FOCB hold Wetlands Day

In our last edition, Kansas Wetlands Education Center Manager Curtis Wolf discussed "Nature Deficit Disorder" and the importance of getting children outside. I am lucky enough to get the opportunity to interact with an eclectic array of people through our outreach events and school programs. I have an activity in one of my programs where I ask participants to reflect on their favorite childhood memories and draw a setting or activity that comes to mind. Unfortunately, I have found a definitive trend. 99% of the time, adults age twenty and up draw themselves outdoors either throwing a baseball, watching the ...

Zimmerman — Winegarner

Ray and Donna Zimmerman of Great Bend announce the engagement of their daughter, Sara Dawn Zimmerman, to Larry Dennis Winegarner II, son of Linda Winegarner of Wichita. The bride-elect is the granddaughter of Maxine Heueisen of Great Bend and the late Charles Heueisen, and Erma Zimmerman of Great Bend and the late Percy Zimmerman. The prospective groom is the grandson of the late Thomas and Lena Vogt.

Mong 60th

Clayton and Pauline Mong of Great Bend will celebrate their 60th anniversary with a reception from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sept. 4 at the Elks Lodge, 1120 Kansas in Great Bend. Friends and family are invited to attend. The couple requests no gifts.

McVey — Demel

Renee McVey and Gary Demel announce their engagement. Parents of the bride-elect are Fred Johnson of Trousdale and the late Cynthia Wilson. Parents of the prospective groom are Katherine Demel of Claflin and the late August J. Demel.

Schepmann — Nicolet

Don Schepmann Jr. of Holyrood and Treva Paden of Geneseo, announce the engagement of their daughter, Heather Dyanne Schepmann, to Darren Lee Nicolet, son of Celia Nicolet of Great Bend and the late Kenny Nicolet. The bride-elect is the granddaughter of Glen and Joyce Burress of Ellinwood, Marie Schepmann of Claflin and the late Don Schepmann Sr. The prospective groom is the grandson of Neuell Nicolet and the late Jean Nicolet, and the late Lawrence and Rosalie Bussen.

Axman 50th

Tony and Karen Axman will celebrate their 50th anniversary in October with an event to be shared with family and friends. Hosts of the celebration will be their children. Karla and Doug Crissman and Steve Axman and Sherry Doonan, all of Great Bend, David and Cindy Axman, of Lawrence, and Ryan and Ann Axman, of Hoisington; their eight grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

Donna Bryant 80th

Donna Bryant will celebrate her 80th birthday with a surprise party from 2 to 4 p.m. on Aug. 27 at UCC Church, 701 N. Fritz Ave. in Ellinwood. Hosts for the event will be Michele Bryant and Lynnae Partridge. Friends and family are invited.

Gatewood

Savannah K. Schmitt and Beau D. Gatewood were united in marriage of July 9 at the United Methodist Church in Salem in a ceremony officiated by Pastor Ryan Lynch. Parents of the couple are Tony and Karen Schmitt of Ellinwood and Doug and Crystal Gatewood of Columbus. Grandparents of the bride are Nick and Rose Schmitt of Great Bend and Garry and Sue Lingenfelter of Jet, Okla. Grandparents of the groom are Joy and Charles Gatewood and Glenn and Nancy Blancett, all of Columbus.

Pinwill — Steimel

Kim Pinwill of England, announces the engagement of her daughter, Elizabeth Pinwill, to Weston Lee Steimel, son of Brent Steimel of Hooker, Okla. and Peggy Steimel of Hoyt. The bride-elect is the daughter of the late Colin Pinwill.

American State Bancshares acquires Rose Hill Bank

GBHS Class of 1947 reunion

The Great Bend High School Class of 1947 will hold a reunion at noon on Sept. 3 at the Highland Restaurant, pool side. Visitors are welcome.

