Author: RumseyYost

Richard Carlson Cook II

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Services for Richard Cook, 39, Media, PA, will be at 2 pm Monday July 16th at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home.

Richard passed away Monday, July 2, 2012 in Media, PA.

He was born June 20, 1973, in Ottawa, KS, the son of Robert and wife Barry Cook, and Jeannie and husband Walker Hendrix. He graduated from Ottawa High School in 1991 and earned the following degrees: English Literature from the University of Kansas in 1996, Health Information Technology from Washburn University in 2009, and was accepted into the Health Information Management graduate degree program at Drexel University this 2012.

Richard was employed for eleven years at Lawrence Memorial Hospital before moving to Philadelphia to work as a Health Information Management Supervisor with Kindred Hospital. He was currently employed at Hahnemann University Hospital.

He will be lovingly remembered. Richard was an avid fan of both the Jayhawks and the Pittsburg Steelers. He had an incredible passion and appreciation for music and literature.

In addition to his parents, other survivors include his grandmothers Alpha Cook of Anthony, Gladys Lane of Ottawa, his sister Stacy, her husband Daniel and their two sons Jonah and Eli Roman, step brothers Ben, Drew, and Will Hendrix, as well as many beloved aunts, uncles, and cousins.

The family has requested donations be made in Richard’s memory to Lawrence Memorial Hospital, sent in care of the funeral home.

Margaret H. ”Peg” Wizer

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Margaret H. ”Peg” Wizer, 98, died on May 21, 2012, in Redlands, CA. where she had lived since 2004. She was born August 1, 1913, near Overbrook KS., youngest child of William H. and Maud Anna Haus Madden. In 1931, she graduated from Overbrook High School, and from Jane C. Stormont Nursing School as a registered nurse in 1934.
She married Philip G. Wizer on November 30, 1935, in Kansas City, Ks. The family lived in Topeka before moving to Lecompton in 1948. Later, they lived in Kansas City, KS and Sun City, AZ.
Peg was preceded in death by her husband, parents, five siblings and a great, great grandson. Survivors include four children: Philip G. Wizer, Jr., (Carole) California; Sondra Harrison, Robert W. Wizer (Dori) and Catherine (Tim) Farrell, all of Arizona, daughter-in-law, Elsie Middleton, Kansas, 8 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren and 4 great, great grandchildren.
Private inurnment at Maple Grove Cemetery, Lecompton, KS, Saturday, July 14, 2012. A Celebration of Life service will follow at 11:00 a.m. at the
Lecompton United Methodist Church and noon lunch. Suggested memorials: Lecompton United Methodist Church or Lecompton Historical Society.

Helen Louise Kern

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Funeral services for Helen Louise Kern, 95, Lawrence, will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday, July 11, 2012 in the chapel of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Bonner Springs Cemetery.

Ms. Kern died Thursday, July 5, 2012 at Brandon Woods at Alvamar in Lawrence.

She was born November 2, 1916 in Oskaloosa, Kansas, the daughter of Albert B. and Grace Wray May.

Ms. Kern graduated from high school and went on to attend business school in Topeka. She worked as a florist as well as a secretary for the school of engineering at the University of Kansas.

She enjoyed reading, sewing, cooking, and bird watching. Cardinals were her favorite. She attended the First United Methodist Church in Bonner Springs and later Plymouth Congregational in Lawrence.

Helen married William John Kern; he preceded her in death in 1980.

She is survived by a daughter, Karen Sikes of Springfield, Virginia; four granddaughters, Sarah Pfundstein of Indianapolis, Indiana, Tiffany Sikes of Blacksburg, Virginia, Erin Bettis of Edmond, Oklahoma, and Heather Sikes of Washington D.C.; as well as a sister, Elaine Richter of Topeka, Kansas.

Friends may call from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home.

The family suggests memorials to Asera Care Hospice, sent in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, PO Box 1260, Lawrence, KS 66044.

Paul Vincent Phelps

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Paul Vincent Phelps , age 51, Lawrence, Kansas, was called home by the Lord on July 4th, 2012.

Paul was born in Salt Lake City, Utah on March 31, 1961, to Barbara Helen Phelps and Glen Riley Phelps.

Paul graduated from Shawnee Heights High School, attended Emerson College, and received a BA English Creative Writing BA in Theatre from Washburn University.

He went on to enjoy a long career in manufacturing sales.

Paul enjoyed community service, served on PTA, Site Council, steering committees, loved his role as coach, and worked to give back to family, friends and community at every opportunity presented.

Paul married Christina in 1993 and enjoyed being a father to his daughter, Harley, and his son, Mason.

