News & Notes Farewells Keith Henry Lauer ascended to his heavenly home on Thursday, March 4th at Abilene Memorial Hospital. He was born on July 15, 1936 to Clarence & Alma (Nagely) Lauer in Abilene. He attended Bell Valley, a one room school, in Holland, KS and Chapman High School graduating in the class of 1954. In high school his interests included FFA, playing trumpet in band and playing football. It was there a good friend, Dale, introduced Keith to his sister, Nadene. On August 5, 1956, Keith married his high school sweetheart, Nadene Correll, in McPherson, KS. His passion for agriculture started early in life. As a youth he was a member of the Holland Sunflowers 4-H Club. He participated in a variety of projects, but
key was the opportunity to expand his livestock interests which paved the way for his profession. Years of 4-H work earned him a trip to the National 4-H Congress in Washington D.C. Throughout his life he remained supportive of the 4-H program and the Central Kansas Free Fair. As a young farmer Keith received one of the Outstanding Young Farmer awards. He was recognized as Builder of the Breed by the Shorthorn Association. Keith & Nadene were a part of the Class of 1990 Kansas Master Farmer Homemakers. Keith and Nadene hosted multiple Shorthorn tour groups including the World Shorthorn Tour. In 2017 the National Western Stock Show dedicated the Shorthorn pen show to them. Keith received the Heritage Award from the American Shorthorn Association in 2019. Throughout his life Keith was an active member of the Mt. Pleasant Presbyterian Church where he served well on various boards and committees. He was called to be an Elder for many years. He served his
community by being a board member for the Coop, County Extension Council, and township treasurer for 35 years. He served on the USD # 473 school board both at Rural Center and Chapman district for 15 years. Keith had a special love for his family. He enjoyed going to all his grandsons activities &, later in life, enjoyed watching his greatgrandchildren growing up. His smile and gentle ways will always be remembered by his family and many friends. Everybody who came to the farm left as Keith’s friend for life. Keith will be missed by his loving wife, Nadene; daughter, Rita Yoder (Ellis) of McPherson; grandsons Bradley Yoder (Erin) of Sabetha, Kevin Yoder (Brittney) of McPherson, and Lane Yoder of Memphis, TN; great-grandchildren Frankie, Gibson, Watson and Brooklynn; sisters Joyce Taylor, Enterprise and Ila Beemer (Duane), Abilene; brother Stanley Lauer (Leslie), Salina. =
Robert Lee Dahl, 83, of Gruver, passed away at home on February 14, 2021. Robert was born on the family farm northwest of Gruver to Oscar and Esther Dahl on December 21, 1937. He attended Gruver Schools where he was active in FFA and sports. He was a member of the Gruver United Methodist Church. After high school, he entered the US Air Force where he trained and served as a radar operator. His duty was tracking all air traffic and weather as well as training officers for aircraft intercepts. He was stationed in Fordland, Missouri outside of Springfield. He was a member of the Fordland Base basketball teams. He married Suellen Hawkins June 9, 1957. After his discharge, Robert and Suellen returned home to Gruver where they raised their family on the family farm and
ranch. While farming and ranching, he was involved in the American Shorthorn Association where he received “Builder of the Breed” award in 1982. In 2013, Robert and Suellen travelled to Austin to accept a “Designated Texas Family Land Heritage Property” award for the farm in Gruver being in the family for over 100 years. In 2015, the Tri State Fair Shorthorn Show in Amarillo was dedicated to Robert. For over 20 years, he refereed local high school football and basketball games, and also drove bus for Gruver ISD for many years. He was very active in the community and church. Robert was preceded in death by his parents, Oscar and Esther Dahl and a sister, Louella Andrews. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Suellen, of the home; son, Wade Dahl and wife Angie of Wimberley, Texas; daughter, Brenda Hopkins and husband Bud of Gruver, TX; son, Scot Dahl and wife Ginger of Talcott, WV; sister, Mavis Floyd of Gruver; and a brother Loren Dahl and wife Evelyn of Amarillo, TX.
Grandchildren include Jennifer (Dahl) Zinkgraf and husband Bill of Wimberley, Tx and their children Ava, Bella, and Rosie; Julie (Dahl) Arcos and husband John of Kingsbury, Tx and their children Easton and Ellie; Jantsen Dahl of Wimberley, Tx; Hunter Hopkins and wife Jacey of Wellington, Tx; Caleb Dahl; Tiffany York; and Sara, Hannah, Elisha, Gabriel, and Grace Evans. Pallbearers include Steve Bevill, Arnie Stork, Kevin Allaway, Marco Ayala, Hunter Hopkins, Randy Andrews, Kevin Hart, and JP TeBeest. Honorary pallbearers are Donnie TeBeest, Ronnie TeBeest, Gary Moen, Kenny Andrews, Russell Dahl, and Clyde Fischer and the many Shorthorn Breeder friends he had. The family would like to give a very special thanks for the care-giving that Patricia Gonzalez offered. She is an angel. God Bless Her! Thank you also to Home Healthcare, Open Heart Hospice (Angela), the doctors, and nurses. Gayla, you were GREAT! =
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shorthorn country = april 2021
