Category: Obituaries

Elizabeth “Betty” Hazen

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Elizabeth (Betty) Hazen passed away on November 14, 2014, while in hospice care at Pioneer Ridge, Lawrence, Kansas.

Betty was born in Rangoon, Burma on December 30, 1932, where her father, Christian Charles Scherling, was a chemistry professor at the Judson College and her mother, Freda Scherling, was a bookkeeper. Elizabeth’s father died when she was eight years old. As the Japanese started invading Burma during World War II a few years after her father’s death, Freda was advised to take her four children to Woodstock School in the Himalayan Mountains of India, to escape the fighting. Betty fondly remembers her years at Woodstock, where she graduated from high school when she was sixteen years old. She stayed in correspondence with several of her classmates from there until recent years.

To acclimate to the customs and education system of the United States as the family moved here after her graduation, Betty enrolled in one year of high school in Ottawa, Kansas. There she met a group of friends who have remained very close and dear to her. After graduation, Betty attended and graduated from Ottawa University, where she earned her Bachelor of Education degree. She met the love of her life, Norman Hazen, while working a part-time job at the City Hall. Norman and Betty married on November 23, 1952. This year would have been their sixty-second anniversary. They enjoyed working on many home and yard projects together, and caring for their children.

Teaching was a life-long joy and passion for Betty. She especially enjoyed teaching young children to read. Betty began her teaching career by doing two one-year stints at one-room schoolhouses as they were beginning the consolidation process. She taught at Hope School one year and Davey School the next. She began her Ottawa career at Lincoln Elementary, teaching first and fifth grade. At the end of her teaching career, she taught sixth grade at Ottawa Middle School. During the course of her time at Lincoln, she earned a Master’s Degree from Emporia State University in counseling.

Betty was a devoted wife, mother and daughter. She was very active in the Trinity Methodist Church in Ottawa, Kansas where she taught Sunday School, Bible School, was a member of the choir and the Administrative Council. Betty and was active parent for her children while they were in the Town and Country 4-H Club, where she was a project leader and sponsor for many events. Betty was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma, loved Indian and Chinese foods, and enjoyed doing crossword puzzles and brain games.

Betty’s husband, Norman, currently lives at Pioneer Ridge Assisted Living in Lawrence, Kansas. Also surviving are their son Greg Hazen and his wife Patricia Henshall, Lawrence; and daughter Jeanne Fridell, her husband Max; and their grandson and his wife, Zach and Margaret Fridell- all of Lawrence. Betty’s son, Keith, preceded her in death in 2007. Keith’s widow Jaci and their son Adam live in Ottawa. Their other son Tyler lives in Kansas City.

Also surviving are Betty’s sister Marguerite Schweitzer, McPherson, Kansas and her brother, Hans Scherling of Vancouver, BC, and many beloved nieces and nephews. Her mother and brother, Christian Scherling, preceded her in death.

Betty’s wish was to be cremated. A memorial service for family and close friends is being planned for a later date. Memorials may be made in Betty’s name for Woodstock School and sent in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, PO Box 1260, Lawrence, KS 66044.

James Goodson ‘Jim’ Winn

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Jim passed away November 13, 2014 at the Lawrence Memorial Hospital in Lawrence, Ks. He will be remembered as a true gentleman with many talents and interests.

He was born on November 19, 1926, in Tuscola, Illinois. Jim graduated from Tuscola Community High School in 1944. He then enlisted for two years in the Navy and was part of the submarine corps, in World War II. From 1946–49 he attended Illinois Wesleyan University, where he was a member of the Phi Mu Alpha music fraternity. He graduated with a major in psychology and a minor in music. He loved jazz and played the stand up bass. In 1949 he went to work for Lehigh Portland Cement Co. in Allentown, Pa. The Navy called him back in 1952 during the Korean conflict, for another two years in mine warfare. He then returned to work in eastern Ks. for his former company.

Jim enrolled in the Washburn University Law School, Topeka, Ks. and graduated in 1957. He held several positions in law firms until moving into his own practice in Abilene, KS, for 19 years.

Jim met his wife, Barbara, through friends in Lawrence, Ks. They were married in July, 1973. A decision was made to accept the position of District Attorney for the Marshall Islands as part of the Trust Territory of the Pacific for two years, 1976-78. They then spent the next two and one half years in Saipan where Jim worked for the District Attorney there. After returning to the U.S. Jim attended the University of Denver Law School, obtaining an M.S. in Judicial Administration. Jim became interested in Executive Search, a career he began in 1981 in San Diego, Ca. He did not return to the practice of law, but he & Barbara moved to Lawrence, Ks in 1987 where he started the Winn Group, an actuarial search firm.

