Author: RumseyYost

Gwendolyn Rosalie Larson

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Services for Gwendolyn Rosalie Larson, 101, will be 2pm Saturday February 24, 2024 at First Presbyterian Church.

Gwendolyn Rosalie Larson, born on January 14, 1923, in Leoti, KS, passed away on February 16, 2024, in Lawrence, KS.

Gwen is survived by her devoted children, daughter Jill Larson-Bradney (Ed), son Warren “Mike” Larson (Georgia), four grandchildren, Michael (Janay), Amanda (Nate), Josh (Dawn) and Tyler (Lindsey) and five great-grandchildren (Gavin, Ashley, Carson Lauren and Karmann). She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, E. L. “Bud” Larson.

A proud graduate of Salina High School in 1941. She met the love her life, Bud, when she and a friend had a flat tire and Bud stopped to help change the tire. Gwen was a “Rosie Riveter” during WWII in Cheyenne, Wyo. and Glendale, Calif.

After the war on August 7, 1946, she and Bud eloped to Abilene, KS. Bud borrowed $100 from a friend for them to spend a week in Kansas City. They stayed at the Aladdin Hotel and had Gwen’s favorite, Orange Julius’, during their stay. Bud brought back change from their stay!

She dedicated 20 years of her life as a Certified Physical Therapist Assistant. Her compassionate care touched the lives of many patients at Labette Health Hospital in Parsons, KS, and Ascension Via Christi St. Francis in Wichita, KS.

Gwen was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church in Parsons, Wichita, and Lawrence, KS, where she found solace and community. Her faith was a guiding light throughout her life.

Gwen was an avid sports fan and loved KU Football and Basketball and the KC Royals. She also watched many, many softball games while following her daughter.

A celebration of Gwen’s life will take place on Saturday, 2 PM February 24, 2024, at the First Presbyterian Church in Lawrence, KS. Friends and family are invited to join in commemorating her legacy.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests charitable donations be made to the First Presbyterian Church, Lawrence, KS, or St. Croix Hospice in Gwen’s honor.

The Larson family extends heartfelt gratitude to the caring staff at Brandon Woods and St. Croix Hospice for their unwavering support during Gwen’s final days.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home. For condolences and additional information, please contact the funeral home directly.

In honoring Gwen’s memory, let us remember her warmth, kindness, dedication, and the love she shared with all who were fortunate enough to know her. May she rest in eternal peace.

Viki Royer Peterson

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Viki Royer Peterson, born March 4, 1952, died February 16, 2024 in Bonner Springs, Kansas.

Her parents were Jack & Jenny Royer of Abilene, Kansas. She grew up in Abilene and graduated from Abilene High School. She moved to Lawrence in 1971 and attended the University of Kansas.

She worked in the legal field for most of her life, as well as volunteering in the oncology department at Lawrence Memorial Hospital for several years.

She was previously married before going on to marry Dale (Peto) Peterson in 1999, who preceded her in death.

Viki is survived by her partner John P. Biggs, Lawrence, daughter Vanessa Royer Warren (Levi), Overland Park, brother Lance Royer (Bo), Topeka, and granddaughters Nathalie Royer Chow Yuen, Lea Marie Royer, and Emme Lee Royer Denham, all of Overland Park.

Private family graveside services to be held later at Abilene City Cemetery.

Family suggests memorial contributions be given to Lawrence Humane Society and may be sent in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home (601 Indiana St Lawrence, Kansas 66044).

Rosa Lee Gleeson

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A visitation for Rosa Gleeson will be Sunday, February 18, 2024 from 3:00PM-5:00PM at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home. A private family graveside will take place at a later time.

Rosa L. “Sug” Gleeson died on February 16, 2024, after a long battle with Dementia. Sug, her nickname from birth, was born in August 1930 to Alpha L. Rowland and Eva L. (Pool) Rowland in Milburn, Oklahoma. She was raised on the family ranch in a two-bedroom house along with three sisters and four brothers. Two siblings died in infancy.

As a child and adolescent, Sug learned the value of hard work by picking cotton, milking cows, driving the hay truck, harvesting peanuts, and plowing fields. At a grand height of not quite 5’0” she played basketball for Milburn High School. She carried that competitive work ethic throughout her life and could work most of us under the table until she was well into her 80’s.

