Wesley, the oldest son of Elvin and Florence (Johnson) Tuttle, was born August
24, 1950, in Hays, KS. He gained his wings on June 8, 2025. Our hearts are
broken but also joyful knowing he is in the loving arms of Jesus and family.

As a child, he lived with his parents until the age of 10,
then moved to Topeka for special care. At 21, he moved to DSNWK in Hays, where
he lived in a group home setting for most of his adult life. In December 2019,
he moved to Gove County Medical Center Long Term Care Facility to be closer to
family. He always called Quinter his “hometown.” Later, he became a resident of
Logan County Senior Living until his passing. The family is grateful for all
the love and care he received at these locations.

Wesley enjoyed many things in life, especially MUSIC.
He had a natural rhythm, keeping beat with his foot, hand, slinky, and
sometimes even playing a recorder to his favorites: Christmas music (played
year-round), Johnny Cash, and Elvis. A few of Wesley’s favorites included
dollar bills—which he preferred over big bills—strawberry malts, riding in a
pickup pulling a trailer, riding his three-wheel bike down the driveway to get
the mail, and giving his nieces and nephews rides in the basket or pulling his
cart behind. When opening a card with money, he would exclaim, “Money, Money,
Money!”

He carried numerous pictures in his wallet, so many that it
would bulge. He always looked forward to coming home for holidays and his
birthday; on the trip back to Hays, he would already be talking about his next
visit home. Wesley’s sense of humor and teasing could put a smile on anyone’s
face. He had many favorite sayings that will be treasured.

He helped us appreciate people with disabilities by teaching
us to look at their strengths. He touched many hearts and will be missed;
however, we know that even though he lived his life here with a disability, he
now lives in heaven free.

Preceding Wesley in death are his beloved parents, Elvin and
Florence; brother, Lester; and nephew, Lloyd. Survivors include his sister,
Lesa (Ron) Ochs; sister-in-law, Mary Tuttle (Terry Cox); nieces and nephews and
their children: Tyler Tuttle &amp; daughter Journie; Renee Tuttle &amp; son
McCoy; Dwayne Tuttle &amp; sons Asher &amp; Archer; Ryan (Tiff) Ochs &amp;
children Rylee &amp; Ryder; Shawna Ochs (Dallas Goetz) &amp; daughter Wrenley.
Many other extended family members are also grieving Wesley’s passing.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 14, at
2:00 p.m. at the Church of the Brethren, 700 Grant St., Quinter, KS.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to
DSNWK, Logan County Senior Living, or the Church of the Brethren, and sent to
Schmitt Funeral Home, 336 North 12th St., WaKeeney, KS 67672.

To share memories or leave condolences, please visit <a href="http://www.schmittfuneral.com">www.schmittfuneral.com</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749845475485.jpeg" alt="Wesley Tuttle" />
 <figcaption>Wesley Tuttle</figcaption>
 </figure>Wesley Tuttle
Wesley, the oldest son of Elvin and Florence (Johnson) Tuttle, was born August
24, 1950, in Hays, KS. He gained his wings on June 8, 2025. Our hearts are
broken but also joyful knowing he is in the loving arms of Jesus and family.As a child, he lived with his parents until the age of 10,
then moved to Topeka for special care. At 21, he moved to DSNWK in Hays, where
he lived in a group home setting for most of his adult life. In December 2019,
he moved to Gove County Medical Center Long Term Care Facility to be closer to
family. He always called Quinter his “hometown.” Later, he became a resident of
Logan County Senior Living until his passing. The family is grateful for all
the love and care he received at these locations.Wesley enjoyed many things in life, especially MUSIC.
He had a natural rhythm, keeping beat with his foot, hand, slinky, and
sometimes even playing a recorder to his favorites: Christmas music (played
year-round), Johnny Cash, and Elvis. A few of Wesley’s favorites included
dollar bills—which he preferred over big bills—strawberry malts, riding in a
pickup pulling a trailer, riding his three-wheel bike down the driveway to get
the mail, and giving his nieces and nephews rides in the basket or pulling his
cart behind. When opening a card with money, he would exclaim, “Money, Money,
Money!”He carried numerous pictures in his wallet, so many that it
would bulge. He always looked forward to coming home for holidays and his
birthday; on the trip back to Hays, he would already be talking about his next
visit home. Wesley’s sense of humor and teasing could put a smile on anyone’s
face. He had many favorite sayings that will be treasured.He helped us appreciate people with disabilities by teaching
us to look at their strengths. He touched many hearts and will be missed;
however, we know that even though he lived his life here with a disability, he
now lives in heaven free.Preceding Wesley in death are his beloved parents, Elvin and
Florence; brother, Lester; and nephew, Lloyd. Survivors include his sister,
Lesa (Ron) Ochs; sister-in-law, Mary Tuttle (Terry Cox); nieces and nephews and
their children: Tyler Tuttle &amp; daughter Journie; Renee Tuttle &amp; son
McCoy; Dwayne Tuttle &amp; sons Asher &amp; Archer; Ryan (Tiff) Ochs &amp;
children Rylee &amp; Ryder; Shawna Ochs (Dallas Goetz) &amp; daughter Wrenley.
Many other extended family members are also grieving Wesley’s passing.A memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 14, at
2:00 p.m. at the Church of the Brethren, 700 Grant St., Quinter, KS.In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to
DSNWK, Logan County Senior Living, or the Church of the Brethren, and sent to
Schmitt Funeral Home, 336 North 12th St., WaKeeney, KS 67672.To share memories or leave condolences, please visit <a href="http://www.schmittfuneral.com">www.schmittfuneral.com</a>.

Wesley Tuttle

Join the Cancer Council of Ellis County during the Hays Summer Art Walk at Eclectic Threads Quilt Studio, 1012 Main St., Hays, for the In Defiance of Cancer Fundraiser on June 20 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. 

We will host local artist Jordan Brown for the art walk.

Get your tickets now to win some great prizes.&nbsp;

Grand prize is “Time for Tea”, a five-piece European style porcelain tea set. Other prizes are VIP tickets to Wild West Festival, Fort Hays State University season football tickets, Zoom Whitening certificate and many more. 

See flyer for list of all prizes and ticket information. Mail your tickets to the Cancer Council of Ellis County, 701 Riley St., Hays, KS 67601.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1591377623834.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>Cancer Council of Ellis CountyJoin the Cancer Council of Ellis County during the Hays Summer Art Walk at Eclectic Threads Quilt Studio, 1012 Main St., Hays, for the In Defiance of Cancer Fundraiser on June 20 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. We will host local artist Jordan Brown for the art walk.Get your tickets now to win some great prizes.&nbsp;Grand prize is “Time for Tea”, a five-piece European style porcelain tea set. Other prizes are VIP tickets to Wild West Festival, Fort Hays State University season football tickets, Zoom Whitening certificate and many more. See flyer for list of all prizes and ticket information. Mail your tickets to the Cancer Council of Ellis County, 701 Riley St., Hays, KS 67601.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749220316150.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>

In Defiance of Cancer fundraiser for Cancer Council of Ellis County

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

The <a href="https://www.victoriakscommunity.com/">Victoria Community Coalition</a> is now renting apartments in the newly renovated St. John's Place.

The first phase of the St. John's renovation includes four two-bedroom, six one-bedroom, one studio and one handicap apartments for a total of 12 units.

The former St. John's nursing home sat empty for 12 years before the Victoria Community Coalition began raising the $3 million necessary to renovate the building.

The coalition broke ground on the apartments in April 2024.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/8ef333ba-9b6f-4f12-88ea-0e385dfb7c94">SEE RELATED STORY: St. John's Place in Victoria breaks ground on phase 1 renovations.</a>

The apartments are designed for independent living for moderate-income seniors, based on grants the coalition received to construct the apartments.

You must be 55 years old or older to apply for an apartment.

The apartments rent for between $725 and $1,275, depending on size. Income requirements start at $40,080 to $100,200 a year in annual income for an individual, Marilyn Braun, coalition treasurer, said. Those incomes can be higher for a couple.

The apartments have a separate, secure and handicap accessible entrance to the building.&nbsp;

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/c41e4048-59de-423e-988b-806e20364567">Some of the amenities in the apartments include pantries, walk-in closets, water softeners, quartz countertops and barn-door entries in some rooms to optimize space.</a>

The showers have low thresholds and built-in seats to make them more accessible for seniors.

The apartments also have a community room and a laundry room for residents' use.

If you are interested in learning more about renting an apartment, you can go to the <a href="https://www.victoriakscommunity.com/">Victoria Community Coalition website</a>. You can also call 785-735-2200.

"We are very proud of it, and we hope to fill it up," Braun said. "We are going to continue on with the rest of the building. We are working with an architect, and we will be looking at raising money and trying to get our community center done and possibly two Airbnbs."

The coalition has planned for two apartment-style short-term rentals in the building. Those spaces are framed, but yet to be finished.

The Airbnb units will have a separate, secure entrance from the apartments.

The coalition is also looking to develop a child care space in the center and would like to add a small coffee bar.

Braun said the coalition already has designs for the Airbnb space, but they are working to develop plans for the community center and child care.

Once those plans have been done and an estimated cost determined, the coalition can begin applying for grants and fundraising for the next phase of development.

You can donate directly through the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.victoriakscommunity.com/">coalition website</a>&nbsp;or mail checks payable to "Victoria Community Coalition" to Victoria Community Coalition, PO Box 94, Victoria, KS 67671.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/b6454123-e1a4-446d-95f8-2a4870f81803">The Ellis County Historical Society is developing space on the south side of the former nursing home as a satellite campus. </a>

Amanda Rupp, society director, said the timeline for the development of the museum space depends on fundraising.

However, she said she hopes that restrooms, HVAC and floor coverings should be in by the end of next summer.

She said the museum will eventually have volunteer opportunities at the St. John's location, and she hopes some of the St. John's apartment residents will consider participating.

Braun said she is excited about the museum's project.

"That's going to bring a lot of people to our community," she said. "We've got the church. There's a lot of people coming there. They'll have the ability to go see the historical society and see all the heritage and people who came from Russia. ...

"We look forward to being good neighbors."

