Betty Lou Backus
June 30, 2011
Betty Lou Backus, 81, Olathe Kansas, passed away Thursday, June 30, 2011, at Shawnee Mission Medical Center.
Betty was preceded in death by her Husband Walter Eugene, parents, Joe and Lida Hoover, brothers, Loyd Hoover, and Jerry Hoover. Survivors include her two brothers Jim (Mary) Hoover, Springfield, Missouri; Ed (Colette) Hoover, Chicago, Illinois; four children, Michael E. (Sophia A.) Backus, Bonner Springs, Kansas, David A. (Joyce M.) Backus, Overland Park, Kansas, Patti L. (Rob L. ) McWilliams, Olathe, Kansas and Daniel E. Backus, Olathe, Kansas; nine grandchildren, Rebekah Brenner, Stacy Backus, Melinda McWilliams, Paul Backus, Michelle (Steven) Grigsby, Timothy (Stephanie) McWilliams, John Backus, Danielle Backus and Sarah McWilliams; great grandchildren, Tristin, Isaac, Ashlyn, Riley, Eiley; and many other family and friends.
Her family was always number one above anything with each one having a special place in her heart.
Memorial contributions may be made to Community Covenant Church, 15700 W. 87th Street Parkway, Lenexa, Kansas 66219.
Visitation and Funeral Service
Visitation will be 2-4 pm, Monday, July 4, 2011, at the Amos Family Chapel of Shawnee. Funeral service will be 10:00 am, Tuesday, July 5, 2011, at the Community Covenant Church; burial in the Shawnee Mission Memory Gardens, Shawnee, Kansas.
Robert J. Giltner
June 29, 2011
Robert J. Giltner, 91, loved father and grandfather passed away Wednesday, June 29, 2011, at his home in Shawnee, Kansas.
Robert was a veteran of WWII in the U.S. Army receiving a Bronze Star and Purple Heart. After the war he started his career in his home town of Kansas City, Kansas, working with his Pop in the Giltner Fix-It Shop where he developed the skill to fix just about anything. He was also a stagehand and projectionist for the Boulevard Drive-In Theater. He was a member of the Local Union No. 498 of the IATSE for over 30 years where he served as vice president and treasurer. He was a participating member of St. Joseph Catholic Church since 1965. He was a member of the Perpetual Adoration group.
Robert was preceded in death by his wife, Grace and daughter, Phyllis Jones. Survivors include 3 daughters, Janice Giltner, her two sons Thomas and Andrew Taylor, and Nancy and Richard Hanning and their three daughters Audrey, Natalie, Lillian, Becky and Chris Bradshaw; son-in law Jeff Jones; four great grandchildren, Crystal, Aracelis, Gabriel, and Robert Taylor; and sister, Bernice Stone.
Visitation and Funeral Service
Visitation will be from 5:00-7:00 p.m., Tuesday, July 5, 2011, at the Amos Family Chapel of Shawnee, where a Rosary will be recited at 5:00 p.m. Funeral Mass will be at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, July 6, 2011, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Shawnee, Kansas. Entombment in Resurrection Mausoleum, Lenexa, Kansas.
Gail A. Lembeck
June 28, 2011
Gail A. Lembeck passed away late Tuesday, June 28, 2011, at the age of 74.
Gail was a native of St. Louis, Missouri, where she graduated from Incarnate Word Academy. She was an active parishioner at Holy Trinity Catholic Church and School in Lenexa, Kansas, for many years. She was a founding member and worked for 20 years at Holy Spirit Parish. In her years as a devoted homemaker, mother and grandmother, she had a passion for cooking, world travel, and her dogs. Gail’s vibrant personality will be missed by her many friends.
She is survived by her son, Mark Lembeck and wife, Sandra and their children, Elizabeth and Michael all of Lawrence, Kansas; son Matthew Lembeck and wife, Caroline of Shawnee, Kansas; daughter Ann Weinhardt and husband, Charles and their son, Henry. She was preceded in death by her infant son, Michael and husband, Henry.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to Holy Spirit Catholic Church or Crossroads Hospice.
Visitation and Funeral Service
Visitation will be from 5:30-7:30 p.m., Friday, July 1, 2011, at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, Overland Park, Kansas. The Mass of Resurrection will follow at 7:30 p.m. Burial will be private.
