Golden Giants Back In Rossville

 The Topeka Golden Giants will be back for the summer of 2021.

But it’s an entirely new look for the baseball club with major changes under a new ownership, owner J.R. Bond announced on Tuesday.

The Golden Giants won’t be calling Topeka home, instead moving their home games this season to Joe Campbell Stadium in Rossville. Bond said the main focus for the organization this summer will be on entertainment and fan experience.

“Our new branding, along with our partnership with the Rossville community, will allow baseball fans in Topeka to enjoy a true minor-league baseball experience,” Bond said in a news release. “We are very excited for the future of fans-first baseball in the Topeka area.”

Enhancements to the fan experience will include the addition of a beer garden, party deck and all-inclusive VIP packages. Several promotional nights have already been planned with an Opening Carnival Night on June 4 and a Bark at the Park Night on July 1.

Fans will also be able to participate in on-field competitions and be able to meet the new Golden Giant mascot. Games will also be broadcast on the Golden Giant TV app, which will be available on Amazon, Android, Roku and Apple TV app stores.

Jacob Kirmer will return for his second year as head coach of the Golden Giants with Holton native Justin Rieschick joining the staff as an assistant. Fans can visit www.goldengiants.us for roster, promotional schedule and season ticket packages. Single-game tickets go on sale in the spring.

George Mergenmeier Passes Away

      SFC George B Mergenmeier, Ret., 84, Topeka, KS, passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 28, 2021 at his home with his spouse by his side.

      George was born on July 23, 1936, south of Seneca in Nemaha county, KS to George W. and Stella (Lierz) Mergenmeier.

     He graduated from St. Peter and Paul Grade School in Seneca, KS. He worked several jobs as a young man and in March 1955 he enlisted in the U.S. Army where he received his GED. He served 2 years with 14 months of that time in Germany. After an honorable discharge, he worked at Goodyear Tire and Rubber, Co. Topeka, KS, from August 1957 to May of 1978.

     George joined the Kansas Army National Guard in 1975. August 1980 he was employed full time by the Guard. George went to Germany with the Fort Riley First Infantry Division on Reforger 1979, in January 1979. He attained the rank of Sergeant First Class before his medical discharge in 1986. George was proud to have served in the U.S. Army. He served as a recruiter from 1980 until he retired in 1986 and loved meeting with people at schools, fairs, celebrations, etc. in Kansas to talk about Army opportunities. He drove a truck with a “shooting gallery” that always drew a crowd where he set up.     

    George belonged to the Knights of Columbus, American Legion, Disabled American Veterans and the Topeka ARC. He served on the Pottawatomie County Planning Board. George was a member of Immaculate Conception Church, St. Marys, and later a member of Christ the King Church in Topeka and St. Stanislaus Church in Rossville, KS. George married Nadine Rilinger on April 12, 1958, at St. Patricks Catholic Church in Corning, KS. They lived in St. Marys, KS. area from 1959 to 1992 when he moved to the Goff area. In 1999 they moved to the Dover area in Shawnee County, and in 2018 they moved to Brewster Place in Topeka.

      He was preceded in death by a daughter, Jacqueline in December 1961 and a son James, in February 2006. He was also preceded in death by his parents, his brother Melvin Mergenmeier, and three sisters, Rosie McMurphy, Marie Catherine Welch and Dorothy Mae Koch.

     He is survived by his spouse Nadine of 62 years. His children; Willie (Shirley)Mergenmeier, St. Charles, MO, Jan (Jim) Hinterweger, Lebo, KS, Andy (Becky) Mergenmeier, Montpelier, VA and Sue (Mat) Flach, Paxico, KS, fourteen grandchildren and eighteen great grandchildren. He is also survived by two sisters, Eleanor Rusche, Seneca, and Jeanette Graham, Casper, WY.

  Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, February 13, 2021 at 10:00 A.M. at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in St. Marys.  George will lie in state and the family will receive friends from 5:00 until the Rosary at 7:00 P.M., Friday, February 12, 2021 at the church. Interment will be in Mt. Calvary Cemetery, St. Marys.

  Masks will be required at all events.

  Memorials may be made to Capper Foundation, (Individual Support Systems, the organization that provided care for Jim joined Cappers in 2012) or Brewster Foundation. They can be sent in care of Piper Funeral Home, 714 Maple Street, St. Marys, KS 66536.

     The rosary and funeral will be live-streamed on Facebook page Piper Funeral Home

Cleo Muller Passes Away

 

Cleo H. Muller, 87, a resident of Blue Springs, MO passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones Thursday, January 28, 2021 at his home.

He was born February 7, 1933 to Herman and Cecilia (Cunningham) in Rossville, KS. Cleo was united in marriage to Yvonne E. LeMoine on February 11, 1956 in Concordia, KS, from that union 17 children were born. He served his country proudly in the United States Army during the Korean War. Cleo earned his Bachelor's Degree in Philosophy from Rockhurst University graduating in 1955 and his Juris Doctor Degree from the University of Missouri-Kansas City, graduating in 1962. In September of 1962 Cleo began practicing law while teaching at law school. Before long he entered into private practice with the firm of Muller and Muller. Early on in the practice Cleo worked in all phases of general law, later he moved to specialize in real estate, landlord tenant law, retail and commercial collection. Cleo also had extensive practice at both the Associate and Circuit levels and in Federal Bankruptcy Court. In 1966 he started Muller's Apple Orchard on the family farm until 1982. He served on the Executive Board of Jackson County Fruit Growers Association. Cleo was a long-time parishioner of St. John LaLande Catholic Church. Cleo was a member of the American Bar Association, Missouri Bar Association, Kansas City Bar Association, and Knights of Columbus.

Survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Yvonne Muller of the home; 16 children, Marilyn Muller, Joanne Gordon (Dave) of Blue Springs, MO, Kathy Baumstark (Denis) of Hermann, MO, Dianne Dallin of Longmont, CO, John Muller of Blue Springs, MO, Suzanne Hestwood (Kevin) of Blue Springs, MO, Judy Delp of Tallahasse, FL, Shelly Graef (Eric) of Blue Springs, MO, Patty Closser (Steve) of Blue Springs, MO, Terri Gilligan(Neil) of Tucson, AZ, Steve Muller of Boulder, CO, Tim Muller (Majorie) of Columbia, MO, Matthew Muller (JoAnn) of Wheat Ridge, CO, Nancy Williams (Herb) of Oak Grove, MO, Paul Muller (Hollee) of Oak Grove, MO, Mark Muller (Rebecca) of Lafayette, CO; 47 grandchildren; 39 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great grandchildren; sister, Margaret Mary Muller of Lee's Summit, MO.

Cleo is preceded in death by his parents, Herman and Cecilia Muller; daughter, Denise Muller; sister, Doris Mae Ahrens; brothers, James and Dennis Muller.

His family will receive friends and family from 9:30-10:30 a.m. Saturday, February 6, 2021 at St. John LaLande Catholic Church, 805 N.W. RD Mize Rd, Blue Springs, MO. The Rosary will be prayed at 10:30 a.m., Mass of Christian Burial celebrating Cleo's life will commence at 11 a.m., with Rev. Ron Elliot presiding. Inurnment will immediately follow at the Koger Cemetery.

Iona Goodger Passes Away

 Iona Leah Goodger died January 17, 2021 at the age of 98 having lived a long and productive life.

