Stories from School Wanted

For the school reunion that is coming up July 16, stories are wanted.

Roger Pruter and Dan Hoisington are looking for stories and experiences from Paradise Schools.

Several humorous stories have already been submitted.

Please send your stories to the following addresses.

Roger Pruter   pruter7@msn.com

Dan Hoisington   post@gorhamtel.com

Looking forward to reading the stories and seeing everyone at the reunion.

Paradise School reunion update

Jay Anderson (Class "53") Obit

Jay Anderson, age 87, died on June 1, 2022 in Oberlin, Kansas. He was born in Norton, Kansas on February 4, 1935 to Arnold and Mary (Doubrava) Anderson. He graduated high school in Paradise, Kansas with the class of 1953 and went on to Kansas State University for his bachelor’s degree. While there, he departed two years to serve in the Korean War. He then went on to K-State Veterinary School and graduated in 1962. After that he and his first wife and three children moved to Oberlin where Dr. Anderson began his veterinary career. A fourth child was born in Oberlin. After practicing many years, he retired and married his second wife, Ann Leake. They raised greyhounds for a few years and traveled the country in a fifth wheel. They moved back to Oberlin to settle down. Dr. Anderson participated in many community events and was active on many local boards, including Fair Board, City Council, Library and Rotary to name just a few. He was proud of coming from a public-minded family that worked for the interests of northwest Kansas, including a father who was a legislator and a grandfather who was an early Decatur settler. He was always strategizing and making notes on ways to further the development of Decatur County. It was rare to not see him with a yellow note pad in his retirement days, making notes about many things. He also loved talking to people and telling many stories of the successes of past Kansans in bettering the community and of his own experiences as a country veterinarian and traveler. Dr. Anderson also loved reading and collected a personal library focused on military and plains history. He frequently gifted his grandsons books and educational magazines and also took them on a trip to visit Little Bighorn Battlefield. Dr. Anderson is survived by his wife, Ann Anderson and three children, Jill (Anderson) Reichert and husband, Wilbur, Dresden; Amy Anderson and partner, Mark Webster, Oklahoma City and Jane Anderson. His brother, Jon Anderson and wife Dorothy, San Francisco, CA. Also, three grandsons, Grant Reichert, Wenatchee, WA; Gannon Reichert and wife Mary, Oberlin and Gage Reichert and wife, Cole, Hill City and four great grandsons, Conner, Creo, Dean and Owen. He was preceded in death by his parents and one grandson, Gatlin Reichert. Memorials are designated to the GROW Foundation. Jay would have also encouraged everyone to give their time and energy to the Decatur County Fair where he was one of the original volunteers involved in getting the Ferris wheel for the home-grown carnival and felt it was a very important part of keeping Decatur County strong.

Events

JUN3

Service

Friday, June 03, 2022

2:00PM

Pauls Funeral Home - Oberlin
121 N Penn Ave
Oberlin, KS 67749

Final Resting Place

Oberlin Cemetery
North Martin Ave. Oberlin, KS 67749

“Plans are to start helping build a shed and to pick up fencing that was destroyed,” she said. “It will be hard work – and a bit stretching for the team of students on our team. And the locals have clearly told us that rattlesnakes are known to be in the area and that we need to stay aware!” A second team from the Teens for Christ group will go on a SPLASH trip next week. Lundquist described that as a trip where “we allow God to lead us on as the adventure unfolds!” The unnamed destination is again within a day’s drive of Phillipsburg. “Our prayer has always been that as we take teenagers on these trips that their faith journey will be impacted so they will continue to have an impact on the kingdom of God,” Lundquist said.

 Teens for Christ team 

travels to Paradise

Members of a Teens for Christ summer mission group from Phillipsburg help clean up around the foundation of a house destroyed by fire west of Paradise.
They were in Russell County this week to build a shed and pick up fencing at farms affected by the 4-County Fires last December.

Susan Thacker
Published: Jun 2, 2022, 11:18 AM

LUCAS — A Teens for Christ Disaster Team mission crew from Phillipsburg traveled to Russell County this week to provide relief to families affected by the 4-County Fires last December. Janice Lundquist with Teens for Christ said 13
teens, three college-age interns, three other staff and one adult volunteer
headed to Lucas on Tuesday.

Over the years, summer mission trips have taken the Phillipsburg youths to Mississippi and even to foreign countries. This year the organizers looked closer to home for an area that had experienced some type of hardship.

“The 4-County Fires took place just about 60 miles away from us,” she said.

The team planned to stay in Lucas and work west of Paradise, pitching in “for at least two different families who lost almost everything,” Lundquist said.

