Marjorie Joye (Anderson) Meyer of Wichita, born in Portis, KS and a 1950 graduate of Portis HS, left her earthly life of 86 years on October 20, 2017, to spend eternity with the many loved ones that preceded her passing.

Preceding her were parents, Virgil & Lula (Angell) Anderson, brothers Richard and LaVern Anderson, and her husband of 50 years, Waldene “Wally” Meyer, with whom she lived in Kensington, KS where they owned and operated Meyer Electric from 1959-1999.

She is survived by husband Pat Anderson, her loving children, Dr. Angela Meyer (husband Arlen Sheldon) and Andrew Meyer (wife Deborah Schiell), and grandchildren Erik Meyer (wife Genavieve), Aria Sheldon, and Aden Sheldon. Her middle name, Joye, proved to be the theme for her life. She was a songbird who sang for many special occasions including weddings, funerals, and musical productions mostly in Smith County KS, but also in Kansas City, and Chicago. A fun companion on road trips, she could turn the frustration that often flares among people confined in a car too long into inside jokes they shared the rest of their lives.

During many stays in care facilities in her last decade, her care providers remarked on her infectious smile and delighted in her habit of assigning them silly nicknames. After retiring from 20 years as a Driver’s License Examiner, she took numerous part-time jobs including: delivering buses nationwide, working at the resort in Denali Alaska, transporting railroad crews, to name just a few. She loved making hand thrown pottery with her niece LaVerna Yarnell, specializing in communion sets for churches and dinner settings for wedding gifts, and traveling throughout KS selling their pottery at arts and crafts fairs. Perhaps most of all, she relished meeting people from all walks of life and believed every interaction was an occasion to nudge someone closer to joy.

Click HERE for service details.

Virjean M. Reeh, 80, Hays, formerly of Atwood, died Friday, October 20, 2017 at her home.

She was born January 30, 1937 in Atwood the daughter of Virgil and Mathilda (Barenberg) McKnight. On June 14, 1955 she was united in marriage to Eugene C. Reeh at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Atwood. He preceded her in death on September 8, 2003.

She received her associate degree from McCook Community College and was a Certified Dietician at Rawlins County Hospital for many years. After moving to Hays she worked at First Call for Help then was a Senior Companion and is an honorary member. She was an excellent seamstress, making clothes for her family and she also knitted and crocheted. Her hobbies were many and included cooking, catering and dinners, baking chocolate chip cookies by the bucketful, and fishing and camping. She loved to travel with her husband and family. They visited every state and took some trips overseas.

In the winter months, she looked forward to being at her second home in Mission, Texas, away from the cold winter months of Kansas. She was very involved with the Christian Mothers Altar Society and was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Atwood and St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Munjor, Kansas.

Survivors include two daughters; Beatrice Suppes and husband Michael of Hays and Bernadette Luedke and husband Dennis of Atwood, a brother Arthur McKnight of Enid, Oklahoma, four grandchildren; Nicholas Suppes and wife Amanda of Del Rio, TX, Natalie Armbrister and husband Darin of Ellis, Shane Luedke of Chicago, IL, and Sheena Brogan and husband Gary of Atwood, six great grandchildren; Alexa and Adam Armbrister, Eliana and Gage Suppes, and Jayden Ashford and Kian Brogan, and numerous nieces and nephews, other relatives, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and three sisters; Elizabeth McKnight, Phyllis Ann Reeh, and Joyce Annala.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 am on Tuesday, October 24, 2017 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Atwood, Kansas with Fr. Gnanesekar Kulandi officiating. Burial will follow in the Mt. Calvery Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm on Monday at the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home and from 10:00 am until service time on Tuesday at the church. The Christian Mothers from St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church will have a rosary at 6:00 pm followed by a parish vigil service at 6:30 pm, all on Monday at the funeral home.

