Obituaries

Patsy (Pat) Pauline Vogt (Posted 6/26/2026)

Raymond George Mauer Sr. (Posted 6/22/2026)

Raymond George Mauer Sr., 96, of Paxico, Kansas, passed away on Friday morning (June 19, 2026) at his home in Paxico.

Born July 22, 1929 in Topeka, Kansas, Raymond was the son of John and Emma (Hafner) Mauer. He married Barbara Lechman on February 9, 1952 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Topeka. They shared 74 years of marriage together. Barbara survives.

Raymond attended school until he was 17 when he joined the U. S. Navy on February 18, 1947. He served proudly for 3 years until his discharge on July 24, 1950.

Following his discharge, he became a glass glazer working for nearly 40 years until his retirement from Townsend Glass Company. He was a member of the IUPAT Union Local #558 in Kansas City.

Raymond was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Paxico and had been a member of the Alma American Legion Post No. 32. Raymond loved being on his land riding horses and raising cattle. He also enjoyed carpentry, reading western books and looked forward to traveling to his Navy reunions.

Survivors include his wife, Barbara; three daughters, Christine Harding (Steve) of Silver Lake, KS, Julia Hertlein (Ron) of Eskridge, KS and Angela Anderson (Greg) of Alma, KS; three sons, Raymond G. Mauer Jr. (Judy) of Minnesota, Mark Mauer of Topeka, KS and Greg Mauer (Melissa) of Higginsville, MO; thirteen grandchildren; and several great grandchildren; a sister, Dolores Mauer of Topeka, KS; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Mr. Mauer was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Mary Beth; and 10 siblings.

A Rosary Service will be held Thursday morning (June 25, 2026) at 10:30 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Paxico followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 with Fr. Frank Coady officiating.

Military Honors by the United States Navy Funeral Honors Detail and the Alma American Legion Post No. 32 will follow the Mass at the church.

Graveside entombment will be held at a later date in Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Topeka.

Memorial contributions are suggested to Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Please make checks payable to Sacred Heart Catholic Church and those may be left with Campanella & Stewart Funeral Home, P. O. Box 48, Wamego, KS 66547

Gladys Elizabeth “Betty” (Mattson) Anderson (Posted 6/18/2026)

Gladys Elizabeth “Betty” (Mattson) Anderson, 92, passed away peacefully on June 17, 2026, at Via Christi Village in Manhattan, KS.

 She was born on August 12, 1933, in Hamlin Township, MN, the daughter of Harold and Theolena (Olson) Mattson. Betty graduated from Dawson High School in 1951 and earned a teaching certificate from Mankato State College in 1953. On June 21, 1953, she married her Knight in Shining Armor, Neil V. M. Anderson. Together, they shared 67 years of marriage, building a beautiful life and raising six children.

 Betty devoted her life to Jesus and her husband, moving homes more than twenty times to accommodate his career in the Navy and academia. She raised six children who all learned that though their mom was tiny, she was also mighty. What they say about redheads having a temper was true for her- you did not mess with Betty! She balanced that with a great sense of humor and loved to tell a good story and laugh, especially at herself.

 Betty was proud of her Norwegian heritage and felt pretty sorry for anyone who was not Norsky. Over the years she helped support the family with a variety of jobs. Betty found her passion in antiques and collectibles by operating the Barn Antiques and Bed & Breakfast at Kimble Cliff for 20 years. She loved everything about it: her customers, learning all about the antiques and sharing that knowledge with enthusiasts. She was a member of KVMA Auxiliary and the Keats Lion Club.

 Betty dedicated her life to Christ in 1963 and was a firm believer in prayer. She knew God heard and answered her prayers about helping her meet and marry Neil Anderson, providing food for her son when there was none in the house, about expanding her family and many more examples. Her faith informed her practice of quietly reaching out to women she suspected of being abused and encouraging them to seek the help they deserved.

 Above all, Betty cherished the moments spent with her ever expanding family. She loved babies and nothing made her happier than to hear there would be an addition to the family.

 Betty was preceded in death by her husband Neil Anderson and great- grandson Aiden Horst, her parents Lena and Harold and four siblings Rita Schmidt, Theola Hofseth, Ordean Mattson, and infant Harold Mattson.

