Charles “Cliff” Dipman, age 72, of Manhattan, died October 20, 2019, at the Good Shepherd Hospice House in Manhattan, KS.

He was born February 17, 1947, in Pratt, Kansas, the son of Charles Gaylord Dipman and Hermina “Minnie” Kuhn. Cliff attended Pratt High School, where he graduated in 1965. Upon high school graduation Cliff attended the “school of hard knocks,” ultimately leading him to the career that he loved.

Cliff worked as the Golf Course Superintendent at the Manhattan Country Club from 1981 until 2013. In his thirty-two years working at the Manhattan Country Club, he was able to make many valuable improvements, working alongside dedicated club members. He also served as a mentor for many students. Cliff took great pride in his ability to mentor others and loved to share his passion and dedication. After retiring from the Manhattan Country Club, Cliff went on to work for the Rocky Ford Turfgrass Research Station at K-State where he was a research assistant.

In his spare time, he enjoyed golfing, gardening and K-State Sports. You could also find him watching a Royals game or fixing things his wife Christy broke; he was always so handy! He looked forward to golf meetings with his buddies and being outdoors on beach trips. He most loved being with his family and friends. Cliff was blessed with two sets of twin grandchildren and went from 0 to 4 grandchildren in six months. His grandchildren were the light of his life and in the hardest times, kept him strong.

Cliff was also a member of the Knights of Columbus, a member, past President, and director of the Kansas Golf Course Superintendents Association, and a member, past President, and director of the Turfgrass Foundation, and a longtime member of the GCSAA.

Cliff was the strongest man we knew; in the hardest times of his life, he never lost faith in God. He was always smiling. His go-to phrase was “it is what it is” he lived by those words and he held his head high as he fought a courageous battle. He was always taking care of everyone, mentoring, guiding, and showing his love. Cliff was a quiet man but impacted many lives. His strength and guidance will be missed by many.

Survivors include his wife: Christy of Manhattan; two children: Kelsey Gabel (Mike) of Chicago, IL, Cortney Youngers (Nic) of Junction City, KS; 4 grandchildren Charlie and Jameson Gabel, Leah and Laila Youngers; two siblings: Norma Voss (Harold) of Pratt KS, David Dipman (Kay) of (Olathe), and his faithful little dog Laci Jo.

Cliff was preceded in death by his parents, his sisters: Cheryl Clinesmith, Ann Fenwick, Penni Gard and his brother Mark Dipman.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 A.M. Friday, October 25, at the St. Thomas More Catholic Church with Father Frank Coady as Celebrant. Interment will follow in the Sunrise Cemetery, Manhattan, Kansas.

A Parish Vigil will be held at 7:00 P.M. on Thursday, October 24, at the St. Thomas More Catholic Church, Manhattan, Kansas. The family will receive friends from 5:30-7:00 P.M. at the St. Thomas More Catholic Church, Manhattan, Kansas.
Online condolences may be left for the family by clicking on “Send Condolences” on this page.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Thomas More Catholic Church or to the Good Shepherd Hospice House, Manhattan, KS. Contributions may be left in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, KS 66502.

Lee Ella Connor, 87, of Manhattan, KS, passed away on Sunday, October 20, 2019.  A Visitation will be held on Tuesday, October 29, 2019, from 6:00 PM till 8:00 PM at Carlson’s Irvin-Parkview Funeral Home and Cremation. Funeral Service will be on Wednesday, October 30, 2019, at 10:30 AM at Carlson’s Irvin-Parkview Funeral Home and Cremation.

Savannah Raylynn Laudemann, age 22, was born June 8, 1997, in Council Grove, Kansas.  She was the daughter of Ronald “Bill” and Dawnette (Pearson) Laudemann.  Savannah graduated from White City High School with the class of 2016.  Savannah grew up traveling with her Grandpa’s and Dad’s harvest crew.  She traveled many miles with them.  She worked her way up to grain cart driver and combine driver.  She decided the last couple of years to try something different.  She decided she wanted to work at White City School as a para.  She was also a nanny and babysitter in the community.  She loved working with children.

Savannah loved hunting and fishing.  She was always looking for that “Big One”. She was happy being outside with her dad.  Family fishing was one of her favorite times, too.  The light of her life was her nephew, Zenith.  She would do anything for him.  Savannah loved to show him off.

Savannah’s other interests were KU sports, KC Chiefs, and Case IH.  She would help any one that needed it.  She proved this by being an organ donor.  Her kindness and bright smile will be remembered by everyone.

