GAYLORD – Lawrence Gene Conrad, age 75, passed away Saturday, August 23, 2014 at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney, NE.  Lawrence was born the son of Ollie & Eva (Hagadorn) Conrad on December 30, 1938 in rural Gaylord, KS.

Lawrence was preceded in death by his parents; a brother Rex; a step granddaughter Alicia.

He is survived by his wife Marjorie of Gaylord, KS; 2 sons, Lloyd of Gaylord, KS and Danny (Tamara) Conrad of Great Bend, KS; a brother, Randy Conrad of Phillipsburg, KS; a sister Cindy Eller of Woodland Park, CO.

Celebration of life services will be held at 10:00AM, Wednesday August 27, 2014 at the Church of the Nazarene in Smith Center, KS.

Visitation will be held from 4:00PM until 7:00PM at the Simmons-Rentschler Mortuary in Smith Center.

The family has requested memorial contributions be made to Hospice Services of Smith County and can be sent in care of the mortuary.

SMITH CENTER -   Dorothy Mae Terrell, the daughter of Dennis and Mahala (Rader) Willard, was born May 10, 1921 in Pratt County, KS.  She went to meet her Lord on September 3, 2014 at the age of 93.

Dorothy received her formal education in Pratt and Stafford counties.

She was united in marriage to George Willis on June 21, 1946.  Two children were born to this union, Nancy Lee and Dennis LeRoy.  George died in September 1951.

Dorothy married Raymond Terrell in the Nazarene Parsonage in Smith Center on May 3, 1953.  To this union two sons, Arnold Ray and Daniel Webster were born.

She was preceded in death by her parents, an infant brother Kenneth;   brothers Earl, Paul and Albert;   husbands George Willis and Raymond Terrell;   daughter Nancy Musick;   son Daniel Terrell;   granddaughters Violet Sue Willis and Pearl Mae Willis;   and great great grandson Gabriel James Diltz.

Dorothy is survived by sons Dennis Willis and wife Kathy of Smith Center, KS and Arnold and wife Linda of Meridian, ID;   daughter-in-law Charlene Terrell of Salina, KS;   son-in-law Gary Musick of Dodge City, KS;   brothers Robert Willard and Dale Willard of Colorado Springs, CO;   6 granddaughters;   22 great grandchildren and 2 great great grandchildren.

There will be no visitation as cremation was chosen.

Celebration of Life Services will be at 2:00 PM Friday, September 12, 2014 at the Smith Center Church of the Nazarene with Pastor Matt Lucas officiating.

Inurnment will follow in the Fairview Cemetery, Smith Center.

In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial contributions be given to the Smith Center Church of the Nazarene and can be sent in care of the mortuary.

LINCOLN, NE – Karen G. Kouma, 70, loving mother, grandmother and great grandmother went home peacefully to be with the Lord on September 17, 2014 in the comfort of her home surrounded by family.

Karen was born October 5, 1943, the only child, (both who are preceded in death) of Amis and Iris (Langston) Wagner in Portis, Kansas. She was a kind loving mother, grandmother and great grandmother who was very involved with all of her six children, ten grandchildren and five great grandchildren, with another baby on the way.  Her sweet spirit touched many lives.

Karen worked and retired from Nebraska Book Co. She enjoyed watching and rooting for the Oklahoma Sooners football games and also cheering for her grandson Elijah at his football games.

She is survived by her daughter, Audrey (Albert) Lavoie, Dayton, Ohio; grandchildren Miranda Patton, Alexander and Malaina Lavoie. Daughter Teresa (Mark) Riggs, Lincoln, Nebraska succeeded by granddaughter Amber (Randy) Bax, is succeeded by great-grandchildren Jasmyn and Isaac Chalk and Ryleigh Bax.  Granddaughter, Andrea Irwin, is succeeded by great-grandchildren, Kayana Irwin, Natalie Travis, plus a baby on the way.  Granddaughter, Jamie Irwin.  Son, Jerome Muhle, Lincoln, Nebraska.  Son, Steven (Cynthia) Muhle, Scottsdale, Arizona succeeded by grandchildren Jazlynne and Ashlynne Muhle.  Son, Anthony (Rosalyn) Kouma, Lincoln, Nebraska succeeded by a grandson, Cameron Kouma.   Daughter, Jody Kouma, Lincoln, Nebraska succeeded by a grandson Elijah Kouma.

