Larry Wehner (66) Passes Away

    Larry Wehner, 71, of Rossville, passed away Monday, September 14, 2020, after a five-year battle with Lewy Body Dementia.  Larry donated his brain to the University of Kansas Medical Center for Alzheimer’s Research.

     Larry was born on October 6, 1948, to Clarence and Rita Wehner in Rossville.  He attended school in Rossville and graduated in 1966.

     Larry married his high school sweetheart Linda Miller in 1966 in St. Marys.  She survives.

     He was a member of St. Stanislaus Catholic Church, IBEW#304, and AQHA.

     After high school, he worked at the then-new General Foods Plant in Topeka.  He later went to work for Kansas Power and Light at Jeffrey Energy Center as an electrician until he retired in 2003.  He also raised quarter horses and farmed.  After retirement, he went to work for Foster Farms, where he got to do what he truly loved- farming, riding his horses, and taking care of cattle.

    Linda and Larry enjoyed their family and traveling; they had visited all but a few of the 50 states.  Their favorite place was Maui, Hawaii.  They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary by taking their sons, daughter, and spouses to Hawaii with them. They loved to dance and go to movies.

     Larry and Linda were blessed with a great family, two sons and a daughter, Larry (Sheri) Wehner, Jeff (Holly) Wehner and, Paula (Codie) Shenold; six grandsons, Trevor, Jacob (Bailey), Derek (Courtney), Hunter and Joe Wehner, Cooper Shenold, and a granddaughter Emma Shenold; four great-grandchildren, Beckett, Hayden, Lakyn and Rowan.

     Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11:00 A.M. Monday, September 21, 2020, at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Rossville.  The family will receive friends from 3:00 until 5:00 P.M. Sunday, September 20, 2020, at the church.  Inurnment will be at a later date in the Rossville Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be made to Oakley Place of Rossville, Midland Care, or  KU Endowment-Alzheimers Research and sent in care of Piper Funeral Home, 714 Maple Street, St. Marys, Kansas 66536.  To leave online condolences, go to www.piperfuneralhome.com.

Francis Rafferty Passes Away

       Francis G. “Frank” Rafferty, 59, passed away Wednesday, September 16, 2020, at the Rossville Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center

     He was born June 4, 1961, at Topeka, the son of William Keith and Eileen M. Zima Rafferty.  Frank grew up in the Emmett community and attended St. Marys High School.

     He was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in St. Marys.

     Frank was preceded in death by his father, Keith Rafferty, his step-father, Kenny Knipp, and a brother, Bill Rafferty.

     Survivors include his mother, Eileen Knipp, St. Marys; two brothers, Pat (Mary Beth) Rafferty, St. Marys and Phil Rafferty, Emmett; his sister, Kathleen Love, Burlingame; sister-in-law, Janet Rafferty, Emmett, and several nieces and nephews.

     Private inurnment at Mt. Calvary Cemetery, St. Marys is pending.

     Piper Funeral Home, 714 Maple St. Marys, Kansas 66536, is in charge of arrangements.

    

KPreps 2A Football Ranking

 

#1 ROSSVILLE (2-0)

Last: slipped by Rock Creek, 58-57

Rossville won an incredibly wild game, 58-57, versus Rock Creek in Mid-East League action. Rossville stopped a late two-point conversion to win. Rock Creek led 26-17 at halftime, and then Rossville scored three straight times once the second half started. Rossville led 44-38 entering the fourth quarter. Rock Creek took a 51-50 lead with a little more than six minutes remaining, but Rossville scored again to take a 58-51 advantage. RC tallied a touchdown with 27 seconds remaining to pull within 58-57. Rock Creek’s Charlie Killingsworth passed for 491 yards and five passing touchdowns, along with 136 rushing yards and four TDs. Rossville junior quarterback combined for 254 total yards and accounted for six touchdowns.