You can also follow the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/savetheresthome">Victoria Community Coalition on Facebook</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749064008405.jpeg" alt="Kitchen in one of the new St. John's Place apartments. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Kitchen in one of the new St. John's Place apartments. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostThe <a href="https://www.victoriakscommunity.com/">Victoria Community Coalition</a> is now renting apartments in the newly renovated St. John's Place.The first phase of the St. John's renovation includes four two-bedroom, six one-bedroom, one studio and one handicap apartments for a total of 12 units.The former St. John's nursing home sat empty for 12 years before the Victoria Community Coalition began raising the $3 million necessary to renovate the building.The coalition broke ground on the apartments in April 2024.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749064113771.jpeg" alt="Living room of one of the St. John's Place two-bedroom apartments.&nbsp;Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Living room of one of the St. John's Place two-bedroom apartments.&nbsp;Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/8ef333ba-9b6f-4f12-88ea-0e385dfb7c94">SEE RELATED STORY: St. John's Place in Victoria breaks ground on phase 1 renovations.</a>The apartments are designed for independent living for moderate-income seniors, based on grants the coalition received to construct the apartments.You must be 55 years old or older to apply for an apartment.The apartments rent for between $725 and $1,275, depending on size. Income requirements start at $40,080 to $100,200 a year in annual income for an individual, Marilyn Braun, coalition treasurer, said. Those incomes can be higher for a couple.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749064183150.jpeg" alt="Low-entry shower in one of the St. John's Place apartments.&nbsp;Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Low-entry shower in one of the St. John's Place apartments.&nbsp;Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749064221909.jpeg" alt="Walk-in closet in one of the St. John's Place two-bedroom apartments.&nbsp;Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Walk-in closet in one of the St. John's Place two-bedroom apartments.&nbsp;Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>The apartments have a separate, secure and handicap accessible entrance to the building.&nbsp;<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/c41e4048-59de-423e-988b-806e20364567">Some of the amenities in the apartments include pantries, walk-in closets, water softeners, quartz countertops and barn-door entries in some rooms to optimize space.</a>The showers have low thresholds and built-in seats to make them more accessible for seniors.The apartments also have a community room and a laundry room for residents' use.If you are interested in learning more about renting an apartment, you can go to the <a href="https://www.victoriakscommunity.com/">Victoria Community Coalition website</a>. You can also call 785-735-2200.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749064286513.jpeg" alt="St. John's Place apartments community room, which also has a TV.&nbsp;Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>St. John's Place apartments community room, which also has a TV.&nbsp;Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749064338812.jpeg" alt="St. John's Place laundry room.&nbsp;Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>St. John's Place laundry room.&nbsp;Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>"We are very proud of it, and we hope to fill it up," Braun said. "We are going to continue on with the rest of the building. We are working with an architect, and we will be looking at raising money and trying to get our community center done and possibly two Airbnbs."The coalition has planned for two apartment-style short-term rentals in the building. Those spaces are framed, but yet to be finished.The Airbnb units will have a separate, secure entrance from the apartments.The coalition is also looking to develop a child care space in the center and would like to add a small coffee bar.Braun said the coalition already has designs for the Airbnb space, but they are working to develop plans for the community center and child care.Once those plans have been done and an estimated cost determined, the coalition can begin applying for grants and fundraising for the next phase of development.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1748631065024.jpeg" alt="St. John's south entrance, which will welcome visitors to the satellite campus for the Ellis County Historical Society.&nbsp;Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>St. John's south entrance, which will welcome visitors to the satellite campus for the Ellis County Historical Society.&nbsp;Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>You can donate directly through the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.victoriakscommunity.com/">coalition website</a>&nbsp;or mail checks payable to "Victoria Community Coalition" to Victoria Community Coalition, PO Box 94, Victoria, KS 67671.<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/b6454123-e1a4-446d-95f8-2a4870f81803">The Ellis County Historical Society is developing space on the south side of the former nursing home as a satellite campus. </a>Amanda Rupp, society director, said the timeline for the development of the museum space depends on fundraising.However, she said she hopes that restrooms, HVAC and floor coverings should be in by the end of next summer.She said the museum will eventually have volunteer opportunities at the St. John's location, and she hopes some of the St. John's apartment residents will consider participating.Braun said she is excited about the museum's project."That's going to bring a lot of people to our community," she said. "We've got the church. There's a lot of people coming there. They'll have the ability to go see the historical society and see all the heritage and people who came from Russia. ..."We look forward to being good neighbors."You can also follow the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/savetheresthome">Victoria Community Coalition on Facebook</a>.

St. John's Place apartments in Victoria for rent

Donna
Mae Allen, 95, of Edmond, OK, passed away surrounded by loved ones, on May 27,
2025, at The Veraden Senior Living Center in Edmond, OK.

She
was born on May 24, 1930, in Stockton, Kansas, to Carl and Hazel (Colburn)
Bray.&nbsp; Donna grew up in Stockton and
married Kenneth Carlton Wente, on April 16, 1950.&nbsp; Together, they owned and operated the Prairie
View Cabin Courts in Hill City, KS, and raised four boys: Ronald, Brent, Gary, and
Ken.&nbsp; After the passing of her husband,
she married Bernard Allen on April 14, 1976, and grew her family with two stepsons:
Roger and Lew Allen.

Donna’s
life was dedicated to her family and friends.&nbsp;
She worked many jobs to support her family, but she was best known for
her career as the Board Secretary and Treasurer at the Graham County USD 281
office.&nbsp; She loved traveling and was able
to visit 49 of the 50 states, missing only Alaska.&nbsp; She and Bernard loved the outdoors and spent
many summers enjoying the San De Cristo Mountain range in Southern
Colorado.&nbsp; After retiring, they moved
from Hill City to Bella Vista, Arkansas, to enjoy life in the Ozark mountains.&nbsp; Donna was always focused on family and made
it a point to get her four boys and their families together at least
annually.&nbsp;&nbsp; 

Donna
is survived by her children, Ronald (Debra) Wente of Hays, KS, Brent (Christina)
Wente of Bonner Springs, KS, Gary (Connie) Wente of San Saba, TX, Ken (Kathy)
Wente of Cudjoe Key, FL, step sons Roger (Pam) Allen of Salina, KS, and Lew (Jo
Beth) Allen of Athens, GA; ten grandchildren: Chris (Valerie) Wente, Jeff
(Jennie) Wente, Shawn Wente, Nicholas Wente, Cody (Kayla) Wente, Rick (Tracy)
Wente, Lisa (Harold) Jergenson, Garin (Amanda) Wente, Tanner (Amy) Wente, and Jessie
(Cole) Clark; three step grandchildren, Carrie, Paul (Tonya), Rachel; thirteen
great grandchildren: Grace, Jacob, Kaitlyn, Paige, Ava, Austin, Ashlyn, Brenna,
Paxton, Archer, Dierks, Livie, and Bonnie Bray; and several step great
grandchildren.

She
was preceded in death by her parents, Carl and Hazel; husbands Kenneth Wente
and Bernard Allen; brothers Robert and William; sisters, Marie McCue, Beulah
Koppes and Loras; two step grandsons, Robbie Allen and Luke Allen.

Donna
will be truly missed by all.&nbsp; She touched
so many lives, and her memories will never be forgotten.

A
service in her honor will be held on Saturday, June 7, 2025, at 10:30 am at the
Stinemetz Funeral Home in Hill City, KS with burial to immediately follow at
the Stockton Cemetery.

Memorials
are suggested to Hill City High School and may be sent to Stinemetz Funeral
Home, 522 N. Pomeroy Ave., Hill City, KS 67642. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1748556051894.jpeg" alt="Donna Mae Allen" />
 <figcaption>Donna Mae Allen</figcaption>
 </figure>Donna
Mae Allen, 95, of Edmond, OK, passed away surrounded by loved ones, on May 27,
2025, at The Veraden Senior Living Center in Edmond, OK.She
was born on May 24, 1930, in Stockton, Kansas, to Carl and Hazel (Colburn)
Bray.&nbsp; Donna grew up in Stockton and
married Kenneth Carlton Wente, on April 16, 1950.&nbsp; Together, they owned and operated the Prairie
View Cabin Courts in Hill City, KS, and raised four boys: Ronald, Brent, Gary, and
Ken.&nbsp; After the passing of her husband,
she married Bernard Allen on April 14, 1976, and grew her family with two stepsons:
Roger and Lew Allen.Donna’s
life was dedicated to her family and friends.&nbsp;
She worked many jobs to support her family, but she was best known for
her career as the Board Secretary and Treasurer at the Graham County USD 281
office.&nbsp; She loved traveling and was able
to visit 49 of the 50 states, missing only Alaska.&nbsp; She and Bernard loved the outdoors and spent
many summers enjoying the San De Cristo Mountain range in Southern
Colorado.&nbsp; After retiring, they moved
from Hill City to Bella Vista, Arkansas, to enjoy life in the Ozark mountains.&nbsp; Donna was always focused on family and made
it a point to get her four boys and their families together at least
annually.&nbsp;&nbsp; Donna
is survived by her children, Ronald (Debra) Wente of Hays, KS, Brent (Christina)
Wente of Bonner Springs, KS, Gary (Connie) Wente of San Saba, TX, Ken (Kathy)
Wente of Cudjoe Key, FL, step sons Roger (Pam) Allen of Salina, KS, and Lew (Jo
Beth) Allen of Athens, GA; ten grandchildren: Chris (Valerie) Wente, Jeff
(Jennie) Wente, Shawn Wente, Nicholas Wente, Cody (Kayla) Wente, Rick (Tracy)
Wente, Lisa (Harold) Jergenson, Garin (Amanda) Wente, Tanner (Amy) Wente, and Jessie
(Cole) Clark; three step grandchildren, Carrie, Paul (Tonya), Rachel; thirteen
great grandchildren: Grace, Jacob, Kaitlyn, Paige, Ava, Austin, Ashlyn, Brenna,
Paxton, Archer, Dierks, Livie, and Bonnie Bray; and several step great
grandchildren.She
was preceded in death by her parents, Carl and Hazel; husbands Kenneth Wente
and Bernard Allen; brothers Robert and William; sisters, Marie McCue, Beulah
Koppes and Loras; two step grandsons, Robbie Allen and Luke Allen.Donna
will be truly missed by all.&nbsp; She touched
so many lives, and her memories will never be forgotten.A
service in her honor will be held on Saturday, June 7, 2025, at 10:30 am at the
Stinemetz Funeral Home in Hill City, KS with burial to immediately follow at
the Stockton Cemetery.Memorials
are suggested to Hill City High School and may be sent to Stinemetz Funeral
Home, 522 N. Pomeroy Ave., Hill City, KS 67642.

Donna Mae Allen

Mary Joan Weigel was born on
December 8, 1940, in Russell, KS to Joseph and Eleanor (Tholen) Scheck and
passed away on April 28, 2025, in Russell Kansas at the age of 84 years, 4
months and 20 days.