Celebration of life services will be held at 4:00PM Saturday September 20, 2014 at the Simmons-Rentschler Mortuary with Pastor Dennis Lambert officiating.

Visitation will be held one hour prior to the celebration services.

Interment will follow in the Fairview Cemetery in Smith Center, KS.

The family requests memorials be made in her name and can be sent in care of the mortuary.

RURAL SMITH CENTER –   Doris Jean Tuxhorn was born on January 16, 1929 in Clay Center, KS to William and Dora Baily, and passed away on Sunday September 21, 2014 at the age of 85 with all her children, her sister Mary, and her nieces Carol and Barbara at her side.

She grew up in Clay Center and attended Clay Center public schools. Doris met and married a young soldier, Edward Tuxhorn, on June 20, 1945. After he was discharged from the Army, they lived and cared for her father until he passed away. They then moved to Smith Center where they first lived on the J.A. McNerney farm and Edward also worked for “Mac”. In 1950 they bought the Dean and Bertha Pounds farm and moved a mile and a half south where they raised their family.  To this union four children were born,  Angela Kay,  Mary Jean, Brice Edward, and Bradley David.

Preceding Doris in death are her parents, a brother, William Baily, and her husband, Edward Tuxhorn.

Left to mourn her passing are her children, Angela Kay and husband Charles Vanderbilt, Mary Jean and husband James Gwennap, Brice Tuxhorn and wife Sandie, and Bradley Tuxhorn, 12 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren.

She loved her grandchildren and spent many happy hours with them.

She was a hard worker and contributed much to the farm. She was known for her garden and the produce that she canned every year. When company showed up early in the morning, she would grab her chicken catcher and slaughter a fat hen for chicken and noodles. She was the best cook, but her chicken and noodles were a favorite. Her nieces and nephews loved visiting the farm.

She was loved by many and will be missed by all who knew her.

Celebration of Life services will be held at 2:00PM Wednesday, September 24, 2014 at the Simmons-Rentschler Mortuary with Pastor Dennis Lambert officiating.

Interment will follow in the Fairview Cemetery in Smith Center, KS.

There will be no visitation.

The family requests memorial contributions be made to Hospice Services of Smith County and/or Thornburg Church and/or Ronald McDonald House and can be sent in care of the mortuary.

SMITH CENTER-   Gerald Max Anderson, age 78, passed away Sunday, September 28, 2014 at the Deseret Health and Rehab Center in Smith Center, KS. He was born July 3, 1936 on the family farm east of Harlan, KS to Clyde and Dorothy (Gleason) Anderson.

Growing up Gerald enjoys playing sports, he especially loved playing basketball. He enjoyed spending time outdoors hunting and fishing.  Gerald graduated from Harlan High School in 1954.  In 1959 he joined the Army and served his country until 1961.  After returning from the military he worked for Heide-Christoleer Construction until 1968 when he then started his own soil conservation business.  Gerald loved building ponds, pits, terraces and working with his caterpillar dozer and crane.

On September 17, 1965 Gerald married Ellen Foster and to this union four children were born, Brian, Denise, Teresa and Marcia.

Until his death, Gerald enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening and staying involved in his 3 grandson’s activities and spending time with his family.

Gerald was preceded in death by his parents, 6 brothers, a half-brother and a half-sister.

He is survived by his wife Ellen of Cedar, KS;   daughters Denise Cone (Paul) of Portis, KS, Teresa Lehmkuhl (Randy) of Gaylord, KS and Marcia Anderson of Cedar, KS;   son Brian of Cedar, KS and 3 grandsons, Nicholas Lehmkuhl, Jakob Conn and Corey Lehmkuhl.

