Obituaries

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.

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.

Fern Elaine (Anspaugh) Dolezal, 89, passed away on January 8, 2026 in Abilene. She was born on July 30, 1936, the first born of Lyle and Daisy (Essig) Anspaugh.   Fern attended high school at Lucas, KS. She graduated from Dodge City Community College and Barton County Community College.

Judith Kay “Judy” Soukup, 73, of Wilson, Kan., passed away on Dec. 22, 2025, at the Wilson Care & Rehabilitation Center in Wilson. She was born on March 28, 1952, in Russell, Kan., to Leo and Katherine (Bohnen) Pasek.Judy graduated from Dorrance High School in 1970.

Nancy Carol Burgess Henry was born on July 13, 1949. She silently passed Jan. 3, 2026, at Sterling Village in Sterling, Kan., where she had resided for the past few years. Nancy was valedictorian of her class, graduating from Chase High School in 1967.

Anne K. Ehrlich, formally of Wilson, Kan., passed away on Jan. 3, 2026, at the Harry Hynes Memorial Center in Wichita, Kan., at the age of 89.She was born on Feb. 7, 1936, to Emil W. and Rose M. (Mattas) Podlena in Ellsworth, Kan.