MORE ABOUT PARADiSE AND RUSSEL COUNTY FIRE AND WIND

Click on each picture to enlarge them.

Marilyn Mitchell sent the following pictures and information to me from Clint Straub

From Clint

"We lost our barn last night in the fire among other things. Some of these pics are disturbing and I’m heartbroken what those cattle had to go through a lot of people had their lives turned upside down yesterday and last night please pray for those who lost almost everything."

Clint's photo's

Tim Maupin posted the following . . . 

"This fire took out my brothers house and others in the area. Prayers needed for those folks!"

Tim posted this from SenatorJerry Moran too.

Senator Jerry MoranDecember 17 at 6:30 PM  · 

Today, I was in Russell county where I visited with Kansans who have been affected by this week’s weather and fires, and to see the damages sustained across our state and particularly in the Four County Fire. The United Methodist Church in Paradise has become the point of distribution for donated supplies, food, water and other needs for the people who have lost their homes or other essential property. I appreciated hearing the firsthand details about how neighbors came together to help one another as Kansans so naturally do. After speaking to volunteers, first responders and those that suffered loss at the church, Sheriff Fred Whitman led me on a tour of the devastation in Russell County. The grassland is scorched, and it will be months before that ground cover is replenished, meaning an increased risk for erosion and dust storms this winter. I saw dozens of cattle who perished and entire farmsteads gone. My heart breaks for those who have lost their homes and livelihoods. If I can be of assistance to you or your family, please reach out to my office at DisasterAssistance@moran.senate.gov.

The damage to people’s communities, homes and livelihoods is devastating. If you are struggling or are in crisis, please call the Kansas Suicide Prevention Hotline at 785-841-2345 or visit kansasagstress.org.

Thank you to the first responders who acted quickly on Wednesday to help Kansas farmers, ranchers and families as fires took hold in counties across Kansas, including Rooks, Ellis, Osborne and Russell. Thank you also to Russell County EMS Director Keith Haberer, Russell County Sheriff Fred Whitman, Russell County Commissioners Daron Woelk and Steve Reinhardt, Russell County NRCS Director Ramon Gonzalez, Kansas Representative Troy Waymaster, Mayor of Paradise Brett Thompson, Waldo Fire Chief Dustin Finkenbinder, District 3 Fire Chief Keith Koelling, Clayton Huseman of KLA, Doug Zillinger of Kansas Farm Bureau and Kansas State Senator Elaine Bowers for your time, and to everyone who spoke with me this afternoon.

Additional information on the Paradise Fire

FIRE iN PARADISE, WED. DEC, 15, 2021

293925

I have seen some posts on facebook about the fire in and around Paradise last night.  

These messages will not be in any order or in story form.  If I start feeling better, I may be able to edit this post and write it in story form, but I'm sure you can each read this as it is . . . . .  and Thank You.

Video's  -  Some parts of these videos are hard to watch.  Losing animals is devastating.  Besides being the ranchers livelihood, the animals are also part of the family.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GqCzA9SwR44

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHtn6VIJA68

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgwplDLFwLY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifv6z07m2FE

Pictures and information posted on facebook by Gene Angel.

0

By Gene - "Ryan’s house has burned and looks like it might get up to ours. Prayers for the entire community."

"Ryan (my step son) is home by himself, we’re at the Mayo Clinic, I have a mass on my thyroid. Tests look like nothing spreading so hopefully just cut it out and I’m good. Thank you for the prayers."

This was written the morning of Dec 16, 2012.

"This has been a tough day. It’s looking like my thyroid doesn’t have any spreading cancer. They won’t know for sure until after surgery but so far so good. Last appointment here at 2:15 then we’ll fly back."

The picture below is the same view as the picture above. 
Above is the fire.  Below is the flood.       

More pictures of the flood are below the rest of the fire pictures.. 

"Our friends looking after our horses, all three safe. It burned right up to their fence, neighbor Kirk Koelling disc the fire out. Thank you so much.

Sounds like our 85 cows and 75 calves didn’t make it. Such a nice gentle herd, took me 40 years to raise.