Memorials are suggested to the Sacred Heart Christian Mothers Altar Society or to the St. Francis of Assisi Christian Mothers, in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be left for the family at www.haysmemorial.com

Lilas “Jeannene” Powers, 83, passed away October 19, 2017 in Hill City, Kansas. She was born to Ralph and Marjorie (Pierson) Hahn November 28, 1933 in Morganville, Kansas. Her sister Pat was born a few years later. The Hahn family moved to Norton, Kansas in 1946 and Jeannene graduated from Norton High School in 1951.

First meeting on a blind date, New Year’s Eve 1952, Darrell and Jeannene were engaged the following Valentine’s Day. They were married in Norton, August 16, 1953.

The couple moved to Manhattan where Darrell attended Kansas State University and Jeannene worked at Farm Bureau. Their first child, Kim was born in 1956 and in 1958 the family moved to Eugene, Oregon where Darrell took a job with the University of Oregon. In 1959 their son Kelly was born and Jeannene became a “stay at home” mom.

The following year, the family moved back to Manhattan for Darrell to work on his Master’s Degree and Jeannene went back to work with Farm Bureau. While living in Manhattan their third child, Kappi was born in 1962.

In 1963 the family moved to Derby, Kansas where they lived until 1975. While in Derby, Jeannene was a very active member and President of the PTA. Their home in Derby had a large yard, as Kelly recalls, needed grass, so they all pitched in and put down thousands of grass plugs. The back yard was famous or infamous for impromptu barbeques and just plain ole good times that were sometimes interrupted by fire trucks and even police cars!

Their final move was to Hill City, taking over the greenhouse business from Jeannene’s parents. They owned and operated Hill City Greenhouse until 1996. Later, Jeannene worked part-time in the bookkeeping department at Money Chevrolet where she was still working at the time of her death.

Jeannene was a member of the Eastern Star, the Red Hat Society and the Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish and enjoyed her Tuesday night Widow Ladies’ Supper Gathering.

Sports were an important part of her life. For years, she and Darrell had season tickets to the KSU football games, attending as many as possible. Even after Darrell’s death, Jeannene still headed east to see her beloved Wildcats. Purple was definitely her favorite color! Living close to her grandchildren afforded her opportunities to watch them play any and all the sporting events and many other activities they participated in.

Several months ago, Jeannene moved from her home to the housing north of the hospital. She loved it and got to know others there and never wanted to miss one of the card parties. Whether a game of pitch or pinochle, she so enjoyed those afternoons.

Jeannene was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; her sister, Pat Norris and brother-in-law, Bill Norris.

Leaving to mourn her passing are: daughters Kim (Don) Nickelson, Penokee, Kappi (Lyle) Billips, Hill City; son Kelly (Nancy) Powers, Derby; 10 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren, three nephews and three nieces.

Jeannene was a good friend to many and a confidante to some who will never forget the good and down to earth advice that she gave out of love. Her smile, her good humor, her warmth and a gift for making people comfortable will just be some of the many things she has left as her legacy to family and friends. God now has this wonderful lady with Him in Paradise, but we will miss her here. Rest in Peace, Jeannene.

Click HERE for service details.

Karen Louise Furr, 76, passed away on October 19, 2017 at the Hays Medical Center in Hays, Kansas. She was born on August 20, 1941 in Hays, Kansas the daughter of William and Erma (Foster) Halbleib.

She was a dispatcher for Ness County and Morton County. She was a member of the VFW Auxiliary, Liberal, Kansas. Karen was a graduate and Class Valedictorian of Brownell, Kansas.

Survivors include 3 daughters, Angie Lutters, Elkhart, Kansas; Jennifer (John) Weber, Camp Verde, California; and Kristina Brooke (Chad Oberhelman), Ness City, Kansas; a brother, Chet (Corlie) Halbleib, Tucson, Arizona; a sister, Carol (Harold) Dinkel, Ellis, Kansas; 7 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild. She was preceded in death by her parents, and a sister MaryAnn Schreiber.

Graveside service will be on Monday, October 23, 2017, 10:30 a.m. at the Vansburgh Cemetery, Brownell, Kansas.

Memorial contributions may be given to Good Samaritan Society of Ellis, Kansas.

(May 6, 1950 – October 23, 2017)

Services for Mr. Vacura are pending at this time with Pauls Funeral Home.