“Plans are to start helping build a shed and to pick up fencing that was destroyed,” she said. “It will be hard work – and a bit stretching for the team of students on our team. And the locals have clearly told us that rattlesnakes are known to be in the area and that we need to stay aware!”

A second team from the Teens for Christ group will go on a SPLASH trip next week. Lundquist described that as a trip where “we allow God to lead us on as the adventure unfolds!” The unnamed destination is again within a day’s drive of Phillipsburg.

“Our prayer has always been that as we take teenagers on these trips that their faith journey will be impacted so they will continue to have an impact on the kingdom of God,” Lundquist said.

GREAT BEND CO-OP DONATES TO VICTIMS OF THE FIRE

297119

Thank You Great Bend Co-op 

Feb. 1st,, Great Bend Co-op was honored to present a check to the Russell County Emergency Services for $10,000 to assist with repairs of damages sustained in the Dec 2021 Four Counties Fire. We were also able to secure an additional $5,000 from CHS to bring the total to $15,000 back directly to our communities. These fire service volunteers jumped in to action to protect our neighbors and our communities in the face of immense danger. We want to thank everyone who stepped up that day and in the weeks following.

Along with this, Great Bend Co-op is also donating $10,000 plus an additional $5,000 from CHS to the Kansas Livestock Association & Kansas Farm Bureau fund that will be allocated 100% back to the victims of the fires from that horrible day. With over 160,000 acres in Kansas affected by fires, the total cost of the damage is yet to be determined.

The recovery from the Four County Fire, and others that occurred across Kansas that day, will be a long, arduous process. The scorched ground will require time and moisture to fully recover. There are still opportunities to donate to the recovery efforts and all donations are greatly appreciated. Click the links below to learn more.

www.kla.org/affiliates/Kansas-Livestock-foundation/donations

www.Paradiseks.churchtrac.com

 

          

ARLIN CHESNEY MEMORIAL - CLASS of 1959

296727          296978

 ARLIN CHESNEY 

Died January 28, 2020

Obituary for Arlin Clinton Chesney (Lebanon)

Arlin Chesney, age 80 of Lebanon, Missouri, passed away Friday morning, January 28, 2022 in his home.
Arlin is survived by his wife, Joann Chesney of the home, in Lebanon, Missouri; a daughter, Christina Chesney-Sellers, and her husband, Matthew, of Edmond, Oklahoma; a son, Clinton Chesney, and his wife, Amanda, of Edmond, Oklahoma ; three step-daughters, Gina Stegall, and her husband, Kenneth, of Lebanon, Missouri, Shawna Dunagan, and her husband, Greg, of Liberty, Missouri, and Elizabeth Marks, and her husband, Kevin, of Lebanon, Missouri; twenty-two grandchildren and eighteen great-grandchildren.
A Visitation Service was held Wednesday, Feb. 2 from 5- 7 p.m. in Holman-Howe Funeral Home of Lebanon.

To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Arlin Clinton Chesney (Lebanon) please visit our Sympathy Store

Visitation

FEB 2. 5:00 PM-7:00 PM

Holman-Howe Funeral Home Of Lebanon

Arlin's wife's mailing address.

Joann Chesney

715 W. Madison. unit 1

Lebanon, Mo 65536

Finally, some good news!!!

 I have been told, by a reliable source that a school reunion is in the making.

The 3rd Saturday of July the Elks Club in Russell has been reserved.

July 16th, mark your Calendar!!!

Roger Pruter is running with the project and Dan Hoisington is his back up.

Roger would like to be contacted with the following information.

Name, 

Graduation class year, 

Home address,

Telephone number 

Email address.

They may be requesting more information as a lot was lost in the recent fire in the Paradise area.

There will be more information coming.

Please contact Roger at 719-332-9051

or email:   pruter7@msn.com

Stay tuned!!!

More Paradise wildfire videos.

 This is the video that was shown in Kansas City.

 

Paradise family saved from fire, but not heartbreak (kwch.com)

 

Here are the links to more videos.

 

Kansas Wildfires (kwch.com)

 

BRETT THOMPSON UPDATE

295451

I received a message from Brett's daughter, Brynae with an update concerning her Dad.

Brynae Thompson

"Hey there. Dad is doing great! Went to the eye doctor and his vision is almost completely restored. Thank goodness! Thank you for your continued prayers. We appreciate them!

We are just in clean up mode trying to put back the pieces."

HAROLD ROBBINS died this morning in Anchorage

   295391          295434

I received a message from Diana Robbins-Blosser . . . 

"Ms Leonard- long time since I have even thought that!!! Brother Harold died this morning 5:00m in Anchorage. Covid hit 24th December.

