10 years ago

October 11, 2000

Tragedy struck in northwest Marion County early Saturday morning when the Thayer family farm home in Logan Township was destroyed by fire. The mother and five of her daughters died in the fire. The father, two daughters, and three sons escaped by jumping from a second floor window.

Ruth Poppe, 72, was honored as grand marshal of Lincolnville’s Octoberfest parade Saturday. She is the widow of Vernon “Bum” Poppe, who died in 1994.

Louis and Sarah Stika, Marion, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary Sunday with a family gathering.

Jennifer Berquist, daughter of Jon and Suzanne Thole of Marion and wife of Craig Berquist of Lawrence, has been selected as one of 24 members of Lawrence Leadership 2001 class.

The 125th birthday of the historic Chase County Courthouse will be observed Oct. 21 at Cottonwood Falls.

Six Marion High School students were recognized recently through the University of Kansas honors program. Students in the top 10 percent of their class were invited to a banquet held in McPherson. Those attending from MHS were Erin Slattery, Sarah Versch, Amanda Fruechting, Ashley DeForest, and Matt Schuler. Meredith Moore qualified but was unable to attend.