Author: RumseyYost

Michael Steven Swalm

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Michael Steven Swalm went home to Jesus in the early morning hours of November 12, 2024 while sleeping. Known to everyone as Mike, he was born September 21, 1949 to Frank and Esther Swalm in Starkville, MS.

At 18 Mike met the love of his life, Jan who was 15 at the time. They married on November 26, 1971. They were two weeks shy celebrating their 53rd wedding anniversary when he died. Together they lived life first in San Antonio, TX and then moved to Lawrence, KS.

Mike was an avid photographer, reader, and jokester; lover of the Lord God and a fierce protector of his family. Over the years he loved his working days in bookstores but nothing compared to the time he spent with family near and far.

Mike is survived by his wife, Jan; his daughters, Chrissie Swalm and Jami Baldwin and her husband Scott; grandchildren, Elliot Johnson, Nora Walburn, Ramble Swalm, Mazzie Swalm, and Henry Wertin III; and siblings and spouses, Chris and Renee Swalm, David and Kathy Swalm, Elizabeth Swalm, and Beth and Matt Pudas. In addition he is survived by many cousins, nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.

Mike is predeceased by his son, Peter; his parents, Frank and Esther Swalm; and brother, John.

Services will be held at Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Lawrence, KS, Friday, December 6, 12:00 noon. A drop in celebration of life will be held following the service at the Swalm home from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm.

Irene Ella (Krueger) Welch

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Irene Ella (Krueger) Welch, 86, of Lawrence, Kansas, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Tuesday, November 12, 2024.

Irene was born on August 20, 1938, in Utica, Nebraska, to Paul and Matilda (Schmidt) Krueger. She graduated from Utica High School in 1956 and went on to further her education at the American Business Institute of Lincoln Nebraska. After completing her education, she worked at the State Capitol in Lincoln, Nebraska.

On April 6, 1958, Irene married Gary Welch in Utica, Nebraska. Together, they moved from Lincoln and Ashland, Nebraska, to Leadville, Colorado, where they built a home and raised their family over the course of 56 years.

During her time in Leadville, Irene worked at the Leadville Medical Center, the Climax Infirmary, was an executive assistant at the Westin Hotel in Vail and retired from Mountain BOCES in Leadville to finish her career.

Irene was a passionate and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend. She was known for her warmth, kindness, and deep love for her family. She enjoyed playing bridge, golf, sewing and was an avid baker. Music was another of Irene’s great joys. She had a beautiful singing voice and loved to share her talent with others.

Irene was preceded in death by her parents, her brother George and her son Brent. She is survived by her beloved husband, Gary Welch, her children Reba (John) Neufeld, Kyle (Susan) Welch of Leadville, CO, Sean (Kate) Welch, of Lecompton, KS; grandchildren Karyn Neufeld, Kaylee (Dano) Aldaz, Chelsea (Jimmy) Warne, Jesse (Kara) Kissell, Krislyn (Davis) Smestad, Tess Welch (Ben Powell), William and Maddy Welch; great-grandchildren Ashlee and Taylor Ebuna, DeAnna and Dawson Aldaz, Madalyn Warne, Riggs Kissell, and Emersyn Smestad. A memorial service to celebrate Irene’s life will be held at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church at 530 W. 8th St. in Leadville, Colorado at 11:00am on Saturday, December 7, 2024. Reception to follow at the Elks Lodge at 123 W 5th St, Leadville, CO.

She will be remembered for her loving spirit, her devotion to family, and the lasting impact she made on everyone she met.