Graveside services will be at 10:00 AM Wednesday, October 1, 2014 at the Hammond Cemetery, Rural Harlan, KS with Pastor Jim Karg officiating.

There will be no visitation.

Interment will follow in the Hammond Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial contributions be given to the Harlan Church or the Hammond Cemetery and can be sent in care of the mortuary.

Ronald G. McCary was born on the 22^nd day of November, 1942 to Alvah and Veronic (Conn) McCary at his grandmother’s house in Stockton, KS and passed from this life on October 10, 2014 at the age of 71.

After attending high school in Smith Center he began working for Jerome Rudolph where he learned the brick laying/construction business and started McCary Masonry in 1974, but his real passion was the military. Ron joined the National Guard in 1966 and retired in 1994, he rose through the ranks to become the first Commandant of the Non Commissioned Officers Academy in Salina, KS and was promoted to Command Sergeant Major in 1980 (of his 28 years in service, 14 was at the rank of CSM (E9).  During this appointment he was selected as the national chairman of the State Military Academy Advisory Council in Washington D.C.  After 3 years at the academy he was transferred to the newly formed 135^th Combat Aviation Battalion, the 135^th was reformed as the 1^st Battalion 108^th Aviation Regimen, as the Battalion Command Sergeant Major.

CSM McCary was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal with 2 oak leaf clusters, Army Achievement Medal with 2 oak leaf clusters, Reserve component achievement medal with 5 oak leaf clusters, National Defense Service medal, Armed Forces Reserve medal with 2 oak leaf clusters, Non Commissioned Officer Development ribbon with 2 senior updates, Army service ribbon, overseas service ribbon, Kansas Distinguished Service medal, Kansas Meritorious Service medal and Kansas Service Medal.

After military retirement Ron worked for the City of Smith Center for 13 years.

Ron was preceded in death by his parents and a brother Larry.

He is survived by his loving wife of 33 years Kathryn, 2 children, Marcia and Husband Craig and their children Hunter and Madison Braun;   Chad and wife Becky and children Samantha and Ethan McCary and step-daughter Kristi and husband Mike Pierson.

Visitation will be 1 hour prior to the service at the mortuary.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 AM Tuesday, October 14, 2014 at the Simmons-Rentschler Mortuary with Pastor Laura Fricker officiating.

Interment will be at 2:30 PM, October 14, 2014 at the Cedar Cemetery, Cedar, KS with military honors by Fort Riley Honor Guard.

In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial contributions be given to Hospice Services of Smith County or the Smith County Memorial Hospital Employee Fundraiser and can be sent in care of the mortuary.

GAYLORD –   Agnes Gertrude Conrad, 97, passed away Sunday, October 12, 2014 at Smith Center, KS. She was born January 1, 1917 at Gaylord, KS, the daughter of Norris and Mabel (Mitchell) Rhodes.  Agnes grew into adulthood on the family farm located one mile west of Gaylord.  She attended Gaylord Grade School and was the last surviving graduate of the Gaylord High School Class of 1934.  Agnes began dating her husband, Quincy Conrad, during their high school years and they were married at the Gaylord Church of the Nazarene on August 11, 1940.

Following graduation from high school, Agnes obtained a Kansas teaching certificate and taught for 6 years at the Smith County rural schools of Hazeldell, Cedar Ridge, Bristow and Covert. After she and Quincy moved to Gaylord, he taught one year at Gaylord before they left teaching and moved to the farm located 7 miles south of Gaylord.  There, they spent much of their married life and the raising of their children.  Agnes was a full partner with Quincy in the work of the farm and when Quincy’s illness forced them to leave the farm they built a new home in Gaylord.  For six years, Agnes provided the wonderful, loving care to Quincy that allowed him to remain in the family home until his death on May 26, 1984.

Agnes and Quincy were active members and served in leadership roles at the Gaylord Church of the Nazarene. Until illness prevented her attending the church services, Agnes could always be counted upon to be in attendance.  She loved the hymns of the church, the preaching of the word, and the fellowship and friendships she enjoyed within the church.

