Category: Obituaries

David Henry Meiners

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David Henry Meiners, beloved husband, father, uncle, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family.  He is survived by his devoted wife of 44 years, Carol E. Meiners; brothers, Jim Meiners (Carmon) and John Meiners (Kathleen); step-daughters, Amanda Berg and Jennifer Berg; and his step-son, Shawn Young.  He was the proud grandfather of Peyton Berg, Isaiah Davis, Orion Young, and Victoria Young; and cherished great-grandfather to Liam Young.

David served in the Army National Guard and graduated from Washburn University with a bachelor’s degree in business administration.

David retired from the University of Kansas in 2015 after years of dedicated service.  He was the rock that grounded his family and the steady hand that guided them through life’s adventures. His love for playing cards, coffee, his passion for sports, and his unwavering devotion to his family will be forever remembered.

His strength, wisdom, and love created a legacy that will live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved him.  He will be deeply missed, but his memory will continue to shine through the lives he touched.

A memorial gathering will be held from 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm Sunday, March 16, 2025 at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home.

George M. France IV

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Our family sadly announces the untimely passing of George McGarland France IV, age 70, who departed this life in February of this year in Lawrence, Kansas.

George had been a long-time resident of Oklahoma City, where he spent much of his adulthood with  his immediate and extended family.

A Memorial Service will be held on March 14th, at 11:00 AM CST at the Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, at 601 Indiana Street, Lawrence, KS 66044 (785-843-5111).

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the American Diabetes Association, a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization, using P.O. Box 7023 Merrifield, VA  22116-7023

Live stream the service at https://view.oneroomstreaming.com/index.php?data=MTc0MTgzMzA5NjM1Mzc3NyZvbmVyb29tLWFkbWluJmNvcHlfbGluaw==

Dr. Warren LaVerne Johnson Jr.

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Dr. Warren LaVerne Johnson Jr., beloved husband, father, grandfather, and distinguished cardiologist, passed away on March 4, 2025 at the age of 81, with his family by his side. Born on June 9, 1943, Warren was raised in the small town of Lindsborg, Kansas, where he met his high school sweetheart, Becky Keyte. The two married in 1965, beginning a lifelong partnership filled with a shared love of family, travel, adventure, and Kansas Jayhawk Basketball.

Dr. Johnson earned his undergraduate degree from Bethany College, where he played basketball, before attending the University of Kansas Medical School. He completed his internal medicine residency and a cardiology fellowship at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. Following his training, he served as Chief Cardiologist at Fort Bragg, North Carolina as a Major in the U.S. Army. During this time, he took advantage of his lunch breaks to obtain his private pilot’s license.

Dr. Johnson’s career in medicine was defined by his significant contributions to interventional cardiology. In 1977, he joined Cardiovascular Consultants at St. Luke’s Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri, where he later served as Chief of Staff. He earned the admiration and respect of both his patients and colleagues for his exceptional skill, patience, and empathy. Throughout his career, Dr. Johnson received numerous accolades, and his expertise was recognized nationally and internationally. He taught angioplasty techniques to physicians around the world, authored influential academic studies, participated in clinical trials, and played a key role in shaping the future of the field.

After 32 years of practice in Kansas City, Dr. Johnson established the first cardiology practice in Summit County, Colorado. He was Medical Director of Cardiology for Centura Health and Summit Medical Center and he was a founding director of the High Altitude Research Center before his retirement.

Warren was an avid outdoorsman. Warren and Becky summited 45 of Colorado’s 14,000-foot peaks, climbed Mount Rainier, Mount Kilimanjaro, and trekked to the base camp of Mount Everest. He loved alpine skiing and biking and completed two 55-kilometer American Birkebeiner ski races. His love for travel and adventure was a defining part of his life. He shared this passion with his family, treasuring every moment spent outdoors with those he loved. His greatest joy came from being in their company, especially when he followed his grandchildren down a bump run on Keystone Mountain.

Warren was known for his boundless optimism, infinite patience, sense of humor, wisdom and compassion. Whether in the hospital, on a mountain trail, or surrounded by his family, his kindness, humility, and gentle spirit left a lasting impression on everyone he met. His legacy endures through the countless lives he touched as a physician, mentor, husband, father, grandfather, and friend.

