Category: Obituaries

Mary “Suzanne” Gilbert

Posted on by RumseyYost

Mary “Suzanne” Gilbert, 81, of Lawrence, Kansas, passed away on Thursday, February 13, 2020 at The Windsor of Lawrence.

Services for Suzanne will be held at the First Baptist Church, 1330 Kasold Drive in Lawrence, Kansas at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, February 18, 2020. Visitation will be at 10:00 a.m. at the church. Rev. Dr. Matthew Sturtevant will be officiating. Burial will be in Oak Hill Cemetery.

Suzanne was born February 16, 1938 in Cassville, Missouri the daughter of Ralph and Susie Sandusky. She graduated from Canoga Park High School in California in 1956 and earned an Education Degree from the University of Kansas in 1977.

Suzanne married Verlin Gilbert on June 28, 1957 in Woodland Hills, California. Verlin survives at the home.

They settled in Lawrence and joined the First Baptist Church in 1957. With the help of the church, she was able to fulfill her lifelong passion for early childhood development by establishing the Johnnie Appleseed Preschool in 1980, utilizing Montessori teaching methods. Suzanne was loved by all the children that attended. She also volunteered for the Lawrence Public Schools. In 1995, the Lawrence Education Association presented her with the Friend of Education Award.

Suzanne was preceded in death by her daughter Dana Marie Hammond Knappenberger on February 22, 2004.

She is survived by a daughter, Sharna Miller and husband Dale and a son, Darren Gilbert and wife Gaila, siblings: Ralphetta Gibbons, Roy Short and wife Elvie and Margo Ary, seven grandchildren: Tyler Hammond, Dustin Gilbert, Alex Miller, A.J. Gilbert, Kaylea Knappenberger, Dale Miller, III and Grayson Gilbert, and two great grandchildren: Martin Hammond and Bronson Gilbert.

Suzanne was a member of the Lawrence Civic Choir for over 25 years and a board member of Mother to Mother.

She will be remembered as a beautiful woman who had a kind and nurturing heart, a soft-spoken and calming presence, a natural gift for storytelling, a passion for music and writing, and the deepest love for her husband, children and grandchildren.

Memorials may be given to the First Baptist Church, Lawrence, Kansas.

The family wishes to extend our sincere thanks and appreciation to Visiting Nurses Hospice and The Windsor of Lawrence, Memory Care.

Dane Wesley Offutt

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A Celebration of Life for Dane W. Offutt, 68, rural Lawrence, will be 1:00 pm Saturday, February 22, 2020, at Lawrence First Church of the Nazarene, 1470 N. 1000 Rd. Lawrence, Kansas 66046.

Dane died peacefully Monday, February 10, 2020, in his home, surrounded by his wife and children, following a long and courageous battle with cancer.

He was born June 26, 1951 in Durant, OK, the son of D. Haskell and Bonnie (Davidson) Offutt. He graduated from Drumright High School (1969), earned his Bachelor’s of Business Administration at Bethany Nazarene College (1974), and his Master’s of Healthcare Administration from Trinity University (1981). He worked as a hospital administrator and medical practice administrator of radiology groups until he retired from Radiologic Professional Services (RPS) in Lawrence, KS in 2017.

He married Brenda Fortner on December 30, 1971, in Mitchell, South Dakota. He is survived by his wife, Brenda, his children Aaron & Stephanie (Lincoln, NE), Cara & John (Easton, KS), and Evan, and his grandchildren: Bryce, Allison, Loralai, Aubree, John Marcus, and Mayleigh + many “bonus” kids and grandkids including Rob & Shelly Needham (Sam, Isaac, Lydia, and Rachel). Other survivors include his siblings David & Renita (Cushing, OK), Susie (Oklahoma City, OK), and Don & Glynda (Oklahoma City, OK), along with their children and grandchildren.

In the course of their 48 years of marriage, Dane & Brenda spent time living all over Oklahoma, as well as in San Antonio, TX; Amarillo, TX; Lincoln, NE; Cabot, AR; and Lawrence, KS. Dane was a faithful follower of Christ, loving and beloved husband, father, grandpa, son, and brother.
He was a committed congregant at Lawrence First Church of the Nazarene and a man of integrity in all areas of his life.

Financial gifts in Dane’s memory may be directed to:
Lawrence First Church of the Nazarene (https://bit.ly/2vzBxed)
Visiting Nurses Hospice (https://bit.ly/2UPESkc)

James Randel (Randy) Gebhards

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James Randel (Randy) Gebhards died Monday, February 10, 2020 in hospice care at his home in Lawrence, Kansas after several years of pain and struggle with prostate and bone cancer.