Agnes was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who welcomed the entire family home for the holidays. She was an excellent cook and had many talents of crocheting, quilting, painting, ceramics and sewing.

Agnes was preceded in death by her husband of almost 44 years, Quincy Conrad;   her parents, and her siblings, Angelia Dolloff, Bill Rhodes, Mary Eller, and infant brother, James Rhodes.

Survivors include her children, Sharon Standridge (Stan) of Salina, KS; Steve Conrad (Dixie) of Gore, OK;   Dale Conrad (Nora) of Arlington, TX;   Dixie Hesterman (David) of Agra, KS;   and Richard Conrad (Debbie) of Gaylord, KS;   11 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM Wednesday, October 15, 2014 at the mortuary.

Funeral services will be at 10:00 AM Thursday, October 16, 2014 at the Smith Center Church of the Nazarene.

Burial will follow in the Gaylord Cemetery, Gaylord, KS.

PURCELLVILLE, VA – Thomas C. Cory Jr., age 85, passed away on June 23, 2014.  He was born January 7, 1929.

Memorial graveside services will be held at 11:00AM, Saturday October 25, 2014 at the Sweet Home Cemetery in Rural Lebanon, KS.

The family requests memorial contributions be made to the Donor’s Choice and can be sent in care of the mortuary.

Vern,  a compassionate man loved by all who knew him, was born Aug. 5, 1923 in Smith County, Kan. and went to his well-deserved reward July 15, 2014 in Centralia, Wash.  The oldest of three sons, born to Frederick Alexander and Mabelle (Tuxhorn) Rounsley, he graduated from Smith Center High School in 1942 and served in the U.S. Navy for two years during World War II.

Dec. 21, 1947, he married Florence Harriett Garretson in the Reamsville Church in a double ceremony with Harriett’s sister, Shirley and Leslie Arthur Williss.

Vern farmed in the Reamsville, Kan. community for several years, then moved with his wife and two sons to Washington state, where for over 35 years he lived in Seattle and worked as a millwright at Boeing.

Always a country boy at heart, after they retired Vern and Harriett moved 80 miles south to  wooded acreage on the Skookumchuck River; there the three grand-daughters who had come to live with them could attend smaller schools, swim in the river and otherwise enjoy the rural life he loved.

Vern, a good citizen and unswerving patriot, was a life member of the American Legion who demonstrated his love for his country by distributing copies of the U.S. Constitution. For many years he served his community through the Twin Cities Senior Center in Chehalis, and the Tenino Senior Center in Tenino.

He was baptized in the Christian Church in Othello, Washington, and for the rest of his life remained a quietly devoted Christian and a good example for his sons.

Hard-working and dependable, he was a loving father who devoted his leisure hours to his sons and later to his granddaughters.  His was a quiet wisdom rarely shared.  During a time of family sorrow he eased our pain by reminding us that the only people who never suffer the loss of someone they love are those who have no one to love.  We were blessed.

Vern was preceded in death by his parents; and brothers, Gerald Dean Rounsley and Gary LaVon Rounsley.

He is survived by his wife, of 66 years; son, Nathan Vern Rounsley and wife, Rosalina (Ramirez); son, Allan LeRoy Rounsley; grandsons, Nathan Vern Rounsley, Jr. and his wife, Angela (Luccolini) and Christopher Lee Rounsley;  granddaughters, Rosa Maria Rounsley, Vanessa Maria Rounsley and Elena Florence (Rounsley) Mathwich and her husband, Joshua Mathwich; foster granddaughter, Jennie (Rounsley) Shank; great-grandson, Ty Michael Rounsley; and great- granddaughters, Thalia Claudia and Diana Marie Gutierrez.

Memorial graveside services will be held at 2:00PM Friday, November 7, 2014 at Fairview Cemetery in Smith Center with Pastor Dennis Lambert officiating.

There will be no visitation.

PORTIS, KS - Wayne Eugene Bell passed away on Friday, October 24, 2014 at the Colmery-O’Neil VA Medical Center in Topeka, KS.

Arrangements are pending.

