Anna Marie Riggs
July 31, 2010
Anna Marie Riggs, age 103, of Shawnee, Kansas died Saturday, July 31, 2010 at her home. Anna was born January 7, 1907 in Brazil, Iowa, the daughter of Tony and Maria (Kuchan) Buban. In 1929, she married James Riggs in Centerville, Iowa. He preceded her in death in 1988.
Anna grew up on a farm in Mystic, Iowa. She helped her parents and siblings with farm chores. She only attended school through the eighth grade due to her responsibilities on the farm. In her twenties, Anna and several girlfriends moved to Chicago, Illinois to work in a cafeteria. She returned to Mystic in the summer months to help her mother with the canning of vegetables.
Anna and James had four daughters and they moved the family to Windsor, Missouri. In Windsor, they added a son to the family. She was a member of St. Bartholomew Catholic Church and was the President of the Altar Society. Anna loved flowers and loved to work in her beautiful garden. She was a great fisherwoman and enjoyed fishing with her husband. She loved to sew and made many nice things for the home, including beautiful quilts. She continued sewing up until her final days. In 1984, Anna and James moved to Shawnee where she became a member of St. Joseph Church. She enjoyed playing bunco with the ladies of the church.
She loved to travel and visited many sights in the United States. She took a cruise with friends and in 1991 she traveled abroad to Fuzine, Croatia the birthplace of her parents. While in Europe, she also visited Venice, Italy and Medjugorje. In addition to her husband James, Anna was preceded in death by her parents; sisters Mary Buban and Marjorie Kessler; and brothers Frank, Emery, Tommy and Charlie. Survivors include her children; Dorothy (Glen) Tuck, Betty (Bert) Reed, Mary Barkley, Margaret (Lee) Hoehn and James (Katherine) Riggs; 13 grandchildren,16 great grandchildren and 7 great-great grandchildren.
Visitation and Funeral Service
Visitation will be 9:30-10:30 a.m., Wednesday, August 4, 2010, at the St. Joseph Catholic Church, 11311 Johnson Drive, Shawnee, Kansas. A funeral mass will follow at 10:30 a.m. at the Church. Burial in Resurrection Cemetery to follow.
Mary M. Dean
July 30, 2010
Mary M. Dean, 66, of Merriam, Kansas, passed away, Friday, July 30, 2010.
She was born in Springfield, Missouri and lived in the Kansas City area for over 40 years.
She is survived by her children, James Dean of Suisun City, California and his daughter, Rachel; daughter Julie Dean-Hanson of DeSoto, Kansas and her children, Kristen, Amanda, and Covel; son, Timothy Dean (Cynthia) of New Windsor, New York and their children, Michael and Rachel; daughter Kimberly Keehn (Troy) of Houlton, Maine and their children, Erin and Hunter; and daughter Nicole Dean of Merriam, Kansas.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to Susan G. Komen for the Cure at www.komen.org
Services
No services are planned at this time.
Norma Ruby (Berglund) Crane
July 30, 2010
Norma Ruby (Berglund) Crane was born December 15, 1922 in Kansas City, Missouri, to Herman Theodore and Florence Myrtle (Elliott) Berglund, the fourth of five children. As a child, she survived small pox. The family moved to Shawnee, Kansas around 1925. The children began attending Shawnee Methodist Church where they would walk each Sunday. Norma was a member for 84 years. She graduated from Shawnee Mission (North) High School and was the first Honored Queen of Job’s Daughters, Bethel 27, Shawnee.
As a young adult, Norma worked at Hallmark Cards and later at the North American B-25 bomber plant in the parts department during WWII. To meet her, a young male co-worker, Orville Crane, played a modest April Fool’s prank requesting a part that didn’t exist. They eventually became engaged, but WWII called. Orville survived a plane crash in the ocean, returned home and, after a four-year engagement, were married on August 23, 1947. They had two children, Marvin and Martha Ann.
Norma was an at-home Mom and later worked as a floor manager at TG&Y for a number of years. She was always busy as Sunday school teacher, room mother, and Cub Scout and Camp Fire leader, and folded cancer bandages for the American Cancer Society. She belonged to Home Demonstration Unit, Eastern Star, and True Kindred where she held various offices including Worthy Matron. At church she was involved in United Methodist Women, served as Sunday school secretary and coordinated funeral dinners.
Norma is preceded in death by her husband, Orville, her parents, her sisters Phyllis and Carlein, and brothers Daryl and John. She is survived by her son, Marvin Crane (Sibile Pardue) of Shreveport, Louisiana, and her daughter, Martha Ann (Alan) Matthews and two grandchildren, Douglas and Emily of Urbandale, Iowa.
