March 28, 1969 - January 26, 2022

Sean David Gooding, 52, died on January 26, 2022, following a battle with aggressive melanoma. At the end, he was surrounded by family members in his home in Council Grove, Kansas.

Sean was born March 28, 1969, in Coffeyville, Kan., to Gary and Sharon (Pitts) Gooding. He graduated from Osage City High School in 1987 and began a lifelong career in Emergency Medical Services in 1988, when he became an EMT. After becoming certified as a paramedic in 1991, he co-owned and operated Lifeguard ambulance service in Osage County for two years. Sean served for many years with Douglas County EMS and became a lieutenant in the Lawrence Fire Department when they merged in 1997.

Sean married Ruth Elizabeth Simpson on March 9, 1996, in Overbrook, Kansas. The couple later divorced, but the marriage resulted in three children: Jacob Tyler Gooding on August 9, 1996; Gage Michael Gooding on August 30, 2000; and Emma Christine Gooding on May 12, 2004.

As Sean continued to serve, he also continued to learn. He earned an associate degree from Johnson County Community College in 2005. In 2008, he graduated cum laude from Ottawa University, where he studied health care administration and health management, and graduated from Hutchinson Community College with his nursing degree. He continued to work in a variety of roles throughout Kansas, Oregon, and South Dakota. In 2020, he became Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) at Morris County Hospital in Council Grove.

April 15, 1963 - January 30, 2022

Lori Lea Wilkinson, 58, passed away Sunday, January 30, 2022 at her home in Delia, KS.

Lori was born April 15, 1963 in Topeka, Kansas to Peggy Ann Lawson and Chester Max Bolton. She met her husband Rodney Lee Wilkinson in March of 1987 and they wed on April, 30 1993. 

Lori found joy in many things including fishing, camping, arts and crafts, working with her plants and spending time outside with friends and family. She loved exploring new places and finding hidden wonders on her adventures down the back roads. Lori was a loving wife, mom, daughter, sister,  grandmother, and great grandmother, and will be greatly missed by many. She loved her family very much, especially her grandchildren.

She is survived by her husband, Rodney "Rod" Lee Wilkinson; one daughter, Nikole Lea Wilkinson; Mother ,Peggy Ann Lawson; one brother Terry Keith; two sisters Brandy Thomas-Zeilinger, and Cheri L. Foster; along with several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her son, Justin Eugene Little; and her father Chester Max Bolton.

The family will be holding a Celebration of Life on April 15th, 2022 at a place to be determined for family and friends.

February 18, 1943 - January 22, 2022

Tom, who is also known as Ivan, was born in Topeka, Kansas and was a member of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation. He attended St. Joseph Military Academy in Hays, Ks. and graduated from Hayden High School where he played Tom Sawyer in their operetta “Mississippi Melody”. He attended the University of Kansas.

He has had several occupations; Bartender, Sommelier, Taxi Driver, Free Lance Writer, Chef for the Dallas Cowboys and was in the independent Film Industry. He has lived in San Francisco, Dallas, New Orleans, and Houston Texas. He was among the Native American activists who occupied Alcatraz in 1969.

He is survived by his siblings Martha Kreipe de Montano (Jose) of Topeka, William Kreipe (Marvella) of Tecumseh, Patricia Kreipe Kelly (Tom) of Denton, Texas, John Kreipe (Cathy) of St. Joseph, Missouri, Joe Kreipe, Mary Jane Kreipe Wilson of Lawrence, and Elizabeth Kreipe Devin (Cedric) of Lawrence. He was preceded in death by his parents, Marie and Edward Kreipe.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to Elara Hospice: 785-228-0400 https://elaracaringhospicefoundation.org/donate/.

July 23, 1937 - January 26, 2022

Isabelle Marie Valburg, 84, of Holton, passed away at her home on Wednesday, January 26, 2022, the last few scraps of her finally plucked away by Alzheimers.  She was born on July 23, 1937 in Jackson, MN to Louis and Esther Lynch.

