June 8 News
 
LuAnne Scheideman Mathias, 71, died May 28, 2006 in San Jose, California of cancer.  She was born September 14, 1934 to Sylvester and Lorraine Siderius Scheideman in Hays.  She grew up in McCracken and attended McCracken grade and high school.  She married Henry (Ed) Mathias, June 17, 1956. She is survived by her daughter Robin Mathias, her son John Mathias and her sister Karen Weissenfluh.  She was preceded in death by her husband and her parents.  Graveside services were held Friday June 2, 2006 in San Jose.   Memorials may be given in her memory to the McCracken Library or McCracken Alumni.  Cards may be sent to Robin and/or John Mathias, 14527 Westcott Dr., Saratoga, CA 95070-5934.
 
Memorials have been given to the McCracken Alumni in memory of Claude Irvin from Furlen C. Irvin; to Bard Stephens, Gerald Hinman and Jack Paul Wilson from Kathryn and Stephanie Stephens; to Katharen Rodeman from Adrian and Doris Doerr, to Mont and Margaret Buxton from Keith and Billie North; to LuAnne Scheideman Mathias from Vic and Shirley Higgins; to Gerald Hinman from Ronald and Dorothy Hinman; to Dave Rogers from Deb Rogers.
 
A memorial has been given to the McCracken Swimming Pool in memory of Lucy Gilmore Fletcher and Rachel Schutte Fletcher.
 
 Reggie and Brenda Irvin attended the LaCrosse Middle School promotion last week. Their granddaughter Bailey Linser, was one of the graduates.
 
A donation has been given to the McCracken Swimming Pool from Rod and Karen Borger.
 
Amanda Lamer received her Doctorate of Pharmacy degree from USC in Los Angeles on May 12, 2006.  Amanda was in the top 20% of her class and she received the Robert T. Koda Memorial award. She was a member of RHO Chi Honor Society and was the Curriculum Representative of USC.  Her parents Chuck and Cheryl Lamer and Grandmother Lucille Lamer attended the graduation ceremonies.
 
The kids that ‘Run Across Kansas’  in the middle route which goes through Tribune, Hoisington and Junction City, stopped at the McCracken City Park this week.  The other two routes are St. Francis to Topeka and Ark City to Topeka. They spend their nights at VFW Posts on their route.  They began their run Friday at the Colorado border and there are 85 students that run 10-20 miles each day.  They run 1 mile at a time in leapfrog relay and approximately 30 adults accompany them.  They end the run at 1:00 p.m. on Memorial Day in Topeka and their final run is up the Capitol steps where they enjoy a huge lunch. All the students are from the Kansas City Christian School in Kansas City, Missouri.  2006 is the 9th year for this event that is organized by Lisa Cowan, cross-country coach at the school and she receives help from the VFW.  The students have raised over $125.000 in donations for the veterans.  Zach Keulen, 1st year runner, enjoys his fellowhip with the other runners and likes visiting with Veterans along their stops; Nathan Farris, 3rd year participant enjoys the visits, doesn’t remember the running but does remember 3 years ago when there was not any wind.  Anyone who wishes to donate to this worthy cause may make a donation to any VFW Post. 
 
Michael Harp, Cedar Rapids, Iowa spent the weekend with his dad, Tony Harp. 
(If you didn't see them, you could hear the Harley's driving by during their trips back & forth to eat meals at 4 Corners in LaCrosse.)
 
Don & Lynnette Doornbos hosted a BBQ with friends from Wakeeney, Reid & Edi Kester, Donna, Phil, Joel, Jenny and Dalon and Will Hutchcraft from Hoisington.  Michael Harp & Tony Harp came to eat also. (Dalon is the same age as Katelyn and Will is 3 hours younger than Taylor.)
 
Christina (Peters) Walter, daughter of Russell and Theresa Peters, and her husband Kyle both graduated from Fort Hays State.  Christina graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Education (Cum Laude) and Kyle in Organizational Leadership. 
 
Friday visitors of Roy & Phyllis Conrad were Grant & Jodine Dawson Helmer, Wichita, evening guests were Martin & Mary Ann Higgins, Lenexa. Sunday visitors were Len & Linda Gaschler Schamber, Damar, Kansas.
 