SMITH CENTER – Claude C. Gripp, age 93, passed away on Sunday October 26, 2014 at the Clay County Medical Center in Clay Center, KS.  He was a retired mail carrier.

He is survived by his wife Catherine of the home; a son David of Fort Lauderdale, FL; 2 daughters, Claudia (Stan) Vestal of Harvard, MA & Lisa (Jim) Seley of Clay Center, KS; a brother Bernard of Wichita, KS; 8 grandchildren; 5 great grandchildren.

Celebration of life services will be held at 10:30AM Wednesday, October 29, 2014 at the Simmons-Rentschler Mortuary with Pastor Andrew Seley & Pastor Laura Fricker officiating.

There will be no visitation.

Burial with military honors will follow in the Fairview Cemetery.

The family requests memorial contributions be made to the Smith County Memorial Hospital and can be sent in care of the mortuary.

SMITH CENTER - Dolores Dorothy Jacobs was born June 3, 1923 to August and Martha (Kirchhoff) Kuhlmann on the family farm south of Athol. She was baptized July 1, 1923 and confirmed March 21, 1937 at Saint John’s Lutheran Church, Athol, Kansas.

She attended grade school at Sunnyside school and obtained her High School diploma through correspondence courses from American School.

May 18, 1947 Dolores married Irwin Loren Jacobs at St. John’s Lutheran Church. In 2014 they celebrated 67 years of marriage. Their marriage was blessed with 2 children – Rita and Loren.

Irwin and Dolores spent over 35 years living and working together on the family farm near Cedar. Dolores carried out the duties of wife and mother as well as milking cows, caring for those chickens, driving the truck during harvest and providing hot meals for family and whoever else happened to be around.  In 1983 they moved to Smith Center calling it “retirement” after literally building their present home together.

Dolores was a member of American Lutheran Church in Smith Center. As an active member of her church family, she taught Sunday school, Vacation Bible School and served on various committees and organizations through the years. In addition, throughout WWII she was responsible for maintaining current addresses for servicemen in the congregation and took it upon herself to personally correspond with several during their time overseas. In their earlier years Dolores and Irwin enjoyed volunteering as Youth sponsors.

Dolores enjoyed her role as wife and mother raising the children and coordinating their activities in school, church and 4-H. She was an avid seamstress and had a passion for quilting and baking.  She served on various committees in the women’s church group and especially enjoyed working with the groups preparing quilts and kits for mission fields. Dolores quilted with the church guild each week and always had a quilting project in the works at home.

In the past, Irwin and Dolores enjoyed square dancing with the Jolly Mixers Club in Gaylord and participated regularly at area dances. They also enjoyed square dancing while wintering in Arizona. It was at this time Dolores discovered a passion for quilting. However, Dolores’ greatest joy and interest was always her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Dolores was preceded in death by her parents, August and Martha Kuhlmann and her brother Norman Kuhlmann. She is survived by her husband Irwin Jacobs; her children Rita and Dick Johnson of Windsor, Colorado and Loren and Deb Jacobs of Smith Center, Kansas; her grandchildren Jeana and Brad Parker of Burdett, Kansas, Jeremy Jacobs of Windsor, Colorado, and Jess and Katie Jacobs of Windsor, Colorado; her great-grandchildren Noah, Gabe and Noreece Parker of Burdett, Kansas and Joseph, Matthew and Joshua Jacobs of Windsor, Colorado; sisters-in-law Edna Jacobs, Betty Jacobs, Ruth Kirchhoff, Lucy Jacobs and Velda Kuhlmann; many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

We love you and thank you for being a wonderful, Grandmother, Great-Grandmother and role model for all of us.

Visitation will be from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM Monday, November 10, 2014 at the mortuary.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 AM Tuesday, November 11, 2014 at the American Lutheran Church in Smith Center with Jim Germer P.M.A. officiating.

Burial will follow in the Fairview Cemetery, Smith Center, KS.

The family requests memorial contributions be given to the American Lutheran Church or Hospice Services of Smith County and can be sent in care of the mortuary.

