Author: RumseyYost

Helen Louise St. Clair Buhler

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Helen Louise St. Clair Buhler passed away at Brandon Woods at Alvamar on Friday, May 1, 2015. Memorial services will be Thursday, May 7, 2015, at 11 am at Plymouth Congregational Church, with the Rev. Dr. Peter A. Luckey officiating. Inurnment will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 10 am until service time Thursday at the church.

Helen Louise was born March 4, 1921, in Lawrence, Kansas to John S. and Matie Belle Morgan St. Clair. She graduated from Liberty Memorial High School and later attended Kansas University, where she was a member of Delta Gamma Sorority. She married Everett Eugene Buhler on December 20, 1941, in Pensacola, Florida.

She is survived by their five children and their families, David and Beth Buhler, Lawrence, Amelia, Kristen, & Adam; Robert and Annette Buhler Jones, Garden City, Megan, Matthew, & Stephen; Mark and Elizabeth Buhler Ames, Columbia, Mo., Julia, Jessica, & Mallory; Mark and Marsha Buhler, Lawrence, Anne, Tyson & Sam; and Kathryn Buhler Bernhardt, Virginia Beach, Va., Andrew, Hanna, Mary, & Jon; and 20 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Everett, and her sister Rachael Virginia Curd.

Everett and Helen returned to Lawrence from Garden City in 1958 to raise and educate their family. Helen worked for many years at Lawrence National Bank and was involved with Delta Gamma Advisory, LaSertoma, P.E.O., and the Watkins Museum. Helen was a great granddaughter of Johnathan Flanders Morgan, a member of the New England Immigrant Aid Society, which arrived in Lawrence in 1854. The Morgan homestead was located on the south side of Mount Oread, now part of the University of Kansas. The homestead was burned during Quantrill’s Raid on August 21, 1863, though all family members survived.

Always gracious and sincere, she enjoyed the company of family and many friends. Contributions in Helen Louise’s memory may be made to Visiting Nurses or Plymouth Congregational Church, in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, 601 Indiana St., Lawrence, KS, 66044. Online condolences may be sent at rumsey-yost.com.

Donna Jo Keyes

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A celebration of life for Donna Jo Keyes, 66, Lawrence, will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday at 1703 E. 1000 Rd. Cremation has taken place.

Mrs. Keyes died Friday, May 1, 2015 at her home.

She was born January 17, 1950, in Kansas City, Missouri, the daughter of Don and Darlene Olgilvie. She graduated from Westport High School and attended some college.

Mrs. Keyes was a homemaker. She enjoyed spending time with family, sewing, fishing, mushroom hunting, and being outside.

Survivors include her husband, Jimmie Bryant of Lawrence; three daughters, Dawn Keyes of Lawrence, Deborah Keyes of Lawrence, Farrah Olgilvie of Kansas City, Missouri; a son, Douglas Keyes, Jr. of Lawrence; brother, Dan Olgilvie of Kansas City, Missouri; and three grandchildren, Xavier Brown, Casey Brown, and Nicholas Anstaett.

A daughter, Danielle Joanna Keyes, died November 15, 2014.

The family suggests memorials to the Donna Keyes Memorial Fund, sent in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home & Crematory, PO Box 1260, Lawrence, KS 66044.

For more info regarding the celebration of life, contact Deborah Keyes. Flowers may be sent to the home.

Mary Dale Fischer Traver

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On Tuesday, April 28th, 2015, Mary Traver, 79, passed away at her home in Lawrence, KS, after long battle with Multiple Sclerosis.

She was born on Dec. 3rd, 1935 in St. Louis, Mo. She was the youngest of three, born to Oscar and Elsie Fischer, who proceeded her in death.

Mary is survived by her husband, Hans, her beloved brother David O. Fischer (Patricia), her best friend and sister, Elizabeth Krachenberg and 3 daughters Lisa (Tom), Janna (Marc McCann, grand-daughter Isabelle), and Kay; her numerous nieces and nephews, Karl (Joan), David (Karen), Dan, Liane, Micheal, Doris and Sabine.

Mary graduated from KU in 1957, with a Bachelor of Fine Arts. Her tall stature and dazzling smile caught the eye of a young entrepreneur named Hans. She and Hans were wed in St Louis, MO on Nov. 16th, 1957.

