Category: Obituaries

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

Wayne I. Christofferson

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Wayne Irwin Christofferson, 94, of Northwood, Iowa, was called home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Friday, September 8, 2023. A memorial service will be held at the Schroeder Funeral Home in Northwood, IA on Monday, September 11, 2023 at 1:00 pm. Military graveside service in Lawrence, KS will be scheduled at a later date.

Wayne was born July 12, 1929 in Milford, Iowa, the son of Hartman and Alice Moritz Christofferson. He was 1 of 6 children and grew up in Milford, Iowa, where he graduated from high school. He married Dorothea Arends on August 3, 1951 in Charleston, SC, while he was serving in the United States Navy. Afterwards, they returned to Iowa and eventually settled in St. Ansgar, where Wayne owned and operated the St. Ansgar Enterprise for more than 30
years.

Wayne was a devoted husband and father. He enjoyed attending school and athletic events for all of his children and many of his grandchildren. He was an avid golfer and spent many hours golfing at Acorn Park in St. Ansgar. He also drove the school bus for more than 30 years and was loved by many generations of kids.

In October of 2003, he and Dorothea retired to Lawrence KS. After losing the love of his life in 2019, he moved to Meadowlark Estates in Lawrence and later to the Lutheran Retirement Home in Northwood, Iowa.

Survivors include children Debra Kubicek, Randal (Jean) Christofferson, Joel (Darlene) Christofferson, Lana (Claude) Williamson, Amy Cuttell (Shawn Rasmussen); Son-in-law Jeff Cuttell; grandchildren Jenny (Phil) Wheeler, Lonny (Susan) Fiala, Taylor (Lindsay) Kubicek, Ben (Nicole) Christofferson, Tom (Missy) Christofferson, Joe (Ellen) Christofferson, Adam Christofferson, Haley (Mason) Cooper, April Williamson, Emily (Derek) Berry, Jordan (Jojo) Cuttell, and Ashton Cuttell; 30 great grandchildren and 3 great great grandchildren as well as many nieces and nephews.

Wayne was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothea, his parents, and 5 siblings, Cleone, Sylvan, Phyllis, Janice, and Ruth Ann; son-in-law Kent Kubicek, and great grandson William Fiala.

Carl E. Burkhead

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Carl Edward Burkhead was born on June 20, 1935, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Kansas City, Mo., to Clifton Dallas and Mabel Burkhead. He was one of six children (not including an unnamed brother who died at birth): Kenneth Eugene of Kansas City, Mo. (deceased), Clifton Raymond of Grandview, Mo. (deceased), Eleanor Marie of Arvada, Colo., John Stephen of Troy, Ala., and Mary Francis Hull of Buckhannon, W. Va. Carl graduated from McCoy Grade School, Northeast Junior High, Northeast High School in 1953 (all in Kansas City, Mo.), Missouri School of Mines and Metallurgy with a BS in Chemical Engineering in 1957 and the University of Kansas with a MS and PhD in Environmental Engineering, 1963 and 1966, respectively. He married Nancy Joyce Pollard on June 2, 1957, and they have two children, Jeffery Allen (Jennifer), born in 1959 and Carla Joy (Tim) born in 1961. He and Joyce have seven grandchildren: Deon Marie Prue, Michael Timothy Wilson, Carrie Grace Combs, Leah Joy Johnson, Clay Carlen Burkhead, Catie Jewel Burkhead and Chloé Hope Burkhead; eight great-grandchildren: Riah Jude Ostrander, Rade Howard Ostrander, Treson Carl Prue, Jorey Wayne Prue, Rowan Michael Johnson, Marlee Grace Prue, Tauren Joy Johnson, and Roman Guthrie Combs.

Carl worked for Phillips Petroleum Co. from 1957 to 1959 (including a six-month tour of duty in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers); and Midwest Research Institute from 1959 to 1962. After completion of his graduate degrees, he worked as an assistant professor in the Department of Civil Engineering at the University of Kentucky in Lexington from 1966 to 1969. He worked at the University of Kansas from 1969 to 2003 as an associate and full professor in the Department of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering. After retirement, he worked part-time as a Professional Environmental Engineer for the Kansas Department of Health and Environment from August 2008 to June 2018. He was a member of Alpha Chi Sigma, Chi Epsilon and had two Fulbright Awards to Technion in Haifa, Israel, in 1987 and the Catholic University in Oporto, Portugal, in 1994.

