Marilyn “Sissy†Schurtz
Marilyn Jean Schurtz stubbornly went to join her guardian angels on May 28, 2021 - and surely gave them a few choice words on her way through the heavenly gate as they insisted it was time to go. She undoubtedly felt that 92 years was somehow not quite enough time.
Born in 1929 and raised in Triumph, Minnesota, Marilyn was playing baseball with her older brother Charles when she was hit by a pitch and began to cry. He called her a “sissy” - and the endearing nickname stuck with her for the rest of her life, though Sissy grew to become anything but…
Sissy’s even-handed treatment of others was perfected through the raising of her 7 children. Her endless love and boundless patience will be forever remembered by all of her children. She stood upright to each of their challenges - and to those that the world at large threw at her, of which there were far too many.
Antiques and collecting were lifelong passions for Sissy. She especially loved cut lead crystal (“cut glass”). She came to run an antique shop out of the Minnesota family home. She loved to shop, and had a passion and flair for jewelry. Jigsaw puzzles had to be at least 1,000 pieces (“You don’t want ‘em too easy”). And she had a marvelous sense of humor - laughing with others, not at them. Amazingly - even after raising her brood of 7 - about the only time she let a curse word cross her lips was while watching the Broncos or the Rockies.
Sissy was predeceased by her parents John and Myrtle (Anderson) Semanko, sister Lois Semanko, and brother Charles Semanko. She is survived by her siblings, Cynthia (Ted) Simon, James (Harriet) Semanko, and Bernard (Diane) Semanko, as well as her sister-in-law Jane (Charles) Semanko. She is also survived by all of her 7 children, Deborah (David) Lewis, Teresa (Kris) Anderson, Jean (Pat Pennington) Schurtz, Monica (Jere Truer) Schurtz, William (Mel Lepley) Schurtz, Cynthia Kaye, and Charles (Susan) Schurtz. Numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews are also saddened by the loss of Sissy.
Her children wish to offer our most sincere thanks and boundless gratitude to Cynthia Simon, Sissy’s sister and best friend. It was Cynth who brought Sissy west to Holly, CO over 40 years ago and who stood firmly by her side when her family could not be with her. The efforts and kindnesses of both Cynth and her husband Ted have been much appreciated and will not be forgotten.
Per Sissy’s request, no memorial service will be held. In her words, “I wish to leave this earth as quietly as I entered it.” In accordance with her further wishes, she has been cremated and her ashes will be scattered.
OBITUARIES
Barbara Thompson
Funeral Services for Holly, Colorado resident, Barbara Thompson will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, August 21, 2026 at Holly Methodist Church in Holly, Colorado with Pastor Kathy Leathers officiating. Interment will follow in the Holly Cemetery. Visitation for Barbara... [More]
Judy Hill
Judy A. Hill passed away in Lakin, Kansas on August 17, 2026 at the High Plains Retirement Village. She was born in Garden City, Kansas on December 16, 1943. Graveside Services will be at 10:00 a.m. CDT, Thursday, August 20, 2026 at the Lakin Cemetery, Lakin, Kansas.... [More]
Cynthia Anne Long
Cynthia Anne Long, age 89, of Winchester, Virginia, passed away peacefully on Friday, July 17, 2026, at the Evergreen Health & Rehab Center. Cynthia was born on November 19, 1936, in Syracuse, Kansas, to the late Albert Mickey James and Rowena (Lockridge) James. She pursued... [More]
Jamie (Kennedy) Coleman
Jamie Alyn (Kennedy) Coleman, age 54, of Syracuse, Kansas, passed away on July 23, 2026, in Syracuse. She was born on January 7, 1972, in Wichita, Kansas, to James Allen Kennedy and Diana Grace (Vernon) Kennedy. Jamie began her life in Wichita and she moved with her family... [More]
Pedro “Pete” Torres Rodriguez
Mass of Christian Burial for Holly, Colorado residents, Pedro “Pete” Torres Rodriguez will be held at 2:00 p.m. and Rosary prior to the Mass at 1:30 p.m., Monday, July 27, 2026 at St Frances of Rome Catholic Church in Holly, Colorado with cremation to follow. Pedro... [More]
Richard “Dick” H. Sharp
Richard “Dick” H. Sharp, a longtime resident of Syracuse, Kansas, passed away on July 6th, 2026. He was 86 years old. Dick was born on June 8, 1940 in Sidney, NE to Lawrence and Dorothy Sharp. He grew up in Sidney and graduated high school there. After serving... [More]
Carla (Pfefferkorn) Younger
It is with great sadness that the family of Carla Marie (Pfefferkorn) Younger announces her passing from this life on Friday, June 26, 2026 while surrounded by her loving family. Born on March 2, 1944 in Beloit, Kansas to Carl Henry Pfefferkorn and Gertrude Elizabeth... [More]
Fern Maxcine Shetterly
