Category: Obituaries

Christian Allen Osburn

Posted on by RumseyYost

Funeral services for Christian Allen Osburn, 24, Lawrence, will be 2 p.m. Tuesday Sept. 10, 2013, at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery.

Mr. Osburn died from injuries sustained in an automobile accident on Wed. Sept. 4, 2013, in Windsor, MO. His cousin, Bonnie Mae Osburn, 22, also was killed.

Christian was born March 27, 1989, in Lawrence, the son of Bobby Osburn and Kasey Johnson Osburn Harris. He graduated from Lawrence High School, and took some college classes.

In his free time he enjoyed camping and fishing with his girlfriend Kaylynn, and spending time with friends. He also enjoyed being an uncle to his five young nieces and three nephews, and spending time with his large extended family.

Survivors include his father Bobby Osburn and wife Della, Lawrence; his mother Kasey Harris and husband Ted, McLouth; three brothers, Justin Osburn, Orion Osburn, and Jared Osburn, all of Lawrence; a maternal grandmother, Ruby Jones, Orland,CA.; one step brother, James Elkins, Lawrence; and one step sister, Amanda Elkins, Topeka.

Friends may call from 9 am to 8 pm Monday at the funeral home, where the family will receive them from 6 – 7:30 pm.

Memorials are suggested to the Christian Osburn Memorial Fund, in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home. P.O. Box 1260 Lawrence, KS 66044.

Online condolences may be sent at rumsey-yost.com

Robert Stanley Miller

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A graveside memorial service with military honors for Robert Stanley Miller, 79, Lawrence, will be held 11 a.m. Monday, September 9, 2013, at Oak Hill Cemetery.

Mr. Miller died Tuesday, September 3, 2013, at the Good Shepherd Hospice House in Manhattan, Kansas.

He was born July 12, 1934, in Lawrence, to William Lafayette and Effie L. Fetty Miller. He was a proud Lawrence native and worked as an automotive mechanic for 40 years, serving 25 years at McCrory Otasco. He was married to Sylvia Higgins for 14 years.

Mr. Miller served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He was a lifetime member of the VFW, and a member of the honor guard.

Survivors include: Robert S. Miller II (son) and wife Randi Stout of Manhattan, KS; Rick D. Freeman (son) of Paducah, KY; Sarah M. Miller (daughter) of Lawrence, KS; Sherry Wherry (daughter) and husband Ridley of Wichita Falls, TX; Margie Hopkins and Patty Dillon (step-sisters), of Lawrence, KS; Helen Miller (sister-in-law) of Redding, CA; Jessica Freeman (granddaughter) of Lawrence, KS; Joshua Freeman (grandson) of Topeka, KS; Amber Wherry (granddaughter) of Wichita Falls, TX; and Sylvia Bigsby (former wife) and husband Steve of Lawrence, KS.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers; William L. Jr., Wesley W., Donald A., Lloyd C., Glenn A., and step-brothers Danny and Donnie Dillon.

The family suggests memorials to the VFW Post 852, sent in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home & Crematory, PO Box 1260, Lawrence, KS 66044.

Ian C. Zylstra

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A celebration of life will be held for Ian at 7 pm. on Friday, September 6, at Mustard Seed Church, 1 block south of 6th. St. on Wakarusa Dr.

Ian passed Sunday September 1, 2013. He was born August 17, 1994 in Overland Park, KS to Jon and Kate Zylstra. He graduated from Free State High School in 2012. He lived in Lawrence his entire life.

Ian leaves behind his parents Jon & Kate Zylstra, his grandparents Stewart & Marilyn Revenaugh of Gladstone MO, his siblings Mariana Reis & Sarah Zylstra Skinner and their spouses, along with aunts, uncles, cousins and many more loved ones. He also leaves his beloved cats, Charlie and Petey. Both were adopted by Ian at the Lawrence Humane Society.