 She is survived by her six children, Jon Anderson (Debbie), Kristine Stevens (Ted), and Nadine Horst (Larry), Vincent Anderson, Elizabeth Nelson (Kent), Kurt Anderson (Kristen); seventeen grandchildren Benaiah Anderson (Kate) , Jake Anderson (Jami) and Leah Anderson (Jason Dellasega), Sarah Ngoh and Lydia Mercer (Jason), Adam Horst (Jenny) and Aaron Horst (Cara), Kayleigh Hubbard, Kevin Anderson (Kierstin) and Kjersten Anderson, Leif Nelson (Emily), Knute Nelson, Haley Nelson and Lena Perez (Joseph), Luke Anderson (Katie), Daniel Anderson and Julia Anderson and 23 great- grandchildren with one on the way; Ellie and Lily Anderson, Ruby, JJ and Hannah Anderson, Anderson, Lyndal and Thomas Dellasega, Sala Young and Isaac Ngoh and Mikah Young, Olivia, Eden and Jason Z. Mercer, Jackson, Landon and Alyssa Horst, Luna and Vida Horst, Lucy Anderson, baby Perez on the way, Emma, Seth and Mia Anderson; three of her siblings, Josephine Arneson, Martha Welch, Esther Brown and many nieces and nephews.

 The family thanks the staff of both Via Christi Village and Accord Hospice for their kindness and diligent care of Betty through the years.

 The family will greet friends during a visitation from 5:30 until 7:00p.m. Friday June 26, 2026, at the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home in Manhattan.

 Funeral services will be held on Saturday, June 27, 2026, at 10:00 AM at the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home. Interment will follow in the Riley Cemetery in Riley, Kansas.

 In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Sedalia Community Church Youth Group or Tusonge Ministries (Uganda). Contributions may be sent in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, Kansas 66502.

 Online condolences may be left for the family through the funeral home website at www.ymlfuneralhome.com

Iona Drake Learned (Posted 6/16/2026)

Iona Drake Learned, age 93, passed away peacefully on June 15, 2026, at Homestead Assisted Living in Manhattan, KS.

Born on December 5, 1932, in Kansas City, MO, Iona was the daughter of Thomas Sumner Drake and Beatrice June (Leach) Drake and the youngest of nine children. As a young girl, her family moved to a farm near Tonganoxie, KS, where she developed a deep love for country life. She often shared fond memories of riding her beloved horse, Pal, to grade school. During her school years, she was active in cheerleading and graduated from Basehor High School with the Class of 1950.

On January 30, 1953, Iona married the love of her life, Robert E. Learned Jr., in Basehor, KS. Together they built a life centered on faith, family, and love, raising four children: Rebecca (Jeff) Cowley, Mindy (Pat) Milligan , Rob Learned, and Joan (Phil) Hoover. Iona was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Bob; her siblings, Vern, Jayne, Nadene, Bonnie, Maurice, Jean, Betty, and Tom; and her son-in-law, Pat. She is survived by her four children, nine grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild, all of which brought her joy and happiness – “aww”!

A proud member of the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma, Iona was deeply devoted to her faith and church community. She faithfully volunteered with St. Paul’s Episcopal Church through the Altar Guild, the Encore Shop, and as a member of the Daughters of the King. Her servant’s heart and steadfast faith touched countless lives.

Many cherished memories were made at Grandma and Grandpa’s house, where summers were spent swimming in the pool, sharing meals, and playing games late into the night. Her home was a place of comfort, conversation, laughter, and treasured family recipes that continue to bring loved ones together today.

To her family, Iona was more than a mother and grandmother, she was the heart of the family. She had a remarkable gift for making everyone feel welcome, loved, and accepted. Her faith guided her life, her kindness touched everyone she met, and her love for her family knew no bounds.

A visitation will be held on Sunday, June 21, 2026, from 4:00 until 5:00p.m. at the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home in Manhattan.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, June 22, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church with an interment at the Oak Hill Cemetery at 3:00 p.m. in Lawrence, KS.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church or Good Shepherd Homecare & Hospice. Contributions may be sent in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, Kansas 66502.

Online condolences may be left for the family through the funeral home website at www.ymlfuneralhome.com

 

Robert Reeves (Posted 6/15/2026)

Robert Reeves, beloved husband, father, grandfather, professor, mentor, rancher, and faithful servant of God, passed peacefully into the presence of his Lord and Savior on June 4, 2026, at the age of 84. With joyful anticipation, Robert looked forward to being reunited in Heaven with his beloved wife, Sue, whose love and partnership were the greatest blessings of his life.

Born on January 14, 1942 to parents Samuel Winston Reeves and Annie Letha Reeves and raised in Lubbock, Texas, Robert enjoyed a rich and adventurous childhood. He and his younger brother, Sam, spent countless hours working alongside his parents in their businesses, including a pioneering photo-engraving operation—an innovative technology for its time and place—as well as the family camera store. He also helped care for the horses on the family estate, developing a lifelong love of the land and the outdoors.

