On October 12, 2020, Della Mae Raguse, loving wife and mother of three children, left this earth for her heavenly home at the age of 94, joyful to be reunited with so many she loved.

Della Mae was born on November 5th, 1925 to Emma and Christopher Voss at their home on a farm near Holyrood, Kansas. She lived her entire childhood on the farm with her parents, two sisters, and one brother.

Raised in a Christian family, Della Mae lived a life that was shaped and guided by her faith. She graduated from high school at the age of 16, and at a time when needed, answered the call to become a teacher, the vocation of service that would prove very important in the lives of both her and her family. 

On May 27, 1951, she married Carl Raguse, a Lutheran school teacher she got to know through church events and gatherings at the local skating rink. Together they raised one daughter and two sons, all of whom went on to become teachers and meet their spouses at Concordia Teachers College, Seward, NE. 

Though she continued to teach for a time after the marriage, she transitioned to the career of homemaker for several years to raise her children. She then began working as a secretary at the local community college and later at a Lutheran elementary school, both additional connections to education which she treasured.

Through these stages of life, Della Mae and Carl made their home in various locations including Nebraska, Illinois, Kansas, and Iowa. Retirement led them to Fort Scott, Kansas in 1996, to live near their daughter and family.

Throughout both her working years and retirement, Della Mae always found ways to keep her faith and family as her highest priorities. Serving her church in many capacities, making her home a loving and comforting place to be, and spending time with family and friends were of utmost importance to her.

Della Mae is now joyfully reunited with her parents, her husband Carl, her sister and brother-in-law, LaVina and Al Juergensen, her brother Wilber, and an infant granddaughter.

She is survived by her sister, Marian (Charles) McKay, her sister-in-law Sandra Voss, her daughter, Cathy (Rick) Werling, her sons, Dan (Maggie) Raguse and Darin (Janet) Raguse, 5 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

Della Mae’s earthly life was filled with the love of family and friends, and faith in Jesus was her path to eternal life. All who knew her were blessed to have her in their lives.

Due to concerns around the current pandemic, the funeral will be limited to family members.

The memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, October 17th, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Fort Scott, Kansas. Private burial will follow at Evergreen Cemetery. 

The family knows that all who loved Della Mae will be present in thought and spirit. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com. Memorials are suggested to either Trinity Lutheran Church or Fort Scott Presbyterian Village and may be left in the care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main, Fort Scott, KS  66701.  

Galen Charles Bigelow, Sr., 77, of Fort Scott, passed away Thursday evening, October 8, 2020. He was born November 8, 1942, in Hiattville, Kansas, the son of Charles William and Luella Elizabeth (Wescoatt) Bigelow. He married Marita Lynne Barr June 7, 1960, in Fort Scott, Kansas, and she survives of the home.

Galen graduated from Fort Scott High School with the class of 1960, and he served in the US Army National Guard from 1960 until September of 1992. He retired from Gene’s IGA/Heartland after seven years in 2005 where he was Manager over Fresh Produce and Dairy. Before that Galen worked at Dayco in Fort Scott. His earlier career included Frito Lay, Inc. District Manager for Western Kansas, Schwann’s Route Salesman for Mt. Vernon, Missouri area, and he owned and operated Bigelow’s Dairy Spot Restaurant in Moran, Kansas. Galen was a member of the Calvary Baptist Church and also attended First Baptist Church and Bethel Community Church.

In addition to his wife Marita, Galen is also survived by his children, Michelle McKay and husband Eric of Fort Scott, Teresa Fly and husband David, also of Fort Scott, Galen Bigelow, Jr. and wife Trena of Elsmore, Kansas, and Bill Bigelow and wife Michelle of Moran, Kansas; a sister, Juanita Eads and husband Roy of Fort Scott; eleven grandchildren, twenty-five great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Rev. Ben Heffernan will conduct graveside services at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, October 13, 2020, at the Evergreen Cemetery in Fort Scott under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the National Kidney Foundation and may be left in the care of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, 15 W. Wall St., P.O. Box 309, Fort Scott, KS 66701. Condolences may be submitted to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com.

Robert E. Kibble, 90, of Fort Scott, Kansas, passed away Monday evening, October 5, 2020, at Guest Home Estates. He was born May 4, 1930, in Uniontown, Kansas, the son of Donald Vance and Beulah (Ramsey) Kibble. He married Irene Natalie Hitchcock July 5, 1978, in Miami, Oklahoma. She preceded him in death January 24, 2017.

Bob served in the US Navy, and worked in Maintenance at the Farmers Co-Op.

Bob is survived by his son, Steve Kibble and wife Julie, of Fort Scott; two step-sons, Roy Daniel and Dale Daniel, Both of Bolivar, Missouri; two step-daughters Della Orender of Frontenac, Kansas, and Jan Daniel of Bolivar, Missouri; five grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, and his special friend Teresa Wunderly. In addition to his wife Irene, Bob was also preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, Donaldeen Rye and Sue Thorpe, a son, Alan Kibble, and a grandson, Jason Bolinger.

Following cremation, graveside services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, October 15, 2020, at the West Plains Cemetery in Fort Scott. Condolences may be submitted to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com.

