Bert Albert Summers

thumb

Bert Albert Summers, a farmer, member of the U.S. Navy, devoted husband, father, and grandfather, passed away at age 99 in Sharon Springs, Kansas, on March 11th, 2024.
Bert was born July 2, 1924, on a farmstead north of Gove, Kansas, and was one of seven children born to Admire Judson and Leatha (Turley) Summers.
Bert and older brother Dan rode their bikes or walked to Jumbo Country School north of Gove until the 8th grade. He later graduated from Gove High School in 1942.
In 1944, Bert was drafted into the U.S. Navy and attended basic training at the Great Lakes/Green Bay Naval Center north of Chicago. He was later deployed to San Diego for amphibious training and then to Hawaii for training on the invasion of Iwo Jima and Okinawa.
Bert was assigned to the USS Lubbock, and part of his duty was to assist in taking troops and supplies to the island and hauling injured people back to the ship. Bert was on the ship and able to watch as the troops raised the flag on Iwo Jima on February 23, 1945. The plaques/statues of Iwo Jima have always held a very special place in Bert's heart as he lived through those difficult days of war. Bert also had a personal loss of his brother Dan, who was killed in action while serving as a medic in Germany on Feb.25th, 1945.
Bert was discharged from the Navy on May 23, 1946, and returned home to take over the farm in west Logan County. On June 15th, 1947, he was united in marriage to Wanda Ida Hays. They were married for 63 years until Wanda passed away on November 24, 2010. Bert and Wanda lived on the Logan County farm from 1947-1993. They were blessed with three children-one son, Larry, and two daughters, Marietta and Shirley. Together Bert and Wanda worked very hard for many years to build the farm they were both very proud of. They retired from farming and moved to Oakley, Kansas in 1993. Bert later moved to the Village in Sharon Springs, Kansas in 2017.
Bert served on the Winona School Board, was a member of the Methodist Church, and served on the Federal Land Bank Board, ASCS Board, and The Bank Board for many years. Bert was an active member of the communities in Logan and Wallace County, where he had many friends and associates.
Bert was a loving and generous man who was always ready to help his family and lend a helping hand to friends. He had a passion for farming, his family, playing cards with friends, traveling, and occasionally a trip to the casinos.
Bert will be greatly missed by his loved ones and is survived by children, Larry Summers, of Wallace, KS, Marietta Wright, of Wallace; and Shirley and Eugene Lindemoen, of Kansas City; grandchildren, Lisa (J.D.) Mitten, Darrin (Debbie) Summers, Chad (Jodie) Wright, Derek (Brynne) Wright, and Travis (Lindsey) Lindemoen; 13 great-grandchildren and 6 great-great-grandchildren.
Bert will be lovingly remembered by his family and friends for many years to come.
Quote from Bert's Notepad: "I have seen dirt storms in the '30s, the drought in the '50s and 80's, to the current drought. I went from horse and buggy days to jet days. Many wonderful days and many sad days as we lost our loved ones. All in all, a WONDERFUL LIFE and family. God Bless this Great Country we live in!"
Visitation was held on March 15, 2024, at Baalmann Mortuary, Oakley. Funeral Service was held at  2:00 p.m. Saturday, March 16, 2024, at the Oakley United Methodist Church, with burial in the Oakley City Cemetery. Memorials may be made to either the Oakley or Winona United Methodist Church and sent in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 391, Colby, KS 67701. For information or condolences, visit baalmannmortuary.com

OBITUARIES

thumb

Billy Eugene Hill

Lifelong Wallace County resident Billy Eugene Hill, 85, passed away on Tuesday, August 20, 2024 at his home in Sharon Springs, surrounded by family. Billy was born in Wallace, KS on August 17, 1939 to Paul Abraham and Ethel Mae (David) Hill.  He was one of four children.... [More]

thumb

Steven Ray Basgall

Steven Ray Basgall was born on May 18, 1955, in Cheyenne Wells, Colorado to Hubert and Vonna Basgall. He died August 17th at the Hays Medical Center in Hays, Kansas at the age of 69. He was raised in Sharon Springs, Kansas along with 4 brothers and 3 sisters. Steve attended Wallace... [More]

thumb

Betty Jo Yotter

Betty Jo Yotter, age 94, passed away on Friday, July 26, 2024, at the Wichita County Health Center in Leoti, Kansas. She was born on November 11, 1929, in Mount Vernon, Kansas to Loren & Hazel Wilson Armstrong. Her life brought her from Kansas to California and back to Kansas.... [More]

thumb

Donald Lloyd Wertz

Donald Lloyd Wertz, a man of faith, humility, integrity and generosity was born October 14, 1941, in Sharon Springs, Kansas, to Claude and Freda (Walker) Wertz and passed away on Monday, July 15, 2024, at Montereau in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He was 82 years old. Don grew up in Sharon... [More]

thumb

Lucy Joyce Owens

Lucy Joyce Owens, age 93, passed away Saturday, July 13, 2024, at Hope Springs in Sharon Springs. She was born December 12, 1930, to Eli and Mable (Cambridge) Owens in Goodland, Kansas.  Joyce was born with cerebral palsy, but she was very determined to try everything she... [More]

thumb

Joseph Raymond "Joe" Bussen

Joseph Raymond “Joe” Bussen, 56, passed away July 1, 2024, at University of Kansas Health System in Great Bend, Kansas. He was born February 20, 1968, in Red Cloud, Nebraska, to Gary Dorman and Susan Kennedy. He was soon adopted by Raymond Theodore and Shirley Rose... [More]

thumb

Phyllis Lynn Bliss

Phyllis Lynn Bliss, 70, of Sharon Springs, died Friday, June 28, 2024, in Tribune, KS. She was born March 25, 1954, in Oakley, KS, to George and Dorothy (Russell) Burris. Phyllis grew up in Wallace, KS, attending school there through the 8th grade. She then went to Sharon Springs... [More]

thumb

Erma Unruh

Erma Unruh, age 96, formerly of Sharon Springs passed away Thursday, June 27, 2024 at Prairie Senior Living in Colby. She was born December 28, 1927 to Issac and Lydia (Heppner) Wedell in Winton, California. She grew up and went to school in Winton. On October 28, 1947 Erma married... [More]

