Author: RumseyYost

Joni Lisa Thompson

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Joni Lisa Thompson passed away on December 9th, 2013. She was born in 1963 in Sikeston, Missouri

She obtained a doctorate in philosophy from the University of Kansas. Joni was a curator and lecturer in the field of art history and traveled to Italy, India, Nepal, Tibet and China as well as many U.S. universities. She was a longtime faculty member of the Haskell Indian Nations University College of Arts and Sciences, founder of the Haskell Film Club and citizen of the Muscogee Creek Nation.

She was preceded in death by her father, Ray Thompson. She is survived by her mother, Shirley Thompson, brother Ray Thompson II, sister Gina Baun, her children Dustin Murphy and Amanda Murphy as well as her beloved grandson, Alex “Poncho” Thompson.

Joni is survived by Colan Medicine Horse, whom she married in 2012.

Traditional native honoring services will be attended by family.

Memorials in her name to the American Cancer Society or the Spencer Museum of Art would be welcome and appreciated.

Online condolences may be sent to rumsey-yost.com

Dennis Eugene Bird

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Dennis Eugene Bird, 73, passed away Monday, December 9, 2013.

A celebration of his life will take place on Thursday, December 12, 2013 from 6:00-8:00 pm at Rumsey Yost Funeral home. Family will be present at the prayer service at 6:00 pm and the celebration to follow.

A funeral service will be held at 10:00 am Friday, December 13, 2013 at Corpus Christi Catholic Church. Private family graveside services will be held at a later date.

Dennis was born September 3, 1940, in Elk Point, SD, the son of Thomas Ray and Norma Johnson Bird. After graduating from Elk Point High School in 1958, he served in the U.S. Army.

He married the love of his life, Rosemary Ann Patnaude, in Elk Point, SD on April 20, 1963. She survives of the home. They were happily married for 50 years.

Dennis began his career in the agricultural business at an early age. His passion for it continued throughout his life.

His true love and dedication was his family. He was a special man and was dearly loved and will be sorely missed by everyone that has crossed his path.

Other survivors include five sons, Troy and (Angie) Bird, Todd and (Catherine) Bird, Brad and (Heather) Bird, Kevin and (Jackie) Bird, Darren and (Allison) Bird; two daughters Melissa Bird; Melanie Bird and (Steve Walker), all of Lawrence; two brothers Ronald and (Maxine) Bird, Elk Point, SD, Tom and (Carleen) Bird, Sioux City, IA; one sister, Dixie Mason, Elk Point, SD; eleven grandchildren and one great grandchild.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Mike Bird.

Donna Mae Laushman

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No services are planned for Donna Mae Laushman, 87, Lawrence. Mrs. Laushman died Friday, December 6, 2013, at her home.

She was born September 16, 1926, in Austin, Minn., the daughter of Harold Thomas and Agnes Frances Klema Rochford. Donna graduated from St. Augustine High School in 1944, and went on to get her degree from Drake University in 1948.

Mrs. Laushman married Robert Paul Laushman on June 25, 1947, in Austin, Minn. He survives of the home.

Donna enjoyed reading books in her spare time. She read for Audio Reader at the University of Kansas for 28 years. While working for Audio Reader, she did a cooking show and a cook book. She was the Director of Training for 10 years at Jayhawk Kennel Club. In 1993 she was voted Volunteer of the Year in Douglas County. Donna loved all animals great and small.

Survivors include her husband Robert Laushman, Lawrence; three sons, Robert Laushman Jr. (Susan), Pittsburg, Kan., Roger Laushman (Judy), Oberlin, Ohio, and Rusty Laushman (Ellen), New York, N.Y.; one daughter, Karen Risner (James), Lawrence; seven grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, and son, Randy Laushman, in 1975.

The family suggests memorial be made to Lawrence Humane Society or the Audio Reader Program at the University of Kansas, sent in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1260 Lawrence, KS 66044.

Samuel E. Logan

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In Loving Memory

Samuel Elisha Logan was born March 30, 1926, in Baldwin City, Kansas, to Elmer and Effie Logan. He died Dec. 1, 2013, at the Dwight D. Eisenhower VA Medical Center in Leavenworth, Kansas.

