Bell So yeah, makes perfect sense. Well, all right, guys, we've got just a couple minutes left. But from what I understand you've got some new Chamber members down there that we want to talk about before we go.Sarah Wasinger We do so we had a lot of businesses join us in q4 of 2021. And with all the other things we've had going on, haven't had a chance to welcome them officially. So here's our official welcome wagon to them on the radio, American shooters, Sherry Brown, casual graphics, Chris Glassman Hayes greenhouse, Braden meets the Kiwanis Club of Hays Chuck white, as Special Olympics of Kansas sprint Kaiser. And then the final two are the gamers guild with Brandon NIMS. And then the master Matrice hub with Joe urban. So welcome to all of these folks. Obviously, they can be found on our chamber website at Hays chamber.com. Please feel free to check them out for all your local shopping needs.James Bell Yeah, very cool. Yeah. Interesting list of diverse Yeah, diverse. That's the word and Yeah. Very cool. All right, guys. Well, we've like we're down to just a minute you've got a couple events we want to talk about before we go right.Sarah Wasinger The HYP networking and engagement committee will meet to this week Thursday at the Welcome Center at 2700 Vine Street at 1205. We'll also have a ribbon cutting in brick presentation at the port Tavern and patio bar at 4pm at 109 West Seventh Street, and then the HYP Advisory Council will meet Thursday as well at the Welcome Center at 2700 Pine Street at 515. And then Friday, we finished the week off with the Chamber chat, our first one of 2022 with United Way of Ellis camp at the press practice kitchen and cocktails inside of their heritage room at 230 East Eighth Street at 9am. And then our Ambassadors will have their lunch and noon arrows are catering.

🎙Post Podcast: New VP hits the ground running at the Hays Chamber

BUNKER HILL –&nbsp;Back for its 17th&nbsp;Season, Doctors on Call will begin airing on Smoky Hills PBS on Tuesday, Jan. 4 at 7 p.m.

“If you have a question, call in,” said Les Kinderknecht, Senior Producer/Director of Smoky Hills PBS.&nbsp; “Doctors on Call has been a favorite for our viewers because it’s LIVE and they have a chance to call in with their own questions.&nbsp; We love it, too, because we get to hear from our viewers from all over Central and Western Kansas and it’s a great way for us to promote all the skilled medical professionals that we have across our great state of Kansas.”

Doctors on Call is a LIVE viewer call-in show hosted by Jenna Miller.&nbsp; It is also produced by Smoky Hills PBS and takes place in Studio A in Bunker Hill, KS.&nbsp; Smoky Hills PBS brings in medical professionals from throughout the state to provide medical information on their field of expertise.&nbsp; Each week Doctors on Call highlights a new topic and new doctor.

Viewers also have the opportunity to call in with questions LIVE during the show.&nbsp; The doctors selected each week have expertise in the topic chosen for that program.&nbsp; A schedule of programs and past episodes are available at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.smokyhillspbs.org/" target="_blank">www.SmokyHillsPBS.org</a>.&nbsp;

January 4 – General Health / COVID - Dr. Tyrel Somers - Russell Regional Hospital

January 11 – Chiropractic / Health Analysis – Dr. Shelbe Darnell - Restoration Health &amp; Chiropractic, Plainville

January 18 – Pain Management – Dr. Bell Razafindrabe - Pain, Spine, Rehab, Great Bend

January 25 – Pet Health – Dr. Brandon Weidenhaft – Big Creek Vet Service, Hays

To submit questions electronically on a specific topic, viewers can send an email to&nbsp;<a href="mailto:doctors@shptv.org" target="_blank">doctors@shptv.org</a>.&nbsp;Questions submitted through email must be received by noon on the day of the show.&nbsp; During the program, viewers can call in questions at I-&nbsp;<a href="tel:+18003374788">800-337-4788</a>&nbsp;.

Doctors on Call is made possible in part by these current sponsors:&nbsp; Osborne County Memorial Hospital, Russell Regional Hospital, and Smith County Memorial Hospital.

Smoky Hills PBS serves 71 counties in central and western Kansas and has been named the KS Association of Broadcasters Non-Metro Station of the Year.&nbsp; Smoky Hills PBS is available on many cable systems, DirecTV, and Dish Network.&nbsp; It is also available to stream by clicking here:&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://video.smokyhillstv.org/livestream/" target="_blank">video.smokyhillstv.org/livestream</a>.&nbsp; More information on Smoky Hills PBS and its programs and projects are available at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.smokyhillspbs.org/" target="_blank">www.SmokyHillsPBS.org</a>&nbsp;or by calling&nbsp;<a href="tel:+18003374788">1-800-337-4788</a>&nbsp;.

Amanda SmithDirector of MarketingSmoky Hills PBS<a href="tel:+17854836990,138">(785) 483-6990&nbsp; ext. 138</a><a href="mailto:asmith@shptv.org" target="_blank">asmith@shptv.org</a>

SubmittedBUNKER HILL –&nbsp;Back for its 17th&nbsp;Season, Doctors on Call will begin airing on Smoky Hills PBS on Tuesday, Jan. 4 at 7 p.m.“If you have a question, call in,” said Les Kinderknecht, Senior Producer/Director of Smoky Hills PBS.&nbsp; “Doctors on Call has been a favorite for our viewers because it’s LIVE and they have a chance to call in with their own questions.&nbsp; We love it, too, because we get to hear from our viewers from all over Central and Western Kansas and it’s a great way for us to promote all the skilled medical professionals that we have across our great state of Kansas.”Doctors on Call is a LIVE viewer call-in show hosted by Jenna Miller.&nbsp; It is also produced by Smoky Hills PBS and takes place in Studio A in Bunker Hill, KS.&nbsp; Smoky Hills PBS brings in medical professionals from throughout the state to provide medical information on their field of expertise.&nbsp; Each week Doctors on Call highlights a new topic and new doctor.Viewers also have the opportunity to call in with questions LIVE during the show.&nbsp; The doctors selected each week have expertise in the topic chosen for that program.&nbsp; A schedule of programs and past episodes are available at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.smokyhillspbs.org/" target="_blank">www.SmokyHillsPBS.org</a>.&nbsp;Coming up in January:January 4 – General Health / COVID - Dr. Tyrel Somers - Russell Regional HospitalJanuary 11 – Chiropractic / Health Analysis – Dr. Shelbe Darnell - Restoration Health &amp; Chiropractic, PlainvilleJanuary 18 – Pain Management – Dr. Bell Razafindrabe - Pain, Spine, Rehab, Great BendJanuary 25 – Pet Health – Dr. Brandon Weidenhaft – Big Creek Vet Service, HaysTo submit questions electronically on a specific topic, viewers can send an email to&nbsp;<a href="mailto:doctors@shptv.org" target="_blank">doctors@shptv.org</a>.&nbsp;Questions submitted through email must be received by noon on the day of the show.&nbsp; During the program, viewers can call in questions at I-&nbsp;<a href="tel:+18003374788">800-337-4788</a>&nbsp;.Doctors on Call is made possible in part by these current sponsors:&nbsp; Osborne County Memorial Hospital, Russell Regional Hospital, and Smith County Memorial Hospital.###Smoky Hills PBS serves 71 counties in central and western Kansas and has been named the KS Association of Broadcasters Non-Metro Station of the Year.&nbsp; Smoky Hills PBS is available on many cable systems, DirecTV, and Dish Network.&nbsp; It is also available to stream by clicking here:&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://video.smokyhillstv.org/livestream/" target="_blank">video.smokyhillstv.org/livestream</a>.&nbsp; More information on Smoky Hills PBS and its programs and projects are available at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.smokyhillspbs.org/" target="_blank">www.SmokyHillsPBS.org</a>&nbsp;or by calling&nbsp;<a href="tel:+18003374788">1-800-337-4788</a>&nbsp;.Amanda SmithDirector of MarketingSmoky Hills PBS<a href="tel:+17854836990,138">(785) 483-6990&nbsp; ext. 138</a><a href="mailto:asmith@shptv.org" target="_blank">asmith@shptv.org</a>

Doctors on call returns with new season

By Stacy Campbell Agriculture &amp; Natural Resources Extension Agent Cottonwood Extension District

Kansas Wildfire Recovery Resources

As I sit trying to write this news column, I am at a loss for what to type. The devastating wildfires have left a lot of us in the agriculture community numb, or maybe more appropriately for those directly impacted in tears and shock.

Fortunately, we live in a country that was founded on courage, determination, resiliency and true grit! Many people and organizations have quickly stepped up to lend assistance and help however they can.

There are many GoFundMe accounts and other ways to donate directly to help individuals and families.

From an agriculture standpoint if you wish to donate monetarily, KLA and the Kansas Livestock Foundation will be assisting in the efforts to support ranchers affected by numerous fires and high winds across the state Dec. 15. To provide monetary donations click the link below. Donations may be tax deductible and&nbsp;100 percent of all donations will be distributed to producers impacted by the weather event. Membership will not be required to receive funds.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.kla.org/affiliates/kansas-livestock-foundation/donations" target="_blank">https://www.kla.org/affiliates/kansas-livestock-foundation/donations</a>

<a href="https://www.hitchpin.com/december-15" target="_blank">HitchPin</a>&nbsp;is an online platform that connects producers with products they need. During this disaster, the team at HitchPin has stepped up to add an option on their platform to allow disaster victims with specific needs to post those needs and get connected with members of the community who can provide and/or donate those products and services.&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hitchpin.com/december-15" target="_blank">https://www.hitchpin.com/december-15</a>

Donations of Hay and Supplies

Donations of hay and other agricultural supplies are being collected to help those who have been affected by this week's wildfires. The greatest need at this time is hay and stock water tanks, but fencing supplies will also be in need soon. Please deliver donations to:

Heartland Regional Stockyards,&nbsp;907 NW 3rd Street,&nbsp;Plainville, Kansas Contact the auction market at 785-688-4080, Landon Schneider at 785-259-3234 or Brandon Hamel at 785-434-6280.

RUSSELL COUNTY: Russell County Fairgrounds,&nbsp;702 Fairway Drive, Russell, KS Accepting hay and supply distributions.&nbsp;Call extension agent Marcia Geir at 785-483-3157 to arrange a drop-off.

Lane County/surrounding counties: A supply donation site has been set up at&nbsp;3 E. Road 120, Dighton, Kansas. To coordinate a drop-off, call Erik Steffens at 620-397-1687.&nbsp;

If you are an agriculture producer who has been directly impacted by the wildfires or high winds and have lost livestock, feed supplies and fence you need&nbsp;to contact your County FSA Office ASAP.

<a href="https://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app?state=ks&amp;agency=fsa" target="_blank">https://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app?state=ks&amp;agency=fsa</a>

Lastly this web site by the Kansas Department of Agriculture has a lot of resources and Who’s Who to contact if you are a farmer and rancher impacted by this disaster, as well as the resources listed above.

