Author: RumseyYost

Enid Elaine Eklund

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Enid Elaine Eklund, 90, of Lawrence, passed away Feb 5, 2026, at Lawrence Memorial  Hospital.  She was born on December 18, 1935, in Topeka, Kansas.  Her parents were Enid Brunton and Ed Spielman.  She had two sisters, Fern and Edwina, and a brother, Duane.  Elaine attended Oskaloosa High School.  She married Ervin Eklund.  They had 2 children, Jane and Rodney, and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  Elaine retired from The University of Kansas.

No services are planned.  A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

Delitta “Dee” Fields

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Delitta “Dee” Fields, 67, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away surrounded by loved ones on February 5, 2026. Dee courageously battled cancer to remission but succumbed to treatment complications. She was grateful for the healthcare she received by so many throughout her long fight.

Dee was born in Kingman, KS on March 30, 1958, the daughter of Jerry O. and Delmadean (Wolf) Bryant. She graduated from Ensign High School in 1976, then attended Dodge City Community College prior to her first marriage to Rod Kinkelaar and birth of her first child Aaron Kinkelaar. Later divorced, Dee then met and married Galen Fields in 1982 and moved to a farm near Bucklin, KS. There they raised their family, Aaron and daughters Gayla and Aimee Fields, and made the farm their home until 2020. That year, Dee and Galen relocated to Ozawkie, KS, where they enjoyed peaceful views of Perry Lake from their lake house.

Dee worked at several jobs to provide for her family, including many businesses located on Main Street in Bucklin, KS. Of them, her biggest source of pride was 11 years as the owner of Fields of Flowers, creating beautiful arrangements for weddings, funerals, and holidays. During this time, she also hosted and taught a community art class named Vino and Van Gogh. She also enjoyed roles of service to the public, including administrative assistant at Ford County Sherrif’s Office, activities coordinator at Hill Top House nursing home, and Bucklin Public Schools as a para and cook. She loved working with children, and for many years was the director of Noah’s Arc Daycare by Bucklin United Methodist Church.

Lake life inspired Dee to embark on a new pursuit, combining her incredible creativity and love for children as the published author and illustrator of the Frogville children’s book series. The themes of the books are friends, family, good food (like Dee’s famous pizza) and slowing down to enjoy life – all things so important to Dee. The series is a legacy project dedicated to her grandchildren and already cherished by many.

Dee is survived by her husband of 43 years, Galen Fields; sister Delynda (David) Keefe; brother Jarry Bryant; son Aaron (Kerry) Kinkelaar; daughter Gayla (Evar) Ukpokodu; daughter Aimee (Brandon) Venson; in-law siblings Roy and Jane Baker, and Ken and Patti Fields, and numerous beloved nieces, nephews, and other extended family. Her legacy continues through her beloved grandchildren: Amara Aberle, Bailey Kinkelaar, Larsen Kinkelaar, Elana Ukpokodu, Kieran Ukpokodu, Rylee Venson, and Karter Venson. Dee is preceded in death by her parents Jerry O. Bryant and Delmadean “Honey” Wills, and in-law parents Vesta and Jim Strader, sister and brother-in-law Derise and Stan Unruh, as well as 4 grandbaby angels that Dee is holding in heaven.

A Celebration of life will be 1:00-3:30 pm, on Sunday, March 8, 2026 at The Cowboy Capital Saloon & Grill in the Dodge City, KS. Donations in honor of Dee can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or Hill Top House nursing home in Bucklin, KS.  Donations can be made care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home,  601 Indiana Street, Lawrence, Kansas 66044.

Dennis Howard Harper

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Dennis Harper passed away peacefully at Bridge Haven in Lawrence, Kansas following an admission to Lawrence Memorial Hospital. He received loving care from LMH, Bridge Haven and Ascend Hospice staff.

Dennis caught a mean case of Covid that impacted his cognitive functioning. Covid, coupled with other pre-existing health issues made his exit to the next plane swift.

Dennis was born in Wichita and ushered into the great dance by Willis Howard Harper and Ruth Dennis.

In 1965 he met his lifelong partner Marilee Aaron at Peter Pan, a small ice cream shop located near Friends University in Wichita, Kansas. Marilee was an ice cream server. While preparing his order they caught each other’s glance.

They were married on July 8, 1966.

Dennis and Marilee had two sons; Tom was born in 1967 and Paul in 1971.

