Leonard “Lee” Wells, of Stockton, passed away on May 13, 2024, at the Solomon Valley Manor in Stockton at the age of 76.

He was born on March 17, 1948, to Harry and Rosabell (Bures) Leonard in Odell, Nebraska.

Lee grew up in Odell, Nebraska and graduated from Odell High School in 1967.

He moved from Nebraska in the early 1980s. He owned and operated Lee Wells Tree Service in Hays, Kansas, and L&L Liquor in Damar. He enjoyed history, classic country music, and Nebraska Football and just loved being an (enjoyable) pain to those who knew him.

Steven M. “Steve” Hahn, of Stockton, passed away on May 15, 2024, in Plainville at the age of 66.

He was born on March 6, 1958, to Clyde W. and Meda Rae (Marshall) Hahn in Hays. He married Deborah Beck on September 17, 1976, in Stockton. They were blessed with three children: Tara, Travis, and Tyler.

Esther “Mae” Wilkens, of Stockton, passed away on May 13, 2024, in Hays at the age of 86.

She was born on July 29, 1937, to Ernst August Martin and Blanche Orene (Stamper) Erdman in Dundy County, Neb. She married Arthur “Art” Wilkens on November 28, 1956, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Benkelman, Neb. They were blessed with seven children: Chuck, Debra, Kent, Steven, Tony, Brenda, and Lisa.

JoAnn Helen Martin, 87, of Zurich, passed away May 9, 2024, at Sheridan County Long Term Unit in Hoxie.  

She was born December 1, 1936, to John Ploeger and Amelia (Wasinger) Ploeger at the family farm outside Studley, Kansas. She spent her childhood with her twin sister, Leona, and four other sisters. 

On June 13, 1953, she married Robert “Bob” Martin in Studley. To this union, five children were born: Roberta, John, Trela, Robert, and Stephanie.

Delora Verlee Teasley, of Stockton, passed away on May 9, 2024, at Solomon Valley Manor in Stockton, at the age of 96.

She was born on April 21, 1928, to Forrest J. and Zeta (Desbien) Stull. She married Paul Iven Nyp on August 18, 1947, in Palco, Kansas. He passed away in 1950. She later married Harold “Dwight" Teasley on November 20, 1952, in Palco, Kansas. He passed away in 1991.

Delora grew up in Palco. She graduated from Palco High School. She later graduated from Emporia Beauty School.

She worked at the Plainville Hospital for 26 years.

David Levi Weltmer, of Plainville, passed away on May 10, 2024, at the age of 72.

He was born on July 3, 1951, to Robert and Eunice (Lewis) Weltmer in Stockton, Kansas. He married Deb Hugley on February 4, 1978, in Plainville.

David grew up in Smith Center and graduated from Stockton High School in 1969. He then attended and graduated from Mid-America Nazarene University and became a minister. He spent the next 12 years of his life as a minister for the Nazarene church at various locations. He worked a few other jobs and retired at the age of 52.

Walter Wayne McCallister, 81, passed away on April 24, 2024, in Kearney, Neb.

He was born on September 9, 1942, to Walter Roscoe and Mildred (Snell) McCallister in Norton.

A Celebration of Life Service for Maxine Bates, a long-time Stockton resident and co-owner of Bates of Stockton clothing store, will be on Saturday, June 1, 2024, in the sanctuary of the Stockton Methodist Church of Restoration at 204 N Elm Street, in Stockton, beginning at 5:30 p.m.

Following the service, the family asks you to join them for a light meal and a time to share memories.

Maxine passed away on November 17, 2023, at Amelia Senior Living in Council Bluffs, Iowa, where she had lived for two years after moving there from Stockton.

Harriet Louise (Casper) Honderick, 68, LaCrosse, joined her parents in heaven on Sunday, May 5, 2024.

Linda (Dibble) Nicholas, Valley Center, passed away peacefully on May 2nd, 2024, at the age of 77.

She was born September 8, 1946, in Stockton to Dale D. and Maxine Dibble.

Linda spent her life taking care of others. She was a highly skilled nurse for 52 years, a loving mother to four, a grandmother to 10, a great-grandmother to five, and a friend to many. She will be greatly missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing her.