Wayne D. Nelson
Wayne D. Nelson, 89, of Topeka, passed away Wednesday, September 11, 2024.
He was born December 13, 1934, in Sylvia, Kansas, the son of Clifford C. and Alice (Harmon) Nelson. He was a 1952 graduate of Nickerson High School, Nickerson, Kansas and received a Bachelor’s Degree in Business from the University of Kansas. He served in the U.S. Army from September 17, 1954 until being honorably discharged on September 14, 1956.
Wayne began his banking career at Hutchinson National Bank, Hutchinson, and later served as President of banks in Syracuse, Tribune, and Gorham, retiring in October 31, 2009.
Summers were spent at the ballpark, coaching Joyce’s softball team, and coaching and officiating his sons’ games. He was also a Boy Scout leader, and a member of several civic organizations.
Wayne married Joyce E. Paepke on December 28, 1958 in Arlington. She survives in Topeka. Other survivors include three sons, Mike (Gwen) Nelson of Topeka, Scott (Deanne) Nelson Fishers, Indiana, and Tom (Julie) Nelson of Enid, Oklahoma; five grandchildren, Paul (Brittany) Nelson, Haley (Travis) West, Lauren Nelson, Joshua Nelson and Gabrielle Nelson; four great-grandchildren, J.P. Nelson, Connor Nelson, Avery Nelson and Grayson West; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and two brothers, Carol and Glen Nelson.
Wayne loved spending time with family, especially his grandchildren, and was an avid fan of the Kansas Jayhawks, Kansas City Royals and Chiefs, and Fort Hays State Tigers.
Honoring his request, cremation is planned. A celebration of life ceremony will be at 2:00 p.m., Friday, September 20, 2024, at Dove Cremations and Funerals, Southwest Chapel, 3700 SW Wanamaker Rd, Topeka, where a reception will follow until 4:00 p.m.
A graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, September 21, 2024, at Arlington Cemetery, Arlington, Kansas.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Gorham Community Development Association, P.O. Box 24, Gorham, KS 67640.
To leave a special message for the family online, visit www.DoveTopeka.com.
OBITUARIES
Daryl Leroy Sebastian
Daryl Leroy Sebastian was born April 9, 1937, to Leona and Cecil Sebastian in Tribune. He passed away on November 30, 2025, in Lake Elsinore, California. Daryl graduated from Greeley County Schools and attended Fort Hays State for two years. He later farmed with his father,... [More]
Warren M. Kuttler
Warren M. Kuttler, 74, of Tribune, died in Tribune on November 21, 2025. He was born on October 9, 1951, in Boise, Idaho, to Joseph Virgil Kuttler, Jr., and Imogene Ruth (Clark) Kuttler. After many moves during his father’s Air Force tenure, the Kuttler family moved... [More]
Merle LeRoy Shalberg
Merle LeRoy Shalberg was born on January 6, 1936, in Sheridan Lake, Colorado, and passed away on November 10, 2025, at Weisbrod Hospital in Eads, surrounded by his family, following a brief illness. He was 89 years old. Merle attended school in Sheridan Lake, (aka KA Hall)... [More]
Rev. William F. “Bill” Kleymann
It is with deep sadness that we announce the death of Rev. William F. “Bill” Kleymann, Jr. He passed away at Wesley Hospital in Wichita, Kansas on Friday afternoon, November 14, 2025, at the age of 81. Bill was born August 10, 1944, in Syracuse, Kansas, to Helen... [More]
Burial services for Stewarts Saturday
Burial services for James Thompson Stewart and Margret A. Stewart will be on Saturday, November 22, 2025, at 1 p.m. at the Greeley County Cemetery in Tribune. There will be a get together prior to the services. Please call Teri Richards for more information.