Paul is survived by his loving wife of 20 years, Christina Phelps; daughter, Harley Phelps; Son, Mason Phelps; Mother Barbara Phelps; Step Father Lynn McClelland; Sister, Rebecca Phelps; Brother, John Phelps; Sister, Jennifer (Phelps) Ishee; 3 Nieces, 4 Nephews.

The family will receive visitation at Rumsey Yost Funeral Home on Tuesday, July 10th, 2012 from 6 to 8 pm.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Wednesday, July 11th, 2012 at Central United Methodist Church, 1501 Mass.

Paul had an amazing zest for life, a tremendous sense of humor and always made time for his family, friends, and community.

In lieu of flowers, please assist the Phelps family with overwhelming medical expenses, and scholarship fund for Paul’s two children. Go to www.facebook.com/phelpsfamilyassistancefund to find out how to make your contributions.

Shirley Yochim

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Shirley Yochim, known as “Sweet Shirley” to much of the community,
passed peacefully away on the evening of June 26 in Lawrence, Kansas.

Funeral services will be held at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home on Thursday, June 28, 2012,
at 11 a.m. The family will receive visitors at the Lawrence Jewish Community Center from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Shirley was born in Des Moines, Iowa on Valentine’s Day in 1934. She
was the youngest of five children — and the only girl — born to
Jacob and Helen Dorothy Greene. The family moved to Chicago, Illinois
when Shirley was young, and there she graduated from Marshall High
School in the early 1950s.

Shirley attended Wright Junior College and Roosevelt University, both
in Chicago, from 1952 to 1955. During that time she was also employed
at Berger-Rivenbergh Point of Purchase Advertising in Chicago, mostly
notable for its location — across the street from the Playboy Club.

At a cousin’s housewarming party Shirley met Jerome (Jerry) Yochim,
who, so stricken by her humor and beauty, suggested that his best
friend ask her out on a date. Although that date was never made,
Shirley and Jerry kept up a correspondence while Jerry was in
Champaign-Urbana finishing his Masters Degree at the University of
Illinois.

In August 1957 Shirley and Jerry married and moved to Lafayette,
Indiana where Jerry completed his Doctoral Degree in 1960, and then
back to Chicago for a few years.

The couple moved to Lawrence, Kansas in 1962 when Jerry joined the
faculty at the University of Kansas. The couple originally planned to
stay in Lawrence for one year and then decide if they liked it enough
to settle down (and could get used to the strange noises coming from
the back yard — cows).

After meeting members of the Lawrence Jewish Community Center, Shirley
shed some of her city ways (and even learned to drive), and for the
next 50 years the couple made Lawrence their home.

Shirley was active with the Center and the Jewish Community Women and
over four decades served in various positions as the group’s
Secretary, Treasurer and Blintz Brunch organizer. Along with Artie
Shaw, Shirley helped establish the KU Hillel foundation.

Shirley also worked as a secretary in the Social Work Department at
Lawrence Memorial Hospital and at Audio Reader, a reading service for
the visually impaired. She is best known for her work in real estate
at the Gill Agency and later the McGrew Agency, from which she retired
in 1998.

Shirley is survived by her husband Jerry, son Jordan and daughter-in-law Amanda (Lawrence), daughter Dayana (Alexandria, Va.) and grandson Elliot (Lawrence).

In lieu of flowers the family encourages donations to the Lawrence Jewish Community Center, the Visiting Nurses Association of Douglas County, or Grace Hospice, in care of the funeral home.

Dorothey Felina (Kagi) Puckett

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Funeral Services for Dorothey Felina (Kagi) Puckett, 86, of Lawrence, will be 10 a.m. Friday at Lawrence Baptist Temple. Burial will follow at Oak Ridge Cemetery, Perry.

Mrs. Puckett died Tuesday, June 26, 2012 at Lawrence Memorial Hospital.

She was born Jan. 26, 1926 in Lawrence, the daughter of Arthur and Emma Maddox Kagi. She attended school in Oskaloosa.

Mrs. Puckett married Vernon Smith Sr, he preceded her in death. She later married Walter Henry Pucket, he survives of the home.

Other survivors include two sons; Vernon Smith Jr., and Verle Smith and wife Karen, both of Lawrence; two daughters, Dolores Willome and husband Jack, Boerne, TX, Cynthia Davis and husband Kurt, Lawrence; Nine grandchildren; fourteen great-grandchildren.

Friends may call from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday where the family will receive friends from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home.

The family suggest memorials to Lawrence Baptist Temple sent in care of the Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, 601 Indiana, Lawrence, KS 66044.

Tira K. Beer-Link

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A visitation Tira K. Beer-Link, 52, Cottonwood Falls, will be from 2 p.m.- 4 p.m. Sunday, July 1, 2012, at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home & Crematory.

