Father William J. Surmeier, 85, passed away on April 3, 2025.

He was born in Hays, Kansas, on January 7, 1940, the second son of Anton and Gertrude (Fellhoelter) Surmeier.

He attended St. Paul's Catholic School in Angelus, Kansas, Thomas County Grade School in Oakley, and St. Francis High School Seminary in Victoria. He attended college and theology at Conception Seminary, Conception, Missouri, and was ordained a priest for the Salina Diocese on May 27, 1965, in his home parish in Oakley.

Crystal Ann "Chris" Trauer, age 86, of Hays, passed away on March 31, 2025.

She was born August 7, 1938, in Pueblo, Colorado, to Lyle and Evelyn (Weight) Scott.

She married Robert Dennis in Pueblo, Colo., and had three children: Lauree, Steve, and Mike. She grew up in Pueblo, Colo., and was a 1956 graduate of Central High School. While living in Colorado, Chris worked at Woolworths in Denver, and in 1972, they moved to Ellis, as her husband worked on the railroad. She and Robert later separated.  

SENATE HIGHLIGHTS - WEEKLY OVERVIEW

The Kansas Legislature wrapped up the regular portion of the 2025 session on Thursday, advancing a comprehensive budget and passing a range of impactful legislation. Key measures included tax reductions, safeguards for Kansas' water future, tougher crime enforcement, and protections to prevent foreign adversaries from owning land in the state. Lawmakers will reconvene on April 10 for a three-day “veto session.”

SENATE CONFIRMATION