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, in Scott City, Kansas.
To this union, Ashley Nicohl was born on July 12, 1995.
James graduated from Weskan High School in the spring of 1989. He then attended Northwest Kansas Technical College in Goodland, Kansas for welding and graduated in the spring of 1991.
He liked working with his dad, Donald. He was a master craftsman like his father, making furniture and cutting different designs with a plasma cutter. He would help anyone and he didn’t mind telling you what he thought. James loved his old pickup and his everyday companion, his dog, Sloan. James also loved playing with his grandkids, Landen & Jaxton; he was Papa to them.
Survivors include his daughter Ashley Nicohl Waldren & Jordan Nemechek of Tribune; his mother Carolyn Lea Waldren of Leoti;, three sisters Karolyn & Elias Moreno of Dallas, Texas; Katrina & Eric Hoffman of Horace; and Karla & Rick Dilling of California, Kentucky; two grandsons - Landen & Jaxton Nemechek of Tribune; and many friends, relatives, aunts, uncles, nephews and nieces.
He was preceded in death by his father Walter Donald Waldren.
Graveside Memorial Services were held at 11:00 a.m. (Mountain Time) on Monday, March 24, 2025, at the Greeley County Cemetery in Tribune with Steve Payne presiding.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the James Waldren Memorial Fund in care of Price and Sons Funeral Home, P.O. Box 161, Leoti, Kansas 67861.
OBITUARIES
Arla Peter
Arla Peter, age 71, passed away on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, at the Greeley County Hospital in Tribune. She was born on September 17, 1954, in Tribune to Lawrence and Marjorie Woelk Peter. She was a lifelong member of the Tribune community. Surviving family includes her brother... [More]
Judson P. Price, Sr.
Judson P. Price, Sr., age 96, passed away on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at the Sunrise of Sandy Senior Living Center in Sandy, Utah. He was born on April 21, 1930, in Sabetha, the son of Lyle Phillips and Ruth Mildred Hall Price. He was the past owner and operator of... [More]
Becky Lynn Keller
Becky Keller, 74, of Olathe, passed peacefully into God’s arms on Tuesday, May 19, 2026. Becky was born on July 14, 1951, to her loving and devoted parents, Israel “Harry” and Thelma Trigg in Ottawa. Her childhood was spent in rural southwestern Kansas, where... [More]
Celebration of Life for Derek Justin Smith
A Celebration of Life for Derek Justin Smith will be held Saturday, June 6, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. at the Presbyterian Church in Tribune. Memorials can be given to the Derek Smith Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 433, Tribune, KS 67879.
Shawn Harney
Shawn Harney, age 61, passed away peacefully on May 23, 2026, surrounded by the love of his friends and family. Born on January 14, 1965, in Norfolk, Shawn grew up with a strong work ethic, a love for family, and a passion for the simple things in life. He graduated from Clarkson... [More]
Don E. Moore
Don Eugene Moore was born on March 3, 1962, in Tribune. He was the son of Emmit C. Moore and RoseElla (Kuder) Moore-Graham. He attended Greeley County High School and graduated in 1980. In 1982, he married Cindy Tillis and they had two children Amanda (Bobby) Ward of... [More]
John Warren “Skip” Conard, Jr.
John Warren “Skip” Conard, Jr., born September 1, 1943, in Syracuse, passed away on April 4, 2026, at the age of 82, surrounded by his loving family. He grew up in Coolidge with his brother, Edward Dale Conard, and his sister, Barbara (Conard) Latty; his sister... [More]
Rose Edna Fuller
Rose Edna Fuller, age 81, passed away on Friday, May 15, 2026, at the Greeley County Long Term Care in Tribune. She was born in Utica on November 6, 1944, to Verbin L. and O. Irene McRay Donovan. Rose was a lifelong resident of Tribune. She was a faithful member of the... [More]
More Obituaries
- Max Gwaine Steele
- Pauline (Finkenbinder) Fecht
- Ivan Earl Parks
- Carl Levi Evans
- David Northrup
- Lloyd E. Surprise
- Celebration of Life for Daryl Miller
- Derek Justin Smith
SPORTS
High School and Junior High Football Camp held last week
Among the high school boys at last week’s football camp were, left to right, Jeff Heine, Drayke DaSilva, Hayden Myers, Rowdy Grubb, and Luke Grubb. Coach Austin Coffman led Tuesday night’s practice with help from John Niehues.
