Category: Obituaries

Omer Gene Tittle

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No services for Omer Gene Tittle, 85, Lawrence, are planned at this time. His body was willed to the University of Kansas Medical Center.

He died Tuesday, April 21, 2020, at his home.

Omer was born January 15, 1935, the son of Omer Adam and Leota Amanda Oliphant Tittle in Okmulgee, Oklahoma.

He served in the United States Army from 1956-1958.

Omer was best known as a man of faith. He was a minister of numerous United Methodist churches over his career. He served Helena, OK, and Timberlake in a two point charge. Herndon, Ks and Prairie Chapel in a two point charge. Other churches were Chapman, KS, Norton, KS, Salina, KS, Wichita District Superintendent, and Manhattan, KS.

He married Koleta Faye Langham on December 25, 1956, in Oklahoma City, OK. She survives of the home.

Other survivors include, his children Cynthia “Cindi” Sue McCaleb, Lawrence, Lorrie Robin Gaschler, Blue Springs, MO, Christi Dawn Meier (Randy) Salina, Lance Alan Tittle (Susie) Tulsa, Ok; twelve grandchildren and thirteen great grandchildren; one sister Betty Sue Rogers.

He is preceded in death by his daughter Vicki Faye Penn.

Memorial contributions may be made to Tonganoxie United Methodist Church, sent in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, 601 Indiana Street Lawrence, KS 66044.

David W. ‘Dave’ Aiken

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Here is the link to review the recorded graveside service for Dave Aiken:

https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2FGyoKYjsE8Yc%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR3pUrCEyTALxPFS_JebK5vmMnU8XYnz_7HCnR5I3D6seowXK3fzy8ZLqPo&h=AT2ELqJOTeY0T1Yxg72pK0zdMeNi3v07O3N-8DPeVMmH3pHNwNVo23_0rgOlp2Lt5mvw_zepQxzcj3uN7dnoZrRLjc6F7v7setOPYLiQ3c3NCULRQWn7rewQ_-UvFIbYBw

Private family graveside services with military honors for David W. ‘Dave’ Aiken, 83, will take place at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, April 27, 2020, at Pleasant Hill Cemetery. The graveside services will be live-streamed. All are welcome to participate virtually. Please contact a family member or the funeral home for additional information. https://youtu.be/FkP0fXh5cD4
A celebration of life memorial service will be held later.

Dave was born on June 10, 1936, at home in rural Louisburg, KS to Cyrus S. and Leura A. Whitaker Aiken. He died on April 18, 2020, at home in rural Lawrence, KS. Between those dates he led a full and active life.

Dave attended grade school in Louisburg, KS. While growing up he was a member of the Cot Mor 4-H Club in Miami County, KS. He was active in the agriculture projects winning a state award for corn production. Dave graduated from Louisburg Rural High School in 1954 and attended Emporia State Teachers College for a semester before joining the United States Army in January 1955. He served two years of active duty at Ft. Bliss and Ft. Sam Houston in Texas and Ft. Benning in Georgia.

Upon returning home, Dave married Gladys Lee in August 1957. She proceeded him in death in 1977. He attended the University of Kansas while working at Bendix in Kansas City, MO. He also worked in the maintenance department at Erman Steel in Turner, KS and in 1967, began a 28-year work career for Hercules, Inc. at Sunflower Army Ammunition Plant near DeSoto, KS. He retired in 1995 as a maintenance supervisor.

While working at Sunflower, Dave completed 27 years in the U.S. Army Reserves, primarily in the 317th S & S Battalion. He retired in 1996 as a Master Sergeant from a school unit in Topeka, KS, where he taught military classes for the National Guard and U.S. Army Reserve Units throughout Eastern Kansas. Dave was extremely proud of his service to his country and never hesitated to ask for a ‘military discount’ and then proceed to tell the clerk how long he had served. He also owned Aiken Pest Control doing both indoor pest control and lawn service for 100+ homes in Lawrence, Eudora, and DeSoto.

Dave married Paula Johnston on May 9, 1992. They made their home on rural property south of Lawrence which they often shared with family and friends. Halloween parties and hayrack rides in the fall, as well as family gatherings, were events looked forward to each year.

