Bennie Besta Passes Away

Bennie R. Besta, born on December 15, 1942, in Rossville, Kansas, passed away peacefully from natural causes on October 25, 2026, in Topeka, Kansas surrounded by his family. 

Services are pending and a full obituary will be published at a later date. 

Bennie passed away peacefully from natural causes on October 25, 2026, in Topeka, Kansas.

Bennie R. Besta was born December 15th, 1942, on a World War II Black-out night in Rossville, Kansas, the son of Edward and Winifred (Yocum) Besta.

Bennie attended the one room schoolhouse (Stone School) at the Northwest corner of 72nd and Arn Road and graduated from Delia High School, just one class credit short of Valedictorian.

Bennie had received a scholarship to play Baseball for the Washburn Ichabods, but a daring feat with a friend and a car left his dream on the sidelines.

Bennie started working for Hallmark Cards in 1961 and retired after 38 years. To this day, stories are still told to his family by complete strangers of Bennie's shenanigans, humor, and kindness from his time there.

Bennie married Leona "Cookie" Spiker at the First Presbyterian Church in 1964; they later divorced but remained close until her death.

Bennie was never a stranger to love over the years.

Bennie was an avid sportsman and usually paired that with the great outdoors: Baseball, Football, Basketball, Camping, Hunting, Fishing, Gardening and just enjoying the sun in his swing.

After his retirement, he spent much of his days telling tales over coffee and sharing vegetables with neighbors and friends. He also dedicated as much of his free time he could to his grandchildren and their activities. He loved nothing more than being surrounded by his family--ideally with a tool in hand. He was the ultimate handyman, always eager to teach his loved one's practical life skills like working on cars or replacing a broken garbage disposal.

He is survived by his four children; son, Richard; daughter, Cindy and son-in-law, Karl; daughters, Patti and Stacy; his two grandchildren, Haley and Dalton (Ashley); two great-grandchildren, Colt and Flint; sister-in-law; Nancy Besta; brother-in-law, Ron Cowan; brother, Bobbie (Susan) Kerwin; sister, Terri Kerwin; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Bennie now walks with both his parents; stepfather, Clint Kerwin; brother, Ed Besta; sisters, Teresa Marney and Mary Cowan; and nephew, Kelly Cowan.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 - 7:00 PM, on Friday, November 13, at Piper Funeral Home, 714 Maple St. in St. Marys. A Celebration of Life will be at 10:30 AM on Saturday, November 14, also at Piper Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Rossville Cemetery in Rossville. Family and friends will gather at the Moravan Lodge 128 aka Bohemian Hall, 8605 NW Crawford Rd, Rossville, following the burial.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made payable to Rossville Community Foundation, for the Grandstand Fund and can be mailed to Rossville Community Foundation, PO Box 74, Rossville, KS 66533.

Sub-State Golf per Top Sports News

 CLASS 3A-1A GIRLS GOLF SUB-STATE

At Spring Creek Golf Course 

Team scores

TMP-Marian 375, Silver Lake 379, Rossville 410, Holton 418, Osage City 421, Nemaha Central 425, St. Marys 441, Hiawatha 443, Heritage Christian 494, Maur Hill-Mt. Academy, 554. 

Individual results

1. (tie) Bree Barrow, Holton, and Brynn Schoepf, TMP-Marian, 87; 3. Zara Nilsson, Silver Lake, 88; 4. Hannah Flax, TMP-Marian, 91; 5. Emma Wasinger, TMP-Marian, 92; 6. Elley Sanders, Rossville, 95; 7. Morgan Ackerly, Silver Lake, 96; 8. Avenley Head, Silver Lake, 97; 9. (tie) Hannah Simmer, Hiawatha, and Savanah Wende, Silver Lake, 98.

Other Silver Lake -- 18. (tie) Ashley Hanna, 105.

Other Rossville -- 12. (tie) Maya Donovan, 100; 20. (tie) Reese Olejnik, 106; 25. (tie) Joan Pottorf, 109; 27. (tie) Nora Mitchell, 110; 39. Brooklyn Gama, 116.  

