Author: RumseyYost

Pamela Loewenstein

Posted on by RumseyYost

Pamela Loewenstein (Amberg), 87, died of natural causes at Brandon Woods in Lawrence, KS, January 16, 2025.

A ceramic artist, passionate advocate for social causes and devoted Mom and Grandma who grew up in Kankakee, IL, attended Shimer College after her sophomore year of high school and then transferred to Oberlin College where she received a BA in English. She lived in England with the Experiment in International Living before moving to Chicago to work for WTTW, the PBS TV station. It was there that she met her future husband, Michael Loewenstein, and after marriage in 1963, moved to Evanston where she, as the best stay at home mom ever, raised their two sons, Dave and Tim.

Pam returned to academia in 1991 to receive an MA in history from Northwestern University where her thesis was on women reformers after WWI. She moved to Lawrence in 1997 to become an accomplished potter (working out of the studio she shared with her son Dave), serve as the vice chair for the local branch of the ACLU and care for her home and garden in Old West Lawrence.

Survived by sons Dave Loewenstein of Lawrence, KS; Tim Loewenstein and spouse Diane Loewenstein of Eagle, ID; grandsons, Jake Loewenstein of Plainfield, IN, Luke Loewenstein of Las Vegas, NV and Andrés Loewenstein of Lawrence, KS; niece Ann Amberg of Langley, WA; and nephew Chris Amberg of Ft. Calhoun, NE.

A celebration of life will be announced at a later date.

Betty Rose Conway

Posted on by RumseyYost

Betty Rose Conway, 83, of Lawrence, Kansas, passed away on January 20, 2025, at the Healthcare Resort of Olathe. Born on May 25, 1941, Betty lived a life full of love, faith, and dedication to her husband, her family, her community, her nieces and nephews in Carthage, Missouri, and her church, Lawrence Baptist Temple.

Betty was a devoted mother to David Alan Conway, and the late Dana Michele Conway.

She was a loving grandmother to David Alan Conway II, Caleb Anthony Perez, Dallas Kane Conway,  and Christopher William Conway. Loving Great Grandmother to Celestra Shyla-Marie Conway, Avani Nashira Coil, Asher Samual Chaney,,, and Rylan Andrew Perez.  Mother in Law to Kristie Conway and Phil Perez.

Betty was also a caring grandmother-in-law to Tory Conway, Kelly Perez, Rachel Chaney, Ashley Conway, and Dhyana Coil.

Born and raised on a farm outside of Jasper, Missouri, Betty grew up with her three beloved older sisters, Ruby, Cleva, and Erma. She developed a love for hard work and animals during her childhood, spending her days driving tractors, baling hay, and caring for a wide variety of farm animals. One of her favorite pet was “Ducky Duddles,” a beloved duck who followed her everywhere she went, leaving an indelible mark on her childhood.

She graduated from Jasper High School in Jasper, Missouri, in 1959, where she played and stared in volley ball, and softball. There she forged lifelong friendships and began shaping the compassionate and hardworking person we all knew and loved.

In 1961, Betty worked for the Oblate Press in Carthage, Missouri, demonstrating the strong work ethic and dedication that would define her professional life. On October 8, 1961, she married the love of her life, Isaac Jeremiah Conway (Jerry). Shortly afterward, they moved to Savannah, Georgia, where Betty embraced life as a proud military wife.

In 1965, Betty and Jerry returned to Missouri, settling in Springfield. They later lived in the Oklahoma City area before moving to Lawrence, Kansas, in 1982, where they put down lasting roots.

From 1990 until her retirement in 2012, Betty worked for Dr. James Dray in Lawrence, dedicating over two decades to serving others with compassion and professionalism. Her strong work ethic, warmth, and generosity left a lasting impression on everyone she met.

A faithful member of the Lawrence Baptist Temple since the 1990s, Betty’s strong faith and kind spirit inspired everyone who knew her.