Dave loved bowling and motorcycles. He bowled in numerous leagues for over 45 years and was still actively bowling in a senior league at the time of his death. Motorcycles were his first love. Over the years, he owned many different bikes, but was most fond of his Honda Gold Wings. He was a life-member of the Gold Wing Road Riders Association traveling to over twenty national rallies throughout the United States. His motorcycle and later his trike were his preferred means of transportation and he was always up for a ride. He traveled throughout the United States and Canada with friends and his Gold Wing family.

Besides Dave’s wife, Paula, other survivors include his three sons, Ron, Larry (Susan), and Gale. He is also survived by five grandchildren, David (Rae), Bry (Peter Freeman), Kelly, Jacob, and Jackson, three brothers, Earl (Jennie), Harold ‘Tommie’, and Cyrus (Dee) and numerous nieces and nephews. He was proceeded in death by his parents, first wife, Gladys, two sisters, Elma Link and Ruth Phillips, and a sister-in-law, Betty Aiken.

A viewing will be held on Sunday, April 26, 2020, from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home.

The family suggests memorials in his name to the USD 416 Endowment Fund, in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, 601 Indiana, Lawrence, KS 66044.

Sheri Lee Nieder

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Sheri Lee Nieder, 56, of Lawrence, KS, passed away on Tuesday, April 14th, 2020 at home surrounded by her family.

Sheri was born in Lawrence on May 5th, 1963. She grew up with her brother, Kyle Petrie and sisters, Jeri Jo Powers and Teri Smith with two loving parents, Gerald and Laura Petrie. Later in life they adopted her youngest brother, Steven Petrie. Growing up in Lawrence, Sheri was the dreamer, the artist, the tender hearted one who selected Christmas trees based on the one she thought needed a home (AKA the saddest looking tree on the lot).

She married the love of her life; Mike Nieder on April 17th, 1982. The start of an amazing (and her proudest) adventure. In their almost 38 years as partners they started and ran multiple successful businesses and built their lives as a family of 6 – Jerod (38), Brityn (36), Taeler (30) and Cale (27). Sheri simply enjoyed having “all of her babies” in the same place, no matter the location. As a family, they enjoyed vacationing, marathon shopping days and simply being at home on the back deck.

In 2017, Sheri was diagnosed with breast cancer. Her journey with cancer was long and tough, but there isn’t a stronger woman cut out for that journey. You wouldn’t hear Sheri complain, you would never hear a negative comment about the treatments she was going through and she simply “Never Gave Up”. Unfortunately, the cancer got to a point of being untreatable and, again, she wouldn’t let cancer win. She took her fate into her own hands and chose to spend the rest of her time with her family at home surrounded by love and support.

Sheri was known for many things:

“The Friendly Voice of Jayhawk Guttering” – Sheri and Mike started Nieder Contracting, Inc. and later purchased Jayhawk Guttering. A proud family-owned, local business that was able to support the family of their dreams.

Sister: Our closest confidante and the one whose quick wit brought laughter to our lives. We are forever grateful we got to live this life with her. We will see her again one day.

Friend: Sheri had many close friends and she always asked everyone about their families. She loved to go to Friday night dinner and Taco Tuesday, especially if the venue had a good cheeseburger and a great chocolate dessert. She was always there and would always make her friends find the positive in almost any situation. She had been given many obstacles in life, but she never complained, and she always saw the bright side and felt that she was a blessed and lucky person because of her family and friends. She will be missed dearly by everyone that knew her and had the privilege of being her family and friend.

The creator of the Lawrence Elves. A non-profit organization that gave back to children in need in USD 497. The idea stemmed from Santa in which donors remain completely anonymous and surprised children with necessary items or services for them and their families. Sheri was always very resourceful, and she used her skills to combine small donations to make a big difference. Since shoes were a common request, she was able to partner with shoe stores to acquire large quantities at lower costs to stretch donated funds further. One family had an unfortunate situation with an insect infestation and couldn’t afford extermination, therefore the kids were coming to school covered in bug bites. Sheri was able to rally her troops and pretty soon, thanks to the Lawrence Elves, she learned that the kids ran to their counselor one day at school and cheerfully declared that they didn’t have any itchy bites.

After her son’s accident in December 2011 Sheri decided to devote her time to Jerod’s recovery and handed over the Lawrence Elves foundation to Kristen Price. Sheri and the rest of the family have seen Jerod through many ups and downs on his journey including his hip surgery in California and finally receiving an epidural stimulator and continued therapy in Louisville, KY.

