Category: Obituaries

Mary Ann Stewart

Posted on by RumseyYost

Mary Ann Stewart, Lawrence, came to the end of her remarkable life on December 13, 2021.

Born January 26, 1950, to Ruth (Inman) and August Stewart, Mary Ann was raised on the family’s dairy and grain farm near Independence, Kansas.

She was curious, intelligent, beautiful and talented in many ways.  As a youth, she was active in 4-H, Girl Scouts and music; she played the piano and violin.  She was an excellent student.

After high school, Mary Ann came to the University of Kansas as an Honors student.  Her early studies yielded a degree in English in 1970.  During this time, she made many extraordinary life-long friends.

And speaking of friends:  Mary Ann’s friends range from toddlers to folks several years her senior.  She was open, interested, eager to learn.

During the adventure of her life, she was married to George Kimball.  They lived in Gloucester, Mass.; Somerville, Mass.; New York, NY; and Washington, DC.  They later divorced.

In her adulthood, Mary Ann returned to the University and became a Professional Civil Engineer.  She was an Air Quality Engineer for EPA; a scientific investigator for Midwest Research Institute; worked extensively in the field of map conversion as technology shifted from paper maps to digital, working with utilities corporations to keep their resources “found,” and many other critical tasks made necessary as technology has evolved. She founded an independent consulting company, Mary Ann Stewart Engineering LLC, using her writing and engineering skills to assist other engineering firms.

Among Mary Ann’s life-long passions are Aikido, which she helped establish here in Lawrence, various yoga practices, her religious beliefs and practices in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, gardening and music.  Mary Ann developed a passion for playing the trumpet, had good teachers, worked hard, and had a ball.  She dearly loved the New Horizons band, jamming with friends, celebrating Carnaval, or any other chance to play music together.  She has written all her life and was a delighted participant in a local writers’ group.

She was also an avid sailor and kayaker.

As with many of her passions, Mary Ann taught Aikido, sailing, yoga and mathematics. Sharing the learning was always a big part of the fun.

A friend said, “They broke the mold when Mary Ann was born.”  There never was a mold.  She was an absolute one-off, unique, wonderful, brilliant masterpiece who lived her life with remarkable, firm and confident authenticity.  An honor to know.

There will be a celebration of Mary Ann’s life, later in the Spring.

Memorial donations to the Lawrence Public Library can be made online at LPLFF.org or by sending a check to: LPL Friends & Foundation, 707 Vermont Street, Lawrence KS 66044.

Helen Delores Hess

Posted on by RumseyYost

Visitation will be held for Helen Delores Hess, between 2:00 and 4:00 p.m. at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home on Sunday, January 23, 2022. Graveside services for Helen will be held at 11:00 a.m., January 24, 2022, at Underwood Cemetery, 14828 Highway 24, Perry, Kansas. She passed away at her home surrounded by family on January 19, 2022.

Helen was born on January 7, 1932, to Thomas McCall and Waneta McCall Deskins in Lawrence Kansas. She married Albert E. Hess. They celebrated 72 years of marriage on June 25, 2021. He survives of the home.

Other survivors include her children, David Hess (Becky Hess) of Magazine, Arkansas and Lisa Goetz (Morey Goetz) of Austin, Texas, her grandchildren, Carey Hess Clemons, Brian Hess, Drew Hess, Jacob Hess, Jeremy Hess, Bethany Hess, Adam Hess, Sarah Hess, Dustin Hess, Jonathan Hess, Scott Goetz and Kelly Goetz. She had 16 great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her sons, Dale Hess (Mary Luanne Hess) and Larry Hess (Catherine Hess).

Helen was a devoted wife and loving mother. She was the matriarch of the family and passed along her wisdom when asked. Helen was a devout Christian who spent her life living what she believed. She was a member and fellowshipped at First Church of the Nazarene. Helen worked at Hallmark Cards located in Lawrence, Kansas for 22 years in many different departments. She then worked at Dillons and Weaver’s after retirement.

Helen was quick to laugh and hug. She was patient and generous. She found great joy in her family, especially her children, grandchildren and great-grand-children. Helen loved to quilt and created several works of pure art over the years. If you were lucky you would open up one of these treasures as a gift. Helen was a woman of great faith and strength.