On Oct. 1, 1943, he entered active service with the United States Navy, and served for three years. After he returned from the Navy, he married Florene White, and from this union seven children were born. They later divorced. On Jan. 14, 1966, he married Carrie (Wakefield) Clayburne in Lawrence, Kansas. He and Carrie have been married 47 years.

He was a member of Apostolic Church of Jesus Christ of Topeka, where he served as a Deacon, Sunday School teacher, and the Brotherhood. Sam worked 17 years at Lawrence Paper Company. He previously worked at Crown Zellerbach in California, and the Lawrence Public Schools. In later years, he was self-employed as a carpenter and painter. He was also an artist.

Survivors include his wife, Carrie, and three daughters, Debbie J. Tolbert, Lisa D. Logan, and Andrea J. Logan, all of Lawrence; three sons, Samuel M. Logan, Hayward, Calif., Mark D. Logan, Topeka, and Scott K. Logan, Lawrence; two brothers, Robert Logan, Moreno Valley, Calif., and Lee Roy Logan, San Diego; four step daughters, Joanna White, Tecumseh, Kan., Harriet Holt, Topeka, Helen Wakefield, Dayton, Ohio, and Charlesetta Charleston of Florida; several grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Maria D. Little.

Memorial services will be Saturday, December 14, 2013, at 11 am at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home & Crematory. The family will receive friends following the service.

The family suggests memorial contributions to Disabled American Veterans, or Apostolic Church of Jesus Christ of Topeka, in care of the funeral home, 601 Indiana St., Lawrence, KS, 66044.

Donald J. Ray

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Funeral services for Donald Ray, 85, will be held at the Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, Tuesday, December 10, 2013 at 2 PM. Burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery, with military honors. Mr. Ray died December 4, 2013 at Lawrence Memorial Hospital.

He was born in Lawrence, KS. He served in the US Air Force from 1947- 1950. He worked for Sunflower Ammunition Plant, and worked construction for the University of Kansas and retired from there.

He married Dorothy J. Hardister on July 9, 1949 in Winchester, KS. She died in 2007.

He is survived by three daughters, Connie Engle and her husband Randy, of Kansas City, MO; Debbie Mendoza and Elizabeth (Cheryl) Post, both of Lawrence; 5 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren and 5 great-great grandchildren. He was a wonderful father, grandfather and a loving husband to Dorothy. He will be sadly missed.

A visitation will be held Monday, December 9th, from 6 – 7:30 at the funeral home and friends may also call Tuesday until service time.

Memorial contributions may be made to North St. Joseph Tabernacle, in memory of Mr. Ray, in care of the funeral home, 601 Indiana Street, Lawrence, KS 66044

Jean Stanton Hetzel

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Graveside services for Jean Stanton Hetzel, 87, Lawrence, will be at 11 am Friday at Oak Hill Cemetery, with Chaplain Paul Reed of Douglas County VNA officiating. Mrs. Hetzel died Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2013, at her home.

She was born Jan. 3, 1926, in Winchester, the daughter of W.D. ‘Jack’ and Veda D. Alexander Stanton. She graduated from Liberty Memorial High School and later attended the University of Kansas as a history major. Jean and her husband owned and operated Hetzel Enterprises, and owned several commercial buildings in downtown Lawrence. She was known for her business acumen, and enjoyed reading, bird watching (especially hawks), spending time with her family, and giving care to those in need.

She married Park Hetzel III on May 17, 1951. He preceded her in death in 2004. She was also preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Bill Stanton. Survivors include her daughter, D. Ann Murphy Stanton, Lawrence.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the American Heart Association, in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, 601 Indiana St., Lawrence, KS, 66044. Online condolences may be sent at rumsey-yost.com. The family wishes to thank Visiting Nurses of Douglas County for their compassionate care of Jean, and to thank the many special caregivers who made it possible for her to stay in her home

Lila May Self

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Lila May Self (nee Reetz), 91, passed away peacefully at the King-Bruwaert House in Burr Ridge, Illinois, on Thursday, November 28, 2013. Lila was born May 18, 1922, on the family farm north of Eudora, the second eldest daughter of five children to William and Frieda (Schwarz) Reetz.

