Douglas Queen (77) Passes Away (Updated)

Douglas J Queen, 64, passed away December 24, 2023, with his family by his side.

He was born May 10, 1959, in Topeka to Helen Spears & Donald Queen

He was a graduate of Rossville High School graduating in 1977.

Doug was very proud to be a Farmer, as a kid he couldn’t wait for his Grandpa Spears to pick him up and take him to the farm.  He prided himself in raising good quality cattle. 

Doug served on several boards over the years, Soil Conservation & FSA.  His greatest passion became 4H and served on the Fairboard and Livestock Committee for many years along with EKSSS Board. 
Doug was well known by the 4H kids all over the State for being the guy at the gate to give them a fist bump and words of encouragement as they entered the ring.

On November 12, 1983, he married his wife Denise, they had just celebrated their 40th anniversary.

They were blessed with 2 beautiful daughters and their husbands, Jessica & Dan Aubert and Megan & Josh Davis along with his pride and joy 6 grandkids, Katie, Cheyanne, Tucker, Weston, Baelynn & Madelyn.  He was so very proud of each and everyone of them and would not miss a thing they did.

He is survived by his sister, Rita Estelle and brother John (Christie) Queen, his mother and father-in-law Rex and Judy Lober and brother-in-law Jeff Lober (Jen) nieces and nephews and his many friends he had made throughout his years.

Doug was preceded in death by his mom, Helen Miller and dad Donald Queen and brother Earl Queen and grandparents Laverne and Edna Spears.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, December 30, 2023, at 11:00 am at the Citizens Potawatomie Community Building in Rossville located at 806 Nishnabe Trail.  A wake will be held Friday evening December 29, 2023, from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. at Citizens Potawatomie Community Building. Burial will be at the Rossville Cemetery.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Doug Queen Memorial where a fund is being set up to provide awards for 4H events and sent in care of Piper Funeral Home, 714 Maple Street, St. Marys, Kansas 66536.

Walter Flach Passes Away

 Walter Flach of Paxico has passed away at the age of 93.  His obituary can be read at:  Piperfuneralhome.com/obituaries/walter-flach

Alan Foster Passes Away

Alan J. Foster, aged 58, peacefully passed away on Thursday, December 21, 2023, at the Midland Hospice House in Topeka of pancreatic cancer.

Born on January 2, 1965, in Topeka, Alan was the son of Robert and Sally (Glotzbach) Foster. He graduated from Washburn Rural High School, Highland Community College in 1985, and Kansas State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Economics in 1987.

At the age of 14, Alan began his agricultural career on Uncle David and Aunt Virginia Foster’s farm near Rossville, spending summers living and learning and became like brothers to Andy, Adam and other hired hands.

Alan was a Corporate Parts Inventory Analyst for Prairie Land Partners John Deere, while serving in this capacity he was honored to serve on the John Deere Parts Lead User Group. Alan had previously worked as a Parts Manager for Concordia Tractor, Inc and Kaw Valley Equipment in Wamego, at Farmers Union Hardware & Implement in St. Marys and Murphy Tractor in Topeka. He was a Parts Man at Caldwell's Incorporated in Topeka. Alan also worked for a time at Caterpillar Work Tools in Wamego. Throughout his life, Alan believed in the future of farming and was always excited for the next innovation.

Alan also believed in his children and did whatever he could to support their growth whether it be assisting in coaching activities, being a camp  counselor, helping with a fundraiser or just yelling from the bleachers. He was always there for them whether it be a football game in an ice storm or a hours long trip to Nebraska to watch a short race.

He was preceded in death by his father, Robert Foster.  Alan is survived by his loving wife Ann, whom he married on April 30, 1988. Other survivors include his son, Perry (Breaira) Foster of Rossville; his daughter, Amelia Foster of Rossville; his mother, Sally Foster of Topeka; and three sisters, Anita (Chad) Sidesinger, Mary (Larry) Heffern, and Karen (Aaron) Anderson, all of Topeka.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, January 2, 2024, at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Rossville, at 10 A.M. with burial in the Foster Family Cemetery, Topeka. Alan will lie in state on Monday, January 1, 2024, at the church, where the family will receive friends from 5:00 until the 7:00 P.M. Rosary. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Stanislaus Catholic Church, Rossville Community Library, or Rock Springs 4-H Center and sent in care of Piper Funeral Home, 714 Maple Street, St. Marys, Kansas 66536. To leave online condolences, visit www.piperfuneralhome.com.

