Category: Obituaries

Dennis Findley

Posted on by RumseyYost

Graveside services for Dennis W. Findley Sr., 79, Lawrence, will be 10am Wednesday, March 27, 2024 at Washington Creek Cemetery, Douglas County, Lawrence, Kansas 66047.

Mr. Findley died March 21, 2024, in hospice care at Delmar Gardens of Lenexa.

He was born July 22, 1944, in Overbrook KS. His family moved to Lawrence when he was a child. He lived in Lawrence for the rest of his life.

The youngest of Samuel V. Findley Sr. and Florence “Mowder” Findley’s children. He served in the USN as an underwater welder during the Korean conflict until he was injured in an underwater accident and became 100% disabled. He was preceded in death by his parents, his 2 brothers and 2 sisters, and his oldest son Dennis Jr. who passed away in infancy January 31, 1966.

He is survived by his sons Kelly and Christopher/Roxy.

He was a lifetime member of the American Legion.

The family would like to thank Ashley with the Visiting Nurses Association of Lawrence for all her wonderful care. And Ted Boyle his childhood friend for always watching out for him.

Donald Lee (Don) Ray

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Graveside Services for Donald Lee Ray, 79, a longtime resident of Lawrence, will be 1 pm, Friday, March 29, 2024, at Memorial Park Cemetery. He was born June 21, 1944.

Don passed peacefully at home with his loving wife by his side on March 19, 2024.

He is preceded in death by his parents and son Marvin L. Ray.

Don is survived by his wife Marjorie S. Ray, two sons Terry L. Ray and Donald J. Ray and several grandchildren and great grandchildren.

He was well known in Lawrence for his knowledge of motors from vehicles to lawnmowers and usually always had a lawnmower or two in his front yard for sale and a great story to tell. He will be deeply missed.

Joseph “Joe” M. Schmitz

Posted on by RumseyYost

Joe passed away Tuesday March 19, 2024 in his home.

Joe was born August 22, 1946 in Kansas City, Kansas to James “Bud” C. Schmitz Sr. and Pauline Withers. He started his love of hunting and fishing at an early age, which he continued through-out his entire life. He loved spending countless hours in the woods or on the waters.

He was proceeded in death by Bud and Pauline.

Survivors include his wife Lorraine Knapp; children Michael, Amy (Casey), John, Erin (Stephen), and Jennifer (Dan). Stepchildren Lorrie (Mitch) and Donna. 10 grandchildren, 5 step grandchildren, 8 step great grandchildren. Brother Jim and Jack (Karen); nephew Jason and niece Elizabeth.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to Visiting Nurses Hospice and those associated with them.

Memorials can be made to Kansas Wildlife Federation, Make A Wish, or Visiting Nurses Hospice, in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, PO Box 1260 Lawrence, Kansas 66044.

Celebration of Life services will be held at 11am on April 5, 2024 at Lighthouse Baptist Church located at 700 Chapel St, Baldwin City, Kansas 66006.

Betty Ann Schrader

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Betty Ann Schrader, nèe Godfrey, born January 18th, 1946, passed away at Lawrence Memorial Hospital on February 23rd, 2024 at the age of 78 from a hard-fought battle with Pancreatic Cancer.

Betty was born to Lorraine E. Snow and Everett L. Godfrey in Lawrence, the fourth of four children. She is predeceased by her brother Clifford W. Godfrey (1944), and survived by her sister Genevieve L. Stowe (1938) and brother Harold L. Godfrey (1942). Betty was a true Lawrencian at heart, attending Woodlawn Elementary School and Central Junior High School before graduating in 1964 from Lawrence High School.

Betty married James W. Schrader in 1964 and the pair had two adoring sons. Betty and James divorced in 1983, and James passed in 2004. Betty is survived by her two sons, James W. Schrader Jr. (1965) of Whitney, Texas and Steven E. Schrader (1968) of Lawrence, Kansas. She also held a long career (1975 – 2001) as a Bakery and Delicatessen Specialist for the Dillons stores, having her move across Kansas for her positions before retiring in Lawrence. Betty was the first female supervisor of the Dillons Kansas Division in 1983.

Betty is survived by two grandchildren, Mika R. Schrader (1998) and Bayn A. Schrader (2001), but is predeceased by her youngest grandchild Jason G. Schrader (2003-2020), son of James Jr. and Shelly Schrader. She was a dedicated grandmother, cheering her grandchildren on in all their activities and achievements, never failing to warm the hearts of all those around her.

Betty returned to work at the Kansas Turnpike Association in 2016 and worked there until her cancer diagnosis in 2023. Before her passing, Betty was also happy to cheer the Chiefs to one more Superbowl victory.

