Virginia Marilyn (Olsen) Zimmerman, age 88, of Alta Vista, Kansas, passed away on Tuesday, October 1, 2019.  On January 15, 1948, she married Harris Donald Zimmerman at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Alta Vista, KS, officiated by Rev. Walter Whemeier and they were blessed with three sons, Donald, Kenneth and Roger.

She was born July 13, 1931 to William and Helena (Mass) Olsen in Alta Vista, KS. Virginia was baptized at the Zion Evangelical Church, Junction City, KS on October 25, 1931.

Virginia’s early years included walking to school while attending North Pole School. She always told about riding the horse, but it always got loose, so she had to walk home anyway. If it was raining, snowing or extra cold, her dad would come after them in the wagon. She always enjoyed gardening and loved her flower gardens.

She and Harris started farming in 1948 and ran a Grade A Dairy operation. In 1964 the dairy cattle were sold at auction and stocker beef cattle took their place. Virginia worked beside Harris as they farmed East of Alta Vista. They continued to farm for many years.

Virginia loved and lived life to the fullest. She enjoyed being with family, riding around looking at crops, or checking out the newest baby calves. She was an avid journalist, having journaled almost daily for over 70 years. Additionally, she loved to embroidery tea towels and pillowcases. She also made numerous quilts for her family and through the years she made 42 quilts. Her failing eyesight forced her to quit her passion for quilting.

One of her highlights was when she and Harris were honored as Parade Marshalls of the Old Settlers Day Parade. She served many years as an active board member of the Alta Vista Senior Center.

Virginia never missed mailing a Birthday card, she and Harris enjoyed square dancing, and every Friday evening she would be in front of the television watching her Polka music and RFD TV. Saturday mornings were committed to playing solitaire and watching her cousin’s show “The Pioneer Woman”.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Harris, and her parents.

She is survived by three sons, Donald Zimmerman of Alta Vista, Kenneth (Donna) Zimmerman of Shawnee and Roger (Angelina) Zimmerman of Alta Vista. Seven grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren; brother Charles Olsen and wife Shirley; brother-in-law LeRoy, sisters-in-law Hazel, Lillian and Lou and close cousin, Shirley Roberts of Arlington Heights, Ill.

A visitation with family and friends will be held from 4:00 – 6:00 PM, Sunday, October 6, 2019, at Sawyer Funeral Home, 137 N Union, Council Grove.  Funeral services will be held at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church at 10:30 AM, Monday, October 7th, with interment following at Alta Vista Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church of Alta Vista.

William J. “Bill” Taylor, age 70 years, passed away September 30th, 2019 at his home while in the care of Hospice.
He was born in Nuremberg, Germany on November 4, 1948 but moved to the States as an infant and spent his early years in the Chicago, Illinois area. In 1961, the family moved to Kansas. He attended school in Junction City and graduated in 1966. After graduation, Bill left the family farm and worked at various jobs including T & J Sheet Metal, McGrew Tire, and 6th Street Alignment. In 1980, he married Debra Taylor and a few years later, returned to farming with his father and raised their children, Dustin and Erin.

Bill was a hard worker and family man. He enjoyed spending time with his family, friends, and in later years, his grandchildren. At one time Bill bowled in eight different leagues. He enjoyed volunteering at the Geary County 4-H fair and would often be found having coffee at Stacy’s in Grandview Plaza.

Bill is survived by his wife, Debra of the home and son Dustin, daughter-in-law Ashley, and grandchildren Lucas and Aloria Taylor, all of Olathe, KS. He is also survived by sisters Cindy Taylor of Salina, Karen McQuery of Junction City, and Elizabeth Small of Minneapolis, KS.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Lee and Lotte Taylor, and daughter, Erin Taylor.

Visitation will be Friday, October 4 from 5:00 – 6:30 p.m. and Funeral service will be Saturday, October 5 at 10:00 a.m. Both will take place at Londeen Funeral Chapel, 206 W. 5th, Chapman, KS 67431. Burial will be at Gypsum Hill Cemetery, Salina, KS following the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Toys for Tots in care of Londeen Funeral Home, PO Box 429, Chapman, KS 67431.

On September 25, bright and early, Paul E. Doughty, led his old pony from the barn mounted up and trotted off across the prairie one last time.

Paul was born December 3, 1956 to Aggie and Roy Doughty in Newton, Kansas. He would be the second of four boys. Since his father was in the Navy, the family spent his younger years bouncing all over the eastern part of the country. He had a total of 27 mailing addresses before he was 16. Paul enjoyed being outdoors. He liked to hunt, fish, trap, and target shoot. He liked western novels and adventure books. In 1970 the family settled in Olsburg, Kansas, where Paul found something else he loved. That was being a cowboy. It was often said he was born about 100 years too late, because he really fit the mold. He spent his summers and a couple of years after high school working on the Anchor D ranch, that seemed to be where he was most at home.

