Author: RumseyYost

Charles “Kansas” Benjamin Taylor, IV

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Charles B. Taylor IV, age 40, passed on February 27, 2022. He arrived into this world on August 21, 1981, born to Charles and Deborah Taylor in Lawrence, KS.

Kansas, as he was known, was always deeply involved in agricultural pursuits. At an early age, Kansas reveled in selling sweet corn, from the fruits of the family land in Wabaunsee County, at the Emporia Farmers Market. From riding Ruth, the mule to accompanying his father at cattle sales, Kansas nurtured his ties to the land.

Kansas attended Eskridge Elementary, Mission Valley High School, and upon returning to Lawrence, graduated from Free State High School. Always good with numbers, he graduated from Johnson County Community College with a railroad switch operator degree.

Kansas worked alongside his father and most times with brothers at the Lawrence farmstead for the remainder of his life. He became an invaluable asset in farm and ranch endeavors from the garden to the melon patch, haying, and cattle. Frequent excursions to work the family properties and tend cattle in remote Wabaunsee county was Kansas’ favorite pastime. He was an avid maker of tomato juice and enjoyed canning produce from his garden.

Kansas is survived by his son Zephyr, 15 of Counsel Grove; his parents Charles and Deborah Taylor of Lawrence, KS; and also by his siblings Zachariah, Zebulon, Becki, Matt, William, and close cousin Alicia. Numerous nieces and nephews also survive.

Kansas was larger than life, his shoes cannot be filled. May he rest in peace.

A Celebration of Life Service will take place from 3-6 pm, Sunday, May 8, 2022, at 1827 E 1150 Rd. Lawrence, Kansas 66049.

Contributions may be made at https://everloved.com/life-of/charles-taylor-iv/

June Rose Fisher

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Funeral services for June Rose Fisher, 102, Lawrence, will be at 1 pm Friday at First United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Kay Scarbrough officiating. Burial will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery. June passed away Friday, February 25, 2022, at her home, with family by her side.

She was born September 23, 1919, in Kansas City, Mo., the daughter of Edward Lincoln and Alta Vivian Gard Burton. She graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in Cedar Rapids, Ia. She worked on the World War II Ration Board before moving to Lawrence where she worked at the Credit Bureau for many years. June was active in the American Legion Post 14 Auxiliary where she served as president twice and held other positions, and the La Chapeau of the 8 & 40 Honor Society of the American Legion Auxiliary where she served two terms. She was active in the First United Methodist Church.

June married Alan C. Fisher on March 9, 1951. To this union were born four sons, Michael Fisher, Eudora, Kevin Fisher, Lawrence, Brian Fisher (Rita), Eudora, and Kent Fisher (Chris), Lawrence; five grandchildren, and two great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband and a sister, Dorris Rudish.

Friends may call from noon to 8 pm Thursday at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home. The family will receive friends from noon until service time Friday at the church. Memorial contributions are suggested to Douglas County VNA, in care of the funeral home, 601 Indiana St., Lawrence, KS, 66044. Online condolences may be sent at rumsey-yost.com

Lois Elaine Clark

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A celebration of life for Lois Elaine Clark, 87, Lawrence, will be 2:00pm Saturday April 23, 2022 at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Lawrence, 1263 N. 1100 Road, Lawrence, KS  66047.

Mrs. Clark died February 26, 2022 at LMH Health after a brief illness.

Lois was born in Omaha, Nebraska May 21, 1934, the daughter of Harley and Hazel Meisinger. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Art History, and a Master’s Degree in Personnel Administration from the University of Kansas.  In 1996 she retired after a 30-year career at the University of Kansas as Assistant Dean in the School of Architecture and Urban Design, having served in many positions.

Lois married John Garretson Clark on January 30, 1954.  John died in 2000.  Lois then enjoyed the love and companionship of Don Marquis for 19 years.  She was an avid and “professional” traveler, a good thing because while John Clark worked on his degrees, followed grants and fellowships, and took sabbaticals they moved no less than 10 times in a 20-year span, covering at least 8 states and France.  She also greatly enjoyed traveling for fun, including theater and ballet trips with Dons.  She filledf many photo albums.