Margaret Ann “Peggy” Jewell
June 27, 2011
Margaret Ann Jewell, April 9, 1954 – June 27, 2011, passed away at the home of family early in the morning Monday, June 27, 2011, after a courageous battle with cancer. Margaret, a.k.a Peggy, 57, passed in Shawnee, Kansas, where she spent her childhood and much of her adulthood.
Peggy was born in Lawrence, Kansas, on Friday, April 9, 1954, to John and Mary Ruth Foley. Peggy was one of five girls born to John and Mary Ruth. Peggy attended St. Joseph’s Catholic School and Shawnee Mission Northwest High School. Having received a Bachelor’s and Master’s in Nursing, she spent 35 years dedicating her life to healing as a RN, Nurse Practitioner, and teacher.
Peggy was a loving mother and is survived by two sons, Brian Jewell, 34, and Brandon Jewell, 28. Peggy deeply loved her grandchild Jacob Russell Jewell, 6. Peggy is also survived by mother Mary Ruth Baier and sisters, Kathy Coffey, Mary Smith, and Helen Whitaker. Peggy provided love and guidance to 12 nieces and nephews. Peggy is predeceased by her sister Patty O’Toole and father John Foley and step-father Mike Baier.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the family.
Memorial Service
A memorial celebration will be held at 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, June 29, 2011, at the Amos Family Funeral Home.
Evelyn Maxine True
June 27, 2011
Evelyn M. True, age 88, of Lenexa, Kansas, went to be with the Lord on Monday, June 27, 2011, at Lakeview Village, after a long battle with Parkinson’s Disease.
Evelyn was born on July 28, 1922, in Osage City, Kansas, the daughter of William A. Johnson and Selma L. Johnson. She was always proud of her Swedish heritage. Evelyn was a woman of high energy, leadership, creativity, with a joy of living which she demonstrated throughout her life. From early childhood she was an active member of the Lutheran Church in Osage City. She had fond memories of picking wild flowers, walking in the sloughs with her grandfather, and experimenting in her father’s blacksmith shop. She graduated from Osage City High School where she was very active in debate, sports, and many other organizations. Upon graduation she took a adventuresome job for a single woman at that time of traveling to sell yearbooks in Kansas, Colorado, and Mississippi. When she finally realized how dangerous this could be she moved to Kansas City and worked at Montgomery Wards, and then moved to Wichita and worked at Beech Aircraft so she could be near her future husband.
A major turning point in her life was her marriage to her high school sweetheart, Philip W. True on April 17, 1942. She moved to the east coast when Philip, now in the U.S. Army was transferred there. Following the war, the Trues lived in Topeka, Hays, and Salina (where Phil implemented dial systems for Southwestern Bell) and Kansas City (where he retired as District Engineer).
In the mid-1950s, upon moving to Kansas City she and her husband became very active at Prairie Baptist Church, where she loved teaching the four-year old Sunday School, working at vacation Bible schools, and with women’s ministries of all kinds. Whenever anyone had a need, Evelyn was always there with food, counsel, and helping hands. Evelyn was a member of “Women in Today’s World,” and represented her church to Church Women United. She served continually on all levels of leadership from the project chair who raised money all over Kansas to build a Baptist church in Tirgu Mures, Romania, to being president of the American Baptist Women’s Ministries of Kansas and the AB Central Region.
Besides being a homemaker, she started her own successful drapery business. For many years, she shared her sewing talents by teaching women at metro community centers. She also was a well-loved volunteer at St. Luke’s and Trinity Lutheran Hospitals. Evelyn loved fishing, playing bridge, square dancing, gardening, cooking (being particularly noted for her mac and cheese dish at family Christmas dinners and her Swedish meatballs, wonderful breads and desserts, though she regretted that she could never get her kids to share her love for lutefisk), and spoiling grandchildren (especially enjoying creative projects with them).