More Obituaries


NEWS

Strand Announces Grand Reopening

This weekend, The Western Times received a letter from the new management of The Strand Theater, which they wished to run in this week’s issue.  Today, I visited with Kelsey Brooks, The Strand's new manager, to learn more about their announcement of the Grand Reopening.... [More]

thumb

Friday Nights Under the Lights

As the Weskan Coyotes kicked off their first game of a new era, Friday Night Under the Lights began.  The Coyotes played their very first evening game at home, thanks to the hard work and dedication of the volunteers of the Weskan Sports Improvement Committee, who were able... [More]

Sheriff's Office Log - August 2024

PLEASE CALL THE SHERIFF’S OFFICE AT 785-852-4288 IF YOU PLAN TO DO ANY BURNING 16 Vins / 8 Civil Process / 17 Court Cases / 4  911 Hang-ups – Friendly Reminder - if you give your child an older phone just for them to “play” on, 911 is still active.... [More]

thumb

Ministerial Alliance Presents Faith Over Fear

John “Tig” Tiegen, a former Marine Sergeant, presented his Faith Over Fear program in the WCHS Auditorium on Sun, August 25th. His compelling story was an inspiration to many in attendance. Thank you to the Ministerial Alliance for sponsoring this event.

Happy 100th birthday Lloyd Williams!

100th Birthday Party for Lloyd Williams  September 14th at 2:00 PM at Hope Springs, 608 N Kennedy, Sharon Springs KS 67758 All are welcome.  Cards may be sent to Lloyd Williams c/o Hope Springs.

USPS considers slowing delivery to rural areas

The U.S. Postal Service is considering swapping some resources that would speed up delivery times for most of its customers, but it would come at the expense of those who live in rural and far-flung locations, according to a report in The Washington Post. “We’re trying... [More]

thumb

Fort Wallace Museum to hold 5th Annual History Days

On Friday, Sept. 6 and Saturday, Sept 7, the Fort Wallace Museum grounds will again come alive with the sights, sounds and stories of the past, as they produce their annual History Exposition and Outdoor Education Days. This year's theme, "The Moccasin Speaks" highlights the... [More]

thumb

Weskan Schools receives funding for shipping container

The WHS Sports Improvement Committee would like to thank the Wallace County Foundation for their recent funding of the Weskan School’s new shipping container that was purchased from Aspen Leaf Container. Much credit also goes to the Dane G. Hansen Foundation for their help... [More]

More News

BUGLE NOTES

thumb

Bugle Notes 5/21/24

It’s that time again in Wallace! It’s Rodeo Time!  This year’s 70th Edition of the Fort Wallace Rodeo is shaping up to be a special one! There are again two performances; Saturday May 25 at 7 pm MDT and then on Sunday May 26 at 5 pm MDT.  Admission... [More]

thumb

Annual Symposium held at Fort Wallace Museum

This past weekend, the Fort Wallace Museum had record-breaking attendance at the annual Symposium, and an equally successful Fundraiser Banquet. Around 90 people were in attendance at the day’s lectures and presentations, with attendees from all over Kansas, as well as... [More]

thumb

Fort Wallace Museum to Host Symposium/Banquet

The Guardians of the Fort Wallace Museum will host their annual symposium and banquet on Saturday, March 16, at the museum, with symposium beginning at 8:30 am MDT and Capt. Keogh’s Emerald Banquet at 5 pm MDT. The theme of this year’s events is “The Moccasin... [More]

thumb

Bugle Notes 11/28/23

The Christmas Season approaches! Our annual Candlelight Christmas Service will be held on Sunday, December 3rd at 5:00 MT, starting at the 1888 Bethany Lutheran Church located on the west side of our Museum grounds. The traditional Swedish Lutheran service in the historic atmosphere... [More]

thumb

Bugle Notes 10/31/23

On Thursday evening, Nov. 2nd, come on over at 6 pm to hear a most talented musician, mandolinist and singer/songwriter John DePew! We will be hosting John inside the 1888 Bethany Lutheran Church. John Depew is a Kansas-based musician, songwriter, and traveler with a knack for... [More]

thumb

Bugle Notes 10/24/23

The fall travel season has featured strong attendance at the Fort Wallace Museum, with many retired couples and international travelers coming through. Our RV Park has also been busy, with many people staying to experience the local flavor of Wallace County. Our summer hours... [More]

thumb

Ft Wallace Museum Holds 4th Annual Education Day

This past Friday and Saturday, the Fort Wallace Museum grounds once again sprang to life -this time with the sights and sounds of a Native American village. 10 traditional tipis glowed in the sun, as well as military tents and a complete 1800s chuckwagon set-up. During Friday’s... [More]

thumb

Bugle Notes - Native Tribes of the High Plains

On Friday, Sept. 8 and Saturday, Sept. 9, the Fort Wallace Museum grounds will come alive with the stories of the Native Tribes of the High Plains during the History Exposition and Outdoor Education Days. There will be demonstrations and talks on topics including home life, tools... [More]

More Bugle Notes

Subscribe Today!