August 2024

Gwendolyn K Garrison, age 76, passed away surrounded by her family on July 26, 2024 at the Medicalodge of Atchison. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, at the Becker-Dyer-Stanton Funeral Home in Atchison, Kansas, with Pastor Craig Lantz officiating. Burial will follow the service at Sunset Memory Gardens in Atchison. Visitation will be on Tuesday, July 30, 2024, from 6:00-8:00 PM at Becker-Dyer-Stanton Funeral Home. Memorials are suggested by St. Marks Lutheran Church, Sweet Adelines of St. Joesph, or the American Cancer Society and may be sent in care of the funeral home. Condolences for the family may be left online at www.beckerdyer.com Gwen was born in Atchison, Kansas on October 17, 1947. She attended Atchison public schools graduating in 1965 from Atchison High School. She was a member of the debate team in High School, which served her well throughout her life as she had the upper hand in most arguments! After high school, she started her collegiate education at Emporia State College and transferred her sophomore year to Mount Saint Scholastica College. In 1970 she was crowned Miss Kansas for the Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington D.C. Gwen worked at Tonsing’s Book Store, Commerce Investment, St. Francis Academy in the Admissions Office, and Snowden Mize Wholesale Drug Company, where she met her husband, John. They dated for 3-4 years and then married on Friday, August 13th, 1971. And what a ride! It would have been 53 years come August. Gwen had music in her bones from a young age. It started with the church choir at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, having many solo performances. And when she sang ‘O Holy Night’ in what was to become a ritual at Christmas Eve service, it was magical. Gwen played the lead role in many of the musicals performed at AHS and was also in the Top 30 Chorus. In her adult life, she found Sweet Adelines and it became her true passion. She sang for many years with the Saint Joseph Show Chorus. She

Paul Joseph Becker, 93, of rural Purcell, Kansas, passed away in the company of his loved ones at his home on July 25, 2024. He was born on August 24, 1930, in Baileyville, Kansas, the second son of 11 children of Henry and Esther (McLaughlin) Becker. In his early teen years, the family moved to Purcell, where Paul worked on the family farm and learned many organizational and leadership skills for his lifelong trade in agriculture. At the onset of the Korean War, Paul joined the US Marine Corps where he engaged in combat on foreign soil, was promoted to sergeant, and was awarded the Purple Heart. He was extremely proud of his country and service and maintained a lifelong kinship with many of his comrades. On May 5, 1954, Paul married the love of his life, Mary Margaret Ruhlman, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Atchison, Kansas. He began a 70-year union that provided eight children, 27 grandchildren, and 46 great-grandchildren. Paul was known by his family and friends as a stalwart and loving leader with the ability to set an example and expectation for life. As a successful farmer, Paul took pride in a well-manicured farm and enjoyed working with his family and employees, where he had an unmatched skill at keeping everyone productive yet feeling a strong sense of accomplishment. Paul was an 80-year member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Purcell and was strong in his faith and gracious with his time devoted to the church. He also belonged to many organizations, serving in American Legion Post #288 for 66 years, as a Grand Knight and 4th degree in the Knights of Columbus, and as a member of the Huron volunteer fire department. He was a member of St Mary’s Parish Council, where he promoted and obtained State and National Historic Society status for St. Mary’s church. He also enjoyed competing in State and National Corn Husking contests for 26 years and won several events. Paul was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers Emmett, Leo, and Joe; and his s

Paul Denis Sweigart, 71, of Winchester, KS died unexpectedly on Monday, July 29, 2024, at Amberwell Health, Atchison, KS. Memorial services will be held at 2:00 pm on Sat. August 3, 2024, at the Becker-Dyer-Stanton Funeral Home with Rev. Jeff

Brenda Kay Speer, 68, passed away Saturday, July 20, 2024, at the Hays Medical Center in Hays, KS. Brenda was born to Harley and Lila (Halstead) Florence in Atchinson, KS, on July 12, 1956. She was united in marriage to Gerald Eugene Speer on November 17, 1983, and they celebrated 40 years of marriage in 2023. They moved to their forever home in Almena in 1989. Brenda enjoyed life and was deeply devoted to her family. She was a great baker and enjoyed playing bingo and cards, sewing, crafting, and growing flowers.

Barbara Henning, 92, of Atchison, Kansas, died July 18, 2024, at Medicalodge of Atchison. Barbara has been cremated under the direct supervision of the Becker- Dyer-Stanton Funeral Home. No formal service will be held. The burial of the cremains will be held later at the Gore Cummings-Nielson-Armstrong-Case Cemetery in Atchison, Kansas. Barbara was born May 2, 1932, in Rushville, Missouri, the daughter of Arthur & Nora (Jones) Cummings. She was married to Robert Henning, and he preceded her in death on December 21, 2005. She enjoyed sewing, baking, and embroidery. She is survived by her sons; Gary Keling (Pamela Williams), Robert (Barbara) Keling, six grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents and husband, brother, Gene Cummings.

Carl Heugel, 41, Atchison, Kansas, died Monday, July 22, 2024, at his residence. A memorial service will be Saturday, August 10, 2024, at 10:30 A.M.

FUTRELL, OSB Sister Jan Futrell, OSB, 89, a Benedictine sister of Mount St. Scholastica, Atchison, Kan., died Tuesday, July 30, 2024, at the monastery.