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Osage County Jail Log, March 16 – March 18, 2023

The following individuals were booked into the Osage County Jail in connection with charges or warrants as listed by the arresting agency.

Naomi Jean Wirth, 92, Shawnee: Sept. 9, 1930 – March 10, 2023

SHAWNEE, Kan. – Naomi Jean Wirth, 92, Shawnee, Kan., passed away Friday, March 10, 2023, at Colonial Village, Overland Park, Kan. Naomi was born Sept. 9, 1930, in Lyndon, Kan., the daughter of James and Virgie Sims.

She attended Lyndon High School, then moved to Topeka, Kan., to start her career at the Hallmark Card Co.

She met Chuck Wirth, and they were wed Nov. 4, 1951. Naomi and Chuck had two children, Debbie and Mark. In March 1973, she and Chuck moved to Shawnee, where she began as a teacher’s aide at Shawnee Elementary School.

Judi Hanson, 75, Sun City West, Ariz.: July 14, 1947 – March 2, 2023

SUN CITY WEST, Ariz. – On Thursday, March 2, 2023, Judi K. Hanson, loving wife, mother and grandmother, sadly passed away in Sun City West, Ariz., at the age of 75. Judi was born July 14, 1947, in Herington, Kan., the daughter of Gerald and Mabel  Villee.

On Sept. 26, 1970, Judi was united in marriage to Robert L. Hanson.

Judi did clerical work at Menninger’s and Westar Energy. After retirement, she and Robert relocated to Arizona, where she explored her passion for art while enjoying the Arizona sunsets and warmer weather. She was a wonderful wife, mother and grandmother who was always there when needed. She had many friends, and was a well-loved member of the community in Sun City West.

Osage County Jail Log, March 7 – March 10, 2023

The following individuals were booked into the Osage County Jail in connection with charges or warrants as listed by the arresting agency.

Edward ‘Pete’ Peterson, 91, Osage City: Dec. 15, 1931 – March 8, 2023

OSAGE CITY, Kan. – Edward “Pete” Peterson was born in Basehor, Kan., on Dec. 15, 1931. Ed was taken to heaven March 8, 2023, joining his wife, Patricia Peterson, who left us in 2017. He is survived by his eight children, Ed (Re-Pete), Kent, Carol, Susan, Anne, Todd, Morgan, and Mary; and 20 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren.

Ed grew up on a farm with his parents, six brothers and one sister. Many family gatherings with his parents, siblings, and their families over the years made for great memories.

Ed married Pat in 1953, and they started their family in 1954. Ed owned and managed a feed store and restaurant in Basehor until 1964, when he moved his family to Osage City, Kan. He bought the Osage Grain elevator and created a liquid feed for cattle, which was distributed throughout Kansas and Oklahoma. He provided jobs for many people from Osage City, and the elevator was also a gathering place for many “after hours” parties – the ensuing fun and funny stories are endless and continue to provide many memorable anecdotes. When he left the elevator business, he worked for KP&L, buying easements from farmers across the state.

Filings in the Osage County Courthouse, March 3 – March 9, 2023

The following information was compiled March 3 to March 9, 2023, from records at the Osage County Courthouse, Lyndon, Kan.

Laurel Bryan, 91, Overbrook: Jan. 16, 1932 – March 8, 2023

OVERBROOK, Kan. – Laurel Maurine “Lolly” (Johnson) Bryan, 91, passed away on March 8, 2023, at Brookside Retirement Community, Overbrook, Kan. Laurel was born Jan. 16, 1932, in Akron, Colo., to Ernest David Johnson and Marjory Evelyn (Northcutt) Johnson.

She graduated from Burlingame High School, Burlingame, Kan., in 1950.

Laurel married James Donald Bryan, Jan. 27, 1951. They owned and operated the Bryan family farm in Scranton, Kan., for more than 50 years during their 71 years of marriage. As a farming family, they were both long-term members of the Young Farmers and the National Farmers organizations.

Although Laurel was born and raised as a “townie”, she quickly learned to operate various pieces of farm equipment, including grain trucks and tractors. Grandson Marc Carnes always spoke excitedly about Grandma driving the “big John Deere tractor” with the “double duals”! Laurel often came home after a long day in the fields to mix up a big batch of home-made ice cream with freshly-picked strawberries from her own garden. She also grew and shared her tomatoes, gladiolas, and roses with her friends and family over the years.

Osage County Jail Log, Feb. 27 – March 8, 2023

The following individuals were booked into the Osage County Jail in connection with charges or warrants as listed by the arresting agency.

Filings in the Osage County Courthouse, Feb. 24 – March 2, 2023.