Thank you all for your prayers."

"Our house is still ok, those are solar lights not fire. 

Feeling very blessed for it being safe but scared to death 

of what we’ll all find in the pasture."

"And my little tractor driving buddy died last week.

There does not seem to be any rules about flood,

drought and fire within 6 months."

The flood in May.

"Tough day at the Angel Ranch.

Alfalfa, triticale, mile and half new fence all under water.

Ryan’s old remodeled ranch house a foot or so of

water on the main floor.

Water in the office at Natoma and tax deadline tomorrow."

"The bridge completely under water.

Fortunately we moved the cars and everything we could.

It came fast."

Posts by Sheila Smith Grier

"Pray for the people in my hometown in Kansas.

They had a huge grass fire that was very bad and far reaching. The wind was strong.

Many lost homes and the mayor is in the hospital with serious burns when his pickup rolled and pinned him!

My brother and nephew who farm and ranch in the area

lost pasture but nothing else.

So thankful for them but many need prayer."

"This was the extent of the fire....

my hometown, and brother and nephew farm and ranch

there on a ranch north of the town of Paradise.

They were ok but many others lost property and cattle etc. Please pray for these communities!"

I read this on facebook 12-16-2021 at 6:00 pm

From Mollie Haberer

"We have received several calls and text as to how we are doing and decided this was the easiest way to let everybody know we are OK but not able to go home because there’s no electricity.Fortunately our house and outbuildings survive the fire.

A lot of damage to our pastures and fences but so many of our neighbors and friends lost their farmstead completely. The wind blew up to 100+ miles and kept changing directions that’s one reason we didn’t lose our place because it change directions and jump the road going the other direction.

Please keep Paradise and the surrounding communities in your prayers."

I will be watching facebook for more news about the fire.

4th Annual Paradise Fall Festival

Your are cordially invited to attend the Paradise Fall Festival.

Date: Saturday September 25th

Location: Greater down town Paradise.

Following is a list of events:

4th Annual Paradise Fall Festival

Saturday September 25th

12:00pm Warm ups and Registration

1:00pm Randy Rohleder Memorial Cornhole Tournament

$20.00 team entry fee

4-7pm Kids activities, Poker Run- both have a $5 entry fee

8-12am Band featuring the "Prophets"

Please bring lawn chair. Food trailer, and a beer garden all day. 

Free popcorn and water. NO outside coolers

This invitation has been brought to you by:

Brynae Thompson, Dan Hoisington and the other fine folks of Paradise!!! 

  

Dwight Bear

 

Dwight Bear, 86 of Forsyth, MO, passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 24, 2021 at Forsyth Nursing and Rehab. A Celebration of Life will from, 12:00 to 4:00 p.m. Sunday, September 19, 2021 in the Forsyth Senior Center.

Dwight was born on Monday, May 13, 1935 in Russell County, Kansas to Dean and Zelma (Buhrle) Bear. He was raised on the family farm near Paradise, KS. Dwight attended his schooling in Waldo and Paradise, KS. After finishing school, he went to work in the oil fields in Kansas and Texas. He later became an Over the Road Truck Driver for Consolidated Freight.

He retired in 1979. Dwight married Judie Adams on December 15, 1980 in Miami, OK. They shared forty-one years of marriage. Dwight and Judie moved to Forsyth, MO in 1999.

He was an avid and talented woodworker. He made countless handcrafted bird feeders, birdhouses and numerous wooden crafts. He loved making new projects and took pride in his creations. Judie also shared this passion and did the detail work on Dwight’s projects. One of his favorite pastimes was watching and feeding the birds from his back deck. But most of all, he loved being with family and friends sharing stories, experiences and laughter.

Dwight is survived by his wife, Judie Bear; two sons, Brad Bear and wife, Deb, and Brett Bear; one daughter, Kimberly Lenz and husband, Jeff; eight grandchildren and many great-grandchildren; one brother, Gale Bear and one sister, Dona Heyer.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Dean and Zelma Bear; two sons, Brian and Bart Bear; infant sister, Edna Bear and sister, Elizabeth Kneisley.