Dennis was a hard-working man, working full time at Boeing while attending Sacred Heart College in Wichita earning his Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1973. It was a long trek, but he accomplished this goal, all with two kids in tow. He spent most of his career at Davis Manufacturing that was later purchased by J. I. Case, retiring in 1999.

In 2016 Dennis and Marilee moved to Lawrence to be near Tom Harper & Terri Erickson-Harper. Paul Harper-O’Connor and Rob Harper O’Connor joined us in Lawrence in 2020.

It was very special to have everyone united in Lawrence.

Dennis enjoyed preparing food and eating. He was an expert at smoking and grilling meats. He was always searching for recipes to find something new to create.

He loved trying new restaurants and even looked forward to doctor appointments in Kansas City because it was an opportunity to do so afterwards.

Dennis enjoyed vintage cars; he always had an extra car that was just for fun. He took great pride in making sure each car was in tip top shape. No doubt he made the unlimited pass-car wash at Sixth Street and Wakarusa Road question their monthly flat fee option.

Dennis was generous and friendly. He knew how to turn on the charm. As he was being discharged from LMH we heard an aide whisper to a colleague, “Oh, there goes Dennis, he was my favorite, I love him.” Dad was like that; he had a wonderful smile and gentleness that made you feel comfortable.

Dennis also enjoyed music, specifically classic rock-n-roll and the blues. Fond memories include attending a ZZ-Top concert at the Stiefel Theatre and the recent Buddy Guy’s Damn Right Farewell tour at the Lied Center.

In recent years Dennis struggled with health issues yet soldiered on making his way to a myriad of grocery stores, Terrebonne Po’ Boys (for the gumbo), Wheatfields (for the cinnamon rolls) and enjoying weekly Saturday morning breakfasts at Aunt Netter’s Café in Lecompton with family.

Dennis enjoyed friendships that enabled him to play cards, Qwarkle and go fishing with his friends Rick Brown and Mike Goans.

Dennis and Marilee worked hard to provide Paul and Tom a good foundation to start their lives for which they are grateful.

Dennis is survived by his wife Marilee, son Paul Harper-O’Connor and his husband Rob Harper-O’Connor, his son, Tom Harper and wife Terri Erickson-Harper and his brother Bruce Harper.

We are grateful for Lawrence Memorial Hospital, University of Kansas Medical Center, Dr. Martha Allen and all the people who helped care for Dad in his final days.

A few simple ways of honoring Dennis would be going to Terrebonne Po’ Boys or Wheatfields and give Dad a toast while eating whatever your heart desires.

Another option would be a donation to the Lawrence Humane Society. He dearly loved all four-legged creatures.

A private Celebration of Life will be held in the Spring.

Pastor Rex Rictor

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Rex Dean Rictor, age 84 of Ottawa, Kansas passed away February 3, 2026.  Rex was born July 30, 1941 in Scott City, Kansas to parents Alvin Lee Rictor and Mary Ann Green Rictor.  As a young man, Rex realized he had a call to the ministry and completed his seminary education.  It was also during this time that he was united in marriage to Shirley Janette McIntire.  They enjoyed many happy years together.  Together they served Assembly of God Churches in Independence, Kansas; Eudora, Kansas; Williamstown, Kansas; Baldwin, Kansas; Edna, Kansas and St. John,. Kansas.  Rex also spent six years as a traveling evangelist, working across the United States.

In addition to his vocation, Pastoring churches, Rex enjoyed horses, photography, golfing, working on cars, playing guitar and singing.  He will be greatly missed by his family, friends and many acquaintances.

Rex was preceded in death by his parents; one daughter, Twila and one brother, Derry.  He is survived by his wife, Shirley of the home; daughters, Rexanna Schneider and husband, James of Hayes, Kansas and Evonna James and husband, Rev. Ron James of Ottawa, Kansas; grandchildren, Jessica, April, Dustin and Amanda; great-grandchildren, Jason, Zaya, Gabriel, Ashton, Riley and Liam; sister, Marilyn Swisher; and numerous nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Memorial services will be 11:00 A.M. Saturday, February 14, 2026 at the Eudora Community Church. A second Memorial Service will be 11:00 A.M.  Saturday, February 21, 2026 at First Assembly of God in Independence, Kansas.  Arrangements are with Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home of Lawrence.  Memorial donations in honor of Rex may be made to Shirley Rictor.

Richard Allen Brown

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Richard Allen Brown, age 71, was called home by our loving Father and passed away peacefully at his home on February 1, 2026.