Lila was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 69 years, Madison ‘Al’ Self, their son, Murray A. Self; two brothers, Alvin Reetz and Elmer Reetz; and parents.

Lila loved life and had many friends and family. Her love for family and friends was evident through her beautiful, radiant smiles and acts of kindness. Lila was never at a loss for words and her quick wit and humor was always apparent. In later years. Lila devoted time and care to her beloved mother, Frieda. Her mother spent winters with Lila and Al in Hawaii, Florida, and Arizona, until she passed.

Lila always accompanied her husband, Al, on business trips, traveling to countries around the world and cultivating new friendships. She lived a full and enriching life enjoying interests in the arts, museums, history and family genealogy. Lila spent time researching the 17th century Dutch artist Johannes Vermeer, often traveling to Europe to view the original Vermeer paintings. She also devoted extensive time researching the architect R. Harold Zook from which their home in Hinsdale, Illinois was built and designed in 1929.

Lila graduated from Eudora High School in 1939. She completed the Lawrence Business College entering classes at the University of Kansas, where she met her future husband, Al. On September 1, 1943, Al and Lila were married in York, Pennsylvania.

Lila knew the importance of giving back to her community and alma mater – The University of Kansas. Lila and her late husband, Al, established and endowed funding to create the Madison A. and Lila Self Graduate Fellowship Program for doctoral students, and the SELF Engineering Leadership Fellowship Program. They also endowed funds to establish the Leadership Academy for undergraduate students at the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago.

Lila is survived by daughter in law, Anne Mueller; two grandsons, Milo and Aran; and two sisters Katherine (Reetz) Neis of Eudora, and Lorene (Reetz) Cox of Linwood. She also leaves an extended family of loving nieces and nephews, and her long time caregiver, Helen Pourchot of Oaklawn, Illinois.

A remembrance service and visitation with the family will be held on Thursday, December 12, 2013, at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, 601 Indiana St., Lawrence, Kansas. Visitation will precede from 10-11 am; a remembrance services will follow at 11 am. Burial will be at Lawrence Memorial Park Cemetery.

A memorial service will be held at the King-Bruwaert House, 6101 South County Line Road in Burr Ridge, Illinois on Tuesday, December 17, 2013, at 1:30 pm.

The family suggests memorials to the Eudora Museum Building Fund (Eudora Area Historical Society), or charity of your choice to be sent in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, 601 Indiana St., Lawrence, KS, 66044.

Online condolences may be sent at rumsey-yost.com

Delores “Dee” Rae Allen

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Funeral services for Delores Rae Allen, 80, will be at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, 601 Indiana, Lawrence, Ks. on Tuesday, December 3rd at 2:00 p.m.

Delores died on November 27, 2013. She was born December 3, 1932 in Lone Star, Kansas, daughter of Erchell George and Grace (Jerri) Allen.

Delores married Marvin Harold Robb in 1950, in Lawrence, Ks. They later divorced.

Survivors include one sister, Juanita Loss of Michigan, three daughters, Joyce Diane Jolley, Kitty June Wells and Carla Jean Helm (Glen) all of Lawrence, KS; 13 grand and great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers, Richmond, Orval, Robert, and Don Allen, and a sister, Betty Pippert.

In her early years Dee (Delores) was a waitress at local restaurants. She also worked at Lawrence Memorial Hospital in the laundry and cafeteria. She loved church and spending time with her family.

The family suggests memorials in Delores’s name to Grace Hospice, in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1260, Lawrence, KS 66044.

Rosemary Lawrence

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Private family services for Rosemary Lawrence, 85, Lawrence, will be held at a later date.

Mrs. Lawrence died Saturday November 23, 2013, at Lawrence Memorial Hospital.

She was born August 29, 1928, in Brazil, Indiana, the daughter of Arthur and Charlotti Richards Bouillez. She graduated high school at Fontanet High School.

Rosemary married Norman Vincent Lawrence Sr. on February 20, 1946, in Terre Haute, Indiana. He survives at the home.

Other survivors include three children; Ruth, Mary Gail, and Norman and wife Sherry, eleven grandchildren, thirteen great grandchildren, and we can’t forget her dog Bruce.

The family suggests memorials made to the National Kidney Foundation, sent in care of the funeral home.