Cremation is under the direction of the Kissee-Schofield-Eakins Funeral Home, Forsyth, MO.

Thelma P Hutchinson

 

Thelma Pauline Hutchinson, 84, of Great Bend, Kansas, and former Russell and Paradise, Kansas, resident, died on Friday, August 06, 2021, at the Azria Health Care Center in Great Bend, Kansas.

Thelma was born on December 26, 1936, in Wichita, Kansas, the daughter of Lester R. and Helen Maude (Dodson) Pfortmiller.  She was raised by her grandparents Henry and Anna Pfortmiller and grew up and attended school in rural Paradise, Kansas, and lived in the Russell, Osborne and Barton County, Kansas areas most all her life.  

She was married to Tom Hutchinson on January 25, 1954 in Russell, Kansas.  From this union Thelma and Tom were blessed with 3 children Sheryl, Randy and Bruce.  

She was a hard-working wife and mother who enjoyed taking care of her husband and children.  She worked as a certified nurse’s assistant and physical therapy aid at the Russell Regional Hospital from 1980 to 1995.  She was a longtime member of St. John Lutheran Church in Russell and Trinity Lutheran Church in Great Bend, Kansas.  She was also a member of the V.F.W. Ladies Auxiliary, KOOD, ROAR and Palco Art Club.  She enjoyed being a talented artist creating beautiful oil and water color paintings and wood carvings.  She enjoyed listening to music and watching football on television.  Most of all she enjoyed spending time with her family and close friends.

Surviving family include her daughter Sheryl Corn and husband Steve of Great Bend, Kansas, sons Randy Hutchinson and wife Stephanie of Falun, Kansas and Bruce Hutchinson of Hoisington, Kansas; sisters Sue Koehler and husband Dan of Lawrence, Kansas and Loa Gordon of Auburn, Kansas; 9 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.

She was preceded in death by her parents Lester Pfortmiller and Helen Burger and grandparents Henry and Anna Pfortmiller; sister Alice Wiggs and one great grandchild Fayelle Hutchinson. 

A celebration of Thelma’s life was held at 11 A.M. on Friday, August 13, 2021, at the Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary in Russell, Kansas.  Visitation was from 9 A.M. to 8 P.M. on Thursday, August 12, 2021, at the mortuary with family greeting guests from 6 P.M. to 8 P.M Thursday evening.  Memorials may be given to the Palco Art Club and sent in care of the mortuary.  Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas, is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.

Margaret "Marie" (Post) Quenzer (Class 1939)

 

Margaret "Marie" Quenzer, 99, of Osborne, KS, passed away on Friday July 9, 2021 at the Osborne County Memorial Hospital.  Marie was born on June 26, 1922 at Paradise, KS to Avery R. & Sarah Jane (Harrell) Post.

Marie graduated from high school.  She married Ray Elliott & to this union, 4 children were born.  Ray passed away in 1981.  Marie has lived in the Osborne area for over 50 years.  Marie later married Weldon Quenzer.

Marie started working at the Farmer's National Bank in Osborne in 1976.  She began working as a Teller, and later became the Loan and Escrow Account Sec./Manager.  Marie retired after 16 years in 1987.

Marie was preceded in death by her parents, 1st husband Ray Elliott in 1981, husband Weldon Quenzer in 1998, daughter Mona Elliott in 1971 and brother Elvin Post.

Marie is survived by daughters: Judy Charbonneau of Westcliffe, CO; Teresa Young of Edmond, OK; son: Robert Elliott of Wilmington, N. C.; 8 grandchildren; 5 step-grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren, 14 step-great grandchildren, 1 great great grandchild and 14 step-great-great-grandchildren.