The following information was compiled Feb. 24 to March 2, 2023, from records at the Osage County Courthouse, Lyndon, Kan.

Monica Z. Prim, 91, Overbrook: July 11, 1931 – Feb. 17, 2023

OVERBROOK, Kan. – Monica Z. Prim, 91, Overbrook, Kan., passed away Feb. 17, 2023, at Brookside Retirement Community, Overbrook. She was born July 11, 1931, in Nebraska City, Neb., the daughter of Carl and Theresa Helen (Ramold) Zeiner.

Monica grew up in Nebraska, graduating from high school there. She then graduated from Nebraska State Teacher College, Peru, Neb., and taught elementary school in Nebraska, Topeka, Kan., and Overbrook. Later she was a PTF clerk at the Overbrook Post Office.

Monica’s interests were in all forms of home-ec, in which she loved baking, cooking, keeping house, knitting, sewing, and especially quilting. She played the organ for almost 50 years for funerals, weddings and masses at St. Francis of Assisi at LaPeer, where she was a member of the Altar Society. Monica was a charter member of the Santa Fe Quilters Guild, and also a member of Overbrook American Legion Auxiliary. Monica enjoyed her life and was involved in many community activities. She often said she really liked living in the country but wasn’t a “farmer.”

Willis Elgin DeWitt, 85, Burlingame: June 16, 1937 – Feb. 24, 2023

BURLINGAME, Kan. – Willis Elgin DeWitt, 85, died February 24, 2023. He was born June 16, 1937.

Willis grew up in rural Harveyville, Kan., and lived his adult life in Burlingame, Kan. He was the youngest son of Ivan DeWitt and Anna (Elgin) DeWitt.

Willis married Peggy Kivitter in 1957; they later divorced. To this union they had two boys, Willis Elvin DeWitt, Pittsburgh, Kan., and Wayne Eric DeWitt.

On Sept. 3, 1965, he married Betty Morey Hawker. To this union came a stepdaughter, Wendy Hinckm, White Cloud, Kan., and two daughters, JoEtta Wheeler, Virginia Beach, Va., and DeAnna Bean (Grady), Osage City, Kan.

Dustyn James Green, 31, Pomona: Feb. 23, 1992 – Feb. 27, 2023

POMONA, Kan. – Dustyn James Green, 31, passed away Feb. 27, 2023, in Scranton, Kan. He was born Feb. 23, 1992, in Lawrence, Kan., the son of Jim and Tammy (Ferrell) Green.

Dustyn graduated from Ottawa High School in 2010, studied psychology at Ottawa University, and was working on a Bachelor’s of Business Administration at the American Intercontinental University. He had worked jobs in landscape and construction, but he loved the work in architecture and computers. He was currently working at JM Smuckers, Topeka, Kan., and had started his own online business, Remote Life-Outdoors. He had been a member of the Mt. Pleasant Community Church, Lyndon, Kan., and the First Southern Baptist Church, Ottawa, Kan.

Marilyn Jean Walquist, 75, Lyndon: Dec. 14, 1947 – March 2, 2023

LYNDON, Kan. – Marilyn Jean (Pierce) Walquist, loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend, was reunited with her late husband when she passed into Heaven on March 2, 2023. Marilyn was just 75 years old. Marilyn was born to Lorenzo and Pauline (Tonetti) Pierce, Dec. 14, 1947, in Topeka, Kan.

After graduating from Lyndon High School, Lyndon, Kan., Marilyn attended Emporia State University.

Her life centered around her family. On Aug. 28, 1966, Marilyn married her high school sweetheart, Wayne Walquist.

The couple raised three daughters, Amy, Carrie and Megan, and always welcomed extras to their home. The family traveled many, many miles showing livestock and attending school activities for the girls. Avid K-State fans, the Walquist family enjoyed season tickets to football, including the pregame tailgates with friends, and occasional halftime breaks with other K-Staters. Truly, Marilyn did not know a stranger and the football games were no different. Marilyn was one of the biggest, and sometimes loudest, sports fan.

Helping others was not only Marilyn’s passion but her profession. She partnered with Wayne in Wayne’s Clothing, helped pick out last minute Christmas gifts at Beatty’s Western Wear, and spent many years greeting patients at Cotton O’Neil Clinic in Carbondale. Her compassion and care for others was recognized in 2003 when she was awarded the Manuel E. and Anne B Pustiz Award from Stormont Vail HealthCare.