Evelyn and Phil celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in 2002. It was really a celebration of a unique creative team. Throughout their life together they wrote poetry, plays and skits; created puppets and characters; and made wonderful costumes such as robots, lions, tigers, and carved pumpkins and papier mache heads for children, grandchildren, and friends. They produced fabulous scenery for vacation Bible schools and church projects. They both had the gift of hospitality from their Lord and hosted many wonderful parties enhanced by beautiful displays of food, from carved watermelons to cleverly shaped relish dishes. Their home was always open to friends and neighbors. Both also had the gift of helping, working tirelessly behind scenes and ministering to others. But as a team they also took time to travel, one of Evelyn’s favorite things. Traveling both to go fishing and camping, visiting grandchildren, but also in the later years just to enjoy the scenery and spend time with friends. Now this dynamic team has been reunited.
Evelyn was an active Christian who loved Jesus and the many people He brought her into contact with. She was a loving mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. And she was a friend, known for her hospitality, sly sense of humor, energy, love of fun, steady disposition, and a willingness to encourage the uniqueness of each individual. She will be greatly missed by her church, her family, and her faithful friends.
Evelyn was preceded in death by her brother, Ralph Johnson; her husband, Philip; a son, William J. True; and a special great niece, Claire True. Survivors include a daughter, Jean Michelson and her husband, Paul, of Huntington, Indiana; a son, Donald True and his wife, Judy, Austin, Texas; and a daughter-in-law, Cheryl, Overland Park, Kansas; five grandchildren, David Michelson and his wife, Bethany, Tuscaloosa, AL; Paul-Philip “Paco” Michelson and his wife Hee Eun Park, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Megan True, Overland Park, Kansas; Emily True, Overland Park, Kansas; and Ann True, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; and five great grandchildren, Simeon, Joel, Anna, Elisabeth, and Wills Michelson, Tuscaloosa, AL.
The family would like to express its deep appreciation for the great quality of care and love shown to Evelyn by the outstanding staff of Lakeview Village Care Center in Lenexa, Kansas. We are also grateful for the attention that Compassionate Care Hospice gave Evelyn over the last few months of her life.
Memorial contributions may be made to Prairie Baptist Church or Lakeview Village Care Center.
Memorial Service
A memorial service and celebration will be at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, July 2, 2011, at Prairie Baptist Church, 7416 Roe Avenue, Prairie Village, Kansas, with a reception to follow. A private burial will be at Leavenworth National Cemetery.
Loretta Carol Burdiss
June 24, 2011
Loretta Carol Burdiss, age 58 a resident of Cleveland, Missouri, died Friday, June 24, 2011, at 2:15 pm at her daughter’s home in Tonganoxie, Kansas, of COPD complications.
Loretta was born August 19, 1952, in Kansas City, Kansas, to Sidney G. And Alice D. (née Lee) Watts. She grew up with one sister, Sandy.
Loretta married Edward Howard Burdiss on October 6, 1972. They eloped and went to Miami, Oklahoma, where the ceremony was held at the J. J. Swetnam Marriage Parlor. Their only daughter, Tracie Lynnette was born April 6, 1975. The family lived for many years in Kansas City, Kansas, before moving in 1997 to Cleveland, Missouri.
Loretta was employed at KU Medical Center as a billing specialist for 36 years. Her major interest in life was her 3 grandsons, who spent hours out at their Cleveland home.
Loretta is survived by husband Howard; daughter and son-in-law, Tracie and Sam Drake; three grandsons, James Edward Drake (15), Jonah Ellington (11) and Zane Austin Drake (9); father, Sidney Watts; and sister Sandy England.
We will always remember Loretta’s sense of humor in her often recited phrase, “Stick a fork in me. I’m done.”
Memorial Visitation
Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, June 28, 2011, at the Amos Family Chapel of Shawnee.
Edward H. Ruder
June 24, 2011
Edward H. Ruder, 96, of Overland Park, passed away June 24, 2011. Mr. Ruder was born on April 7, 1915, in Venice, Illinois, to Joseph Ruder and Mary Geier, and lived in the St. Louis area until moving to Kansas City in 1951.
Mr. Ruder was a Missouri Registered Professional Engineer, and a life member of the American Society of Tool Engineers. He was the former Owner and President of Nuetzel Machinery Company of Kansas City, Inc.
