Category: Obituaries

Dennis James Wells

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No services are planned at this time for Dennis James Wells, 59, Valley Falls.

He died February 20, 2021, at his home.

Dennis was born July 16, 1961, in Lawrence, the son of Vernon H. and Cleta A Statler Wells. Dennis was an Eagle Scout with Troop 60.  He was also a member of First Baptist Church in Lawrence.  Dennis was a member of the Plumbers and Pipe Fitters Union #441, as a Journeyman pipe fitter.

When he was not working Dennis enjoyed spending time in the Woods.  Dennis enjoyed cooking baking for those he loved and he was an avid sportsman.

He married Carolyn K. Dye on June 18, 1988 in Alam Colorado. She is the soul survivor of the home.

Other survivors include his mother Cleta Wells, sister Mary C. Hopkins (Don) niece Nora lives in North Pole, Alaska. Son Brandin M. Lightsey (Annabelle) grandkids Garrett, Dayanaira, Tristin, Skyla live in Hazen, North Dakota. Daughter Desaree J. Florea (Friedrich)  grandkids Dean, Lillie, Samuel live in Germany.

Memorial contributions can be made to Masonic-Eastern Star Home For Children 2415 N. Main St. Fremont, NE 68025.

James Ernest (Jim) Klosterman

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Mr. James “Jim” Klosterman passed away peacefully on February 15, 2021 in Lawrence, Kansas at the age of 90.

Jim is survived by his wife, Betty along with her two daughters, Virginia (Alfred) Ho and Vanessa (Paul) Hines. He is also survived by his 5 daughters, Kathy (Tim) Herrmann, Mary (Steve) Haun, Jane (Steve) Beers, Jenny (Doug) Munson, and Laura (Paul) Bascom. He is survived by 19 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his first wife and mother of his five daughters, R. Joanne Klosterman of Dayton, Ohio in 1992.

Jim was born on 10/20/1930 in Columbus, Ohio to Ernst and Gertrude Klosterman. They later moved and settled in Dayton, Ohio. He attended Greenbrier Military Academy during high school and post high school as Commander before heading to Kenyon College. He graduated from Kenyon College in 1953. He married Joanne in December of 1952, whom he had met while lifeguarding at Old River Park. Jim began his career at NCR in 1953 and later struck out with his entrepreneurial spirit in growing his father’s binder and advertising specialty company named E.S.Klosterman Company, later renamed ESKCO. His creative spirit often began with the words, “I have an idea”. As a result, he pursued multiple patents, inventions and other endeavors including Kinder Binding, PEO Yearbook Binders, and Stock Watch. He also envisioned and successfully ran the Cross Country Ski Shop located at Community Golf Course in Kettering.

A private family service will take place later this year where he will be interred at Woodland Cemetery in Dayton, Ohio. An open house will be held scheduled at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Christ Community Church, 3526 Detroit Ave, Dayton, OH 45416.

Troy Solomon Watts

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A visitation for Troy Solomon Watts, 85, Lawrence, will be Thursday from 6 to 8 pm at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home. A graveside service will be held Friday at 2 pm at Osage American Cemetery, Osage City, Kan. Troy died Tuesday, February 9, 2021, at his home.

He was born January 26, 1936, in Bruno, Ark., the son of Alfred and Nancy Begley Watts. He attended schools in Pea Ridge, Ark. Troy worked as a logger and milk truck driver in Arkansas, for Rodney Milling Co., Cook Conoco, and Hankamer Ready Mix in Topeka, and later bought a dump truck and started TW Trucking Co. He enjoyed tinkering in the garage, doing handyman work, and gardening.

Troy married Shirley Ann Roberts of Osage City. She passed away in 1982. He then married Vickie Nelson. They later divorced. He later married Rebecca Tingle on August 2, 2003. She survives of the home. Other survivors include son Robert Watts, Scranton, Kan., daughter Deborah Watts and husband Russell Shults, Dover, Kan., and Roy Watts and wife Sherry, Topeka; stepchildren Danny McAlister, Tina Mayo, Angela Brandon and husband Bill, Randy Tingle and wife Carol, Thelma Wise and husband Jim; grandchildren Topainga, Nikita, Roy Jr., Dezera, Brina, Christina, Ricky, Alfred Jr., Crina, and Brandy, and many great grandchildren, step grandchildren and step great grandchildren.

The family suggests memorial contributions to Midland Hospice, in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, 601 Indiana St., Lawrence, KS, 66044.

Carrie Lynn Read Waln

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Graveside services for Carrie Lynn Read Waln, 57, Eudora, will be 1:30 pm, Thursday, February 18, 2021, at Oak Hill Cemetery.

