Shane Gregory Smith

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March 27, 1977 - March 1, 2025

Son, even though you didn’t make it to the end of our story, we will always have the corner folded down on your page .... because it was one of our favorites. - Dad & Mom

With heavy hearts we mourn the sudden passing of our beloved son, Shane, age 47, who left our world on March 1, 2025 in Tribune, KS. He grew up in Texas and Arizona graduating from Sunnyslope High School in 1995.

His passing has left a hole in our hearts and the lives of those who knew and loved him. The world seems dimmer without him in it. To know Shane was to love him. He was a bright star in our lives, cherished for his infectious laughter, his humorous one-line zingers and his kind heart, always a loyal friend, very thoughtful and he had an amazing work ethic. He lit up a room when he entered.

He had a passion for BMX, Motorcycles, Hot Cars and Powerlifting. He once performed his BMX tricks at the Arizona State Fair with his friend, Brian. Shane and his friends spent all of their spare time riding their bikes all over Phoenix and building an area to ride and jump at 19th Avenue and Union Hills in Phoenix. They also raced on the weekends at Black Mountain BMX in Phoenix. One particular day he and his friend, Larry, rode 23 miles on their BMX bikes.

His mechanical skills enabled him to maintain and tune his cars and motorcycles. Shane loved his 1978 Macho TA #109 and his 2005 GTO. His cars and motorcycles were in pristine condition in and out and under the hood. His GTO was pretty souped up, gas prices were going up and he was driving 60 miles a day round trip to work. He decided a motorcycle would be the best answer so in 2021 he purchased a new Harley Iron 883. It had five miles on it as he drove it off the lot and know those previous miles were because he test drove it a couple of times. He loved that black beauty and made it his own with all kinds of tweaks and accessories and a few stickers. On the left side on the oil cover is a sticker that says, “Please Use The Other Door.” On the forks he has stickers that say War Machine and on the gas tank is God of War. His helmet has spikes on top of it. His love for riding his Harley is known by all. His Harley’s One-Note Song was heard all over town. Oh, how we all miss hearing that throaty sound!

Shane was 8 pounds, 8-3/4 ounces at birth .... perhaps foretelling of his Powerlifting future. He attended many powerlifting meets in Arizona and California doing very well. He continues to hold records in Arizona. Shane got his Personal Trainer Certificate in Phoenix and was a personal trainer. He was very disciplined with his workouts. Always trying to achieve more, getting better and better.

Last year he started his car detailing business. He took such pride in doing the very best job he could do and he did! The cars looked better than when they came off the showroom floor. He worked very hard to get everything just right. Some mornings were downright cold to be out there but there he was with his vacuum, brushes to get in the crevices, rags, etc. He was a stickler for the details.

Shane impacted many people in his short time with us. One of which was a friend in Arizona who mentioned that he spoke to Shane every day for the past 8+ yrs. When his death was put on Facebook his Facebook page and Messenger blew up and was filled with condolences and people telling how he had impacted their lives and how he was going to be missed. Phone calls poured in. He was one in a million. The love for him and his memories will live on in those of us who knew him.

Shane is survived by his parents, Randall & Connie Smith, brother Derek Smith and partner Tamra Chris of Tribune, Uncle Robert Woods (Cheryl), Phoenix, Arizona; Aunt Jana Kearns (Mike), Mesa, Arizona; Aunt Marla Graham (Gary), Tampa, Florida; Uncle Hunt Klein (Vicki), Grand Junction, Colorado.

Shane was preceded in death by his grandparents, Robert & Virginia Woods, Dearld and Wanda Smith and Aunt Marilyn Klein.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, June 7, 2025 at the Presbyterian Church at 821 Second Street in Tribune, KS at 10:30 a.m.

Memorial donations may be given to the Shane Smith Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 433, Tribune, KS 67879.

OBITUARIES

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Walter James Waldren

Walter James Waldren, age 54, passed away on Sunday, March 16, 2025, in Wichita County, Kansas. He was born on October 28, 1970, in Leoti, Kansas, the son of Walter Donald and Carolyn Lea Lemmer Waldren.  He was a farmer. James married Mary Jane Kelley on April 22, 1994,... [More]

Donovan Anderson

Donovan Anderson passed away February 16, 2025. He was born May 28, 1953 to the late Doris and Darrel Anderson. He is survived by children, Shane Anderson of Colorado Springs, Colorado; Tanya (Eric) McSwan of Amarillo, Texas; siblings: Debbie (Rod) Meltabarger of Cassville, Missouri;... [More]

