Author: RumseyYost

Phyllis Marie Lee

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Phyllis Marie Lee, 82, passed away peacefully at Lawrence Memorial Hospital on November 10, 2022, surrounded by her loving husband Larry and daughters Cathy and Carol.

Phyllis was born on April 25, 1940, in Garnett, Kansas to parents Robert E. Allen and Grace. Phyllis was raised by her father Robert until he met and won the heart of Ruth M. Jones, and they married April 14, 1946.

She had 3 daughters, Laura, Cathy, and Carol with her first husband, who moved them from Garnett to Lawrence in 1968. They divorced in 1978. While working at Hallmark Cards and being admired from afar, Larry James got the nerve to finally ask her out, they spent a wonderful 44 years together.

Phyllis worked at Hallmark Cards as a machine operator and retired after 25 years and from Lawrence Journal World after 6 years. She then became the Queen of Sweaters-N-Things, selling her many handmade treasures at as many craft shows, county festivals and holiday bazaars should fit into the year.

She was preceded in death by her sister Malissa Allen August 12, 1984, by her parents Robert March 11, 2002, and Ruth Allen October 10, 2020, daughter Laura Guinn (Jim) July 30, 2020, and great granddaughter Chloe Nieder January 1, 2012.

Phyllis is survived by her husband Larry James, daughters Cathy Montgomery (Brian), Carol Lee-Emery (Mike), her eight grandchildren: Jessica Floren (Brian), Jamie Guinn, Kara Nieder, Patrick Nieder, Matthew Guinn (Carrie), Brandon Montgomery, Brandie Spencer (Jeremy), and Travis Rose (Candance) 19 great-grandchildren and the awaited blessing of her 20th great grandchild. Siblings: Fred McGinnis (Patricia), Charles Allen (Becky), Robert Allen (Pamela) and many nieces and nephews.

Services will be held at 2:00 p.m., on Sunday November 20, 2022, at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home 601 Indiana Street, Lawrence, KS 66044

In lieu of flowers please make memorial contributions on behalf of Phyllis to the American Cancer Society (hhtps://donate3.cancer.org) or Lawrence Humane Society (https://lawrencehumane.org)

Elizabeth Marie Blessington

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Yellow Singing Bird Woman

Elizabeth Marie Blessington, 57, of Lawrence, KS, went home to God on November 12, 2022. Beth was born to James (Jim) and Mercedes (Mickie Burnell) Blessington on 20 August 1965 in St. Joseph, MO.  Beth’s interests lay in many directions: she was a paralegal and a licensed insurance representative and office manager. Her true passion was massage therapy; she was a certified Massage Therapist, with a specialty in Reiki and Oncology Massage.

Beth was very involved in Lakota spirituality. She poured Sweat Lodges, attended the scared Sundance* ceremonies, and tried to live a simple life. Her Lakota sister, Laura Goetz, accompanied Beth for the greater part of her adult life.

She enjoyed craft work: she sewed, making baby quilts for family members, and used her Cricut machine to make cards, shirts, and other surprises for her family and friends. She cross-stitched birth announcements for her grandchildren and Christmas stockings for everyone in her family.

Beth was preceded in death by her parents, Jim and Mickie Blessington, and her sister, Terre Allen.

Beth is survived by three children: Monica White (Tommy), Sam Blessington, Helen Schaake (Chandler), and eight grandchildren: Stephanie Donnici, Violet Miller, Grace White, Anthony Duncan, Sonny White, Lola Duncan, Sterling Schaake, and Mae Schaake.

Surviving siblings are: Marci Abels (Steve), Jim Blessington, Mary Blessington, John Blessington, Joe Blessington (Ronda), Rita Carlock, and Laura Goetz (Dan). Also surviving are many nieces and nephews and their children.

* Sundance is largely believed to be the oldest Lakota ceremony.

Memorial services for Elizabeth Marie Blessington, will be 11 am, Sunday, November 20, 2022, at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home.

Margo Lee (Pierce) Smith

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Graveside services for Margo Lee (Pierce) Smith, 93, rural Lawrence, will be at 2 pm Monday, November 14, 2022, at Memorial Park Cemetery. Chaplain Delmar White will officiate. Ms. Smith will lie in state Sunday from 8-8 at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home. She passed away Wednesday, November 9, 2022, at LMH Health.

She was born January 22, 1929, in Kansas City, Kan., the daughter of Harry H. and Willie Mulvaney Pierce. She graduated from Northeast High School in KCMO and later earned a Bachelor’s degree in Education from the University of Kansas.

Margo taught physical education at Haskell Indian Juco (now Haskell Indian Nations University) and later worked as a secretary at Riverside and East Heights elementary schools for Willie Amison. She enjoyed raising litters of Labrador pups and anything cattle related, and was an avid KU fan. Margo was a loving farm wife.

She married Leo Keller Smith Aug. 29, 1948, at Danforth Chapel on the KU campus. Leo worked on the Campanile on campus, and he and Margo were the first married graduates to walk through the Campanile. He preceded her in death in 2016, Survivors include a son, David Smith (Ramona Willits), Lawrence, and a daughter, Bobbi Reichart (Neill) of Alma, Kan.; four grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren, and 3 great great grandchildren.