In Lawrence, Jim belonged to the Actuarial Society. He was a supporter of the Topeka Jazz Workshop, Inc. and always enjoyed jazz concerts presented by the KU music department. Sailing was a great love for Jim. He sailed his own boat at Clinton and Milford Lakes. He enjoyed taking family and friends for sailboat rides. Jim loved to travel. He & Barbara were fortunate to have had travels to many Asian countries, the U.S. and cruises in the Caribbean.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Plum & Oma Winn; a brother Willis Winn: two children David Winn & Cynthia Winn; a step-son, David Heath.

Jim is survived by his wife, Barbara Winn: two step-sons: Thomas Heath(Pam), and Gary Heath(Debbie). He was blessed with eight grandchildren and six great grandchildren.

A family graveside service will be held at a later date. The family suggests donations in Jim’s memory be made to: Topeka Jazz Workshop Scholarship Fund, PO Box 452, Topeka, KS 66601

Donald Earl Parker

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Donald Earl Parker of Lawrence, formerly of Topeka, Ks and Stockton, CA passed away Tuesday November 11th, 2014. He was born April 8th, 1935 in Monett, Mo. the son of Alvin Parker and Irene Ianaite. Donald attended McKinley Elementary, and Edison High School, Stockton, CA.  Serving in the United States Air Force from 1952-1957, was stationed in Ramstein, Germany in the 604th Company Umation and the 604th Company. After serving in the Air Force he went to work at the U.S. Post Office, Santa Fe Railroad- as a blacksmith helper, North American Van Lines, and Ed Marling’s, all of Topeka. He had worked with gospel groups for many years. He was a bass, piano, and guitar player. Donald enjoyed woodworking, and was the winner of award winning local Christmas decorations. He was ordained as a minister in 1984 through Pentecostal Grace Fellowship Inc., Topeka.

Don married Lucille Wadsworth on December 20th 1957; she preceded him in death January, 1981. He married Doris Ward on February 6th, 1982; she preceded him in death January, 2002. He was also preceded in death by his mother Irene, in 2005 and his father Alvin, in 2003, three brothers Alvin Parker Jr, Raymond Parker, Earl Beeson, and a step grandson John Mcfoose.   Survivors include two daughters Ute Gabriel, Germany, and Pamela Kentch, Topeka, eight step children; Nora Fergola, Cindy Handy, Doug Wadsworth, all of Topeka, Lisa Herschell, Lawrence,  Bob and Jacque Hurley, Lawrence, Sheila Ward and Alex Cano Romero, Lawrence, Carl and Tanya Ward, Lawrence, Kirk Kirkland and Catherine Wesley, Lawrence, and sister Marjorie James, Urbana, Mo.; twenty six grandchildren, eighteen great grandchildren, and one great, great grandchild.

Memorial services with military honors will be held Saturday, November 15th at 2 pm at Rumsey Yost Funeral Home, Lawrence, Ks. The family will greet friends from 1:30 pm – 2:00 pm.

Hazel S. Treanor

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A Celebration of Life for Hazel S. Treanor, 93, Lawrence, will be at 1 pm Saturday at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home & Crematory, with the Rev. Rob Baldwin officiating. The family will receive friends following the service. Mrs. Treanor died Wed., Nov. 12, 2014, at Lawrence Memorial Hospital.

She was born Sept. 7, 1921, in Council Grove, Kan., the oldest of ten children born to Louis and Nona Stover Snodgrass. She lived on the family farm in Wilsie, Kan. until 1936. The family moved to Diamondville, Wyo. after experiencing a series of natural disasters such as the seven year locusts and the dust bowl on the family farm.

After graduating from Kimmer High School, she traveled to Denver, Colo. to attend business college, then on to work for the Rocky Mountain Arsenal immediately preceding World War II. After the war, she and her husband, Mercer, moved to Nashville, Tenn. where they started their family. Eventually, Mercer’s business ventures relocated him to St. Louis, Mo.

Hazel spent a majority of her life in St. Louis. There she supported her husband with his business efforts. She was a landlord for their properties, a bookkeeper, and an accountant. She supported numerous causes that were important to her, including the Republican Party, her Episcopal Church, and Garden Clubs of America. She was a trained master gardener, and traveled all over the country to participate in, and judge, flower shows. She won hundreds of awards for her creative and artistic flower arrangements, and even had some published in national publications. Her favorite style of flower arranging was Ikebana – a Japenese style. She taught this style and promoted it throughout the community and country. She was also an avid bridge player.

