Dateline – Olmitz 

James Joseph Pfeifer, 70, died February 24, 2019, at his home in Olmitz.  He was born February 15, 1949, in La Crosse, Kansas, the son of Celestin and Monica (Stecklin) Pfeifer.  James attended schools in La Crosse, Kansas.  He was a jack of all trades and had worked for an oil company, Venture Corporation, Marmie Ford, and Theis Packing.  He loved to tinker and worked as a carpenter for a while.  He did repairs to his home and would refinish furniture.  He especially loved fishing and boating.

He is survived by children; Pam Kreutzer and husband Doug of Hays, Tarasa Miller and husband Shaun of Hoisington, and Heather Crist of Great Bend; brother, Leone Arthur Pfeifer and wife Sheryl of Wichita; twin sister, Virginia Marie Hein of Hoisington; an uncle and aunt, Joe and Helen Pfeifer of Hays; brother-in-law, Robert Banks of Grove, OK; and nine grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a daughter, Tamera Ann Pfeifer, and sisters, Norma Jean Banks and Carol Ann Delgado.

Rosary will be 7 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Friends may sign the book only as cremation has taken place.

Memorial service will be 11 a.m., Friday, March 1, 2019, at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home Chapel, with Father Anselm Eke, MSP presiding. Inurnment will follow in Hoisington Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the James Pfeifer Funeral Expense Fund in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington, KS 67544.

GREAT BEND – Leslie O. “Les” Hopkins, 79, passed away Feb. 23, 2019 at the University Of Kansas Health System – Great Bend Campus, Great Bend. He was born Jan. 5, 1940 at Scott City to Oliver Herbert and Florence (Krebs) Hopkins. He married Minnie Miller in October, 1963, at Raton, New Mexico. In November, 1993 he married Carol (Behr) Dreiling at Las Vegas, Nevada. She survives.

Les, a resident of Great Bend since 1993 coming from Garden City, was a veteran of the Army National Guard.  Having the passion and drive of an entrepreneur, Les was instrumental in the development of many businesses. He successfully co-owned and operated Garden City Farm Equipment expanding to Dodge City, Ulysses and Lamar, Colorado; and Great Bend Farm Equipment in 1993, until retirement in 2019. He was an avid K-State sports fan and enjoyed outdoor activities, including gardening, bird watching, traveling and laying by the pool.

Survivors include, wife, Carol of the home; one son, Darin Hopkins and wife Gloria of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina; one daughter, Kristin Shell and husband Charles of Newton; one bonus-daughter, Jessica Corcoran and husband Aaron of Great Bend; one daughter-in-law, Julie Hopkins of Garden City; one brother, Leonard Hopkins and wife Cloris of Montrose, CO; one sister, Martha Rose of Agra; and 12 grandchildren, Brendan, Cara, Evan Hopkins; Connor, Zac Hopkins; Evan, Caleb, Addison and Kendall Shell; Cooper and Ava Jolie Ohnmacht, Remy Corcoran.  He was preceded in death by his parents; oldest son, Todd Hopkins; and brother-in-law, Ronnie Rose.

Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019 at Bryant Funeral Home, with family receiving friends from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, Mar. 1, 2019, at Bryant Funeral Home with Rev. Arlyn Thielenhaus presiding. Interment will be at 4:00 p.m., at the Valley View Cemetery, Garden City. Memorials are suggested to the GBHS FFA, or the Les and Carol Hopkins Endowment Fund at BCC or Chasing Tails Rescue, in care of Bryant Funeral Home.

Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.bryantfh.net

                        Arrangements by      Bryant Funeral Home           

1425 Patton Road        Great Bend, Kansas     67530

Dateline – Hoisington

Rufus Paul Haas, 95, died February 20, 2019, at AdventHealth, Apopka, Florida.  He was born January 10, 1924, in Hoisington, Kansas, the son of Daniel and Louise (Lehning) Haas.

He was baptized and confirmed in the Evangelical and Reformed Church, rural Hoisington. Rufus was a current member of the United Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Milberger, Kansas.

Besides his farming, he worked at several jobs including the oil field, seeding roads, operating the road grader, construction, and running the family dairy.  He also served on the township board, school board, and the church board.

On July 26, 1945, he was united in marriage to Alvina Boger in Hoisington, Kansas.  She preceded him in death on January 26, 2012. To this union two children were born, Larry and Sharon.

He is survived by: son, Larry Haas and wife Lois of Phillipsburg; daughter, Sharon Kampe and husband Lanny of Apopka, Florida; three grandchildren, Michelle Haas-Heinrich and husband Duane of Wichita, Kimberly Kampe of Apopka, Florida, and Bradley Haas of Wichita; and two great grandchildren, Mackenzie Haas and Greyson Haas-Heinrich.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, brother, William Haas, sister, Lucille Shaffer, twin grandsons, Trevor and Travis Haas, and granddaughter, Trisha Haas.

Friends may call 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday with family to receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m at the funeral home.

