GeorgeEllen (DeGraff) Venturella Passes Away

       GeorgEllen (DeGraff) Venturella, 93, passed away Wednesday, March 15, 2017.
       GeorgEllen was born on January 5, 1924, in Rossville, KS, to Robert George and Eva Sarah (Strimple) DeGraff. She graduated from Topeka High School in 1942 and from Strickler s Business College. She married Anthony Venturella in 1944. Together they had four children. GeorgEllen worked for Santa Fe Railway for over 20 years as a supervisor in accounting. She volunteered her time with Can Help and Literacy Council and was a member of the Santa Fe Singers. She also volunteered her time as a docent with the Great Overland Station. GeorgEllen enjoyed needlepoint, cross-stitch, and quilting.
      She is survived by her three children, Dona (Dr. Donald) Dei of South Riding, VA, Robert (Alice) Venturella of Battleground, WA and Paula (Gary) Durston of Gold Canyon, AZ; five grandchildren, David (Sarabeth) Dei, Tanya (Richard) Myers, Natasha (Matthew) Somma, Brian (Stephanie) Venturella, and Rachel Venturella; five great-grandchildren, Joshua Dei, Abigail Dei, Zachary Myers, Noah Myers, and Rocco Somma; and many nieces, nephews and friends. GeorgEllen was preceded in death by former husband; son, Dana Venturella; three siblings, Louise Bitner, June Barnes, Laverne Bud DeGraff.
      A celebration of life will be held at 1:00 p.m., Sunday, March 19, 2017 at Atria Hearthstone, 3415 SW 6th Ave, Topeka, KS 66606. A private family inurnment will take place at a later date at Mount Calvary Catholic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Midland Hospice Care, 200 SW Frazier Circle, Topeka, KS 66606, St. Francis Nursing Services, or a charity of the donor s choice. To leave a message for the family online, please visit www.PenwellGabelTopeka.com.

Rose Marie Ronnebaum Passes Away

St. Marys—Rose Marie “Rosie” Martin Ronnebaum, 80, passed away Tuesday, March 14, 2017, peacefully at home after courageously battling cancer for two years.

Rosie was born in Hanover on April 2, 1936, the daughter of Margaret and Sylvester Martin.  She graduated from Hanover High School.  After graduation, she worked for the State of Kansas in Topeka, until she married Donald A. Ronnebaum on October 27, 1956.

After marriage, Rosie enjoyed raising her six children on a farm.  Later in life she worked for USD No. 321 as a cook until she retired.  Don and Rosie moved to St. Marys, in 1996.  Rosie loved her flowers and her hobbies included tending to her flower garden, sewing, quilting, gardening, reading and camping.  She was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in St. Marys.

In her retirement years she liked to travel and camp.  Rosie thoroughly valued her time she spent with her husband, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, a brother, Joe Martin and a sister-in-law Mariane Martin.

Rosie leaves behind her loving husband of 60 years, Don of the home.  Other survivors include her children, Terry (Carol) Ronnebaum, Topeka, Mike (Janet) Ronnebaum, Axtell, David (Beth) Ronnebaum, Rossville, Jeanne (Nick) Disidore, Lenexa, Linda (Dan) Luthi. Wamego, and Diane (Jim) Todd, Lenexa; brothers, Dennis and Lawrence Martin, Hanover and Vern Martin, Aurora, CO; her sister. Ruth Grieves, MN; 15 grandchildren and three-great-grandchildren.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 A.M. Saturday, March 18, 2017 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in St. Marys.  Interment will be in Mt. Calvary Cemetery, St. Marys.  Rosie will lie in state and the family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 P.M. Friday, March 17, 2017 at the church where there will be a rosary recited at 7:00 P.M.  Memorial contributions may be made to Midland Hospice or Immaculate Conception Food Pantry and sent in care of Piper Funeral Home, 714 Maple St., St. Marys, Kansas 66536.

