Author: RumseyYost

Dr. Josephine Alice (Rusher) Bartow Ruud

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Dr. Josephine Alice (Rusher) Bartow Ruud, 104, of Lawrence, Kansas, died on Sunday, November 30, 2025, at Pioneer Ridge Assisted Living.

She was the daughter of Frank and Mina (Allen) Rusher, born on October 16, 1921, in Mitchell, Nebraska.

During WWII, she married Richard Bartow who was later killed in Okinawa on April 11, 1945.

She went back to college, graduating with bachelor and master’s degrees in Home Economics from Iowa State University.

She earned her doctorate from Penn State University while managing a community adult education program.  He next position was at North Dakota State University (NDSU) where she was head of the home economics education program from 1961 to 1973. After that she became the State Program Leader for Home Economics Extension at the University of Wyoming from 1973 to 1982.

On June 12, 1965, she married Norman Ruud.  Upon their retirement, they moved to Pelican Rapids, Minnesota, purchasing a hobby farm near Norman’s home place.

After the hobby farm and Norman’s death, Josephine Bartow Ruud published numerous articles and three professional books during the 1970s; “Teaching for Changed Attitudes and Values”, “Adult Education for Home and Family Living”, and “Handbook on Home and Family Living.” She also enjoyed writing two cookbooks, “How to Pot It Now That He Shot It” and “The Young Adult Cookbook.” She kept up to date professionally by writing a monthly column, “News Flashes” for Lake Region Electric Cooperative for 20 years from 1991 to 2010.  The columns were on nutrition, gardening, children, homemaking, etc. She always included a few tested recipes.

She is survived by her son, Jerry (Jane) Bartow of Lawrence, Kansas; grandson, Doug Bartow of Chicago, Illinois; granddaughter, Amanda (Chris) Storm of Lawrence, Kansas; and great-grandchildren, Lydia and Elliott Storm of Lawrence, Kansas.

A Celebration of Life will be held to honor Jo’s memory, with details to be shared at a later date.

Stuart Lee Shafer

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Born Stuart Lee Shafer on 2/23/54 to Norma Lea Curry and Lloyd Theodore Shafer in Hays, KS, Stu left this world peacefully from Lawrence on 11/23/25 after living resiliently with brain
cancer for over 4 years.  Stu grew up in Great Bend, Kansas City, Houston, and St Louis, and graduated from Western Michigan University, KU, and UC San Diego with degrees in English, Environmental Studies, and Sociology. WMU’s School of Homesteading program inspired his life’s work. He was professor of sociology and sustainable agriculture at Johnson County Community College, developing the successful campus Open Petal Farm. He was an organic grower for Rolling Prairie Farmers Alliance.
Stu wanted to change his world, and he did. He was active in social justice, anti-war, and antiimperialist movements, was a forty year Merc co-op member, and spent many years in the
leadership of the Kansas Rural Center.  Stu married Patti Dickinson in 1978 after sitting behind her on an Amtrak train and making her laugh with a silly comment. In the 80’s they moved 10 times and had 2 wonderful children who were raised on their rural Oskaloosa farm, where Stu grew vegetables and fruit for Rolling Prairie.
Survivors include wife Patti of Lawrence, daughter Miriam (Lee) Numata and wife Ako of Joplin; son Michael Heron Lee of Oskaloosa and his daughter October, the light of Stu’s life; sister
Melinda Huston and husband John of Lawrence; brother Kevin Shafer and wife Dori of Pleasant Hill, CA; sister Karen Johnson and husband Don of Iowa City; many nieces and
nephews; and many dear friends and colleagues with whom he loved to study and ponder and dream of a better world.
The family thanks Drs. Soule and Klish and the nurses of LMH Oncology for helping Stu live much longer than expected, and VNA Hospice for their care when Stu was ready to move on.
Stu supported many charities and dear to his heart was the Sustainable Agriculture Scholarship at Johnson County Community College, to help grow more independent farmers.
Please tell us your memories on Stu’s page at Rumsey-yost.com.