2A All-State Football Team

Rossville High Offensive Lineman Barrett Bietz was selected to the Kansas 2A All-State football team for 2023.  Up can ead the complete list in the below linked article which includes numerous Honorable Mentions.

https://www.kansas.com/sports/varsity-kansas/varsity-football/article283424838.html

Family Of Twelve To Rebuild Lost Home

WIBW has an excellent video about the Delia family that lost their home in a house fire. 

https://www.wibw.com/video/2023/12/23/family-12-delia-says-they-are-rebuilding-after-house-fire/

Community trails around Rossville

 ROSSVILLE — New trails are creating buzz in Rossville.

Phase 1 of the new Rossville Community Trail, a quarter-mile stretch of concrete, starts at the Rossville Fire Department just south of US-24 highway and circles around the nearby high school to the east. Phases 2 and 3 are expected to complete the nearly 1.5-mile route by next year.

To the west of the new concrete paths are another first for the town: a natural surface trail spanning about 0.65 of a mile that was completed earlier this year.

The two new trails are just the beginning for the Shawnee County community looking to give alternative routes for its residents.

"This is a good opportunity for not only for economic development, but primarily for community health and public health," Myron Leinwetter, with Rossville Community Foundation, told The Capital-Journal.

Republic Co. Duals Wrestling Meet

Republic Co Duals  Dec. 19, 2023

Nemaha Central        42-30    Rossville

Concordia                  60-19    Rossville

Beloit                         45-36    Rossville

Republic Co               36-33    Rossville

SE of Saline                43-42   Rossville

Southeast of Saline's  score was adjusted by 1.0 for  most forfeits received (tie breaker)

KWCA Boys 3-1a Wrestling Rankings

In the week of Dec. 20,  Paxton Willett is ranked 4th in the 165# classs and Barrett Lietz is ranked  6 in the 215# class.

KWCA Girls Wrestling Rankings for 4-1a

Kendra Hurla and Keera Lacock are still undefeated and ranked #1in the 120 and 125 classes.

Haley Horton in ranked #3in the 155 lb. class

Kendra Hurla Up For athlete Of Week

The three-time state champion has started her senior campaign perfectly. She is 11-0 in the 120-pound weight division. Hurla’s latest competition was in the Ladycat Classic, hosted by Basehor-Linwood on Saturday. Hurla went 4-0 as she claimed first place. Three of her four wins came via pin, including the championship bout. 

Girls Lose To Silver Lake 66-52

Dec. 19, 2023                            

Perine                 1-5           0-0    2
orter                    1-6           0-0    2
Mitchell              3-15         1-2    9
Dick                    5-10         5-7   19
Spielman             0-3          0-0     0
Burdiek               6-16         3-8    16
Hoehn                  2-4          0-2     4            

Boys Lose To Silver Lake 62-53

Rossvillle falls to MEL rival Silver Lake on Dec. 19, 2023

McDonnell         4-13         5-5    13
Badura               7-11          1-2    15     
Donovan            5-11 (1)    2-2    13
Jones                  2-4           3-4     7
Horak                 1-4 (1)      0-0    3
Miller                 1-4            0-1    2    

Delia Community Rallies Around Family

 DELIA, Kan. (WIBW) - The community of Delia has rallied around a family of 12 - with one on the way - after their house was completely destroyed by a fire leaving them with nothing in the weeks before Christmas. 

To read the complete article, go to:  hhttps://www.wibw.com/2023/12/18/community-rallies-around-family-12-that-lost-everything-delia-house-fire/ristmas.

