COLBY – Katherina “Katie” Frederick, 97 died Tuesday, August 29. 2017 at Colby Heath & Rehab- Colby, KS.

Services are pending with Kersenbrock Funeral Chapel in Colby.

Leo Wildeman, age 77, of Garden City, passed away Tuesday, August 29, 2017.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m., Friday, September 1, 2017 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Park. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

Visitation will be Thursday evening from 5 to 7 with a parish vigil service at 7. Both to take place at the funeral home in Quinter.

Kay Powers, age 63, of WaKeeney, passed away, Monday, August 28, 2017.

Schmitt Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements. Cremation was chosen.

Gregory A. Wasinger, of Hays, KS, passed away on Tuesday, August 29, 2017 at Via Christi Village in Hays, at the age of 89.

A Memorial Service will be on Saturday, September 2, 2017 at 10:00 A.M. at the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 201 W. 13th St., Hays, KS 67601. Inurnment will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery with military honors provided by the Hays VFW Honor Guard.

A vigil service is at 7:00 P.M., followed by the Rosary on Friday, September 1, 2017 at Brock’s-Keithley Funeral Chapel & Crematory, 2509 Vine St., Hays, KS 67601.

Visitation is from 6:00-8:00 P.M., Friday, at Brock’s-Keithley Funeral Chapel & Crematory.

Memorial contributions are suggested to be used for Masses.

To share a memory or to leave condolences, please visit www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com or via email at keithleyfuneralchapels@gmail.com.

A complete obituary will appear as soon as it is available.

Leo Wildeman was born March 4, 1940 to Michael and Hilda (Mader) Wildeman in Quinter, Kansas. He passed away August 29, 2017 at St. Catherine Hospital in Garden City, Kansas. He was 77 years of age.

He attended and graduated high school in Park, Kansas. Leo traveled and sold magazines, managed a carwash in Liberal, was a taxi driver for SDSI, and was the pitcher for SDSI baseball team, and was a greeter for Walmart in Garden City for sixteen years, until his retirement two years ago. He enjoyed all sports, watching western shows, and loved to read.

Leo is survived by a son, Joey (Michelle) Wildeman of Odessa, Texas; three brothers, Melvin (Imogene) Wildeman of Garden City, Vern Wildeman of WaKeeney, and Willie (Marilyn) Wildeman of WaKeeney; two sisters, Mary (Duane) Ruder of Hutchinson, and Joyce (Dwayne) Schmidt of Hays; four nieces; and seven nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Donald; and a niece, Jeannette Wildeman.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m., Friday, September 1, 2017 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Park. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

Visitation will be Thursday evening from 5 to 7 with a parish vigil service at 7, all at the funeral home in Quinter.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to Walk-A-Thon for Health or masses. Donations to the memorial may be sent to Schmitt Funeral Home, 901 South Main, Quinter, KS 67752.

Condolences may be left for the family online at www.schmittfuneral.com.

SMITH CENTER – Claude Lynn Allen passed away on Wednesday, August 30, 2017. He was born June 11, 1928 to Earl F. and Wilma D. (Byers) Allen in rural Lebanon. He graduated from Lebanon High School in 1946.

Claude was in the U.S. Armed Forces during the Korean Conflict. He reported January 20, 1952 at Seattle, Washington for overseas duty. While in Korea he served in the 23rd Reg. 2nd Inf. Div. Aid. Man. He was discharged May 8, 1953. He was a medic and received the Purple Heart. He returned to Lebanon where he was a school bus driver and helped his parents run their store, Allen Produce. He became a Rural Mail Carrier of Lebanon on April 20, 1957 and retired in November, 1999 after 42 years of service. Some of the awards he received through that time were: The Million Mile Safe Driver Award and Mail Carrier of the Year in 1993.
He married Sharleen K. Holthus on August 7, 1960 at the First St. John Lutheran Church in Kensington. To this union two sons, James Claude and John J., were born.

Claude is preceded in death by his parents, wife Sharleen, son James (Jim Bob), two infant grandsons, Brother Don Allen and sister-in-law Ruthie Allen and Janice Allen, and sister-in-law Kathy Holthus.

Survivors include son John and wife Arlyce and grandchildren Joshua and Hannah of Topeka, daughter -in-law Patricia Campbell and husband Steve and granddaughter Linsey of Portis, grandsons Marcus Allen of Portis, Skyler Campbell of Wichita, Tanner Campbell of Hays, and Austin Allen of Topeka; brother-in-law El Dean Holthus of Smith Center; brother-in-law Allen Holthus and wife Barbara of Lakeville, MN; nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, cousins, and friends.

