Category: Obituaries

Dennis Joseph Supancic, Sr.

Posted on by RumseyYost

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Dennis Joseph Supancic, Sr., 73, on April 24th, 2023. After a long struggle with several health issues Dennis passed away at home, as he desired.

Dennis was born on December 30th, 1949, to Tony and Lilly Supancic in Columbus, KS. He grew up in Scammon, KS, followed by Lawrence, KS, where he attended Lawrence High School. He graduated with a High School Diploma in 1967. He was united in marriage to Sheila (Nightingale) on February 11, 1974. Together they were blessed with two children: Daughter Tammy and son Dennis.

After graduating high school Dennis volunteered to join the National Guard and was enlisted from 1970-1974. During this time he trained as a jet mechanic, developing his unique aptitude for troubleshooting large machines and equipment – as well as dismantling, transporting, and reassembling them. Later he established his own brokering business, D&S Graphics and Associates, where he would match buyer and seller for printing and binding equipment and then proceed to break down the equipment for relocation and piece it back together on his own. He approached his work and career with a distinctive tenacity, resourcefulness, and industrial vigor that separated him from his peers.

 

Dennis will always be remembered by those who knew him as a fully devoted father and husband. His family was his passion and purpose in life, and with single-minded determination he supported each member individually with everything at his disposal. His delight was caring for those he loved by addressing their needs. He never stopped looking for ways to provide and communicate his love through ensuring these needs were being met – and that most wants were met as well. He would often accumulate small useful items discovered over the course of his travels to give to his loved ones later, serving as evidence that they were always on his mind.

Dennis will be missed by his wife, children, and loved ones. He was preceded in death by his parents.

A private viewing for his immediate family was held on 5/3/23 at Rumsey-Yost, followed by burial at Oak Hill Cemetery in Lawrence, KS.

Dad, you will be dearly and sorely missed. We love you.

Anthony Leo Redwood

Posted on by RumseyYost

A Lifetime Jayhawk, Anthony “Tony” Redwood died peacefully surrounded by family on April 28th in Alamo, California.

Born January 4, 1935, in Brisbane Australia to Kevin Leo Redwood and Winifred Doreen Johnson, he completed high school at St. Joseph’s College, Gregory Terrace and started his adventures as a Patrol Officer in Papua New Guinea (serving in the Eastern Highlands, Central, Sepik and Bougainville Districts). This was an incredible experience for a young man, and he saw his mates on every subsequent visit to Australia; men who shared a kindred spirit.

He met Mary “Mollie” Redwood on a cruise to Hong Kong when she was traveling around the world as a registered nurse. They were married three months later and started their new life together in Buin, Papua New Guinea.
He continued his education receiving a Diploma of Public Administration (1964), a Bachelor in Economics (1965), and a Bachelor of Commerce (1968) from the University of Queensland. He then transitioned to a career in economics in the Papua New Guinea Department of Labour.

After having three girls – Karen, Michelle and Fiona – Mollie and Tony moved to the United States for Tony to earn his Masters in Labor & Employment Relations and Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. His first position was as an Assistant Professor at the University of Kansas. So began his love of the University and of Kansas.

There was a short break from 1974-1976 when he took a position as the Assistant Secretary, Manpower & Economic Policy in the Australian government and the family moved to Melbourne, Australia. Then he returned to KU until his retirement in 1999 as Professor of Business Emeritus. Among his proudest achievements were his teaching awards, the economic development strategy for the State of Kansas developed with his colleague Charles Krider, service on the KU Athletic Board and being selected Kansan of the Year (inaugural awardee) by Kansas magazine in 1986.

He had a lifetime joy of sports whether in high school where he played multiple sports, as a rugby referee in Papua New Guinea, as a runner with the Mad Dogs and as a lifetime golfer. He was so proud of completing the KU marathon under 4 hours in 1976.

After retiring from KU, Tony and Mollie moved to Eagle Creek Country Club in Naples, Florida and he kicked off another career as a Federal Arbitrator. He retired in 2019 and received notification that none of his 150+ cases had been challenged.

Tony was truly Australian in his love for his mates and how he valued friendship. Geography had no bounds on his Friday night get-togethers whether it was in Lawrence with other professors, Book club in Naples with his golf buddies or with his new friends in California at a local craft brewery. He was a great storyteller. Whether it was seeing Bill Clinton at St. Andrews or just picking up the grandkids from school. There was always a story to be shared and laughter to ensue.

