Category: Obituaries

Rose Ellen (Rosy) Neuhaus

Posted on by RumseyYost

Rose Ellen Neuhaus, 64, of Lawrence, Kansas, died Sunday afternoon, January 19th, in the loving care of her husband and daughters.

Rosy was the eighth of eleven children born to Gerald and Rose Lee Van Mol in Kansas City, Kansas. Rosy attended Sacred Heart Elementary (later named Our Lady of Unity), Argentine Middle School, and JC Harmon High School, where she took every arts class available to her, working in fibers, photography, clay, and metal.

Growing up, Rosy spent countless hours collecting leaves, rocks, seed pods, and other treasures on long walks through fields and woods. She was captivated by the changing seasons, colors, forms, and movement of nature. Fascinated by the malleability and strength of metals, Rosy chose that as her focus for studies in college and moved to Lawrence, Kansas, to study metalsmithing and silversmithing at the University of Kansas.

After Rosy and Pete married and their household filled with family, she scaled her art to fit and focused on beading, creating jewelry to compliment a person’s mood and enhance their day, rather than their clothing, by focusing on the sound and feel of each piece.

Rosy’s love of nature and artistic talent infused her world and that of everyone lucky enough to be in her circle. She shared a love of gardening with Pete, and together they developed a magical garden where they hosted many Spring Flings for extended family. Rosy created a world of beauty, both to fill her home and to share freely with family and friends. Rosy built several dear friendships that she nurtured through decades of life’s celebrations and challenges.

Rosy’s nurturing personality guided her work life, helping many children flourish in their early childhood years in her home daycare and also in a small business daycare center. She later transitioned to working with school children, and then to adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities. She spent her days caring for others and has left us all with a shining example of how to make the world around us a little better every day.

Rosy was preceded in death by her parents, Gerald & Rose Lee Van Mol, her brother, Bob Van Mol, and her son, Jake Neuhaus. She is survived by her husband of 36 years, Pete, her daughters, Tamara, Amelia, and Becca, and her many siblings, nieces, and nephews.

Funeral Mass will be 10 am, Friday, January 24, 2025, at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church.  A Visitation will be from 6-7 pm, Thursday, with Rosary to follow at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Lawrence Humane Society .

Donate

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Or to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network

https://secure.pancan.org/site/Donation2?df_id=6903&mfc_pref=T&6903.donation=form1&s_src=direct+response+fy24+-+evergreen+media&s_subsrc=direct+response+fy24+-+evergreen+media_pd+search_pd+search+-+conversion_digital+advertising_general+public&utm_source=pd+search&utm_medium=digital+advertising&utm_campaign=direct+response+fy24+-+evergreen+media&utm_term=general+public&utm_content=pd+search+-+conversion&utm_campaign=direct+response+fy24+-+evergreen+media&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAhbi8BhDIARIsAJLOludjmy-5-7BIx_41QjHe-8O3_Y0CcWgm77OEUubhXidRo0vu5BfJ7x8aApYCEALw_wcB

Sandra Sue (Sandy) Watson

Posted on by RumseyYost

Memorial Services for Sandra Sue Watson, 75, Lawrence, will be 10:30 am, Monday, February 3, 2025, at First Southern Baptist Church 4300 W 6th St, Lawrence, KS.

Sandra Sue (Sandy) Watson, age 75, passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 22, 2024, at Pioneer Ridge Rapid Recovery in Lawrence, KS.

She was born February 3, 1949, in Kansas City, Missouri, to Elmer “Dutch” and Doris (Smith) Meyer.

She married Raymond Brown on July 29,1967 (div. 1982)  They have two daughters. Sandra worked as a Property Manager for Trail Ridge Apartments. During this time, it was not uncommon for her to be known as “mom” to the many college students that cycled through year after year. Sandra’s charming personality made it easy for her to be a friend to many.

In the spring of 2003, she met her forever love, Harlow (Bud) Watson. They married, Sept 5, 2003 in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. During their 21 years together they had many adventures. Their most cherished memories involve car shows featuring one or more of their beautiful hot rods.  February 11, 2021, Sandra suffered a life-changing stroke. Bud’s role became full time caregiver for his beloved wife and he remained by her side til her death. He survives the home.

Other survivors include a daughter, Michelle (Larry) Magee, Lawrence, KS; a daughter,  Mendy (Terry) Gilliand, Lawrence, KS ; six grandchildren Andrew Pester, Brooklyn, NY, Gabriel Magee, San Francisco, CA, Jonah Pester, Scottsdale, AZ,  Josie (Isaac) Schmidt, Reedsport, OR,  Maxwell (Erin) Gilliland, Baldwin City, KS and Holly (Mason) Barnes, Lawrence, KS.