    

 

Rosville Volleyball

The Lady Dawgs competed at the Sebetha Tournament  geting a three game win over Concordia, but losing to Holton twice and Marysville.  RHS is 14-21 Overall.

Rossville Inv. Girls Golf

 The best performancees by Rossville girls were a trio of 48 stroke cards by Cassidy Wade, Eliza Miller and Claire Whitmore. who finished tied for 16th.  in 19th place with a count of 49 strokes. . Brooklyn Gamme finished in 19th place iwith a 49.

RHS Begins Plyoffs with 49-0 Win

Rossville, last season's Class 1A state runnerup, opened Distict 2 play Friday night with a 49-0 home romp past Wabaunsee.

Junior quarterback Landen Lewis ran for four touchdowns and threw for a TD as the Bulldawgs improved to 4-2 on the season.

Lewis ran for 17, 2, 9 and 9-yard TDs and hit Cale Horak for a 23-yard score while Cael Horgan opened Rossville's scoring with  for a 1-yard TD and Gavin Sumner scored the final TD on a 1-yard plunge.

Austin Dohrman kicked five extra points and the Bulldawgs got a 2-point conversion on a pass from Cole Graves to Michael Cooney.

Rossville led 14-0 at the end of the first quarter and 28-0 at the half before adding 21 points in the second half to complete the shutout.

The Bulldawgs will travel to Mission Valley on Friday to face the 1-5 Vikings, who are coming off a 48-6 district loss to St. Marys

Larry Applebee Passes Away

 

Larry "Kenny" Kenneth Applebee was born November 11, 1987, in Topeka, Kansas, to Larry Jaques and Mel Applebee-Jaques. He passed away unexpectedly at his home on September 10, 2026.If you knew Kenny, chances are he made you laugh. He was quick-witted, sarcastic, and rarely passed up an opportunity to give someone a hard time. If there was a joke to be made or a reaction to get, Kenny was probably going to find it. His sense of humor was unmistakably his own, and making people smile, sometimes by any means necessary, was something he did well.

Kenny graduated from Rossville High School in 2006. Since Kenny was little, he started taking apart broken RC cars, then computers, and eventually engines. He enjoyed working with his hands and spent much of his working life doing things independently. He worked alongside his dad as a mechanic and, more recently, spent his time rebuilding motorcycles.

Kenny's life was his own, with countless adventures and side-quests. Through all of it, he was loved by his family and friends. Those who knew him will remember his humor, his personality, and the stories that came with just simply knowing him.

Kenny leaves behind his parents, Larry Jaques and Mel Applebee-Jaques of Topeka; his sister, Becca Applebee of Rossville, Kansas; his uncles, Jeff (Kendra) Applebee and Mike (Thess) Applebee; his aunts, Lori Applebee and Jennifer Applebee; and eight first cousins.

He was preceded in death by his uncle Dennis Phelps, and grandparents, Ken Jaques, Laura Phelps-Davidson, Jimmy Applebee, and Linda Applebee.

A celebration of Kenny's life will be held Saturday, November 14, 2026, at Truckhenge Farm in Topeka, Kansas. Family and friends are invited to come together, share stories, laugh at the memories, and remember Kenny for the person they knew.

In lieu of flowers, those wishing to honor Kenny's memory may make a financial contribution to Larry Jaques or Becca Applebee.

Jphn Flerlage Passes Away

 John Herman "Jack" Flerlage, 83, of St. Marys, passed away on Wednesday, October 7, 2026 at his home in St. Marys surrounded by his family.

Jack was born on September 3, 1943 in St. Louis, MO, the son of Joseph and Margaret (Morgan) Flerlage, Sr. In 1945, Jack and his family moved from Florissant, MO to St. Marys, KS. He attended school in St. Marys and graduated from St. Marys High School in 1961.

Jack began working in 1958 at the Standard Gas Station in St. Marys. In the following years, he also worked various jobs as an auto mechanic before starting his own mechanic's shop in 1970. Jack was very proud of the time he spent mentoring several high school boys in his mechanic shop throughout the years.

