Obituary - Phyllis Jean Martin

Phyllis Jean Martin, 80, of Louisburg, Kansas, passed away on Friday, September 26, 2025, at Louisburg Healthcare and Rehab. 

Visitation will  be held at 10 am, Thursday, October 2, 2025, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 606 S Elm Street, Louisburg, Kansas 66053. Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11 am. Burial will take place at the Bucyrus Cemetery, following the mass. 

A full obituary will be available shortly.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made payable to Monarch Hospice, c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, P.O. Box 669, Louisburg, Kansas 66053.

Obituary - Alice Marie Cook

Alice Marie Cook of Montrose, Missouri passed away on September 24th, 2025. She was born October 26th, 1935, to the late George Frederick Gengler and Helen Ann Swatters Gengler. Alice was united in marriage to Cecil Cook on October 17th, 1953, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Montrose, Missouri. To this union, eight children were born. The early years of their marriage were spent in Alabama and Georgia while Cecil served in the U.S. Army and in 1955, they returned to Montrose.

Alice and Cecil loved to go camping and enjoyed many adventures together over 50 years of marriage. Alice lived a simple life and valued simple things. She loved cats and any stray that appeared was sure to find care from Alice. She had a talent for crocheting and spent hours creating beautiful afghans, each a labor of love and a lasting reminder of comfort and warmth for those she loved.

Alice was an amazing cook. Whether it was hamburger potato casserole, fried apples, cinnamon rolls or donuts, a meal made by Alice was something to remember. She was the heart of the home, always busy caring for her children. She cooked, cleaned and tended to all their needs, but also loved to take the occasional Saturday for her and Cecil to play cards with friends or go dancing. Alice loved hosting her family for any occasion, but Christmas Eve was always a staple. Generations gathered every year for lots of food, even more laughter, spirited gift exchanges and card games that Alice loved to participate in.

She was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and recently became a great-great-grandmother. Through life’s challenges Alice’s wit and warmth never faded. Even at the end of her journey her caregivers commented on how sweet she was to all who cared for her. Her few words were those of love and humor, just days before she passed when asked by a nurse ‘what can I get you’, with a knowing grin Alice replied, “a million dollars.”

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Cecil Cook; her children, Paul, Patty, and Jeff; her son-in-law, Mike Mitchell; and her siblings, Betty Rotert, Jim Gengler, and Ann Strum.

She is survived by her children: Debbie Vogel (Bill), Phil Cook (Lisa), Jenny Mitchell (Jerry), Chris Cook (Shannon), and Bill Cook (Julie); her daughter-in-law, Tammy Cook; her sister-in-law, Cathy Gengler; many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Psalm 128: 3 & 6
“Your children will be like olive shoots around your table, may you see your children’s children.”

Just as the scripture promised, she lived to see her family flourish and was blessed with the joy of her children’s children. Having completed her earthly race, she has now found rest in the arms of her Lord and in the company of all the loved ones whom she has missed dearly.

Until we meet again, enjoy dancing with Cecil.

The family suggests any memorial donations be given to St. Mary's School. They may be left at Hill & Son Funeral Home or at the church the day of Mass.

Obituary - John K. Smith

John K. Smith, 64, of Harrisonville, Missouri, passed away on Friday, September 26, 2025, at Cass Regional Medical Center in Harrisonville. A cherished member of our community, John's life will be celebrated at a graveside service on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, at 1:00 PM at Oakland Cemetery in Harrisonville.

A complete obituary will be posted when it is available, courtesy Atkinson Funeral Home.

Highlights from the 2025 Amsterdam Jubilee

 

3 hurt in local accidents

Just after 2 am this morning, a 2013 Nissan driven by a 49 year old Warsaw man collided head on with a 2023 Ford Transit van driven by a 62 year old Kansas City man on H highway near county road 3003 east of Butler. Fortunately, both drives received only minor injuries however, both vehicles were totaled.

The Missouri Highway Patrol was assisted on scene by the Bates County Sheriff's office and the Butler fire department. The scene was cleared a short time later.

Around 6:15 last night, one person received moderate injuries in a single car accident at 18 highway and county road 1801. According to the highway patrol, a 2008 Nissan driven by a 20 year old male from Amsterdam, Mo left the roadway and struck a utility pole, causing a temporary power outage in the area. The driver was transported to Cass County Regional Hospital for treatment.

Due to a policy change, the MSHP no longer provides names of victims in publicly available accident reports. Hardcopy detailed reports are available from the MSHP at a cost of $6 with an unknown delivery time due to a severe backlog, according to the MSHP website.

Amsterdam Jubilee baby contest winners

 
Boys 0-6 months- Anthony Scholes, son of Brandi & Dalls Scholes; Girls 0-6 months- 1st place Rozlynn Barker, daughter of Jocelyn & Charles Barker; 2nd place Victoria Hermann, daughter of Jarrett & Bethany Hermann; Boys 6-12 months- 1st place Levi Pippin son of Darren & Katie Pippin; 2nd place Dustin Ridenour son of Lynnlee & Dustin Ridenour; Boys 13-18 months- 1st place Ryan Love, son of Roy Love & Bridgette Davis; 2nd place Colter Mager, son of Sam Mager & Sydney Fry; Boys 19-24 months- 1st place Quinton Mann, son of Dylan & Skylar Mann; Girls 19-24 months- 1st place Sunni Wilson, daughter of Codi & Layton Wilson; 2nd place Ivy Algiere, daughther of Sammy & Jeff Algiere.

Note that not all categories had contestants. Congrats to all!

Week 5 football results

Adrian 39
Butler 28

Harrisonville 14
Cassville 42

Oak Grove 14
Clinton 20

Lone Jack 16
Cole Camp 45

Bishop LeBlond 21
Archie 77

New Heights 0
Appleton City 84

Nevada 41
East Newton 7

Lexington 6
Holden 63

Liberal 18
Jasper 24

Osceola 26
Lockwood 78

Crest Ridge 14
Midway 40

Lamar 0
Mt. Vernon 21

Sherwood 38
Pleasant Hope 0

Drexel 72
Rich Hill 20

Windsor 22
Stockton 15

Obituary - Alberta Smith

Funeral services for Alberta Eilene Smith of Pleasant Hill, Missouri, formerly of Amsterdam, Missouri will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, October 1, 2025 at Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel (660-679-6555) in Butler, Missouri.  Visitation prior to services 10 - 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Schowengerdt Chapel.  Burial in West Point Cemetery, Amsterdam, Missouri.  Online condolences www.schowengerdtchapel.com.

Alberta Eilene Smith, age 86 of Pleasant Hill, Missouri, formerly of Amsterdam, Missouri died Thursday, September 25, 2025 at Pleasant Hill Health and Rehabilitation in Pleasant Hill.  She was born January 19, 1939 to Orval Andrew and Zadie Etta Smith Case in Lufkin, Texas.

Alberta is survived by one daughter, Crystal Cox and husband Wade of Lee’s Summit, Missouri; one brother, Larry Case and wife Linda of Amsterdam, Missouri; one sister, Joyce Webb of Drexel, Missouri; one granddaughter, Melody Cox of Lee’s Summit, Missouri; one grandson, Jordan Cox and wife Chelsea of Blue Springs, Missouri; and two great-granddaughters, Alina and Hallie Cox.  Alberta was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Charles; son, Steven; and infant daughter, Melody.