Category: Obituaries

Susan Elaine Mango

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Surrounded by her loving family Sue passed on September 22, 2023, at home. Her family, especially her husband Joe and dear daughter Tara, were the bright lights of her life and she cherished every day with them.

Susan was born April 1, 1963, in Lawrence, Kansas. She is survived by her husband Joseph Mango; daughter Tara Mango; sisters Cathy Daicoff and Julie Daicoff (Maurice Stack Jr); her sister in spirit Bobbie Perry Flory (Scott); niece Jessica Stack; and nephew Joseph Stack (Laurie). She was proceeded in death by her parents, Margaret and Darwin Daicoff.

Sue’s hallmark was her passion for communicating and drawing others into conversations. She learned these skills at The University of Kansas where she earned a degree in communication in 1985. Susan used her people skills as event director in the hospitality industry at exclusive country clubs and the hotels in Dallas, Texas and Chester County, Pennsylvania. Ten years ago, Susan returned to Lawrence and became the Director of Development for KU’s Lied Performing Art Center. Susan’s relationships with patrons, audience, and staff were engaging and she achieved record-breaking contributions.

Susan was an avid reader who once challenged herself to read one book every week for an entire year. This interest expanded as she became involved in University Women’s Club as an event coordinator. Sue was a woman of faith that treated everyone with love and respect.

Susan’s other hobbies include gardening, home decorating and her peloton. Her decorating skills inspired her to start Sewing for the Home and Décor where she made custom draperies. She had a knack for taking something mundane and seeing its possibilities.

We all knew Sue’s love of chocolate. Every Sunday night for 50 weeks she tried new recipes in search of the perfect brownie recipe. She enjoyed cooking for her family, but baking was her specialty.

Memorials in honor of Sue can be made to Kansas University Endowment – Sue Mango Patio and Garden at the Lied, and may be sent to the Lied Center, 1600 Stewart Drive, Lawrence, Kansas 66045.

Friends of Susan are invited to join the family for a reception at Arterra, 2161 Quail Creek Drive, Lawrence, Kansas, on Wednesday, October 11, 2023, from 5 to 8 pm.

A private inurnment will be held at a later date

Jay Owen Wagner

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Jay Owen Wagner, 77, passed away on September 21, 2023 at Saint Luke’s Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri. He was born June 10, 1946 in Emporia, Kansas to John O. and Margaret (Sattler) Wagner.

In 1963, the family moved to Lawrence when his mother’s job with Hallmark Cards was relocated. Due to being only one year away from graduating, Jay stayed behind and lived with his grandparents his senior year. He graduated from Emporia High School in 1964. After graduation he joined his family in Lawrence. There he worked for Hallmark Cards and attended KU until he was drafted in to the Army serving one year in Vietnam.

Jay married his wife, Betty Curl on May 28, 1971. His job took them to the Chicago suburb of Wheeling, Illinois, where their first son Christopher was born. After a year, they returned to Lawrence where their sons Erick and Dustin were born. Lawrence became home for the rest of his life.

Jay was employed by E&E Specialties as a building manager until it closed in 2004. He then joined his son Dustin in farming on his wife’s family farm in Jefferson County. With the help of his sons he raised corn, soybeans, and his favorite; cattle. Other than the farm, he enjoyed watching KU sports and the Kansas City Chiefs. One time refusing to go to the hospital because the Chiefs were on TV. He had his priorities!

He is preceded in death by his parents, sisters Linda Jones and Dale Ann Fabriz, brother Johnny Wagner and brother-in-law Eugene Curl.

He is survived by his wife Betty and sons Chris (Brooke Raasch), Erick and Dustin Wagner of Lawrence, brother and sister-in-law Paul and Mary (Curl) Runyon, Raleigh, North Carolina, and many nieces and nephews, and their children.

No services were requested. A Celebration of Life will take place at a later date.

Donations may be sent to St. Jude Children’s Hospital in memory of Jay, a two time cancer survivor, and as a gratitude for the care his great nephew, Tucker Wagner, has received there.

Theodore Allen Wilson PhD

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Theodore Allen Wilson, 82, died peacefully at Pioneer Ridge, Lawrence, Kansas, on May 6, 2023.

Ted was born September 27, 1940, in Evansville, Indiana, the son of Benjamin Wilson and Anna Basham Wilson, the youngest of five children. He graduated from Reitz High School, and received a Bachelor’s degree, Masters degree, and PhD in History from Indiana University, specializing in World War II history and foreign policy after the war. Ted was a Phi Beta Kappa and won a Fulbright scholarship to study in Britain. His dissertation, The First Summit, was published shortly after he was granted his Ph.D, winning the Francis Parkman prize in 1970 from the Society of American Historians for best book in American history that year. Additionally, Ted wrote a number of books on the Marshall Plan and the military in WWII and the post-war period.