Ian was full of love and laughter and cared deeply for his friends and family. He was empathetic and caring, always an advocate for the underdog. He was quick to laugh and make a joke. His friends meant the world to him, and he will be missed by all.

Please join the family at Mustard Seed Church on Friday, September 6th, at 7 pm. Ian was always found in shorts and t-shirt. Please come as you are or as Ian will remember you. Per the family’s request, wear bright colors and bring photos, memories and smiles to share as we celebrate a wonderful young man who touched many lives.

The family suggests donations in Ian Zylstra’s name be brought for the Lawrence Humane Society. You may also make donations to lawrencehumane.org or in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, PO. Box 1260, Lawrence, KS 66044.

Ella Holt McNatt

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Services for Ella Holt McNatt, 94, Lawrence, will be at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, September 3, 2013, at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home.

Mrs. McNatt died Thursday, August 29, 2013, at Brandon Woods.

She was born May 20, 1919, near Deerfield, Kansas, the daughter of Hubert Francis Holt and Edna Lee Wantland Holt. She graduated from Bristow, Oklahoma, High School in 1937, and from Central State Normal College in Edmond, Oklahoma, in 1941.

She worked at the American Red Cross and Armed Forces Technical Training Command in Tulsa, Oklahoma, prior to her marriage. Following her marriage, she taught high school English in Shidler, Oklahoma, Derby, Kansas and Tulsa, Oklahoma. She also volunteered as a greeter at the Pagosa Springs, Colorado, Chamber of Commerce, and also taught English as a second language in Pagosa Springs. She was a talented quilter and enjoyed teaching Seminole patchwork to fellow quilters. She was a member of the Methodist church in whatever community she lived.

She married Sam Brooks McNatt on December 29, 1942, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He preceded her in death on November 10, 2009.

Survivors include three daughters, Jimmie Benedict (Ron Phaneuf), Redstone, Colorado, Sammie (Jeff) Messick, Lawrence, Kansas, Billie (Ron) DuVal, Wichita, Kansas, and one son, Sam Hugh McNatt, Katy, Texas, six grandsons and nine great-grandchildren.

The family wants to thank the staff from The Windsor, Brandon Woods, and Grace Hospice for caring for Mrs. McNatt for the past few years.

The family will greet friends following the service at 631 Ohio St., Lawrence.

The family suggests memorials to Grace Hospice, sent in care of the funeral home, 601 Indiana St., Lawrence, KS 66044.

Rebecca A. ‘Becky’ Cowser

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Funeral services for Rebecca A. ‘Becky’ Cowser, 54, Lawrence, will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at First Presbyterian Church, 2415 Clinton Parkway, Lawrence. Interment will be at 1 p.m. at Mount Hope Cemetery, 4700 SW 17th St., Topeka. Becky died Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2013, at Lawrence Memorial Hospital.

She was born Aug. 22, 1959, in Abilene, Tex., the daughter of Vernon L. Sr. and Daphne E. Potter Bailey. She was a homemaker, and was known as the ‘bird lady.’ She also enjoyed flowers, gardening, and woodburning. She was an animal lover, especially her own cat, Floyd, and enjoyed spending time with her children and grandchildren.

She married Thomas E. Cowser, and he preceded her in death in 2001. Survivors include two sons, Steven M. Cowser, Lawrence, and Cody L. Cowser, Apache Junction, Ariz.; her mother, Daphne Bailey, Lyndon; four brothers, Donald W. Hayes and wife Sara, Kingsville, Mo., Steven M. Hayes and wife Janet, Perry, Vernon L. Bailey Jr. and wife Nicole, Osage City, and David L. Bailey and wife Patti, Lyndon; a sister, Peggy L. Wischropp and husband Kevin, Lyndon; and two grandchildren, Coy and Cali Cowser.

