Category: Obituaries

Edrie Lou Swanson

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In Loving Memory of Edrie Lou Swanson
March 28, 1939 – May 25, 2026

Edrie Lou (Parker) Swanson was born March 28, 1939, in Helena, Montana, to Alvin Victor Parker and Maxine Katherine Walsh. They later moved to Polson, Montana, where Edrie attended high school and was a proud member of the National Honor Society. Swimming at Flathead Lake remained one of her fondest memories of her time in Polson. Edrie went on to attend the University of Montana in Missoula to pursue her passion for a Speech Therapy degree. Though her plans changed when her father unexpectedly passed away during her freshman year, it was during this time that she met her true love, Robert Swanson. They were married on September 6, 1959, and remained in Helena while Robert (Bob) completed his business degree.

Bob’s career took them on a wonderful journey starting in Great Falls, Montana, where they welcomed their first son, Douglas, in 1963. Shortly after, they moved to Cheyenne, Wyoming, where their second son, David, was born in 1965. A subsequent move took them to Sioux City, Iowa, where their daughters Elece and Megan were born in 1968 and 1971. While raising her four children there, Edrie was deeply involved in the community, serving in the Junior League and as President of the Junior Women’s Club. In 1979, the family followed a lifelong dream and purchased a resort on Lake Carlos in Alexandria, Minnesota. Alongside Bob, Edrie loved managing the 11 cabins, taking care of guests, and wrangling her four rambunctious children.

Edrie was a legendary host and cook who loved preparing family dinners and entertaining friends. Her refrigerator was always full, and she possessed the magical ability to make “something out of nothing” at a moment’s notice. Her tables were always beautifully set, and her food was fantastic.

Moving to Lawrence, Kansas, in 1983, made Edrie a Jayhawk for life. She was an avid KU Basketball fan through and through, never missing a chance to cheer them on.

Her professional career brought her to Baker University in Baldwin City, Kansas, where she served as the Assistant to the President for 25 years. Her dedication to education came full circle when, after watching three of her children graduate from Baker, she earned her own bachelor’s degree from BU in 1999 at the age of 60. After retiring in 2008, Bob and Edrie moved to Table Rock Lake, creating a vibrant new lake life. Their deck became a hub for family and friends to fish, boat, play games, and build lasting memories. In 2020, they returned to Baldwin City to be closer to their beloved family.

Edrie also carried a lifelong love for animals; her dogs meant the world to her, and her family takes comfort in knowing she is now surrounded by endless love and doggie kisses.

Edrie was preceded in death by her mother, Maxine Parker; her father, Alvin Parker; and her sister, Jacque Collins. She is survived by her devoted husband, Robert Swanson; her sons, Doug Swanson and David Swanson; her daughters, Elece Kellerman and Megan Wilson (husband Steve); and her six cherished grandchildren: Parker Wilson, Annika Swanson, Tennyson Wilson, Jake Swanson, Charlie Swanson, and Max Kellerman.

Please join the family for a come-and-go celebration of Edrie’s wonderful life on Thursday, June 18th from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Baldwin City Beer Company in Baldwin City, Kansas. Please stay casual and feel free to wear your favorite KU Jayhawk or Baker Wildcat shirt to honor her favorite teams.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in honor of Edrie Lou Swanson to the Lawrence Humane Society, 1805 E 19th St., Lawrence, KS 66046 or online at https://lawrencehumane.org/donate/ or Baker University, Attn: Office of Development and Alumni Relations, PO Box 65, Baldwin City, KS 66006 or online at https://alumni.bakeru.edu/give/endowment/, please use The Edrie Parker Swanson Endowed Scholarship.

Dr. Becquer M. Benalcazar

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Dr. Becquer Marcelo Benalcazar, MD, 82, died peacefully at home on Sunday, Mar. 15, 2026. He was surrounded by his family and the grandchildren that knew him as “Baba”.

He was born Jan. 16, 1942, in Alausi, Ecuador to Don Luis and Doña Blanca Benalcazar. His family later emigrated to Colombia when he was 4 years old. He graduated with his medical degree from La Universidad del Valle in 1968 and continued his residency in Chicago.

At his residency, he met and fell in love with a fellow physician, Regine Schmid. Upon their residencies ending, and with 2 months’ notice, he went to Regine’s native country of Switzerland to visit. During this trip they vacationed to Greece. While on a ferry boat in the Aegean Sea, they found a moment alone under the tarp of a lifeboat where he proposed to her with a bottle of wine; thus cementing his self-identity as “Zorba the Ecuadorian.” They married in 1974 and moved to Topeka, Kansas to join the Menninger Foundation, both working as clinical psychiatrists, practicing decades until its departure in 2001. They continued their adventures by selling their Topeka home and most of their possessions, residing in France and Japan until finally settling in Lawrence, Kansas.

Becquer was affectionate, intellectually curious and he loved his people fervently and loyally. He is survived by the love of his life, his partner in crime, and wife of over 50 years, Regine; his children, Caterina and Marcelo; his brother, Jorge; and his sister, Patricia. Preceding him in death is his youngest brother, Cesar.

His hobbies were his work, cursing at conservative politicians on CNN, and traveling with Regine. Even after his diagnosis of multiple myeloma and a near fatal lung infection he continued treating patients for several years. He served as the Director of the Greater KC Psychoanalytic Institute and maintained his ties with many of his former Menninger colleagues.

Please raise a glass of Guinness and/or single malt Scotch whisky in celebration of the man we all love and miss so, so much, Becquer Benalcázar de Villacis.

J. Jeremy Taylor

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John Jeremy Taylor, lovingly known to most as Jeremy, passed away peacefully on May 23, 2026, at the age of 72.

Born on December 17, 1953, Jeremy was preceded in death by his parents, John (Peter) and Vera Taylor.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Kathleen Taylor, and by their children: Christine and her husband Christian, Alec and his wife Nikki, James and his wife Kristin, William and his wife Kelsey, and Nicholas. He also leaves behind seven cherished grandchildren, along with his brother Simon Taylor and sister Sally Connor and her husband Chris.

Jeremy spent much of his professional life working in real estate and around politics, fields that suited his outgoing personality, gift for conversation, and ability to connect with people from all walks of life.

After meeting Kath in 1999, the two built a life filled with renovation projects, travel to Cornwall, and eventually a move to the United States.

In retirement, Jeremy found joy in hosting a local radio talk show, where he formed many of his closest friendships and became a familiar voice in the community. He also embraced one of his favorite pastimes: attending auctions and collecting tools to fill his dream workshop. A lifelong handyman and tinkerer, Jeremy was always working on fixing something around the house, or finding his next project.

Some of Jeremy’s fondest memories were rooted in his childhood beach days in Cornwall, and adventures in his Land Rover, often accompanied by his beloved bearded collie, Jeeves.

Those who knew him best will remember his larger-than-life personality, endless stories, quick wit, and ability to bring energy into every room he entered.

Above all else, Jeremy loved being “Grandpa.” His happiest moments were spent surrounded by family, sitting at the end of a long table filled with laughter, storytelling, a roast dinner, and full tummies. His traditions, humor, and rambunctious spirit will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.