Visitation and Funeral Service
Visitation will be from 2-4 pm, Sunday, August 1, 2010, at the Amos Family Chapel of Shawnee. Funeral service will be 10 am., Monday, August 2, 2010, at Shawnee United Methodist Church. Burial to follow in Shawnee Mission Memory Gardens.
Phillip E. Kern
July 28, 2010
Phillip E. Kern, 63, Shawnee, Kansas passed away Monday, July 26, 2010 at his home.
Masonic Service and Visitation
Memorial visitation will be 2-4 p.m. Sunday, August 1, 2010, at the Amos Family Chapel of Shawnee, where a Masonic Service will be at 3:00 p.m.
Susan Marie Rentfrow
July 28, 2010
Susan Marie Rentfrow, 59, of Shawnee, Kansas, went to be with her Lord and Savior on July 28, 2010.
Susan was born March 18, 1951, in Detroit, Michigan to Elwood “Mike” and Mary Jo (Sammons) Snyder.
She is survived by husband Earl Rentfrow; her children, Scott and Jennifer Cheffey and Matthew Rentfrow; two granddaughters Brooke Devero and Paige Cheffey; and by her mother Mary Jo Snyder.
Visitation and Funeral Service
A visitation will be held from 6-8 pm, Sunday, August 1, 2010, at the Amos Family Chapel of Shawnee. Funeral service will be at 1:00 p.m., Monday, August 2, 2010, also at the funeral home. Burial will follow in Shawnee Cemetery.
Laxmi Koduri
July 27, 2010
Laxmi Koduri, 79, of Leawood, Kansas, passed away July 27, 2010.
Mrs. Laxmi Koduri was born on March 15, 1931 in a small rural area of India. She migrated to the United States in January of 1980. She has been a permanent resident until her death. She leaves behind four sons who are settled in the United States, two daughters living in India, and 12 grandchildren.
Mrs. Laxmi Koduri had a very basic elementary education, but had a lifetime of experience. She was married in 1946 to the late Mr. Venkateswarlu Koduri. He worked as a high school principal who had been a very strong proponent of education. He left no stone unturned in achieving a rare world record of grooming five out or six children into well accomplished physicians in the US. Laxmi Koduri dedicated her life to taking care of her husband and children/grandchildren and taught them strong moral values.
Funeral Service
A funeral service will be held at 7 pm, Wednesday, July 28, 2010, at the Amos Family Chapel of Shawnee.
Ronald Keith Webster
July 27, 2010
Ronald Keith Webster, known to his close family and friends as Keith, was born in the town of Balaclava, of St. Elizabeth Parish in Jamaica, WI, to Gwendolyn and William Webster on July 5th 1937. His Father passed away when he was three years old and was raised by his mother until her passing when he was ten years old. He then went on to live with his aunt & uncle, Ivy and Arnold Isaacs, and attended Kingston College graduating in 1955 and then began working at Seprod LTD electing to work in the higher paying manufacturing department over the more prestigious administrative office. He left Jamaica in 1959 at the age of 22 for the United States in hopes of building a good life.
He lived with friends upon his arrival in the U.S. and enrolled in the RCA Institutes to study electronics. He graduated in 1960 and went to in the electronics repair service industry as a repair technician.
His life changed forever when he met Yvonne Campbell at a party given by mutual friends in March of 1960. He was smitten and clear about the fact that he wanted her and won her heart. They became engaged in October of 1961 and married on December 2nd 1961 in Brooklyn, New York and he became, at once, part of a large extended family that included three brother’s in-law, 5 sister’s in-law and a host of nieces and nephews. They soon welcomed their first child, Karen Ann in September of 1962 and bought their first house in 1965 in Brooklyn, New York.
He went to work for General Electric (GE) in 1966 as a repair technician where he thrived, advancing to supervisor and the manager throughout a successful 22 year career. In 1967 he and Yvonne welcomed their second child, a son, Ronald Keith II. In 1973 he moved his family to Freeport, New York on Long Island where they enjoyed a good life and formed enduring friendships. His work with GE led him to Kansas City where he relocated with his wife and son in 1985. He retired from GE in 1988 and began to run a successful leased cafeteria business with his wife Yvonne for several years. In 1991his household expanded to include his beloved mother in-law, Naomi Campbell, whom he and Yvonne lovingly cared for her until her passing in 2005. He and his wife were delighted to welcome a granddaughter, Lexa Brooke, in 2008, and she was the light of his life every day until his last. He loved his family and dearly loved by them. He took great care in providing for and guiding them.
He made many lasting friendships which he nurtured and treasured throughout his years. He enjoyed traveling and visiting with all of his friends and family. He had an adventurous spirit and varied interests. He explored hunting, fishing, wine making, and gardening and was a true do-it-yourselfer and fix-it man. He was also an avid amateur photographer capturing and impressive archive priceless family moments over 50 years. He possessed an immense intellectual curiosity, was extremely well read and enjoyed sharing his knowledge with all that would listen and was the “go-to” guy for everyone that had a question on just about anything….his opinions were sought by many. He was an extremely practical man that was able to plan and save extremely well – often advising and always setting an example for others.