Next: vs. St. Marys (1-1)

#2 SILVER LAKE (0-0)

Last: did not play

Silver Lake returns to play after the Eagles missed the first two weeks for COVID-19. Silver Lake was the only non-4A-6A ranked team to not play in the first two weeks. The Eagles have not lost in the regular season since a 56-35 loss to Rossville in Week 9 of the ’15 season.

Next: at Riley County (2-0)

#3 HOISINGTON (2-0)

Last: topped Larned, 35-19

Hoisington won 35-19, moved to 2-0 and won its third straight versus Larned. Josh Ball led the Cardinals with 14 carries for 90 yards and two touchdowns, according to Hoisington broadcaster Cole Reif. Ball scored twice in the third quarter as Hoisington bumped from a 14-7 halftime lead to 28-7 after three quarters. Hoisington has a key home matchup versus Halstead this week in a battle of powerful run-heavy offenses.

Next: vs. Halstead (2-0)

#4 NEMAHA CENTRAL (1-1)

Last: won at Eudora, 36-6

Nemaha Central lost to 3A rival Holton on a last-second field goal in Week 1, and then beat 4A Eudora, 36-6. Eudora led 6-0 after the first quarter before the Thunder scored seven in the second, six in the third and 23 points in the fourth quarter. It marked the first matchup ever between the schools.

Next: vs. Sabetha (1-1)

#5 GARDEN PLAIN (2-0)

Last: shut out Steling 14-0

Garden Plain beat rival Conway Springs, a ranked 1A school, 14-13, in Week 1. The Owls won another close game with a 14-0 victory versus Sterling. Junior Reed Adelhardt cleared 100 rushing yards and picked off a pass. Garden Plain led 6-0 in the fourth quarter. Senior Jeb Nowak scored on a three-yard run for the game’s first points. Reed Adelhardt came from Kapaun; new GP coach Dan Adelhardt was the former coach at Kapaun for 15 years.

Next: vs. Cheney (2-0)

Cross Country Meet Sept 12

Boys Team Scores

 1. KC Christ Prep 42, Marysville 133, Silver Lake 141, Sabetha 151, Hutchinson Trinity 152, Republic County 212, Wellsville 244, Bennington 248, Remington 251, Osage City 253, Riley County 276, Rock Creek 287, Santa Fe Trail 294, Ellinwood 311, Lebo 384, St. John 399, Pretty Prairie 405, Pike Valley 419, Rossville 427, St. Marys 470.

Sam Twombly led the team finishing 25th of 155 finishers.

Girls Team scores

Remington 78, KC Christ Prep 90, Seabury 151, Silver Lake 164, Santa Fe Trail 173, Bennington 174, Doniphan West 174, Ellinwood 215, Riley County 230, Concordia 276, Hutchinson Trinity 278, Rock Creek 279, Rossville 292, Marysville 318, Osage City 320, Pretty Prairie 388, Clifton-Clyde 422, St. Marys 460, Republic County 481.

Julia Streit led the Dawgs with a 14th place finish followed by Amber Foster at 26th.

CatchItKansas 2A Football Rankings

1. Rossville (2-0) [1]
2. Hoisington (2-0) [2]
3. Silver Lake (0-0) [3]
4. Norton (2-0) [4]
5. Garden Plain (2-0) [5]
6. Nemaha Central (1-1) [6]
7. Republic County (2-0) [NR]
8. Maur Hill (2-0) [7]
9. Hillsboro (1-1) [8]
10. Pittsburg Colgan (1-1) [9]

Notes: Rossville delivered a remarkable 58-57 victory versus Rock Creek in a game with more than 1,200 yards of total offense. Hoisington faces Halstead in a critical contest this week. Silver Lake opens this Friday after the first two games cancelled by COVID-19. Norton has wins against back-to-back rivals Smith Center and Phillipsburg. Garden Plain has allowed just 13 points in two games. Republic County takes a jump into the poll after a massive two-week performance from Jared Baxa. He already has 35 carries for 484 yards and five touchdowns, along with two catches for 81 yards and a TD. RC is 4-1 in its last five games after a 26-game losing streak ended and moved up from 1A to 2A.