Services

VISITATION

Wednesday
July 14, 2021
4:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Clark-Gashaw Funeral Chapel
238 N. 1st St.
Osborne, KS 67473

FUNERAL SERVICE

Thursday

July 15, 2021

1:30 PM

United Christian Church

214 N 1st St

Osborne, KS 67473

Donations

United Christian Church
212 North Second Street, Osborne KS 67473

Parkview Care Center
% Clark-Gashaw Mortuary 238 N. 1st St., Osborne KS 67473

Nellie Jean Terry (Class 1961)

Nellie Jean Terry

Solomon- Nellie Jean Terry, age 80, died on May 16, 2021 at the Salina Regional Health Center on her 64th wedding anniversary. She was born September 6, 1940 in Crescent, Oklahoma to Clarence and Helen (Stewart) Dodd. She attended school in Oklahoma where she played basketball and softball and graduated from Paradise High School in Paradise, Kansas. She was a member of the Baptist Church. 

Nellie married Harold Terry on May 16, 1957 in Anadarko, OK. She worked in various restaurants and owned and operated Terry’s Sundries in Solomon, KS for 15 years. She loved entertaining family and friends and was known for her cooking. 

Nellie was an avid card player and thoroughly enjoyed her card group in Solomon and her coffee club in Carter Lake, IA. Many hours were spent by her on bleachers watching children and grandchildren play various sporting activities. She was an OU Sooners fan and enjoyed watching the KC Royals and Oklahoma City Thunder games. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, stepfather, 4 sisters, 4 brothers, a daughter-in-law, and a grandson. 

Nellie is survived by her husband Harold Terry of Solomon; children – Alice of Salina; Harold Jr. (Lauri) of Salina; Bobby of Weatherford, TX; Donna Cargile (Toby) of Devine, TX; 1 brother Gary Wright of Sandy, OR and 1 sister Nancy DeGan of Clastskanie, OR. She has 6 grandchildren, 5 step-grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren, 9 step-great grandchildren, many nieces and nephews as well as her fur baby Misha. 

Visitation will be Thursday, May 20, 2021 from 6PM – 8 PM at the Carlson-Becker Funeral Home in Solomon, KS. Funeral Service will be Friday, May 21, 2021 at 11 AM at the Methodist Church in Solomon, KS. Burial will follow at the Prairie Mound Cemetery, Solomon, KS. Memorials may be made to the Salina Animal Shelter or Fresenius Dialysis Clinic in Salina, KS. Memorials may be dropped off or mailed to Carlson-Becker Funeral Home Funeral Home, PO Box 308, Solomon, Kansas 67480. Online condolences may be sent to www.martinbeckercarlson.com 

Mary E. (Strecker) Anderson (Class 1954)

 Mary E. (Strecker) Anderson was born on Dec 31, 1936, at the family farm south of Paradise, Kansas, to Ernest and Eva (Weller) Strecker. She passed on March 26th, 2021. Mary was the oldest of four children: her sister Kay and brothers Al and Glen. She graduated from Paradise Rural High School in 1954 and married Jay Anderson. They later divorced. Mary raised her family in Oberlin, Kansas, working as a bookkeeper, taking community college classes when possible, and staying busy with community groups, including Eastern Star and 4-H.

Mary was a multi-talented woman. She originally majored in Art and Home Economics when she first went to college, all while raising children and working. She created beautiful art, had tremendous skills as a seamstress, and loved to cook gourmet meals. In the ‘70’s, Mary became a broker for EF Hutton. Although women had only been able to legally have credit cards in their own name a few years earlier, she began a women’s investment club to teach women about stocks and how to invest. She served on the school board for USD 294 in Oberlin for twelve years, with four of those years as President.

When her children were grown, Mary went back to school. She graduated from Fort Hays State University in 1985 with a degree in Accounting, and passed the Certified Public Accountant Exam on her first attempt. She purchased an accounting and tax practice in Osborne, Kansas, and grew the small, one-CPA firm to several locations and 17 employees. She was the second woman in Kansas to have her own freestanding CPA firm. Her knowledge of finance, investment, business and personal affairs was widely sought.   Banks would often send Mary clients that were in financial trouble, as they knew she would teach them how to manage their finances. Mary went above and beyond for her clients and loved helping them.

Mary was active in the Osborne community and surrounding areas for many years. She was in Osborne Rotary and served as President, volunteered for the annual Paradise Hunters Feed, and was involved in other community activities. She served as Treasurer of the Smoky Hills Public Television Board for over 30 years, and was highly respected among the board members. In 2018, Mary sold the bulk of her CPA firm and moved back to Hays to run the small office she had there. She enjoyed working with the Hays Arts Council and loved attending diverse artistic and performance events as well.

