Obituaries

Wade Ray Dyer, 45, of Dorrance, Kan., died Sunday, May 28, 2023, in Dorrance, Kan., due to an unfortunate auto accident.Wade was born April 26, 1978, in Hays, Kan., the son of Denny Ray and Jan Marie (Ehrlich) Dyer. He moved to Dorrance, Kan.

Ernest W. Kulich, 94, of Sylvan Grove, Kan., passed into the next life in the early morning hours of Friday, May 26, in Lawrence, Kan. He was born Febr. 5, 1929, on the family farm to Joseph O. and Barbara M. (Hynes) Kulich. He married Dulcie (Lawson) Kulich in 1956.

Marilyn Janice Hines, 78, died May 25, 2023, at her home in Hutchinson. She was born Aug. 23, 1944, in Lake Charles, La., to William Abraham and Mabel Estell (Bowen) Johnson.Marilyn graduated from Lorraine High School, Lorraine, and Salt City Business College, Hutchinson.

Toni Marie (Olmsted) Wamhoff, loving mother, grandmother, sister-in-law, aunt, friend and devoted Lutheran, passed away at age 76 in Frisco, Texas, with her loving family by her side on April 18, 2023.Toni was born in Macksville, Kan., on Dec. 30, 1946, to Nancy Marie Olmsted (Hall) and R.D.

Strengthened by the sacraments of the Church, Francis Mathew Soukup was called home by his Heavenly Father on May 22, 2023, after defying many odds in his battle against cancer.Frank was born Oct. 21, 1953, to Raymond and Clare Soukup in the Ellsworth Hospital.

Ralph Dwaine Smith, 86, of Ellsworth, Kan., passed away May 20, 2023, at Good Samaritan Society, Ellsworth, Kan. He was born Aug. 22, 1936, in Madison, Kan., the son of Myrle and Helen Allen Smith.Ralph had resided in Sterling from 1958 until 2015, formerly of Hutchinson, Kan.

Jason Lee Tripp, 44, passed away peacefully in his sleep on May 13, 2023, sitting in his favorite chair. He was born on Aug. 21, 1978, in Ellsworth, Kan., to Bobbie Tripp.Jason was a devoted husband, loving father, a cherished friend to many, and above all a die-hard Chiefs fan.

Gerald Otto Peterman, 86, passed away Monday, May 8, 2023, in Salina, Kan. He was born Jan. 28, 1937, in Ellsworth County, Kan., to Otto F. and Etta C. (Sternberg) Peterman. Gerald proudly served his country in the United States Army.  He married Arnette K. Thomas in Ellsworth on June 7, 1964.

After a brief illness, Margaret Rozella Klema McKittrick, 94, of Manhattan, Kan., died on March 15, 2023, at Bramlage House in Manhattan, Kan., surrounded by family members. Marge, as she was known, was born April 19, 1928, in Wilson, Kan., the daughter of James and Hattie Weinhold Klema.

Dorothy Neuschafer Grothusen of Ellsworth County died May 13, 2023, at Salina Presbyterian Manor at age 100. She was born Dec. 1, 1922, on a farm 10 miles southwest of Ellsworth to Henry and Mary (Obadal) Neuschafer.