Lois held Jayhawk season basketball tickets from 1958 until her death.  She was a dedicated bridge player, attaining enough points to be Grand Master.  She was a longtime member of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Lawrence, KS.  She gave her time and was a very generous supporter of many organizations.  She was a strong, compassionate, and giving woman, known as a mentor to many.  She will be greatly missed by her wide circle of friends, and her family.

She is survived by her companion Don Marquis, three children: Garry, Steve (Sharon), and Larisa (Bruce); sister Lorene Robbins (Jack), and brother Larry Meisinger (Connie).  Lois cherished her six grandchildren:  Steven (Amber), Ann E, Brandon, Emily, Shelby and Mackenna, and her greatgrandchildren Mason, Liam, Gage.

Memorial contributions can be made to the charity of choice and sent in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home.

The celebration of life will be available to watch remotely at:

https://zoom.us/j/93527760061?pwd=c2MyZG5reHJFOU9Ycm5UUDVDNkYvUT09

Meeting ID: 935 2776 0061
Passcode: 3339

 

T. Mardell Hile

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Mardell Hile, 95, passed February 22, 2022 at her son’s home in Lawrence, KS surrounded by family. Mardell was born October 3, 1926, outside Gridley, KS, the daughter of Carl and Eva Bessie Sage Luthi. Mardell grew up on a farm in Lamont, KS and attended school in Lamont. She graduated from Ottawa High School and Flint Hills Vocational Technical School. She worked for Santa Fe Railroad and Hallmark Cards in Topeka, KS and retired from Newman Memorial Hospital in Emporia, KS during her long working career. She often commented that she loved all her jobs, and she loved life and people.

Mardell married Lester “Les” Hile of Quenemo, KS in Topeka on April 3, 1945, and they were happily married for 49 years. He preceded her in death in July 1994.

Most importantly, Mardell loved being a mother and grandmother. She was the greatest Mom ever! Survivors include her much loved children, Lennes (Greg) Dallas, TX, Teresa (Steve), Lawrence, KS, Ken, Lawrence, KS and Mavis (Robert), Topeka, KS, along with cherished grandchildren Jason, Jarrod (Ali), Cherie, Aaron and great-grandchildren Alexa, Lily, River, Axel, Sydney, Caroline and Andrew.

Due to Covid, a private graveside service will be held at the Apostolic Cemetery in Lamont, KS. Mardell will always be loved and will be greatly missed as she begins the next stage of her journey.

Special thanks to Dr. Kevin Stuever and his staff for the years of quality care for our mother.  A special thank you also needs to go to VNA Hospice.

Doris Dahlene Johnson

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Services for Doris Dahlene Johnson, 94, Overland Park, but formerly of Lawrence, will be at 10:30 am, Saturday, February 26th, at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home.  Burial will be at Washington Creek Cemetery.

Mrs. Johnson died Monday, February 21, 2022, at St. Luke’s South Hospital in Overland Park, Kansas.

She was born October 7, 1927, in Lawrence, the daughter of Overton E. and Stella A. (Wilson) Hundley.  She grew up out in the country and developed a love of animals.  She surprised her parents by bringing home a baby goat which she raised for many years.  She graduated from Lawrence High School in 1945.

On June 26, 1950, she married Raymond A. Johnson, in Lawrence.  They were married 47 wonderful years until his death on January 16, 1998.

Mrs. Johnson worked at Rusty’s Superette and Rusty’s IGA Food Center for 38 years, retiring in 1986.  She loved her customers as much as they loved her.  She was a past member of the Chipperfield Neighborhood Association, where she had served on various committees and as a board member.

Family meant everything to Mrs. Johnson and she was a wonderful role model to her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  She was rarely without a smile on her face and she almost never met a stranger!  Her hobbies included cooking, genealogy, and creating wonderful family photo albums.  The photo albums she made for her children and grandchildren will be cherished forever.

