LaDorna Rae Smith Passes Away

    

    St. Marys—LaDorna Rae “Corky” Smith, 90, St. Marys, passed away Friday, September 24, 2021 at the St. Marys Manor.

     She was born October 31, 1930, in Lola Township Cherokee County, Kansas to Paul A. and Beulah G. Crane Richards.  She was raised in Oswego and graduated from Oswego High School in 1948.  She had lived in the St. Marys community since 1951.

     Corky was a member of the St. Marys United Methodist Church where she was very active.  She enjoyed helping with the annual Turkey Dinner.  Corky and her husband Jim loved to dance, play cards and spend time with their family and friends.  You could find them frequently on the dance floor at the Moose Lodge Lounge in Topeka.  You might catch them playing a round of golf at the St. Marys course where she was an active member.

    Corky loved her kid, grandkids and great-grandkids and was a wonderful mom, grandma, and mentor to them all.  She loved to cook and was famous for her delicious meals.  The family gathered often at her home and guests were always welcomed.  She was very talented and crafty as is witnessed by the comforter size afghans she crochedted for nearly all of her grandkids and gorgeous ceramic Christmas trees she made and painted for each child’s family.  She loved to swim and her grandchildren remember her teaching them to swim.    Flower and vegetable gardening were two of her favorite pastimes.  When the clubhouse was built at the St. Marys Golf Course she and other volunteers designed and planted the landscaping.  She served as a Girl Scout Leader for the  St. Marys’ troop when her girls were involved.

     Corky was a nickname given to her as a child and it fit her perfectly.  She loved to have fun, be ornery and make people laugh.  She was  always full of advice for anyone that would listen.  It would be hard to find a person she knew that didn’t have a story or two to tell about their relationship with her.

     She married James W. Smith on June 12, 1949 at Oswego.  He preceded her in death on June 2, 2004; she was also preceded by her parents, a sister, Paula Middelton and a son Gary Smith on October 31, 2012.

     Survivors include her son, Michael Smith (Sherry), St. Marys; three daughters. Linda K. Dohrman (Rick), Delia, Vicki S. Lightfoot, (Bobby), Blaine, and Donna L. Simecka (Alan), St. Marys; a daughter-in-law, Dona Smith, Maple Hill; her brother, J.A. Richards; her sister, Winnie Ellis, Maple Hill;  23 grandchildren, and 39 great-grandchildren.

     Funeral services will be at 10:00 A.M. Friday, October 1, 2021, at the St. Marys United Methodist Church followed by graveside services at 3:30 P.M.at the Oswego Cemetery, Oswego, Kansas.  The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 P.M. Thursday, September 30, 2021 at Piper Funeral Home.  Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Marys United Methodist Church and sent in care of the funreal home.  To leave online condolences go to www.piperfuneralhome.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of LaDorna Rae "Corky" Smith, please visit our floral store at Piper Funeral Home

Anita Janssen Passes Away (Updated)

 

Anita H. (Harris) Janssen

December 10, 1939 ~ September 25, 2021 (age 81)

Anita Harris Holladay Janssen, 89 formerly of rural Emmett, died Saturday, September 25, 2021, in Centralia.

She was born December 10, 1931, at Ancon, Canal Zone, the eldest daughter of

Homer Roy and Alberta Patricia Powers Harris. She attended Canal Zone schools, graduating in 1949 from Balboa High School. She attended Park College in Parkville, MO, for two years, and Wichita State in Wichita, KS, for one and one-half years.

On September 12, 1954, she was married to Roy Ayres Holladay at First Methodist Church in Wichita; the marriage ended in divorce 32 years later. The Holladay family lived in Atchison, Overland Park, and Louisburg before purchasing the St. Marys Star, a weekly community newspaper, and moving to St. Marys in April 1972.

On December 15, 1990, Anita was married to Arthur F. Janssen in a private ceremony at the St. Marys United Methodist Church. The couple lived in Emmett Township. He died of cancer September 30, 2001.

Anita was active in church activities, Extension, Girl Scouts, and Boy Scouts while her children were growing up. She enjoyed home arts, oil painting, and reading. She served as volunteer church secretary in Louisburg and was secretary for the St. Marys, Emmett, and Belvue United Methodist Churches. Anita was lay leader of the Emmett United Methodist Church, as well as secretary of the administrative board, and taught the adult church school class.

Anita and her husband sold the St. Marys Star in 1983. They resumed ownership and publication in 1985. Anita sold the Star in 2005 and retired.