After moving to Liberal, Kansas to live with one of her sisters, Sug met and married Pat Gleeson. Sug never worked outside of the home after Mark was born until Nancy left home to attend college. She did, however, work tirelessly in the home cooking, gardening, canning, doing laundry, attending sporting and music events, and entertaining friends everywhere they lived.

She is preceded in death by husband Pat, her parents, and 8 siblings. She is survived by her sister, Mattie Lou Cooper (Oklahoma); children Nancy (Joe) Scanlan (Sebastian, Florida), and Mark (Mary-Nell) Gleeson; grandson Benjamin (Kate) Gleeson and great granddaughter Louise Gleeson (Lawrence, Kansas); and grandson Samuel (Megan) Gleeson (Lawrence, Kansas). Sug always considered herself fortunate to have had loving relationship with her many in-laws, nieces, and nephews, and with longtime friends from the Kansas City area and around the country.

Sug’s life lessons: Get together often with family and friends. Eat well. Drink good wine. Get an education. Work hard. Never accept the first offer, and never hesitate to return an item, even if it’s wall-to-wall carpet or a car, if you are just not satisfied.

Sug will be buried next to her beloved husband, Pat, in a private ceremony.

In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes gifts to Pioneer Ridge Assisted Living in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home. These gifts will be used to support the compassionate and dedicated Pioneer Ridge personnel who are pursuing advanced degrees and certifications. The care she received at Pioneer Ridge Assisted Living contributed greatly to the quality of Sug’s life and to her family’s comfort and peace of mind.

Dr. Dick Blaylock Tracy

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Services for Dick Blaylock Tracy will be held on Saturday March 23, 2024 at 10:00am at Trinity Episcopal Church, 1011 Vermont St., in Lawrence with a reception to follow. Inurnment will be in the Columbarium located in the Matthews Chapel following the service. Dr. Tracy died on February 13, 2024 at Menorah Medical Center.

He was born on October 9, 1936, in Rice County, Kansas, the second son of Henry Franklin and Lucy Irene Tracy. He graduated from Bushton Rural High School in Bushton, Kansas, in 1954. In 1958 he graduated from Kansas University with a BS degree in education. In 1966 he graduated with a Pd.D degree from Kansas University in Educational Measurement and Evaluation.

Dick married Rita Vanessa Schreiber in Leavenworth, Kansas on May 29, 1964. He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Rita, his parents, Buck and Lucy Tracy, his brother, the Rev. Max Thomas Tracy, his sister-in-law, Judith Tracy, and his niece, Mary Tracy Slusser (husband Christopher Slusser also deceased). Survivors include his daughter, Vanessa Milota (husband Barry), his grandson, Joshua Milota, and his niece Ellen Tracy.

Dr. Tracy was a public school teacher in Shawnee County from 1958 to 1963. He joined the faculty of the College of Education at The Ohio University in 1966. He subsequently served on the faculty of the Department of Educational Psychology and Research at the University of Kansas from 1970 until his retirement in 2000. He was a member of The American Educational Research Association and the America Psychological Association. In 1993 he received the Chancellor’s Award for service on behalf of the University.

Dr. Tracy was a members of Trinity Episcopal Church in Lawrence for many years and served in many ministries. He and his wife Rita were both ordained by The Right Reverend William E. Smalley to the Sacred Order of Deacons on September 9, 2000. He has served as an active deacon at Trinity Episcopal Church in Lawrence since his ordination.

The family suggests memorials to Trinity Episcopal Church or to the Lawrence Community Shelter, sent in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home. P.O box 1260, Lawrence, KS 66044.

Michael William Hegeman

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Services for Michael W. Hegeman, 61, Lawrence will be Friday Feb. 16, 2024, at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 10-11 a.m, the funeral service will be from 11-12. Burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery with Military Honors.

Mr. Hegeman died Monday Feb. 12, 2024, peacefully at his home with his wife by his side.

He was born March 6th 1962 in Lawrence, the son of William (Bill) Wallace Hegeman Jr. and Georgina (Jean) Hegeman. He graduated from Lawrence High School in 1980.

Michael Served in the Navy from 1980-1984. He worked for the City of Lawrence for 32 years before he retired. Mike was a huge outdoors man who loved fishing, hunting and trapping. Learning about history and doing genealogy. He was a huge Chiefs fan.

Michael married Vicki Lane on March 5, 1997. They were married 27 years and together 30. She survives in the home.

