Helen Margaret Smith, 75
Helen Margaret "Margie" Smith was born January 3, 1923, in Castleton, Kansas, to Louis Joseph and Lois Emma Smith Gerard. She departed this life October 8, 1998, at St. Catherine Hospital in Garden City, Kansas.
Helen moved to Coolidge, Kansas, in 1935 and was a graduate of Coolidge High School. She married Forrest "Bud" Smith March 1, 1941, in Kingman, Kansas. They farmed north of Coolidge until their retirement, and moved to Syracuse, Kansas, in June of 1998.
Helen was a homemaker, a 50 year charter member of the Pollyanna Club of Hamilton County, a former member of PTO, and was a 4-H leader for 35 years.
Survivors include her husband; two sons, John (Lori) Smith of Olympia, Washington and Forrest L. "Bud" Smith, Jr., of Coolidge; nine daughters, Mary Jane (Richard) Malmgren of Des Moines, Wahington, Sally McLaughlin of Kansas City, Kansas, Jean (B.C.) Frye of Tampa, Florida, Carol Hatcher of Kansas City, Rose (Rocky) Cook of Garden City, Patty (Bob) LeCompte of Tucson, Arizona, Kathy (Leon) Michel of Hartshorn, Missouri, Cynthia Smith of Syracuse, and Karen (Barry) McLaughlin of Belton, Missouri; one brother, Donald (Mary) Gerard of Syracuse; three sisters, Frances (Ernie) Wright of Syracuse, Betty Reiger of Newton, Kansas, and Rosamond Youngers of Ephrata, Washington; 25 grandchildren and six great grandchildren.
Helen was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Sherry McLaughlin, in 1986.
Funeral services were held Monday, October 12, 1998, at the Coolidge Gymnasium with Pastor Mike Lewis and Bruce Sneed officiating. Burial followed at Coolidge Cemetery.
Funeral services were under the direction of Greene Funeral Home.
Francis Ray Goodwin, 79
Francis Ray Goodwin, known by most as Slim, was born to Van and Minta Thompson Goodwin September 15, 1918, at his grandparent Thompson's home north of Flagler. He was the second of six sons. They were all raised by the values their parents taught them, to be honest and trustworthy men.
Slim started his school years at Flagler and, after moving south of town, he attended school at 2nd Central through the 10th grade. He didn't care much for school, and when the opportunity came to go to work at the Rush Creek Ranch, he was happy to take it. At the age of 17, he began a life as a cowboy, and did everything asked of him, which included breaking horses, building fence, and caking cattle. The roundup time was his favorite job of all. He could ride a horse with the greatest of ease and knew how to handle cattle well. While there, he camped in a little trailer south of Eads in what was known as the "Lake Country." Not many would have enjoyed the quiet, lonely life he lived there, as the only time he saw anyone else was when someone would bring water to fill his cistern or something to eat. But he loved this way of life. His only transportation was horseback, and he would leave early in the morning with the horse bucking and return late at night, many miles later.
When they started calling men up for the Service, he tried several times to enlist, but they truned him down because of the sight in one of his eyes. He was called in later on limited service and was inducted July 30, 1942. He was stationed at Lowry Air Force Base and his first job after boot camp was washing pots and pans. Along with his good friend Pete Pedersen, he continued to work this job for six months. They always made the comment that one thing about it they could never be put on KP because they were already there. After that, he was a cook, first at Lowry and later at Fort Logan, where he cooked for the hospital officers. After completion of his state side duty, he was transferred to Salt Lake city and then to California to be shipped overseas June 1, 1945. He landed in Burma, India, July 9, 1945, where he cooked for the pilots that were flying to China. He returned to the States February 4, 1946, when he had enough points to come home.
While stationed at Lowry, he returned to Flagler to ride in a rodeo they were having. He got bucked off and broke his wrist, so re remained home on leave to recuperate. While there, he met his wife to be, Zoe Jones, who was just completing high school in Flagler. They were engaged in September and were married March 6, 1944. He was supposed to be "Permanent Party" at that time, so they moved to Englewood, where they could live off base. When he got his orders to be shipped overseas, he had 10 days to move Zoe back to Flagler, as she was expecting their first child. Sandra Rae was born June 21, 1945, while Slim was en route on his 40 day trip to India. She was a month old before he found out she was born. He saw her for the first time when he arrived back home eight months later.
