Hiltrud Maria Rollins, 88, Lawrence, Kansas, passed away on Monday, March 10, 2026.
A Celebration of Life Gathering will be held from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm on Sunday, March 29, 2026, at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home.
A full obituary honoring Hiltrud’s life and legacy will be posted as soon as it becomes available.
Frederick Earl “Fred” McCreary, Jr., 82, of Baldwin City, Kansas, passed away Wednesday, March 4, 2026, at Lawrence Memorial Hospital.
A gathering to honor Fred’s life is being planned, and details will be announced when available. Burial of the urn will take place at Norton Cemetery in Norton, Kansas.
A complete obituary sharing Fred’s life and legacy will be posted as soon as it is available.
Kenneth Hattabaugh, 66, of Lawrence passed away Monday, March 2nd, 2026 at his home. He was born September 27th, 1959, in Lawrence, KS. The Son of Otis and Alma (Poynter) Hattabaugh.
Kenneth enjoyed fishing, riding bikes, listening to music, sprint car races, and spending time with family.
He is survived by his daughter Shannon Hattabaugh of Lawrence, 2 grandchildren Mason Houghton and Isabella Houghton, Son-in-Law Josh Houghton, Four Sisters Judy Holder of Lawrence, Joyce Anderson of Lawrence, Kathy Alcorn-Gravatt of Owasso, OK and Connie Stroda of Lawrence. Numerous nieces and nephews and other family and friends.
Visitation for Kenneth will be held at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home on Sunday, March 8th, 2026 at 1 pm with services following at 2 pm.
Judith “Judy” Elaine Myer, 80, of Lawrence, Kansas, passed away on Saturday, February 28, 2026, at Olathe Hospice House after a recent illness.
A Celebration of Life service will be at 11:00 am Tuesday, March 10, 2026. A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service, beginning at 10:00 am at the funeral home. Graveside services will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery.
Judy was born October 28, 1945, to Fred and Mayme Coffman in Lawrence, Kansas. She married Dale E. Myer on September 21, 1967. They had one son, Jeffrey Dale Myer.
Judy worked at KU Printing Service for 26 years and retired in 2005. She was a loyal member of the Family of Faith Church in Eudora, Kansas. She was unable to attend church these last couple of years but enjoyed watching the services every Sunday on YouTube.
Judy was preceded in death by her parents, husband Dale, her sister JoAnn Elliott, and her brother-in-law Dean Elliott.
She is survived by her son Jeff and many nieces and nephews.
Memorial contributions may be made to Family of Faith Church of Eudora, Kansas in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, 601 Indiana St., Lawrence, KS 66044.
Dorothy “Dottie” Gardner, a vibrant and spirited 95-year-old passed away February 26, 2026, in Lawrence KS. Dottie was born January 5, 1931, in Indianola MS to William & Ira May Poole. At 20 she joined the U.S. Civil Service, taking her to Clark Air Force Base (AFB) in the Philippines. There she met and married the love of her life for 64 years, Lt Col Gayle Gardner, a USAF fighter pilot. She built a life defined by family, service, and adventure.
As an Air Force family, Dottie, Gayle, and their three sons, traveled across Asia, Europe, and the U.S. In 1966, while stationed in Washington DC, Dottie earned her master’s degree at George Washington University. In 1967, during their assignment in England, she began her lifelong career in Education, teaching elementary school at High Wycombe AFB, UK.
Their last USAF assignment took them to Hawaii in 1969 where Dottie taught 5th grade at Pearl Harbor Kai Elementary. Then, in 1970, she joined Punahou Academy teaching 8th grade algebra. Among her many students, was young “Barry,” later known as President Barack Obama. After retiring from Punahou at age 73, she taught at a Christian school until age 81, concluding a remarkable 45-year career in the classroom.
While in Hawaii, Dottie, her husband and three sons (all licensed pilots) owned and operated a flight school and cargo airline throughout the islands. But it was not all work and no play. The entire family got licensed in SCUBA diving and explored the magnificent undersea world, lobstered, and spear fished in the crystal blue Hawaiian waters. They also enjoyed boating, skiing, surfing.
Teaching was not just Dottie’s profession it was her calling. She kept educating students by tutoring them in her home. Even at 95, with progressing dementia, she continued by tutoring composition editing for her memory care house manager who was attending nursing school.
Dottie was universally loved and will be remembered by students and caretakers for her vivacious spirit, youthful energy, unfiltered honesty, and keen sense of humor. If a measure of success is leaving a place better than one found it, Dottie was profoundly successful. She leaves behind a loving family and a legacy in the lives of countless students whose paths she helped shape.