OVERLAND PARK, KS – Lewis Wilcox, age 93, passed away on Thursday, November 13, 2014 at Overland Park Regional Center in Overland Park, KS.

Arrangements are pending.

SMITH CENTER, KS – Rosalinda LeVan passed away at her home on Sunday, November 16, 2014.

Arrangements are pending.

ESBON-   Kenneth Leo Johanek, son of Martin and Edith (Pittsenberger) Johanek was born August 19^th, 1928 in Jewel County and passed away on November 21, 2014 in Smith Center, KS at the age of 86 years, 3 months and 2 days.

Kenneth “Kenny” to his friends and family attended Union No. 2 School and graduated from Esbon High School with the class of 1946.  After graduation Kenny began his farming career on the family farm south of Esbon until joining the U.S. Navy on January 9, 1951. He was stationed in San Diego where he worked as an Aviation Storekeeper in support of the U.S.S. Enterprise.  Kenny was awarded the National Defense Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal.  He was honorably discharged on November 5, 1954.  Following his discharge Kenny attended St. Benedict College for a short time before returning to resume his farming career with his mother Edith and brothers Ivan and Eldon.

Kenny was married to Karla Lee Rogers on November 15, 1958 at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Esbon.  Kenny and Karla resided on a farm south of Esbon for ten years before moving to Esbon.

To this union three children were born;  a daughter Lisa Ann on September 20, 1961;   a son Jay D. on August 6, 1967 and a daughter Jacqueline Jo on August 6, 1971.  Kenny had 11 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.

Kenny will be remembered as a kind and giving gentleman.  He was always willing to help or lend a hand to those in need.  As a young man growing up Kenny enjoyed working and hunting with his father, uncles and brothers.  In high school he was a renowned all around athlete and earned varsity letters in football, basketball and track 3 times and was elected co-captain of the football team his senior year.  During his senior year the men’s team won county championship titles in all three sports completing a very memorable school year.  Kenny then continued to play basketball during his time in the Navy, such was his love for the game.  Later Kenny enjoyed watching his children and grandchildren participate in athletics.  He was a fan of the KU basketball team but would watch any game that happened to be available to watch on T.V.

Kenny greatly enjoyed his work farming and raising livestock with his brothers.  Kenny was fond of saying “Farming and working is my hobby.”  The “Johanek Brothers” raised cattle and hogs along with wheat, milo and lots of hay for the livestock.  Each of the brothers had certain talents and responsibilities on the farm.  Kenny primarily took care of the haying and playing doctor to the numerous head of livestock around the farm.  His days usually started with a morning meeting with his brothers Ivan and Eldon beneath the huge oak tree in the farm yard.  Once a plan for the day was determined each man went about his allotted tasks, though often it included all three and a nephew, niece or a few of each.  Everyone helped each other as they were firm believers that “many hands make light work.”

After his retirement and the loss of his loving wife of nearly 30 years, Karla, Kenny continued to remain active by attending numerous singles dances.  He once again became renowned, this time for his grace on the ball room floor.  Watching Kenny as he lead his partner around the dance floor was very entertaining indeed.

Kenny was a lifelong member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Esbon, a member of the Knights of Columbus, the Lions Club and a member of the American Legion.

Preceding him in death were his loving wife Karla;   parents Martin and Edith;   3 grandchildren, Jill Ann and twin boys James Kale and James Kade;   son-in-law Jeff Petree;   4 brothers, Glen, Jay, Eldon and Ivan;   3 brother-in-laws, Al Fief and Norman Charbonneau and Merlin Rogers.