Visitors of Sylvester Conrad were Jammie & Rose Varner & friend Tarrance Teel all of Jonesburo, Arkansas.  Mike Hopper stopped in from Goodland to stay over night as he was working at Cedar Bluffs State Park during the Memorial Day weekend.
 
Arlyn & Jan North had a revolving door over Memorial week-end.  Guests included Edna Grate and Paulette Woellhof from Iowa, Icis Eisenhour from Hays, and the four Eisenhour siblings with some of their families.  All appreciated the nice services at the cemetery.  Goop especially enjoyed the kind remarks from Ellen Davis!!
 
 Bertie Moses Gay and her mother Edna Moses were at the luncheon after the ceremonies at the cemetery.  Other ‘Moses’ relatives there were Steve Moses, son of Jack and Betty Ruth Moses, Scott and Roger Moses, sons of ‘Pete’ Moses.

Shawna North and sons Clay and Dalton spent the week in Texas with Laura North Martin and her family.
 
Neal and Amy Jacobs, Jaden and Tessa were Memorial weekend guests of Priscella Jacobs. 
 
Danny and Pat Petz took Kelly and Melanie Petz out to dinner at "Thirsty's" on Sunday, May 28th for their 12th Anniversary.  That evening, Nathen and Nicholas
spent the night with grandpa and grandma.  The next day they got to help Grandma put flowers on at the cemetery and watch Grandpa during the Honor Guard
ceremony.
 
Vic Higgins visited with one of the truck drivers on Friday that are hauling ties from the railroad tracks, the driver said there are 3,200 ties in a mile.  They are unloading them in Brownell.

Wednesday, Dan and Pat Petz went to Wichita for Dan's one year check-up.  Results were good!!!!!  That evening they met Angie in McPherson and took her out for dinner at Applebee's. 
 
SUPER NEWS:  Danny and Pat Petz are new grandparents. Kelly and Melanie Petz have a new son.  Kameron Scott Petz was born on Wednesday, May 31, at 7:46 a.m.  He was 8 pounds 4 ounces, 191/2" long and ADORABLE.  Kameron has 2 brothers, Nathen and Nicholas, and one sister, Kallynn.  Kameron's Great Grandparents are:
Dolores Petz of McCracken, and Leland and Mary Steitz of La Crosse. Grandparents of Hays are Wes and Sandy Oakley.
 
Jean Schutte enjoyed lunch at 4-Corners Restaurant on Sunday before Memorial Day in LaCrosse with Loreen McCaskey, Sharon Eisler, Roxene Kaltenbaugh and Kane.  Imagine her surprise when she noticed Kim and Craig Cooper, Gunnison, Colorado in the Café. 
 
 Maddie Petz, Hutchinson, Ron and Sabrina Hurt and Sam, Stilwell came last Friday for Memorial Day weekend where they were guests of Phyllis Higgins.  Joining them were Dolores Petz, Terry & Jim Everhart and family. 
 
Carl and Velma Legleiter attended the graduation ceremonies at Fort Hays
State University for their granddaughter, Brandi LaFond, and her husband
Michael LaFond.  Brandi is the daughter of Mike and Sharolyn Legleiter,
Hays.  Brandi's degree is in General Studies and Michael's degree is in
Business Finance.  Also in attendance at the ceremony were Brenda Legleiter,
Lisa and Brian and Michael's family, Ron and Tammi LaFond, Jonathan, Andrew,
and Matthew from Elkhart, Kansas.
 
Those attending the rodeo meeting Monday evening were Brenda and Roger Legleiter, Mark Brackney, Bill Greenway, Matt Brenner, Tyrel Elias, Verlene Wilson, Bet McCormick, Coleen Kerns.  Drawings for the Rodeo t-shirts were shown.  Megan Janke and Tell Renz were the two entries that were received.
 
Bill and Paula Greenway and family visited with their aunt Mildred Kinnamon and Nancy and Leroy on Saturday the 27th in Pueblo, Colorado.   They enjoyed lunch with them and then went to the Pueblo Zoo.  Sunday they went to the Royal Gorge, Manitou Springs and to Pikes Peak.  It was 68* at the bottom and 32* at the top. 
 
