William Verdell (Bill) Mai
William Verdell (Bill) Mai was called home to his Savior on December 29, 2024 at Greeley County Hospital in Tribune, Kansas. Bill was born on June 21, 1936, at the family farm in Wallace County to William and Martha (Deines) Mai--the fourth of six surviving children. He graduated from Wallace County High School in 1954 and earned a degree in biology from Bethany College, Lindsborg, Kansas, in 1958. He wed Wilma Seilheimer in 1960 and the two took over management of the Mai family farm, where they raised their children Cheryl, Carl, and Rebecca.
Bill was active in service to his church, the arts, and the agricultural community. He held leadership positions in his local congregation and in the regional synod of the Lutheran Church in America. He was a long-time volunteer or board member for the Western Plains Art Association and Fort Wallace Museum. Highlights of his many service activities in agriculture included positions on the Kansas Corn Commission, Kansas State Board of Agriculture, Kansas State Fair Board, Kansas Master Farmer, and Farmer Direct Foods. He was an active research partner with Kansas State University Extension. Concerned about declining water tables in the Ogallala Aquifer, Bill was a leader and promoter of a return to dryland farming in western Kansas.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents; siblings Katherine, Carl, Arthur, and Raymond; and son-in-law Eric. He is survived by his wife; brothers Vernon and David (Linda); sister Marilyn (Patrick) Pickett; children Cheryl Goldenstein, Carl (Jacalyn), and Rebecca (Stephen) Gillet; grandchildren Dieter, Mattias (Catherine), Kai, Holden (Danielle), Miranda (Dalton), Benson, and James; and great-grandchildren Lydia, Hannah, Heinrich, and Callum.
Funeral services for Bill will be held on Saturday, January 11, 2025 at 10:30 AM MT at the Sharon Lutheran Church with Pastor Phil Knox officiating. Burial will follow in the Sharon Springs Cemetery.
Visitation will be held on Friday, January 10, 2025 from 5:00 to 7:00 PM MT at Koons-Russell Funeral Home in Sharon Springs.
In Lieu of Flowers, memorial contributions may be made out to Lutheran World Relief, Western Plains Arts Association, or Fort Wallace Museum and may be left at the services or mailed to Koons-Russell Funeral Home, 211 N. Main Ave., Goodland, KS 67735.
Online condolences to the family may be left at www.koonsrussellfuneralhome.com.
Services have been entrusted to Koons-Russell Funeral Home in Sharon Springs, KS.
OBITUARIES
Evan Fredrick Grund
Evan Fredrick Grund, 85, passed away December 28, 2024 at Leisure Homestead in Stafford, KS. He was born September 26, 1939 on the family farm in Wallace County, KS to Leslie and Juanita (Mather) Grund. Evan married Delores (Wise) Grund April 19, 1964. Evan graduated from... [More]
Evadene McMillen
Evadene McMillen, age 97, of Goodland passed away Wednesday, November 27, 2024 at the Goodland Regional Medical Center. Evadene was born to Will and Vica (Newell) Cullens on September 16, 1927 in Wallace, Kansas. She grew up in Logan County with her parents and 3 brothers.... [More]
Troy Wayne Funk
Troy Wayne Funk, Holyoke, CO formerly of Sharon Springs KS, passed away at his home surrounded by his wife and family. Troy was born to Wayne Funk and Lois (Lane) Funk in Tribune KS. Troy married the love of his life on April 15, 1967, Mary Jo (Whisler) Funk. To... [More]
John Roscoe Hurley
John Roscoe Hurley, age 79, died in Wichita, Kansas on November 4, 2024. After living most of his adult life in Wallace County, KS, he moved to the Ranch House Nursing Home in Garden City, KS. He was born June 6, 1945 in Phoenix Arizona, the son of John W. and Alene E. (Whiteman)... [More]
Ronald Neil Howard
On October 31, 2024, at the age of 88, Ronald Neil Howard peacefully passed into glory at Keefe Memorial Hospital in Cheyenne Wells, CO. Ronnie was born on May 8th, 1936, to Deloris and E.G. “Buster” Howard in Abernathy, Texas. There were 6 children born from this... [More]
Gregory Joseph Roth
Gregory Joseph Roth, 77, passed away in his sleep surrounded by family following a lengthy illness on October 22, 2024. He was born on August 2, 1947, in Great Bend, Kansas, the youngest of six children born to Robert (Bob) and Mary Roth. When Greg was two years old, the family... [More]
Gerald Ray Karnes
Gerald Ray Karnes age 90 of Salina, Kansas Passed away on October 11, 2024. Gerald was born December 30, 1933 in Hoxie Kansas. He is survived by his loving family, wife Charlene Karnes, son Steve (Becky) Karnes, grandson Aaron (Casey) Karnes, great grandson Seth (Cori) Karnes,... [More]
Everett Lee Linton
Everett Lee Linton of Glen Elder, the last survivor of a family of 8 children, was born to Vincent Kenneth and Alta Lily (Hoard) Linton on August 7, 1929 in rural Randall, Kansas, and passed away on September 9, 2024 at the Mitchell County Hospital in Beloit, Kansas at the age... [More]
More Obituaries
- Billy Eugene Hill
- Steven Ray Basgall
- Damon Lee Roberts
- Betty Jo Yotter
- Donald Lloyd Wertz
- Lucy Joyce Owens
- Joseph Raymond "Joe" Bussen
- Phyllis Lynn Bliss
NEWS
Parks Sentenced in Federal Court
Former Sharon Spring resident, Jory Parks, of Logan, Kans. appeared in Federal Court on the 14th of November 2024 for sentencing in case number CR 24-89-BLG-SPW-TJC. Parks was represented by Shandor S. Badaruddin, Missoula, Montana. Parks was accused of devising a scheme... [More]
Ol’ Man Winter Visits
After an unseasonably warm December, a cold front blew threw Kansas, bringing ice along with it. Interstate and highway closures along with warnings to just “stay home” for those who didn’t “need” to get out. Area churches chose not to hold services.... [More]
No more sales tax on groceries
Kansans will no longer pay state sales tax on groceries. They will still pay city- and county-imposed taxes, but the current state tax of 2% will be reduced to zero. A 2022 law set out a three-year plan to reduce the state’s sales tax on groceries, which was at 6.5%... [More]
Farm Credit of Western Kansas Seeking Scholarship Applicants
Colby, Kansas - The Board of Directors of Farm Credit of Western Kansas, ACA is pleased to announce the continuation of the Farm Credit of Western Kansas, ACA, Mark Winger Scholarship program. Farm Credit has $8,000 available to High School Seniors, a $500 per semester... [More]
From the Editor 1/2/25
As I write this, it is the second day of 2025. This issue should be the last one that is late due to the holiday printing schedule. The new year often brings about ideas of starting fresh, but truth be told, every day is a fresh start if you only embrace it. ... [More]
Kansas Attorney General’s office blocks Greeley County School bond for failing to meet legal requirements
WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) - A western Kansas school district faces a multimillion-dollar setback after the state rejects its school bond proposal despite voters approving it. Greeley County Schools proposed a $4.6 million in 2024, and there was a special election in May. A few months... [More]
Sheriff's Office Log - December 2024
PLEASE CALL THE SHERIFF’S OFFICE AT 785-852-4288 IF YOU PLAN TO DO ANY BURNING 7 Vins / 14 Civil Process / 14 Court Cases / 6 911 Hang-ups – Friendly Reminder - if you give your child an older phone just for them to “play” on, 911 is still active.... [More]
More News
BUGLE NOTES
Bugle Notes 11/28/24
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
More Bugle Notes
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