(February 5, 1928 – October 21, 2017)

Services for Mrs. Hickert are pending at this time with Pauls Funeral Home.

Marvin J. Werth, 94, Hays, died Friday, October 20, 2017 at Via Christi Villages Assisted Living.

He was born September 14, 1923 in Schoenchen, Kansas the son of Aloysius and Johanna (Zimmerman) Werth. He attended Schoenchen High School and prior to graduating, he chose to enlist with the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II. He later received his GED and went on to attend Salt Lake Business College in Hutchinson Kansas. He was a farmer and owner and operator of Marvin J. Werth Sand and Gravel. On August 24, 1948 he was united in marriage to Dorothy Herrman in Liebenthal, Kansas. They celebrated over 69 years of marriage.

He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, the Hays American Legion, the Schoenchen Third Degree Knights of Columbus and the Bishop Cunningham Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus. He was a superb athlete, loved sports, and played baseball, basketball, and football. Other hobbies he enjoyed were fishing, polka dancing, and square dancing.

Survivors include his wife Dorothy, of the home, three sons; Darrell Werth and wife Barbara, Terry Werth and wife Arlene, and Joseph Werth, all of Hays, three step-sisters; Cora Schumacher of Hays, Julieta Randa of Schoenchen, and Darlene Bortz of Great Bend, six grandchildren; Christopher Werth and wife Bethany of Overland Park, Ryan Werth and wife Sara of Prairie Village, Jessica Werth of Kansas City, MO, Jason Werth and wife Courtney of Manhattan, Jennifer Bever and husband Jesse of Atlanta, GA, and Joshua Werth and wife Emily of Ft. Collins, CO, two step-grandchildren; Kyle Grandy and wife Erika of Wichita, and Christopher Grandy and wife Raleen of Hays, and eighteen great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his step-father George Munsch, and four step-sisters; Marietta Beyer, Viola Werth, LaVera Dinges, and Berniece Dechant.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 am on Saturday, October 28, 2017 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 201 W. 13th, Hays, with Fr. Fred Gatschet officiating. Burial will follow in the St. Joseph Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4:00 pm until 8:00 on Friday and from 9:00 am until 9:45 on Saturday, all at the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine St. A Daughters of Isabella rosary will be at 6:00, a parish vigil service will be at 6:30, and a combined Third and Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus rosary will be at 7:00 pm, all on Friday at the funeral home.

Memorials are suggested in Marvin’s memory to St. Joseph Catholic Church or to TMP-Marian High School, in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be left for the family at www.haysmemorial.com

LuVerna K. Schmeidler, 87, Hays, died Monday, October 23, 2017 at the Hays Medical Center.

Funeral arrangements are pending and will be announced by Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home.

Raymond William Bongartz, age 78, of Ogallah, passed away October 13, 2017, at Hays Medical Center, Hays. He was born July 10, 1939, in rural Trego County, to Frank Henery and Mary Cecelia (Jacobs) Bongartz.

Raymond was a graduate of Ellis High School. He went on to serve our country in the United States Army. He was a farmer and rancher, worked in the oil field, and went on to work for Trego County Road and Bridge Department before enjoying retirement. Raymond was an avid gardener and enjoyed bowling, traveling, going to local auctions, and collecting. Raymond will be missed by many friends and family.

Survivors include siblings, Janette Shantz of Branson, Missouri; Joanne Mays of Tucumcari, New Mexico; Norma Offutt, of Hays; Lynda Wallace of Houston, Texas; and Susan Ketchum of Choctaw, Oklahoma; David Bongartz of WaKeeney; and Kandy (Steve) Michel of Garden City; 13 nieces and nephews; and numerous great nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, James and Gary (infant); and one nephew.

Memorial/Vigil service will be 6:30 p.m., Friday, October 27, 2017, at Schmitt Funeral Home, WaKeeney. Inurnment will take place at a later date at Kansas Veterans’ Cemetery, WaKeeney.
There will be no visitation as cremation was chosen.