Jo Ann Prather

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Jo Ann Prather, age 83, left this world to be with the Lord on Monday, November 11, 2024, surrounded by family at her home in Eudora, Kansas. She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.
Jo Ann McKenzie, the daughter of Earl Tate and Ruth McKenzie, was born at her family’s farm in rural Knox City, Missouri, on June 22, 1941. During her childhood, she was a member of Bee Ridge Methodist Church and played piano during worship. After her graduation from Edina High School, she attended and graduated from Kirksville State Teachers College.
On October 29, 1961, at Bee Ridge Methodist Church, Knox City, Missouri, Jo Ann married her soulmate, Hillis Dale Prather. Together they welcomed two children, Deborah and Dale Prather. Jo Ann was devoted to her husband and children, spending many years as a homemaker. She helped out on the farm and supported the ministry. The couple pastored many Baptist churches in Missouri between 1976-2014. Jo Ann was dedicated to her church families. She led Sunday school classes and Bible studies, and played piano during worship. The couple later retired and built a home in rural Knox City, Missouri. They later moved to Eudora, Kansas. They remained members of the Mount Tabor Baptist Church.
Jo Ann enjoyed listening to music, gardening, cross stitching, and putting together puzzles. She loved watching wildlife and feeding her hummingbirds and squirrels. Jo Ann was an avid reader and was dedicated in her walk with God, including daily reading of the Bible and devotionals. She embraced her role as grandmother to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Jo Ann was preceded in death by her parents, Earl Tate and Ruth McKenzie, and sister, Elizabeth McAnulty Schutte. Surviving are her husband, Hillis Prather, daughter, Debby (Wayne) Wolgast, son, Dale (Christine) Prather, three grandchildren, Jennifer (Jacob) Goss, Christopher Wilkins, and Olivia Prather, and two great-grandchildren, Noah and Carter Goss.
The family will have a small private gathering in Eudora, Kansas. Memorial contributions can be made to Bee Ridge Cemetery or Midland Care in Topeka, Kansas, who provided hospice care to Jo Ann and were a God-send during her time of need. https://midlandcare.org/support-us/donate-online/

Matthew Thomas Gish

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Matthew Thomas Gish, 38, passed away on November 11, 2024 at his home at Midnight Farm in Douglas County.

Matt was born August 25, 1986 in Lawrence.  He had Down Syndrome, and faced a number of challenges in his life with a positive disposition.

He was the oldest of four children of Steve and Bobbie Gish of Lawrence.  He attended Hillcrest Elementary, Quail Run Elementary, Southwest Junior High and Free State High School. He also attended summer school at Lawrence High School.  He benefitted immensely from being mainstreamed with the general student population and looked forward to school each day.

Matt loved to swim, both in the pool and in the ocean.  He loved his stuffed animals, particularly Winnie the Pooh, and also had an affinity for clocks, music boxes and Disney movies.  He also loved the various Gish family cats over the years.  His family traveled extensively and Matt went on numerous vacations with them, including trips to Yellowstone National Park, the Grand Canyon, Mexico, Hawaii, the Bahamas, Washington, D.C. and Disney World.

Matt lived at Midnight Farm, a Goodlife Innovations Family Teaching Home in rural Douglas County for 10 years, until his passing.  He made regular weekday visits to Cottonwood over 17 years, where he befriended fellow clients and caregivers.

His siblings, Kristen Gish, Caroline Gish and Michael Gish, loved him deeply.  They were there to share both his good days and challenging days over his too short life.  He also leaves behind two aunts, two uncles, five cousins and four second cousins.

Matt was friendly, kind, affectionate and sweet.  He was also occasionally salty, but who isn’t? His last day with his parents was the day before he passed away.  He was in a great mood, enjoying the day in Lawrence.

Matt was an incredible blessing to his family, truly a gift from God.  May he rest in peace.

The family will have a private ceremony in the Spring.

Donations in Matt’s memory may be made to Goodlife Innovations, www.mygoodlife.org/donate/ or the Cottonwood Foundation, www.cwood.org/cwood/donate/.

Matthew Grant Johnston

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Funeral Services for Matthew Grant Johnston, 35, Lawrence, will be 2 pm, Saturday, November 16, 2024, at the First Baptist Church, 1330 Kasold Drive, Lawrence.  A Visitation will be from 4-6 pm, Friday at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home.

Matthew Grant Johnston, born June 20, 1989, passed away suddenly in his sleep on November 9, 2024. He was the beloved husband of Kylee Johnston and the son of Richard and Lynette Johnston. He is also survived by his twin brother Christopher (husband of Sarah and dad of Pearl).

Matthew was born in Wichita, Kansas and went to school in Newton and Goessel. He graduated high school in 2008 and then attended K-State, top in his class with a Masters in Architecture in 2013. He worked at Treanor and then Clark-Huesemann, both in Lawrence.

He was great at his work, and he also loved putting together plastic model cars and tanks, as well as playing guitar, reading, and listening to records.

Matthew met his wife June 16, 2018 and they both knew they had found their perfect match. They eloped in Florence, Italy July 20, 2019 and spent a wonderful honeymoon in Tuscany. Matthew was the most caring man. He was insightful, loving, funny, intelligent, an artist, a sharp dresser, and had the best laugh. Everyone who knew him loved him. Kylee is thankful to God for bringing her and Matthew together. He always took good care of her, and she is thankful that their six years together were full of love, joy, traveling, laughter, and always interesting conversations.