Hurla and Lacock Record 100 Wins

Kendra Hurla and Keera Lacock reached major milestone when both achieved their 100th win last Sat. when they each won their class at the Bashore-Linwood wrestling tournament which had a powerful list of 3A to 6A schools competing.

 RHS standouts reach 100 wins

Dawg BB In The News

Emma Mitchell and  nora Burdiek were mentioned in a Dec 18 Capital-Journal article about best high school performances in the previous week..  Mitchell had 22 points and Burdiek had 22 points in the december 12 game against kc Christin.

In the boys game Mason Jones had a double double with 17 points and 13 rebounds.

Annual Ladycat Classic Wrestling Tournament

Team Scores.   37 teams competed, including all classes including 6A.  The top 15 are listed below.

1 Dodge City 173.5
2 Shawnee Heights 145.0
3 Basehor-Linwood 128.5
4 Washburn Rural 111.0
5 Topeka Seaman 102.0
6 Chanute 98.5
7 Gardner Edgerton 95.5
8 Tonganoxie 92.5
9 Spring Hill 91.5
10 Shawnee Mission Northwest 90.0
11 Rossville HS 89.0
12 Newton 87.5
13 Olathe North 85.5
14 Baldwin 82.5
15 Lewis Central 80.5 

 6th Annual Ladycat Classic Individual  Results for Rossville HS 

105 Brinley Pottorf (1-8) placed 18th and scored 4.0 team point

115 Keera Lacock (11-0) placed 1st and scored 28.0 team points. 

120 Kendra Hurla (11-0) placed 1st and scored 26.5 team points. 

125 Shayla Rezac (4-7) placed 20th and scored 6.0 team points. 

145 Madelyn Wonnell (8-7) placed 13th and scored 5.5 team points. 

155 Hailey Horton (10-3) placed 3rd and scored 19.0 team points.  

Gerald Mason (52) Passes Away

Gerald C. "Jerry" Mason, 89, passed away Monday, December 11, 2023, at the St. Marys Manor.

Jerry was born April 1, 1934 in Delia, the son of Clayton "Clay" and Frances Pobrislo Mason.  Jerry was raised in the Rossville community and graduated from Rossville High School in 1952.  He served in the United States Army.

Jerry was an electrician and owned and operated Mason Electric for many years.  He had lived in the Silver Lake community since 1973.  Jerry was a member of the Independent Electrical Contractors Association in Topeka.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, siblings, Richard "Dick" Mason, Kenneth Lee Mason, and Elise Bott.

On January 8, 1965, Jerry and Sharlee Leffler were married in Miami, OK.  She survives at their home.

Jerry is also survived by his son, Brent (Angie) Mason, Kansas City, MO, as well as granddaughters, Rachel and Allison.

Funeral services will be at a later date with military inurnment service in the Rossville Cemetery.

 

Fire Death In St. Marys House Fire

 UPDATE Dec. 14 at 1:35 p.m.: The City of St. Marys Police and Fire Department reports on Facebook that first responders found a person had died. The cause of death is still under investigation by the state fire marshall. The identity of the deceased is being held at this time.

TOPEKA (KSNT) – Fire crews are at the scene of a structure fire in St. Marys.

The call came in around 1:25 p.m. with both St. Marys Fire Department and Rossville Fire Department (RFD) called to the scene at 809 W. Linn St, according to the RFD.

House Destroyed By Fire Near Delia

 

Fire crews respond to rural house fire in Jackson County

Fire crews responded to a rural house fire around 10 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 12 in Jackson County.(Jackson County Sheriff's Office)

By Shayndel Jones

Published: Dec. 13, 2023 at 11:55 AM EST

JACKSON COUNTY, Kan. (WIBW) - Fire crews responded to a rural house fire in Jackson County.

Jackson County Sheriff’s Office said a family has been displaced from a rural home due to a fire. The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a structure fire shortly after 10 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 12 at 13626 E. Rd., north of the City of Delia, in southwestern Jackson County.

Delia, Mayetta, Hoyt, Prairie Band Pottawatomie Nation Fire Departments and Jackson County EMS responded to the scene.

