Maxine Violet Branwell

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Maxine Violet Branwell (Forsbeck) passed away April 26, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. Maxine was born January 22, 1930 in Wallace County Kansas on her family’s farm. Her parents were Carl Algot and Alice May Forsbeck (Rundahl). She was baptized and confirmed at the Sharon Springs Lutheran Church. She attended Dover Country school and later (1948) graduated from Wallace County High School.  Maxine was the second of three children born to Carl and Alice. Her older sister Mariam, and younger brother Orville predeceased her.

Shortly after her high school graduation she moved to Denver, CO. There she met and in 1950, married Donald Francis Branwell. They had two sons, Donald Francis Branwell, II and William Carl Branwell. The family continues to reside in the Denver metro area. Her husband passed in 1997, and son Donald passed in 2017. William (Bill) survives her as do his wife, Meda, their two daughers, Kristin Brinkman (Kevin) and their three children, as well as Kara Stevens (Jonathan) and their three children.

Maxine was proud of her roots in Western Kansas, and when she was able happily attended multiple high school reunions and celebrations of friend’s milestone events in and around Wallace county. In the last several months of her life, her memories of her childhood in Wallace County were particularly vivid, and she took time to share those with her remaining son and other family members, including her 6 great grandchildren. Perhaps surprisingly, she recalled those days, even those during the Dust Bowl and Great Depression, with great fondness. She acknowledged there were many hardships, but also recalled the love of her family and the support of the Lutheran Church and the Sharon Springs Community. Like many others there, her ancestors came from Sweden and the Swedish/Lutheran community was also a big part of her childhood.

She passed peacefully, faithful and with every confidence she would go to Heaven and join her husband, her parents, siblings and many other relatives and friends who had gone on before her.

OBITUARIES

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Arlene White

Arlene White age 95 passed away on March 19, 2024, at the Parkview Care Center in Osborne, KS. She was born on September 30, 1928, to Myrtle & Charlie Davis in Council Grove, KS. Arlene and Victor White (Whitey) were married January 16, 1946. Victor preceded her in death... [More]

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Bert Albert Summers

Bert Albert Summers, a farmer, member of the U.S. Navy, devoted husband, father, and grandfather, passed away at age 99 in Sharon Springs, Kansas, on March 11th, 2024. Bert was born July 2, 1924, on a farmstead north of Gove, Kansas, and was one of seven children born to Admire... [More]

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Dean & Lolly Schick

Dean Ernest Schick was born June 19, 1947 to Ernest and Leah Schick of Burlington, CO.  Dean was an avid fisherman, cook and farmer. If you have been around him, “Dilly Dilly” was one of his favorite sayings. He attended Bethune and Burlington schools. Eulalah... [More]

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Lorraine LaRue Sherman

Lorraine LaRue Sherman 77 of Manahawkin, NJ passed away on Sunday February 25, 2024.  Born in Goodland, KS she was raised and lived in Sharon Springs, KS and has lived in Manahawkin, NJ for the last 51 years.   Lorraine was a dedicated teacher and educator.  She... [More]

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Lila Jean (Roeder) Elder

Longtime Sharon Springs, KS resident Lila Jean (Roeder) Elder, 88, passed away January 30, 2024 at the Greeley County Hospital in Tribune, KS.   Jean was born on the family farm located 15 miles northwest of Goodland on April 19, 1935.  She was the only daughter to... [More]

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Shirley Deines Smith Parr

Shirley Deines Smith Parr of Dalton’s Place of Star City, formerly of Hazen, passed away January 19, 2024. Shirley was born March 25, 1938, to Julius and Martha Deines in Hays, KS. The family later moved to Sharon Springs, KS where she lived until she graduated. She worked... [More]

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Virginia A. “Ginger” See

Lifelong Wallace County resident Virginia A. “Ginger” See, 90 passed away on Sunday, January 14, 2024 at Hope Springs in Sharon Springs, KS. Virginia was born to Ted and Edith (Peterson) Reiss on July 23, 1933 at her parents’ home east of Weskan.  She was... [More]

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Ruth Louise Harold Hull

Ruth Louise Harold Hull left this world January 12, 2024, and joined her husband Wendell Hull in their heavenly home. Ruth was born on September 30, 1920 on the Harold homestead to Edward and Elizabeth Harold. She was eighth of ten children. She grew up in this large family of... [More]

