Category: Obituaries

Stuart B. (Stu) Harwood

Posted on by RumseyYost

Graveside inurnment for Stuart B. (Stu) Harwood, 62, Lawrence, will be 2 pm, Friday, October 1, 2021, at Oak Hill Cemetery.

He died at home Sept 17th of an apparent heart attack.

Stuart was born April 12th 1959 at Lawrence Memorial Hospital  to Winston B Harwood and Harriet Ruth Harwood (Reisner).

He was preceded in death by both parents, a brother, Kevin Scott Harwood and his beloved   pooch Miss Murphy.

He is survived by two brothers, Robert W. Harwood, Douglas E. Harwood  and wife  Laura Lee of Lawrence, as well as their children, niece,   Allison M. Harwood, Mission Ks.  and Shawn Harwood  of Lawrence.   A sister, Harriet J. Harwood of Dallas. Nephews Samuel L. Harwood and wife Jennica Wessels Harwood and nephews Bennett, Beckham, Bowen and a niece, Ellison Harwood.  All of  Lawrence. And another niece  Haley G. Harwood, and sister in law Susan Harwood both of Shawnee, Ks.

Visitation will be from 12 noon to 1;45 P.M. at the funeral home with graveside services  to  follow At Oak Hill Cemetery . A  Celebration of Life will be held immediately following the graveside service at Empire, 925 Iowa Suite ‘P’. In the Hillcrest Shopping center. Light food will be served along with a cash bar.  Time will be provided for friends and family to share good memories and ‘Stu’ Stories during this time. (He would tell one on you and he would appreciate the same in return from the many who loved and shared many an adventure and laugh with him.)

Stuart received a Bachelors Degree of General Studies form Kansas University. He later returned  to K.U. and earned a second degree in Communications. Stu owned and operated Stu’s Midtown Tavern in the Hillcrest Shopping Center  as a premier Blues and Jazz venue for more than 10 years. Prior to that he managed the family business, Harwood’s Inc. Stuart was one of a number of  original organizers of the Lawrence St Patricks’ Day Parade. He was a volunteer for  Headquarters Crisis Center for a time.  He had a gift for hearing other peoples problems from their heart to his.  He was an intense Kansas University of Kansas fan and Alumni. Loyal no matter how things were going in the sports world.

Stuart received many awards from local civic and non profit organizations for his many contributions’ here in Lawrence. He was a longtime member of the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce and served as an Envoy to the Chamber for a time. Stu rarely met a stranger. He drew energy, strength and  purpose from  those around him. Stuart will be sorely missed by his family and many, many, friends.   If you are unable to attend the visitation and  grave side service,  PLEASE stop by Empire after services to say hello and have a bite to eat and a drink in his memory..

Memorial contributions may be made to the Lawrence Humane Society, P.O. Box 1260 Lawrence, Kansas 66044.

Julia Brooks

Posted on by RumseyYost

Julia Brooks, 98, long time Lawrence resident, died Friday, September 17, at Brookside Manor in Overbrook, KS.

Julia was born in Richland, Kansas, on December 18, 1922 to Charles and Maude Allbaugh.  She graduated from Overbrook High School and attended Emporia State Teachers College.

She was married to Byron Brooks on May 8, 1943.  They shared nearly 64 years of marriage until his death in 2007.

She is survived by 3 sons, Mark (Susie), Carl (Nancy), and Bruce (Shelley, deceased), 6 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren and 1 great great grandchild and many neices and nephews.

Julia was an avid bridge player, having earned the rank of life master.  She was also a gardener.  She had a large garden in North Lawrence, and on the family farm in Baldwin, for many years.  Julia was a driver of Meals on Wheels for years and was a faithful member of Plymouth Congregational Church and the Baldwin First United Methodist Church, during her time in Baldwin City.  She spend many of her retirement years following the activities of her grandchildren.  She was unfailingly loyal to her family and enjoyed all of their successes.

Memorial services are pending.

Memorial contributions should be made to Lawrence Habitat for Humanity, sent in care of the funeral home.

Martha Jean ‘Marcie’ Clester

Posted on by RumseyYost

Services for Martha “Marcie” Jean Clester, 93, will be at 10:30 am on Wednesday, September 22nd at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Lawrence, KS. Burial will take place at 2:15 pm in Mount Hope Cemetery, Topeka, KS.

She died Tuesday, September 14, 2021 in Lawrence, KS.

