Obituaries

Betty Anne Beach (Wagner), 97, passed away peacefully at home in Salina, Kan., on Nov. 5, 2024. She was born June 19, 1927, in Ellsworth, Kan.Betty grew up on a farm in the Ellsworth/Brookville, Kan., area, where she met her husband, Charles H. Beach.

Anita Louise Phelps (Marez), 78, of Brookville, passed away Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, surrounded by her family.She was born Oct. 22,1946, to Louis and Charolotte (LaBarr) Marez.She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Alan Phelps, brothers James and Alan Marez and son Tarry Joe Fluke.

Everett “Ev” Ernest Kohls, age 89, passed away peacefully on Oct. 28, 2024, in Manhattan, Kan. Born on July 20, 1935, in Ellsworth, Kan., to Ernest and Ethel (Haase) Kohls, Ev grew up in Ellsworth, where he cultivated his love for education, sports and community.

Keith A. Vehring, 75, of Ellsworth, Kan., passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024. He was born on Aug. 4, 1949, in Milwaukee, Wis., to Robert and Maudie (Kendrick) Vehring. On Jan. 19, 1974, he married his beloved wife, Bobbie Halverson, in Milwaukee.

Joan Wilson, born Oct. 11, 1928, passed peacefully Oct. 19, 2024, at the age of 96. Growing up in the Ash Creek area outside Ellsworth, she was the eldest of Harry and Jessie (Bailey) Long’s five children. Her life was a testament to strength, resilience and love for family.

Deborah Lynn (Siemsen) Volavka, 67, passed away Oct. 12, 2024, in rural Sumner County. She was born Oct. 12, 1957, in Ellsworth, Kan., to Robert and Jo Ann (Strube) Siemsen. She grew up on a farm five miles northwest of  Holyrood, Kan., with her younger siblings Steven, Roger and Julie.

Judy K. Toman passed away Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, in Ellsworth, Kan. She was born May 27, 1942, to Howard and Alice (O’Neal) Stephen. She grew up in Ellsworth, where she spent summers swimming, lifeguarding and teaching swim lessons to all ages.

LaVerna Stroede passed away Friday, Oct. 18, 2024, in Belleville, Kan., at the age of 102. She was born to Frank Panzer and Rosalie (Bohl) Panzer on April 17, 1922, in Ellsworth, Kan. She married William Stroede on Jan. 18, 1945.

Maxine (Schwerdtfeger) Rogers-Prewett entered heaven on Oct. 19, 2024. She was born in Ellsworth, Kan., on Oct. 9, 1931, to Otto and Dora (Panzer) Schwerdtfeger. Maxine attended school in Ellsworth, graduating with honors in 1949.

Janice Kay (Miller) Miska, 83, of Hoisington, Kan., and formerly of Russell, Kan., passed away Friday, Oct. 18, 2024, at Via Christa St. Francis Hospital, Wichita, Kan.Janice was born Sept. 4, 1941, in Ellsworth, Kan. She was the daughter of Steven and Ima (Grise) Miller.