Randy was born August 21, 1952 in Tribune, Kansas, the son of Jim and Sheila Dobbs Gebhards. After graduating from Weskan High School in 1970, he attended Fort Hays State University for 2 years, then took some time off to help on the farm, before heading back to school at Kansas State, graduating from there in May, 1977 with a bachelor’s degree in Crop Protection in the school of Agriculture.

On June 4, 1977, Randy married Lou Ann Bruey Gebhards. She survives of the home in Lawrence. Additional survivors include his mother, Sheila, also now in Lawrence; his sisters-in-laws and brothers-in-law (Patty Bruey Tidwell and her husband Mickey of Lakeland, Florida) and Shirley Bruey Sweetman and her husband Jim of Castro Valley, CA; five loving nieces and nephews (Symphony Tidwell, Tina Tidwell Bedore, Amy Sweetman Buller, Robbie Sweetman and Mitchell Sweetman) and one great-niece (Charlotte Rose Bedore). Randy was preceded in death by his father, his brother Rex, grandparents on both sides and many aunts and uncles on both sides.

In June, 1977, Randy joined Lou Ann to serve as a staff member for a Christian student group – Campus Crusade for Christ (CCC and now Cru) on the campus of Iowa State in Ames, Iowa. They were there for 3 years and then moved to Hays, KS to serve at Fort Hays State University, also with CCC. They made many good friends and had several nice summer “postings” to vacation areas – Branson, MO; Lake Tahoe, CA; Ft. Collins, CO; and Oahu, HI.

In fall of 1982, they left their CCC staff positions to move to Lawrence, KS so that Randy could get a second bachelor’s degree in Business from the University of Kansas. After obtaining that, he worked for the State of Kansas, Department of Revenue in tax, audit and budget departments from 1988 until he retired in January, 2015. During the years at KU, he also worked at Alvamar Golf Course – mainly for the free golf, a sport he learned to play in Iowa. He enjoyed watching golf on television as a youngster, even tried to make his own clubs from some scrap iron on the farm. He said they were pretty bad. He had several other “real” clubs after that but was very happy to get his first set of Ping clubs when he graduated from KU in 1988.

Randy had many interests and passions other than golf – fly fishing; watching humming birds, orioles, chickadees, blue birds, cardinals and wrens on the back yard feeder; learning about computers and open source software; airplanes; cars; photography (before we all started using our phones); snorkeling; and even Facebook “discussions”. He had basic skills in electrical and carpentry work from jobs during the time off from college, plus just being a farmer who fixed things.

After retiring he brought his dad to Lawrence to care for him when he needed therapy support after a fall, until his dad passed in July, 2015. He also helped his brother Rex on the family wheat farm for a couple of planting seasons. He felt badly that it seemed whenever he came to help, he brought the opposite weather needed – too much rain or not enough. They persevered together, despite health problems for each. Randy said that between them, they didn’t even make a healthy 50-year old.

Randy had an eye and heart for needs in lives that others might overlook. His sensitivity seemed to increase as his body declined. In his last days he asked often about the health and welfare of family members.

He was a tender–hearted, strong man until the cancer took the strength away. The tender heart remained until his last breath on February 10, 2020.

The family wishes to thank the caring and supportive nurses at Elara Caring Hospice, oncology staff at Sarah Cannon Cancer Center at Menorah in Overland Park, Kansas and the Lawrence Douglas County EMS response teams who helped Randy and Lou Ann a great deal in his final days at home.

Randy was cremated as he wished. Services are scheduled for Sunday, February 16 at 2:00 p.m. at Rumsey Yost Funeral Home in Lawrence. Memorial contributions may be made to the Wallace County Ambulance Service in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1260, Lawrence, KS, 66044.

Dr. Rees Murray Jackman

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Rees Murray Jackman, DVM, age 79 of Goodyear, AZ died January 30, 2020, in Goodyear, AZ. He was born February 7, 1940, in Kansas City, MO, the youngest child born to Lolita (Russell) and Franklin Clarke Jackman. Rees grew up in Lawrence, KS. He received his bachelors degree in business from the University of Kansas. After years of running the family’s vast agricultural business, Rees returned to school and graduated from Kansas State University with a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine. He worked as a veterinarian at the Agua Fria Animal Clinic for 28 years and loved every day of work. He loved all animals and worked to provide the best care for them, even paying for treatment if funds were not available. Retirement was difficult, but he was blessed to retain many friendships from his previous clients.