Over two continents she raised her three girls and numerous animals, dogs, cats, horses and the occasional wounded bird or squirrel.

Her lifelong passion to create drove her daily to her workshop where she made beautiful works of art. Her works included abstract, jewelry, ceramics, wood-working, metal-smithing, sculpture and drawing. She worked on these throughout her life, until her hands no longer allowed it. Her work has been published and displayed for many to enjoy.

She loved chocolate, books, Thanksgiving gatherings with friends and family, also watching MASH and Murder She Wrote.

Spending time with her dear friend, Learlean Hooks Glover was a high point of every week. Visits from her dear friend and college roommate, Janet Wray were always special occasions.

We would like to extend a special thank-you to her nurses for the care and love they gave Mary; Nabombe, Christy, Shirley, Angelina, and Regina and to her masseuse Curtis. Each of you made her so safe and comfortable, your caring and friendships meant the world to her.

In lieu of flowers, please feel free to make a donation to the charity of your choice. There will be no services per Mary’s wishes.

Dale Coffman

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Dale Coffman, 86, Lawrence, passed away peacefully Monday, April 20, 2015, at Pioneer Ridge.

Funeral services will be Monday, April 27, 2015, at 10 am at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home. The family will receive friends Sunday, April 26, 2015, from 3-5 pm at the funeral home. Burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery, Lawrence.

Dale was born November 5, 1928, in Lawrence, the son of Alfred and Ivareen Coffman. He married Peggy Cowan on December 27, 1948; she preceded him in death in 2013. Dale owned and operated Dale Coffman Trucking for many years in and around the Lawrence area.

Survivors include daughters Sandra (Tom) White, Camdenton, MO, and Joyce Cromwell (Jerry), Topeka, KS; four grandchildren, Kelly Case, Joel (Wendy) White, Brandon Cromwell, and Travis (Erin) Cromwell; and ten great grandchildren.

The family suggests memorials to Douglas County Visiting Nurses, in care of the funeral home, 601 Indiana St., Lawrence, KS, 66044.

Norma Joyce Runn

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Funeral services for Norma Joyce Runn, 95, Lawrence, will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery.

Mrs. Runn died Tuesday, April 21, 2015, at Delmar Gardens of Overland Park.

She was born December 10, 1919, in Glen Elder, KS, the daughter of Charles and Erma (Hosler) Fox. Her family later moved to Oskaloosa, KS where she attended school. After high school, she lived and worked in Fresno, CA and Topeka before marrying and moving to Lawrence.

Mrs. Runn worked for several years in bookkeeping for KP&L. She attended cosmetology school in 1961 and was a hairdresser in Lawrence until her retirement in 2004.

She married Lawrence Edwin “Larry” Runn on November 4, 1949 in Lawrence at the First United Methodist Church. Larry died December 25, 2014.

Survivors include a daughter, Diane Kearns and husband Don of St. Augustine, FL; granddaughter, Kristen Kearns of Overland Park, KS; and grandson, Ryan Kearns of Chicago, IL.

She was preceded in death by her husband Larry of 65 years; brother, Holland Fox; and sisters, Barbara Miller and Oleta Holladay.

Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home, where the family will receive them from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

The family suggests memorial contributions to Grace Hospice, sent in care of the funeral home.

Condolences may be sent at rumsey-yost.com.

Robert Charles ‘Bob’ Kania Jr.

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No public services are planned for Robert Charles ‘Bob’ Kania Jr., 49, Lawrence , who passed away Friday, Apr. 17, 2015, at Lawrence Memorial Hospital .

Bob was born Jan. 19, 1966, at Ft. Leavenworth , Kan. , the son of Robert C. Sr. and Jacqueline K. Fauzae Kania. He attended Leavenworth schools. Bob was permanently disabled in a motorcycle accident at age 22. He was a free spirit who enjoyed music and spending time with friends.

Survivors include two children, Melissa Kania and Brett Wernick; his mother, Jackie Kania, Leavenworth; a sister, Christy Riley, Lawrence; a half sister, Phyllis Decoursey; his caregivers, Byron McClelland, Liz Chambers-McDaniel, and Korrie Fischer; and his large extended family in Leavenworth.

