Obituaries

Aug 5, 2025

Konrad Elmer Bergsten, age 73, of Blue Rapids, passed away Tuesday, August 5, 2025, at Blue Valley Nursing Home.

Konrad was born on November 26, 1951, the son of Selon and Ruby (Ruthstrom) Bergsten.

He graduated from Valley Heights High School in the class of 1969. He served eight years in the Kansas Army National Guard. In 1984, he married Nancy Gronquist....

Aug 4, 2025

Sandra Kay Erickson, age 70 of St. Mary's, passed away Monday, August 4, 2025, at her residence surrounded by her family.

She was born on May 24, 1955, in Searcy, Arkansas, the daughter of Dual Ray and Helen Bernice (Thacker) Covington.

On August 15, 1995, Sandy married Ray Leonard Erickson. They would have celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary next week. She cherished...

Aug 3, 2025

Travis James Vathauer, age 45 of Topeka, passed away Sunday, August 3, 2025, at St. Francis Hospital in Topeka.

He was born on November 18, 1979, in Hanover, the son of Jim and Arlyss (Anderson) Vathauer. Travis was baptized and confirmed at St. Peters Lutheran Church south of Barnes. He graduated from Clay Center Community High School, received his bachelor’s degree...

Aug 2, 2025

Lavona Belle Spunaugle, age 100 of Blue Rapids, Kansas passed away Saturday, August 2, 2025, at Blue Valley Health and Rehabilitation in Blue Rapids.

She was born January 23, 1925 in Cleburne, Kansas, the daughter of Victor Ruben and Mary Rose (Novak) Johnson.

Lavona graduated from Randolph High School in the class of 1943. On December 29, 1943, she married Adrian Parl...

Aug 1, 2025

Linda Diana (Bertsch) Hawk, 79, of Olathe, KS, passed away in her sleep on August 1, 2025.

She was born on December 8, 1945, to Donald M. and Bonnie B. (Clark) Bertsch in Clay Center, KS.

One of her favorite childhood memories was going to grandma and grandpas for Sunday dinner, whether it was paternal grandparents, Herman and Bessie Bertsch or maternal...

Jul 29, 2025

Mary Joseph, age 76 of Blue Rapids, Kansas passed away Tuesday, July 29, 2025, at Community Memorial Healthcare.

Mary was born on April 26, 1949, the daughter of Ralph Burton and Teresa (Burton) Kuckelman.

She married Phillip Joseph on October 4, 1969, in Seneca, Kansas. He survives.

Mary spent over 40 years cooking at the Frankfort Community Care Home and Blue Rapids Nursing...

Jul 27, 2025

Ernesto Nevarez, age 89 of Barnes, passed away Sunday, July 27, 2025, at Stormont Vail Health in Topeka.

He was born on March 4, 1936, in Durango, Mexico, the son of Jose and Delfina (Fragoso) Nevarez.

Graveside services will be held at 10:00 am, August 8, 2025, in the Maplewood Cemetery, west of Barnes. The Christie-Anderes Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.

Jul 20, 2025

Jul 20, 2025

Ashlee “Asher Phoenix” May, aged 26, found eternal peace on July 20, 2025 near Barnes, KS. Born in Emporia, Kansas on August 12, 1998, Asher is survived by mother and father; Suzette (Adam) Yungeberg and Jon May; sister Kaylie May; Grandmother Ruby May; and her two, beloved service dogs, Piper and Shiloh. Preceding Asher in death are grandparents Delvin and...

Jul 19, 2025

Terry Lee Ekstrum, age 66 of Frankfort, passed away Saturday, July 19, 2025, at the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City.

He was born on January 14, 1959, in Marysville, the son of Gelvin Edwin and Marilyn Ann (Zentz) Ekstrum.

He married Denise Reneé Ohlde on November 28, 1981, at the St. John’s Lutheran Church in Palmer.

Terry was a farmer...

Jul 17, 2025

Mildred "Midge" Louise Wolf, age 93 of Riley, passed away Thursday, July 17, 2025, at her residence.