Summer Basketball
High School girls taking part in last weekend’s basketball tournament in Greensburg were front row, left to right, Addy Kennedy, Scarlett Shafer, Shaydan Howell, Kamri Myers, and Charlize Shafer. In the back row are Coach Kyle Shafer, Mia Reynolds, Tylee Cavenee, Briana... [More]
Tennis Camp held
Students and their high school tennis camp coaches huddle around Coach Jacque Myers at the end of Monday’s tennis camp. Photo by Sheryl Crotinger.
Greeley County Recreation youth soccer teams play in Leoti league
Photo caption: Members of the fourth through sixth grade teams were, front row, left to right, Antonio Rascon, Kasen Myers, Maverick Moritz, Brantley Cavenee, Rosendo Figueroa, and Kale Harkness. In the back row, from left to right, are Coach Bret Harkness, Rhett Reynolds, Macyn... [More]
GCHS plays at 1A State Golf Meet at Turkey Creek in McPherson
Photo caption: Braxon Mangan shot a 39-40-79 on Day One and a 39-43-82 on Day Two at the 1A State Golf Tournament at Turkey Creek in McPherson. He tied for 12th place in 1A. Photo by Brecken Mangan. The GCHS Golf Team competed at the 1A State Championship Golf tournament... [More]
Seven Jackrabbits compete at all classes KSHSAA State Track Meet
Photo caption: Jailyn Brandl, right, competed in both the 1,600-meter and 3,200-meter runs at the KSHSAA Association meet in WIchita. She placed seventh in the 3,200-meter run, claiming a medal. Photo by Peggy Fischer. Seven members of the Greeley County Jackrabbits High... [More]
Jackrabbits host regional meet; seven qualify for state meet in Wichita
Photo caption: Rowdy Grubb was among seven Jackrabbits who qualified for this weekend’s KSHSAA State Track and Field Meet in Wichita. He cleared 12’6 on the pole vault to secure his place in the tournament. See the track story on page 12. Greeley County Schools... [More]
Jackrabbits place third at sub-state, secure spot at state meet
Photo caption: Braxon Mangan, left, and Guilherme (G) Evans placed first and tenth respectively at the sub-state tournament in Sharon Springs on Monday, May 18. Photo by Brecken Mangan. The GCHS Golf Team played in the sub-state tournament on Monday, May 18, at... [More]
More Sports
- Kansas State High School Clay Target League State Tournaments quickly approaching
- Jackrabbit golfers score wins at home, named Northwest Kansas League champions
- Junior High Track finishes season at NWK League Tournament in Oberlin
- High School Track competes in NWK League meet, prepares to host Regionals
- Jackrabbits compete in Dighton Meet
- Varsity Golf competes at Oakley, Johnson
- Junior High Jackrabbits compete in Tribune, Dighton
- Golfers bring home JV, Varsity medals
NEWS
Southwest Kansas Research Extension Station hosts Wheat Field Day
Photo caption: Area producers and other interested attendees took part in the Southwest Kansas Research Extension Station’s Wheat Field Day in Tribune last Tuesday, June 9. Entomologist Anthony Zukoff shared information about the Wheat Curl Mite with those in attendance. ... [More]
Rep. Minnix, Sen. Clifford to hold Town Hall meeting on Thursday, June 18
Representative Jim Minnix and Senator Bill Clifford, Greeley County’s state senator and representative, will be in Tribune Thursday, June 18, at 3 p.m. at the Melvin O. Kuder Senior Center to host a town hall meeting and to visit with area residents. Also attending... [More]
Dan Dan the Magic Man in Tribune Wednesday, June 24
Submitted by Library Staff The Greeley County Library will once again be hosting Dan Dan the Magic Man for our summer library program. The magic show will be held on Wednesday, June 24, at 1:30 p.m. Dan and his Magic Man family will be presenting “Jurassic Magic”... [More]
Country Fresh Market set to begin Wednesday, June 24
The first Country Fresh Market of the season is scheduled for next Wednesday, June 24. The market will take place from 4:30 – 6 p.m. in front of and on the lot south of the Greeley County Library, just north of the Greeley County Republican newspaper office. ... [More]
The Fourth of July: A 250th Star-Spangled Celebration
Saturday, July 4 At 9 a.m., a two-man scramble titled Fireworks and Fairways will tee off at Prairie Ridge Golf Course. Beginning at 10 a.m., the museum will sponsor a Sidewalk Chalk “Quilt” with the kids outside of the Melven O. Kuder Senior Center. Each... [More]
New World Screwworm informational update