Barbara Davis DeJean, Denver, was a weekend guest of her niece, Norma and Roger McNair.  Joining them were Richard and Carol Davis Brown, McPherson.

Friday, Gladys & Wendell Hinman had lunch with Laura Wierman, Cindy, Jerod & Jill Herschbach in Salina. On Saturday they visited Wade & Tonya Hinman & Zac, Larry & Ellen Hinman, Cheryl & Sarah.  Saturday morning they enjoyed Sarah's soccer game at the Heritage Park and in the afternoon attended a dance recital at the Lied Center in Lawrence, Ks. which Cheryl preformed in with Miss Marie's dance group of Lenexa.
 
Gary Barnes had a close call with a rattle snake west of his house on Sunday.  He got out of his pickup and stepped on it.  It had 9 rattles and was between 4-5 feet long.  He has seen many snakes the past several days.  We hope that means a sign of rain.
 
Arron McGaughey and Lesley Heidrick returned home after a week in Cupertino, Calif where they attended the 90th birthday for James Keating, Lesley's grandfather.  Also attending were Chuck and Pat Heidrick and Kelly Heidrick and Regan.
 
Following the graduation of Austin McGaughey from LaCrosse Middle School on May 23, a reception-supper was held in the McCracken City Park for family and friends.
 
Michele Moran and Susan Keith attended their 20th class reunion on Saturday afternoon, May 27, at Ransom.  In the evening they joined Francis & Julia Zeller, Billie North, Albert & Louise Zordel  for the 82nd annual Ransom-Arnold-Brownell High School Alumni banquet on Saturday, May 27.
 
John & Sharon Irvin, Lance and Kayla, and Vicky Overley, attended a family reception and dinner in honor of Natalie Walker's graduation on Saturday, May 27 at Dalhart.  Natalie is the daughter of Dennis and Susan Walker.
 
Members of the West-Burch American Legion Post 59 who helped with the services at the cemeteries were Bill Zeller, Dennis Elias, Tony Harp, Dan Petz, Jake Tomlinson, Bob Funk and Diz Washaliski.  Honor guard members were Bet McCormick, Alex McCormick, Glenn Conner and Richard Showalter.  Arlene Gilbert led the music and Susan Keith did Flanders Field and Kerri Morgan, Answer to Flanders Field.  Taps were sounded by Mark DeWald and  Sally Jacobs.
 
Jean Moran and Roz Bethke, Kansas City, were Memorial weekend guests of Paul and Judy Moran.  Judy hosted a Moran family get together at their farm home.
 
As we traveled around to the area cemeteries, Hampton, Nickel (Nichol), Ramsey, St. Mary's and McCracken City, we noticed how they were cared for.  Our thanks to all those who did the work to honor those who have gone before us.
 
Randy Ryan, Scott City, was here for the Memorial Services at the McCracken City Cemetery on Monday and then visited the Jail/Museum.  He is a descendant of Francis Marion and Susan Stephens Ryan.  They moved to Scott County in 1906.  Randy and his wife Janell operate J & R Irrigation in Scott City.  He took home four McCracken history books to augment the book 'More Ryan Roots' by Mildred Stout.
 
Jud & Reva (Rodeman) Lloyd spent the afternoon of Memorial Day at the Jail/Museum doing research.
 
Pat Istas, who has created the artwork in the yard of the Jail/Museum was featured in the Friday, June 2, 2006, issue of the Topeka Capital-Journal.  Pat has crafted yard art for 20 years out of old refrigerators.  He says it takes 75 hours to make his barrel cactus.  We have one along with a sunflower and milo.  His metal jackrabbits are shown at Smokey Hill Traders.  He also makes poured concrete deer and jackrabbits.  He and his wife, Aurelia have been married 55 years.
 
Dennis & Ty Elias attended a track meet at Hays on Saturday where Katie & Tanner Elias participated.  Katie and Tanner are the children of Travis and Tina Elias.
 
Grace Thompson spent a few days in the hospital.  She especially appreciated the card that was signed by so many at the post office. 
 
Kathy Phelps Bracken, her husband Larry and daughter Hayden, Aurora, CO and Nikki & Riley Sandefur, Enid, OK were Memorial weekend guests of her mother, Jeannie & Dennis Elias. Kathy & Larry attended her 20th class reunion and banquet at Ransom on Saturday.
 
