Jason Thornburg Graduates

Jason Thornburg graduated from Wichita State University in May with a Masters of Education in Exercise Science.

Class of 1984 35th Reunion

The RHS Class of 1984 celebrated their 35th year reunion during the 2019 Tall Corn Festival and they rode the below pictures float in the TCF parade on Aug. 10, 2019.

Class of 1989 thirtieth Reunion

   The RHS Class of 1989 celebrated their 30th year reunion at the 2019 Rossville Tall Corn Festival.  Their parade float is below. 

Dorothy Dohrman Koch Passes Away

    Dorothy Louise Dohrman Koch, Newton, gained her eternal reward on Thursday (Aug. 15, 2019). 
    Dorothy was born Feb. 23, 1941, in her grandmother's bedroom in Delia. Though she was an only child, she never saw herself that way and, instead, liked to think she was blessed to be "everyone's child." She attended Catholic schools her entire life and it would be upon that foundation that she would build her life. On Dec. 31, 1961, Dorothy and Vern were married at Immaculate Conception Church in St. Marys and began their life together, where they were blessed with almost 58 years of marriage. Her family was her greatest joy and a source of immense pride. From an early age, she taught her four daughters the value of hard work and to believe that they could do anything they wanted if they simply put their mind to it. She and Vern owned and operated Newton Livestock, where they bought hogs for 40 years. She was also a partner and clerk for Auction Specialists in Newton and thoroughly enjoyed the thousands of people she met along the way, considering each one a friend. Dorothy was the woman behind the man, supporting Vern in all of his endeavors. She was her grandchildren's biggest cheerleader and supporter, attending every activity or event they were ever involved in. Dorothy was a world-class pie maker, wedding cake baker, sugar Easter egg maker and caterer extraordinaire, feeding as many as 1,000 people in one meal. She was a perpetual student and traveled the world. She boasted being a skilled weighmaster, daily Mass attendee and famous radio personality, giving the daily hog markets for more than 25 years. She and Vern had faithfully given one hour each week to the Perpetual Adoration since its inception in 1990. She was a charter member of the Divine Mercy Prayer Group, church lector, Eucharistic minister, birdwatcher, avid reader, Harvey County 4-H supporter, Sunday school teacher, dominoes enthusiast, Girl Scout leader, card shark, hoarder of rosaries and other religious relics, trailblazer for medical advancements and scientific research, 22-year cancer survivor and a call-it-like-she-sees-it-straight-shooter who, as surrogate mother to the masses, single-handedly taught more kids to drive hogs and stick-shift - all in the same summer. She opened her home to anyone and everyone, whether they were Labo Exchange students, kids needing summer jobs or just someone down on their luck. She had a gracious heart and loved people. She had a fiery spirit, a quick wit and was a strong and brave soul showing immense courage, grace and conviction. She loved her family and she loved Jesus. Her devotion and faith were an inspiration to all who knew and loved her. Those lucky enough to be loved by her in this life will miss her loyalty, laughter, glass-half-full attitude, fighting spirit, unending friendship and unconditional love. She will be deeply mourned and eternally loved but, most of all, she will be celebrated.   
    Dorothy is survived by her husband, Vern; her four daughters: Rae Niles (Doug) of Sedgwick, Dana Knott (Terry) of Hesston, Joy Gehrer (Kory) of Zimmerdale and Jana McKinney (Kyle Headrick) of Zimmerdale; as well as her beloved grandchildren: Abby and Mark Walker, Megan and Aaron Austin, Andy and Donna Niles, Morgan and Nathan Simmons, Garrett and Laura McKinney, Chance and Tayler Gehrer, Madi Gehrer; Wyatt McKinney, Ellie McKinney and Kyle Rutschman; great-grandchildren: Madden, Sam; Winston, Abel, Kade, Lin, Logan, Lance, twins Coleman and Peyton, Elliott and baby boy Gehrer; and stepbrothers, Gary Burgett, Terry Burgett and Greg Burgett. She was preceded in death by her parents, Raphael J. Dohrman and Helen L. Dohrman Burgett; and son-in-law, Lance McKinney. 
    Family was present for visitation from 4 to 6:45 p.m. Sunday (Aug. 18, 2019), with recitation of the rosary immediately following at 7 p.m. at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, Newton. Mass of Christian Burial was 10:30 a.m. Monday (Aug. 19, 2019) at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Newton, with private burial following at Eastlawn Cemetery, Zimmerdale. In lieu of flowers, please consider memorials to Our Lady of Guadalupe Church Food Pantry or St. Jude' Children's Research Hospital, c/o Petersen's Funeral Home, Newton.

Published in The Kansan on Aug. 20, 2019.

Rossville Estate Sale Aug. 24, 25

   Estate Sale on Aug. 24,25 in Rossville.  For more info,  go to:
https://estatesales.org/estate-sales/ks/rossville/66533/rossville-estate-sale-1704305

Hailey Thornburg Graduates

    Hailey Thornburg is a spring graduate of Washburn University with an Associate of Science degree in Occupaional Therapy.

Alex Bird Graduates From WU

    Alex Bird graduated from Washburn University this spring with a BA in English

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.