After his duty in the Service was completed, he got his job back at Eads Livestock Ranch and Zoe worked as a cook for the cow hands. They returned to the Flagler area, where they worked for George Baxter and later purchased his ranch. This came to be the home that they loved so much, where they raised their family. They had their second daughter, Penny Evon, May 14, 1949, and a son, Scott Joe, January 19, 1955. They enjoyed their lives on the ranch and considered this the best time of their lives, through the good and bad years. They survived the awful dirt storms of the 1950's and some pretty severe snow storms. During one severe snow storm, the girls spent six weeks in town with their Goodwin grandparents because the roads were impassable.
Slim's health started failing in 1974, and in 1976, they purchased a house in Seibert, where he made his home until the time of his death. His son, Scott, remained on the ranch, and Slim continued to drive out every day and remained active with the cattle operation for several years. Up until the time of his death, he still liked to take drives out to the ranch as it was always, "out home."
After making his home in Seibert, Slim got the opportunity to drive a bus for the school, and drove it for 10 years. He really enjoyed the kids he carried on the bus. He always wanted to drive a big four wheel drive tractor, and he hot the opportunity while helping Gregg Loutzenhiser during the summer. He did this for nearly five years. He enjoyed the time he spent with their family, and he and Leonard Smith became good friends while doing things together. They always commented that it took the two of them to make one good man. While in Seibert, Slim was the caretaker for the Seibert Cemetery for a number of years and took pride in caring for it.
Slim welcomed two sons-in-law, Bill Cowgill and Carroll Will, and one daughter-in-law, Ilene Graham, into the family and they were always considered "his kids," too. He enjoyed his family very much and was especially proud of his six grandkids, Mark and Tina Will, Misty and Kimberly Cowgill, and Melissa and Kevin Goodwin. He was always interested in what they were doing and loved their visits and phone calls.
After 50 years of marriage, a reception was held in Slim and Zoe's honor, and this was a very special day in their lives. They enjoyed so much seeing and visiting with their friends and family and all the cards and phone calls they received.
After the lung disease that plagued his body for years got worse, he enjoyed working with a scroll saw, cutting out pictures and projects. When his health worsened, it limited him on what he could do, but he still enjoyed driving over the country side, seeing the cattle and crops along the way. With the love and assistance of a caring and loving wife, he was able to remain at home where he wanted to be.
Slim will be remembered as a man that never had a bad word to say about anyone. He always said that if you didn't have something good to say, it didn't need to be said. He was a man of patience, even at a time when every breath was a struggle, you never heard him complain. He would always say, "it will be alright," and now it is. He slipped into his final rest August 22, 1998, at the Hugo Hospital with his Family beside him.
Slim was preceded in death by his parents, Van and Minta Goodwin; three brothers, Dale, Lowell (Babe), and Lawrence (Larry).
He leaves behind Zoe, his wife of 54 years, his children, Sandra and Carroll Will, Bill and Penny Cowgill, and Scott and Ilene Goodwin; and six grandchildren. He also leave behind two brothers, Russ and Jamie Goodwin, and Bill and Ruby Goodwin, and two sisters-in-law, Veva Morris and Pearl Gleickman, along with a host of nieces, nephews and many friends.
Dee Lyn Konkel, 73
Dee Lyn Konkel, 73, of Caldwell, Idaho, died Saturday, Aug. 15, 1998 at his home. At his request no services will be held. A remembrance gathering of family and friends will be held at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 18, 1998 at the family home. Cremation is under the direction of the Flahiff Crematory, Caldwell.
Mr. Konekl was born Feb. 2, 1925 at Denver, Colorado, and was reared and educated in Haswell, Colorado. He married Belle Scott. In 1953 he moved to Nampa, Idaho, and worked buying and selling hay. On Jan. 31, 1970, he married Ardeth Edgmon Johnson and they made their home in Caldwell.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by three daughters, Sandy Blackwood, Jeni Conger and Karen Moore, all of Nampa; 11 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his adoptive parents, Mr and Mrs. O. G. Konkel.