Kansas agriculture and animal health officials are urging livestock producers, veterinarians and pet owners to remain vigilant following confirmation of a New World screwworm infestation in a calf in Texas, marking the first detection of the pest in the United States in decades.... [More]
Dry conditions speed area harvest along
Photo caption: Harvest has begun in Greeley County. Cody Woelk shared this photo of a combine cutting west of Friend, south of Scott City, at twilight on Monday, June 15. Editor’s Note: This week’s weather story is abbreviated; the staff at the Kansas Research Extension... [More]
Summer Kickoff brings shoppers, live music, and nearly 300 animals to community
Photo caption: Ayda Mangan was the Intermediate Grand Champion sheep showman at Saturday’s Gavin B. Kleymann Memorial Livestock Show. Three main events headlined the 2026 Summer Kickoff celebration: Community-Wide Garage Sales, Prairie Palooza, and the Gavin B.... [More]
More News
- Reynolds named CEO at Greeley County Health Services
- Gavin B. Kleymann Memorial Livestock show hosts 13th annual event
- More than 2,600 Kansas FFA members gather in Manhattan for annual convention
- County greens as it welcomes more moisture
- Board of Supervisors meeting notes
- Garden City Community College to Hold Groundbreaking Ceremony for Construction Trades Center
- Keep on Cruisin’ entertains in Tribune Sunday
- Candidate Filing
OPINIONS
From the editor's desk
Change isn’t my favorite. Though I like to think I’m open-minded and forward-looking, I can become rooted in patterns, comfortable in the way things are done. If I can navigate the mental maze of getting from point A to point Z several times, then just follow... [More]
Letter to the Community: We need lifeguards
How lucky are we to have a small-town swimming pool? Honestly–very. It’s more than just a place to cool off. It’s where summers happen. Kids learn to swim, teens hang out, families relax, and the whole community comes together in one spot. In a small... [More]
In Pursuit: Lesson #1 – From George Washington
Editor’s Note: The Kansas Press Association and Kansas Humanities have partnered to provide access to a series of essays honoring the 250th Anniversary of our nation. There is so much we can learn from the lessons of our past. In Pursuit is a new initiative from... [More]
FFA isn’t all sows, plows, and cows
Photo caption: Anna Marquardt, left, attended the ACC Conference in Lakin last week. Courtesy photo. FFA is growing tomorrow’s leaders, instilling confidence in members, and preparing members for career success and the ACC Conference did just that. ACC stands for authentic,... [More]
Letter to the Editor: Passing the Rotor Act is Plane Common Sense
Failure to pass it means another day, week, month that we put at risk the safety of all passengers who fly our skies. By U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) March 6, 2026 Crafted as a response to the deadly midair collision that occurred over the Potomac River in January... [More]
Letter to the Editor
Many of your readers may be interested to learn an artist of national reputation has painted a landscape entitled, Greeley County Summer. It may be viewed on the artist’s website: catherinefreshleyart.com. Click on prints, select paper or canvas and scroll until you find... [More]
Letter to the Editor: Trump promises handouts to farmers. Politicians promise development benefits. We pay for it all.
As has been widely speculated, Monday brought news that the Trump administration will provide several billion dollars in bailouts to farmers, with an emphasis on corn and soybean growers. Only a small portion may go to Kansas wheat farmers. Predictably, political dances followed... [More]
Letter to the Editor
After watching about three hours of the Supreme Court debate over tariffs, I learned something significant. As of Wednesday, November 5, tariffs amount to an 18% tax on all of us. On top of all the other taxes, that 18% shocked me. That number was shared in the Supreme Court... [More]
More Opinions
- Right to repair
- Letter to the Editor
- Letter to the Editor
- Letter to the editor: Political uncertainty shakes Kansas farmland values, and prosperity hangs in the balance
- From the Editor’s desk: Reflecting on the Symphony in the Flint Hills
- Letter to the Editor: With Trump and Musk driving U.S. policy, Kansas farmers have been played for suckers
- Letter to the Editor: Donald Trump is not our king
- Open letter to Kansas Sen. Roger Marshall
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