Dottie will be lovingly remembered by her eldest son, also a USAF fighter pilot, Major General Retired, Greg (Gina) Gardner of Lawrence, KS; her grandchildren Gary (Caitlin) Gardner of Overland Park KS, Rachel Gardner of Lawrence, KS, Amanda (Luke) Stallbaumer of Topeka, KS, Chase (Paige) Vervynck of Denver, CO; and her great grandchildren Walter, Hadley, Dannie and CJ.
Dottie will be laid to rest in the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in her beloved island home, Hawaii beside her husband and sons, Gary & Gordon Gardner.
Dottie loved the service volunteer Chaplains gave to first responders so in lieu of flowers, donations in her name may be made to the First Responder Chaplain Association, 2518 Ridge Court, Suite 207, Lawrence, Kansas 66046, or online at https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/N4PVJVQKMHHJU
David Sparkes was born in Lawrence Kansas on September 26, 1961, to James E. Sparkes and Charlotte M. (Hoffman) Sparkes.
His career started when he was 14, working for his father doing HVAC work. He was a laborer for Royal Plumbing until 1981. Then he worked for Patchen Electric Supply until being accepted into the Plumbers and Pipefitters Union in 1983. Then he worked for Huxtable & Associates doing HVAC work. In 1990, he worked for Chaney Plumbing doing the same work. In 1999, he was Maintenance Supervisor at the Douglas County jail for 16 years. Then he was the Director of Building & Grounds for Douglas County until 2021. Then he took a part time job working for Custom Mobile Equipment in Baldwin assembling large fork trucks when he fully retired in 2023. He enjoyed working with his hands the most.
He graduated from Lawrence High in 1979. Married Debbie Eubanks in 1981. He knew that Debbie was the one for him. Together they raised one daughter.
David’s hobbies were boating, water skiing, atv riding, and traveling in their camper. He enjoyed riding his motorcycle, cruises, and resorts in the Caribbean. He went to many Nascar races.
David enjoyed spending time with family and friends. He especially enjoyed the time spent with nieces and nephews. Most of all, he enjoyed the time he got to spend with his granddaughters, Emerie and Addisyn.
A memorial service will be 11:00 A.M. Saturday March 14, 2026 at St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church of Lawrence.
Danny Richard Johnson lived a life centered on love, family, and caring for others. Born on August 22, 1967, at Fort Leonard Wood Army Base to Dickie LaVerne Johnson and Anizal Johnson. He was a simple man in the best sense of the word — full of life and energy and happiest when surrounded by the people he loved. As each year passed, so did his love for his family.
He had a deep passion for caregiving and devoted 15 years of his life serving as a caregiver to Cameron Rutledge. He cared deeply for those around him and extended kindness and support not only to family, but to many people he welcomed into his life as his own. Known for his handsome and warm smile, he was always willing to help anyone in need.
He also had a special love for gardening and found joy in plants and watching things grow. Some of his biggest smiles came from spending time with his mother, his wife Melissa, and his children — especially in his final days.
Surrounded by his loving wife, children, and family members, he passed away peacefully on February 25, 2026, at Saint Luke’s Hospice House in Kansas City.
He was preceded in death by his father Dickie LaVerne Johnson; and his siblings: Cynthia Greenlea-Kim and Freeman Hester Johnson.
Danny is survived by his mother, Anizal Johnson; his beloved wife, Melissa Johnson; and his children: Shaun Johnson, Ella Tazuana Johnson, Danni Johnson, Justina Johnson, DaBarrie Johnson, Jaycee Tweed (Boyd), and Dimitri Johnson. In addition, he is survived by his step-children: Cager, Shatonna, Chantell, and Jamaria.
He is also survived by his siblings: Vickie Harrison, Adelitta Davis, Wanda Greenlea, Tamika Morris, and Sean Van Arsdale, along with a host of grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family members.
Danny will be remembered for his caring heart, his devotion to family, and the love he gave so freely to those around him. His greatest legacy lives on in the family and children he loved so deeply.
Family — where life begins and love never ends.
Funeral Services will be held at 11:30 a.m. Monday, March 9, 2026, at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home with visitation starting at 10:30 a.m. to the start of service time. There will be a graveside service starting at 3:00 p.m. at Mapleton Cemetery located at 2500 KS-31 HWY in Mapleton, KS following the service in Lawrence.
Flowers and contributions can be sent to the Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home in honor of Danny.
Click the link below to view the service stream:
Toni Marie Kalousek, 69, left this world on Wednesday, February 25, 2026. Toni was born on June 7, 1956, in Norfolk, Virginia, to LeRoy and Mary Kalousek. From the beginning, she carried a spark—creative, curious, and full of quiet determination. She graduated from Shawnee Mission West High School in 1974 and later earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration from Baker University. But it was at the Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts in Gatlinburg where she found one of her true callings: stained glass. She poured her heart into the craft, shaping light and color into pieces that reflected her own warmth.
