KelLee Parr Program On The Willows

Mansion on a Hill: The Story of The Willows Maternity Sanitarium and the Adoption Hub of America

KelLee Parr

Missouri Valley Sundays

Sunday, January 5, 2020

Program: 

2:00 pm

Central Library

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Women who were pregnant and unmarried in the early 1900s faced limited options and societal scorn. Many chose, or were sent, to deliver their babies and give them up for adoption in special facilities for unwed mothers—among them, The Willows Maternity Sanitarium in Kansas City.

Author KelLee Parr’s mother was among the thousands of infants adopted through The Willows during its 64 years of operation. In a discussion of his new book Mansion on a Hill, he examines the history of the hospital and Kansas City as a “baby hub” through the mid-20th century, sharing the stories of some of the children adopted there. 

The program, co-presented by the Jackson County Historical Society, features artifacts from The Willows.

KWCA Wrestling Rankings This Week

The 321A Wrestling Rankings for the week of Dec. 17 have finally been published on Sat.

1. Hoxie
2. Beloit
3. Norton
4. Goodland
5. Phillipsburg
6. Hoisington
7. Rossville
8. Republic Co.
9. Oberlin
10. Eureka

Zach Archer maintains his #1 ranking in 113 lb. and Kody Davoren stayed at  #4  in the 220 lb. class.
Layne Hurla broke into rankings this week at #6 in the 138 lb. class.

Agnes (Olejnik, Koontz) Wike Passes Away

Agnes (Olejnik) (Koontz) Wike, 91 of Topeka, passed away peacefully Dec. 17, 2019 with her children by her side. She was born on February 21, 1928 in Rossville, Kansas, the daughter of George and Rosie Olejnik. She attended Victor 101 School, a one room school house now located at Ward Mead Park and Rossville High School. Agnes was employed by Santa Fe Railroad for 32 years before retiring in 1989.

Agnes loved her family, sewing, baking, flowers, Seek-A-Word puzzles and an occasional bingo/casino night. She enjoyed collecting dolls and lady head vases. Cooking was her passion and she was forever trying a new recipe or enjoying a new cookbook. She also loved watching KU basketball games. Her fortitude and determination served her well during her lifetime. Her mottos were "get your work done before you play" and "when times are tough, things will be better tomorrow".

She was preceded in death by her parents and brothers George, Rudolf, Henry, Bill, Ed and sisters Josephine, Georgianne and Helen. She is survived by daughter Cheryl Buxton (late Dan Buxton) of Topeka, daughter Marilyn Koontz of Topeka and son William Koontz of Port Orange, Florida. Grandchildren Ryan (Erica) Koontz of Topeka, Tyler (Shea) Koontz of Statesboro, Georgia and Tara Montana Koontz of Port Orange, Florida and great grandchildren Brynlee and Henley. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Cremation is planned and per her wishes no public service will be held. Private interment will be at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in her memory to The House at Midland Care, 120 SW Frazier Circle, Topeka, KS 66606 or Helping Hands Humane Society Inc. 5720 SW 21st, Topeka, KS 66604.

The family would like to thank the staff at The House at Midland Care for the loving and compassionate care they provided for our mother and our family during this difficult time.

Lady Dawgs Defeat Atchison

Atchison    6    5    9     5  —  25
Rossville   11    2    4  14  —  30

Rossville scoring:
Dyche                 0         0-3       0
Streit                  1 (1)    0-5       3
Bergstesser       1          2-2       4
Rabe                   0         3-4       3
Morelli               8 (1)    2-2     19
Foster                 0          0-2     0
Gillum                0           1-2     1

KWCA Rankings

For some reason, it seems the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association did not post the rankings this week.

Christmas Dawgfeed

You can watch the Christmas edition of Rossville High's Dawgfeed at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2BXOiYS-lE

Melvin Wehner Passes Away

A Mass of Christian burial for Melvin George Wehner, 93, Lawrence, will be held at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, December 21, 2019 at Holy Family Catholic Church in Eudora. Burial will follow in Holy Family Catholic Cemetery in Eudora. He passed away on Wednesday, December 18, 2019 at Neuvant House of Lawrence.