Jackson Co. Sheriff’s Office said fire crews battled fire throughout the night and cleared around 4 a.m.

The house had been occupied before the fire was reported. All occupants were able to evacuate without injuries.

The residence was deemed a total loss.

The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office and the Kansas Fire Marshal’s Office are investigating the cause of the fire.

TopSports News Article--RHS and KC Christian

Rossville's boys basketball team picked up its second victory of the season Tuesday night, rolling to a 78-32 win at Kansas City Christian as five Bulldawgs scored in double figures.

Brandon McDonnell's Rossville boys basketball team improved to 2-3 Tuesday night with a 78-32 romp at Kansas City Christian. [Rossville basketball]

Rossville, now 2-3, put the game away early on, opening up a commanding 30-8 first-quarter lead. The Bulldawgs went on to lead 51-16 at halftime and cruised the rest of the way, outscoring KCC 27-16 in the second half.

Mason Jones, a 6-foot-4 junior, paced Rossville with 17 points while sophomore Cameron Miller added 14 points (two 3-pointers), sophomore Jack Donovan 13 (3 3s), junior Kameron Badura 12 and sophomore Jakoby McDonnell 11 points.

The Bulldawgs will close out the 2023 portion of their schedule at Silver Lake next Tuesday.

ROSSVILLE GIRLS 78, KANSAS CITY CHRISTIAN 23

Rossville, ranked No. 4 in Class 3A by the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association, improved to a perfect 5-0 on the season Tuesday night, taking a 78-23 road win at Kansas City Christian.

The Bulldawgs led 16-6 at the end of the opening quarter and then used a 31-6 second quarter to put the game out of reach, taking a commanding 47-17 advantage to the locker room at halftime.

Boys Wrestling Rankings By KWCA

 KWCA rankings for 1-3A boys as of Dec. 12 are:

165  Paxton Willetts    5th
215  Barrett Lietz        5th

RHS Girls Lead State Wrestling Rankings

The RHS Girls are in first place as a team in class 1-4A according to the KWCA as of  Dec. 12

Team Standings

1.   Rossville
2.   Pratt
3.   Paola
4.   Oakley
5.   Winfield   

Individuals

115   Keera Lacock 1st
120   Kendra Hurla  1st
155   Haley Horton  3rd

Emma Mitchell Signs With ESU For Basktball

RHS senior Emma Mitchell has signed with Emporia State to play basketball. The 5-10 forward  was a Second-Team All-Mid East League and honorable mention all-State selection in Class 3A for the Lady .Dawgs.   She averaged 13.8 points and 5.6 rebounds per game.

3A Girls Basketball Rankings

3 A Girls Basketball Rankings by KBCA, Feb 12, 2023 

1 Silver Lake
2 Topeka - Hayden
3 Hesston
4 Rossville
5 Carbondale - Santa Fe Trail
6 Cheney
7 Goodland
8 Halstead
9 St. Mary’s
10 Seneca-Nemaha Central

WIBW Video Report On Kayla Harden Giving Life

TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) - The holidays are a time for giving and one Kansas City woman is getting the best gift of all — the gift of life.

Janet Swabby went into kidney failure in 2018 and in Oct. 2022, dialysis became too much.

“I get on hospice and they tell us, that day, that they gave me two days to two weeks to live — we were devastated,” said Swabby.

Except it’s been longer than two weeks. Janet just celebrated her 60th birthday.

She said that God brought her Kayla Harden of Rossville.

“God didn’t bring me this far to let to drop me,” said Swabby. “She came in at the right time and she has given me life.”

Harden said giving is what she does. She’s donated blood and even her hair.

“Does someone need a kidney or does someone need blood? Yeah. Can you give it? Sure and that’s your sure answer — it’s not what if,” said Harden.

Janet is a cousin of Kayla’s aunt. When she heard that Janet needed a kidney, Kayla got tested and on Dec. 1, her daughter helped her make this life-changing call.

“The what-ifs aren’t ever certain and what was certain was someone needed it and I was healthy enough to be able to give that to her,” said Harden. “There’s probably not someone more deserving than Janet to have my kidney. She’s going to use that kidney and share it with other people — in her own way.”