He is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Becky, their three children, Heather Bergeson (Tim), Marci Leuschen (Carl), and Matt Johnson (Katie), his sister Margie Lloyd and his brother Daryl Johnson (Kola). He was Gpa to seven grandchildren: Joe, Will, and Anna Leuschen, Henry and Hailey Bergeson, and Siena and Graham Johnson. He was preceded in death by his parents, Warren L. Johnson Sr. and Margaret Keding Johnson Nelson.

The Johnson family extends their deepest gratitude to the dedicated team at Cedarhurst of Lawrence Memory Care for their empathy, patience and unwavering support. Thank you to Ascend Hospice for your guidance and compassionate care. A celebration of Warren’s life will be held on June 22, 2025 from 2:00 – 4:00 PM at Cider Gallery in Lawrence, KS. We will also celebrate his life in Keystone, CO on July 19, 2025 3-5 pm, at the Keystone Science School.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Warren Johnson Scholarship Fund at the Keystone Science School

www.keystonescienceschool.org/donate/

or to the Mayo Clinic Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center

https://give.mayoclinic.org/give/609586/#!/donation/checkout

 

 

Marion Colton Vernon

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Marion Colton Vernon passed away March 3 at age 94. Born November 26, 1930 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, her family moved to Kansas City and then Topeka, Kansas, when Marion was 8.

Marion graduated from Topeka High School and attended Washburn University. She met her husband of nearly 75 years on December 23, 1949. They were engaged on February 11, 1950, and were married later that spring on May 7.

The couple had three children: Dr. Mary Vernon, Dr. Matthew Vernon, and Ms. Susan Vernon; five grandchildren: Jessica Maher, Carl Scott Thomsen, Gwyneth Vernon, Ian Vernon, and Natalie Rios; and one great-grandchild, Astra Maher.

Marion lived life passionately. She enjoyed cooking, puzzles and card games, quilting, art collecting, reading, traveling, and being with her family. Travels included attending La Varenne Academy for Chefs in Paris, Thailand, China, South Africa, Mexico, much of Europe, Alaska, Hawaii, Canada, India, Australia, and New Zealand.

Marion gave back to her community as an active volunteer. She began as a member of the Junior League in Topeka. Later, she volunteered in the mental health movement with the Shawnee County Mental Health Association. She became the president of the Kansas Mental Health Association and then the president of the National Mental Health Association where she worked alongside former first lady Roselyn Carter championing the needs of the mentally ill. She worked as an unpaid lobbyist for this issue in Washington, DC, for sixteen years.

Marion and Atlee spent four years in Oklahoma City when Atlee was transferred there with the Fleming Companies. Marion and Atlee retired to Lawrence, Kansas, in 1988 where she continued her volunteer work as a member of GQ Chapter of P.E.O. beginning in 1995.

Beloved by her family, Marion is survived by her husband of nearly 75 years, Carl Atlee Vernon, Jr., her three children, five grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.

Larry Spafford Krull

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Visitation for LARRY SPAFFORD KRULL, of Lawrence Kansas will be at 6PM, Friday, March 7, 2025 at Rumsey- Yost Funeral Home, Lawrence Kansas. Lutheran Services will be at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Lawrence Kansas at 10:30am, Saturday, March 8, 2025 and burial will take place in Oak Hill Cemetery, Lawrence Kansas.

Coach Krull died March 3rd, 2025 in Lawrence Kansas at the age of 84. He truly knew that it was more blessed to give than to receive. His generosity knew no bounds. Coach Krull was not only generous in life, but also in death as he wants to continue the outreach projects they have started even after his death to help less fortunate people in our society. Larry was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and a beautiful soul who would help anyone. His radiant smile lit up any room he entered, and everyone would enjoy his baritone voice and amazing, never-ending stories. He enjoyed teaching kids, hanging out with his family, singing, dancing, and traveling especially with his wife. Bugs as some close people calls him lived life to the fullest and especially loved spending quality time with his family, friends, and his beloved dog, Coco.

Larry is survived by his wife, Joycelin and sons Larry Steven & Elizabeth, Galen Craig & Kevin, Michael Shawn & Misty and daughter Via Rizaleene & Kevin. Grandchildren Cameron (Lucy), Aaron (LeAnn), Wesley (Ashley), Kaylee (Stuart), Sydney, Chris (Dan), McCarly, McCade, and Kassidy. Great Grandchildren Preston, Callum, Zekkiah, Kobe and Dru.

