Carol Marie Buhler Francis
Memorial services for Carol Marie Buhler Francis, 87, Lawrence, will be 11 am, Wednesday, March 25, 2015, at Trinity Episcopal Church. Visitation will be 6-7 pm Tuesday, at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home. Private inurnment at a later time.
Carol Marie Buhler Francis died on Saturday March 21, 2015, in Lawrence, Kansas.
She was born February 9, 1928 in Pretty Prairie, Kansas. She was the youngest of seven children born to Dr. David and Helen Hansmann Buhler. Both of her parents passed away by the time she was seven. In 1936 the family moved to Lawrence, KS for college education opportunities. The oldest sister Esther assumed the role of raising the family.
Carol and George Francis married on June 10, 1950 and enjoyed 64 years together. They had 4 children: April (Mike) Dwyer, Wendy (Scott) Clay, Jay (Doreen Seely) Francis, and Jon (Julie) Francis. Grandchildren include Madison and Morgan Clay, Anikka, Kyle, and Elaina Francis.
She is preceded in death by her sisters Esther Paxton, Irene Miller and Helen Ossmann, and brothers, Victor and Everett. She is survived by a sister Geraldine Smith of Lawrence.
Carol was best known for her devotion to historical preservation efforts and was an active member of the Lawrence Preservation Alliance for many years. August 1, 1978 she purchased the House Building in downtown Lawrence. Her research revealed it as the only building in downtown Lawrence that survived Quantrill's Raid on August 21, 1863. Through the years, she worked tirelessly to maintain its historical significance and was successful in having it listed on the local, state, and national historic registers. She wrote two books based on her building research: The House Building, A Search for its Foundations and Local Happenings in Lawrence, Kansas 1921-1946. She also put together the book Douglas County, Kansas, Family Histories 1991-1992 Vol. 1.
She attended KU studying advertising and journalism. While in school she was a member of Modern Choir, the A Cappella Choir and the women's Glee Club. She played first violin in the orchestra and oboe in the band. She was elected to Theta Sigma Phi and Gamma Alpha Chi, honorary journalism fraternities for women. She edited the K-Union, Student Union activities publication; was publicity chairman for the Student Union Activities and was secretary of the Kansas Board, governing body of the University Daily Kansan. She graduated in 1950 with a degree in advertising and received a Master of Science in Journalism in 1971. She started her career as advertising manager at Weaver's Department Store. A free lance spirit led her to a second career in writing. She wrote newsletters for the Douglas County Historical Society, was past President and Treasurer for the Kansas Press Women and won numerous awards for her advertising, interviewing and writing skills including the Clarion Award in 2008 from the Association of Women in Communications for her I-Pod version of "Walking Downtown Lawrence".
Carol joined the Girls Scouts in 1938 and served in many capacities including the 1st Executive Director of the Lawrence Girl Scout Council. She was also very active in the Lawrence Aquahawks swim team and was 1st meet director. She was deeply committed to Trinity Episcopal Church and served on many committees, in the choir, as a lectern and Sunday school teacher. She was instrumental in the major remodel of the church. Carol was also a member of Delta Gamma Sorority and won the Cable award for her outstanding loyalty. She enjoyed needlework, camping, canoeing, hunting, and swimming. She logged over 1400 miles in a canoe with the Ozark Wilderness Waterways club and won numerous medals swimming in the Senior Olympics at the national level until her early eighties.
In lieu of flowers contributions can be made to the Lawrence Preservation Alliance or Trinity Episcopal Church.
Online condolences at Rumsey-yost.com
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David Lee Milleret
David Lee Milleret, 33, of Lawrence, Kansas died in his home on Thursday evening, March 19, 2015. Visitation will occur Wednesday, March 25 from 7:00-8:00 pm at the Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home. A memorial service for David will be held at 10 am, Thursday, March 26, 2015, at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home. Inurnment will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery.
He was born January 5, 1982, in Lawrence, KS, the son of Mark and Melinda Cain Milleret. He graduated from Tonganoxie High School in 2000. Shortly after graduation, David and his partner Kendra Mosier moved to Park Hills, MO, where he worked for many years as a craftsman for Ken Mosier Construction Inc.
David and Kendra moved back to Kansas where he worked for Hawks Pointe Apartments in their maintenance department. He did this until symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis overcame his physical abilities.
Mr. Milleret loved to spend time with Kendra and their daughter Kaitlyn. David was also an art aficionado with a vast knowledge and love for music, film, and literature. In the last few years of his life, the affliction limited his mobility but could not erode the love he held for his friends and family nor did it impact his wonderful sense of humor, which he held on to until the end.