Memorial for Jane Ellen (Dixon) Scarffe
Jane Scarffe’s family has selected a memorial gift recipient to honor Jane’s life: The Sierra Club, Colorado Chapter, 1536 Wynkoop Street, #200, Denver, CO 80202 (colorado.chapter@sierraclub.org). Because of Jane’s lifelong love of the Colorado Rocky... [More]
Jane Ellen (Dixon) Scarffe
Jane Ellen (Dixon) Scarffe, 72, of Lawrence died after a long battle with illnesses on October 27, 2025. She was born on December 10, 1952, in Pueblo, Colo. Jane was the daughter of Wm. Vern “Vee” Dixon, Jr., and Shirley Jane (Rudd) Dixon. Jane grew up in Tribune... [More]
Mary Ann Krebs
Mary Ann Krebs, age 78, passed away at her home on Sunday, October 19, 2025, in Tribune. She was born on March 12, 1947, in Tribune to Raymond and Goldie Jones Kuder. Mary Ann spent most of her life in Tribune with brief visits to Seattle, Washington; Lamar, Colorado;... [More]
More Obituaries
- Rodney Alan Paxman
- Memorial services for Mary Ann Krebs
- Amy Dawn Kessler
- Jacqueline “Jackie” Marie Hutchins
- Richard Marion Martin
- Joan Ray Smith
- Don Henry Stephenson
- Betty Marie (Chilson) Osborn
SPORTS
Jackrabbits sweep Elkhart, Stanton County to begin season
Photo caption: Junior Marco Coello drives the ball to the basket during Friday night’s home opener against Stanton County. The Jackrabbits traveled to Elkhart on Tuesday, December 2, to square off against the Wildcats for their first game of the 2025-2026 season. ... [More]
JH Lady Jackrabbits sweep Hornets in C, B, and A play
Photo caption: Brielle Harkness brings the ball down the floor during Thursday evening’s A game against the Hornets. The Junior High Lady Jackrabbits hosted the Dighton Hornets on Thursday, December 4. The evening kicked off with a half game of C girls play. ... [More]
Junior High Jackrabbits fall to Dighton Hornets
Photo caption: Ruben Coello drove to the basket during Thursday afternoon’s A game against Dighton. He and Deacon Gooch both had 11 points for the team. Photo by Trista Shafer. The Junior High Jackrabbits hosted the Dighton Hornets on Thursday, December 4,... [More]
Five Jackrabbits recognized with All League Football Honors
Photo caption: Luke Grubb, Caleb Young, Santiago Mora, Traceur Alexander, and Rowdy Grubb earned post-season honors for the Jackrabbit Football team. Greeley County Jackrabbit football players Santiago Mora, Caleb Young, Traceur Alexander, Rowdy Grubb, and Luke Grubb... [More]
Red & White Scrimmage players
Those competing in the November 22 Red and White Scrimage were (kneeling) Head Coach Kyle Shafer and students Mia Reynolds, Briana Martinez, Julia Hopkins, Tylee Cavenee, Addy Kennedy, Shaydan Howell, Charlize Shafer, Jeryn Stewart, and Jadence Stewart. Alumni (standing)... [More]
Greeley County students compete in Colby Recreation Basketball League
Photo caption: The first and second grade girls competing in the Colby Recreation League basketball program are (kneeling)Jaycee Howell, Quinn Thomeczek, and Oaklynn Schneider. Standing are Maddy Moritz, Rhyla Reynolds, McKinli Schneider, Reese Hahn, and Coach Jentri Hahn. Courtesy... [More]
High School Jackrabbits host Red and White Scrimmage
Photo caption: Monica Slattery, a GCHS alum, looks to pass the ball to a teammate during Saturday evening’s Red and White Scrimmage. She is guarded by Mia Reynolds, a junior. The High School Jackrabbit basketball teams hosted their annual Red and White Scrimmage... [More]
Jackrabbits fall to Coyotes, beat Buffaloes
Photo caption: Myles Hahn looks to pass inside during Thursday’s game against the Rawlins County Buffaloes. Photo by Trista Shafer. Tribune vs. Weskan Tuesday, November 18, 2025 The Junior High Jackrabbits traveled to Weskan last Tuesday, November 18, to take... [More]
More Sports
- Stewart honored for football, leadership
- Lady Jackrabbits defeat Coyotes, Buffaloes
- Junior High Boys defeat Quinter, Oberlin
- Lady Jackrabbits fall to Quinter, easily defeat Oberlin
- Trap team finishes fall season in third place in Conference Four
- Stewarts named to First Team, All League
- Stewart to compete in Four-State All-Star Game
- Junior High Lady Jackrabbits sweep Wildcats in season opener
NEWS
Jackrabbits sweep Elkhart, Stanton County to begin season
Photo caption: Senior Jadence Stewart, left, and junior Shaydan Howell fiercely defend a Stanton County player at Friday night’s home opener. The Lady Jackrabbits started their 2025-2026 season off with a decisive win over the Elkhart Wildcats on Tuesday, December 2. ... [More]
Shop Greeley County for Christmas
