"Matt" Floersch Passes Away

Mathias H. “Matt” Floersch, age 97, of Highland, Kansas, formerly of Ottawa, passed away Monday, August 3, 2020, at Two Timbers Alternative Living.

Family will meet with friends from 9:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., Friday, August 7, 2020 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. The Rosary will begin at 10:00 a.m., Friday, followed by a funeral mass at 10:30 a.m.

Interment Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Ottawa, with military honors by the United States Navy.

Mathias was born February 19, 1923, in St. Mary’s, Kansas, the son of Mathias and Rosa (Baumchen) Floersch.

He grew up in St. Mary’s, moving to Delia, Kansas, and in 1959 to Ottawa, Kansas. In 2014, Matt moved to Highland, Kansas, where he made his home until his death.

Matt served in the United States Navy during World War II in the Pacific Theater from March 1944 to May 1946.

Matt was united in marriage to Jean Marie McGrath June 5, 1952, at Delia, Kansas. They were happily married nearly 51 years and had six children, Jim, Matt, Bernice, Frances, Jean, and Janice.

He was a lifelong farmer/stockman.

Matt was an active member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Ottawa.

Matt’s life centered around farming and spending time with family and grandchildren. He enjoyed fishing, Dominos and Pitch. Matt and his wife Jean wanted to serve the poorest of the poor. In his later years, he became a strong supporter of the Immaculate Heart School in India and it was a source of great joy for him.

He was preceded in death by his wife Jean, August 19, 2003; son Jim Floersch; grandson Matthew Floersch; his parents and 8 siblings, Rosemary McCoy, Gene Floersch, Margaret Glick, Regina Storck, Louise Ronsee, Joe Floersch, and 1 sister and 1 brother that died in childhood.

Survivors include five children, Bernice (Craig) Altenhofen of Junction City, Kansas, Francie (John) Falk of Leona, Kansas, Jean (Steve) Frank of Colony, Kansas, Janice (Richard) McPherson of Clarksburg, Maryland, and Matt (Elizabeth) Floersch of Goodlettsville, Tennessee; daughter-in-law, Sandy Floersch-Toothman of Osawatomie, Kansas; twenty-three grandchildren and thirty-five great grandchildren.

The family suggests memorial contributions to Immaculate Heart Foundation c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067.

Recent KSU graduates

The  following people have recently graduated from Kansas State University: Rachel Day, BS in Education; Danielle Glotzbach, BS in Agriculture; Stephen Goldade, BS in Applied Business and Technology; Nola Miller, Master of Science; Spencer Rieschick, BS in Mechanical Engineering; Shana Woods, Master of Arts in Teaching.

Bruce Reynolds (01) Passes Away

Bruce Reynolds, who graduated from Rossville High in 2001, has been reported as passing away in July.  He was the son of Robert and Dora Miller Reynolds of Delia.  No other info is available.

Makalyn Aubert Passes Away

Rossville- Makalyn Isabelle Aubert, 7, passed away Friday, July 31, 2020 at St. Louis Children’s Hospital. She was born March 4th, 2013 in St. Louis, the daughter of Kenneth M. and Melissa A. Marple Aubert. Makalyn was diagnosed before she was born with Congenital Heart Defects. Her heart was backwards, on the right side of her chest and had only one pumping chamber. Makalyn was recently at SLCH for her 3rd heart surgery, the Fontan.

Makalyn just completed First grade at Rossville Grade School.  Purple and turquoise are her two favorite colors.  Makalyn’s favorite food is queso!  Her favorite movies are “Wonder” and “The Greatest Showman”. Makalyn loved spending time with friends, playing T-Ball, eating at Qudoba and Texas Roadhouse, camping, going swimming, and making bracelets for others. She loved school, especially her teachers.  Makalyn enjoyed playing Uno, riding her go-cart, watching Paw Patrol, reading Junie B. Jones books, texting, FaceTime, calling people, riding her bike, and delivering May Day baskets.  Makalyn especially loved dressing as a twin with Klaire, fishing with Kelby, Rossville cheerleaders and Jr. Dawg cheer camps, and cooking treats to take to the neighbors.  Her best buds were Milo, her Boston terrier, and Otis and Boomer, her two cats.  Makalyn had a special way of attracting people to her and always Marched Fourth (March 4th) to whatever life dealt her.  Our little Hummingbird will truly be missed.

Makalyn could not be an organ donor, but the family encourages everyone to consider becoming one.

Makalyn was preceded in death by great-grandparents, Butch and Beth Marple, Art Dawson, Hermina and Dave Hawley, James Aubert, and Leonard and Minnie Kuehler.

Survivors include her parents Kenneth and Melissa Aubert, siblings Kelby and Klaire of Rossville, grandparents Ben and Carol Marple, Wakarusa, Marvin and Betty Aubert, St. Marys, great grand-mother Henrietta Aubert, St. Marys, Uncle Keith (Jenna) Aubert; Aunt Molly (David) Drimmel; Uncle Jay Marple; cousins Bailey, Isaac, and Keira Aubert, and Carter, Ruby, and Mabel Drimmel.