Ted married his high school sweetheart, Judith Juncker Wilson, in September, 1962, Married for 58 years before her death in 2020, Ted and Judy lived first in Bloomington Indiana while he finished his PhD. In July, 1965, he accepted a position in the History Department of the University of Kansas. Over his 49 years as a professor at KU, Ted served as an assistant dean in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the chair of the History Department, and the head of the Hall Center for the Humanities. A recipient of Guggenheim and NEH fellowships, Ted held visiting appointments at the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, Leicester University, University College Dublin, and served as the Senior Research Fellow during 1989-91 at the U.S. Army Center of Military History in Washington, D.C. Since 1986 until shortly before his death, Ted served as General Editor of the University Press of Kansas series, Modern War Studies,

In 1970, Ted and Judy joined the Unitarian Fellowship of Lawrence, now UUCL, where he was an active member, serving as chair of the congregation’s board twice over the years. He attended services at UUCL until his death, contributing superior grilling skills at cookouts and standing in for Santa Claus for the children over the years.

The time spent in Ireland and Great Britain left Ted with a lifelong love of both countries and he and Judy spent many summers and vacations with friends and family. In the 1980s, Ted developed a great passion for red wine, especially cabernets, and was a member of several wine tasting groups in Lawrence. He was a big fan of the KU Jayhawks and the Kansas City Chiefs, and a lover of science fiction in both books and television shows/movies.

Surviving family are his daughter, Laura, Lawrence, son Andrew and his wife Kimberlee, Geneva, Illinois, and grandson, Alexander, Geneva, Illinois.

A Celebration of Life will be held on September 30, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. for Theodore A. Wilson at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Lawrence, 1263 N. 1100 Rd., Lawrence, Kansas with a reception to follow. For a zoom link please call UUCL, 785-842-3339.

Nancy J. Westerman

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Nancy J. Westerman passed away on Tuesday, September 12, 2023, at Lawrence Memorial Hospital, leaving behind a legacy of love and cherished memories. She was 76 years old and was born on October 19, 1946, in Kansas City, MO. Nancy was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Ken Westerman.

Nancy was a woman known for her boundless love for family and her remarkable ability to connect with people of all generations. Her enthusiasm for holidays, whether Christmas, Halloween, or any other special occasion, was unmatched and heartwarming.   Nancy’s creative spirit found expression in her vivid writings and poetry, which will continue to be treasured by her family and friends for years to come. Her sweet disposition and character were only rivaled by her sweet tooth, particularly her unwavering love for all things chocolate chip.

Nancy’s life was a testament to her resilience and determination. As a hardworking single mother of two, she met her soulmate, Ken.  Some years later, while in her mid-50s, she went back to college, earning her Bachelor of Arts degree from Missouri State University.  She then began her career as an educator, teaching Spanish at Windsor High School in Missouri and McClough USD 342 Secondary School in Kansas.

Nancy is survived by her loving son, John [Amy] Banker of Los Angeles, CA, and her devoted daughter, Michelle [Jonathan] Riggs of Warsaw, MO.

Above all, Nancy cherished her role as a grandparent and made it clear to everyone in her world. She leaves behind 10 grandchildren – Maleah Banker, J.C Riggs, Shawn Riggs, Breanna Riggs, Kyra Riggs, Dylan Banker, Taylor Breshears, Kimberly Westerman, Katie Thornton, Kenny Westerman – and three great-grandchildren – Noah Thornton, Ily Thornton, and Yasmine Thornton.

Nancy possessed a unique ability to reminisce about her childhood with the vivacity of a 16-year-old reciting her recent summer break. Growing up in a loving family she was the middle of five daughters to John Cody (deceased) and Margaret Cody (deceased).Her sisters were Carolyn (deceased), Jeannie [Mark] Scott of Jacksonville, FL, Janet [Chris] Homer of Lawrence, KS, and Mary [Oliver] Cody of Albuquerque, NM.  Nancy spent her childhood between Kansas City  and Dallas, TX, attending Bishop Miege High School (Kansas City, KS) and graduating from Thomas Jefferson High School (Dallas, TX).

Nancy also loved to have a future trip to look forward to – in the 1990s those became the countless road trips with Ken and Maleah to Colorado and all over the USA; in the 2000s she hit nearly every estate sale in Kansas and Missouri with Janet, and starting in the mid-2000s she became a frequent flyer to California to visit her west coast family and friends.