Funeral service will be 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, February 27, 2018, at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home Chapel, with Rhonda Templing, PMA presiding. Family would like to invite friends to join them for a meal prior to the service, at noon at the Emmanual Lutheran Church in Hoisington.

Burial will be in Hoisington Cemetery, following the service.

Memorials may be made to Kans for Kids or United Emmanuel Lutheran Church, in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington, KS 67544.

GREAT BEND – Jean Cavanaugh was born June 27, 1924, to Orrin Ellsworth Van Horn and Golda Mae Howard at Lake City, Iowa, and then lived in the neighboring town of Lohrville, Iowa. She passed away on Feb. 21, 2019 at her home in Great Bend.

During her school days in Lohrville, she played clarinet for six years in the band, orchestra and German Band. She was an avid speller and won the Calhoun County spelling contest in the sixth, seventh and eighth grades, and at the latter level she placed second in oral and third in written at the state contest. During her high school days, she was also active in Girl Scouts and worked on the school newspaper. She was the graduating class salutatorian.

Following her high school graduation, she worked for the FBI for two years in Washington, D.C. and alphabetized cards, and was in the first fingerprinting reading class for women, and then became a shorthand transcriptionist for Clyde Jolson in the agent’s division. She also played in the Government Girl’s Band, and won a government employee’s spelling contest. She then attended the University of Minnesota and Grinnell College.

After her husband, Dr. Clair J. Cavanaugh graduated from medical school, they were married at Iowa City, Iowa, in March 1947, and moved to Honolulu, Hawaii, and also lived in Honokaa, Hawaii, Oklahoma City, and Las Vegas, New Mexico before moving to Great Bend in 1952.  Clair passed away on Dec. 26, 1994.

Jean was a member of the Prince of Peace Parish at St. Rose, Pilot Club, Etudion Club, Commission on Aging, Volunteers in Action, Senior Center Advisory Council, KOOD PBS, and a former member of Athenian, Northwest EHU, Cosmopolitan Club, Clara Barton Hospital Foundation, Clara Barton Hospital Board, GBHS Hall of Fame recipient, initial recipient of the Kansas State and Martin Luther King award for civil rights, and served on USD #428 school board and the community concert board for 32 years. She was a past governor of the Pilot Club, and past president of the former Kansas Medical Auxiliary, now called Medical Alliance. She served on the national AMA Auxiliary/Board for 7 years, and served as national chairman for it’s Education Research Fund for 4 years.  She has been involved in listening to Riley School children read to her for about 14 years, and is a supporter of the high school and area soccer teams, sponsoring several bus trips to Sporting K.C. events.

Jean was an 11 year Girl Scout leader and also a Cub Scout den mother. She was a bloodmobile volunteer, and was a former Lohrville Savings Bank, Lohrville, Iowa bank director. She received honorary awards from the Chamber of Commerce and Barton College Foundation. In December 2013, she was the grand marshal for the Christmas parade. She was also crowned the Cinco de Mayo Queen in May 2014. She enjoyed substitute teaching for 16 years at Roosevelt and Harrison Junior Highs. A sample of Jean’s community support has been demonstrated through generosity for the Plaza De Cavanaugh room at the BCC Library and the Jean Cavanaugh Wellness Center at the Great Bend Recreation Center. She played bridge, was an avid reader, loved politics, and traveled to all the USA states and had many overseas trips.

She is survived by four sons, Thomas Cavanaugh and his wife Linda of Canton, GA, Dr. Michael Cavanaugh and his wife Deysi of Pinecrest, FL, Dr. Terrance (Jones) Cavanaugh and his wife Cheryl of Pinetop, AZ and James Cavanaugh of Portland, OR; one daughter, Kathleen (Bitsy) Cavanaugh and her husband Ric Rapp of Kamuela, HI; a sister, Joan Linsley of Houston, TX; a brother, Bob Van Horn of Glidden, IA; seven grandchildren, Pamela Mohr, Karen Farley, Mickey Cavanaugh, Megan Cavanaugh, Dr. Courtney Cavanaugh Sagar, Cole Cavanaugh and Trey Cavanaugh; and three great-grandchildren, Collin Farley, Gavin Farley and Hannah Mohr. She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Dr. Clair J. Cavanaugh.

Visitation will be held from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019 and 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Monday, Feb. 25, all at Bryant Funeral Home. An Altar Society Rosary will be held at 4:00 p.m. and Vigil Service at 7:00 p.m. Monday. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2019, at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Great Bend, with Father Don Bedore presiding.  Interment will be in the Great Bend Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Clara Barton Hospital Foundation or the Cavanaugh Scholarships at Barton Community College Foundation, in care of Bryant Funeral Home.

Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.bryantfh.net

                        Arrangements by        Bryant Funeral Home            

1425 Patton Road          Great Bend, Kansas       67530

GREAT BEND – Lila May Sohm, 70, passed away Feb. 20, 2019 at Wesley Medical Center, Wichita. She was born July 8, 1948 at Ellsworth to Jess & Elizabeth (Merrill) Mize. She married Clifford Sohm, Nov. 21, 1970 at Holyrood. He survives.

