Obituary

Obituary of Theodore Rohde

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Theodore A. Rohde (Ted), age 94, of Fort Scott, Kansas, passed away on Friday, May 17, 2024 at his residence, Fort Scott Presbyterian Village, with his beloved companion, Carla Farmer and his family by his side.

 

Ted was born in Sioux City, Iowa, to Theodore Ludwig and Frieda Harrigfeld Rohde. Ted graduated from Emerson, Nebraska High School in 1947. Ted was a Nebraska farm boy, headed to duty during the Korean conflict. He joined the United States Army in 1951 and was stationed in Germany and assigned to the 28th Infantry Division (G-2 Headquarters Section).  While in Germany he also played on one of the army football teams.

 

Once back state side in 1953, he was offered a full scholarship to the University of Kansas to play football. During his four years at KU, he received his Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, set several national records and two KU records for punting including the longest punt of 84 yards.  At KU, he was a proud member of the Sigma Nu Fraternity, and was on the track team. Reflecting on Ted’s life the Kansas Athletic department said “Your life is an example for us all and you will forever be part of the Kansas Athletics fabric. Once a Jayhawk…Always a Jayhawk.” Ted often reflected to others that these were the best four years he could ever remember. It was a time in his life when he knew something great had happened.

 

After college, he was drafted to play football for the Chicago Cardinals, but that career ended earlier than he wished due to injury. Ted turned to his accounting degree to gain employment in the business world with Arthur Andersen & Company.

 

In 1957, Ted married Barbara Holladay and had 3 daughters: Teresa, D’Ann, and Gretchen.  The family moved to South Bend, Indiana, where he found employment with Bell Intercontinental Corporation, later known as the Wheelabrator-Frye Group. Ready to retire at the age of 45, Ted turned to golf. He was very good at this sport and had a lot of fun teaching his girls how to play and drive the golf cart. Retirement wasn’t for him, he went back to the business world, helping struggling companies come back to be profitable entities. Armstrong Containers and Hiawassee were several of those companies. As Tom Rost, fraternity brother and lifelong friend recounts, “Ted was known by colleagues as a business resurrector.”  Once again, he decided to retire, this time taking up tennis. Ted was great at every sport he played, always with that big green cigar in his mouth! He was a natural athlete and encouraged/mentored Carla’s grandsons in their sports/education and life.

 

In 2023, Ted had the privilege of being selected for an Honor Flight to Washington D.C. with a high school football player, Matthew Leistikow, as his honor flight travel companion. Ted was a member of the Fort Scott Elks Club, the Fort Scott Rotary Club and attended First Presbyterian Church in Fort Scott. Ted had a 14-year history of service on the Board of Royal Aloha Vacation Club as well as service on the Board of Eagles Nest, Branson, MO.

 

Ted is survived by Carla Farmer, his sister Marjorie Wyatt, Barbara Holladay Rohde, daughters Teresa Rohde (Bob Weaver), D’Ann Rohde (Dave Mathews) and Gretchen Oftedahl (Scott). Carla’s children, Christa Horn (John) and Ryan Farmer (Tran). Grandchildren, Christopher Rohde (Kim), Courtney Moore (Larry), Taylor Mathews (Mimi), Emma Mathews, Hunter Oftedahl and Cheyanne Oftedahl. Carla’s grandchildren Tucker Horn (Mollie), Hudson Horn and Sutton Horn. Great grandchildren Joshua Rohde, Luke Rohde, Josephine Moore and Anastasia Moore. He loved and was so proud of his numerous nieces, nephews and cousins who all lovingly referred to him as “Uncle Bud”.

 

Ted was preceded in death by his dear sister Dorothy and her husband Leo Andersen, his brother-in-law Albert Wyatt, his beloved brother Robert and his wife Sue Rohde, his son-in-law Thomas Herrero and several aunts, uncles and cousins.

 

Services will be held at Cheney Witt Funeral Home in Fort Scott, Kansas on Friday June 28, 2024, with visitation at 10:00am and committal service at the Fort Scott National Cemetery at 11:00 am.

 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the KU Athletic Football Department or a charity of your choice and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main St., Fort Scott, KS 66701.  Words of remembrance may be submitted online at cheneywitt.com.

 

 

Entertainment, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Winners of the Good Ol’ Days Parade Are Announced

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The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce the 2024 Good Ol’ Days Parade winners.  The Chamber would like to thank everyone who entered and participated in the parade.  The Chamber would also like to thank the many volunteers who judged, marked the line-up, or otherwise assisted with the event.