She was born in Escanaba, Michigan on July 25, 1922, the 17th of 20 children. Her brothers arranged for her to complete the 7th and 8th grades at home as she needed to take care of her younger siblings until they all went to school. They had a large farm. The girls milked while the boys did the other farm work. She completed high school and took some classes at the University of Kansas. Ms. Goodger came to Concordia, Kansas to follow her three older sisters who were nuns. She worked in the convent hospital until she took a physical in preparation for her final vows. A medical condition prevented her entering The Sisters of Charity. She spent 2 years in bed at the convent. She was a lifelong devote catholic and participated in the Assumption Church Ladies of Auxiliary. She moved to Lawrence and worked at Bell Telephone. Her younger sister Regina joined her also employed with the telephone company. She met her husband Gilbert Willis Goodger, a veteran. in 1946. They married 2 years later and moved to Topeka. He predeceased her in 1994. She retired from the telephone company in 1973. She stayed home 6 months then got a job sewing drapes at Topeka State Hospital where she worked 13 years. She and Gilbert sold their house in Topeka moving to Tecumseh where they owned a farm and raised cattle.

She has four children: Gilbert H. Goodger and Roseanna Finch, who preceded her in death; Willis Goodger (Bonita) and Rita Darnall survive. She has seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Hobbies included crocheting and bingo. In 2011 she moved to Rossville Healthcare.

Services will be held Monday, February 1, 2021, 10:00 a.m. at Saint Joseph Catholic Church, 227 SW Van Buren, Topeka, with internment to follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery, 801 SW Westchester Road.

MEL Wrestling Results

Rossville Wrestlers in MEL Tourney

Name                  Plc   Wt, 

Mason Broce        2    106
Colby Hurla         2     132
Krew Lacock       2     138
Joe McGrath        2     170
Barrett Leitz        2     195

Brenda (miller) (79) Ohse Passes Away

      Brenda L. Miller Ohse, 59, of Scranton, passed on Wednesday, January 27, 2021, at Kansas University Medical Center in Kansas City after suffering a heart attack.

     Brenda was born the youngest of three children on May 11, 1961, to DeVere and Grace Miller.
     Brenda grew up in the Rossville and Willard communities. She graduated from Rossville High School in 1979.  Brenda began working at Hallmark Cards in August 1979 and retired after 39 years of service. Brenda married Michael Ohse on June 24, 2019.
     Survivors include her husband, a brother Rick (Cindy) Miller, a sister Kathy McCormic; three nieces LeAnn (Travis), Shannon (Scotty), and Julie, two great-nieces, and in-laws Carol and Henry Ohse.
      Graveside services for immediate family will be held at the Rossville Cemetery. Cemetery.                                          

Winter Royalty Candidates

Destiny Bergstresser            Layne Hurla
Tatum Gentry                         Woodrow Rezac
Mattie Horgan                        Tyree Sowers

The Winter Royalty crowning will be Feb. 9th during the halftime of the varsity boys game vs Osage City.

This Weeks KWCA Rankings

      This week Layne Hurla maintained his #3 ranking at 145# and Colby Hurla  stayed at # 6 at 132# in the 1/26/21 KWCA rankings. 

Anna McMorris Passes Away

Anna M. McMorris, 94, died Friday, January 22, 2021, at the Rossville Healthcare and Rehab Center in Rossville.

Anna was born to Mathias and Edith Brubaker Rodenbaugh at St. Marys on December 11, 1926. She attended Immaculate Conception Catholic Grade School and graduated from Immaculate Conception High School. Anna attended Clark's School of Business in Topeka.

Anna worked for the Kansas Bankers Association in Topeka for 38 years until her retirement. She was a member of Christ The King Catholic Church in Topeka. Anna was a collecter of carnival glass.

She was preceded in death by her parents, a brother, Bernard Rodenbaugh, and a son, Chris McMorris.

Survivors include two sons, Gerald (Judy) McMorris, Meriden, and Phillip (Charlene) McMorris, Myersvville, NJ; her daughter, Patricia A. McMorris, Rossville; two brothers, Leo (Carol) Rodenbaugh, Colorado, Paul (Carol) Rodenbaugh, Tecumseh; her sister, Helen Cornmie, Belvedere, IL.; grandchildren, Anna, Ken, Heather, Carissa, Matthew, Michelle, and Kelly; 19 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Linda Rodenbaugh, and close friends Brian Foster and Jack Hendrix.

