Category: Obituaries

Norma Lee McCune

Posted on by RumseyYost

Norma Lee McCune passed away August 22, 2021 at the age of 92. She was born on December 23, 1928 in Kansas City, Kansas. She is preceded in death by her husband Howard E. McCune, her parents, Neal and Lela Van Dorn, and her brother, Duane Van Dorn.  She is survived by her daughters Marcia McCune and Gary Rochester, Julie Sifford and husband Rick, and Kristi Rowland and husband Larry and grandchildren Kaitlyn Sifford, Matthew Sifford, and Gabriel Rowland.

Norma attended Kansas State University where she was a member and president of the Kappa Delta sorority. She met the love of her life, Howard McCune, a member of the Delta Sigma Phi fraternity, after being set up on a blind date and they were married March 24,1951 in Kansas City, Kansas. After their marriage they returned to live in Minneola, Kansas. On the way to Minneola, Howard stopped to purchase 100 chicks and Norma remarked, “What are we going to do with those?” Norma embraced her role as a farm wife and became the COO of the McCune homestead.

Norma served her community in Minneola through her membership in the Garden Club, Civic Club, a member of Easter Star and she played piano for the Minneola United Methodist Church. Norma enjoyed gardening and playing the piano. She adored her family and was especially proud of her grandchildren.

There will be a gathering of friends and family at Minnis Mortuary in Minneola on Saturday, November 13th beginning at 10:00am.

Memorials can be sent to the Minneola Hospital District or the Alzheimer’s Foundation.

Freida Jeanette Martin

Posted on by RumseyYost

Freida Jeanette (Luckan) Martin, 88, died Saturday, August 21, 2021, at her home in rural Douglas County.

Freida was born August 31, 1932, in Lawrence to parents Otto Emil Luckan and Bertha May (Shaffer) Luckan. She attended the Pleasant Valley one-room school house. She was an active member of 4-H and loved growing up on a farm. She graduated from Liberty Memorial High School in 1950.

Freida worked at Barteldes Seed Co. as a bookkeeper for seven years and after marrying, eventually left work to join her husband stationed in the U.S. Army. Freida married Kenneth Martin of Welda, Kansas on Sept. 5, 1956. They would have celebrated 65 years of marriage this year.

After military life, they resumed residence in Lawrence in 1960 and she became a homemaker raising three children. In 1971, they moved to rural Douglas County and returned to farm life, country grade school, and 4-H programs for the family. Later, as the children got older, she started back to work as a cook at the Vinland country grade school. She loved cooking. In retirement she and her husband did some traveling in other states and a trip to Canada.

She was very involved with making homemade chicken noodle dinners for the Vinland Fair, bake sales at the church and homemade noodles for the church. She was an active member for 59 years in the Family Community Education (formerly EHU), serving at the local and county levels, and valued their goals of continuing to educate ourselves and those in the community around us.

She is survived by her husband Kenneth Martin of the home, a son Otto Martin (Lisa Bilson) of Lawrence, two daughters, Anita (Martin) Rapp (Craig) of Minnesota, and Kendra Martin of the home, grandchildren Megan Judd (Chris) of Ohio, David Martin of Lawrence, Brandon Martin (Cassie) of Minnesota, and Nicholas Martin of Minnesota, one sister, Charlene (Luckan) Winter of Lecompton, and many nieces and nephews.

The family suggests memorial contributions to Harvester’s, or the American Cancer Society, in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, 601 Indiana St., Lawrence, KS, 66044. Online condolences may be sent at rumsey-yost.com

A celebration of Freida’s life will be held Wednesday, September 1, at 2 pm at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home. A visitation will take place one hour prior to the service. Private family inurnment will follow the service. Friends are invited to join the family following the service for refreshments at Trinity Lutheran Church, 1245 New Hampshire St., Lawrence.

James “Kin” Norman

Posted on by RumseyYost

Visitation for James “Kin” Norman, 68, Lawrence, formerly of Kansas City, will be 3 to 5pm Sunday, August 29, 2021 at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home.

Kin Norman was a self-effacing, humble man. In spite of the fact that he was the smartest guy in the room. And the funniest. And the most well read. And the most talented.