Harden’s daughter, while holding her mother’s hand, said that her mom is a super hero.

Swabby said there are no words to describe just how grateful she is.

“People like Kayla are out there and for people like me to have hope and to hang on because there might be a living donor out there somewhere,” said Swabby.

They are looking to do the transplant in Feb. 2024.

To see the video,  go to;

Rossville-woman-gives-gift-of-life

RHS Basketball Sub-state For Boys And Girls

 Class 3A -- Riley County Sub-State

[Sub-State Bracket]

School

 

 

 

Record

 

Win %

 

Complete

 

Beloit HS

 

3-0

 

1.000

 

 

Silver Lake HS

 

3-0

 

1.000

 

 

Marysville HS

 

4-1

 

0.800

 

 

St. Marys HS

 

3-1

 

0.750

 

 

Seneca-Nemaha Central HS

 

3-1

 

0.750

 

 

Riley County HS

 

1-3

 

0.250

 

 

Rossville HS

 

1-3

 

0.250

 

 

Minneapolis HS

 

0-4

 

0.000

 

 

Burdiek and Mitchell Lead Scoring At KC Christian

 From the Capital-Journal

Tuesday, Dec. 12

Nora Burdiek, Rossville: It was a big win for the Bulldogs as Burdiek led the way with 22 points. She catapulted Rossville to a 78-23 win over Kansas City Christian. 

Emma Mitchell, Rossville: Balancing out Burdiek was Mitchell, who was equally as effective. Mitchell scored 21 points to help the Bulldogs gain the win and move to 5-0 on the season. 

Rossville @ KC Christian Basketball (Updated W/Stats)

Rossville took a long road trip and came home with wins on Dec.12.

The Dawgs won 78-32 and the Lady Dawgs kept their win streak alive winning 78-23.

Boys Game Stats

McDonnell     5      1-2 11,       
Badura           6      0-0 12,
Donovan        5 (3) 0-0 13,
Jones             6       5-6 17,
Miller            6 (2) 0-0 14,
Horak            3 (2) 0-0 8,
Johnson        1 (1) 0-0 3

Girls Game Stats

Perine     2         0-0 4, 
Haehn     3         0-0 6,
Mitchell   7 (2) 7-10 23,
Porter     1           0-0 2,
Dick        6 (5)     2-2 19,
Burdiek 10          0-1 20,
Spielman 2         0-1 4

Rossville Girls Basketball Highlights

 Lady Dawgs BB Highlights

Irish Classic Champs 2023

Click on image to enlarge

 Champions of the Chapman Irish Classic Dec. 4-9, 2023

Barret Lietz in Sports In Kansas Football 100

 Sports In Kansas has listed their top 100 Football Players in Kansas and also their Top 100 3a or below Football Players.  Rossville lineman Barret Lietz.was among the latter group.

Chapman Irish Classic Champions

 

Emma Mitchell Article in TOPSPORTS NEWs

                                        EMMA MITCHELL, Rossville

Mitchell, a 5-foot-10 senior, opened her girls basketball season with a game-high 24 points in Rossville's 71-20 non-league rout over Atchison. Mitchell hit four 3-pointers on the night as the Bulldawgs, ranked No. 7 in the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association Class 3A rankings, rolled to the decisive win.

Girls Wrestling At Santa Fe Trail

 Santa Fe Trail tournament Dec 8, 2023

125B  Shayla Rezac        3rd

145     Madelyn Wonnell 4th

Final Game Of Irish Classic

The Dawgs lost the 3rdd game of the tournament to Chapman 62-53.  Jack Donovan and Tayson Horak made the All-Tournament.

The Lady Dawgs remain undefeated after defeating Chapman 88-40 in their final game of the tournament. .Emma Mitchell, Nora Burdick and Rylee Dick were all selected to the All Tournament team.  Rylee was selected MVP for the tournament.

