Obituaries

Corky Godsey

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...

Norman Danielsen

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....

Ellen Shaw

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...

Gary "Lucky" Francis

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...

Ben Nyberg

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...

David Woerman, Sr.

Jun 14, 2025

David L. Woerman, Sr., age 49, of Blue Rapids, passed away at his home, on Saturday, June 14, 2025.

David was born April 14, 1976, in Marysville, to Dennis L. and Judy M. (Alexander) Woerman.

Survivors include his parents, his seven children: Sean Woerman, of Washington, Dallas Woerman of Phillipsburg, Victoria Woerman of Centralia, Vernon Woerman of Barnes, David Woerman, Jr. of...

Wilma Nester

Jun 12, 2025

Wilma Jean Nester, age 91, of Blue Rapids, passed away on Thursday, June 12, 2025, at Blue Valley Health and Rehabilitation Center in Blue Rapids.

Wilma was born in Waterville, on July 11, 1933, to William C. and Grace E. (Long) Griffis. Her family moved to their farm near Irving when she was a child. While in grade school she met...

Marilyn Richner Cauwood

Jun 8, 2025

It is with deep sorrow and much love that we mourn the passing of Marilyn Laurene Richner Cauwood, who left us peacefully in Santa Fe, New Mexico on June 8, 2025, just one month shy of her 81st birthday.

Born on July 8, 1944, to Elva Keefover-Richner and Ernest Richner of Randolph, Kansas.

Marilyn was a beloved mother, grandmother, sister and friend.

She...

Dustin Webber

Jun 8, 2025

Dustin John Webber, age 49 of Riley, passed away Sunday, June 8, 2025.

He was born on March 30, 1976, in Manhattan, the son of Virgil “John” and Linda (Simnitt) Webber. He graduated from Riley County High School in 1994.

He married Jennifer Ann Smith on August 23, 1997, at the Sedalia Community Church.

Dustin was the quintessential athlete—an All-State Quarterback, an All-State...

Myron Lund

Jun 8, 2025

Myron Allan Lund, age 93 of Leonardville, passed away Sunday, June 8, 2025, at the Leonardville Nursing Home.

He was born on April 12, 1932, on the family farm, north of Leonardville, the son of Elmer David and Ellen Marie (Johnson) Lund.

On May 16, 1954, he married Alice Mae Richter at the Zion Fancy Creek Church Parsonage and enjoyed 63 years of marriage...

Betty Hartner

Jun 1, 2025

Betty Lou Hartner, age 94 of Topeka, passed away Sunday, June 1, 2025, at The Healthcare Resort of Topeka.

She was born on October 4, 1930, in Clay Center, the daughter of Alfred Clarence and Allie (Appleton) Lang. She graduated from Green Rural High School in 1948. She spent much of her life in Topeka, where she embraced the...

Bob Altwegg

Jun 1, 2025

H. Robert "Bob" Altwegg, age 85 of Oak Hill, passed away Sunday, June, 1 2025.

He was born on December 17, 1939, in Junction City, the son of Herman Robert and Gladys Viona (Hanson) Altwegg.

H. Robert (Bob) attended the first 4 years of elementary school at Windsor near Upland and then completed grade school and high school at Dickinson County Community...

Janet Fencil

May 27, 2025

Janet Lee Fencil (Craft), age 62, passed away peacefully at Olathe Medical Center in Olathe, Kansas on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, following a brief illness.

She was born June 25, 1962, in Marysville, Kansas, the daughter of Harold and Lorna (Kenworthy) Craft. Janet grew up and spent much of her adult life in Blue Rapids, Kansas, and resided the last several...

Sammy Brown

May 22, 2025

Sammy Lee Brown, age 85 of Riley, passed away Thursday, May 22, 2025, at the Good Shepherd Hospice House in Manhattan.

He was born on November 20, 1939, in Aline, Oklahoma, the son of Leo and Wanita (Arthur) Brown. He married Grace Brandenburg on June 21, 1964, at the Riley Methodist Church.

Sammy worked various jobs throughout his career, including helping build...

Gloria Hart

May 14, 2025

Gloria Ann Hart, age 96 of Manhattan, passed away Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at Homestead Assisted Living in Manhattan.

She was born on June 11, 1928, in McPherson, the daughter of Harry and Esther (Hawkinson) Pattengill.

She married Verne Wagoner Hart on December 10, 1947, in Salina. They were married nearly 70 years. He preceded her in death in 2017.

Gloria was a...

Pamela Fields

May 11, 2025

Pamela Ann (Bills) Fields, 76 years of age, passed away peacefully after a long battle with cancer on May 11. 2025, at home in Wakefield, Kansas. She was a wonderful mother who was always there when we needed her the most, offering wisdom and love. She was born on May 31, 1948 in Wichita, Kansas, the daughter of Ludie and...

Jerry Pultz

May 9, 2025

Jerry K. Pultz, age 85 of Manhattan, Kansas, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Friday, May 9, 2025, at Stoneybrook Health and Rehab in Manhattan.

Born on December 1, 1939, in Manhattan, Jerry was the beloved son of Willard Zee and Opal Esther (Springer) Pultz.  A proud graduate of Manhattan High School, Class of 1957, Jerry remained a lifelong resident...

Roger Nauerth

Apr 27, 2025

Roger Lynn Nauerth, age 78, of Manhattan, passed away Sunday, April 27, 2025, at the St. Francis Hospital in Wichita.

Roger was born on March 4, 1947, in Manhattan, the son of Wesley Carl and Marian Evelyn (Nelson) Nauerth. He was raised on the family farm southwest of Keats and graduated from Riley County High School in 1965. He played all...

Richard Christenson

Apr 20, 2025

Richard Peter Christenson passed away peacefully on Easter Sunday, April 20, 2025, in Bandera, Texas.

Born in Clay Center, Kansas, and raised in Wakefield, Richard was known for his dry wit, quiet strength, and the hands-on way he showed love.

He could fix almost anything—and if he couldn’t, he’d find a workaround. His hands built skylines. His spirit built a legacy of...

Morris Merrill

Apr 19, 2025

Morris O. Merrill, age 84, of Waterville, passed away on Saturday, April 19, 2025, at Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Manhattan.

Morris was born November 3, 1940, to Paul E. and Grace (Powell) Merrill. He graduated from Waterville High School in 1959. He married Marilyn “Jean” James on August 19, 1962, at Oak Hill, Kansas. After high school he joined the...