Author: RumseyYost

Ronald Dean Stowe

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A memorial visitation for Ronald Dean Stowe, 67, Lawrence, will be held Thursday from 5 to 7 pm at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home & Crematory. A celebration of Ron’s life will be held Saturday, April 28th at 2 pm at the Eagles Lodge, 1803 W. 6th St., Lawrence. Ron passed away Sunday, April 15, 2018, at his home, surrounded by family.

He was born Apr. 22, 1950, in Lawrence, the son of Harold E. and Jennie Melsena Murr Stowe. He graduated from Lawrence High School, and later served in the United States Army. He was a dump truck driver for Sunflower Paving for many years. Previously, he had driven dump trucks for other Lawrence area companies, including W.A. Dunbar & Sons. Ron enjoyed music, hunting, the outdoors, helping his mother with her garden, and KU men’s and women’s basketball. He was a former member of the Eagles Lodge Aerie 309, Lawrence.

He married Joyce Ann Morris on Mar. 10, 1972, in Lawrence. She survives of the home. Other survivors include two daughters, Lisa Stowe, Los Angeles, and Melsena Stowe, Lawrence; two brothers, Gary Stowe, Kansas City, Mo., and Hank Meisenheimer, Hollywood, Calif.; three grandchildren, Evin Joy Sullivan, Terrin Sullivan, and Lanndin Dean Stowe; and two great grandchildren, Cynclaire ‘Google’ James and Brynlee James.

The family suggests memorial contributions to the Ronald Stowe Memorial Fund, in care of the funeral home, 601 Indiana St., Lawrence, KS, 66044. Online condolences may be sent at rumsey-yost.com

Lawrene Danzey Rader

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A service in celebration of the life of Lawrene will take place on Friday, April 20th at 11:00 a.m. at Plymouth Congregational Church.

Lawrene Danzey Rader, the only child of Lawrence and Gladys Danzey, was born on February 20, 1932 in Dothan, Alabama. She passed gently at Lawrence Memorial Hospital on February 5, 2018 surrounded by her three children, Lee Rader, Mark Rader (Sara) and Melissa Little (Kurt). Lawrene is also survived by six grandchildren: Matthew, Kayla, Anna, Maya, Jack and Finn. She was preceded in death by her parents, her first husband, George LeBlanc, following a Naval air accident, and her husband of thirty-three years, Jack Rader.

Determined to attend college, Lawrene attended Florida University, working to pay her own way. She was a longtime, faithful member of Plymouth Congregational Church serving in various capacities in her younger years, and a member of P.E.O Chapter EA. She enjoyed a robust, ongoing self-education of financial investing, keeping current with politics and “the news of the day,” and traveling. But foremost, Lawrene was thoroughly invested in her family all of her life and we experienced that love in many tangible ways on a daily basis.

Lawrene will be buried next to Jack in a private family graveside service. A full celebration of her life will take place at Plymouth Congregational Church at a later date to be announced. Our hearts ache terribly in her passing, but as she often stated–while we pass into mystery, we are never far from God’s presence. As we, her family, basked in the glory of our lives together here, we trust in the glory of the mystery yet to come where God is ever present.

Memorial gifts may be made to Plymouth Congregational Church, Lawrence, or the Misericordia Home, Chicago, IL where her grandson with disabilities resides.

 

Janice H. Ripley

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Services for Janice H. Ripley, 87, Lawrence, will be 10 a.m. Monday at Plymouth Congregational Church. Burial will be in Oak Hill Cemetery.

Mrs. Ripley died Tuesday, April 10, 2018, at Bridge Haven Village in Lawrence.

She was born March 22, 1931, in Yankton, South Dakota, the daughter of Clifford Fred and Thelma Jane Acton Howe. She grew up in Dunlap, Iowa and attended Cornell College. She went on to graduate from the University of Kansas, where she became a lifelong Jayhawk fan.

Mrs. Ripley worked for the University of Kansas as a secretary. She enjoyed music, dancing, and especially spending time with family and friends. She was a member of Plymouth Congregational Church.

She married Joseph M. Wettengel, they later divorced. She married Prescott Ripley, and both of them preceded her in death.