<a href="https://agriculture.ks.gov/news-events/kansas-wildfire-recovery-resources-december-2021" target="_blank">https://agriculture.ks.gov/news-events/kansas-wildfire-recovery-resources-december-2021</a>

If you have any questions or if Cottonwood Extension and its’ Agents can help you, please give us a call.

Stacy Campbell is an Agriculture and Natural Resources agent in the Cottonwood District (which includes Barton and Ellis counties) for K-State Research and Extension. You can contact him by e-mail at scampbel@ksu.edu or by calling 785-628-9430.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1640036486831.jpeg" alt="Wildfire photo taken Dec 16. Photo courtesy of Stacy Campbell" />
 <figcaption>Wildfire photo taken Dec 16. Photo courtesy of Stacy Campbell</figcaption>
 </figure>By Stacy Campbell Agriculture &amp; Natural Resources Extension Agent Cottonwood Extension DistrictKansas Wildfire Recovery ResourcesAs I sit trying to write this news column, I am at a loss for what to type. The devastating wildfires have left a lot of us in the agriculture community numb, or maybe more appropriately for those directly impacted in tears and shock.Fortunately, we live in a country that was founded on courage, determination, resiliency and true grit! Many people and organizations have quickly stepped up to lend assistance and help however they can.There are many GoFundMe accounts and other ways to donate directly to help individuals and families.From an agriculture standpoint if you wish to donate monetarily, KLA and the Kansas Livestock Foundation will be assisting in the efforts to support ranchers affected by numerous fires and high winds across the state Dec. 15. To provide monetary donations click the link below. Donations may be tax deductible and&nbsp;100 percent of all donations will be distributed to producers impacted by the weather event. Membership will not be required to receive funds.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kla.org/affiliates/kansas-livestock-foundation/donations" target="_blank">https://www.kla.org/affiliates/kansas-livestock-foundation/donations</a><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1640036609602.jpeg" alt="Wildfire photo taken Dec 16. Photo courtesy of Stacy Campbell" />
 <figcaption>Wildfire photo taken Dec 16. Photo courtesy of Stacy Campbell</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://www.hitchpin.com/december-15" target="_blank">HitchPin</a>&nbsp;is an online platform that connects producers with products they need. During this disaster, the team at HitchPin has stepped up to add an option on their platform to allow disaster victims with specific needs to post those needs and get connected with members of the community who can provide and/or donate those products and services.&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hitchpin.com/december-15" target="_blank">https://www.hitchpin.com/december-15</a>Donations of Hay and SuppliesDonations of hay and other agricultural supplies are being collected to help those who have been affected by this week's wildfires. The greatest need at this time is hay and stock water tanks, but fencing supplies will also be in need soon. Please deliver donations to:PLAINVILLE AREA:Heartland Regional Stockyards,&nbsp;907 NW 3rd Street,&nbsp;Plainville, Kansas Contact the auction market at 785-688-4080, Landon Schneider at 785-259-3234 or Brandon Hamel at 785-434-6280. RUSSELL COUNTY: Russell County Fairgrounds,&nbsp;702 Fairway Drive, Russell, KS Accepting hay and supply distributions.&nbsp;Call extension agent Marcia Geir at 785-483-3157 to arrange a drop-off. Lane County/surrounding counties: A supply donation site has been set up at&nbsp;3 E. Road 120, Dighton, Kansas. To coordinate a drop-off, call Erik Steffens at 620-397-1687.&nbsp;If you are an agriculture producer who has been directly impacted by the wildfires or high winds and have lost livestock, feed supplies and fence you need&nbsp;to contact your County FSA Office ASAP.<a href="https://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app?state=ks&amp;agency=fsa" target="_blank">https://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app?state=ks&amp;agency=fsa</a>Lastly this web site by the Kansas Department of Agriculture has a lot of resources and Who’s Who to contact if you are a farmer and rancher impacted by this disaster, as well as the resources listed above.<a href="https://agriculture.ks.gov/news-events/kansas-wildfire-recovery-resources-december-2021" target="_blank">https://agriculture.ks.gov/news-events/kansas-wildfire-recovery-resources-december-2021</a>If you have any questions or if Cottonwood Extension and its’ Agents can help you, please give us a call.Stacy Campbell is an Agriculture and Natural Resources agent in the Cottonwood District (which includes Barton and Ellis counties) for K-State Research and Extension. You can contact him by e-mail at scampbel@ksu.edu or by calling 785-628-9430.

Campbell: Kansas wildfire recovery resources

Hays Post has compiled a list of organizations that are accepting donations or offering help for the victims of Wednesday's storm and fires. This is not meant to be a comprehensive list. If you would like to add information to this post, please email admin@hayspost.com or call 785-301-2077.

The Trego County Sherriff department has set up a fund that they are going to disperse with families in Trego County who were affected by the fires at Solutions North Bank in WaKeeney.&nbsp;

There is a group of Usborne Books &amp; More consultants from the local area who are collecting donations to provide free children’s books to the Glaze family. There is a matching donation from Usborne and the consultants are donating their commissions earned from it to the family as well. The family has approved of this book drive.

Marty and Melinda Barth lost their house, all belongings and dog Wrangler in Wednesday’s devastating fire. Long term residents of Ellis County they live just off Highway 183.&nbsp;

Their daughter’s Facebook post:&nbsp; We cannot thank everyone enough who has reached out to us for mom and dad! With the overwhelming amount of messages, we figured this would be easier than responding individually to each person so we don’t miss anyone.&nbsp; If you feel moved to send money, please send it via (Melinda Barth’s) Venmo.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; @Melbarth12 If you are local to Hays, gift cards to restaurants, Walmart and Dillons would also be appreciated so they can get day to day things they need.

We would like to share a <a href="https://gofund.me/1fb84421">GoFundMe</a> page to assist Peggy and Richard Shimanek. They lost the entire house and Richard lost his life. The accident happened in Wichita County south of Leoti. Richard is the father and father in law to Melissa Ginther and Doug Ginther, respectively, Hays residents.

<a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-the-glaze-family?fbclid=IwAR3jaqOiPMUOVmwiMfpliAR9dw2QJctuyXqSR3F856uTx-BSJnY08eLsKh8">Glaze Family GoFundMe account.</a>

KLF INITIATES RELIEF EFFORTS FOR STORM VICTIMS

KLA and the Kansas Livestock Foundation will be assisting in the efforts to support ranchers affected by numerous fires and high winds across the state Dec. 15. To provide monetary donations <a href="https://www.kla.org/affiliates/kansas-livestock-foundation/donations?fbclid=IwAR1ovPwVpqTAl7A0C-4lw5RS2gDUGdMiArM35DDOQqjsUE41b_j9UQZXCrE">click here.</a> Donations may be tax deductible and&nbsp;100 percent of all donations will be distributed to producers impacted by the weather event. Membership will not be required to receive funds.&nbsp;

Vyve Broadband is now accepting donations for the WildFire Relief, now until Dec. 22. Please drop off your items at the Hays local office, 1007 W. 27th St., Hays, KS. We will accept donations for the Russell, Hays, Ellis, Plainville/Paradise/Natoma areas. Any donations will be greatly appreciated.

Agricultural organizations collaborate to provide fire and storm relief

MANHATTAN — Kansas Farm Bureau is collaborating with the Kansas Department of Agriculture and the Kansas Livestock Association to coordinate resources and donations following the devastating wildfires and high winds on Dec. 15. “We know Farm Bureau members of Kansas are willing and eager to help their fellow farmers and ranchers in need,” says KFB President Rich Felts. “We know from past recovery efforts, disaster assistance is most effective if it’s delivered quickly. That’s why we’re partnering with KDA and KLA to get information and relief to farmers and ranchers as fast as possible.” The KDA&nbsp;<a href="https://kfb.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=45bba928f411d21617c5eadbe&amp;id=a01013ca2e&amp;e=5bf0f0e5fe" target="_blank">resource page</a>&nbsp;is the best source for those wishing to help with hay and other supplies. The page also includes contact information for farmers and ranchers who need emergency hay or have livestock welfare questions. KLA has created a&nbsp;<a href="https://kfb.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=45bba928f411d21617c5eadbe&amp;id=26f99b19da&amp;e=5bf0f0e5fe" target="_blank">relief fund</a>&nbsp;for people who wish to make monetary donations. One-hundred percent of the money collected will be distributed to affected producers, and KLA membership is not required to receive funds. The Kansas Forest Service estimates fires burned nearly 400,000 acres in the state on Dec. 15. The largest fire charred approximately 365,000 acres in Russell, Ellis, Rooks and Osborne counties. Dubbed the Four County Fire, the wind not only fueled the blaze, it hampered firefighters from finding it initially. “Hell would be the best way to describe it,” says Russell County Fire Chief Dustin Finkenbinder. “The dust was so bad we couldn’t see the fire. All we could do was rely on smell.” Finkenbinder says the fire had burned about two miles by the time crews arrived on site before eventually growing 10 to 12 miles wide. More than 24 hours after the initial call, he was still monitoring smoldering bale piles and other hot spots for embers that could ignite new fires. State and local officials are still determining the impacts of these fires, though early reports suggest homes, outbuildings and livestock were lost in the flames. Farmers and ranchers impacted by the fires should contact their local U.S. Department of Agriculture service center for information on federal programs and services to help with disaster recovery.