Christine Louise Taber

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Christine Louise Taber passed away peacefully early Friday morning, November 21, 2025, on the dawn of her 83rd birthday. Her family was with her for her last birthday celebration, sharing her favorite dessert, pineapple upside down cake, baked by her granddaughter. She was in hospice care at Pioneer Ridge in Lawrence, KS.

Christine was born in Culver City, CA, in 1942, with sunny beaches and donut making in her blood.

Chris loved road trips and enjoyed taking off to the Grand Canyon and Mexico with her sister Barby soon after getting her driver’s license. Her enjoyment of spontaneous adventures lasted throughout her life. She loved driving cross-country with her husband, Don. She often loaded up the kids and the dog for long weekend drives  along the coastal highway 101.

Chris and Don raised their three daughters in Woodland, California, nestled in an agricultural valley. They had many wonderful family pets, including Muffin and Fluffy.

Chris wielded a mean meat mallet, hammering enormous Pacific Geoduck clams into delectable community-renowned fritters. She honed her skill on regular summer camping trips to her beloved Dillon’s  Beach on the Northern California coast.  Making pomegranate jelly for holidays and gifts from freshly picked pomegranates was a lifelong hobby.

Donut maker, dental assistant, and pharmacy technician were three of Christine’s career paths. She loved staying productive and meeting new people. She was also an avid volunteer for her church, St. John’s United Church of Christ in Woodland, CA where she made lifelong friends.

In 2003, Chris and Don moved to Lawrence, finding a warm community that welcomed them with cheerful Kansas charm.

Chris cherished her baptism at her chosen Kansas church, Grace Baptist Church of Tonganoxie. Her faith sustained and comforted her through the remainder of her lifetime.

Chris was preceded in death by her parents, Bryce and Gene Anderson, and beloved husband of 42 years, Donald Albert Taber. She leaves behind three daughters and their families: Lora Taber (Michelle Tucker) and son Riley; Lana Grove (Jason) and children Quincy and Stella; and Jane Spurlock (Eric) and children Madelyn and Steven. Christine also leaves her two siblings, Paul Anderson and Barbara Koskelin.

Private services will be held with family in California where her ashes, commingled with those of her dear husband Don, will be scattered in the Pacific Ocean. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations may be made to 100 Good Women of Lawrence, Kansas, a charity that she supported through the Lawrence Welcome Club, or the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Margaret Jean (Smith) Arnold

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Margaret Arnold Obituary

Services for Margaret Jean (Smith) Arnold will be at 10 AM on Saturday, November 29 at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Dr. Arnold died Saturday. November 22.

Margaret was born April 17, 1934, in Jacksonville IL, the daughter of Dean L. and Marguerite (Spilker) Smith. After three years in the Rockford Illinois schools, the family moved to Topeka Kansas where she attended Topeka public schools, graduating from Topeka High School in 1952 with highest honors. She then attended the University of Kansas, living in Sellards Scholarship Hall, participating in Mortar Board, and excelling as a member of the KU Debate squad, where she also met her future husband. She received her B.S. in English Education at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, completing all undergraduate classes with a 4.0 GPA.

After a brief career teaching High School English and a few years as a stay-at-home mom, she began work on her doctorate at the University of Texas. Awarded fellowships in both English and Classics, she earned a Ph.D. in 1971 and began a long career at the University of Kansas, spanning the years from 1968 to 2004. She received two teaching awards and was a recognized scholar for work regarding Milton, Shakespeare, Classics, and Women Writers. Even after retirement, she was an active scholar, participating in small group studies and book discussion groups and sharing her love for literature and learning.

Outside the classroom, she was active in the First Baptist Church of Lawrence, the League of Women Voters of Lawrence-Douglas County, and the Baptist Peace Fellowship of North America.