More Obituaries


NEWS

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Road Closed

On April 3rd, Highway 40 was officially closed so that the Kansas Department of Transportation could remove the more than 60-year-old bridge.  The current bridge didn’t have the structure required to close one traffic lane while working on the other. Due to its proximity... [More]

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Annual Rabies Clinic Scheduled

Smoky Valley 4-H Club announces its upcoming annual rabies clinic. Scheduled to take place on April 17 from 3:30 to 5:30 at the Sharon Springs Firehouse. This event aims to provide vital vaccinations against rabies for our beloved animal companions while fostering awareness about... [More]

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2023-2024 Weskan All-School Photo

2023-2024 Weskan All-School Photo

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Telemedicine Services Continue to Excel at Greeley County Health Services

Greeley County Health Services has devoted resources to their telemedicine program that has helped patients gain access to limited specialty care areas.  This service has been well utilized by patients in our community, as well as, from surrounding areas.  With this... [More]

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Battle of the Oysters

Last Thursday, the West Coast faced off with Western Kansas in a culinary battle at the Towns End Tavern.  While getting acquainted with each other at the wedding of their siblings last summer, Erin Wright and Kara Cowles discussed foods they enjoy. Wright mentioned that... [More]

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NWKTC National Technical Honor Society Announces Induction Ceremony

The Northwest Kansas Technical College Chapter of the National Technical Honor Society is pleased to announce the list of students who will be newly inducted into their prestigious club. The induction ceremony is scheduled for May 16th at 7 PM at the Price Convention Center.... [More]

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Happy 96th Birthday Paul McNall

Happy 96th Birthday Paul McNall

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Bridge on U.S. 40 in Wallace County to close for construction

The Kansas Department of Transportation will close the U.S. 40 bridge over the Union Pacific railroad west of Sharon Springs starting Monday, April 1. The closure is necessary for the removal and replacement of the existing bridge, which is located approximately 6 miles west... [More]

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BUGLE NOTES

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Annual Symposium held at Fort Wallace Museum

This past weekend, the Fort Wallace Museum had record-breaking attendance at the annual Symposium, and an equally successful Fundraiser Banquet. Around 90 people were in attendance at the day’s lectures and presentations, with attendees from all over Kansas, as well as... [More]

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Fort Wallace Museum to Host Symposium/Banquet

The Guardians of the Fort Wallace Museum will host their annual symposium and banquet on Saturday, March 16, at the museum, with symposium beginning at 8:30 am MDT and Capt. Keogh’s Emerald Banquet at 5 pm MDT. The theme of this year’s events is “The Moccasin... [More]

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Bugle Notes 11/28/23

The Christmas Season approaches! Our annual Candlelight Christmas Service will be held on Sunday, December 3rd at 5:00 MT, starting at the 1888 Bethany Lutheran Church located on the west side of our Museum grounds. The traditional Swedish Lutheran service in the historic atmosphere... [More]

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Bugle Notes 10/31/23

On Thursday evening, Nov. 2nd, come on over at 6 pm to hear a most talented musician, mandolinist and singer/songwriter John DePew! We will be hosting John inside the 1888 Bethany Lutheran Church. John Depew is a Kansas-based musician, songwriter, and traveler with a knack for... [More]

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Bugle Notes 10/24/23

The fall travel season has featured strong attendance at the Fort Wallace Museum, with many retired couples and international travelers coming through. Our RV Park has also been busy, with many people staying to experience the local flavor of Wallace County. Our summer hours... [More]

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Ft Wallace Museum Holds 4th Annual Education Day

This past Friday and Saturday, the Fort Wallace Museum grounds once again sprang to life -this time with the sights and sounds of a Native American village. 10 traditional tipis glowed in the sun, as well as military tents and a complete 1800s chuckwagon set-up. During Friday’s... [More]

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Bugle Notes - Native Tribes of the High Plains

On Friday, Sept. 8 and Saturday, Sept. 9, the Fort Wallace Museum grounds will come alive with the stories of the Native Tribes of the High Plains during the History Exposition and Outdoor Education Days. There will be demonstrations and talks on topics including home life, tools... [More]

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Bugle Notes 8/22/23

We are very excited about our upcoming History Exposition and Outdoor History Days “Native Tribes of the High Plains!” Please plan to join us on Sept. 8-9 on the grounds of the Fort Wallace Museum.  Our grounds will be open for demonstrations on Friday, Sept.... [More]

More Bugle Notes

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