By JANE VAJNAR

Tampa correspondent
(785) 965-2285

Many area churches canceled Palm Sunday services because of the spring snowstorm.

Prairie Pals met March 26 at the home of Iona Dietrich with hostess Melissa Stuchlik. The group decorated candy bags for the community Easter egg hunt. Others present were Lori Meyer, Maura and Mason, Laveta Meyer, Mary Clemmer, and Jane Vajnar.

Ella Heidemann of Decatur, Ill., died March 20 at the age of 97. Her funeral was March 25. Heidemann grew up in the Tampa community. Siblings still living in the area include Wilbert Backhus, Frieda Bentz, and Alma Meyer. Wilbert and Donna Backhus left for Illinois on March 23 to get ahead of the snowstorm and stayed until after the funeral.

Wayne Rziha of Tulsa, Okla., was a Palm Sunday weekend guest of his parents, Jerry and Jeanne Rziha. Cecilia, Anthony, and Daniel Rziha, who spent spring break with their grandparents, returned home with their father.

Bev and Tom Reid of Marion, Mike and Jennifer Jay and Cody of Hillsboro, Paul and Edna Backhus, Jason Backhus and Alisha Barney attended a program at the Hillsboro Mennonite Brethren Church on Palm Sunday. Cody performed in the program.

Lucille Kerbs visited Connie Thompson and Taylor of Abilene March 22, and they joined Allison Sluder and Brooklyn for dinner out.

Georgia Spohn met Lenora Graham and Paulette Zook of Florence in Hillsboro on March 22 for Lifelong Learning at Tabor College and dinner out.

Rustyn Kerbs of Hillsboro and Sydney Smith of Pilsen visited Lucille Kerbs on March 21.

Gary and Carole Spohn and Georgia Spohn met Ryan Spohn, Adam and Lauren on March 20 in Junction City for dinner out.