Claude was a man of few words and a loving heart. He was a good role model for his grandchildren by the way he lived his life and treated others. He liked to hunt and fish, sit in his recliner and read a good western or watch a good game. He will be greatly missed because he was greatly loved.

Click HERE for service details.

Merton Ikenberry, of Quinter, passed away August 30, 2017, at Gove County Medical Center LTC.

Schmitt Funeral Home, Quinter is assisting with arrangements.

Eugene Donald Boucher, age 73, passed away August 12, 2017 at his home in McCook, Neb.

Gene was born January 9, 1944 to Hector and Celia (Gognon) Boucher in Rooks County, KS. He graduated from Palco High School and went on to Fort Hays College.

Gene married Judy E. Barber on March 20, 1965 in Zurich, Kansas. To this union two children were born, Scott and Kris.

He and Judy moved to McCook in 1993 from Massachusetts.

Gene was the Mountain Man Candy distributer from 1993 until the present. In his free time, he liked to hunt and go trap shooting. He enjoyed square dancing with Judy.

Gene is survived by son, Scott (Crystal) Boucher of Cambridge, NE; daughter, Kris (Jim Beebe) Earnest of Benkelman, NE; three brothers, Norbert (Loyce) Boucher of PA, Kenny (Lin) Boucher of AZ, LeRoy Boucher of KS; two sisters, Cleota Dinkel of KS and Sister Vivian Boucher of NE; sister in law, Beverly Boucher of KS; eight grandchildren.

He was preceded by his parents; wife, Judy on September 5, 2016; two sisters, Fritz Virgason and Lucille Fischer; brother, Eldon Boucher: and son in law, James Earnest

Memorial Mass will be 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 31, 2017 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church with Father Gary Brethour officiating. Inurnment at a later date will be in the Plainville Cemetery, Plainville, Kansas.

Phillipsburg resident Niles F. Runnion passed away Wed., Aug. 30, 2017 at the Hays Medical Center in Hays, KS at the age of 78.

He was born in Norton, KS on Sept. 22, 1938, the son of Francis & Elsie (Wagner) Runnion.  On April 16, 1960 he married Delva Jean Damewood in Logan, KS.  Niles worked as a grader operator for Phillips County for many years.

Survivors include his wife, Jean, of Phillipsburg; son, Mike, of Glade, KS; brothers, Randy of Phillipsburg, Richard of Agra, and Stanley of Prairie View; sister, Carol Shove of Noonan, GA; two grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

A graveside service will be held Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. in the Marvin Cemetery, Glade, KS, with Pastor Joel Hiesterman officiating.

Friends may sign the book on Friday, Sept. 1, from 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. at the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, Phillipsburg.  The casket will remain closed.

Memorial contributions may be given to Phillips County 4-H.  Online condolences to:  www.olliffboeve.com.

Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, Phillipsburg, is in charge of arrangements.

Joseph Lang, Victoria, Kansas, age 93, died Wednesday, August 30, 2017, at Brookdale Senior Living Solutions in Hays, Kansas.

Services are pending at Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary of Hays, 1919 East 22nd Street. Hays, Kansas 67601.

Kenneth Bates, age 90, of Stockton, passed away Thursday, August 31, 2017, at his home.

Schmitt Funeral Home, WaKeeney, is assisting with arrangements.

Elenora Holzmeister, age 89, of Quinter, passed away, Thursday, August 31, 2017, at Gove County Medical Center, Quinter.

Schmitt Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements.

Robert Eugene Boxberger, 86, of Russell, Kansas, died on Friday, September 01, 2017, at the Wheatland Nursing Home in Russell, Kansas.

Services are pending at this time, and the family has selected a cremation memorial service. Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas, are in charge of the funeral service arrangements.

Joseph Lang, Victoria, Kansas, age 93, died Wednesday, August 30, 2017, at Brookdale Senior Living Solutions in Hays, Kansas.

He was born April 28, 1924, on the family farm west of Victoria, Kansas to Bernard and Catherine
(Dreiling) Lang. He married Velma M. (Kuhn) on January 31, 1949 at Victoria, Kansas. She died March 22, 1998.

Joseph was a farmer all of his life and also operated a dairy farm for about ten years. He attended Victoria High School and spent his lifetime in Victoria. He was a member of The Basilica of St. Fidelis, 3rd Degree Knights of Columbus and over a 70 year member of the St. Fidelis Choir all of Victoria. Joseph was a good marksman and enjoyed playing cards but Joseph, was also known for his well-dressed attire and boots.

