60 years ago

feb. 10, 1966

Tragedy struck Wednesday afternoon at a railroad crossing a half-mile northeast of Durham, bringing instant death to Henry R. Unruh, 52, a well-known farmer of northwest of Durham.

This marks the first traffic fatality of the year in Marion County. In 1965, there were a total of three. In 1964, the total was eight.

The annual Marion County Soil Conservation District meeting will be Feb. 12 in Marion City Building. Featured speaker will be Elmer H. Goering, Moundridge.

Governor Wm. H. Avery this week announced the appointment of John Berns, prominent Peabody rancher and businessman, to the state board of education for a three-year term.

Patricia Warneke, talented daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harlow Warneke, was crowned queen of courts Friday at Marion’s homecoming basketball game. The Warriors lost to Cottonwood Falls, but the loss failed to dim the queen’s charm.

Her attendants were Lavonda Hett and Toni McElwain. Escorts were Bryan Alexander, David Goertz, and George Jackson.

Six Fat Dutchmen, a nationally known polka band, will be at the Starlite Ballroom in Pilsen on Feb. 17. This will be the last dance before Lent and should draw a large crowd.

Gertrude B. Willey of Marion received $100 at this week’s Cash Days drawing. Connie Fisher, Marion, missed $5; Mrs. Marvin Hill, Hillsboro, missed $25; Phyllis Stenzel, Marion, received $50; and Vivian Scott, Marion, missed $5.

This week’s Warrior in the spotlight is Mike Jantz, 6-foot-1½ forward. When rebounding gets rough, Mike’s six feet can really be an asset. A junior, he will be back next year.

Two Marion High School students have qualified for a Kansas competitive scholarship contest as finalists. They are Norman Bowers and Judy Pankratz.

Members of Marion Kiwanis Club heard several young men report on scouting Monday noon at Kingfisher’s Inn. Don Bredemeier told about Webelo activities; John Higgins, Darrell Enos, and Robert Cook each made talks about Cubbing; and Mike Bredemeier gave a report on a scout merit badge in outdoor cooking.

Nineteen members of Coterie Club drove to Whitewater for a luncheon Monday at Carolyn’s Party Place. Arrangements were made by Mrs. Dean Batt, Mrs. Wharton Hoch, and Mrs. Gail Merrill.

Signalman Earl Winter has been serving aboard the guided missile destroyer USS Claude V. Rickets. The ship just returned from an 18-month exercise in the Mediterranean. It has a complement of sailors from the United States, England, Germany, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, and Turkey.