Author: RumseyYost

Immagean (Martin) Kelly

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It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Immagean (Martin) Kelly, who departed this life on August 10, 2024, at the age of 83 in Lawrence, Kansas.

Immagean was born on May 20, 1941, in Ottawa, Kansas, to Archie and Eletta (Roecker) Martin. She attended Catholic high school at Mt. St. Scholastica Academy in Atchison, Kansas, where she was instilled with a deep sense of faith and family—qualities that would guide her throughout her life.

On February 16, 1963, Immagean married her beloved husband, David Kelly, beginning a journey together through the joys and challenges of military life. Despite frequent moves, they raised a family and built a life together. Immagean was not only a devoted wife but also a successful businesswoman, running a floral shop for over a decade and founding two restaurants.

In retirement, Immagean, a lifelong Catholic, fully dedicated herself to her faith. The Rosary always held a special place in her heart, and she prayed it daily. Her deep love for the Rosary led her to establish the Holy Spirit Rosary Makers at her parish in Hawkins, Texas where she was a member for over 15 years. Under her leadership, the Rosary Makers created and distributed thousands of handmade rosaries around the world, bringing spiritual comfort to soldiers, school children, prisoners, and many others in need.

Immagean is survived by her husband of 61 years, David Kelly of Lawrence, Kansas; her daughter, Lorie (Kelly) Haas of Lyndon, Kansas; her son-in-law, Rex Brecheisen of Lyndon, Kansas; her granddaughters, Ashley Senestraro and her husband Garrett of Lawrence, Kansas, and Alyssa Brecheisen and her fiancé Isaac Henson of Topeka, Kansas; her great-granddaughter, Isabella Armstrong; her sister, Phyllis Cline of Ottawa, Kansas; her brother, Leroy Martin of Gardner, Kansas; and her half-sister, Barbara Martin. She was preceded in death by her parents and her twin sister, Emmagean Evans.

A vigil service will be held on August 29, 2024, at 4:00 PM at Meadowlark Estates Gracious Retirement Living, located at 4430 Bauer Farm Dr, Lawrence, Kansas 66049. The Rosary will be said at 3:00 PM preceding the vigil service. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Holy Spirit Rosary Makers, 1612 FM2869, Hawkins, TX 75765, or to the LMH Health Cancer Center, 330 Arkansas St., Lawrence, KS 66044.

Immagean Kelly will be remembered for her unwavering faith, dedication to family, and generous spirit. Her legacy lives on through the countless lives she touched, both near and far. May her soul rest in eternal peace.

Devra Sue Denny

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History will never compare to her story- and what she meant to me.

A private family viewing will be held for Devra Denny, 43, of Lawrence, at 2pm Monday, August 12, 2024, at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home. She will be cremated, per her wishes, afterward.

Devra died Thursday, August 8, 2024.

She was born July 4, 1981, in St. Louis, the daughter of Walter and Linda Denny.

She worked for Maximus/GDIT from 2016 to 2024.

She was in a domestic partnership with Jennifer Clark since November 25, 2006.
She is also survived by her father, Walter Scott Denny.

After the private viewing we will be meeting at Perkins Restaurant & Bakery for remembrance and fellowship.

Any memorial contributions can be sent in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home: P.O. Box 1260, Lawrence, KS 66044.

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

Lea Hoover

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Lea Hoover of Lawrence, Kansas, passed away peacefully in her home on Wednesday, June 26, 2024, under hospice care. A Celebration of Life will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, August 24, at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Washington Creek Cemetery.

Born August 22, 1932, in New York, New York, Lea Adrienne was the only child to Ada Marie (Mangiarotti) and Charles Ernest Nagel. She graduated from James Monroe High School, Bronx, New York, in 1950. Lea worked for New York Metropolitan Life Insurance and the YWCA of the City of New York before moving to Kansas.

Lea married Eugene F. Kletchka in 1961 and started a family of three children while living in Lawrence. She later married Clyde Raymond Hoover in 1982. Lea was a Certified Nurse Aide for the Douglas County Visiting Nurses Association (VNA) where she worked until her retirement. She enjoyed gardening, sewing and reading. Lea used her handiwork to create beautiful doll clothes and teddy bears. She donated many of these to The Salvation Army of Douglas County.