Janice & John Stull, Craig, Julie, Matthew, Jessica and Katelynn Stull had dinner at the McCracken Café while they were here for Memorial Weekend.
 
Mike, Susan and Shannon Keith, David and Janet Dennis, Danny Dennis and Carolyn Thompson attended the funeral for their Aunt, Dorothy (Lubbers) Ikenberry at Collyer on Friday.  Father Basil Torrez conducted the mass.
 
Bob Fear called Dennis Elias to say that he would be here for the rodeo weekend in July.
 
McCracken History Notes
June 1906
New officers for the McCracken band is composed of the following members:  Drew Robertson, John Lovitt, Wm. Grumbein, J. P. Warden, Sam Twiselton, Claude Starrett, Chester Reynolds, Ralph Starrett, Will Seiling, Ed Prior, Guy Ryan, Jake Herzel, Paul Lovitt, Meck Ryan.
 
Preparations are being made for harvest in this neighborhood, at least what harvest there may be and it may be very little.  As far as we can learn only a field here and there will be cut and probabilities are that two-thirds of the farms will not reap enough to sow again.
 
June 1936
The McCracken Highlight 4-H Club held its regular meeting on Wednesday.  Only eight members and three leaders were present:  Marie Sweeney, Naomi Kueffer, Miriam Johnson, Freda Irvin, Loreen Schutte, Bernetta Marak and Orva Jean Dougherty.  Leaders present were Mrs. Anna Smith, Mrs. Luna Hunt and Mrs. Laura Nickel.
 
Mr. and Mrs. C. W. Kraus and family, Mr. and Mrs. L. D. Reynolds and family of Hays, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Sargent of Brownell met here Sunday on their way to the picnic grounds near Alexander.  The above families were old schoolmates at Hays.   Mrs. C. W. Kraus was formerly Miss Sadie Wilson of McCracken.
 
June 1946
Mrs. Anna L. Farwell and Mrs. Jessie Robertson were dinner guests Saturday of Mrs. Martha Fellers and daughters, Mrs. Florence Metz and Mrs. Hester Yawger.
 
While playing ball at Otis Sunday afternoon, Wilfrid Higgins met with an accident, fracturing two bones in his right ankle.  He was taken to St. Rose hospital at Great Bend where the injury was taken care of and he was able to return home Wednesday, although he will be on crutches for some time.
 
June 1956
Nick Higgins has purchased the Humburg elevator.  He and his family will move here and reside in the Charles Rodeman residence.  Mr. and Mrs. Charles Rodeman and family will move to Ness City where Charles is employed by the Western Power Company.  Mrs. Rodeman will teach 5th grade.
 
Born to Mr. and Mrs. James Neumann a daughter Ann, May 22, 1956.
 
June 1966
Mr. and Mrs. Emmett Sloan and family and Mr. and Mrs. Richard Brown and Shelly moved last week to Russell where Emmett and Richard are employed with a road construction company building the new highway between Russell and WaKeeney.
 
Gloria Baus received a trophy for winning the obedience class with her German Shepherd dog, Sheila, at a 4-H dog show held in Dodge City recently.  Gloria took top honors from among 19 entrants at the show.
 
Arlyn North, who had been stationed at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, has been transferred to Germany where he will serve in the Medical Corps of the Army for 18 months.
 
June 1976
Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Darrel Petz of Amarillo, Texas, on the birth of a son, Dustin Don, born May 11.  Paternal grandparents are Mr. and Mrs. Donald Petz, McCracken.
 
Larry Higgins received a Bachelor of Science degree in biology at Marymount College in Salina on Sunday.
 
June 1986
Citizens State Bank of McCracken was closed at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, June 5 by State Banking Commissioner Eugene T. Barrett, Jr.
 
Born to Mr. and Mrs. Ivan Janke a son, Jordan, June 2, in Hays.
 
June 1996
Lucille Elias has moved into the Margaret Gerritzen house on West Ash.
 
Michelle Taylor, granddaughter of Doris Jones, graduated with highest honors from Kansas Newman College in Wichita.  She received a Bachelor of Science degree in Occupational Therapy.  She is employed at the Hutchinson Hospital.