In 2020 (thanks to Covid) Tony and Mollie were finally enticed to move to California to live with Karen, Fiona and the grandkids. The last 3 years of his life were all about family and friends – celebrating special times like Brynna’s graduation from Macalester College, playing golf with Karen & McKenna, wine tasting with friends, and local travel.

In addition to Mollie, he leaves his sister, Denise Redwood; his daughters’ Karen Redwood, Michelle Davis and Fiona Redwood; and grandchildren Brynna Davis, McKenna Redwood and Mason Redwood. He joins his beloved grandson, Nathan Davis in heaven.

“And when we say goodbye to you, don’t mourn us when we go.
The Big D.C. will call us too, and this of course we know.
The last Patrol will take us all, along that well worn track,
But the difference for this final call, is that we won’t be coming back.
So our passing should not cause you pain, it’s not sad for us to die,
For we will all soon meet again, in that Patrol Post in the Sky.”
– Reprinted from Una Voce, June 2004

A memorial service will be held at 2 pm on August 12th at the St. Lawrence Catholic Center, Lawrence, Kansas. Happy Hour to convene afterwards at The Pub at the Adams Alumni Center.

Daniel Richard Sodders

Posted on by RumseyYost

A service of Christian Burial for Daniel Richard Sodders will be held at 1 p.m., Friday, August 11, 2023, at River City Church, 3001 Lawrence Ave., Lawrence, Kansas. Burial will be at Guadalupe Valley Memorial Park in New Braunfels, Texas, Friday, August 18, 2023, at 10 a.m. He died July 29, 2023, at Lawrence Memorial Hospital.

Daniel was born in New Braunfels, Texas, Friday, August 24, 1962, at 8:33 pm during a thunderstorm and minutes before his fraternal twin Steven was born. As infants, they moved to California with his father, Richard Phillip Sodders (who was in the U.S. Navy), and his mother, Mary Lynn Thompson. The family returned to the Midwest, living again in New Braunfels, TX where younger brother Michael was born. They moved to Beaumont, TX, where he attended Kindergarten and first grade; then moved to Baton Rouge, LA, where his youngest brother, Mark, was born. His family moved to Wichita Falls, Texas, in 1974.

In 1980, he graduated from S. H. Rider High School (Wichita Falls). In 1984, he graduated summa cum laude from Midwestern State University (Wichita Falls) on an academic scholarship (Honors Program) with a B.A. in History (minor in Political Science). In 1985 he moved to Lawrence to pursue advanced degrees at the University of Kansas. He received his M.A. in History in 1988 and his PhD. in History (Medieval) in 1996. The title of his dissertation was Conrad the Fourth as German King, 1237-1250.

As a student employee at KU, Daniel worked from 1987-1996 at the Continuing Education Academic Outreach Programs and from 1995-1996, at the University of Kansas Libraries. In February of 1997, he became a full-time employee of the Libraries as a Library Assistant I, later achieving the highest rank of Library Associate in 2006-present. He primarily was a Serial Cataloger in regular and Special Collections–the Wilcox Collection. His ability to read many languages (German, French, Italian, Spanish, and Swedish), broad educational background, and detail-oriented skills made him exceptional at the complexities of Serials Cataloging. Many of the rare serial items held in the Wilcox Collection are held if at all, by only one other university library other than KU. Daniel took great delight in being the first to add a record to the international library database for these items thereby making obscure materials available to the wider academic community.

On June 28, 2008, he married Joy Miller Fry whom he met at KU Libraries where both were employed. One co-worker said, “They are like two peas in a pod,” being similar in personality, values, Biblical worldview, and goals. They loved worshipping together, exploring Civil War battlefields, and watching old TV favorites (Maverick, MASH, MST3K, and all medieval or war-related videos). What a gift from God Daniel was! He took his role as provider and protector very seriously. During the pandemic, church attendance became difficult but on Sunday afternoons Daniel would say, “It’s time for Alistair Begg” a Scottish preacher whose sermons were broadcast online. They enjoyed working their way through Begg’s book of Ephesians series – all 82 messages!