Nancy was also a loving dog mom to her Chihuahua, Antonio.

A remembrance for Nancy will be held on the anniversary of her 77th birthday weekend in Kansas City on Saturday, October 21, 2023. Further details will be provided.

Nancy’s memories and stories entertained us, her laughter was contagious, and her love for family was truly infectious. She will be deeply missed by all who were lucky enough to have known and loved her.   Nancy’s angelic voice is  forever recorded in our memories and also in hundreds of videos, most-times singing to a grandchild.  In our hearts, her spirit will forever shine bright, reminding us of the love and joy she brought into our lives.

Wiley Charles Wilson

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Wiley Charles Wilson, 96, of Lawrence passed peacefully in his sleep September 18, 2023. Visitation will be held 7:00 p.m. Friday, September 22 at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home. Gravesite inurnment will be at Memorial Park Cemetery 1:00 p.m. , Saturday, September 23.

Mr. Wilson was born November 24, 1926 at the family home to Della (Hatch) and Clarence E. Wilson. He was preceded in death by parents, Sisters Evelyn Roy, Reta Jacobs, Ruth Phillips, wife (Marie), and daughter Teresa Treanor (Mike), and son in law Ken Hamlin. Surviving are daughters Sandra Hamlin, St. Joseph, Missouri; Anita Bell (Leon), Tonganoxie; and Cynthia Glenn (Dave), Lecompton. He has 8 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren, and 2 great-great grandchildren.

Mr. Wilson served in World War II and was inducted and began his 2 ½ year military career at Camp Fannin, Tyler, Texas in 1945. His specialty was as an 81mm mortar crewman. Later in combat, he became known for his accuracy as a member of the 20th Infantry Regiment, 6th Division in the Philippine Islands and Korea. In Kwangju, Korea he guarded trains and prisoners while serving as a replacement military policeman.

After discharge, Mr. Wilson became a lineman for an electrical contractor travelling the state of Kansas. In Madison, Kansas he met and married Marie Muse on February 25, 1949. Returning to Lawrence, he worked 39 ½ years for Kansas Power and Light, currently Evergy, and retiring as a line foreman.

The family suggests memorials to the American Heart Association or to an organization of their choice, sent in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1260 Lawrence, KS 66046.

Timothy William Hughs

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Timothy William Hughs, passed away quietly on September 13, 2023 surrounded by friends and family who loved him. God broke the mold after Tim was born to the late Harland & Marjorie Hughs on May 27, 1947, in Ashland, Kansas. Raised as an only child on a cattle and wheat ranch among the rolling fields of southwest Kansas shaped Tim to be someone who loved his family deeply, both near and far, and perhaps gave him the preference for the bright lights of a big city instead of the streetlights of a small town.

Tim married Ruth Elaine Anderson in 1967 and were married for 30 years. Tim & Ruth were blessed with the adoption of one-year old Megan Elizabeth in 1976, a loving and devoted daughter who was Tim’s fiercest advocate in his later years.

Tim graduated from Wichita Drafting College in 1967 and the same year, enlisted in the United States Navy and served with honors as a Draftsman for the Navy’s Construction Battalion, better known as the Seabees. Tim served during the Vietnam War effort stationed in Vietnam, Midway Island and finally Gulfport, MS before being discharged with honors. Following service to his country, Tim earned a degree from the University of Kansas in Art Education, graduating in 1977 and would go on to teach Art at Nottingham Elementary and Eudora Middle School until 1984. Following his teaching career, Tim put his drafting expertise back to work at Hercules / Sunflower Army Ammunition Plant in 1984 as Draftsman until his retirement in 2003.

Tim had a passion for the fine arts and live theatre performances and was an avid collector of Fiestaware and Roseville pottery, including a never ending hunt for the “rare finds”. As a collector and creative artist, Tim loved to frequent flea markets and antique stores and had a special place in his heart for White Cloud, KS where he could find treasures with friends. Tim was known for his quick wit, outgoing personality, and infectious laugh. Tim was a loyal friend and was blessed by deep friendships that stood the test of time. Tim was also an avid and faithful supporter of the Eudora Public library and served on the library board.

Tim lived out his final years at the Silverado Memory Care Facility in Overland Park, KS and was immensely blessed by his caregivers and community of friends there. Tim is survived by his daughter Megan Weeks, her husband Matt Weeks, their children Tyler, Cameron & Zachary and former spouse and friend, Ruth Hughs.