Hays Post has compiled a list of organizations that are accepting donations or offering help for the victims of Wednesday's storm and fires. This is not meant to be a comprehensive list. If you would like to add information to this post, please email admin@hayspost.com or call 785-301-2077.UPDATED 7:17 a.m. Monday, Dec. 21<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fpermalink.php%3Fstory_fbid%3D104631855421164%26id%3D102650852285931&show_text=true&width=500" width="500" height="258" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share"></iframe></div>The Trego County Sherriff department has set up a fund that they are going to disperse with families in Trego County who were affected by the fires at Solutions North Bank in WaKeeney.&nbsp;<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FTregoCountySheriffsOffice%2Fposts%2F3154271194801478&show_text=true&width=500" width="500" height="474" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share"></iframe></div>There is a group of Usborne Books &amp; More consultants from the local area who are collecting donations to provide free children’s books to the Glaze family. There is a matching donation from Usborne and the consultants are donating their commissions earned from it to the family as well. The family has approved of this book drive.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fjami.benyshek%2Fposts%2F10226314305786960&show_text=true&width=500" width="500" height="731" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share"></iframe></div><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1640018071161.png" alt="<a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/2eraj8-fire-relief-fund?utm_source=facebook&amp;utm_medium=social&amp;utm_campaign=p_cp%20share-sheet&amp;fbclid=IwAR29cPeLG3Z2is7pfnmm--JZr6v4PfgjWWPO4XX7vbzf-ncHy-q9nDHLvOM">Gerald and Marge Walters GoFundMe</a>" />
 <figcaption><a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/2eraj8-fire-relief-fund?utm_source=facebook&amp;utm_medium=social&amp;utm_campaign=p_cp%20share-sheet&amp;fbclid=IwAR29cPeLG3Z2is7pfnmm--JZr6v4PfgjWWPO4XX7vbzf-ncHy-q9nDHLvOM">Gerald and Marge Walters GoFundMe</a></figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1640018339764.png" alt="<a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/coles-expense-fund?qid=c02d6151fe257effca637fe69e9e2240">Cole Weigel's GoFundMe. Cole is a first responder, and while he was out helping fight the fires and save everyone else’s homes, his home was caught in the fires and is a total loss.</a>" />
 <figcaption><a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/coles-expense-fund?qid=c02d6151fe257effca637fe69e9e2240">Cole Weigel's GoFundMe. Cole is a first responder, and while he was out helping fight the fires and save everyone else’s homes, his home was caught in the fires and is a total loss.</a></figcaption>
 </figure>Marty and Melinda Barth lost their house, all belongings and dog Wrangler in Wednesday’s devastating fire. Long term residents of Ellis County they live just off Highway 183.&nbsp; Their daughter’s Facebook post:&nbsp; We cannot thank everyone enough who has reached out to us for mom and dad! With the overwhelming amount of messages, we figured this would be easier than responding individually to each person so we don’t miss anyone.&nbsp; If you feel moved to send money, please send it via (Melinda Barth’s) Venmo.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; @Melbarth12 If you are local to Hays, gift cards to restaurants, Walmart and Dillons would also be appreciated so they can get day to day things they need.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1639796641967.jpeg" alt="Courtesy photo." />
 <figcaption>Courtesy photo.</figcaption>
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 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1639775733466.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>We would like to share a <a href="https://gofund.me/1fb84421">GoFundMe</a> page to assist Peggy and Richard Shimanek. They lost the entire house and Richard lost his life. The accident happened in Wichita County south of Leoti. Richard is the father and father in law to Melissa Ginther and Doug Ginther, respectively, Hays residents.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FEllisPoliceDepartment%2Fposts%2F249995660569997&show_text=true&width=500" width="500" height="711" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share"></iframe></div><div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fjerrymoran%2Fposts%2F456557839159911&show_text=true&width=500" width="500" height="291" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share"></iframe></div><div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FHaypHaysAreaYoungProfessionals%2Fposts%2F4975357672477449&show_text=true&width=500" width="500" height="547" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share"></iframe></div><figure>
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 </figure><a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-the-glaze-family?fbclid=IwAR3jaqOiPMUOVmwiMfpliAR9dw2QJctuyXqSR3F856uTx-BSJnY08eLsKh8">Glaze Family GoFundMe account.</a><h2>KLF INITIATES RELIEF EFFORTS FOR STORM VICTIMS</h2>KLA and the Kansas Livestock Foundation will be assisting in the efforts to support ranchers affected by numerous fires and high winds across the state Dec. 15. To provide monetary donations <a href="https://www.kla.org/affiliates/kansas-livestock-foundation/donations?fbclid=IwAR1ovPwVpqTAl7A0C-4lw5RS2gDUGdMiArM35DDOQqjsUE41b_j9UQZXCrE">click here.</a> Donations may be tax deductible and&nbsp;100 percent of all donations will be distributed to producers impacted by the weather event. Membership will not be required to receive funds.&nbsp;<h2>Vyve Broadband accepts donations</h2>Vyve Broadband is now accepting donations for the WildFire Relief, now until Dec. 22. Please drop off your items at the Hays local office, 1007 W. 27th St., Hays, KS. We will accept donations for the Russell, Hays, Ellis, Plainville/Paradise/Natoma areas. Any donations will be greatly appreciated.<figure>
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 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1639759446827.png" alt="<a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/cindy-walter-family-house-fire?fbclid=IwAR3seFV8HDMnDV-qGaey9eZfvcEJZs4azCu2pT_P1zeKoiEbAruzpIngpMk">Cindy Walter family house fire GoFundMe.</a>" />
 <figcaption><a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/cindy-walter-family-house-fire?fbclid=IwAR3seFV8HDMnDV-qGaey9eZfvcEJZs4azCu2pT_P1zeKoiEbAruzpIngpMk">Cindy Walter family house fire GoFundMe.</a></figcaption>
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 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1639759644813.png" alt="<a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/mortons-house-fire?fbclid=IwAR0BT-clsn9tSiDfmb0q2P_iSG1J7XWq_UiHJy0uO3wTPWDQLYOiaVe3STQ">Morton family GoFundMe</a>" />
 <figcaption><a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/mortons-house-fire?fbclid=IwAR0BT-clsn9tSiDfmb0q2P_iSG1J7XWq_UiHJy0uO3wTPWDQLYOiaVe3STQ">Morton family GoFundMe</a></figcaption>
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 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1639759899110.png" alt="<a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/sunflower-clydesdales-fire-relief-fund?qid=fcbc1972fa77b0c89ebae0bc55cd87dd">Sunflower Clydesdale GoFundMe</a>" />
 <figcaption><a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/sunflower-clydesdales-fire-relief-fund?qid=fcbc1972fa77b0c89ebae0bc55cd87dd">Sunflower Clydesdale GoFundMe</a></figcaption>
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 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1639760399220.png" alt="<a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/koester-brothers-ranch-fire-relief-fund?qid=00d6b148347fe858375c5dd78044bd9f">Koester Brothers, Paradise, KS, Russel County, GoFundMe</a>" />
 <figcaption><a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/koester-brothers-ranch-fire-relief-fund?qid=00d6b148347fe858375c5dd78044bd9f">Koester Brothers, Paradise, KS, Russel County, GoFundMe</a></figcaption>
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 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1639760612160.png" alt="<a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/tg6dz-emergency-fire-relief-fund-jason-spiess?qid=16481d440ff74b43d380285ddc5c55b2">Jason Spiess, Paradise, KS, Russell County GoFundMe</a>" />
 <figcaption><a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/tg6dz-emergency-fire-relief-fund-jason-spiess?qid=16481d440ff74b43d380285ddc5c55b2">Jason Spiess, Paradise, KS, Russell County GoFundMe</a></figcaption>
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 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1639760706337.png" alt="<a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/46k88d-lawson-fire-relief-fund?qid=de37686d759abe79f8b4213706cc2916">Lawson, Paradise, KS, Russel County GoFundMe</a>" />
 <figcaption><a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/46k88d-lawson-fire-relief-fund?qid=de37686d759abe79f8b4213706cc2916">Lawson, Paradise, KS, Russel County GoFundMe</a></figcaption>
 </figure><div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Frefinelifestyle%2Fposts%2F5027651513966179&show_text=true&width=500" width="500" height="722" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share"></iframe></div><h2>Agricultural organizations collaborate to provide fire and storm relief</h2>MANHATTAN — Kansas Farm Bureau is collaborating with the Kansas Department of Agriculture and the Kansas Livestock Association to coordinate resources and donations following the devastating wildfires and high winds on Dec. 15. “We know Farm Bureau members of Kansas are willing and eager to help their fellow farmers and ranchers in need,” says KFB President Rich Felts. “We know from past recovery efforts, disaster assistance is most effective if it’s delivered quickly. That’s why we’re partnering with KDA and KLA to get information and relief to farmers and ranchers as fast as possible.” The KDA&nbsp;<a href="https://kfb.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=45bba928f411d21617c5eadbe&amp;id=a01013ca2e&amp;e=5bf0f0e5fe" target="_blank">resource page</a>&nbsp;is the best source for those wishing to help with hay and other supplies. The page also includes contact information for farmers and ranchers who need emergency hay or have livestock welfare questions. KLA has created a&nbsp;<a href="https://kfb.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=45bba928f411d21617c5eadbe&amp;id=26f99b19da&amp;e=5bf0f0e5fe" target="_blank">relief fund</a>&nbsp;for people who wish to make monetary donations. One-hundred percent of the money collected will be distributed to affected producers, and KLA membership is not required to receive funds. The Kansas Forest Service estimates fires burned nearly 400,000 acres in the state on Dec. 15. The largest fire charred approximately 365,000 acres in Russell, Ellis, Rooks and Osborne counties. Dubbed the Four County Fire, the wind not only fueled the blaze, it hampered firefighters from finding it initially. “Hell would be the best way to describe it,” says Russell County Fire Chief Dustin Finkenbinder. “The dust was so bad we couldn’t see the fire. All we could do was rely on smell.” Finkenbinder says the fire had burned about two miles by the time crews arrived on site before eventually growing 10 to 12 miles wide. More than 24 hours after the initial call, he was still monitoring smoldering bale piles and other hot spots for embers that could ignite new fires. State and local officials are still determining the impacts of these fires, though early reports suggest homes, outbuildings and livestock were lost in the flames. Farmers and ranchers impacted by the fires should contact their local U.S. Department of Agriculture service center for information on federal programs and services to help with disaster recovery.

UPDATE Dec. 21: Kansas fire relief: How to help

James Raymond Brooks was a proud son of Hays who loved the city’s rich
 history. He was born to Raymond and Tina May Brooks on November 23, 
1939. He died September 23, 2020 in Leavenworth, KS due to pneumonia 
brought on by COVID-19.  

During the 1940s and early 50s Jim and 
his sister, Barbara, would often accompany their father and friends on 
fossil hunting trips in western Kansas. One of these was during the 
famous “fish within a fish” Sternberg expedition.  

Jim was an old-school techie, a lifelong 
ham radio enthusiast and early adopter of personal computers, delighted 
in later years by his FitBit and iPhone.  He loved collecting and taking
 apart electronic devices just to see how they worked.  He would build 
circuits and write machine code, assembly language, and Basic software 
programs just for fun.  Much later he set up his own internet weather 
station, and his house was a Hays data point for Wunderground for many 
years. 

Radio was his greatest passion, and under
 call sign K0JJV (“This is Kay-Zero-Johnny-Johnny-Victor”) Jim tested 
the limits of ham radio.  (While doing so, he sometimes caused lights to
 flicker throughout the neighborhood.)  He twice earned Amateur Radio’s 
“county hunter” award, which required him to make radio contact with 
someone in every county of the United States.  Jim made friends as far 
away as New Zealand and Hawaii over the airwaves. He listened in on 
space missions. He belonged to the American Radio Relay League, which 
meant that in the years prior to Doppler radar, Jim hopped into the car 
with his mobile radio and drove out into the worst Kansas storms looking
 for tornadoes so he could alert the town. In his later years he 
experimented with packet radio, seeking ways to create an over-the-air 
internet. 