Ms. Beer-Link died Monday, June 25, 2012, at her residence in Cottonwood Falls, Kansas.

She was born November 2, 1959, in Lawrence, the daughter of Orvel and Luejetta Newman Beer.

She is survived by a daughter, Sara Randolph, Jacksonville, Florida; and a son, Guy Link, Tucson, Arizona.

The family suggests memorial contributions to the Tira Beer-Link Memorial Fund, in care of the funeral home, 601 Indiana Street, Lawrence, KS, 66044.

Richard A. Colbert

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Memorial service for Richard A. Colbert 73, Lawrence will be at 10am. Sat. Jun. 30, at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home. Mr. Colbert died May 24, at his home. He was born Feb. 14, 1939 in Lawrence the son of Eugene and Margie Hodge Colbert.
Mr. Colbert was a 47 year member of Ironworkers Local #10, a life time member of the Eagles Aerie 309, and a life time member of Ottawa Elks Lodge 803.
He married Betty Childers, she survives of the home.
Other survivors include a grandson, great-grandson, 3 stepdaughters, a stepson and 6 step grandchildren.
Memorials may be made to Lawrence Humane Shelter, American Cancer Society, or the Elks National Foundation in care of the funeral home, 601 Indiana, Lawrence, KS 66044.
Online condolences maybe sent at rumsey-yost.com.

Gary J. Vicker

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Memorial services for Gary J. Vicker, 77, Lawrence, will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday, June 25, 2012 at Trinity Lutheran Church, with the Rev. Dr. Gary W.Teske officiating. Inurnment will be at Evergreen Memorial Park Cemetery, Omaha, Neb.

Mr. Vicker died Friday, June 22, at his home.

He was born Dec. 9, 1934 in Creston, IA. the son of Charles Carl and Martha Marie Wietzke Vicker.

Mr. Vicker was a Omaha businessman, retiring to Lawrence in 1997.

He served in the US Army from 1958 to 1963. He graduated from the University of Nebraska, Omaha. Mr. Vicker was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church.

He married Sonja Ruckl on Apr. 8, 1961 in Omaha. She survives of the home.

He was preceded in death by his parents, 3 sisters, and a son, Tom, in 2006.

Other survivors include 2 daughters, Paige Butler (Henry) of Huntly, VA, and Nealy Johnston (Jason) of Charlottesville, VA; 3 grandchildren and 4 step-grandchildren.

Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, the Humane Society, American Lung Association, or Trinity Lutheran Church, in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, 601 Indiana, Lawrence, KS, 66044.

The family will receive friends Sunday, June 24, from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the funeral home.

Mary E. (Topping) Olson

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Mary E. (Topping) Olson, 89, Noxon MT. passed away at Bridge Haven Memory Care in Lawrence, KS on June 19, 2012. Memorial services and inurnment will be at 11:00 a.m. July 3 at Memorial Park Cemetery in Lawrence, with Chaplain Wilton Detweiler, Grace Hospice officiating.
Mary was born December 16, 1922, the eldest of four children to Charles R. and Kathleen (O’Brien) Topping. She attended Kanwaka Grade School, Lawrence Memorial High School and Kansas State University.
On March 11, 1969 Mary and Richard L. Olson married in Lawrence. After enjoying farm life for several years, while both continued to work for the Internal Revenue Service, they moved to Noxon, Montana in 1974. They built a new home and after retirement, were very active in the community.
Mary was one of the original members of the Sanders County Rocky Ridge Saddle Club in Noxon, and was voted Grand Marshall in 2004. Mary served on the Noxon school board for several years and had the opportunity of working with students in gardening activities, teaching them about mechanical equipment, canning and preserving garden produce. She assisted 4-H members with many sewing projects. For many years, she hosted spring and fall “vet days” at her small farm where vets from Pend O’Reille Vet Clinic provided medical care for large and small animals in the Noxon area, thus saving owners long trips with their animals.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Richard L. Olson and her sister Jane W. (Topping) Combest. Survivors include her brother, James R. Topping (Barbara), and a sister Sally (Topping) Glover (Herschel). Other survivors include several nieces and nephews; Ann Topping, Lin Topping, Kathy Ryan (Dan), Darcy Neal (Dave), John McClure (Becky), Stephen McClure (Angie), David McClure, Lynne Roe, and Martha (McClure) Miller (Dave). Mary is survived by several grand and great-grand nieces and nephews. Also surviving are her step-children Ginger Macintyre, Dianne Olson, and Richard Olson.
Memorial contributions are welcomed by Grace Hospice or the Lawrence Humane Society, c/o Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home.