Sunday, March 16, 2014

Tagen Lambotte State Meet Photos

   A professional photographer has several dozen images of the Tagen Lambotte-Andrew Beck state championship match on line which can be purchased.  They can be seen at:

http://www.ksportsimages.com/p607249673

Bryce Gfeller State Champ Photos

    A professional photographer has several dozen images of the Bryce Gfeller - Ostertag state championship match on line which can be purchased.  They can be seen at:

http://www.ksportsimages.com/p768427232

Friday, March 14, 2014

FBLA Video

Nice video about the RHS FBLA.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JjcqAUMWRY

Joshua Beam On Honor Roll

North Central Kansas Technical College recently announced the Dean’s Honor Roll list for the fall 2013 semester. To qualify for the honor roll, students must achieve a 3.5 – 4.0 GPA.   Among those on the honor roll was Joshua Beam of Rossville who is enrolled in Electrical Technology.

Thursday, March 13, 2014

Old Picture of Willard Grade School

Willard Grade School, about 1945
picture furnished by T. C. Dailey


Here is a recent photo of the school which ceased to be a school in the 1950s.



Samuel Thompson Passes Away


Samuel M. "Shorty"  Thompson, 91,   passed away Wednesday, March 12, 2014 at the Rossville Health and Rehabilitation Center.
He was born October 29, 1922 at Delia, the son of Ludvig and Ella L. Keller Thompson.   He grew up in the Delia community and attended High Prairie Grade School and graduated from Delia High School.   He had lived in Topeka from 1950 until moving to Rossville in 1960.
Shorty was a truck driver for Meadow Gold for 30 years.   He helped his son Stanley on the farm for many years.  Mr. Thompson was a member of the Rossville Presbyterian Church where he served as an elder.   He served on the Rossville City Council for six years and had also been a member of the Rossville Community Development Board.   Shorty was a Teamsters Union member.
On March 4, 1945 he was united in marriage to Helen June Davis in Topeka.   She preceded him in death on June 30, 2007.
Survivors include two sons, Stanley (Suzy) Thompson, Rossville and Steven (Paula) Thompson, Ingalls; four grandchildren, Wes (Nikki), Krystle, Michael and Abby and one great-granddaughter, Daisy.
Funeral services will be at 1:00 P.M. Saturday, March 15, 2014 at Piper Funeral Home in St. Marys.   Interment will be in the Delia Cemetery.   Mr. Thompson will lie in state and the family will receive friends from 6:00 until 7:30 Friday evening at the funeral home.   Memorial contributions may be made to Harden Hospice and sent in care of the funeral home.   Online condolences may be sent to www.piperfuneralhome.

Mary (Besta) Cowan Passes Away

Mary C. Cowan, 69, passed away peacefully with her family by her side at the Midland Hospice House on March 11, 2014, after a long, hard fought battle with COPD.
Mary was born in Rossville on December 25, 1944, to Edward and Winifred Yocum Besta.    She grew up in the Rossville/Delia area and graduated from Delia High School in 1962.
After staying at home to raise her children, she went to work as a special needs paraprofessional for USD # 321 and retired after 20 years of service.   She was an active member of St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Rossville.
Mary enjoyed being active and loved playing softball in her younger years.  She enjoyed going fishing with her husband, gardening, sewing, and refinishing antique furniture.  There wasn't much she couldn't catch, grow, make or make look new and she was an amazing cook.   She would have much rather gone outside to play a game of catch than go shopping any day and for this reason she was the perfect mother for 5 boys.   She was extremely patient and had a calming presence about her, a trait that would draw people of all ages to her.   Her family was her life and she did not miss any of her son's events as they grew up.  She continued to attend many of her grandchildren's events as long as she could.  Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren brought her tremendous joy and were the bright spots on even her darkest days.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents, her step-father, Clinton Kerwin, a brother, Eddie Besta and a sister, Teresa Marney.
On October 5, 1963 she was united in marriage to Ron Cowan at Sacred Heart Church in Delia. They enjoyed 50 years together.  Ron survives of the home.
Other survivors include her five sons, John (Brigette), Topeka, Rod (Deana), Maple Hill, Kelley, Maple Hill, Kevin (Val) Wichita and Shane (Kelly) Cowan, Allen, TX; her grandchildren, Tyler (Sarah), Shelby, Corey, Lacey, Jericka, Annalyn, Kaegan, Shaemus, Grace, Ford, Shanan and Karli; two great-grandchildren Easton and Tyce; two brothers, Bennie Besta, Rossville and Bob (Susan) Kerwin, Topeka; her sister, Terri Kerwin, Topeka; a brother-in-law, Bob Marney, Holton and a sister-in-law Nancy Besta, Topeka.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 A.M. Saturday, March 15, 2014 at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Rossville.    Interment will be in the Rossville Cemetery.  There will be a Rosary recited at 6:00 P.M. Friday at the church followed by a visitation until 8:00 P.M.    Memorial contributions may be made to St. Stanislaus Catholic Church or Midland Hospice House and sent in care of Piper Funeral Home, 714 Maple, St. Marys, Kansas 66536.    Online condolences may be sent to www.piperfuneralhome.com.

Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Rattlers Announce Four More Players

The Rossville Rattlers are pleased to announce the next four signings for the summer 2014 team.
 
Three  are from Allen County Community College and one is a high school senior who is committed to Butler County Community College next fall.
 
McKenzie McAfee (OF - Allen County Community College) McKenzie is a freshman 6'0, 185-lb outfielder from Sabetha, Kansas. McAfee was a member of the Sabetha American Legion Post 126 team who finished in third place last year in state competition in 2013.
 
Taylor Mah (LHP - Allen County Community College) Taylor was a All-City honorable mention in the Topeka Capital Journal's 2013 selection. The 5'11, 155-lb freshman left-handed pitcher is a 2013 graduate of Seaman High School in Topeka. Taylor was a member of the 2013 class 5-A State Championship team.
 
Tanner Faris (RHP - Allen County Community College) Tanner is a 6'1, 170-lb pitcher from Union, Nebraska. Faris was a 2013 All-EMC honorable mention for Nebraska City High school. He was also a 2013 SENBC All-Conference (Northern Division) and a Class-B 2013 All-Nebraska honorable mention.
 
Ben Ramberg (RHP - Topeka West High School) Ben is currently a senior at Topeka West High School. As a junior, Ramberg made the All-City team as a utility player and was a first-team All-Centennial League pick. Ben ranked among the city leaders in batting average, pitching wins and strikeouts. Ramberg is committed to Butler County Community College next season.
 

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

1989 Class 25th Reunion

    The Rossville High class of 1989 is planning to have a 25th  reunion during the Tall Corn Festival.  The first planning session will be later this month.

Monday, March 10, 2014

Rossville Rattlers 2014 Schedule

 The Rossville Rattlers are pleased to announce their schedule for the 2014 summer collegiate season.
 
The Rattlers enter the new Mid-Plains League this summer and will play a 30-game regular season schedule. Rossville will play host to 15-games this summer against Mid-Plains foes the Baldwin City Blues, Junction City Brigade, Midwest Athletics, Topeka Golden Giants and Topeka Senators.
 
Rossville will also host two non-league opponents this summer as the Joplin Outlaws and Southwest Elite both make visits to Joe Campbell Stadium. The Rattlers will begin the season on the road versus non-league opponent the St. Joseph Mustangs of the M.I.N.K. League.
 
DayDateAwayHomeTime
WednesdayMay 28th, 2014Rossville RattlersSt. Joseph Mustangs7:00 PM
ThursdayMay 29th, 2014Joplin OutlawsRossville Rattlers7:00 PM
MondayJune 2nd, 2014Southwest EliteRossville Rattlers7:00 PM
TuesdayJune 3rd, 2014Southwest EliteRossville Rattlers7:00 PM
FridayJune 6th, 2014Rossville RattlersMidwest Athletics7:00 PM
SaturdayJune 7th, 2014Rossville RattlersMidwest Athletics6:00 PM
SaturdayJune 7th, 2014Rossville RattlersMidwest Athletics8:00 PM
MondayJune 9th, 2014Rossville RattlersBaldwin City Blues7:00 PM
TuesdayJune 10th, 2014Rossville RattlersBaldwin City Blues7:00 PM
WednesdayJune 11th, 2014Rossville RattlersBaldwin City Blues7:00 PM
ThursdayJune 12th, 2014Baldwin City BluesRossville Rattlers7:00 PM
FridayJune 13th, 2014Baldwin City BluesRossville Rattlers7:00 PM
SaturdayJune 14th, 2014Baldwin City BluesRossville Rattlers7:00 PM
MondayJune 16th, 2014Topeka SenatorsRossville Rattlers7:00 PM
TuesdayJune 17th, 2014Topeka SenatorsRossville Rattlers7:00 PM
WednesdayJune 18th, 2014Topeka SenatorsRossville Rattlers7:00 PM
ThursdayJune 19th, 2014Junction City BrigadeRossville Rattlers7:00 PM
FridayJune 20th, 2014Junction City BrigadeRossville Rattlers7:00 PM
SaturdayJune 21st, 2014Junction City BrigadeRossville Rattlers7:00 PM
MondayJune 23rd, 2014Midwest AthleticsRossville Rattlers7:00 PM
TuesdayJune 24th, 2014Midwest AthleticsRossville Rattlers7:00 PM
WednesdayJune 25th, 2014Midwest AthleticsRossville Rattlers7:00 PM
ThursdayJune 26th, 2014Rossville RattlersJunction City Brigade7:00 PM
FridayJune 27th, 2014Rossville RattlersJunction City Brigade7:00 PM
SaturdayJune 28th, 2014Rossville RattlersJunction City Brigade7:00 PM
MondayJune 30th, 2014Topeka Golden GiantsRossville Rattlers7:00 PM
TuesdayJuly 1st, 2014Topeka Golden GiantsRossville Rattlers7:00 PM
WednesdayJuly 2nd, 2014Topeka Golden GiantsRossville Rattlers7:00 PM
MondayJuly 7th, 2014Rossville RattlersTopeka Senators7:00 PM
TuesdayJuly 8th, 2014Rossville RattlersTopeka Senators7:00 PM
WednesdayJuly 9th, 2014Rossville RattlersTopeka Senators7:00 PM
ThursdayJuly 10th, 2014Rossville RattlersTopeka Golden Giants7:00 PM
FridayJuly 11th, 2014Rossville RattlersTopeka Golden Giants7:00 PM
SaturdayJuly 12th, 2014Rossville RattlersTopeka Golden Giants7:00 PM
 