He was born on August 23, 1954, in Kansas City, Kansas, to Wilbur Ray Brown and Mary Margaret Brown, who preceded him in death.

Richard-known affectionately as “Uncle Rick” by those who truly knew and loved him was born and raised in Kansas City, Kansas, and graduated from Bonner High School. His early years helped shape the strong work ethic, loyalty, and humility that defined his life.

Richard was the fourth of six children. He was preceded in death by his brother Ronald Ray Brown (April 2023), his brother Michael Gerard Brown Sr. (January 2026), and his sister Frances Bryant.

He is survived by his brother Mark Wayne Brown of Missouri and his sister Leona Alpar of Mesa, Arizona.

Richard devoted many years to honest and dependable work. He was employed at Farmland Foods in Crete, Nebraska, before continuing his career at the Walmart Distribution Center in Ottawa, Kansas, where he worked faithfully until his retirement.

Richard had a deep passion for mechanics and loved working on cars. He made sure his nieces and nephews learned from him, patiently teaching them skills he believed were important to pass on. These moments reflected not only his knowledge, but his love, generosity, and desire to guide the next generation.

Richard lived a life marked by kindness, quiet strength, and integrity. Faith guided his walk, and he trusted in the Lord’s plan. Now reunited with loved ones who went before him, Richard rejoices in eternal peace.

Richard will be lovingly remembered by his family, friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing him. Though deeply missed here on earth, his legacy of love, faith, and wisdom will live on.

Services to honor Richard’s life will be announced at a later date. The family extends heartfelt thanks for the prayers, condolences, and support during this time.

Ellen Susan “Susie” Hess

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Ellen Susan (McVey) Hess, 87, of Lawrence died February 1, 2026 at home.
Susie was born October 3, 1938 in Iola, the daughter of Kenneth Barlett and Velma Lee (Manbeck) McVey. She grew up in Moran and graduated from Humboldt High School in 1957. On October 5, 1957 she married Robert “Bob” Henry Hess at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Humboldt. They were married for 68 years.
They initially lived in Fort Scott and moved to Lawrence in 1958. She and Bob opened Bob’s Bernina Sewing and Vacuum Center in Holiday Plaza in December 1980. They sold the business in 2010 and retired at that time.
She is survived by sons Michael (Kathleen) and Mark (Ty Fuller) of Lawrence; granddaughter Gretchen Hess; three grandsons Scott Fuller, Seth Fuller and Spencer Fuller; sister Renae Lewis (Robert) of Orlando, FL; and brother Paul McVey (Corinne) of New Smyrna Beach, FL.
Susie was preceded in death by her husband Bob, who died on January 4, 2026; her parents; her stepmother Evelyn Lamar (Muldoon) McVey; her brother David McVey and her sister Lora Lee Cyphers; and infant sons Timothy and Patrick.
On Thursday, February 5th  from 5:00 to 7:00 pm, there will be a visitation and rosary at Rumsey-Yost funeral home. Burial will be in St. Joseph cemetery in Humboldt on Friday February 6th  at 10:00 am. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to the Douglas County Visiting Nurses Association. Susie’s family is very appreciative of the excellent care she received from the VNA during her illness.

Richard Paul Hughes

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Richard Paul Hughes passed away peacefully in his sleep January 28, 2026. He is survived by his wife Sharon Marie. Richard was the loving father of Tracy Lanaman, Andy Hughes, and Rhonda Bordman. He was the proud grandfather of Haylie, Gage, Bella, Aidan, Colten and Micaela. His heart was stolen in 2020 with the arrival of his great granddaughter Remi.
Richard was a proud veteran serving in the United States Army and later retired from General Motors Fairfax plant. He loved fishing, hunting, visiting national parks and traveling around the world. He was captivated by the beauty of the South Pacific but was at his happiest when at home surrounded by family and friends.
He enjoyed coffee mornings with the Liars Club, lunches with the GM retirees, visits from Darrell and watching Chiefs games with our crew.
Many people called him, Richard, but those who loved him most called him Awpa. He was the most kind, loving, caring, giving, selfless man. To be loved by him was truly special and made you a better person. He was surrounded by love from our Nebraska family that took such good care of him with frequent visits, winery trips, crab legs, and lots of good laughs.
To say we are going to miss him doesn’t begin to cover it. Our world was a better place because he was in it. We are truly blessed that God gave us seven bonus years with him and we cherished every minute.  We will be taking him home to Franklin Nebraska to be laid to rest alongside his siblings and family.