Patricia “Pat” McKinley

With profound sadness. we say goodbye to Patricia McKinley (Pueblo, Colorado), born in Goodland, Kansas, whose vibrant spirit touched the lives of many.  Patricia left this world on February 16. 2025 at the age of 80, leaving a void in the lives of so many people. She... [More]

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Keith Smyth

Keith Smyth, 89, of Campbell, California, passed away on February 20, 2025.  He was born Aug. 10, 1935 to James and Violet Smyth of Tribune, Kansas. Keith graduated from Greeley County High School in 1953.  After high school, Keith worked for the Missouri Pacific... [More]

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Beth Ann (Myers) Tenan

Beth Ann (Myers) Tenan, Fort Collins, Colorado, passed away Tuesday, February 25, 2025, to our Lord and Savior peacefully in her sleep after a long and courageous battle following her stroke four years ago.  Beth Tenan was born May 1, 1971, in Wamego to Byrom Myers and... [More]

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Vayrena Dee Hamilton

Vayrena Dee Hamilton, age 59, passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 12, 2025, in Clearwater, Kansas. She was born on February 22, 1965 in Tribune, the daughter of Harlan D. And Judith V. Campbell. She was a lifelong resident of Tribune.  Vayrena graduated Greeley County... [More]

Ronald Lehman

Ronald Lehman, age 77, passed away on Monday, January 6, 2025, at the Greeley County Health Center in Tribune, Kansas.  He was born on November 4, 1947, in rural Greeley County, Kansas to Lawrence & Maxine Carter Lehman.  He lived his entire life in Tribune... [More]

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Walter Donald Waldren

Walter Donald Waldren, age 82, passed away on Saturday, January 11, 2025, at his home in Selkirk.  He was born on October 19, 1942, in Syracuse to Walter Benjamin and Leona Regina Younger Waldren. He was a lifelong resident of the area, having grown up in Tribune and making... [More]

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SPORTS

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GCHS students compete in Trego Powerlifting Meet

Photo caption: Rowdy Grubb, front, lifted 200 pounds on squat while Santiago Mora, behind him, served as a spotter at the Trego Meet in WaKeeney on Saturday, March 8. Grubb finished first in his division. Photo by Ashley Grubb.  Eight Greeley County High School students... [More]

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Jackrabbits named to Northwest Kansas All-League Teams

Photo caption: Gael Yanez, Lincoln Shafer, Braxon Mangan, Jadyn Mangan, and Jadence Stewart were among the Northwest Kansas League basketball players named to the All-League Teams. Shafer, Mangan, and Mangan were named to the first teams and Yanez and Stewart were listed as honorable... [More]

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Boys Basketball Season Stats

We’ll be running some boys’ basketball stats from the season and select records data over the next few weeks.  Thanks to Coach Gooch for getting the information rounded up for publication. 

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Jackrabbits secure 2-point win over La Crosse, fall to Claflin-Central Plains Oilers

Photo caption: The Jackrabbits were sub-state runner ups. Pictured kneeling from left to right are Rowdy Grubb, Hayden Myers, Marco Coello, Taven Schmidt, and Braxon Mangan. Standing, from left to right, are Assistant Coach Drew Zerr, Ryland Myers, Guilherme Evans, Aidan Hill,... [More]

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Coach Josh Gooch becomes winningest coach in program history

With last Monday’s sub-state win, Head Boys Basketball Coach Josh Gooch became the winningest men’s basketball coach in Greeley County history, surpassing record of 121 wins Coach Jeff Starkey had amassed in the early 2010s.  The team’s 51-49 win over... [More]

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Lady Jackrabbits defeat Railroaders, fall to Bulldogs

Photo caption: The Lady Jackrabbits lined up for the National Anthem before their game in Quinter Saturday night. Pictured from left to right are Coach Kyle Shafer, Charlize Shafer, Shaydan Howell, Maggie Votruba, Kenna Bain, Jeryn Stewart, Addy Kennedy, Taittum Bain, Mia Reynolds,... [More]

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Greeley County Cheerleaders

Yareli Labra, Alexis Chavez, Mary Kathryn (MK) Votruba, and Annaleigh Long cheered for the Lady Jackrabbits at Saturday night’s game in Quinter. Photo by Sheryl Crotinger.  