Joanie grew up in Gorham, Kansas,
where she attended St. Mary Catholic School and graduated from Gorham High
School. She later earned an associate degree in business from Brown Mackie
College.&nbsp; A true jack-of-all-trades and
fantastic interior designer, Joanie brought her dedication and creativity to
every role she held. Over the years, she worked in an attorney’s office, a
lumber yard, an abstract and title company, as well as in restaurants and
retail. No matter the job, Joanie’s strong work ethic, cheerful presence, and
knack for connecting with others left a lasting impression.

Joanie was united in marriage to
Edward J Weigel on November 14,1959, and had 6 children in 8 years, David,
Deidra, Michelle, Mike, Joey, and Candace. Edward passed away on September 13,
1986, in Pratt.&nbsp; Joanie met her
significant other, Ron Arneson, and for the past 42 years they shared a life
full of love, laughter, and memories—dancing together, cheering on their
grandkids at games, and hosting cherished holiday get togethers. Most notable
was the Christmas season, when Joanie transformed their home into a holiday
wonderland with her stunning decorations and numerous beautifully adorned
trees. Her attention to detail and festive spirit made the season magical for
everyone lucky enough to be part of it.&nbsp; Joanie
was truly one of a kind—a devoted mom, Grammie, aunt, sister, and friend. She
had an unmatched talent for decorating, able to make something out of nothing
and turn the ordinary into something beautiful. Not only did she transform her
own home with warmth and creativity, but she also helped others decorate
theirs—painting rooms, hanging wallpaper, and adding her special touch wherever
it was needed. Her heart was pure gold. She prayed for everyone and lived her
life in service to others, always putting the needs of family, friends, and
community before her own.&nbsp; A deeply
faithful woman, Joanie was an active member of St. Mary’s Church in Gorham. She
played the organ, taught CCD, decorated the church for every season, and was a
proud member of the Daughters of Isabella.

Joanie was preceded in death by
her parents, Joseph and Eleanor Scheck, brother, Donald Scheck, sister Myra
Poage, brother-in-law, Jim Gould, brother-in-law, Chuck Moore, sister-in-law,
Barb Scheck, grandson, Jadyn Arneson, and great grandson Stephan Dreiling.

Survivors cherishing her memory
include sister, Melba Moore, West Palm Beach, brother, Tim Scheck, Russell,
significant other, Ron Arneson, Gorham, son, David Weigel, and his wife
Theresa, Gorham, daughter, Deidra Schmidtberger, and her husband Gary, Russell,
daughter, Michelle Brown, and her husband Rodney, Gorham,&nbsp; son, Mike Weigel, and his wife Sharon,
Russell, son, Joey Weigel, and wife Tammy, Russell, daughter, Candace Yost and
husband Greg, Hays, son, Ty Arneson, and wife Jennifer, Junction City, daughter,
Tasha Arneson, and husband Afshin, Louisville, 24 grandchildren, 38 great
grandchildren, and numerous nieces nephews, cousins and friends. 

Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00
AM, Thursday, May 8, 2025 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Gorham, Ks.&nbsp; Burial of Ashes will follow at the St. Mary’s
Catholic Cemetery in Gorham.&nbsp; The family
will be present to greet friends from 9:00 AM to Services on Thursday at the
Church. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been designated to Gorham Community
Development Association-Splash Pad. Contributions and condolences may be sent
to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, who is in charge of these arrangements.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746205565863.jpeg" alt="Mary Joan Weigel" />
 <figcaption>Mary Joan Weigel</figcaption>
 </figure>Mary Joan Weigel was born on
December 8, 1940, in Russell, KS to Joseph and Eleanor (Tholen) Scheck and
passed away on April 28, 2025, in Russell Kansas at the age of 84 years, 4
months and 20 days.Joanie grew up in Gorham, Kansas,
where she attended St. Mary Catholic School and graduated from Gorham High
School. She later earned an associate degree in business from Brown Mackie
College.&nbsp; A true jack-of-all-trades and
fantastic interior designer, Joanie brought her dedication and creativity to
every role she held. Over the years, she worked in an attorney’s office, a
lumber yard, an abstract and title company, as well as in restaurants and
retail. No matter the job, Joanie’s strong work ethic, cheerful presence, and
knack for connecting with others left a lasting impression.Joanie was united in marriage to
Edward J Weigel on November 14,1959, and had 6 children in 8 years, David,
Deidra, Michelle, Mike, Joey, and Candace. Edward passed away on September 13,
1986, in Pratt.&nbsp; Joanie met her
significant other, Ron Arneson, and for the past 42 years they shared a life
full of love, laughter, and memories—dancing together, cheering on their
grandkids at games, and hosting cherished holiday get togethers. Most notable
was the Christmas season, when Joanie transformed their home into a holiday
wonderland with her stunning decorations and numerous beautifully adorned
trees. Her attention to detail and festive spirit made the season magical for
everyone lucky enough to be part of it.&nbsp; Joanie
was truly one of a kind—a devoted mom, Grammie, aunt, sister, and friend. She
had an unmatched talent for decorating, able to make something out of nothing
and turn the ordinary into something beautiful. Not only did she transform her
own home with warmth and creativity, but she also helped others decorate
theirs—painting rooms, hanging wallpaper, and adding her special touch wherever
it was needed. Her heart was pure gold. She prayed for everyone and lived her
life in service to others, always putting the needs of family, friends, and
community before her own.&nbsp; A deeply
faithful woman, Joanie was an active member of St. Mary’s Church in Gorham. She
played the organ, taught CCD, decorated the church for every season, and was a
proud member of the Daughters of Isabella.Joanie was preceded in death by
her parents, Joseph and Eleanor Scheck, brother, Donald Scheck, sister Myra
Poage, brother-in-law, Jim Gould, brother-in-law, Chuck Moore, sister-in-law,
Barb Scheck, grandson, Jadyn Arneson, and great grandson Stephan Dreiling.Survivors cherishing her memory
include sister, Melba Moore, West Palm Beach, brother, Tim Scheck, Russell,
significant other, Ron Arneson, Gorham, son, David Weigel, and his wife
Theresa, Gorham, daughter, Deidra Schmidtberger, and her husband Gary, Russell,
daughter, Michelle Brown, and her husband Rodney, Gorham,&nbsp; son, Mike Weigel, and his wife Sharon,
Russell, son, Joey Weigel, and wife Tammy, Russell, daughter, Candace Yost and
husband Greg, Hays, son, Ty Arneson, and wife Jennifer, Junction City, daughter,
Tasha Arneson, and husband Afshin, Louisville, 24 grandchildren, 38 great
grandchildren, and numerous nieces nephews, cousins and friends. Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00
AM, Thursday, May 8, 2025 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Gorham, Ks.&nbsp; Burial of Ashes will follow at the St. Mary’s
Catholic Cemetery in Gorham.&nbsp; The family
will be present to greet friends from 9:00 AM to Services on Thursday at the
Church. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been designated to Gorham Community
Development Association-Splash Pad. Contributions and condolences may be sent
to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, who is in charge of these arrangements.

Mary Joan Weigel

Thurlene Jean (Larkins)
Ruggels, of Russell, KS, was born August 23, 1931, in Republic KS to Clifford
H. and Evelyn (Neil) Larkins.&nbsp; She went to her heavenly home on March 25,
2025, after a brave battle with cancer.

Most of Thurlene’s early life
was spent in Burr Oak, KS with her siblings, Beverly and Ronald and parents.
Midway through high school she moved in with her mother’s brother and wife, Lee
and Helen Neil, of Courtland, KS where she graduated from high school.&nbsp;
Her love of music led her to Bethany College where she studied for two years
before accepting a teaching position in Natoma, KS with plans to save
sufficient funds to return to Bethany.&nbsp; The trajectory of Miss Larkins’
future was altered when local bachelor, Paul Ruggels, espied the new teacher
from his seat in the Methodist Church Choir.&nbsp; The couple married on June
22, 1952, and were the parents of four children: Paula, Thomas, Pamela and
Vance.&nbsp; Paul preceded her in death on May 16, 2000.&nbsp; 

Thurlene enjoyed a full and
fruitful life as a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother,
friend, teacher, restauranteur and banker.&nbsp;&nbsp; After her marriage, she
received both bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Fort Hays State College and
also received a post-secondary degree from the Graduate School of Banking at
the University of Wisconsin-Madison.&nbsp; Under her leadership as CEO of what
is now Southwind Bank, operations were expanded to include an office in
Russell, KS.&nbsp; Thurlene served many years as President of the Bank and
Chairman of the Board. 

Mrs. Ruggels was also active
in many organizations and committees.&nbsp; As a member of St. John Lutheran
Church, she delighted in sharing her musical talents in the bell choir and as
pianist for Saturday evening services.&nbsp; At age 93, Thurlene was still
reading books, watching Royals and Chiefs games, and hosting family
celebrations.&nbsp; One of her life’s passions was time spent playing bridge,
and even at 93 years old she took great pleasure in getting high score at
bridge club.&nbsp; She could recite all 105 Kansas counties alphabetically and
was especially proud that her great grandmother was a flag bearer at one of the
Lincoln/Douglas debates.

Meticulous in all her
dealings, she often shared her guiding proverb with her grandchildren.&nbsp;
“Be the labor great or small, do it right or not at all.”