Career wise, Jim attended Kansas State 
University for a couple of years and finished his degree at Fort Hays 
with a bachelor’s in Communications. His deep, rich voice and interest 
in radio won him a DJ spot at KAYS in his late teens, and he continued a
 radio/TV/advertising career there after graduating from Fort Hays. He 
proved to be a “jack of all trades” with many career pivots. Jim wrote 
and recorded radio ads, he filled in as backup weatherman on the local 
TV news, he sold office equipment, he repaired televisions, he tested 
and monitored water levels at the Hays Municipal Water Plant.  At 
Village Inn, he quickly worked his way up from dishwasher to store 
manager. While a lead technician at Sykes Enterprises, Jim used his 
resonant radio voice and his technical savvy to soothe the most 
difficult phone customers, receiving praise from coworkers. Then he 
retired to become a full-time caretaker for his wife, Cheryl. 

Jim was a lifetime member of St. 
Michael’s Episcopal Church in Hays. A member of the vestry for several 
years, he also served as a popular lay reader (thanks to his radio-ready
 voice and clear diction).  His dearest wish was to ensure St. Michael’s
 carries on as a strong and vibrant parish for future generations in 
Hays. 

Jim was preceded in death by his wife, 
Cheryl Brooks, and survived by Barbara DeBauge (sister), Amy (daughter),
 Brian (son), and granddaughters Olive and Lucy.  

The family of James Raymond Brooks will 
be holding a memorial service at 6 PM on Tuesday, December 21st at St. 
Michael’s Church, 2900 Canal Blvd, Hays Kansas.  The service will be 
followed by an informal remembrance in the parish hall, with 
refreshments.  The family asks those attending the service in person to 
be vaccinated and wear masks.  If you would like to attend virtually, 
please contact St. Michael’s (stmichaelshays.org) to get on the list to 
receive a Zoom link. 

In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to 
the James and Cheryl Brooks Legacy Fund of St. Michael’s Episcopal 
Church in Hays, Kansas:  2900 Canal Blvd., Hays, KS 67601.  

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1639934098658.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>James Raymond Brooks was a proud son of Hays who loved the city’s rich
 history. He was born to Raymond and Tina May Brooks on November 23, 
1939. He died September 23, 2020 in Leavenworth, KS due to pneumonia 
brought on by COVID-19. During the 1940s and early 50s Jim and 
his sister, Barbara, would often accompany their father and friends on 
fossil hunting trips in western Kansas. One of these was during the 
famous “fish within a fish” Sternberg expedition. Jim was an old-school techie, a lifelong 
ham radio enthusiast and early adopter of personal computers, delighted 
in later years by his FitBit and iPhone. He loved collecting and taking
 apart electronic devices just to see how they worked. He would build 
circuits and write machine code, assembly language, and Basic software 
programs just for fun. Much later he set up his own internet weather 
station, and his house was a Hays data point for Wunderground for many 
years. Radio was his greatest passion, and under
 call sign K0JJV (“This is Kay-Zero-Johnny-Johnny-Victor”) Jim tested 
the limits of ham radio. (While doing so, he sometimes caused lights to
 flicker throughout the neighborhood.) He twice earned Amateur Radio’s 
“county hunter” award, which required him to make radio contact with 
someone in every county of the United States. Jim made friends as far 
away as New Zealand and Hawaii over the airwaves. He listened in on 
space missions. He belonged to the American Radio Relay League, which 
meant that in the years prior to Doppler radar, Jim hopped into the car 
with his mobile radio and drove out into the worst Kansas storms looking
 for tornadoes so he could alert the town. In his later years he 
experimented with packet radio, seeking ways to create an over-the-air 
internet. Career wise, Jim attended Kansas State 
University for a couple of years and finished his degree at Fort Hays 
with a bachelor’s in Communications. His deep, rich voice and interest 
in radio won him a DJ spot at KAYS in his late teens, and he continued a
 radio/TV/advertising career there after graduating from Fort Hays. He 
proved to be a “jack of all trades” with many career pivots. Jim wrote 
and recorded radio ads, he filled in as backup weatherman on the local 
TV news, he sold office equipment, he repaired televisions, he tested 
and monitored water levels at the Hays Municipal Water Plant. At 
Village Inn, he quickly worked his way up from dishwasher to store 
manager. While a lead technician at Sykes Enterprises, Jim used his 
resonant radio voice and his technical savvy to soothe the most 
difficult phone customers, receiving praise from coworkers. Then he 
retired to become a full-time caretaker for his wife, Cheryl. Jim was a lifetime member of St. 
Michael’s Episcopal Church in Hays. A member of the vestry for several 
years, he also served as a popular lay reader (thanks to his radio-ready
 voice and clear diction). His dearest wish was to ensure St. Michael’s
 carries on as a strong and vibrant parish for future generations in 
Hays. Jim was preceded in death by his wife, 
Cheryl Brooks, and survived by Barbara DeBauge (sister), Amy (daughter),
 Brian (son), and granddaughters Olive and Lucy. The family of James Raymond Brooks will 
be holding a memorial service at 6 PM on Tuesday, December 21st at St. 
Michael’s Church, 2900 Canal Blvd, Hays Kansas. The service will be 
followed by an informal remembrance in the parish hall, with 
refreshments. The family asks those attending the service in person to 
be vaccinated and wear masks. If you would like to attend virtually, 
please contact St. Michael’s (stmichaelshays.org) to get on the list to 
receive a Zoom link. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to 
the James and Cheryl Brooks Legacy Fund of St. Michael’s Episcopal 
Church in Hays, Kansas: 2900 Canal Blvd., Hays, KS 67601.

James Raymond Brooks

Betty (Suter) Lee, 90, passed away on December 6, 2021, at the home of 
her daughter Sheryl (Lee) Watson. She was the oldest daughter of John E.
 and Ida M. (Walz) Suter, born in Gove County, and grew up in Oakley, 
KS. 
Betty married Robert E. Lee of Monument, KS in 1948. In this union, they
 had four children, Gayle Lee, of Sparks, NV, Rory and wife Cheryl Lee, 
of Oakley, KS, Sheryl Ann and husband John Watson, of Hays, KS and Jeff 
Lee of Bessemer, AL. 
Along with her children, she is survived by her grandchildren, Andy 
(Courtney) Lee, Stacy (Brady) Jasper, Kyle (Erin) Krug, Kory (Buffi) 
Krug, Leslie (Arron) Watson-Devittore, Joshua Lee, Felisha (Dustin) 
Miller, Tashia (Kacey) Highland and Trevor (Kyla) Mader; 15 great 
grandchildren; sisters, Edith Clark, Oakley, KS and Shirley Jennings, 
AZ; sisters-in-law, Shirley Lee and Jaunita Helsel; brothers, Bill 
Suter, AR and Donald (Peggy) Suter, OK. Betty came from a large family 
with many nieces, nephews, and cousins that were special to her; Janet 
(Butch) Collins, the Suter cousins, the Walz cousins and the Lee 
cousins. 
She was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Gladys (Suter) 
Overson; sisters-in-law, Marilyn (Jack) Lee and Nadine Lee; 
brothers-in-law Quenton Overson, Bob Clark, Newton Jennings, Jess Lee 
Jr., Garth Lee, Jack Lee and Richard Helsel; two grandsons, Baby Lee and
 Kody Krug; niece Jacque Lee and nephews, Timothy Lee and Stan Clark. 
Our mother was always one to "Jump In" getting things done whether cooking or sewing, then sharing with others. 
Mother, living in Kansas her entire life, always had some story or two to tell about someone who had blessed her path of life. 
Mother loved going on road trips all over this country. She could find 
the beauty simply looking out over the land whether it be crops and 
animals in the field, the mountains, the autumn leaves or the clouds in 
the skies. 
Her favorite hobby was creating beauty with her many sewing projects. 
She had sewn more wedding/bridesmaid dresses and formals than anyone 
else we know. 
Our mother would have her grandchildren stay with her in the summertime,
 whether it be one to two weeks or two months. These summertime stays 
created childhood memories that will be with her grandchildren forever. 
Betty and the family were thrilled that so many of you were able to 
celebrate mother's life with her at her "90th" birthday party or via 
birthday card this last July. As that celebration was so recent and with
 all the traveling issues going on, cremation was chosen. There will be 
no funeral service. Thank you to anyone and everyone that touched our 
mother’s life. 
Mother is in the loving arms of Jesus now. We would like to think she is busy sewing something pretty for her new home.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1639146282790.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Betty (Suter) Lee, 90, passed away on December 6, 2021, at the home of 
her daughter Sheryl (Lee) Watson. She was the oldest daughter of John E.
 and Ida M. (Walz) Suter, born in Gove County, and grew up in Oakley, 
KS. 
Betty married Robert E. Lee of Monument, KS in 1948. In this union, they
 had four children, Gayle Lee, of Sparks, NV, Rory and wife Cheryl Lee, 
of Oakley, KS, Sheryl Ann and husband John Watson, of Hays, KS and Jeff 
Lee of Bessemer, AL. 
Along with her children, she is survived by her grandchildren, Andy 
(Courtney) Lee, Stacy (Brady) Jasper, Kyle (Erin) Krug, Kory (Buffi) 
Krug, Leslie (Arron) Watson-Devittore, Joshua Lee, Felisha (Dustin) 
Miller, Tashia (Kacey) Highland and Trevor (Kyla) Mader; 15 great 
grandchildren; sisters, Edith Clark, Oakley, KS and Shirley Jennings, 
AZ; sisters-in-law, Shirley Lee and Jaunita Helsel; brothers, Bill 
Suter, AR and Donald (Peggy) Suter, OK. Betty came from a large family 
with many nieces, nephews, and cousins that were special to her; Janet 
(Butch) Collins, the Suter cousins, the Walz cousins and the Lee 
cousins. 
She was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Gladys (Suter) 
Overson; sisters-in-law, Marilyn (Jack) Lee and Nadine Lee; 
brothers-in-law Quenton Overson, Bob Clark, Newton Jennings, Jess Lee 
Jr., Garth Lee, Jack Lee and Richard Helsel; two grandsons, Baby Lee and
 Kody Krug; niece Jacque Lee and nephews, Timothy Lee and Stan Clark. 
Our mother was always one to "Jump In" getting things done whether cooking or sewing, then sharing with others. 
Mother, living in Kansas her entire life, always had some story or two to tell about someone who had blessed her path of life. 
Mother loved going on road trips all over this country. She could find 
the beauty simply looking out over the land whether it be crops and 
animals in the field, the mountains, the autumn leaves or the clouds in 
the skies. 
Her favorite hobby was creating beauty with her many sewing projects. 
She had sewn more wedding/bridesmaid dresses and formals than anyone 
else we know. 
Our mother would have her grandchildren stay with her in the summertime,
 whether it be one to two weeks or two months. These summertime stays 
created childhood memories that will be with her grandchildren forever. 
Betty and the family were thrilled that so many of you were able to 
celebrate mother's life with her at her "90th" birthday party or via 
birthday card this last July. As that celebration was so recent and with
 all the traveling issues going on, cremation was chosen. There will be 
no funeral service. Thank you to anyone and everyone that touched our 
mother’s life. 
Mother is in the loving arms of Jesus now. We would like to think she is busy sewing something pretty for her new home.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

Betty (Suter) Lee

The family of James Raymond Brooks will be holding a memorial service at 6 PM Tuesday, December 21st, 2021, at St. Michael’s Church, 2900 Canal Blvd, Hays Kansas.&nbsp; The service will be followed by an informal remembrance in the parish hall, with refreshments.&nbsp; We ask those attending the service in person to be vaccinated and wear masks.&nbsp; If you would like to attend virtually, please contact St. Michael’s (<a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__http:/stmichaelshays.org__;!!M2D_dUfSiN4E!bzztTMoW6y4KfQGUT9WVN2N33YCpzyrCLs8P1sjnLul_c29413XbU3BzcuZvjaLq1m9-HocRwnY$">stmichaelshays.org</a>) to get on the list to receive a Zoom link.

