Category: Obituaries

James M. ‘Pitter-Pat’ Patterson

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James M. Patterson, 77, Oskaloosa, Kansas died Sunday, December 20th at Lawrence Memorial Hospital. He was born on January 3rd, 1938 in Cloud County, Kansas to Thomas R. and Anna (Eiznhamer) Patterson and was the fourth of six children. James was a 1956 Lawrence High School graduate. After high school, he spent a tour of duty in the U.S. Army. Upon leaving the Army, he went to work for Co-op/Farmland Industries in Lawrence until retirement.

James was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Robert and sister, Mary. He is survived by daughters, Salena and Lesa and their families; brothers, George (Sylvia) of McCook, Nebraska, Joe (Shirley) of Lawrence and sister, Amanda Barnes of Baldwin City.
James was an active member of the Lawrence Fraternal Order of Eagles. He was an original member of the “OUTKAST” car club in Lawrence. It was about this time that he was given the nickname of “Pitter-Pat”.

The family would like to thank all of the staff at Hickory Pointe Care Center in Oskaloosa for the love, care and attention given to James during his time there. James had chosen cremation. Visitation for family and friends will be at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home on Sunday, January 17 from 4 to 6 p.m. Memorials can be made to Hickory Pointe Care Center in care of the Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, 601 Indiana, Lawrence, KS 66044.

Charles (Charlie) Raymond Grahnert

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Charles (Charlie) R. Grahnert, 65, Lenexa, formerly of Topeka, passed Friday, December 18, 2015, at his home.

He was born January 7, 1950, in Leavenworth, Kansas, the son of Adolf R. and Josephine P. DeVeau Grahnert. He spent his early childhood in Tacoma, Wa , before moving to Topeka, Ks where he attended Jr High, and High School, graduating in 1968 from Topeka High School.

Mr. Grahnert worked at Performance Glass as an Estimator, and has lived in the Kansas City area for 30 years.

Charlie was very active in sports from Junior High through adulthood and was most passionate about baseball. He not only played, but coached as well. He was an avid fan of the KC Royals, KC Chiefs, and his beloved KU Jayhawks.

Survivors include wife Cynthia R. Rodman of the home; a daughter, Heather Grahnert, Topeka; two sons, Brett C. Grahnert, Lawrence, and R. Scott Grahnert, Topeka; two step-daughters, Catherine T. Hawkins, Belton, Mo, and Julie K. Morrison, Lawrence; one step-son, Lonnie R. Hawkins, Lawrence; one sister, Linda Newcomer, Tacoma, Wa; sixteen grandchildren, one great-grandchild; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and one sister, Connie L. Noack.

Funeral Services will be 1 pm Wednesday, December 23, 2015, at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, Lawrence, Ks, burial will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery.

Mr. Grahnert will lie in state after 6 pm, Tuesday, December 22. Visitation will be at 12 pm, Wednesday prior to the service at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Charity of Donor’s choice.

Linda Sue McNish

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Graveside services for Linda Sue McNish, 50, Lawrence, will be 11 am, Wednesday, December 23, 2015, at Maple Grove Cemetery, Lecompton, KS.

Linda passed away peacefully Friday, December 18, 2015, at her home, with her family at her bedside.

She was born April 19, 1965, in Little Rock, Arkansas, the daughter of James Franklin and Justine Pauline Barrett McNish. She attended Perry /Lecompton High School.

Linda worked at Henry’s, Hardees and Hallmark Cards as a machine operator.

She is preceded in death by her dad (Jim), mom (Justine), a brother (James Jr.), a sister (Betty Jo Corel), a nephew (Blake McNish) and maternal and paternal grandparents.

Survivors include two sisters, Mary and husband Phillip Markmann, MO, Judy McNish, Lawrence; three brothers, Paul McNish, Avondale, LA, Tim McNish, Lecompton, KS, Tom and wife Brandi McNish, Eudora, KS; seven nieces, six nephews, two great nieces and one great nephew.

