Graveside memorial services for Jo Lee Elston-Erskin, 56, Lawrence, will be at 2 pm Friday at Oak Hill Cemetery, with Terry Jacobsen officiating. Jo Lee passed away Friday, Mar. 3, 2017, at University of Kansas Health System in Kansas City, Kan.
She was born Mar. 11, 1960, in Lawrence, the daughter of Duane A. and Mary Jo Brittain Elston. She graduated from Lawrence High School. Jo Lee was a machine operator at Printing Solutions for the last seven years. She previously had worked at Penn House.
Survivors include Calvin Nichols, Lawrence; four children, Misty Nichols, Jeremy Nichols, and Justin Nichols, all of Lawrence, and Dominik Theilmann, Springfield, Mo.; three siblings, Larry Elston and wife Peggy, Joplin, Mo., Michelle Elston and Bill Nichols, Tonganoxie, and Scott Elston, Lawrence; nine grandchildren, Seth Quick, Brooklynne Quick, Cody Nichols, Caden Nichols, Devon Nichols, Gabby Nichols, Justin Nichols Jr., Gracelynne Rothwell, and Shauna Brown; and an aunt, Imo Kilgore, Lawrence. She was preceded in death by her parents, and a brother, Rick.
Jo Lee loved spending time outdoors, either sitting outside or going camping at her favorite spot at Lone Star Lake. She loved to entertain, and never did a stranger leave a stranger – she welcomed everyone. Jo Lee loved playing softball, especially her favorite – GBK – Great Big Kids. She was a team member of many bowling teams and enjoyed traveling state to state for the National Bowling Tournaments. She played on multiple volleyball teams within the community. She enjoyed growing her tomatoes and peppers each summer for her salsa makings (always trying to improve each one year to year.) She participated many years in the March of Dimes and Relay for Life events.
Jo Lee had a deep love for her family and was always the ‘go to’ person – she made all things possible to overcome. She lived her life to the fullest and gave back to the fullest. Jo Lee’s life will continue on through her selflessness act of her donating organs to others.
The family will receive friends Thursday from 6 to 8 pm at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home & Crematory. Memorial contributions are suggested to Relay for Life or March of Dimes, in care of the funeral home, 601 Indiana St., Lawrence, KS, 66044
On behalf of Jo Lee (aka Odie), the family wishes to express enormous gratitude to everyone for your love and support.