Robert and his brother were taught to fly by their father, Winston, and Robert earned his pilot’s license as a teenager. The family often transported their horses to the Reeves ranch in the mountains near Las Vegas, New Mexico, where many treasured memories were made amid the beauty of the Southwest.

Robert attended Texas Tech University before pursuing graduate studies at Iowa State University, where he earned his Ph.D. in Nutrition. While in Ames, Iowa, he met the love of his life, Sue. They married July 29, 1967 in Norman, Oklahoma, and built a remarkable life together grounded in faith, family, service, and love. Their family grew with the arrival of their two sons, Alan and Sherman, who were the pride and joy of their lives.

The majority of Robert’s professional career was spent at Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kansas, where he served as Professor of Nutritional Science. An internationally published researcher and dedicated educator, Robert made significant contributions to his field. Yet among his many accomplishments, one of the titles he cherished most was advisor to pre-medical students. Drawn throughout his life to the medical profession, he devoted himself to guiding and encouraging countless young men and women as they pursued careers in medicine. Many physicians today owe part of their journey to Robert’s wisdom, counsel, and unwavering belief in their potential.

His sons fondly remember visiting their father’s research laboratory, where they occasionally got to “help” with the rats involved in his bench research. They also remember the many family adventures that took them to every corner of the United States, with Robert behind the wheel of the family station wagon and a pop-up tent trailer faithfully following behind.

Faith was the cornerstone of Robert’s life. He was deeply involved in his church and counted his church friends among his and Sue’s dearest companions. Together, he and Sue led a young married couples’ Bible study, investing in generations of families. Robert also as served as a church deacon, participated in a local prison ministry, and was a longtime member of Gideons International, living out his faith with quiet devotion and unwavering commitment. His trust in God guided his decisions, shaped his character, and served as a lamp for his life.

After retiring early from academia, Robert embraced a second career managing family farms, ranches, mineral interests, and land holdings across Texas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico. He took particular pride in the cotton farms near Brownfield, Texas, and found great satisfaction in preserving both the productivity and the history of lands that had been entrusted to his family’s care for generations.

In later years, Robert and Sue shared a passion for travel, exploring destinations around the globe together. Wherever they went, cameras were never far away, and they returned home with treasured photographs documenting both remarkable places and cherished moments together.

Robert will be remembered for his kindness, humility, gentle laughter, intellectual curiosity, steadfast faith, and deep devotion to those he loved. He was a teacher by profession, a mentor by calling, and a friend to many. His life touched countless students, colleagues, church members, friends, and family members, leaving a legacy that will continue for generations.

He is survived by his sons, Alan Robert Reeves, M.D. and his wife, Cheryl, of Lenexa, Kansas, and Sherman Winston Reeves, M.D. and his wife, Becky, of Orono, Minnesota. He also leaves behind five cherished grandchildren: Carson, Brynn, Alexa, Morgan, and Grant Reeves, as well as a large community of friends, colleagues, and former students who were blessed to know him.

Though he will be deeply missed, those who loved Robert take comfort in the promise he held dear: that he is now in the presence of Jesus Christ and joyfully reunited with his beloved Sue.

“Well done, good and faithful servant.” — Matthew 25:23

Memorial service arrangements are currently pending and will be announced at a later date. Interment will take place at Sunrise Cemetery in Manhattan.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Gideons International, the Meadowlark Hills Good Samaritan Fund, or the Alzheimer’s Association. Contributions may be left in care of Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, KS 66502.

Billy Dale Birk (Posted 6/15/2026)

Billy Dale Birk (Bill), 99, long time resident of Wamego, Kansas, passed away on June 12th, 1926 in Lee’s Summit, Missouri.

He was born July 17th, 1926 in Wamego, the son of Carl and Florence Birk.

Bill graduated from Wamego High School in 1944 and enlisted in the United States Navy the next day to serve in combat during WW2. He worked many years as the head of the engineering department at Balderson, Inc. in Wamego.

Bill enjoyed playing golf, watching sports, watching history programs and reading history books. Bill also enjoyed drawing and was an amateur cartoonist. While in school he would draw in his text books. He probably would have gotten better grades if he had read the text books.

Bill married Velva Jean Stroble on June 11, 1948. They remained together until Jean passed on January 31, 2014. Together they had four children: Tim (Barbara, deceased and Jill), Koko aka Colleen (Mel), Dan (Debbie) and Jeff (Laura). Bill’s children gave him nine grandchildren: Jarad Falk (Christine), Adam Falk (Barbara), Bryan Falk (Sarah), Eric Falk (Mecah) Ashley Birk, Courtney Birk, Preston Birk (Jessica) Kim Birk-Duncan (Patrick) and Anna Fosmire (Bill). Bill also has fifteen great-grandchildren: Sophie Falk, Meredith Falk, Helene Falk, Maxine Falk, Leana Falk, Cate Falk, Gabby Falk, Jack Falk, Jed Falk, Liam Falk, Anderson Falk, Desmond Birk, June Duncan, Jackson Fosmire and Grace Fosmire.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents Carl and Florence, his sister Marilyn Gallagher and his wife Jean.