Thurlene is survived by her
sister, Beverly Siegel of Bremerton, WA, children Paula Hachmeister of Russell,
Tom (Lissa) Ruggels of Steilacoom, WA, Pam (Steve) Eickhoff of Raymore, MO, and
Vance (Stephani) Ruggels of Russell as well as eleven grandchildren, twelve
great grandchildren, and a host of friends.&nbsp; 

Cremation has been selected
by the family.&nbsp; A celebration of Thurlene’s life will be held at 11 A.M.
on Friday, May 02, 2025, at the St. John Lutheran Church in Russell,
Kansas.&nbsp; The graveside service will be held later that day at 2 P.M. at the
Natoma City Cemetery in Natoma, Kansas.&nbsp; The family will greet guests on
the day of the service at the church.&nbsp; Memorials may be given to the Paul
&amp; Thurlene Ruggels Memorial Fund R.C.A.C.F. and sent in care of the
mortuary.&nbsp; Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary is in charge of the memorial
service arrangements.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745601331831.jpeg" alt="Thurlene Jean (Larkins) Ruggels" />
 <figcaption>Thurlene Jean (Larkins) Ruggels</figcaption>
 </figure>Thurlene Jean (Larkins)
Ruggels, of Russell, KS, was born August 23, 1931, in Republic KS to Clifford
H. and Evelyn (Neil) Larkins.&nbsp; She went to her heavenly home on March 25,
2025, after a brave battle with cancer.Most of Thurlene’s early life
was spent in Burr Oak, KS with her siblings, Beverly and Ronald and parents.
Midway through high school she moved in with her mother’s brother and wife, Lee
and Helen Neil, of Courtland, KS where she graduated from high school.&nbsp;
Her love of music led her to Bethany College where she studied for two years
before accepting a teaching position in Natoma, KS with plans to save
sufficient funds to return to Bethany.&nbsp; The trajectory of Miss Larkins’
future was altered when local bachelor, Paul Ruggels, espied the new teacher
from his seat in the Methodist Church Choir.&nbsp; The couple married on June
22, 1952, and were the parents of four children: Paula, Thomas, Pamela and
Vance.&nbsp; Paul preceded her in death on May 16, 2000.&nbsp; Thurlene enjoyed a full and
fruitful life as a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother,
friend, teacher, restauranteur and banker.&nbsp;&nbsp; After her marriage, she
received both bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Fort Hays State College and
also received a post-secondary degree from the Graduate School of Banking at
the University of Wisconsin-Madison.&nbsp; Under her leadership as CEO of what
is now Southwind Bank, operations were expanded to include an office in
Russell, KS.&nbsp; Thurlene served many years as President of the Bank and
Chairman of the Board. Mrs. Ruggels was also active
in many organizations and committees.&nbsp; As a member of St. John Lutheran
Church, she delighted in sharing her musical talents in the bell choir and as
pianist for Saturday evening services.&nbsp; At age 93, Thurlene was still
reading books, watching Royals and Chiefs games, and hosting family
celebrations.&nbsp; One of her life’s passions was time spent playing bridge,
and even at 93 years old she took great pleasure in getting high score at
bridge club.&nbsp; She could recite all 105 Kansas counties alphabetically and
was especially proud that her great grandmother was a flag bearer at one of the
Lincoln/Douglas debates.Meticulous in all her
dealings, she often shared her guiding proverb with her grandchildren.&nbsp;
“Be the labor great or small, do it right or not at all.”Thurlene is survived by her
sister, Beverly Siegel of Bremerton, WA, children Paula Hachmeister of Russell,
Tom (Lissa) Ruggels of Steilacoom, WA, Pam (Steve) Eickhoff of Raymore, MO, and
Vance (Stephani) Ruggels of Russell as well as eleven grandchildren, twelve
great grandchildren, and a host of friends.&nbsp; Cremation has been selected
by the family.&nbsp; A celebration of Thurlene’s life will be held at 11 A.M.
on Friday, May 02, 2025, at the St. John Lutheran Church in Russell,
Kansas.&nbsp; The graveside service will be held later that day at 2 P.M. at the
Natoma City Cemetery in Natoma, Kansas.&nbsp; The family will greet guests on
the day of the service at the church.&nbsp; Memorials may be given to the Paul
&amp; Thurlene Ruggels Memorial Fund R.C.A.C.F. and sent in care of the
mortuary.&nbsp; Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary is in charge of the memorial
service arrangements.

Thurlene Jean (Larkins) Ruggels

&nbsp;Jacqueline
Susan 'Jackie Sue' Hertel, age 72, of Hays, Kansas, passed away
peacefully surrounded by family and friends on Sunday, March 30, 2025, in Hays.
She was born on May 2, 1952, in Hays to Gerald and Hedwig (Leikam) Allen.


Jackie worked for Travenol in Hays and then Dillons, where she worked as a
checker and then in the bakery department before retiring. She enjoyed cooking,
quilting and gardening in her spare time. She was a member of St. Joseph’s
Catholic Church in Hays

 Family had always meant the most to Jackie. No matter what, family came first.
Even in the final parts of her life as she was managing a liver disease, all it
took to get a smile on an otherwise gloomy day was a picture of a grandchild or
her hearing of a recent grandchild's accomplishment. She always did what she
could to try and be a part of their lives without hesitation or regret

 She is survived by her sons, Fredrick Hertel of Kansas City, KS, Patrick Hertel
(Angela Pruett) of Hays, Steven Hertel of Independence, Missouri and Matthew
Hertel of Washington, D.C.; two brothers, Stanley Allen (Karen) of Hays and
Robert Allen (Sam) of Colonial Heights, VA; a sister, Rosa Lee (Allen)
Mewhinney of Hays; and her grandchildren, Alyssa (Hertel) Gafner (Chase), CJ
Hertel, Annie Hertel, Colton Hertel and Westen Hertel

 Jackie was preceded in death by her mother, a son, Curtis Hertel, and a
brother, Phillip Allen.


A Mass of Christian Burial will be on Saturday, April 26th, 2025, at 10:00 A.M.
at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, 215 W. 13th, Hays. Inurnment will follow in
the St. Joseph Cemetery in Hays. A funeral reception will take place following
inurnment at VFW Post 9076. All are welcome

 Memorial visitation will be on Friday at Keithley Funeral Homes-Brock’s Chapel
with a combined parish vigil and rosary service at 7:00 PM.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Humane Society of the High Plains (<a href="https://hshponline.org/donate/">https://hshponline.org/donate/</a>) or
the Leukemia Research Foundation in memory of Curtis Hertel (<a href="https://leukemiarf.org/donate/">https://leukemiarf.org/donate/</a>).

Please share memories on Jackie’s tribute page at <a href="http://www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com">www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com</a>

<a href="http://www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com"></a>
Services under the direction of Keithley Funeral Homes and Crematory-Brock’s
Chapel, 2509 Vine, Hays, KS 67601&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1744336792399.jpeg" alt="Jacqueline Susan 'Jackie Sue' Hertel" />
 <figcaption>Jacqueline Susan 'Jackie Sue' Hertel</figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp;Jacqueline
Susan 'Jackie Sue' Hertel, age 72, of Hays, Kansas, passed away
peacefully surrounded by family and friends on Sunday, March 30, 2025, in Hays.
She was born on May 2, 1952, in Hays to Gerald and Hedwig (Leikam) Allen.
Jackie worked for Travenol in Hays and then Dillons, where she worked as a
checker and then in the bakery department before retiring. She enjoyed cooking,
quilting and gardening in her spare time. She was a member of St. Joseph’s
Catholic Church in Hays Family had always meant the most to Jackie. No matter what, family came first.
Even in the final parts of her life as she was managing a liver disease, all it
took to get a smile on an otherwise gloomy day was a picture of a grandchild or
her hearing of a recent grandchild's accomplishment. She always did what she
could to try and be a part of their lives without hesitation or regret She is survived by her sons, Fredrick Hertel of Kansas City, KS, Patrick Hertel
(Angela Pruett) of Hays, Steven Hertel of Independence, Missouri and Matthew
Hertel of Washington, D.C.; two brothers, Stanley Allen (Karen) of Hays and
Robert Allen (Sam) of Colonial Heights, VA; a sister, Rosa Lee (Allen)
Mewhinney of Hays; and her grandchildren, Alyssa (Hertel) Gafner (Chase), CJ
Hertel, Annie Hertel, Colton Hertel and Westen Hertel Jackie was preceded in death by her mother, a son, Curtis Hertel, and a
brother, Phillip Allen.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be on Saturday, April 26th, 2025, at 10:00 A.M.
at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, 215 W. 13th, Hays. Inurnment will follow in
the St. Joseph Cemetery in Hays. A funeral reception will take place following
inurnment at VFW Post 9076. All are welcome Memorial visitation will be on Friday at Keithley Funeral Homes-Brock’s Chapel
with a combined parish vigil and rosary service at 7:00 PM.
Memorial contributions are suggested to the Humane Society of the High Plains (<a href="https://hshponline.org/donate/">https://hshponline.org/donate/</a>) or
the Leukemia Research Foundation in memory of Curtis Hertel (<a href="https://leukemiarf.org/donate/">https://leukemiarf.org/donate/</a>).
Please share memories on Jackie’s tribute page at <a href="http://www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com">www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com</a><a href="http://www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com"></a>
Services under the direction of Keithley Funeral Homes and Crematory-Brock’s
Chapel, 2509 Vine, Hays, KS 67601&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Jacqueline Susan 'Jackie Sue' Hertel

By <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">TIM CARPENTER</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/04/08/kansas-board-of-educations-informal-school-policy-discussion-proves-informative/?emci=4e11d4a7-b414-f011-8b3d-0022482a9fb7&amp;emdi=d21bf603-2115-f011-8b3d-0022482a9fb7&amp;ceid=115039">Kansas Reflector</a>

<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/"></a>TOPEKA — A policy retreat offered the Kansas Board of Education opportunity to explore how local school boards could be liberated from much of the state’s educational bureaucracy by reshaping standards to emphasize instruction in the basics of reading, writing and math.

Conservatives on the 10-member state Board of Education expressed support Monday in personal and philosophical terms for a shift toward fundamental subjects. During the informal gathering at a Topeka office building, right-leaning members said time had come to curtail state mandates bearing down on 284 school districts serving nearly 500,000 students.

Cathy Hopkins, Hays, who serves as chair of the state Board of Education and represents District 5 covering much of western Kansas, said the board was guilty of piling burdensome responsibilities on teachers and administrators. It could be necessary to jettison a large portion of state mandates to improve the ability of local districts to deliver for students in fundamental subject areas, she said.

Her personal agenda for the upcoming two years centered on helping students excel in reading and writing because prowess in those core areas would create an educational ripple effect on student learning.

“How do we get back to that? The core,” said Leavenworth state board member Danny Zeck, who serves as the board’s vice chair. “Get rid of all this Barbra Streisand stuff that we’re doing. What we’re doing now … is not working. We need to get down to the basic stuff for these kids — that they can read and write and do arithmetic and maybe there’s some computer skills and go from there.”

State board member Debby Potter of Garden Plain said accreditation standards for public schools set by the state board had to be condensed.

“There’s a whole range of people and they don’t all have to know math at the level of every other one to be successful,” Potter said.

She indicted the state board should be operating at a 20,000-foot level in terms of academic directives. Local school boards should be allowed to fill in details of academic standards to reflect the character or needs of individual districts.

“God made us to want to learn and gain something we don’t have. All we have to do is provide the tools,” said Hutchinson board member Dennis Hershberger.