She was born on March 27, 1932, in Denver, Colorado, the daughter of Ralph William and Lillian Genivieve (Heimer) Barnhart.

She married Melvin Wolf on April 29, 1961, in Idaho Springs, Colorado. He preceded her in death.

She is survived by one daughter, Lori DiLorenzo of...

Jul 14, 2025

Donnell Duane Martin, age 54 of St. Joseph, Missouri, passed away Monday, July 14, 2025.

He was born on April 30, 1971, in Manhattan, the son of Donnell "Donnie" and Dorothy (King) Martin. Duane lived a life full of passion and camaraderie, leaving behind cherished memories for all who knew him.

Duane will be remembered as a dedicated truck driver for Hammes...

Jul 14, 2025

Treva Maxine "Mickey" Burklund, 101, of Overland Park and formerly of Olsburg, passed away on July 14, 2025, at Evergreen Hospice in Olathe.

Mickey was born on August 7, 1923, in Newton, Kansas, the daughter of Calahan Wesley and Hazel Ophelia (Myers) McGinnis. She graduated from Wichita East High School in 1942. She married Vernon Burklund at the Hillside Christian Church...

Jul 13, 2025

Michael H. Taplin passed away Sunday July 13, 2025, at his home. He was born on November 18, 1959, in Manhattan, KS, the son of Gail H. and Jeaneen M. (O’Hara) Taplin. He married Sharon Kay Fleagle on August 1, 1986. She survives at their home.

Mike was an outdoorsman and loved riding his Harley Davidson Motorcycle, hunting and especially liked...

Jul 6, 2025

David “Dave” Errol Evans, 82, of Frankfort, passed away at the Community Hospital in Onaga on Sunday, July 6, 2025.

Dave was born October 10, 1942, in Chicago, IL, to Herman E. “Woody” and Iona “Maxine” (Tallent) Evans. He left high school early to join the U.S. Army and served for six years with the Big Red One in Fort Riley....

Jul 2, 2025

Wilafred “Corky” Godsey, age 95 of Waterville, passed away on July 2, 2025 at the Blue Valley Health and Rehabilitation Center in Blue Rapids.

Corky was born November 28, 1929, at Norton, to Fred M and Gussie D. (Barham) Funk. She graduated with the class of 1947 from Portis High School in Portis, she then received her Teacher’s Certificate from Kansas...

Jun 25, 2025

Norman H. Danielsen, age 93, of Randolph, passed away on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, at his home south of Barnes.

Norm was born June 15, 1932, in Kansas City, to Holger and Myrtle F. (Treas) Danielsen. The family moved to the Waterville area a few years later. Norm graduated from Waterville High School in 1950, then from Kansas University in 1962....

Jun 21, 2025

Florence Ellen Shaw, age 93 of Leonardville, passed away Saturday, June 21, 2025, at the Good Shepherd Hospice House.

She was born on June 30, 1931, in Oakland, Nebraska, the daughter of George and Florence Ellen (Miller) Dolhanyk. She graduated from Oakland High School in 1949.

On March 7, 1954, she married Richard Leroy Shaw. He preceded her in death in 2020.

Ellen...

Jun 19, 2025

Gary Gene "Lucky" Francis, age 76 of Leonardville, passed away Thursday, June 19, 2025, at his residence.

He was born on September 3, 1948, in Ottawa, the son of Bruce L. and Ellvene M. (Edgren) Francis. He graduated from Blue Valley High School and served in the U.S. Army following high school.

Lucky worked for the City of Clay Center, City of...

Jun 16, 2025

Benjamin M. Nyberg, age 91 of Manhattan, passed away Monday, June 16, 2025, at Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Manhattan.

He was born on July 19, 1933, in Salina, the son of Oscar Eugene and Hazel Frances (Olson) Nyberg.

He married Mary Lyndal Bales on June 7, 1958, in Wichita. Ben was a Professor Emeritus of English at Kansas State University.

He is...