Washburn U Dean's, President's Lists

    The spring semester Dean's List contained the following students from Rossville:  Abagail Escobar, Rachel Klaske, Corgin Horak, and Sydney Marney.
    The Spring semester President's List had the following students from Rossville:  James Benton and Breanna Hill

Class of 59 Reunion

    The RHS Class of 1959 held their 60th reunion on Aug. 8-11 during the Tall Corn Festival.
Attending Were Marlene Stockman, Connie Wiggins, Geraldine Davis, Linda Raine, Ginger Allen, Jerry Perry, Neil McKenzie, Ed Humston, Roger Zeller, Doug Martinek, Clifford VanVleck,  and Frank Ruff.
    About 16 photos can be seen at:
https://rhsclassof1959.blogspot.com/

2019 Tall Corn Festival

    There are about 30 photos taken during the 2019 Tall Corn Festival.  See them at:
https://rossvilleksphotos.blogspot.com/2019/08/2019-tall-corn-festival.html

Paul Lenherr Passes Away

    Paul Leo Lenherr, 80, St. Marys, KS, passed away Friday, August 9, 2019 at home after a short battle with cancer.      He was born March 3, 1939, in Topeka, KS, the son of Paul Joseph and Regina Ann Schuler Lenherr. He was a 1957 graduate of St. Marys High School and earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Omaha in 1964. Paul worked in the distribution offices of the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company until assuming ownership of Sparks Insurance Agency in St. Marys in 1976. Paul was a life-long member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, St. Marys, serving as one of the first lectors and continuing for nearly 50 years. He also remained faithful to his weekly 1:00 am adoration hour for over 30 years. Paul had an extremely active role with the Knights of Columbus throughout his life earning leadership positions at the local and state level, ultimately resulting in his service as State Deputy of Kansas and State Master of the Fourth Degree in the 1990's. For over 20 years Paul was the Ceremonials Chairman. He was an honorary life member of the St. Marys K of C Council #657 and the Thomas A. McNeive Assembly of the Fourth Degree. At the community level Paul was the Supervisory Judge of the Election Board for many years, and previously served as President of the Chamber of Commerce and a term on the Board of Directors of Wamego Country Club.
     He married Peggy Jane Sparks on June 9, 1962 in St. Marys. She survives of the home. Other survivors include two daughters: Christy (Mark) Grannell, Gardner and Helen (Joe) Schwinn, Leavenworth; two sisters: Sr. Letitia Lenherr, SCL, Leavenworth and Ann (Don) Henry, Fort Collins, CO; and 5 grandchildren: Jim (Ashley) Grannell, Tom (Allegra) Grannell, Ann Grannell (fiancé Jack Vielhauer), all of Shawnee; Sarah Jo Schwinn and Zachary Schwinn of Leavenworth; and one great grandson, Henry Grannell. He was preceded in death by one brother, Vincent John Lenherr, and three sisters: Regina Simonton, Sr. Mary Cecilia Lenherr, SCL, and Josepha "Jo" Mulvihill.
    Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, August 16, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, St. Marys. Burial at Mt. Calvary Cemetery, St. Marys. Visitation will be at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Rossville on Thursday, August 15 from 5:00 - 7:00 pm followed by a rosary recitation. Memorials may be made to Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in care of Piper Funeral Home, 714 W. Maple Street, St. Marys, KS 66536 http://www.piperfuneralhome.com 

Please Note Location of Visitation & Rosary

Teresa and Sheldon Newsham Have a Girl

    Teresa and Sheldon Newsham of Rossville are the proud parents of a new baby girl born Aug. 6, at Stormont-Vail.

Josephine Voelker Passes Away

Josephine Marie Voelker, 99, of Topeka, passed away February 23, 2019. Josephine was born on March 12, 1919 in Rossville, Kansas. Daughter of Henry E. McGuire and Monica A. Prockish McGuire.

Graveside memorial service will be at held at Mount Calvary Cemetery on Saturday, October 5, 2019 at 10:00 a.m.

The family will receive guests immediately following the graveside. To leave fond memories or online condolences, please visit www.brennanmathenafh.com

Back From TCF

I was in Rossville for the Tall Corn Festival and class reunion,  but am back home and will be adding news from Rossville over the next few days.

Bart Crow At TCF

Bart Crow and band will be performing Sat. night, Aug. 10, at the Tall Corn Festival.  For more info, go to:

Bart Crow at TCF

Booster Club Needs You

Click on image below to enlarge for reading or printing.

Taylor Kirk To Coach At W.U.

From the Capital-Journal:
Washburn U. softball has announced that former Ichabod Taylor Kirk has been added as an assistant coach.