Category                   Winner                                                                                 
Float                                 Tie between Fort Scott Nazarene Church and Community Christian Church

Foot Unit                         Clark Street Lights

Tractor                             N/A                                  

Horses                             Madison Cattle Co.

Classic Car                      Grand Marshall – Lavetta Simmons

Golf Cart                         Mill Creek Veterinary Clinic

Antique Car                    Niece Products

The Chamber organizes the Good Ol’ Days Parade, Halloween Parade and the Christmas Parade; If you have feedback or suggestions for future parades, you may contact the Chamber at (620) 223-3566 or email [email protected].

 

Government, Kansas

Kansas May Tax Collections Below The Estimate

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May Total Tax Collections at $658.9 Million; 22.7% Below the Estimate

TOPEKA – The State of Kansas ended May with total tax collections at $658.9 million. That is $193.0 million, or 22.7%, below the estimate. Total tax collections are down 23.1% from May 2023.

“The expected shortfall in May individual income tax collections can be largely attributed to the two additional processing days in April.” Secretary of Revenue Mark Burghart said. “Combined with more efficient payment processing, the Department of Revenue was able to process significantly more payments in April which would have typically been processed in May.”

Individual income tax collections were $305.2 million. That is $144.8 million, or 32.2% below the estimate, and down 30.6% from May 2023. Corporate income tax collections were $39.8 million. That is $53.2 million, or 57.2% below the estimate and down 56.3% from May 2023.

Combined retail sales and compensating use tax receipts were $281.9 million, which is $4.2 million, or 1.5% above the estimate, and down $7.7 million, or 2.7%, from May 2023.

Total tax collections for FY 2024 through May are $8.977 billion which is $92.0 million or 1.0% below the estimate.

Click here to view the May 2024 revenue numbers.

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Bourbon County, Government

Amended Agenda for This Afternoons Bo Co Commission Meeting

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Bourbon County Courthouse

210 S. National Ave Fort Scott, KS 66701 Phone: 620-223-3800

Fax: 620-223-5832

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bourbon County, Kansas

Brandon Whisenhunt

1st District Commissioner

Jim Harris, Chairman

2nd District Commissioner

Clifton Beth

3rd District Commissioner

 

 

Bourbon County Commission Agenda 210 S. National Ave.

Fort Scott, KS 66701

 

June 3, 2024 5:30 p.m.

 

  1. Call Meeting to Order
  2. Flag Salute
  • Approval of Consent Agenda
    1. Approval of Minutes from 5/20/2024
    2. Approval of Payroll Totaling $238,157.83
    3. Approval of Accounts Payable Totaling $406,658.57
  1. Public Comments
  2. Department Updates
    1. Public Works
  3. Eric Bailey-Executive Session KSA 75-4319 (b)(1)
  • Teri Hulsey, EMS Director-Address EMS Questions
  • Jennifer Hawkins, County Clerk
    1. Office 365 Renewal
    2. KDHE Public Notice
  1. Commission Comments
  2. Adjourn Meeting

 

 

Executive Session Justifications:

 

KSA 75-4319 (b)(1) to discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy.

KSA 75-4319 (b)(2) for consultation with an attorney for the public body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the

attorney-client relationship.

KSA 75-4319 (b)(3) to discuss matters relating to employer/employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the

representative(s) of               the body or agency.

KSA 75-4319 (b)(4) to discuss data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trust and individual     proprietorships

KSA 75-4319 (b)(6) for the preliminary discussion of the acquisition of real property.

KSA 75-4319 (b)(12) to discuss matters relating to the security measures, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting

would jeopardize such security measures.

 

Business, Food, Fort Scott, Youth

Young Entrepreneur Series: The Needham Brothers

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Please nominate a Young Entrepreneur for this series, a youth under 18 years old.

The Needham brothers with their first customers of the day on May 25, Dad, Seth, is in the background middle.

Robert Needham, 10, and his brother, John, 6, with the guided help of their father, Seth, have developed homemade food products.

They started working on recipes  several weeks ago.

On May 25, they set up shop at Gunn Park, south of the first playground area, near where cars are leaving the park.

Robert and John Needham at their pop-up business in Gunn Park on May 25.

