Category: Obituaries

Shirley Yochim

Posted on by RumseyYost

Shirley Yochim, known as “Sweet Shirley” to much of the community,
passed peacefully away on the evening of June 26 in Lawrence, Kansas.

Funeral services will be held at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home on Thursday, June 28, 2012,
at 11 a.m. The family will receive visitors at the Lawrence Jewish Community Center from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Shirley was born in Des Moines, Iowa on Valentine’s Day in 1934. She
was the youngest of five children — and the only girl — born to
Jacob and Helen Dorothy Greene. The family moved to Chicago, Illinois
when Shirley was young, and there she graduated from Marshall High
School in the early 1950s.

Shirley attended Wright Junior College and Roosevelt University, both
in Chicago, from 1952 to 1955. During that time she was also employed
at Berger-Rivenbergh Point of Purchase Advertising in Chicago, mostly
notable for its location — across the street from the Playboy Club.

At a cousin’s housewarming party Shirley met Jerome (Jerry) Yochim,
who, so stricken by her humor and beauty, suggested that his best
friend ask her out on a date. Although that date was never made,
Shirley and Jerry kept up a correspondence while Jerry was in
Champaign-Urbana finishing his Masters Degree at the University of
Illinois.

In August 1957 Shirley and Jerry married and moved to Lafayette,
Indiana where Jerry completed his Doctoral Degree in 1960, and then
back to Chicago for a few years.

The couple moved to Lawrence, Kansas in 1962 when Jerry joined the
faculty at the University of Kansas. The couple originally planned to
stay in Lawrence for one year and then decide if they liked it enough
to settle down (and could get used to the strange noises coming from
the back yard — cows).

After meeting members of the Lawrence Jewish Community Center, Shirley
shed some of her city ways (and even learned to drive), and for the
next 50 years the couple made Lawrence their home.

Shirley was active with the Center and the Jewish Community Women and
over four decades served in various positions as the group’s
Secretary, Treasurer and Blintz Brunch organizer. Along with Artie
Shaw, Shirley helped establish the KU Hillel foundation.

Shirley also worked as a secretary in the Social Work Department at
Lawrence Memorial Hospital and at Audio Reader, a reading service for
the visually impaired. She is best known for her work in real estate
at the Gill Agency and later the McGrew Agency, from which she retired
in 1998.

Shirley is survived by her husband Jerry, son Jordan and daughter-in-law Amanda (Lawrence), daughter Dayana (Alexandria, Va.) and grandson Elliot (Lawrence).

In lieu of flowers the family encourages donations to the Lawrence Jewish Community Center, the Visiting Nurses Association of Douglas County, or Grace Hospice, in care of the funeral home.

Dorothey Felina (Kagi) Puckett

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Funeral Services for Dorothey Felina (Kagi) Puckett, 86, of Lawrence, will be 10 a.m. Friday at Lawrence Baptist Temple. Burial will follow at Oak Ridge Cemetery, Perry.

Mrs. Puckett died Tuesday, June 26, 2012 at Lawrence Memorial Hospital.

She was born Jan. 26, 1926 in Lawrence, the daughter of Arthur and Emma Maddox Kagi. She attended school in Oskaloosa.

Mrs. Puckett married Vernon Smith Sr, he preceded her in death. She later married Walter Henry Pucket, he survives of the home.

Other survivors include two sons; Vernon Smith Jr., and Verle Smith and wife Karen, both of Lawrence; two daughters, Dolores Willome and husband Jack, Boerne, TX, Cynthia Davis and husband Kurt, Lawrence; Nine grandchildren; fourteen great-grandchildren.

Friends may call from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday where the family will receive friends from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home.

The family suggest memorials to Lawrence Baptist Temple sent in care of the Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, 601 Indiana, Lawrence, KS 66044.

Tira K. Beer-Link

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A visitation Tira K. Beer-Link, 52, Cottonwood Falls, will be from 2 p.m.- 4 p.m. Sunday, July 1, 2012, at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home & Crematory.