She married Mercer L. Treanor on Mar. 22, 1945, in Nashville. He preceded her in death, as did brothers Bob, Leo, and Charles Snodgrass, and sisters Opal, Mary, and Fayetta. She is survived by two sons, Bob Treanor and wife Janet, and Mike Treanor and wife Teresa, all of Lawrence; a daughter, Martha Ann McNeal and husband Mike, Franklinton, La.; a brother, William Snodgrass, Greensboro, N.C.; two sisters, Arletta Croghan, Portland, Ore., and Mary, Loveland, Colo.; eight grandchildren, Mike, Lisa, Rachel, Joseph, Connor, Lauren, Christopher, and Travis; two great grandchildren & one on the way; and two great-great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center, 200 Maine St. Suite A, Lawrence, KS, 66044. Online condolences may be sent at rumsey-yost.com.

Mary K. “Kathy” Garcia

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Funeral services for Kathy Garcia, 53, Lawrence will be 10 a.m. Monday at Southside Church of Christ. Burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery. Chris Newton will officiate. Kathy died Sunday, November 9, at the University of Kansas Hospital.

She was born October 22, 1961 in Topeka to Robert J. and Shirley A. Pettite Garcia and was raised by mothers, Vonda Garcia and Joann Garcia.

Kathy grew up in Topeka and attended Topeka Schools. She graduated Highland Park High School in 1979. She worked at many businesses throughout Lawrence, and recently as a homemaker. She attended Wheatland Church of Christ & Southside Church of Christ.

She married Douglas Westbrook, they divorced. She married Michael Garcia on Nov. 3, 1984 in Lawrence, he survives of the home. Other survivors include 2 sons, Robert and Jeff Westbrook, sisters, Kay Rice and Debra Ann Beckham and 3 grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, brother, Alan Bottom and sister, Susan Garcia.

Kathy will lie in state Sunday from noon to 8 p.m. at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home where the family will receive friends from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Memorials may be made in her name and sent in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, PO Box 1260, Lawrence, KS 66044.

Online condolences may be sent at rumsey-yost.com.

Catherine Lucille Nichols

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Funeral services for Catherine Lucille Nichols, 90, Lawrence, will be at 10:30 am Thursday at Stull United Methodist Church, Stull. Burial will follow in Stull Cemetery. She died November 9, 2014, at Lawrence Presbyterian Manor.

Mrs. Nichols was born August 19, 1924 in Warrensburg, MO, the daughter of Arthur and Vida Lunn Baile. She attended College High School in Warrensburg and graduated from the University of Kansas School of Nursing in 1946.

She married Raymond T. Nichols of Stull, October 6, 1946. He preceeded her in death. She was a homemaker till her death.

Mrs. Nichols joined the Stull United Methodist Church in 1946 and was a long-time member of the United Methodist Women’s Organization. She was a charter member of the Stull FCE unit that started in 1950. She worked with the 4-H and church Youth Fellowship for many years. She enjoyed traveling around the world with her husband and loved to garden.

Survivors include two brothers, Charles Baile, Warrensburg, MO, and Richard Baile, Houston, TX; her children David T. Nichols and Virginia A. Nichols, both of Lawrence, KS.; and several nieces and nephews.

Mrs. Nichols will lie in state from 9 am to 8 pm Wednesday at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to the Stull United Methodist Church, or to the Stull United Methodist Church Food Pantry, 1596 E. 250 Rd., Lecompton, KS, 66050, or sent in care of the funeral home.

Nell Sowder

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Nell Sowder, passed away peacefully on November 3rd, 2014, at her home in Lawrence, KS. She was born near Quincy Kansas on February 13th, 1924 to Loleta and Barney Brown.  Most of her life was spent in Greenwood County except for the years she spent in the US Navy during WWII. She was stationed in San Francisco in the Fleet Records Office until her discharge in 1946.  She then returned to the Quincy area until making the decision to attend Kansas University.  Shortly thereafter, her father became ill, and she was called back to the farm to help her mother.   At this time, she became reacquainted with Raymond Sowder, a childhood friend.  They dated less than a year and were married May 31st, 1947.  They had one daughter, Nancy Slabaugh.