Nona – the nickname her grandkids, Enzo (8) and Sloan (5), so lovingly called her. She was the most “extra” of grandparents. From the most meaningful gifts and surprises to mornings spent cuddling up and watching cartoons. She was always the one giving her grandkids her full attention; she would patiently sit and do crafts with them or play games of their imagination. They will remember all her songs she always sang to them, her favorite treats she shared and always let them have the last bite, and how she waited at the door for them when they came to visit.

Wife, mom, friend… regardless of how one knew her she was known for her infectious smile, her kind heart and her love for shoes!

Sheri is survived by her husband, Mike (Lawrence, KS), son and his girlfriend, Jerod Nieder and Hanna Alcock (Louisville, KY), daughter and son-in-law, Brityn and Steve Summers (Lee’s Summit, MO), daughter, Taeler Nieder (Lawrence, KS), son and soon-to-be daughter-in-law, Cale Nieder and Ashley Williams (Albuquerque, NM) and her two “grands”, Enzo and Sloan Summers.

A private burial is taking place at Memorial Park in Lawrence, KS at 2:00 pm on Friday, April 17th. Guests are welcome to attend, however, due to the current mandate of social distancing guests must remain in or near their vehicle. A celebration of life will be planned later in the year. Please visit our memorial website to offer condolences and share some of your fondest memories of Sheri at www.forevermissed.com/sheri-lee-nieder

The family requests all donations be sent to the Christopher and Dana Reeves foundation by check or online donation at:

Christopher and Dana Reeves Foundation

Attention: Team Reeve

636 Morris Turnpike, Suite 3a

Short Hills, NJ 07078

https://give.reeve.org/fundraiser/2544831

Linda A. Clark

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Private graveside service for Linda A. Clark, 64, Lawrence, will held at Oak Hill Cemetery. Linda died Tuesday, April 14, 2020, at her home. She was born Dec. 1, 1955 in Topeka, the daughter of Allan D. and Phyllis Ann (Peoples) Wall.

Linda attended Eskridge High School and graduated from Mission Valley High School in 1973. She worked at E and E Display Group until it closed then had a home cleaning business for 15 years. Linda was passionate about her kids, grandkids, crafts, having shown in many shows as Crafty Creations by Linda, Aquahawks, and the Jayhawks. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church.

She married Jim Clark on Nov. 15, 1986, in Topeka. She was preceded in death by Jim in 2009 and her father in 2014.

Survivors include daughters Sarah A. (Aaron) Flickinger of Olathe, Heather L. Clark (Fiancé Skyler Malone) of Lawrence, mother Phyllis Ann Wall of Eskridge, brother Larry (Cindy) Wall of Topeka, sisters Lisa (Kenny) Cernich of Eskridge, Lois (Steve) Cheray of Topeka, grandchildren Eleanor and Wayland.

Memorials may be made to Harvesters or Autism Speaks in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, PO Box 1260, Lawrence KS 66044

Linda will be in state Sunday noon to 8pm at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home.

A memorial service will be announced at a later date.

C. Kay Davis

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Private family services for C. Kay Davis, 84, Lawrence, will take place at a later date.

Carolyn Kay Davis passed away on April 15th, 2020 at Lawrence Memorial Hospital. She was born November 3rd, 1935 in Alva, Oklahoma, the daughter of R. Wayne and Trena Nelson and sister of Judith Nelson Greer. She graduated from Liberty Memorial Lawrence High School in 1953 and then got a Bachelor of Fine Arts in vocal music from Kansas University in 1957.

She met and married Robert C. Davis at KU and they moved to Denver, Colorado for his job in architecture where they had their son Michael in 1961. Shortly thereafter, moving to Colorado Springs where they would have their daughters Kelly Ann and Courtney Lynn. After a wonderful life in Colorado, Kay moved back to Lawrence to take care of her father. She enjoyed being the house mom at Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity and remained in Lawrence with her children Mike and his wife Karyn, Kelly and her husband Joe, Courtney and her husband Matt and grandchildren Rosie, Bailey, Kyle, Megan, Hannah, Kate, Cole, Ross and great grand baby Violet. And of course her beloved cat Bella!