Coming from Ellsworth in 1970, Lila was a Great Bend resident. She worked in administration at Larned State Hospital, having previously worked as a Pharmacy Aide at Walmart and was owner of Mistletoe Express. She was a member of the First Assembly of God Church and was a Girl Scout/Boy Scout leader. She enjoyed traveling and spending time with family and her grandkids.

Survivors include, her husband, Clifford of the home; one son, David Sohm of Great Bend; one daughter, Vicki James of Jetmore; and six grandchildren, Taylor James, Kaden James, Kaylee James, Tatum James, Walker Ruppe and Cody Griffith. She was preceded in death by her parents, and a sister, Zella Mize.

Visitation will be held from 1:00 to 9:00 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019, at Bryant Funeral Home. Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, Feb. 25, 2019, at First Assembly of God Church in Great Bend, with Rev. Dwight Dozier presiding. Interment will be in the Great Bend Cemetery North. Memorials are suggested to the First Assembly of God Church or Kans for Kids, in care of Bryant Funeral Home.

Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.bryantfh.net

                        Arrangements by      Bryant Funeral Home           

1425 Patton Road        Great Bend, Kansas     67530

ELLINWOOD – Bobby Lee Feck, 75, passed away February 17, 2019 at the University of Kansas Health System, Great Bend Campus. He was born July 27, 1943 at Great Bend to Sydney J. & Loretta Ann (Doeden) Feck. He married Shirley Surface, Nov. 23, 1963 at Kansas City, Missouri.  She survives.

A lifetime Ellinwood resident, Bobby worked in construction and was a heavy equipment operator. He loved hot rods and dune buggies, along with camping, fishing and hunting. He also enjoyed working in the yard and wood crafts. He especially enjoyed being with his family and loved his grandchildren.

Survivors include, his wife, Shirley of the home;  four sons, Yancy Allen Feck and his wife Michelle of Great Bend, David Wayne Feck and his wife Diane of Clarksville, TN, Monte Ray Feck and his wife Lori of Winfield and Shannon Lee Feck and his wife Samantha of Eureka; one daughter, Cynthia Renea Patterson and her husband Keith of Great Bend; two sisters, Vivian Link and her husband Glenn of Chase and Angie Cook and her husband Jerry of Boise, ID; 14 grandchildren, Wyatt, Shania, Tyler, Austin, Shaylee, Michael, Tegan, Tyrece, Blake, Kloey, Skylar, Cierra, Garrett and Alicia; and 1 great-grandchild, Aiden.

Visitation will be held from 1:00 to 9:00 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2019, at Bryant Funeral Home, with family present from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Funeral Service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, Feb. 21, 2019, at Bryant Funeral Home, with Pastor Tim Singleton presiding. Interment will follow at the Hilltop Cemetery, Raymond. Memorials are suggested to the Ronald McDonald House or Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, in care of Bryant Funeral Home.

Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.bryantfh.net

                        Arrangements by      Bryant Funeral Home           

1425 Patton Road        Great Bend, Kansas     67530

Dateline: Hoisington, Kansas

Clinton Clifford Karst, 88, passed away on Feb. 17, 2019, at Medicalodges of Great Bend.  He was born Nov. 28, 1930, at Galatia, to Seigmond and Pauline (Miller) Karst. Clinton married Loene Schwein on Aug. 28, 1955, at Milberger.

A lifetime resident of Barton County, Clinton was a veteran of the Korean War, serving in the U.S. Navy, earning the rank of DC3.  He was an accomplished welder, working in the construction field all of his life, owning and operating Karst Welding.  Previous employment were held at Bureau of Mines, Otis, Stanion Wholesale and Murphy Tractor and Equipment.  Clinton had been a member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Hoisington, where he had served faithfully on church council, life member of V.F.W. Post 7428, Fraternal Order of the Eagles and the Sunflower Polka Club.

Survivors include wife, Loene of the home; two sons, Curtis Karst of Great Bend, Craig Karst and wife Amy of Hoisington; one daughter, Colleen Karst and husband Joe Hines of Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.; one brother, Leonard Karst and wife May of Great Bend; one sister, Darlene Reber of Roseville, Cal.; two grandchildren, Amber Young and husband Austin of Great Bend, Ally Karst of Hoisington; one great grandchild, Bentley Young of Great Bend; and several nieces and nephews.

Memorial Services have been scheduled for 11:00 a.m. Friday, Feb. 22, 2019, at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Hoisington, with the Rev. Wayne Baldyga presiding.  A prayer service will be at 7:00 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 21, at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, with the family greeting friends at 6:00 p.m.  A private family inurnment will be at Hoisington City Cemetery, Hoisington, at a later date with military honors conducted by the U.S. Navy Honor Guard.  Memorials may be given to Emmanuel Lutheran Church or Kans for Kids, in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington, KS.

Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.nicholsonrickefh.net