Lea is survived by her daughter Rebecca Hilt (Perry) of Wichita, Kan.; son John Kletchka (Londa) of Amarillo, Texas; daughter Anne Kirchner (Shane) of McPherson, Kan.; and grandchildren Christopher Kirchner, Hannah Kirchner and Michael Hilt. She will be remembered for her compassion for nature, family and Christian faith. Her nurturing spirit touched many lives through her VNA work, volunteer service and friendships.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to Douglas County Visiting Nurses Association, The Lawrence Humane Society or Meals on Wheels of Eastern Kansas, sent in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1260, Lawrence, Kansas 66044.

Streaming Online will be at https://view.oneroomstreaming.com/index.php?data=MTcyMzUxNDY5ODMyMzMwMyZvbmVyb29tLWFkbWluJnZpZXdfYnV0dG9u

William Wilson

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William (Bill) Lynn Wilson, 87, of Lawrence, Kansas, passed away peacefully on August 11, 2024 in the home where he had lived for forty-eight years.

Bill was born on October 15, 1936, to Walter Lloyd and Viola Pearl Wilson. He completed his early education in Colby, Kansas, and graduated from Colby Community High School in 1954. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from the University of Kansas in 1958. Bill furthered his education by obtaining a Master’s degree in Music Education from Kansas University and an additional Master’s degree in Guidance and Counseling from Fort Hays State College. In 1980, he received a Doctorate degree in Education from the University of Kansas.

Bill had a deep love for young people and was passionate about shaping the lives of future generations through education. He began his career in western Kansas, where he taught instrumental and vocal music. After teaching in WaKeeney, Scott City, and Dodge City, he served as the Director of Bands at Russell High School for five years. After that, he set aside his trombone—joking that it had developed gangrene!—and transitioned into a role as a counselor in the Russell Unified School District. In 1976, his family moved to Lawrence, where he joined Lawrence Public Schools as the Director of Secondary Education and Personnel. Bill led the school district’s personnel operations for nearly 20 years, retiring in 1996 as the Director of Human Resources.

Family was everything to Bill. His steadfast, loving relationship with his wife, Linda, provided the solid foundation on which he built his family. As a father, he was dedicated to providing the best opportunities for his children and creating a home filled with encouragement, positivity, and love. After retiring, Bill focused on spending as much time with his family as possible. Family gatherings with Bill were filled with laughter, good food, good stories and games of cards (Hearts was always on high rotation). His growing family came to include kids, grandkids, and—to his great delight!— a great-grandson born in December 2023. Of course, Bill’s family extended past his immediate family to include his many life-long friends and the countless students with whom he kept in close contact through the years.

Bill was a life member of the KU Alumni Association and an avid KU basketball fan; in fact, much of his wardrobe consisted of crimson and blue. Bill had many hobbies and interests. He loved making trips to his lake house in the Ozarks (which he affectionately referred to as Camelot) and spent many hours fishing for crappie on his dock with his family. Bill had a special touch for making flower arrangements and wreaths that adorn the houses of all his kids and grandkids, and his Christmas wrapping and bows were a local legend. He loved listening to music, uncovering his family’s genealogy records, and compiling books of his favorite quotes.

He is survived by his wife of sixty-six years, Linda; his brother, Larry and wife Norma; his children, Tad and wife Linda, Tammy and husband Todd, Tatum and husband Daniel; his grandchildren, Elizabeth and husband Steven, Danielle and husband Nick, Grant and wife Gina, Cheyenne, Riley, Cameron, and Mason; and his great-grandson, Stellan.

Funeral services are at 1:30 PM on Saturday, August 17, 2024 at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home. A graveside service will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery.

Bill will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

Memorial contributions may be made in his memory to the KU Department of Education, in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1260 Lawrence, Kansas 66044.

William A. (Bill) Manger

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William A. Manger (Bill) died on Sunday, July 21, 2024, at his home, following a valiant fight with glioblastoma multiforme. He was surrounded by family and friends.

Bill was born on June 25, 1949, in Louisville, KY, the son of Ambrose and Marion Manger.

The family moved to Shawnee Mission, KS, where Bill graduated from Bishop Miege High School. After high school, he served two years in the military. Following his honorable discharge from the Army, Bill attended UMKC and received a degree in Political Science.

Bill spent the majority of his career working for a wholesale wine and spirits company in Kansas City. Bill was a wine aficionado. He taught wine tasting classes in order to share his love of wines with others. An attendee at one of these classes became a close friend and later introduced him to his future wife and love of his life, Linda Troutfetter.

Linda and Bill were married in a small ceremony on October 12, 1991, officiated by Linda’s uncle, Les Toburen, at Les’s home in Salina, KS.

