Preston Pierce Passes Away

Preston Pierce was a very popular History teacher at Rossville High in the late 60s.

Preston Wayne Pierce of Madison, Kansas passed away on Tuesday, December 15, 2020 at Newman Regional Health at the age of 79.

Preston was born on December 21, 1940 in Potwin, Kansas the son of Wayne Cameron and Virginia Pauline Gorman Pierce.

Preston is survived by a longtime companion Pauleen Baxter and their beloved dog Ruby; daughters, Kelle Schankie of Emporia, Renee Trimble of Overland Park, and Rhonda Gilman of Emporia; several grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his parents, and brother Richard Pierce.

Preston spent many years in Education and served at Principal at Madison High School in Madison, Kansas.  He had a passion for antiques and collected them over the years.  Preston served as an antique judge at the Greenwood County Fair.

Graveside services will be 2:00 p.m., Monday, January 11, 2021 at Lena Valley Cemetery in Lamont, Kansas. 

Latest KWCA Rankings

The Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association  rankings for Jan 5 are the same as the previous week.  With no tournaments in that time,  there would be no reason to change the rankings.

 138 — 1. Kai Allen, Silver Lake; 2. Layne Hurla, Rossville; 3. Drew Bretz, Hoxie; 4. Jacob Windholz, Russell; 5. Brodie Page, Atchison County; 6. Reece Grafel, Oberlin.

152 — 1. Brent Escareno, Eureka; 2. Aiden Amrein, Hill City; 3. Justus Hulse, Stockton; 4. Jordan Bachman, Hillsboro; 5. Bryce Eck, Uniontown; 6. Sam Twombly, Rossville.

Rossville Band Video

 Although not allowed to meet together for the second half of the Fall semester, the Rossville High School Band students still worked extremely hard on their own to learn and record their individual parts to a song.

Please share and enjoy Night Journey by Chris Bernotas, performed by the Rossville High School Band, December 2020.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgDao5VrtEk

Garrett Jones

Rossville Jr/Sr High School

Band & Choir Director

Holden Hurla (18) Passes Away

 

Holden Michael Hurla, 20, of Mayetta, died January 1, 2021.  He was born June 2, 2000 in Topeka, the son of Christopher and Angela (Parnell) Hurla.  He was a graduate of Rossville High School in 2018 and earned his electrical technology certificate from Washburn Institute of Technology in 2019.  He was currently employed at PTMW, Inc. as an electrician.

Holden was known by all those that associated with him as a person with a huge heart, a great sense of humor, and a friend to anyone that he met.  In high school, his quiet demeanor gave way to his strong work ethic that led him to becoming a three-time state wrestling qualifier, a member of three state championship football teams, and a successful long-distance runner on the track team qualifying for state two years.  He was a member of National Honor Society, Future Farmers of America, and was a top ten student academically.  He was a talented woodworker with the vision to create intricate and unique designs of his own, and his creativity allowed him to produce a variety of wood and art projects. He loved the outdoors and was an avid hunter and fisherman.  He grew up as a member of St. Stanislaus Catholic Church where he was a server during mass, participated in youth group activities andwas a current member of the Knights of Columbus.  

He was preceded in death by an Uncle Jamie Hurla. 

Holden is survived by his parents, Christopher and Angela Hurla of Delia; his brothers, Layne and Colby and his sister Kendra, all of the home.  He also leaves his maternal grandparents, Charles Parnell, Topeka, Gladys Parnell, Rossville; his paternal grandparents, Myron and Kathy Hurla, Paxico; 17 Aunts and Uncles, and 65 cousins.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 A.M. Friday, January 8, 2021, at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Rossville.  There will be a visitation at the church on Thursday, January 7, 2021, from 5:00 P.M. until the rosary that will be recited at 7:00 P.M.  Interment will be in Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery at Newbury. 

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Stanislaus Catholic Church Youth Group or to Cody Lambotte Medical Fund and sent in care of Piper Funeral Home, 714 Maple Street, St. Marys, Kansas 66536.  To read a full obituary or to leave online condolences go to www.piperfuneralhome.com.