He was born on October 6, 1926 in Delia, KS the son of John and Mary (Stallman) Wehner.

He served his country in the United States Army during the Korean War.

Melvin owned and operated the family grocery business in Sunflower Village and later owned and operated Wehner Retail Liquor in Lawrence. He was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church, 3rd degree knight with the Knights of Columbus and the American Legion.

He served on the City of Eudora Planning Commission, was on the Board of Directors for the Eudora Nursing Homes, and was a Board Member of the National Retail Liquor Association.

He married Nina B. Koci on October 12, 1950 in Delia, KS. She preceded him in death on June 29, 2013.

Survivors include his children; Doug (Ginger) Wehner, Greg (Beth) Wehner, Karen (David) Hull, seven grandchildren; Shannon Cates, Allison (Aaron) Swaim, Mathew (Dyan) Wehner, Brandon Hull, Lacey (Doug) Brown, Stacey (Trevor) Niedfeldt, Rebecca (Joe) Male, eleven great grandchildren; and brother, Francis Wehner. He was also preceded in death by his parents; siblings, Irene, Clarence, Katherine"Katie", Florence and John A.

A parish Rosary will be said at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, December 21, 2019 with visitation to follow until 11:30 a.m. at Holy Family Catholic Church in Eudora.

Memorial contributions may be made in his name to the Holy Family Catholic Church or to Elara Hospice and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 120 W. 13th Street, Lawrence, KS 66044.

For more information or to post a condolence go to

warrenmcelwain.com.

Dawgfeed 6 On-Line

Dawgfeed 6  for 2019-20 is now on-line and can be viewed at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=akPkxpd3AO4

Anita Armstrong Passes Away (Updated)

Anita R. Armstrong, 72, of Rossville, passed away on Friday, December 13, 2019. She was born March 24, 1947 in Holton, Kansas, the daughter of William L. and Erma Gail (Olds) Riley.

Anita graduated from Holton High School and attended Clark’s School of Business. She retired from Wehner’s Thriftway in Rossville. She was a member of Rossville United Methodist Church.

Anita married Raymond Vern Armstrong. They later divorced.

Survivors include children, Jaimi Armstrong (Phil) Olson of Rossville, Christian Armstrong of Rossville, Travis (Lisa) Armstrong of Rossville, Lance (Shawna) Armstrong of Concord, California and Mysti (Dustin) Moore of Killeen, Texas, 16 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, 1 great-great-grandson, extended children, Lynn Fast of Minnesota, Deborah Trice of Rossville, and her siblings, Nancy Mitchell of Crossville, Tennessee, William “Bill” Riley of Holton, John Riley of Wamego and Steve Riley of Holton.

Anita was preceded in death by one grandson, Anthony Vern "Tony" Armstrong Olson.

Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, December 21, 2019 at Rossville United Methodist Church where the family will receive friends one hour prior to service time. Cremation will follow the service and private inurnment will take place at a later date.

Dove Southeast Chapel, 2843 SE Minnesota Ave. is assisting the family.

To leave the family a special message, please select the Share Memories option listed above.

Zach Archer's 2018-19 Season

Here is info about Zach Archer's 2018-19 wrestling season:
https://www.trackwrestling.com/membership/ViewProfile.jsp?twSessionId=rqkkrpqgyr&twId=42344009

Dawgfeed 5 Now On-line

Dawgfeed Five starts off with a special salute to the girls outstanding cross country team.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=284YNQr125c

Macy Gillum Receives Masters

 Macy Gillum receiving her Masters Degree in clinical psychology at Emporia State University.

No School Monday

No School in USD 321 on Monday

Annual Christmas Concert

The annual Rossville Christmas concert and silent auction will be Dec. 17.