In 1988, he started working for the City of St. Marys, retiring in 2013 after 25 years of service.

Jack met Sue Viergever while working at the Standard Gas Station; they were later married in 1964. She survives of the home.

Left to cherish Jack's memory are his two daughters, Stephanie (Vance Enyart) Tarn of Abilene, KS and Janelle (George Blackard) Flerlage of Billings, MT; grandchildren, Jason (Hannah), Dillon, Gianna, Siena, and 2 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his siblings, Marge (Bernard) Fiedler, Larry Flerlage, Mary Ann Reser, and Jim (Tippi) Flerlage,

He was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers, Joseph Flerlage and Robert Flerlage, and his brother-in-law, Roy Reser.

The family will hold a private graveside service at Rossville Cemetery at a later date.

Memorial contributions in Jack's memory may be made to either Midland Care or to St. Jude's Children's Hospital.

Rossvillle Volleyball

 The Rossville High Varsity Volleyball team presntly has a record of 12-15

Gary Gene Miller Passes Away

 Gary Gene Miller, a former resident of Delia, Kansas, passed away on Friday, October 2, 2026 in Blue Rapids, Kansas. Gary was the son of Donald W. Miller and Ivaleu (Eakin) Miller of Delia.

Gary spent the first part of his life on the family farm north of Delia. He took great pride in caring for the livestock and pets and tending to the large family garden. He attended High Prairie Grade School, and attended Delia High School and Rossville High School. In his later years, he moved to Beattie, where he resided and worked at Twin Valley Developmental Center. During his time there, he enjoyed a variety of jobs and made countless memories with his friends traveling and seeing the sights.

Gary loved playing games with his large family. He often entertained his many nieces and nephews, and they loved the attention devoted to them. He was also ready for a game of Pitch at family gatherings and was never a sore loser. Gary followed several sports, but his loyalty was to the Kansas State Wildcats, KC Chiefs and the Kansas City Royals. Whenever the opportunity was presented, he loved to go bowling or attend any sporting event.

Gary was a man of God and read his Bible faithfully. He was a member of the Delia Presbyterian Church.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents, his nephew Troy Cooksey and his great-niece Marlie Eisenbarth.

Survivors include his siblings, Beverly Tucker (Bill), Kansas City, KS, Victor Miller of Topeka, Nancy Boten (Larry) Kansas City, MO, Sandra Eisenbarth (Stephen), Silver Lake, Rodney Miller (Lisa), Holton, Elizabeth Victor (Brian Gower), Lawrence.

Gary loved being an uncle to his 17 nieces and nephews and 33 great nieces and nephews.

Life was a challenge for Gary, yet every day he would start with a positive attitude, and he could find humor in the most ordinary day to day activities. Gary loved to laugh, but making others laugh brought him the most joy. Never missing an opportunity to tell a joke, most of which were never funny, Gary's delivery and belly laugh would often be the funniest part.

When his health required more care, he was moved to Blue Rapids and cared for by the staff of Blue Valley Health and Rehabilitation Center. In Gary's final days, St. Croix Hospice Care provided the comfort and care he needed.

A memorial graveside service to honor Gary's life will be held at 2:00 PM on Sunday, October 11th at the Deli

1A Football Rankings, 10/4/2026

1. Sterling
2. TMP
3. Rossville
4. Inman
5. Olpe

Others: McLouth, Smith Center, Centralia,

Bonnie Thomas Passes Away

Bonnie L. Thomas, 92, of Rossville, Kansas passed away Sunday, October 4, 2026, at a Topeka hospital. She was born July 31, 1934, at Rossville the daughter of Charles and Alice (Stum) DeGraff. She graduated from Topeka High School with the class of 1951.

She was married to Wayne G. Thomas June 17, 1952, in Topeka. Wayne preceded her in death on December 28, 1995.

Bonnie had worked at Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Topeka.