Kirk, a Rossville native, was a three-time all-state selection for the Bulldawgs and a first-team all-MIAA pick at shortstop her senior year at Washburn after leading the MIAA with 13 home runs. She also earned second-team all-MIAA her junior year as a utility player after transferring to WU from Johnson County Community College. Overall, she finished with a .309 batting average with 26 home runs, 101 hits and 70 runs scored while driving in 92 runs at Washburn.

“Taylor Kirk is coming off a great playing career, helping lead us to an MIAA Championship in 2018,” Holaday said. “She has all the potential to be a great coach — great passion and work ethic, natural leadership skills and a strong knowledge of the game. We are elated to have her continue in our program as a coach.”

Ruth Larson Passes Away

    Ruth E. Larson 88, passed away Thursday, August 1, 2019 at Brewster Place in Topeka.
She was born March 5, 1931 in Topeka, the daughter of LaVerne and Edna Vilven Spears. Ruth grew up in the Rossville community and graduated from Rossville High School. She attended Kansas State University. She lived most of her life in Rossville moving to Topeka in 2009.
    Ruth worked at Midwest Machines in Topeka. She later worked many years at the People's State Bank in Rossville and served as the treasurer for the city of Rossville. She was a member of the Rossville United Methodist Church and Countryside United Methodist Church in Topeka. Ruth was a life member of the Eastern Star and was Grand Ruth for the state of Kansas in 1962. She held many offices in local chapters. She was a past member of the ABWA and was women of the year in 1983.
    On January 24, 1957 she was united in marriage to William "Bill" Larson at the First Presbyterian Church in Topeka. He survives.
    Other survivors include two sons, Robert (Annie) Larson, Topeka and James Larson, Olathe; a sister, Helen C. Miller, Rossville; three grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.
    Memorial services will be at 2:00 P.M. Friday, August 9, 2019 at the Brewster Place Chapel in Topeka. Inurnment will be in the Rossville Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Brewster Foundation and sent in care of Piper Funeral Home, 714 Maple Street, St. Marys, Kansas 66536.

Rossville Rustlers At County Fair

From an article in the Capital-Journal:

The 2019 Shawnee County Fair took place July 19-28 at the Stormont Vail Events Center. There were public events, such as a pedal tractor pull, free concert and petting zoo, but perhaps the most excited participants were 4-H and Future Farmers of America members who showed up to show off a variety of projects that demonstrate just how much they learn.

“It’s a big deal,” said Lynette Hudson, co-leader of the Rossville Rustlers 4-H Club. “You work all year — whether it’s a beef project or a swine project.”

Students involved in 4-H clubs — those students can range in age from 7 to 18 years old — might choose to raise and care for livestock, but those aren’t the only types of projects 4-H’ers complete and present at the fair. They can also bring in vegetables they have grown, a welding project they put together, a series of photographs they took, original jewelry they hand crafted — the list goes on.

“A lot of times 4-H gets this misconception that you have to live in the country and have animals to be in 4-H,” said Candis Meerpohl, 4-H youth development agent for Shawnee County. “We have over 800 photography exhibits. Anyone with a camera can participate in the photography project.”

Meerpohl said 4-H’s mission is “developing tomorrow’s leaders.” Project-based learning, she added, is how they accomplish that.

“It’s not just for farmers,” Hudson said.

Hudson’s daughter, Leah Hudson, is also active in 4-H, and as the Hudsons can attest, 4-H is a family affair.

Kayla Vandevelde attended the 4-H fair with her daughter, Kristen Vandevelde. Kristen, age 8, is a third-generation 4-H’er. Kristen, with some help from her mom, cared for two pigs she submitted for judging at the fair. She also baked muffins and created a miniature airplane and airport out of LEGOs, all of which she put on display.

“I absolutely love teaching her and showing her and spending time with her,” Vandevelde said of getting to guide her daughter through the projects. “It’s great to pass on the qualities of leadership and how to take care of animals.”

According to Vandevelde, 4-H is all about cultivating life skills, developing leadership, forming friendships and building community — sentiments echoed by fellow 4-H’ers.

To read the complete article,  go to:   https://www.cjonline.com/news/20190728/4-h-members-display-months-of-hard-work-at-shawnee-county-fair

Karleen (Wild) (49) Kelly Passes Away

Karleen D. Kelly, 88, of Topeka, formerly of Maple Hill, passed away Saturday, July 27, 2019.

She was born November 15, 1930, in St. Marys, Kansas, the daughter of Bill and Blanch (Fauerbach) Wild. She was a 1949 graduate of Rossville High School.

She was a member of Maple Hill United Methodist Church.

Karleen married Bob Kelly. He preceded her in death. Survivors include four children, Denise Taylor, Lebanon, MO, Angela Brokmann, Louisville, KY, Roger (Kim) Brokmann, Steve Brokmann, Kathy Murrow, all of Topeka; six grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; and her brother, Bill (Kay) Wild, St. Mary's, KS. 

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Karleen enjoyed spending time with family and sewing.