Toni’s professional life was as varied and vibrant as she was. She spent many years at Hallmark, then owned and operated Mill Works Screen Printing alongside her sister in law Debbie—an endeavor filled with laughter and long days. For more than a decade, she became known to many as The Glass Fairy, creating custom stained glass works that carried her signature gentleness and attention to detail. Her compassion extended far beyond her art; she also served as a CASA volunteer, offering stability and kindness to children who needed it most.
Animals held a special place in Toni’s heart, but horses were her greatest love. She was especially proud of her horse, Legs, and the bond they shared. Showing him at the American Royal was one of her happiest accomplishments. She also loved cheering on Kansas basketball, celebrating every game with the same enthusiasm she brought to the rest of her life.
Toni is survived by her partner of 18 years, Ron Benedick; her mother, Mary Kalousek; her brothers Dwight (Debbie) Kalousek and Walter Kalousek; her nephew Thomas Kalousek; and her niece Tory Kalousek. Each of them carries a piece of her—her humor, her creativity, her kindness.
A celebration of Toni’s life will be held at the family home on May 2, 2026, where stories, memories, and the love she gave so freely will be shared.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Lawrence Humane Society and sent in care of Rumsey Yost Funeral Home, PO Box 1260, Lawrence, KS 66044—an organization that reflects Toni’s lifelong devotion to animals.
Judith Ellen Wulfkuhle (Judy) gently passed on to her heavenly home on Monday, February 23, 2026.
She was born on September 26, 1937, to Harold and Carrie Ericson in Lawrence. She graduated from Lawrence High School in 1954 and attended secretarial school in Topeka, which served her well throughout her life and career. Judy married Homer Wulfkuhle on September 23, 1956, in Lawrence, KS. She and Homer farmed and ranched in the Stull community after their marriage and until Homer’s passing in 1998, when Judy opted to build a house just down the road from the ranch.
Judy attended the Stull Community of Faith Church, where she was active in many ministries. She was a Stull Busy Beavers 4-H club community leader/volunteer and served on the Douglas County Fair Board. She was active in Kansas Young Farmers and a Douglas County Extension Homemaker Unit. Judy spent her later years at Pioneer Ridge Independent Living and Cedarhurst of Lawrence, where she took joy in the company of the many friends she made, especially her dear friend Elsa, the resident bus outings, and weekly Bingo games. Throughout her life, Judy enjoyed watching, listening to, and cheering on the K-State Wildcats. She had a deep love for reading, spending much of her free time listening to library books on tape.
Judy was extremely proud of her family, who survive her: daughter, Gayle Vannicola (Phillip) of Lecompton; daughter, Lisa Pearson (Clint) of Scott City, KS; son, Mark Wulfkuhle (Brenna) of Lawrence; son, Brian Wulfkuhle (Karen) of Purdon, TX; nine grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and sister, Mary Dill (John) of Kansas City.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 21st at 10:30 am at Stull Community of Faith Church, 1596 E 250 Rd, Lecompton. There will be a luncheon immediately following the service and a private burial service at a later time.
The family wishes to extend their sincere gratitude to the staff at Cedarhurst of Lawrence, Interim Hospice (especially Dylan, Marilyn, Val, and Teresa), and her granddaughter Kelsey for their care, love, and compassion given to Judy.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to the Stull Community of Faith Community Cupboard or to the Douglas County 4-H Foundation – Homer and Judy Wulfkuhle Scholarship Fund, sent in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home.
Funeral Services for Clarence “Nody” Anthony Rayton, 66, Lawrence, will be 1 pm, Sunday, March 1, 2026, at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 11am-1pm.
He passed away on February 23, 2026 at home surounded by family.
Nody was born August 5, 1959, son of Harry Sr. and Freda Rayton. Nody was the 13th child out of 14 children. Gloria Brooks (Deceased), Harry Rayton Jr. (Deceased) Leonard Rayton (Deceased), Marvin Rayton (Deceased), Charles Rayton of Lawrence, Larry Rayton (Deceased), Jeanette Peterson of California, Barbara Barfield (Deceased), Donald Rayton(Deceased), Joyce Muhammad of Topeka, William Rayton (Deceased), Alfreda Rayton (Deceased), Gary Rayton of Topeka.
Nody married his high school sweetheart Kim (Guggisberg) Rayton February 14, 1980 and had 2 children.
Survivors include two children – James (Krystie) Rayton of Bourbonnais, IL and Kayla Rayton Lawrence, KS; 5 grandchildren– Denice Rayton, Tyrese Rayton, Samantha Barnes, Jordan Rayton, Destiny Rayton and 1 great grandson Alexander.
Nody worked at KU as a Landscaping Supervisor for 40 years and was their number 1 Football and Basketball fan. He also served in the National Guard for 25 years.
He was a loving brother, husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, uncle, and friend to everyone.