She is survived by her children, “Randy” Thomas and wife Nancy, James Thomas and wife Kathie, Steve Thomas and wife Doris, Justin Thomas and Shelly, Jeanie Combs and husband Dave, and Lisa Trammel and husband Tracey; grandchildren, Candy (Randy), Rhawnie (Matt), Cody (Shawn), Angie (Cameron), Brian (Kristin), Noah (Alicia), Caleb (Hope), Jeremiah (Megan), David (Anita), Zachary (Jennifer), Ethan (Sam), Cole (Katlyn) and Gracie; great grandchildren, Kali (Spencer), Kilian (Bri), Bryant, Devin, Falyn, Aliya, Emma, Eli, Ellisyn, Oakley, Maggie, Jaelynn, Alexia, Ryndon, Amara, Landyn and Ryker; great-great grandchildren, Maci, Levi, Khale, Kyler and Leon.

She is also preceded in death by her siblings, Dick, Samuel, Russell, John and Darrell "Corky”, Lottie, Lois, Vera, Phyllis, Dolly, Doris and Pat.

Graveside services and interment will be held in Rossville Cemetery at 10:00 am on Thursday, October 8, 2026. If anyone would like to donate in Mom’s memory, we would be grateful if done so to Midwest Transplant Network in honor of grandson Zachary Michael for the gift of life bestowed upon him. Parker-Price and Davidson Cremations and Funerals in Topeka is assisting the family. www.ppdfuneral.com

Ann Broxterman Passes Away

 Ann E. Broxterman (Rossville, Kansas), born on June 1, 1935, passed away on September 16, 2026. 

She was predeceased by: her parents, Lawrence Koelzer and Anna Koelzer; her husband Robert Broxterman; her son Daniel Broxterman; her siblings, Margaret Koelzer, Dorothy Koelzer, Clara Niehues, Rita Eisenbarth, Lorene Olberding, Mary Haverkamp, George Koelzer, Andrew Koelzer, Melvin Koelzer and Sylvester Koelzer; her children-in-law, Augie Meier Jr. and Chanelle Broxterman; and her granddaughter Belinda Meier.

She is survived by: her children, Joyce Rakestraw (Terry), Jeanette Bouzianis (Paul), Janice Taylor (Bill), Andrew Broxterman (Carina), Nancy Pletcher (Brand), James Broxterman (Monica), Connie Fischer (Daniel), David Broxterman (Jess), Bradley Broxterman (Michelle) and Christopher Broxterman (Amanda); her grandchildren, Jeremy Rakestraw (Christina), Jessica Rakestraw (Morgan), Jared Rakestraw (Michele), Augie Meier III (Nicole), Bridget Meier, Steven Bouzianis (Jessica), Gregory Bouzianis (Ashley), Nicholas Bouzianis, Michelle Taylor (Andrew), Lindsay McCrary (Coty), Ben Broxterman, Jill Broxterman, Josie Broxterman, Tyler Pletcher (Megan), Jacob Pletcher (Shelby), Sara Thielenhaus, Josh Thielenhaus (Mindi), Karlee Fischer, Samantha Fischer, Alexis Broxterman, Ashley Johnson (Derek), Emily Broxterman, Clara Connell (Brodrick), Michael Broxterman, Caleb Broxterman, Sydney Broxterman and Makayla Broxterman; her great grandchildren, Kayla Williams (Judson), Jonathan Rakestraw, Kristen Rakestraw, Justin Rakestraw, Ellis Rakestraw, Beckett Rakestraw, Campbell Rakestraw, Ryker Rakestraw, Brexli Rakestraw, Augie Meier IV, Elizabeth Meier, Grace Bouzianis, Rachel Bouzianis, Miriam Bouzianis, Hope Bouzianis, Matthew Bouzianis, Christian Bouzianis, Brody McCrary, Blair McCrary, Jack Taylor-McNeive, Lena Taylor-McNeive, Joey Pletcher, Hank Pletcher, Rusty Pletcher, Clayton Pletcher, Piper Pletcher, Carson Pletcher, Delilah Thielenhaus, Bruce Thielenhaus, Norah Thielenhaus, Hazzel Johnson and Harper Connell; and her great great grandchild Leo Williams.