Survivors include a son, Joseph H. Wettengel of Lawrence; daughters, Barbara Babcock and husband David of Lawrence, Catherine Ramirez and husband David of Wichita, Mary Neal and husband Tom of Lawrence; grandchildren, Cody Babcock of Lawrence, Jami Viner and husband Trent of Cheney, KS, Kelie Eck of Wichita, Kristen Ramirez of Wichita, Matthew Shipley of Hibbing, MN; great grandchildren, Aiden, Kensley, Cameron, and Brylie; brother, David Howe and wife Linda of Greenbank, WA; sister, Joan Bilderback of Woodstock, IL; many nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends.

Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, where the family will receive them from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

The family suggests memorial contributions to The University of Kansas Alzheimer’s Disease Center or the donor’s choice of charity, sent in care of the funeral home.

James Samuel Moore Jr.

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James Samuel Moore Jr. (J. Sam Moore Jr): Born July 8, 1930, Kansas City, Missouri. Retired lawyer, having practiced law in El Paso from 1957 to 1994 with the law firm of Scott, Hulse, Marshall, Feuille, Finger and Thurmond (formerly Burges, Scott, Rasberry and Hulse, founded in El Paso in 1889 by William H. Burges). Educated in the public schools of Lawrence, Kansas (Pinckney Elementary School, Lawrence Junior High, Liberty Memorial High School); B.S. University of Kansas, 1952, member, Alpha Kappa Psi, honorary business fraternity; member and Consul (President), Sigma Chi, social fraternity; service overseas during the Korean War with the United States Army 1952-1954; L.L.B. with honors, School of Law, University of Texas at Austin, 1957; Member, Editorial Board, Texas Law Review; member, Board of Directors, Texas Law Review Association; Past Chair, Texas Council for the Humanities; past President, The Philosophical Society of Texas; past President, Friends of the UTEP Library; past President, Board of Trustees, El Paso Museum of Art; member, El Paso County Historical Society (Hall of Honor 2008), Jo Stewart Randal Trustee Award, Texas Association of Museums (2009); Kansas State Historical Society and the Texas State Historical Association; member, Board of Trustees, El Paso Museum of Art Foundation and El Paso Museum of History Foundation. Family: Married to Greta Karlbom Moore (1960) (after 51 years of our marriage she passed away at age 81 on December 11, 2011, as a result of pancreatic cancer), one son, Samuel Adams Moore (born October 26, 1963) and adored granddaughter, Mia Moore (born El Paso, Texas, October 31, 1995). A Memorial Mass will be held on Saturday, March 25, 2017 at 11:00am at The Church of St. Clement at 810 N. Campbell St. Memorial contributions may be made to a chosen charity, museum, or educational institution; or to The Church of St. Clement. Services directed by San Jose Funeral Home Central.

Ronald Lester Swonger

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Private memorial services for Ronald Lester Swonger, 69, Lawrence, will take place at a later date in Sharon, Kan.

Ron passed unexpectedly in his home surrounded by family and close friends on April 7th, 2018, at 1228 hrs.

Ron was born July 7, 1948, in Nashville, Kansas, the son of Lyle Lester “Buck” and Mary Darlene “Darlene” Spurling Swonger.

Ron was a life time resident of Sharon, KS (until moving to Lawrence, KS in 2013) completing his education K-12 in 1967 from Sharon High School. In 1971 Ron attended the Kansas Law Enforcement Academy in Hutchinson, KS and received his certification as a Law Enforcement Officer, keeping his licensure current up until his death.

On June 1, 1968 Ron married the love of his life, Roberta Fay Shelite, also of Sharon, Ks. Ron & Bert met in 1960 at the tender ages of 10 and 12, they were neighbors for many years, their parents being the best of friends. To this union two boys were added, Robert Lyle on the 15th of April, 1969 and Kurt Alan on the 12th of June, 1974.

Ron worked for the Farmers Coop in both Sharon and Medicine Lodge Kansas from 1968 – 1971. In 1971 Ron, Bert, and their oldest Robert (Robby) moved to Attica Kansas as Ron was offered a position with the city as a night patrol man, in 1972 Ron working actively as the Chief of Police for the city of Attica somehow “tricked” Bert into viewing a Cafe that was going up for sale in Attica and before they left there were the owners of what would become Bert’s Cafe from 1972-1978.