A celebration of life for Betty is forthcoming, and family and friends can reach out to Steven for details. In lieu of flowers, the family desires that donations be made to the Lawrence Humane Society in honor of Betty’s lifelong love of dogs.

Beverly Ann King

Posted on by RumseyYost

It is with heavy hearts we share that Bev’s heroic fight against Stage IV cancer has come to a close.

Beverly Ann King (Crist) passed away Saturday, March 16, 2024, at Lawrence Memorial Hospital. Bev passed peacefully, surrounded by family, shrouded in prayer and hymns.

Bev was born in Ottawa and spent much of her life in Eastern Kansas. Though she began her career as a nurse, her true passion was in working with horses. Bev married Jim King in 1997 and they fostered a love for animals and raising their four children. Together they built a reining horse showing, training, and breeding business. Everyone was welcome. Bev always had a hot meal and lively conversation to fill them before they left.

Our beloved wife, daughter, sister, mother, grandmother (Mimi), and friend will be dearly missed.She will be remembered for her determined spirit, love of animals, warm hospitality, and dedication to sharing the gospel.

Service Information:
Bev’s Celebration of Life will be Wednesday, March 20, at 12 PM, at the Lighthouse Baptist Church in Baldwin City. As we celebrate and honor her powerful legacy, we invite you to come hungry and dress casually. All are welcome. This would a great time to bust out your red colors, wranglers, and ropers.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.

“In Joyous Memory of Beverly King”

Sometimes when a special person leaves this world it just seems impossible to imagine any space without them. Bev King was one of those people; the inherent vibrancy she carried within herself brightened everything and everyone around her.

Bev shared all of her everything—whether it be with family, friends, or strangers—genuinely caring for others in a way that reflected her faith in the goodness of God. She was that steadfast friend that was always there when you needed her, and I will forever cherish her friendship. No matter how long it had been since we last saw each other, or how rough around the edges I might be, Bev always took me as I was, and we picked back up like we had just seen each other yesterday.

I was always impressed by Bev’s ability to arrive at a desired destination, real or metaphorical, without really knowing how she was going to get there. To me, that is the very definition of Grit-which Bev had in spades.

The amusing way in which Bev met Jim—aka James King, the love of her life—in a highly unlikely encounter at a bar, proves that sometimes she even arrived someplace good without ever knowing she was headed there. That is the hallmark of an adventurous spirit, which Bev was at her core.
To this day I still don’t understand how Bev’s makeup, hair, and nails always looked so good when the rest of us were dirty and sweaty in the 100 degrees of a Kansas summer day. Yet another of her subtle skills.

Although I already miss her dearly, I have faith Bev will forever remain with us. We will remember her love of all things living when her flowers bloom this spring. When the new foals hit the ground later this year, we will honor Bev’s belief in the future. And when someone has their best ride ever on a horse she bred, we will remember Bev’s god given talent in the saddle.
Most importantly, when Bev’s kids and grandkids share the strength and love she and Jim invested in them, her legacy will continually renew.

Beverly King, you were one of a kind. You were kindhearted to all, wholehearted in everything you endeavored, and you were the very epitome of bravehearted. It seems so unfair you are gone so soon, but I know without a doubt you lived your life with faith, you lived it large, and you made the most of every moment.

Godspeed- I know you are headed to a better place.”
– Wendy Lend

William “Billy Joe” Gonce

Posted on by RumseyYost

A Celebration of life for William (Billy) Gonce, 60, Lawrence, will be 2 pm, March 30, 2024, at Clinton Lake Outlook, 801 N 1402 Rd, Lawrence.

William “Billy” Gonce passed away Tuesday, January 16th, 2024, at Lawrence Memorial Hospital.

Billy was born November 29th, 1963, in Lawrence, the son of Sara Sue Harris and Sidney Gonce Sr. He graduated from Lawrence High School, May 25th, 1982.

Billy did have one daughter whom he gave up for adoption. Her name is Christy Dawn Gonce born September 7th, 1983, he was never able to locate her and it left a piece of him missing. Over the years we have looked and came up empty handed.

Survivors of Billy include his niece whom took care of him, Crystina (Gonce)Hatch, her husband James and their 2 boys; Chase and Chaisen. His father, Sidney Gonce. Brothers include Tim Gonce and Robert Gonce(wife Julie) and their 2 children Amy and Robert Jr, His niece Samantha and her son Trey’Shaun. His nephew Steven (Gonce)Sorenson, his wife Dana and their 5 kids. His deceased brother Sidney Jr has 2 daughters Jennifer and Jessica. He has 2 step sister’s from his father’s 2nd marriage and nieces and nephews.