In 1955, she married William Arnold, with whom she shared academic life and post-retirement travels. She is survived by their three children: Janice Arnold of Loveland, Colorado, Bruce Arnold and his wife Cheryl, of Redding California, and Mark Arnold and his wife Robin, of Fort Worth, Texas, as well as ten grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren, her brother Dean L. Smith Jr., of Westfield, New Jersey, sister Norma Pettijohn of Topeka, Kansas and 4 nephews and nieces.

She was predeceased by her parents and husband.

The family suggests memorials to the First Baptist Church of Lawrence.

Wilma Stratton Rife

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Wilma Stratton Rife, born September 15, 1928, in Newton, Kansas, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, November 16, 2025.  Service and reception will be held at 2pm, Saturday, November 29th at Plymouth Congregational Church in Lawrence Kansas.

Wilma grew up in Hesston, Kansas, the daughter of Wallace Wilson Stratton and Mary Wenger.  She attended elementary school before graduating from Newton High School in 1946. A gifted student, she went on to earn her Bachelor of Arts degree summa cum laude from Southwestern College in Winfield in 1949. In 1948, she married Max Lee Rife, with whom she shared many years of partnership and family life.

Teaching was Wilma’s first calling. Over the course of more than 20 years, she taught in Cowley County—including a one-room schoolhouse—Geneseo, Inman, and Central Junior High School in Lawrence. Her dedication to education led her to pursue further academic achievement, earning a Master’s degree in English from the University of Kansas in 1970 and a Master’s in Library Science from Emporia State University in 1976.

Wilma joined the staff of Mabee Library at Washburn University in 1977. Her leadership and commitment to academic service led to her appointment as Director of Mabee Library in 1984, a role she held until her retirement in 1994. She was honored as Librarian Emeritus in 1995.

Wilma is survived by her children: Kurt Rife, Joel Rife and his wife Nancy  Coleman, Trish Rife and her husband  Pat Robinson and Libby Rife and her husband  Ed Holub.

She is also survived by her grandchildren: Shannon Rife-Brown and her husband, Brad Brown, Wilson Rife and partner Jessa Karst, Jacob Robinson and partner Abby Charles, Sam Robinson, Amanda Robinson, Chad Robinson Jessica Robinson and Zach Holub; and great-grandchildren: Emery, Bethany and Lucian.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Max Rife, and by her daughters-in-law, Patti Rife and Gail Massie.

In retirement, she enjoyed reading, family gatherings with food, travel, many UK trips with family and friends, and all PBS programming. Wilma loved her country home, its surrounding walks and wild creatures, and an occasional Manhattan on the deck at sunset. She shared her life with many dogs and cats, especially Queen Emily  who stole her heart.

Wilma will be remembered for her sharp mind, her socialist tendencies, and her dedication to a good read. We will miss you, Mom.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made toward the Renovation of the Plymouth Sanctuary or the Lawrence Humane Society.

Angeline (Angie) Mae Fishburn

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Angeline (Angie) Mae Fishburn, 94, of Lawrence died on November 18, 2025. She was born April 30, 1931 in Quinter, Kansas to Norman and Lizzie Delp Flora. Angie was a life long member of the Church of the Brethren. Her family and faith defined her life.

Angie grew up on a farm northeast of Quinter and attended Quinter schools, graduating from Quinter High School in 1949. She attended McPherson College graduating in 1953 with a Bachelors of Arts degree in Education. She met Alvin Fishburn on a blind date while at McPherson, and they married on September 6, 1953 in Quinter. They moved to Lincoln, Nebraska where they worked in the hospital for two years. This was alternative military service for Alvin, as he was a conscientious objector to the Korean War due to religious beliefs. They then moved back to Alvin’s family dairy farm near Lone Star, Kansas where Angie taught 28 students, for one year, at Apple Pie one room school house. They raised their family of five children on the family farm. They retired in March 1998 after 43 years of farming. During these years Angie served as music director and council secretary at Lone Star Church of the Brethren. She loved her church community, and they loved her. She also served as District Executive for the Western Plains District of the Church of the Brethren. In Lawrence she volunteered at The American Red Cross blood bank, Lawrence Memorial Hospital auxiliary, was a Douglas County election volunteer, was active in the Douglas County Extension Homemakers Unit, and taught cooking skills to 4-H members, and served on the Douglas County Fair Board. She sang with the Lawrence Civic Choir for many years, and traveled with them to Austria and Romania, and sang at the National Cathedral in Washington, DC and at Carnegie Hall in New York City.

