Lillian Jean “Lil” Becker, 80, of Russell, Kansas, died on Wednesday, November 24, 2021, at her home in Russell. Lillian was born on July 29, 1941 in Victoria, Kansas, the daughter of Joseph and Florina (Windholz) Graf.  She grew up in Victoria, Kansas, and graduated from Victoria High School in the class of 1959.  She met, fell in love and was united in marriage to John Becker on April 23, 1966, in Victoria.  From this union Lillian and John were blessed with a son Wayne and they made there home in Russell.  Her fulltime job was wife, mother and homemaker

Milan Spencer Masters, 85, went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, November 23, 2021.  He was a lifelong resident and supporter of the Natoma community.  He was born September 12, 1936 to Cecil and Lucille (McClellan) Masters on the homestead south of Natoma.  He married his high school sweetheart, Dianne Mohler, on January 14, 1956.  He began his life in business when he opened Masters Oil in 1959, starting when he was 18, in the community he was ever committed to.  He expanded their business to Russell, Woodston and Alton.  He also served as a USD 399 bus

Betty R. White, 97, of LaGrange Park, Illinois and former Russell County resident, died on Sunday, November 21, 2021 at the Plymouth Place Senior Living Community in La Grange Park, Illinois. Betty was born on June 19, 1924, in Paradise, Kansas, the daughter of Joseph R. and Julia B. (Cobb) Hubbard.  She grew up in the Paradise and Waldo area, and graduated from Waldo High School.   Betty married Robert W. Lake August 7, 1942.  A daughter, Rebecca, was adopted in July 1949 and in late 1950 Betty and Bob adopted two sisters, Frankie and Dorothy. In early 1960, due to

Kathryn Marie “Kathy” Scott, 73, of Luray, Kansas, died on Thursday, November 11, 2021, at the Hays Medical Center in Hays, Kansas. Kathy was born on September 07,1948, in Anamosa, Iowa, the daughter of Robert E. and Pauline C. (Heick) Wensorra.  As a young girl she grew up in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and later moved to Iowa City, Iowa and graduated from Iowa City High School in the class of 1966.  She met, fell in love and was united in marriage to LeRoy Paul Scott on February 09, 1971, in Iowa City, Iowa.  From this union, they were blessed with

Thomas Gene “Tom” Cook, 63, of Russell, Kansas, passed away Tuesday, November 2, 2021 at Wheatland Nursing Center in Russell. Tom was born September 7, 1958 in Russell, the son of Bob and Norma Jean (Tomlin) Cook.  He lived all of his life in Russell.  He attended Bickerdyke Special Education Class and received a diploma from Russell High School in the Class of 1981.  He then attended the Reed Center in Hays, Kansas since 1982 and the Pioneer Center in Russell since 2019.  He was a paperboy for the Russell Daily News for many years.  He was a member of

Herbert David Kraft, 92, of Russell, Kansas, passed away Tuesday morning, November 2, 2021, at the Russell Regional Hospital in Russell. Herbert was born January 11, 1929 on the family farm south of Russell.  He was one of twelve children born to David and Emma (Steinert) Kraft.  He grew up and attended country schools in Russell County. Herbert served his country in the U.S. Army in the Infantry during the Korean War in the years 1951 to 1953.  After his tour of duty he returned to his family farm. Herbert was united in marriage to Frances Ilene Fisher on August

Geary Gene Schafer, 80, of Gorham, Kansas, died on Sunday, October 31, 2021, at the Russell Regional Hospital in Russell, Kansas. Geary was born on June 10, 1941, in Milberger, Kansas, the son of Elmer and Esther I. (Nuss) Schafer.  He grew up in the Milberger, Galatia, Russell and Gorham, Kansas area and attended Milberger Rural Schools.  He was united in marriage to Judith Arlene Dumler in 1961.  From this union Geary and Judith were blessed with raising two children Tonya and Terry.  Judith preceded him in death on June 28, 1985.  Geary found love for a second time and

Terri J. Rather, 65, of Salina, Kansas, died on Saturday, October 30, 2021, at the Eaglecrest Retirement Community in Salina, Kansas.  God blessed Terri with a holy death and took her home to rest in the arms of Jesus to await the resurrection of the dead. God gave to Terri (Pfortmiller) Rather the gift of earthly life on February 18, 1956, born to Orville and Loretta (Blank) Pfortmiller in Russell, Kansas.  God gave her the gift of new life in Christ through the sacrament of Holy Baptism on March 4, 1956, and she was confirmed in this Christian faith on

Anthony Henry “Tony” Witt, Jr., 90, of Russell, Kansas, passed away Thursday, October 21, 2021. Born in Hays, Kansas on September 23, 1931, to parents, Anthony Henry, Sr. and Ethel Mae (Waudby) Witt, Tony grew up in Russell, Kansas and graduated from Russell High School in 1949.  Following high school, he received his Bachelor of Science in Business and ROTC training at the University of Kansas in Lawrence. Tony served in the United States Army from 1953 to 1955. He met, fell in love and married, Rosanna Berryhill on August 9, 1952, in Russell, Kansas. They were blessed with five

Gladys Louise Baird, 87, of Bunker Hill, Kansas, died on Thursday, October 14, 2021, at her home in Bunker Hill. Gladys Louise (Lange) Baird was born August 12, 1934, at the family home North of Bunker Hill, Kansas. Her parents were Frank and Alma (Frick) Lange. Her elementary school years were at the Success and Cedar Creek country schools. Her High School years were at the Bunker Hill High School where she graduated in 1952. After graduation she attended Brown Mackie Business School in Salina, KS. She completed her schooling there and then went to work for Bradly Construction Company