She passed peacefully February 10, 2021, at her home in Gardner, Kansas, surrounded by her loved ones.

Carrie was born July 18, 1963, in Colorado Springs, CO, the daughter of Robert Warren and Teresa Lee Parmley Read.

She graduated from Osawatomie High School in 1981. Later went on to become a Licensed Practical Nurse and worked around Kansas for nearly 20 years.

Carrie enjoyed sewing and quilting. She always loved to make beautiful gifts for family, and teaching others to sew. You could also find her in the kitchen baking and sneaking her grandkids a sweet treat.

She married Daniel Waln on June 11, 1983, in Osawatomie, Kansas. He survives of the home.

Other survivors include her parents, children, Emily Aronhalt (Matt), Eudora, Chadwyn Waln (Danielle), Broken Arrow, OK, and Mallory Beasterfeld (Clinton), Eudora; siblings Dan Read (Denise), St. Roberts, MO, Annie Surber (Scott), Franklinton, NC, Patty Cutshaw (Travis), Paola, KS; eight grandchildren – Abigail, Isaac, Trinity, Fiona, Amelia, Madeline, Charles, and Jonah.

Memorial contributions may be made to Battle Boutique, sent in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1260, Lawrence, KS 66044.

Virginia Lee White

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A memorial visitation for Virginia Lee White, 97, Lawrence, will be held Saturday, February 20, 2021, from 11 am to 1 pm at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home. Inurnment will take place at about 3 pm at Horton Cemetery, Horton, Kan.

Virginia Lee White, born April 19, 1923, in Powhattan, Kan., passed away on Sunday, February 7, 2021, at Pioneer Ridge Retirement Community, Lawrence. She was 97 years old and the daughter of Orland J. and Helen Hunsaker Williams. Attending grade school in a one-room school near her family farm at Powhattan, she graduated from Horton High School in 1941, then graduated from Highland Junior College near Hiawatha.

Mrs. White taught elementary grade in a one room school in Horton.

She married Robert (Bob) White of Willis, Kan. on January 16, 1946, in Horton. He passed away on May 7, 2004, at the age of 81.

Mrs. White lived in Evansville, Ind. From 1949 to 1966, when the Whites with their three children, Sheryl, Lonnie, and Randall moved to Lawrence, Kansas.

As a member of First United Methodist Church for many years, she held several positions, and was active in Women’s Society of Christian Service (WSCS) and United Methodist Women.

Joining the No Name Literary Club in 1968, she was a member for many years, served as president three times, and held several other offices. She was a member of the University Dinner Bridge Club. She enjoyed working parttime in Ladies Ready to Wear at Weaver’s Department Store in downtown Lawrence for 11 years, retiring in 1985.

Survivors include children Lonnie White and Randall White. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Bob, a daughter Sheryl Stewart, and siblings Clyde, Lorraine, and Betty.

The family suggests memorial contributions to the First United Methodist Church, in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, 601 Indiana St., Lawrence, KS, 66044.

Kimberly Ann Turner

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No public services are planned at this time for Kimberly Ann Turner, 59, Eudora, who passed away Monday, February 1, 2021, at her home, surrounded by family.

Kim was born September 10, 1961, in Topeka, the daughter of Augusta Edward and Ruby Rae Jackson Ramey. She did administrative work in the health care industry.

Her husband Adrian and daughter Haley Turner survive of the home. Other survivors include her mother, Ruby Ellis, Lawrence; her father, Augusta Edward Ramey, Lawrence; brother Ray Ramey, Lawrence; sister Rene’, Eudora; brother John Grimes, Salina; and sister Niki Kihm, Bentonville, Ark.; and many nieces and nephews.

Jane Ann Junge

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Services for Jane Ann Junge, 81, Lawrence, will be announced at a later date once COVID restrictions are lifted. Jane Ann passed away Wednesday, January 27, 2021, at her home.

She was born July 8, 1939, in Kansas City, Mo., the daughter of Charles and Leone Anderson Styles. She earned two master’s degrees.

Jane Ann worked as a project manager for military contractors.

Sally Ann Taylor

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Sally Ann Taylor, 85, Lawrence, died January 24, 2021 at The Windsor of Lawrence.

Cremation has taken place and inurnment will be in Ft. Scott National Cemetery.

She was born November 16, 1935, in Kansas City, Kansas, the daughter of Hollis Donald and Helen Victoria Fleenor Marmon.  After high school she attended the University of Kansas.

Mrs. Taylor was a homemaker and ran a preschool for a time.  She enjoyed playing golf and bridge.

She married James Taylor, May 3, 1984.  He died in 2017.

Survivors include a son, Brad Kay of Evergreen, CO; and two grandchildren, Jacob and Sarah Kay, both of Evergreen, CO.