Ms. Beer-Link died Monday, June 25, 2012, at her residence in Cottonwood Falls, Kansas.

She was born November 2, 1959, in Lawrence, the daughter of Orvel and Luejetta Newman Beer.

She is survived by a daughter, Sara Randolph, Jacksonville, Florida; and a son, Guy Link, Tucson, Arizona.

The family suggests memorial contributions to the Tira Beer-Link Memorial Fund, in care of the funeral home, 601 Indiana Street, Lawrence, KS, 66044.

Richard A. Colbert

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Memorial service for Richard A. Colbert 73, Lawrence will be at 10am. Sat. Jun. 30, at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home. Mr. Colbert died May 24, at his home. He was born Feb. 14, 1939 in Lawrence the son of Eugene and Margie Hodge Colbert.
Mr. Colbert was a 47 year member of Ironworkers Local #10, a life time member of the Eagles Aerie 309, and a life time member of Ottawa Elks Lodge 803.
He married Betty Childers, she survives of the home.
Other survivors include a grandson, great-grandson, 3 stepdaughters, a stepson and 6 step grandchildren.
Memorials may be made to Lawrence Humane Shelter, American Cancer Society, or the Elks National Foundation in care of the funeral home, 601 Indiana, Lawrence, KS 66044.
Online condolences maybe sent at rumsey-yost.com.

Gary J. Vicker

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Memorial services for Gary J. Vicker, 77, Lawrence, will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday, June 25, 2012 at Trinity Lutheran Church, with the Rev. Dr. Gary W.Teske officiating. Inurnment will be at Evergreen Memorial Park Cemetery, Omaha, Neb.

Mr. Vicker died Friday, June 22, at his home.

He was born Dec. 9, 1934 in Creston, IA. the son of Charles Carl and Martha Marie Wietzke Vicker.

Mr. Vicker was a Omaha businessman, retiring to Lawrence in 1997.

He served in the US Army from 1958 to 1963. He graduated from the University of Nebraska, Omaha. Mr. Vicker was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church.

He married Sonja Ruckl on Apr. 8, 1961 in Omaha. She survives of the home.

He was preceded in death by his parents, 3 sisters, and a son, Tom, in 2006.

Other survivors include 2 daughters, Paige Butler (Henry) of Huntly, VA, and Nealy Johnston (Jason) of Charlottesville, VA; 3 grandchildren and 4 step-grandchildren.

Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, the Humane Society, American Lung Association, or Trinity Lutheran Church, in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, 601 Indiana, Lawrence, KS, 66044.

The family will receive friends Sunday, June 24, from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the funeral home.

Mary E. (Topping) Olson

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Mary E. (Topping) Olson, 89, Noxon MT. passed away at Bridge Haven Memory Care in Lawrence, KS on June 19, 2012. Memorial services and inurnment will be at 11:00 a.m. July 3 at Memorial Park Cemetery in Lawrence, with Chaplain Wilton Detweiler, Grace Hospice officiating.
Mary was born December 16, 1922, the eldest of four children to Charles R. and Kathleen (O’Brien) Topping. She attended Kanwaka Grade School, Lawrence Memorial High School and Kansas State University.
On March 11, 1969 Mary and Richard L. Olson married in Lawrence. After enjoying farm life for several years, while both continued to work for the Internal Revenue Service, they moved to Noxon, Montana in 1974. They built a new home and after retirement, were very active in the community.
Mary was one of the original members of the Sanders County Rocky Ridge Saddle Club in Noxon, and was voted Grand Marshall in 2004. Mary served on the Noxon school board for several years and had the opportunity of working with students in gardening activities, teaching them about mechanical equipment, canning and preserving garden produce. She assisted 4-H members with many sewing projects. For many years, she hosted spring and fall “vet days” at her small farm where vets from Pend O’Reille Vet Clinic provided medical care for large and small animals in the Noxon area, thus saving owners long trips with their animals.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Richard L. Olson and her sister Jane W. (Topping) Combest. Survivors include her brother, James R. Topping (Barbara), and a sister Sally (Topping) Glover (Herschel). Other survivors include several nieces and nephews; Ann Topping, Lin Topping, Kathy Ryan (Dan), Darcy Neal (Dave), John McClure (Becky), Stephen McClure (Angie), David McClure, Lynne Roe, and Martha (McClure) Miller (Dave). Mary is survived by several grand and great-grand nieces and nephews. Also surviving are her step-children Ginger Macintyre, Dianne Olson, and Richard Olson.
Memorial contributions are welcomed by Grace Hospice or the Lawrence Humane Society, c/o Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home.