In 1978 Ron, Bert, Bobby & Kurt (born June 12, 1974)  moved back to Sharon to own and operate what was then a pool hall referred to as The Blue Goose. After selling the Goose  to his oldest brother Bucky in 1980, Ron went to work for National Gypsum in Medicine Lodge, Kansas, where he worked until he became disabled with COPD in 1992. Many years after his retirement, Ron helped with activities within the city of Sharon, organizing and raising funds for the Martina McBride Park, the new concession stand at the ball diamond, the new Civil/Storm Siren as well as many other improvements within the city. Ron was an active picker and all around junk collector, visiting and trading with friends daily in his “Club House” in Sharon. In 2013 Ron moved to Lawrence, Kansas and went into partnership with his oldest son Robby. They founded The Vapor’s Edge in Lawrence which has become the premiere vape shop in town. Ron has many many friends and always found the good in everyone, was a giving person and a huge lover of dogs. Ron spent the last few years of his time here on earth cherishing his grandchildren, fishing with his youngest son Kurt, granddaughter Kelsey and grandson Jayton and just hanging out on their iPads with his great grandson Bralynn.  36 hours after his transition to Heaven, Ron sent his second great grandchild Alice Grey to comfort his loving family. Ron’s legacy will continue in his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, he was a man that never used the words good-bye, but see you later or if you were within his  circle, ta ta…..

Ron is survived by the love of his life and best friend,  wife Roberta “Bert” of the home, his mother in law Annabell C. (Haas) Shelite of the home, sister in law Judy (Shelite) Loewenstein of Kiowa, KS, his Aunt Nancy Swonger (uncle Robert L Swonger deceased) of Sacramento, CA, Aunt Darlene Swonger (uncle Bill Swonger deceased) of Newberg, OR.  Aunt Darlene Swonger ( uncle Jack Swonger) of Newberg, OR, his sons; Robert L. Swonger “Robby” &  Jamal of Lawrence, Kurt A. Swonger & Maria of Baldwin City, grandson Jayton & Sabrina Swonger of Lawrence, granddaughter Kelsey Ann Swonger of Baldwin City, great grandchildren Bralynn Michael Swonger of Lawrence, and Alice Grey Swonger of Lawrence (born 36 hours after his transition)

Special family friends Stephanie Westley of Lawrence, Zach Lickteig, Lisa Strippoli, & Christina Moss of Lawrence, and many many cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

Ron is preceded in death by his father, Lyle Lester “Buck” and mother Mary Darlene ‘Grammy” Swonger,  grandparents; Winfred & Estella Swonger,  Bill & Idabell Spurling,  & Step Grandmother Ellen Swonger,  uncles ; Bill, Robert L. “Bob”, Junior (Winfred Jr.), Baby Winfred II, Fred Swonger ,  Baby Jim Swonger, Bill Spurling and Howard Davis. aunts; Wanda Dinkins, Helen Kingsoliver, Nellie McDaniel, Bonnie Farr, Baby Carol Swonger, Baby Peggy Swonger &  Dalphine (spurling) Davis;  brothers;  Jack, Bucky, and Larry Swonger, father-in-law Robert “Bob” Shelite, brothers-in-law Robert Loewenstein,  Eddie and Bobby Shelite, niece Hope Nicole (Loewenstein) Schmidt, great great nephew Maddox Reed Paxson, and nephews Jason Kaumans and James ‘Tuffy” Talbott.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Lawrence Humane Society, in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, 601 Indiana St., Lawrence, KS, 66044.

Michael John Wilcox

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Michael John Wilcox was born November 22nd, 1957 in Lawrence, KS to Judith Ann Frye. Michael passed away at his home on April 5th, 2018, at the age of 60.  A visitation will be held from 5:30p.m to 6:30p.m. April 11th, 2018 at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home.

Michael graduated High School in 1976 from Fort Osage High School. After graduating he joined the United States Marine Corps. Due to medical issues Michael’s time in the Marine Corps was short, but was Honorably Discharged. After his time in Marine Corps, Michael then pursued his love for music and went on tour with Dwayne Richardson.

He then married Rhonda Colbert on April 24th, 1982. They divorced. Together, they had three children, Michael John Wilcox, Jr., Christopher John Wilcox, and Rebecca Lynn Wilcox. Rhonda is survived in death.