Rziha - Koester Family Reunion

The Rziha-Koester family reunion was held on July 30 at Camp Aldrich. The day started with lunch served by The Wheatland Cafe of Hudson. A memorial service was held for the three members who have passed away since our last reunion held two years ago. The afternoon was spent with picture taking, swimming, visiting and a silent auction also took place. Fr. Dermont Tighe celebrated Mass for the families. A hot dog feed concluded the day.

Mauler Reunion

The Mauler family reunion, for descendents of Joseph and Johann Mauler, will be held starting at 12:30 p.m. with a potluck dinner, on Aug. 28 at the Senior Center, 2005 Kansas Street.

2011 Career and Networking Job Fair scheduled for Great Bend

KANSASWORKS will host a Career and Networking Job Fair on Aug. 30 at the Best Western Angus Inn courtyard area in Great Bend. The fair will be open to Military Veterans from 4-5:30 p.m. and then to the general public from 5:30-7 p.m. This event is supported by the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) grant. All military veterans and their spouses are invited to attend.

Sunflower Early Education Center receives grant

Cathy Estes and her staff at Sunflower Early Education Center accepts a grant check from Golden Belt Community Foundation for a specialized printer that works with their hearing screening equipment for more accurate and long-term record keeping. Golden Belt Community Foundation's next competitive grant cycle deadline is Nov. 1. Visit www.goldenbeltcf.org or call at 620-792-3000, for more information.

Willa Mae Springfeldt 1920-2014

Willa Mae Springfeldt, 93, died July 10, at Almost Home in Great Bend. Born July 11, 1920, in Springfield, Mo., she was the daughter of William and Ethel Mae (Renfro) Teem. On Nov. 23, 1940, she married Virgil L. Springfeldt in Cottonwood Falls. He died on June 7, 1992. A resident of Great Bend since 1972, coming from Bushton, she and her husband were owner and operator of IGA of Bushton and Kwik Shop in Great Bend. She enjoyed playing the piano and cello.

Dennis A. Munoz 1947

Dennis A. Munoz, 66, longtime resident of Great Bend, passed away at his Great Bend home on Wednesday afternoon, July 9. Born Dec. 10, 1947, in Great Bend, he was the son of Frank and Katherine (Pyles) Munoz. In 1965, he graduated from Great Bend High School.

Esther Dunham 1924-2013

HOLLYWOOD, FLA.- Esther Dunham, 89, died Dec. 2, 2013 at Golfcrest Health Care Center, Hollywood, Fla. Born July 16, 1924 at Scottsbluff, Neb., she was the daughter of Lee Selby and Alice Butler. She married Jack Dunham June 9, 1945 at Hays, Kan. A former resident of Great Bend before moving to Florida, she was employed at J. C. Penney and the Barton County Health Department until her retirement.

Joyce Fullbright 1930-2014

ELLINWOOD--Joyce Marie Fullbright, 83, passed away in Ellinwood on July 10. Born Oct. 1, 1930 in Georgetown, Ark., she was the daughter of Briles and Myrtle (Chambers) Andrews.

Connie Peacock 1923-2014

Connie Rosalie Peacock, 91, died July 11 at Woodhaven Care Center, Ellinwood. Born Feb. 21, 1923 at WaKeeney, she was the daughter of Pete and Antonia (Solowski) Gregorcyk.

Larry Miller 1959-2014

Larry Randall Miller, 55, died May 31, in San Diego, Calif. Born March 10, 1959 at Great Bend, he was the son of Harold S. and Dorothy J. Miller. He joined the Coast Guard in 1978, working as a corpsman and was awarded a letter from President Ronald Reagan for saving a life. He attended Wichita State University on the GI Bill and later worked as a respiratory therapist and cardiology technician. He married Bernadette Alison December 31, 1990 at San Diego.

Christopher James Gross 1973-2014

OLATHE - Christopher James Gross, 41, passed away July 5, 2014 at St. Joseph Medical Center from complications of his battle with brain cancer.

Lloyd E. White 1933-2014

GREAT BEND - Lloyd E. White, 81, died July 8, 2014 at Western Plains Medical Center, Dodge City.

Kansas 150 1901-1925

Kansas 150 years 1861-1900