June 28, 1941 - September 07, 2022

Judy Kay Purdum, age 81, of Topeka, passed away peacefully on September 7^th, 2022.

She was born on June 28^th, 1941 in Osage City, Kansas. Judy was the daughter of Glen & Norma (Karnes) Jones.

She married Donald Purdum on April 30^th, 1971; they later divorced but remained close friends. Judy loved antique and thrift shopping. She was also an avid collector of roosters. She was always willing to give a helping hand to anyone she could, including dogsitting her granddogs.

Survivors include four children; Tammy (John) Mawson, Michael Golla, Tammy (Jeff) Parker, and Bonnie Brown; one brother, Ray Jones; eight grandchildren, Kyrstin Talley, Cody (Tina) Purdum, Jennifer Mawson, Sarah Mawson, Cherise Bowers, Jonathan Parker, Jenny Parker, and Jason Parker; and 8 great grandchildren.

Judy is preceded in death by her parents, sister Glenetta Davis, and brother Ronnie Jones.

A Celebration of Life will be held on October 15^th from 4-6 pm at The Milestone Market located at 3935 NW 25^th Street, Topeka, KS 66618.

March 22, 1941 - September 30, 2022

Patricia Faye (Cook) Welch, 81, died September 30, 2002, after a nearly 3-year battle with Goodpasture Syndrome.  She is survived by her husband Ron, daughters Debra (Mike) Matavosky and Cheryl Roosevelt, son George (Jamie), brother George (Nancy) Cook, 10 grandchildren, and 14 great grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by her parents George and Nira Faye (Clements) Cook, brother Stephen, and grandson Aaron Roosevelt.

Pat was a 1959 graduate of Hayden High School and retired from Southwestern Bell Telephone as Manager of Official Calling Services.  She was a Mary Kay consultant for over 30 years and achieved director level during that time.

A breast cancer survivor who loved to read, Pat also enjoyed travel.  She visited many European and Caribbean countries, numerous Canadian provinces, and 48 of 50 states.  She had hoped to visit the last two (Oregon and Idaho) before being stricken with the rare kidney and lung disorder.

A private family service will be held at a later date.  Should you wish to honor Pat’s memory, the family suggests contributions to the Capper Foundation in her name.

Michael Lane Artzer
Of Topeka ,Ks
passed away at the local Hospital
October 15,1977 - September 14,2022

He was survived by his parents Montie Elaine Drotts Essman & Rickey Wayne Essman of Oak Grove ,Mo. Three sisters Michelle Artzer Snow (Kevin) Roberta Essman Hovey (Braden) Erika Essman One brother Christopher Essman Two Nieces Tara Gibbs ,Delaney Hovey three nephews Hunter Gibbs ,Arron Gibbs, Trenton Hovey and one great niece Arabella Cheesman and one grandmother Ellen Essman.

Michael attended Pinnacle Career institute where he received his degrees in Hvac ,applied science in Electronics all with honors, when Michael was not working or lending a helping hand he was fishing, camping, Bbq or traveling around . Michael was preceded in death by his grandparents Martha "Jane" Drotts and Norman "Shorty" Drotts and Lodell Essman.  Michael had requested that there be no services on his behalf. Family asks that donations be made to the your charity choice .

January 30, 1961 - August 29, 2022

A Remembrance of Life will be held for Gary Gordon Wade, 63, of Carbondale/Topeka, Kansas, at West Lawn Cemetery on the day of Saturday, September 24th, 2022 at 11:00am. Gary G. Wade passed away August 29th, 2022 at 12:40pm from natural causes. The family will proceed with his wishes of being cremated and place his remains at West Lawn Cemetery, near
his mother and brother. All family and friends that would like to pay respect and share any memories of Gary are welcomed.

Gary G. Wade was born in Topeka, KS on January 30th, 1961 to parents, Edna Mae Wade (Coffman) and Robert Gary Wade, Sr. Gary is preceded in death by his mother, Edna Mae Wade, Grandmother Marguerite Coffman, and brother Gregory W. Wade. Gary is survived by his father, Robert G. Wade, 88, of Carbondale, KS and siblings, Diana L. Celland, 65, of Lydon; Delena M. VanVleck, 57, of Carbondale; Robert G. Wade, Jr., 58, of Carbondale; Michael T. Wade, 56, of Topeka; and Tammy Harmen, 60, of Ohio. Gary is also survived by his son, Dustin Olblander, 43 of Topeka, and 3 grandchildren, Allicea, Blayne, and Cray. He is also survived by 6 nieces and 6 nephews, and 11 great nieces and 6 great nephews.