Mary also took time to enjoy life. She was an excellent bridge player and loved teaching her skills to others. She travelled widely, including backpacking through Europe at 52-years old; visiting her daughter in New Zealand; traveling across Eastern Canada by train; and then in her most recent trip, completing the journey by train across the western half. She was a committed fan of K-State athletics, especially football, even before the school’s later successes. 

Mary was much beloved by her grandchildren. She shared her love of art and the world with them, reading them Kipling as young children and cooking them her famous paella, a dish she had learned from a Spanish exchange student she once hosted. She showed them that a love of family, community, and honest work are all part of a life well-lived.

Mary was highly respected across northwest Kansas for her knowledge and professionalism. She was thoughtful, kind, and very, very well-loved.  Mary will be remembered for her generous heart, helpful nature, and determination. 

Mary is survived by three daughters who adore her: Jill Reichert and her husband Wilbur of Oberlin; Amy Anderson and Mark Webster of Oklahoma City; and Jane Anderson. She also leaves behind her much loved grandsons:  Grant Reichert of Wenatchee, Washington; Gannon and Mary Reichert, of Oberlin; and Gage and Cole Reichert of Oberlin. She is also survived by four great-grandsons: Conner, Creo, Dean and Owen Reichert. Mary will be greeted by her grandson Gatlin Reichert, her parents, and her brother Al Strecker, beyond this world.  

Mary will be thoroughly celebrated in Paradise, Kansas, later this summer.  

Mary wished memorials be made to Paradise United Methodist Church or Osborne UMC. Donations made payable to the organization my be sent in care of Brock’s-Keithley Funeral Chapel & Crematory, 2509 Vine Street, Hays, Kansas 67601.

Condolences can be left by guestbook at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com or e-mailed to keithleyfuneralhomes@gmail.com

Richard A. (Dick) Woodall (Former teacher and coach)

Richard A. (Dick) Woodall was born September 20, 1925 in Hutchinson, Kansas, the son of Lester V. Woodall and Maureen (Concannon) Woodall.  He passed Saturday April 03, 2021 at Trego County Lemke Memorial Hospital Long Term Care.

He was a graduate of Hutchinson High School in 1943.  Like many of his generation Dick served in the United States Army serving in the Army Air Corps.  After his honorable discharge, he proceeded with a post-secondary education and met Helen Franklin at Hutchinson Community College.  They were married July 20, 1947 in Hutchinson, Kansas. His college education continued at Pittsburg State College graduating in 1951.  He later earned a master’s degree in Counseling from Fort Hays University.  A career as an educator and Coach in Kansas began in 1951 at Haven and then Paradise, WaKeeney, Wheatland High School, Ness City and Hutchinson Community College.

Throughout his life Dick loved music and especially Barbershop music. He was a member of several Barbershop Quartets and was active in choruses as well for over 70 years.  In addition to music, his interests included athletics, especially basketball, golf and lake activities. His favorite times were with family especially 7 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren. 

Following a career in education Dick began a second career in Financial Planning and Life Insurance with Waddell and Reed, Edward D. Jones and Principal Financial Group.

He is survived by: daughter Kathy Dietz (Larry) of WaKeeney, son Joel Woodall (Nanette) of Salina, Kansas, and daughter Marcia Lance (Rick) of Olathe, Kansas; Granddaughters Alisa Odell (Ted) of Prairie Village, Kansas, Nikki Daubert (Ryan) of WaKeeney,  Kelli Lance (Brandon Truta) of Overland Park, Kansas; Grandsons Ryan Woodall of Denver, Colorado;  Kurt Dietz (Brandy) of Overland Park, Kansas, Bryce Woodall (Ryann) of Salina, Kansas, and Joel Lance (Jessica) of Gardner, Kansas; 17 Great-grandchildren; sisters, Barbara Spicer (Herb) of Silver Spring, Maryland, Janet Heitmann (Dan) of Hutchinson, Kansas, Karen Foyle (Bob) of Richardson, Texas, and Linda Ging (Bob) of Santa Fe, New Mexico; and a special companion, Frances Michaelis of WaKeeney.