A visitation will be 6-8 pm Tuesday December 22, 2015, at Rumsey-Yost Funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Linda Sue McNish memorial fund, sent in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, 601 Indiana Street Lawrence, KS 66044

Ruth Marie Johnson

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Ruth Marie Johnson, 92, Lawrence, passed away on December 19, 2015 at Bridge Haven at Alvamar in Lawrence, KS. with her daughter at her side. Ruth was born to Norman and Lucella (Peterson) Hanson on August 15, 1923 at the home of her grandparents, Nels and Caroline Hanson in Lyle Township, MN.
She graduated from Lyle High School in 1941.
She married Gordon Johnson on January 9, 1943 in Lyle, MN. He preceded her in death on Dec. 4, 2004.
She worked at Herb and Bills Grocery, Woolworth’s, Simonson Paint Store and retired from Wallaces.
She and Gordon were ling time active members of St. Olaf Church. She was also a past board member at St. Marks. She enjoyed playing cards, crocheting and dancing.
She is survives by a daughter, Marjorie Etzig of Lawrence, KS, three grandchildren and five great-grandchildren, Trista Etzig and husband Adam Brecher and Abbott of Washington DC, Chad and Amy Etzig, Chloe, Dylan, and Emily of Olathe, KS, Alison and Paul Groenwoldt Hanna of LaPlata, MD. and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Patents Norman and Luella Hanson, sisters and brothers-in-law, Virginia and H.C. Blume, Betty and Rudy Jansen.

Yates (Jerry) Jarrett

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Funeral services for Yates (Jerry) Jarrett, 97, Lawrence, will be 11 am Tuesday, December 22, 2015, at First Baptist Church, with the Rev. Matt Sturtevant officiating. Private interment will follow. He died Thursday, Dec. 17, 2015, at Lawrence Memorial Hospital.

Jerry was born May 9, 1918, in Marion, North Carolina, the son of Carson Elijah and Cola Mae Daves Jarrett. He was a World War II veteran and worked as a self-employed flooring installer. He was a very hard worker, a man of great faith, a deacon and usher in his church well into his 90’s, and was a much loved husband and father.

He married Norma Evelyn Witzke on Feb. 21, 1952, in Liberal, KS. They were married 63 years, and she survives of the home. Other survivors include a daughter Jan and husband Bill; sons Mike and wife Kim, and Dale; grandchildren, Katie and husband Tim, Timothy and wife Amber; many nieces nephews; grand-nieces and nephews including his nephew Bill Jarrett and wife Jeanette; and two step-grandsons, Spencer and Dashiell. Jerry was the oldest of seven children all who preceded him in death along with his parents.

He will lie in state Monday from 1:00pm to 3:00pm at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home.

Memorials are suggested to Bethel Neighborhood Center, 14 S. 7th. St,. Kansas City, KS, 66101.

Bonnie J. McConnell Smith

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Funeral services for Bonnie J. McConnell Smith, 78, rural Baldwin City, will be at 10 am Monday at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Wellsville Cemetery. Mrs. Smith died Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2015, at Lawrence Memorial Hospital.

She was born Sept. 14, 1937, in Kansas City, Kan., the daughter of James Wesley and Barbara Lajoy Sluder Detwiler. She grew up in the rural Ottawa area, and graduated from Appanoose High School. Bonnie worked for Southwestern Bell for two years before becoming a cosmetic consultant for 36 years. She later worked for Saffee’s for 23 years. Bonnie enjoyed working and helping people, spending time with her family, watching her grandchildren, and working in the yard. She was a member of Centropolis Baptist Church, and Order of the Eastern Star Evangeline Chapter 162.

She married Raymond McConnell of Wellsville in 1957. To this marriage were born three children, Michael, Diane, and Rhonda. Raymond passed away in 1984. She married Jerry E. Smith on Aug. 12, 1988, and he survives of the home. Other survivors include daughters Diane Urban and husband Terry, La Crosse, Kan, and Rhonda Hubbel and husband Dan, Baldwin City; a stepdaughter, Shelley Munday and husband David, Houston, Tex.; a brother, Michael O’Brien, Boston, Mass.; a sister, Sandra Clancy, Mass.; grandchildren Michael Hubbel and wife Connie, Brian Hubbel, Riley Hubbel, Anastasia and Jacob Urban, Michaela Ridgley and husband Nathan, and Nicholas Munday; several nieces and nephews, including James, Jeffrey, Denise, Tanya Francene and Bridget Detwiler; an aunt, Kay Jones and husband Jim; and several great nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her son, Michael, two brothers, Jimmie Detwiler and Ronnie Detwiler, and a sister, Maureen O’Brien.

Friends may call from 9 am to 8 pm Sunday at the funeral home, where the family will receive them from 3-5 pm. Memorial contributions are suggested to VNA/Hospice, in care of the funeral home, 601 Indiana St., Lawrence, KS, 66044.

Marian Eloise Hess

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Visitation for Marian E. Hess (Robson/Godfrey) 69, Lawrence, will be from 6-7pm Monday, December 21st at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home.

Mrs. Hess passed away on December 13th 2015, in her home.

