Monitor-Journal

12/02/2024

Just as a reminder: the Rose Memorial Scholarship Foundation will hold its annual meeting Saturday December 7 at 8:30 am at the Catholic Church Parish Hall.

12/02/2024

There won’t be a newspaper this week, December 4.
I am ill and not able to go to work.

11/11/2024

Richard Dale Ensz Richard Dale Ensz, 71, of Windom, KS, peacefully passed away on Saturday, November 9, 2024, at Wesley Medical Center, Wichita, KS. He was a farmer and rancher.He was born August 4, 1953, in McPherson, KS, to Rueben and Margaret (Dyck) Ensz. On April 14, 1974, he was married to Deanna Toews at Inman, KS. Those left to cherish fond memories are his loving wife, Deanna; four daughters, Lynette (Kevin) Schneider of Windom, KS, Sara (Trenten) Friesen of Inman, KS, Monica (Sherwin) Johnson of Inman, KS, and Colleen (Terry) Schmidt of Hiawatha, KS; three brothers, Galen (Twyla) Ensz of Bonners Ferry, ID, Keith (Linda) Ensz of Inman, KS, and Harlin (Laurie) Ensz of Inman, KS; brother-in-law, Kenneth Koehn of Montezuma, KS; 12 grandchildren; and many extended relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Rueben & Margaret Ensz, and a sister, Karen Koehn.The funeral service will be held at 10:30 AM, Wednesday, November 13, 2024, at Zion Church of God in Christ, Mennonite, Inman, KS. Burial will follow at Zion Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6:30 PM until 8:00 PM, Tuesday, November 12, at Zion Mennonite Church.Memorial donations can be made to Plainview Christian School in care of Stockham Family Funeral Home, 205 North Chestnut, McPherson, KS 67460.Personal condolences may be sent to the family at www.stockhamfamily.com.

11/09/2024

The Redskins won last night and will host Central Plains football team next Friday night at 7 pm.

11/08/2024

Redskins hit the road for Regional Football at West Elk today. Game time is set for 5PM. Good luck Skins‼️

Radio: 95.5 FM or the Ad Astra App.
Livestream: http://www.westelk.us/livestream

🏈🏈

10/28/2024

10/10/2024

Arlene Marie Rolfs, 97, of Geneseo, Kansas, passed away October 8, 2024, at Riverview Estates, Marquette, Kansas. She was born November 29, 1926, in Otis, Kansas, the daughter of William and Marie (Hergert) Lebsack. Arlene has resided in Geneseo since 1947, formerly of Otis, Kansas. She graduated from Otis High School, with the class of 1944, and attended Fort Hays State University for two years. Arlene received her Bachelor of Science Degree from Sterling College. She was a teacher for over eight decades at Geneseo, Kanopolis, and Little River, Kansas. Arlene was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Geneseo and AHSGR member (American Historical Society of Germans from Russia). She enjoyed crossword puzzles and most of all spending time with her family. On June 1, 1947, Arlene was united in marriage with Glen E. Rolfs in Otis, Kansas. He preceded her in death on December 26, 2012. She is also preceded in death by her parents; and sister, Luanne Scheuerman. Arlene is survived by her three children, Glenda Davis of Albuquerque, NM, Reed Rolfs of Geneseo, KS, and Bradley Rolfs and wife Royaln of Drexel, MO; seven grandchildren, Reuben, Alexandra, Elizabeth, Margaret, William, Holden, and Corinne; and five great-grandchildren, Tiberius, Davis, Adelaide, Carter, and River. Visitation will be from 5:00 until 7:00 P.M., Monday, October 14, 2024, at Birzer Funeral Home, Lyons, with family present. Memorials may be given to Riverview Estates in care of Birzer Funeral Home, Lyons.

09/26/2024

William “Bill” Leon Teeter, 84, of Little River, KS, formerly of Lyons, KS, peacefully passed away on Tuesday, September 24, 2024, surrounded by family at the Waldron Place Assisted Living in Hutchinson.

He was born November 22, 1939, in Ravenna, NE, the son of Joseph William “J.W./Bill” and Dorothy Frances (Inlow) Teeter. Bill graduated from Marquette High School in 1957. On August 23, 1958, Bill was united in marriage to Linda L. Ellwood at the Church of Christ in Hutchinson, KS. This union was blessed with three children, Tammy, Mark, and Kent.

Bill was a farmer and stockman most of his life, retiring in 2005. He previously worked at the Lyons Co-op where he also served as a board member. He was a member of Windom Church of Christ.