Dennis Allen May, 54, Carbondale: May 13, 1968 – Feb. 28, 2023

CARBONDALE, Kan. – Dennis Allen May, 54, passed away Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023, at his home in Carbondale, Kan. He was born May 13, 1968, in Topeka, Kan., the son of Bruce and Cynthia (Harris) May. He was raised by his mom, Cindy and Jerry Booth.

Dennis had lived in Scranton, Kan., and Carbondale all of his life.

Dennis graduated from Santa Fe Trail High School in 1986, and had worked as a carpenter for many years.

Patricia Ann Smith, 79, Topeka: Nov. 27, 1943 – Feb. 21, 2023

TOPEKA, Kan. – Patricia Ann Smith, 79, passed away Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023, at Midland Hospice House, Topeka, Kan. Patricia was born Nov. 27, 1943, in Harvey, Ill., the daughter of Thomas and Winifred (Austin) Parsons.

She grew up in Blue Island, Ill., and graduated from St. Benedict Grade School, and from St. Francis Academy, Joliet, Ill.

She was a former nun in the order of the Sisters of St. Mary.

Patricia married the late Grant Smith in 1966, in Chicago, Ill. They later divorced.

Patricia worked as a dietary and nurse’s aide in the Topeka area for many years.

Filings in the Osage County Courthouse, Feb. 17 – Feb. 23, 2023

The following information was compiled Feb. 17 to Feb. 23, 2023, from records at the Osage County Courthouse, Lyndon, Kan.

Silver Haired Legislature election slated for March 10 at local nutrition sites

Election of Silver Haired Legislators for Osage County will be 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. Friday, March 10, 2023, at three locations in Osage County: Burlingame Senior Nutrition Site, 116 W. Lincoln Ave., Burlingame; Carbondale Senior Nutrition Site, 228 Main St., Carbondale, KS 66414; and Osage County Senior Center, 604 Market St., Osage City.

Voting instructions and ballots will be posted at each voting place. Date and times will be the same for each site. Those voting should give the following information to the poll worker: Name, address, city or town, and age, and voters should be 60 years or older.

Silver Haired Legislature candidates from Osage County who have filed for election include:

Melody Hoffsommer, Overbrook

  • Candidate statement: Transportation, healthcare costs, safety, and isolation are a few of the problems facing senior citizens today. As a caring member of my community, I would like the opportunity to help create policies, plans, and programs that would benefit retirees and society as a whole. I’ve earned a BA in Political Science and an MSE in School Counseling. Currently, I am a member of Kansas Association of Retired School Personnel, on the Board of Directors of the Appanoose Area Preservation Society, and belong to Northeast Kansas BeeKeepers Association. Your vote would be much appreciated. Thank you.

Betty Hughs, Osage City

  • Candidate statement: I will spotlight the treasure we as a people have in the mature persons of Kansas. We still have much to contribute to those coming up behind us. Diversity of life experiences is vast and unique in our age group. I will clearly show just because one is over 60, one should not be considered useless. Many of we “seniors” who want to work, are rudely shoved aside due to age. The goal is to show we seniors have much more to give and are extremely worth the effort, for the Silvered Haired Legislature to stand in the gap.

Roxanne Wendt, Melvern

  • Candidate statement: For the past 35 years I have worked as a speech-language pathologist in public schools. In my professional career, I have worked diligently to ensure that my students developed a strong voice for themselves. Early in my career, I witnessed the importance of being able to express to others your personal needs and to feel a sense of being heard. Now, as I am nearing the end of my professional work career, I realize my work is far from over. At this time, I believe it is now my responsibility to advocate for the needs of my fellow senior citizens living in Osage County, Kansas, as our voices deserve to be heard in the Kansas Capitol.

The election is conducted by East Central Kansas Area Agency on Aging, Ottawa, Kan.; call 800-633-5621 for more information.

Marylou Pat Fallon, 86, Hutchinson: Jan. 29, 1937 – Feb. 28, 2023

HUTCHINSON, Kan. – Marylou Pat Fallon, 86, passed away Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023, in Hutchinson, Kan. She was born Jan. 29, 1937, to Forrest and Mildred Bowlby, in Wichita, Kan.

Marylou grew up in the Mulvane United Methodist Church, Mulvane, Kan., graduated from Mulvane High School, and attended Kansas State University.

She married Stan Fallon in 1961, and had two children, Patrick and Kristi. The marriage ended in 1986.

Marylou worked for the Osage County Chronicle and Mulvane News, and retired from Boeing in 1999.

In her retirement, she enjoyed spending time with her children and grandchildren. She worked at the Mulvane Senior Center, delivered Meals on Wheels, organized and managed the Old Settlers Day Program annually, and worked on the Mulvane High School Annual Alumni Banquet, always maintaining contact with her class from 1955.

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