Although he was active in the University United Methodist Church Youth Fellowship as a young person, later in his 40s, Daniel recognized that even though he was a good person (and he was!), he fell far short when focusing on the perfections and excellencies of God. He understood how Jesus and his sacrifice provided the bridge between sinners and a holy God, and he accepted the gift of Jesus as his Savior and became a child of God and a disciple of

Jesus Christ. Daniel investigated the claims of Jesus and the Bible and concluded they were historical and to be trusted since there is more eye-witness and manuscript evidence than for other ancient documents. He was often annoyed at scoffers of the Bible who came from a literary-philosophical perspective rather than a historical one. Given his medieval bent, he realized Jesus was the perfect King of Kings to whom allegiance was owed. He was faithful in church attendance and was often the Scripture Reader and sang in the choir. Daniel had a compassionate, servant’s heart and served his wife, neighbors, and church family.

Interests throughout the course of his life included the following. While in Baton Rouge, his Cub and Boy Scout troops ushered at LSU football games, resulting in him becoming a lifetime sports enthusiast, enjoying football, baseball, and especially soccer. In his high school years, he was active in band (playing trumpet), ROTC, and choir lending his wonderful bass voice to their efforts. In college, he was a D&D player and dungeon master. From an early age, he enjoyed miniatures. He was an active Historical Wargamer, historical authority, and Civil War buff. He was often called upon by the national wargamer community to clarify battle layouts and the historical characters involved. At Christmas time and Easter every year, he built a Nativity and an Easter panorama depicting those events. Daniel’s love of music spanned from yodeling to European orchestral heavy metal for the stories it told. He enjoyed Coca-Cola, Tostitos, Monty Python, and “Bucky Katt” cartoons. His sense of humor and wit were evident to all.

Daniel’s love of history no doubt came from being a descendant of two of the founders of New Braunfels, TX, Andreas Eikel and Stephan Klein. He is also related to the eldest member of the Constitutional Convention of the Republic of Texas, Collin McKinney, and the American Revolutionary War veteran, Daniel McKinney.

He is survived by his wife, Joy; his father, Richard Sodders and his wife Donna; his three brothers: Steven and his wife Marisa, Michael and his wife Kathie, Mark and his wife Robyn; half-sisters Alexandra Sodders and Madeleine Sodders; aunts, Sara Jo Thompson and Jackie Sodders; uncle, Thomas Sodders; cousins: Natalie Vann and her husband, Kevin; Stacey Pogue, and her husband, Kevin Jewell and their children, Cole and Talia; Kelley Sodders, Victoria Sodders, and Chelsey Sodders.

Memorial contributions may be given to: TMAI (The Master’s Academy International). Instead of “Where needed most,” select “Translation and Global Publishing” which provides Library materials to each of their local training centers. https://www.tmai.org/donate/ Or, Samaritan’s Purse with emphasis on “U.S. Disaster Relief, Building Schools/Building Hope” or “Soccer Balls and Sports Gear” https://www.samaritanspurse.org/our-ministry/donate-online

Russell Dan Jacobson

Posted on by RumseyYost

Russell Dan Jacobson born to Ruby(Clark) and Dan Jacobson May 22, 1930 passed on 7/6/2023 at the home of his niece Mindy in Lawrence Kansas age of 93.

Russ spent 2 winters and 2 summers in Korea, first as a front line artillery fire direction specialist on Hill 191 in North Korea until wounded. He was then reassigned to the 45th division Headquarters during recovery. He was awarded 4 battle stars and a bronze star to go with other decorations.

Russ was named Who’s Who in colleges and Universities and went on to pass the bar in both Kansas and Missouri. As a practicing attorney in Jackson County he also argued before the Supreme court trying numerous cases successfully.

He was passionate about the British Legal System and sharing the roots of our legal system. He loved  traveling to Europe and fell in love with the French leading him to become an honorary member of the French Foreign Legion. Russ started a two week Oxford CLE Summer School program in 1983 with the assistance of the UMKC Law School Administration. Russ’ enthusiasm was contagious. The program quickly grew with many attendees returning year after year to participate in the program because of Russ’ passion and the high quality of British judges, solicitors, barristers, and Oxford professors he recruited to speak.) Russ led the program every year until 2013 when his health prohibited travel to his beloved home away from home. Finally, in 2017 Russ was able to make one last memorable trip with the help of those who wanted Russ to experience his farewell tour. Because of Russ’ foresight and devotion to sharing his knowledge, the program, now in its 40 year, continues to thrive.