A funeral service in honor of Dick’s life will be held at 11:00 AM on Monday, April 12th, 2021, at the WaKeeney United Methodist Church, with a visitation one hour prior to the funeral. Burial will take place at the Kansas Veteran’s Cemetery, WaKeeney.

Memorial Contributions are suggested to the Barbershop Endowment Association, or Trego County Lemke Memorial Hospital Endowment.

Our family celebrates the full life of our Father, Grandfather and Great Grandfather known as Papa Dick.  He would be the first to say that his greatest legacy would be his family that he leaves behind and above all: Keep America Singing.

SCHMITT FUNERAL HOME - WAKEENEy

Donna Kay (Schmidtberger) Albrecht

 

Donna Kay (Schmidtberger) Albrecht, age 75, of  Russell, Kansas, died Thursday, February 11, 2021 at Hays Medical Center.

Donna was born March 22, 1945, in Russell, Kansas to Luetta May (Turner) and Herman Francis Schmidtberger. Donna grew up in the Fairport and Paradise area. Her family moved to Gorham, Kansas her Junior year where she graduated from Gorham High School in 1963. She was married to her high school sweetheart, and the love of her life Dennis Albrecht on July 7, 1963 in Paradise, Kansas. They made their home in Russell and moved into their current home in 1969. They celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary in 2013. This union was blessed with two daughters, Debra and Tamera.

Donna worked many different jobs including cooking at Gutierrez Mexican Restaurant in Russell, Yost Oil Operations, Russell County Appraiser’s Office, State Farm Insurance and then retiring from Dr. Donald Kuehn and Dr. Paul Llampert’s Optometric Office. She was member of St John Lutheran Church, Russell.

Family was the most important thing in her life! She was at every volleyball match, baseball game, wrestling match, tennis match and motorcycle race possible. The family took many trips together, most recently to Hawaii in early 2020. They enjoyed camping on their many different camping trips as well as Lake Wilson.

Donna loved to cook! She is famous for her bierocks and bread, and for knowing the recipes of Gutierrez’s favorites. She was a very active member of the RRH Auxiliary and loved to sew anything and everything and made multiple masks for the hospital to use for patients. Her biggest role was acting as President and organize the Annual Soup Supper for the past several years. She also helped with multiple blood drives as a member of the Auxiliary.

She collected cookie jars, salt and pepper shakers, and anything else that caught her eye. Donna and Dennis were also avid motorcycle riders and took many trips on their Goldwing during their younger years. They also loved to go rendezvous with any muzzle loader club around. They were very active in the Russell Muzzle Loader club and helped to organize the annual shoot. Donna and Dennis also traveled on many Vosh trips to Panama delivering eyeglasses to the needy. Other hobbies were antiquing, auctions, and thrift shopping.

She is survived by her husband of 57 years, Dennis, of the home; daughters Debra Morris (Case) of Russell, Kansas and Tamera Krause (Richard) of Russell, Kansas; four grandchildren, Coady Morris, Kale (Elizabeth) Morris, Nathan Krause and Ryan Krause; one great grandchild Noah Morris, with another one on the way. She is preceded in death by her parents, and two brothers, Charles Schmidtberger and Larry Schmidtberger.

Celebration of Donna’s Life will be held at 10:00 AM, Friday, February 19, 2021 at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell.  Burial will follow at Mt. Hermon Cemetery in Paradise, Kansas.  Visitation will be held from 1:00 PM to 7:00 PM, Thursday, February 18, 2021 at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, with the family present to greet friends from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM.  Memorials have been established with the Russell Regional Hospital Auxiliary or Russell Muzzleloader’s Club. Contributions and condolences may be sent to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, who is in charge of these arrangements.

BETTY M. (JENNRICH) SOUKUP (Class 1950)

 

Betty M. (Jennrich) Soukup passed away on Friday, January 29, 2021 at the Ellsworth County Medical Center in Ellsworth, Kansas, at the age of 89.