Bill and Linda began their married life in Lawrence, KS. In May of 1993, they welcomed a daughter, Morgan, into their lives. Bill loved being a dad and watching his daughter grow into a successful and happy adult. He was thrilled when, despite his cancer diagnosis, he was able to walk Morgan down the aisle in June of 2023 for her marriage to Riley Mellen.

Bill was a quiet, kind, contemplative man. He loved reading, music, and playing the guitar. No matter how crazy the world, Bill was thoughtful and measured when considering any issue. One of his favorite quotes was “we are not what we know, but what we are willing to learn.” In his last months, he spent many hours sitting on the front porch of his home south of Lawrence, listening to the birds and enjoying time with the many people who loved him.

Survivors include his wife, Linda, of the home; his daughter, Morgan Manger, and her husband, Riley Mellen, of Brooklyn, NY; his siblings, Eileen Burkart (Gary), Denise Staudenmyer (Dave), and Michael Manger (Sheryl); his brother- and sister-in-law, George and Marcia Troutfetter; many nieces and nephews and close friends. Bill was preceded in death by his father and mother, Ambrose and Marion Manger.

A memorial service followed by a celebration of Bill’s life will be held on Saturday, September, 7th from 4:00-6:00 at the Baker Wetlands Discovery Center.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions in Bill’s name to Beheadstrong.org or the Lawrence Public Library – www.lplff.org.

Larry “Gene” Sarlls

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Graveside services for Gene Sarlls will be held on Friday, August 16th, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at the Eudora City Cemetery: 2229 N. 1420 Road, Eudora, Kansas.

Gene passed away on Sunday, August 4th, 2024 at his home, surrounded by his family.

He was born in Anderson, Missouri to George and Wanda (Holt) Sarlls.

He attended school in the Lawrence area.

Gene loved the outdoors, camping, hunting, and occasionally fishing and doing yard work. He enjoyed making sure his yard looked nice. You could always find him out in his garage tinkering with something. He loved to watch westerns and was named after western actors, Gene Autry and Larry Munro. A genuinely good and kind man who always looked after his family, often putting them before himself and enjoyed spending time with his kids and grandkids. He worked for Stokely Van Camp and Square Shooters as a maintenance superintendent and could fix just about anything.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, and a son, William. He is survived by his wife, three children, seven grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, and sister.

He and his kind heart will be truly missed.

Khamhong (Hong) Leuaxay

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Services for Khamhong (Hong) Leuaxay, 53, of Lawrence, Kansas will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, August 10, 2024 at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home in Lawrence, Kansas.

Khamhong passed away Thursday, August 1, 2024 at his home in Lawrence, Kansas.

He lived a life filled with love, warmth, kindness, and humor, and he touched the lives of everyone he met.

Khamhong Leuaxay is the third child of Tom & Pak Leuaxay. He is survived by his older brothers, Khameng, Chanh, younger brothers Khampouh, Kham, and younger sisters, Sompong, Lam, & Noy. He is survived by his two daughters, Vanessa & Vanna, and his girlfriend Khong Pokphanh.

Hong and his brother, Chanh, fled persecution from the new regime in Laos to a refugee camp in Thailand in 1985. They remained at the camp for several years before coming to the United States on March 21, 1990. He eventually ended up settling in Olathe, Kansas.

Hong worked for Steel and Pipe Supply in Gardner, KS for 16 years, until his passing. He was a loyal employee, and he cherished the relationships he developed with his co-workers over the years.

He was an avid American Football fan, and he loved following the NFL with his friends and family every Sunday during the season. Another favorite pastime was spending time with Niel, Khong’s grandson, whom he loved, and held near and dear to his heart.

Khamhong was member of the Olathe Lao Buddhist Temple, and he was actively involved in the Kansas City Lao communities.

Throughout his 53 years, Khamhong embraced life with resilience, love, and an unwavering positive attitude. He was always seen with a smile on his face, and he was universally liked by all who had the pleasure to know him. He valued his family and friends above all else. Laughter and happiness followed Khamhong anywhere he would go, and he will be dearly missed.

Patricia E. Hoover

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Patricia Eileen Hoover, born on December 3, 1945, in Ottawa, Kansas, passed away peacefully on August 5, 2024, at Brookside Nursing Home in Overbrook, Kansas. She was the beloved daughter of Lawrence W. Mages and Marjorie Mckoon Mages.

Patricia attended Greendale Schoolhouse and Sacred Heart Middle School in Ottawa and graduated from Lawrence High School. It was in Lawrence that she met the love of her life, Carl Clarence Hoover, whom she married on November 27, 1965. They shared many wonderful years together until his passing in 1998.