Carol Ann Stowe

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Funeral services for Carol Ann Stowe, 66, Lawrence, will be at 11 a.m. Friday at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, with Pastor Don Ogden officiating. Burial will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery.

Mrs. Stowe died Tuesday, June 19, 2012, at Lawrence Memorial Hospital, after a brief battle with cancer.

She was born July 17, 1945, in Lawrence, the daughter of Robert and Maxine Oaks Gallagher. She attended Lawrence schools.

Mrs. Stowe worked at Lawrence Memorial Hospital for over 20 years. She later worked for Sallie Mae Financial, and retired from there in 1996. She loved to play bingo, go camping and fishing, and spend time with family and friends.

She married Earl E. Stowe on April 12, 1963. He survives of the home.

Other survivors include two sons, Donald Stowe and wife Kim, Meriden, and Marty Stowe, Lawrence; a daughter, Robin Smart and husband Joe, Lawrence; her mother, Maxine Gallagher, Lawrence; six grandchildren, Kristopher Smart, Tonganoxie, Keithen and Kody Smart, Lawrence, Kenneth and Tracy Stowe, Lawrence, and Kieth Shumac, Lawrence; and five great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her father, Robert, two brothers, Charles and Lamont, a sister, Sonja, and a grandson, Michael.

Friends may call from noon to 8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home, where the family will receive them from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The family suggests memorial contributions to the American Cancer Society, in care of the funeral home, 601 Ind., Lawrence, KS, 66044.

Lucy Fay (Lathrom) Ledbetter

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Funeral services for Lucy Fay (Lathrom) Ledbetter, 85, Reno, KS will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, with Pastor Don Cunningham officiating. Interment will follow at Reno Cemetery, Reno, KS.

Lucy died Sunday, June 17, 2012, at the home of her daughter Teresa in DeSoto.

She was born Mar. 23, 1927, in Rayborn, MO, the daughter of Elmer and Minnie Cartwright Lathrom. She attended school in Mountain Grove, MO.

Lucy was a homemaker. Earlier in life, she had been a waitress, worked at Hercules Powder Co., at L&M Grocery and had a house cleaning service. She also did volunteer work at Ballard Center, Penn House, and The Salvation Army. Lucy was a devoted mother to her family and enjoyed helping to raise her grandchildren. She was a true and helpful friend to all that knew her. She believed there were no strangers, only friends that she had not yet met and always had a hot meal and a warm bed for anyone in need. Other hobbies included food canning and deer hunting with family.

She married Melvin O. Ledbetter on June 24, 1950, in Mountain Grove, MO. He preceded her in death on January 21, 2009. They resided in Reno for most of their marriage.

Survivors include four children: Teresa (David) Glass of DeSoto, Larry (Kathy) Ledbetter of Tonganoxie, Shellia Will of Lawrence, and Peggy Ledbetter of Wichita; a brother, Everett (Martha) Lathrom of Lawrence; two sister-in-laws, Lola Lathrom of North Bend, Ore. and Lucille Lathrom of Mountain Grove, MO. She is also survived by nine grandchildren: Sherlyn (Jason) Hill of Wichita, Marc (Roxanne) Ledbetter of Wichita, Breana (Jason) Wendel of Lansing, Kala Glass of Lenexa, Lance (Lindsey) Ledbetter of Wichita, TJ Will of Lawrence, Lacey Daly of Lawrence, Michael (Kimberly) Hunter of Spring Hill, Rob (Melissa) Hunter of DeSoto, as well as 15 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was also preceded in death by her parents; two sons, Gary(2007) and Rocky Dwane(1953); three brothers, Delbert(1990), Lee(2011) and Earl Lathrom(1990); two sisters, Dorothy Ellis(1996) and Delphia Long(2008); a grandson-in-law, John Daly(2011); and a great grandson, Devin Hunter(2004).

Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, June 22 at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, where the family will receive them from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The family suggests memorial contributions to American Cancer Society or Grace Hospice, in care of the funeral home, 601 Indiana St., Lawrence, KS, 66044

Edna B. ‘Bea’ Abram

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Graveside services for Edna B. ‘Bea’ Abram, 90, Eudora, will be at 1 p.m. Friday at Jewell Cemetery, Jewell, Kan.

Mrs. Abram died Monday, June 11, 2012, at Medicalodges Eudora.

She was born July 21, 1921, in Union Star, Mo., the daughter of William and Gertrude Pyle Peters. She graduated from high school in Delia, Kan.

Mrs. Abram was a self-employed seamstress, and was the unofficial seamstress of the University of Kansas, sewing names and numbers and mending KU football and basketball uniforms. She enjoyed quilting, sewing, and woodworking.

She married Carl K. Abram on Mar. 17, 1947. He preceded her in death on May 21, 1979. She was also preceded in death by her parents, a son, Wayne Abram, four brothers, Cecil, Fred, Claude, and Lester Peters, and a sister, Ruby Peters.

Survivors include a son, Jim Abram and wife Sharon, Eudora; two daughters, Pamela Ewart and husband Ray, Canton, N.C., and Lana Nelson and husband Jeff, Eudora; twelve grandchildren, and 23 great grandchildren.

Friends may call from 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. Thursday at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, where the family will receive them from 6 – 8 p.m.

The family suggests memorial contributions to Vitas Hospice, in care of the funeral home, 601 Ind., Lawrence, KS, 66044.

The Rev. Clarence F. ‘Dutch’ Stolz

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A Celebration of Life for The Rev. Clarence F. “Dutch” Stolz, 87, Lawrence, will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Trinity Episcopal Church, Lawrence, with the Rev. Rob Baldwin officiating. Inurnment will be in the Memorial Gardens at Trinity Episcopal Church in Atchison, Kan.

The Rev. Stolz died Monday, June 11, 2012, at Brandon Woods at Alvamar.

He was born Nov. 8, 1924, in St. Louis, the son of Clarence Frederick and Alice Affolter Stolz. He graduated from Beaumont High School in St. Louis, and later served in the United States Air Force.

The Rev. Stolz received a B.A. from Denison University in Granville, Ohio in 1949, and later studied at Columbia University in NYC from 1951-52. He earned a Master of Sacred Divinity from The Episcopal Seminary of the Southwest in Austin, Tex. in 1955.

He served as Rector of St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church in St. Louis, Mo. from 1955-59; Rector of Trinity Episcopal Church in Atchison 1959-69; Campus Minister at the University of Kansas 1969-73; Senior Canon at Grace Cathedral, Topeka 1973-82; Associate Rector of St. David’s Episcopal Church, Austin, 1982-90, and retired in 1990. He moved to Lawrence in 2005.

He married Jeanne Shelford on June 7, 1952, in Ridgewood, N.J. She survives of the home.

Other survivors include two daughters, Maggie Cloud, and Katie Kutilek and husband Bob, all of Lawrence; a sister, Jean Ahrens, Jonesboro, Ark.; a grandson, Danny Spence, Austin; a family friend, Bruce Scoular, Lawrence; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a daughter, Karen Stolz, and a brother, Warren F. Stolz.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to Trinity Interfaith Food Pantry, in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home & Crematory, 601 Ind., Lawrence, KS, 66044