She was born on August 26, 1931 in Russell, Kansas to Frank Sr. and Violet (Heard) Jennrich. She was united in marriage to Henry Soukup in Russell, Kansas on August 6, 1958. They were blessed with 3 children, Marcia, Twila and Lawrence. They lived on the family farm near Wilson and in 1976 they moved to Wilson where she spent the remainder of her life.

Betty was raised in the Russell area and graduated from Paradise High School where she played basketball. She never gave up the love for sports as she watched basketball and football whenever she could. Following high school, she moved to Salina with her sister and worked as a Nurses Aide at the Asbury Hospital in Salina. Later after raising her children she became a Certified Nurses Aide. She really enjoyed visiting and assisting the elderly. Betty was a member of the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Dorrance, Kansas, the Altar Society, and D. of I. Betty enjoyed bowling; the highlight of her bowling career was when she earned the KWBA Grand Duchess Award at the Kansas State Bowling Tournament in Topeka, Kansas. She also enjoyed traveling around the area to play bingo.

Left to cherish Betty’s memory are her children, Twila (Roger) Angell of Medicine Lodge, KS; son, Lawrence of Wilson; sister, Doris Dolezal of Kanopolis, KS; four granddaughters, Marcie (Kyle) Borwick of Riverside, CA, Mindy (Cory) Willis of Platte City, MO, Lisa (Clinton) Kershner of Rush Center, KS, and Kimberly Angell of Platte City, MO; and six great-grandchildren, Nysa Price, Lillian Savala, Hazel Willis, Jack Borwick, Nash Kershner, and Henry Willis.

Betty is preceded in death by her parents, Frank Sr. and Violet Jennrich; husband, Henry Soukup; daughter, Marcia; and three brothers, Frank Jennrich Jr., Robert, and Wiliam Dean.

Betty was a woman of love and faith. She knew how to serve God, her family and enjoy life along the way. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her, but the celebration of her life and memories will never be forgotten.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, February 2, 2021 at 10:30 AM at the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Wilson. Visitation will be held on Monday 4 PM to 8 PM with a D of I Rosary at 7 PM at the funeral home in Wilson.

Memorials are suggested to D of I or St. Joseph’s Altar Society and may be sent in care of Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home, PO Box 533, Wilson, KS 67490.

Paradise Prophets Nominated to Kansas Music Hall of Fame

 

This picture is a around 1963

The whole story is in the Russell, Ks paper.

Following is a link to The Kansas Music Hall of Fame.

Kansas Music Hall of Fame

Carla (Phillips) Batt (Class 1969)

 Carla Laurann (Phillips) Batt, 70, of Russell, Kansas, passed away Tuesday, January 5, 2021 at the Kansas University Medical Center in Kansas City, Kansas.

Carla was born August 21, 1950 in Russell, Kansas.  One of three children born to Kenneth Franklin and Ruth Elizabeth (Motzner) Phillips.  She grew up in Russell County close to Amhearst and graduated from Paradise High School in Paradise, Kansas.  She then attended the McPherson Practical Nursing School and obtained a degree in Nursing.

Carla was united in marriage to Larry Dean Batt on December 9, 1973 in Russell, Kansas.  This union was blessed with two children; Tim and Laurie.  They made their home in Russell until 1981 when they moved to Beloit, Kansas.  Then in 1996 they moved to Ellsworth, Kansas and then in 1999 they moved to Holyrood, Kansas;  Larry preceded her in death in 2006.  Then in 2008, Carla returned to Russell.

Carla was a dedicated Nurse to her communities.  She worked in the Russell Hospital, the Beloit Hospital, Ellsworth Correctional Facility, Ellsworth Hospital, Ellsworth Good Sams, Vintage Place in Russell and Cedarview in Hays, Kansas.  After her retirement she was the family babysitter for her grandchildren.  She was a member of the Otterbein United Methodist Church in Russell, the St. Paul United Church of Christ and the Zion Lutheran Church in Beloit.  She enjoyed reading romance novels, coloring in adult coloring books, croqueting, making ceramics and listening to Christian music.  Her greatest joy was taking care and watching her grandchildren.