Funeral service will be held Thursday morning (June 18, 2026) at 11:00 at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Wamego with Mother Casey Rohleder officiating.  Burial with Military Honors by the U. S. Navy Funeral Honors Detail and the Wamego American Legion Post No. 172 will be in Wamego City Cemetery.  A light luncheon will be served in the Guild Hall following the graveside service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are suggested to St. Luke’s Episcopal Church or the Wamego American Legion Post No. 172.  Please make checks payable to the organization and those may be left with Campanella & Stewart Funeral Home, P. O. Box 48, Wamego, KS  66547.

William David “Bill” Carson (Posted 6/13/2026)

William David “Bill” Carson, 85, passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones on June 7, 2026, at the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City, Kansas. Born on March 5, 1941, in Timpson, Texas, Bill lived a life marked by dedication to his family, faith, and entrepreneurial spirit.

 At a young age, Bill’s family moved to Brookport Illinois where he attended Brookport High School. Along with academics, Bill excelled in both baseball and basketball. Bill pursued higher education at Murray State University in Murray, Kentucky. Bill’s love of sports continued through these years leading him to a brief stint playing semi-pro baseball for a team based in Paducah Kentucky. After his time in Kentucky, Bill moved to Tulsa Oklahoma and was employed in the construction and aeronautics industries. During that time, he met the love of his life, Norma Hergott and the two were married in 1965.

 In 1969, Bill and Norma moved to Manhattan Kansas and founded Carson Home Sales, a business he successfully operated and grew until his retirement in 2001. Beyond his primary business endeavors, Bill invested in and contributed to the development of several other businesses in Manhattan and the surrounding areas. His entrepreneurial achievements were a testament to his vision and determination.

 A devoted family man, Bill was predeceased by his beloved wife Norma, his father Henry, mother Mary, and sister Nancy. He is survived by his sister Sharon -her daughters Lori and Leiandra, his three sons – Michael, Andy, and John as well as Andy’s wife Allison Disbrow, and John’s wife Brook Howard-Carson – All of which were a source of immense pride for him. Bill also cherished his role as a grandfather to Chloe, Adalyn, Sophia, Reece, Luke, Davis, Easton, Brooklyn, Rowan, and Maddox. He found great joy in supporting the various activities and sports that his sons and grandchildren participated in over the years.

 Bill was an avid upland bird hunter and golfer who relished time spent outdoors. His hobbies reflected his love for nature and camaraderie. A man of deep faith who accepted Christ as his savior, Bill attended Westview Community Church and lived out his beliefs through his love of family, kindness, generosity, and zest for life.

Known for his caring nature and unwavering support for youth sports programs, Bill left an indelible mark on those who knew him. His legacy as a loving father, grandfather, successful entrepreneur, and community supporter will be remembered fondly.

 The family will greet friends from 5:30 until 7:30p.m. Monday June 22, 2026 at the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home in Manhattan.

 May William David “Bill” Carson’s memory bring comfort to all who had the privilege of knowing him. A Funeral will be held on June 23, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at Westview Community Church, 615 Gillespie Drive in Manhattan

 Interment will follow at Sunrise Cemetery 2901 Stagg Hill Road in Manhattan. A Celebration of Life is scheduled for 1:00 PM at the Colbert Hills Clubhouse, 5200 Colbert Hills Drive in Manhattan on Tuesday June 22.

 In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to the GMCF – Manhattan Parks and Recreation Foundation to support scholarships for youth sports activities. Contributions may be sent in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, Kansas 66502. www.ymlfuneralhome.com

Leanne Bigler (Posted 6/12/2026)

Leanne Bigler, 73 of Manhattan, Kansas, passed away on February 14, 2026 at Home in Manhattan. Arrangements are in the care of Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home,1616 Poyntz Avenue in Manhattan. Inurnment, 1:00 P.M., Saturday, June 20, 2026 at the Ashland Cemetery, 4830McDowell Creek Road, Manhattan. Followed by A Celebration of Life Service at the Ashland School House,2901 W. 32nd Avenue, Ashland Bottoms Manhattan. Memorial contributions to the Manhattan Public Library, 629 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, Kansas 66502. Online condolences atwww.ymlfuneralhome.com.