DAUGHTER OF KAY KVASNICKA COOPER SENDS A NOTE

A special Thank You to Janet Cooper

daughter of

Kay Kvasnicka Cooper - Class of 1969.

"Hi. My name is Janet Cooper.
My mom is Kay Kvasnicka-Cooper. I love your site. It brought back lots of memories of going there to see my Grandpa. I have not been to Paradise in quite awhile. I believe the last time was 2006. It's one of my favorite places to go, so seeing your blog makes me feel a little like I am there. Thank you.

Janet "
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Janet, as I was going through some of my history books, I saw some information about your Grandpa and have decided that I will try to get it on the blog in the next week or two.
Your Mom was a student of mine. She played the clarinet and was very respectful. I enjoyed her and appreciated her kindness and thoughtfulness at all times.
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040510

FROM DORENE CHRISLER

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I received an email from Dorene . . . .

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"Hi Onnalee, how are you?
Iva Byrd just called me and she wanted me to pass along that her and Norman's step mother, Elaine Laughlin, passed away this morning in Calif. She was 91.
Iva just got home from the hospital. They found out that a medicine she had been taking for a long time was causing her stomach to bleed. It was absorbing the blood droplets so they couldn't figure out where the blood was going. She thinks she is improving now.
Thanks! Dorene"

Also . . . Cecelia Aenk sent this to Millard on facebook . . .

"My cousin IVA from NC just called to inform us Elaine Laughlin passed away today 3/25/11. She was Mrs. Howard Laughlin in her 90's & moved to NC to live with Iva & Jim for a while.
Thanks for continuing prayers! Cecelia"
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Thank You Dorene for taking out the time to send me an email and also to Cecelia for letting Millard know too.
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040499

A NOTE FROM NORMA HUTCHCRAFT WILLIAMS

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Hi Onnalee,

I loved the blog about the Wylie Martin's today.
Do you have the Paradise Farmer on microfilm or fiche? And you have a list of mayors!!!! I knew there had to be some city records somewhere, but I never have time to check at the courthouse when we're in the area.

When you read about Ed Helms in the Farmer, he is my Grandma Hutchcraft's dad, so he is my great granddad. I believe he is a former mayor. I know he was a lawman for awhile.

So interesting that Mr. Martin was hired to supervise the Chinese RR workers.

Keep up the good work. Even if sometimes it is just obituaries we still need to know about them.

A fellow Paradisian,

Norma

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Thank You for your note, Norma.

No, I do not have the Paradise Farmer on microfilm or fiche, but I would love to get it in some form. I will have to check into it. It would certainly give me a lot of information for the blog.

(If anyone has any knowledge concerning me getting the Paradise Farmer, please let me know.)

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I am still looking for the list of Mayor's. I can not find it, but I'm sure it was not a dream as I remember seeing Vern Hoisington's name on it. Now . . . someone tell me that he was never a Mayor and that I do not know what I am talking about.

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Yes Norma I agree, I have felt like we have had our share of obituaries, especially the past few months. I am going to have to work harder to find some other news, but like you say . . . . "we still need to know about them". Onnalee

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040180

A VISIT TO THE PAST

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Wylie and Clara Martin

1900's

← Main Street Garage
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The Announcement for the
Opening of the
Main Street Garage →
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↑

The Wylie and Clara Martin Family

Back row - Harry Martin, Ed Herman holding Carl Herman,

Wylie & Clara Martin, Donald Herman

Middle row - Thelma Martin, Ivy Grace, Martin Herman, Peggy Herman
Front row - Gary Martin, Maxine Herman, Sheila Martin

← Clara and Wylie Martin ↓

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.Wylie and Clara Martin were married in 1905.

In 1909, they moved to Paradise.

Wylie was to work there as a Foreman in building the railroad that was coming to Paradise.

Many of the men building the railroad were Chinese and it was felt that Wylie could manage them well.