‘AND NOW HE CAN RUN’

Janeva Irene Russell Steger

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A Celebration of Life for Janeva Steger, 60, Lawrence, will be at 11 am Saturday, April 25th, at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, with the Rev. Wade Russell officiating. Janeva passed away Friday, Apr. 17, 2015, at her home.

She was born Dec. 16, 1954, in Manhattan, KS, the daughter of Stanley Frank and Evelyn Lorraine Linton Russell. She attended schools in Manhattan, lived in Louisiana for 16 years, and then returned to the area. Janeva was a homemaker, and enjoyed gardening, being outdoors, and spending time with her grandkids. She was someone who only saw the good in everyone she met. She fought a long, courageous battle with lung cancer, and touched many lives as a beacon of love, hope, and inspiration.

She married David Steger on July 28, 1999. He survives of the home. Other survivors include her mother Evelyn Lorraine Russell, Manhattan, children Josh Rubisoff (Danielle), Topeka, Cassidy Rubisoff (Danny Salazar), Lawrence, and Lauren Myers, Lawrence; her children from New York, Vanessa Blaisdell (Ned), Felicia Steger, and Davis Steger; four brothers, John Russell, Lawrence, Pat Russell, Terry Russell (Debbie), and Bob Russell, all of Manhattan; three sisters, Barbara Gassmann (Mike) and Virginia Zimmerman (Murl), both of Manhattan, and Larraine Blodgett (Randy), Blackhawk, CO; and seven grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her father, Stanley Frank Russell, and a grandson, Isael Salazar.

A gathering of her family and friends will follow the service at the Ecumenical Christian Ministries building on the KU campus, 1204 Oread Ave.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the American Cancer Society, in care of the funeral home, 601 Indiana St., Lawrence, KS, 66044. Online condolences may be sent at rumsey-yost.com.

Debra Ann ‘Debbie’ Heath

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Graveside services for Debra A. ‘Debbie’ Heath, 60, McLouth, will be at 11 am Thursday at Oak Hill Cemetery. Debbie passed away Thursday, Apr. 16, 2015, at her home.

She was born Mar. 18, 1955, in Springfield, Mo., the daughter of Robert Lee and Margaret Ann Decker Tindall. After graduating from Lawrence High School in 1973, Debbie was employed by Hallmark Cards, TRW, Curtis 1000, Golf Course Superintendent’s Association of America, and was currently employed by Main Street Credit Union. Debbie enjoyed life. She and her husband Gary were married 25 years, and was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother, and enjoyed her extended family of dogs – Cody, Rex, Shasta, Keisha, and Chelsea. She enjoyed the outdoors, wildlife, flowers, landscaping, and watching the hummingbirds at the feeder outside her kitchen window. Debbie spent the last two years of her life fighting lung cancer. She was a survivor, a fighter, and a remarkably strong woman who will be missed by everyone.

Survivors include her husband, Gary, of the home; two children, Tyler Robinson and wife Victoria Wilson Robinson, Olathe, and Amy Carlsten, McLouth; a step daughter, Cara Heath, Lawrence; the father that raised her, John Banks, Topeka; five sisters, Diana Huseby Tindall and fiancé Richard Hird, Lawrence, Mary Banks, Lawrence, Sharon Watson and husband Doug, Lyndon, Tammy Altic and husband Robert, Brighton, Mo., and Robin Tindall and fiancé Phillip Benson, Springfield, Mo.; and a grandchild, Jordan Carlsten, Overland Park. She was preceded in death by her birth father, Robert Tindall and mother, Margaret Banks, a grandson, Blake McNish, a father in law, James Winn, and a nephew, Nathan Hall.

Friends may call from 10 am to 8 pm Wednesday at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, where the family will receive them from 7 to 8 pm. Memorial contributions are suggested to Debra Heath Memorial Fund, in care of the funeral home, 601 Indiana St., Lawrence, KS, 66044.

Online condolences may be sent at rumsey-yost.com.

Caroljean “CJ” Stagner Brune

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Caroljean “CJ” Brune, 68, of Lawrence, died on April 16, 2015 after a brief illness.