Edith Aline Thrasher, 82
Edith Aline Peery Thrasher was born October 24, 1915, in Clayton, New Mexico, the third child born to Charles N. and Eunice B. Smith Peery. As a child, Aline acquired the nick name of "Bugs" from her father. She was always fond of this nick name. Aline completed her formal education in the Springer, New Mexico, school system. During her school years, Aline and her sister, Julia, had a reputation for being very good athletes.
As a child and young woman, Aline would experience difficulties, but would not allow them to be a detriment to her. Many of the difficulties she endured as a child would help to build an incredible amount of character in her as an adult. Aline spoke of the time she broker her leg. The breaking of a leg didn't stand out to her, but the fact that her father recognized the cry of his daughter when this happened and came to her aid. This was always a special memory of hers, that her father recognized her cry. Aline was especially close to her mother. They had a very special relationship. The mother-daughter relationship that they had would serve as a grand example for Aline later in life, as she, too, would become a mother.
Aline became acquainted with her husband-to-be, Emmett Howard Thrasher, in French Track, New Mexico, when Emmett stopped on a country road to say, "hi." This was the beginning of a courtship that would last about a year. Emmett Howard Thrasher and Edith Aline Peery were married August 19, 1935, in Raton, New Mexico. Maxwell, New Mexico, would be their first home as husband and wife. Emmett was a farmer, and soon realized that he indeed was blessed, for he had been blessed with not only a wife, but a helpmate. Emmett and Aline would work side by side for many years.
In 1937, they were blessed with a son, Tommy Emmett Thrasher. In 1940, their first daughter, Joann, was born, and in 1942, their daughter, Eunice, affectionately known as "Honey Belle" was born. Shortly after the birth of their third child, the Thrasher family moved to the Sheridan Lake area, where they continued to farm. It was there that Emmett and Aline grew to love southeast Colorado. In 1947, after a large wheat crop, the Thrasher family moved to what would become the family farm north of Kit Carson. It was $2.00 per bushel wheat that allowed Emmett and Aline to purchase this land. It was here that Emmett became a sheep farmer. In 1949, their fourth child, Dorothy, was born. This would make the Thrasher family complete. All the Thrasher children, except Dorothy, commonly known as "Dottie," would attend the Mount Pearl School until it burned down in 1954. Besides being a helpmate for Emmett, a mother and a wife, Aline also cooked the lunch meals at the Mount Pearl School for many years.
In 1961, the Thrasher's sold the sheep and began running cattle, which they did until 1978 when Emmett and Aline retired and moved to Kit Carson to enjoy their retirement years. Emmett and Aline were inseparable in all their years together. You very seldom saw one without the other. During her retirement years, Aline enjoyed quilting, sewing, and she loved playing cards with her friends at the senior center, and with her neighbors. Her love of card playing was evident in the lives of her children. She taught them many card games. Emmett enjoyed fishing, and even though Aline didn't like it that well, she spent many hours fishing with Emmett. In 1996, due to failing health, Aline moved to the Weisbrod Nursing Home in Eads, where she would make her home until her death. All the while, her loving husband of 62 years was faithful to visit her at least twice a week.
Edith Aline Thrasher died Friday, August 7, 1998, at the age of 82. She is survived by her husband, Emmett, of Kit Carson; her children, Tommy E. (Arlene) Thrasher of Parker, Dorothy Pauline (Richard) Najera of Northglenn, and Eunice "Honey Belle" (Jack) Dixon of Eads; 11 grandchildren; eight great grandchildren, one sister, Julia Belle Berry of Riverside, California; as well as several nieces, nephews and other relatives. Aline was preceded in death by her parents; one daughter, JoAnn; one granddaughter, Robyn; and two brothers, Ed and Newman.
Funeral services for Edith Aline Thrasher were held Tuesday, August 11, 1998, at 10:00 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Kit Carson with Rev. Ralph Bullock officiating. Marilyn Ward served as organist and Marilyn Bullock served as pianist. Darrel and Kim Schallenberger sang "Amazing Grace" and "The Old Rugged Cross." Casket bearers were Jack J. Dixon, Jack M. Dixon, Michael Dixon, Gary Riggins, Richard Gekeler and Richard Najera. All of Aline's many friends were the honorary casket bearers. Final committal services were held at the Kit Carson Cemetery.
