Obituary

Senator Robert Joseph Dole A celebration of Senator Robert J. Dole’s life will be open to the public and held at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, December 11, 2021, at the St. Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church in Russell, Kansas.  Public viewing of the casket at the mortuary will be from 8 P.M. to 10 … Read more

Justin Alan Ploutz, 60, of Burdett, Kansas, and former Russell resident, died on Sunday, December 05, 2021, at the Hays Medical Center in Hays, Kansas. Justin was born on June 05, 1961, in Hays, Kansas, the son of Frank H. and Elizabeth J. (Windholz) Ploutz.  He grew up in Russell, Kansas, and graduated from Russell … Read more

Kenneth Scott Branum, 62, of Russell, Kansas, died on Sunday, December 05,2021, at Main Street Manor in Russell. Scott was born on June 11, 1959, in Russell, Kansas, the son of Joe K. and Mary A. (Thomas) Branum.  He grew up in Russell and attended Russell High School in the class of 1978.  He married … Read more

Martha Grace Smith-Kennedy was born March 18, 1940 in Dodge City, Kansas to Floye and Joe Leonard. She departed this life on October 7, 2021, after a brief illness, in Woodland Park, Colorado. Martha is survived by siblings Steve Rohrbaugh (Raylene), Linda Rohrbaugh Diede (Gary), Bill DeGarmo (Randi), Barbara DeGarmo Lohmeier (Patrick), and Laurita DeGarmo … Read more

Lillian Jean “Lil” Becker, 80, of Russell, Kansas, died on Wednesday, November 24, 2021, at her home in Russell. Lillian was born on July 29, 1941 in Victoria, Kansas, the daughter of Joseph and Florina (Windholz) Graf.  She grew up in Victoria, Kansas, and graduated from Victoria High School in the class of 1959.  She … Read more

Milan Spencer Masters, 85, went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, November 23, 2021.  He was a lifelong resident and supporter of the Natoma community.  He was born September 12, 1936 to Cecil and Lucille (McClellan) Masters on the homestead south of Natoma.  He married his high school sweetheart, Dianne Mohler, on January … Read more

Betty R. White, 97, of LaGrange Park, Illinois and former Russell County resident, died on Sunday, November 21, 2021 at the Plymouth Place Senior Living Community in La Grange Park, Illinois. Betty was born on June 19, 1924, in Paradise, Kansas, the daughter of Joseph R. and Julia B. (Cobb) Hubbard.  She grew up in … Read more

Kathryn Marie “Kathy” Scott, 73, of Luray, Kansas, died on Thursday, November 11, 2021, at the Hays Medical Center in Hays, Kansas. Kathy was born on September 07,1948, in Anamosa, Iowa, the daughter of Robert E. and Pauline C. (Heick) Wensorra.  As a young girl she grew up in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and later moved … Read more

Thomas Gene “Tom” Cook, 63, of Russell, Kansas, passed away Tuesday, November 2, 2021 at Wheatland Nursing Center in Russell. Tom was born September 7, 1958 in Russell, the son of Bob and Norma Jean (Tomlin) Cook.  He lived all of his life in Russell.  He attended Bickerdyke Special Education Class and received a diploma … Read more

Herbert David Kraft, 92, of Russell, Kansas, passed away Tuesday morning, November 2, 2021, at the Russell Regional Hospital in Russell. Herbert was born January 11, 1929 on the family farm south of Russell.  He was one of twelve children born to David and Emma (Steinert) Kraft.  He grew up and attended country schools in … Read more