Surviving her are two daughters, Anne Marie Holladay, Fairbanks, AK, and Leslie Sue Weirough, Aurora, CO; a son, Douglas Roy Holladay, Jupiter, FL; three grandsons, Jarad Bond and Shaun Bond, Anchorage, AK, and Quentin Weirough, Fort Collins, CO; a granddaughter, Madison Weirough, Aurora, CO; a great-granddaughter, Kethry Bond, Anchorage, AK; a sister, Marion Buol, Petaluma, CA; a stepson, Larry A. Janssen, Baldwin City, KS, two stepdaughters, Judith Ann St. Cin, Austin, TX, and Sandra Moore, San Antonio, TX; seven stepchildren and fourteen step-great-grandchildren.  One sister, Louise Bradshaw, Antioch, CA preceded her in death.

Cremation has been requested by the deceased.  A Celebration of Life Service will be at 10:00 A.M. Saturday, October 2, 2021, at the St. Marys United Methodist Church, inurnment will be at Valley View Cemetery in St. Marys.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Emmett United Methodist Church, or to Community Health Ministry in Wamego.

Larry Nider Passes Away

     Rossville—Larry R. “Bepa” Nider, 81, passed away on Thursday, September 23, 2021, from Covid complications. 

     Larry was born September 23, 1940, at Waterville, the son of Vernon and Emma Henrich Nider.  He was raised at Blue Rapids and graduated from Blue Rapids High School in 1958. 

     Larry was a welding supervisor for BNSF Railroad before retiring.  Larry was an avid golfer and had played 18 holes the day he went into the hospital.

     On September 8, 1961, Larry and Penny Delfs were united in marriage in Alma. They lived in Topeka until 1973 when they moved to Rossville.  They moved to Bella Vista, AR in 2001 and moved back to Rossville in 2009.  Penny “Mamo” survives of the home.

     Larry was preceded in death by a son, Brad Nider; his parents, siblings, JoAnn, Lanie, Dean, Bill, and MaryAnn.

     Other survivors include two daughters, Kaye Harden, Topeka and Lisa (Brian) Horak, Rossville; a brother, Roy Nider, Seneca; a brother-in-law Don Noland, Pittsburg; eight grandchildren, Brock (Sherri) Harden, Haylee (Tyler) Harden, Conner (Katherine) Harden, Taylor (Jed) Harden, Kelcy (Derek) Hammer, Corbin, Camden, and Cale Horak; three great-grandchildren, Nate, Hallie, and Bentley; many nieces and nephews.

     A graveside service will be at 2:00 P.M. Thursday, September 30, 2021, at the Rossville Cemetery.  Mr. Nider will lie in state and the family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 P.M. Wednesday, September 29, 2021, at the Rossville Christian Church.  Memorial contributions can be made to the Rossville High School and sent in care of Piper Funeral Home, 714 Maple Street, St. Marys, Kansas  66536. 

Gary Westphal Passes Away

 

Gary W. Westphal, Sr., 77, a long-time resident of Rossville, passed away on Friday, September 24, 2021 at a Topeka hospital. He was born October 3, 1943 in Michigan, the son of Leo and Esther (Shultz) Westphal.

Gary was an Air Force Veteran and was stationed in Topeka from 1962 - 1966. He was employed by the Parks & Recreation Department for the City of Topeka for many years before retiring. He was a member of the Rossville Bible Church.

Gary married Nina Kaktins. They later divorced.

Survivors include one son, Gary W. (Rebecca) Westphal, Jr. of Topeka, step-children, Travis Birk of Alaska, Artemis Birk of Florida, Sheila Kassouf of Mississippi and two grandchildren, Johanna and Owen.

Memorial services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, October 9, 2021 at the Rossville Bible Church. Private inurnment will take place at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to the Rossville Bible Church, 420 E. Pottawatomie St., Rossville, Kansas 66533.

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

To leave the family a special, please select the Share Memories option at the Dove website at:    https://www.dovetopeka.com/Obituary/204526/Gary-Westphal%2c-Sr/Dove-KS.

 

McLouth At Rossville Football (Updated)

Rossville totally dominated the game during the first half and lead 52-0 at halftime.  A running clock began at the start of the 3rd quarter.  Right after the half started,  the opening kick off was ran back 90 yds for a TD by  Kaden Brown.  Coach Hammes immediately started substituting with 2nd and 3rd team players.

                       1   2   3   4   Total

Rossville      24  28   7   7     66
McLouth        0   0    0   0       0

1st

8:30    12 yd run by T. Horak                           PAT  Arantes Kick
5:56     Safety via high snap into end zone
5:38    17 yd run by  T. Horak                           PAT  Trent Barker 2 yd run for 2 pts.
2:12    51 Yd run by Braden Hensley                PAT  Arantes Kick

2nd 

11:33   9 yd run by Corey Catron                      PAT  Arantes Kick
8:40     77 yd run by T, Horak                            PAT  Arantes Kick
5:38     9 yd pass by R. L. Conney                     PAT  Arantes Kick
2:02     2 yd run by Trenton Barker                    PAT  Arantes Kick

3rd   Running clock from beginning of 3rd.

