November 2022

Betty Louise Nilhas

DODGE CITY - Betty Louise Nilhas, 87 died Friday, November 18, 2022 at her home in Dodge City, Kansas. She was born on May 7, 1935 in Jetmore, Kansas to Morris and Elemerta (Yeager) Reed. She grew up in Jetmore and graduated from High School in 1953. Betty met Ray Nilhas and they were married January 21, 1954. They were blessed to be married for 62 years. Betty and Ray loved to play cards and where in a card club for several years. Betty was involved with the Girl Scouts as a troop leader from 1961-1967. Betty worked at the Craft Hut, Sewing Center, and finally ended her working career as the secretary for the Church of Christ with close to 40 years of service. She enjoyed knitting crocheting, counted cross stitching and Christmas ornaments. She was always making ornaments, hand towels, scarfs and other gifts for her daughters and grandchildren. Betty was also a great cake maker and she loved to make them for her grandchildren for any occasion, but she especially loved making cakes with her good friend, Rae Tweedy. Betty enjoyed attending her ladies bible study every week and helping with whatever she could at her church. She was a Sunday school teacher for many years. Betty is survived by her two daughters, Beverly Burney and husband Philip, Brenda Pogue and companion, Greg Martinez; five grandchildren, Melissa Lindenman and husband Shawn, Rachel Kitch and husband Brian, Daniel Pogue, Amanda Burney Webb and husband Orie Webb, and Danna Pogue and companion evan McKinley; 11 great grandchildren, Jacob and Leah Lindenman, Jordan and Jacquelyn Kitch, Autumn, Ethan and Chase Pogue, Kade Hammas and Arylce Jo Webb, and Summer and Brody Weil; a sister, Alice Price; a brother, Walter Reed and wife Pat; sister-in-law, Judy Reed and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, grandson, Jason Lee Burney, brother, Joe Reed, brother-in-law, Charlie Price, brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Lloyd and Ruth Ann Nilhas, brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Merl

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Charles Dee Zortman

Charles Dee Zortman, 92, went to meet his Master on November 17, 2022. He was born September 29, 1930 to Herbert E. Zortman & Gladys Newell Zortman of Fowler, Kansas. He attended the Fowler schools and in 1948 went to Central College of McPherson, where he met Ramona Catron. After marrying her on December 21, 1949, they moved to the family farm. “Chuck”, as he liked to be called, was instrumental in the growth of the family business of Zortman Sons with his brothers. With the addition of other partners, it became Fowler Feeders. Agriculture and livestock production may have been his profession but his true passion was the collecting and restoration of antiques. His knowledge was extensive and his presence at auctions commonplace. This activity continued to within weeks of his passing. Survivors include his wife, Ramona Zortman, 3 sons, Dean Zortman (Lynne) of Fowler, Steve Zortman (Terrie) of Fowler, Duane Zortman (Jamie) of Amarillo, TX, a daughter Debra Zortman Fischer (Vernon) of Sharon Springs, KS, 10 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren and a host of wonderful friends. Preceding him in death were his grandparents, Orville & Maude Newell, who played a great role in his early years, his father Herbert E. Zortman, mother Gladys Newell Zortman, brothers Orville Edwin Zortman, Herbert Cary (Cay) Zortman, Gerald Lynn (Gary) Zortman, sister-in-law Jueene Zortman and daughter-in-law Becky Zortman. Visitation will be Tuesday, November 22, 2022 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. (MT) at Koons-Russell Funeral Home, 327 N. Gardner, Sharon Springs. Funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. (MT), Wednesday, November 23, 2022 at Sharon Springs United Methodist Church, 520 W. 6th St., Sharon Springs. Graveside service and burial will follow at 4:00 p.m. (CT) in Fowler Cemetery, Fowler, Kansas. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to Sharon Springs United Methodist Church or to the Fort Wallace Museum and may be left at the services or mailed to Koons-Russell Fun

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Salvation Army begins Red Kettle Drive, campaigns for “Love Beyond Christmas”

The Dodge City chapter of the Salvation Army kicked off its annual Red Kettle Drive on November 19 at the Village Square Mall with Mayor Kent Smoll serving as the first local bell ringing volunteer. Red kettles and bell ringers will be present at most major retail businesses in Dodge City from November 19 to December 24. The purpose of the Red Kettle Drive is to raise funds for those needing food, shelter, clothing, heat and other necessities in Ford County. The red kettles are for passers by to drop change into and the bell ringers are to draw people’s attention to the kettles. “Our Christmas Red Kettle Drive cam- paign raises forty percent of our funds for helping with rent, utilities, women’s ministries, the food pantry and other essentials” Captain Roberto Davila said. “The fundraising goal for the Christmas campaign is $120,000 which requires effort for the community.” The Salvation Army Thrift Store raises another forty percent of the Salvation Army’s funds and donations make up the final twenty percent according to Davila. The Salvation Army helps about 300 families during the Christmas season. Davila told the Dodge City Globe “We are a faith based organization that believes in the Gospel of Jesus and tries to help others.”

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