Fern Maxcine (Campbell) Shetterly was born August 15, 1932,in Holly, Colorado to Roy and Augusta Campbell. She died in Colorado Springs, Colorado on June 23, 2026. Maxcine was born into a hardworking farm family during the height of the Great Depression.... [More]
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SPORTS
HI-PLAINS ALL LEAGUE
The Hi-Plains League has announced recipients of all-league basketball honors. The selection process begins when individual coaches submit names. The players are then voted on by the other HPL coaches. However, coaches may not vote on their own players. Syracuse High School... [More]
SHS CHEER TAKES SECOND
Small but Mighty! That is the name high school Head Cheerleading Coach, Marcos Valadez put on the 2024-2025 squad last summer, “We may not have the numbers, but our team has overcome adversity and is always stepping up to the challenge.” Proving this, the Syracuse... [More]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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NEWS
Health Department Adds New Services
The Hamilton County Health Department has been undergoing some exciting changes recently, adding new services that are bringing more people through the doors. While the department is seeking bids to freshen up the office with a new coat of paint, the changes go far beyond... [More]
Everybody Has A Story: Dana Watts - From Syracuse To Washington, D.C.
She described herself as a “bookie”! She loved to read growing up, and she considered herself a bit of a bookworm. Her story began on May 29, 1978, born to Ron and Becky Watts (now Wallace). Dana began her life in Bryan, Texas, but moved to Syracuse when she was just... [More]
Bennett is Reserve Champion In Arizona
Cole Bennett has been riding horses since before he could walk. His tireless efforts sometimes come with broken bones, soreness, and not much glory. But eventually, things pay off. Last weekend, Cole competed at the NRCHA Kimes Ranch Western Derby in Scottsdale,... [More]
Angie Moser Retiring, Running For Commissioner
After 23 years serving the public in the Hamilton County Clerk's Office, Angie Moser is retiring. On Tuesday morning, she was honored by the Commission. Her actual retirement date is June 15. The Hamilton County Republican committee will meet on June 10 to make a... [More]
C Double Liquor Open House
It was a busy Saturday as alumni gathered all over town. The Sand Dunes were busy, and It was a beautiful day to check out the new, improved, and redesigned C Double Liquor store, formerly the Liquor Shack. C Double Liquor & Laundry, LLC is owned by brothers Casey... [More]
Airborne electromagnetic survey of Ogallala aquifer conditions planned in southwest Kansas
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Everybody Has A Story: Jenny (Verry) Holdredge - From Syracuse to Doctorate
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OPINIONS
God Shows Up
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More love, less hate
Happy Thursday! I am writing this Wednesday morning . When this paper goes out, I need to start on next week’s, the final edition of the year. There won’t be a newspaper for January 1, 2026. The calendar last year left zero room for a break and I am desperately... [More]
Purpose in the Pain
It’s November! It’s a beautiful cool, fall Wednesday morning as I write this. I took a walk with my dogs, chatted with my friend, and coughed. But the cough has been way better! Tuesday was Election Day. The contest for mayor of Coolidge was one many were watching.... [More]
Fruit of the Spirit
October is here! The cool mornings are lovely! Looking forward to cooler afternoons too! Thought I would share some quick updates. My respiratory junk is not wanting to exit this human. Got another round of antibiotics and more breathing treatments. Thankfully I am improving. ... [More]
Where Can God Use You Today?
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How Vulnerable Are You?
Thanks for your patience last week. I am still recovering but have returned to the land of the living! I get frustrated with how slow it takes to recover sometimes when really I should focus on the fact that I am recovering. I truly feel like I am getting stronger and then... [More]
Let God
It’s the first week of September. After I get the paper onto stands, we are headed to the state fair. They changed some of the stalling procedures this year for sheep which leaves some unknowns for us. But every year we go, we learn new things. After my irritation and frustration... [More]
Breathing Space
I slipped away for a quick getaway for back to school clothes shopping, visiting family, some good food, and a trip to Barnes and Noble. We left Thursday afternoon and returned Sunday. It was triple digit heat when we left our sheep in good hands to be taken care... [More]
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