Woodrow William (Woody) Templer, age 96, passed away on Sunday, March 18, 2012 at Lawrence Memorial Hospital in Lawrence, Kansas. Woody was born June 24, 1915 at Emporia, Kansas, the son of Chester Arthur & Pearl Shannon Templer. He had been a Lawrence, Kansas resident since 2007 moving from Leoti, Kansas, where he had served as Principal of Wichita County High School beginning in 1951 and retiring in 1982 as Superintendent of Schools for USD 467. Woody spent his youth in the towns of Greeley, Asherville, Bird City, Stockton and Moline, Kansas, graduating from Moline High School in 1930. He graduated from Kansas State University in 1936 with a Master’s Degree in Education and later earned a Master’s Degree in History in 1940. While at KSU, he served as a member of ROTC. In 1936, Woody taught in the Attica, Kansas school system and in 1940 joined the United States Army serving until 1946, attaining the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He was awarded the American Defense Medal, the American Theater Medal, and the Asiatic Pacific Service Medal. He then served as Principal of Paxico, Kansas K-12 school system and the Barnes, Kansas K-12 school system until beginning his career in Leoti, Kansas. Following retirement, he served as Leoti City Treasurer from 1993 through 2003. Woody was instrumental in the design and construction of the Wichita County Country Club, where he was a charter member. He was a member of the United Methodist Church, where he served as an usher for many years. He also held membership in the National Education Assn., the Kansas National Education Assn., Kansas State University Alumni Assn., and Rotary International.
On June 8, 1941 he married Alice Lucille Robbins at Larned, Kansas. She passed away on April 24, 2010 at Lawrence, Kansas.
Woody’s surviving family includes: two children, Patricia Hart, Lawrence, Kansas, and Bill Templer, Siloam Springs, Arkansas; four grandchildren, Derek Hart, Lawrence, Kansas, Heather Motzny, Cypress, Texas, Dr. Geri Hart, Hutchinson, Kansas, and Ryan Templer, Siloam Springs, Arkansas; and four great-grandchildren, Maddie Motzny, Kenzie Motzny, Remy Kulick-Hart and Roman Kulick-Hart.
His parents, wife, brothers Adrian “Temp” Templer and Floyd Templer, and a grandson, Nathan Templer, preceded him in death.
Memorial services will be held at 10:30 am on Saturday, March 31, 2012, at the United Methodist Church in Leoti, Kansas with the Reverend Mike Howard officiating. Inurnment will be in Leoti Cemetery.
Memorials may be given to the W.W. Templer Education Scholarship Fund in Care of Price & Sons Funeral Home, P.O. 161 Leoti, Kansas 67861.
Category: Obituaries
Gary Saathoff
Gary Saathoff
A Celebration of Life for Gary Saathoff, 46, Lawrence, will be at 10 a.m. Monday at First Church of the Nazarene, 1470 N. 1000 Rd., with the Revs. Brad Cooper and Dan Norwood officiating.
Gary died Thursday, Mar. 22, 2012, at Lawrence Memorial Hospital, after a courageous battle with cancer.
He was born Sept. 7, 1965, in Lawrence, the son of Robert E. ‘Bob’ and Judith A. ‘Judy’ Hoover Saathoff. He graduated from Lawrence High School.
Gary was a self-employed contractor in the construction industry. He had previously worked for Rusty’s IGA and Kring’s Interiors. He has organized the Fourth of July fireworks display for the Lawrence Jaycees for many years, and served as the chairman of the annual Christmas auction and did other volunteer work on behalf of the Jaycees. He also served as horticulture superintendent at the Douglas County 4-H Fair.
Survivors include his mother, Judy Saathoff, Lawrence; a brother, Larry Saathoff and wife Sheryl, Lawrence; and three nieces, Becky and Rachelle Saathoff, and Renae Walters and husband Nick.
He was preceded in death by his father, Bob, in 2011..
The family will receive friends Sunday from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home & Crematory
Memorials contributions may be made to LMH Oncology, or Health Care Access, in care of the funeral home, 601 Ind., Lawrence, KS, 66044.
Alexander Seth Raker
Alexander Seth Raker, 18, of Lawrence, KS passed away March 15th, 2012 at his home with his mother, Dee Ann Raker, and wonderful friends at his side. He will be greatly missed by all who loved him. A service celebrating his life will be held Saturday, March 24th at the Lawrence Rotary Arboretum, 5100 West 27th Street, Lawrence, KS beginning at 2 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Alex’s honor may be made to The Lawrence Humane Society, The Schiefelbusch Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic or Encouraging Families with Exceptional Children Together (EFECT.org).
Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home & Crematory is in charge of arrangements.
Frances ‘Fran’ Peterson
Memorial services for Frances ‘Fran’ Peterson, 94, Cedar Hill, Tex., formerly of Lawrence, will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, Mar. 29, 2012, at Trinity Lutheran Church, with the Rev. Dr. Gary W. Teske officiating. Private inurnment will be in Pioneer Cemetery on the University of Kansas Campus.