He preceded in death by his mother Sara Harris, his brother Sidney Gonce Jr, his great nephew Caisen Hatch, his step mother Carol Gonce and his grandparents both of his mother and father side.

There will be a Celebration of Life for Billy at a later date followed by a graveside service that both will be announced at a later time by the Rumsey-Yost funeral home and Crystina Hatch.

Jeffery (Jeff) Paul Ridenour

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Jeffery “Jeff” Paul Ridenour, age 60 of Lawrence, passed away March 13, 2024. Jeff was born June 30, 1963 in Bartlesville, Oklahoma to parents Clarence and Janet “Yvonne” Ridenour. Jeff was a graduate of Lawrence High School and after that worked for many years in the lawncare business. He was a fan of the Kansas Jayhawks, KC Royals and Chiefs and the Oklahoma Sooners. Jeff also enjoyed the summer trips to Lake of the Ozarks with cousins, Gary, Janette, Marsha and Mike.

Jeff was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Yvonne; brothers, Bobby and Teddy Ridenour and Grizzly the DOG. He is survived by his daughters, Leia Robbins-Funk and Trish Burge and their families; son, Tyler Ridenour; sister-in-law, Vicki Ridenour and numerous nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank good friends, Jeff Cassity, Chad Price, Jules Still, Rod Daugherty and the rest of the PLS family for all the love and care they have shown Jeff over the years.

Graveside Services are set for 11:00 A.M. Monday, March 18, 2024 at Oak Hill Cemetery in Lawrence. Arrangements are with Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home of Lawrence. Family and friends are welcome to visit the funeral home from 8:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M. on Sunday to register and pay their respects. In lieu of flowers, the family would like donations made in Jeff’s honor to Awaking Hope, P.O. Box 700209, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74170.

Steven Lee Siebuhr

Posted on by RumseyYost

Services for Steven Lee Siebuhr, 61, of Kansas City, Kansas, will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, March 22, 2024, at Arterra Event Gallery in Lawrence, KS. Burial will take place in Oak Hill Cemetery following.

Steve died Monday, March 11, 2024 at the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City, Missouri, surrounded by loved ones.

He was born December 23, 1962 in Norman, Oklahoma; son of Francis and Elaine Siebuhr. He graduated from Columbus High School in 1981, and earned a bachelor’s degree in Physical and Health Education from Pittsburg State University in 1985. Soon after, he continued his education and received a master’s degree in Physical Education from Pittsburg State University in 1987.

He married Audrey Lane on October 23, 1993 in Osage City, Kansas. They divorced in 2016, and he did not remarry.

Steve is survived by his daughter, Lauren Beabout of Shawnee, Kansas; son, Ryan Siebuhr of Lawrence, KS; brother, Scott Siebuhr of Columbus, Kansas; step-mother, Judy Siebuhr of Joplin, Missouri; and granddaughter, Finley Beabout of Shawnee, Kansas.

His mother, Elaine Pierce-Siebuhr, 61, died earlier on February 9th, 1998. His father, Francis “Fran” Siebuhr, 81, died earlier on March 26th, 2017.

Steve spent the majority of his career as an educator, but truly enjoyed coaching basketball, baseball, track, and especially football. Some of his passions included football, fishing, golfing, playing the piano, and Elvis Presley. Steve played college football at Coffeyville Community College, and ended his career playing for Pittsburg State University in 1983-1984. He was also inducted into the Columbus High School Hall of Fame in 2015.

He had a warm heart, was resilient, and provided his loved ones with many cherishable memories. His children remember him playing the piano in the basement often, of which he taught himself how to play. One of Lauren’s favorite memories of her father was participating in the Daddy Dances at her dance company. It was so fun seeing his silly side come out while dancing to Elvis and the Blues Brothers. Some of Ryan’s favorite memories are watching Chiefs games together, and learning about his favorite musical artists by watching YouTube videos and DVDs of their concerts with him.

Steve’s “Celebration of Life” will take place from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. on Friday March 22nd, 2024 at the Arterra Art Gallery. The burial will take place following the celebration at the Oak Hill Cemetery, where he will be buried next to his mother, Elaine Pierce-Siebuhr. We ask that family members participate in Steve’s burial.

The family has decided to put all memorial funds toward a commemorative effort in Steve’s honor in Columbus, Kansas. He grew up in Columbus and had a great appreciation for the town and football team. Contributions can be made at the Celebration of Life, or can be sent via the information below:

Venmo: @Ryan-Siebuhr | CashApp: @RyanSiebuhr

Arterra Event Gallery: 2161 Quail Creek Dr, Lawrence, KS 66047