Survivors,  Theodore Roosevelt, his senior yorkie, his brother Eugene and wife Martha Jacobson, Niece Mindy Downs who resides with husband Michael and children Caleb and Mikayla in Lawrence, and nephew Dr. David Jacobson and his wife Jennifer and their children Noah and Emma in Damascus Maryland, and many wonderful friends he collected and loved dearly over the years.)

 Graveside inurnment with Military Honors will be 11 am, Friday, August 25, 2023, at Forest Hill Cemetery, 6901 Troost Ave. Kansas City, MO 64131 .

Vergie Lou Anderson

Posted on by RumseyYost

Vergie Anderson, 79, of Lawrence, Kansas, formerly of Kinsley, Kansas, and Rozel, Kansas, passed away on Friday, July 28, 2023, in home hospice surrounded by her loving family.

Vergie passed away from her years long battle with various cancers which shaped her life-long career and mission to help others detect and receive health care for this dreaded disease.

The daughter of Lester H. and Dorothy Blattner Ideker, Vergie was born September 14, 1943, in Great Bend, Kansas. Vergie’s great grandfather T.S. Haun was instrumental in the founding of Jetmore, Kansas, and Hodgeman County Kansas.

Along with her brother, Sonny, she grew up on a farm north of Rozel. When reflecting on her formative years and life on the farm, Vergie had many fond memories of family life and good times. She loved the farm life. She became an accomplished pianist after her parents, with their hard work, saved to buy her a piano for which she was eternally grateful. Vergie attended school at Rozel, graduating Salutatorian in her small class. She attended Fort Hays State for two years and then Kansas State University for a semester.

She married Neil Meckfessel and resided on a farm south of Rozel. Two beautiful children, Jason Vernon and Brooke Suzanne, were born to this union. Vergie loved being a mother and was very involved in the lives of her precious children, assisting with pre-school, teaching Sunday school, serving as a Cub Scout leader and 4-H project leader. The children were her everything.

In 1980, tragedy struck. Jason, 13, and Brooke, 5, were killed in a horrific car accident in Wichita, Kansas. Shocked and lost, Vergie visited their graves every day for years and years. She thought her life was over and she would never be happy again. Although there were many good times, her marriage dissolved after the childrens’ accident.

She eventually took a job at Rozel High School as a secretary hoping to help and guide other children and make a difference in their lives. She became known as a “mother” to so many students teaching them right from wrong, cooking, sewing and just being there for them. Many of those children have kept in touch with her to this day. In order to move on with her life, she felt a calling to follow a career of service.

She enrolled in and graduated with a degree in Psychology at St. Mary’s of the Plains College in Dodge City. She was infinitely grateful to Professor James McReynolds who helped her to move

on from the tragic past, guiding her toward social work and showing her the path to help others get through difficult life events.

Her entire family were life-long K-Staters, so when Vergie told them she was enrolling at the University of Kansas to continue her education, they were quite skeptical. Vergie jumped into KU and upon graduation called it her “nirvana”! From 1988-1990, under the direction of her mentor and renowned KU Professor, Dr. Alice Lieberman, Vergie, who was Dr. Lieberman’s first student, flourished and earned her Master’s Degree in Social Work and gained her LMSW (Licensed Master Social Worker).

Vergie was honored with a membership into Phi Kappa Phi, one of the most exclusive honor societies which is an interdisciplinary academic organization established in 1897. Only the top five percent of senior classes and the top 10 percent of graduate students are asked to join. In addition, she was named an Esther Twente Scholar for 1989-90 at the University of Kansas, a nationally renowned social award representing the highest academic achievement in the school of the Social Welfare Master’s Program. Vergie was also awarded the Margo Schutz Gordon Award for outstanding achievement in the MSW Foundation Practicum.

Vergie married Mark Anderson, her blue-eyed knight in shining armor from Kinsley, Kansas, in 1990, the same year she graduated from KU. Together they purchased a new home in Kinsley supporting each other in both their difficult pasts and charging into the future to make a difference in people’s lives. They both have been doing this together for 33 years proving Aristotle’s observation that “the whole is greater than the sum of its parts”. Mark has been her spiritual foundation and rock. He has been with her on this life and medical journey supporting her from the beginning to the end.

