Marion County RECORD

Former department head sues county commission

Former Marion County Planning and Zoning/Environmental Health Director Roberta Strait has filed a lawsuit against Marion County Commission in U.S. District Court, commissioners learned Monday. County Clerk Carol Maggard told the commission a lawyer working on a new personnel manual for the county noticed the filing and informed her of the suit, but the county had not yet been served Monday. Later in the meeting, the county received notification.

Developer buys lot for refurbishing business

He calls himself the “Airstream Guy” because he buys old Airstream campers, refurbishes them, and sells them. Mark and Deni Evans moved to Marion a few years ago, purchasing a historic stone home at 404 E. Santa Fe St. Marion was their city of choice because it is near the center of the lower 48 states, enabling the Evanes to distribute Airstreams throughout the U.S.

Candidates offer views

Numerous people have filed for the opportunity of serving constituents in the 1st congressional district. To date, seven Republicans and one Democrat are interested in the seat that Jerry Moran has served for seven years.

Moran will march in Peabody's Operation Celebration parade

Congressman Jerry Moran will participate in the Peabody Main Street Association Operation Celebration 2010 festival May 29 in Peabody. Moran will be featured in the state’s largest victory parade that will also include the Fort Riley dismounted Color Guard, military vehicles, World War II re-enactors, and flyovers by biplanes.

Mission to Ghana was learning experience

Walking through the airport on the return trip from Ghana in April, Loralee Wiebe of Durham was the recipient of some confused glances. Her 19-month-old son Caleb had become fussy, so she carried him in a brightly colored sling on her back. She thinks nobody had seen a white woman carrying a child like that before.

No existing teacher contracts change for USD 408

USD 408 Board of Education came back from executive session May 12 and extended a contract to Jona Newfield to fill a full-time teaching position at Marion Elementary School. Superintendent Lee Leiker said that the board is returning the elementary school teaching roster to its agreed-upon status before the March 10 resignation of Marj Sandberg. An elementary school teacher had wanted to move to half time, but Leiker was forced to ask the teacher to remain a full-time employee with Sandberg’s absence.

Lois Butcher

Lois E. Butcher, age 80, of Chase County, died May 14 at Newman Regional Health, Emporia. Born May 17, 1929, at Yates Center to George and Hazel Mae (Medearis) McFadden, she graduated from Chase County High School in 1947.

Frank Willems Jr.

Frank James Willems Jr., 62, of Newton, died May 15 at his home. Born Feb. 12, 1948, in French Camp, Calif., to the Rev. Frank Sr. and Velma (Reimer) Willems, he married Beverly Ann Classen on May 24, 1968, in Newton.

Franklin Hodges

Franklin “Dale” Hodges, 74, longtime resident of Ponca City and Newkirk, Okla., died May 4 in Enid, Okla., at the home of his sister. Born Oct. 28, 1935, in Florence, to Bill and Grace (Christy) Hodges, he lived in Florence until 1953 when he graduated from high school.

Elvie Loewen

Elvie Johnny Loewen, 88, of Wichita, died May 12. Born July 30, 1921, in rural Hillsboro, to John L. and Elizabeth (Klein) Loewen, he owned radio and television repair shops in Hillsboro and Newton, and later owned a greenhouse in Hillsboro.

Marcel Steiner

Marcel A. Steiner, 81, of Wichita, died May 15. The son of Anton and Petronilla (Vinduska) Steiner, he was a retired tool and die maker from Coleman Company.

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City of Marion receives generous donation

It was about like Christmas Monday evening when Margaret Cook told Marion City Council that late Marion resident Pearl Baxter had given $30,000 to the city. Of that, $5,000 was earmarked for Marion City Library. The only stipulation was for a plaque to be placed in the library in memory of Rebecca Shreve, an early Marion County pioneer and schoolteacher. Cook said Baxter had anonymously given $25,000 to the library a number of years ago.

Florence reps request change in MCEDC council structure

Florence Mayor Mary Shipman, City Council member Trayce Warner, and Marion County Economic Development Council representative Sarah Dawson said they are concerned about the direction of the development council. They said they want the county to keep Economic Development Director Teresa Huffman as chairman of the council. Warner said Huffman does a good job, but representatives from Marion and Hillsboro are trying to make her ineffective.

Good luck and come back anytime

This is the time of year when Marion County’s brightest are leaving the safe, comfortable surroundings of home to venture out into the real world. With so much happening on the state and local levels regarding the funding of education — or the lack of funding — we are reminded that our youths are counting on us to provide them with the tools they need to succeed.

