Elaine K. (Brown) Jackson (Class 59)

 

Elaine K. (Brown) Jackson, 83, passed away peacefully in Independence, Mo., on May 21, 2025. Elaine was born to Dean and Dorothy Brown on December 5, 1941, and raised in Paradise, Kan. She graduated in 1959 from Paradise High School before attending Fort Hays State University where she met her husband of 64 years, Jere W. Jackson of Barnard, Kan. The couple settled in Independence, Mo., in 1960 where they built a wonderful life full of family and lifelong friendships in their neighborhood on 45th Street and as active members at Christ United Methodist Church.

Elaine worked as the personal secretary to William Clarkson, CEO of Clarkson Construction for many years until she opened her private piano studio in the late 1970s. Elaine was most well-known for her love of music. She was an incredibly talented pianist, and shared her gift with students, her church, and her community. She was the organist and accompanist for Christ United Methodist Church, where she served and worshiped for more than 50 years. She worked with the Chancel Choir, various soloists, and the men’s quartet, bringing beauty through music to each church service.  Elaine was also the accompanist for the William Chrisman High School choirs playing for both large and small ensembles, musicals, and solo musicians for many years. She was active in assorted music organizations such as Federated Music Teachers, helping to organize festivals for young musicians to hone their talents and compete, and Multiple Piano, serving as both a coach and participant many times through the years. She played for innumerable weddings, bringing music to people’s lives as they began a new chapter; and innumerable funerals, giving comfort through music to those saying goodbye to loved ones. Her favorite thing, however, was teaching piano lessons. Elaine did more than just teach music to countless students over the years, she changed the lives of each and every student.

Elaine was preceded in death by her husband, Jere, and her parents.

She leaves behind daughters, Lori Grubb (Jeffrey) and Jennifer Garrett (Tracy); three grandsons, Jason Grubb (Alexis), Justin Grubb and Grant Garrett; four great-grandchildren; brother, Myron Brown (Shirley); sister, Marilyn Bandy (Ron); four nieces and one nephew and their families, and countless friends and family.

The visitation will be held at Christ United Methodist Church in Independence on Saturday, May 31, 2025 beginning at 10 a.m., with the funeral to follow at noon.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Christ United Methodist Church. In addition, the family would like to thank Luminos Hospice, Bross & Spidle Funeral Home, and the home health caregivers who cared for both Elaine and Jere during the past year.

Shirley Welk (Elliott) Class 1967

 

Shirley Kathleen “Kay” Welk, 75, of Hutchinson, died April 13, 2025, at Hutchinson Regional Medical Center. She was born July 30, 1949, in Russell, to Lloyd “Dean” and Verna V. (McReynolds) Elliott.

Shirley, also known as Kay to many, graduated from Paradise High School in 1967. After attending cosmetology school in Hays, she moved to Ellsworth for work, where she met Harold F. Welk Jr. They were married on August 16, 1970, in Ellsworth and were together for 54 years. In 1972, they moved to Hutchinson, where they raised their family and spent the rest of their lives in the home they built. Over the years, Kay worked in cosmetology, bail bonding, and later as a master gardener for the City of Hutchinson Parks Department for 15 years prior to retirement. She enjoyed gardening, sewing, cooking, reading, and participating in music at Nickerson United Methodist Church, where she regularly attended services and sang in the choir.

She is survived by her husband, Harold; her children, Nathan Welk (Heather) of Derby, and their daughters, Abby and Katie; Kyle Welk (Tiffany) of Wichita, and their children, Andrew, Allison, Emily, and Caleb; Jamie Ball (Shawn) of Overland Park; brothers, Richard Elliott (Catherine) of Waldo, Kendall Elliott (Vickie) of Russell; and many extended family members.

She was preceded in death by her parents and sister, Cynthia Elliott.

Kay will be remembered for her strength, her deep love for family, and the many lives she touched through her kindness, creativity, and unwavering care.

Funeral service will be 10 a.m. Wednesday, April 23, 2025, at Nickerson United Methodist Church, 8200 N. Riverton Rd., Nickerson. Burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery, Hutchinson.

Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, with family present to receive friends from 6–8 p.m. Tuesday at Elliott Mortuary.

Memorials may be made to Nickerson United Methodist Church, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.

Richard Dale "Dick" Wilson Class (65)

 

Richard Dale “Dick” Wilson, 77, of Russell, Kansas, died on January 10, 2025 at his home in Russell.