Tim requested no funeral or memorial service, but please consider a donation to the Eudora Public Library or the Eudora Food Pantry in his honor, sent in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1260 Lawrence, Kansas 66044.

A celebration of Tim’s life will be held at a later date.

Debra Freisberg Steele

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Debra Freisberg Steele, 64, passed away on September 16, 2023 from complications from Diabetes and Dementia. No services have been planned for Debra at this time.

Debra was born on March 20, 1959 to Fred and Delores Freisberg, in Independence Kansas.

Her childhood was spent in Oklahoma, Texas and Kansas. She graduated from Lawrence High School in 1977.  She then attended Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg Kansas, and graduated in 1981.  She worked for several companies in Lawrence with her last job being at the University of Kansas.

Debra married John Edwin Steele in Lawrence and they later divorced

Debra’s biggest love was her family and her animals; like a big sister and aunt, she would always watch out after her sister, her 2 brothers and she would spoil her nieces and nephews.  During her life she had anything from fish to llamas. She was alway very protective of them. One time during a tornado watch in Lawrence, she brought her llamas into the basement of her home. Taking care of animals and her family is what she enjoyed most about life.

Debra is survived by her sister Paula Ellis, (Michael) of Lawrence, brother Michael D. Freisberg, (Jill) of Eudora, 7 nieces and nephews, Ryan Ellis, Ashlee Freeman (Steven) of Lawrence, Stephen R. Freisberg (Maureen) of Massachusetts,  Brett Freisberg and Molly Freisberg of Eudora.  Three great-nephews, Mason Ellis, Joe and Jacob Freeman of Lawrence. Her parents Fred and Delores Freisberg and her brother Stephen P. Freisberg precede her in death.

Debra’s family would like to extend a thank you for the excellent care she received at Star Living Assisted Living Home, they helped her and the family through this difficult time.

She will be missed but we know that we will all be together one day in the kingdom of Heaven.

Roberta Ann Lewis

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In the early morning hours on September 14, 2023, Roberta returned home to her loving Father God, and his son Jesus Christ. She peacefully passed in her home with her two daughters at her bedside.

Roberta Ann Lewis was born on April 15, 1935, in Elkhart, Indiana to her Mother Beatrice A. Culp and father Robert Raymond Chilcote, Sr. Roberta was one of seven children and graduated from Elkhart High School.

Roberta worked in the nursing field as a Licensed Nurse Practitioner in San Diego, California before joining her two daughters and her grandchildren in Kansas. She worked for Douglas County Visiting Nurses for 10 years, class of 1995.

Roberta is a mother of three: Debra Hewitt and Cheryl Hewitt of Topeka, KS and Russell Hewitt of San Diego, CA.

Roberta is a grandmother of five: Melissa Darling, Timberly French, Justin Hewitt, Robyn Krutz, and Kenneth Kaberline.

Roberta is a Great-Grandmother of five: Sean McCoy, Jr., Christian Hewitt, Karsyn Hewitt, Avery Hewitt, Finley Geoghegan-Krutz, and Natalie Hewitt.

Roberta was a beautiful soul and a pillar of strength and elegance. She was a devoted servant of her Lord Jesus Christ in her place of worship, the First Southern Baptist Church of Lawrence, her community of Lawrence, KS, and her community of Meadow Lark Estates.

Her greatest achievements in life were her children, her grandchildren, her great-grandchildren, and her unshakable faith in God and the Bible. She led an honorable life with unwavering integrity and compassion.

Roberta enjoyed an active lifestyle participating in her Bible Study Groups, the activities that her residence of Meadowlark Estates has to offer, listening to her late-husband sing on old cassettes, quilting, crocheting, and spending time with her children and grandchildren. You have never seen another’s blue eyes light up and shine with pride the way hers did when her great-grandchildren came to visit.

Roberta is preceded in death by her husband Ed Lewis, her brothers Robert Chilcote Jr. and Jerry Lee Chilcote, her sisters Joellen “Sue” Desens and Janice Blackburn, and her great-grand son Karsyn Hewitt.

She is survived by her sister Carol Kehoe and brother Stephen Chilcote.

Roberta was laid to rest next to her late-husband Ed Lewis on September 15, 2023 with her daughters and grandchildren in attendance to bid their private and final fair wells. A Celebration of Roberta’s Life will be held at Meadow Lark Estates on Sunday, September 24, 2023 at 2:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Visiting Nurses of Douglas County and/or a local charity in Roberta Lewis’s name.

“I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.” -Palms 16.8