She will be missed and thought of often by those who were blessed enough to be in her circle of love.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in her name to First Church of the Nazarene Tusouge Ministries and may be sent in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home.

Elizabeth M. ‘Elsie’ Campbell

Posted on by RumseyYost

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date in Arlington Heights, Illinois for Elizabeth M. ‘Elsie’ Campbell, 84, Lawrence, who passed away Monday, January 17, 2022, at LMH Health.

She was born March 1, 1937, in Cincinnati, Ohio, the daughter of Heinz and Marianne Strohmeier Muehlenschulte. She earned a Master’s degree and worked in public schools as a nurse.

Her husband Erwin survives of the home. A son Mike and a daughter Sue also survive.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Arthritis Foundation or your own favorite charity would be appreciated.

More information will appear here later.

Alice Marion Woellner

Posted on by RumseyYost

Alice Marion Woellner, daughter of Halvor Bratlie and Gertrude Mae Good, was born on May 21, 1933, in International Falls, Minnesota. She passed away on January 18, 2022, at her home, in Lawrence, Kansas, surrounded by her loving family.

Alice spent most of her career in food and beverage service. A great deal of her life was lived in Omaha, Nebraska. She also spent thirty-one years living in Gunnison, Colorado, happily married to the love of her life Horst Woellner and has lived the last seven years of her life in Lawrence, Kansas.

Alice was preceded in death by her parents, brothers and sisters, and her husband Horst Woellner. She was also preceded in death by her son Rick Newman and daughter Linda Dougherty. Survivors include daughter, Susan Mainland and husband Martin of Grants Pass, Oregon; son, Arnold Jacobsen and wife Ronelle of Branson West, Missouri; son, Terry Jacobsen and wife Robin of Lawrence, Kansas; daughter, Kim Bergstrom of Omaha Nebraska; daughter, Robin Droz of Omaha, Nebraska; 18 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild.

There will be a Celebration of Life Service on Thursday January 20, 11:00 a.m. at River City Church, 3100 Lawrence Ave, Lawrence KS. The family respectfully requests social distancing and masks. The service will be streamed at the following address: findandfollowjesus.org/memorial

Memorial contributions are suggested to Douglas County Visiting Nurses Association.

 

Bernard F. Droste (Ben)

Posted on by RumseyYost

Bernard F. Droste (Ben), 78, passed away unexpectedly, at his home in Lawrence, Kansas. He was born February 18, 1943, in Dodge City, Kansas to Edward and Mary (Bieberly)Droste.

Ben married Charlene Werth on September 5, 1970, in Hays, Kansas. He attended grade school and high school in Spearville, Kansas. He received his bachelor’s degree from Fort Hays State University and his master’s degrees from the University of Kansas, Lawrence and Emporia State University, Emporia.

He spent his teaching career in the De Soto School district, Desoto, Kansas. During the summer months he owned and operated a custom harvesting business which took him from Texas to the Canadian border.

Survivors include his wife, a brother, Lester (Bernice)Droste, Wichita, Kansas and a sister Karen Matthews, Manhattan, Kansas, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Ben was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers Donald and Chester and a sister Betty McCall.

Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 22, 2022, at Saint John the Baptist Catholic Church in Spearville, Kansas, a rosary will proceed the funeral mass at 9:45 a.m. The family requests attendees wear a mask. Inurnment will be at a later date.  Due to Covid concerns there will not be a gathering after the services.

Memorials may be made to Saint John the Baptist Church, Spearville or Windhorst Heritage Inc, Windhorst, Kansas in care of the funeral home.

 

Galen H. White

Posted on by RumseyYost

Services for Galen H. White, 83, Lawrence, will be private.

Mr. White died Saturday, January 15, 2022, at LMH Health.

Galen was born January 24, 1938, in Topeka, Kansas. The son of Arthur H. and Genevieve Fay White.

He graduated from Lawrence High School class of 1956 and went on to study at Kansas University.

Mr. White Served in the United States Army and later as a staff Sargent in the Army Reserves.

He often spoke of his memories of helping build Lawrence Drag Strip and working at Pippert’s Auto Parts prior to going to work for the United States Post Office as a mail carrier for over 40 years. After retirement he worked as a crossing guard for Lawrence Police Department.

Galen was an avid scuba diver recording over 250 dives all over the world including his favorite, Truk Lagoon.