James Kindred Norman was born on January 17, 1953, in Joplin, Missouri, and died August 21, 2021, in Lawrence, Kansas.

Kin graduated from Parkwood High School in Joplin, MO in 1971, where he was a champion debater and editor of an award-winning newspaper. He also choreographed the end-of-school assembly in which the entire senior class danced on the auditorium stage to Johnny B. Goode.

After high school he pursued his love of literature to earn an undergraduate degree in English from Missouri Southern State College and a master’s degree from Pittsburg State University, all while working full time managing electronic stores for the family business.

Upon completing his education, Kin moved to Kansas City where he spent over 30 years as a professor at Devry University, teaching English to mostly tech-focused students who had no idea they loved literature until they met Professor Norman. He was a demanding but adored teacher who developed friendships with many students that lasted long beyond their college years.

Kin was preceded in death by his parents William Polk Norman and Evadeane Norman of Joplin, Missouri. He is survived by his son, William Reed Norman, Lawrence, Kansas; sisters Nancy Spoeneman of Leawood, Carol Gold of Kansas City, and Leslie Norman Hubble of Kansas City; nephews William Gold and David Spoeneman; nieces Jill Lewandowski and Amy Cowan; two great-nephews; five great-nieces; and many friends who loved him.

Kin loved his family, friends, books, film and music. He was an amazing, completely self-taught guitarist and visual artist. He had an encyclopedic knowledge of literature and writers, along with an equally astounding knowledge of music and musicians. He was truly a unique person who positively impacted countless lives and will forever be very fondly remembered by those of us who were so privileged to know him.

Sara Marie Vinyard Kyriakos

Posted on by RumseyYost

Sara Marie Vinyard Kyriakos passed away on Friday, August 20th 2021. She was 62 years old.

She was born on July 28, 1959 to Betty and Kenneth Vinyard in Lawrence, Kansas. Her parents were both from Harrisburg, Illinois.

Sara attended Lawrence High School, graduating in 1978. Sara attended the University of Kansas in Lawrence getting dual degrees in Liberal Arts and Education. She later received a Master’s degree from Emporia State University in Special Education.

Sara worked for the Lawrence Journal-World for many years before pursuing her Masters and going to work in the Lawrence Public School District. Sara taught Special Education at Billy Mills Middle School (formerly South Junior High/Middle School).

Sara enjoyed playing volleyball in the Lawrence Recreation League. She was also an avid artist and did freelance work throughout her career. Sara was very active with her two daughter’s Girl Scout Troops and was a supporter of the Hidden Valley troops and camps. Sara enjoyed sewing and made numerous blankets for friends and family.

Sara was preceded in death by her husband Michael Kyriakos, father Kenneth Vinyard, her mother Betty (Dixon) Hilt, her brother Dr. Gary Vinyard, her step-mother Emma Vinyard and her mother-in-law Jamie (Bales) Kyriakos.

Sara is survived by her daughters Paula (Kyriakos) Forsythe [Noland] and Ellen Kyriakos, her sister-in-law Dierdre Vinyard, her cousin Renae Patterson, her father-in-law Dr. Michael Kyriakos, and her six nieces and nephews Zach Vinyard, Morgan Vinyard, Alex Kyriakos, Ashley Kyriakos, Noah Kyriakos and Jake Kyriakos.

Her family hopes to celebrate her within the next year, date to be announced, services pending.

Jack Neal Anderson

Posted on by RumseyYost

Funeral services for Jack Neal Anderson, 92, McLouth, will be 2pm Friday at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home.  Burial will be in Oak Hill Cemetery.

Mr. Anderson died Monday, August 23, 2021, at Heritage Garden in Oskaloosa.

Jack was born in 1929 in Lawrence, to Charles and Pearl Elston Anderson.  After high school he served in the United States Army.  He was stationed in Germany during the Korean War.  Jack was born and raised in Lawrence, but had made his home in rural McLouth of 50+ years.  He was a member of the North Lawrence Christian Church.

Jack worked in construction as a carpenter for Greens, Edmonds, Harris, and Constant, to name a few.  He enjoyed making music with friends and played the acoustic guitar, bass guitar, and mandolin.  Jack liked fishing, soccer, skating on the pond, and was a wonderful craftsman when it came to woodworking.