Darrell Charles Shuck

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Darrell Charles Shuck, was born in Lawrence, KS, on September 27, 1932. The son of Charles E Shuck and Alda M Brohammer Shuck. He passed away on November 8, 2022, at the age of 90 years old. He was baptized on July 27, 1947, into the Old German Baptist Church, which he remained faithful until his death. He served his conscientious objector (CO) work in Larned, KS, milking cows for the State Hospital, from 1953 to 1955. On September 28, 1957, he was united in marriage to Frances M Heck, they shared over 60 years together until the Lord called her home, in May 2018.

He was elected to the ministry in 1960 and in 1979 ordained to an Elder. He preached the word of God, until a stroke took that ability from him, in Dec of 2015. The damage from his stroke made life more difficult for him. He strived to keep a positive attitude, believing the cup was half full and never half empty.

He worked as a farmer in his younger years, then later did janitorial work. He drove a school bus for the Lawrence School District for 25 years. When he retired from janitorial work at KU, he worked for the Douglas County Senior Center as a transport driver. He later transferred to the office, greeting the public and answering the phone. He volunteered at Lawrence Memorial Hospital as an ambassador. He worked until his stroke in 2015, forced him to retire completely.

Dad had a gracious heart and a contagious smile. He loved being included and feeling needed. Helping others made him happy and brought him great satisfaction. He gave over 150 pints of blood to the Red Cross, in his lifetime. He lived in Douglas County, KS, all his life and was very well known to everyone in the community. Dad felt his anchor was anchored, his ship was done sailing, and he was ready to go home.

He is proceeded in death, by his parents, his spouse, and a brother-in-law, Ray Knaus.

Those left behind to mourn his loss: His three sons: David William (wife Laurie) Overbrook; Douglas Charles (wife Dotti) Lawrence: Daniel Darrell (wife Bonnie) Delta, Colorado; one daughter: Donita Jo DeMersseman (husband Randy) of Baldwin City. Five grandchildren: Dawn Huddleston, Dara Wilson, Savanna Beaver, Dustin and Charlie Shuck. Three great grandchildren: Bryce Huddleston, Artie and Ellie Wilson. One brother: Duane Shuck (wife Lois) Overbrook; One sister Barbara Knaus, Sautee GA; One sister-in-law, Thelma Heck, Westphalia, KS. Many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

A visitation will be held at the Old German Baptist, Willow Springs Church, Wednesday, November 16th, 5 to 8 PM. Funeral Services will be Thursday, November 17th, at 10 AM, at the church.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Douglas County Visiting Nurses Assoc., or the Old German Baptist Church, in care of the Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, PO Box 1260, Lawrence KS 66044.

Alfred Lee Henricks

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Alfred “BIG AL” Henricks, 68 of Lawrence, Kansas, passed away at Lawrence Memorial Hospital Monday, November 7, 2022.

He was born October 8, 1954, in Oklahoma City, Ok. The son of Donald Worth and Myrtle Lois Horne Henricks.

Al worked for RMT Construction for 15 years then went on to become a senior carpenter for the University of Kansas for 9 years.

He married Molly J. Harkins on February 6, 1976 in Ottawa, Kansas, she survives of the home. Big Al is also survived by three sons, Frank (Vandi) Henricks of Eudora, Kansas, Dave (Kara) Henricks of Baldwin City, Kansas, SSGT Kyler (Kyleigh) Henricks USMC, Jacksonville, North Carolina, one daughter Ange (RJ) Quigley of Lawrence, Kansas, five grandkids, Samuel, Shyanne, Denan, August & Mady, three great grandkids, Harper, Kam and Olivia. One brother Richard Henricks of Quenemo, Kansas, and many extended family.

He was preceded by three brothers, one sister and parents.

Cremation is planned, with memorial services at 2 p.m., Saturday, November 12, 2022 at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, Lawrence, Ks.

Memorial Donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association and sent in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1260 Lawrence, Kansas 66044

Walter LeRoy (WL) Alexander

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Walter LeRoy Alexander, 80, Lawrence, passed away November 5, 2022, at LMH Health, from respiratory complications.

He was born in Lawrence, KS but raised in Pineville, MO.

Leroy was a proud Marine serving in Vietnam,  He enjoyed going to auctions and buying too many old tvs and clocks.  He worked at K-Mart Distribution Center as a Fork Lift Operator till his retirement in 2008.

He was a gym rat at local gyms for many years as an inspiring body builder, even placing 5th in his first competition.  His passions were his ’99 Red Corvette and ’99 Black Honda.  His western hero was Matt Dillon in Gunsmoke, never missed watching every episode with his beloved dog, Waldo on his lap.  He enjoyed watching the Chiefs and Jayhawks, never giving up on them as a chair side supporter.

Leroy was a man of simple means but generous with the needs of others.  He is survived by his wife Judy, of the home.  Leroy was a father, step father, grand father, great grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin and friend.  He was loved by many and will be missed more than he could imagine.

Per his wishes, no services are planned but he hopes to be remembered with love and laughter.

“Go Rest High On That Mountain, Your Work On Earth Is Done”