Survivors include two sons, Donald Lang, Batesville, AR; Robert Lang and companion, Cathy Schmidtberger, Bedford, TX; one daughter, Marilyn Nuss and husband, Randal, Derby, KS; three grandchildren, Chad Lang and companion Jennifer Paynter, Katelyn Pfannenstiel and husband, Addison, Kristen Nuss; one great grandchild, Jaden Lang; one sister, Theresa Dreiling and husband, W. Pat Dreiling, Victoria, KS.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; one daughter, Susan Lang; four brothers, Hilarius, Raymond, Bernard Jr. and Anthony Lang; three sisters, Mary Giebler, Germaine Gerstner and Catherine Dealy.

Services are 11:00 A.M. Saturday, September 16, 2017 at The Basilica of St. Fidelis, Victoria, Kansas with inurnment in the St. Fidelis Cemetery, Victoria, Kansas.

The family will receive friends from 9:00 to 11:00 A.M. Saturday, at The Basilica of St. Fidelis with a vigil service and a Victoria Knights of Columbus rosary at 10:30 A.M. Saturday.

Memorials to Hospice of Hays Medical Center or The American Lung Association. Arrangements are entrusted to Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary of Hays, 1919 East 22nd Street. Hays, Kansas 67601.

Condolences can be left by guestbook at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com or can be sent via email to clinesmortuary@eaglecom.net

Elenora Holzmeister was born December 27, 1927 to Casper & Mary (Schmidt) Jacobs. She passed away August 31, 2017 at Gove County Medical Center in Quinter, KS at the age of 89.

Elenora was born in rural Rush county and attended the one-room Lone Star School and graduated from Bison High School. On May 24, 1948, she was united in marriage to Hubert Holzmeister in Loretta, KS. They moved to Quinter where they lived their entire married life. To this union was born a daughter, Phyllis.

She was a homemaker her entire life, but shared memories of working at the local grocery store early in their marriage. She also worked at Quinter High School in the cafeteria. She was a faithful member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church and Alter Society. She cherished her family and was the 4th of 14 children. This also brought the love of many nieces and nephews. All through life, her brothers and sisters would continue to meet on a regular basis to play cards, laugh & enjoy each other’s company. The Kansas City Royals were “her” team and she watched almost every game. It was a dream come true to get to make a trip to the city and go to Kaufman Stadium for a game a few years back.

Elenora was loved and will be sadly missed. She is survived by her husband Hubert, her daughter Phyllis (Don) Manhart of LaCrosse; five brothers – Celly (Thelma), Ralph (Barbara), Leroy (Wilma) & Billy (Joann) Jacobs of LaCrosse and Jerry (Kathy) Jacobs of Hays; one sister Mary Lou (Bill) Warren of Clearwater, KS. She was a proud grandmother to two grandchildren – Tonia (Michael) Kroll of Olathe, KS and Dustin (Ginger) Manhart of Austin, TX; 7 great grandchildren and 4 great-great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, a stillborn son, three brothers – Virgil (Irene), Eugene (Rosie) & Daniel (Norma), and four sisters – Viola (Kenneth) Dreher, Leona (Ralph) Leiker, Louise (Bill) Besperat and Albina Birney.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10am Tuesday, September 5, 2017 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Park. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be Monday from 5 to 7pm with Vigil service to begin at 7pm at Schmitt’s Funeral Home in Quinter.

Memorials are suggested to Gove County Medical Center, Long-Term Care or Sacred Heart Church for masses. Donations to the fund may be sent to Schmitt Funeral Home, 901 South Main, Quinter KS 67752.

Condolences may be left for the family online at www.schmittfuneral.com.

David “Dave” Christopher Rachow passed away on Saturday, August 26, 2017 at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita, Kansas at the age of 64. He was born on November 26, 1952 in Webster City Iowa. He made his home, and worked in the tree trimming business, in Plainville, Kansas.

Dave is survived by his sons James Thomas of Salina, Stanley Churchwell, and Jonah Rachow; daughters Lovenda Gregg and husband Ira of Salina, Jamie Wilcox, and Jennifer Frecks; step-son Veryl Hashenberger of Plainville; step-daughters Tika Hall, and Tanya Lewis; brother Bruce Olson; sister Linda Finley; former spouses Deb Bennet, Cheri Thomas, Beth Jones, Heather Main, and Cheryl Earl; special friend Pam Reese; and close friends Donna and Wayne Jones, and Mary and Kevin Delano.