Janice Lee Pattinson

Posted on by RumseyYost

Funeral Services for Janice Lee Pattinson, 83, Lawrence, will be 11 am Thursday, January 23, 2025, at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home. A Visitation will be from 10 to Service time.

She died Sunday, January 19, 2025 at Cedarhurst of Lawrence.

Janice was born October 9, 1941, in Shreveport Louisiana, the daughter of Ruth and Lewis Adams. She grew up in Poteau and McAlester Oklahoma. As a teen she moved with her mother and stepfather Louis Payne to Wichita Kansas. She graduated from Wichita West High School in 1959.

Following graduation, she was employed as a receptionist/assistant to a medical doctor. Janice met John Pattinson and they married in 1963. A daughter, Debra, was born in 1967.

John was manager of the Wichita KU Extension Center, in Wichita, for 15 years until it closed in 1975. The family then moved to Lawrence where John had started his career in Continuing Education.

Janice was a loving wife, mother, excellent cook and homemaker. She enjoyed walking, reading, KU football and basketball, University Theatre and Lied Center Performances.

Survivors are her husband John and daughter Debra.

The family would like to thank the Cedarhurst of Lawrence memory care staff and administrators and the Visiting Nurses for their loving care and support.

In Lieu of flowers, memorials to First Baptist Church or Visiting Nurses can be sent in care of Rumsey Yost Funeral Home, 601 Indiana St, Lawrence, Kansas 66044

 

Travis Edwin Viehweg

Posted on by RumseyYost

Travis Edwin Viehweg, 41, of Ozawkie, KS, passed away peacefully at his home on January 12, 2025.

He was born in Fort Collins, CO, on September 13, 1983, to Douglas K. and Sharon C. (Smith) Viehweg. The family eventually relocated to Overland Park, KS, where Travis grew up competing in high school wrestling and football. He went on to compete in collegiate football, including being named an All-American defensive tackle while at Baker University.

He graduated from Blue Valley High School (Overland Park, KS) in 2002. He attended Butler County Community College and then received a Bachelor of Science and a Masters of Liberal Arts from Baker University (Baldwin City, KS) in 2007 and 2009, respectively.

Travis married the great love of his life, Amanda Susan Wehner, on October 19, 2013. With Amanda, he was safe to show off his intellect, his willingness to see people for who they are, and a desire to embrace the whole of who Amanda is. When he first saw her he said “God made her for me.” Theirs was a marriage built on instant, lasting bonds and an adventurous embrace of trying new things.

He took great pride in his work and deeply appreciated all the friendships he made along the way. At the time of his passing he was employed by Midwest Concrete Materials as a Concrete Delivery Professional.

He will be remembered fondly by his wife, Amanda, and Hops and Gracie, lovingly referred to as “their babies;” parents Douglas and Sharon; sister Angela Komarek, brother-in-law Scott, and their children Addison, Hudson, and Avery; brother Clayton Viehweg, sister-in-law Kay, and their son Isaac; and nieces Alexis Viehweg and Madison Viehweg.

He was preceded in death by his brothers Jason Viehweg and Ryan Viehweg.

Travis will be celebrated by friends, teammates, and loved ones who will always treasure his vivid storytelling, dedicated acts of service, and unique sense of humor.

Funeral services are set for Friday, January 24, 2025 at 2 PM at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, Lawrence, KS. Interment will take place on Monday, January 27, at 11 AM at Clifton Cemetery, Clifton, ID.

In lieu of flowers the family is requesting donations be made in Travis’ honor to the American Heart Association, the United Way, or a humane society of the donor’s choosing.

Wilma Irene Morgan

Posted on by RumseyYost

Wilma Irene (Barraclough) Morgan was born at home in Scranton, Kansas on June 25, 1924 to parents, Roy and Margaret Barraclough.

While attending high school in Lansing, Kansas, she met her soon to be husband, Erwin Morgan. They were married on June 19, 1942 and celebrated 80 years together before he passed away on November 22, 2022.

Wilma was a wonderful mother and a devoted wife.

She is survived by her son, Larry Morgan (Debbie) and daughter, Sandra Cockrum (Dave), 5 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren and 4 great, great grandchildren.

Wilma died at Homestead in Eudora, Kansas on January 8, 2025. Graveside services will be at 2:00 pm on January 14, 2025 at Oak Hill cemetery in Lawrence, Kansas.

The family would like to thank all those who cared for Wilma during her stay at Homestead.