He leaves to mourn;   daughters Lisa and husband Lewis Rada of Shawnee, OK and children, Jo Beth, Kale, Kenny, Lewis and Joseph;   Jacqueline and husband Patrick Schlotterback and son Jackson of Lawrence, KS;   son Jay of Esbon, children Haleigh, Myka, Channing, Tucker and Gunner;   4 sisters, Nila Mae Charbonneau of Concordia, KS, Janice Fief and Harold Morell of Salina, KS, Thelma and John Beam of Esbon, KS and Velma and Jim Gouldie of Mankato, KS;   sister-in-law Betty (Johanek) Zabel of Smith Center, KS;   brother-in-laws Jim Rogers of Smith Center, KS, Charlie Rogers and wife Darlene of Hays, KS, Jeff Rogers and wife Janice of Elk Horn, NE, Jerry Rogers and wife Jan of Independence, KS;   sister-in-law Johanna Rogers, Blue Springs, MO, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

A rosary will be said at 9:00 AM Wednesday, November 26, 2014 at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Esbon, KS.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 AM Wednesday, November 26, 2014 at the church.

Burial will follow in the St. Elizabeth Cemetery, Esbon, KS.

In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial contributions be given to the Sacred Heart Catholic Church and can be sent in care of the mortuary.

Mary LaVerne Harper passed away on December 11, 2014 at Smith Center, KS.  She had been a resident of Smith Center since 2000.  Mary was born in Columbus, Ohio, on May 26, 1932 to Allen Lucious (Louie) Powers and Lillian Amelia (Sis) Bremer Powers.  Mary had one sister, Betty Marie Powers, who married Francis Runyon on August 12, 1949.  Betty went to be with her Lord on July 8, 1992 at Smith Center, KS.

Mary turned over the control of her life to Jesus Christ when she was eleven years old.  She never turned back, but continued her faith journey until she crossed the finish line and entered the Glory Land.

Mary graduated from Henryetta, Oklahoma High School in May of 1950.  She had played the clarinet and bass clarinet in the State champion marching band of 1950.  Mary taught herself to play the piano and organ, and played both instruments for church services and fro her own enjoyment.  She even gave piano lessons to some students at the Nazarene Indian School in Albuquerque, New Mexico when the Harpers were working there.  Mary enrolled at the Southern Nazarene University, located at Bethany, Oklahoma in the fall of 1950.  There she met Paul Franklin Harper, whose father George Harper was pastor of the Church of the Nazarene in Kirwin, KS.  The couple was married on July 5, 1951 at Mary’s home church in Henryetta, Oklahoma.

Mary was a “college drop in”.  After her one year at Southern Nazarene University, she attended and received credits from: Henderson State Teacher’s College and Ouachita Baptist University, both which are located in Arkadelphia, Arkansas.  Colleges and Universities in Kansas included: Fort Hays State, Independence Community College, Neosho County Community College, Labette County Community College in July of 1978 and her R.N. degree from Labette County Community College in July of 1984.  She was employed by Mercy Hospital of Independence, Kansas from 1976-1985 and as the school nurse at Caney, KS for ten years.

Paul and Mary had three children, Lindarisa was born in Eureka, KS.  Renee was born at Wakeeney, KS.  Stefan was born at Independence, KS.

Mary was a loving, caring, wife, mother, co-worker and neighbor.  She enjoyed going up to complete strangers in a store or on the street and telling them how nice they looked, how pleasant they smiled, or something else that was positive and encouraging.  She was a terrific writer, and kept a daily journal of her daily walk with God and of her interactions with her family, co-workers and neighbors.  She enjoyed sewing, quilting, crocheting and knitting.  She also did beautiful glass work and painting.  Many of her acquaintances in Smith Center and Gaylord knew a little of her variety of talents and accomplishments because she felt so good about herself that she felt that she didn’t need to brag or boast about her accomplishments or talents.

Besides her three children  and her husband, she leaves behind two sons-in-law, Allen Hobbs and Douglas Sala; one daughter-in-law, Tracy McIntosh Harper, and one granddaughter, Sadie Harper; one niece, Joanna Runyon of Smith Center; a brother-in-law, Francis Runyon of Smith Center and a great number of other relatives and friends.  She spent her adult life investing her money and love in the lives of her children and her “Neighbors”, including two sisters, Alva “Leo” and Mabel Salazar Magana who came from the primitive back country of El Salvador.

Mary’s wishes were for cremation and to have no funeral or memorial service.

The family requested memorials be given to the Mary Harper memorial fund and can be sent in care of the mortuary.

