Obituaries - Saturday, September 12

Kay Catherine (Connor) Religa

December 9, 1939 - September 9, 2026

Kay Catherine (Connor) Religa passed away on September 9, 2026, at the age of 86.

Kay was born to Charles “Charlie” and Mathilda “Mattie” Connor in Hays, Kansas, on December 9, 1939. She was one of seven children and grew up on the family farm northwest of WaKeeney, Kansas.

She graduated from Trego County Community High School in 1957 and went on to receive a business degree from Brown Mackie Business School in Salina, Kansas. While attending college, she met her future husband, Joseph “Joe” Religa, at a dance while he was stationed at Schilling Air Force Base in Salina. They were married on February 7, 1959, at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Salina and moved to Brookville in 1960.

Kay worked for the Ell-Saline School District for many years, serving as the high school secretary from 1978-1994. She was also a member of the election board and served as city clerk for many years.

Her faith and service to St. Joseph’s Catholic Church were an important part of her life. She served the church in many capacities and found great joy in being involved in her church community.

Kay loved spending time fishing with her family and had a knack for catching the most—and often the biggest—fish. She also had a special love for flowers, especially irises. Her iris flower beds were filled with many heritage varieties that reflected her appreciation for beauty and gardening.

Kay will be remembered for her devotion to her family, her faith, her community, and the many people whose lives she touched throughout the years.

Kay was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph “Joe” Religa; her parents, Charles and Mathilda Connor; brothers, Joseph “Larry” Connor and James Connor; sisters, Patricia Connor and Gladys Connor, and daughter-in-law Ann (Mark) Religa. She is survived by her sister, Lorrie Blackwill of WaKeeney, Kansas, and her twin sister, Karen Vail of Salina, Kansas.

She leaves behind her daughter, Julie (Chip) Lushbough of Blue Springs, Missouri; her son, Mark (Ann) Religa of Goessel, Kansas; and her son, Kevin Religa of Manhattan, Kansas.

Kay is also survived by her grandchildren: Bryan (Abbey) Lushbough of Los Angeles, California; Brandon Religa of Atlanta, Georgia; Mattie (Chris) Lushbough of Independence, Missouri; Hannah (AJ) Religa of Leawood, Kansas; and Lane Religa of Fayetteville, Arkansas.

The family would like to extend a special and heartfelt thank you to the staff at Salina Regional Medical Center Cardiac Rehabilitation, as well as the Blue Springs PD and CJC Engine 5/Medical 5, for the compassionate care, kindness, and support they provided to Kay and her family.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 9:00 am Saturday, September 19, 2026, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Brookville. Burial will be in the Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Brookville. Vigil service and rosary will be held at 6:30 pm on Friday, September 18, at Ryan Mortuary, 137 North Eighth, Salina. The family will receive friends from 5 until 6:30 Vigil, and friends may call from 4 until 8 pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Brookville Community Foundation, PO Box 91, Brookville, Kansas 67425.

Everyone attending is invited to a luncheon at the Brookville Methodist Church immediately following the burial.

Ryan Mortuary

Betty Craig

December 23, 1938 - September 10, 2026

Betty Craig , age 87, of Salina, Kansas, passed away on September 10, 2026. She was born on December 23, 1938, in Salina to Leroy and Florence Milliman.

Betty is lovingly remembered by her four children: Scott (Christianne), Michelle, Christopher, and Jennifer; and her two grandchildren, Jonathan and Samantha.

She was formerly married to Carl Soldan, with whom she shared four children. Throughout her life, Betty made her home in several Kansas communities, as well as Omaha, Nebraska, and Denver, Colorado. She devoted herself to raising her family with strength, dedication, and quiet perseverance.

Upon returning to Salina later in life, Betty reunited with her high school sweetheart, Marlin Craig. They were married on September 15, 1986, and remained devoted partners until Marlin’s passing on April 15, 2004.

In Salina, Betty worked for Peoples Heritage Bank and Continental Analytical Services, where she was known for her kindness, strong work ethic, and steady presence.

Betty’s life was marked by resilience, deep family love, and a gentle grace that touched all who knew her. She will be dearly missed.

A graveside service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, September 15, 2026 at Roselawn Memorial Park, Salina.

Ryan Mortuary

Heike (Goedecke) Daily

March 20, 1947 - September 8, 2026

SALINA- Heike (Goedecke) Daily , born on March 20, 1947, in Klein Rönnau, Germany, passed away in Salina, Kansas on September 8, 2026, at the age of 79. At just five years old, she came to the United States, where she would grow up, build her life, raise her family, and leave behind a beautiful legacy of love.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Frieda and Heinrich Goedecke, and her sister, Kristine Peterson. She is survived by her brother, Klaus Goedecke.

She was a wonderful mother, Meme/Mema, teacher, and friend. She was blessed with four children: Jeff (Jody) Daily, Aaron (Leslie) Daily, Brad (Christina) Daily, and Megan (Paul) Pommer.

Heike dedicated much of her life to teaching and had a remarkable gift for connecting with children. Throughout her teaching career, she taught countless students and touched many, many lives. Perhaps one of the things that made her so special was her incredible ability to remember her students' names long after they had left her classroom.

She adored her 11 grandchildren and treasured every moment she was able to spend with them: Josh, Colleen (Michael), Jacob, Zach, Maya, Tess, Cooper, Sophie, Tate, Paige, and Bristol. Being a Meme/Mema was one of the greatest joys of her life, and her grandchildren knew without a doubt how deeply they were loved.

Whether cheering them on from the sidelines, celebrating their accomplishments, or simply spending time together, she wanted nothing more than to see her family happy. Family time was her favorite. She treasured the ordinary moments as much as the special ones - the laughter, the conversations, the celebrations, and simply being together.

Her applesauce pancakes were a family staple. They were made with love and somehow always tasted better when she made them. Even when her children were grown adults, she would still cut their pancakes. Somehow, a pancake cut by Mom just tasted that much better. It was one of those simple acts of love that said everything about who she was.

Her children and grandchildren will carry her love with them always, finding pieces of her in their memories, their traditions, and in the love they share with one another.

She was deeply loved. She was greatly cherished. And she will be dearly missed.

In keeping with Heike’s wishes, there will be no formal services. Instead, she asked that her family celebrate her life by taking a trip together - spending time with one another, making memories, laughing, and enjoying the family she loved so dearly.

Memorials may be made to Salina Education Foundation for Huesner Elementary, PO Box 797, Salina, KS 67402-0797.

Ryan Mortuary