Memorial contributions are suggested to Knights of Columbus (Ellis). Donations to the fund may be sent to Schmitt Funeral Home, 336 North 12th, WaKeeney, KS 67672.

Phillipsburg resident Art Miller passed away Thursday, Oct. 12, 2017, at his home in Phillipsburg at the age of 77.

He was born March 5, 1940 in Coffey County, KS, the son of John Arthur & Wanda (Birk) Miller. Art worked as a Production Supervisor for Tamko Roofing Products for many years.

Survivors include his wife, Janice, of Phillipsburg; three daughters: Tanya Czarnecki of Erie, PA, Julie Quaring of Shelton, NE and Andrea Keesee of Phillipsburg, KS; his sister, Ruth Wentz of Wichita, KS; as well as five grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held Thursday, Oct. 26, at 10:30 a.m. in the Luctor Christian Reformed Church, Phillips County, with Pastor Aaron Rust officiating. Military honors will be conducted by the U.S. Navy.

Friends may sign the book Wednesday, Oct. 25, from 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. at the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, Phillipsburg, where the family will receive friends from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. that evening.

Memorial contributions may be given to Teens For Christ, Hospice Services, or the Luctor Christian Reformed Church. Online condolences to: www.olliffboeve.com.

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

Phillips County resident LeRoy L. Braun passed away Sat., Oct. 21, 2017 at the Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney, NE at the age of 77.

He was born Oct. 27, 1939 in Ellis County, KS, the son of Leonard & Regina (Drieling) Braun. On Nov. 11, 1961, he married Thelma Chestnut in Logan, KS. She preceded him in death on Dec. 30, 2013.

LeRoy is survived by two sons, Delton Braun of Phillipsburg and David Chestnut of Franklin, NE; five daughters: Regina Borthwick of Hays, KS, Rhonda Stegmaier and Roxie Braun, both of Phillipsburg, KS, Rolanda Capps of Kirwin, KS and Becky Davis of Waverly, NE; his brother, Donald Braun of Stockton, KS; his sister, Barbara Zimmerman of Hays, KS; 18 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

Mass of Christian Burial will be Friday, Oct 27, at 10:30 a.m. in the SS Philip & James Catholic Church, Phillipsburg, with Fathers George Chalbhagam & Alvin Werth officiating. Burial will follow in the Marvin Cemetery, Glade, KS.

LeRoy will lie in-state on Wed. & Thurs. from 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. in the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, Phillipsburg. A Rosary service will be Thurs. evening at 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home with the family receiving friends afterward from 7:30 – 8:30 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be given to the LeRoy L. Braun Memorial Fund. Online condolences to: www.olliffboeve.com.

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

Phillipsburg resident Gertrude M. Kelly passed away Sun., Oct. 22, 2017 at the Phillips County Hospital in Phillipsburg, KS at the age of 99.

She was born Jan. 11, 1918 in Phillips County, KS, the daughter of Herman & Margaret (Himmelein) Merklein. She married Melvin Kelly on Feb. 27, 1946 in Stuttgart, KS. He preceded her in death on Sept. 22, 2003.

Survivors include her sons, Warren Kelly of Phillipsburg and Kent Kelly of Wichita, KS; her brother, Ehrhart Merklein of Phillipsburg; 2 grandchildren, 3 step grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren and 2 step great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, Oct. 26, at 2:00 p.m. in the Emmanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church, Stuttgart, with Pastor Lee Bennight officiating. Burial will follow in the Fairview Cemetery, Phillipsburg.

Mrs. Kelly will lie in-state Tuesday, Oct. 24, from 5 – 9 p.m. and Wed., Oct. 25, from 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. at the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, Phillipsburg.

Memorial contributions may be given to the Emmanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church. Online condolences to: www.olliffboeve.com.

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

Vicki Ann Woldt passed into Heaven on August 17, 2017, in Bel Aire, Kansas. She was born on April 22, 1943, to Eldon and Phena VanCampen, formerly of Colby, Kansas.