Betty was not only a devoted wife and mother but also an admired home cook. She was known throughout Lawrence for her incredible culinary skills and her generosity in sharing them. Her famous homemade salsa, some of the spiciest and tastiest in town, was a gift she often shared with friends and neighbors. Betty was also beloved for her signature chicken-fried steak and her comforting chicken and dumplings, dishes that brought people together and created lasting memories.

Betty’s life was marked by resilience, love, and a steadfast commitment to her values. She will be remembered for her unwavering faith, her deep love for her family, her amazing cooking, and her kind and generous spirit.

A viewing will take place at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, 601 Indiana Street, Lawrence, Kansas 66044 (6th and Indiana) at 6:00 PM – 7:00PM Friday 31st. The celebration of life will be held on Saturday, February 1st, 2025, at 2:00 PM, at Lawrence Baptist Temple, 3201 West 31st Street, Lawrence, Kansas, and will be officiated by Pastor Gary Meyer. Family and friends are invited to attend and celebrate her incredible legacy.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Lawrence Baptist Temple in Betty’s honor.

Betty will be deeply missed by all who knew her, but her love, kindness, and food will live on in our hearts.

David Wayne Harrop

Posted on by RumseyYost

Services for David Harrop, 80, of Lawrence will be held 11 a.m. Friday, January 31, 2025, at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home.  He passed Tuesday, January 21, 2025, at Pioneer Ridge Nursing Home in Lawrence, KS.

David was born July 14, 1944 in San Francisco, CA, the son of J. Wayne Harrop and Lois Whitburn Harrop.  Due to Wayne’s employment with the government, the family moved often.  The Harrops lived in California, Washington, South Dakota, and Missouri.  David graduated from Southwest High School in Kansas City, MO in 1962, and went on to receive his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Kansas in 1966.  David served in the Peace Corps in Korea from 1966 to 1968.

After his time in the Peace Corps, David returned to Kansas.  He married Patricia Graham in August 1969 and settled in Kansas City.  David began his career in banking, which took him all over the country, and through which he formed many lasting friendships.  David and Pat shared a lifelong love of reading, eating, travel, history, and KU basketball.  Together, they visited every continent except Antarctica.  Pat preceded David in death in 2018.

David is survived by his son, Matt Harrop and wife Elise Waldron of Lawrence, and one granddaughter, Emma Harrop.  In addition to David’s wife, Patricia, he is preceded in death by his parents.

The family suggests memorial contributions to the National Park Foundation, sent in care of the Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home: P.O. Box 1260, Lawrence, KS 66044.

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

Rose Ellen (Rosy) Neuhaus

Posted on by RumseyYost

Rose Ellen Neuhaus, 64, of Lawrence, Kansas, died Sunday afternoon, January 19th, in the loving care of her husband and daughters.

Rosy was the eighth of eleven children born to Gerald and Rose Lee Van Mol in Kansas City, Kansas. Rosy attended Sacred Heart Elementary (later named Our Lady of Unity), Argentine Middle School, and JC Harmon High School, where she took every arts class available to her, working in fibers, photography, clay, and metal.

Growing up, Rosy spent countless hours collecting leaves, rocks, seed pods, and other treasures on long walks through fields and woods. She was captivated by the changing seasons, colors, forms, and movement of nature. Fascinated by the malleability and strength of metals, Rosy chose that as her focus for studies in college and moved to Lawrence, Kansas, to study metalsmithing and silversmithing at the University of Kansas.

After Rosy and Pete married and their household filled with family, she scaled her art to fit and focused on beading, creating jewelry to compliment a person’s mood and enhance their day, rather than their clothing, by focusing on the sound and feel of each piece.

Rosy’s love of nature and artistic talent infused her world and that of everyone lucky enough to be in her circle. She shared a love of gardening with Pete, and together they developed a magical garden where they hosted many Spring Flings for extended family. Rosy created a world of beauty, both to fill her home and to share freely with family and friends. Rosy built several dear friendships that she nurtured through decades of life’s celebrations and challenges.