Mrs. Johnson had lived her entire life in Lawrence until 2018, when she relocated to the Brookdale 119th Independent Living Facility in Overland Park, Kansas, to be nearer to her daughter.

Survivors include two sons, Tommy, Pullman, Washington, and Richard, Mimbres, New Mexico; one daughter, Janice Wisdom (Keith), Overland Park, Kansas; five grandchildren, Jeremiah Johnson, Jennifer Longacre (Daniel), Phillip Anderson, Seth Wisdom, and Nate Wisdom, and six great-grandchildren, Makenna, Tatum and Blake Longacre, Caleb and Aubrey Anderson, and Eli Cersovsky.  Other survivors include a sister-in-law, Zora Belle Hundley, Overland Park, Kansas, along with many nieces and nephews.

Along with her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents, and two brothers, Overton E. “Doc” Hundley, Jr. and Edwin D. Hundley.

The family will receive friends from 9:30 to 10:30 am Saturday at the funeral home, before the service.

The family suggests memorials to the Lawrence Humane Society, sent in care of the funeral home.

The funeral service may be viewed live on Facebook at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home & Crematory | Facebook

 

Joyce Virginia Ewing

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Joyce Virginia Ewing died at the age of 91 on Friday, February 18, 2022, in Lawrence, Kansas.

She was born September 28, 1930, in Cairo, Kansas, the daughter of Earl Edward and Martha Estella (Nossaman) Barker. The family moved to Great Bend where Joyce attended Great Bend
High School.

Joyce married Glenn Morrison and they had four children. Joyce and Glenn worked at Harvey’s Furniture Store until opening their own furniture and fabric stores the early 70s in LaCrosse,
Kansas. They later divorced.

Joyce worked Central Kansas Medical Center for over 20 years–mostly in the Admissions department. Never one to sit still, she also owned Nature’s Nest and Country Treasures gift
shops. She painted in oils, selling her art at regional shows. Joyce was licensed in graphanalysis and taught classes at Barton County Community College on the topic. In the 1990s, Joyce started and ran a support group for families dealing with the effects of ALS. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Great Bend.

Joyce is survived by her sister Faye Shepherd of Salina; her son Stan Morrison and wife Vicky of Albert, Kansas; daughter Vicki Sisson of Johnstown, Colorado; son Steve Morrison and wife Denise of Hoisington, Kansas; and son Jeff Morrison of Lawrence, Kansas.

Marsha G. Schwyhart

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Funeral services for Marsha G. Schwyhart, 70, Lawrence, will be at 11 am Wednesday at Immanuel Lutheran Church, with the Rev. Tom Herries officiating. Interment will be at 2:15 pm at Oak Hill Cemetery. The service will be broadcast on Facebook Live on the Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home page.

Marsha passed away on Thursday, February 17th, 2022, in Lawrence after a battle with cancer. Marsha was born September 4, 1951, in Garden City, KS- the daughter of Robert (Bob) and Martha Clester. Marsha married Vance Schwyhart on May 12, 1979, in Topeka KS.

Marsha served in many roles for the Girl Scouts, including Troop Leader, Service Unit Coordinator, and Product Sales Manager. She later served as a lead VIN Inspector for the Kansas Highway Patrol. Her greatest and most beloved job, however, was that of being a Mom and a Grandma. She spent countless hours volunteering at the schools of her kids and grandkids, including the harrowing task of homeschooling 3 of her grandkids during the pandemic.

Survivors include her husband, Vance Schwyhart; three daughters, Heather Lambert (Derek Thyssen), Cari Simons (Jeff Simons), and Katie Newell (James Newell); and five grandkids, she affectionally called “The Five”, Peyton, Logan, Lukas, Lilly, and Emma, all of Lawrence KS.

Marsha enjoyed traveling, camping, and being outdoors- especially on the lake. She loved reading, cooking, and anything that involved family. She was a prayer warrior and an avid student of the Bible.