Survivors include his wife, Maxine Ruder, 3 sons, John Ruder, Carl Ruder and Charles Ruder, and 2 daughters, Carolyn Wyhs, Mikki Massey, and stepdaughter GeorgeAnn Evans, numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Mr. Ruder was preceded in death by his first wife, Laura Ruder, sons, Alan Ruder and Jim Ruder and daughter Mary Huggler.
The family suggests contributions to the American Cancer Society or your favorite charity.
Visitation and Services
Visitation will be held from 1 to 2 p.m., Tuesday, June 28, 2011, at the Amos Family Chapel of Shawnee, where a Rosary will be prayed at 1:30 p.m. A memorial service will follow at 2 p.m. at the Chapel.
Robert Joseph Keller
June 20, 2011
Robert J. “Bob” Keller, 46, of Prairie Village, KS passed away June 20th, 2011 at home. Robert was preceded in death by his father, Donald A. Keller in 2008. He is survived by his mother, Bev Keller; his siblings, Don (Paula) Keller, Sue (Chris) Thayer, and Mike (Rosemary) Keller; his nieces, Kristen, Ashley, and Michaela; his nephews, Ryan, Jason, Chad, Brandon, and Chase.
Robert “Bob” was an avid fan of drag racing, NASCAR, fishing, and attending his nieces and nephews sporting events.
Visitation and Memorial Mass
A memorial visitation will be from 10:00-11:00 a.m., Tuesday, June 28, 2011, at Queen of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church. A memorial Mass will follow at 11:00 a.m.
Leonard Bernhardt Mueller
June 19, 2011
Mr. Mueller passed away, Sunday, June 19, 2011, at his home. Leonard was born in Redwood County, Minnesota, to Bernhardt and Elsie (Marquardt) Mueller. He served in the US Army during WWII in the European Theater of Operations. He was a 2nd Lieutenant serving in the Field Artillery.
Leonard was employed by several engineering firms after serving in the Army. He worked for S,B&B Engineering in Kansas City, Kansas for 32 years.
He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and was a 50 year member of the Knights of Columbus.
He was preceded in death by his parents and sisters, Leona Behr, Helen Schave, and Phyllis Mueller.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Alice Mueller, of the home; four children, Linda and Robert Dunehoo, Debra and Randy Bales, Bernard and Monica Mueller, and Brian and Mary Mueller; eight grandchildren, Matthew Dunehoo, Alison and Dirk Erikson, Andrew and Emily Dunehoo, Nicole and Tyler Pufahl, Michael Bales, Conor Mueller, Makenna Mueller, and Brody Mueller; three great grandchildren, Jackson Pufahl, Clayton Dunehoo, Vera Lin Erickson, and Baby Pufahl, due in November; a brother, Herbert Mueller and a sister, Beverly Schwieger.
The family suggests contributions to St. Joseph Catholic Church or the American Heart Association.
Visitation and Funeral Mass
The Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m., Thursday, June 23, 2011, at St. Joseph Catholic Church with burial in Resurrection Cemetery. Visitation will be 6 – 8 p.m., Wednesday, June 22, 2011, at the Amos Family Chapel of Shawnee, where the Rosary will be prayed at 6 p.m.
Emma Elizabeth Scherman
June 18, 2011
Emma Scherman passed away June 17th, 2011 at her home with her devoted husband of 62 years and her loving family present. Emma was born Septemeber 19th, 1926 in Ochletree, KS. to William and Clementine Meyer Stifter. She married John A. Scherman June 18th, 1949, settling in Shawnee, KS. She was a wonderful, caring and giving mother to her four children. She enjoyed traveling, gardening playing cards and Bunco with her friends. She is survived by her loving husband John and her 4 children: Ruth Evarts (Norman), Rita Hotchkiss (Bob), Teresa Winke (Bob), John R. Scherman (Sherry) and her brother Ralph Stifter of Rantoul, Kansas. She also leaves 11 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Emma put her family first. She was always mindful of the feelings of others and set a great example of a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She lived a life full of faith and love, everything about her will be missed and cherished by her family and friends.
Visitation & Mass
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 am Tuesday June 21st at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Shawnee, Kansas. A Rosary will be recited at the Amos Family Chapel of Shawnee on Monday June 20th at 6:00 pm with visitation following.
Contributions
In lieu of flowers contributions can be made to Catholic Community Hospice or to the Sister Servants of Mary.