She was born April 30, 1946, in Springfield Illinois, the daughter of William and Ilo Robson.

She married Harold Godfrey on December 1st 1962 in Lawrence KS. They divorced. She married John Hess in September of 1978.

Her survivors include; Shelly Wise (Godfrey), Lawrence; Kelly Nelson (Godfrey) and Jim Nelson, Eudora; Scott Godfrey, Topeka. Five grandchildren; Heather Pollard, Eudora; Jonah Wise, Lawrence; Brandan Helm, Eudora; Cody Wise, Lawrence; James Nelson, Eudora. Five great grandchildren. Four sisters, Cindy Hout, Cheryl Evilsizor, Sandra McDonald, and Connie Clark. She was proceeded in death by her husband John Hess, and two brothers Ronnie and George Robson.

Alice Mae Torneden Shirk

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Funeral services for Alice Mae Torneden Shirk, 88, rural Lawrence, will be at 11 am Friday at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, with the Rev. Robert Leiste officiating. Burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery. Mrs. Shirk died Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015, at St. Luke’s Hospital in Kansas City, Mo.

She was born Dec. 26, 1926, in Lawrence, the daughter of Albert and Gladys Schreiber Torneden. She graduated from Liberty Memorial High School. Alice grew up on the farm and was a homemaker. She was a member of Redeemer Lutheran Church, and was active in the Douglas County 4-H and the American Rabbit Breeder’s Assn.

She married Harold P. Shirk on Dec. 18, 1948, in Lawrence. He preceded her in death on Sept. 13, 2002. She was also preceded in death by her parents, a sister, Reta Torneden, and a grandson, Brian Shirk.

Survivors include children Stephen Shirk and wife Patty, Martha Evans and husband Landon, Phillip Shirk and wife Susie, and David Shirk and wife Karen; siblings Harold Torneden and wife Jean and Phoebe Schneck and husband Gaylord; grandchildren Jessica Shirk Chapman and husband Dallas, Jennifer Shirk Baker and husband Jeff, Clinton Shirk, and Kyle Shirk; and step grandchildren Cinnamon Ramer, Jacy Wolfe and wife Sarah, Susan Evans Bessey and husband Drew, and Marshall Wolfe; and several great grandchildren, nephews and nieces.

Friend may call from noon to 8 pm Thursday at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, where the family will receive them from 6-8 pm. Memorial contributions are suggested to Redeemer Lutheran Church, or a charity of the donor’s choice, in care of the funeral home, 601 Indiana St., Lawrence, KS, 66044.

Judy Gay Harmon

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Services for Judy Gay Harmon, 71, Lawrence, will be private.

Mrs. Harmon died Saturday, December 12, 2015, at her home.

She was born September 13, 1944, in Kansas City, Missouri, the daughter of Orval and Georgia Ruth McClure Shelby.

Mrs. Harmon worked as a caretaker for social services. She enjoyed animals and traveling all over the country. Judy was a proud and dedicated grandmother and homemaker.

She married William Thomas “Tom” Harmon, September 21, 1958 in Miami, Oklahoma. He survives of the home.

Other survivors include children, Terry Lee Harmon and wife Tracy of Overbrook, and Debbie Sawyer and husband Don of Concord, North Carolina; grandchildren, William Thomas Harmon III, John Patrick Harmon, Cayden Hunter Harmon, and Colton Derby Harmon; as well as her mother, Georgia Shelby.

She was preceded in death by her father; son, William Thomas “Tommy” Harmon, Jr.;and siblings, Terry Shelby and Jeanette Dowis.

The family suggests memorials in lieu of flowers to the Judy Harmon Memorial Fund, sent in care of the funeral home.

David Rand Cowden

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David Rand Cowden passed away on Thursday, December 10, 2015, at the University of Kansas Hospital.

Friends may call from 2 – 8 PM Sunday at the funeral home, where the family will receive them from 6-8 PM. A private family burial will take place the following day.

David was born February 24, 1943, in Russell, KS, the son of Max and Esther Cowden.

He married Carol Hodges on August 17, 1963, in Topeka, KS. She survives of the home. Other survivors include four children (and spouses) Craig and Stacia Cowden, Olathe; Paige and Rob Marett, Lawrence; Suzanne and Scott Schaper, Olathe; and Lisa Cowden, Lawrence; Five grandchildren, Leah, Halle, and Colin Marett, Lawrence; and Josh and Sam Schaper, Olathe, one brother, Bill Cowden of Shawnee, KS.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to Lawrence Memorial Hospital Oncology Department, sent in care of the funeral home, 601 Indiana, Lawrence, KS 66044