Although Mass of Christian Burial will be private it will be live-streamed and recorded and will be available on Makalyn’s page on the Piper Funeral Home’s Website on Monday, August 10, 2020 at 10:30 A.M.  Family and Friends are invited to pay their respects to Makalyn and her family by driving through St. Stanislaus Catholic Church parking lot after 12:00 P.M on Monday (please enter the North drive and exit the far South drive). The family also encourages you to visit the Simmerwell Family Cemetery (located east of 5524 SW 85th Street), where there will be Makalyn signs marking the drive to pay your respects in the weeks to come.  Memorial Contributions may be made to The Coopers Cause Foundation (a foundation that has helped the family with Makalyn’s medical bills) or in Makalyn’s name for a piece of playground equipment for the Rossville Grade School and sent in care of Piper Funeral Home, 714 Maple Street, St. Marys, KS 66536. To leave online condolences, please go to www.piperfuneralhome.com.

Torrey Horak--A Player To Watch

Below  from Sports In Kansas

Rossville High School football has had a lot of success, most of that coming since the 2014 season where they went on a run in which they won three 3A titles in a row under then brand new head coach Derick Hammes. Tucker Horak, Thatcher Horak, Jacob Bradshaw, Cole Schumacher, Dawson Hammes, the list goes on and on of the talented players that helped turn Rossville into a powerhouse in recent memory.

Rossville also had a ton of success prior to the titles under head coach Steve Buhler with several all-state players that went on to play college football. Rossville has had multiple Top 11 players from the states major newspapers over the years that include Bennie Simecka (1979), Charles Nez (1990), Jason Broaddus (1992), Duane Zlatnik (2007) and Tucker Horak (2014-2015). Other all-state players certainly shined whether that was Matt Heslet, Jason Perine, Derek Dick or Mitch Buhler. Football is huge in Rossville, Kansas, whether that's talking about it year-round at the local businesses and all their good teams or the huge rivalry that gets all the fame statewide with C.J. Hamilton and Silver Lake, which is called the War-On-24. The War on 24 is arguably the states biggest rivalry game as the two schools are about five miles apart. 

To read the full article, go to:  http://kansas-sports.com/ks/news/?id=12215&t=

2020-21 Dawg Booster Membership Form

To join the Booster club,  

provide your name (like you want it on the program),

e-mail address,

 and check made out to RHS Booster Club

and Mail to Booster Club,  PO Box 274, Rossville, KS, 66533 

Kody Davoren Shrine Bowl Ad

RHS Graduation

The graduation ceremony at RHS can be viewed at:
http://www.kawvalley.k12.ks.us/schools/rjshs/dawgfeed.html

Michael Whitmore Passes Away

Michael J. Whitmore, 50, of Tecumseh, passed away at Rossville Health Center with his parents at his side on July 31, 2020. Michael was born on Feb. 13, 1970, the son of Elmer and Gloria Whitmore. He is survived by his parents and a son, Michael A. Whitmore. He was preceded in death by a sister, Kelly in February 2019. Chapel Oaks is in charge of arrangements. Cremation is planned with private family services. Special thanks to the staff at Stormont-Vail Hospital and Rossville Health Center for their care and support of Michael. Donations may be made to Stormont-Vail Foundation.

Laird and Sharon French Celebrate 50th

Laird and Sharon French are celebrating their 50th anniversary. Laird is a retired farmer rancher and Sharon is retired from the BNSF Railroad. Married August 1st, 1970 they have celebrated many happy years together.

They are blessed with two children Shawn and Charlotte, and grandchildren Emily and Claire.

Laird and Sharon would like to thank Ruth and Don Rogers for setting them up!

Ashley Rietcheck On Dean's List

Ashley Rietcheck receivesd spring semester honors at ESU and was on the  School of Business Deans List

Reed Miller On Dean's List

Reed Miller of Rossville was on the ESU honor roll and School of Business Dean’s list for the spring semester. 

Sydney Monteith Gets BA

Sydney Ellya Monteith of Rossville received a Bachelor of Art in Communication.

Helen (Spears) Miller Passes Away

    Rossville-- Helen Louise Miller, was born July 28, 1929, the daughter of Laverne and Edna Vilven Spears on a farm north of Rossville.  She passed away on her 91st birthday.  She attended Prairie Vale School, Rossville High School and attended Kansas State.

     She lived most of her life in Rossville and became a snowbird going to Sun City, AZ., for the winter.  She loved to camp.  Helen was a member of the Rossville United Methodist Church and a life member of the Eastern Star.

     Helen was united in marriage to Robert P. Miller.  He preceded her in death.  She was also preceded in death by her parents; a son, Earl Queen, and her sister, Ruth Larson.

     Survivors include her daughter, Rita Estelle, Kansas City, MO.; two sons, Douglas Queen (Denise) Rossville and John Queen (Christie), Pleasant Hill, MO.; six grandchildren, Scott (Dana), Denny (Melissa), and Matt (Dana) Umschied. Jessica (Dan) Aubert, Megan (Josh) Davis, and Carlie Queen; 12 great- grandchildren.

     Graveside services will be at 1:00 P.M. Monday, August 3, 2020, at the Rossville Cemetery, Rossville.  Memorial contributions may be made to the Rossville Senior Center and sent in care of Piper Funeral Home, 714 Maple Street, St. Marys, Kansas 66536.  To leave online condolences, go to www.piperfuneralhome.com.