Isabelle grew up at a very young age.  Her father died suddenly when she was 12, and she began contributing to the household income with her paper route.  She was a scrappy, ornery child, often getting into mischief, a trait she did not tolerate in her children, but adored in her grandchildren.  Isabelle loved learning and reading, and dreamed of becoming a doctor, but could only scrape together enough money for one year of college.  This year would enable her to become either a nurse or (only in rural South Dakota) a teacher.  She chose to become a teacher, and took a position in a one-room schoolhouse near Winner.  Along the way, a roommate dragged her to a dance in a church basement.  It was there that Lonnie Valburg spotted her as she walked down the stairs, and to this day, he can still describe every detail of that moment.  They eloped in Lincoln, Nebraska in 1960.  The couple made their home in South Dakota, Isabelle commuting to work on horseback.  There, they welcomed daughter Lisa before moving to Holton, Kansas in 1964.

Isabelle became a full-time ranch hand and child wrangler after their move, raising five children.  She was driven and passionate, and put her absolute all into parenting.  She made sure that all of her children got everything she wished that she had had as a child, including self confidence.  She loved their ranch, animals, her gardens and flowers, and her family (with a special love for her nieces and nephew).

September 04, 1961 - January 05, 2022

Linda Mae Lomsdale, 60, of Topeka KS peacefully passed away on January 5, 2022. 

Roger Eugene Barnes

December 5, 1935 - January 22, 2022

Roger Eugene Barnes, 86, passed away peacefully in the comfort of his home on January 22, 2022 in Meriden, KS. 

Roger was born in Valley Falls, KS to Gerald Barnes and Juanita Walker Barnes. After graduating from Valley Falls High School he attended Kansas State University and later joined the Army. After his time in the Army he graduated from Pittsburg State University with his Bachelor’s Degree in Education and later received his Master’s Degree in Automotive Engineering. 

After college, Roger taught Auto Mechanics at both Wyandotte High School and Highland Park High School. He then spent the remainder of his teaching career at Kaw Area Vocational Technical School. He was highly regarded by both his colleagues and the substantial amount of students he taught. 

Roger lived a very full, adventurous life and was considered to be a thrill seeker. He was a Certified Master Scuba Diver and a trained solo skydiver. He found great joy riding his motorcycle and took many trips across the United States, as well as a three week ride to Canada. He also loved to hike in Colorado. 

His favorite pastime was spending quality time with family and friends on the farm in Meriden, KS. 

Roger is preceded in death by his father, Gerald Barnes; mother, Juanita Walker Barnes; brother, Keith (Corky) Barnes; and daughter, Cindy Thompson. 

Roger is survived by his twin sister, Jan Burton (Don); son, Scott Barnes; daughter, Jill Gooden (Troy); grandson, Jeremy Brandenburg; granddaughter, Jayci Wilson (Chase); and grandson, Tyler Gooden. 

A Celebration of Life will be held in his honor and announced at a future date.

September 22, 1945 - January 23, 2022

Betty Sue Hodges, 76, of Topeka, passed away on January 23,2022, at University of Kansas Health Systems St. Francis Campus. Betty was born Sept.22, 1945 in Humbolt, Mississippi. She was the daughter of Gid Dyche & Amy Waetzig Dyche, they both preceded her in death. She was one of 6 children. She graduated from Silver Lake High School. Betty was married twice. Her first marriage was to Herb L. Lambert, they were divorced. They did have 3 children together, they survive. She then married James L. Hodges on May 29,1976. He preceded her in death on April 17, 2018. They had 1 child, she survives.

Betty was an avid reader and loved to cook. She also loved watching Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy. When she wasn’t doing one of those activities, you could find her sitting at the kitchen table, doing her scratchers.

Betty had many children, grandchildren and great grandchildren that she loved very much. She leaves behind daughters Jodie(Jeff) Means, Samantha(Matt) Millard, both of Topeka, KS, Michelle Lambert of Silver Lake, Tracey(Dennis) Bailes of Kansas City, KS. She also had 2 sons, Kevin Hodges and James B. Hodges, both of Topeka. Betty had 15 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.

Betty also leaves behind 3 sisters, Pat Fletcher of Morganton, North Carolina, Diane Reser of Denver, Colorado, and Darla Shirah, of Topeka, KS. She was preceded in death by 2 other sisters, Mary Lou McCain of Marshaltown, Iowa, and Ethel Ann Harbison.

As per Bettys wishes, there will not be a service and she is being cremated. We ask that you do keep her family and friends in your thoughts and prayers, at this difficult time.