Obituaries

(1934-2026)Henry Philip Burmeister, 92, of rural Holyrood, Kan., passed away on May 23, 2026, in Hoisington, Kan., after a series of medical complications. Henry is predeceased by his parents Henry Louis and Olinda Marie (Besthorn) Burmeister.

(1922-2026)Alyce Ann (Lowe) Klema passed away on May 18, 2026, at Wilson Care & Rehab in Wilson, Kan. She lived a remarkable life spanning 103 years. Alyce was born on Nov. 28, 1922, to Harvey and Bessie Lowe as the youngest of four children.

(1948-2026)Rita Phelan McCarthy, 77, passed away Monday, May 18, 2026, at her home in Wichita, Kan. She was born Nov. 6, 1948, in Great Bend, Kan., to Virgil and Lorraine (Robl) Phelan. Rita was a 1966 graduate of Holyrood High School.

(1956-2026)Brad Whiteside, 69, of Wilson, Kan., passed away on May 18, 2026. He was born on Aug. 12, 1956, in Topeka, Kan.

(1926-2026)Vernon John Riemann, 99, died May 11, 2026, at the Good Samaritan Society, Ellsworth Village. He was born Aug. 3, 1926, in Claflin, Kan., the son of John D. and Mary (Markel) Riemann.

(1941-2026)Gary Charles Kootz, 85, passed away Tuesday, May 12, 2026, in Ellsworth, Kan. He was born May 6, 1941, in Ellsworth to Albert and Martha (Soeken) Kootz. Gary was a lifetime resident of the Holyrood, Kan., area where he was a farmer and member of the St. Peter Lutheran Church.

Kathleen Lynn Savage was born Sept. 6, 1956, in Russell Kan., to Kenneth and Helen (Withrow) Savage.

Betty Louise Rathbun, 96, passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 26, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family at her home in Ellsworth. She was born Jan. 18, 1930, in Sapulpa, Okla., to William “Dan” and Ada (Moore) Stockstill.On March 18, 1949, Betty married Ronald K. Rathbun in Ellsworth.

Joyce Marie Bettenbrock-Krebs, 58, of Cement City, Mich., passed away peacefully in her home on April 21, 2026, surrounded by her loved ones. She spent her final moments of life overlooking the lake, listening to birds and smelling the spring rains.

Connie Lynn (Rusch) Klein, 75, of Russell, Kan., passed away, Sunday, April 26, 2026, at Russell Regional Hospital, Russell.Connie was born Oct. 30, 1950, in Russell. She was one of two children born to Louis A. and Lillian K. (Bauer) Rusch.