Carl received Christ at age 12 and spent the rest of his life sharing Jesus. He is now with the Lord at the age of 88. He would like to thank all those who shared their lives with him. And he looks forward to when we will see each other once again, forever.

A Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 14 at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, 601 Indiana St. in Lawrence. A celebration service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16 at Rev City Church (formerly the Mustard Seed Church), 700 Wakarusa.

The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to Douglas County Visiting Nurses for their loving and compassionate care of our husband/father.

Susan Sarah Crawford

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Funeral services for Susan Sarah Crawford, 89, Eudora, will be held at 1:00 pm, Saturday September 16, 2023 at Rumsey Yost Funeral Home in Lawrence, KS with a visitation starting at 12:00 pm. Burial will follow at the Eudora Cemetery. Susan passed away September 7, 2023 at Homestead Assisted Living in Eudora.

Susan was born on March 21, 1934 in Atchison, KS. She was the daughter of James and Lillie Raybern. Susan married Samuel Crawford on September 6, 1952. He preceded her in death on June 20, 2017.

Survivors include her children Samuel Crawford Jr, Linda (Danny) Abel, Richard (Cathy) Crawford, grandchildren John (Nikki) Abel, Audrey (Kelly) Charbonneau, Wesley (Hannah) Crawford, William (Kelsey) Crawford, Eric (Kelsey) Crawford, great grandchildren Brooke (Austin) Wellman, Kyle (Tristan) Abel, Raegan Abel, Kaylee Charbonneau, Colton Charbonneau, Kate Charbonneau, Sam Crawford, Emmy Crawford, Alex Crawford, Rowan Crawford, great great grandchild Eleanor “Ellie” Abel. She is survived by sisters Catherine (Fred) Goetler and Geraldine (Jerry) Thomas. She was preceded in death by siblings Lorene Martin, Elsie Bunney, Veda Riesgo, Virginia Byers, James Raybern, Charles Raybern, Sharon Raybern, Donna Bagby, Gerald Raybern.

Susan retired after many years from Eudora USD 491Food Service Director in 1991. She was a member of the Eudora Assembly of God Church and remained faithful even when she could no longer attend services. She was a member of the WC’s (women group at church), and the Eudora Red Hat Society.

The family suggests memorials in Susan’s name to Eudora Food Pantry or charity of choice in care of Rumsey Yost Funeral Home, 601 Indiana, Lawrence, KS 66044.

Stream starts at:        Sep 16th 12:50 pm, Saturday – CDT

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Robert M. (Pops) Frankenfeld

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Robert M. Frankenfeld, also known as Pops, age 81, died Saturday, September 2, 2023 at Bridge Haven Memory Care in Lawrence, KS.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Murray Lee and Margie De Ree Frankenfeld; his sister Barbara; and the love of his life, Rose Marie Frankenfeld.

He is survived by his two daughters, Brenda Frankenfeld (Mike McKinney) and Robin Kofford (Todd Kofford), both of Lawrence, KS; his four grandchildren~ Dylan, Cypress, Estrella and Oliver; his sister, Shirley Webb; his brother Edward Frankenfeld (Harriet); his girlfriend, Janice Brandenburgh, and a multitude of close, longtime friends.

Robert was born June 7, 1942 in Taft, CA, the first born of four children of Murray and Margie. As the son of an air force officer, he grew up moving from base to base in Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Tripoli, and Kansas. He graduated from Highland Park High School in Topeka, KS, afterwards earning an associate’s degree in welding. In 1963, he began his lifelong career as a welder for Santa Fe Railroad in Topeka, KS (now known as Burlington Northern Santa Fe) and worked there until his retirement in 2002. He applied his welding skills to many facets of his life, including the art of stained glass, fashioning gardening tools,
motorcycle repair, forging knives, and leather work. He embraced his Native American Heritage (Nez Perce) in the way he lived his life.

He has been described by one of his dearest friends as being persistent and diligent in everything he did. He was also thorough and enduring. Those characteristics are evident in all things he did from cradle to cremation, and are a part of his legacy passed down through his daughters and to his grandkids.

Robert had a passion for history ~ educating himself through reading books, watching documentaries, going to museums, traveling to National Parks, National Forests and stopping at every single roadside historical marker. He took it all in.

Robert loved being among nature. He was outside all the time, no matter the weather, no matter the season. He gardened, hunted, fished, watched the sunrises, sunsets & the night sky. He watched the birds and wildlife around him, his binoculars always within reach on his dining room table. He was a keen, silent observer.

