Private family services for Becky Congreve, 69, Lawrence, will take place at a later date. She died Thursday, February 19, 2026 at her home.
Author: RumseyYost
Joan Marie Cross
Joan Cross
06/24/1933 – 02/12/2026
Joan, age 92, was a devoted follower of Jesus Christ. She provided a helpful hand to many people through her employment with Visiting Nurses. Joan had a heart for volunteering including working with the homeless and with Insight Women’s Clinic. She was born in Villa Park IL, the only daughter of George and Ruth Cross and had 4 brothers James, George, Paul, and Richard. Joan had 4 children Susan, Steven, Patricia, and Peter by a previous marriage and 5 grandchildren who she loved dearly.
She was proceeded in death by her daughter Patricia, as well as her parents and brothers. Joan peacefully passed at Presbyterian Manor in Lawrence KS in the company of a loving friend
and her pastor
Memorial Services for Joan Marie Cross, 92, Lawrence, will be 11 am, Friday, February 27, 2026, at Grace Presbyterian Church.
Nancy Theresa Kaufmann
Nancy Kaufmann passed away on February 16, 2026. She was born in New York City on July 1, 1933 to Lilly and Santa Georgiano. Always proud of her Italian-American heritage, she grew up in New York City, later moving to Queens, NY where she attended high school. Nancy was the first in her family to attend college at Oswego State University in upstate NY where she received her degree in education and met the love of her life, Richard Kaufmann. They were married for 62 years until his passing.
Nancy taught elementary school and then raised her three children in Bethpage, NY where she and Richard settled. She eventually returned to substitute teaching, but her real passion was ballroom dancing. She and Richard excelled as dance teachers and taught at the local high school continuing education program, at resorts and on cruise ships. Richard and Nancy traveled the world, from Europe to Russia and China and too many other places to name.
She is survived by her children Diane (James) Guthrie, Lawrence, Kansas, Debra Baskett, Louisville, Colorado, and Richard Kaufmann, New York, New York. Nancy will also be missed by her three grandchildren; Dylan (Hannah Finch-) Guthrie, Julia Guthrie and Dominique Baskett.
The family wants to thank the staff at Pioneer Ridge Assisted Living for their compassionate care for Nancy.
Donations to the Eudora Giving Garden in memory of Nancy can be made using the link below.
https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/nancy-kaufmann-memorial-fund
Charles Lee Harth
Charles Lee Harth | March 12, 1944 – February 15, 2026
Charles Lee Harth was born in Kansas City, Kansas, on March 12, 1944, to Esther Lorene (Parr) and Marlin Lewis Harth. He passed away on February 15, 2026, in Kansas City, Kansas, surrounded by family. He was 81.
Chuck was many things: an avid outdoorsman, a woodworker, a birdwatcher, a member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, a man of few words but quick with a smile, a loving husband, a dependable father, a doting grandfather, and a steady, composed presence.
Chuck grew up in Rossville, KS. His family moved to Overbrook, KS, at the start of his 10th-grade year. In high school, he played football, basketball, track, and baseball. After high school, Chuck alternated between college and work before settling into a 33-year career as a railroad clerk for the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad. For many years, he spent Saturday nights delivering the Sunday newspaper to small towns around Topeka. Outside of work, he filled his time coaching his sons’ baseball teams and hunting turkey and deer, even traveling to Idaho, Wisconsin, and Washington on hunting and fishing trips.
Chuck married the love of his life, Vicky, on September 19, 1970, in Stull, Kansas. Nine years later, they moved into the house that Chuck helped build, and they would remain there for his entire life. He was a patient father who rarely raised his voice, showed up for all the games and tournaments, and prioritized his family. He taught his sons to be kind, frugal, and that a few well-chosen words are often enough.
Chuck was particular about his vehicles. Not only did he own some fun ones over the course of his life – a Corvette, a Mustang, and a Chevelle – he liked keeping them clean, which was a constant battle since he lived on a gravel road. When he started dating his bride-to-be, he didn’t want to drive his new girlfriend around in his mother’s car. So he bought a white Mustang as a temporary holdover until his special-order blue Corvette arrived.
In his later years, Chuck and Vicky enjoyed traveling, especially with his sister and brother-in-law. Of their many trips criss-crossing the United States, the Albuquerque Balloon Festival was a favorite. However, nothing could beat the family vacation to New England in 2021, which included his first commercial flight, New Hampshire’s fall foliage, and lobster rolls on a dock in Maine.