Martha was born April 14, 1928 in Deerfield, KS – the daughter of Carl and Stella (Hutton) Marquardt. She graduated from St. John’s Academy in Winfield, KS in 1946. She attended Southwestern College in Winfield, KS and became a Medical Technologist.

Martha worked as a Medical Technologist at Snyder Clinic in Winfield, KS and at Cotton O’Neil/Stormont Vail in Topeka, KS. She worked until she was 84, after returning to work from retirement.

Martha married Robert R. Clester on May 30, 1948 in Winfield, KS. He preceded her in death in 2004.

Survivors include a daughter, Marsha Schwyhart, Lawrence, KS; one brother, Richard Marquardt, Hugoton, KS; three granddaughters, Heather Lambert, Cari Simons, and Katie Newell, Lawrence, KS; and five great-grandchildren, Peyton, Logan, Lukas, Lilly, and Emma, Lawrence, KS.

Martha enjoyed dancing, traveling, gardening, and KU Basketball. She is perhaps most well known for her ability to host and entertain, whether it be a holiday party or an apple-picking gathering in their orchard.

Memorial donations can be made to Immanuel Lutheran Church in Lawrence, in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, 601 Indiana St., Lawrence, KS, 66044.

Donald Richard (Don) Grammer

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Graveside services for Donald Richard (Don) Grammer, 80, Baldwin City, will be 1 pm, Monday, September 20, 2021, at Pleasant Hill Cemetery.

Donald R. Grammer passed away peacefully and comforted by his family on September 13, 2021 at LMH Hospital, after his battle with lung cancer.

He was born August 31, 1941, the son of Samuel and Ruth May Grammer. He graduated from Vinland High School in 1959 and went into the Air Force from 1962-1970, which included a one year tour of Vietnam.  In 1974, he opened a car repair business, Don’s Automotive Center, which his son still runs.

In 1980 he married Joyce Davis Foster and they were together 41 years. She survives of the home.

Other survivors include his sons, Michael, Kevin, Matt, daughters April, Julie and Susan, sister Sandy Donner Hedgpeth, 11 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother Fred, and a beloved daughter Sherrie Lynn Grammer Wood.

There will be a visitation on Monday from 12-12:45 at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, with burial following at Pleasant Hill Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in Don’s name to the American Cancer Society in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1260 Lawrence, Kansas 66044.

Betty Louise Ireland

Posted on by RumseyYost

Graveside services for Betty Louise Ireland, 90, Hutchinson, will be 10 am, Saturday, September 18, 2021, at Reno Cemetery, Reno, KS.

Betty Louise Ireland was born October 11, 1930 in Kansas City, Kansas. She passed to life eternal on September 13, 2021 in Hutchinson, Kansas.

Betty Lou was raised in the Lawrence/Reno area and attended Lawrence High School. She held numerous jobs as a waitress, but the majority of her time was spent raising her seven children, mostly on a farm near Baldwin. She later spent time in Texas, McLouth, KS, back to Baldwin and finally settled in Hutchinson.

Betty had varied passions in life. At a young age she learned to play guitar and shared her love of country music singing for family and friends, and performing in multiple venues. She loved birdwatching and for years raised canaries and finches. She loved  ALL animals and found great companionship in pets — including the robotic cat which meowed and talked to her in the nursing home. She collected dolls and was an avid reader to her final days. She expressed deep emotions in writing poetry.

Betty’s greatest passion was for her family. She loved displaying photos, from generations past to the newest great-great grandchild. She considered many friends as “adopted” family and maintained those relationships across the miles with great effort in old-style contact by cards and handwritten letters.

She was preceded in death by her husbands, her son Stephen Perdue, granddaughter Kimberly Miller Stokes, and grandson Bradley Perdue.

She is survived by daughters Sandee Kennedy, Pamela Miller, Deana Perdue, Betsy Perdue and Rhonda Scherff (Ross); son Jeff Perdue; nephews and one niece; many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and even 3 great-great grandchildren; many beloved cousins and countless friends.

The service will be held graveside at Reno Cemetery, with Rev. Deana Perdue officiating. We are gathering outside to facilitate social distancing. As an additional precaution, in concern for several family members with serious health conditions, all those who attend are requested to wear a mask.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial contributions made to the Lawrence Humane Society, sent in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1260, Lawrence, Kansas 66044.

 

 

Wayne A. Pine

Posted on by RumseyYost

Funeral services for Wayne A. Pine, 92, Baldwin City, will be 10am Thursday, at Trinity Lutheran Church.  Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery.