Carla’s surviving family include her daughter, Laurie McQuade  of Russell, Kansas; son, Tim Batt (Tammy) of Russell, Kansas; brother, Paul Phillips (Glenda) of Russell, Kansas; sister, Elizabeth Langdon (Rick) of Bashor, Kansas; six grandchildren, Amanda Miles, Skylar Wittman, Morgan McQuade, Taryn Batt, Christopher McQuade and Tayler Batt.

Carla was preceded in death by her parents, husband Larry, and brother-in-law Dale Batt. Celebration of Carla’s Life will be held at 10:30 AM, Tuesday, January 12, 2021 at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary in Russell.  A private burial will take place in Hoisington Cemetery in Hoisington, Kansas.  Visitation will be held from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM, Monday, January 11, 2021 at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary.  A Memorial has been established as the Grandchildren’s Education Fund.  Contributions and condolences may be sent to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, who is in charge of these arrangements.

Velma Mae (Hoopes) Grimes (Class 1950)

272238 

Velma Mae Grimes, 89, of Westmoreland, Kansas, formerly of Woodston and Norton, died Monday, December 21, 2020, at the Onaga Community Hospital.

She was born on November 28, 1931, at home in Paradise Kansas, the daughter of ArneyLee and Maude Louise (Dwinelle) Hoopes. She went to 12 years of school at Paradise and graduated in 1950. She then moved to Russell, Kan. and worked at Duckwalls store for one year.

Her mom bought a café in Paradise and she worked for her until she got married on September 13, 1953, to James O. Grimes from Woodston, Kansas. She met James through friends, Don and Joan McCall. Don worked in Woodston under Roger Hoisington Wholesale. While he was in Paradise, he ate lunches at Velma’s mom's café. Don said he had a short, fat, rich friend (James) that he wanted to set her up with. After her marriage to James, they lived in Woodston in their first home attached to the post office, where Debra Louise ('54) and Janet Marie ('55) were born. Later they moved to a little house under the water tower where Valinda Kay ('56), Ruth Renna ('58), Marlynn Sue ('60), and Lori Jean ('63) were born, making the family of six daughters. In late 1963, they moved to a farm southwest of Woodston when Lori was still learning to crawl.

The love of Velma’s life was God, James, and her family. She enjoyed being a homemaker; cooking, cleaning, and especially DUSTING! .... NOT! Her home was sometimes called the "Local Bread and Breakfast" by many friends and family, as hospitality was a special gift of hers.

Velma started out as an Evangelical United Brethren until later merging with the Methodist Church, becoming a United Methodist. She worked many years on the funeral committee, helping plan and serve meals. Velma then moved her membership to the Norton First United Methodist Church. In 2010, three years after the passing of her husband, she moved to Norton to assisted living at Prairie Meadows, then to Whispering Pines, when she had problems with medicine. On October 28, 2020, she moved to Wellsprings of Westmoreland to be closer to Chuck and Janet in Wamego.

She was preceded in death by her sister, Marjorie and Lloyd Schneider; her brother, Delphan Hoopes; her mother, Maude Louise Hoopes; her father, ArneyLee Hoopes; her husband, James; and her daughter, Marlynn Sue Covert.

She is survived by her family: Debra Mavis (Terry), Janet Look (Chuck), Valinda Luttig, Ruth Shelite (Monte), and Lori Grimes; her grandkids and great-grands;  her siblings: Larry Hoopes (Marilyn), Glen Hoopes (Rae Jean), Pat Preston (Weldon), Linda Beisner (Ron), Jack Hoopes (Sandy), Terry Hoopes (Sheila); and wife of brother, Delphan, Jean.

Velma was dearly LOVED by all of her family and friends. She will be missed. We have the assurance that she is with our heavenly Father and will look forward to us joining her someday. Velma’s favorite scripture was Psalms 23, and her favorite hymns were, “Amazing Grace,” “Jesus Loves Me,” and “What a Day.”

A gathering celebrating Velma’s life will be held at a later date.