Chuck will be remembered fondly by his wife of 55 years, Vicky Sue (Wulfkuhle); two sons and their wives, Derek and Karen Harth of Leawood, KS, and Cory and Kathryn Harth of Manhattan, KS; grandchildren Avery and Brayden Harth, Aidan and Leah Zimmerman, and Ruby and Violet Rosales; sister and brother-in-law, Janet and Jim Dodge of Rossville; and numerous nieces, nephews, and their children.
A private family service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Chuck’s honor to Stull Community of Faith, 1596 E. 250 Road, Lecompton, KS 66050.
John Lawrence Schott
My amazing husband, John Lawrence Schott, passed from this life on Sunday February 15, 2026. His recent healthcare experiences included great happiness (new kidney!) and many challenges. An unanticipated cancer diagnosis led to a sudden decline and his unexpected death.
Larry was born on October 19, 1953 in Louisville KY. Over the next 72 years, he lived in seven cities. He met and married Connie Schott during their college years in New York City. Along the way, he lived in Lebanon PA, Jacksonville FL, Gainesville FL, and West Plains MO. In 2023, he settled in Lawrence KS.
He was an involved and caring father, ensuring that our sons Harrison and Henry grew into intelligent, kind, committed, and compassionate young men. They will carry his legacy into the future.
He shared his love of the arts, especially music, with everyone. At each step of his life, he enjoyed playing music with friends and family. The Grateful Dads, the Cigar Band, and his extensive knowledge of music of all types provided opportunities for him to share, to teach, and to enrich every life with music.
His wit, intelligence, and creative spirit found outlets in everyday interactions. He contributed frequently to the Style Invitational, which earned him the coveted title of Loser, and got him published in the Washington Post.
Larry’s superpower was building lasting friendships in each of the many places we lived during our 50 years together. He truly valued every friend, and made a point of keeping in touch to provide kindness and support at key moments.
Larry was committed to life, justice, and love. May we each carry those same commitments forward in our own lives.
He is survived by his wife Connie Schott, sons Harrison and Henry, sisters Joyce and Joan, brothers Jim, Jeff, and Jerry, and many nieces and nephews.
A memorial gathering will be 2:00 P.M to 4:00 P.M. Saturday, March 14, 2026 at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home in Lawrence. In the meantime, we invite friends and family to share memories, stories and photos on the Rumsey-Yost webpage at rumsey-yost.com.
Mary Louise Goodson
Mary Louise Goodson, age 77 of Lawrence, passed away February 8, 2026. Arrangements are currently pending with Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home of Lawrence.
Patsy Darlene Kirkman
Patsy Darlene Kirkman (née Jones), 84, born May 8, 1941, in Oswego, Kansas, to John L. Jones and Norma R. Garrison, passed away January 27, 2026.
In 1960, Patsy married Roger Anderson, with whom she had 2 sons. Patsy married Dean Kirkman in 2004; following Dean’s death in 2020, she found companionship with Harry Hosey at Meadowlark Estates during her final years. Patsy had many friends at Meadowlark.
Patsy was a loving mother who actively participated in Cub Scouts, PTA, and the KU University Women’s Organization. She enjoyed dancing and socializing and worked at several Lawrence businesses, notably Weaver’s Department Store.
Patsy was preceded in death by her parents, brother Terry, sister Ruth (Bill), and husband Dean and is survived by siblings Donna Little (Kenneth), John Jones (Vanee), and Judy Weber (Doug), sons Torrence (Beth) and Benjamin (Jennifer), and 4 grandchildren, Conner, Jack, Evie, and Ellie.
A graveside service will be held on February 21, 2026, at 11am at Mount Sidney Cemetery, Linwood, Kansas.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society at donate.cancer.org.
Mary (Goodson) Suitt
Mary (Goodson) Suitt passed away peacefully February 8, 2026 after suffering a stroke in October 2025.
Mary was born August 14, 1948, the daughter of John and Louise Flood. Mary was an entrepreneur at heart and ran a successful marketing business for almost 30 years.
After Mary’s first marriage ended, she met Michael Phillip Suitt of Lawrence, Ks and they were married October 9, 2016. Mary found genuine happiness with Mike for the 10+ years they were together.
Mary is survived by her husband, Mike Suitt [Lawrence, Ks]; son Jeff (Melanie) Goodson [Lee Summit, Mo]; grandsons Michael (Angela) and Ryan Goodson; step children Leslie (Dave) Dlugosh [Round Rock, Tx], Joey (Lindsey) Suitt [Baldwin City, Ks]; Kevin (Jo) Suitt [Beaufort, SC], Michael Jr. (Cindy) Suitt [Kansas City, MO]; bonus grandchildren Faith, Peyton, Maelee, Lilly and Anderson; and her brother Richard Flood [St. Louis, Mo].