Per Mrs. McMorris's wishes, cremation has taken place and no services will be held. Inurnment will be in Mt. Calvary Cemetery, St. Marys.

Sadowski Team Wrestling

 Rossville competed in the Sadowski Team Wrestling Tournament at Holton on Jan. 23 against five high schools that are larger than Rossville.  Rossville had to forfeit many of the weight classes because of  no competitors in some weight classes, which resulted in a team loss in each match.

Holton              60-7
Chanute            69-12
Ottawa              60-21
Shawnee Hts.   66-15
El Dorado         47-15

Layne Hurla went 4-1 in the 145 lb. class.

KWU Women Stumble Late In Loss

      Kansas Wesleyan U. lost a league game Sat. night against McPherson College, a game which looked like a sure win with 4 min. remaining
      Caila Hill (SO/Rossville, Kan.)'s basket gave the Coyotes a 69-61 lead over McPherson with four minutes left but things quickly unraveled. The McPherson Bulldogs scored on six of their next seven possessions while KWU missed four consecutive shots and committed four turnovers, resulting in a final 12-0 run and heartbreaking 73-69 Kansas Conference loss inside the Sports Center.
     Amanda Hill (SR/Rossville, Kan.) led KWU with 21 points that included five 3-pointers and also grabbed five rebounds.  Caila Hill added 10 points and nine rebounds.
     To read the complete game details,  go to:    https://www.ksal.com/kwu-women-stumble-against-mcpherson-73-69/

John Rogers (89) Passes Away

John W. Rogers, 50, of Topeka, passed away Friday, January 22, 2021.

He was born November 23, 1970, in Topeka, Kansas, the son of Don and Ruth (Raine) Rogers.

John graduated from Rossville High School in 1989. He worked as a Sous Chef.

John was a proud recovering member of the Narcotics Anonymous (NA).

Survivors include his parents, Don and Ruth Rogers of Topeka; his brother, Jared Rogers of Topeka; his uncles and aunts, Martin (Jane) McClelland of Rossville, Art (Tamara) Raine of Harrison, Arkansas, Linda Raine and Robert (Cathy) Cooper both of Topeka.

He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Clyde (Fern) Rogers; his maternal grandparents, Joe (Dorothy) Raine and Ruth Raine.

John enjoyed aviation, history, museums, cooking, painting, drawing or anything he could do with his hands. John was very creative and gifted.

Honoring John’s request, cremation is planned. A memorial ceremony will be held at a later date post Covid-19.

Dove Cremations and Funerals – Southwest Chapel, 3700 SW Wanamaker Rd., Topeka, KS 66610 is assisting the family.

Memorial contributions may be made to Helping Hands Humane Society, 5720 SW 21st St., Topeka, KS 66604.

To leave a message of condolence for John’s family, or to share a special memory of John, go to:  https://www.dovetopeka.com/Obituary/194931/John-Rogers/Dove-KS

Carol Willming Passes Away

 Carol L. Willming, 83, of Topeka, passed away on Tuesday, January 19, 2021 at a Rossville care facility.

Graveside Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, January 26, 2021 at West Lawn Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to the March of Dimes, 1133 SW Gage Blvd., Suite B, Topeka, Kansas, 66604.

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

To view Carol's full obituary and leave the family a special message online, please visit www.DoveTopeka.com.

RHS At Hiawatha Boys BB

Rossville    10   14    9   17  —  50
Hiawatha   13   17  10  24  —  64

Rossville scoring:

Garcia          2        0-0     4
Perine         11 (1)  1-3    24
Cooney        2        1-2      5
Brown          1        1-2      3
Sowers         2        1-2      5
Hale             1         3-7     5
Lietz             1         2-3    4