Goldie May Schnichels, age 95, resident of Ft. Scott, KS, died Wednesday, October 7, 2020, at her home. Services for Goldie Schnichels are pending and will be announced by the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main. Memorials are suggested to the Goldie Schnichels Memorial Fund and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Hope Elaine Holeman, age 94, resident of Parsons, KS, formerly of Bronson, KS, died Monday, October 5, 2020, at the Labette Health Center in Parsons. She was born on November 13, 1925, in Iola, KS, the daughter of Olin and Florence Hicks Burtch. They moved to Bronson in 1941. She obtained her teaching degree from Kansas University after beginning at Baldwin College. She taught high school for several years. Hope married Colwell Holeman in August of 1950. She played the piano her entire life. She also enjoyed crossword puzzles. After retirement from the farm, she and Colwell would travel to the Rio Grande Valley of south Texas in the cold winter months to spend time with friends and family. She was a member of the Bronson United Methodist Church.

Survivors include 2 sons, Bob Holeman, Parsons, KS, and Bill Holeman (Lora) Bronson, KS;  seven grandchildren, Justin Holeman (Jamie), William Holeman, Jessica Laforge (Jordan), Joshua Holeman (Yuli), Joel Holeman (Crystal), Andrew Holeman, and Adrienne Holeman; and eight great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband Colwell; a daughter Mary Margaret Holeman; and a brother, Robert Burtch.

Graveside services will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday, October 10^th, at the Bronson Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to the Bronson United Methodist Church and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Norma Jean Jackson, 90, of Fort Scott, Kansas, passed away early morning on September 27, 2020.

She was born March 9, 1930, in Redfield, Kansas, the daughter of Willard L. and Bertha Mae (Delzell) Smith. She married John Lyle Jackson November 25, 1950, in Bronson, Kansas.

John and Jean were married for 68 years. John survives Jean at their home in Fort Scott. They had three children who also survive her: Dan and his wife Jeannie of Bartlesville, Oklahoma and three grandchildren April, Zeb, and Danielle and with six great-grandchildren, Carley, Justin, Nayeli, Brady, Everly, Larkin, and Boone, and great-great-grandson Jaxxen; Rick and his wife Denise of Bartlesville, Oklahoma and one granddaughter Janett with two grandsons, Colin and Foster; and Diana and her husband Vincent Myers of Overland Park, Kansas, and three grandchildren, Rachel, Evan, Skyler and two grandsons Keith and Kassius and grand-dog Bubba John.

She was preceded in death by her parents; four brothers and their wives: Dwight and Faith, Delbert and Berniece, John and Dot, Bob and Hazel (all Smith’s) and two sisters and their husbands: Rosalie and Ben Banta and Clarabelle (Sue) and Richard Garrison.

Jean graduated from Moran High School in 1949. She was a secretary for Merle Humphrey Insurance for over 30 years. She also volunteered for the Mainstreet Program for over 30 years. Jean was blessed with lots of other family and friends that are too numerous to mention here, but she knew every one of them and loved and cared for them all.

She will be greatly missed by everyone she came into contact with in her 90 years. She was a truly beautiful soul.

Following cremation, Chaplain Lloyd Houk will conduct graveside services at the Fort Scott National Cemetery under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home.

The service will only be attended by the immediate family due to COVID -19 and family restrictions.

Family and friends who cannot attend may submit condolences to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com. Flowers are welcome as well as cards and letters to the family. Memorial contributions may be made to John L. Jackson and left in the care of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, 15 W. Wall St., P.O. Box 309, Fort Scott, KS 66701.

Marjorie J. Stephan, age 91, resident of Pittsburg, KS, died Sunday, October 4, 2020, at Comfort Care Home of Pittsburg.

She was born October 12, 1928, in Peetz, CO, the daughter of Hans and Anna Westphalen Struve. She graduated high school in Sidney, NE. Marjorie then attended beauty school in Denver, CO. She met her husband Jack Stephan in California. They were married on August 21, 1955, in Peetz, CO.

They then moved back to the family farm near Redfield, KS. They later purchased the Stephan farm west of Ft. Scott, KS.

Marjorie moved to the Highrise in Ft. Scott following Jack’s passing. She lived there until August of 2019, when she moved to Pittsburg.

Marjorie enjoyed caring for a large garden and playing cards. She was a wonderful cook, specializing in cakes, cookies, pies, potato salad, and chicken and noodles. She was a wise woman who was highly organized. She loved her Church and Church family at Trinity Lutheran Church.

Survivors include her children, Tim Stephan and wife Rebecca, Ft. Scott; Sharon Stewart and husband Jim, Ft. Scott; Dennis Stephan and wife Leesa, Ft. Scott; Mark Stephan and wife Diana, Wamego, KS, and Allisan Strasburg and husband Curtis, Fredonia, KS; a sister, Delores Steinbrecher, Scottsbluff, NE; 12 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren with one on the way.

Besides her husband Jack, she was preceded in death by 2 brothers, Arthur and Harold Struve; 2 sisters, Geraldine Barber and Arlene Adams; and a granddaughter, Shanna Stephan.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM Thursday, October 8^th, at the Trinity Lutheran Church.

Private family burial will follow in the U. S. National Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 9:00 AM until service time at the church. Memorials are suggested to either Care to Share or Trinity Lutheran Church and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.