Clay Center Wrestling Tourney Dec. 9 (With Updated Results)

Boys Wrestling Dec.9, 2023

Team Scores

1 York 163.0
2 Hoxie 151.5
3 Basehor-Linwood 130.0
4 Marysville 103.5
5 Clay Center Community 99.0
6 Holton 85.0
7 Haven 48.0
8 Halstead HS/Sedgwick HS 32.0
9 El Dorado 30.0
10 Rossville 28.5
11 Alma-Wabaunsee 21.0
12 Perry-Lecompton 13.5

Individual Placements

113 Kelton Lacock     7th
132 Mason Broce       3rd
215 Barret Lietz          2nd

Girls Wrestling Dec 9, 2023

Team Scores

1 Chapman Girls 98.5
2 El Dorado Girls 87.0
3 Marysville Girls 75.5
3 Rossville Girls 75.5
5 Halstead HS/Sedgwick HS, KS Girls 66.5
6 Alma-Wabaunsee Girls 51.0
7 York Girls 50.0
8 Clay Center Community Girls 45.0
9 Haven HS Girls 41.5
10 Perry Lecompton Girls 33.0
11 Riley County Girls 26.0
12 Hoxie Girls 18.0

Individual Placements

102 Brinley Pottorf    7th
120 Keera Lacock      1st
125 Kendra Hurla       1st
130 Shayla Rezac       7th

Game 2 Of Irish Classic BB Tournament

 Both the Dawgs and Lady Dawgs played Sacred Heart in the Irish Classic on Dec.8.  The Lady Dawgs won 60-45 but the Dawgs lost 65-49.

Raider Classic Wrestling Tournament at Wamego

Rossville was one of many teams competing at the Raider Classic on Dec. 2.   The Dawgs finished 6th and had several high finishes

Team Scores 

1 Concordia HS 274.0
2 Abilene HS 234.5
3 Wamego HS 156.0
4 Chapman 147.5
5 Ottawa HS 131.0
6 Rossville 112.5
7 Herington HS 110.5
8 St. George-Rock Creek 105.0 

Raider Classic Results for Rossville

113 Kelton Lacock (4-1) placed 2nd and scored 19.0 team points. 
132 Mason Broce (3-2) placed 4th and scored 17.5 team points.
138 Remi Droegemeier (3-2) placed 5th and scored 13.0 team points. 
175 John McGrath (1-4) placed 8th. 
175 Paxton Willet (4-1) placed 3rd and scored 20.0 team points. 
190 Charlie Chance (1-4) placed 9th. 
190 Ayden Crosswhite (3-2) placed 4th and scored 17.0 team points. 
215 Barret Lietz (5-0) placed 1st and scored 26.0 team points.

Melvin Ketter (52) Passes Away

 Melvin (Mel) E. Ketter Sr. passed November 28, 2023, at the age of 89, in Topeka, Kansas.

Mel was born April 12, 1934, in Hoyt, Kansas, the son of Lawrence and Alma Irene (Troughton) Ketter.

After graduating from Rossville High School in 1952, Mel attended Washburn University. He joined the US Army, serving between 1956-1958 in Germany. He married Barbara Ullrich in 1959. Mel worked as a salesman for International Harvester, and later for the Ford Motor Company.

He was a member of St. Matthew’s Catholic Church, serving as an usher for more than 35 years. He enjoyed walking, golfing, and watching sports, especially Kansas University Basketball.

Mel is survived by his wife Barbara, children Mel Ketter Jr., Janet Ketter (Alex Dultmeier), and Linda (Mike) Kozubek.

Services will be held Wednesday, January 3, at St. Matthew Catholic Church, 2700 SE Virginia Ave., Topeka, Kansas, 66605. Visitation will begin at 9:00AM. With a Parish Rosary being prayed at 10:00AM. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 AM. A luncheon will immediately follow Mass at St. Matthew Catholic Church. Burial will be in Mt. Calvary cemetery at 1:30 PM.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Mel’s memory to St. Matthew Catholic Church. Contributions may be left with the church or sent in care of Midwest Cremation, 525 SE 37th Street, Topeka, KS 66605