The man from Blue Mound, this was how he wanted to be simply called and remembered was born in Goodrich, Kansas. He was the son of Russell and Beulah. He was preceded in death by his sister Thelma (Dale+), Howard (Marsha+) and Myrna (Gary). His brothers in Law Wernher and Charleston love and respect him dearly. He is known to be kind, compassionate, generous, humorous and most of all a loving family man to his wife, kids and grandkids.

He is the father of the Midwest Driving School, the oldest and most trusted driving school in the state of Kansas. He is known as the admirable, amazing and serious coach of the Midwest Driving School Senior Softball.  A self-made man and philanthropist that started bailing hays, eating onion sandwich for meals to help his dad in the farm and painted houses, he managed to emerge victorious in life by working hard and achieving his dreams of one day to have a business of his own and a house that he will call a home together with his wife Joycelin where the whole family congregates on special occasions and ballgames.

Larry was a basketball star player of Bluemound Highschool averaging 14 points per game and became an outstanding Quarterback for the same school’s football team. Married early, he had to work so many jobs such as sacking groceries at Whiteside’s IGA and at Milne Mann Tire Shop where he met a man who told him to stop patching tires and start going back to college as that will help and change his life. He followed him and became a working student and earned an Associate of Arts Degree at Fort Scott Community College and finished a Bachelor of Arts in Education at Pitt State University in 1968. Was given teaching position at Appleton City Highschool from ‘69- ‘70 where he started fulfilling his lifetime dream of coaching Highschool Football. He then moved to Lockwood Missouri ’71-’72 where he continued honing more of his coaching skills. He then went back to Girard Kansas from 1973-1977 to teach psychology and coached the girls’ basketball, baseball and football until 1983 at Fort Scott Junior College. He also became an Assistant Coach for the Football Team of Haskell University.

Larry started working at the Midwest Driving School as a driving instructor until he bought the business after 10 years of managing the company. And now together with his wife Joycelin and children, they made Midwest Driving School the most reliable, trusted, safest and affordable driving school in the state of Kansas, providing quality drivers education and keeping students safe on the road in the last 50 years.

A true KU, Chiefs and Royals fan, he has been into Senior Softball since 1990 and helped propagating the sport in Kansas for Seniors by owning Softball teams that played locally under KC Metro Senior Softball League that won World Championships in Las Vegas, Oklahoma, Giorgia, Utah, Canada among others. Coach Krull treats his players like family and loved them truly as members of his own. In fact, in all their out-of-town games and tournaments, Larry would always make sure that the wives of his players or members of their family are joining them to experience the joy of camaraderie and happiness in spending quality time with their families while having fun playing and competing for their favorite Softball game.

The Krull’s legacy and good name lives on- with his family and Midwest Driving School that continues to serve Lawrence and the State of Kansas forever.

Online condolences may be sent at www.rumsey-yost.com and flowers to Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home 601 Indiana St, Lawrence Kansas or Memorial in Memory of Larry S. Krull to Kansas City Metro Senior Softball. Check sent to Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home 601 Indiana St, Lawrence Kansas 66044.

Floral arrangements in Larry’s honor may be ordered by visiting the following websites of our local florists:

https://www.owensflowershop.net/

https://www.englewoodflorist.net/

Donna W. Gatts

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Memorial services for Donna W. Gatts will be 3:00 p.m. Saturday, March 22, 2025 at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home.  Family will greet friends following the service.

Donna passed away Saturday, November 23, 2024 at the age of 96. She was preceded in death by her husband, Professor Robert R. Gatts, a son, Robert K. Gatts, her second husband, David Csitkovits, and two brothers (Marvin and Homer “Buzz”).

She is survived by her children, Gail (Greg) Brimhall, Roslyn (Greg) Alexander, Maryl Janson (James Lucas), Christian (Julie) Gatts, and a sister, Nancy Hawk. She has 15 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren.

Donna was born in Cleveland and raised in Dover, Ohio. She married Bob Gatts in 1948 and they raised 5 children together. They moved to Lawrence, Kansas in 1963 so Bob could work at the University of Kansas. Donna loved her family, her home, yard, gardening, dancing, playing bridge, University Theatre, reading, making doll clothes for her grandchildren, sailing, swimming, canoeing, her dogs, and entertaining. Donna enjoyed life to the fullest.

Donna went to nursing school in Ohio and worked as a registered nurse. She worked at Stormont-Vail Health for over 25 years as an IV Nursing Supervisor. She completed her Master’s degree in Health Education in 1987. She was a natural care giver and her choice of careers fit her well. Donna enjoyed traveling and combined her love for service by traveling to China with a medical team in the early 1980’s.

