EnglishSpanish

Algene John “AJ” Houtsma

thumb

Algene John “AJ” Houtsma, age 87, of Syracuse, KS, went home to be with his heavenly Father on Wednesday, January 11, 2023.   The eldest son of Albert Cornelius Houtsma and Gertrude Nora (Rowenhorst) Houtsma, he was born October 11, 1935 in Sioux Falls, SD. 

AJ grew up on a dairy farm in Volga, SD, where the Houtsma grain silo still stands. He ended his formal education at the age of 13 with the completion of the 8th grade.  Despite a strong desire to continue his education and hopes of becoming a doctor, he sacrificed his dreams in order to help support his family.  At age 17, he moved to Santa Ana, CA, where he met Margaret Elizabeth teVelde while teaching Sunday school at the Christian Reformed Church in Artesia, CA. They married on October 3, 1958 and by 1970 had been blessed with five daughters and one son. The family made their home in Spanaway, WA, before moving to Stephenville, TX, in 1979.  AJ moved to Syracuse, KS, in 2007, followed later by Margaret, where they enjoyed living near their children and grandchildren.  

AJ was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Syracuse.  He will be remembered by his children as a generous, big-hearted father and grandfather.  He taught his children to work diligently and encouraged all of his daughters to obtain college educations.  He was intensely proud of the dairy business built by his son, Jay.  He had a life-long love of animals and agriculture that began with dairy farming.  This evolved into a retirement filled with beef cattle and a love of equipment that meant he never missed an opportunity to drive a tractor or jump on a mower.  He loved his children but his pride and joy were his grandchildren to whom he spent countless hours dispensing life lessons that will not soon be forgotten.  AJ had a great memory and a sharp wit.  He was full of charm and friendliness that drew people close to him.  He will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him.

AJ joins Margaret Houtsma, his parents, Albert and Gertrude Houtsma, brothers Kenneth and Harvey, nephew David and niece Catherine Houtsma in heaven.   He is survived by his children, Debra Houtsma, Jana (Kyle) Reed, Marleen (Wade) English, Jay (Meghan) Houtsma, Krista Houtsma and Karin (Dan) Kullot, 16grandchildren, Aaron Houtsma; Kathryn (Harlan) Hill and ConorReed; Brandon (Kelci) English, Dexter (Brandee) English and Casey (Kylee) English; Juliana Houtsma, Nicolaas (Luly) Houtsma, Alexander and Ethan Houtsma; Mitchell and Matthew Pack; Ira, Will, Carly and Aidan Kullot, three great-grandchildren, Brylee English, Wrenley English and Bexlee English with a fourth arriving soon, brother Gerald (Virginia) Houtsma of Lodi, CA, sister Phyllis Houtsma and nephew Kyle McLeod of Rocklin, CA, niece Kari McLeod of Walnut Creek, CA, and extended family members, all dear to him. 

Graveside Memorial Service will be held on February 10, 2023 at 4:00 PM (MST) at the Syracuse Cemetery in Syracuse, Kansas. Reception to follow at VFW Building for family and friends.   Join us for dinner and to share stories and remember a life lived to the fullest.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made payable to The Artevel Foundation and sent in care of Fellers Funeral Home & Monuments, LLC, PO Box 1253, Syracuse, KS 67878. (620) 384-5100.  The Artevel Foundation is a charitable (501c3) organization that was founded by Margaret’s parents to promote Christian outreach and education. 

 

OBITUARIES

thumb

Max Williams

 Graveside funeral services for Max Williams will be held at 11:00 a.m. MST, Tuesday, November 12, 2024 at the Holly, Cemetery in Holly, Colorado.  Max Shane Williams was born August 21, 1940 to Roy O. and Thelma L. (Hager) Williams in Wellington, Kansas and went... [More]

thumb

Julie Lewis

Julie Ann Lewis. What was in a name and in a life? Julie is derived from the Latin name Julia associated with qualities such as youthfulness, beauty, and vivacity.  It is associated with a person who is gentle, kind-hearted and a strong sense of loyalty. Ann is a derivative... [More]

thumb

Celinda Barrett

 A graveside memorial service for Celinda Barrett will be held at 11:00 a.m. MST, Saturday, November 9, 2024, at the Coolidge Cemetery in Coolidge, Kansas with Pastor Kathy Leathers officiating.  Celinda’s family invites those in attendance to join them at The... [More]

thumb

Alex Hobson

 Alex Jerad Hobson “Big Al”, 48, passed away October 24, 2024 in Centennial, Colorado.  He was born April 25, 1976 in Moundridge, Kansas.  Alex attended Syracuse High School, granduating in 1994. In addition to playing golf throughout high school, Alex... [More]

thumb

Jim Williamson

 Jim Williamson, 82, died Friday, October 25, 2024, at the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City, Kansas.  He was born September 21, 1942, in Cedar Vale, Kansas, the son of Alfred Edmond & Evelyn Pauline (MaHocks) Williamson.      Jim... [More]

thumb

Barney Mack Akers, Jr.