The Mid-Plains League will feature an All-Star Game July 5th versus an opponent to be announced at a later date. The league will also feature a post season tournament beginning July 16th and ending on July 20th.

George DeBacker Passes Away

George C. DeBacker, 88, of Silver Lake,   passed away Sunday, March 9, 2014 at St. Francis Hospital in Topeka.
He was born August 24, 1925 near Delia, the son of the late George W. and Margaret Mulligan DeBacker.   George graduated from Delia High School and lived many years in the Delia community before moving to Silver Lake in 1983.
Mr. DeBacker was a farmer.    He was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Delia and had attended Most Pure Heart Catholic Church in Topeka.    He was a member of K of C Council No. 657 in St. Marys and was a 4th degree member of Thomas A. McNeive Assembly 289.
On June 13, 1946 he was united in marriage to Mary Lou Ketter at Delia.    She preceded him in death on July 26, 1977.   He later married Marjorie M. Cashier on April 24, 1982 at Rossville.    She preceded him in death on February 27, 2006.    He was also preceded in death by a brother, Gerald DeBacker and a step-son, Harold Cashier.
Survivors include a son, Severin (Diane) DeBacker, Topeka; a step-son, Larry (Betty) Cashier, Holton; his daughter, Laureen Bryant, Topeka; a stepdaughter-in-law, Freida Cashier, Holton, 4 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren; 7 step-grandchildren and many step-great-grandchildren.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 A.M. Friday, March 14, 2014 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in St. Marys.    Interment will be in Mt. Calvary Cemetery, St. Marys.   Mr. DeBacker will lie in state after 6:00 P.M. Thursday, March 13, 2014 at Piper Funeral Home in St. Marys where there will be a rosary recited at 7:00 P.M.   Memorial contributions may be made to the Delia Sacred Heart Oratory and sent in care of the funeral home.    Online condolences may be sent to www.piperfuneralhome.com

Friday, March 7, 2014

J. J. Wanamaker (94) Teaching At SM South


.

    J. J. Wanamaker in teaching biology and coaching cross country and track at Shawnee Mission South.
    He coached the boys cross country team to its first state championship in thirty years in 2011.
    You can read more about J. J. at:  http://www1.smsd.org/newsline/J.J._Wannamaker.html

Ilona Miller On Baker U. Roster


    Ilona Miller of Rossville is on the Baker University softball team for 2014.
    Ilona Elizabeth Kathleen Miller was born in Khabarovsk, Russia and attended Rossville High School.  She is the daughter of Craig and Pam Miller, and has two siblings.  In high school she was a four-time 1st team All-Mid-East League selection and was team captain senior year.   She was a member of the National Honor Society.         She is majoring in exercise science.
    Her bio at Baker  is at:  
https://www.bakeru.edu/sports/softball/roster/ilona-miller

Rattlers in New Mid-Plains League

    Here are additional details about the new Mid-Plains League in which the Rossville Rattlers will be competing.
http://ballparkdigest.com/201402197100/college-baseball/news/new-for-2014-mid-plains-league