Dick was born on February 16, 1947 in Hays, Kansas, the son of Dale R. and Lila May (Harshbarger) Wilson. Dick grew up in Russell, Bunker Hill, Luray and Paradise, Kansas areas. He graduated from Paradise High School and Kansas State University with a bachelor’s degree in vocational agriculture.

Dick taught at Natoma High School before returning to Kansas State University where he received a second bachelor’s degree in business administration. He then joined the United States Air Force where he had various duties but most notably worked as a missileer in a nuclear missile silo. Because of the long hours working in the missile silo, he participated in a program that allowed him to a get master’s degree. Dick served in the Air Force for 20 years and retired as a major.

After retiring from the Air Force, he returned to Russell where he helped his father at the salvage yard and also worked at a variety of jobs. He had a life-long love of cars and collected many over the years. He also loved to cook and started the holiday meals at the church for those that didn’t have family living close. He was happy to see that the serving of holiday meals had grown to serve the Russell community.

He was a driver’s education instructor for Wilson and Russell public schools and drove a school bus. He also worked as a funeral helper for several years with Russell Funeral Home in Russell, Kansas. He was a member of the Trinity United Methodist Church, the Mason’s and Elks Lodge.

Surviving family include his sister Carolyn Funk and husband Larry of St. George, Kansas; niece Lora Collins (Shane); great nieces Katherine, Michaela and Christine Collins of Chelsea, Alabama, and great nephew Garrison Funk of Syracuse, New York.

He was preceded in death by his parents and nephew Bradley Funk.

Cremation was selected by the family.  A memorial service to celebrate Dick’s life will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Thursday, March 27, 2025, at the Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary.  A graveside service will follow at the Russell City Cemetery with military honors.  The family will greet guests the day of the service.  Memorials may be given to the Community Thanksgiving Dinner and sent in care of the mortuary.  Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.

Dennis Albrecht (Class 1960)

 

Dennis Lee Albrecht, age 82, of Russell, Kansas, passed away Friday, February 14, 2025 at his home. 

Dennis was born May 7, 1942 at his home in Paradise, Kansas to Edward and Meta (Paulsen) Albrecht. 

Dennis grew up in the Paradise area and graduated from Paradise High School in 1960. He was married to his high school sweetheart and the love of his life Donna (Schmidtberger) on July 7, 1963 in Paradise, Kansas. They made their home in Russell after marriage. The union was blessed with two daughters, Debra and Tamera.

Dennis attended trade school for a short time after graduating high school to become a mechanic, but decided to join the work force instead. He worked for Mack-Welling Lumber Company and Harry Hibschman (Chief Industries), both of Russell. He also volunteered for the Russell Volunteer Fire Department. Dennis eventually became a self-employed carpenter for many years until he went to work for the Street Department at the City of Russell in 1987. He retired from there in 2005.

Family was important to Dennis who enjoyed attending his kids and grandkids’ sporting events. Dennis and Donna were also avid motorcycle riders and took many trips on their Goldwing during their younger years. Dennis was very interested in the mountain man culture and history and was a founding member of the Russell Muzzle Loaders Club. He attended every black powder rendezvous he could get to. He often just went to socialize and most of the time, didn’t even shoot his gun. He also taught his grandsons to shoot black powder and was very proud of them. Dennis and Donna also traveled on many Vosh trips to Panama delivering eyeglasses to the needy.

He is survived by two daughters Debra Morris (Case), and Tamera Krause (Richard) both of Russell, four grandchildren, Coady Morris (KC) and Kale Morris (Elizabeth) both of Russell and Nathan Krause (Melissa) of Wichita, and Ryan Krause of Manhattan, and three great grandchildren, Noah & Benjamin Morris, and Wyatt Krause. He is preceded in death by his wife Donna, his parents, and three brothers, Donald, John and Gary Albrecht.

A celebration of Dennis’ life will be held at 11 AM on Friday, February 21, 2025 at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary in Russell. A graveside service will be held at 2 PM on Friday at the Mt. Hermon Cemetery in Paradise, Kansas. Visitation will be held from 9 AM to 8 PM on Thursday at the mortuary with the family present to greet friends from 6 PM to 7 PM. 

Memorial contributions can be made to Russell Muzzle Loaders. Contributions and condolences may be sent to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, who is in charge of these arrangements.