James was a proud son of Hays who loved the city’s rich history. He was born to Raymond and Tina Mae Brooks on November 23, 1939. He died September 23, 2020, in Leavenworth, KS due to pneumonia brought on by COVID-19.&nbsp;

Jim was an old-school techie, a lifelong ham radio enthusiast and early adopter of personal computers.&nbsp; Radio was his greatest passion, and under call sign K0JJV he tested the limits of ham radio.&nbsp;

Jim attended Kansas State University for a couple of years and finished his degree at Fort Hays with a bachelor’s in Communications. He started as a radio DJ at KAYS in his late teens, and continued a radio/TV/advertising career there after graduating from Fort Hays. He proved to be a “jack of all trades” with many career pivots. While a lead technician at Sykes Enterprises, Jim used his resonant radio voice and his technical savvy to soothe the most difficult phone customers.

Jim was a lifetime member of St. Michael’s Episcopal church in Hays. A board member for several years, he also served as a popular lay reader.&nbsp; He cleaned the church and prepared the bulletins himself for many years, and his dearest wish was to ensure St. Michael’s carries on as a strong and vibrant parish for future generations in Hays.

Jim was preceded in death by his wife, Cheryl Brooks, and survived by Barbara DeBauge (sister), Amy (daughter), Brian (son), and granddaughters Olive and Lucy.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1639004180996.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The family of James Raymond Brooks will be holding a memorial service at 6 PM Tuesday, December 21st, 2021, at St. Michael’s Church, 2900 Canal Blvd, Hays Kansas.&nbsp; The service will be followed by an informal remembrance in the parish hall, with refreshments.&nbsp; We ask those attending the service in person to be vaccinated and wear masks.&nbsp; If you would like to attend virtually, please contact St. Michael’s (<a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__http:/stmichaelshays.org__;!!M2D_dUfSiN4E!bzztTMoW6y4KfQGUT9WVN2N33YCpzyrCLs8P1sjnLul_c29413XbU3BzcuZvjaLq1m9-HocRwnY$">stmichaelshays.org</a>) to get on the list to receive a Zoom link.James was a proud son of Hays who loved the city’s rich history. He was born to Raymond and Tina Mae Brooks on November 23, 1939. He died September 23, 2020, in Leavenworth, KS due to pneumonia brought on by COVID-19.&nbsp;Jim was an old-school techie, a lifelong ham radio enthusiast and early adopter of personal computers.&nbsp; Radio was his greatest passion, and under call sign K0JJV he tested the limits of ham radio.&nbsp;Jim attended Kansas State University for a couple of years and finished his degree at Fort Hays with a bachelor’s in Communications. He started as a radio DJ at KAYS in his late teens, and continued a radio/TV/advertising career there after graduating from Fort Hays. He proved to be a “jack of all trades” with many career pivots. While a lead technician at Sykes Enterprises, Jim used his resonant radio voice and his technical savvy to soothe the most difficult phone customers.Jim was a lifetime member of St. Michael’s Episcopal church in Hays. A board member for several years, he also served as a popular lay reader.&nbsp; He cleaned the church and prepared the bulletins himself for many years, and his dearest wish was to ensure St. Michael’s carries on as a strong and vibrant parish for future generations in Hays.Jim was preceded in death by his wife, Cheryl Brooks, and survived by Barbara DeBauge (sister), Amy (daughter), Brian (son), and granddaughters Olive and Lucy.&nbsp;

Douglas Lynn Whitson made his final gesture on November 29, 2021. 
&nbsp;Signing off on life, in his own words “Well off with no regrets.” &nbsp;

Doug was born April 19, 1952 in Independence Kansas to the late 
Clarence, and Faye Whitson. &nbsp;Shortly after his birth the family moved to
 Nickerson Kansas.&nbsp; He was the middle of three sons, the eldest Eldon 
and then Rick. &nbsp;Being the middle child he had the privilege of playing 
many obnoxious pranks on Rick. &nbsp;He was very much up to this challenge 
and excelled in it greatly. &nbsp;But then he would get what he dished out 
when Rick would go to Eldon. &nbsp;Even though the boys picked on each other,
 it was not ok for others to do so. &nbsp;Because Rick was smaller Doug would
 often protect him. &nbsp;So much so in fact that his parents told him that 
Rick needed to learn to fend for himself and told Doug that he couldn’t 
fight all of his battles for him.&nbsp; The three of them were a handful for 
Faye without a doubt. &nbsp;Like the time the boys were playing out on the 
farm in Independence. &nbsp;She hadn’t heard from the three in sometime, so 
she went to investigate. &nbsp;She wasn’t surprised to find them in the barn 
with pump grease in each other’s hair as if it were shampoo.

Doug was always mischievous and up to something. &nbsp;Doug’s Mom often 
told the story about Doug and his friend bringing home baby skunks.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;Doug was so proud of them! &nbsp;His Mom was not thrilled with his new pets,
 so she made him take them back where he found them. &nbsp;When Doug returned
 home, he had to take tomato baths and sleep in the garage for quite a 
while because he didn’t smell so good and Faye didn’t want him stinking 
up the house. &nbsp;When Doug and Eldon got their first car Eldon was very 
proud of their car. &nbsp;In typical wild and crazy Doug fashion it didn’t 
take long for Doug to total it. &nbsp;Eldon who was normally very calm 
expressed his frustrations with Doug when he beat him up after finding 
out that he totaled their car.

After finishing school in Nickerson Doug and his brother Rick moved 
to Goodland. &nbsp;There they attended NWKAVTS in diesel mechanics and 
continued their obnoxious shenanigans. &nbsp;He soon after married Ardith 
Kramer in 1972 who was finally be able to tame him. &nbsp;They gave birth to 
Jason and Jenny Whitson, the former would prove to be an obnoxious 
handful like his father. &nbsp;This gave much pleasure to Clarence as he saw 
it as paybacks. &nbsp;Doug worked for Davis implements as a diesel mechanic, 
proving to Clarence he did actually learn something in school. &nbsp;Shortly 
afterward he went to work for his father-in-law Lowell Kramer at Ford 
Dealership as a car salesman. &nbsp;This work was far too boring for Doug who
 was just not cut out for pencil pushing. &nbsp;He would spend his evenings 
after coming home from the garage volunteering for the sheriff’s office 
reserve force in 1984. &nbsp;Eventually a full-time opening came up at the 
Goodland PD and Doug was off to the academy in Hutchinson Kansas a 20 
minute drive from where he grew up. &nbsp;During his time at the academy, he 
would stay with his parents in Nickerson. &nbsp;There was a lot of shock and 
disbelief going around Nickerson the day Doug showed up in a police 
uniform and patrol car. &nbsp;After working for the police department for 
around a year Doug went back to the Sheriff’s office as a full-time 
deputy. &nbsp;Family often joked that Doug made a good officer because of all
 of the shenanigans he participated in when he was growing up. &nbsp;He knew 
what mischief was coming next because he had already been there and done
 it himself.

Doug was married to Pam (Cecil) Linden on March 12, 1988, in Goodland
 Kansas. &nbsp;Doug also became the Under-Sheriff in 1988, and later became 
Sheriff when Jack Armstrong retired. &nbsp;He retired from the Sheriff’s 
office in 2005 and wasn’t ready to be fully retired just yet. &nbsp;He worked
 for the Goodland Police Department again from 2006 to 2011 and then 
finally retired for good from the Goodland Police Department.&nbsp; &nbsp;Even 
with this retirement he wasn’t ready to be full finished with law 
enforcement. &nbsp;He continued to be a part-time deputy with the Sheriff’s 
office until his death. &nbsp;

During his law enforcement career, he did many things such as doing 
undercover drug buys, interviews, cleaning up meth labs, abuse cases, 
and his favorite investigations. &nbsp;His love for investigations shifted in
 his retirement to finding out the history of Western Kansas. &nbsp;He was an
 active member of the Smokey Hill Trail Association, &amp; Guardian of 
Fort Wallace Museum. &nbsp;He also assisted with the Kansas Anthropological 
Association. &nbsp;As many will recognize the silly hat he was so proud of.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;The number 7 was actually an artifact that he found while metal 
detecting at Big Timber Station.&nbsp; The 7 is a pin from a soldiers 7th 
cavalry hat.

Doug was always available for late night phone calls or visits to 
help people through whatever they were going through. &nbsp;He also believed 
in tough love and wasn’t afraid to threated you with a boot in the you 
know where. &nbsp;He will be greatly missed by family and friends. &nbsp;

Doug is survived by his wife, Pam and Fur Children of Goodland KS; 
daughter, Jenny (Jason) Cech and Fur Child Lady of Salina KS; son, Jason
 Whitson of Greely CO; brother-in-law, Mike Cecil of Goodland KS; 
nieces, Jill Cofer of Hutchinson KS, Connie Whitson Bennet of Nebraska 
and Natashia Cecil (Elliot Binder) of Hays, KS; nephew, Cody Whitson 
(Meghan Peterson) and Son Levi Whitson of Lincoln, NE.&nbsp; &nbsp;

He is preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Faye Whitson; and brothers, Eldon and Rick Whitson.