Donna volunteered at Court Appointed Special Advocates, Meals on Wheels, and supported many philanthropic organizations.

Logan Burgess Carland

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It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Logan Burgess Carland, who left this world too soon on March 1, 2025, only a week after his 33rd birthday. Logan was born on February 21, 1992 to Robin Burgess and John Carland in Lawrence, KS.

During his life, Logan explored and enjoyed playing the guitar, doing theater, and cooking. A creative chef, Logan was in culinary school at Johnson County Community College before his life was cut short. He played a mean game of Mario Kart.

Logan had a big, compassionate heart. He always loved animals, especially dogs. As a child Logan once stopped to pet a dog, who bit him on his face, right by his eye, requiring stitches. For many, this type of trauma at such a young age may have caused a fear of dogs. But not for Logan. He remained a lifelong dog lover, and once remarked how it wouldn’t be fair to blame the actions of one dog onto all the others.

Logan felt deeply. He cared about justice and equality. He believed in second chances. He was so smart, and excelled at math and science, which seemed to come easy for him. Logan wanted peace, for the world, but also for himself.

Logan is survived by his parents Robin Burgess and John Carland; stepfather Don Barber; daughter, Jackie Carland; partner Junes Robinson; sisters Amy Jackson, Lea Roselyn, and Maura Mitterbauer; brother-in-law Erskine Jackson and Michael Mitterbauer and niblings Rose Jackson, Delano Jackson, Elijah Jackson, Juniper Jackson, River Jackson, Will Roselyn, Jackson Mitterbauer, Forrest Mitterbauer, and Isabel Mitterbauer. We all love and miss him very much.

A burial service will be conducted at 2:00 p.m., Monday, March 10, 2025 in the Natural Burial area at Oak Hill Cemetery at 1605 Oak Hill Ave, Lawrence, KS 66044. ‍

The family has made a GoFundMe to help with the burial expenses. Contributions would be graciously accepted at www.gofundme.com/f/3tppvd-in-loving-memory-of-Logan

Frances Louise Lintecum

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Frances Louise Henningson Lintecum passed away peacefully in her sleep on March 1, 2025, at Presbyterian Manor in Lawrence, Kansas. We thank the wonderful staff there who were so kind and caring.

She was born May 26, 1933, in Oberlin, Kansas at Benton Memorial Hospital to Carl and Ruth Glad Henningson. She was baptized and confirmed at Enne Swedish Lutheran Church in Herndon, Kansas.

She took piano lessons from early childhood, won several awards, and was in demand as an accompanist. She also played the cornet in high school.

Frances graduated from Decatur Community High School in 1951 and enrolled at University of Kansas. She joined Alpha Chi Omega sorority and was a cheerleader. She was proud to have cheered at the first game in Allen Fieldhouse and remained an avid lifelong KU fan. She graduated in 1955 with a degree in education.

She met Dean Lintecum on a blind date on November 11, 1956. They were married in Oberlin on June 16, 1957, and enjoyed a life together in Prairie Village, Kansas until Dean’s passing in 2003.

Frances began teaching first grade at Overland Park Elementary School after college. She had 30 students in her class with no assistant. She later taught preschool at Rolling Hills Presbyterian Church for 28 years where she had several second-generation students. You could say she was born to be a teacher, by nature and following in her mother’s footsteps.

She was multitalented and along with her skill on the piano she was a gifted seamstress and could work wonders in the kitchen, making a lot out of a little. She was an A-1 mother who emphasized and modeled learning and creativity.

Frances was an active member of PEO Chapter AZ. She volunteered at Children’s Mercy and Lawrence Memorial Hospitals. She was a member of the PTA and served as a Republican precinct committeewoman.

After nearly 50 years in Prairie Village, she moved to Lawrence in 2005. She stayed active with tai chi, bridge, mahjong, book and welcome clubs, as well as trips to theatrical and musical productions and Jayhawk sporting events into her 90’s.

She was preceded in death by her parents Carl and Ruth, sister Irene Henningson Parr, brother Stanley Henningson, and husband Dean Lintecum.

Survivors include daughter Ann Lintecum (Steve McLane) of Prairie Village; son Neal (Julie Frick Lintecum), dearly beloved, lights of her life grandson Jackson Dean and granddaughter Annika Grace of Lawrence; brother and sister-in-law Bob and Sally Henningson of Oberlin; and several nieces and nephews.