Rees enjoyed good conversation. He was very smart, highly educated and politically active. He enjoyed political discussions but was just as content to talk about nothing. He learned new technology quickly and enjoyed playing electronic games with his sons. Caring and very generous, he tried to help everyone he could. Through his assistance, all of his wife’s family were able to legally come to the United States. Whether it was secretly providing Christmas for a family or arranging for an updated prosthesis for his father-in-law, Rees looked to the needs of others before his own. His children knew that he would provide anything they asked for, so they were careful to be sensible. He was a loving father and grandfather who was so proud of his family!

Rees is survived by his wife, Margarita Jackman; daughter, Alexandra Ascher (Daryl); sons, Christopher (Perla Rivera), Clarke (Leslie), and Brad Jackman (Karen); sisters Judy Warren, and Lyle Dring; brother Charles Jackman; five grandchildren and his beloved dog, Cooper. He was preceded in death by his parents, Lolita and Franklin Clarke Jackman, and his brother, Clarke Jackman.

Private family services will happen at a later date.

Trampas William “Will” Hutchinson

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A memorial visitation for Trampas William “Will” Hutchinson, 40, Kansas City, will be 3:00pm, Thursday, February 13, 2020 at Slowride Roadhouse in Lawrence.

Mr. Hutchinson died January 25, 2020, in Kansas City.

He was born February 8, 1979, in Pittsburg, Kansas to Roxanne Marie Odle Hutchinson and Larry Dunnic. He was adopted by Les Hutchinson when he was 8 years old.

Mr. Hutchinson worked as a heavy equipment operator.

He is survived by a sister, Jasmine Hutchinson; aunt, Cleone Harder of Pueblo West, Colorado; and adopted father, Les Hutchinson.

His mother preceded him in death.

The family suggests memorial contributions be made to Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, PO Box 1260, Lawrence, KS 66044.

Jeffrey Lee Spriggs

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Jeffrey Lee Spriggs, 55, of Baldwin City, KS, passed away Friday, January 31, 2020, at Hospice House in Olathe, KS.

No Services are planned. Burial will be at Sherman City Cemetery at a later date.

Survivors include his children, Clarissa, Joshua, and Hannah; a granddaughter, Kaylin. He is also survived by Valeri; parents, Monty and Diana; and his faithful companions, Layla and Lola.

Jeffrey was preceded in death by his daughter, Sara Cheyenne.

Emma Deane (Wolz) Barland

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Mass of Christian burial for Emma Deane Barland, 98, Lawrence, will be 11:00 a.m. Friday at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church. Burial will be at Mt. Calvary Catholic Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Friday at the church, where a rosary will be said at 10:00 a.m.

Mrs. Barland passed away January 30, 2020, at her home surrounded by family.

She was born November 17, 1921, in Blackwell, Oklahoma, the daughter of Fredrick and Daisy Deane (Bacher) Wolz; she was one of six children. She graduated from Beloit High School in 1939.

She married Raymond F. Barland on November 21, 1941, in Beloit, Kansas. He died December 26, 2004.

Emma Deane had a multitude of different occupations throughout her lifetime. She was a wife and homemaker for many years, raising her children, and a scout leader. She was a long time member of St. John’s Church and the Altar Society. She retired from the University of Kansas as the Chief Telephone Operator in 1986, after 15 years of service.

She loved to watch and keep track of KU during the final four games. She enjoyed traveling, cooking for her family, gardening, journaling, doing ceramics and crocheting. She was an avid baker and definitely enjoyed her chocolate. Traveling around the country to see relatives was one of her favorite pastimes. She was a great co-pilot and usually the first one packed in the car if you mentioned “road trip”. Emma enjoyed helping others and was the first one to pitch in to help or the first person to call when you needed advice.

She was preceded in death by her parents; five siblings, an infant brother, Kathryn (Wolz) Waller, Elizabeth (Wolz) White, Freda (Wolz) Baker, and Margaret (Wolz) Smejkal; and a great granddaughter.

Survivors include her children, Virginia Barland, Robert Barland and wife Jannice, Brian Barland and wife Kathryn, Sheryl Payne and husband Donald, Douglas Barland; six grandchildren; twelve great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews; cousins and other loving relatives.

Friends may call from 9:00am to 8:00 pm Thursday at the funeral home.

The family suggests memorial contributions to Meals on Wheels and Heartland Hospice, sent in care of the funeral home.