Mrs. Peterson passed away March 10, 2012. She was born June 8, 1917 in Mansfield, Tex. Frances married John Peterson, May 17, 1952 in Washington D.C. Frances worked a number of years for the U.S. Treasury Dept. and retired in 1974 and moved to a rural home in Douglas County, Kan. that same year. In 1992, they moved to Lawrence, Kan. and later moved to Cedar Hill, Tex. in 2007. She was active in numerous community and civic organizations, including the Lawrence Chamber Orchestra, Nature Conservancy, Douglas County Historical Society, League of Women Voters and a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church of Lawrence. Frances was preceded in death by her parents, Ed & Millie Bailey; one brother, William ‘Bill’ Bailey; one sister, Marie Vincent; and her husband John, Sept. 22, 2009. She is survived by her brother, David Bailey of Cedar Hill, TX; sister-in-law, Justine Kloepper of Medford Oregon; and many nieces and nephews. Funeral services were held Tuesday, March 13, 2012 at Jaynes Memorial Chapel in Duncanville, TX.
Angela (Lease) Capell
Memorial Services for Angela (Lease) Capell, 49, Lawrence, will be at 4 PM, Friday, March 16, at the Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home. Family will greet friends before the service at 3 PM until service time. Angela died Saturday, March 10, 2012, at her home.
Larry Alan Freeman
Memorial services for Larry Alan Freeman, 65, Tonganoxie, will be 11:00 a.m. Monday, March 12, 2012 at the Tonganoxie Christian Church, Tonganoxie, Kansas. Private family inurnment will be at a later date.
Mr. Freeman died Thursday, March 8, 2012 at his home, surrounded by his family.
He was born March 29, 1946, in Great Bend, Kansas, the son of Aurie “Bud” and Carol Grace Renn Freeman. He graduated from Tonganoxie High School in 1964.
Mr. Freeman worked for Southern Star Gas Pipeline as a specialist engineer. He was well known for being a “handyman” and a “jack of all trades”, because he could fix or build just about anything. He was also a member of the Tonganoxie Christian Church.
He married Linda S. Tinberg, March 3, 1980. They recently celebrated 32 years together. Linda survives of the home.
Other survivors include three sons, LaVon “Lon” Freeman and wife Amy of Los Angeles, CA, Craig Garry and wife Tracy of Shawnee, KS, Brent Freeman and wife Rigel of Lansing, KS; a daughter, Lori Madden of Kansas City, MO; a brother, Terry Freeman and wife Margie of Tonganoxie, KS; two sisters, Sharon Daniel of Tonganoxie, KS, Shelly Beilman and husband Don of Edwardsville, KS; four grandchildren, Michelle Swift, Chase Freeman, Braylon and Eden Freeman; two great-grandchildren, Luca and Harlo Swift.
A visitation with the family will be a 10:00 a.m. Monday at the Tonganoxie Christian Church.
The family suggests memorials to Douglas County Hospice and the Tonganoxie Christian Church.
John R. “Jack” Rasing
John R. “Jack” Rasing, age 82, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, February 28, 2012, at the VA Hospital Community Living Center in Topeka, Kansas with his daughter, Laura Anguiano, and son, Rej Rasing, in attendance. He was born September 19, 1929, to Edward and Laura (Cather) Rasing in Beloit, Kansas, the youngest of three children. He graduated from Beloit High School in 1947 and studied at Bethany Christian College in Salina for a year before enlisting in the Navy. After serving in the Navy, Jack married Teresa “Tara” Auer on January 31, 1954, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Beloit. They made their home together in Lawrence and had five children.
Jack was a barber at the Malls Barber Shop, Lawrence, for many years before his abiding love of the land and interest in real estate encouraged a career change. He greatly enjoyed selling real estate and was involved with a few real estate developments in the community over the years. He ultimately settled in with Realty Executives – Hedges Real Estate in Lawrence and remained an active realtor, never tiring until last October.
Jack’s childhood on the homestead in Beloit included nightly music with his family playing piano, violin and singing together before dinner. He pursued and enjoyed music throughout his life. A Korean War era veteran, Jack served honorably on the battleship USS Missouri in the military band, playing the euphonium. He retained fond memories of English and Italian ports of call but music always remained important to him. He continued to delight family and friends with his ability to play any brass instrument wonderfully. He also played the piano well even up to his last year of life to the enjoyment of all at family events. Jack loved listening to many kinds of music new and old but jazz held a special place in his heart.
Jack loved to read, to tell stories of his childhood and to reminisce. He awed children with tales of his own childhood about topics from being overrun by grasshoppers in the “dirty thirties” to the death of his own father at age fourteen, and being stranded by flood waters with his sister Rachel on the five mile walk home from school. No child forgets his whimsical tale of jumping off the barn using an umbrella for a parachute, only to unceremoniously break his leg. Reminiscing about his return to civilian life, he shared that he should have started that first fish & chips business here when he returned home after the Navy tour took him to England, or followed his heart, ignored nay sayers, and started the first chain of hamburger restaurants in the US.