Memorials may be designated to Doug Whitson Memorial Fund and may be 
sent in care of Bateman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 278, Goodland, KS 67735. 
&nbsp;For more information and online condolences visit: www.batemanfuneral.com

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1638907189988.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Douglas Lynn Whitson made his final gesture on November 29, 2021. 
&nbsp;Signing off on life, in his own words “Well off with no regrets.” &nbsp;Doug was born April 19, 1952 in Independence Kansas to the late 
Clarence, and Faye Whitson. &nbsp;Shortly after his birth the family moved to
 Nickerson Kansas.&nbsp; He was the middle of three sons, the eldest Eldon 
and then Rick. &nbsp;Being the middle child he had the privilege of playing 
many obnoxious pranks on Rick. &nbsp;He was very much up to this challenge 
and excelled in it greatly. &nbsp;But then he would get what he dished out 
when Rick would go to Eldon. &nbsp;Even though the boys picked on each other,
 it was not ok for others to do so. &nbsp;Because Rick was smaller Doug would
 often protect him. &nbsp;So much so in fact that his parents told him that 
Rick needed to learn to fend for himself and told Doug that he couldn’t 
fight all of his battles for him.&nbsp; The three of them were a handful for 
Faye without a doubt. &nbsp;Like the time the boys were playing out on the 
farm in Independence. &nbsp;She hadn’t heard from the three in sometime, so 
she went to investigate. &nbsp;She wasn’t surprised to find them in the barn 
with pump grease in each other’s hair as if it were shampoo.Doug was always mischievous and up to something. &nbsp;Doug’s Mom often 
told the story about Doug and his friend bringing home baby skunks.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;Doug was so proud of them! &nbsp;His Mom was not thrilled with his new pets,
 so she made him take them back where he found them. &nbsp;When Doug returned
 home, he had to take tomato baths and sleep in the garage for quite a 
while because he didn’t smell so good and Faye didn’t want him stinking 
up the house. &nbsp;When Doug and Eldon got their first car Eldon was very 
proud of their car. &nbsp;In typical wild and crazy Doug fashion it didn’t 
take long for Doug to total it. &nbsp;Eldon who was normally very calm 
expressed his frustrations with Doug when he beat him up after finding 
out that he totaled their car.After finishing school in Nickerson Doug and his brother Rick moved 
to Goodland. &nbsp;There they attended NWKAVTS in diesel mechanics and 
continued their obnoxious shenanigans. &nbsp;He soon after married Ardith 
Kramer in 1972 who was finally be able to tame him. &nbsp;They gave birth to 
Jason and Jenny Whitson, the former would prove to be an obnoxious 
handful like his father. &nbsp;This gave much pleasure to Clarence as he saw 
it as paybacks. &nbsp;Doug worked for Davis implements as a diesel mechanic, 
proving to Clarence he did actually learn something in school. &nbsp;Shortly 
afterward he went to work for his father-in-law Lowell Kramer at Ford 
Dealership as a car salesman. &nbsp;This work was far too boring for Doug who
 was just not cut out for pencil pushing. &nbsp;He would spend his evenings 
after coming home from the garage volunteering for the sheriff’s office 
reserve force in 1984. &nbsp;Eventually a full-time opening came up at the 
Goodland PD and Doug was off to the academy in Hutchinson Kansas a 20 
minute drive from where he grew up. &nbsp;During his time at the academy, he 
would stay with his parents in Nickerson. &nbsp;There was a lot of shock and 
disbelief going around Nickerson the day Doug showed up in a police 
uniform and patrol car. &nbsp;After working for the police department for 
around a year Doug went back to the Sheriff’s office as a full-time 
deputy. &nbsp;Family often joked that Doug made a good officer because of all
 of the shenanigans he participated in when he was growing up. &nbsp;He knew 
what mischief was coming next because he had already been there and done
 it himself.Doug was married to Pam (Cecil) Linden on March 12, 1988, in Goodland
 Kansas. &nbsp;Doug also became the Under-Sheriff in 1988, and later became 
Sheriff when Jack Armstrong retired. &nbsp;He retired from the Sheriff’s 
office in 2005 and wasn’t ready to be fully retired just yet. &nbsp;He worked
 for the Goodland Police Department again from 2006 to 2011 and then 
finally retired for good from the Goodland Police Department.&nbsp; &nbsp;Even 
with this retirement he wasn’t ready to be full finished with law 
enforcement. &nbsp;He continued to be a part-time deputy with the Sheriff’s 
office until his death. &nbsp;During his law enforcement career, he did many things such as doing 
undercover drug buys, interviews, cleaning up meth labs, abuse cases, 
and his favorite investigations. &nbsp;His love for investigations shifted in
 his retirement to finding out the history of Western Kansas. &nbsp;He was an
 active member of the Smokey Hill Trail Association, &amp; Guardian of 
Fort Wallace Museum. &nbsp;He also assisted with the Kansas Anthropological 
Association. &nbsp;As many will recognize the silly hat he was so proud of.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;The number 7 was actually an artifact that he found while metal 
detecting at Big Timber Station.&nbsp; The 7 is a pin from a soldiers 7th 
cavalry hat.Doug was always available for late night phone calls or visits to 
help people through whatever they were going through. &nbsp;He also believed 
in tough love and wasn’t afraid to threated you with a boot in the you 
know where. &nbsp;He will be greatly missed by family and friends. &nbsp;Doug is survived by his wife, Pam and Fur Children of Goodland KS; 
daughter, Jenny (Jason) Cech and Fur Child Lady of Salina KS; son, Jason
 Whitson of Greely CO; brother-in-law, Mike Cecil of Goodland KS; 
nieces, Jill Cofer of Hutchinson KS, Connie Whitson Bennet of Nebraska 
and Natashia Cecil (Elliot Binder) of Hays, KS; nephew, Cody Whitson 
(Meghan Peterson) and Son Levi Whitson of Lincoln, NE.&nbsp; &nbsp;He is preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Faye Whitson; and brothers, Eldon and Rick Whitson.Memorials may be designated to Doug Whitson Memorial Fund and may be 
sent in care of Bateman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 278, Goodland, KS 67735. 
&nbsp;For more information and online condolences visit: www.batemanfuneral.com

Douglas Lynn Whitson

Loretta Carolyn Ray (Carolyn) age 82, passed away on Saturday, 
November 20th at Scott County Hospital.&nbsp; She was born in Tribune Ks on 
October 25, 1939, to Willy C and Lulanell Dealy Ray.&nbsp; She was the 
youngest of 3 girls, Retha Roena Ray Hubbs, &nbsp;and Lorene Ray Giesick.&nbsp; 
Carolyn attended school in Greeley County where she graduated and went 
on to college at Hays University where she studied to be a radiology 
technician. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Carolyn then went on to Kansas City to do her clinical rotations at 
St Joseph Hospital. &nbsp;Carolyn worked there for a few years and then went 
to work for a group for physicians Dr. Bakey and Dr. Gentrey where they 
became a close nit family. &nbsp;She worked there as RAD Tech, a phlebotomist
 as well as cleaned the office until she retired after 35 years of 
service. &nbsp;Carolyn loved to help people and enjoyed being with friends. 
&nbsp;She had a bar for a few years in Kansas City named the WindJammer where
 she met many friends. &nbsp;Carolyn was a caregiver when she left Kansas 
City in early 2000 and moved to western Kansas to help with her older 
sister's care Retha who had Alzheimer’s.

Carolyn left there and moved to Oklahoma to help her best friend in 
life Betty and her sister Mary with their ailing mother Wanette Pistole.
 When Wanette passed on Betty and Carolyn moved back to Kansas City 
where Carolyn stayed and cared for Betty when she became ill. &nbsp;After 
Betty passed &nbsp;Carolyn moved to Scott City Ks in 2016 where she could be 
closer to her nephew and niece, Rick and Kody Rogers, and family. 
&nbsp;Carolyn enjoyed her weekly get-together with friends and family, where 
she always beat everyone at marbles even though she was legally blind.&nbsp; 
She loved collecting anything that had to do with wolves, spending time 
with family and friends, and caring for people. &nbsp;

Carolyn surviving family includes - 6 nieces and nephews and their 
spouses: Dennis Hubbs of Saratoga, Wyoming, Penny and Albert Twomey of 
Wright, Wyoming,&nbsp;Jana and Neal Raider of Richmond, Virginia, Kim and 
Georgia Hubbs of Templeton, California, Tim and Sam Giesick of Leoti, 
and Kody and Rick Rogers&nbsp;of Scott City many great-nieces and nephews. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Carolyn's wishes were to be cremated and her ashes spread with her 
older sister Retha and her brother-in-law Dale in Wyoming.&nbsp; There will 
be a private memorial in Wyoming in July for family and friends where 
Carolyn, Retha, and Dale’s lives will be celebrated. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Memorial In Lieu of Flowers may be written to the American Cancer Association.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1638281784164.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Loretta Carolyn Ray (Carolyn) age 82, passed away on Saturday, 
November 20th at Scott County Hospital.&nbsp; She was born in Tribune Ks on 
October 25, 1939, to Willy C and Lulanell Dealy Ray.&nbsp; She was the 
youngest of 3 girls, Retha Roena Ray Hubbs, &nbsp;and Lorene Ray Giesick.&nbsp; 
Carolyn attended school in Greeley County where she graduated and went 
on to college at Hays University where she studied to be a radiology 
technician. &nbsp;&nbsp;Carolyn then went on to Kansas City to do her clinical rotations at 
St Joseph Hospital. &nbsp;Carolyn worked there for a few years and then went 
to work for a group for physicians Dr. Bakey and Dr. Gentrey where they 
became a close nit family. &nbsp;She worked there as RAD Tech, a phlebotomist
 as well as cleaned the office until she retired after 35 years of 
service. &nbsp;Carolyn loved to help people and enjoyed being with friends. 
&nbsp;She had a bar for a few years in Kansas City named the WindJammer where
 she met many friends. &nbsp;Carolyn was a caregiver when she left Kansas 
City in early 2000 and moved to western Kansas to help with her older 
sister's care Retha who had Alzheimer’s.Carolyn left there and moved to Oklahoma to help her best friend in 
life Betty and her sister Mary with their ailing mother Wanette Pistole.
 When Wanette passed on Betty and Carolyn moved back to Kansas City 
where Carolyn stayed and cared for Betty when she became ill. &nbsp;After 
Betty passed &nbsp;Carolyn moved to Scott City Ks in 2016 where she could be 
closer to her nephew and niece, Rick and Kody Rogers, and family. 
&nbsp;Carolyn enjoyed her weekly get-together with friends and family, where 
she always beat everyone at marbles even though she was legally blind.&nbsp; 
She loved collecting anything that had to do with wolves, spending time 
with family and friends, and caring for people. &nbsp;Carolyn surviving family includes - 6 nieces and nephews and their 
spouses: Dennis Hubbs of Saratoga, Wyoming, Penny and Albert Twomey of 
Wright, Wyoming,&nbsp;Jana and Neal Raider of Richmond, Virginia, Kim and 
Georgia Hubbs of Templeton, California, Tim and Sam Giesick of Leoti, 
and Kody and Rick Rogers&nbsp;of Scott City many great-nieces and nephews. &nbsp;&nbsp;Carolyn's wishes were to be cremated and her ashes spread with her 
older sister Retha and her brother-in-law Dale in Wyoming.&nbsp; There will 
be a private memorial in Wyoming in July for family and friends where 
Carolyn, Retha, and Dale’s lives will be celebrated. &nbsp;&nbsp;Memorial In Lieu of Flowers may be written to the American Cancer Association.There are no calling times.