Glenn Anspaugh Passes Away

 Glenn Eldon Anspaugh went to be with the Lord on September 10, 2020.  He was born on October 13, 1953 to Ray and Elizabeth (Lacey) Anspaugh in Topeka, Kansas. 

Glenn was married to Susan M Cain on November 18, 1973 and together they had two children, Tanya Marie and Craig Ryan.  He was blessed with two grandsons Ryan Ross and Carson James.  Glenn and Susan were divorced on September 6, 2019.

Glenn attended school in Meriden and Rossville.  He worked as truck driver for different companies in the area and was a member of the Teamsters Union.

Glenn loved to tinker and was always busy building or fixing something.  His grandson fondly remembers assembling model fighter airplanes as Grandpa would tell him facts about them.  Glenn and Craig spent countless hours restoring old pickups.  Glenn loved music and was a big fan of Bob Seger and the Eagles.  He was known to blare Rock N Roll late into the night!

Glenn was preceded in death by his parents Ray and Elizabeth, brother Roger Dee and ex-wife Susan.

Glenn is survived by his children: Tanya of Topeka and Craig (Jewel) of Topeka and his Grandsons, Ryan and Carson; brothers Kenneth (Maudie) Anspaugh of Carbondale, KS; Donald Anspaugh of Topeka, KS; Phillip Anspaugh of Topeka, KS and sisters Sharon Wellman of Meriden, KS; Catherine (Darold) Schnacker of Meriden, KS; Peggy (Gary) Cain of Topeka, KS.  Glenn is also survived by 10 nieces and nephews and many other family and friends.

A Celebration of Life with family and close friends will be held on Wednesday, September 16, 2020 at 6 pm at the Meriden United Methodist Church.  Masks are required.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to MHS 1967 Lacey Field Memorial c/o Denison State Bank.

Alex and Jesse Sherer Win Big

From the Capital-Journal: 

LEAVENWORTH — History was made last weekend at the 48th annual Leavenworth Labor Day Tennis Tournament when 17-year-old Alex Sherer — winner of the 2020 Memorial Day Weekend Tournament — became the youngest competitor to win the men’s singles division Sunday at David Brewer Park.

Sherer, a senior at Rossville High School, defeated Duane Strader 6-1, 6-0 to win the championship. His father, Jesse, was previously the youngest competitor to win the men’s open singles when he did so in 1992. Alex is six months younger than his father was at the time.

Tournament organizer Jim Mathis said the tournament featured the smallest participation in its history, but the level of play stayed the same.

“The quantity of players was the smallest in numbers in the 48-year history of the tournament,” he said. “But the quality of play was big time in some of the championship matches.”

Jesse Sherer and Chris Chapman defeated Ken Blair and Kurt Reid 6-1, 5-7, 10-6 in a tiebreaker to win the men’s over-40 doubles.

Alex and Jesse won the men’s open doubles with a 6-4, 6-1 defeat of Chapman and Bobby Miller.

The father/son duo defeated Frank and Dimetri Fleming 6-0, 6-1 in the parent/child division.

Rossville Defeats Rock Creek 58-57

 1st Qtr

5:56    Rock Creek scored.  2 pt try failed

4:46    Torrey Horak scored on a 32 yd run.  Reeves kicked PAT

1:53    Rock Creek scored on a 7 yd run.  2 pt try failed.

0:43    TD on 20 yd pass from Horak to Reeves.

2nd Qtr

10:20   Rock Creek drive fails and they punt.

8:13     RHS drive stalls and they punt.

4:02     Rock Creek scores on 4 yd run by QB.  PAT run failed

0:51     Reeves Field Goal.

0:16     Rock Creek QB scores on a short run.  QB runs for 2 pt conversion.

3rd Qtr

11:42   Rezac scores on 32 yd run.  2nd play of half.  Reeves kicks PAT

9/47     Rossville punts.