Memorial contributions may be made to Kansas Trails Council or the Lawrence Public Library Friends & Foundation, in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, 601 Indiana St., Lawrence, KS, 66044.

 

John Dale Fowler

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John Dale Fowler passed away peacefully on Wednesday, February 16th after succumbing to complications from dementia. John spent his final hours surrounded by his family.

John was born on November 1, 1942, the fifth of six children born to Sims and Mary Fowler. He is survived by his wife, Carol Anderson, his three daughters and their spouses, Erin (Trey) Klawiter, Alexis (Eric) Hyyppa, and Austin (Mike) Bell, grandchildren Palmer, Wyatt, and Sam Klawiter; Annika Hyyppa; and Lillian Wattier, John-Michael, Dean, and Rosa Bell. He is also survived by his brother, Frank Fowler, sister, Linda Folger and Carol’s children and grandchildren, Justin (Amy) Anderson, Julie (Brian) Flory, Lane and Tate Anderson, Cole and Piper Flory. John was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Bob and Gene Fowler, and his sister, Sue Avants.

John earned a BS from the University of Central Oklahoma and a master’s degree from the University of Texas. After graduation, he worked as a journalist with The Oklahoman and the Associated Press, and taught journalism at UCO. He then began a 45 year career leading Chambers of Commerce for Weatherford, Oklahoma, South Oklahoma City, Stillwater, Oklahoma, Midland, Texas, Greater Colorado Springs, Colorado, and the Kansas Chamber of Commerce and Industry. John was the recipient of numerous awards and recognition, including Chamber Executive of the Year in Colorado and Oklahoma. He was an early leader in developing community leadership training and organized programs for industry recruitment, small business development, tourism, and nonprofit management.

John had many passions in life. He was a skilled painter who closely followed the financial markets. He loved a rare steak and a martini, would surprise you with a showtune, and absolutely adored his grandkids.

The family will be holding a private service at a future date. In lieu of flowers they have asked that you consider a donation in his name to an organization he greatly appreciated, the Lumberyard Arts Center in Baldwin City, Kansas.

Judy Elaine Degenstein

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Private family services for Judy Degenstein, 77, Independence, MO, will take place at a later date.

Mrs. Judy Elaine Degenstein died Friday, February 11, 2022 at Centerpoint Medical Center in Independence, Missouri.

She was born on September 9, 1944 in Kansas City, the daughter of James and Hazel Tarwater. She graduated from Wyandotte High School in 1961 and earned an Associates Degree in Journalism from Donnelly College in 1963. While she and her husband Robert have lived in many different places in the United States from the east to the west coast, her favorite was Biloxi, Mississippi. She and her husband were currently living in Independence, Missouri.

Judy worked for many different businesses over her lifetime including Schlage Lock Co., Casey’s, Southwestern Bell, but the job she was most proud of was raising six sons. Her love, dedication, guidance, and determination ensured their success. (A smack on the hind section with a flyswatter didn’t hurt either.) She was not only their mother but their teacher, guidance counselor, confidant, and sometimes warden. Her pride in their accomplishments was evident if you ever got the opportunity to visit with her. She loved to dote on her ‘boys’ and share their successes with anyone that would lend her their ear. In her free time she enjoyed crafting, sewing, playing the slots, spending time with her husband, and taking care of her cat ‘Horatio’.

She married the love of her life Robert ‘Bob’ Degenstein on June 9, 1981. Their love was evident from the beginning, her sharing the most precious thing she had with him, her children, and him accepting the children and raising them as his own.

Survivors include her husband Bob; her sisters Nancy and Sue; her sons Eric, Adam, Krystopher, and John; and multiple grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

Judy was preceded in death by her mother and father; her brother James ‘Jimmy’ Tarwater; her sister’s Hazel ‘Lady’ Davis and Lori Joy; and two of her sons Scot Johnston and Thad Johnston.