Mr. Pine died Sunday, September 12, 2021, at Vintage Park in Baldwin City, Kansas.

He was born September 16, 1928, in Lawrence, the son of Ralph E. and Helen Oliva Wood Pine.  He graduated from Liberty Memorial High School in 1946 and then earned a bachelor’s degree in education from in the University of Kansas in 1950.

Mr. Pine spent his working career as a grocer.  He worked at Goble’s Market, Rusty’s IGA, and Dillons.  After retiring he went back to Dillons as a senior sacker.  He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church and the Jayhawk Kiwanis Club.  He enjoyed gardening, yardwork, sitting on the porch, and was a sports fan.

He married Ruth Rose Kempter on June 17, 1949, in the Danforth Chapel on the University of Kansas campus.  They celebrated 72 years together.  She survives of the home.

Other survivors include sons, Michael Jay Pine and wife Mary of Mulvane, KS, Kent Edward Pine of Baldwin City, KS; grandchildren, Joshua Pine of Olathe, KS, Anastasia Pine and husband Scot Hammer of Olathe, KS, and John W. Pine and wife Brooke of Duluth, GA.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and a brother, Ralph E. Pine Jr.

Friends may call at the funeral home on Wednesday from noon to 8pm.  The family will receive friends from 9-10am at Trinity Lutheran Church on Thursday.

The family suggests memorial contributions to Trinity Lutheran Church, sent in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home.

 

Lela Ann Jennings

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Services for Lela Ann Jennings, 72, Lawrence, will be 11am Friday, at Calvary Church of God in Christ.

Ms. Jennings died September 10, 2021, at her home.

Lela Ann Terry was born to the parents of Ellsworth Albert Terry Sr. and Josie Mae Henson Terry on November 15, 1948. She made a dramatic entrance into the world. On a Church Night, her mother Josie Mae was praising the LORD, shouting and dancing and Lela must have felt the spirit and decided to join the Holy Ghost fire.

It turned into being a difficult birth. While Josie Mae was recuperating at the hospital, Lela went from the hospital to living with her maternal grandparents: Reverend Joseph Willis Henson (who was affectionately called Papa) and Mother Lela (namesake) Pearl Davis Henson. Lela called her Grandmother Bamunny. She loved her grandparents. She was their puddin’ and pie. Through the years she occasionally lived with her parents, but after the death of Josie Mae, Lela would live with her grandparents.

In 1964, her Grandmother passed away and Lela was sent to Kansas City to live with her uncle and aunt, (Reverend Arie Henry Henson Sr. and Mayla Madden Henson). She finished her schooling and found work at the Kansas City Credit Bureau in Kansas City Missouri. On November 26, 1966, she married Robert Raphael Jennings. From the Union emerged three children: Anthony Eugene Jennings, La Randa Yvonne Jennings, and Todd Jameson Jennings. Todd passed away at eighteen months.

When she married, she moved to Arkansas City, Kansas where she worked as a phlebotomist for a doctor. She also worked for the Winfield State Hospital, Spring Machines, and Rubbermaid. As her children got older, she dedicated herself to raising them in the fear and admonition of the LORD.

Her roots revolved around the church. Lela’s grandparents were faithful to the labor of the LORD. And they raised her up that way. At 842 New Jersey Lela was trained to do every position in the church. Some days she was the janitor. Any given Sunday she could be called to be an usher, a soloist, or bring the inspirational message.

In Arkansas City she attended St. James Church of God in Christ where she worked diligently in various areas of the Church. She worked in Sunday School, Sunshine Band, Purity Class, YPWW. Mother Lovie Watson saw greatness in Lela and so she assigned her to work with the youth in every aspect of the church. It was her delight to teach people about the goodness of God from the babies to the older generations. She was Bible Band leader and teacher. She believed in the scripture of 2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

After her forty-one year marriage ended, Lela moved back to Lawrence to be with her brother Ellsworth Albert Terry, Jr. She attended Calvary Church of God in Christ 646 Alabama (formerly 842 New Jersey). She was faithful until her health started growing worse.

Survivors include A son Anthony Eugene Jennings (52), Daughter, La Randa Y. Jennings (50), both of Lawrence, Kansas. She has many children that she helped raise and nurture along the way.

Lela Ann was number nine in the 12 Tribes of JW Henson and Lela Pearl. Survivors are (3)Noble Edward Henson, (5)Marilyn Pearl Griffin, (6)Phyllis Jean Derritt, (7)Andrea Lois Baker, (10)Judy Yvonne Henson, (11)Arieta Joyce Henson.