Following graduation from Colby, she obtained her nursing degree at Mercy School of Nursing in Denver, Colorado. She enlisted in the Army Nurses Corp and served our country in various locations around the world including 13 months in Vietnam with the 7h Surgical Hospital in Xuan Loe. She continued her education at Catholic University in Washington, D.C., and retired from the military as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1995.

She enjoyed her retirement with her companion, Pat Steinlicht, residing in Apache Junction, Arizona. Following the passing of Pat, she relocated to Bel Aire, Kansas to be near family.

Vicki is survived by her son, Michael Woldt of Fayetteville, North Carolina, her daughter, Eve Woldt, of Portland Maine, her brother, Mike (Connie) Vancampen, of Turon, Kansas, her nephew, Brian Vancampen of Pratt, Kansas, and niece, Lisa (Cole) Young of Frisco, Texas.

Cremation has taken place and a military memorial service are scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday, October 28th, at Beulah Cemetery – Colby, KS .

Donations may be made to Kansas Honor Flight, P.O. Box 2371, Hutchinson, Kansas 67504.

Condolences: kersenbrockfuneralchapel.com

Albert “Bud” Malsam, age 89, of WaKeeney, passed away Monday, October 23, 2017 at Trego County Lemke Memorial Hospital Long Term Care, WaKeeney.

Services are pending with Schmitt Funeral Home, WaKeeney.

LuVerna K. Schmeidler, 87, Hays, died Monday, October 23, 2017 at the Hays Medical Center.

She was born August 5, 1930 in Hays, Kansas the daughter of Joseph and Salomia (Wittman) Stroemel.

In 1948, she graduated from Victoria High School.  She was united in marriage to Linus H. Schmeidler on September 14, 1957 at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Walker.  They celebrated 55 years of marriage before he preceded her in death on August 4, 2013.  She was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, the Daughters of Isabella, worked at Travenol, and was a cook at St. Ann’s School in Walker and St. John’s New Horizons for many years.

Survivors include two brothers-in-law; Duane Klein and Edward Froelich, both of Hays and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by two brothers; Julius T. Stroemel and Marvin Stroemel and two sisters; Dolores Froelich and Edna Klein.

Mass of Christian burial will be at 10:00 am on Friday, October 27, 2017 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 215 W. 13^th Street.  Burial will follow in the St. Joseph Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 5:00 pm until 8:00 on Thursday and from 9:00 am until 9:45 on Friday, all at Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine Street.  A Daughters of Isabella rosary will be at 6:00 pm followed by a parish vigil at 6:30 pm, both on Thursday at the funeral home.  Memorials are suggested in LuVerna’s memory to St. Ann’s Cemetery in Walker, Kansas in care of the funeral home.  Condolences may be left for the family at www.haysmemorial.com

(May 6, 1950 – October 23, 2017)

Funeral Service: Saturday, Oct. 28 at 3:00 p.m. at the funeral home in Oberlin with Pastor Chris Nelson officiating

Burial: Big Timber Cemetery, rural Jennings

Memorial Fund: In his name

Visitation: Friday from 8:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m., with the family greeting friends from 5:00-7:00 p.m., and Saturday after 9:00 a.m.

Pauline Marie Zerr, 89, of Oakley, passed away peacefully on Monday, October 23, 2017 in her home.

She was born November 24, 1927, in Ness County, KS, to Frank and Catherine (Dinkel) Pfeifer. On May 20, 1947 she married Clem A.J. Zerr at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in St. Peter, KS. They enjoyed 66 years of marriage together until Clem’s passing in 2014.

Pauline was a busy farm wife and mother always singing or humming church hymns while she went about her day. With her children at her side learning from her, she grew a large garden, raised chickens, milked cows, cooked and baked lots of goodies as well as always ready to help Clem on their farm whether driving silage truck, wheat truck, changing irrigation pipe, feeding the pigs, or taking hot meals and lunches to the harvest fields.

Whatever needed done to help Clem or one of her children, she was there. She was our inspiration and our strength, as well as underneath it all she had the biggest, most generous, caring heart. She and Clem retired in April of 2009 when they moved to Oakley. She was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, lifetime member of VFW Auxiliary, Daughters of Isabella, and in her younger years, she was an active member of St. Mary’s Altar Society, Go-Getters EHU and Gove County Farmers Union.