A rosary will be held on Monday, September 21st 2026 from 5:00 PM to 5:30 PM at the St. Stanislaus Catholic Church (703 Main St, Rossville, KS 66533). Visitation will be held on Monday, September 21st 2026 from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM at the same location. A celebration of life will be held on Tuesday, September 22nd 2026 at 10:00 AM at the same location.

Memorial contributions can be made to St. Stanislaus in Ann's memory and sent to Piper Funeral Home, 714 Maple Street, St. Mary's, KS 66536.

Kenna Perine Has 1000 Assists

Rossville setter Kenna Perine surpassed the 1,000-assist milestone for her career in the first match of her sophomore season in Saturday's Wellsville tournament.

Perine now has 1,063 career assists after helping lead the Bulldawgs to a 4-1 record on the day.

The Bulldawgs beat Baldwin, Prairie View, Burlington and Humboldt before dropping a three-set match to Wellsville in the championship match.

 

June (Hartzell) Shull Passes way

 Born May 28, 1933 to Allyn and Beth Hartzell in Rossville, Kansas. She graduated from Topeka High School, Topeka, Kansas in 1951 where she met the love of her life, John R. "Jack" Shull. They were married in Topeka, Kansas on June 13, 1953.

June moved with Jack to Ft. Richardson near Anchorage, Alaska in 1954 for his military service until 1956. She worked during this time in the depot. Upon returning to Topeka in 1956 she enrolled at Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas and graduated in 1958.

In 1962 June and Jack adopted their infant son Christopher and then a year later their infant daughter Angela. In 1966 the family moved from Kansas City to Dallas, Texas where Jack joined the medical staff at Methodist Hospital in Dallas.

Music was an important part of June's life having started playing the piano when she was six years old. Over the years she played the piano as an accompanist for countless soloists, choirs, and ensembles in the community. June was also involved in producing musical programs and pageants at her church and the local schools.

June loved her prized Steinway piano, which incidentally was the first piece of furniture that they bought for their new house in Dallas, before beds, chairs, and tables. She played her piano daily, filling the house with music from the classical masters to every Christmas melody ever written.

In 1987 June and Jack moved from Dallas to Tyler, Texas where Jack opened a private medical practice. June worked in the medical office managing the business end of his practice. Over the years she continued her piano engagements and enjoyed time with her granddaughters and a great-grandson.

June is preceded in death by her husband John R. "Jack" Shull, son Christopher, parents Allyn and Beth Hartzell, and brother Kay Hartzell. She leaves her daughter, two grandchildren, one great-grandchild, and nieces and nephews.

TopSports.News has Elly Sanders on Golf Watch List

 ELLEY SANDERS, Rossville

A senior, Sanders posted an eighth-place finish in Class 3A-1A regional competition last season, earning the top individual qualifying berth for the state tournament. Sanders tied for 36th at state with a 36-hole total of 193 (95-98).

TopSportsNews Picks 2026 Rossille FB Stars

 CALE HORAK, Rossville

Horak, a junior, received All-Shawnee County honorable mention last season as Rossville posted an 11-2 record and finished second in Class 1A. Horak caught 15 passes for 197 yards and two touchdowns as a sophomore while also registering 21 tackles (16 solo).  

CAEL HORGAN, Rossville

A senior, Horgan earned All-Shawnee County honorable mention last season as Rossville posted an 11-2 record and finished second in Class 1A. Horgan caught seven passes for 141 yards and two touchdowns as a sophomore while also registering 37 tackles (21 solo) with three interceptions.   

CHARLIE CHANCE, Rossville

A senior offensive/defensive lineman, Chance was named the Shawnee County defensive newcomer of the year last season for the Bulldawgs, who posted an 11-2 record and finished second in Class 1A. Chance was in on 54 tackles with 14 tackles for loss and three sacks, earning second-team all-county and All-Big East honors. 

Second Place at Wellsville Inv.

 The Rossville Varsity Volleyball Team finished second t the WSellsille Inv. folling to Wellsville 25-27, 25-19, 18-25The Lady Dawgs had wins over Baldin,  Burlington, Prairie View and Humboldt.