She was born April 18, 1946, in Clay Center, KS, daughter of Donald R. Stagner and Geneva Haynes Stagner. She attended KU 1964-72 while raising her two sons and returned to receive an MBA in 1984. She spent her professional life on the University staff, first in the Admissions Office and then in the Budget Office and as business manager of the School of Education. She served on several university search committees and as president of the Unclassified Professional Staff Association (UPSA). She was a member of the University Women’s Club.

CJ was known for her work in organizations dedicated to progressive causes. Some of these included Ad Astra Institute, Grass Roots Action, Sierra Club, Lawrence Preservation Alliance, Occupy Lawrence, Kansas Mutual Aid & Solidarity, Congress for Racial Equality ( CORE), International Workers of the World (IWW), Lawrence Coalition for Peace and Justice (LCPJ), Douglas County League of Women Voters (president), National Organization for Women (NOW), Code Pink, Peggy Bowman Second Chance Fund, Women’s Transitional Care Services, Lawrence Coalition for Homeless Concerns, Douglas County Democrats and Progressive Democratic Caucus, Women’s Studies Advisory Board.

She was a volunteer for many local organizations, most recently for the Lawrence Public Library, The Lawrence Humane Shelter, the Lawrence Community Shelter, and Depot Redux.
CJ was an active participant in local government, including two terms on the Lawrence Traffic Safety Commission and as campaign manager for several city and county commission candidates. She was an at-large member of the Lawrence Association of Neighborhoods (LAN).
She was best known as an activist for social justice, opposition to war, racial equality and women’s rights. She registered voters in the South in the 1960s, participated in student protests throughout her time at KU, and, in later years, attended demonstrations in Denver, New York, Austin and Washington, DC. Her proudest achievement was as a member of the February Sisters, who occupied the East Asian Studies building in 1972. They were the first women to occupy a university building in behalf of their own rights, and their action gained meaningful improvements for women at KU.

She loved her family, travelling, and books and compiled a personal library of around 30,000 volumes.

CJ is survived by her husband Bill Getz of the home, her son Gregor Brune, Lawrence; her sister Joan Chance of Phoenix and brother Ross Stagner of Helena, Alabama.

She was preceded in death by her son Charles Brune and by her parents.

Caroljean requested that no formal services be held.

Memorials may be sent to the Lawrence Coalition for Peace and Justice, Lawrence Community Shelter, or to another progressive organization of choice c/o Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1260, Lawrence, KS 66044

There will be a celebration of her life later this spring; details forthcoming on social media.

Janet Yvonne Ridenour

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Services for Yvonne Ridenour, 83, Lawrence, will be 1 pm, Tuesday, April 21, 2015, Calvary Temple Assembly of God Church, Pastor Don Goatley will officiate. A visitation will be from noon to service time Tuesday at the church. She died Wednesday at Lawrence Memorial Hospital.

Janet Yvonne Ridenour was born September 4, 1931 in Wichita, Kansas to Paul Harris and Sophrona Jane Drury. On June 17, 1949 she married Clarence Hobart Ridenour in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. They lived in Bartlesville until September 1968 then moved to Lawrence, Kansas. She resided in Lawrence until her death April 15, 2015. Yvonne loved the Lord and His church. Yvonne loved her husband our dad, and her grandchildren beyond description. She will always be known as a light to her children, her grandchildren and all who knew her. Her life was the epitome of how Jesus loves, red and yellow, black and white, they are precious in His sight. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him, should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16 KJV
What a reunion on heavens shore April 15, 2015. We cannot wait to find out what heaven is like! How about you?

Yvonne was preceded in death by her parents, husband Clarence, of fifty nine years, two sisters, Anabell and Pauline.

Yvonne is survived by three sons and a daughter in law, Bobby Ridenour, Lawrence, Kansas, Jeffery Ridenour, Big Springs, Kansas, Ted Ridenour and his wife Vickie, Buffalo, Wyoming. Yvonne has nine grand children, nineteen great grandchildren, one sister and her husband, Mavis and Max Patton of Bartlesville, Oklahoma, two brothers in law, Frank King, of McAllen, Texas, Ray Ridenour, of Indianapolis, Indiana, one sister in law, Helen Schwartz, of Tulsa, Oklahoma, many cousins, nephews, nieces, and a host of friends who are a part of her spiritual family.
Our mom, our grandma loves you all.