11:50    90 yd KO return by Kaden Brown        PAT  Arantes Kick

4th

3:00      5 yd run by Tayson Horak                     PAT  Arantes Kick    

                  

WIBW Video of the game can be seen at:       https://www.wibw.com/2021/09/25/kpz-week-4-mclouth-0-rossville-66/    

Other scores of interest:

Silver Lake  54     Oskaloosa  0
St. Marys   54    Riverside   7
Santa Fe  Trail  15  Osawatomie   14
Rock Creek  48    Hiawatha 0
Riley Co.      28    Clay Center  7
Wabaunsee    22  Jackson Hts. 8
Pleasant Ridge 34    Mission Valley  28
Osage City 62  West Franklin  13
Nemaha Central  20  Atchison Co. 0
Centrailia   41    Valley Hts 16

Council Grove Inv. Girls Golf

 Rossville  sent two girls to compete in the Council Grove Invitational golf tournament of Sept. 23.

Jaymee Woodward finished 28th and Emily Hatina came in 39th..

Royal Valley Inv. Cross Country

Royal Valley Invitational Cross Country Results Sept. 23, 2021

Rossville Girls

1. Amelia Foster
2.  Alexis Zabala
5.  Cassie Fund
10. Readen Wonnell
17. Keera Lacock

Rossville Boys

21.  Colby Hurla
23.  Hayden Sanders
30.  Wade Twombly
36.  Tres Faith

The Rossville boys finished 4th of the 9 teams competing

FFA Entomology Results

 FFA Entomology CDE Results:

A Team 1st:

    Amelia Foster 1st
    Taryn Bell 2nd 
    Bronc Reser 3rd
    Dali Reser 4th.

B Team 3rd place:

    Jalyn Davis 5th

Tucker Horak At Pittsburg State

Tucker Horak,  son of Terry and Wendi Horak of Rossville is a 6th year student at Pittsburg State and is on their football team.   He is pursueing a masters degree and has a 4.0 grade point average.   His bio can be read at:   https://pittstategorillas.com/sports/football/roster/tucker-horak/5478

2A Football Rankings For Sept. 19

The Wichita Eagle and the Topeka Capital have identical high school football polls.  Maybe because they are both owned by Gannett.     They used to  have their own polls.  

    1. Rossville (3-0, LW: 1)

Last week: 44-20 win vs. St. Mary’s. This week: vs. McLouth (0-1).

2. Nemaha Central (2-1, LW: 3)

Last week: 19-7 win at Sabetha. This week: vs. Atchison County (3-0).

3. Osage City (3-0, LW: 4)

Last week: 45-8 win vs. Mission Valley. This week: vs. West Franklin (0-2).

4. Silver Lake (2-1, LW: 2)

Last week: 22-14 loss vs. Riley County. This week: at Oskaloosa (0-3).

5. Garden Plain (2-1, LW: 5)

Last week: 34-7 loss at No. 4 3A Cheney. This week: vs. Douglass (0-3).

John Blackard Passes Away (updated)

Rossville – John D Blackard, 85, passed away from lung cancer September 16 in Billings, MT at home and surrounded by family.

He was born October 24, 1935 in Clarksville, Arkansas, the son of George and Maggie (Middleton) Blackard. John attended many schools during his childhood due to his dad’s occupation. Although he graduated from Belton High School in Texas, Clarksville High School class of ’53 was always near and dear to his heart, he traveled back for many class reunions and kept in touch with classmates over the years. He received a Bachelors degree from Northeastern Oklahoma State and a Masters in Education from Kansas State University.

John suffered a crippling injury in a hay truck accident at fourteen years of age but a few years later when he received a draft notice from the U.S. Army, he proudly answered the call. His service was brief but honorable.

John began his employment with USD 321 in 1961 in Delia, KS where he was immediately welcomed with open arms and became part of the Delia family. He served as Math and Science teacher, principal, bus driver and basketball, track, and baseball coach over the years. He built special, strong, and long-lasting relationships during his tenure at Rossville, St. Mary’s, and Delia where he retired as principal in 1997. He treasured all those relationships and memories.

He married Wanda N Walker in 1968 in Delia, KS where they started a family and raised 4 children. To supplement his income as a teacher, he sold Kirby Vacuums, Salad Master Cookware, and painted houses. They enjoyed card games, dominoes, and parties with friends. John especially enjoyed fishing local farm ponds with family, friends and former students and cherished many fond memories of those trips.

In 1985 John married Virginia “Gini” Parr Gentry in Rossville, KS. They loved to travel, taking the scenic route around the states playing golf and taking beautiful pictures of their surroundings. They loved one another dearly until he lost her to cancer in 1991.