Caroline Jean Ferrett

Posted on by RumseyYost

Carol Jean Ferrett 76, Lawrence, died Wednesday, January 8, 2025 following a battle with leukemia, at Lawrence Memorial Hospital. Carol was born December 30, 1948 in Lawrence, Kansas to Edmon and Betty Harmon Richards. Carol spent her entire life in Lawrence. She worked for many years for King Radio and later for Honeywell when they bought King Radio. Carol married her first love, Gerald Austin. He passed away on April 29, 1973. Carol later married Rex Ferrett on December 16, 1977. Rex passed away on November 10, 2010. Carol loved her little house where she lived for over 40 years. Her favorite activity was taking care of the yard, lottery tickets, reading the newspaper and walking her dogs. Carol is survived by her dog Rudy, a son, Wesley Schmidt and wife Trina of Derby, KS. One sister, Mary Taylor Ward and one brother, Elvis Reed. Two grandsons, Andrew Schmidt of St. Louis, MO and Brandon (Annie) Schmidt of Wichita, KS as well as cousins and friends. Carol was never able to meet her step great grandchildren, but loved hearing about them and watching them grow up. Carol is preceded in death by her mother, Betty Atwood, her father, Edmon Richards, two husbands, and extended family. A celebration of life will be held on April 5, 2025 at 1:30 at Oak Hill Cemetery, Lawrence, Kansas.

Robert “Bob” Carl Umholtz

Posted on by RumseyYost

Robert C. Umholtz passed away peacefully in Lawrence Kansas on January 4th at the age of 96.

Bob was born in Miami, Oklahoma on August 10, 1928, as the only child of Karl and Edna (Gardner) Umholtz. The family moved to Topeka, Kansas where he graduated from Highland Park High School as an honor student and class president. He attended Washburn University and The University of Kansas where he achieved a Master of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering. He was a member of the Tau Beta Pi, Kappa Mu Epsilon and Pi Tau Sigma engineering honor societies.

Bob served in the U.S. Army during the early 1950’s as a Second Lieutenant in the Corps of Engineers. He was assigned a post in Korea where he supervised construction of petroleum product docking, pumping and load facilities.

Bob’s family was proud of his 60-year teaching career at Kansas University School of Engineering. Students referred to him as “Bullet Bob” because they had to move fast to keep up with his instruction. During school breaks he worked as a design engineer and consultant for various companies such as Phillips Petroleum, Westinghouse, Bendix, Boeing, and NASA.

Academic career awards included ASME Distinguished Professor, KUME Distinguished Alumni and The Wesley Cramer Professorship in Mechanical Engineering for Excellence in Teaching. He retired from KU in 2012 as Associate Professor and Associate Chair of Mechanical Engineering.

Bob enjoyed listening to his extensive collection of big band and jazz records. He loved tending to his vegetable garden and flowers at his home in the Hilltop neighborhood and was a devoted tv sports fan. If he did not answer the phone, it was likely because he was watching a KU basketball, football, or Kansas City Chiefs game.

Bob’s proudest legacy was his family. He is survived by sons Mark Umholtz and wife Danette, Lawrence KS, Marvin Umholtz and wife Marty, Lawrence KS, and Martin Umholtz and wife Molly, Santa Rosa CA. Also, five grandchildren Justin Umholtz, Jonathan Umholtz, Mason Umholtz, Amanda Umholtz, Alexander Umholtz and five great-grandchildren Carter, Annika, Viola, Edie, and Makenna.

The Umholtz family would like to thank Presbyterian Manor staff members for their thoughtful care and support of Bob.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions for KU Mechanical Engineering scholarships may be made online at www.kuendowment.org/umholtz or by check payable to KU Endowment (in memo please note: Mechanical Engineering Scholarship in memory of Robert Umholtz) may be sent in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1260, Lawrence, KS 66044.

A private family celebration of life and interment at the KU Pioneer Cemetery will take place at a future date.

Diane Katherine Weber

Posted on by RumseyYost

Services for Diane Weber, 81, of Lawrence, will take place at 10 a.m. Saturday, January 18, 2025, at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home.

Ms. Weber died Tuesday, January 7, 2025, at Lawrence Memorial Hospital, surrounded by her family.

She was born August 19, 1943, in Rockford, IL, the daughter of Edward and Esther Abegg. She graduated from East Rockford High School in 1961 and the University of Iowa in 1965.

Diane dedicated her life to family, education, and community. She was one of the first women elected to the Kearney, MO School Board and actively volunteered for numerous organizations through her church and beyond. Known for her generosity and creativity, she hosted cherished Christmas brunches and gingerbread house parties and crafted countless quilts she gifted to family, friends, and even strangers.

Diane’s home was a gathering place filled with warmth, laughter, and tradition. Whether it was cheering on her grandchildren at various events or supporting local music at the Lawrence City Band concerts, Diane’s presence was a constant source of love and encouragement. Her passion for education and community left a lasting impression on everyone she met.