“They were open for about an hour and 45 minutes,” Seth said. “Around 2:45, I could tell they were getting worn out, so we shut down. They had been working on set-up, signs, and getting supplies loaded since about 10 AM that morning, so it was a long day for them. But they had around $75 in sales between the two of them.”

Robert

Robert is the creator of Robert’s Famous Lemonade.

The logo that Robert, with computer help from his Dad, made for his business.

Robert said he named his business “because it’s famous and also lemonade.”

Robert sells his lemonade in red Solo cup at Gunn Park at his pop-up shop.

With supervision, Robert buys the lemons, “juices them out” and then makes a simple syrup, then adds extra sugar, “because it was too sour,” he said.

“It’s super good, costs $2, and you get a red Solo cup with a straw,” Robert said. If you bring your own cup, you save 25 cents.”

Robert is saving up his money for something special.

 

John

John’s product is homemade popsicles.

John created the logo for his business with computer help from his father.

He explained how to make the product: “You take blue gelatin, sugar, a Kool-Aid packet, water and a secret ingredient, Blue Hawaiian Punch and heat it up.  You cool it. Then you pour it into popsicle molds. You put sticks in before juice. Then Dad puts it in the freezer. It takes 10 hours to freeze.”

They will be making different flavors through the summer, Seth said.

John shows his product Blue Raspberry Starburst Popsicles.

Seth said his boys always taste-test the products before selling them.

The best part of his business, for John, is “You get a bunch of money.”

Marketing Lessons

Their Dad helped them with the marketing of their product.

“We found an online design tool, and then they did all the work themselves,” Seth said. “The websites had some basic templates made up that they customized with their names, choice of colors, choice of fonts, and images.”

They have also learned how to make a marketing video, Seth said.

 

 

Area News, Bourbon County

Heartland Rural Electric Coop Provides Grants for Capital Improvement Projects Available Now

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Applications for Heartland Rural Electric Cooperative’s Concern for Community program, which provides grants of up to $5,000 for capital improvement projects throughout the Heartland service area, will be accepted June 1—July 31.
To qualify for a grant, a project must fit within one of the following categories:
  • County fairs: Projects related to county fairs in the Heartland service area, with a focus on infrastructure projects and other projects that are not supported by normal fair sponsorships.
  • Schools: Schools within the cooperative’s service area that have capital campaigns for facilities that would positively impact Heartland members.
  • Non-profit organizations: Non-profit organizations undergoing capital campaigns with facilities that focus on education, environment, culture and the arts, and civic and community development that would positively impact Heartland members.
  • Other: Other projects that better the communities in or surrounding the cooperative’s service area, as authorized by the board.
In keeping with Heartland’s goal of encouraging sustainable development, preference will be given to collaborative projects receiving support from other sources. Awardees will be selected by the Heartland Board of Directors in August, and funds will be distributed in September.
Funds for Heartland’s Concern for Community Grants come from the cooperative’s unclaimed capital credit retirement checks. Because that money was intended to support the local community, Heartland’s Board of Directors has decided to use those funds for community grants.
Grant money does not come from cooperative revenues and the issuing of grants will not impact future rates or capital credit allocations.
More information and a link to the online application form can be found online at https://www.heartland-rec.com/community/concern-for-community-grants/. Questions may be directed to Doug Graham, Communication Specialist, at (620) 724-5526.
Food, Fort Scott

Taco Azul Will Be At Woodland Hills Golf Course June 5

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Sending on behalf of Chamber Member
Diane Striler – Par Tee Girls…

Come join us for good food, drinks, and community fellowship! Taco Azul will be serving food while the club house will be serving the drinks!

Wednesday, June 5th

5:30-9:00pm

Street Taco – $3

Costra – $5

Street Corn – $3

3 Street Tacos and Street Corn – $11

2 Costras and Street Corn – $12

************************CASH ONLY**************************

Carry out available
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street | Fort Scott, KS 66701 US
Bourbon County, Elections

Bo Co Democrats Meet on June 9

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Bourbon County Democrats will hold a working meeting on Sunday June 9th from 2 – 4 p.m.
We will meet in Zimmerman Hall of the First Presbyterian Church in Fort Scott. Please enter using the south doors.
The meeting will consist of an overview of the field plan for this election year as well as the assignment of voter lists and preparation of mailings. Please come ready to work–and to have fun.  We have enough of both for all of you!
For information, contact chair Carol MacArthur by text or phone call at 620 215 1505.