He was diagnosed with diabetes in the early 1980’s and eventually required and received a successful kidney transplant in 2001. Unfortunately heart disease became his next challenge to which he eventually succumbed on July 20th 2010, after bravely undergoing a challenging open heart surgery to repair his heart.
He is survived by his wife Yvonne, daughter Karen, son Ron and his wife Devra, his granddaughter, Lexa Brooke, Sister Cecile, and very close cousins Derrick Isaacs and Donna Stephens. He is also survived by a host of over 40 dearly loved brothers’ in-law, sister’s in-law, cousins, nieces and nephews.
Dear Family & Friends,
In lieu of flowers we respectfully ask you to consider making donations to either the National Kidney Foundation or the National Heart Association so that we can get closer to resolving these major health issues that strike more and more people everyday. We want other families to not have to suffer the effects of these diseases. Again, we thank all of you for your love, prayers and support during this time.
Love,
The Webster Family
The links to the websites are noted below.
American Heart Association
National Kidney Foundation
https://www.kidney.org/support/makegift/index.cfm
Visitation and Funeral Service
A visitation will be held Thursday, July 29, 2010, from 5 to 7 pm at the Amos Family Chapel of Shawnee. A memorial service will be Friday, July 30, 2010, at 12 noon at The Unity Church of Overland Park, 10300 Antioch Road, Overland Park, Kansas.
Lois Ileen Zipp
July 27, 2010
Lois Ileen Zipp, 87, Overland Park, Kansas, passed away Monday, July 26th, 2010 at St. Luke’s Hospital, Kansas City, Missouri.
Lois was born January 27, 1923 in Emporia, Kansas to Roy and Grace (Russell) Leavell. She was a bookkeeper and office manager for Brockman Equipment Leasing. Following retirement she was a school crossing guard and worked for the Overland Park Police Department.
She was preceded in death by her siblings, Claude Leavell, Charles Leavell and Lela Pries. Lois is survived by her children, Steve (Shirlene) Zipp, Kristy (Daily) Rasdall, Leslie (Curt) Mader and Shelley Zipp; grandchildren, Amy Zipp, Jake (A’ndrea) Rasdall, Molly (Matt) Bommarito, Michael Zipp and Nick Mader; great grandchildren, Blade Nowland, Parker Nowland and Lauren Rasdall.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association. 10580 Barkley Street, Overland Park, Kansas 66212.
Memorial Service and Visitation
Visitation will be from 2-3:00 pm, Friday, July 30, 2010, at the Amos Family Chapel of Shawnee. Memorial service will follow at 3:00 p.m. at the chapel.
Jack J. Andrew
July 27, 2010
Jack J. Andrew, 61, of Overland Park, KS, passed away, Monday, July 26, 2010 at Shawnee Mission Medical Center. The family suggests contributions to the Disabled American Veterans.
Jack was born in Kansas City, MO. He graduated from Turner High School in 1966. He was a sign painter until his retirement in 2000. He was a Navy Veteran of the Vietnam War. He was preceded in death by his father, William and a brother, Daniel. Survivors include his wife, Teresa Andrew, of the home; a daughter Rayna Andrew-Tolle and husband, Matthew; his mother, Doris Andrew, Olathe, KS; his siblings, Terry Andrew, Shawnee Mission, KS, Joseph Andrew, Kansas City, MO, Cheryl Allen and James Andrew, both of Olathe, KS and a grandson, Jack James Tolle.
Memorial Gathering
A memorial gathering will be held from 6 – 8 p.m., Friday at the Amos Family Chapel of Shawnee.
Mark E. Stevermer
July 26, 2010
Mark E. Stevermer, 92, Shawnee, Kansas, died at home July 26, 2010 with his family at his side.
Mark Stevermer was born on June 27,1918, in his family home at Trails End Farm near Easton, Minnesota. At an early age he exhibited a lifelong passion for all things mechanical, particularly Buick automobiles. He became an automotive mechanics instructor and had the rare gift in life of loving his job. Every time he opened a car hood he found a new and interesting challenge awaiting him.
He joined the US Army in 1940 and served through World War II. He was later recalled to active duty during the Korean War and was honorably discharged in 1951. Mark’s military service was at Fort Benning, GA where he was in charge of the Motor Pool, as well as automotive instructor for military personnel. He achieved the rank of Warrant Officer. Later, when asked by a grandson about life in the Army, Mark told him, “Nobody likes it. You just do it.”