Random Thoughts: Remembering Uncle Ed

“I smell the blood of an Englishman.” And he was a true proper Englishman, known as “Uncle Ed” to the town of Marion. Always dressed in a business suit carrying a rolled up umbrella, he wore a hat and starched shirt collars and was always polite. He came to Marion in the 1870s with his parents, brothers, and sisters. He loved to garden and his tomato plants were taller than his head and he was so proud of his gladiolas. When they bloomed, he took big vases of them to businesses in town to display.

Hope in the Heartland

There are pamphlets that tell people how to get to heaven. The basic bottom line found in these helpful little tracts is usually summed up with the question: What must a person do to be saved? But think about the opposite question: What must a person do to be lost?

Our Voice in Topeka

I traveled to Topeka last week for two days of hearings by the House Appropriations Committee. Although I am not a member of the committee, I thought I ought to learn all I can on the topic that will occupy most of our time next session — a projected budget shortfall of around $500 to $600 million. David Trabert, President of the Flint Hills Policy Group (not located in the Flint Hills, but in Wichita), was the first to give testimony to the committee members. You might have read that Trabert and the Flint Hills Policy Group (FHPG) released to the press the findings of a study FHPG had done, and he stated Kansas had about $2 billion in “unencumbered funds” stashed in more than 1,600 accounts, which Kansas could have returned to the taxpayers.

Brunner descendants meet for reunion

Descendants of George Henry and Eva (Beisel) Brunner gathered April 25 for the annual G.H. Brunner family reunion at Trinity Lutheran Church Parish Hall in Ramona. Hosts were the Lee Kaiser family. In the afternoon, David Kaiser conducted a meeting and new updates were distributed to family members. Prizes were distributed — LaVelle and Marge Haefner were given an atlas for coming the farthest; Kent Brunner, a pedometer, for living the closest; Carissa Shields, a flashlight, for sitting in a chair with a yellow ribbon; Mary Weber, an energy drink, for having the most children; Virginia Shield, a calculator with large keys, for being the oldest; Noah Brunner, animal crackers, for being the youngest; and John Dyck, a clock, so he can always be on time. Following the meeting, the children played games and were given prizes while the adults visited and looked through photo albums and other family items. Those in attendance included Mike and Karen Mowat and Tom Anderson of Marion; David Kaiser, Blake, Stephen, and Mickayla, Virginia and Kenneth Shields, Allison Shields, Carissa, and Heath, and Lee and Ruth Kaiser of Lincolnville: Kent and Jean Brunner of Lost Springs; Angela and Chad Schmidt, Claiborn, and Bodie of Ramona. Nolan and Melissa Brunner, Leah and Noal, Vernon and Mary Weber, Luke, Ben, and Sophia, and Gene Hicks of Herington; LaVelle and Marge Haefner of Derby; Harold and Esther Brunner, Bernie and Ann Koch, Laura Hicks, and Leslie Brunner of Wichita. Kevin Shields of Wamego; Ross and Brenda Hicks, Sam, and Isaac of Winfield; Michael Kaiser of Manhattan; Jill and Tucker Brunner of Emporia; John and Betty Dyck of Minneapolis; Matt Hicks of Woodbine; John and Maggie Brunner of Hope; Todd Brunner of Hutchinson; and Emily and Harry Schlickau of Danville.

Sorority gives scholarship to GHS grad

Chrystiana Voth, a 2009 graduate of Goessel High School and a freshman at Kansas State University, was awarded a $500 scholarship from Alpha Omega Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma for the 2010-11 school year. The award is presented to a female high school senior or college student pursuing a degree in education.

Joe Helmer earns degree

Joe Helmer will graduate from the University of Oklahoma Friday at Norman, Okla., with a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism and minors in Spanish and political science. He is the son of Dan and Brenda Helmer of Andover and the grandson of Fred and Edith Helmer of Marion.

Card shower will mark Penners anniversary

The family and friends of Ira and Ruth Jo Penner request a card shower to honor the couple’s 60th wedding anniversary. Ira Penner and Ruth Jo Wilming were married June 4, 1950.

Nienstedts to celebrate golden anniversary

Ken and Margie Nienstedt of Marion will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary June 5. The couple was married June 5, 1960, at Tampa Lutheran Church.

Corona, Hess announce wedding plans

Jennifer Ruth Corona and Jerry Dean Hess of Marion announce their engagement and approaching marriage. Parents of the couple are Carol Broadstreet of Marion and the late Lane Broadstreet and Karon Hess of Marion and the late Don Hess.

Chase Bureman is most decorated ROTC freshman at Purdue

Chase Bureman, grandson of Matt and Mary Kay Classen of Marion, completed his second semester in engineering at Purdue University with a 4.0 grade point average. He was also the most decorated Navy ROTC-Marine Option freshman midshipman, recognized for academic and physical training achievements.

