Obituaries

Feb 7, 2026

Joel Patrick Schroeder, 56, of Thoreau, New Mexico, passed away on February 7, 2026. He was born March 7, 1969, in Salina, Kansas, the son of Nicholas and Judy (Cooper) Schroeder. He was raised in Rawlins, Wyoming, where he graduated from Rawlins High School with the Class of 1987.

Joel devoted his life to faith, education, and...

Jan 31, 2026

Mary Louise Roesch (Jennings), of McPherson, Kansas (formerly Quinter, Kansas), age 85, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on January 31, 2026, at The Cedars Long Term Care in McPherson, Kansas. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother whose life was marked by service, creativity, and deep love for her family.

Mary was born on March 1, 1940, to...

Jan 28, 2026

Kenneth Eugene "Kennie" Breeden passed away Wednesday, January 28, 2026, at Dawson Place in Hill City, Kansas, at the age of 90.

He was born March 6, 1935, in Sheridan County, Kansas, the only child of Forrest (F.I.) and Ethel (Reiter) Breeden. Raised in rural Sheridan County, Kennie learned early the values of hard work, responsibility, and...

Jan 19, 2026

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing."

--2 Timothy 4:7-8...

Jan 16, 2026

Born in the family home in Hooker, OK, on May 3, 1933, to Millard and Edith (George) Wells, Loretta Faye Hutchinson, 92, WaKeeney, passed away on January 16, 2026, at Trego County Lemke Memorial Hospital.  Loretta's grade school years were spent in Hooker and the surrounding area towns.  She attended high school in Liberal, KS, and later earned her...

Jan 14, 2026

Raymond "Ray" Edward Zahn, age 90, of WaKeeney, Kansas, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at Trego County–Lemke Memorial Hospital. He was born December 5, 1935, in Bazine, Kansas, to Otto and Pearl (Kilpatrick) Zahn.

Ray was a man defined by hard work, quiet observation, and a deep love for his community and the simple...

Jan 8, 2026

David Loren Bongartz, age 75, of WaKeeney, Kansas, passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 8, 2026, at Hays Medical Center. He was born May 4, 1950, in Ellis, Kansas, to Frank and Cecelia (Jacobs) Bongartz.

David grew up in rural Trego County, where he spent his youth working on the family farm. He helped care for livestock,...

Jan 1, 2026

The bright light of her family dimmed on January 1, 2026, when Glenna "Jean" Hafenstine passed away peacefully at Trego County–Lemke Memorial Hospital at the age of 97.

She was born August 23, 1928, in Quinter, Kansas, to Reuben and Blanche (Benson) Shelley. Jean graduated from Grinnell High School with the Class of 1946.

On...

Dec 12, 2025

Barbara Ann "Barb" Funk, age 80, of WaKeeney, Kansas, passed away on December 12, 2025, at Golden Age Care Home in Cheney, Kansas.

Barbara was born on June 27, 1945, in Paris, Texas. She graduated from Great Bend High School and went on to study nursing at Fort Hays State University. It was there, in a square...

Dec 10, 2025

Louis Michael Felder, 100, of Hays, Kansas, passed away surrounded by his family on December 10, 2025, at Hays Medical Center. He was born October 30, 1925, in Hoisington, Kansas, to Andrew and Stephanna Felder. When Louis was 11, the family moved to a farm outside of Rush Center, and he attended schools in Olmitz, Rush Center, and LaCrosse....

Dec 8, 2025

James "Jim" Harries, 77, of WaKeeney, Kansas, passed away on December 8, 2025, at Trego County Lemke Memorial Hospital Long Term Care in WaKeeney. He was born on December 15, 1947, to Myron and Ruth (Mary) Harries. Jim now joins his wife of 43 years, Roberta "Robie" (Hetzel) Harries, who passed away on May 28, 2020. He graduated from...

Dec 7, 2025

Randyll "Randi" Ranae Gibson, 28, of WaKeeney, Kansas, passed away on December 7, 2025. She was born in Tulsa on October 3, 1997, and graduated from Broken Arrow High School in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma.

Randi worked as a customer service representative in call center environments, where her kindness, patience, and ability to connect with others made her...

Nov 2, 2025

Philip B. Leiby, 13, of Quinter, Kansas, crossed the finish line into Glory on November 2, 2025. He was the beloved son of Larry and Emily Leiby, and Summer Leiby, born on February 7, 2012, in Hays, Kansas. Philip was the proud older brother to Abigail, Norah, and Tucker, and now joins his older brother, L.J., in Heaven.

Sep 29, 2025

Dean Gerard Heier passed away on Monday, September 29, 2025, in his home in Cedar Park, Texas, at the age of 64. He was born on December 3, 1960, in Hoxie, Kansas, to Elmer and Edna (Goetz) Heier.

Dean grew up in northwest Kansas and graduated in 1979 from Wheatland High School in Grainfield. After high school,...

Sep 27, 2025

Alan Wayne Owens, affectionately known as 'Big Al', passed away on September 27, 2025, at the age of 61. Born on February 1, 1964, in WaKeeney, Kansas, Alan was a man of many talents and endless creativity. He loved to cook, garden, paint cars, and rebuild them with remarkable skill. There was little he couldn't do with his hands,...

Sep 24, 2025

Helen Caroline Deines, 90, peacefully passed away on September 24, 2025, at Trego County Lemke Memorial Hospital Long-Term Care in WaKeeney, KS, just three days before her 91st birthday.

Helen was born on September 27, 1934, in Ellis, KS, to John J. and Mary (Armbrister) Zachman. She was baptized on November 4, 1934, and confirmed on April...

Sep 22, 2025

Ronald W. Bean, age 89, of Hays, Kansas, passed away on September 22, 2025. He was born on August 15, 1936, in Anna, Illinois. After graduating high school, Ron continued his education at Southern Illinois University, earning his bachelor's degree in agriculture.

On November 8, 1986, Ron was united in marriage to Ruth (Tegtmeyer) Schmitz. They shared...

Sep 19, 2025

Joanne Louise (Smith) Hafliger , age 72, passed away peacefully at her home on Friday, September 19, 2025.

Joanne was born on December 15, 1952, in Hays, Kansas, to Herbert and Wava (Jamison) Smith. She grew up in Ellis, Kansas, and graduated from Ellis High School. On February 5, 1971, she married the love of...

Sep 18, 2025

David "Dave" Eugene Hafliger, 77, has gone fishing in the great beyond. He passed away on Thursday, September 18, 2025. He was born in Hays, KS, on April 6, 1948, to Calvin and Willa "Ruth" (Gordon) Hafliger. On August 9, 1970, he was united in marriage to Linda Sue Wynn at the Ogallah Christian Church. Together they cherished 49...

Sep 15, 2025

Larry Connor, born Joseph Larry, lifelong resident of WaKeeney, Kansas, met his Lord on September 15, 2025. Larry was born in Hays, Kansas, on July 6, 1933. He graduated from Trego Community High School and continued on to Kansas State University, where he majored in Agriculture. Following college, he served in the U.S. Army, stationed in Germany, staying prepared...