Obituaries

Caroline Patricia Nowlin, 78, passed away peacefully in Marquette, Kan., on Jan. 26, 2026. She was born in Ellsworth, Kan., to Geroge and Joan Shaw on Feb. 14, 1947.

Georgia Frances Keaton, 90 years old of Midland, Texas, passed away peacefully on Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026. She was born Aug. 4, 1935, to Frances and George Adamek in Ellsworth, Kan.After graduating from Ellsworth High School, Georgia attended Newman Hospital School of Nursing in Emporia, Kan.

Deniece Fern (Kohls) Roth, 91, passed away on Saturday, Jan. 24. She was the fourth child, born to Reinhardt and Selma (Schultz) Kohls on July 23, 1934, on the Kohls family farm just inside Lincoln County, Kan.On Aug. 26, 1934, Deniece was baptized in the Lutheran faith at St. Paul Lutheran Church.

Harland R. Rolfs, 75, passed away Jan. 7, 2026, in Bartlesville, Okla. He was the oldest of five children, born on Aug. 11, 1950, in Ellsworth, Kan., to Alvin (Pete) Rolfs and Johnetta G. (Kaiser) Rolfs. Raised in Geneseo, Kan.

Clifford Martin Meier, 82, passed away at his home in Lincoln, Kan., on Friday, Jan. 16, 2026, following an extended illness. He was born the fifth of seven children to Martin and Alberta (Meyer) Meier at the family farm two miles east of St. Paul Lutheran Church in southeast Lincoln County.

Linda L. Janssen, 78, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, in Ellsworth, Kan. She was born Sept. 23, 1947, in Garnett, Kan., to Paul and Helen (Howery) Singer. Linda grew up in Parker, Kan., then attended and graduated from Emporia State University with a degree in education.

Doris Marilyn Svoboda passed away on Dec. 21, 2025, at her home in Ellsworth, Kan., surrounded by her loving family. She was born on Feb. 28, 1930, to Bert and Clara (Shoemaker) Walker in Ellsworth. She attended Paradise Country School until 8th grade and then attended Ellsworth High School.

Randy W. Soukup, 66, passed away Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026, in Wichita, Kan., surrounded by his family. He was born Jan. 14, 1959, in Ellsworth, Kan., to Edward Jr. and Ann (Schulz) Soukup.

Diana Lee Magaña, 94, passed away Jan. 5, 2026, at the Good Samaritan Village in Ellsworth, Kan. She was born on a farm outside of Ellsworth to Frank and Bertha Schwerdtfeger. Diana lived her entire life in Ellsworth County.

Helen Gayle Lank, age 86, of Joplin, Mo., passed away on Thursday, Dec. 25, 2025, at Freeman Hospital, Joplin, Mo.Gayle was born on July 3, 1939, to parents John and Mary Roberts. Gayle grew up in Bushton, Kan., and was a 1957 graduate of Bushton High School.