Kay was a firecracker who always spoke her mind and never held anything back, she was stronger than most. She loved those in her life with ferocity and kindness and never failed to put a smile on everyone’s face. She accepted each and everyone one of her children, grandchildren and those in her life, no matter what. She was proud and someone you could always call and without a doubt, she would listen. She had a heart bigger than most, and I know that’s biased coming from her granddaughter but I also know that anyone that walked in her path can agree. She had a fire about her that never seemed to dwindle, even towards the end it lit up the room. She will never be forgotten and will remain in each and every one of our hearts’ for as long as time.

Contributions can be made to the Lawrence Schools Foundation in her name to benefit the LHS music fund- Tilson-Heacock band and choral fund, in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, PO Box 1260, Lawrence KS 66044.

Patricia Louise (Sims) Lawson

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Patricia Louise Lawson (Sims), age 72, passed away peacefully in the presence of family at 11:30 p.m. Thursday, April 9, 2020, in Lawrence, KS. She was born November 17, 1947, in Hamilton, OH to Glenn and Natialene Sims. She was the eldest of five children. She is preceded in death by her parents, Glenn and Natialene Sims and one sister, Elizabeth Seele.

She will be missed greatly by those who knew her well. She is survived by her significant other of 33 years, John Fike; her daughter Lori Kampfer (Martin) of Leawood, KS; her granddaughter Ashley Kampfer (Olivia) of Overland Park, KS; her sisters and brother: Janet Bailey of Topeka, KS; Claudia Smith (Tim) of Lawrence, KS; and Anthony Sims of Lawrence, KS; nine nephews, four nieces, and extended family.

Pat enjoyed many different paths in her life. With each path she found a place to thrive. She spent her early childhood on her family’s farm in Lawrence, KS, and enjoyed visiting her aunt and uncle’s (Clete and Ed Stroda) farm just outside of Lawrence. She moved across Kansas, Colorado, and Indiana with her family. While living in New Castle, IN, her path toward motherhood began. However, she discovered that she was unable to conceive. She adopted 9-month-old Lori in 1972.

In 1974 Pat and Lori moved to Topeka, KS, where she met and married Paul Lawson. She completed cosmetology school and worked for salons in Macy’s and Montgomery Ward. After her divorce from Paul in 1984, she opened a hair salon with her best friend, Carla Young, in downtown Topeka. During this time, she worked at Shenago Lounge in Lawrence as well. She enjoyed representing the lounge in Busch League Pool, playing 8-ball and 9-ball pool, and developed many valuable life-long friendships.

Around 1987, she met John Fike. Her path with John led her to her involvement in vintage dirt track racing. She played an integral role in the organization of the races. She grew to love the racing community and marveled at how good-hearted they were, so of course she fit right in. Over the years she worked with 2 different organizations, focusing on bringing grass roots vintage motorcycle dirt track races to many tracks that still remain intact across the US.

In the years leading up to her retirement, her path changed. She began working at Napa Auto Parts in Lawrence as a driver, taking great pride in her job and helping people in any way she could. She enjoyed and appreciated the people she worked with. She retired in 2014. Living a quiet life with John in Lecompton, KS, suited her quite nicely.

In 2017, she began her final path in life: she was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer. She knew where this path would lead, but never wavered in how she would handle it. No one knew just how tough she would be.

Due to the restrictions of Covid-19 there will be no funeral service. Please celebrate Pat’s life by…..(donating to something, planting a flower, raising a glass in her honor) *one or two of those things.

David Jerry Duersch

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David “Dave” J. Duersch, 78, passed away on April 12, 2020, at his home.

He was born November 2, 1941, in Driggs, Idaho, to David Duersch and Lucile M. (Dagsen) (Duersch) Davis.

Dave started his military career with the Army at a young age and served his country for over twenty years. This included two tours to Vietnam. He married Karin M. (Camen) Deursch in Germany where they met while he was stationed there. They later divorced. She preceded him in death on April 12, 2008. With this union they raised and are survived by four children: Kay (Chris) Strout; Pat (Mario) Argueta; Yvonne (Ben) Rapp, all of Lawrence, and David Jr (Elaine) Deursch of Virginia. He is also survived by eight grandchildren, nine great grandchildren and six of eight brothers and sisters. He later married Paula (Rockhold) Duersch who also preceded him in death on April 12, 2004.

Dave lived his life on his own terms, but would help anyone in need.

A private burial service will be held at the Leavenworth National Cemetery and the family is planning a celebration of life for a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Douglas County VNA Hospice, LMH Oncology, VFW Post 852, or to a charity of your choice.