Rosy’s nurturing personality guided her work life, helping many children flourish in their early childhood years in her home daycare and also in a small business daycare center. She later transitioned to working with school children, and then to adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities. She spent her days caring for others and has left us all with a shining example of how to make the world around us a little better every day.

Rosy was preceded in death by her parents, Gerald & Rose Lee Van Mol, her brother, Bob Van Mol, and her son, Jake Neuhaus. She is survived by her husband of 36 years, Pete, her daughters, Tamara, Amelia, and Becca, and her many siblings, nieces, and nephews.

Funeral Mass will be 10 am, Friday, January 24, 2025, at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church.  A Visitation will be from 6-7 pm, Thursday, with Rosary to follow at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Lawrence Humane Society .

Donate

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Or to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network

https://secure.pancan.org/site/Donation2?df_id=6903&mfc_pref=T&6903.donation=form1&s_src=direct+response+fy24+-+evergreen+media&s_subsrc=direct+response+fy24+-+evergreen+media_pd+search_pd+search+-+conversion_digital+advertising_general+public&utm_source=pd+search&utm_medium=digital+advertising&utm_campaign=direct+response+fy24+-+evergreen+media&utm_term=general+public&utm_content=pd+search+-+conversion&utm_campaign=direct+response+fy24+-+evergreen+media&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAhbi8BhDIARIsAJLOludjmy-5-7BIx_41QjHe-8O3_Y0CcWgm77OEUubhXidRo0vu5BfJ7x8aApYCEALw_wcB

Sandra Sue (Sandy) Watson

Posted on by RumseyYost

Memorial Services for Sandra Sue Watson, 75, Lawrence, will be 10:30 am, Monday, February 3, 2025, at First Southern Baptist Church 4300 W 6th St, Lawrence, KS.

Sandra Sue (Sandy) Watson, age 75, passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 22, 2024, at Pioneer Ridge Rapid Recovery in Lawrence, KS.

She was born February 3, 1949, in Kansas City, Missouri, to Elmer “Dutch” and Doris (Smith) Meyer.

She married Raymond Brown on July 29,1967 (div. 1982)  They have two daughters. Sandra worked as a Property Manager for Trail Ridge Apartments. During this time, it was not uncommon for her to be known as “mom” to the many college students that cycled through year after year. Sandra’s charming personality made it easy for her to be a friend to many.

In the spring of 2003, she met her forever love, Harlow (Bud) Watson. They married, Sept 5, 2003 in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. During their 21 years together they had many adventures. Their most cherished memories involve car shows featuring one or more of their beautiful hot rods.  February 11, 2021, Sandra suffered a life-changing stroke. Bud’s role became full time caregiver for his beloved wife and he remained by her side til her death. He survives the home.

Other survivors include a daughter, Michelle (Larry) Magee, Lawrence, KS; a daughter,  Mendy (Terry) Gilliand, Lawrence, KS ; six grandchildren Andrew Pester, Brooklyn, NY, Gabriel Magee, San Francisco, CA, Jonah Pester, Scottsdale, AZ,  Josie (Isaac) Schmidt, Reedsport, OR,  Maxwell (Erin) Gilliland, Baldwin City, KS and Holly (Mason) Barnes, Lawrence, KS.

Janice Lee Pattinson

Posted on by RumseyYost

Funeral Services for Janice Lee Pattinson, 83, Lawrence, will be 11 am Thursday, January 23, 2025, at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home. A Visitation will be from 10 to Service time.

She died Sunday, January 19, 2025 at Cedarhurst of Lawrence.

Janice was born October 9, 1941, in Shreveport Louisiana, the daughter of Ruth and Lewis Adams. She grew up in Poteau and McAlester Oklahoma. As a teen she moved with her mother and stepfather Louis Payne to Wichita Kansas. She graduated from Wichita West High School in 1959.