Those who preceded her in death were her mother Josie Mae Henson Terry, her maternal grandparents Mother Lela Pearl Davis Henson and Reverend JW Henson, her paternal grandmother, Anna Terry, her father Ellsworth Albert Terry Sr., one son Todd Jameson Jennings, her guardians Mayla Madden Henson, and Dr Arie H. Henson Sr., her only brother (8), Ellsworth Albert Terry Jr. Of the twelve tribes who preceded her: (1)Arie H. Henson Jr., (2) Franklin Floyd Henson, (4) Willis Wayne Henson, (12) Theodore Arnold Henson

Many times when Lela was asked how she was doing. Her response was always I am living the life I sing about in my song. The next question would be what is your song? And her reply would be “I have been redeemed by the blood of the LAMB.” And truly from birth to the day of her homegoing that was her victorious testimony.

 

Roman William Hardy

Posted on by RumseyYost
On Thursday, September 9th, 2021, our beautiful baby boy, Roman William Hardy, passed away in our arms. His official cause of death was streptococcus pneumonia-associated hemolytic uremic syndrome. We are all in so much pain but the love and support we’re receiving are the only things that can get us through this. Roman was the light in so many lives and we will all shine brighter because of him. Our main focus is Mila right now and we will always know that she has lost her other half. Please keep her in your hearts most of all. Service arrangements will be posted below. Roman was the happiest person I’ve ever known. We want his service to be uplifting and happy, just like he was. We will get through this. We have to. It will get better. It has to.
Visitation will be held at Rumsey-Yost Friday, Sept 17th, from 5-7 pm. And then on Saturday, September 18th, there will be a Celebration of Life at Clinton Lake Outlook Park in Lawrence, KS at 4:00 pm where we will honor and celebrate and remember our sweet baby Roman.
Thank you to everyone that has reached out. The love of our friends and family are the ONLY things getting us through this.
We will always love you Roman.

Margaret Ann DeMarce

Posted on by RumseyYost

Margaret Ann Demarce passed away peacefully on September 7th, 2021.

She was born on February 16th, 1940 in Texarkana, Arkansas to Lizzie Mae and Perry Anthony DeMarce.

She is survived by her son, Sean Buerger of Lawrence; daughter and spouse, Shannon Buerger and Juan Villagran of Lawrence; grandchildren, Camas House and Isaih Villagran; sisters, MaryAnn Christian Black and Debbie Partee, and numerous nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by sisters, Dottie Suddath and Doris Hannon; and a brother, Charles Ragan.

As a child, she loved to be outside and often went hunting, fishing and camping with her father. With her mother, she shared a love of fine clothes, jewelry and a propensity to dress stylish and snappy.

After graduating from Bossier City High School, she attended Shumpert School of Radiology in Shreveport, LA and worked as an x-ray technician until her marriage to Gregory Buerger in 1964. Their son, Sean was born in 1965 and the family moved to Lawrence, KS in 1967. Their daughter, Shannon, was born in 1968.

From 1976-2020 Margaret lived on her beloved 60 acre farm north of Lawrence. After her divorce in 1978, she started her own business, Sat Nam Sprouts, growing primarily alfalfa and mung bean sprouts. Also known as The Sprout Lady, she delivered her sprouts to almost every grocery store, restaurant and salad bar in Lawrence. Through hard work, long hours and much frugality, she ran her successful business for 16 years, retiring in 1994.

As well as being a hard worker, Margaret knew how to let her hair down. After all the sticks had been picked up and the grass was mowed, she loved socializing with friends. She enjoyed parties, potlucks and gatherings of all kinds including First Fridays and Monday $1 beer night at Free State Brewery. You could often find her on the Brewery front porch with her ever present bandana wrapped carefully around her glass of Oatmeal Stout.

Margaret had a deep appreciation for the beauty of the natural world. She expressed her unique personality and artistic nature through her collecting, organizing and displaying her vast trove of crystals, stones, bones, feathers, shells, flowers, cacti, houseplants, clothes, jewelry and much much more!

In addition to collecting things, she loved to travel, to eat spicy Mexican food and oysters on the half shell, and to go dumpster-diving. She also loved photography, astrology, dancing, garage sales and frogs. Most of all she loved her family, her friends and her farm. She touched the lives of many people with her strong, independent and eccentric spirit. She will be deeply missed!

A Celebration of Life will be announced at a later date. In the meantime, raise your glass to a life well lived and in lieu of flowers, consider practicing a random act of kindness.