Funeral services were under the direction of Brown Funeral Home.
Stephanie Marie Paintin, 9
Stephanie Marie Paintin was born in Hugo to Rusty and Seonie Paintin November 12, 1988. She went to be with Jesus July 3, 1998.
Stephanie attended both the schools in Stratton and in Kit Carson, where she was blessed with many friends.
Some of Stephanie's most enjoyable times in life came in the arena. She loved sitting in the saddle, both in competition and in pleasure. She found happiness riding along side her parents, and will continue each and every day.
Stephanie also enjoyed the simple things in life, from camping and fishing trips with her family, to sleep overs with her best friends. She loved being a big sister, and was loved as a sister. She also loved all of her animals, but most of all her horses. She was destined to be a great horse trainer with the abilities she showed at her young age. We know she will be riding for ever more.
Stephanie is survived by her parents; brother, Joseph; sister Kelsey; grandmother, Marie Woodson of Houston, Texas; grandparents, Jack and Flo Price of Lamar; great grandmother, Gertrude DeMartine of Pueblo; grandparents, Bob and Sandy Paintin of Flagler; great grandmother, Mabel Paintin of Flagler; great grandparents, Charles and Romelle Brenner of Idalia; and numerous uncles, aunts, cousins and friends.
She will be missed greatly and remembered always.
Vigil service was held Monday, July 6 at 7:00 p.m. at the St. Augustine Catholic Church in Kit Carson. Funeral mass was said Tuesday, July 7, at 10:00 a.m. at the Kit Carson School Auditorium with Father Jay Gibson, C.M. officiating. Casket bearers were Jeremy McNeely, Cody Stoker, Mike Klann and Nolan Davis. Honorary escorts were Justin Paintin, Bill Rhoades, Bob Woods, Pat Ward and Jack Wilson. Interment was at the Kit Carson Cemetery.
A memorial fund has been set up at the Kit Carson State Bank.
Funeral services were under the direction of Love Funeral Home.
George Fick, 82
George Robert Fick was born at Boyero May 22, 1916. He passed away on his ranch June 19, 1998.
George was active in the Knights of Columbus, St. Augustine Church, the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Democrat party. He was in the Army Air Corp during World War II. He had received several honors and offices in the VFW and the Democrat party.
George was married to Thelma Williams in September of 1941. She preceded him in death July 1, 1991.
George was a rancher and farmer all his life, and was still active in his farming at the time of his death.
He leaves to mourn his passing his 104-year-old mother, Agnes Fick; two sisters, Dorothy Cox and Mary Louise Dechant; two sisters-in-law, Anna Knoll and Beverly Williams; and ten nephews and three nieces and their families.
Vigil service was held Wednesday, June 24, 1998, at 7:00 p.m. at St. Augustine church. Funeral services were held June 25, 1998, at 11:00 a.m. at the St. Augustine Catholic Church in Kit Carson with Father Tom Kloppenborg officiating. Doris Lessenden sang, "Be Not Afraid," "Amazing Grace," and "How Great Thou Art." Tim Hogan sang "The Old Rubbed Cross." Marilyn Ward served as organist. Readers were Paul and Pat Dechant. Casket bearers were Doug Gibbs, Shannon Isley, Bill Kent, Nick Mousel, Cliff Roberts and Joseph Decant. Honorary escorts were the Knights of Columbus and the Kit Carson VFW Post. Interment was at the Kit Carson Cemetery, Kit Carson.
Funeral services were under the direction of Love Funeral Home.
Kenneth Weldon Krehbiel, 75
Kenneth Weldon Krehbiel was born July 4, 1922, in La Junta to Erhard H. and Marie Schroeder Krehbiel and departed this life Sunday, June 14, 1994 upon arrival to Blackwell Regional Hospital. He suffered a heart attack at his home near Deer Creek, Oklahoma.
The family moved to Halstead, Kansas, when he was a child, and to Deer Creek in 1931.
