Services for Diane Weber, 81, of Lawrence, will take place at 10 a.m. Saturday, January 18, 2025, at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home.
Ms. Weber died Tuesday, January 7, 2025, at Lawrence Memorial Hospital, surrounded by her family.
She was born August 19, 1943, in Rockford, IL, the daughter of Edward and Esther Abegg. She graduated from East Rockford High School in 1961 and the University of Iowa in 1965.
Diane dedicated her life to family, education, and community. She was one of the first women elected to the Kearney, MO School Board and actively volunteered for numerous organizations through her church and beyond. Known for her generosity and creativity, she hosted cherished Christmas brunches and gingerbread house parties and crafted countless quilts she gifted to family, friends, and even strangers.
Diane’s home was a gathering place filled with warmth, laughter, and tradition. Whether it was cheering on her grandchildren at various events or supporting local music at the Lawrence City Band concerts, Diane’s presence was a constant source of love and encouragement. Her passion for education and community left a lasting impression on everyone she met.
Diane married Ronald Gordon-Ross in 1968. He died in 1996. She married Bob Weber in 1998. He survives of the home.
Other survivors include a daughter, Elspeth (Gordon-Ross) Grindstaff, Alexandria, Virginia; a son, G.R. Gordon-Ross, Lawrence, Kansas; daughter-in-law Kathleen Gordon-Ross, Lawrence, Kansas; and seven grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, January 18, 2025, at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, 601 Indiana Street, Lawrence, Kansas.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Lawrence City Band, whose summer concert series Diane always enjoyed. Checks may be made out to the Douglas County Community Foundation (DCCF), with “Lawrence City Band” in the memo line, sent in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home: P.O. Box 1260, Lawrence KS 66044. Donations may also be made online at https://bit.ly/lcbdonation.
Dear Bob, GR, Kathleen, and Ellie … Please accept my condolences on the loss of your wife, and your mom. I met her at the Nature Sanctuary around 1990. We became friends not long after, so she was a good friend to me for about 33 years! I will miss calling her and hearing about all of you! More than anything, she loved to catch me up on all the events with family! I so enjoyed her creativity with quilting and all of her stories, but one of the things I admired the most about Diane was her strength. She shared that strength with me and no doubt, with many others! May you all find comfort in your good memories of Diane. I know that I will! Sincerely, Laura Dunn
Hi Ellie & G.R.,
I worked with Diane in the office of the Kearney Intermediate School. She was a caring, competent lady with the generosity to share. She and I developed Children’s Christmas programs and Vacation Bible School together at First United Methodist Church of Kearney. So many of us enjoyed her Christmas Brunches she graciously hosted. May the Lord be with you and your family as you grieve her loss. Take Care, Judy Gingerich
What a gracious lady she is. Will miss seeing Diane at the Christmas brunches she hosted with Kathleen, and the 4th of July fireworks that GR produced. She shared so much with her family and friends. What a great heritage she leaves . Love and sympathy to Bob, also.
GR, Kathleen, and Family,
So sorry that you are missing your lovely mom and grandma. I appreciated getting to meet her. What a wonderful legacy she leaves in her love of family, dedication to community service, and advocacy for education. May we all be so fortunate to live such a meaningful life. Thinking of you. Julie Boyle