Opinion

In the Same Boat by Carolyn Tucker

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Keys to the Kingdom

By Carolyn Tucker

 

 

I was praying early one morning while it was still dark outside. I was talking to God and sharing the desire of my heart to know Him better, climb up higher in my spiritual walk, and to lean on His grace to beat down occasional anxiety. The Lord reminded me that I don’t have to be perfect and always have it all together in order to help and encourage others. My personal experience with struggles and triumphs enables me to gently empathize and pray fervently for others who are in the same boat. This concept rings true for any follower of Christ.

 

I have walked barefoot through rocky places of loss and sorrow, but I’ve also experienced the supernatural grace and peace that comes from my heavenly Father. God carried me with unseen arms through the gut-wrenching journey of grief. God’s Word communicates to us that Jesus experienced everything we experience in our lives. “For we do not have a High Priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are — yet He did not sin” (Hebrews 4:15 NIV). This passage gives us hope to not drop anchor, but to set our sails for a perfect docking when our journey is completed.

 

As long as mankind resides on planet earth, we will have both rough and smooth sailing  experiences. Heaven is perfect; earth is not. When Jesus was with the Father in heaven, everything was perfect for Him. But when He came to earth as a babe and grew to be a man, His life changed dramatically. “He [Jesus] was despised and rejected — a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. We turned our backs on Him and looked the other way. He was despised, and we did not care” (Isaiah 53:3 NLT).

 

Perhaps believers should ask ourselves if we’re guilty of turning and looking the other way when we are aware that someone is going through stormy winds. I know many of us have good intentions to reach out and make the call, send the card, or drop by for a quick visit. Many roads are paved with good intentions. Sadly, I’ve been guilty of  procrastination and it was disappointing for both parties. Learning the hard way is a hard way to learn. Learning to practice prompt obedience to God’s leading is the better way.

 

Jesus was in the same boat with His disciples when a raging storm hit the lake. They  called out for help, so Jesus rebuked the storm and it instantly became calm. If Jesus has ever calmed your personal storm, you can “pay it forward.” “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of sympathy (pity and mercy) and the God (Who is the Source of every comfort, consolation and encouragement) Who comforts (consoles and encourages) me in every trouble (calamity and affliction) so that I may also be able to comfort those who are in any kind of trouble or distress, with the comfort with which I myself am comforted by God“ (2 Corinthians 1:3-4 AMP). In becoming more like Christ, believers will naturally turn our attention to the needs of others. May our  empathy run deep so we can weep with hurting people and gently guide them back to their place of joy and trust in God.

 

The Key: Let’s carry loved ones (in the same boat with us) until they find their sea legs.

Entertainment, Fort Scott, Fort Scott National Historic Site, History

Dance, Song and Storytelling: The Oklahoma Fancy Dancers At The Fort

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Carl Brenner, Fort Scott National Historic Site, introduces the Oklahoma Fancy Dancers to the audience on the fort’s grounds on June 1. To the right is the singer/drummer for the troupe.

As part of the Good Ol’ Days event, Native American dancers entertained the audience on the grounds of the Fort Scott National Historic Site.

The Oklahoma Fancy Dancers, a professional Native American dance troupe from Norman, displayed song, dance, and storytelling on June 1 at the site.
A young audience member converses during the dance troupe performance.

The Oklahoma Fancy Dancers are a group of powwow champions that formed a professional Native American dance troupe. All the dancers are enrolled tribal members, most full-blood, representing various tribes. The dance regalia worn by each dancer is brilliantly colorful, traditional, and representative of the dancer’s tribe and dance performed, according to:  https://www.arts.ok.gov/Oklahoma_Performing_Artists/Oklahoma_Fancy_Dancers.html?

The audience is asked to join the dance troupe in a social dance.

The dance show was educational, informational, and entertaining, showcasing various traditional American Indian tribal dances and storytelling.

The Oklahoma Fancy Dancers in their dance regalia.

 

The day also included an artillery demonstration/discussion, some ranger-guided site tours, the Windy Hollow Folk Music group, and the dancers.

Fort Scott National Historic Site, of the National Park Service, has exhibit areas and a visitor center currently open Friday through Tuesday from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Park grounds are open daily from a half hour before sunrise until a half hour after sunset. To learn more or become involved in activities at the Fort, please get in touch with the park at 620-223-0310 or visit our website at www.nps.gov/fosc. 

 

Bourbon County Local News