Martie Floyd
Martie Brent Floyd, 78, of Johnson, Kansas, a lifelong southwest Kansas farmer, cattleman, businessman and community leader, passed away Aug. 26, 2026, at his home, surrounded by his family and friends.
Martie was born on Aug. 7, 1948, in Syracuse, Kansas, to R.D. Floyd and Evelyn Winger Floyd. He grew up on the family farm in Stanton County with his younger siblings, Roetta and Gary, surrounded by parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins.
After high school, Martie enrolled at the University of Kansas. Diane Nonken had transferred to KU and happened to be the roommate of Martie’s cousin and good friend, Melva Jo Winger. Martie later remembered that Diane was pretty and smart — and, perhaps most importantly, laughed at his smart remarks.
On June 13, 1970, Martie and Diane were married at Trinity Methodist Church in Hutchinson, Kansas. After Diane graduated in 1971, they returned to Johnson and the farm. Their marriage would span more than 56 years and become the foundation of the family and life they built together.
In 1976, Martie and his brother Gary formed M&G Farms. Through droughts, hail, wind, blowing dirt, high prices, low prices and tremendous changes in technology, Martie never lost his confidence in or love of southwest Kansas agriculture.
For decades, Martie was also involved in his family’s banking interests. In 1990, he became a director of the First National Bank of Liberal and Kansas Bank Corporation. As the family’s banking interests evolved, Martie remained involved with Dream First Bank and Legacy Financial Co. and had the satisfaction of watching the next generation of the family take increasingly important roles in the business.
Martie believed strongly in giving back to the community and industry that had given so much to him. He became involved in the American Agriculture Movement during the farm crisis of the late 1970s, traveling throughout Kansas to advocate for farmers. Later, his service included the USD #452 School board, Johnson Cooperative and Skyland Grain boards, Farmland Industries, Pioneer Electric Cooperative, the Stanton County Hospital Board, WEKANDO economic development organization and the Stanton County Commission. He was also a member of the Kansas Agricultural Rural Leadership Class One and served on the board in later years.
His years of service to agriculture and the cooperative system were recognized in 2021 with his induction into the Kansas Cooperative Hall of Fame, an honor that genuinely surprised him and that he described as both humbling and deeply appreciated.
For all the boards, businesses and accomplishments, nothing mattered more to him than his family. Martie and Diane raised two children, Chris and Jennifer. He was proud of Chris and his wife, Dara, and enjoyed watching them raise their family and continue the family’s involvement in community banking. He was equally proud of Jennifer, not only for her career but also her involvement in her church and community, and the sons she raised.
Their five grandchildren — Haley, Jayden, Dylan, Jarren and Jaxson — brought an entirely new dimension to Martie’s life. Then came the first great-grandchild; Martie and Diane welcomed Hogan Samuel Forrest to their family in January 2025. Martie loved his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and delighted in spending time with them.
Martie was passionate about farming and cattle. Even after experiencing enough southwest Kansas weather to know better, he remained optimistic about next year’s crop.
As much as Martie liked farming and cattle, he loved people more. He would often reminisce about all the different business owners and consultants who grew alongside his and Gary’s farm. Martie leaves behind land he cared for, organizations he helped strengthen, friendships measured in decades and generations of a family who will continue telling his stories.
For someone who spent a lifetime planting things and watching them grow, perhaps the best measure of his life is what grew around him: a family, a farm, friendships, a community and generations who will carry his stories forward. That’s a pretty good crop.
William Elwood Oakes
On Sept. 3, 2026, William Elwood Oakes, 92, of Independence, passed peacefully with all of his family surrounding him. He was a loving and devoted husband, father and grandfather. Bill was born in Wichita on March 26, 1934, to Elwood (William) Oakes and Rose (Wolverton) Oakes. He was an only child. Bill graduated from Wichita North High School, went on to Wichita State University and earned his degree in business administration. In his senior year of high school, a pretty gal caught his eye, Jacqueline Claire LaPorte. They dated for five years before getting married on April 8, 1955, after which Bill entered the Air Force. He was a Bombardier and Navigator on the B-52 Bomber. He was in the military for four years before returning home to Wichita. In 1957, Bill and Jacque purchased the bank in Yates Center. He was active in the community, serving on Rotary, Lions and many other local clubs. He served on the Home Savings Bank board for over 30 years, along with many committees with the Kansas Bankers Association. In 1984, he purchased the First National Bank (now FirstOak Bank) in Independence and Elk City, Kansas, and later was involved in adding the Pueblo and Fredonia banks into the fold. He served on the bank board for close to 40 years as Chairman of the Board.
Bill was an avid hunter and fisherman. Many vacations always included hunting and fishing. When Bill was younger, his parents bought a farm in Fall River, Kansas, where his father, Elwood, grew up. They spent many weekends and summers just getting away from the city life. After moving to Yates Center, he bought a couple of farms so he could continue to enjoy his favorite pastimes.
Bill was preceded in death by his wife, Jacqueline Claire Oakes and his parents, Elwood and Rose Oakes. He will be forever lovingly remembered by his family: his son, Brad (Tracy) Oakes; daughter, Lesley (Marty) Fiser; grandchildren: Tyson (Shannon) Oakes, Kyndon (Jenny) Oakes, Nate (Alisa) Fiser, Jessica (Derrick) Melton, and Ryan (Abbi) Fiser; great-grandchildren: Brynlon Oakes, Kannon Oakes, Stetson Oakes, Bryson Frazier, Kate Fiser, Wesley Fiser, Kendall Melton, Colbie Melton, Macklin Fiser, Wynn Fiser, Faye Fiser, and Wesley Nguyen-Oakes; and great-great grandchildren: Ryder Frazier and Aubrey Frazier. He will be missed by a plethora of family and friends. Jacque and Bill were blessed with many achievements, but their greatest achievement was to have been married for over 70 years, a feat that very few of us can put on our life’s resume.
Nancy Katherine Brummer
Nancy Katherine Brummer passed away peacefully at her longtime home in Downs, Kansas, on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, at 79 years of age.
Nancy was born June 25, 1947, in Osborne, Kansas, and grew up on her parents’ farm in rural Osborne County, Kansas. She graduated in 1965 from Downs High School in Downs, Kansas. Shortly after graduating, she began working at the State Bank of Downs in the position of Bookkeeper. She worked for the State Bank for 47 years, retiring in 2013. She loved her bookkeeping work and engaging with the community she served at the bank.
Nancy was known as a quiet and kind person. She was fiercely independent and deeply loved her family, her home and her pets. To use the words of William Shakespeare, though she was but little, she was fierce. Nancy will be deeply missed and will live on in the hearts of her loved ones.
