Hazel Lorene Sandell, lovingly known as “Tuffy,” passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 18, 2026, at the age of 96, at Beaver City Manor in Beaver City, Nebraska. Hazel was born April 9, 1929, in Harper County, Kansas, to Conrad and Opal (Sevier) Kollmorgen. She grew up on a farm west of Caldwell, Kansas and learned the values of hard work, perseverance, and devotion to family. Hazel attended country school and later attended Caldwell High School, completing her sophomore

Albert Lee Melichar (Al), age 80, passed away peacefully on January 17, 2026 following a brief but courageous battle with cancer. A faithful servant of God and a cherished member of the community, he lived a life defined by purpose, kindness and generosity. Al was born December 7 th , 1945 in Caldwell, Kansas, the youngest child of Melo and Helen Melichar. He was raised on the family farm with his older siblings, Melinda and Bob, and took great pride in being a fourth-gener

Andrew Thaddaeus Watsek was born to Lloyd & Margaret Watsek on March 21, 1979 in Wakita, OK. He grew up on the farm with an older sister Laura and a brother Mark. In childhood, he could be found exploring outdoors, catching frogs or avidly reading books. He attended Medford High School where he enjoyed playing on the football team and competing in pole vaulting. During the summers, he worked on both the family and surrounding neighbors farms. He also enjoyed working for a cus

Judy Partee, 78, of Braman, OK, passed away on December 31, 2025 after a battle with dementia. Judith Ann Herrington was born on August 11, 1947 in Cedar Vale, KS, to E. Wayne and Lois (Bennett) Herrington. She lived on a farm in the county and attended school in Cedar Vale for a few years until the family moved to Ark City, KS. It was there that she graduated from high school in 1965. She married Rusty Partee at the Arkansas City Church of Christ on March 25, 1967. They li

The world changed on May 25, 1942 the day Carolyn Sandell was born in Tonganoxie, KS to Oscar and Agnes (Capps) Merritt. She was welcomed home by her brother Gary Merritt where the brother and sister bond began. The two were a strong bond growing up in Caldwell, Wellington, and spending summers on the Braman Farm with Tom and Colleen Lehrling and family. They considered Tom and Colleen their parents as they loved Carolyn and Gary as their own. Carolyn shared stories, especial

COURTESY NOTICE Dee Ann Ginn died in hospice care at William Newton Memorial Hospital, Winfield, Kansas, Saturday, December 20, 2025. Dee was an elementary school teacher for 43 years in the Wellington and Oxford, Kansas school districts. Dee got both her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education and her Masters of Education as a Reading Specialist from Wichita State University. Dee was beloved as a teacher and mentor to many student teachers during her teaching career.

Brenda K. Cook, 60, of South Haven, Kansas, passed away on December 10, 2025. Brenda was a loving mother and grandmother whose greatest joys in life were her family and her animals. She had a deep passion for horses and cared for them with unwavering devotion. Her love for animals was unmatched, and they held a special place in her heart. Brenda met her husband, Bobby Cook, while working as a brake operator, him an inspector and together they built a life filled with love an