1A Football Ranking By Max-Preps

1	Rossville	0-0	56.25
2	St. Mary's-Colgan	0-0	54.78
3	Sterling	0-0	54.10
4	Jackson Heights	0-0	52.80
5	Smith Center	0-0	48.88
6	Olpe	0-0	48.36
7	St. Marys	0-0	47.80
8	Inman	0-0	47.61
9	Trinity	0-0	46.04
10	Centralia	0-0	45.87

2026 Football Outlook

 The Rossville football community will never completely forget last season's heartbreaking 35-34 loss to Sterling in the Class 1A championship game, with the Bulldawgs coming within two points and 52 seconds of a sixth state title under veteran coach Derick Hammes since 2014.

Derick Hammes has led Rossville football to a 125-30 record, seven state title games and five state championships. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

But now Hammes, who is 125-30 at the school, is counting on his Bulldawgs to use last season's disappointment as motivation this fall as they take aim on another title shot.

"We always try to go back and look at our past experiences and use that as motivation going forward,'' Hammes said. "So with this team, the kids that had a big part in our season last year, they definitely want to get back, they want another chance.

"But there's a lot of hard work that goes into that and there's a lot of folks throughout the state that want the same thing that we do. That's what makes athletics great is you don't get to just press re-wind or fast forward, you've got to go through the process all over again.'' 

Rossville graduated an outstanding senior class, including TopSports.news All-Shawnee County Top 22 picks Canann Mitchell, Conner Bush and Andre Johnson and Second 22 selections Jack Donovan and Cameron Miller, from last season's 11-2 team.

But the cupboard is far from bare, with the Bulldawgs returning 2025 Shawnee County defensive newcomer of the year Charlie Chance, a senior offensive lineman/defensive end, and senior all-county honorable mention honorees Cael Horgan (running back/linebacker) and Easton Webb (offensive/defensive line) and junior honorable mention picks Cale Horak (wide receiver/defensive back) and Landen Lewis (quarterback/linebacker). 

Other top returners include senior wide receiver/defensive back Kelton Lacock and junior offensive lineman Cooper Meyer and junior offensive/defensive lineman Jordan Martinek.

Top newcomers include running back/linebacker Remi Droegemeier, wide receiver/defensive back Ryder Foster, wide receiver/defensive back Austin Dohrman, quarterback/defensive back Cole Graves, wide receiver/defensive back Dalen Dick, running back/linebacker Lakin Gentry, wide receiver/linebacker Michael Cooney, offensive lineman/defensive end Evan Thompson, offensive lineman/defensive end Eleazar Hersh, offensive/defensive lineman Imiah January and offensive/defensive lineman AJ Chance.

Football Team Is Shooting For State Title

 ROSSVILLE (KSNT) – The standard remains the same for Rossville football entering a new season: compete for championships.

The Bulldawgs came about as close as possible to adding another trophy to the program’s collection in 2025. Rossville reached the Class 1A state championship game before falling to Sterling, 35-34.

Rossville finished the season 11-2, making its sixth state championship appearance under head coach Derick Hammes.

Now, that one-point loss is serving as motivation for the players returning in 2026.

Junior quarterback Landen Lewis and senior running back/linebacker Cael Horgan are among the Bulldawgs looking to use last year’s finish as fuel for another run. The goal isn’t simply to get back to the title game; it’s to finish the job differently this time around.

“It’s on our mind. That’s our ultimate goal to win state,” Lewis told 27 Sports. “We have a good shot if we limit our mistakes this year.”

“It’s in the back of our minds, and we’re using it as motivation,” Horgan said. “We’re using it to get back to the title game, but this time change the result.

While the ending will stick with the returning Bulldawgs, Hammes wants the identity of this year’s team to be about more than what happened last November.

“I want fans to see we play the game in the right way and that’s with their assignments, the way they play physically and hard,” Hammes said. “Having that identity is important to us, and a good hard-nosed football team is how I want to be described.”

Rossville opens its 2026 campaign on Sept. 4 against Perry-Lecompton.