He was preceded in death by his parents Carl and Virginia Olson; brother Gary Olson; and his first wife, Gracie Udell, who also passed away on August 26, 2017 in Cambridge, Nebraska.

A private family inurnment will take place at a later date.

Brian Mark Atwell, 56, Hays, died Friday, September 1, 2017 at his brother and sister-in-law’s home in Hays.

He was born May 15, 1961 in Ransom, Kansas the son of Merritt Charles and Thelma Janice (Stutz) Atwell. He attended elementary and middle schools in Utica and graduated from Utica High School in 1979. He received his Associate’s Degree in Business from Garden City Community College and his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Fort Hays State University.

Brian was the Director of Living Independently in Northwest Kansas (LINK, Inc.) for twenty-seven years and was on the State and National Advocacy Committees for improving the lives of those with disabilities. He has advocated with the Kansas Legislators in Washington, D.C., the Kansas Legislature, Hays Chamber of Commerce, and numerous other groups for changes in policy for bettering individuals. His growing up years on the farm led him to great work ethics and compassion for others. Brian was a member of the Longbeards NWTF group and enjoyed the youth day showing of turkey calls. He enjoyed his Celebration Church family in Hays as well as his Utica, Kansas Christian Church family and friends.

Survivors include two brothers; Dennis Atwell and wife Jennie of Hays, Courtney Atwell and wife Paula of Utica, a sister; Merritta Combs of Pamona, Kansas, nine nieces and nephews; Thad Combs and wife Marisa, Theron Combs, Thane Combs and wife Dana, Jason Atwell, Justin Atwell and wife Trina, Jeff Atwell and wife Jamie, Brooke Nech and husband Justin, Taylor Atwell and wife Jessica, and Danee’ Langer and husband Jeremy, and fifteen great nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

A celebration of Brian’s life will be at 11:00 am on Wednesday, September 6, 2017 at Celebration Community Church, 5790 230th Ave., Hays. Inurnment will be at a later date in the Utica Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5:00 pm until 7:00 on Tuesday at the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine Street. The family encourages donations in Brian’s memory to the Brian Atwell Memorial Scholarship for youth endeavors, in care of the funeral home. He liked to “pay it forward” to better his community and America. Condolences may be left for the family at www.haysmemorial.com

SMITH CENTER – Ardyus E. Burgess, age 104, passed away Monday, September 4, 2017 at the Smith County Long Term Care in Smith Center.

Arrangements are pending. Click HERE for additional service details.

Verna Agnes (Hoffman) Befort, age 86, of Mechanicsburg, PA, and formerly of Hays, KS, died at The Bridges at Bent Creek on Thursday, August 31, 2017, after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s disease. Verna was born on Thursday, April 16, 1931, in Victoria, KS to the late Conrad Hoffman and Christina (Geist) Hoffman. Verna is preceded in death by her ten siblings: Clara Goetz, Mary Hammerschmidt, Leona Manor, Ervin Hoffman, Angie (Huckleberry) Burk, Edwin Hoffman, Elmer Hoffman, Hubert Hoffman, Ernest Hoffman, and Edwin Hoffman.

Verna’s survivors include her husband of 63 years, Vernon “Vern” Sylvester Befort; her three sons: Howard Befort and his wife, LaDonna, Bruce Befort and his wife, Kathy, Brian Befort and his wife, Angie; her eight grandchildren: Tammy, Kassandra, Britton, Michelle, Maggie, Brice, Brandon, Brooke; her two great-grandsons: Brendan and Ethan; two siblings: Henrietta Windholz, Leroy Hoffman; and 38 nieces and nephews.

Verna loved to bake and cook. With three growing sons and a large extended family, she enjoyed hosting dinners or picnics in the backyard. There was never a shortage of good food and homemade desserts. Verna loved to eat popcorn. Many times she would make it the old-fashioned way on the stove top. Any occasion was a good reason to enjoy her favorite snack; and she would often make popcorn balls during holidays and on special occasions for her grandkids. Verna’s big bowl was always close by as she watched her Colorado Rockies and Denver Broncos play on TV. An avid sports fan, Verna’s favorite team to watch and follow was her Rockies. On many summer evenings, she could be found in her chair with her popcorn, rooting on the players and saying colorful things about the coaching.

