Leola Conklin, 72, died June 29, 2020, at Prairie Sunset Home, Pretty Prairie. She was born May 1, 1948, in Marion to John and Lela (Ohlert) Lutt. Leola was a dental assistant and a para-educator. She loved rodeos, dancing and volunteering. She married Frank E. “Pete” Conklin on June 1, 1964. He died May 16, 2011. Leola is survived by: children, Terry Conklin and wife Jocelyn of Emporia, Marcia Reilly and husband Bob of NE, Deanna Conklin, Frances Potter, both of Harper; 12...

Karen J. Crichton, 84, died June 27, 2020, at her daughter’s home in Cottonwood Falls. She was born December 24, 1935, in Wagner, SD, to John and Dorothy (Nolan) Finwall. Karen attended school in Ravinia, SD, until 1951, when her family moved to Nebraska. She graduated from Ravenna, NE, High School in 1953. She returned to South Dakota in 1954 and was employed by Southwestern Bell Phone Company. Karen started working in the Chase County Treasurer’s Office in 1976. She was...

Dorothy “Dot” J. Bower, 82, died June 22, 2020, at Chase County Care and Rehabilitation. She was born December 14, 1937, in Cottonwood Falls, the seventh child of Walter Lee and Ethel Leona (Potter) Blount. She graduated from Chase County Community High School in 1955. Dorothy worked in law enforcement as a dispatcher for almost 50 years, 45 of those years being with Chase County Sheriff department. She also was a volunteer for Chase County Ambulance as an EMT and First Responder...

René Starkey, 58, died June 7, 2020, at her home in rural Cedar Point. She was born December 9, 1961, in Strong City, to George and Harriette Louise (Goodrich) Starkey. René loved working as a cook at Marion Assisted Living. She also enjoyed spending time with her family and never knew a stranger. René is survived by: children, Cheryl Boaldin of Oregon, Melissa Penwell of Florence, Adam Turner; grandchildren, Tonya, Destiny, Gracie, Jon, Alex, Taran;...

David B. Wilson, 66, died May 25, 2020, at Ascension Via Christi, Manhattan. He was born July 24, 1953, in Strong City, to Everett and Ruth (Ellis) Wilson. He graduated from Chase County High School and earned two years of college credits. David retired as a railroad engineer from BNSF. He was a member of Cottonwood Falls United Methodist Church and former Lions Club President. David was a die-hard University of Kansas fan, enjoyed watching the Chiefs win Super Bowl LIV, and would catch a...

Ruby Lucille Harlan Baker, our mother, passed away on May 23, 2020 at her home in Sun City, Arizona at the age of 94, surrounded by her family and under the care of Banner Home Health Hospice.  She was born on December 10, 1925 in Cottonwood Falls, Kansas.  The daughter of Earl and Leona Harlan, she graduated from Chase County Community High School in 1943.  She was married to Guy Baker, Jr on October 7, 1944 prior to his leaving for the Army and World War II in Germany as an...

Henry P. “Hank” Englehaupt, 76, died May 4, 2020, at his home in Cottonwood Falls, KS. He was born January 11, 1944, in Ottawa, IL, to Richard and Louise (Kaecker) Englehaupt. Hank worked for Equistar as a process operator before retiring. He was an artisan wine maker, master gardener, and known for his home-cured bacon and home-made sausage. He served in the U.S. Army as an engineer and was a Vietnam veteran. Hank was very proud of his service to his country. On July 29, 1973,...

Rosa Joan Brown, age 86, of Cottonwood Falls, died April 8, 2020, at Chase County Care & Rehabilitation Center, Cottonwood Falls.  The daughter of Ralph and Helen (Fisher) Thompson, Joan was born December 29, 1933, in Emporia. She graduated from Elmdale High School in 1951 and Kansas State Teachers College in 1953. Joan married Wyatt Dean Brown on October 19, 1956, at Elmdale, and taught elementary school in Matfield Green before becoming a mother.  She later worked in the...

Wayne L. Jeffrey, 86, died March 30, 2020, at Wilshire at Lakewood, Lee’s Summit, MO. Wayne was born February 7, 1934, in Cottonwood Falls, to Ellsworth and Emily Ruth (Merrit) Jeffrey. Wayne served in the United States Army from January 1957 to October 1957.  He completed Cooking and Baking courses at Fort Riley, then was stationed at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland.  He worked as a foreman for Kansas Lumber Company, and later Mark II Lumber in Emporia. Wayne enjoyed...

Shirley A. Lincoln, 81, died March 28, 2020, at Stormont Vail Hospital, Topeka. She was born March 24, 1939, in Cedar Point, to Walter L. and Ethel L. (Potter) Blount. Shirley graduated from Chase County Community High School in 1957. Shirley retired as the City Clerk of Cottonwood Falls, she was also a member of Chase County Chamber of Commerce, Board of Historical Society, and Treasurer of Cottonwood Falls Housing Authority. Shirley loved to travel and had visited almost every state. She...