Recent Willard Bridge Photos

Photos by Shawnee County

RHS Baseball Schedule For 2017

March 
27        JV Vs Chapman
30        @  Perry-Lecompton
            JV Vs Topeka West

April
4          Vs Riley Co.
6          @ Santa Fe Trail
            JV  Vs Santa Fe Trail
13        Vs St Marys
20        Vs Sabetha
21        @ Sabetha
27        @ Silver Lake
28        JV Vs Silver Lake

May
1          @ Wamego
            JV @ Riley Co.
4          Vs Nemaha Central
5          JV @ Nemaha Central
8          JV @ St. Marys
9          @ Rock Creek
11        JV  Vs Perry-Lecompton 
15-18   3A Regional
25-26   3A State @ KSU Tointon Stadium

RHS Softball Schedule 2017

Monday, March 27

4:00pm

 JV Softball @ Shawnee Heights

Tuesday, April 4

4:30pm

 V Softball v. Riley County

Thursday, April 6

4:30pm

 JV/V Softball @ Santa Fe Trail

Friday, April 7

4:30pm

 V Softball v. Wabaunsee

Monday, April 10

4:30pm

 JV Softball @ Seaman

Tuesday, April 11

4:30pm

 JV/V Softball @ Manhattan

Thursday, April 13

4:30pm

 V Softball v. St. Marys

Friday, April 21

4:30pm

 V Softball v. Oskaloosa

Thursday, April 27

4:30pm

 V Softball @ Silver Lake

Friday, April 28

4:30pm

 JV Softball @ Silver Lake

Monday, May 1

4:30pm

 JV Softball @ Riley County

4:30pm

 V Softball @ Wamego

Friday, May 5

4:30pm

 JV Softball @ Rock Creek

Monday, May 8

4:30pm

 JV Softball @ St. Marys

Tuesday, May 9

4:30pm

 V Softball @ Rock Creek

Thursday, May 11

4:30pm

 JV/V Softball @ Jeff West

Monday, May 15

 3A Regional Softball

Tuesday, May 16

 3A Regional Softball

Wednesday, May 17

 3A Regional Softball

Thursday, May 18

 3A Regional Softball

Thursday, May 25

 3A State Softball @ Manhattan

Friday, May 26

 3A State Softball @ Manhattan

Dawgfeed 12

    Dawgfeed 12 for this year,  along with announcements for the week of March 13-17, can be see at the below link.  Dawn Ledeboer is the announcer.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PmIMsPSCd5g&t=196s

RHS Dance Team Performs

    Here is a video of the RHS dance team performing at Hays during the 321A State Wrestling Meet.
https://www.facebook.com/colleen.gillum?hc_ref=NEWSFEED

Willard Bridge Video

    Here is a video by WIBW showing construction of the Willard Bridge.
http://www.wibw.com/video?vid=415788544

Thomas G Smatla's First Tractor

This is Thomas G. Smatla  with the first tractor (John Deere) he ever had.

The photo probably dates from the 1930s.

Click on the photo and click on the notes from the rear of the photo to read.

Willard Bridge Under Construction 1902

Recent Willard Bridge Photos

Photos by Shawnee Co.

Alumni Reunion and Dinner On June 3.

Plans are being made for the Rossville High Alumni annual reunion, 

dinner and program on Saturday, June 3rd.  

All alumni are invited.  

For information, contact 

June Burgett at meburg@embarqmail.com or call 785-584-6080.   

Alumni Found. To Give $4,500 In Scholarships

       The Rossville High Alumni Foundation in conjunction with the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation will give three $1,500 scholarships this year to graduating Rossville High seniors.          The Alumni Foundation has given a total of over $16,000 in scholarships in previous years.   The winners will be announced in May and honored at the Alumni Party on June 3rd.  

Dueling Pianos At Am. Leg.

ROSSVILLE: AMERICAN LEGION POST 31, 442 N. Main: 

Dueling Pianos, from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Saturday, March 11. 

Tickets: $25 advance, $30 at the door. (785) 584-6177.