After her last child graduated from high school, she attended classes at the University of Kansas to recertify her teacher credentials. She then worked at East Heights School as a Special Education Paraprofessional for six years helping students learn to read.

Angie loved to travel, and reading about travel. She especially enjoyed visiting her brothers and sisters from coast to coast. A trip to Alaska with Alvin and their daughter Amy was a life long dream fulfilled. For several years she helped drive her father-in-law Aubrey as he traveled to Texas for the winter. The family camped in Colorado many summers with friends and extended family. She and Alvin also took three bus tours to the northeast, southeast, and the west.

Angie’s favorite past-times included reading and walking over the land she and Alvin farmed together. She enjoyed making candy at Christmas, especially cinnamon hard candy, and sharing it with others. Cheering for her beloved KU Jayhawks was also a favorite pastime. Spending time with her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren was the joy of her life.

Angie was preceded in death by her parents and nine siblings. She is survived by her spouse Alvin, and her children Allen (SanDe), Arlon (Barbara), Anne (Roy) Dare, Adrian (Debra), and Amy Fishburn. Other survivors are 19 grandchildren, 41 great-grandchildren, three great-great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

A visitation will be held on Monday, November 24 from 5 to 7pm at Lone Star Church of the Brethren. Memorial Services will be held Tuesday, November 25 at 10:30am also at Lone Star Church of the Brethren. A private internment will take place at a later time.

In lieu of flowers a donation may be made in Angie’s name to the University of Kansas Audio-Reader Program or Lawrence Public Library Early Literacy Program.

John Joseph Monaghan Jr.

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John (Sean) Joseph Monaghan Jr. 77, of Lawrence passed away peacefully on November 18, 2025. Service and reception will be held at 10:30 am November 29th at Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Lawrence, KS.

Sean was born on January 12, 1948 in Buffalo, New York, the son of John Joseph Monaghan and Virginia (Harrington) Monaghan.

After graduating from Canisius High School in 1965, Sean attended the University of Buffalo and Canisius College, earning a Bachelor degree in communications. He went on to obtain a Masters Degree in Linguistics from SUNY of Buffalo. While at Canisius HS, his rowing team won a national championship which was a highlight of his life.

Sean spent many years as Director Stores Human Resources Northeastern US and International for Payless Shoe Source. He managed human resource functions for operations in 10 countries. He enjoyed working with and meeting people in foreign countries and learning French and Spanish.

Sean and Janine met on St. Patrick’s Day in an Italian pizzeria. He was dressed head to toe in green and telling her his newest jokes. They were married on Nov. 17, 1972.

Sean is survived by his wife Janine, their 2 sons John (Erin) and Michael, and five grandchildren, Freya, Eleanor, Cecilia, Elsa, and AJ.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Kevin Monaghan, sisters Carol Fagnan and Virginia Hermes.

Other survivors include his brothers Tim (Sally) and Paul (Claudia), sisters Teresa (Jim) Minton and Mary Lou (Martin) Monaghan, and many nieces and nephews.

Sean had a lifelong love for music and was a wonderful singer. A trip to Ireland had him singing “Danny Boy” in an Irish pub, where he received a standing ovation.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to DCCCA of Lawrence, KS or The American Heart Association – sent in care of Rumsey Yost Funeral Home: P.O. Box 1260, Lawrence, KS 66044.

Shirley Ann Tarpy

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Shirley Ann Tarpy, 87, of Lawrence, passed away at home on November 16, 2025. Born in Baldwin City, Kansas on April 10, 1938, Shirley was the daughter of Olive Athey (Felt) and David Athey. She grew up in Baldwin City, forming lifelong memories with her older sister, Norma Walburn, and her younger brother, James Athey, both of whom preceded her in death.

