John William Krueger, 73, of Hutchinson, passed away October 12, 2018, at Hester Care Center, surrounded by family. He was born November 1, 1944, in Alva, OK, to Gilbert and Ella Krueger (deceased).

John attended Oklahoma State University where he earned a BS in Agronomy. After serving two years in the US Army, he married Ruth (Mellies) Krueger. John spent 5 years with Oklahoma State University as a plant breeder. He then moved to Pioneer Hybrid, where he worked as a plant breeder and station manager for 22 years. It was there that he was granted a patent for hybrid sorghum. Thereafter, he spent time as a crop insurance adjuster, owner of J&D Sharpening and Picket Fence, and farmed with friends.

John served his community at church, gardening, and flying clubs. He volunteered as a chaperone for four separate Kansas Honor Flights.
He had many hobbies which included travel, woodworking, gardening, and all-around tinkering with gadgets. He was a pilot and obtained multi-engine and helicopter ratings. He was a Master Gardener, earning ‘Yard of the Month’ recognition and participated in home garden tours.

The couple was blessed with two children, David and Linda. David and Connie Krueger reside in Hutchinson with two daughters, Megan and Emily. Linda and Tim Powers live in Austin, TX. He is also survived by sisters, Betty and Dan Nardecchia of Austin, TX and Marti and Tom Mueller of Ft. Worth, TX.

In retirement, John enjoyed spending time with the grandchildren, travel, gardening, and general puttering around.

Graveside service will be 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, October 17, 2018, at Fairview Cemetery, Elmer. Memorial service will be 11 a.m. at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, 407 East 12th Avenue, Hutchinson, with the Reverend Henry Blickhahn presiding.

Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, with family present from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Elliott Mortuary and Crematory, Hutchinson.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the church, Kansas Honor Flight or Dillon Nature Center, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.

Rebecca Lou ‘Becky’ Ross, 66, of Hutchinson, died October 11, 2018, at Hutchinson Health and Rehab. She was born March 22, 1952, in Tiffin, OH, the daughter of Robert R. ‘Bob’ Sr. and Doneta (Young) Ross. Rebecca graduated from Spring Woods High School in Houston, TX, and received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Northern Michigan University in 1992. She worked as an artist and designer and was active in the Hutchinson art community. One notable achievement was her design of the official blanket for UNM. Rebecca was a member of Phi Kappa Phi and was of the Protestant faith.

Rebecca is survived by: mother, Doneta Ross; sister, Elizabeth ‘Betsy’ Ross; brother, Robert R. ‘Bob’ Ross Jr. and wife Mary Ann, all of Hutchinson; nieces, Christine Pechstein of Hutchinson, Heather Garbarini and husband Craig of Orlando, FL, Malia Ross of Hutchinson; great-nieces, Emani, Ayanna, Rosslyn; and great-nephews, Rajé and Brodie.

She was preceded in death by her father.

Cremation has taken place and no services are planned. Friends may sign the book from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday at Elliott Mortuary. Memorials are suggested to Hutchinson Art Center, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.

Marie Palmer Buzbee, of Hutchinson, died October 9, 2018, at Wesley Towers in Hutchinson, KS. She was 86. A native of Grand Pass, MO, she was born February 21, 1932, to William Notley Palmer and Florence Cauthorn Palmer. She graduated from Christian College, Columbia, MO, and the University of Missouri, with degrees in home economics.

She married Richard E. Buzbee in 1955 in Waverly, MO. He died on June 6, 2018. They were parents to four sons. Their oldest son, Robert Edgar Buzbee, died in 2006. Their youngest son, John Richard Buzbee, died in 2016. A granddaughter, Anne Marie Buzbee, died in 1988.

Her survivors include: son, William Bruce and Monica Buzbee and their family of Elizabeth, Maia and William, of Half Moon Bay, California; son, James Palmer and Judi Buzbee and their family of Thomas and Laura, of Centennial, Colorado; daughter-in-law, Julie Buzbee and Robert’s family of Sean, Kimberly, and Michelle of Topeka, Kansas and daughter-in-law, Sally Buzbee and John’s family of Emma and Margaret, of New York City, New York.

In Olathe, Marie was unit chairman of the United Methodist Women, a member of the Olathe Hospital Auxiliary, and a founding member of the Olathe Junior Service League.

In Hutchinson, Marie was a president of the Sunflower Day Care Center board, member of the Hutchinson Hospital Auxiliary, Hutchinson Symphony Auxiliary, Hutchinson Women’s Civic Center, Riverside E.H.U., Federated Club, PEO Chapter CM, United Methodist Women, and Doers Sunday School class at Trinity United Methodist Church.

Marie was devoted to her family and her greatest joy in life was her children and grandchildren. She loved children and, over the years, collected a substantial library of children’s books. Marie also enjoyed cooking and baking and was famous for her oatmeal cookies. In retirement, she and Richard traveled the world, visiting Brazil, China, Scotland, Egypt, Carthage, France, Peru, Saudi Arabia, England and many other places. Wherever she went, though, the first order of business was always to find postcards to send back to her children and grandchildren.