Mary was preceded in death by her parents and brother John Flood Jr.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date. The family suggests memorial contributions to the Wounded Warrior Foundation.
Deborah Helen Klales
Deborah Helen Klales (née Russo), of Philadelphia, PA, passed away peacefully and free of pain on February 9, 2026, at her daughter’s home surrounded by her family. To know her was to love her and to laugh until you cried (or peed).
Debbie was born on October 17, 1956, in Ridley Park, PA, to William Patrick Russo, Sr. and Theresa Nancy Russo (née Napoline). She graduated from Henderson Senior High, in West Chester, PA, in 1974 and attended Widener University, in Chester, PA, working towards her nursing degree.
On August 14, 1982, Debbie married the love of her life John Charles “Chal” Klales, Jr., of West Chester, PA. Together, they built a life of love and fun, that never had a dull moment, with their two daughters, numerous large dogs, Harley Davidson, and friends and family. Her girls, Alexandra Rose Klales “Chickaroo” and Theresa Nicole Klales “Chip” both of Lawrence, KS, were her pride and joy and she considered herself blessed to be their mother. Her blessings only increased twofold with the birth of her grandchildren, twins Mia Amor and Niko Gregory Rocha-Klales. Really, they were the blessed ones.
She was generous, hysterical, strong, and like a second Mom to many. Through optimism, persistence, faith, and a bit of sheer stubbornness, she consistently defied medical odds and never gave up, even at the end.
Debbie worked as a Certified Unit Health Coordinator in nursing at Chester County Hospital, in West Chester, PA, for 23 years, spending much of that time in the Pediatrics Unit. Once retired, Debbie volunteered at Safe Harbor of Chester County and the Brandywine Valley SPCA and she supported many causes related to unsheltered individuals and animal rescue. In 2018, she and her husband moved to Lawrence, KS to be near her daughters.
She received the gift of organ (kidney) donation in 2019, which gave Debbie additional time to meet, love, and cherish her grandchildren and to become a “Grammy,” her proudest title of all. She was a devout Catholic and a member of St. Agnes Church, in West Chester, PA, for most of her life. She enjoyed card and letter writing, Harley rides with her husband “Chal,” reading, her pets and animals, the beach, hustling everyone playing cards after swearing “she could barely remember how to play,” giving and caring for others, and spending time with her husband, girls, and grandchildren.
Debbie is survived by her husband John, daughters Alexandra and Theresa, grandchildren Mia and Niko, brothers William Russo, Jr. and John Russo (Lisa), sisters Kathleen Moldenhauer (Ernie) and Margot Jacobs, her nieces Nicole Hove (Nick) and Karen Irwin (Bill), and nephews Bradley Russo, Jesse Russo (Melissa), and Michael Jacobs (Judy).
She was preceded in death by her parents William and Theresa Russo, her brother Nicholas Joseph Russo, her in-laws Rosina and John C. Klales, Sr., her nephew Casey John Russo, and her brother-in-law Thomas Klales.In lieu of flowers, the family encourages friends and loved ones to honor Debbie’s life through a donation to either the Brandywine Valley SPCA in West Chester, PA, or the Lawrence Humane Society in Lawrence, KS, a cause close to Debbie’s heart and where her beloved dogs Precious (PA) and Vita (KS) were adopted.
A celebration of life will be held this summer in Pennsylvania at a date and time to be determined in the near future.
Harold “Papa Red” Daniel
Harold “Papa Red” Daniel April 4, 1943 – February 10, 2026
Harold Daniel, devotedly known to loved ones as “Papa Red,” was born on April 4, 1943, in Lawrence, Kansas. He passed away on February 10, 2026.
Red spent the majority of his life working at the Lawrence Paper Company. Outside of work, he was a man of many passions, including traveling, fishing, and gardening. He deeply valued spending time with his family and took great pride in helping his friends and family work on their vehicles. A man with a vibrant spirit, Red was known as a “Honky-Tonker that got down to the blues!”.
He is survived by his wife, Margaret Jane Daniel, his four children, and his grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Lois Daniel and Theresa (Daniel) Norcross, as well as four children and two grandchildren.
Service Information
Family & Friends Visitation: Thursday, February 19th, from 6:00 PM. until 7:00 PM at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home.
Funeral Service: Friday, February 20th, at 2:00 PM. at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home.
Interment: Graveside services will follow the funeral.