9:36     Torrey Horak scores on a 69 yard run. 2 pt conversion failed.

8:25     Rock Creek punts.

7:44     Torrey Horak scores on a 52 yd run and Reeves kicks PAT.

            Rossville has scored 3 TDs in the last 5 plays from line of scrimmage.

6:06     Rock Creek scored on a 12 yd pass.  2 pt conversion failed.

5:21     Sowers scores TD on 36 yd pass.  Reeves kicks PAT.

2:06     Rock Creek scores on 36 yd pass.2 pt conversion failed.

0:40     Rock Creek lost fumble.

4th Qtr

10:17    Horak scored on 2 yd run.  2 pt conversion failed. 

7:23     TD on 51 yd pass.  Missed pass prevented PAT, 

6:17     Rock Creek (Whaley) scored on an 80 yd pass.  PAT kick good.

4:10     Rezac scores TD on 20 yd pass.  Kaiden Brown scores 2 pt on PAT pass.                     

0:27    Rock Creek scores final TD and fails on 2pt PAT try.

Final score 58-57.

Rock Creek;12;  14;  12;  19;  —  ;57

Rossville;    14;    3;  27;  14;  —  ;58

Rock Creek — Killingsworth (4) 1 run, 7 run, 4 run, 14 run, Zenger 13 pass from Killingsworth, Spiller 39 pass from Killingsworth, Burgess 50 pass from Killingsworth, Whaley 80 pass from Killingsworth, Wick 15 pass from Killingsworth. PAT — Killingsworth run, Spiller kick.

Rossville — Reeves 19 pass from Horak, Reeves 25 field goal, Rezac (2) 32 run, 20 pass from Horak, Horak (3) 26 run, 69 run, 48 run, Sowers (2) 48 run, 2 run. PAT — Reeves 5 kicks, conversion.

Other MEL scores on Sept 11

Riley County 47, Minneapolis 0

St. Marys 46, Horton 8

Wabaunsee 20, Uniontown 14

KSNT video of Rock Creek game

KSNT TV was at the Rock Creek game tonight.  You can watch video of Rossville's one point win at the 2:00 mark of the below video.

 https://www.ksnt.com/football-frenzy/football-frenzy-9-11-20/

WAMEGO INVITATIONAL Golf Tournament

Team scores

Wamego 199, Concordia 212, Ottawa 221, Tonganoxie 223, KC Piper 237, Council Grove 239, Clay Center 243, Rossville 263, St. Marys 263.

Individual results

1. Donovan, Concordia, 42; 2. McKee, Wamego, 44; 3. York, Tonganoxie, 49; 4. (tie) Hoobler, Wamego and Wallace, Clay Center, 50; 6. Pierson, Wamego, 51; 7. (tie) Davis, Rossville and Vasquez, Ottawa, 52; 9. (tie) Sanner, Wamego; Aho, Ottawa; Rhodes, KC Piper and Lewis, Concordia, 54.

Dawgs Picked Over Rock Creek

    The Capital-Journal picks the RHS-Rock Creek game this Friday as one of the top games in NE Ks.  

    Rossville was impressive in its 2020 season-opening clash with Class 1A No. 1 Centralia. Using their wide array of weapons, the Bulldawgs jumped out to a 21-0 lead and rolled to a 42-6 victory that vaulted them to No. 1 in Class 2A. Junior quarterback Torrey Horak ran for 93 yards and three touchdowns and threw for 144 yards and two scores, while Woodrow Rezac and Tyree Sowers accounted for just under 200 yards of total offense and scored a TD each. Rock Creek will make its 2020 debut after having its opener with Silver Lake canceled late last week.