Savannah is survived by parents Ronald “Bill” and Dawnette (Pearson) Laudemann; sisters, Angelica Hinostroza of Emporia, Shania Laudemann of Manhattan; and nephew, Zenith English of Emporia; grandparents, Ronald and Mary Jane Laudemann of White City, Donna and David Boggs of Ardmore, Oklahoma, and Michael Pearson, Sr., of Wichita.

Funeral services will be Thursday, October 24, 2019, 2:00pm, at the Zion Lutheran Church of Latimer, with Rev. King Crawford, officiating.  Burial will follow at the St. John Lutheran Cemetery, White City.  Family will greet friends at the Yazel-Megli-Zeiner Funeral Home-Herington Chapel, Wednesday, October 23, 2019, from 6:00 – 8:00pm.

Memorials to the Savannah Laudemann Memorial Fund; and may be sent in care of the Yazel-Megli-Zeiner Funeral Home-Herington Chapel, 404 S. Broadway, Herington, KS, 67449-3038.

Lorena Mildred Klassen was born on April 1, 1929 at Bethesda Hospital in Goessel, KS to Gustav H. and Mary A. Buller Hiebert. She was the oldest of three, Elda R. Hiebert and Leroy V. Hiebert siblings.  She lived her early years until 15 years of age on a farm outside Goessel, KS and then to a farm outside Burns KS.  In 1946, her father was killed in an auto accident. A year later her mother moved the family into Elbing, KS.

In January 1947, before leaving the farm, a handsome young man in his army dress uniform came wanting to take her on a date.  This first date was to be at the First Mennonite Church in Newton for their evening Service.  Pete Klassen and Lorena were married in May of 1948 walking the isle together, no bridesmaids or groomsman.

In July of 1949, their first son was born and their 6th son was born 1960.  They lived in a small home in Whitewater after marriage where Pete owned Klassen Grocery.  In 1960 they moved into a home they built in Whitewater.

Lorena’s life was centered around her family and her church, Zion Mennonite in Elbing, KS.  She followed her boys to all school activities. The Klassen’s, all 8 of them could be seen every Sunday morning in route to church.  Lorena sang in a ladies’ sextet in church.

When she was in high school, she learned to play the trombone and so all 6 of her boys had various instruments. She also played the harmonia which was shared in Wheatstate worship services. She loved to hear her boys sing together.

After all the boys left home, she volunteered at the Wheatstate Manor in Whitewater being a part of the Wheatstate Auxiliary.  For over 40 years she volunteered her time in sowing, altering and repairing clothing for residents.  Lorena also loved to shop for her boys and at Christmas time for all grandchildren.  She loved her daughters-in-law.  She was also a talented amateur artist who sold her works locally.  She specialized in oils.

When Pete retired, they traveled extensively with Prudent Tours. They developed many friends and new relationship on the bus trips.   They traveled in support of their sons and their families and always supported their grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Lorena’s faith was very important to her and in 1945 she was baptized upon her profession of faith in Jesus Christ as her Savior.  Her faith in God was passed down from her parents and she, along with Pete, passed it on to their children.  She was proud of the fact that all her boys had established their own Christian homes and sought to continue passing along their faith in Jesus Christ to their own children.  Each of the boys have stated numerous times that they were proud of the spiritual legacy passed to them and the spiritual and Godly example set by both of their parents.

After 69 years of marriage, Pete passed away in October of 2017.  She lived her last days at Wheatstate Manor which had been her second home until her passing on October 19, 2019.  She had spent her last morning with family at her side singing praises to God and praying for her family.  She slipped away in the arms of her Savior later that afternoon.

Lorena is preceded in death by her parents, spouse, Pete; son, Gary, and brother, Leroy; Lorena is survived by her daughter-in-law, Carolyn of Newton and her 3 children and 2 grandchildren, sons Charles (Karen) of Augusta and their 2 children and 4 grandchildren, Rodney (SuZan) of Shawnee, KS and their 3 children and 4 grandchildren, Russell (Ran) of Wichita and their 3 children and 4 grandchildren, Warren (Debbie) of Eldorado and their 2 children and 5 grandchildren, and Roger (Pam) of Whitewater and their 6 children and 6 grandchildren.  Lorena was also anticipating 3 more great grandchildren in coming months. She is also survived by her sister, Elda of Newton.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday from 6-8 p.m. at Lamb Funeral Home in Whitewater.  Her funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday at Zion Mennonite Church, Elbing with a graveside service at 10 a.m. in the Zion Mennonite Cemetery.  Memorial contributions in Lorena’s name may be directed to Gideon’s International or the Wheat State Manor Nursing Home.