An avid sportsman, Jack had a deep respect for nature and loved long drives in the country. He had several hunting dogs over the years, nearly all named “Trump.” He enjoyed pheasant hunting in the Beloit area but also was very fond of fishing, anywhere, any time. He managed to go fishing even when other people would have decided there wasn’t enough time. Jack taught his children how to fish and by doing so, taught patience. He will be remembered by many for his kindness, patience and good nature. Beloved by his family, he will be missed by all. The family will honor his stated request to scatter his ashes on the old family homestead south of Beloit.
Jack is preceded in death by both parents and brother, Edward Rasing, as well as a son also named Edward Rasing. He is survived by sister Rachel Lawrence of Riverside, California, former wife, “Tara” of Lawrence, and by his children John Rasing, Jr., Rachelle Rasing Patterson, Laura (JR) Anguiano and Rej Rasing, along with six grandchildren, three great granddaughters and many nieces and nephews.
Family, friends, and others whose lives Jack touched are invited to the Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home at 601 Indiana St., Lawrence, for a memorial service at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, March 17th. All are invited for an informal gathering to follow at Jack’s home. The Rasing family would like to extend our gratitude to all the staff at the Topeka VA Hospital Community Living Center for their excellent and loving care.
Les ‘Butch’ Rollins, MSgt. (Ret.)
Funeral services for Les ‘Butch’ Rollins, 63, Lawrence, will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at Morning Star Church, 998 N. 1771 Rd., with Pastor Rick Mullen officiating. Burial with full military honors will follow at Oakwood Cemetery, Baldwin City.
Mr. Rollins died Monday, Mar. 5, 2012, at his residence following a battle with cancer.
He was born June 19, 1948, in Ottawa, the son of Lee and LaVerna Workman Rollins. He graduated from Lawrence High School, and later served for more than 20 years in the United States Air Force, attaining the rank of Master Sergeant.
Mr. Rollins worked in the instrumentation shop at the University of Kansas, and retired as shop supervisor earlier this year due to health after 22 years of service. Among his duties was keeping communications equipment working for KU basketball and football games, working over 900 basketball games and never missing a football game during his employment. He was recognized by KU at a home basketball game earlier this year for his service to the University. He was a life member of VFW Post 852, Lawrence, and a member of the American Legion Post 14, Lawrence. He attended Morning Star Church, and was active in the Patriot Guard. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and motorcycles.
Survivors include a half brother, Darrell Charpilloz and wife Jesusa, Washington State; two sisters, LaVerna Lee Gray and husband Bill, Pleasant Hill, Iowa, and Susie Hackathorn and husband John, Lecompton; two nephews, four nieces, four great nephews, and two great nieces.
Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday 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 the Lawrence Humane Society, in care of the funeral home, 601 Indiana St., Lawrence, KS, 66044
Corwin E. Sperry
Corwin Everett Sperry, age 93, passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 3, 2012, at Emory University Hospital after a brief illness. A native of Kansas, he and his first wife Irene moved to Decatur, Georgia in 2000. She preceded him in death. He is survived by his wife, Marjorie, his son, Kris Sperry, M.D., of Senoia, Georgia and his daughter, Brenda, of Lawrence. The oldest of four children, he is also survived by his three siblings, including Theo Hatch of Lexington, Kentucky, J. Bryan Sperry of Pittsburg, Kansas and Kenneth Sperry of Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Funeral services will be at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home on Thursday, March 8, 2012, at 2:00 p.m. The family will receive friends one hour prior the service. Interment will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery, Lawrence, Kansas.
Marie Wilson
A Celebration of Life for Marie Wilson, 82, Lawrence, will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, with Chaplain Paul Reed officiating. Interment will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery.
Mrs. Wilson died Thursday, Mar. 1, 2012, at Lawrence Memorial Hospital.
She was born June 12, 1929, in Hamilton, Kan., the daughter of George B. and Sarah A. Graves Muse. She attended schools in Hamilton.
Mrs. Wilson was a homemaker. She served as president and historian for the Woodlawn PTA. She was a member of the EHU, and previously worked in the figure salon at Ramada Inn. She enjoyed making clothes and spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, and especially enjoyed holidays.
She married Wiley C. Wilson on Feb. 25, 1949, in Madison, Kan., and together they shared 63 years of marriage. He survives of the home.
Other survivors include four daughters, Sandra Hamlin and husband Ken, St. Joseph, Mo., Anita Bell and husband Leon, Tonganoxie, Teresa Treanor and husband Mike, Lawrence, and Cindy Glenn and husband Dave, Lecompton; a sister, Marjorie Rollins, Marrero, La.; eight grandchildren, Melissa, Wylie, Heather, Thomas, Connor, Lauren, Chris, and Geoffrey; and nine great grandchildren, Morgan, Molly Jo, Sydney, Jessica, Ellie, Aaron, Sean, Sophia, and Finn.
Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday at the funeral home, where the family will receive friends from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Visiting Nurses, in care of the funeral home, 601 Ind., Lawrence, KS, 66044.