Shop at local participating merchants through the holiday season and enter to win one of fifteen prizes of $100 in Greeley County Bucks The second week’s winners, drawn on Wednesday, December 3, were Tammi Hazel, Linda Wendelburg, and Terri Vestal. The previous... [More]
Board of Supervisors meeting notes
Monday, December 8, 2025, 1 p.m. Notes by Christy Hopkins Supervisors present: Chairman Steve Mangan, Monty Moritz, Scott Steele, Stan Shafer, and Alan Waggoner Others present: County Auditor Jim Myers, Deputy Clerk Kaylie Carney, County Treasurer Diane Gentry, Unified... [More]
Conditions remain dry
Photo caption: The outside of the Horace Greeley Museum and the gazebo were decorated festively for the annual Christmas Open House Sunday afternoon. The week’s high temperature of 59 degrees was recorded for Saturday, December 7, 2025. The lowest low for the week... [More]
Wheatland Electric Wins 2025 National Drive Electric Utility Award
Recognition honors WEC’s leadership in advancing electric vehicle education and access across rural Kansas SCOTT CITY–Wheatland Electric Cooperative, Inc. (WEC) is proud to announce that it has been named the winner of the 2025 National Drive Electric Utility Award... [More]
Local artist Heather Long has gallery showing at K-State
Photo caption: Heather Long’s artwork will be on display at K-State through December 22. Courtesy photo. Heather Long, local artist, currently has 25 pieces on display at K-State University’s Union. Her exhibit is titled “The Stillness Between.” ... [More]
Faith & Science Roundtable Discussion
The community is invited to attend a Faith and Science Roundtable Discussion on Thursday, December 4, from 6-7 p.m. at the Tribune United Methodist Church. This event, which is hosted by Linly Stum, will feature an open and thoughtful conversation exploring the intersection... [More]
Wheatland Electric to Debut New Consumer Service Kiosk at Tribune Office During Holiday Open House on Dec. 10
TRIBUNE–Wheatland Electric Cooperative, Inc. invites all cooperative members to its annual Holiday Open House on Wednesday, Dec. 10, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. MT at the Tribune district office, located at 310 Broadway. This free, come-and-go celebration is open to cooperative... [More]
More News
- Shop Greeley County for Christmas program
- Phillips awarded STEM Classroom grant
- Hints of winter arrive with December
- Seaboard Foods Offering 65 $1,000 Scholarships to High School Seniors
- Red Cross urges holiday decorating safety to prevent home fires
- Tribune’s Christmas Open House kicks off holiday season
- Construction of Towner East Wind Energy Project to begin in March 2026
- Christmas Decoration Swap at the Library
OPINIONS
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]
Right to repair
Right to Repair is one of the hottest topics not only in agriculture, but also in the US. In the bustling industrial economy, money-hungry companies are looking for any way to save a penny or pass on costs onto the consumer. This then accumulates into the Right... [More]
Letter to the Editor
Imagine yourself living on a homestead, a place you’ve called home for 71 years. Unknowingly, the groundwater beneath your farm, slowly disappearing until there’s none! Those of us who go to the sink for a glass of water, fill our washing machines to get a clean... [More]
Letter to the Editor
Dear Parents and Guardians, This year, we are excited to announce that our school, grades 6-12, will be holding student-led conferences along with traditional parent-teacher conferences. In a student-led conference, your child takes an active role in leading the conversation.... [More]
Letter to the editor: Political uncertainty shakes Kansas farmland values, and prosperity hangs in the balance
by Ben Palen First published in the Kansas Reflector In 1979, I bought my first parcel of farmland. It was near Tribune, and I was a proud new landowner. As I recall, the purchase price was $350 per acre. Today, that land is probably worth somewhere in the $2,000-per-acre... [More]
From the Editor’s desk: Reflecting on the Symphony in the Flint Hills
Saturday, June 14, was the grand finale of the Symphony of the Flint Hills, which celebrated a 20-year run of welcoming guests onto the open prairie to enjoy a performance by the Kansas City Symphony. This year’s theme was “Prairie Sunset” and as the... [More]
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]
More Opinions
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