He married Irma Reimer November 22, 1945, at Medford, Oklahoma. The couple farmed in the Deer Creek area. He was a member of the Mennonite Church of Deer Creek.
Mr. Krehbiel is survived by his wife, Irma, of the home; three sons, Steven and Daryl, both of Stillwater, Oklahoma, and Rickie of Goddard, Kansas; two daughters, Carla Gifford of Eads and Lintha Niles of Enid, Oklahoma; two sisters, Marion Reimer of Medford, Oklahoma, and Arlene Taylor of Eskridge, Kansas; and 13 grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother.
Funeral services for Kenneth Weldon Krehbiel were held Thursday, June 18, 1998, at the Osage Heights Baptist Church in Ponca City, Oklahoma, with Leon Grider and Norman "Shorty" Unruh officiating. Burial followed in Long Wood Cemetery in Ponca City.
Funeral services were under the direction of Wilson Funeral Home.
Willard "Pat" Patterson, 78
Willard "Pat" Patterson of Wiggins, formerly of Denver, died Sunday, June 7, 1998 after a short illness. He was 78.
He was born December 19, 1919, to George and Mary Alice Patterson in Wichita, Kansas. At the age of 18 he moved with his family to Eads.
He was married to Jane Graham July 11, 1945, in Denver. He was a retired master carpenter.
Patterson was a volunteer with the Lakewood Westernaires, the Jefferson County Sheriff's Mounted Posse and the Margaret Walters School in Arvada.
He is survived by his wife; two daughters, Sharlene Weiser of Wiggins and Lynda Reier of Arvada; a son, Wendell of Boston; four granddaughters; one grandson and one great granddaughter; three sisters, Wilma Helton, Yvonne Barber and Doris Mayes; and four brothers, Charles, Dale, Delmar and Loren.
Memorial services were held Wednesday, June 10, at 2:00 p.m. at the Wiggins Community church.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Margaret Walters School, 12665 W. 52nd Ave., Arvada, 80002.
Ruby Lorraine Van Huss, 78
Ruby Lorraine Van Huss was born August 8, 1919, in Webster City, Iowa, to Roy Edgar and Ruth Fern (Ades) Larrew. She departed this life May 31, 1998, at Sumner Regional Medical Center in Wellington, Kansas.
When Ruby was a young girl, her parents moved to Colorado. She married Dwight Dale Van Huss June 9, 1937. They lived in the Eads area, Hot Springs, Arkansas, and Wichita, Kansas. After 1949, they lived in the Belle Plaine/Wellington, Kansas, area. In 1974, they retired in Dittmer, Missouri until Dwight's death August 15, 1980. Ruby then returned to Wellington and had resided at Vantage Point Apartments since December, 1980.
Ruby worked as a volunteer at Trinity Child Care/Preschool Center until 1992. She was a past vice president and president of the Tenants Association at Vantage Point and a member of the First United Methodist Church in Wellington.
She loved reading her Bible and books, gardening and nature.
Ruby was preceded in death by her parents; husband; a daughter, Ruth Pauline Woodward; a son-in-law, James Patrick Robson; brothers, Roy Jr., Narvey and Frances "Bill" Larrew, and a sister, Velda Harrell.
Survivors include daughters Teri J. (Donald Earl) Wallace of Las Cruces, New Mexico, Sandra Sue Robson of St. Louis, Missouri and Linda Rae (David Lee) Pottier of Wellington; son-in-law, John H. Woodward of Wichita; brothers Marvin Larrew of Rancho Cordova, California, Leland Larrew of Pueblo, and Randy Larrew of Eads; sisters Ethel Ansley of Kersey, Joyce Pfeiff of Pueblo, Zetta Rae Schell of Greeley, Veleta Wilson of Pueblo, Donna Mae Hahn of Boone, and Phyliss Taylor of Walsenburg; three grandchildren, four step grandchildren, five step great grandchildren and two step great great grandchildren.
Memorial services were held Tuesday, June 9, 1998, at the Frank Funeral Home with Rev. Randy Abbey of the First United Methodist Church officiating. Interment followed at Chapel Hill memorial Gardens in Cedar Hill, Missouri.
Funeral services were under the direction of Frank Funeral Home.