He married Sharon K Snavely in 1961 they were married for 46 years. While married he became one of Jehovah’s Witnesses and enjoyed building the local Kingdom Hall and Picnics with his spiritual Brothers and Sisters.

Survivors include one son, Warren White and wife Demetria of Lawrence; two granddaughters, Maliya and Zoey White.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

The family suggests memorial contributions to Visiting Nurses, sent in care of the funeral home.

Philip Kent (Phil) Kuhnert

Posted on by RumseyYost

Philip Kent Kuhnert passed away surrounded by family at home on January 11, 2022. He was born on March 20, 1952 in St. Joseph, Missouri and was the oldest of five children of Arthur L. and Darlien (McNett) Kuhnert.

He grew up in Atchison, Kansas. He was a man of many talents. After high school, Phil began the first of his many careers—upholsterer and first-responder in Sabetha, Kansas then Franklin County, Kansas. Phil received his EMICT from Johnson County Community College in 1983. He went on to actively serve for Douglas County Ambulance Service then served as Captain for Lawrence Fire and Medical. He not only was a paramedic; he was a business man where he owned Phil’s Upholstery and Trim for ten years. His distinguished medical and fire career encompassed over 30 years where he received numerous awards. Phil retired in 2007. However, in retirement, he decided to go back to work. He worked for Douglas County Sheriff’s office as a lobby/registration officer, foster-parent for KVC Kansas, classroom volunteer for Pinckney and Deerfield Elementary Schools, and was Santa Claus at Lawrence area shelters.

Phil met Brenda in 1983. Between them they raised seven children. Although times were tough, they made sure everyone had what they needed. Family was his priority and he made sure to do something special for each and every one of his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren; whether it was buying someone a special candy they loved, making holiday treats for the classrooms, or taking time out of his busy day to help take care of them when they needed him. He always went above and beyond for the holidays; making cookies and his famous beef jerky, taking meals to work so his co-workers could enjoy a nice dinner, and getting items for families in need, including adopting families at Christmastime and throughout the year.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Darlien Kuhnert. He is survived by his wife, Brenda (Helm) Kuhnert; children, Matthew (Kimberly) Kuhnert, David (Monica) Kuhnert, Genée (Steve) Figuieras, Misty (Steven) Yeahpau, Brandy (Art) Martinez, Jessica (Tom) Finch, and Jamie (Raymond) McPherson; grandchildren, Ethan, Kimberly, Trenton, Tyler, Brittany (Jesse), Oreana (Metgut), Conner (Kaitlyn), Isaac, Maxine, Isabella, José, Sissy, Kayelia, Babie, Ava, Haileigh, Sabrina, and Maddy; great-grandchildren, Macy, Daniel, Ryker, and Tucker; siblings, Steven (Kitty) Kuhnert, Billy (Debbie) Kuhnert, Beverly Beaver, and Becky (Terry) Mills; and many nieces and nephews; however, anyone that Phil met, he considered them family.

Family will receive well-wishers on Monday, January 17, 2022 starting at 1:00 pm followed by a Celebration of Life Service at 2:00 pm at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, 601 Indiana, Lawrence, Kansas 66044. Inurnment will be held at a later time. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Visiting Nurses’ Association and/or the McSwain Foundation.

Jerold Lee ‘Jerry’ Aldridge

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Inurnment services with military honors at Leavenworth National Cemetery will be announced at a later date for Jerold Lee ‘Jerry’ Aldridge, 79, Eudora, who passed away Sunday, January 9, 2022, at LMH Health.

He was born August 14, 1942, in Cabool, Mo., the son of Carl E. and Sophia Marie Crossland Aldridge. He was raised in Mountain Grove, Mo., and served in the United States Army. He later worked for many years at K Mart Distribution Center.

Jerry married Sherry L. Manning on August 4, 1967, who survives of the home. He is also survived by a daughter Christina Aldridge, a son Michael Aldridge four grandchildren, Brandon Wiggins (Kegan), Cameron P.L. Bricker, Devon Kuzinski, and Brooke Abram, and one great grandchild, Nolan Wiggins. James and Anne Tarwater and Sarah and Brent Sarlls and children were a huge part of his life as well. He was preceded in death by two brothers and three sisters.

He loved his mother so much, and they are now together again. He was kind, caring, and had the biggest heart. Jerry worked hard for his family – the family that brought him so much joy.