Vergie took her knowledge and degree in Social Welfare back to Western Kansas. She worked for the Iroquois Mental Health Center for over 19 years. She started as a therapist and a nursing home consultant and then Clinical Director for 12 years. As a director, she had to oversee all the coordinators of all the programs and quality management.

In 2007, Vergie had another setback and was diagnosed with breast cancer which turned into a life-long battle. Vergie only knew one thing and that was to attack this head on and to continue to focus on helping others.

After the Greensburg tornado in 2007, she wrote a grant for an informal service for elderly in the area which was called the “coffee shop” and still exists today for people to bond and support each other.

Vergie started a cancer support group in Edwards County for cancer patients and their families. She was instrumental in bringing health care and cancer care and awareness to western Kansas. She began and served on a University of Kansas Breast Cancer Survivorship Program. She became President-Elect of the KU School of Social Welfare Advisory Board and was awarded

“Lady of the Year” from Beta Sigma Phi chapters in western Kansas. After retirement, Vergie continued as a social service consultant and mediator for hospitals, Medicalodge and Life Care Programs.

In 2018, a second cancer appeared and in 2022, Vergie and her husband, Mark, moved to Lawrence to be near her beloved University of Kansas and the many friends she made in Lawrence during her college days. It was also a benefit to be closer to airports, access to MD Anderson in Houston and the excellent health care at KU Cancer Center.

Through all of this, although Vergie had just moved back to Lawrence, she became the driving force behind her Hutton Farms West neighborhood’s newly created social committee. In true “Vergie” spirit, she continued to bring people together in love and friendship.

Her brother Sonny says, “Vergie is just like her Mother, always bringing people together.”

Vergie and her husband, Mark, spent time and service at the Congregational Church in Kinsley, Kansas. Vergie’s and Mark’s faith in God has been paramount in their lives.

Vergie was preceded in death by her parents, her 2 year old sister Lisa Kay Ideker, her infant brother Johnny Ray Ideker and her precious children Jason and Brooke.

Survivors include her husband Mark, her brother Lester, “Sonny” Ideker, Jr. and sister-in-law Janel of Alpharetta, Georgia; her niece Ashley Ideker Charlton and children Hunter, Olivia and Paloma and many, many dear cousins.

Vergie and Mark would like to thank Vergie’s brother and sister-in-law Sonny and Janel Ideker, Lawrence Memorial Hospital Oncology Department, Visiting Nurses, and their many friends and neighbors that supported them.

Vergie has been cremated and her inurnment will be on Saturday, August 5, 2023, at 10:30am. She will be buried next to her children Jason and Brooke at the Garfield, Kansas Cemetery. Following the inurnment, a Celebration of Life will be held at 12 noon at St. Nicholas’s Parish Hall, 706 East 6th St., Kinsley, Kansas. Additionally, a Celebration of Life will be held by her neighbors and friends in Lawrence at a later date.

In lieu of flowers or plants, the family requests memorial donations may be made to the University of Kansas School of Social Welfare Dean’s Opportunity Fund in memory of Vergie Anderson for Jason and Brooke Meckfessel. Mail to: Twente Hall, 1545 Lilac Lane, Lawrence, Kansas 66045 or drop off at the Congregational Church in Kinsley or Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home in Lawrence. Personal condolences may be sent to the family at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, 601 Indiana St., Lawrence, KS 66044. Please sign the guestbook at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home https://rumsey-yost.com/obituaries

Stephen Loder Monohon

Posted on by RumseyYost

Stephen Loder Monohon, 64, passed away peacefully on July 4, 2023 following an extended illness.  He is survived by his wife of 25 years, Pattie, child J Aprileo of Baldwin City, brother and sister-in-law Paul and Nancy Monohon of Ashfield, MA, brother and sister-in-law Ben and Shirley Monohon of Brentwood, NH and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.

Steve was born in Greenfield, MA and lived all of his childhood in Ashfield, MA; graduating from Mohawk Trail Regional High School in Buckland, MA.   He attended college at Bridegewater State University and George Washington University.  He lived most of his adult life in Franklin County, MA and worked for many years at Rugg Manufacturing in Greenfield.  He and Pattie moved to Lawrence in 2021 following his retirement.