New Post-Season Wrestling Format

The end of season high school wrestling tournaments have a new format for this Covid-19 plagued season.  The details can be read at:

 https://www.cjonline.com/story/sports/high-school/wrestling/2021/01/04/postseason-wrestling-changes-meet-mixed-reviews/4129059001/

Karen Lett Passes Away

Karen (Heim) Lett of St. Marys passed away Dec. 29, 2020.  Her obituary can be read at: 

https://www.piperfuneralhome.com/obituary/Karen-Lett

Bo Reeves In Shrine Bowl

TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) - A slate of area athletes will compete in the 48th edition of the Kansas Shrine Bowl, scheduled for June 26th in Hutchinson.

Local players on the East team are:  Centralia’s Austin Holthaus, Holton’s Canon Karn, Lyndon’s Miles Kitselman, Hayden’s Desmond Purnell, Rossville’s Bo Reeves, Perry-Lecompton’s Hayden Robb, Sabetha’s Drew Schmelzle, Axtell’s Kolby Talbot and Osage City’s Dane Whalen will all play for the East team.

The high school all-star game benefits the Shriners Hospitals for Children.

You can read more about the upcoming Shrine Bowl and the players at:    https://www.cjonline.com/story/sports/high-school/football/2021/01/02/haydens-purnell-chosen-2021-kansas-shrine-bowl/4099526001/

Henry Gehring, Jr. Has Passed Away

Sixty-eight year old Henry Gehring, Jr. has passed away.  No obituary at this time.

https://www.piperfuneralhome.com/notices/Henry-GehringJr

MEL All-League Football Team

 MID-EAST All League Football Team For 2020

Offense

First team

Quarterback — Connor Holle, sr., Riley County; Torrey Horak, jr., Rossville; Charlie Killingsworth, sr., Rock Creek.

Running back — Nic Allen, sr., Riley County; Isiah Holz, sr., St. Marys; Woodrow Rezac, sr., Rossville.

Receiver — Trey Harmison, jr., Riley County; Bo Reeves, sr., Rossville; Gannon Remer, jr., Silver Lake; Brooks Whaley, sr., Rock Creek; Dawson Zenger, sr., Rock Creek.

Tight end — Avery Holle, sr,. Riley County.

Line — Ethan Bohenblust, sr., Riley County; Kris Brown, sr., Rossville; Caige Cromer, sr., Silver Lake; Caden Vinduska, sr., Rock Creek.

Honorable mention

Running back — Jacob Fox, jr., St. Marys.

Receiver — Nate Boyden, sr., Silver Lake; Parker Kenney, sr., Rossville.

Line — Bryson Balch, sr., Rossville; Daniel Ewing, jr., St. Marys; Mason Maldonado, sr., Silver Lake.

Defense

First team

Line — Mshewe Hale, jr., Rossville; Brody Lietz, jr., Rossville; Connor Pruyser, sr., Silver Lake; Caden Vinduska, sr., Rock Creek; Jake Wegner, sr., Silver Lake; Jack White, sr., Riley County.

Linebacker — Kaiden Brown, sr., Rossville; Corey Catron, jr., Rossville; Bryan Hopper, sr., Riley County; Connor Richards, sr., Rock Creek; Ben Wick, sr., Rock Creek; Zak Zeller, jr., Riley County.

Secondary — Layne Hurla, sr., Rossville; Korin Koenig, jr., Riley County; Bo Reeves,  sr., Rossville; Brogan Renfro, jr., Silver Lake; Whaley, Rock Creek.

Honorable mention

Ro Blount, sr,. Rock Creek; Drew Burenheide, sr., Rock Creek; Keller Hurla, so., St. Marys; James Rezac, so., St. Marys; Taylor Schroeder, sr., Riley County; Yanci Spiller, so., Rock Creek.