He was also fortunate to marry the love of his life, Vivian Caldwell Stevermer in 1941. They started married life at Fort Benning, where the first three of his nine children were born. After his discharge, they made their home in Minneapolis, Minnesota where he taught at Dunwoody Institute. He began working for Buick Motor Division in 1952 as a Service Representative, and subsequently an automotive mechanics instructor. In1955 he was transferred by Buick from Chicago to Shawnee, Kansas.
He and Vivian loved to travel and were delighted and proud to visit all 50 states in the US. They traveled to Mexico and Europe as well. They went on their first canoe trip with family when they were in their mid sixties, even though they could not swim. In their 70’s, they happily completed their first 5k hike at 5000 ft. elevation at Apache Pass, Arizona.
His penchant for mechanical analysis and love of tools and machinery was exhibited in his description of trip highlights. These included observations of the emissions testing of cars in Mexico City, locks filling and emptying on Midwestern waterways, and the abandoned tractors he encountered in Alaska. He continued working and puttering on all things mechanical after retirement. He loved mentoring and sharing knowledge with those who showed an interest, and even with those who did not. His encyclopedic memory of every car he worked on served him well in his line of work.
His sense of thrift and frugality developed during his teenage years in the 1930’s and was exhibited in his talent for analyzing and pinpointing a mechanical problem in the least expensive way. He in fact loved the challenge of spending the least amount of money to fix a complicated and difficult problem.
Mark took loving care of his wife Vivian for several years prior to her death. When asked if he was holding up, he replied, “She took good care of me my entire life, now it’s my turn.” Mark was strong, active and stoic throughout his life.
Mark continued to travel to visit children and grandchildren, even as recently as a trip to Wisconsin in June of this year. He spent most of the past winter traveling in Texas to avoid the cold weather. He relished the experience of seeing new places and novel machinery.
Mark was preceded in death by his parents Edward B. Stevermer and Elizabeth (Weaver) Stevermer, and brothers Gene, Alan, John and Bernard; his wife of 64 years, Vivian, his daughter Beth Paula Finn, his sons Brian Mark and Mark David.
He is survived by his brother Neil Stevermer Mankato, Minnesota and sisters Marjie (Milton) Hansen, Long Lake, Minnesota, and Joanne (Tom) Gorman, Waconia, Minnesota; sons Douglas Edward (Jeanne), LaCrosse, Wisconsin, Richard Anthony (Mary), Overland Park, Kansas, Kim Owen (Mary), Shawnee, Kansas, Edward Paul, Gardner, Kansas; daughters Kaye Lovie, Prairie Village, Kansas, Lynda Mae Beinlich (Eric), St.Paul, Minnesota; and son-in-law William (Beth Paula) Finn. He is also survived by many grandchildren and great-grandchildren as follows: grandson William Finn Jr, (Nohemi) and great-grandchildren William III, Emiliano, Cualtomec, El Paso, Texas; grandson Steven Finn (Hilda), great-grandchildren Priscilla, Andrew, Isabel, El Paso, Texas; grandson Casey Finn (Raquel), great-grandchildren Alexander, Kansas City, Missouri, Casey Jr, Hannah, El Paso, Texas; granddaughters, Maria Finn, and Betsey Finn, Sausalito, California; granddaughter Kari Kelly Merk, (Brian), great granddaughters Anna and Audrey, Denver, Colorado; daughter-in-law Helen Stevermer (Mark D.), grandson Harrison; granddaughter Julia, Leawood, Kansas; granddaughter (Douglas) Heather, Rochester, Minnesota; grandson Marc; granddaughter Margo, Rochester, Minnesota, great-granddaughters Sarah, Gloria, Gracie, Della, Rochester, Minnesota; grandson Dustin, Naval Station, Chicago, Illinois; granddaughter (Lynda) Catherine Cronemeyer, St. Paul, Minnesota; granddaughter Alexis Beinlich, St. Paul, Minnesota; granddaughter (Richard) Melodie (Chris) Saterfield, Olathe, Kansas; granddaughter Shannon McComb, Overland Park, Kansas; grandson (Kim) Owen; grandson Gene; and granddaughter Klara, Shawnee, Kansas.
He was a member of Knights of Columbus, American Legion, and St. Joseph Catholic Church. He enjoyed his participation in US TOO and the Parallel Parkinson Support Group.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Faith Village Communities and Group Home, 14150 W. 113th Street, Shawnee Mission, Kansas 66215
Visitation and Funeral Service
Visitation will be from 6-8:00 p.m., Wednesday, July 28, 2010, at the Amos Family Chapel of Shawnee; the Rosary will be prayed at 6:00 p.m., at the chapel. Mass of Christian Burial will be 1:00 p.m., Thursday, July 29, 2010, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Shawnee, Kansas. Burial in Resurrection Cemetery, Lenexa, Kansas.