In January 2022, he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and began his treatments immediately.  Throughout his difficult battle over the past 18 months, Steve always displayed an extremely optimistic outlook and was determined to never let his situation be a burden to those around him.  His ability to remain upbeat and keep a positive attitude even during very difficult physical circumstances was an inspiration to all his family and friends.

Steve loved his family dearly and would proudly tell the stories of their adventures and accomplishments to anyone who wanted to hear them.  He was also a lifelong sports enthusiast and loved watching and reading about sports at all levels and he was thrilled to learn about and experience the active high school and college sports scene in Lawrence after his move there.

Steve will be remembered for his gregarious nature, his quick mathematical mind, his love of animals and his wonderful sense of humor.  His nieces and nephews all loved his “Uncle Steve-isms” which included the numerous pet phrases and words he used to describe the people and world around him.  The fact that many of these descriptive words were made up just made it more enjoyable to everyone.  Steve loved to hear about the lives and times of all the new friends he met in Lawrence in his last couple of years and was always on the lookout for new experiences and stories to hear and tell.

Steve will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him and their memories and stories of him will always include smiles and laughter. A celebration of life will be held at the UU congregation on Saturday August 5th at 3pm. Please feel free to come share a story, make a friend, or grab a plate of food. Steve never met a stranger, and he would have it no other way.

Alfred (Al) Alan Kahn

Posted on by RumseyYost

Alfred “Al” Alan Kahn, Tonganoxie, Kansas, died June 6th, 2023 at Lawrence Memorial Hospital surrounded by his loved ones.

Alfred was born in Lawrence Kansas on March 15th, 1955, the son of Edward and Verna Cook Kahn. He lived all of his life in his childhood home in Reno, Kansas. Alfred graduated from Tonganoxie High School in 1973. Alfred married Linda Sue Blanchett on January 10th, 1992 in Topeka, Kansas. Alfred began working for Hallmark in 2002 and had since retired in May of 2023.

Alfred was a quiet and hard working man. He enjoyed spending his free time with family, as well as at tool shops, antique stores, and restaurants. He seemed to always keep himself busy tinkering or working on some sort of vehicle, and he loved a new hammer.

Alfred was preceded in death by his parents and grandmother Augusta Torneden Kahn. Alfred is survived by his wife Linda Kahn, and his brother James (Elizabeth) Kahn, as well as by numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great- nephews.

An Inurnment will be held at 9am, Saturday, August 5th, 2023 at the Reno Cemetery in Reno, Kansas with a Celebration of Life following at 10:30 a.m. at 501 E. 4th Street, Tonganoxie, KS. Light refreshments will be provided and photographs of Al are encouraged.

The family suggests memorials donated to the American Cancer Society, sent in the care of the Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home in Lawrence, Kansas, P.O. Box 1260 Lawrence, Kansas 66044.

Glendolyn Myrle Gregg

Posted on by RumseyYost

Graveside inurnment for Glendolyn Myrle Gregg, 87, Lawrence, will be 10 am, Friday, August 4, 2023, at Fairview Cemetery, one mile north of Smith Center, Kansas.  A Visitation will be at 10 am, Thursday, August 3, 2023, at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, Lawrence, Kansas.

Glendolyn Myrle (Bartley) Gregg was born August 13, 1935 in rural Jewel Co Kansas, ,the oldest child of Glenn Bartley Sr and LoVona M Bartley in rural Jewell County, Kansas.

She passed away on July 27, 2023 at the Olathe Hospice House, Olathe, KS, with her son at her side.

Glendolyn grew up on the family farm in Jewell County and attended Rural Jewell County schools. She graduated from the Ionia Rural High School in Ionia, Kansas on May 14, 1953.

She married Roger C Gregg on May 21, 1955 at the Smith Center Christian Church.

Glendolyn loved playing music. She was one of the organist players at the Methodist Church in Norton for over 30 years. She had both a piano and an organ in the living room and played both. She gave piano lessons for several years and enjoyed watching her students’ playing abilities progress on the piano.

