Rossville KS Alumni News

This blog is for posting all news of Rossville residents and Rossville High alumni. Bookmark this page and send any appropriate news (births, deaths, engagements, marriages, anniversaries, job changes, honors, etc.) items to: Frank.Ruff@juno.com . Feel free to add comments to any of the articles. Check this site often because I sometimes delete items. There are SEARCH (top left of page) and LINK (bottom of page) features. For photos, see link at bottom.

Wednesday, September 8, 2021

Alice Catron Receives Promotion

Alice Catron was recently promoted to director of customer success and operational analytics at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas. Catron began her career at BCBSKS in August 2008 as a customer experience representative. In 2011, she began a leadership journey that continued to grow and expand across various areas of the customer service department. Catron's latest role is a new position at BCBSKS and was created to champion the company’s dedication to putting people first. In her new role, Catron will work to uncover ways BCBSKS may create a better experience for its members. Catron is a Kansas native, born in Topeka. She currently lives in Rossville with her husband and their children.

Tuesday, September 7, 2021

Charles Newsom Passes Away

Rossville—Charles Leroy “Charlie” Newsham, 92, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Saturday, September 4, 2021, at Oakley Place of Rossville.

He was born October 2, 1928, at Ceresco, NE., the son of Charles Marion and Laura Vandell Miller Newsham. Charlie joined the Army/Air Force at the age of 18, and retired

on March 1, 1971. During his 20 year career, he served in Korea and Vietnam. His last job was with the State of Kansas, from which he retired in 1993. He was a member of the Rossville Christian Church, and had life-time memberships to the American Legion Post No. 58 and the Air Force Staff Sergeants Association

He was was preceded in death by his parents, three sisters, Blanche, Doris, and Berniece, and a brother, Harold.

While in the Air Force, he was stationed in Japan where he met and married the love of his life, Ryoko Takahashi, on August 1, 1960. Their love story spanned nearly 58 years, until her death on July 28, 2018. He was proud of the United States and enjoyed traveling and seeing the country. He was especially proud of his family. When reminiscing, he would always end by saying, “It was a good life!”

Survivors include children Ruth (Dave) Puvogel, Prescott, AZ, Doris (Kirk) Wagner, Colorado Springs, CO, Mike (Barb) Newsham of Rossville, KS, and Laura (Tony) Clarke, Bradford, PA; eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren: David Wayne Puvogel (Christina and Saron), Nick Puvogel (Kelly, Ronin, and Lylah), Megan Smith (Henry), Derek Swope, Gina Patterson (Graham, Nora, and Nolan), Sheldon Newsham (Teresa, and Charlee), Jarret Clarke, and Courtney Clarke.

Private family graveside services will be held at Cedar Hill Cemetery near Ashland, NE. Memorial contributions may be made to Oakley Place of Rossville and sent in care of the funeral home.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Charles L. Newsham, please visit our floral store.

Marilyn Claussen Passes Away

Marilyn A. VandeVelde Claussen, 77, passed away early Friday, September 3, 2021, at a Topeka nursing home.

She was born December 5, 1943, in Wamego, the daughter of Merrill and Bernice Kraus Fritze. Marilyn was raised in the Alma community and graduated from Alma High School in 1961. She attended Clark’s School of Business in Topeka.

Marilyn provided daycare in Silver Lake for many years, worked at a local bank and loved being a paraprofessional for the Silver Lake School District. She was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in St. Marys, and previously of St. Stanislaus in Rossville. Marilyn was a past member of the EHU and volunteered at the Silver Lake Senior Center. She was a member of a Bunko group for many years. Marilyn loved her family and enjoyed attending her grandchildren’s activities. Marilyn liked gardening, canning, and playing board games and cards. She enjoyed camping, riding horses, riding on a four wheeler with her husband Doc, and attending KSU games.

On January 12, 1963, Marilyn was united in marriage to August C. “Sonny” VandeVelde. He preceded her in death on May 15, 1997. She was also preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Joseph “Joe” Fritze.

Marilyn was united in marriage to Dr. Verne Claussen, Jr. on December 27, 2003, in St. Marys. He survives of the home.

Other survivors include her children, Lori (Curt) Campbell, Silver Lake, Vicki (Dave) Shanley, Silver Lake, Kristi (Phillip) Cockrell, Lenexa, Scott (Lori) VandeVelde, Silver Lake; and step children, Mary Chris (Ron) Myers, Delia, Verne Claussen III (Kathleen), Ingelheim, Germany; grandchildren, Chelsea (Chad) Ray, Dustin (Jessie) Campbell, Kaci Campbell, Alexis Campbell, Taylor VandeVelde, Trevor Shanley, Lyndsey VandeVelde, Dylan VandeVelde and Kaden VandeVelde, step grandchildren, Mary Leigh Myers, Hanna Myers and John Henry Myers; great-grandchildren, Reagan Ray, Goldyn Campbell and Anakyn Campbell; many extended family members.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 A.M. Thursday, September 9, 2021, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in St. Marys. Internment will be in the Silver Lake Cemetery. Mrs. Claussen will lie in state and the family will receive friends from 5:00 P.M. until the Rosary at 7:00 P.M. Wednesday, September 8, 2021 at Piper Funeral Home in St. Marys. Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and sent in care of Piper Funeral Home, 714 Maple St, St. Marys, Kansas 66536. To leave online condolences, go to www.piperfuneralhome.com.

KPreps Article On Dawg Football

Defending state champion Rossville moved its winning streak to 14 games and delivered a quality 38-0 win versus Centralia. Rossville led 7-0 after the first quarter, 28-0 at halftime and 38-0 after three quarters. Senior Torrey Horak, the reigning 2A Offensive Player of the Year, completed 8 of 15 passes for 77 yards and a touchdown. He rushed 16 times for 211 yards and a pair of scores.