While raising three active sons, Verna was always at a field or gym. It was a comfort to her boys to know that they could look “over there” and count on their parents to be sitting in the bleachers or on lawn chairs. After games, Verna was always there to encourage her boys’ efforts and to help them handle disappointments and adversities. Their comforting presence did not end with their sons’ events; Verna and Vern traveled many miles and spent countless hours watching their grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and children of their nieces and nephews. Verna and Vern enjoyed traveling; and some of their fondest memories and greatest stories were their adventures with George and Lidia, traveling in a van through the U.S. and Canada.

Family history was especially important to Verna. Together with the help of her nieces and nephews, they published the Hoffman family history book to be enjoyed by generations for years to come. In 2003, it all came together as over 200 relatives gathered for a Hoffman Family Reunion in Westminster, Colorado, to celebrate their loved ones, both past and present. The phone was a part of her life, as Verna loved to talk to family and friends, and always keep up on everyone’s news. Always very generous with their time and love for family; throughout the years, Verna and Vern opened their home and hearts to nieces, nephews, and elders who needed special care, support, and love.

All are welcome to join Verna’s family at her visitation and gathering of family and friends on Sunday, September 10, 2017, from 4:00 p.m. until time of recitation of the Rosary by the Daughters of Isabella at 6:00 p.m. at Brock’s-Keithley Funeral Chapel, 2509 Vine Street, Hays, KS 67601. Verna’s family invites everyone to her Mass of Christian Burial on Monday, September 11, 2017, beginning at 11:00 a.m. at The Basilica of St. Fidelis, 900 Cathedral Avenue, Victoria, KS 67671; with Fr. Harvey P. Dinkel celebrating. Burial will follow in St. Francis of Assisi Cemetery in Munjor, KS followed by a time of food and fellowship at the VFW Ft. Hays Post 9076, 2106 Vine Street, Hays, KS 67601.

Contributions in celebration of Verna’s life can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, P.O. Box 96011, Washington, D.C. 20090, or www.ALZ.org. Verna’s family has entrusted her care to Myers – Buhrig Funeral Home and Crematory in Mechanicsburg, PA, (717) 766-3421.

Read Verna’s full obituary, view her memorial video and portrait, and sign her official guest book at Buhrig.com.

Vernon L. Patten, 78, of Colby, formerly of Brewster, died Friday, September 1, 2017 at Citizens Medical Center, Colby.

He was born October 9, 1938, in Goodland, KS, to V.L. (Lewis) and Letha (Duncan) Patten. Vernon attended grade school at the Barrett Township Country School and graduated from Brewster High School in 1956. He worked on his parent’s farm, north of Brewster, and during the winter he worked with Francis Lewallen, in an Auto Repair Shop, where he learned many of his mechanical skills. Vernon married Sally Boyle on September 27, 1958, in Goodland. From this union four children were born.

Vernon and family moved to the current farm site, northwest of Brewster in May of 1969. He raised corn, wheat, cattle and at one time had many hogs. In 1967 Vernon won the national Corn Growers Association Award, with 206 bushel corn. Vernon opened the RPM Auto Parts and Repair Shop, in Brewster, in the 1990’s, for several years. He was very proud of his kids and grandkids and their many accomplishments. Vernon enjoyed traveling, camping, talking about fishing and was a major car enthusiast and a parts “hoarder.” He was exceptionally proud of his 1957 Nomad and the 1991 Cadillac. Vernon will take his last ride home in his ’91 Caddy.

He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Julie Owens; grandson, Austin Golemboski and cousin, Doug Patten.

Vernon is survived by his wife, Sally, of Colby; children, Greg (Rashell) Patten, Ellinwood, KS, Jacque (Mark) Golemboski, Colby, KS and Jolene (David) Burgess, Las Vegas, NV; grandchildren, Nichell (Dusty) Lowery, Beloit, KS, Russell (Candi) Owens, Edson, KS, Danielle, Devann and Danae Patten, all of Ellinwood, KS, Zachary (Katie) Golemboski, Colby, KS and Quentin and Dailynn Burgess, both of Las Vegas, NV; great grandchildren, Lila, Trapp and Trayl Lowery, Jordin, Addison and Blade Owens and Lexy, Lenzy and Lakyn Golemboski.

Cremation was chosen. The family will receive friends from 5-7:00 p.m. Tuesday, September 5, 2017, at Baalmann Mortuary, Colby. The Memorial Service will be 10:30 a.m. CST Wednesday, September 6, 2017 at the Brewster Community Church. In lieu of flowers the family request memorials to CMCI Specialty Clinic or the Brewster Senior Center, in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 391, Colby, KS 67701. For Condolences or information visit www.baalmannmortuary.com