Survivors include his loving wife of 66 years, Linda; three children, Tammy (Craig) Phillips of Ooltewah, TN, Mark (Pam) Teeter of Little River, KS, and Kent Teeter of Garden City, KS; siblings, Max Teeter of El Dorado, KS and Betty Grubb of Manhattan, KS; eight grandchildren, Morgan (Lyn) Williams, Jared (Brittney) Phillips, Jace (Hannah) Phillips, Shaun (Melissa) Teeter, Chris (Sara) Teeter, Jordan (Raena) Teeter, Trey (Sara) Teeter, and Teryn Teeter; 10 great-grandchildren; and many extended family members and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings, Phyllis Webster and Jim Teeter.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM, Friday, September 27, 2024, at Stockham Family Funeral Home. A graveside service will be held at 9:30 AM, Saturday, September 28, at the Windom Cemetery with a funeral service following at 11:00 AM, Saturday, at the McPherson church of Christ with Minister Kenny Graham officiating.

Memorial donations can be made to Waldron Place in care of Stockham Family Funeral Home, 205 North Chestnut, McPherson, KS 67460.

Personal condolences may be sent to the family at www.stockhamfamily.com.

08/05/2024

Reminder: Primary election is tomorrow, August 6, 2024. Polls are open from 7 am to 7 pm.
I am attaching a letter from the Rice County Clerk stating what offices we will be voting for.

07/31/2024

Edra Jean Deeds Obituary
Edra Jean “Jeanne” Deeds, 93, of Little River, Kansas, passed away July 28, 2024, at Sandstone Heights Nursing Home, Little River. She was born November 2, 1930, in Southwest City, Missouri, the daughter of Roy and Gertrude (King) Moss. Jeanne was a lifelong Little River resident. She graduated from Little River High School with the class of 1949. Jeanne was a farm wife. She was a member of the Congregational Church, Little River, where she was a member of the Women’s Fellowship and sang in the choir, and member of a Domestic Arts Club. Jeanne taught bible study in her home, which she was very proud of. She lectured for Weight Watchers in Lyons and Hutchinson for many years. Jeanne also taught 4-H cooking and cake decorating. She and her husband, Gene sang together for funerals and weddings. Jeanne enjoyed cake decorating, sewing, reading, and gardening. On September 17, 1950, Jeanne was united in marriage with Gene Edward Deeds in Little River. He preceded her in death on February 7, 1991. She is also preceded in death by her parents; son-in-law, Joel Schmidt; and eleven siblings. Jeanne is survived by her son, Doug Deeds and wife Rita of Little River, KS; three daughters, Lori Rauch and husband Marvin Jr. of Little River, KS, Joni Briggs and husband Bryan of Windom, KS, and Trudy Schmidt of Rose Hill, KS; fourteen grandchildren; twenty-seven great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. Funeral service will be at 10:30 A.M., Saturday, August 3, 2024, at the Congregational Church, Little River, with Pastor Lara MacGregor officiating. The family suggests casual attire for the service. A private family burial will be at the Bean Memorial Cemetery, Little River. Visitation will be from 2:00 until 7:00 P.M., Friday, August 2, 2024, at Birzer Funeral Home, Lyons. Memorials may be given to Congregational Church, Sandstone Heights Nursing Home, or Hospice and HomeCare of Reno County in care of Birzer Funeral Home, Lyons.

07/15/2024

Cheryl Ann Smyres, 83, of Windom, KS, peacefully passed away on Wednesday, July 10, 2024, at Cozy Cottage Senior Living in Wichita.

She was born on May 9, 1941, in Hutchinson, KS, the daughter of Arvid Carl and Laberta “Becky” (Knackstedt) Lindquist. She graduated from Windom High School and later from Brown Mackie Business College.

On May 27, 1962, Cheryl was united in marriage to Michael G. Smyres at the Andover Lutheran Church, and they started their life together; making their dreams of raising children and having a farm become a reality. Mike and Cheryl were married 52 years prior to Mike’s passing on February 12, 2015.

Along with being a farmer’s wife, Cheryl worked as a secretary for State Farm Insurance and was also a secretary and janitor at Windom Middle School. The Smyres family attended Andover Lutheran Church, Windom.

Survivors include two children, Shelley (Thomas) Caldarera of Andover, KS and Troy (Kristy) Smyres of Windom, KS; a brother, Arlyn Lindquist (Glenda) of Windom, KS; four grandchildren, Natalie Schekall, David Schekall (Abby), Trevor Smyres (Katherine), and Emily Engelman (Ben); three great-grandchildren, Josephine, Annalyn, and Jett; a nephew, Tyler Lindquist (Nathan Nixion); and a niece, Annette Holland and her daughters, Lauren and Maddie.