He married the love of his life, Ella Marie Smith on September 2, 1956 in Lawrence; they resided in the house Jack built.  They were blessed with 64 years together.  She survives of the home.

Other survivors include two children, Marcie Anderson Cox and husband Brian of Iowa, and Clay Anderson of Washington; two grandchildren, Lizzie and Andy (Missy); three great grandchildren, Palmer, Nolan, and Lux; and one brother, Darold Anderson of Lamar, Colorado.

He was preceded in death by his parents, three sisters, and two brothers.

Friends may call from 9am to 2pm Friday at the funeral home, where the family will receive them from 1pm-2pm Friday.

Jack had a tremendous sense of humor, and friends would say that Jack made them forget their troubles for a while.  One electrical contractor told him that he never got so much work done and had fun doing it, when he was on a job with Jack.

He leaves a legacy of laughter and song.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to North Lawrence Christian Church or Prairie Wind Hospice, sent in care of the funeral home.

The family would like to extend their sincere thanks to the staff at Heritage Gardens (Larry, you made us laugh), Prairie Wind Hospice, and Cindy Pennel, his buddy and caregiver.

Mark Alan MacKay

Posted on by RumseyYost

Mark Alan MacKay, 60, of Lawrence, died Friday, August 20, at home in Lawrence. He is now in God’s presence, able to see and play the guitar again to his heart’s content.

Memorial services will be 2 pm, Thursday, August 26, 2021 at the First Southern Baptist Church, Lawrence KS, and can be viewed remotely at https://youtube.com/channel/UCK0AAbz2VkKOXi8N-1okmpQ 

He was born on July 27th, 1961, to Charles and Garnet MacKay and raised on the family farm near Douglass, KS. He graduated from Rose Hill High School as the class of 1979 Salutatorian. Mark went on to graduate Magna cum laude in his pursuit of an electrical engineering degree at Wichita State University.  He followed with getting his Masters in electrical engineering at the University of Kansas.

But God had different plans for Mark. After 2 summer missions in Alaska, 2 years of mission work in the Philippines, and earning a Master of Divinity from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Mark found his calling. His 40+ year passion was working with youth as a youth minister and always loved his time at church camps with them.  His impact on growing young Christ followers cannot be measured.

He is survived by his brother Brent and his wife Sherry, his two nieces Caitlin and Madison (Skyler and Madison Payton) and countless friends, who will always remember his faith in God, his love for others and his sense of humor. He was preceded in death by his parents.

In lieu of flowers, and for those who wish to make a memorial gift can give to the Mark MacKay Super Summer Scholarship Fund via First Southern Baptist Church, Lawrence.

 

Anthony (Tony) Polacca

Posted on by RumseyYost

Memorial service for Anthony (Tony) Polacca will be Friday, September 3, at 4 pm at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home. The family will receive friends Thursday, September 2, from 5-7 pm. We are asking people to wear masks to protect the health of Mrs. Polacca and the rest of the family as best as possible at the visitation and memorial service.

The service will be streamed at:

https://www.facebook.com/RumseyYostFuneralHomeandCrematory/

Anthony (Tony) Polacca 79, of Lawrence, went to be with our heavenly father Tuesday August 17, 2021, at Lawrence Memorial Hospital, Lawrence Kansas.

Born September 14, 1941 in Keams Canyon, Arizona, he was the son of the late Starlie Polacca and Elsie Lomayesva Polacca.  On July 13, 1963 he married Ellen Dietz Polacca who survives of the home.  Tony was raised on the Colorado River Indian Tribes reservation, Parker, Arizona. After graduating from Parker High School, he attended Haskell Institute where he learned the trade of house painter and decorator.  He was employed with Hercules Corporation, Wyandotte County school district, and retired from Haskell Indian Nations University.  Tony was active in his community, coaching little league baseball and a faithful church member.  He will be remembered as a loving, hardworking family man, a man of God, a favorite uncle, and a good friend.