She had Roger buy a van and would load up the organ and would play requests at the Prairie Dog Rec Center on Friday evenings. After losing her beloved piano in a fire, she didn’t play until the assisted living facility she was in had an identical piano. After being coaxed by her great-granddaughter to play a song, she went over and played a song from memory. One of the gentlemen at the home came over and stood by, and started crying. After that the girls at the home had to limit her time playing. It didn’t matter what time it was, day or night, if she got a song on her mind she would go to the piano and start playing from memory and, according to the girls, there wasn’t a sour note in what she was playing. It was the middle of the night concerts they had to limit her on.

As for the organ in the living room in the house across from the pool. I remember dad saying he could have bought a Cadillac for the price of the organ. After graduating high school and moving to Denver, when I came home I would ask if he was cleaning and waxing the Cadillac in the living room with a big grin on my face. He would always have a comeback and mom would always get a good laugh. She helped me with my son as he was growing up. She always made time for all the grandkids. She also knitted and crocheted, and there are hot pad holders and blankets to prove it.

Survivors include a song Theron Gregg and wife Pam, Lawrence, Thadean Colling of Kansas City, KS. Five grandchildren Grant M Gregg and family, Ryan Paulson and family of Lawrence, Tyson Paulson and family of Knoxville, TN, Carli Paulson of Lawrence, and Jacob Collins of Kansas City, Kansas, as well as seven great grandchildren

Survivors include a son Theron Gregg and wife Pam, Lawrence, Thadean Collins of Kansas City, KS. Five grandchildren Grant M Gregg and family, Ryan Paulson and family of Lawrence, Tyson Paulson and family of Knoxville, TN, Carli Paulson of Lawrence, and Jacob Collins of Kansas City, Kansas, as well as seven great grandchildren.

Online condolences made at rumsey-yost.com

Margueritte Pinnick

Posted on by RumseyYost

Margueritte Pinnick died peacefully at beautiful Bridge Haven care center in Lawrence, Kansas on July 26, 2023 at the ripe age of 96 years old. Margueritte was born on July 8, 1927 to Nolan and Mary Walters in Lincoln, Kansas. She had especially fond memories of her childhood, often sharing stories of helping her father with outdoor chores on the farm in Lincoln, spending time with her wonderful siblings, and her family gathering around the table to enjoy her mother Mary’s fried chicken and other home-cooking.

After high school, Margueritte enjoyed working for a short time at Montgomery Ward’s in Salina, but her favorite job was serving as an assistant to the Superintendent of Schools in Lincoln. Fittingly, Margueritte married the love of her life, John Norman Pinnick, on April Fool’s Day. They went on to have two beautiful children, Timothy and Melissa. She and John Norman lived in many other small towns throughout Kansas, including Lucas, Anthony, and Desoto, as well as spending a short time in Berea, Kentucky, before eventually settling in Eudora, Kansas, where she lived for the last 50+ years of her life.

Margueritte’s greatest gift that she cherished most was family. She had an abundant love for her parents, her siblings and their families, her nieces and nephews, her own children and their families and children. Her eyes would light up when any visitor would stop by her little white house on Birch Street. Her home was a place where everyone was welcome, and you better come hungry because she would insist on feeding you! She was known for her potato salad, but she had a special gift for baking amazing desserts, like her coconut cream pie.

Margueritte is reunited with her loving husband John Norman (whom she adored), her daughter Melissa, and her siblings, Kathleen Walters, Marge Holl, Marniece Sheets, and Richard Walters. Her spirit is carried on by her son Timothy Pinnick, Lawrence, Kansas, granddaughter Kelsey and her husband Caleb Brattrud, Kansas City, Missouri, grandson Clint Pinnick, Lawrence, Kansas, son-in-law Chuck Lynn and his wife Pat, Lawrence, Kansas, granddaughter Kelly and her husband Aaron Stohs, Louisburg, Kansas, granddaughter Kate and her husband Jared Konie, Lawrence, Kansas, and great-grandchildren Addy, Matt, Laney, Rickey, Kelly Ann, and Clayton, who cherished their frequent visits with “Grandma Pic Pic” and will miss her more than words can say.

The family would like to say a special thank you to Brian Winslow, who permed her hair for more than 35 years, and Margueritte’s personal caregiver Lori Smith who was like an angel as she cared for Margueritte in her home, as well as the caregivers at Bridge Haven, all of whom made Margueritte’s last year more comfortable. A graveside memorial service was held on August 22, 2023 at the Lincoln Cemetery in Lincoln, Kansas.