Friends may call from noon to 8 p.m. Friday at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home. The family will receive friends from 9 to 10 a.m. Saturday at the church. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Lawrence Humane Society, or Douglas County Amateur Baseball Assn. (DCABA), in care of the funeral home, 601 Indiana St., Lawrence, KS, 66044.

Raymond F. Wilson

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A memorial visitation for Raymond F. Wilson, 76, Lawrence, will be from 6:30 – 8:00 pm Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2013, at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home & Crematory. Mr. Wilson died Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2013, at Villa St. Francis, Olathe.

He was born Mar. 11, 1937, in Wamego, the son of Frank and Leverne Wilson. He was an Air Traffic Controller and an Air Traffic Control Instructor in Olathe. Ray was an avid golfer, and enjoyed much of his retirement at Alvamar Country Club.

He married Diane M. Bretz on Nov. 24, 1962, in Wamego. She preceded him in death on Aug. 26, 2012. Survivors include three sons, Lance Wilson and wife Lisa, Rosemount, Minn., Derek Wilson Olathe, and Craig Wilson, Olathe; two brothers, Don Wilson and wife Anita, Manhattan, and Terry Wilson and wife Chris, Wamego; three sisters, Doris Weeks and husband Robert, Lecompton, Ramona Rischer (deceased), Topeka, and Sherry Banker and husband Terry (deceased), Lawrence; and three granddaughters, Abby, Molly, and Emily Wilson.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Juvenile Diabetes Association, or Down Syndrome Association of Minn., in care of the funeral home, 601 Indiana St., Lawrence, KS, 66044.

Jerry Dean Retter

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Memorial visitation for Jerry Dean Retter, 65, Lawrence, will be from 2-4 pm Thursday at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home & Crematory. Inurnment will follow at Clinton Cemetery. Jerry died Saturday, Aug. 17, 2013, at his home.

He was born Jan. 15, 1948, in Topeka, the son of Kenneth G. and Juanita O. Fisher Retter. He graduated from Lawrence High School and later attended several universities, majoring in Fine Arts. Jerry owned Lawrence Drywall for many years, and was later employed by the Facilities Services department at the University of Kansas, where he became the supervisor of the Paint Shop. He was an avid KU basketball fan, and was very artistic. He enjoyed fishing, cooking, music, and Native American culture.

Survivors include two sons, Branden Dean Retter, Pleasant Hill, Calif., and Cassidy Cole Retter and wife Alicia, Lawrence; two daughters, Alisha Dee Christian and husband Jonathan, and Monica Nicole Retter, all of Lawrence; a brother, Kenneth Retter and wife Karen, Lawrence; and five grandchildren, Cobin Cole Retter, Cameron Chase Retter, Savannah Julieanne Christian, Caroline Rose Christian, and Taisha Monique Retter.

The family suggests memorials to the Lawrence Humane Society, or Just Food, in care of the funeral home, 601 Indiana St., Lawrence, KS, 66044.

Timothy ‘Tim’ Thomasson

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Memorial services for Timothy Lane ‘Tim’ Thomasson, 46, Lawrence, will be at 6 p.m. Saturday at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home & Crematory. Tim passed away Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2013, at his home.

He was born Dec. 8, 1966, in Kansas City, Mo., the son of U.O. Jr. and Mary Jane Armstrong Thomasson. He graduated from Chanute High School, attended Pittsburg State University, and earned an Associate’s Degree from Neosho County Community College. Tim was a supervisor in the Facilities Services department at the University of Kansas for 12 years. He was a skilled carpenter, and was actively involved in his son’s activities.

He married Teresa Kay Jump in September, 2002. She survives of the home. Other survivors include his son Jacob Thomasson, of the home; a stepson, Brandon Laing, of the home; two brothers, Andy Thomasson and wife Tammy, Wellsville, and Matt Thomasson, Chanute; and a sister, Callie Jane Thomasson, Garden City.

The family will receive friends following the service. Memorial may be made to the Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence, in care of the funeral home, 601 Indiana St., Lawrence, KS, 66044.