Frances had a strong, lifelong faith that comforted her to the end. Her ready smile, warm sincerity and amazing cooking will be missed by all who knew and loved her. Always modest, she requested a private graveside service.

Memorial donations may be made to the Presbyterian Manor Resident Council Fund (please note Frances Lintecum in memo line) through Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, PO Box 1260, Lawrence, KS 66044; or the Head Start program operating in the building where she taught first grade at 8155 Santa Fe, Overland Park, KS 66204 or Donate to Growing Futures – GROWING FUTURES EARLY EDUCATION CENTER, INC.

Rosa Lee (Murphy) Newton

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Rosa Lee (Murphy) Newton, 85, died at home on March 1 surrounded by loving family members after living for several years with dementia.

Rosa Lee was born June 28, 1939, in Troy, Kansas, and graduated from Troy High School in 1957. She completed teletype training in Omaha, Nebraska, and took a job with Capital Airlines in New York City in 1958.

She returned to Kansas after her beloved grandfather, Vachel Lewis, died and worked at Business Men’s Assurance in Kansas City. She then worked at Farmers Mutual in St. Joseph, Missouri, and married Otto Newton of Wathena, Kansas, on Oct. 16, 1959, in Troy, Kansas. She worked in a data entry position at Rosecrans Memorial Airport in Elwood, Kansas, before moving to Pensacola, Florida, where Otto completed helicopter flight training with the Navy.

The couple moved 16 times during their 65-year marriage, living in Chula Vista, California; Lawrence, Kansas; Bendena, Kansas; Houston, Texas; Tulsa, Oklahoma; and Kingwood, Texas, before returning to Lawrence, Kansas, in 1994.

Rosa Lee worked in information systems at the University of Kansas while Otto attended law school there and later worked at the KU Endowment Association when the couple returned to Lawrence. While living in Houston, Rosa Lee worked for the Cypress-Fairbanks School District.

She earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in anthropology at the University of Houston in 1994 and a master’s degree in social work at the University of Kansas in 2002.

The oldest of six siblings, Rosa Lee had a nurturing nature and loved spending time with family and friends throughout her life. She was a proud redhead and a wonderful cheerleader for her family, rarely missing any outing or activity. She served for several years as a deacon at the First Baptist Church in Lawrence, following in the footsteps of her father who had been a deacon at the First Baptist Church in Troy.

She had a great sense of humor, an infectious laugh and an adventurous personality. Rosa Lee enjoyed traveling, especially road trips, often riding shotgun in Otto’s Model-T. She visited 46 states, Canada, Japan and Mexico. She had a generous disposition and made celebrations of any size festive and memorable. She took excellent care of her plants and loved the color orange (her nail polish preference the past few years) and never lost her affinity for an ice-cold Coke. Rosa Lee was a lifelong learner, often taking community classes to gain new skills, and her nightstand overflowed with novels and magazines. Rosa Lee also enjoyed going to movies and was an excellent cook and baker. Her coconut cake and cheesecake were family favorites.

She is survived by her husband, Otto; two daughters, Kim (Dan) Gronniger (Topeka, Kansas) and Kelli (Kevin) Breer (Westwood, Kansas); three grandchildren, Joe (Lacey) Gronniger; Catie Gronniger; and Keaton Breer; a brother, Marvin Murphy; two sisters, Mary (Greg) Johnson, and Becky (Miles) Gibson; three sisters-in-law, Patricia Williams, Patricia Murphy and Judy Murphy; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Urban and Veda (Lewis) Murphy, and two brothers, Vachel Murphy and Jerry Murphy.

The family suggests memorial contributions to the First Baptist Church in Lawrence or the Visiting Nurses Association, whose fantastic employees provided excellent support to Rosa Lee and Otto and their daughters the past few months. Contributions can be sent in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home & Crematory, PO Box 1260, Lawrence, KS 66044.

Visitation will be on March 27th from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home & Crematory Inc., 601 Indiana St., Lawrence, Kansas. Rosa Lee’s Celebration of Life will be on March 28th at 11:00 a.m. at the First Baptist Church of Lawrence, 1330 Kasold Drive, Lawrence, Kansas. Lunch will be provided at the church following the service. After lunch, an interment of ashes ceremony at Fort Leavenworth National Cemetery at 2:30 p.m. will conclude the services. The family welcomes you to attend any or all of these events to honor Rosa Lee and a life well-lived.

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