He said young children were being harmed by parents who gave them a PlayStation gaming device instead of a box of Crayons. He said he yearned for the past when a jar of pencils on a shelf or a chalkboard at the front of the classroom were keys to the educational experience.

Randy Watson, commissioner of the Kansas State Department of Education, began the policy retreat by emphasizing the value of public service performed by the state Board of Education members. He asked the eight board members in attendance to consider policy amendments that could be accomplished in the next two years, but requested each be framed in terms of children and their families.

“This isn’t about trying to bait people,” Watson said. “All of you not only serve different parts of the state, you come at this job from a different perspective.”

He reminded board members of Article 6, Section 2 of the Kansas Constitution that declared the Kansas Legislature “shall provide for a state Board of Education, which shall have general supervision of public schools.” And, Article 6, Section 6 of the document: “The Legislature shall make suitable provision for finance of the educational interests of the state.”

Interpretation of those constitutional duties has prompted major legal battles every 20 years of so that ultimately were addressed by the Kansas Supreme Court, he said.

“You have a lot of authority, as does a local board,” Watson said. “What does a kindergartner need? What does a third-grader need? How do you build that? We can’t do everything.”

Politically moderate members of the state Board of Education said during the retreat in Topeka that Kansas ought to maintain a central role in the academic evolution of school districts statewide. They said the state board’s mission of delivering educational opportunity to all students had to remain a cornerstone of Kansas’ pre-kindergarten through high school public education system.

There was discussion of students’ demand for instruction in life skills, which have been designed by the state board to prepare graduates for a career or college.

Board member Betty Arnold of Wichita said compaction of instruction to reading, writing and math to the exclusion of other parts of a person’s education ignored reality because many students arrived in public school buildings ill-equipped to learn. Time devoted to mentally preparing students to succeed in school and life shouldn’t be viewed as an extravagance, she said.

“It’s more difficult to teach a kid who does not believe in him or herself,” Arnold said. “No students come to us the same way.”

Hershberger, the Hutchinson state board member, said he was “old-school” and recalled how he struggled emotionally as a child to overcome barriers to reading aloud in class. Students experience real education when they accomplished something they didn’t know they were capable of doing, he said.

“Every child unless there is some mental disability … has the capability of learning to read no matter what their background is,” Hershberger said.

In response, Arnold said it would be wrong for a state board member to transfer personal school experiences from decades ago to decisions about what was necessary to educate children in this era and the future.

“We have to be able to live outside of our own story,” Arnold said.

Melanie Haas, a state board member from Overland Park, said state board placed proper emphasis on a commitment to individual plans of study for students as well as issues related to values and morality. She said the Kansas Education Systems Accreditation program, which was crafted so district-level decisions were made about improving educational opportunity, was in place.

“We’re right in the middle of it. We’re doing it,” Haas said.

In terms of statewide reform, she said, it was imperative the state board concentrate on improving school culture by minimizing friction between teachers and administrators.

“When you have a great administrator who gives autonomy to those in school, you see that in student success,” Haas said. “When you have someone who is micromanaging and telling teachers what to do, and ruling, I think that’s where you see these cultures start to break down.”

She said surveys showed students welcomed instruction in life skills tied to personal, academic and vocational success, including social-emotional learning, practical skills for daily living and character development.

Zeck, the northeast Kansas member of the state board, said he was frustrated with emphasis on life skills in public schools.

“If we’re going to talk about life skills, I would like it to be black and white and not a whole bunch of gray,” Zeck said. “If we’re going to simplify things, then we need to simplify them and not have all this gray stuff.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1744208911399.jpeg" alt="Kansas State Board of Education chair Cathy Hopkins, Hays, center, shares the opinion of some of her peers about the need to streamline state board mandates so local school boards and districts can best address the fundamentals of student instruction in math, reading and writing. (Kansas Reflector screen capture of state board’s livestream)" />
 <figcaption>Kansas State Board of Education chair Cathy Hopkins, Hays, center, shares the opinion of some of her peers about the need to streamline state board mandates so local school boards and districts can best address the fundamentals of student instruction in math, reading and writing. (Kansas Reflector screen capture of state board’s livestream)</figcaption>
 </figure>By <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">TIM CARPENTER</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/04/08/kansas-board-of-educations-informal-school-policy-discussion-proves-informative/?emci=4e11d4a7-b414-f011-8b3d-0022482a9fb7&amp;emdi=d21bf603-2115-f011-8b3d-0022482a9fb7&amp;ceid=115039">Kansas Reflector</a><a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/"></a>TOPEKA — A policy retreat offered the Kansas Board of Education opportunity to explore how local school boards could be liberated from much of the state’s educational bureaucracy by reshaping standards to emphasize instruction in the basics of reading, writing and math.Conservatives on the 10-member state Board of Education expressed support Monday in personal and philosophical terms for a shift toward fundamental subjects. During the informal gathering at a Topeka office building, right-leaning members said time had come to curtail state mandates bearing down on 284 school districts serving nearly 500,000 students.Cathy Hopkins, Hays, who serves as chair of the state Board of Education and represents District 5 covering much of western Kansas, said the board was guilty of piling burdensome responsibilities on teachers and administrators. It could be necessary to jettison a large portion of state mandates to improve the ability of local districts to deliver for students in fundamental subject areas, she said.Her personal agenda for the upcoming two years centered on helping students excel in reading and writing because prowess in those core areas would create an educational ripple effect on student learning.“How do we get back to that? The core,” said Leavenworth state board member Danny Zeck, who serves as the board’s vice chair. “Get rid of all this Barbra Streisand stuff that we’re doing. What we’re doing now … is not working. We need to get down to the basic stuff for these kids — that they can read and write and do arithmetic and maybe there’s some computer skills and go from there.”State board member Debby Potter of Garden Plain said accreditation standards for public schools set by the state board had to be condensed.“There’s a whole range of people and they don’t all have to know math at the level of every other one to be successful,” Potter said.She indicted the state board should be operating at a 20,000-foot level in terms of academic directives. Local school boards should be allowed to fill in details of academic standards to reflect the character or needs of individual districts.“God made us to want to learn and gain something we don’t have. All we have to do is provide the tools,” said Hutchinson board member Dennis Hershberger.He said young children were being harmed by parents who gave them a PlayStation gaming device instead of a box of Crayons. He said he yearned for the past when a jar of pencils on a shelf or a chalkboard at the front of the classroom were keys to the educational experience.<h2>Peering into future</h2>Randy Watson, commissioner of the Kansas State Department of Education, began the policy retreat by emphasizing the value of public service performed by the state Board of Education members. He asked the eight board members in attendance to consider policy amendments that could be accomplished in the next two years, but requested each be framed in terms of children and their families.“This isn’t about trying to bait people,” Watson said. “All of you not only serve different parts of the state, you come at this job from a different perspective.”He reminded board members of Article 6, Section 2 of the Kansas Constitution that declared the Kansas Legislature “shall provide for a state Board of Education, which shall have general supervision of public schools.” And, Article 6, Section 6 of the document: “The Legislature shall make suitable provision for finance of the educational interests of the state.”Interpretation of those constitutional duties has prompted major legal battles every 20 years of so that ultimately were addressed by the Kansas Supreme Court, he said.“You have a lot of authority, as does a local board,” Watson said. “What does a kindergartner need? What does a third-grader need? How do you build that? We can’t do everything.”Politically moderate members of the state Board of Education said during the retreat in Topeka that Kansas ought to maintain a central role in the academic evolution of school districts statewide. They said the state board’s mission of delivering educational opportunity to all students had to remain a cornerstone of Kansas’ pre-kindergarten through high school public education system.There was discussion of students’ demand for instruction in life skills, which have been designed by the state board to prepare graduates for a career or college.<h2>‘Our own story’</h2>Board member Betty Arnold of Wichita said compaction of instruction to reading, writing and math to the exclusion of other parts of a person’s education ignored reality because many students arrived in public school buildings ill-equipped to learn. Time devoted to mentally preparing students to succeed in school and life shouldn’t be viewed as an extravagance, she said.“It’s more difficult to teach a kid who does not believe in him or herself,” Arnold said. “No students come to us the same way.”Hershberger, the Hutchinson state board member, said he was “old-school” and recalled how he struggled emotionally as a child to overcome barriers to reading aloud in class. Students experience real education when they accomplished something they didn’t know they were capable of doing, he said.“Every child unless there is some mental disability … has the capability of learning to read no matter what their background is,” Hershberger said.In response, Arnold said it would be wrong for a state board member to transfer personal school experiences from decades ago to decisions about what was necessary to educate children in this era and the future.“We have to be able to live outside of our own story,” Arnold said.Melanie Haas, a state board member from Overland Park, said state board placed proper emphasis on a commitment to individual plans of study for students as well as issues related to values and morality. She said the Kansas Education Systems Accreditation program, which was crafted so district-level decisions were made about improving educational opportunity, was in place.“We’re right in the middle of it. We’re doing it,” Haas said.In terms of statewide reform, she said, it was imperative the state board concentrate on improving school culture by minimizing friction between teachers and administrators.“When you have a great administrator who gives autonomy to those in school, you see that in student success,” Haas said. “When you have someone who is micromanaging and telling teachers what to do, and ruling, I think that’s where you see these cultures start to break down.”She said surveys showed students welcomed instruction in life skills tied to personal, academic and vocational success, including social-emotional learning, practical skills for daily living and character development.Zeck, the northeast Kansas member of the state board, said he was frustrated with emphasis on life skills in public schools.“If we’re going to talk about life skills, I would like it to be black and white and not a whole bunch of gray,” Zeck said. “If we’re going to simplify things, then we need to simplify them and not have all this gray stuff.”

KS Board of Education’s conservative wing emphasizes desire to focus on core subjects

Arlen
Robert Walters (89) of Las Vegas, NV, died suddenly on March 19, 2025, at his
home. Born October 28, 1935, in Hays, KS, to Cyril and Catherine Billinger
Walters, Arlen grew up amid the close families of both his parents. An only
child for his first 10+ years, he was gifted with a bicycle when his sister was
born, and then four years later he welcomed his baby brother.

Arlen was educated in the Catholic schools of Hays,
including St. Joseph Military Academy for high school. He was a proud member of
the Class of 1953, maintaining connections with his male classmates through the
years and including his female classmates from Girls Catholic High School. He
was instrumental in organizing class gatherings for homecomings through his
70th reunion in 2023. His efforts in promoting the school, now Thomas More
Prep/Marian High School, resulted in his receiving the Points of Light award
from the school.