Other survivors include his daughter Sara (Matt) Hegeman, Chris (Julia) Lane, and Brandon Hegeman. Grandson Corbin Michael, his dog Charlotte. Michael’s dad William Hegeman, sisters Becky (Steve) Grammer, Annette (Tom) Glahn, Lisa Zwiener and brother Mark (Melinda) Hegeman. Michael also had several nieces and nephews.

The family suggests memorials be made to Kansas Wildlife Association, P.O. Box 1260, Lawrence, Kansas 66044.

Frederick F Lehman

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Services for Frederick F. Lehman Jr., 92, Lawrence, will be at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, February 17th, 2024 at Immanuel Lutheran Church. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery, Lawrence, KS.  Mr. Lehman died Sunday, February 11th, 2024 in Hospice care at Pioneer Ridge Care Facility.  He was born November 7th, 1931, in Westphalia, KS, the son of Frederick F. and Ida Rahmier Lehman. He attended Coffey County rural school and graduated from the 8th grade in 1945.  Fred served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and was stationed in Europe. Mr. Lehman worked for The Daily Republican in Burlington, KS after serving in the military. He also played baseball for the local traveling team from Aliceville, KS. Fred spent 45 years at Allen Press in Lawrence, KS as a pressman and foreman, retiring in 2005. Fred was a member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church.
He married Jo Ann Williams on July 13th, 1952, in Aliceville, KS. Fred and Jo moved to Lawrence, KS in 1961. She preceded him in death in 2015. Other survivors include a son, Andy (wife Brandi), Kansas City; a daughter Michelle Thacker (husband Rodney), Hays, KS; a daughter Jessica Harris (husband Tom), Lawrence; a son, Christopher Umbernower, Lawrence; three sisters and five grandchildren. Fred and Jo opened their home to foster care for over twenty years providing shelter, care and love to dozens of children in need.  Fred was blessed with 92 active years. He enjoyed his grandchildren, going to baseball games and estate sales. Fred was an avid follower of Jayhawk sports. He was the best dad, respected friend, loving husband and truly the nicest man you would ever meet.  The family suggests memorials to the church, sent in care of the funeral home.  Online condolences may be sent at www.rumsey-yost.com.

Jean Alice Gould

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Jean Alice Gould, 69, was born in Reading, KS on February 18th, 1954 and passed peacefully in her sleep at home on February 6th, 2024 in Lawrence, KS.

Jean’s parents, George and Ruth Ford, gave her a quintessential rural upbringing along with her three brothers, Tom, Pat, and Mike on a farm outside of Reading. They regularly attended the Baptist church and were active members of the community. When she was old enough, Jean was often the church accompanist. Her talent for piano was also called upon at school where she accompanied the school choir.

After she graduated in 1972, she continued her music education when she attended Southwestern College in Winfield, KS. In addition to piano, she considered a degree in Home Economics but eventually settled on Education with an emphasis in English Language Arts.

While student teaching in downtown Wichita–a shock for Jean, who was accustomed to small town people and wide open spaces–she learned of the Baha’i Faith. The Faith would go on to shape every aspect of her life. She became an enthusiastic, highly devout believer, and she made it her life’s mission to be an exemplary Baha’i and to share this great blessing with everyone.

After surviving student teaching, Jean took a job at the Youth Center, a school for delinquent boys, in Topeka. In her words, “[…] the classes were small, the discipline strict, and I soon discovered that after growing up wild on the prairie with my three brothers, teaching at the youth center didn’t feel that much different from home” (Gould 8).

While there she met Ron, who was a cottage parent not an inmate as they liked to joke. After a brief courtship, Ron and Jean wed on December 29th, 1977. They would go on to stand by each other’s sides for the next 46 years. Soon after marrying, Ron and Jean decided that city life wasn’t for them, so they relocated to Winfield. There they welcomed their children, Elizabeth, Jon, and Ellen, whom Jean stayed home with until they were school aged. At that point she returned
to her teaching career, but in a new capacity, as the English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher for the Winfield school district. During their 17 years in Winfield, Jean was part of the bedrock of the community both in the Baha’i community and in welcoming and caring for her students’ families, many of whom were Laotian immigrants.

In 1996, Ron’s career took the Goulds to Halstead, KS. At that time, Jean decided that she was ready for a career change herself and began teaching piano. As was her way, she built yet another beloved community around her piano families, and she created a fledgling Baha’i community as well. As she would tell you herself, she was always teaching the Faith.