 

You could always find Nell on the family Ranch working beside Raymond. She loved riding horses and helping him with the ranching duties.  In her spare time, she enjoyed playing the Cello in music club and playing golf.  As Raymond’s health declined, Nell decided to work outside the home, going to work in the Greenwood County Appraiser’s Office.  In 1996 Raymond passed away and the Ranch was sold to a special family relative.  Nell then moved to Emporia where she lived until 2011.  While in Emporia, she was active in the Emporia State University Chorus.  In 2011, Nell made the decision to move to Lawrence, KS to be close to her daughter, Nancy.   She enjoyed meeting new people here and had many good friends.

 

Nell is survived by her daughter: Nancy (Pat), Lawrence, Ks. Other survivors include her grandchildren Corey Slabaugh (Mandy) of Broken Arrow, OK, Kacie Budd (Jon) of Wichita, KS, as well as, 3 great grandchildren, Luke, Delaney and Sofia.  Other survivors include her sister Mary Ellen Mock (John), of Eureka and several nieces and nephews.

 

Funeral Services will be held at the Cowboy Church in Toronto, KS at 1:30, November 15th, 2014.

 

The family suggests memorials to Lawrence Memorial Hospital Endowment or Grace Hospice, sent in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1260, Lawrence, KS 66044.

Howard M. ‘Mitch’ Mitchell

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Graveside memorial services for Howard M. ‘Mitch’ Mitchell, 63, Horton, will be at 11 am Saturday, November 15, 2014, at Memorial Park Cemetery, 1517 E. 15th St, Lawrence, 66044, with Pastor Dennis Fulbright of the Hiawatha Christian Motorcyclist’s Assn. officiating. Mitch died Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2014, at his home in Horton. He served in the United States Marine Corps during the Vietnam War. Mitch worked in law enforcement, communications, youth services, and corrections with several area agencies in Wyandotte, Brown, Nemaha, Johnson, and Atchison counties. He was a member of the Christian Motorcyclist’s Association.

Survivors include two sons, Joshua and Jeremy Mitchell.

Emil R. ‘Dutch’ Guntert

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Funeral services for Emil R. ‘Dutch’ Guntert, 88, Lawrence, will be at 1 pm Thursday at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, with Pastor Don Ogden officiating. The family will receive friends following the service. Mr. Guntert died Friday, Oct, 31, 2014, at Stormont-Vail Health Center, Topeka.

He was born Sept. 28, 1926, in Lawrence, the son of Emil Ernst and Mae L. Staab Guntert. He graduated from Liberty Memorial High School, and later served in the United States Army during World War II. Dutch was employed by the Lawrence Paper Company, and retired as Traffic Manager after 50 years of service. He was a member of the American Legion Post in Baldwin City, and the Alford-Clarke Post 852 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Lawrence. He attended Trinity Lutheran Church, and enjoyed golf, and fishing in Wyoming.

Emil married Wilma L. Cunningham on June 19, 1955, in Lawrence. She survives of the home. Other survivors include a son, E.G., Baldwin City. He was preceded in death by his parents, and a sister, Elfreda Pogany.

 

Alfred R. ‘Al’ Elkins

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A Celebration of Life and dinner in honor of  Alfred R. ‘Al’ Elkins, 62, Lecompton, will be at  6:30 p.m.  Monday, November 10, 2014 at the United Methodist Church in Lecompton.  Al died Monday, Nov. 3, 2014, at Lawrence Memorial Hospital.

He was born July 18, 1952, in Topeka, Kan., the son of Josephine Marie Adams. He attended schools in Winchester and at Lawrence High School. He was employed in the maintenance department at the University of Kansas for 25 years. He was a ‘collector’ and a jack-of-all-trades, who often helped others without payment. He worked on mowers, and enjoyed fishing and spending time with grandkids.

He married Terie L. Stevens on Feb. 14, 2009, in Lawrence, She survives of the home. Other survivors include a son, James Elkins and wife Ashley, Lawrence; four daughters, Leslie Elkins, Topeka, Crystal Cornley and husband Robert, Topeka, Amanda Elkins, Topeka, and Tonya Sheldon, Ottawa; two step sons, Bradley Goodrick and wife Desi, Lecompton, and James Goodrick and wife Tiffany, Lecompton; a step daughter, Christina Gruver and husband Dustin, Lecompton; 21 grandchildren, and two great grandsons.

The family suggests memorial contributions to the Al Elkins Memorial Fund, in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home & Crematory, 601 Indiana St., Lawrence, KS, 66044.