Arlen graduated from Fort Hays State College (now
University) with a business degree. He served two years in the United States
Army at Fort Leonard Wood, MO. He played baseball, center field, for the Hays
Larks for many years and was recognized in 2021 as the oldest surviving Larks
player. He was also drafted by the Kansas City Athletics and played one summer
for their Houston farm club. His baseball hero was Ted Williams.&nbsp;

Through high school and college Arlen worked at the Hays
Daily News in various capacities, including news reporting, sports reporting,
and photography. His favorite assignment was photographing the bison herd at
the Hays City Park under the direction of newspaper publisher, Mrs. Leota Motz,
who encouraged him to get up close for the shot. This assignment made for a
good story for the rest of his life.

After his military service, Arlen began working as a
salesman for Carpenter Paper Company in the northwest quadrant of Kansas. He
married Muriel Louise Campbell, literally the girl next door, in 1964. They
welcomed their son, Craig, in 1965. The family moved to Lawrence, KS, where he
continued to work for Carpenter which eventually became Nationwide Paper and
from which he retired after 40 years with the company.&nbsp;

The family’s proximity to the University of Kansas in
Lawrence was a priority as they were avid Jayhawk fans with season tickets to
football and basketball games. Their loyalty continued through the years even
as Arlen and Muriel followed their family to Las Vegas in 2004. They were
thrilled to be able to watch their granddaughters blossom through childhood and
into successful adults. Both granddaughters got married in 2024.

In his retirement years Arlen and Muriel experienced
adventures in U.S. and world travel. Their lifetime travels included all 50
states and 47 foreign countries. In addition, Arlen undertook the updates of
the Billinger family genealogy, a monumental endeavor resulting in displaying
information on new generations. He also kept his cousins up to date on events
in the family through emails for which they were grateful.

He is survived by his son, Craig and his wife, Deneen, of
Las Vegas; his beloved granddaughters and their husbands, Megan and Brian
Schmeer of Sandy, UT, and Abby and Leo Roese, of Denver, CO; his sister,
Kathleen Ochs, and her husband, Darrel, of Gypsum, CO; niece, Allison, her
husband, Dan Kent, and their son, Wyatt (who loved his great uncle) of Eagle,
CO; his sister-in-law, Diana Walters of Munds Park, AZ; his sister-in-law,
Patricia Campbell Byram, and her three sons, Steve Brock, David Brock, and Dan Byram
and his wife Amy, of Springfield, MO. He was especially close to his godson,
Dan Byram and his son, Alex, also Arlen’s godson; one aunt, and numerous
cousins.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Muriel, his parents,
Cyril (Slim) and Catherine (Katie) Walters, his brother David; all but one of
his many aunts and uncles; several cousins; and many friends.

He was cremated and his cremains will be buried with
Muriel’s in St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Hays, KS. The family suggests donations to
TMP/Marian High School, 1701 Hall Street, Hays, KS 67601.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1743781012879.jpeg" alt="Arlen Robert Walters" />
 <figcaption>Arlen Robert Walters</figcaption>
 </figure>Arlen
Robert Walters (89) of Las Vegas, NV, died suddenly on March 19, 2025, at his
home. Born October 28, 1935, in Hays, KS, to Cyril and Catherine Billinger
Walters, Arlen grew up amid the close families of both his parents. An only
child for his first 10+ years, he was gifted with a bicycle when his sister was
born, and then four years later he welcomed his baby brother.Arlen was educated in the Catholic schools of Hays,
including St. Joseph Military Academy for high school. He was a proud member of
the Class of 1953, maintaining connections with his male classmates through the
years and including his female classmates from Girls Catholic High School. He
was instrumental in organizing class gatherings for homecomings through his
70th reunion in 2023. His efforts in promoting the school, now Thomas More
Prep/Marian High School, resulted in his receiving the Points of Light award
from the school.Arlen graduated from Fort Hays State College (now
University) with a business degree. He served two years in the United States
Army at Fort Leonard Wood, MO. He played baseball, center field, for the Hays
Larks for many years and was recognized in 2021 as the oldest surviving Larks
player. He was also drafted by the Kansas City Athletics and played one summer
for their Houston farm club. His baseball hero was Ted Williams.&nbsp;Through high school and college Arlen worked at the Hays
Daily News in various capacities, including news reporting, sports reporting,
and photography. His favorite assignment was photographing the bison herd at
the Hays City Park under the direction of newspaper publisher, Mrs. Leota Motz,
who encouraged him to get up close for the shot. This assignment made for a
good story for the rest of his life.After his military service, Arlen began working as a
salesman for Carpenter Paper Company in the northwest quadrant of Kansas. He
married Muriel Louise Campbell, literally the girl next door, in 1964. They
welcomed their son, Craig, in 1965. The family moved to Lawrence, KS, where he
continued to work for Carpenter which eventually became Nationwide Paper and
from which he retired after 40 years with the company.&nbsp;The family’s proximity to the University of Kansas in
Lawrence was a priority as they were avid Jayhawk fans with season tickets to
football and basketball games. Their loyalty continued through the years even
as Arlen and Muriel followed their family to Las Vegas in 2004. They were
thrilled to be able to watch their granddaughters blossom through childhood and
into successful adults. Both granddaughters got married in 2024.In his retirement years Arlen and Muriel experienced
adventures in U.S. and world travel. Their lifetime travels included all 50
states and 47 foreign countries. In addition, Arlen undertook the updates of
the Billinger family genealogy, a monumental endeavor resulting in displaying
information on new generations. He also kept his cousins up to date on events
in the family through emails for which they were grateful.He is survived by his son, Craig and his wife, Deneen, of
Las Vegas; his beloved granddaughters and their husbands, Megan and Brian
Schmeer of Sandy, UT, and Abby and Leo Roese, of Denver, CO; his sister,
Kathleen Ochs, and her husband, Darrel, of Gypsum, CO; niece, Allison, her
husband, Dan Kent, and their son, Wyatt (who loved his great uncle) of Eagle,
CO; his sister-in-law, Diana Walters of Munds Park, AZ; his sister-in-law,
Patricia Campbell Byram, and her three sons, Steve Brock, David Brock, and Dan Byram
and his wife Amy, of Springfield, MO. He was especially close to his godson,
Dan Byram and his son, Alex, also Arlen’s godson; one aunt, and numerous
cousins.He was preceded in death by his wife, Muriel, his parents,
Cyril (Slim) and Catherine (Katie) Walters, his brother David; all but one of
his many aunts and uncles; several cousins; and many friends.He was cremated and his cremains will be buried with
Muriel’s in St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Hays, KS. The family suggests donations to
TMP/Marian High School, 1701 Hall Street, Hays, KS 67601.

Arlen Robert Walters

By MARSHA BOSWELL Kansas Wheat

Kansas wheat growers know that success starts with strong, resilient varieties. Few understand this better than Dr. Guorong Zhang, a wheat breeder at Kansas State University's Agricultural Research Center in Hays. 

In a recent episode of the&nbsp;Wheat’s On Your Mind&nbsp;podcast, Zhang discussed his breeding philosophy, career path, and the future of wheat development in Kansas.

Zhang’s journey began on a small farm in eastern China’s Zhejiang Province, where his family farmed rice and jute on less than an acre. After studying at Zhejiang Agriculture University, he spent time in barley research before coming to the U.S. for a Ph.D. in plant breeding at North Dakota State. That experience led him through research roles in soybean and biofuel crops, and eventually to K-State in 2012, where he took over the Hays breeding program.

“At the beginning, yield was my main focus,” Zhang said. “Farmers need high-yielding varieties to be profitable. Over time, I added more objectives—disease resistance, drought tolerance, and quality.”

His program has produced widely adopted varieties including Joe, KS Dallas, and KS Bill Snyder. Named in honor of the Hall of Fame football coach, the Snyder variety gained attention for its strong yield potential and broad adaptability. Zhang continues refining its drought tolerance as part of ongoing improvements.

Kansas weather has created some of Zhang’s toughest hurdles. In 2021, a hailstorm destroyed up to 80% of his trial plots in Hays, setting the program back significantly. These experiences have reinforced his focus on resilience in both environmental and disease-related stress.

“We’re getting better data, faster,” Zhang said, referencing the integration of double haploid breeding and drone phenotyping into his program. “The goal is to develop varieties that can handle both environmental stress and disease pressure.”

Field testing takes place across eight locations in western Kansas, including five farmer-managed sites. These trials give Zhang’s team insight into how lines perform under real-world growing conditions. He values the feedback received during field days and uses it to refine breeding goals for future releases.

“The western Kansas variety has strong resistance to Triticum mosaic virus and wheat streak mosaic virus, as well as improved drought tolerance,” Zhang said of two new releases expected this year. “The central Kansas variety has exceptional yield potential and strong disease resistance.”

His breeding program also includes collaborative work with universities like Colorado State to tackle new threats like wheat stem sawfly. Together, they evaluate new lines and share research data to speed up resistance development for high-risk regions.

Even as technology and challenges evolve, Zhang stays grounded in the basics: better yield, better disease resistance, and better quality. “We want Kansas farmers to have access to the best possible wheat varieties,” he said.

