Virginia Robertson (Former Teacher)

 Belva Virginia Robertson, 98, of Russell, Kansas, passed away Wednesday, January 25, 2023 at Homestead Assisted Living in Russell.

Virginia was born January 20, 1925, to Lee and Opal (Armstrong) Buck on the family farm in Smith County, Kansas.  She attended high school at Smith Center, Kansas and Central College in McPherson, Kansas, where she received her degree in 1942.  She continued her education at Ft. Hays State College, majoring in Elementary Education.

Virginia’s teaching career began in a one room school in Smith County.  She later taught elementary students in Smith Center, Paradise, Kansas, Waldo, Kansas, and Russell, totaling 48 years.  Many of her students were of a second and third generation.  She treasured contact with past students and keeping up with their lives.

Virginia married Clifford L. Robertson on April 25, 1946, in Smith Center.  They moved to Paradise and remained there until 1965 when they moved to Russell.  She lived independently until 2018.

Virginia’s surviving family include her daughter, Janise Cotton and husband Scott of Lexington, Kentucky; son, Jerry Robertson and wife Cindy of Spring Hill, Kansas; six grandchildren, Jordan, Lindsay and Haley Robertson, Ben, Bryce and Von Cotton; sister, Betty Ayres of Sommanish, Washington; brothers, Von Buck of Colfax, Washington and Robert Buck of Yakima, Washington.

Virginia was preceded in death by her parents, husband Cliff in 2004, brother Bernard Buck, and sister, Marilee McLaughlin.

A Graveside Service will be held at 11:00 AM, Friday, April 28, 2023, at the Russell City Cemetery.  Cremation has taken place.  A Memorial has been established with Simpson Elementary School in Russell.  Contributions and condolences may be sent to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, who is in charge of these arrangements.

Patty L (Hoopes) Preston (Class 1958)

 

JANUARY 4, 1940 – JANUARY 24, 2023

Patty Lou Preston, 83, went to be with the Lord on January 24, 2023 at her home in Waco surrounded by family after a brief illness.

Pat was born on January 4, 1940, in Paradise, Kansas to Lee and Louise (nee Dwinelle) Hoopes. A 1958 graduate of Paradise High School, she was a star athlete which continued throughout her life and included coaching Little Dribblers Basketball. She then moved to Lubbock to graduate from Margie's Beauty School. Pat married the love her life, Weldon, on March 4, 1960 at Overton Methodist Church in Lubbock, celebrating 61 years They lived in Lubbock and Hale Center before making their permanent home in Wolfforth. She was a devoted mother and housewife who raised her three children with unconditional love. Her greatest joys were loving her children well, serving in the schools as homeroom mother, volunteering for the school and church, and time spent with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. While helping on the family farm, she also worked for years at Preston Meatpacking Company. She then became a loyal employee of Frenship Schools, serving over 28 years with amazing compassion for her students and teachers. Baptized at Paradise United Methodist Church, she was a faithful Christian serving at First Baptist Church of Wolfforth and later at First United Methodist Church of Wolfforth. She was a founding member of the Caregivers Class. Pat was a great cook, seamstress, and served the community in 4-H, FFA, Vacation Bible School, local stock shows, Band Booster, and more.

Pat is survived by her sons James of Buffalo Grove IL, and Lee (Shea) of Fischer TX, daughter Branda (Jake) Pavlas of Eddy TX, grandchildren: Madeleine, Jakey, Braylin, Jadyn, Ashley (Matthew), Ashlee, and Chris; great-grandchildren: Faith, Ezra, Asher, Aidan, Isabella and Nico; as well as her sister, Linda (Ron), and her brothers: Larry (Marilyn), Glen (Rae Jean), Jack (Sandy), and Terry (Sheila) , cousins, in-laws, nephews, and nieces. She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents; her brother, D.L. and sisters, Velma and Marjorie; and many other family members.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be sent to Kingswood United Methodist Church of Buffalo Grove, IL, Shadow of His Wings Ministry of Fischer, TX, and Woodway First United Methodist Church of Woodway, TX. A Service of Resurrection and Celebration will be held on Tuesday, January 31, at 1:00pm in the Chapel at Resthaven Funeral Home in Lubbock with Rev. Bobby McMillan presiding. Visitation with family will happen before the service at 12noon at Resthaven with a private family burial service later in the afternoon.

Duane Thacker (Class of 61) obit

  

Duane Lee Thacker, 79, of Russell, Kansas, died on Wednesday, December 28, 2022, at the Hospice and Homecare of Reno, County in Hutchinson, Kansas.