Loretta Carolyn Ray

Lenora Louise (Quade) Grover, age 70, of Hays, KS, entered the Kingdom of Heaven, on November 23, 2021.&nbsp; She passed away at the Hays Medical Center following a brief illness. Lenora was born on November 24, 1950, in Beloit, KS, to Fred H. and Edna P. (Nusbaum) Quade.&nbsp; She moved to Great Bend, KS as a small child and graduated from Great Bend High School in 1968. &nbsp; On November 30, 1969, she married V. Lynn Schmitt in Great Bend, KS, and to their union were born BJ, Monnie and Eric.&nbsp; They later divorced. On January 10, 1976, Lenora married her soul mate, Daniel Grover, in Great Bend, KS.&nbsp; To this union, Heather, was born.&nbsp; Lenora’s life with Daniel took her to several states, including Kansas, Colorado, Oklahoma and back to Kansas, where they settled in Hays in 1990.&nbsp; Lenora was a fabulous cook, learning all she knew from her mother.&nbsp; She tried her hand at many things, including managing an Eyewear Business in Great Bend, a Sheriff’s Deputy in Oakley, KS and food service in Ness City.&nbsp; Her passion always led her back to taking care of the public and working in the food industry.&nbsp; She met so many people along the way and never knew a stranger. &nbsp; She had a kind soul and treated everyone with genuine love.&nbsp; She had a memorable personality and although tiny, she never let her size get in the way.&nbsp; Her greatest accomplishment was her family.&nbsp; Time spent with her kids and grandkids were very precious to her.&nbsp; She loved her Lord and Savior and her faith carried her through. Lenora is preceded in death by her parents, Fred and Edna Quade; her brother-in-law, Robert Zink; her Brother-In-Law, Leroy Weese; her Mother-In-Law, Bonnie Grover, her Father and Mother-In-Law, Clarence and Maxine Grover; and her sister-in-law, Gwinni Delgado. Lenora is survived by her husband, Daniel, of the home.&nbsp; Her children BJ Schmitt of Hays; Monnie (Doug) Shearer of Hays; Eric (Darcy) Schmitt of Hays; Heather Grover of Hays; Clarence Grover of Hyannis, NE; Kimberly (Ward) Corsair of La Crosse; 12 grandchildren; her puppies Sweetie, Colt and Bick; and many nieces, nephews and extended family.&nbsp; She is also survived by her sister, Alberta of Kansas City; her brother Doug (Dorothy) of Great Bend; and her brother Brian (Patty) of Hoisington. Visitation will be on Friday, November 26, 2021, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Brock’s – Keithley Funeral Chapel at 2509 Vine St. in Hays, KS .&nbsp; Funeral Services will be on Saturday, November 27, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. at Funeral Chapel, with Pastor Brenda Rodger officiating.&nbsp; Lenora will be placed to rest in the Blue Hills, north of Hunter, KS, in the Rose Valley Cemetery at 12:30 PM. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to the family for memorial expenses, in care of the Brock’s – Keithley Funeral Chapel.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1637779172509.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Lenora Louise (Quade) Grover, age 70, of Hays, KS, entered the Kingdom of Heaven, on November 23, 2021.&nbsp; She passed away at the Hays Medical Center following a brief illness. Lenora was born on November 24, 1950, in Beloit, KS, to Fred H. and Edna P. (Nusbaum) Quade.&nbsp; She moved to Great Bend, KS as a small child and graduated from Great Bend High School in 1968. &nbsp; On November 30, 1969, she married V. Lynn Schmitt in Great Bend, KS, and to their union were born BJ, Monnie and Eric.&nbsp; They later divorced. On January 10, 1976, Lenora married her soul mate, Daniel Grover, in Great Bend, KS.&nbsp; To this union, Heather, was born.&nbsp; Lenora’s life with Daniel took her to several states, including Kansas, Colorado, Oklahoma and back to Kansas, where they settled in Hays in 1990.&nbsp; Lenora was a fabulous cook, learning all she knew from her mother.&nbsp; She tried her hand at many things, including managing an Eyewear Business in Great Bend, a Sheriff’s Deputy in Oakley, KS and food service in Ness City.&nbsp; Her passion always led her back to taking care of the public and working in the food industry.&nbsp; She met so many people along the way and never knew a stranger. &nbsp; She had a kind soul and treated everyone with genuine love.&nbsp; She had a memorable personality and although tiny, she never let her size get in the way.&nbsp; Her greatest accomplishment was her family.&nbsp; Time spent with her kids and grandkids were very precious to her.&nbsp; She loved her Lord and Savior and her faith carried her through. Lenora is preceded in death by her parents, Fred and Edna Quade; her brother-in-law, Robert Zink; her Brother-In-Law, Leroy Weese; her Mother-In-Law, Bonnie Grover, her Father and Mother-In-Law, Clarence and Maxine Grover; and her sister-in-law, Gwinni Delgado. Lenora is survived by her husband, Daniel, of the home.&nbsp; Her children BJ Schmitt of Hays; Monnie (Doug) Shearer of Hays; Eric (Darcy) Schmitt of Hays; Heather Grover of Hays; Clarence Grover of Hyannis, NE; Kimberly (Ward) Corsair of La Crosse; 12 grandchildren; her puppies Sweetie, Colt and Bick; and many nieces, nephews and extended family.&nbsp; She is also survived by her sister, Alberta of Kansas City; her brother Doug (Dorothy) of Great Bend; and her brother Brian (Patty) of Hoisington. Visitation will be on Friday, November 26, 2021, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Brock’s – Keithley Funeral Chapel at 2509 Vine St. in Hays, KS .&nbsp; Funeral Services will be on Saturday, November 27, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. at Funeral Chapel, with Pastor Brenda Rodger officiating.&nbsp; Lenora will be placed to rest in the Blue Hills, north of Hunter, KS, in the Rose Valley Cemetery at 12:30 PM. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to the family for memorial expenses, in care of the Brock’s – Keithley Funeral Chapel.

Lenora Louise (Quade) Grover

Robyn Renee Appel, 57, passed away November 2, 2021 at Hays Medical Center, Hays, KS.

She was born July 6, 1964 in Dodge City, KS, the daughter of Johnnie 
D. and Kathleen “Kathy” A. Grumbein Appel.&nbsp; Robyn was friendly and full 
of energy.&nbsp; She would greet you with a hug, kiss, and pat!&nbsp; She loved 
babies, animals, (although all animals were “cats”) her stuffed animals,
 helping in the kitchen and going for car rides.&nbsp; She liked to laugh, be
 the center of attention and would get very excited about special 
occasions, especially if it was centered around her.&nbsp;

Robyn was mostly non-verbal and used sign language often to 
communicate. She struggled and often was frustrated trying to express 
her feelings.

Survivors include: two brothers, Mike (Phyllis) Appel, Dodge city and
 John Pat Appel, Topeka; three nephews, Jeremy (Ashley) Appel, Jetmore, 
Josh Appel, Mason City, IA, Caleb Appel, Topeka; niece, Amy (Jon) 
Eilert, Beloit and six great nieces and nephews, Korbin, Colt, Quinn, 
Callie, Kassidy, Cambryn and lots of friends.&nbsp; She will be greatly 
missed by all her caregivers and roommates who always looked out for 
her.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Johnnie and Kathy Appel

Graveside service will be 2:30 p.m. Monday, November 8, 2021 at Fairmount Cemetery, Jetmore.&nbsp;

Memorials may be given to Pathways ResCare in care of Beckwith Funeral Home, Box 663 Jetmore, KS 67854.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1636059359974.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Robyn Renee Appel, 57, passed away November 2, 2021 at Hays Medical Center, Hays, KS.She was born July 6, 1964 in Dodge City, KS, the daughter of Johnnie 
D. and Kathleen “Kathy” A. Grumbein Appel.&nbsp; Robyn was friendly and full 
of energy.&nbsp; She would greet you with a hug, kiss, and pat!&nbsp; She loved 
babies, animals, (although all animals were “cats”) her stuffed animals,
 helping in the kitchen and going for car rides.&nbsp; She liked to laugh, be
 the center of attention and would get very excited about special 
occasions, especially if it was centered around her.&nbsp;Robyn was mostly non-verbal and used sign language often to 
communicate. She struggled and often was frustrated trying to express 
her feelings.Survivors include: two brothers, Mike (Phyllis) Appel, Dodge city and
 John Pat Appel, Topeka; three nephews, Jeremy (Ashley) Appel, Jetmore, 
Josh Appel, Mason City, IA, Caleb Appel, Topeka; niece, Amy (Jon) 
Eilert, Beloit and six great nieces and nephews, Korbin, Colt, Quinn, 
Callie, Kassidy, Cambryn and lots of friends.&nbsp; She will be greatly 
missed by all her caregivers and roommates who always looked out for 
her.She was preceded in death by her parents, Johnnie and Kathy AppelGraveside service will be 2:30 p.m. Monday, November 8, 2021 at Fairmount Cemetery, Jetmore.&nbsp;Memorials may be given to Pathways ResCare in care of Beckwith Funeral Home, Box 663 Jetmore, KS 67854.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Robyn Renee Appel

Stephen Edward Hart, 75, died October 30, 2021, at Clara Barton 
Hospital, Hoisington.&nbsp; He was born November 28, 1945, in Hays, Kansas, 
the son of James Michael and Cecilia (Sack) Hart.&nbsp; Stephen graduated 
from St. Joseph Acadamy of Hays, and then went on to earn his bachelors 
and masters degree from Wichita State University.

Stephen was in education for 30 years. He taught K-5th 
grade and was a school adminstrator and principle for the Diocese of 
Wichita. He then went on to teach in Marion, Kansas, where he taught 3rd, 4th, and 5th
 grades.&nbsp; Later he worked for the American Milk Production Inc. of 
Hillsboro and was an office manager for Pratt Well, Pratt, Kansas.

He was a member of St. Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church, Russell,
 Kansas, and the Knights of Columbus Council. Stephen put many happy 
miles on his treasured Harley trike often riding in Toy Runs and with 
clubs.&nbsp; He was a gun enthusiast and enjoyed target shooting, loved doing
 yard work and was very particular with it’s care, and loved to draw. He
 was also considered the Clark Griswald of christmas lights. Stephen’s 
famous quote was “The one that eats the fastest gets the mostest!” This 
was true in his love of fried chicken.

He is survived by his wife of sixteen years, Mary Hart of the home; 
daughter, Lisa Sewell and husband Eric of Trinity, Florida; son, John 
Hart of Houston, Texas; stepchildren, Cody Roach of Russell, Brandon 
Roach of Great Bend, Shiloh Roach and wife Krystal of Russell, Chelsie 
Link and husband Shane of Great Bend; sister, Barbara Janzing of Bel 
Aire; brother, Joe Hart and wife Kathy of Amarrillo, Texas, Delia Hart 
of Ocarver, Washington; sisters-in-law, Shawna Shadduck and husband 
Kelly of Beaver, Michelle Root and husband Steve of Great Bend; 
brothers-in-law, Everett Hoeffner and wife Davina of Dallas, Texas and 
Dennis Krawetzke of Sapulpa, Oklahoma; three grandchildren, Trevor Hart,
 Kyle &amp; Justin Sewell; and nine step grandchildren, Cheyenne Roach, 
Annabelle and Alyssa Roach, Aiden, Andy and Reagan Roach, Rylee Rupp, 
Koby and Jamison Link; and his beloved dogs, Hunter, Teddy, and Harley.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, James Hart, sister,
 MaryAnn Huslig and husband Erving, and parents-in-law, Sonny Hoeffner 
and wife Juanita, brother-in-law, Bernard Janzing and sister-in-law, 
Carolyn Krawetzke.