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Lady Jackrabbits end regular season on four-game winning streak

Photo caption: Jadyn Mangan, #21, plays tough defense as Jadence Stewart, #14; Kenna Bain, #13; and Jeryn Stewart, #10, work to keep the Northern Valley Huskies away from their basket in their final game of regular season play. Story on page 6.  The Lady Jackrabbits capped... [More]

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NEWS

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Greeley County National Honor Society Chapter inducts seven new members

Photo caption: Members of Greeley County’s National Honor Society are (front row, left to right) Keiragen Daniels, Annabelle Schneider, Hailey Nolan, Maggie Votruba, Jadyn Mangan, Mary Kathryn Votruba, Britney Helpingstine, Zoey Shivers, and Addyson Kennedy. In the back... [More]

Notice to Tribune Residents

The Tribune water tower is going to have routine maintenance to it starting in early April. There may be times of low water pressure and the City of Tribune asks that you conserve as much water as possible. This process may take around two to four weeks to complete.  Please... [More]

The Unstoppable You program Thursday night

The Unstoppable You, a presentation by Craig Conrad, is scheduled for Thursday, March 27, at 6 p.m. at Greeley County Schools. Parents and community supporters are encouraged to attend the presentation.  The Unstoppable You is described as powerful, true, life-changing... [More]

April is for Arts

The Greeley County Library will once again be hosting Art in April. Anyone who would like to display their handiwork is encouraged to bring pieces to the library beginning next week (March 31-April 4). All types of art forms are welcome. Let the creativity of our community... [More]

Historical Society Annual Meeting April 6

The Greeley County Historical Society invites you to attend their Annual Meeting on Sunday, April 6, from 5:00-7:00 pm at the Senior Center.   The dinner will be at 5:00-5:30 followed by a short business meeting.  Main dishes will be provided as well as tableware.... [More]

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March weather rapidly shifts

Photo caption: After high winds on Wednesday, workers from B & H Paving filled cracks with tar on Greeley Avenue last Thursday morning.  Changing conditions continued to keep area residents on alert last week as red flag, wind, and winter weather advisories rolled... [More]

Board of Supervisors meeting notes

Monday, March 24, 2025 Supervisors Present: Chairman Steve Mangan, Alan Waggoner, Monty Moritz, Scott Steele, and Stan Shafer Others present: County Clerk Jerri Young, County Treasurer Diane Gentry, Utility Administrator Stephanie Elliott, MSD Employee Jesse Randolph, and... [More]

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Greeley County Youth Entrepreneurship Competition awards $2,200 to students

Photo caption: James Marquardt won first place in the Junior Division with his project Marquardt Basketworks. Photo by Sheryl Crotinger.  The Greeley County Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge, held on Tuesday, March 11,  featured 25 projects eighth grade, freshman,... [More]

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OPINIONS

Letter to the Editor: With Trump and Musk driving U.S. policy, Kansas farmers have been played for suckers

By Ben Palen Also published in the Kansas Reflector Back in November, I wrote a column for Kansas Reflector that discussed the likely adverse effects of President Trump’s proposed tariffs on U.S. farmers. The piece noted that 398 million acres of cropland has been... [More]

Letter to the Editor: Donald Trump is not our king

Donald Trump is not our king. He was elected with less than 50 percent of the popular vote and his margin of victory was 1.5 percent. There is no mandate in those numbers.  Our elected members of Congress have a sworn duty to support and defend the Constitution and the... [More]

Open letter to Kansas Sen. Roger Marshall

On March 1 at Oakley in western Kansas, Sen. Roger Marshall held a town hall meeting for area constitutents wanting to know more about activities in Washington DC that have impacts on them. The following written questions were submitted by Louise Ehmke. Unfortunately they were... [More]

Letter to the Editor - School bond issue

Sometimes I wonder what drives our government to do things in our name but don’t make sense.  With regard to our School Bond election and the Kansas Attorney General’s ruling, how can it be that a law is enacted that has such serious flaws in it.  SB 221... [More]

Insight: Your vote counts

In about two weeks or so, it will be Election Day. I don’t know about the rest of you, but I cannot wait for it to be over. I will not say another word about the campaigns because my mother told me, “If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at... [More]

Volunteers are the heart of our community

As we celebrate National 4-H Week this week, 4-H Members across the country are celebrating this wonderful youth organization with Friends, Family, and the Communities that support this youth development program.  In addition to celebrating the hard-work and dedication of... [More]

A tribute to Tribune and her friendly residents

In 2023, we visited our good friends Julie and Bill Lawrence of Tribune, Kansas.   We fell in love with Tribune!  During one of our subsequent visits, we found and purchased a great house and will move in, in 2026. Everyone, and I mean everyone, we’ve come... [More]

Letter to the community from Superintendent Niehues

Dear families and community members, I hope this message finds you well. I want to take a moment to thank you for your continued support and engagement with our school community. Over the past few weeks, we have become aware of an issue regarding our school bond vote. As... [More]

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