Matthew was a baptized believer in our Lord Jesus and was active in the First Baptist church. He enjoyed volunteering for anything at church and, especially the mobile food pantry, LINK, and Family Promise. He also taught youth group and led book studies about caring for God’s beautiful creation.

He is gone too soon and will be mourned and missed by so many.

In lieu of flowers, you may donate to Family Promise of Lawrence, KS.

Frederic Neiman Joseph

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The passing of Frederic Neiman Joseph on October 31, 2024 will be illuminated by the life he lived and the love of his surviving family.

Fredric Neiman Joseph was born on May 9, 1949, to Jean Bishop Joseph and Charles Branine Joseph in Wichita, Kansas.

Fred grew up with his two brothers, Alan Joseph and Robert Joseph in Potwin, Kansas. Together with his friends and family, he enjoyed being outdoors on their family farm and the surrounding community. His friends remember him for his kindness and good humor. As a teenager, he attended Cheley Colorado Camps where he was first introduced to his lifelong love of mountaineering and outdoor adventure. During these early years, he introduced his younger brother to the hard won joys of extended backpacking trips and bagging alpine summits. 

He graduated from Remington High School in 1967 and attended the University of Kansas along with his friends and brothers. In 1972, Fred married Nancy Knudsen and together they had 4 children. Continuing the Joseph family farm and ranch, Fred worked the pastures and fields strengthening his love for the land and a life spent outdoors. Two of his favorite books were Aldo Leopold’s “A Sand County Almanac” and “Arctic Dreams” by Barry Lopez. Drawn to nature Fred found innate kinship that grew into a strong environmental ethic that guided his life’s work farming and ranching.

 His children will cherish the memories he left: the patience gained from tying flies and waiting for the perfect catch, traveling to a rural spot to watch the eclipse or a distant storm cloud, watching the stars on dark nights, hiking in the mountains, attending University of Kansas football games, and fishing with grandchildren.

Fredric Joseph is survived by his children Jack (Mindy) Joseph, Lesli (Doug) Laanui, Sally (Jeremy) Podany, Drew (Katie) Joseph and by his 10 grandchildren including Caroline, Claire and William Joseph, Joseph and Noelani Laanui, James, Jillian and Elizabeth Podany, Luke and Evan Joseph and his two brothers Alan (Diane) Joseph and Robert (Terry) Joseph. 

Fredric’s service will be held on Monday, December 9th near his childhood home in Butler County. Additional details to follow.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Rocky Mountain Conservancy to continue the protection and enjoyment of the natural world.

Ecclesiastes 12:7  Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it. 

Judy Ann George

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Judy Ann (Anderson) Gordon George passed away peacefully in the early morning hours on Saturday, November 2nd, 2024, with her biggest fans – her children, grandchildren and sister – by her side.

To know Judy was to love Judy. She was a kind, caring, compassionate, and giving soul who never knew a stranger. If you were lucky enough to know Judy, you couldn’t help but fall in love with her and want to be in her presence. Her smile lit up her eyes and the room. Her sweetness started at the beginning of the day with her Pepsi (turned Cream Soda) and cookies for breakfast. She used to say, “Life is short, eat dessert first.” She didn’t waste a single day of her 80 years here on this earth!

Judy was born March 15th, 1944, to Vernon and Dorothy (Broers) Anderson in Wichita, KS. She grew up in Ottawa, KS, where she graduated from Ottawa High School in 1962. She was an ornery and stubborn kid who followed in the footsteps of her big brothers.

She married her first husband, Don Gordon, and raised her children, Michael and Shelly, the pride and joy of her life, in Lawrence, KS. She later married Harley George who preceded her in death in 2003. We know they must be two-stepping together in heaven now.

Judy spent most of her career as an Office and Logistics Manager at Hill’s Pet Nutrition. She influenced countless lives with her leadership, guidance, & unwavering dedication until she retired in 2011. Prior to Hill’s, she did similar work at TNT Popcorn and ChaDa Sales.

To her friends and family, she was known for her chicken and noodles, lasagna, sticky buns, banana cake, hugs and welcoming nature. She loved dancing, country music, shopping trips, and lunches and dinners with her friends and loved ones.

Judy was preceded in death by her parents; brothers Larry Anderson and Rick Porter; and grandparents, Harry and Pearl Broers.

She leaves behind her adoring son, Michael Gordon and his wife Stephanie; loving caregiver and daughter, Shelly Walker and her husband Kyle; four grandchildren, Amanda Kiene (Doug), Lauren Wildman (Jacob), Tanner Walker & Kaden Walker; and two great-grandchildren, Addie & Evi Kiene. She also leaves behind her sister, Penni Reeves; brothers James Anderson and Rex Porter, many nieces, nephews, extended family and her dearest friend of over 50 years, Clyde Hoover.