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Wylie was a real go-getter. He worked as a carpenter, then operated an automobile service station and Ford agency which he built himself in Paradise with the help of his son. He then returned to carpentry.

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By reading the Paradise Farmer, Wylie is recorded as doing most any job from setting up windmills to making cement forms to masonry. He was also involved with the WPA building of the Paradise water tower that stands on a corner of his land.

He also served in the Kansas State Guard 1917-1919.

I'm not sure of the time line of these, but according the the Paradise Farmer, Wiley started clerking at the Harrell Hardware Store in 1920.

He was mayor of Paradise for a number of years.

(In one of my books about Paradise, I have a list of all the mayors. Do you think I could find it now? No! But, I will add the years at a later date, hopefully.)

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Clara was always busy with quilting, embroidering and crocheting. She crochet the dress that she was buried in. (Shown in the last picture above.)

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She was also a sharpshooter who would go on the jackrabbit kills with the men.

He was a milker of cows - using a one-legged stool that he would pivot all around on in order to accomplish his task.

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Clara and Wylie are buried in Mt Hermon cemetery - just to the right of the entrance to it.

Wylie apparently bought some of the first lots. Their graves were dug by friends and neighbors as a mark of respect. Wylie never seemed to get over the idea of having to pay someone to dig a grave.

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040060

CHARLES LANDIS NEEDS OUR PRAYERS

I sent an email to Charles & Don yesterday to see how Charles is doing.
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Don responded by saying . . . .
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"Thanks for asking about Charlie. He was re-admitted to the hospital for developing pneumonia. He is on antibiotics. Hopefully he will be able to return to rehab shortly. Keep him in your thoughts and prayers."
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039800

DO YOU RECOGNIZE THESE PARADISE PEOPLE?

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I happened to see this photo on facebook.
Looks like a great looking group, don't you think?
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I found out that it was taken at Bud and Anne Eulert's wedding reception.

From left to right . . . .
Brett & Bonnie Thompson, Mona Hoisington, Joleen & Craig Lawson, Chris & Susan Pelton, Dan Hoisington and Steve Reinhardt (the back of his head).

A special Thanks to Brynae Thompson for posting this on facebook.
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039769

BOBBIE MAC ROBBINS (CLASS OF 1940)

Bobbie Mac Robbins, 88

of

Paradise, Kansas

died

Thursday evening,

March 10, 2011

at the

Hays Medical Center in Hays, Kansas.




Bobbie was born January 30, 1923 on the
family farm north of Paradise.
He was the only child of William J. and
Maude (Perkins) Robbins.
He grew up and attended country schools
in the Paradise area. He graduated from
Paradise High School in 1940.
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Bobbie served his country in the U.S. Army during WWII.
He was stationed in the Philippines.







Bobbie met, fell in love, and was united in marriage to Eulah Chatham on August 21, 1944 in Kansas City, Missouri.

This union was blessed with four children;
Harold, Cleta, Diana and William.

They made their home in the same home he was born in.










Bobbie was a dairy farmer and rancher his whole life. He continued the family tradition and managed the family farm. But most of all, Bobbie was a devoted husband and loving father.




As a boy, he was a member of the Paradise United Methodist Church. Later on in life he attended the Paradise Nazarene Church. He enjoyed hunting and fishing, horses, riding his three wheeler and telling stories.

Surviving family include:
his wife of 66 years, Eulah of the home;
daughters, Cleta Johnson and husband Al of Nikiski, Alaska and Diana Blosser and husband Darrell of Hays, Kansas;
sons, Harold Robbins and wife Mary of Yakutat, Alaska and William Robbins and wife Trina of Paradise, Kansas;
eight grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents and daughter-in-law, Betty Robbins.

Celebration of Bobbie’s Life
will be held at
11:00 A.M. Wednesday, March 16, 2011
at the
Paradise United Methodist Church

Burial will follow at the Mt. Herman Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 9 AM to 8 PM Tuesday, March 15, 2011 at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell with the family present to greet friends from 6 PM to 7 PM.