David's partner and care-giver Kendra Mosier, a trained LPN, provided around the clock care, ensuring that Dave was as happy and comfortable as possible as he struggled with Multiple Sclerosis.
Survivors include his partner Kendra Mosier and their daughter Kaitlyn of the home; parents Mark and Melinda Milleret, Linwood; sister Nancy Hultgren and her husband Brice, Commerce City, CO; grandmothers Martha Milleret and Roberta Cain, both of Lawrence.
He is preceded in death by his two grandfathers, L. J. Milleret and Donald Cain.
Memorial contributions may be made to Douglas County Visiting Nurses, sent in care of the funeral home.
Online condolences may be made at rumsey-yost.com
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M. Coleen Tabbert
Services will be at 2:00 p.m. 3/26/2015 at Warren-McElwain. Visitation will be 6-7:30 p.m. 3/25/2015 at the mortuary. http://www.warrenmcelwain.com
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DEREK JAMES ZARDA
Derek James Zarda, 30, of Shawnee, KS, San Francisco, CA, and most recently of New Taipei, Taiwan, passed away January 30, 2015, in Taiwan, from injuries suffered in a fall at his home. His Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 pm, Saturday, March 21, 2015, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 5601 W. 62nd St., Mission, KS 66202 (corner of Shawnee Mission Parkway and Nall Ave). Reception following at the Sylvester Powell, Jr.
Community Center, 6200 Martway, Mission, KS 66202.
Derek was born February 27, 1984, in Merriam, Kansas, the son of Kathy and Dennis (DJ) Zarda. He was raised in Shawnee, Kansas, graduated from Shawnee Mission Northwest High School in 2002, and then went on to graduate from the University of Kansas in 2009 with 2 degrees: BS in Journalism and BA in Film Studies and Theater. While in high school Derek was diagnosed with a chronic disease that flared up from time to time throughout his life, however, it did not hinder him from realizing his many goals and dreams. Derek was an Eagle Scout and was proud to be a warrior in the Tribe of Mic-0-Say. He excelled at soccer
and enjoyed following his teams in the World Cup, and was an avid KU Jayhawk fan As a student at KU, Derek and his friends, Zach and Katey, formed AbleHawks, a student organization to raise awareness of and to advocate for students with both physical and non-
physical disabilities. In 2007, Derek was instrumental in getting KU to obtain a new fleet of ADA-compliant campus buses, so that disabled students could use bus transportation together with the rest of the student body. He was active in the KU Asian American Student Union and was elected President of the group at a time when he was the only non-Asian member. In 2006 Derek was awarded a scholarship from KU to travel to Japan for 3 weeks with the Kansas Asia Scholars. Prior to leaving for Japan, he studied the Japanese language using books and DVD's and used his new language skills while in Japan.
In 2010, Derek moved to San Francisco so that he could be close to his long time sweetheart, Sydney Chang, who he had met and dated while she attended KU, however, she had moved to San Francisco to finish her college degrees. Shortly after his arrival, he became employed with a non-profit association, Independent Living Resource Center San Francisco (ILRCSF), as the Assistive Technology Educator. Derek's passion was making sure people had the
technology they needed to lead independent lives. Jessie Lorenz, the Executive Director at ILRCSF and good friend of Derek's, said that "He had the rare ability to connect with people of all ages, and that although Derek was only 30 years old, he spent the time he had
on this earth making a difference for others. He touched my life and the lives of many and he will always be remembered with great warmth and fondness by all who knew him". Derek also served as a council member and co-chairman of the San Francisco Mayor's Office on Disability.
In November, 2014, Derek moved to Taipei, Taiwan, to live with and marry the love of his life, Sydney, of 11 years. He was working as an English teacher at the TaipeiLanguage Institute.
Derek is and will be greatly missed by all: his smile, quick wit and humor, compassion, love for others and being a best friend to all who knew him. We love him dearly. Derek is survived by his parents, Dennis and Kathy Zarda; sister Heidi Zarda; and brother Christopher Zarda and wife Ashley; nephew Neale Zarda; niece Rowan Zarda; and Sydney Chang; aunts and uncles, cousins, friends, and all who knew him. Derek was predeceased by his grandparents, George and Estelle Gunderson and Norbert and Lucy Zarda; and his cousins Gara Zarda and Donald Zarda. In lieu
of flowers, donations and/or fond memories and condolences may be submitted to Derek Zarda
Memorial Fund, http://www.gofundme.com/DerekZarda. Or may be sent to:13415 West 57th Street,
Shawnee, KS 66216.
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