Survivors include two children, Renee Polacca, Lawrence, Kansas and Ryan Polacca, Dallas, Texas, two sisters, Angelina Thompson, Parker, Arizona, Maxine Morris, Parker, Arizona; three grandchildren, Judson Baker, Wichita, Kansas, Rylie Kelley, Lawrence, Kansas, Reagan Haskell, Odessa, Missouri and numerous nieces, nephews, and other extended family members.

In addition to his parents, Tony was preceded in death by one daughter, Terry Polacca; five sisters and two brothers.

Norma Joy Milner Arkfeld

Posted on by RumseyYost

Norma Joy Milner Arkfeld, after numerous previously-exaggerated rumors of her demise, went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, August 17th, 2021.

Services will be held on Monday, August 23rd at 2 pm at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home.   A visitation will be immediately prior beginning at 1 pm.   Burial will be in Eudora Cemetery, 2223 N. 1420 Rd., Eudora, Kansas, with an open house following at 1646 Massachusetts St., Lawrence, Kansas.

Joy was born the 9th of 10 children on June 28th, 1943, in Belleville, KS to Archie and Anona (née Owen) Milner, and was the only one of her siblings who graduated from high school.

Despite lacking indoor plumbing until she was seven, Joy raised three children in a comfortable middle class life (at times single-handedly) working two full-time jobs and waitressing on the weekends.

Having only completed several hours of community college, Joy would rise to head the accounting department of a regional grocery distributor, and to be the first women in the male dominated office of regional purchasing, where she insisted, by virtue of her work, to be treated equally.

In the mid-1990s, Joy reinvented herself doing door-to-door sales and eventually became co-owner of the Topeka branch of Aerus Electrolux with her loving and faithful husband, Phil Arkfeld.

Joy was insistent on charting her own coarse in every facet of life, despite and perhaps as a result of being told that she could or should not.  She was inviting and inclusive and would turn over her house to accommodate any number of friends or family who might show up at her door, but did not suffer fools gladly.  She coordinated brutal vacation schedules, could muster resources both meager and great to accomplish impressive things, was dauntless in her determination, and was hell on wheels.  More than a few deer and turnpike arms have her name on them.

Despite a medical establishment that insisted it was all in her head, Joy, in the face of a number crippling arthritis-related diseases, rallied all her strength to wring every bit of experience and adventure from life.  Just as with poverty, the male dominated office, the turn-pike arm or the unfortunate yard-worker at the local lumber yard who asked to speak to her husband, Joy would not back down.

Joy married Larry Timkar in 1961 and the two share three children, Kirsten, Sonja, and Erich.  They divorced.

Joy married her husband Phil, after impressing him with her driving, on December 13th, 1997 and the two lived on their property in Berryton, KS for approximately twenty years, until Joy’s passing.

Joy is survived by her husband, Phil and her sister, Barbara Lewellyn of Belleville, KS, as well as  five children, three by birth, Kirsten Moreland, Sonja Owen, and Erich Timkar, and two by marriage, Andy Arkfeld and Misty Green.

She is also survived by twelve grandchildren, six great-grand children, and Reggie-Jake and Mr Kitty.

The family suggests memorial contributions to the Arthritis Foundation, sent in care of  the funeral home.

 

 

 

 

 

Robert Paul ‘Bob’ Heath

Posted on by RumseyYost

Robert “Bob” Heath passed peacefully on Monday, August 16, 2021, in Lawrence, Kansas.

He was born on December 26, 1948, in Tyler, Texas.  He attended Shawnee Mission East High School in Prairie Village, Kansas and the University of Kansas.

Bob married his high school sweetheart Laurie Burt in 1970 and together they built a life in rural Jefferson County, where they lived until his death.

He is survived by his wife Laurie and their daughter Emily.  He is also survived by his sister and brother-in-law Barbara and Ed Roberts, his sister-in-law Nancy Mitchell and many nieces and nephews and their spouses and children.

Bob will be deeply missed by his family and friends.

The family will welcome friends for a visitation at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home in Lawrence on Sunday, August 22nd from 1 to 3 pm.. A celebration of life will be held Thursday, August 26th from 5-7 pm at The Up & Under at Johnny’s North. Private interment will take place in the Natural section of Oak Hill Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Brain Injury Association of Kansas and Greater Kansas City.