For more on Dr. Guorong Zhang’s breeding program and other updates, visit<a target="_blank" href="https://sfdzp7cab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001l4bbV1h64b-enVuqnToJUpjq7O8K7EmiroxttKlvp5NimJui97lyDbja8XOKKb6MlmvcLn98gaeVKuZXKKrDJb-G2JqY-CHqDZBrQI-6-CzgYXxn1rA4eW1aGE_jEprE6Tm1ttxPx5mYuSdv0uS-YQ==&amp;c=rAuDAM2NJjheh99zblzD0eo0KXAbs6AqigzmRWTC_saeT1SGyamiJw==&amp;ch=yzcK-OF5ImhlN8Dqv08tckxKse54IWi1nOETYKxSnets6ZLlayIP6Q==">&nbsp;</a><a target="_blank" href="https://sfdzp7cab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001l4bbV1h64b-enVuqnToJUpjq7O8K7EmiroxttKlvp5NimJui97lyDbja8XOKKb6MlmvcLn98gaeVKuZXKKrDJb-G2JqY-CHqDZBrQI-6-CzgYXxn1rA4eW1aGE_jEprE6Tm1ttxPx5l9DTY8Rc6Dog==&amp;c=rAuDAM2NJjheh99zblzD0eo0KXAbs6AqigzmRWTC_saeT1SGyamiJw==&amp;ch=yzcK-OF5ImhlN8Dqv08tckxKse54IWi1nOETYKxSnets6ZLlayIP6Q==">kswheat.com</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1743083611783.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>By MARSHA BOSWELL Kansas WheatKansas wheat growers know that success starts with strong, resilient varieties. Few understand this better than Dr. Guorong Zhang, a wheat breeder at Kansas State University's Agricultural Research Center in Hays. In a recent episode of the&nbsp;Wheat’s On Your Mind&nbsp;podcast, Zhang discussed his breeding philosophy, career path, and the future of wheat development in Kansas.Zhang’s journey began on a small farm in eastern China’s Zhejiang Province, where his family farmed rice and jute on less than an acre. After studying at Zhejiang Agriculture University, he spent time in barley research before coming to the U.S. for a Ph.D. in plant breeding at North Dakota State. That experience led him through research roles in soybean and biofuel crops, and eventually to K-State in 2012, where he took over the Hays breeding program.“At the beginning, yield was my main focus,” Zhang said. “Farmers need high-yielding varieties to be profitable. Over time, I added more objectives—disease resistance, drought tolerance, and quality.”His program has produced widely adopted varieties including Joe, KS Dallas, and KS Bill Snyder. Named in honor of the Hall of Fame football coach, the Snyder variety gained attention for its strong yield potential and broad adaptability. Zhang continues refining its drought tolerance as part of ongoing improvements.Kansas weather has created some of Zhang’s toughest hurdles. In 2021, a hailstorm destroyed up to 80% of his trial plots in Hays, setting the program back significantly. These experiences have reinforced his focus on resilience in both environmental and disease-related stress.“We’re getting better data, faster,” Zhang said, referencing the integration of double haploid breeding and drone phenotyping into his program. “The goal is to develop varieties that can handle both environmental stress and disease pressure.”Field testing takes place across eight locations in western Kansas, including five farmer-managed sites. These trials give Zhang’s team insight into how lines perform under real-world growing conditions. He values the feedback received during field days and uses it to refine breeding goals for future releases.“The western Kansas variety has strong resistance to Triticum mosaic virus and wheat streak mosaic virus, as well as improved drought tolerance,” Zhang said of two new releases expected this year. “The central Kansas variety has exceptional yield potential and strong disease resistance.”His breeding program also includes collaborative work with universities like Colorado State to tackle new threats like wheat stem sawfly. Together, they evaluate new lines and share research data to speed up resistance development for high-risk regions.Even as technology and challenges evolve, Zhang stays grounded in the basics: better yield, better disease resistance, and better quality. “We want Kansas farmers to have access to the best possible wheat varieties,” he said.For more on Dr. Guorong Zhang’s breeding program and other updates, visit<a target="_blank" href="https://sfdzp7cab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001l4bbV1h64b-enVuqnToJUpjq7O8K7EmiroxttKlvp5NimJui97lyDbja8XOKKb6MlmvcLn98gaeVKuZXKKrDJb-G2JqY-CHqDZBrQI-6-CzgYXxn1rA4eW1aGE_jEprE6Tm1ttxPx5mYuSdv0uS-YQ==&amp;c=rAuDAM2NJjheh99zblzD0eo0KXAbs6AqigzmRWTC_saeT1SGyamiJw==&amp;ch=yzcK-OF5ImhlN8Dqv08tckxKse54IWi1nOETYKxSnets6ZLlayIP6Q==">&nbsp;</a><a target="_blank" href="https://sfdzp7cab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001l4bbV1h64b-enVuqnToJUpjq7O8K7EmiroxttKlvp5NimJui97lyDbja8XOKKb6MlmvcLn98gaeVKuZXKKrDJb-G2JqY-CHqDZBrQI-6-CzgYXxn1rA4eW1aGE_jEprE6Tm1ttxPx5l9DTY8Rc6Dog==&amp;c=rAuDAM2NJjheh99zblzD0eo0KXAbs6AqigzmRWTC_saeT1SGyamiJw==&amp;ch=yzcK-OF5ImhlN8Dqv08tckxKse54IWi1nOETYKxSnets6ZLlayIP6Q==">kswheat.com</a>.

Hays' Guorong Zhang talks breeding better wheat on Wheat Scoop

A new organization is forming in Hays to amplify members' giving power.

100 Who Care is a giving circle that asks 100 local residents to donate $100 each. The members of the group gather to hear from three local nonprofits and then vote on their preferred cause.

The cause that earns the most votes receives a collective $10,000 donation from the group.

"We use the tagline of 'The Power of 100,'" Brandy Ridgway, local organizer, said. 

"If I were to give $100 to First Call for Help, they might be able to fill up a gas tank for their transient assistance program or maybe use that for a month of their loads of laundry program. But if me and 99 of my other friends give $100, that's $10,000," she said.

Members of the group then nominate three nonprofits to present at the next quarterly meeting of the 100 Who Care group.

Nonprofits that don't win a donation round can be nominated to present again for future donation rounds.

To qualify for donations, organizations have to be 501(c)3s or affiliated with a 501(c)3 non-profit.

"These are nonbudgeted dollars in the programs, which can make a big difference becuase this will be money that will not be used to just keep the lights on," Ridgway said. "This is money that can be used to advance a program or make a much bigger difference."

There are no qualifications to be a member of the group. You just have to agree to give $100 to the organization the group votes to support that quarter.

Payments are made directly to the selected nonprofit.

100 Who Care has about 350 chapters nationwide. The groups are 100% volunteer run. The chapters don't collect any money themselves. All the funds go directly to the nonprofits. Donations are tax deductible.

Most chapters meet and donate quarterly. Ridgway hopes to get the initial group to sign on for at least a year of giving.

She said she hopes to keep the meetings short—an hour or less.

Ridgway encountered a similar group in Great Bend.

"I said, 'I think this is fascitatic. I wish we could bring this to Hays,'" she said.

Barton County has 114 members and has given more than $250,000 since that group started seven years ago.

"Me, as an individual, I can give $100, but it doesn't stretch very far," she said. "It can have much more impact if me and 99 of my friends each give $100."

The organization started as 100 Women Who Care. It started with a woman who wanted to buy cribs for impoverished moms, but she could only give one crib. She didn't think that would make much of a difference.

There also now groups of 100 Men Who Care and 100 Teens Who Care.

The Ellis County group will be open to anyone. The nonprofits must provide services in Ellis County.

Ridgway is working with a Fort Hays State University Leadership 310 group to organize the group's first meeting. The group will eventually need a nominating committee of three or four people to help set up meetings.

The time commitment for volunteers is minimal, typically about an additional hour outside of the voting meetings every three months.

An informational meeting for the group will be at 6 p.m. April 15 in the meeting space at the Sternberg Museum in Hays.

Ridgway said she hopes to have the group's first voting meeting to award donations in July.

If you are interested in being a member of the 100 Who Care or are part of a nonprofit that would like to be considered for funding, Google forms can be found on the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572641610615">100 Who Care - Ellis County, KS Facebook page</a>.

Ridgway said hard copies of the forms are available on request.

You can also email Ridgway for more information at bmridgway@ruraltel.net or 100whocare.ellis@gmail.com.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1742410477354.jpg" alt="Photo courtesy of Pixabay" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy of Pixabay</figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostA new organization is forming in Hays to amplify members' giving power.100 Who Care is a giving circle that asks 100 local residents to donate $100 each. The members of the group gather to hear from three local nonprofits and then vote on their preferred cause.The cause that earns the most votes receives a collective $10,000 donation from the group."We use the tagline of 'The Power of 100,'" Brandy Ridgway, local organizer, said. "If I were to give $100 to First Call for Help, they might be able to fill up a gas tank for their transient assistance program or maybe use that for a month of their loads of laundry program. But if me and 99 of my other friends give $100, that's $10,000," she said.Members of the group then nominate three nonprofits to present at the next quarterly meeting of the 100 Who Care group.Nonprofits that don't win a donation round can be nominated to present again for future donation rounds.To qualify for donations, organizations have to be 501(c)3s or affiliated with a 501(c)3 non-profit."These are nonbudgeted dollars in the programs, which can make a big difference becuase this will be money that will not be used to just keep the lights on," Ridgway said. "This is money that can be used to advance a program or make a much bigger difference."There are no qualifications to be a member of the group. You just have to agree to give $100 to the organization the group votes to support that quarter.Payments are made directly to the selected nonprofit.100 Who Care has about 350 chapters nationwide. The groups are 100% volunteer run. The chapters don't collect any money themselves. All the funds go directly to the nonprofits. Donations are tax deductible.Most chapters meet and donate quarterly. Ridgway hopes to get the initial group to sign on for at least a year of giving.She said she hopes to keep the meetings short—an hour or less.Ridgway encountered a similar group in Great Bend."I said, 'I think this is fascitatic. I wish we could bring this to Hays,'" she said.Barton County has 114 members and has given more than $250,000 since that group started seven years ago."Me, as an individual, I can give $100, but it doesn't stretch very far," she said. "It can have much more impact if me and 99 of my friends each give $100."The organization started as 100 Women Who Care. It started with a woman who wanted to buy cribs for impoverished moms, but she could only give one crib. She didn't think that would make much of a difference.There also now groups of 100 Men Who Care and 100 Teens Who Care.The Ellis County group will be open to anyone. The nonprofits must provide services in Ellis County.Ridgway is working with a Fort Hays State University Leadership 310 group to organize the group's first meeting. The group will eventually need a nominating committee of three or four people to help set up meetings.The time commitment for volunteers is minimal, typically about an additional hour outside of the voting meetings every three months.An informational meeting for the group will be at 6 p.m. April 15 in the meeting space at the Sternberg Museum in Hays.Ridgway said she hopes to have the group's first voting meeting to award donations in July.If you are interested in being a member of the 100 Who Care or are part of a nonprofit that would like to be considered for funding, Google forms can be found on the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572641610615">100 Who Care - Ellis County, KS Facebook page</a>.Ridgway said hard copies of the forms are available on request.You can also email Ridgway for more information at bmridgway@ruraltel.net or 100whocare.ellis@gmail.com.

100 Who Care Ellis County seeks to increase giving impact

<a href="https://hpmhc.com/">High Plains Mental Health Center</a> broke ground Tuesday on a Crisis Intervention Center, which will be in the east wing of the Hadley Center, 205 E. Seventh St., in downtown Hays.