She was preceded in death by her husband; parents; three sons, Duane (infant), David and Leroy Zerr; grandson, Marvin Miller and siblings, Albert (Jennie) Pfeifer, Alvin Pfeifer and Helen Zimmerman.

She is survived by seven children, Donald Zerr, of Grinnell, Geraldine Zerr, of Hays, Marietta (Tom) Plummer, of Oakley, Ruth (Donnie) Miller, of Dighton, Ella Dankenbring, of Kearney, NE, Duane Zerr, of Pittsburg and Elaine (Dale) Jones, of Council Grove; siblings, Clarence (Thelma) Pfeifer, Allen (Alfreida) Pfeifer, Lloyd (Linda) Pfeifer, Caroline Flax, Catherine (Felix) Heier, brother-in-law Jake Zimmerman and sister-in-law Anna Pfeifer and fourteen grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be 5 -7pm on Friday, October 27, 2017 at Baalmann Mortuary, Oakley. Vigil service will be at 7:00pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00am on Saturday, October 28 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Oakley with burial following at Immaculate Conception Cemetery, Grinnell. Memorials are suggested to St. Joseph Catholic School, Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Grinnell and Grinnell V.F.W. Auxiliary in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 204, Oakley, KS 67748. Online Condolences: www.baalmannmortuary.com

Lifelong WaKeeney resident Albert “Bud” Malsam, age 89, passed away Monday, October 23, 2017 at Trego County Lemke Memorial Hospital Long Term Care, WaKeeney. He was born June 22, 1928 in rural Collyer, Kansas to George and Frances Clara (Keller) Malsam.

On August 19, 1950, Bud was united in marriage to Dora Lee Gano in Collyer, Kansas. They enjoyed eighteen years of marriage together until Dora Lee passed away on October 6, 1968. On April 17, 1971, he was married to Roseann Schmidt in Dodge City, Kansas. They were wed for forty-three years before Roseann passed away on April 9, 2015.

Bud owned and operated Malsam Terracing Company for many years.  He designed and patented components used in the manufacturing of the Malsam Terracer. Bud also farmed throughout his adult life.

Bud enjoyed driving through the countryside, watching the wheat and milo in all phases of growth. He had a mental compass on these drives, where he would never be lost. He could tell you what county you were in based solely on the road surface. According to Bud every road “was a good road”, and could be traversed without difficulty regardless of your vehicle. Daily morning stops at the local coffee shop was also a favorite activity for Bud. The visits with his community peers were important to him. He will be dearly missed by many.

Survivors include a son, Doug Malsam (Laura) of WaKeeney; five daughters, Colleen Taylor of Litchfield Park, Arizona, Judy (Richard) Hearting of WaKeeney, Jody (Dan) Hoeffner of Las Vegas, Nevada, Micki (Roger) Hammer of Olathe, Kansas, and Vicki (James) Smith of Woodbury, Minnesota; seventeen grandchildren; twenty-one great-grandchildren; a brother, George (Margaret) Malsam of Denver, Colorado; and four sisters, Georgia (Dick) Austin of Medicine Lodge, Kansas, Gerry Wildeman of Denver, Madeline (Joe) Gallagher of Ft. Collins, Colorado, and Lavetta (Tom) Kazda of Chicago, Illinois. He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Dora Lee (Gano) Malsam; his second wife, Roseann (Schmitt) Malsam; and four siblings, Bill, Renilda, Lorina, and Alvin.

Mass of Christian burial will be 10:30 a.m., Friday, October 27, 2017 at Christ the King Catholic Church, WaKeeney. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

Visitation will be Thursday, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. with a parish vigil to be held at 7:00 p.m., all at the funeral home in WaKeeney.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Trego Hospital Endowment Foundation (LTC or Assisted Living) or Christ the King Catholic Church. Contributions made to the organization may be sent to Schmitt Funeral Home, 336 North 12th, WaKeeney, KS 67672.

Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.schmittfuneral.com.

Felix R. Wasinger, 93, of Hutchinson, died October 25, 2017, at Pleasant Hills, Hutchinson. He was born July 24, 1924, in Catharine, to Jacob J. and Elizabeth (Miller) Wasinger. Felix and his seven siblings were raised in the Hays area. He graduated from St. John’s Military Academy. Following high school, Felix was on active duty in the U.S. Navy during World War II. After the war, he returned to Hays where he attended and graduated from Fort Hays State University and earned his business degree. He worked for the U.S. Treasury Department for 33 years. In retirement, Felix was a co-owner of Wheatland Printing and later worked as an independent business and tax consultant.

On May 19, 1951, he married Mildred B. Withers in Wichita. Together they raised their four daughters, Karen, Mary, Joan and Laura in Hutchinson. Mildred died April 3, 1999. Later, Felix married Esther Bauman.

Felix is survived by: daughters, Karen Washburn of Hutchinson, Mary Grotz and husband John of Houston, Joan Rosenberg and husband Mark of Lincoln, NE, Laura Lockee and husband Brad of Pierce, NE; stepdaughter, Kathleen Haseldon Chrisman of Rose Hill; 13 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by: his parents; infant children, Elizabeth Ruth Wasinger, Alan Gerard Wasinger; son-in-law, John Washburn and seven siblings.

Rosary will be 7 p.m. Thursday, October 26, 2017, at Elliott Mortuary, Hutchinson. Parish Rosary will be 1:30 p.m. Friday, October 27, 2017, with Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 2 p.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 215 W. 13th St. Hays, with Father Earl Befort officiating. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, Hays. Friends may call from 1-8 p.m. today at Elliott Mortuary, Hutchinson.
Memorials may be made to Children Emergency Shelter Home, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.

Silvia Gottschalk, age 61, of LaCrosse, KS, passed away on Wednesday, October 25, 2017 at her home in rural Rush County. She was born on March 17, 1956 in Bamberg, Germany to Robert and Helga (Benker) Werth. They preceded her in death. Silvia attended Hays High School. She married Dennis Gottschalk on September 29, 1973 at the St. Joseph Church in Liebenthal, KS. Together they shared 44 years of marriage.

Silvia was a Certified Nursing Assistant for the Rush Co. Memorial Hospital. She enjoyed working in her yard, being a CNA and mostly important, her grandchildren. During the Summer and Fall months, Silvia loved cooking for the hired hands that helped out with the farm work and the Pheasant hunters during the Fall.

She is survived by her beloved husband of the home, Dennis Gottschalk; three daughters, Kerri Gottschalk Stecklein of Hays, KS, Shanon Gottschalk Herrman and her husband Glenn of LaCrosse, KS and Rhonda LaBarge and her husband Marty of Hays, KS; four brothers, Stan Werth of Wewahitchka, FL, Glenn Werth and his wife Michelle of Palmdale, CA, Kirk Werth and his wife Heather of Victoria, KS and Steve Werth and his wife Laurie of Schoenchen; one sister, Lisa “Chach” Werth Beilman and her husband Kenny of Hays, KS; six grandchildren, Jasmine Stecklein, Brett, Blake & Brooke Herrman, Emily & Haley LaBarge, as well as a loving extended family.

Funeral services for Silvia will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 210 W. 13th St., Hays, KS on Monday, October 30, 2017 at 10:00 AM. Burial will follow at the St. Joseph Cemetery.

A family conducted Rosary will take place on Sunday, October 29, at 7:00 PM followed by a parish vigil service at 7:30 PM both being held at the Brock’s-Keithley Funeral Chapel & Crematory, 2509 Vine St., Hays, KS 67601.

Visitation is from 4:00-8:00 P.M., Sunday, at Brock’s-Keithley Funeral Chapel & Crematory and from 9-9:30 A.M. on Monday at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions can be made in Silvia’s loving memory to the Rush County Memorial Hospital, 801 Locust St., LaCrosse, KS 67548. Contributions can be mailed or left with the funeral home.

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