    Prediction: Rossville over Rock Creek

CatchItKansas Football Rankings

Class 2A rankings

1. Rossville (1-0) [1]

2. Hoisington (1-0) [2]

3. Silver Lake (0-0) [3]

4. Norton (1-0) [6]

5. Garden Plain (1-0) [9]

6. Nemaha Central (0-1) [4]

7. Maur Hill (1-0) [NR]

8. Hillsboro (1-0) [8]

9. Colgan (0-1) [5]

10. Cimarron (0-1) [7]

Class Notes: Norton and Garden Plain move into the top-5 in the poll after losses by Nemaha Central and Pittsburg Colgan. Also, Cimarron and Osage City suffered losses. Garden Plain with a big jump after a 14-13 victory versus rival Conway Springs, and Rossville a strong victory versus Centralia, the defending 1A champion. Silver Lake is expected to start in Week 3 after COVID-19 concerns.

Beulah Weeres Passes Away

    On September 4, 2020, Beulah Louella Weeres passed away at age 83 after a brief illness. 
Beulah was born and raised in Saskatchewan, Canada. She lived on a farm and had eight siblings. It was a hard but good life.
    Beulah married in 1957 to Vince Weeres. They had six children. Two sons have preceded her in death, Steven and Paul Weeres, who resided in Canada. Her husband, Vincent, also preceded her. She is survived by four children: Michael Weeres: Kitimat, B.C., Canada, Brent Weeres: Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada, Leane VanderPutten: Rossville, KS and Janice Weeres: Rossville, KS. She is also survived by 28 grandchildren and 43 great-grandchildren.
Beulah lived a very full life…
    After her marriage, in her twenties and early thirties, she worked as a Nurse’s Aide for 13 years at the Grey Nun’s Hospital in Regina, Canada. She did not have her driver’s license so she would walk the mile to and from work. They were poor, so the money was needed. She spent the years after she left her career, caring for her growing children.
A few years following their move to the U.S.A. (in 1990), at the age of 62, after studying and working hard, Beulah received a Doctorate in Naturopathy. She used these talents, along with her giving and generous heart, to care deeply for her family and neighbors. She did this not out of obligation or for monetary gain, but because of who she was. She was always the first to offer help. No matter how ill she felt herself, or what worries she was experiencing, she always ensured that every person who crossed her threshold left feeling safer, healthier, and happier.
Beulah’s Catholic Faith was her driving force in everything she did. It was the foundation of her life and she spread that hope and joy to whoever asked her for advice….and there were many. The daily Rosary and daily Mass was her lifeline. She arose early in the morning to pray and each day was dotted with conversations with the Blessed Mother and her Beloved Son. Beulah’s faith, perseverance and devotion will echo through her children and grandchildren and the Faith that they also carry in their hearts.
    Beulah spent her remaining seven years in an apartment attached to the home of Vince and Leane (her daughter) VanderPutten in Rossville. Those remaining days she shared her heart and her home to her family and friends and her family took loving care of her. She was surrounded by her loved ones at home, singing and praying, as she crossed the threshold into the next life….
Rest in peace Mom/Grandma/Great-Grandma. We love you and you will be greatly missed!
 

Dawgs Move To #1 Ranking

The Capital-Journal top 5 teams in 2A  moved around a bit as a result of the Nemaha Central loss to Holton.  In 1A, Centrailia dropped from #1 to #3 because of their 42-6 loss to Rossville.    Silver Lake didn't play because of Covid-19 issues at the school.

1. Rossville (2) ... 1-0

2. Garden Plain (3) ... 1-0

3. Silver Lake (3) ... 0-0

4. Hoisington (4) ... 1-0

5. Nemaha Central (1) ... 0-1

Others — Belle Plaine 1-0, Ellis 1-0, Eureka 1-0, Hillsboro 1-0, Humboldt 1-0, Lakin 1-0, Maur Hill 1-0, Norton 1-0.

Notes — Defending 2A champion thought it had its game with visiting Holton won when the Thunder blocked a last-second field goal attempt on third down to preserve a 13-12 victory. But Holton was given a chance to re-kick and nailed the game-winner for a 15-13 win. Nemaha has appealed the outcome with the KSHSAA.