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Wedding had surprises for couple, guests

Little girls dream of that special day when they will wear the most stunning dress they have ever seen and walk down the aisle of a beautifully decorated church with friends and family watching as they marry the man of their dreams. It was no different for former Peabody and Hillsboro resident Sara Cook. She met the man of her dreams, Dave Lyon who is a commercial producer for KWCH Channel 12 in Wichita, at her current job as communications director at Prairie View in Newton.

PAT program increases school readiness

Speaking at the Marion County Interagency meeting Friday in Hillsboro, Lori Soo Hoo, director of Marion County Parents As Teachers, said teaching parents how to interact with their children can reduce the need for special education services later on and prevent “at risk” behaviors inside and outside of school. PAT serves parents with children ages newborn to 3 years. Representatives visit 85 to 90 families each month throughout the county, impacting 100 to 110 children.

CHS recognizes students for excellence at dinner

Following a community potluck supper May 11 at Centre High School, teachers recognized students for excellence in academic and athletic performance. Junior Allison Shields and sophomores Shane Methvin and Theo Kassebaum became new members of the National Honor Society. They joined Cole Svoboda, Jacob Jirak, Josie Peterson, Tyler Klenda, Brian Burhoop, and Carlye Simons in reading the NHS pledge.

MHS FFA chapter hosts Ag Awareness Day

Marion/Florence FFA Chapter hosted the annual FFA Ag Awareness Day May 13 at Marion High School Stadium. Eighty third-grade students from Marion and Hillsboro Elementary Schools participated. FFA members organized and presented sessions about farming practices involving agricultural equipment, safety, and animal agriculture.

FFA places 2nd in mechanics contest

A team of Marion High School freshman agriculture education students placed second at the South Central District FFA Freshman Ag Mechanics contest May 12 at Inman. Derrick Dvorak, Evan Slater, and Tyler Wildin were on the MHS team. Dvorak also placed third individually.

DeForest named Governor's scholar

Marion High School senior Jaclyn DeForest attended the 27th annual Governor’s Scholars Awards program May 2 at Topeka. The event recognizes the academic top 1 percent of Kansas high school seniors.

MHS golfers Hett, Leiker head to state

Lindsay Hett and Landon Leiker earned trips to state Monday at the regional tournament in Council Grove. Hett, the lone female on the MHS team, and Leiker finished in the top 10. Hett earned third with a round of 81 and Leiker finished eighth with a round of 86. The Hillsboro High School golf team finished first out of nine teams. The Trojans shot a combined score of 354, led by second-place finisher Daniel Kunantaev, who shot a 79. Daniel Dick finished fifth with a round of 82.

Zeiner sweeps track events

The Marion High School boys and girls track teams finished third Friday in the Mid-Central Activities Association league meet in Halstead. Julia Zeiner swept the events in which she participated. She won the long jump with a leap of 17 feet, 7.75 inches; the triple jump, 37-7.25; the 100-meter hurdles, 15.49 seconds; and the 300 hurdles, 45.97.

Former MHS golfer Gordon advances with college team to nationals

Marion High School graduate and former golfer Luke Gordon shot a 3-under-par round of 69 at the district tournament in Gothenburg, Neb. to help advance Kansas City Kansas Community College to the national championship tournament in Huntsville, Ala. Gordon, a freshman at KCKCC, shot a 69, the best round of the tournament, and an 84 in two rounds at the tournament to tie for 25th place.

MMS Wildcats participate in league meet

The Marion Middle School girls track team finished fourth and the boys team finished sixth May 11 at the Mid-Central Activities Association league meet in Hillsboro. results Nick Meyer – 2. Boys discus, 113, feet, 11.75 inches. Kelli Hess – 2. Girls pole vault, 7-0. Kyle Palic – 1. Boys pole vault, 8-0; 3. Boys discus, 113-2. Kaelyn Thierolf – 1. 3200-meter run, 13:18.23; 2. 1600, 6:02.45. Taylor Heidebrecht – 3. 1600, 5:32.54. Girls 4x200 relay – 3. Alyssa Edwards, Megan Richmond, Katey Ehrlich, Hess, 2:01.71. James Jones – 3. Boys triple jump, 35-8.23; 3. 200, 26.68.

MHS baseball team's season ends in loss at regionals

The Marion High School baseball team’s season ended Tuesday in first-round regional loss to Hillsboro, 11-2. The Trojans scored six runs in the first inning and three runs in the second to take the early advantage.

MHS softball team loses close one in regionals

The Marion High School softball team lost to Southeast of Saline, 4-3, in the first round of regional softball Monday in Hillsboro. All runs by both teams came with two outs. The game was a defensive struggle for the first three innings, as neither team scored a run. MHS got the offense started in the fourth inning when Ashley Ratzloff hit an RBI single to score Alex Cain with two outs.

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