Mary L. Bova, 92, of Lawrence, KS passed away on September 13, 2022. Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Gene. She is survived by her daughter, Jeanne (Bill), John (Sharri), Matt (Linda) Joe (Joan); and 14 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. 

Mary was the middle of Paul and Vina Allie’s 13 children, all of whom preceded her in death.  She grew up in Saint Paul, MN and later moved to Kansas with her husband and family. She loved gardening and always generously shared her bounty.  She was a wonderful and adventurous cook who welcomed all to sit at the table - or help themselves to the refrigerator. Mary also loved fishing, both with her husband, Gene, and with her many grandchildren, who she delighted in teaching. In her later years she was stricken with macular degeneration and then Alzheimer’s, handling both with strength and grace. Her family was of utmost importance to her and she has left a lasting legacy of priceless memories. 

A small, private family service will be scheduled. Should you wish to honor Mary’s memory, the family suggests the following: organizations that support the visually impaired (particularly macular degeneration), organizations that support the welfare of children (https://www.eudoraschoolsfoundation.org/ if needing a recommendation), or National Public Radio.

April 22, 1959 - September 12, 2022

  Karen JoAnn Snyder, 63, of Topeka died on Monday, September 12, 2022 due to complications from chronic illness.  

   She was born on  April 22, 1959 in Hutchinson, KS the daughter of Kenneth D. and Marlene Snyder.  Karen graduated from Buhler High School and earned an Associate of Arts Degree from Hutchinson Community Junior College and was employed as a legal assistant.  

   She enjoyed working on crafts and loved caring for animals.  Karen volunteered as an animal care giver at Carey Park Zoo in Hutchinson.  

   She is preceded in death by her parents.  Karen is survived by her brothers Bret (Hutchinson) and Brad and sister-in-law, Jolene Snyder, of Topeka and nieces Michelle Freeman (Snyder), of Boston, MA, Melinda Snyder, of St. Louis, MO and nephew Matthew Snyder, of Dallas, TX. Karen is a great aunt to eight nieces and nephews.

   A memorial graveside service will take place at 11 am on Thursday, September 29, 2022 at Fairlawn Cemetery, Hutchinson, KS.  Memorial contributions may be made to Helping Hands Humane Society Inc. 5720 SW 21st Street, Topeka, KS 66604 https://www.hhhstopeka.org or American Diabetes Association, PO Box 7023, Merrifield, Virginia 22116-7023 https://www.diabetes.org or Friends of the Topeka Zoo or Wichita Zoo.

October 2, 1957 - August 31, 2022

Rickey Reuidene Belshe was born on October 2nd 1957 to Jeanette Marie Belshe and William Thomas Belshe in Emporia Kansas. He had one younger brother Claude William Belshe.  He attended school in Hartford where he excelled in wrestling, football, and basketball.  Rickey spent most of his youth in the care of his Grandparents in Americus.  When his grandparents purchased the restaurant in Hartford they moved next door and Rick really enjoyed his time there helping in the kitchen.  Rick would say his high school years were the best time of his life. After graduation he began his long career in concrete with Duane Barrett Concrete where he quickly grew a close relationship with his boss Duane and became lifelong friends.  He dabbled in work with the railroad and the power plant, but soon returned to work with concrete as this was his life long career.  During this time he was briefly married to Kristy then divorced.  He then married Cheryl Kershner on September 7th, 1984,  they then moved to Topeka to build a new life together.  Rick began working with Conroy Concrete, and shortly after started his long term career with Concrete Unlimited.  He was life long friends with Perry Marney the owner.  Cheryl and Rick were then blessed with a daughter Hannah. Even with the many differences he and his daughter faced he loved her dearly. Although he divorced Cheryl in April of 2002, they remained close. After meeting Lora Frick he moved to Dover and was married for a short time.  He then returned to Topeka and began rekindling his relationship with Cheryl and spent a majority of his final years with her.  He was then blessed with a granddaughter Brielle, who was the light of his world.  His only wishes were to give her the world.  In 2020 he was diagnosed with liver cancer and Cheryl took care of him at his home until he was physically disabled.  He then moved to Topeka Centers, where he enjoyed visits from his mother Jeanette, partner Cheryl, grand daughter Brielle, brother Claude, and family friend Bailey.  He loved his snacks of shrimp rings, cheese crackers, and coke, and watched a lot of football.  He passed away peacefully in his sleep on August 31st, 2022. A Celebration of Life will be held at Forest Park located at 3158 SE 10th St, Topeka, KS 66607 on September 24, 2022 from 1pm-3pm in the Hickory Hall.  Snacks and drinks will be served.