MEL All-League Volleyball

2020 MID-EAST All League Volleyball Team 

First team

Destiny Bergstresser, Rossville; Grace Fitzgerald, Silver Lake; Grace Gehl, Rock Creek (U); Briar Gillum, Rossville; Daigen Griffin, Silver Lake; Ellington Hogle, Silver Lake (U); Ashtyn Kulp, Riley County; Olivia Lubbers, Rock Creek; Kinsey Perine, Rossville (U); Jaci Schindler, St. Marys; Lauren Schutter, Wabaunsee (U); Jenna Weers, Rock Creek (U).

Honorable mention

Leah Cook, Silver Lake; Lauren Gill, Rock Creek; Jordan Harrison, St. Marys; Jordan Magette, Wabaunsee; Breck McCrory, Rossville; Maddy Wertzberger, Wabaunsee.

Week Three Wrestling Rankings

       The Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association has released their 321A rankings for the third week of competition on Dec. 31, 2020    Rossville High senior Layne Hurla was still at number two in the 138 lb. class.  Sam Twombly was ranked number six in the latest ranking in the 152 lb class.

Frank Grace Passes Away

    Frank P. Grace, age 81, of Topeka, passed away Friday, December 25, 2020 at Midland Hospice Care.        Frank was born September 11, 1939 in Delia, Kansas the son of Martin and Monica (McLaughlin) Grace. Frank grew up in Topeka. He owned several houses throughout Topeka, serving as a landlord.              Frank is survived by three brothers, Bernard Grace of Topeka, James Grace of Phoenix, AZ and Raymond Grace of Topeka; two sisters, Mary Martinez of Topeka and Bernadine Kirk Grace of Florida. Frank was preceded in death by his siblings, Veva Jean Grace Thompson, William Edward Grace, Terrance Michael Grace and Martin Joseph Grace Jr. Franks wishes were to be cremated. No services are planned. davidsonfuneral.com. 

Donald Hanrahan Passes Away

Donald P. Hanrahan, 85, of Topeka, passed away on December 28, 2020 at his home.

He was born in Delia, Kansas on January 10, 1935 the son of Thomas and Anna (Kelly) Hanrahan. Donald came from a large Irish Catholic Family with a strong religious upbringing.

Donald worked for Southwestern Bell for 22 years and took early retirement. He was a self-employed Real Estate Developer and Entrepreneur.

He was a member of Mater Dei Holy Name Catholic Church and Knights of Columbus Council #534, and was on the St. Patrick's Day Parade Committee.

He married Patsy J. Nordmeyer at the Assumption Church on September 14, 1968. She survives. He is also survived by two daughters Bryna Hanrahan and husband Miguel Catano of Olathe, Shawna Meyer and husband Ted Meyer of Topeka, four grandchildren, Liam Catano, Shay Meyer, Cate Catano and Aidan Catano, and three siblings, Bobby Hanrahan, Shirley Stewart and John Hanrahan. He was preceded in death by his siblings, Dolly Halloran, Pauline Aldridge, Grace Gillgannon, Helen Mesker, Leo Hanrahan, Eugene Hanrahan, Margaret Ayers, Tom Hanrahan, Bernard Hanrahan, and William Hanrahan.

The family will receive friends from 3:00 until 5:00 p.m. Sunday, January 3, 2021 at Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home where a Parish Rosary will be prayed at 3:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Monday, January 4, 2021 at Mater Dei Holy Name Church. Interment will follow in Mt. Calvary Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made in his memory to Mater Dei Holy Name Parish sent in care of Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home, 800 SW 6th Ave., Topeka, Kansas 66603.

Online condolences and fond memories may be left at www.brennanmathenafh.com. Donald P. Hanrahan

Top Sports Stories by CJ

In the below link to the Capital Journal,  they recount the top high schools sports stories of 2020.  Among those is the Rossville football team going undefeated on their way to their 4th state championship and Zach Archers 2nd straight state championship wrestling in the 113 lb. class.

 https://www.cjonline.com/story/sports/high-school/2020/12/29/covid-19-impact-tops-top-10-high-school-sports-stories-2020/4068206001/