Judy influenced more lives than she will ever know! She was respected for her strength, loving heart, giving soul, gentle yet feisty spirit, playfulness, laughter, honesty, “I don’t care if I’m 4’10”, I’m small but mighty” attitude! She will be missed an immeasurable amount.

Judy’s wishes were to be cremated and have a Celebration of Life with her loved ones when her family is ready.

In lieu of flowers, the family wishes for donations to the National Kidney Foundation, 9218 Metcalf Ave #424, Overland Park, KS 66212, in her honor.

Georgine LaVerne McHenry

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Memorial for Georgine LaVerne McHenry, 2724 Ponderosa Drive, Lawrence, will be in the spring of 2025 at the Calvary Cemetery, a notice will be sent out in the next few months.

Mrs. Georgine LaVerne McHenry died Sunday, November 3rd, 2024 at 1:20pm, at home surrounded by her family. Succeeding her Sister Diane Van Middlesworth Nastali & Brother Clarence Van Middlesworth.

Georgine was born January 19, 1950, in Chicago, the daughter of Clarence and Miriam Anttila Van Middlesworth. She graduated from Good Council High School in 1958.

Notable Work history: Walgreens in Chicago, Illinois, M&M Office Supply and Schmidt Lumber Company in Lawrence, Kansas

She married Chris-Wayne McHenry on May 19, 2000, in Lawrence, Kansas at St. John’s Church in Lawrence, Kansas.

Other survivors include 3 Children: son, Christopher McHenry of Spring Hill, Ks., Daughter, Angela Downey, of Wamego, Ks., and son Lewis Ashworth of Lawrence, Ks., 6 Grand Children: Christine Ashworth, Hope Carter, Adam Ashworth, Macee Purtee, Noah Ashworth, Christopher McHenry II. 6 Great Grand Children. Nephew David Nastali & family living in Chicago.

Hobbies include: Sewing, Knitting, collecting collectables and Casinos.

Notable Friends: Mickey (65yrs), Diane Lewindosky (65yrs), & many other friends.

The family suggests memorials to the Lawrence Humane Society, sent in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home: P.O. Box 1260, Lawrence, KS. 66044.

Peter “Pete” Walter-Conrad Zacharias

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Peter “Pete” Walter-Conrad Zacharias, 74, of Lawrence, died Nov. 2, 2024, at his home.

Peter was born in Hamburg, Germany, on September 30, 1950, and in 1952 immigrated with his family to McPherson, Kansas, sponsored by the Lutheran Aid Society. The family moved to Park City, Kansas in 1954 and to Dodge City, Kansas in 1959, where he graduated high school.

Peter attended the University of Kansas, obtaining a bachelor’s degree in fine arts in 1972. Following an apprenticeship in Germany and business ventures in Salt Lake City and San Francisco, he returned to Lawrence an accomplished craftsman ready to build his jewelry studio, Goldmakers Jewelry. Fascinated by Lawrence’s history, Peter became a dedicated investor in the city’s downtown and a familiar figure on the political scene. A medical event in 2016 forced him to withdraw from public life to focus on his rehabilitation.

He met Mary “Carita” Bullard in 1997, and they were married 19 years later. They were in the process of restoring their Old West Lawrence home when he died of a heart attack.

Peter’s parents, Carl and Anja Zacharias, died previously. He is survived by Carita and his children from a previous marriage to Kathleen Zacharias: Bernadette Zacharias (Phil Chiles), Nickolas Zacharias, and Jacob Zacharias, all of Lawrence; stepson Caleb Martin; and grandchildren Opal and Daniel Chiles. Other survivors include siblings Micheline Burger (Phil), Colorado Springs, CO; Klaudia Thompson (Ray), Salisbury, MD; and Johann “Hannes” Zacharias (Marcia), Lenexa, KS; as well as numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews in the US and Germany.

Services will be held on Thursday, November 14, at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, 601 Indiana St., Lawrence, KS 66044. Visitation and open-casket viewing will be held from 3 to 4 p.m., followed by a reception with remarks at 4:30 p.m.

We encourage anyone who would like to celebrate Pete’s legacy to join us this Thursday. Please dress festively (Hawaiian shirts are greatly encouraged), and if you have any of Pete’s jewelry, please wear it. As his family, we will find great comfort in commiserating and reminiscing with the community he loved so much.

In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial contributions may be made to Doug Hitt.