Next: at Rock Creek (0-1)

RHS Stays At #1

This weeks ranking by the Capital-Journal

Class 2A

Team (first place votes), record; Last week’s ranking

1. Rossville (5), 1-0 LW 1

Last week: beat 1A No. 3 Centralia (38-0). This week: at Rock Creek (0-1)

2. Silver Lake, 1-0, LW 4

Last week: beat Rock Creek (34-28). This week: St. Mary's (0-1)

3. Osage City, 1-0 LW 5

Last week: beat 1A No. 2 Lyndon (41-0). This week: at Council Grove (0-1)

4. Nemaha Central, 0-1 LW 2

Last week: lost to 3A No. 4 Holton (25-24). This week: vs. Royal Valley (1-0)

5. Garden Plain, 1-0 LW 7

Last week: Beat 1A No. 7 Conway Springs (14-7). This week: vs. Sterling (0-1)

6. Beloit, 1-0 LW 8

Last week: beat Marysville (24-12). This week: vs. 3A No. 5 Southeast of Saline (1-0)

7. Maur-Hill-Mount Academy, 1-0 LW NR

Last week: beat Council Grove (22-14). This week: vs. Oskaloosa (0-1)

8. Hillsboro, 1-0 LW 9

Last week:

9. Hoisington, 0-1 LW 3

Last week: beat Nickerson (50-22). This week: vs. Hesston (1-0)

10. St. Mary's Colgan, 0-1 LW NR

Last week: lost to Girard (33-7). This week: at Galena (0-1)

Receiving votes: Thomas More Prep-Marian (1-0), Cimarron (1-0)

In 3A, Riley County maintained its #8 ranking after narrowly defeating St. Marys 17-14. Centrailia maintained it's #4 ranking in 2A despite it's 38-0 loss to Rossville.

This week Rossville will play Rock Creek this week which had a narrow loss (34-28) against Silver Lake.

The Dawgs moved up to #12 ranking of all Kansas schools in Max Preps' newest rankings.

Saturday, September 4, 2021

MEL FB Scores for 9/3/2021

Rossville 38 Centrailia 0

Silver Lake 34 Rock Creek 28

Wabaunsee 28 Mission Valley 0

Riley County 17 St Marys 14
Riley Co got the win with a field goal with 3 seconds left in the game

Friday, September 3, 2021

Centrailia At Rossville Football

Game stats Sept 3, 2021.

Cen 0 0 0 0 0
Ros 7 21 10 0 38

1st Qtr

0:30 Corey Catron 5 yd Run PAT kick

2nd Qtr

9:48 T. Horak 54 yd run PAT kick
4:42 Corey Catron 5 yd run PAT kick
0:13 Tagen Kippes 5 yd pass PAT kick

3rd Qtr

10:57 T. Horak 23 yd run PAT kick
6.56 Pedro. Arantes 32 Yd FG

Video of the game is avail on KSNT beginning at the 1:20 mark at

https://www.ksnt.com/video/09032021-football-frenzy/6953736/

Mission Valley Cross Country Inv. (updated)

Girls 2 mile run, 8th grade

Kinsley Kufahl finished First
Makenna Hensley finished Second.

Boys 2 mile run, 8th grade

Gabe Fund finished 9th
Dalton Versheldon finished 12

Boys 5K run, varsity

Sam Twombly finished 5th
Colby Hurla finished 6th
Wade Twombly finished 30th
Tres Faith finished 39th
Hayden Sanders finished 41st

Girls 5K run, varsity

Amelia Foster finished 2nd
Alexis Zabala finished 3rd
Cassie Fund finished 5th
Audrie Davis finished 7th
Reagon Wonnell finished 11th
Keera Lacock finished 17th

RHS Volleyball at Prairie View

Prairie View Tournament

Wellsville

Burlington

Baldwin

Prairie View

Baldwin * 2nd Place

25-11, 25-17
22-25, 25-15, 25-18
16-25, 22-25
25-11, 25-16
25-22, 22-25, 22-25

W
W
L
W
L

1-0
2-0
2-1
3-1
3-2

Jeff West Scramble Golf Tournament

The girls golf team finished fourth in the scramble. Hatina/Baumchem scored 126 and Pottorf/Miller scored 125.

1. Eudora 171
2. Jeff West 178
3. Silver Lake 180
4, Rossville 251

Centrailia Gives Dawgs An Early Test

CENTRLIA, Kan. (WIBW) - The Centralia Panthers are eager for a return to the 1A state title game after missing it in 2020.

“We have two goals,” head coach Larry Glatczak said. “Get better every day and play on Thanksgiving weekend.”

The Panthers went 12-1 in 2019 on the way to a state championship. Last season, Centralia finished 8-2, falling to Lyndon in sectionals.

This year’s squad is on a mission to get back to the big game. Ten seniors will lead the charge, including starting quarterback Ethan McNally.

”We’re gonna take it week by week obviously, but essentially we’re just trying to get to the state championship,” McNally said.

“We had a good summer with kids participating in weights and workouts,” Glatczak said. “It’ll take some work, as it does every year. But we’ve got great kids, we’ve got a great community.”

Centralia’s only other loss of 2020 came to eventual 2A state champs, undefeated Rossville (13-0). The Panthers will kick off 2021 on the road against the Bulldogs in our Kansas Prep Zone Game of the Week.

KPZ kicks off Friday night on 13 NEWS at 10:00 p.m.

Wednesday, September 1, 2021

Sports In Kansas 2A Preview

Below is a link to a very extensive description of the top 2A football teams in Kansas. The first few pages are about the coaches. Team previews are after that. Look for the heading "War on 24 Rivals Lead East"

2A SportsInKansas Football preview