Michael also had a love for cars and racing. Michael was behind the wheel as well as his own mechanic. Many weeknights and weekends were spent at the racetrack. When he wasn’t at the tracks, he was in the garage working on his cars.

After divorcing, Michael pursued his love for music, once again. He went on tour with Dixie Cadillac’s. The next stop was in Branson, MO. While in Branson, MO Michael preformed in bands all while working full time.

Now retired, Michael moved back to Lawrence, KS in 2005.  Michael now had time to do what he may have loved most, fishing. But even more than his love for fishing, Michael loved spending time with his children and grandkids.

Other survivors include his children, Michael John Wilcox, Jr. of Lawrence, KS, Christopher John Wilcox of Eudora, KS and daughter, Rebecca Lynn Wilcox of Lawrence, KS. In addition to his children, he is survived by his grandchildren, Kambriah Nevaeh Wilcox, Trenton John Bender Wilcox , Xaihden Alijah Wilcox, and Adonijah Tz’iyon Wilcox.

Michael was a loving father, grandfather, and friend. He will be deeply missed by many.

 

Norraine Amerine

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Norraine Amerine, 90, peacefully passed away in her home surrounded by her devoted family on April 3, 2018. She was born to Charley and Della (Norton) Roll in Elkhart, Kansas. Nicknamed Waynie, she was the youngest of eight children and the only one born in a hospital.

Friends may call Friday from noon to 8 pm, and the visitation will be from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Friday, April 6th at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home in Lawrence, Kansas. Private graveside services will be held later.

She grew up on land that her parents homesteaded near Point Rock and the Cimarron River in Morton County, Kansas, until suffering through the Dust Bowl when they moved the family and their cattle to Thedford, Nebraska for relief from the harsh environment. Her family would tell of walking to school holding onto a fence rail because they could not see for the dust which covered everything. Times were hard for most during the Great Depression and their family was no exception, but Norraine often recalled her mother making things seem wonderful, especially a birthday celebration which consisted of a biscuit with a few red hot candies on top for decoration. Norraine thought that was magnificent. That ability to make anything and everyone seem special was one she carried on with her own family and friends.

Later, her family moved to Lawrence, Kansas where they raised dairy cattle on a farm west of town. Norraine attended Kanawaka School with her older brother, Lee, and remembered fondly her teacher Mrs. Springer. Deciding upon hearing the news that Lee — who could be ornery — was not going to move on to high school without his little sister, Mrs. Springer pushed Norraine through two years of school in one! She graduated from Liberty Memorial High School in 1945. During her school years she had many jobs, two of which intersected when a movie called “Dark Command” starring John Wayne and Claire Trevor was premiering in Lawrence at what is now Liberty Hall. She worked at Alexander Flower shop and was thrilled to have delivered flowers to Miss Trevor and then worked at the theater as an “usherette” and walked John Wayne to his seat. However, her favorite place to work during that time was the Green Lantern — a restaurant owned and ran by Chris and Ann Williams — who would become lifelong friends.

It was shortly after graduating high school that she met Carl Amerine and they married in 1948. They shared a love for dancing and swing music, especially Glenn Miller tunes. They worked together farming and raising their children in Jefferson County. Later, in 1960 they moved to Lawrence where, as the children got older, Norraine worked with Dr. John Albers, Dr. George Brahler, Dr. Mitchell, and for many years with great pride for Drs. Jones, Manahan, and Reese. Later, as all of her children were raised, she went back to her restaurant background and worked as a manager of the Village Inn for two years — where she thoroughly enjoyed meeting people everyday. She was an active member of the community volunteering as a Den Mother for Cub Scouts, a volunteer at Lawrence Memorial Hospital, and many activities for Plymouth Congregational Church where she was a member since 1950.

She loved her family and thoroughly enjoyed her grandchildren who were blessed to have her as their devoted and loving grandmother. She had an unyielding faith in people that made everyone around her better for it. Norraine possessed tremendous generosity, vitality, and a love for life that was evidenced by her beautiful smile — which she gave freely.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Carl, and her son, Rance. She is survived by her son, Michael Amerine, her daughter, Carla (Murl) Westheffer, and her three grandsons, Murl Westheffer Jr., Michael Westheffer, and Chase Westheffer. She was also blessed to have many nieces and nephews.