Thank you so much Adam for everything that you have done for me in making the arrangements for Eugene Bell in my time of need. The things you took care of were fabulous and your patience with me was remarkable. I really do appreciate everything you have done. You helped make sure everything was done the way Gene wanted it and helped us accomplish things at a very inexpensive cost as well. I cant thank you enough. God bless you and your family thru the holidays as well as the years to come.

Adam – I want to express my thanks and appreciation for the smooth process of handling my mother’s funeral. I am amazed at how you made everything turn out just the way we wanted it. Thank you so much. God bless you!

From the family of Karen Kouma
Audrey Lavoie

SMITH CENTER -   Edna Wilhelmina Eleanora (Grauerholz) Jacobs was born on August 29, 1917, at Athol, KS.  She was the youngest child of George and Alwine (Beckmann) Grauerholz, and departed this life on December 18, 2014 at the age of 97 years, 3 months and 19 days.  She was baptized on September 1, 1917 by Pastor H. Mueller and confirmed on March 29, 1931 by Pastor Alfred Fleischmann.

Edna attended school and grew to young womanhood in the Athol community.  Edna lost both her parents in death before her marriage.  Edna married Richard Jacobs on April 30, 1944, when Richard returned to the states on furlough from overseas duty during World War II.  Edna and Richard lived in Temple, TX while Richard was stationed at Fort Hood, TX until his discharge.  Their first child was born in the Army hospital there.

After the war Edna, Richard and baby Gailya returned to Smith County Kansas and in November 1945 began their farming career north of Cedar and raised their family of 4 children.  Edna enjoyed being a housewife and mother.  While raising her family, she also gardened, canned, milked cows, raised and dressed chickens, oversaw 4-H projects, sewed and was a wonderful cook.  Her specialty was her honey dinner rolls.

Edna was a member of Christ Lutheran Church until it dissolved in 1967 and then became a member of St. John Lutheran Church of Athol.  Edna was active in church activities and served in various capacities, she enjoyed the monthly Bible Study.  She also enjoyed a hobby of oil painting, square dancing, quilting, and loved making and doing things for her family and grandchildren.

Edna joined family and friends in eternal life on Thursday, December 18^th and we celebrate her reunion with her parents, brothers and sisters, her two children, and lastly she was reunited with her loving husband and the love of her life, Richard.  Our loss has been made easier knowing they are finally together again.

Edna is preceded in death by her husband, Richard Jacobs;   son Curtis Jacobs;   daughter Gailya Spanos and husband Mike Spanos;   parents George and Alwine Grauerholz;   sisters and brothers:   Hienrich (infant), Hienrich, Fred, Walter, Marie, Dora, George, Minnie, Elmer, Emilie and Lester.

Left to cherish her memory are son Dennis of Athol, KS;   Daugher Karla Joe and husband Jim of Hebron, NE;   daughter-in-law Jean Stoddard and husband Jim of Fairfield Glade, TN;   5 grandchildren:   Michael Joe and wife Jenny of Los Angeles, CA, Michelle Benoit and husband Matt of Huntsville, TX, Patrick Joe and fiancée Laurie Hurst of Aurora, CO, Jaime Spanos of Tacoma, WA and Chad Jacobs and wife Carrie of Knoxville, TN;   great grandchildren:   Madelyn and Garrett Benoit, Hannah, Samuel and Charlotte Joe, and Annie and Hudson Jacobs;   brother-in-law Irwin Jacobs and sisters-in-law Mildred Grauerholz, Betty Jacobs, Lucy Jacobs and Ruth Kirchoff, nieces, nephews and many friends.

Visitation will be from 3:00 PM until 6:00 PM Monday, December 22, 2014 at the mortuary with the family present to greet friends.

Celebration services will be at 11:00 AM Tuesday, December 23, 2014 at the St. John Lutheran Church of Athol with Pastor Dave Kramer officiating.

Burial will follow in the St. John Lutheran Church Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial contributions be given to the St. John Lutheran Church of Athol or Hospice Services of Smith County and can be sent in care of the mortuary.