Carol J. Grant

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Memorial services for Carol J. Grant, 73, Ottawa, will be at 10 am Monday at Lawrence First Church of the Nazarene, 1470 N. 1000 Rd. A visitation will be held Sunday from 1-3 pm at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home. Carol died after a long illness on Wednesday, January 29, 2020, at Baldwin Healthcare & Rehab.

She was born December 23, 1946, in Lawrence, the daughter of James C. and Mary Margaret Spence Penny. She graduated from Lawrence High School in 1964. She worked as a legal secretary in several law offices until her retirement in 2011. She enjoyed painting and spending time with her dogs, many of which she rescued.

Carol married Richard M. ‘Rick’ Grant on March 31, 1989, in Lawrence. He survives of the home. Other survivors include children Jama Carter and husband Jeff Hazen, Ottawa, Todd Howard and wife Heidi Woods, Baldwin City, Tony Grant and wife Melian, Blue Springs, Mo., Kim Jaeger and husband Tom, Mt. Zion. Ill., Cari Dhungana and husband Dinesh, Canton, Ga., Lyndsy Grant, Canton, Ga., and Amy Zeman and husband Justin, Sioux Rapids, Ia.; four siblings, Barbara Brecheisen and husband Jay Dee, Lawrence, Brenda Breithaupt, Lawrence, Kathe Rhodes and husband Kent, Salmon, Idaho, and Jim Penny, Lawrence; 13 grandchildren, and 2 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers-in-law Brad Grant and Glenn Breithaupt, and sister-in-law Tina Penny.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to Alzheimer’s Association, Baldwin Healthcare & Rehab, or ASPCA, in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, 601 Indiana St., Lawrence, KS 66044.

Julie A. (Bolton) Nieder

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Julie A (Bolton) Nieder, 80 passed away on January 28th, 2020 at Lawrence Memorial Hospital.

She was a lifelong resident of Lawrence and graduated from Lawrence High School in 1957.

She married her one and only love, Raymond E. Nieder on February 5th, 1958. Raymond died February 1st, 2008.

After raising her children she worked at Raney’s Drug Store, US Bank, and the Shelter.

Julie was an avid KU Basketball fan, loving and devoted mother, and especially loved her role as Grandma (G-Ma/Kansas Grandma) and Great Grandma. She will be deeply missed by all.

She is survived by her sister Linda (Bill) Lawrence, her children, Mike (Sheri) Nieder, Brad (Lisa) Nieder, Teri Amyx, Shari (Skip) Soukup, her 12 grandchildren, Jerod Nieder, Mandy (Caleb) Ausmus, Brityn (Steve) Summers, Rachel Amyx, Taeler Nieder, Sydney Nieder, Cale (fiance Ashley) Nieder, Kendall Nieder, Connor Soukup, Chad Nieder, Parker Soukup, Mackenzie Nieder, And her great grandchildren Enzo and Sloan Summers and Easton Ausmus, and her dear nephew, Jeff (Tracy)Stine and their son Ethan Stine and her dear niece Kris Stine.

Visitation will be held on Friday February 7th from 6:00pm-7:30pm at Rumsey Yost Funeral Home.

In honor of her love for KU basketball a Celebration of Life will be held at the Eldridge Hotel in the Big Six room during the KU game on Saturday February 8th from 11:00am-2:00pm.

Donations can be made in honor of Julie Nieder online to The Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation at http://give.reeve.org/fundraiser/2544831

Pamela Lynn Wallace

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A visitation for Pamela Lynn Wallace, 58, Lawrence, will be 5-7 pm Friday at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home & Crematory.

Ms. Wallace died Tuesday, January 28, 2020, at her home.

She was born June 18, 1961, in Lawrence, the daughter of Walter Robert “Bob” and Marguerite A. Goodwin Hellstrom. She graduated from Lawrence High School in 1979.

Ms. Wallace worked as a SD card programmer at Garmin and threw newspapers for the Lawrence Journal World for over 20 years. She loved her dogs and going to dock dog competitions. She enjoyed cooking for large groups of people and attending her grandchildren’s activities.

She is survived by sons, Jeremy Wallace of Lawrence, Derick Wallace and wife Casey of Lawrence; daughter, Kendall Wallace of Lawrence; sister, Jane Hellstrom of Independence, MO; grandchildren, Jensen Wallace, Laney Wallace, Nicholas Wallace, Tatum Grammer, Dominic Parton, Alea Parton, Jeremy Christian Wallace, Blaze Wallace, and Paislee Wallace.

The family suggests memorial contributions to the Lawrence Humane Society, sent in care of the funeral home.