She was preceded in death by her parents and husband.

The funeral service will be held at 10:30 AM, Saturday, July 27, at Andover Lutheran Church, 117 Dakota Rd., Windom, KS 67491, with Pastor Brenda Hogan officiating. Burial will follow at the Andover Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 9:30 AM until service time at the church on Saturday.

Memorial donations may be given to Andover Lutheran Church in care of Stockham Family Funeral Home, 205 North Chestnut, McPherson, KS 67460.

Personal condolences may be sent to the family at www.stockhamfamily.com.

07/11/2024

Roberta Faye (Colle) Buchanan, of Little River, Kansas, passed away on July 9, 2024, at Rice County District Hospital in Lyons, Kansas.
Roberta was born on September 2, 1926, to Henry and Lena (Hauschild) Colle. She grew up in the Saxman area, graduated from Little River High school in 1944, then attended nursing training at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Hutchinson. She then served in the Cadet Nurse Corps.
Roberta married Guy Buchanan at the Midland Community Church in rural Sterling on October 17, 1948. She is survived by three sons: Joe Buchanan (and wife Rita) of Council Grove, Rex Buchanan (and wife Mindy James) of Lawrence, and Ted Buchanan (and wife Laura) of Lubbock, Texas, along with six grandchildren, twelve great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. She was proceeded in death by Guy Buchanan and daughter Sue Buchanan of Ellsworth, her three brothers (Audry, Calvin, and Homer), and granddaughter Katie Buchanan Gant.
Roberta was known in the Colle family as “Bertie,” and as Bert to nearly everyone else. She spent much of her life taking care of other people. She was a nurse at the Hoffman Hospital in Little River and a private nurse for many years, all while raising children, supporting the Buchanan family farming operation, and later working as a partner in Little River Realty.
She was a long-time, devoted member of the Congregational Church in Little River. She loved singing and listening to music. She loved to travel and meet people. She was proud of her family and made it a point to ask about everyone else’s family. She made a mean butterscotch pie. She was, more than anything, joyful and resilient in the face of life’s challenges.
The family expresses its deepest gratitude to the staff of the Rice County District Hospital for the care and kindness they showed Roberta in the two years she made her home there.
The memorial service for Roberta will be held at the Congregational Church in Little River at 10 a.m., July 13, 2024, with burial to follow at Bean Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Little River Congregational Church in care of Birzer Funeral Home, 214 West Ave. S., Lyons, KS. 67554.

07/03/2024

Kala Knight Obituary
Kala Jane Knight, 30, of Lyons, Kansas, passed away July 2, 2024, at her home surrounded by her family and friends. She was born May 9, 1994, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, to Barry and Vicki (Lucas) Porter. Kala resided in Little River, KS most of her life. She graduated from Little River High School with the class of 2012. Kala attended Wichita State University and received her Physical Therapist Assistant degree from Hutchinson Community College in 2016. On December 16, 2017, Kala was united in marriage with Luke Knight at the Congregational Church, Little River. They resided in Lyons together with their daughters, Goldie Kay and Olive Jane, their fur babies, Chester, Bart and Josie, and several very mean roosters. She had a passion for silversmithing and was the owner and operator of Cow Creek Design Co. in Lyons. She enjoyed being in the mountains, building her business, spending time with her family, and most of all being a mom. Kala was a member of the Congregational Church, and was well known for her love of God and her faith. Kala is survived by her husband, Luke Knight, and their children, Goldie and Olive; her parents, Barry and Vicki Porter of Little River; sister, Jacy Lubbers and husband Eain and their daughter Sophie of Olathe, KS; and maternal grandmother, Sharon Roelfs of Inman, KS. She is preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, Eudra Porter and Nancy Porter; maternal grandparents, Roger and Sue Lucas, and Fred Roelfs. Visitation will be from 5:00 until 8:00 P.M., Monday, July 8, 2024, at the Congregational Church, Little River, with family present. Funeral service will be at 10:00 A.M., Tuesday, July 9, 2024, at the Celebration Centre, Lyons, with Pastor Ted Weis officiating. We encourage guests to wear any Cow Creek Design Co. pieces in Kala’s honor. Burial will follow at the Lyons Municipal Cemetery, Lyons. Memorials may be given to the “Kala Knight Memorial” for her daughters’ education fund, care of Birzer Funeral Home, Lyons.
To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.

07/03/2024

We have received word of the passing of Kala Porter Knight. More information will be posted as it becomes available.

06/24/2024

From the City of Little River post:
Midwest Energy has notified the city that power will be off for approximately 5 minutes to all of Little River and Mitchell at 10:00 p.m. on 6/24/24.