Craig Poe, executive director of High Plains, said Tuesday the center will likely be the first of its kind in the state. The Kansas Department of Aging and Disability Services only made the Crisis Intervention Center licensing available this summer.

The Crisis Intervention Center will offer 22 patient rooms and two de-escalation rooms, with overflow capacity available to accommodate peak demand times.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/a5c9e74d-b3c6-4fb3-90f3-c8624667c609">SEE RELATED STORY: High Plains announces new Crisis Intervention Center; launches fundraising campaign</a>

Patients will stay an average of three days for&nbsp;mental health crises regardless of specific mental health diagnoses.

The center is meant to alleviate the wait list at Larned State Hospital.&nbsp;

Involuntary patients sometimes wait days at local emergency departments or with law enforcement until they can be transferred to Larned.

Those people waiting for long-term beds will be able to come to the center and begin treatment, Poe said in an email to the Hays Post.

"Ideally, these patients will be stabilized at the [Crisis Intervention Center] and not require additional inpatient treatment. However, if they require ongoing inpatient treatment, they will be transferred to [Larned State Hospital] when a bed becomes available," Poe said.

The facility is expected to serve at least 500 clients annually and will be the closest option for residents in 28 western Kansas counties.

"This will be a place where healing and hope will be offered to those in need at their most vulnerable moments," Poe said at the groundbreaking.

The Schwaller Center, founded in Hays in 2002, has been able to accept four voluntary patients. However, the new center will also be able to accept involuntary patients, detox patients or patients who have medical needs.

"Law enforcement or a concerned citizen can bring somebody and say, 'This person is a danger to themselves or others, and they need some help,'" he said.

The clinical team would then validate that person's need to be admitted.

"It's going to be so impactful for the community because we can provide that involuntary care. We've all been in some type of experience with someone in a mental health crisis, and they aren't likely to say, 'I want help,'" Poe said.

Poe said some of these patients might be able to resolve their crises and not have to stay in a state hospital.

"Adding that to this community and the surrounding area is huge," he said.

The functions of the Schwaller Center will be absorbed by the Crisis Intervention Center.

KVC used the third floor of the Hadley Center for youth psychiatric treatment, but the space was not configured for that purpose. The children's services have been moved to a renovated center at 3000 New Way Blvd., which is now known as Camber.

Benito Rivera-Madrid, center project manager, said the space, which has been taken down to the walls, is being reconfigured for use as a psychiatric treatment facility to ensure the safety, comfort and dignity of the people who will be treated at the new facility.

Large single rooms will be divided into two smaller individual rooms for privacy and to encourage patients to interact in a larger community space being cleared in the center of the facility.

The facility will be secure with one or two security guards. Involuntary patients will enter the facility through a separate secure and private intake area and elevator on the north side of the building,&nbsp;Rivera-Madrid said.

Fifty direct jobs will be added within the Crisis Intervention Center, and the center will account for millions of dollars in economic impact on the community, Poe said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741807844496.jpeg" alt="Craig Poe, executive director of High Plains Mental Health Center, ceremonially takes a swing into a wall set to be demolished on the third floor of the Hadley Center in Hays. The space is being renovated into a Crisis Intervention Center Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Craig Poe, executive director of High Plains Mental Health Center, ceremonially takes a swing into a wall set to be demolished on the third floor of the Hadley Center in Hays. The space is being renovated into a Crisis Intervention Center Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post<a href="https://hpmhc.com/">High Plains Mental Health Center</a> broke ground Tuesday on a Crisis Intervention Center, which will be in the east wing of the Hadley Center, 205 E. Seventh St., in downtown Hays.Craig Poe, executive director of High Plains, said Tuesday the center will likely be the first of its kind in the state. The Kansas Department of Aging and Disability Services only made the Crisis Intervention Center licensing available this summer.The Crisis Intervention Center will offer 22 patient rooms and two de-escalation rooms, with overflow capacity available to accommodate peak demand times.<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/a5c9e74d-b3c6-4fb3-90f3-c8624667c609">SEE RELATED STORY: High Plains announces new Crisis Intervention Center; launches fundraising campaign</a>Patients will stay an average of three days for&nbsp;mental health crises regardless of specific mental health diagnoses.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741807883431.jpeg" alt="The High Plains Mental Health and construction team had a ceremonial wall breaking as a project to renovate the east wing of the Hadley Center into a 22-bed Crisis Intervention Center kicked off Tuesday. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>The High Plains Mental Health and construction team had a ceremonial wall breaking as a project to renovate the east wing of the Hadley Center into a 22-bed Crisis Intervention Center kicked off Tuesday. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>The center is meant to alleviate the wait list at Larned State Hospital.&nbsp;Involuntary patients sometimes wait days at local emergency departments or with law enforcement until they can be transferred to Larned.Those people waiting for long-term beds will be able to come to the center and begin treatment, Poe said in an email to the Hays Post."Ideally, these patients will be stabilized at the [Crisis Intervention Center] and not require additional inpatient treatment. However, if they require ongoing inpatient treatment, they will be transferred to [Larned State Hospital] when a bed becomes available," Poe said.The facility is expected to serve at least 500 clients annually and will be the closest option for residents in 28 western Kansas counties."This will be a place where healing and hope will be offered to those in need at their most vulnerable moments," Poe said at the groundbreaking.<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/YrvPagNrjwE?si=Vou9eFhHd_lMGQYS" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>The Schwaller Center, founded in Hays in 2002, has been able to accept four voluntary patients. However, the new center will also be able to accept involuntary patients, detox patients or patients who have medical needs."Law enforcement or a concerned citizen can bring somebody and say, 'This person is a danger to themselves or others, and they need some help,'" he said.The clinical team would then validate that person's need to be admitted."It's going to be so impactful for the community because we can provide that involuntary care. We've all been in some type of experience with someone in a mental health crisis, and they aren't likely to say, 'I want help,'" Poe said.Poe said some of these patients might be able to resolve their crises and not have to stay in a state hospital."Adding that to this community and the surrounding area is huge," he said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741807919383.jpeg" alt="These rooms will be renovated into two smaller rooms for the Crisis Intervention Center. The single rooms are meant to be more private and encourage patients to stay in public areas where they can have more social interaction. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>These rooms will be renovated into two smaller rooms for the Crisis Intervention Center. The single rooms are meant to be more private and encourage patients to stay in public areas where they can have more social interaction. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>The functions of the Schwaller Center will be absorbed by the Crisis Intervention Center.KVC used the third floor of the Hadley Center for youth psychiatric treatment, but the space was not configured for that purpose. The children's services have been moved to a renovated center at 3000 New Way Blvd., which is now known as Camber.Benito Rivera-Madrid, center project manager, said the space, which has been taken down to the walls, is being reconfigured for use as a psychiatric treatment facility to ensure the safety, comfort and dignity of the people who will be treated at the new facility.Large single rooms will be divided into two smaller individual rooms for privacy and to encourage patients to interact in a larger community space being cleared in the center of the facility.The facility will be secure with one or two security guards. Involuntary patients will enter the facility through a separate secure and private intake area and elevator on the north side of the building,&nbsp;Rivera-Madrid said.Fifty direct jobs will be added within the Crisis Intervention Center, and the center will account for millions of dollars in economic impact on the community, Poe said.The total construction cost for the center remodeling project is $5,435,496, covering building construction, design fees, furniture, safety features, technology setup and labor.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741807947530.jpeg" alt="Demolition has already started on the $5.4 million Crisis Intervention Center. A large community area will encompass this area and the rooms to the north. A wall will be removed to create more open space. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Demolition has already started on the $5.4 million Crisis Intervention Center. A large community area will encompass this area and the rooms to the north. A wall will be removed to create more open space. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>The Kansas Department of Aging and Disability Service has committed $1.38 million, leaving a remaining balance of $4,055,496, which will need to be covered through other funding sources, including private donations."Unfortunately, we don't have two or three years," James Gerstner, High Plains development director, said of the fundraising. "There are a lot of people in very serious life-threatening challenges all of the time."The state funds are contingent on the center opening by the end of 2025.High Plains has launched a capital campaign to raise the remaining funds needed for the project. The campaign includes Founding Contributors, who will receive special recognition at the finished center.Founding Contributor contributions start at $500.&nbsp;Gerstner said there are naming rights available.Gerstner said pledges that could be paid over several years also will be accepted.Visit&nbsp;<a href="http://hpmhc.com/giving">hpmhc.com/giving</a>&nbsp;to get started today, and watch social media for updates and other upcoming opportunities. Contributions can also be sent by paper mail to 208 E. Seventh St., Hays, KS 67601.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741807979285.jpeg" alt="Craig Poe,&nbsp;executive director of High Plains Mental Health Center, and Sarah Wasinger, president/CEO of the Chamber in Hays, at the groundbreaking ceremony on Tuesday for High Plains' new Crisis Intervention Center in Hays. The center will be the nearest facility of its kind for 28 western counties. High Plains needs to raise $4 million to complete the center's renovations." />
 <figcaption>Craig Poe,&nbsp;executive director of High Plains Mental Health Center, and Sarah Wasinger, president/CEO of the Chamber in Hays, at the groundbreaking ceremony on Tuesday for High Plains' new Crisis Intervention Center in Hays. The center will be the nearest facility of its kind for 28 western counties. High Plains needs to raise $4 million to complete the center's renovations.</figcaption>
 </figure>For more information, contact development officer James Gerstner at 785-628-2871."We really need this space to provide the right therapeutic care for the right people much, much closer to home," Gerstner said."Unfortunately, in our area, when someone is in a mental health or substance abuse crisis, they often end up in emergency rooms, or they end up in jail cells. Neither is the place to get therapeutic treatment.&nbsp;"It sounds a little callous, but that is a drain on hospital resources. That is a drain on law enforcement resources. We can do it in a much better and much more therapeutic way, much closer to home, so someone doesn't have to drive to Larned or Wichita or Kansas City."High Plains Mental Health is also hosting the <a href="https://auctria.events/masqueradeonmain">Masquerade on Main</a> fundraiser at 6 p.m. May 31 at The Strand in Hays. Tickets are $50. You can also donate directly to High Plains from the event page.All funds from this event this year will go toward the center project.If you or someone you know is in a mental health crisis, dial 911, 988 for the national crisis hotline or 1-800-432-0333 for the High Plains 24/7 crisis line.Call High Plains at 785-628-2871 to find the service location closest to you. Visit the mental health center's website at <a href="https://hpmhc.com/">hpmhc.com</a>&nbsp;or follow them on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/HighPlainsMentalHealth">Facebook</a>.