Naomi Kathryn Strecker, 88, of Russell, Kansas, died on Saturday, December 12, 2020, at the Russell Regional Hospital in Russell, Kansas. Naomi was born on February 12, 1932, on the family farm in rural Sylvan Grove, Kansas, the daughter of Harm and Laura (Hopfer) Gerdes.  She grew up in Sylvan Grove and graduated from Sylvan Grove High School in the class of 1950.   After high school, she graduated with an associate’s degree in business from St. John’s College in Winfield, Kansas.  She met, fell in love and was united in marriage to Marvin R. Strecker on October 18, 1953,

John Russell “Russ” Reynolds, 80, of Russell, Kansas, died on Tuesday, December 08, 2020, at the Willow House in Hays, Kansas. Russ was born on April 02, 1940, in Stockton, Kansas, the son of John William and Edna Marie (Hamit) Reynolds.  He grew up in Stockton until he was in the 8th grade and at that time he moved with his family to Natoma, Kansas, where he attended Natoma High School.  He met, fell in love and was united in marriage to Marthana R. Matheson on December 22, 1961, in The Methodist Church in Natoma, Kansas.  From this union, Russ

Lloyd Leroy Snook, 72, of Russell, Kansas, passed away Monday, December 7, 2020 at his residence. Leroy was born on Friday, February 13, 1948, in Russell, Kansas, the son of Oscar M. and Beulah (Burke) Snook.  He grew up in Russell and graduated from Russell High School in the class of 1966.  He then attended a tech school. Leroy served his country in the U.S. Navy performing his boot camp in San Diego, California in 1967.  He served on the attack aircraft carrier USS Constellation CVA-64 as an electrician from 1968 to 1971.  He had 3 combat cruises in Vietnam

Evelyn Margaret (Echols) Davis, 97, of Russell, Kansas, passed away Sunday, December 6, 2020 at the Russell Regional Hospital. Evelyn was born September 28, 1923 in Frisco, Oklahoma.  She was the daughter of John and Florence (Bedwell) Echols.  She grew up on a farm near Frisco, and attended country schools in the Stonewall and Ada, Oklahoma area. Evelyn was united in marriage to Lloyd Davis on January 12, 1940 in Coalgate, Oklahoma.  This union was blessed with three children; Ruth Ann, Ron and Jim.  Lloyd worked for Halliburton and the family moved around following his work.  They lived in Oklahoma

Christina Linn Bourland, 52, of Russell, Kansas, died of COVID-19 on Sunday, December 6, 2020, at her home in Russell. Christina was born January 18, 1968 in Cheyenne Wells, Colorado to Oscar and Bonnie (Baehler) Fuentez. She was raised in Sharon Springs, Kansas, along with her younger siblings Regina and Joe. She graduated from Wallace County High School in 1986. Chris earned an Associate in Arts degree from Dodge City Community College and a Bachelor of Science degree from Wichita State University in 1991. She furthered her education earning a Master of Science in Communication Disorders/Speech Language Pathology from Fort

Connie Jo Koch, 59, of Russell, Kansas, died on Wednesday, December 02, 2020, at the Russell Regional Hospital in Russell, Kansas. Connie was born on October 12, 1961, in Russell, Kansas, the daughter of Robert Lee and Sharon Maxine (Jones) Hilgenberger.  She grew up in Russell, Kansas, and graduated from Russell High School.  She was united in marriage to James P. Koch on May 03, 2006, in Russell.  She worked as a Certified Nurse’s Assistant at Wheatland Nursing Center and worked as a supervisor at Great Bend Health and Rehabilitation.  She enjoyed yard work, gardening, cooking, Kansas City Chiefs and

Clifton “Cliff” Paul Wiggins, 71, of Russell, Kansas, died on Monday, November 30, 2020, at his home in Russell, Kansas. Cliff was born on May 21, 1949, in Winfield, Kansas, the son of Paul Floyd and Evelyn Irene (Swaney) Wiggins.  He grew up in Pratt, Kansas, and graduated from Pratt High School.  After high school he received an associate’s degree from Pratt Community College and also attended Ft. Hays State University.  He moved to Russell, Kansas in 1974.  He met, fell in love and was united in marriage to Jane Younger on September 18, 1976, in Hays, Kansas.  From this

Ruth Elder, 99, of Russell, Kansas, died on Sunday, November 29, 2020, at the Wheatland Nursing Center in Russell, Kansas.  Ruth Schooling born to William Albert and Margaret  Elizabeth (Kennedy) Schooling on May 14, 1921, in Hardin, Ray County, Missouri.  She had older brother Sam and two younger brothers Paul and Bob. She grew up in the Hardin and Lexington, MO areas. She had fond memories of Sunday afternoons with the extended Schooling family sharing meals and listening to her dad and uncles play instruments and sing.  Her last two years of high school was in Kansas City, MO at

Ula Faye Olsen, 77, of Russell, Kansas, died on Saturday, November 28, 2020, at the Russell Regional Hospital in Russell, Kansas. Faye was born on October 03, 1943, in Russell, Kansas, the daughter of Howard Sears and Talma Ula (Landis) Keyes.  She grew up in Russell and graduated from Russell High School in the class of 1961.  She met, fell in love and was united in marriage to Robert John Olsen on June 01, 1961, in Russell.  From this union Faye and Robert were blessed with 3 daughters Michelle, Mary and Molly.  Faye worked fulltime as a wife, mother and

Jo Ann (Kitts) Unrein, 66, of Russell, Kansas, passed away Sunday, November 22, 2020 at the Via Christi St. Francis Hospital in Wichita, Kansas. Jo Ann was born November 17, 1954 in Concordia, Kansas.  She was one of three children born to Billie O. and Doris (Johnson) Kitts.  She grew up on a farm near Mankato, Kansas and graduated from Mankato High School.  She then attended and graduated from Ft. Hays State University with a degree in Elementary Education. Jo Ann was united in marriage to Arlyn Unrein on October 9, 1976 in Hays, Kansas.  This union was blessed with