I'm still numb, haven’t been able to cry yet. Saw your posts about the fire- we had losses but no buildings. I cannot concentrate long enough to make sense. It’s ALWAYS good to read your posts, I enjoy them."

Happy New Year!

Diana will send more information as soon as possible.

PLEASE PRAY CONSISTENTLY

295257

   

Many of us are bringing in the New Year in our homes with all of our possessions, comfort and stability. It is so easy for us to be somewhat neglectful in our consistent prayers for those that have been going through so much devastation.
Please pray consistently and faithfully for everyone involved in losing their livelihood. They can not take off any time to not have to think of or look at all of their disaster around them.
Our nation is running over with devastation. Please pray for All.

My heart has been so heavy this past week and today for all of our friends in and around Paradise, Ks.  Many Prayers and lots of Love for each of you.

Authorities determine fire origination.

Authorities said the fire originated north of Hays along Hwy.183 caused by power lines. See map below.

It burned three or four houses including one belonging to Marty Barth.

Calculations figured fire was moving at 60mph.!!  

News reported approx. 700 power poles down with about 400 replaced as of now.

294675          294720          294764          294846          294925

   Be sure and click on "'Older Posts" 

at the bottom of each group of posts.

DONATIONS

294659

***FIRE RELIEF DONATIONS***

An account has been established at Southwind Bank for victims of the area fires. Funds will be administered by the Paradise United Methodist Church. Monetary donations are accepted at Southwind Bank locations in Natoma and Russell. Checks may be made payable to Fire Relief Fund. When an electronic giving option is made available, we will share that information along with any other details the fund organizers provide. 

Paradise United Methodist Church

December 17 at 2:38 PM  · 

If you would like to make a donation to help with fire relief in the Paradise, Kansas area you can give online at https://paradiseks.churchtrac.com/

Please designate your donation to be used for Paradise Area Fire Relief. Additionally, an account has been established at Southwind Bank for victims of the area fires. Funds will be administered by the Paradise United Methodist Church. Monetary donations are accepted at Southwind Bank locations in Natoma and Russell. Checks may be made payable to Fire Relief Fund.

2

From Janette

"Prayers for our little hometown of Paradise!! High winds and fires have destroyed several of my friends homes in the town and around the farming vicinity including my nephew’s beautiful ranch house built in 1906!! The entire area along with surrounding towns were evacuated this afternoon and no one is allowed to go back to check out damage except through radio transmissions!! Prayers for our good friend, the mayor, Brett Thompson, whose pickup rolled over pinning him inside as the fire engulfed him!! He’s in the burn center at St Frances in Wichita!"

MAYOR BRETT THOMPSON FROM HIS DAUGHTER, BRYNAE THOMPSON

Brynae Thompson

“We are all alive.” The words I have on repeat spinning through my head like a song on repeat. This is the absolute most important thing.

Thank you for all of the calls, texts, posts, and prayers. We appreciate them more than you know.

My dad, who was trapped in the fire and got burnt, was released yesterday. Him and mom are getting settled in at their new “home”, my grandma’s house.

He has 70% loss of eye sight in one eye and 50% loss in the other. His corneas are damaged. We are praying and hoping it comes back in time.

My parents house is completely gone, and all of their vehicles except two. My house, grandmas’ and Paradise Grain are all okay. I have feeling of guilt that my house survived, but my childhood home, where I have the most memories did not.

It’s a somber feeling when you sit and think about how much stuff you have in your house, school papers, documents, sentimental things, and in just a matter of minutes, poof gone. The memories we made in that house we will forever be held in our minds.

Probably the most horrific thing I’ve had to do was yesterday, when we were going through what’s left of our cattle herd. We started the process of moving cattle to one field that survived the fire. Some of cattle that survived had no quality of life, bad burns, blindness, etc, had to be put down. We’ve lost half our cattle herd so far, with possible more to die. It’s a helpless feeling when you can’t help

animals you love and it absolutely breaks my already shattered heart.

My love and prayers go out to all of our dear friends who have lost all their belongings, pets, and their cattle herds as well. We love you guys, and together we will all build back. God doesn’t give us more than we can handle, even though it feels like a LOT right now.

Thank you to everyone who came and helped us yesterday. Thank you won’t ever be enough. I appreciate everyone of you, and my heart is bursting with gratefulness and thankfulness for you.

Thank you to all who are heading the disaster relief. We have ADM coming with bagged cubes, and pellets for cattle. So please check in with us at Paradise Grain. We also have people bringing hay by the office. We thought this was a central place so please grab what you need.

Thank you to the firefighters who are STILL working hard at putting these horrendous fires out. Thank you for your selflessness to put yourselves in harms way to protect others.