Duane was born on August 21, 1943, in Russell, Kansas, the son of Percy E. and Ruby (Corwin) Thacker.  He grew up in Paradise, Kansas and graduated from Paradise High School.  He was married to Janet Schmitz and later was married to Janet Burghardt.  He also lived in Stockton and Luray and worked as owner and operator of I-70 Used Cars.  He enjoyed old cars, working on cars, old westerns on TV, riding horses when he was younger and spending time with his family.  Most of all he especially enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren.

Surviving family include his sons Rick Thacker of Russell, Kansas, Ronnie (Shawna) Thacker of Offerle, Kansas and Russell Thacker of Hays, Kansas; step-son Kelly (Sarah) DePiesse of Hays, Kansas, brother Alex “Butch” Thacker of Salina, Kansas, significant other Mary DePiesse of Russell, Kansas, 11 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren, 1 niece and 4 nephews. 

He was preceded in death by his parents; son Ryan Thacker, Daughter Rachelle “Shelley” Thacker, sister Darlene Mowry and wives Janet Lynn (Schmitz) Thacker and Janet Marie (Burghardt) Thacker.

Cremation has been selected by the family and a memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 14, 2022, at the Luray United Methodist Church in Luray, Kansas.  Burial of remains will be at a later date.  Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas is assisting the family with funeral arrangements.

Paradise Fall Festival

It's time again for the Paradise Fall Festival.

 

Leo Harold Baum

 

Leo Harold Baum, 98, passed away July 25, 2022, at Country Place Senior Living Memory Care, Hoisington.  He was born August 28, 1923, at Susank, Kan., to Andrew and Katherine (Schmidt) Baum.  Leo married Loretta Jean Cronn Dec. 12, 1949, in Russell, Kan.  They celebrated 72 years of marriage last December.

Leo, a resident of Hoisington since 1970 coming from Paradise, Kan., was a veteran of WW II serving in the U.S. Navy aboard the U.S.S. Philadelphia.  Following his honorable discharge on March 29, 1947, he worked in the oilfield, the Helium Plant in Otis and later as a tool pusher for Mohawk Drilling.  In his later years he was employed at Great Bend feeding as a night watchman.  Leo enjoyed fishing, music, playing his guitar and spending time with family.  He was a Life member of the V.F.W., Russell, and was a devoted member of the Christian faith, accepting Christ at the age of 18.  Leo shaped his life around his faith in Jesus Christ as his Savior, and made it his life's work to embrace and spread the Word.

Survivors include his wife Loretta of the home; two sons, Leo Baum, Jr. (Vicky) of Rusk, Texas, and Gordon Baum (Karen) of Buchannon, W.V.; two daughters, Ginger Cotten (Joe) of Hoisington, and Brenda Roat (Damon Phelps) of Hoisington; son-in-law Terry Hekele of Great Bend; grandchildren, LC Baum, Bri Foresman, Kim Gould, Angela Gould, Tina Harman, Cassie Andrews, Kristin Wilt, Terri Umphres, Tiffany Hekele, Tyann Hekele, Micah Cotten, Sarah Simic, Rebekah Ohlde, Joey Cotten, Kristin Roat, DJ Miller and Trenton Roat; 22 great grandchildren; 5 great great grandchildren; two brothers, George Baum of Great Bend and Jake Baum (Mary) of Kansas City, Kan.; and two sisters, Hilda Jacobs of Gorham and Lydia Kaufman (Gary) of Great Bend.  He was preceded in passing by daughter, Leota Hekele; and siblings, Helen Wolford, Mary Mermis, Edward Baum, Josephine Shreve, Rosie Thompson, Margaret Bissett, Viola Brown, Kenny Baum and Emil Baum.

Cremation has taken place and services are pending with Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home.  Memorials are suggested to Church of the Nazarene, Hoisington, in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington, KS  67544.

To send a flower arrangement or to plant trees in memory of Leo Harold Baum, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.

Fire Videos.

 Go to Lisa's website and look at the 4 County Fire aerial videos.

The second video is just over 5 minutes.

At 2:13 he is going over Paradise, the turns left and goes over Maupins.

She has also posted numerious pictures of groups working and cleaning up after the fire.

Images by Lisa

2022 Class reunion pictures.

Pictures from the class reunion can be viewed and purchased from the following website.

Images by Lisa 

When you get to the website click on the "Client Login"

Enter "paradisereunion" without the quotation marks, as the access code.

(use lowercase and all one word.)

You will need to enter your name and your email address to view the photos.

Class photos will be available as Digital downloads.

You will need to download the image and print the photo yourself.

Prints can also be purchased through the website.

Lisa maynot have her pictures loaded on her website yet.

Stay tuned, keep trying and she will get it done.

Also there aerial views and other pictures of the fire that took place last December.

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

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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

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 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

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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

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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

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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.

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   Be sure and click on "'Older Posts" 

at the bottom of each group of posts.

DONATIONS

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***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.

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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!"