John was a member of the St. Mary’s Golf Course for many years and later joined Wamego Country Club. His love for golf took him to many places and different courses but usually not without someone in his “noon group”. He traveled to Bella Vista twice a year with these guys for 30+ years and looked forward playing in the Hi-Cal tournament in Vegas every year. He loved the game, but it was the friendships and relationships made along the way that made it so special to him.

John was a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Kansas for 59 years, he belonged to Delia Lodge 419 which consolidated with Dover Lodge 138 in 2018. He was also a member of American Legion Post 117 in Billings, MT.

For the past 7 years, John dated Glenna Machin who lives in Wamego. Much time was spent enjoying the company of their friends, seeing the sights of Kansas, going to museums, trying new restaurants, and shopping at unique places together. Plays, musicals, and concerts were favorites of theirs. They shared a special, loving relationship that brought much joy to the last years of his life.

He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Maggie Blackard and older brother, Oral George “Slug” Blackard. He is survived by younger brother Bert Blackard of Independence KS. John’s children, George (Amy) Blackard of Billings, MT, Brandi Blackard of Topeka, KS Jennifer (Warren) Wilson of Topeka, KS, Rob Blackard, JoAnna (Dave) Cowser of Topeka and Jim (Shari) Gentry of Rossville. He had 10 grandchildren; Elizabeth, Emma, Abby, Dane, Megan, Taylor, Elise, Jacob, Derek, Trent and 7 great grandchildren; Allie, Jaylie, Paislee, Elliette, Brooks, Brinley and Elaina.

John was a man of integrity who loved his family, friends, and community well. He was kind and always had a story or joke to tell. His influence on others cannot be measured but he made a difference in this world and will be missed by many.

A Celebration of John’s life will be on Saturday, November 13th at 3pm at Rossville Grade School. Dinner will be served in the cafeteria afterward. We also invite everyone to the Rossville Legion at 6pm to tell stories, share memories and raise a glass in honor of John Blackard and a life well-lived.

Memorial contributions may be made to the John D. Blackard Memorial Scholarship Fund (for a Rossville and St. Marys senior that will be majoring in Education) and sent in care of Piper Funeral Home, 714 Maple St., St. Marys, Kansas 66536. 

Lynne (Eakin) (75) Krische Passes Away

Lynne (Eakin) Krische, age 63, of Topeka, KS, passed away, on Saturday, September 18, 2021 at her home in Topeka.

She was born the daughter of Edward E. and Marilyn (Haag) Eakin in Wamego, KS on October 8, 1957.

Lynne graduated from Rossville High School in 1975. She worked for National Reserve Life
Insurance Company and GMAC.

On October 19, 1985, Lynne married Robert (Bob) E. Krische. Together, they spent 35 wonderful years of marriage.

Survivors include her husband, Bob Krische; son, Darren Krische and his wife Amanda of Littleton, CO; step-daughter, Julie Albin and her husband Michael of Leawood, KS. She has four grandchildren that include, Jaxon and Alexa Krische, Henry and Cecelia “Cece” Albin. Three brothers survive that include, Tony Eakin and his wife Barb of Rossville, KS, Doug Eakin and his wife Jean of Rossville, KS and Dennis Eakin and his wife Carol of Delia, KS.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Lynne will lie in state on Wednesday, September 22, 2021, from 9:30-10:30 A.M., followed by a rosary at 10:30 A.M. at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 A.M., at the church. Family kindly requests casual attire for the visitation and services. Burial will follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery.

Memorial contributions can be made to an organization of the donor’s choice. Contributions can be mailed or left with the funeral home.

To share a memory or to leave a condolence, please visit, www.brennanmathenafh.com.

Arrangements entrusted to Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home, 800 SW 6th Ave., Topeka, KS 66603.

Rossville Invitational Volleyball Tournament

 The Rossville Inv. volleyball tourney was held at Rossville Sept 18 with The Lady Dawgs only losing one game finishing third.

Team Tonganoxie Wamego Hayden Holton Silver Lake Tonganoxie * 3rd Place

Scoring 25-13, 25-15 25-18, 25-19 25-12, 25-14 25-12, 25-17 17-25, 25-20, 23-25 25-18, 25-15

W W W W L W

Record 6-2 7-2 8-2 9-2 9-3 10-3

Onaga Cross Country

The womens  cross country team finished first out of the four teams competing on Sept 16 at Onaga.  

Amelia Foster     4
Cassie Fund       11
Audrie Davis      16
Keera Lacock     17           
Reagan Wonnell 18

The men's team finished fourth of eleven teams competing. 

Sam Twombly       5
Colby Hurla          6
Hayden Sanders  34
Wade Twombly    35
Tres Faith             62