A memorial has been established with the Nazarene Missions. Contributions and condolences may be sent in care of Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, who is in charge of these arrangements.
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039593

THE FARMER'S DINER IN NATOMA

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Charlotte and Roger David are opening
The Farmer's Diner in Natoma, KS.
I received this from Charlotte today.

We are opening

THE FARMERS DAUGHTERS DINER
412 Elm
Natoma, Ks.
785-885-4155
on
March 17
Our hours will be
Thursday-Saturday 11-7 Daily Specials
Sunday 11-2 Fried Chicken Buffet
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Owners.....Roger and Charlotte David

Hope to see you!

''•.¸ (¯''•.¸ *♥♥♥* ¸.•''¯) ¸.•' '¯) ˜”*°•.˜”*°•. ˜”*°•♥•°*”˜ .•°*”˜.•°*”˜ *♥*
*♥* .•°*”˜.•°*”˜.•°*”˜•♥•˜”*°•.˜”*°•.˜”*°•. (_¸.•'' (_¸.•'' *♥♥♥* ''•.¸

039505

PRAYERS FOR THE BOB ROBBINS FAMILY

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I just now read on facebook that Bob Robbins (Class of 1940)
died Thurs night (March 10th).
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Diana Robbins-Blosser posted this.
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"Dad went to be with the Lord last night. He confessed Christ as his Savior in his last days and confirmed it with a squeeze of his hand in his last hours.
Mason (my grandson) said I'm glad he died well-- not glad but I'm glad he doesn't have to be in the nursing home any more, he didn't like it there.
He said what I had been thinking but to guilt ridden to voice. No more pain.
"Out of the mouths of babes!"

She also said that William is making the casket from wood on the farm. She mentioned that it is a big job but that was what William wanted to do for his Dad.
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What a neat thing for William to do and I know Bob would be very proud of that.
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039369

SMALL TOWNS

Lois Rounkles Bonar sent this to me in an email.
It sounds just like Pardise, KS - USA!


Those who grew up in small towns will laugh when they read this. Those who didn't will be in disbelief and won't understand how true it is.

1) You can name everyone you graduated with.

2) You know what 4-H means.

3) You went to parties at a pasture, barn, gravel pit, or in the middle of a dirt road. On Monday you could always tell who was at the party because of the scratches on their legs from running through the woods when the party was busted. (See #5.)

4) You used to 'drag' Main St.

5) You scheduled parties around the schedules of different police officers, because you knew which ones would bust you and which ones wouldn't.

6) You could never buy cigarettes because all the store clerks knew how old you were (and if you were old enough, they'd tell your parents anyhow.) Besides, where would you get the money?

7) You knew which section of the ditch you would find the beer your buyer dropped off.

8) It was cool to date somebody from the neighboring town.

9) The whole school went to the same party after graduation.

10) You didn't give directions by street names but rather by references. Turn by Nelson's house, go 2 blocks to Anderson's, and its four houses left of the track field.

11) The golf course had only 9 holes.

12) You couldn't help but date a friend's ex-boyfriend/girlfriend.

13) Your car stayed filthy because of the dirt roads, and you will never own a white vehicle for this reason.

14) The town next to you was considered 'trashy' or 'snooty,' but was actually just like your town.

15) You referred to anyone with a house newer than 1955 as the 'rich' people.

16) The people in the 'big city' dressed funny, and then you picked up the trend 2 years later.

17) Anyone you wanted could be found at the local gas station or on Main Street.

18) You saw at least one friend a week driving a tractor through town or one of your friends driving a grain truck to school occasionally.

19) The gym teacher suggested you haul hay or pick rock for the summer to get stronger.

20) Directions were given using the only stop light as a reference.

21) When you decided to walk somewhere for exercise, 5 people would pull over and ask if you wanted a ride.