Patricia dedicated a long career to the Lawrence Public Schools, where she worked in food services. She was known for her warm personality and her love of baking, a passion she shared with her family and friends. Her grandchildren were the light of her life, and she cherished every moment spent with them.

Patricia was preceded in death by her husband, Carl Clarence “Sonny” Hoover, her parents, Lawrence and Marjorie Mages, and her oldest brother, Paul Frederick Mages.

She is survived by her loving family: son David Hoover of Stanberry, Missouri; daughter Debbie Babbitt of Overbrook, Kansas; sister Vicki Isaacs of Lawrence, Kansas; and brother Larry Mages of Ottawa, Kansas. She also leaves behind her cherished grandchildren, Paytan Hoover of St. Joseph, Missouri, and Amy Hoover of Stanberry, Missouri; and great-grandchildren Alora Eileen Osborn and Ivy Pearl Gage. Patricia is also survived by her four step-grandchildren and ten great step-grandchildren, who brought joy to her later years.

Patricia’s legacy of love, kindness, and dedication to her family and community will be remembered by all who knew her. She will be deeply missed.

A visitation will take place on Thursday, August 8th, 2024 from 5:00PM-7:00PM at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home: 601 Indiana Street, Lawrence, KS 66044. Graveside services will take place the following day on Friday, August 9th, 2024 at 10:00AM at Washington Creek Cemetery: 609 E. 550th Road, Lawrence, Kansas 66047.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital:
https://www.stjude.org/give/memorials-and-dedications.html?sc_icid=wtg-mm-memorial-giving

James Donald Adams Sr.

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James Donald Adams Sr., age 73 of Winchester, passed away July 31, 2024. Jim was born March 19, 1951 in Odessa, Texas to parents Theron and Pat Adams. He was united in marriage to Jeanne Smith and they enjoyed 52 years of marriage. Jim worked for many years in the Auto-Body trade and was a longtime resident of the area. Jim also enjoyed flying remote-controlled airplanes. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
Jim was preceded in death by his wife, Jeanne in 2022 and also his parents. He is survived by two sons, James Jr. and Brian; one daughter, Tammy Lathrom; brothers, Steve, Bob and Bill Adams; grandchildren, Dylan, Tyler, Dakota, Rylan, Zach and Joely; four great grandchildren, Olivia, Journey, Allie and Jojo and a host of other relatives and friends. Private family services will be held at a later date. Arrangements are with Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home of Lawrence.

Laurance Lee (Larry) Rosdahl

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Laurance Lee (Larry) Rosdahl, 68, passed away peacefully on August 1, 2024 at Olathe Medical Center after complications from surgery. He was surrounded by his wife and family.

Larry was born March 21, 1956 as the youngest son of Lyle and Opal Rosdahl. He was raised in Nortonville, KS and attended Jefferson County schools. Graduating high school in 1974.

Larry Worked at Lawrence Paper Company for 46 years. Starting as a machine operator in the factory, moving into sales, and finishing his career in project management and customer service. He retired in April of 2021. He enjoyed playing golf, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.

He is survived by his wife Shelley, daughter Abby (Tony) Johnson, Minneapolis, son Drew (Julio), Lawrence, and granddaughters Carys & Mirabel of Minneapolis. Other survivors include his sister Ann Bertels (Richard), Nortonville, KS; Kent Rosdahl (Bonnie), Topeka, KS; Kathy Thompson (Phil), Tonganoxie, KS, his sister-in-law Glenice Rosdahl, San Antonio, as well as many, many nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews.

Preceded in death by his parents Lyle & Opal Rosdahl, brother Lyle Herman Rosdahl, and his first wife Margaret Thum Rosdahl McNeil.

He was affectionately tagged Crazy Old Uncle Larry (COUL) by his many nieces and nephews. Always the life of family holiday gatherings- he was secretly very proud of his nickname!

When Larry was ready to leave a party, everyone heard, “It’s Go Time, Shel”. Well, Larry, this will be your final “go time”.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Wednesday, August 14th, 2024 from 5:00PM-7:00PM in Sully’s Bar & Grill at The Jayhawk Club: 1809 Birdie Way, Lawrence, Kansas. A celebratory toast will occur at 6:00PM. Casual/golf attire suggested.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to The Lawrence Humane Society, where his wife adopted his two “beloved” cats, Rowdy & Roxie. Donations may be made here: https://www.classy.org/give/409518/#!/donation/checkout