Cremation has taken place. Memorial service will be 1 p.m. Saturday, October 27, 2018, at Trinity United Methodist Church, 1602 N. Main, Hutchinson, with the Reverend Lennie Maxwell officiating. Friends may sign the book from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, October 14, 2018, through Friday, October 26, 2018.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Hutchinson Public Library, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.

Charles R. ‘Chuck’ Green, 69, of Hutchinson, died Tuesday, October 9, 2018, at Hospice House. He was born July 29, 1949, in Cherokee, OK, to Charles and Mary (Newlin) Green.

Charles was a member of Church of the Holy Cross. He served in the Vietnam War.

On August 28, 1987, he married Kathy Berscheidt Johnson in Wichita. She survives.

Other survivors include: son, Todd Johnson and wife Christina of Omaha; daughter, Stephanie Roesler and husband Nico of Roeland Park, KS; sister, Marcia ‘Sue’ Railsback of Hutchinson; aunt, Barbara Gardner of Amarillo, TX; granddaughter, Ava Johnson of Omaha; grandson, Beckett Johnson of Omaha; and mother-in-law, Genevieve Price and husband Bob of Kingman, KS; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents and numerous aunts and uncles.

Cremation has taken place. Parish Rosary will be 10 a.m. Saturday, October 13, 2018, with Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 10:30 a.m. at Church of the Holy Cross, 2631 Independence Rd., Hutchinson, with Father Michael Kerschen officiating. Inurnment will be at Memorial Park Cemetery.

Friends may sign the book from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday through Friday at Elliott Mortuary. Visitation with the family present will be at Church of the Holy Cross – Lower Level from 6 to 7 p.m. Friday, October 12, 2018.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice and HomeCare of Reno County, Reno County Veterans’ Memorial or Church of the Holy Cross, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.

Scott Bradley Lees, 54, died Monday, October 8, 2018, at his home in Wichita. He was born February 18, 1964, in Pratt, to Richard and Wilma (Narron) Lees.

Scott graduated from Hutchinson High School in 1982. He served in the Kansas Army National Guard for 12 years. Scott retired as a meat cutter for PPI and Creekstone Farms of Arkansas City. He enjoyed camping, playing pool, and listening to his record albums. Scott was the administrator for the Facebook page, ‘You Know You’re From Hutchinson If’. Family was Scott’s number one priority. They were everything to him.

Scott is survived by: best friend and partner for 20 years, Karina Boyd of Wichita; brothers, James ‘Jim’ Brown of San Jose, California, Christopher Brown of Hutchinson, Calvin Brown of Sterling; sisters, Diana Cook of Waynoka, Oklahoma, Cristina Stockton of Hutchinson, Lori Hood of Sharpsville, Indiana, Monica Frye of Nickerson; two aunts; and many nieces, nephews, and in-laws. He was preceded in death by: mother, Wilma Lees; fathers, Richard Lees and Gail Brown; and brother, Jonathan Lees.

Funeral service will be 10 a.m. Saturday, October 13, 2018, at Elliott Chapel, with the Reverend William J. Green, Sr. officiating. Burial will follow in Fairlawn Burial Park, Hutchinson, with military honors conducted by the Kansas Army National Guard. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday at Elliott Mortuary, with the family present Friday from 6 to 8 p.m.

Memorials may be made to Victory in the Valley of Wichita, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.

Darrell ‘D’ Pratt, 67, of Hutchinson, passed away October 6, 2018, at his home. He was born October 3, 1951, in Guymon, Oklahoma, to Charles and Frances (Dennis) Pratt.

D graduated from Hoisington High School in 1969 and then enlisted in the United States Army, where he served from 1971-1974. He retired from Good Samaritan Society-Hutchinson Village, in the maintenance department after 17 years of service. D enjoyed drawing and listening to music. He loved church and spending time with his grandchildren, especially attending their activities.

On April 12, 1979, he married Kathy Sue ‘Kat’ Pratt in Hoisington. She died March 3, 2011. D is survived by; daughter, Becky (Pratt) Jinright of York, Nebraska; son, Jay Pratt (Jessica) of Hutchinson; fiancée, Angelita Mejia of Hutchinson; sister, Brenda Kultgen of Great Bend; brother, Donald Pratt, Texas; grandchildren, Brandon, Bradlee, Jordan, and Jaxon Pratt, David (Jinright) Pratt; and his furry friend, Izzy. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Cremation has taken place. Memorial service will be 11 a.m. Friday, October 12, 2018, at New Harmony Baptist Church, 1015 S. Maple, Hutchinson, with Pastor Chris Raigoza officiating. Military honors will be conducted by the Fort Riley Honor Guard. Friends may sign the book from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday at Elliott Mortuary.

Memorials may be made to the Darrell Pratt Memorial Fund, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501. On behalf of D, the family requests those attending to ‘Come as you are’.