Obituaries

Oct 30, 2026

Elizabeth Marie Sabatka (Schmidt), 88, of Atwood, KS, passed away on Fri. Oct. 30, 2026, in Greeley, CO. She was born on Jan. 23, 1938, to Joseph and Catherine (Schaffer) Schmidt in Ovid, CO, the third of five children. She attended schools in Julesburg, CO, graduating from Sedgwick County High School in 1956. She received her teaching degree from Colorado...

Oct 23, 2026

Julius Allen Forpahl, 83, of Colby, died Friday, October 23, 2026. He was born on September 27, 1945, in Springfield, CO, to Leo and Luzetta (Barler) Forpahl.

Julius graduated from Dighton High School where he was a four-year letterman in track, Co-Captain of the basketball team, a 1961 All-Conference football player and President of the Letterman’s Club. After school, he joined...

Oct 22, 2026

Michael Ray White, 62, of Brewster, died Monday, October 19, 2026. He was born on November 6, 1962, in Fruita, CO, to Berton Ray White and Billie Lue White. Michael attended public school in Colorado.

He is survived by his mother, Billie Lue White, Colby; sisters, Sueann Beerly, Ohio, niece, Kathy Beery, Ohio; daughter Sarah Rose Simmons, Florence, CO; and five...

Oct 22, 2026

Oct 18, 2026

Judy Kay (Rogers) Menges passed away Sunday, October 18, 2026, at the age of 83. Judy was the daughter of Fayne “Tuff” Laverne and Velma Clarissa (Temple) Rogers. An only child, Judy grew up in Norcatur, Kansas where she participated in school clubs, music, band, cheerleading, and 4-H. She was a Norcatur High School graduate.

On October 29, 1961 Judy married...

Oct 15, 2026

Larry Lynn White, 81, passed away peacefully on October 15, 2026, surrounded by his loving family at Hope Springs in Sharon Springs, Kansas. A devoted husband, loving father, proud grandfather, accomplished businessman, and a man who truly knew how to enjoy life, Larry leaves behind a legacy of love, laughter, adventure, and a lifetime of unforgettable memories.

Born on August 23,...

Oct 14, 2026

Katherine “Kathy” Surmeier passed away on October 14, 2026.

Born to C.B. and Rachael Olberding, Kathy spent most of her life in Colby, Kansas. She married Ed Golemboski in 1960, and together they raised three children: Mark, Mikki, and Rhonda.

Kathy held many roles throughout her life, but perhaps her favorite was bringing people together. Her home was a gathering place for...

Oct 14, 2026

Lynelle Anne (Lohoefener) Fossum died of cancer surrounded by family in Oakley, KS on October 14th, 2026. She was born April 5, 1967, in Oberlin, Kansas to Jerry and Marcia (Ward) Lohoefener. Lyn grew up riding horses and motorcycles, helping her dad work cattle, and having adventures on the family farm north of town. She stayed a tried and true...

Oct 8, 2026

Jana Dene Kahle, 69, of South Hutchinson, Kansas, passed away on October 8, 2026. She was born on August 20, 1957, in Woodward, Oklahoma, to Leon “Tom” and Ruby Lukes.

On March 21, 1980, Jana married the love of her life, Jeffrey Kahle, in Colby, Kansas. She affectionately called him “Honey,” and together they shared more than 46 years of marriage....

Oct 8, 2026

Clair Leland Query, 86, of Colby, KS, passed away peacefully on October 8, 2026, at Citizens Medical Center. Clair was born on March 20, 1940, on the family farm southeast of Bird City, KS, to Elmer LeRoy and Lora Maxine (Childers) Query. He was their firstborn and held the special distinction of being the first grandchild of both Roy and...

Oct 7, 2026

Dr. Cynthia Jane Duffey Weishapl, 67, of Colby, Kansas, passed away on Wednesday, October 7, 2026. She was born on January 6, 1959, in Colby to Harold and Luella (Kriegh) Duffey.

Cindy grew up on the family farm west of Menlo and graduated from Golden Plains High School in 1977. She was a lifelong learner who continually pursued new opportunities and...

Oct 2, 2026

James Ralph Begley, a cherished husband, father, grandfather, and friend, passed away peacefully at home on October 2, 2026, at the age of 87. Born on September 15, 1939, in Kellyville, OK, Jim was the beloved son of R. Brown and Verla Begley. He is predeceased by his parents, his brother Jack, and his sisters Glendora, Vida, and Kay Beth.

Jim...

Sep 29, 2026

Harvey Lee Kahle, 78, of Winona, Kansas, passed away September 29, 2026, at Hays Medical Center in Hays, Kansas. To generations of students, he was Mr. Kahle. To his family, he was Harv or Uncle Harv. He was born June 30, 1948, in Oakley, Kansas, the first of five children born to Roscoe and Margaret Kahle. Harv’s childhood was spent...

Sep 28, 2026

Clinton John Boeger, 66, of Topeka, died Monday, September 28, 2026. He was born on January 14, 1960, to George and Leona (Heinrich) Boeger. Clinton graduated from Grinnell High School and then went to work in the Oil Field.

He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings Georgianna Smith, James Boeger and infant sister Mary Boeger.

Clinton is survived by...

Sep 26, 2026

Richard Frank Bretz was born July 4, 1949, in Colby, Kansas. His parents were Tauscher and Opal (Martin) Bretz. Richard was raised on a farm 12 miles west of Winona, Kansas, with his younger brother Michael. Rich’s life ended on September 26, 2026, after a year long battle with cancer.

Richard graduated in 1967 in the first class from Triplains--the newly...

Sep 20, 2026

Laurence Delbert Touslee was born June 28, 1934, to Laurence Whitey Touslee and Hattie (Erwin) Touslee of Levant, Kansas and died at the age of 92, on September 20, 2026.

He lived in Levant and went to Levant Schools through the 7th grade. Milking cows and doing other farm animal work were his chores, including helping to butcher hogs with his...

Sep 18, 2026

Wenda M. Unruh, 52, of Colby, died Friday, September 18, 2026. She was born on September 26, 1973, in Colby, to James and Betty (Wederski) Unruh. Wenda attended the Colby Public Schools and the Beamgard Learning Center in Atwood.

She is survived by her parents, Jim and Betty Unruh and brother Gail Unruh.

A graveside service will take place at 3:00 p.m....

Sep 17, 2026

Lucy Josephine (Holub) Pochop, second daughter of Florian William and Frances Rose (Chleborad) Holub, was born in rural Beardsley, Kansas, on June 11, 1919. She died on September 17, 2026, at the young age of 107 in Atwood, Kansas.

Lucy was a lifelong resident of Rawlins County, except for a short time during World War II where she worked for the...

Sep 14, 2026

Sep 7, 2026

Gary M. Sloan was born on July 24, 1941, in Colby, Kansas to Royce and Dorothy (Call) Sloan and passed away on Monday September 7, 2026. He was the first grandchild on either side so was treasured and spoiled by his grandparents, aunts and uncles. He grew up on the family farm north of Colby. In those years his dad...