We want to express tremendous gratitude for the staff at the Douglas County Visiting Nurses Association, particularly Juls, Joanne, Lana, and Christina. We also want to thank Dr. Molly Imber and her staff for their wonderful attention, empathy, and patience in caring for Norraine.

Memorial contributions to Douglas County Visiting Nurses or a charity of the donor’s choice and may be sent in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home & Crematory, 601 Indiana Street,Lawrence, KS 66044.

We remember her for her sense of style, elegance, and grace that was represented by her often complimented signature string of pearls.

Claudine “Scottie” Lingelbach

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Scottie Lingelbach passed away peacefully on April 3, in Lawrence, Kansas, after almost 96 years of an energetic life.

She graduated from Topeka High School in 1940, and from the University of Kansas in 1944 with a Business Degree. After graduation, she enlisted in the Navy WAVES (Women Accepted for Voluntary Emergency Service), and attained the rank of Ensign.

Her experiences as a courier of Top Secret documents for the Joint Chiefs of Staff in Washington, DC during WWII were included in Tom Brokaw’s book The Greatest Generation.

In 1945, Scottie married Dale Lingelbach who later became the Vice President of Marketing for Smith Brothers Manufacturing Company (Big Smith), headquartered in Carthage, Missouri. He preceded her in death in 1967.

A longtime resident of Carthage, she was proud to have been a teacher, real estate agent, and Deacon and Elder of the First Presbyterian Church. Always a die-hard Jayhawk, in 1987 she moved to Lawrence, Kansas and became a docent at the Spencer Art Museum, Chancellor’s Club member, Williams Fund contributor, and recipient of the Mildred Clodfelter Award for her longtime KU volunteer service. She was also a member of the First United Methodist Church, PEO, Tennola Study Club, and enthusiastic patriot.

She leaves two children, two grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, a niece and many friends to be inspired by her story.

A memorial service will be held on April 10, at the First United Methodist Church in Lawrence at 11:00 am.

In lieu of flowers, please direct any donations to the First Presbyterian Church in Carthage, Missouri, or to your favorite charity, sent in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1260, Lawrence, KS 66044.

Lyle D. Hettinger

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Memorial services for Lyle D. Hettinger, 80, Lawrence, will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, 7 April 2018, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Lawrence.

Mr. Hettinger died Sunday, April 1, 2018, at Select Specialty Hospital of Kansas City.

He was born May 20, 1937, in Windsor, CO, the son of Henry D. and Leona Jacoby Hettinger. He graduated from Windsor High School in 1955; Colorado State College –now University of Northern Colorado; and Colorado University-Boulder.

Mr. Hettinger served in the United States Navy on a submarine tender from 1955 to 1959. Lyle taught high school German in Worland, WY for one year, then taught at Montana State University in Bozeman. He worked for and retired from K-Mart Distribution Center, as a food safety inspector. Following retirement he continued working for Manpower, at Del Monte.

He moved to Lawrence, KS, to pursue his doctorate in German literature, and was A.B.D. (all but the dissertation). For Lyle, education was life-long journey…he was always learning through voracious reading and research; he was multi-lingual, a purveyor of hymnody, and he never met a stranger, as he loved learning about everyone and their stories.

Lyle had a keen sense of humor, and loved word play. Lyle also loved his dogs and they each had a special place in his heart. Known for his thirst for knowledge and his kind and gentle ways, this homebody also enjoyed Vermont treks in presidential election years, and annual visits to see family in Colorado and Michigan.

In 1970 he married Bonnie Mitchell and they had two children; they later divorced. He married Sharon L. Simons, May 14, 1988, in Lawrence; she survives of the home.

Other survivors include sons, Michael Hettinger and wife Cheryl (Yemen) of Brampton, ON, Timothy Hettinger and wife Susan (Lee) of Ozone Park, NY; mother, Leona Hettinger of Windsor, CO; brothers, Charles Hettinger and wife Donna of Greeley, CO, Ronald Hettinger of Windsor, CO.

He was preceded in death by his father, Henry Hettinger.

The family suggests memorial contributions to Immanuel Lutheran Church, or the charity of your choice, sent in care of the Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home.