He graduated from Blue Valley High School in 1974 and by most accounts was a decent student. He was the photographer for the yearbook his senior year and manager for the sports teams for most of his tenure. He was known to be a bit of a loaner but still had a lot of friends. After High School, he spent a 3 year enlistment in the Army; this took him to Germany. After that he bounced around in a few different jobs before he started working for C-6 Security. He was also employed at Kansas State University as a security officer. His main beat was the Vet Med complex where he met several students through the years, some from as far away as Australia.

In 1986, Paul married Barbra Stockard unfortunately they were divorced in 1996, they had no children. Paul was an animal person and he had three Boxers that were like his kids, Charlotte, Sally, and Kizzy.  Kizzy still survives and lives with his brother.  Paul was preceded in death by his grandparents, parents, his brother, uncles, aunts, cousins and a nephew. He is survived by his brothers, Steve Doughty (Susan) of Manhattan and Bill Doughty of Oskaloosa; three nieces and several grand nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life will be held on October 13th from 1 to 4 pm at The Bricks in Olsburg.

In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution to the Olsburg Community Swimming Pool, C/O Union State Bank, P.O. Box 67, Olsburg, KS 66520.  Contributions may also be left in care of the Anderes-Pfeifley Funeral Home.

Doretha Wells, died Sunday September 29, 2019 at the age of 96.

Doretha was the daughter of Peter and Elizabeth Umscheid, who preceded her in death. She grew up in the Flush, Kansas area where she and her sister managed her father’s store.

She married Donald Wells on April 11, 1944. They lived on a farm near Manhattan. She was a homemaker and mother and enjoyed milking cows and doing the farm chores, while raising her three sons. Doretha was well known for doing jigsaw puzzles and also baking bread and cinnamon rolls. She also was very musically talented. She played the piano, guitar, violin, accordion and loved to play whenever she could.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 42 years, Donald; her brothers: Antone, Eugene, Ignatius, and Delbert; her sisters: Loretta, Alvira, Estelle, and Lucille; and her daughter-in-law, Sharon Wells.

Doretha is survived by her sons: Ronald Wells, David Wells (Rhonda), and Daniel Wells (Mary Sue); her grandchildren: James Wells, Jason Wells (Tiffany),Donald Wells, Megan Wells and Sara Lee (Nate); her great-grandchildren: Camille Wells, Braden Wells, Maddox Wells, Bowen Wells, Adelyn Lee, Emerson Lee and Laney Lee.

The family will friends during a visitation from 6:00 until 7:00 p.m. Wednesday October 2, 2019 at the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home in Manhattan. A vigil Service will follow the visitation at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. Thursday October 3, 2019 at the Seven Dolors Catholic Church in Manhattan, with Father Kerry Ninemire as the Celebrant. Interment will follow in the Sunset Cemetery in Manhattan.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Sunflower Adult Day Services. Contributions may be left in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, Kansas 66502.

On Sunday, September 29, 2019, Wayne L. Roesener passed away at the age of 93. Wayne was born November 15, 1925, to Edith Dunham Roesener and Clifford Roesener. On November 15, 1947, he married Twyla Joy Piper and they raised two sons Stacey and Cim. Wayne farmed the family’s farm in Zeandale, Kansas until he retired. He had a passion for animals and raised cows, pigs, chickens, and turkeys. After he retired from farming, he enjoyed bird watching.

Wayne was a pilot and a member of the International Flying Farmers and Kansas Flying Farmers. He was the 1994 and 1995 Exalted Ruler for the Manhattan Lodge of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He served on the Zeandale Township board and the Riley County Fair board. Wayne also enjoyed league bowling for many years and participated in the American Bowling Congress for a number of years.

Wayne was preceded in death by his wife, Twyla and is survived by his sister, Barbara Jean Holtman; his sons Stacey (RuthAnne Roesener) and Cim (David Ollington); three grandchildren August Roesener (Marsha Roesener), Piper Simonsen (JJ Simonsen) and Katrina Crocker (Josh Crocker); and five great-grandchildren Austin Roesener, Mia Roesener, Samuel Crocker, Jackson Simonsen and Kayleigh Simonsen.

Visitation will be Wed. Oct. 2, 2019, at 6-7 PM at the Carlson’s Irvin Parkview Funeral Home. A graveside service will be held on Thurs. Oct. 3, 2019, at 10:30 AM at the Pleasant Valley Cemetery. The family requests donations may be made to the Good Shepherd Hospice House in lieu of flowers.