In 2006, Ron and Jean left Halstead for an unexpected adventure in Chicago. Both of them took jobs with the Baha’i National Center, and Jean experienced her first office job, which, after the restrictive experience of public school, in her words was “a revelation” in its flexibility. During that time she deepened even more in the Faith and became an expert in Baha’i law.

However, in 2013, Jean was called back to Kansas to care for her grandchildren. Care and support of her children and grandchildren was always her first priority in life. She was so dedicated to them that she was willing to spend a year and a half living separately from Ron until he returned to his previous career in Kansas and came home.

Over the next eleven years, Ron and Jean tried a few different homes in a few different towns: Bel Aire, Halstead, Hesston, and then Lawrence. During that time, Jean poured her love over her family right up until the moment she passed.

All through her life, Jean put her whole self into every activity she did. She continued to play piano, she created beautiful quilts and embroidery, she was an avid cook, she was a writer, and she likely could have had degrees in natural medicine and the art of Feng Shui. Bridge was an important pastime for her off and on, especially in the last five years.

Jean was passionate, stalwart and full of life. She was the ultimate hostess and wanted everyone to feel welcomed.

Jean leaves behind her husband, Ron, their children: daughter, Elizabeth; son Jon and wife, Sarah; and daughter Ellen and husband, Matt. As well as her grandchildren: Ethan, Beau, Ava, Piper, and Xander. Additionally, she’s survived by her two brothers, Tom and Pat and their families, in addition to numerous cousins. And finally all of the friends that she made in every place that she lived.

Jean is preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Mike.

Jean’s family held an intimate graveside service on Thursday, February 8th, 2024 at the Oak Hill Cemetery in Lawrence, KS. A family memorial service will be held later this month.

Jean adored fresh flowers. If loved ones would like, they can send arrangements to 1603 Brandon Woods Ct, Lawrence, KS 66047, by Saturday, February 17th, 2024 which the family will enjoy at her memorial service the following day. Cards would also be welcomed, especially if they share their favorite memory of Jean.

Betty Jane Mitscher

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Betty Jane Mitscher, of Shawnee and a longtime Lawrence resident and devoted mother, died peacefully following a brief illness on Thursday at her home with her family by her side.

She is survived by her sons, Kurt and his spouse, Karen of Olathe, KS, Mark, and his spouse Janet, of Shawnee, KS, and her grandchildren Mary Mitscher and Pat McKenney, Trevor Mitscher, and Shayla and Steven Clark. She had multiple nieces, Micki Tugenburg, Linda Fleming, Katherine Beach, Suzanne McRoberts, and Jill Roberts, of whom she was very fond. She was proceeded in death by her husband of over 60 years, Dr. Lester A. Mitscher, her daughter Katrina, her parents and her two brothers, Louis and Alan McRoberts.

Betty was born on November 3, 1931, in Ferndale, MI. She was the first child of Louise (Thomas) and John McRoberts. She excelled in Academics and Athletics at Ferndale High School and completed her teaching degree at Wayne State University. She met her future husband during her Freshman year, and they married upon graduation. After graduation she taught in the Detroit School District, until pregnancy forced her to resign. She then joined her husband in the labs at Wayne State University specializing in chemical analytics. Throughout the years, she assisted Les in his work, especially internationally.

Betty was a consummate host, often hosting University parties and graduate students both as a chef and pastry maker. Her Christmas cookie trays were legendary, and she shared that passion with Janet, Mary, and Shayla. She loved skiing and annual trips were highlights of the year, as were canoeing adventures in the Ozarks. Les and Betty loved to travel the world, often on month long adventures and they were most happy on Safari’s in Africa. Betty excelled at Needlepoint and was very generous in gifting her work.

More than anything else in life, she maintained exacting standards for herself, her family and her friends, which led to countless lifelong friendships. Those who knew her best cared greatly for her. She had a great love for the University of Kansas and established Scholarships for the band, pharmacy, and engineering. She also greatly admired the Kansas Rugby Team and her donations helped build locker rooms and other facilities for the team.

Visitation will be at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home from 6PM-8PM on Wednesday, February 14th . Private graveside services for the family and close friends will take place the following day at Oak Hill Cemetery. The family requests that donations be made via Rumsey-Yost to Monarch Hospice, which provided her with dignity and love in her last days.