Robert married Rose Marie Smiley, in 1981. They built a home together in rural Shawnee County, where they enjoyed country living, growing a tremendous garden every year, canning and preserving enough to feed his daughters and his grandkids, plus an army. Every last tomato, green bean, okra, and beet went into jars. Picking cherries from his cherry trees was an annual solstice event for his daughters and grandkids. And yes, every last loving cherry was picked from those trees, made into pies, and preserved.

Robert was an excellent and generous cook, often creating delicious meals using the bounties from his gardening, hunting, and fishing. He loved good food and received great joy in sharing meals with family and friends.

He bought his first Harley in 1975. He explored the world on his bike, often with Rose right behind him. They traveled coast to coast on the bike, swimming and fishing in rivers, streams, and oceans. He took many trips to Sturgis, ND with his extended Harley Family & Friends. He spent many hours in his garage, turning up the music LOUD, maintaining his motorcycles, and working on his welding creations.

Robert will be remembered as a loyal friend, always ready to lend a hand to his many close friends and family. He is loved so much by his ex wife’s brothers and extended family, that they have remained close friends for over 60 years~ hunting, fishing, riding their Harleys, and camping together. That’s true friendship right there.

Robert will be remembered as Pops, a proud dad and grandpa. He led by example, teaching us his skills by including us in his many passions. He attended all the extra curricular activities of his daughters and his grandkids~ band concerts, choir concerts, plays, dance performances, soccer games, football games~ he was there, observing, silent and proud. He taught us the love of music, reading and enjoying the simple pleasures of life while being outdoors. He taught us the skills of navigation not only through reading maps but by keeping track of our internal compass and knowing which way the river flows.

He is now riding his Harley on the back roads of the great beyond with Rose. Ride in Peace Pops.

A celebration of Life will take place 1-3 p.m. on Monday, October 9, 2023 at the Garden House by the Ted Ensley Gardens, at Lake Shawnee, 3720 SE Yacht Ct. Topeka, KS, 66609.

In lieu of flowers and donations, in honor of Pops, we suggest driving down a back road and finding a place to sit to enjoy the world.

Sheryl Ruth Potter

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Sheryl Ruth Potter, 58, lifelong resident of Lawrence, Ks, passed away unexpectedly September 3, 2023.

If you knew Sheryl well, you knew what it was to be loved. The overriding theme of Sheryl’s life was to honor and appreciate those who were important to her. She was the keeper of the family history, able to tell stories of forgotten but fateful events from the lives of those important people. Although this storytelling ability was well known to the people around her, you could count on being surprised by the recollection.

Getting married to John Denney in October of 2000 was the best day of Sheryl’s life and their life together provided a deeper bond each day. For two people differently skilled God provided each of them with the necessary love, patience and joy in each other to capitalize on the strengths they each had to create a supportive and fun life for them both, allowing them to live more independently and fully than either might on their own.

Sheryl was a creator, not just of her fulfilling life, but also as an artist. Art gave her solace, and she created in as many mediums as she was able. Her favorite subject was rainbows and joy came in sharing her creations with those she loved. Shirley, a member of her staff with Cottonwood was her anchor. Sheryl discussed her desires, plans and decisions and together they would make a plan to develop the resources to meet her goals. One of her shining accomplishments was her art exhibition at Alterra. This opportunity was provided due to the relationship she had created with them thru the work she performed with pride as an “outside” job obtained thru her Cottonwood connections. Sheryl also loved gardening, each spring scouring the town with her sister Stacy and caregivers Jean and Delilah to find the most unique plants, pots, tiles and trinkets to build a colorful pathway to her front door.

Sheryl leaves behind her husband John Denney, brother and sister in law Lynn and Nancy Potter, sister and brother in law Stacy and Dru Rachaner, step mother Marie Galluzzi Potter, brother and sister in law Jim and Sandy Denney , many cousins, nieces and nephews and her extended family at Cottonwood. She is preceded in death by her parents Don and Allois Potter, brother Doug and son Christopher. Goodbye Sheryl, you will be missed and thank you Cottonwood for enriching her life.

Visitation is Thursday evening, September 7, 6-7 pm at Rumsey Yost funeral home, 601 Indiana. Graveside service and interment at Oak Hill Cemetery Friday September 8th at 10am and a Celebration of Life at Cottonwood Industries Courtyard at a later date.