Following graduation, she was employed as a receptionist/assistant to a medical doctor. Janice met John Pattinson and they married in 1963. A daughter, Debra, was born in 1967.

John was manager of the Wichita KU Extension Center, in Wichita, for 15 years until it closed in 1975. The family then moved to Lawrence where John had started his career in Continuing Education.

Janice was a loving wife, mother, excellent cook and homemaker. She enjoyed walking, reading, KU football and basketball, University Theatre and Lied Center Performances.

Survivors are her husband John and daughter Debra.

The family would like to thank the Cedarhurst of Lawrence memory care staff and administrators and the Visiting Nurses for their loving care and support.

In Lieu of flowers, memorials to First Baptist Church or Visiting Nurses can be sent in care of Rumsey Yost Funeral Home, 601 Indiana St, Lawrence, Kansas 66044

 

Travis Edwin Viehweg

Posted on by RumseyYost

Travis Edwin Viehweg, 41, of Ozawkie, KS, passed away peacefully at his home on January 12, 2025.

He was born in Fort Collins, CO, on September 13, 1983, to Douglas K. and Sharon C. (Smith) Viehweg. The family eventually relocated to Overland Park, KS, where Travis grew up competing in high school wrestling and football. He went on to compete in collegiate football, including being named an All-American defensive tackle while at Baker University.

He graduated from Blue Valley High School (Overland Park, KS) in 2002. He attended Butler County Community College and then received a Bachelor of Science and a Masters of Liberal Arts from Baker University (Baldwin City, KS) in 2007 and 2009, respectively.

Travis married the great love of his life, Amanda Susan Wehner, on October 19, 2013. With Amanda, he was safe to show off his intellect, his willingness to see people for who they are, and a desire to embrace the whole of who Amanda is. When he first saw her he said “God made her for me.” Theirs was a marriage built on instant, lasting bonds and an adventurous embrace of trying new things.

He took great pride in his work and deeply appreciated all the friendships he made along the way. At the time of his passing he was employed by Midwest Concrete Materials as a Concrete Delivery Professional.

He will be remembered fondly by his wife, Amanda, and Hops and Gracie, lovingly referred to as “their babies;” parents Douglas and Sharon; sister Angela Komarek, brother-in-law Scott, and their children Addison, Hudson, and Avery; brother Clayton Viehweg, sister-in-law Kay, and their son Isaac; and nieces Alexis Viehweg and Madison Viehweg.

He was preceded in death by his brothers Jason Viehweg and Ryan Viehweg.

Travis will be celebrated by friends, teammates, and loved ones who will always treasure his vivid storytelling, dedicated acts of service, and unique sense of humor.

Funeral services are set for Friday, January 24, 2025 at 2 PM at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, Lawrence, KS. Interment will take place on Monday, January 27, at 11 AM at Clifton Cemetery, Clifton, ID.

In lieu of flowers the family is requesting donations be made in Travis’ honor to the American Heart Association, the United Way, or a humane society of the donor’s choosing.

Wilma Irene Morgan

Posted on by RumseyYost

Wilma Irene (Barraclough) Morgan was born at home in Scranton, Kansas on June 25, 1924 to parents, Roy and Margaret Barraclough.

While attending high school in Lansing, Kansas, she met her soon to be husband, Erwin Morgan. They were married on June 19, 1942 and celebrated 80 years together before he passed away on November 22, 2022.

Wilma was a wonderful mother and a devoted wife.

She is survived by her son, Larry Morgan (Debbie) and daughter, Sandra Cockrum (Dave), 5 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren and 4 great, great grandchildren.

Wilma died at Homestead in Eudora, Kansas on January 8, 2025. Graveside services will be at 2:00 pm on January 14, 2025 at Oak Hill cemetery in Lawrence, Kansas.

The family would like to thank all those who cared for Wilma during her stay at Homestead.