Visitation will be 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Tuesday. Family will greet 
friends from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., with Knights of Columbus Rosary to begin 
at 7 p.m., at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home.&nbsp; Mass of Christian Burial 
will be 10 a.m., Wednesday, November 3, 2021, at St. John the Evangelist
 Catholic Church, Hoisington, celebrated by Father Anselm Eke, MSP and 
Father Michael Elan. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery, Beaver, 
Kansas.

Memorials may be made to the Russell County Shelter, Golden Belt 
Humane Society or Chasing Tails in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home,
 PO Box 146, Hoisington, KS 67544.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1635693000966.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Stephen Edward Hart, 75, died October 30, 2021, at Clara Barton 
Hospital, Hoisington.&nbsp; He was born November 28, 1945, in Hays, Kansas, 
the son of James Michael and Cecilia (Sack) Hart.&nbsp; Stephen graduated 
from St. Joseph Acadamy of Hays, and then went on to earn his bachelors 
and masters degree from Wichita State University.Stephen was in education for 30 years. He taught K-5th 
grade and was a school adminstrator and principle for the Diocese of 
Wichita. He then went on to teach in Marion, Kansas, where he taught 3rd, 4th, and 5th
 grades.&nbsp; Later he worked for the American Milk Production Inc. of 
Hillsboro and was an office manager for Pratt Well, Pratt, Kansas.He was a member of St. Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church, Russell,
 Kansas, and the Knights of Columbus Council. Stephen put many happy 
miles on his treasured Harley trike often riding in Toy Runs and with 
clubs.&nbsp; He was a gun enthusiast and enjoyed target shooting, loved doing
 yard work and was very particular with it’s care, and loved to draw. He
 was also considered the Clark Griswald of christmas lights. Stephen’s 
famous quote was “The one that eats the fastest gets the mostest!” This 
was true in his love of fried chicken.He is survived by his wife of sixteen years, Mary Hart of the home; 
daughter, Lisa Sewell and husband Eric of Trinity, Florida; son, John 
Hart of Houston, Texas; stepchildren, Cody Roach of Russell, Brandon 
Roach of Great Bend, Shiloh Roach and wife Krystal of Russell, Chelsie 
Link and husband Shane of Great Bend; sister, Barbara Janzing of Bel 
Aire; brother, Joe Hart and wife Kathy of Amarrillo, Texas, Delia Hart 
of Ocarver, Washington; sisters-in-law, Shawna Shadduck and husband 
Kelly of Beaver, Michelle Root and husband Steve of Great Bend; 
brothers-in-law, Everett Hoeffner and wife Davina of Dallas, Texas and 
Dennis Krawetzke of Sapulpa, Oklahoma; three grandchildren, Trevor Hart,
 Kyle &amp; Justin Sewell; and nine step grandchildren, Cheyenne Roach, 
Annabelle and Alyssa Roach, Aiden, Andy and Reagan Roach, Rylee Rupp, 
Koby and Jamison Link; and his beloved dogs, Hunter, Teddy, and Harley.He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, James Hart, sister,
 MaryAnn Huslig and husband Erving, and parents-in-law, Sonny Hoeffner 
and wife Juanita, brother-in-law, Bernard Janzing and sister-in-law, 
Carolyn Krawetzke.Visitation will be 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Tuesday. Family will greet 
friends from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., with Knights of Columbus Rosary to begin 
at 7 p.m., at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home.&nbsp; Mass of Christian Burial 
will be 10 a.m., Wednesday, November 3, 2021, at St. John the Evangelist
 Catholic Church, Hoisington, celebrated by Father Anselm Eke, MSP and 
Father Michael Elan. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery, Beaver, 
Kansas.Memorials may be made to the Russell County Shelter, Golden Belt 
Humane Society or Chasing Tails in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home,
 PO Box 146, Hoisington, KS 67544.

Stephen Edward Hart

Linda Fern (Croft) Maser, widow of Virgil Maser, left this world to 
be with Jesus on Tuesday, October 26, 2021. She was born Linda Fern 
Croft in Larned, Kansas on November 17, 1933, daughter of Royal (R.O.) 
and Blanch (Wheeler) Croft of Hodgeman County. She was the youngest of 
four children.

She must have liked Virgil because she eloped May 16, 1952 and 
married him again 50 years later at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Great 
Bend, KS, surrounded by her children, friends and family. They lived a 
short time in Hodgeman County then Hutchinson, Kansas but spent the 
better part of their life together in Great Bend, Kansas. They were 
married for 62 years and raised eight children.

Linda was a daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, and great 
grandmother. She “could get lost in a book” and her love for reading 
lasted a lifetime. She was second in her eighth grade graduating class 
and the Bazine High School Class of ’51 Salutatorian. She was active in 
4-H where she learned to sew. And if she got it wrong, her mom would rip
 it out and make her do it again! She was most proud of her blue ribbons
 for sheep, sewing and cooking. She continued the 4-H legacy with her 
own children. She attended Fort Hays State University for one year.

Linda was a restaurant owner—the original “Granny” from Granny’s 
Kitchen—seamstress, painter/artist, quilter, and a thrifty entrepreneur.
 Over the years, she made and sold care bears, her paintings, denim 
quilts and offered the community a traveling baked goods shop where 
everything was delicious and fresh! She had a love for music from 
stepping out on the dance floor and kicking up some dust to her 
beautiful soprano vocals at church.

She knew that life would never be handed to her—she’d have to go out 
and get it. Her advice was to “turn things that trouble you over to God 
and if he thinks they need fixed he’ll go the last mile.”

After her mother passed away, Linda cared for her father for nine 
years in her Great Bend home. Once their children were living life, she 
and Virgil would travel for Shaklee conventions and bowling trips. They 
visited New York City, Washington D.C., the Caribbean and Hawaii amongst
 many other cities and sites throughout the U.S.

After Virgil passed in 2013, Linda lived with her daughter and son-in-law near Pawnee Rock, Kansas. She enjoyed the farm life.

Survivors include, her children, Michael Maser (Mary), El Paso, TX, 
Daniel Maser (Carol), Great Bend, Cindy Rogers, Rush Center, Benjamin 
Maser (Marisa), Hutchinson, Laura Straub (Travis), Pawnee Rock, Sandra 
Geschwentner (Brent), Belle Plaine, DeAnna Maser (Santo), Palm Harbor, 
FL, and daughter-in-law Shirley Maser, Seward; seventeen grandchildren: 
Brian and Michelle; Shannon, Dal, Christopher and Brandon; Joseph and 
Jeanna; Amanda, Matthew and Dakota; Brandon, Allyson and Grant; Joshua, 
Jordan and Jacob; and more than a dozen great grandchildren. She was 
preceded in death by twin daughters, Jeannie and Janet; her parents; her
 husband, Virgil Maser; a son, Kim Ivan Maser; and siblings Nina, Loren 
and Maxine.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1635340838769.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Linda Fern (Croft) Maser, widow of Virgil Maser, left this world to 
be with Jesus on Tuesday, October 26, 2021. She was born Linda Fern 
Croft in Larned, Kansas on November 17, 1933, daughter of Royal (R.O.) 
and Blanch (Wheeler) Croft of Hodgeman County. She was the youngest of 
four children.She must have liked Virgil because she eloped May 16, 1952 and 
married him again 50 years later at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Great 
Bend, KS, surrounded by her children, friends and family. They lived a 
short time in Hodgeman County then Hutchinson, Kansas but spent the 
better part of their life together in Great Bend, Kansas. They were 
married for 62 years and raised eight children.Linda was a daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, and great 
grandmother. She “could get lost in a book” and her love for reading 
lasted a lifetime. She was second in her eighth grade graduating class 
and the Bazine High School Class of ’51 Salutatorian. She was active in 
4-H where she learned to sew. And if she got it wrong, her mom would rip
 it out and make her do it again! She was most proud of her blue ribbons
 for sheep, sewing and cooking. She continued the 4-H legacy with her 
own children. She attended Fort Hays State University for one year.Linda was a restaurant owner—the original “Granny” from Granny’s 
Kitchen—seamstress, painter/artist, quilter, and a thrifty entrepreneur.
 Over the years, she made and sold care bears, her paintings, denim 
quilts and offered the community a traveling baked goods shop where 
everything was delicious and fresh! She had a love for music from 
stepping out on the dance floor and kicking up some dust to her 
beautiful soprano vocals at church.She knew that life would never be handed to her—she’d have to go out 
and get it. Her advice was to “turn things that trouble you over to God 
and if he thinks they need fixed he’ll go the last mile.”After her mother passed away, Linda cared for her father for nine 
years in her Great Bend home. Once their children were living life, she 
and Virgil would travel for Shaklee conventions and bowling trips. They 
visited New York City, Washington D.C., the Caribbean and Hawaii amongst
 many other cities and sites throughout the U.S.After Virgil passed in 2013, Linda lived with her daughter and son-in-law near Pawnee Rock, Kansas. She enjoyed the farm life.Survivors include, her children, Michael Maser (Mary), El Paso, TX, 
Daniel Maser (Carol), Great Bend, Cindy Rogers, Rush Center, Benjamin 
Maser (Marisa), Hutchinson, Laura Straub (Travis), Pawnee Rock, Sandra 
Geschwentner (Brent), Belle Plaine, DeAnna Maser (Santo), Palm Harbor, 
FL, and daughter-in-law Shirley Maser, Seward; seventeen grandchildren: 
Brian and Michelle; Shannon, Dal, Christopher and Brandon; Joseph and 
Jeanna; Amanda, Matthew and Dakota; Brandon, Allyson and Grant; Joshua, 
Jordan and Jacob; and more than a dozen great grandchildren. She was 
preceded in death by twin daughters, Jeannie and Janet; her parents; her
 husband, Virgil Maser; a son, Kim Ivan Maser; and siblings Nina, Loren 
and Maxine.Linda lived many years with dementia—but it did not define her. She 
could often be found smiling, singing “Clementine,” or playing a unique 
combo of “Chop Sticks” and “How Great Thou Art.” She is loved and will 
be missed.Visitation will be held from 1:00 to 8:00 p.m., Sunday, October 31, 
2021 at Bryant Funeral Home, with family to receive friends from 5:00 to
 7:00 p.m. Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, November 
1, 2021, at First United Methodist Church in Great Bend, with Reverend 
Tim Bever and Pastor Tim Singleton presiding. Interment will be in 
Burdett Cemetery, Burdett. Memorials have been designated to RSVP, in 
care of Bryant Funeral Home.