Warren K. Okeson passed away peacefully on December 16, 2021 at his home surrounded by his family.
A memorial service was held December 29, 2021 at Advent Lutherana Church, 11800 W. 151st St., Olathe, KS. Pastor Susan Langhauser and Pastor Anteneh Gebreselassie officiating. Burial with full military honors took place at 2:30 pm at Leavenworth National Cemetery, Leavenworth, KS.
Warren was born December 21, 1947 in Goodland, Kansas to Kenneth and Evelyn Okeson. He grew up in Weskan, KS and attended and graduated from Weskan High School. After graduation he attended Fort Hays State University for 2 years where he earned an associate’s degree after which he joined the Marine Corps. After being discharged he enrolled in the telecommunications program at Northwest Kansas Technical School in Goodland, KS.
Warren started his telecommunications career with United Telephone Company in Junction City, KS which was later acquired by Sprint. He retired as a planning engineer in 2007 after 33 years.
After retirement from Sprint, Warren volunteered with Heart to Heart International in Olathe, KS driving the Mobile Medical Unit for several years all over the U.S. to major disasters. He (and Linda) were privileged to be guardians to 8 veterans on Heartland Honor Flights to Washington, D.C. Warren was very active in church activities and its building projects.
Warren loved being with his 3 great grandchildren and was looking forward to teaching them so many things. Many times when something was broken you would hear them say “Call Papa, he can fix anything.”
Preceding him in death were his father and mother Kenneth and Evelyn Okeson, younger brother Clinton and stepdaughter Shelly Wahle.
Warren is survived by his loving wife of 47 years, Linda, stepson Mark (Sam) Wahle of Olathe, KS, granddaughter Nikki Barrett of Lawrence, KS, great grandchildren, Brooklyn, Brendan and Braysen Barrett of Lawrence, KS, brothers Don (Judy) Okeson of Weskan, KS, David (Diane) Okeson of Winfield, KS and Darrel (Connie) Okeson of Weskan, KS and several caring nieces and nephews.
Honorary pallbearers were Mark Wahle, Don Okeson, David Okeson, Darrel Okeson, John Seppie and Joe Robello.
James Dawson “Jim” Crumpler, Jr., age 79, passed away on November 13, 2025, at Tall Grass, where he had made his home for the past several years. He was born on December 3, 1945, in Colorado Springs, Colorado, the first child of James Sr. and Velma E. (Schwartz) Crumpler.... [More]
Longtime Wallace, KS resident Leona Louise Buell, 88, passed away at Hope Springs in Sharon Springs, KS on Sunday, November 9, 2025. Leona was born on October 18, 1937 in Hugoton, KS to Theodore and Annabelle (Little) Weehunt. She was one of four children. She grew up in... [More]
George Creston Cramer was born to (George) Creston and Eula Mae (Fitzgerald) Cramer on April 22, 1933 in Goodland Kansas. He passed from this life October 20, 2025 in Burlington Colorado. In June of 1954 he married his high school sweetheart, Ramona Campbell. George and his bride... [More]
Cayle Leroy McAllister passed away on October 17, 2025 at the age of 89. Cayle was born on April 7, 1936, to Vernon McAllister and Minnie Ellen (Hoss) Garrett in Wallace County, Kansas. Cayle had a variety of jobs during his life. In the 1950’s Cayle went to California... [More]
My mother, Bet Rice Moran, age 86, was born in Konawa, Oklahoma in 1938 and passed away peacefully surrounded by those who loved her most. To me, she was more than an educator, wife, and leader—she was the heart of our family and the steady, compassionate presence that... [More]
Skyler Eugene Eby, 36, passed away on October 3, 2025 at the Goodland Regional Medical Center in Goodland, KS. He was born to Stanley Eby and Rhonda (Blythe) Robinson on April 16, 1989 in Colby, KS. Skyler was currently employed at ResCare and Mom’s Kitchen, both... [More]
Walter Leroy Teichmer, 75, of Grinnell, KS passed away at home on September 6, 2025. He was born on January 27, 1950, in Goodland, KS to Ben and Dorothy (DeBeer) Teichmer. Walter grew up in Logan County, KS at the family farm. Walter was a hard worker and enjoyed carpentry,... [More]
Joan Ray Smith, age 96, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, at the Hope Springs Nursing Home in Sharon Springs, Kansas. She was born on March 28, 1929, in Doon, Iowa, to Ralph and Alice Kloek Ray. Joan graduated in 1947 from Oak Ridge High School, Oak Ridge, Tennessee,... [More]
You hold in your hands the future of your local newspaper. We have left the traditional press in Liberal, to begin printing on a Xerox production press in Leoti. When my friend Rob Taylor, award-winning editor of The Wichita County Native Sun, approached me to join him printing... [More]
Marvin Gebhard, Commissioner of the WKLL, announced the players on the WKLL All-League Football Team. Players from Weskan Schools included: Quarterback - Sr. Nick Cottrell, Running Back - Jr. Karsyn Wright, Defensive Linemen - Jr. Ayden Aldridge, and Sr. Austin... [More]
Hayden Stubbs, daughter of Becky and Darrel VanDyke, from Harrison Endeavors 4-H club and member of the Sunflower livestock judging team, has accomplished what few individuals ever do last week in Louisville, KY at the NAILE (North American International Livestock Exposition).... [More]
Nestled in the heart of down-town Sharon Springs, Towns End Tavern is more than just a restaurant – it’s a testament to perseverance, community spirit, and the rich heritage of Wallace County. Owned and operated by lifelong resident Erin Wright, The Tavern has quickly... [More]
When the lights dim and the smell of popcorn fills the air on Main Street in Sharon Springs, it’s more than movie night, it’s a celebration of what a small community can do together. This fall marked one year since the grand re-opening of the historic Strand Theater,... [More]
Fort Hays Tech | Northwest’s Engineering Technology students transformed the Sherman County 4-H Animal Barn Building into a spine-chilling haunted house this October, welcoming the community for two nights of fun, frights, and fundraising. Admission to the event was either... [More]
It was time to shuffle the cards as the 74th year of the men's pitch league kicked off on Monday, November 3. There was some team shuffling but the overall number remained at 18 teams. They will battle it out weekly until the end of February. The Kansas team is the current champion,... [More]
Pretty incredible what’s happening in Wallace County this season. One of the smaller counties in Kansas, with fewer than 1,500 people, has two football programs dominating at the same time: the Sharon Springs–Wallace County Wildcats and the Weskan Coyotes. Both teams... [More]
Peak travel season may be over, but that doesn't mean that we are closing up shop at the Fort Wallace Museum! We have re-vamped winter hours that are already underway - you can visit Mon - Sat 10-4 MT this winter, weather permitting. If there is questionable weather, you can... [More]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
©2026 The Western Times. Powered by Pluto Sites.