On April 30, 1958, Shirley married Arthur Leo Tarpy Jr. The two shared nearly 52 years of marriage before Arthur’s passing in 2010. Together they raised five children.

Shirley is survived by three of her children: Allan Tarpy, Rebecca Dilts, and Cheryl Apel (Randall Splinter). She is preceded in death by her eldest son, David “Scott” Tarpy (Coleen), and her eldest daughter, Cathy Munoz (Jim). She is also lovingly remembered by her grandchildren: David Tarpy Jr. (Kristen), Jennifer Woods (Severeno), Meghan Sexon (Clay), Hannah Jones (Matt), as well as 13 great-grandchildren: James Wyatt, Henry, Harry, Lucy, Jane, George, Elijah, Xzavier, Myah, Kyrie, Rilynn, Maverick, and Cassidy, with one more on the way.

She worked for Orthopedic Casting in Eudora and Lawrence from 1977 to 1984. She then provided in-home daycare for many years, offering warmth and care to many children and families who came to cherish her, many of whom she remained close with for years afterward. She was incredibly talented and loved sewing and quilting, pouring love into every piece she created. She was a member of the Church of Christ, and was baptized on April 13, 1959, and found great joy in singing, especially gospel music.

Above all, Shirley loved her family deeply and unconditionally. The friendships she formed throughout her life were too numerous to count, each one a testament to her kindness and unwavering spirit. Her legacy of faith, love, and gentle strength will continue in the hearts of all who knew her.

Graveside Services for Shirley Ann Tarpy, 87, Lawrence, will be 11 am, Saturday, November 22, 2025, at Oak Hill Cemetery.

 

Mary Frances Sharp

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On September 25th, 1948, Mary Frances Sharp was born in Los Angeles, CA to John and Harriette Thorpe. She died November 15th, 2025, at Meadowbrook South Nursing Home in Gardner, KS.

Mary had an older sister, Elizabeth, and a younger brother, John. Elizabeth, known as Pam, resides in Arizona. John passed when he was two years old. Mary had two other half-siblings from her father’s first marriage, George “Badger” Thorpe and Harriet Thorpe-Puryear, who also preceded Mary.

Mary graduated from Montebello High School. She played drums in the marching band and marched in the Rose Bowl Parade her senior year. Mary also raced cars at a local track. While attending a USO dance she met a young sailor named Joe Sharp. On June 26th, 1970, Joe and Mary were wed in Monterey Park, CA.

After Joe’s time in the Navy, they decided to leave California and move to Joe’s hometown of Ulysses, KS. Joe took a job in the oil industry and Mary stayed home while they took in 27 foster children over the course of their life in Ulysses. They also adopted Brian Nelson and Lawrence “Larry” Sharp. In 1998 they moved to Lawrence, KS. Mary took a job at the University of Kansas working in the Ellsworth Dining Hall as an administrative assistant before KU consolidated to the new Ekdahl Dining Center in Lewis Hall. Mary worked for KU until her retirement in 2009. Mary also had been working at H&R Block as a tax preparer as a second job and really enjoyed meeting and helping many people.

Mary, like her husband, was passionate about KU Sports, especially women’s basketball and the cheerleading squads. Mary gave many special gifts made from needlepoint such as hats, scarves, bags and stuffed animals. She enjoyed keeping in touch with many of the athletes and coaches as they moved on to new teams and new opportunities.

Mary was kind, giving and did all she could to brighten someone else’s day. She was an amazing mother who gave all she could for her kids to have a good and fulfilling life. She is survived by her son Brian (Tammi) and grandson Dylan, and her son Larry (Matt). Her sister Pam, Sister-in-Law Deana (Roger) and many nieces, nephews and adopted grandchildren. Mary always had room in her heart for more. She will be missed greatly.

A visitation will be held on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, from 6:00-8:00 pm with the family at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers please consider donating to Foster Adopt Connect, an organization that provides support to children and foster families in Kansas and Missouri.