22) Your teachers called you by your older siblings' names.

23) Your teachers remembered when they taught your parents.

24) You could charge at any local store or write checks without any ID.

25) There was no McDonalds.

26) The closest mall was over an hour away.

27) It was normal to see an old man riding through town on a riding lawn mower.

28) You've peed in a wheat field.

29) Most people went by a nickname.

30) You laughed your butt off reading this because you know it is true.

I would not have wanted to be raised any other way!!!!

Tough times don't last... Tough people do!!
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039228

LOIS ROUNKLES BONAR - CLASS OF 1960

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I received a message on facebook from Lois Rounkles Bonar.
She gave me permission to post it here on the Paradise blog.

Hi, Onnalee,
My name is Lois Rounkles Bonar and I graduated from Paradise High School with the class of 1960.
Thank you for the Paradise Educated Blog; it is great!!
I have been reading through it since the school reunion of last summer and it is very interesting and educational !!
I just wanted to make a comment on the Nov. 1, 2008, posting about the Boy`s Quartets and the fact that you couldn`t find your 1955 and 1957 school annuals!!!!! My sister , Joyce Rounkles Mello, was in the graduating class of 1957 and she said that her class did not make an annual for that year.............All the class money that they raised went to pay for their senior trip!!!!! I don`t know where they went but I suppose they all had a good time.
I don`t know about the 1955 annual but maybe they didn`t print one either????
Keep up the good work and may you be blessed with good health.
Lois
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I wrote (typed) back to her . . .

Thank You, Lois. Do I have your permission to put this comment on the blog?
I am going to HAVE to find something to put on the blog besides funeral notices and get well wishes. :) If you have something, please send it to me.
Onnalee@foundwoodcarvings.com
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I am so happy to put on the funeral notices and get well wishes - I just need to insert cheerful postings from time to time too.
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Lois replied . . . .
Yes, you may put the comment on the blog.
There have been a lot of funeral notices lately but if you hadn`t posted them a lot of us would never have known about them.
Thanks again for all of your hard work and tell Millard "hello" for me. Lois
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A note from me regarding the class of 1957 and possibly the class of 1955 . . .
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"Perhaps we need to have some photos of your Senior trip.
Do you suppose they took pictures while they were on it or were they still saving their money on their fun? :) We would love to have some photos from each of you."
039081

RICHARD NEAL BOURN

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Richard Neal Bourn, 84 of Gorham died Tuesday, March 1, 2011 at the Russell Regional Hospital in Russell, Kansas.

Richard was born May 21, 1926 in Paradise, Kansas the son of Elbert W. and Jenny May (Robins) Bourn. He grew up and attended schools in the Paradise area.

Richard served his country in the U.S. Navy during WWII as a water tender 3rd class, maintaining the boilers on the USS Grayson while serving in the south Pacific.

Richard met, fell in love and was united in marriage to Della J. Treat in 1946 in Russell, Kansas. This union was blessed with five children; Jodi, James, Jerry, Janet and Richard. Della preceded Richard in death on November 9, 2005. The Bourn family lived in Idaho, Washington state and Minnesota before moving to the Gorham area.

Richard worked as a water well driller most of his adult life and retired in 1988.

Richard was a life member of the Russell V.F.W. Post #6240 in Russell. He enjoyed being outdoors and fishing.

Surviving family include his sons, James Bourn and wife Joan of Gorham, Kansas, Jerry Bourn and wife Janet of San Diego, California and Richard Bourn and fiancée Tab of Colorado ; daughters, Jodi Hoppie and husband Mike of Minnesota and Janet Bourn of Wyoming ; sister Jenny Mothershead of Twin Falls, Idaho ; 14 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren and 5 great-great grandchildren.

He was also preceded in death by his parents, 2 brothers and 1 sister.

A Memorial service will be held at a later date. Cremation has preceded the service. Condolences may be sent in care of Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, who is in charge of these arrangements.
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038915