Cremation is planned. A graveside ceremony will be held at 10 a.m., Today, July 31, 2019 at Maple Hill Cemetery, Maple Hill, KS. Dove Cremations and Funerals, Southwest Chapel in Topeka is assisting the family. To leave a special message for the family online, visit www.DoveTopeka.com.

Robert Stockman Passes Away

Roberet (Bob) Stockman, 93, left this world to join his Lord Jesus Christ, on July 28, 2019 at his home.

He was born April 28, 1926, at his parent's home in Sandy Hook, near St. Marys, Kansas. He was the second of 13 children born to Francis Peter (F.P.) and Martha Boelens Stockman.

Bob grew up on the family farm in Sandy Hook, where he attended country-school in a one-room school house. He was a member of the Tomato Club, which was the precursor to 4-H. He moved into St. Marys and lived with his paternal grandparents and finished his schooling at Immaculate Conception Catholic High School. After high school graduation, he worked in various jobs before moving to New Mexico. There he joined the U. S. Navy. He was stationed in Jacksonville, Florida from 1945 until 1946.

After his honorable discharge in 1946, he worked a variety of jobs before migrating to Cheyenne, WY. There he married his high school sweetheart, Mary T Erbacher on Friday, June 13, 1947, in the Cathedral of St. Mary in Cheyenne, WY.

After a few years there, they returned to Kansas to farm and raise a family. After brief periods on farms in the Emmett and Rossville areas, they settled near Maple Hill, where they lived and ranched for 43 years. Bob loved raising cattle and farming a great deal. He and T bought cattle in Texas and had them shipped to Kansas on multiple occasions. He was interested in new farming techniques and trying new crops. He was also known for his creativity in solving problems and unique fixes that earned him a nickname of MacGyver.

Bob and T both served on the Maple Hill School Board and were involved with the Maple Hill Hustlers 4-H Club and Wabaunsee County 4-H. He was also a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church parish in St. Marys. He was an Honorary Life Member of the Knights of Columbus Council #657 and the Thomas A. McNeive 4^th Degree Assembly and the American Legion Post 130.

In 1996, Bob and T retired and moved to their home on Pomona Lake. He loved the view of the lake and watching the various birds, but especially the eagles. In retirement he became a Master Gardener and he focused his love of raising plants on a large garden. It was his inspiration and passion. He found joy in experimentation with new varieties and sharing from its bounty.

Bob was known for his story telling and his many "Bob-isms" He never met a stranger and enjoyed striking up a good conversation.

After moving, he and T became members of St. Patrick Churches of Osage City and Scranton. They enjoyed their involvement with parish community activities and the Rusty Bucket garden club.

In 2017, Bob and T celebrated their 70^th Wedding Anniversary with a gathering of family and friends. They were named the longest-married couple in Kansas for 2017 by Worldwide Marriage Encounter. There was also a proclamation by the Kansas House of Representatives honoring them for their long marriage.

Bob was preceded in death by T as well as their daughter, Beverly Jean Stockman Harris. He was also preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, Pat Banks and Regina Stockman, and six brothers Ted, Harold, Leo, Joe, Don and Tom. He is survived by his sons and daughters; Barbara (Larry) Schulte of Leawood; Bruce (Pat) Stockman of Prior Lake, MN; Brian (Michele) Stockman of Parker, CO; Brenda (Kevin) Selman of Columbia, MO. He has 12 grandchildren: Aimee, Justin, Andy, Ryan, Lauren, Adam, Heather, Lina, Zac, Kyle, Paige and Amanda, and 8 great grandchildren: Erika, Grant, Sophia, Hadley, Hudson, Grace, Thomas, and Ida. A niece Marian Hartung and two nephews John Hartung and David Fay who lived with the Stockman Family in Maple Hill. Many of his nephews were able to experience the farm/ranch life along Mill Creek near Maple Hill. (Two of those nephews found their way to the ranch without their parents' permission!) He is also survived by many other loving extended family members, neighbors, and caregivers.

Two visitations will be held for friends and family to gather. The first will be at Piper Funeral Home, St. Marys, Friday, August 23, 5:00-7:00 p.m. concluding with a vigil liturgy and sharing of memories. The second will be at St. Patrick Catholic Church (St Brigid's Hall) in Osage City, 9:30 a.m., Saturday, August 24, A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. in the church. A luncheon will follow. Interment will be at 2 p.m. at the Maple Hill Cemetery. A coffee gathering will be held at the Senior Center in Maple Hill immediately following.

Memorial contributions may be made to the building fund for St. Patrick Church of Scranton, C/O Parishes of St. Patrick, 309 S 6th St, Osage City, KS 66523 or the Wabaunsee Co. 4-H Grensing Memorial Scholarship Fund for 4-Hers C/O Wabaunsee County, PO Box 278, Alma, KS 66401.