Obituaries

Patricia Geisler Long, formerly of Lansing, passed away in the Memory Care Unit of Sunrise of Lenexa on February 21, 2023, at the age of 77. Pat was retired from teaching at USD 207 and Armed Forces Bank. There will be no service. Donations may be made in Pat’s memory to her favorite volunteer job, the Lansing Comminity Library to purchase children’s books for the Read 1000 Before Kindergarten program.

Thomas Earl Jepson, 99, of Leavenworth County KS, passed away on Wednesday, March 1, 2023 at his home. Thomas was born on December 1, 1923 in Jennings KS to Hans Jepson and Ellen Lucy (Hunter) Jepson.

Rebecca (Becky) Johnson, 85, of Leavenworth, Kan., died February 26, 2023, after a brief illness. A memorial service will be postponed until May 2023, details to be announced. Becky was born January 17, 1938, in Montclair, N.J., daughter of T. Lester and Constance Swander. The family moved to San

Brad Mckinney, 53, was born in Fayetteville, NC. He called Leavenworth home for over 30 years.

Barbara Lee Summers, 77, of Olathe died Saturday, February 25, 2023, at Twin Oaks Health and Rehab. She was born March 7, 1945, in Leavenworth, the daughter of Russell Leroy and Henrietta L.

David William Gates, 79, of Winchester, Kan. passed away Sunday, February 26, 2023, at his home with his wife and son by his side. He was born March 7, 1943, in Leavenworth at St. John’s Hospital, the son of Michael and Emma (Zelfer) Gates of Winchester. On April 16, 1966, David married Donna Teel at St. Lawrence Church in Easton, Kan. David and Donna had their one son, Donald Gates in 1977. David graduated from Maur Hill Prep School in Atchison, Kan. in 1960. He was a farmer for his entire life. He also worked to install fire sprinklers for Century Fire Sprinklers for over 40 years. Even after retirement, David continued to work the family farm. He enjoyed tractor pulls, farm auctions, NASCAR and was a Kansas City Chiefs fan. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Michael; mother- and father-in-law, Donald and Gwynetha Teel; two brothers-in-law, Clarence Ruhlman and Larry Giller; and his sister-in-law, Nancy Teel. David is survived by his wife, Donna; son, Donald (Shawnee, Kan.); sisters, MaryMargret Ruhlman (Prairie Village, Kan.) and Virginia Giller (Manhattan, Kan.); brother, Leslie Gates; sister-in-law, Barbara Gates (Easton, Kan.); brother-in-law, Darrell Teel and wife, Patsy (Pattonsburg, Mo.); sisters-in-law, Janet Teel (Stanberry, Mo.) and JoAnn Anderson (Phillipsburg, Penn.); and many nieces and nephews. A special thank you to Jefferson County Hospice, family, and friends for all their support. Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 1, 2023, at St. Lawrence Church, Easton. Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the church. Burial will follow at St. Lawrence Cemetery.