Diane married Ronald Gordon-Ross in 1968. He died in 1996. She married Bob Weber in 1998. He survives of the home.

Other survivors include a daughter, Elspeth (Gordon-Ross) Grindstaff, Alexandria, Virginia; a son, G.R. Gordon-Ross, Lawrence, Kansas; daughter-in-law Kathleen Gordon-Ross, Lawrence, Kansas; and seven grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, January 18, 2025, at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, 601 Indiana Street, Lawrence, Kansas.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Lawrence City Band, whose summer concert series Diane always enjoyed. Checks may be made out to the Douglas County Community Foundation (DCCF), with “Lawrence City Band” in the memo line, sent in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home: P.O. Box 1260, Lawrence KS 66044. Donations may also be made online at https://bit.ly/lcbdonation.

Vicki Lynne Leochner

Posted on by RumseyYost

Vicki Lynne (Davis) Leochner of Lecompton, Kansas passed away on Saturday, January 4, 2025 at the Gardens at Aldersgate, Topeka. She was born on August 10, 1948 in Lawrence to Ed and Maxine Davis, and lived nearly all her life in the Kaw River Valley as a devoted mother and wife.

After graduating from Lawrence High School in 1967, Vicki married Gary Leochner on April 11, 1970. She was a wonderful mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, wife, daughter and friend. Together with her husband, Vicki raised five children and was a loving grandmother to each of their 16 grandchildren. We have no doubt she would have found immense joy in being a great-grandmother to her soon-to-be six great-grandchildren, but she was never able to fully relish in this role.

In addition to her family commitments, Vicki was active in the Lecompton community and devoted countless hours in service to others. She found a passion in sharing local history and helped to organize the Territorial Day events while working at the Territorial Capital Museum. For over twenty years she was a mentor to countless kids through the Campfire Youth Group program and enjoyed competitive bowling, frequently bringing home the hardware.

Children were often at the center of her giving and Christmas was a special time in the Leochner household. Vicki coordinated the yearly Christmas tree lighting at the park, an event that also served as a community gift exchange, and often arranged seasonal clothing drives for Santa’s Warehouse.

Vicki had the special ability to always look for the good in people. As long as she could still lift a hand, she would lift it in kindness to someone else. She wanted to see and be the good in this world, and so she was.

Vicki passed away on Saturday, January 4, 2025 at The Gardens at Aldersgate, Topeka, Kansas, after succumbing to the physical and mental decline inflicted on her by dementia. Vicki is preceded in death by her parents Ed and Maxine Davis, step mother Agnes, and her sister and brother-in-law Betty and Gilbert Baker. She is survived by her husband, Gary, children Kristin (Vern) Fox, Heather (Brent) Bottom, Nathan (Ashley) Leochner, Garth Leochner, and Larissa Leochner, grandchildren Kaely, Brina, Colton, Shay, Cheyenne, Dakota, Brice, Savannah, Gabrielle, Brooklynn, Ashlyn, Kamryn, Kayla, Brayton, Bailey, Keely and great-grandchildren Elliana, Ebben, Eleanor, McKinley, Brenson.

A visitation will be held January 13th from 5 to 6:30 pm at the Rumsey Yost Funeral Home in Lawrence, KS. All are welcome. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Lecompton Historical Society or a charity that supports Alzheimer’s or Dementia research. Donation link for Alzheimer’s Association: https://www.alz.org/get-involved-now/donate

Parker Ross Groves

Posted on by RumseyYost

Visitation with military honors for Parker Groves will be held from 1 to 3 pm Sunday, January 12, 2025 at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home. Private burial will take place at Memorial Park Cemetery, Lawrence.

Parker Ross Groves was born in Wichita, Kansas on May 8, 1951. He graduated from North Kansas City High School in 1969. Kathy Jansen, daughter of Myrt and Henry Jansen, was married to Parker in Kansas City, KS on June 21, 1975. Parker worked as a Public Service Officer in Riverside, Missouri, until he was invited by his father, Carol Groves, to join a new business which Carol created, Laser Graphics, in Lawrence Kansas. The business utilized the new technology of laser scanning in the printing industry.

Parker later worked as a Purchasing Agent at Forbes Field in Topeka, Kansas. This led him to an opportunity to fulfil his lifelong dream of flying in the military as a Boom Operator in the Air National Guard. When Operation Desert Storm was implemented, Parker was called to serve in Saudi Arabia to refuel in air many types of combat aircraft.

In retirement, Parker enjoyed many hobbies, including sailing, ham radio, HO gauge model trains, 3D printers, and train travel. At the time of his death, Parker was restoring a vintage 1979 Triumph Spitfire.

The family suggest donations to the American Cancer Society, PO Box 171335, Kansas City, Kansas 66117.