Thank you again to everyone. We are all alive, and that is the main thing we have to keep focused on, and continue to press forward.

Brynae sent a message this morning . . . (Dec 23)

"Thank you so much! His eye sight is improving everyday. Thank you!"

MESSAGES FROM JANETTE (ANGEL) ROSS

 

Fron Janette

"Actually Brett was out in his pickup with the fire department trying to get to his cattle! However the 80-100 mph winds literally blew his pickup over, and the fire engulfed the pickup! Honestly, I cannot understand how the firemen got him out of that situation! No one I’ve visited with knows how they got him out!"

From Jeanette

"My nephew Ryan's home and garage near Paradise that recently burn to the ground in the fires supported by 80-100 mph winds in North Central Kansas!"

  

From MASON (Gene Angel's son).

"I’ve got a lot of memories in this house! It’s had a lot of trials but has stood tall in the last 115 years! There’s a hole in my heart bigger than the hole in the ground."

From Jeanette

"Please pray for my brother Gene & Lynn Angel and Ryan, they have lost so much this last year starting with the flood of May 16th! The former Worley ranch house that stood for well over 100 years was just being remodeled after the flood! (Ryan, his aunt Lori and others had worked daily to repair the damages!) A friend of ours writes: “The family has so much love and compassion even through the heartbreak!” Ryan’s home was totally destroyed by the fires this week! Gene’s home did survive! He and my brother appreciate all the people who have reached out. Thank you so much for those who have come and helped with the heart wrenching task of putting down the herd that is suffering and burying 85 head of cattle along with 75 calves of Gene and Lynn’s! Can anyone even imagine?"

"This is so heart-wrenching! Our friends, Chis & Susan Pelton, are some of many whose entire ranch was destroyed by fire when the 100 mph winds could not be contained just outside of Paradise this week! My nephew’s home (Ryan) the former 100+ year old Worley Ranch house was totally destroyed."

TRENT ON THE LOOS

294613

 This is a very good video to watch.

https://www.bek.news/TrentOnTheLoos/2021-12-21/?fbclid=IwAR0qOS4QRGvnyVyDKKNSv3WAhe4-x1ZBjxI2DHFvUb4Zl_cNXsmfx6P6Q2U

294588

                                           Posted on facebook by Tim Maupin         

Please continue to pray for all of our loved ones as they go through the stress and trauma in this time of their lives.  Onnalee

Posted by Tim Maupin 

Mandy A. Peak Raithel is with Pat Comingdeer Stielow and 11 others at Bar S Ranch.

December 19 at 11:41 AM  · Paradise  · 

“There is no better place to heal a broken heart than on the back of a horse.” - Missy Lyons

The relief effort continues at Bar S Ranch today in Paradise, Kansas. Cowboys and cowgirls are continuing to gather the cattle that survived the fires last Wednesday night. Most of the herd will be moved to multiple locations willing to care for the cattle until the fire-ravaged pastures of Russell County can be renewed. The Bar S cattle will be sorted into breed groups of Angus, Red Angus, and Charolais.

The outpouring of help by our ranching and farming community is unreal. Thank you so much to the hard-working and generous people who are helping all of those who have been hit hard by this unfortunate disaster.

This photo is on location at Bar S Ranch, just outside of Russell, Kansas. The ruins of a home built in 1919 is in the background."

Also posted by Tim from Todd Haas

Tim Maupin

December 21 at 7:07 AM  · 

0:00 / 0:22

Todd Haas

December 17 at 9:49 PM  · 

"So today I took the time to get started delivering hay to what once was a cattle mans paradise. Paradise as a town that is, when I turned off 281 highway north of Russell and headed west the devastation was unreal. The video I shared earlier summed it up. As I was driving west and north I came across a big group of farmers working together in what I thought was pushing burning bales apart but I was wrong they were dumping dead burned cattle into there final resting place. At this point I had tears streaming down my face I could not believe what I was seeing. The losses were more than most people could even endure, farmers are tough and resilient but this will be difficult to recover from. I decided not to post any pictures because of the shear losses to these families. If there is any way that you can help with time, talent or treasure I encourage you to find it in your heart to do so. Reach out to your local county extension agent’s they can direct your donations in the right direction. If you are unable to help please offer up your prayers. I would like to send a thank you out to Derrick Schlegel and family from Alexander Ks for the first two loads of hay today. If I didn’t get to your call I will get to them soon, my post has been shared over 750 times so I am getting calls from everywhere. I had a gentleman call today that is willing to donate 1000 bales of hay but needs transportation. I am going to do as much as I possibly can to continue trucking hay to those in need. Thank you for everyone trying to help!!"