Caroline Jean Ferrett

Posted on by RumseyYost

Carol Jean Ferrett 76, Lawrence, died Wednesday, January 8, 2025 following a battle with leukemia, at Lawrence Memorial Hospital. Carol was born December 30, 1948 in Lawrence, Kansas to Edmon and Betty Harmon Richards. Carol spent her entire life in Lawrence. She worked for many years for King Radio and later for Honeywell when they bought King Radio. Carol married her first love, Gerald Austin. He passed away on April 29, 1973. Carol later married Rex Ferrett on December 16, 1977. Rex passed away on November 10, 2010. Carol loved her little house where she lived for over 40 years. Her favorite activity was taking care of the yard, lottery tickets, reading the newspaper and walking her dogs. Carol is survived by her dog Rudy, a son, Wesley Schmidt and wife Trina of Derby, KS. One sister, Mary Taylor Ward and one brother, Elvis Reed. Two grandsons, Andrew Schmidt of St. Louis, MO and Brandon (Annie) Schmidt of Wichita, KS as well as cousins and friends. Carol was never able to meet her step great grandchildren, but loved hearing about them and watching them grow up. Carol is preceded in death by her mother, Betty Atwood, her father, Edmon Richards, two husbands, and extended family. A celebration of life will be held on April 5, 2025 at 1:30 at Oak Hill Cemetery, Lawrence, Kansas.

Robert “Bob” Carl Umholtz

Posted on by RumseyYost

Robert C. Umholtz passed away peacefully in Lawrence Kansas on January 4th at the age of 96.

Bob was born in Miami, Oklahoma on August 10, 1928, as the only child of Karl and Edna (Gardner) Umholtz. The family moved to Topeka, Kansas where he graduated from Highland Park High School as an honor student and class president. He attended Washburn University and The University of Kansas where he achieved a Master of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering. He was a member of the Tau Beta Pi, Kappa Mu Epsilon and Pi Tau Sigma engineering honor societies.

Bob served in the U.S. Army during the early 1950’s as a Second Lieutenant in the Corps of Engineers. He was assigned a post in Korea where he supervised construction of petroleum product docking, pumping and load facilities.

Bob’s family was proud of his 60-year teaching career at Kansas University School of Engineering. Students referred to him as “Bullet Bob” because they had to move fast to keep up with his instruction. During school breaks he worked as a design engineer and consultant for various companies such as Phillips Petroleum, Westinghouse, Bendix, Boeing, and NASA.

Academic career awards included ASME Distinguished Professor, KUME Distinguished Alumni and The Wesley Cramer Professorship in Mechanical Engineering for Excellence in Teaching. He retired from KU in 2012 as Associate Professor and Associate Chair of Mechanical Engineering.

Bob enjoyed listening to his extensive collection of big band and jazz records. He loved tending to his vegetable garden and flowers at his home in the Hilltop neighborhood and was a devoted tv sports fan. If he did not answer the phone, it was likely because he was watching a KU basketball, football, or Kansas City Chiefs game.

Bob’s proudest legacy was his family. He is survived by sons Mark Umholtz and wife Danette, Lawrence KS, Marvin Umholtz and wife Marty, Lawrence KS, and Martin Umholtz and wife Molly, Santa Rosa CA. Also, five grandchildren Justin Umholtz, Jonathan Umholtz, Mason Umholtz, Amanda Umholtz, Alexander Umholtz and five great-grandchildren Carter, Annika, Viola, Edie, and Makenna.

The Umholtz family would like to thank Presbyterian Manor staff members for their thoughtful care and support of Bob.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions for KU Mechanical Engineering scholarships may be made online at www.kuendowment.org/umholtz or by check payable to KU Endowment (in memo please note: Mechanical Engineering Scholarship in memory of Robert Umholtz) may be sent in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1260, Lawrence, KS 66044.

A private family celebration of life and interment at the KU Pioneer Cemetery will take place at a future date.