The family is also hosting a Celebration of Life in her honor on Thursday, August 31, 2023 from 4:30 to 6:30 pm at the Fraternal Order of Eagles Lodge, 530 Wisconsin Street, Lawrence, Kansas.

Margueritte was a loving mother, aunt, and grandmother, and her family and friends will miss her deeply. She was the matriarch who threaded them all together. This goodbye is especially hard because Margueritte was unique in that she was made of nothing other than love. That simple. Only love (and maybe a little Crisco too!). Her love had a way of wrapping itself around others, making us all feel like we were a part of something bigger than ourselves, giving each of us a sense of belonging. She spent many evenings sitting on her back porch, listening to a Royals game on the radio or just enjoying the sounds of the cicadas or the birds chirping. She enjoyed reading the newspaper everyday, but she was not particularly interested in talking politics or debating public events. She did not judge anyone for the color of their skin, who they choose to love, or how they live their life. Anyone who knew Margueritte at any point in her life will recall and remember most her huge smile and warm laugh, which was more of a giggle, really. Simply put, she spent her whole life loving others. She cherished every visit, every letter and card, as well as every phone call, which she would always end the same way, saying “Bye for now.” And so, with the heaviest of hearts, we will lay her to rest beside her sweetheart John Norman, where we will thank her for all the love she left with us and we will celebrate a life truly well-lived. But we will not say goodbye, only “Bye for now.” We miss you so much already.

Ronald R. Hibner

Posted on by RumseyYost

Ronald R. Hibner, age 79, of Warsaw, Missouri passed away Sunday, July 23, 2023 He was born on November 17, 1943 in Lawrence, Kansas to Clifton and Christine Hibner.  The 2nd child of a handful of 4 boys; David, Gary and Richard “Buck.”  In 1952, the family moved to Idaho where they grew up and caused commotion, as young men should.

In 1965, Ron was drafted into the United States Army and received leadership training.  Once deployed to Vietnam, he acquired his GED and Spec-4 with the military police.  He left Vietnam in 1967.  Ron attended De Anza College for Psychology.  The knowledge of which he loved using on his children!!!

He met Judith Creamer and they married and later divorced.  With this chapter in his life, he was blessed with a daughter, Shannon and gained three bonus children that Ron eventually adopted to become his, Scott, Tracey and Gary.  In 1976 he moved his family to Lawrence, Kansas.  In 1980, Ron married Ruby Maxwell.  With this marriage, he gained more bonus children, Robert, Tina, James “Bones” and Shane.  He raised each of the children as if they were his own.  He became dad to each and every one and he remains that way today.  Ron and Ruby eventually divorced, but because of their love for each other, they remarried in 2009.

Ron worked in Gaslight Village for many years.  He then went on to work for Jack Reed at Kaw Valley Homes for twelve years.  Ron went into business for himself and also worked for ARC, until he retired in 2014.  Ron and Ruby moved to Warsaw, Missouri for retirement.  It was there that he lost his beloved Ruby in 2019.

Ron was a very caring and loving individual.  Yet he had his stern side.  He had to as he had five  boys and three girls.  The Brady Bunch!  The boys kept him on his toes and he always chased the boys away from his daughters.  He raised each to be the best you can be and don’t take anything from anyone but don’t throw the first punch, just finish it.  His favorite lines that the kids pretty much laughed at were, “I am the biggest baddest bear in the woods and if you are feeling froggie…. Jump!” or, “I walked 15 miles to get a Coke and that was even in the winter time!”

Ron will be missed by his kids, family and friends.  Tracey Anderson ( Warren, “Peach”), Robert Maxwell, James Maxwell, Gary Hibner, Shane Maxwell and Shannon Greer (Paul), sixteen grandchildren, fifteen great grandchildren, two brothers; Gary and Buck Hibner and numerous nieces and nephews.
Ron is preceded in death by his parents, his loving wife, a brother, David Hibner, a daughter, Tina Fratiello and a grandson, Matthew Shackelford.

A celebration of life will be held at the VFW in Lawrence Kansas on Saturday, August 5, 2023 from Noon until 3 PM. The family asks casual/country western attire.  In lieu of flowers donations can be made to The Kinese Foundation.