Barney Mack Akers, Jr. passed away October 19, 2024 at the Kearny County Hospital, Lakin, Kansas. Barney was the son of Barney Mack Akers, Sr. and Elsie Edna (Griffin) Akers.  He was born August 11, 1931 in Ardmore, Oklahoma.   Barney attended grade school in Springer,... [More]

Douglas Alvin Guldner

Douglas Alvin Guldner of Syracuse, KS passed away on October 17, 2024 at the age of 76.  He was born May 19, 1948 in Lamar, Colorado.  He was raised and lived in Syracuse most of his life.  He enjoyed playing baseball as a kid.  He graduated from Syracuse... [More]

thumb

Craig Freeman

 Craig Richard Freeman of Syracuse, Kansas has passed on but has left, in his absence, a life of great legacy and accomplishment.  Born January 27, 1954, in Sioux Falls, SD, Craig was the oldestof three brothers, Todd and Laird Freeman, born to James and Marilyn Freeman.... [More]

More Obituaries

View All Obituaries

SPORTS

thumb

BULLDOGS OPEN FALL SEASON WITH FIRST PLACE FINISH IN GOLF

The Syracuse Bulldogs Ladies Varsity Golf Team took first at their season opener in Stanton County on Tuesday afternoon. They shot a team score of 207 at the Prairie Pines Golf Course in Johnson. The varsity team  is Lanee Owens, Bronwyn Lewis, Sammy Schwieterman, Maddy... [More]

thumb

LEWIS HEADS TO STATE TRACK

Qualifying members of the high school track team traveled to Hill City Thursday, May 16 to compete in the 2-A regional meet against 15 teams, Ellinwood, Ellis, Hill City, Hoxie, Lincoln, Meade, Medicine Lodge, Oakley, Plainville, Smith Center, Stanton County, Sublette, Thomas... [More]

thumb

BULLDOGS TAKE SECOND AT REGIONALS - HEADED TO STATE

The Syracuse High School boys golf team battled breezy conditions on Monday May 13 competing in the 2-A Regional meet on their own Tamarisk Golf Course.  Adjusting to windy conditions and competing at home paid off for the Bulldogs Monday, placing second, qualifying... [More]

thumb

STATE GOLF RESULTS

State golf on Monday had the Varsity Bulldogs miss playing in the finals as a team by one stroke. They finished seventh out of twelve teams.  On Day 1, Brody Keller shot a 92 missing day two by two strokes. Ian Brummett shot a 95, Mason Scott  and Johnny TeVelde shot... [More]

thumb

JH BASKETBALL WINS

Junior High Boys Basketball A, B, and C teams travelled to Elkhart on Monday, November 21. The A team won 41-34, B team won 26-21, and  C team lost to Elkhart 13-20. Head Coach Vance Keller said, “Elkhart was a tough win for both the A and B teams but both grinded... [More]

thumb

LADY BULLDOGS BORDER WARS CHAMPIONS!!

The Lady Bulldogs were undefeated during the Border Wars, defeating Eads on Friday, 42-7 and Walsh on Saturday 62-5, bringing their record to 3-1. But the winner wasn’t announced until Tuesday evening. Syracuse Athletic Director Josh Johnson explained, “It came down... [More]

thumb

JH Basketball Season Underway with JH Boys sweeping Lakin

Monday night at home at the Herndon Gym, the Junior High boys swept Lakin! Head coach Vance Keller said, “We’re a young team with only six eighth graders and 12 seventh graders. We’ve had six total that started the season with injuries so we haven’t had... [More]

thumb

Senior Night Volleyball

Three Syracuse High School volleyball seniors were honored on Tuesday, October 5, during the volleyball tournament at Syracuse.  Kaetlin Thomeczek, daughter of Joe and Dami Thomeczek has played volleyball since the third grade, playing with Syracuse Youth Activities Association... [More]

