LoRee G. (Popp) Dietz, 90, of Hays, Kansas and formerly of Russell, Kansas, passed Sunday, March 3, 2019 at Via Christi Village in Hays. LoRee was born March 24, 1928, in Barton County, Kansas, the daughter of William and Olinda (Schwartzkopf) Popp.  She was Baptized and Confirmed in the Reformed Lutheran Church.   She grew up in the Susank, Kansas area and graduated from Hoisington High School.  She then attended Ft. Hays State University and obtained a Teaching Degree.  She taught two years at North Star Dist #62 and two years at Rude School Dist. #91. LoRee was united in marriage

Nancy Marie (Dole) Poche’-Stoppel, 70, of Russell, Kansas, passed away Saturday, March 2, 2019 at the Russell Regional Hospital in Russell. Nancy was born December 21, 1948 in Russell, Kansas.  She was the daughter of Kenneth D. and Dorothy M. (Brown) Dole.  She grew up in Russell and graduated from Russell High School in ’67.  She then attended and graduated from the Cosmetology School in Great Bend, Kansas. Nancy was united in marriage to David H. Poche’.  This union was blessed with two sons, Shane and Dustin.  Later in life, she was united in marriage to Keith Stoppel on September

Laddie E. Merryfield, 87, formerly of Russell, Kansas, died on Saturday, February 23, 2019, in Lenexa, Kansas. Laddie was born to Clyde E. & Virginia C. (Emery) Merryfield on October 20, 1931 in Minneapolis, Kansas.  He graduated from Minneapolis High School in 1949.  Laddie married Lola Mae Rasmussen on June 1, 1950 and together they enjoyed a lasting marriage of over fifty years.  Laddie and Lola Mae moved to Lindsey, Kansas where they planned to be farmers.  The flood of 1951 changed those plans, and Laddie enlisted in the United States Air Force later that year.  After training in Natchitoches,

Billy Jean Wahl, 78, of Russell, Kansas passed away on Thursday, February 21, 2019at Hays Medical Center. Billy was born on on November 7th, 1940 in Denver, Colorado. She spent most of herchildhood and all of her adult life in Kansas. For the last 29 years, Billy lived inRussell, served by Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas. Billy enjoyeddancing and singing to music, shopping for new clothes, wearing big sunglasses, hatsand jewelry, and spending time with friends. Billy will be deeply missed by many lovingfriends and staff. A memorial service to celebrate Billy’s life will be held at 1:00 pm on

Jerry Lee Langhofer, age 76, passed away on February 11, 2019, of natural causes in his home in North Platte, Nebraska. Jerry was born at home in Bunker Hill, Kansas on February 21, 1942, to Elmo and Ella (Feil) Langhofer. He graduated from Bunker Hill High School and attended Fort Hays University. Jerry worked for many years in the oil field business. He was a roustabout in his younger years and owned his own directional drilling company called the A-team later in life. He ended his oil career as a contract directional driller who traveled across the country. He was a huge

Geneva Ann (Schmidt) Schumacher, 75, of Great Bend, Kansas, and formerly of Russell, Kansas, passed away Saturday, February 9, 2019 at the Medical Lodge of Great Bend. Geneva was born May 24, 1943 in Grinnell, Kansas.  She was one of four children born to Raymond Joseph and Anna Martha (Wolf) Schmidt.  She grew up in Grinnell and graduated from Grinnell High School in 1961 as the Valedictorian of her Class. Geneva was united in marriage to James Joseph Schumacher on October 7, 1961 at the Catholic Parish in Grinnell.  This union was blessed with four children; Rachell, Michael, Bruce and

Marjorie Marie Graham, 80, of Russell, Kansas, died on Friday, February 08, 2019, at Wheatland Nursing Center in Russell, Kansas. Marjorie was born on December 03, 1938, in Rural Paradise, Kansas, the daughter of James and Helen (Naylor) Pooley.  She grew up in the Paradise, Bunker Hill and North Wilson Lake area and lived in the Russell County area all her life.  She graduated from Bunker Hill High School in the class of 1957.  She was married to Phillip S. Madden on November 29, 1957, and from this union they were blessed with 4 daughters Cindy, Kimberley, Cathy and Penny. 

Anna Martha (Scholz) Klema, 102, of Russell, Kansas, died on Wednesday, February 06, 2019, at the Homestead Assisted Living Center in Russell, Kansas. Anna was born on April 19, 1916, in Huron, Kansas, the daughter of George F. and Anna Dorathea (Buttron) Scholz.  She grew up in Huron, Kansas, and graduated from Huron High School in 1933.  She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Home Economics from Kansas State University in 1940.  After college she worked as a extension agent for 2 years.  She met, fell in love and was united in marriage to Dell Klema on February 14, 1943. 

Francis J. “Frank” Ptacek, 85, of Russell, Kansas, passed away Saturday, February 2, 2019 at the Kansas Soldiers’ Home in Dodge City, Kansas, surrounded by family. Frank was born June 25, 1933 in Dorrance, Kansas.  He was one of ten children born to Frank C. and Anna (Kepka) Ptacek.  He grew up on a farm near Dorrance and graduated from Dorrance High School in 1951.  He then attended one year at Kansas State University before needing to return home and help on the family farm. Frank served his country in the U.S. Army from 1953-1955.  Throughout his service, he served

Teresa J. “Terri” (Vestring) Hamlin, 63, of Russell, Kansas, passed away Saturday, January 19, 2019 at the Hays Medical Center in Hays, Kansas. Teresa was born August 6, 1955 in El Dorado, Kansas.  She was one of three children born to James W. and Delores “Dode” (Murray) Vestring.  She grew up in Burns, Kansas and attended school there, before moving to Wichita and graduating from South East High School.  She then attended a year at Kansas University. Teresa was united in marriage to Christopher Hamlin on February 7, 1981 in Wichita, Kansas.  This union was blessed with three children; Jennifer,