Velda Mae Spencer
Velda Mae Spencer, 88, died Friday, May 27, 2022, at High Plains Retirement Village Assisted Living in Lakin, Kansas. She was born December 2, 1933, in Pratt County, Kansas, the daughter of Wymer J. & Lotus L. (Blair) Cartwright.
Velda moved with her family North of Kendall, Kansas when she was a young child. She attended Kendall elementary schools and later graduated from Syracuse High School in 1951. On July 21, 1951, she married Robert Jack Spencer in Syracuse, Kansas. They made their home on the family farmstead South of Kendall, where Velda was a loving mother, homemaker, and partner with “Farmer Bob.” Velda was a member of the Kendall United Methodist Church, the Meno Women’s Group, Syracuse Bowling League, and served on the Kendall School Board. She enjoyed spending her time bowling, China painting, and sewing.
Survivors include three children Kathy & husband Dave Sampselle of Taneytown, Maryland, Tammy Spencer of Colorado Springs, Colorado, and Kyle & wife Karla Spencer of Scott City, Kansas; two grandchildren Dirk & wife Heather Sampselle and Zachary Spencer; and two great grandchildren Macayla and Audrey.
Velda is preceded in death by her husband Robert who died on December 28, 2018. She is also preceded in death by a son Darwin Spencer; three brothers Edward Dean Cartwright, Lowell Cartwright, & Ronnie Cartwright; and a sister Ione Harlow.
A graveside service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Mountain Time, on Tuesday, May 31, 2022, at the Syracuse Cemetery in Syracuse, Kansas with Pastor Larry Alexander officiating. The service may also be viewed on Facebook Live on the Garnand Funeral Home Facebook Page. There will be no calling hours. The family suggests memorials given to the Kendall Alumni or to the Kendall United Methodist Church both in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be given at garnandfuneralhomes.com.
Arrangements by: Garnand Funeral Home, 508 N. Main St., PO Box 91, Lakin, Kansas 67860
620-355-7575
OBITUARIES
Charles
Charles “Carl” Gould was born on May 18, 1956, to Dennis and Karleen (Helfrich) Gould in Syracuse, Kansas. He grew up in Syracuse, where he attended school and graduated from high school in 1975. After graduation, Carl worked for various farmers in the area but... [More]
Vaughn Chamberlain
Vaughn Chamberlain, 94, passed away peacefully at his home in Harlowton, Montana, on Wednesday, November 13, 2024. He was born at home on September 21, 1930, in Syracuse, Kansas, the son of Artimus & Evadee (Craven) Chamberlain. Vaughn... [More]
Raymond Henry
Raymond Lewis Henry, 94, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family Saturday, November 23, 2024, at his home in Syracuse, Kansas. Raymond was born in Chariton, Iowa on July 22, 1930, to Guy Martin Henry and Nellie (Curtis) Henry. At three years of age his family moved... [More]
Darrel Glen Cook
Darrel Glen Cook, 62, of Syracuse, KS passed away peacefully in Garden City on November 20, 2024. He was born July 24, 1962 in Syracuse to William and Leota Cook. Darrel grew up with a big family on the family farm. He played football in school and graduated in 1980. Darrel was... [More]
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]
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]
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]
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]
More Obituaries
- Jim Williamson
- Barney Mack Akers, Jr.
- Douglas Alvin Guldner
- Craig Freeman
- Violet Jones
- Rick R. Cook
- Stephen Craig Richter
- Donald Leon Trentham
SPORTS
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]
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]
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
TRAINING THE NEXT GEN OF OFFICIALS
The Kansas State High School Activities Association (KSHSAA) announced Scott Goodheart of Pratt, Kansas became the Director of Officials. Goodheart serves in the role that Francine Martin fulfilled during the 2022-23 school year, the first year for this position at the KSHSAA.... [More]
VETERANS DAY TRADITION CONTINUES
Veterans Day, the day we honor all veterans who served in times of war and peace. Veterans day, originally Armistice Day, marking the end of WW l which ended on the eleventh hour on the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918. This tradition of honoring veterans during school... [More]
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]
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]
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]
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
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]
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]
More News
OPINIONS
A Kind Turn
It’s one week until Thanksgiving. How did that happen? Next week’s paper will go out early so that is likely my weekend job. I am thankful I can do some of that work from home. We had some flurries of snow on Tuesday that got me very excited for... [More]
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]
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]
More Opinions
©2024 The Syracuse Journal. Powered by Pluto Sites.