More Sports

NEWS

thumb

BENEFIT FOR BATCHELOR BATTLING ALS

Brandon Batchelor is a husband, father, and grandfather who was diagnosed with ALS. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a fatal neurodegenerative disease that causes the gradual loss of nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. ... [More]

thumb

COACH CASTRO AWARDED BETHANY COLLEGE ATHLETIC HALL OF HONOR

Jen Castro is the Junior High Football Coach, Head Softball Coach,  Powerlifting Assistant Coach, Elementary Interrelated Special Education teacher, and now can add the honor of being awarded the Athletic Hall of Honor Award from her alma mater Bethany College.   ... [More]

thumb

GENE DIKEMAN IS KBA’S NEW CHAIRMAN

Darrell Gene Dikeman II (Gene), has recently been named the Kansas Bankers Association’s 2024-2025 chairman. The mission of the KBA is “Together we support our member banks and bankers with leadership, advocacy, and education to benefit the communities and customers... [More]

thumb

Bulldog Bank Open For Business

Pictured Front - Asher Battin, Monroe Kuder, Brynnleigh Bennett, Aytzel Zapata, Emma Simon, Janney Velarde, Katalyna Perez, Bentley Simon Back - Ana Aguilera, Sean Michealis, Vance Keller, Anita Ramos, Deysy Miramontes, Haley Forest, Matt Bennett/photo by Michele Boy

thumb

Hedberg Outback Designs

Rhonda Hedberg is a busy woman. She is an SHS grad who went to school in Hutchinson, came back home, and started a family. She and husband Tim have five children - Kylie Good, Kelly, Keith, Kegan, and Kelsey. She has been a Daycare Provider for over 30 years, and manages Sunflower... [More]

thumb

1961 SHS GRAD PENS BOOK ON HIS MUSINGS AND INSPIRATIONS

Trying to heal from the loss of his wife, 1961 SHS graduate, Garry Warner, at the advice of his family physician and friend, suggested journaling to overcome his grief.  The result, many years in the making, is a published book entitled Musings of a Walmart Greeter.  The... [More]

thumb

FORMER SYRACUSAN WRITES CHILDREN’S BOOK

2015 Syracuse High School graduate Taelor (Oller) Leyva has always dreamed of being a novelist. But as her life and family grew, her priorities became God and her family.  Leyva is the daughter of Crystal Loder and Dustin Oller. She married 2016 SHS grad Diego Leyva and... [More]

thumb

SHS CHAMPION BARNES GOLF CAREER TAKES SHAPE

While many youth in our community have been able to take part in the free junior golf lessons during the summer for many years, Paige Barnes recalls it as what pushed her on this journey.  Barnes said, “When we moved to Syracuse, my first experience with golf was... [More]

More News

OPINIONS

Drinking in the moments

Monday was a perfectly cold, crisp, fall morning. Colorful leaves falling filled the street with bright yellows, oranges, and reds. Gentle rains fell and a breeze blew in.  I loved it. It felt like a moment when all was right with the world.  There is an 80% chance... [More]

A little bit of fall. A little bit of everything

It is the last day of October. I love the changing colors of the leaves. They stop me in my tracks. Absolutely  gorgeous! There is rain in the forecast. Even if it is a mist, I am ready for moisture!   The clocks turn back on Sunday. It will be darker earlier and start... [More]

thumb

Life moves pretty fast

It rained in Hamilton County this weekend. Thunder boomed and rain soaked the ground, the fields, and put smiles on many faces in town. Conversations in rural ag communities after a rain start off happier.  “Hey, it rained.”   We have a week without sports... [More]

Cats in the Cradle

It’s a cool October morning. It’s weather I love!  I read something that said you should never begin a story with the weather. Well where we live it is the basis for almost everything. Temperature, climate, frost, wind, all determine how a farmer will approach... [More]

Look for the Sunsets

  On Tuesday afternoon I drove to southeast Colorado to watch my daughter cheer at a junior high football game. I smile at the things I do that I wouldn’t have done before she was born.    I have said before I was not a cheerleading type of person but watching... [More]

Keep your face always toward the sunshine

It’s October and the temperatures are fluctuating from 70s to 90s.    Life is speeding by! And I have ten minutes left to get this paper to press.  My daily bible verse said, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”... [More]

Do it Afraid

It’s the last week of September. I feel like I start every column with I can ‘t believe how fast this year is going. Fall is here!  We are finally starting to get into a routine.  There are still some logistical challenges but at least I can start to identify... [More]

Thoughts and Actions

I am writing this Wednesday morning and it rained overnight! I fell asleep to the beautiful sound of thunder and rain hitting the ground.  Fall will be here Sunday. While the temperatures are still warm, I am looking forward to some cooler weather.     In Hamilton... [More]

More Opinions