Kent Lapham

Kent Albee Lapham, 76, of Russell, Kansas, died on Thursday, May 28, 2015, at the Russell Regional Hospital in Russell.
Kent was born on July 11, 1938 in Caledonia, Minnesota, the son of Grant T. and Mabel C. (Albee) Lapham.  He grew up on the Portland Prairie area near Eitzen, Minnesota and graduated from Caledonia High School in 1956. He graduated from the University of Minnesota with an Associates in Mortuary Science. He met, fell in love and was united in marriage to Lois Ann Ostermann on June 26, 1960 in Henderson, Minnesota.  Kent and Lois lived in many different areas of the country including Anoka, Minnesota; Douglas, Wyoming; Sacramento, California; and Fairbanks, Alaska. He owned Stark-Lapham Funeral Home in Douglas, Wyoming and Glenrock mortuary in Glenrock, Wyoming and also served as the Converse County Coroner. They eventually made their permanent home in Russell, Kansas in January 2000 when they took over the Russell and Plainville Funeral Homes.  Kent was a licensed funeral director and embalmer and retired from the business in 2008. He was a member of the Trinity United Methodist Church in Russell, and active participant of the United Methodist Men. Over his lifetime he was active in many organizations including the Kansas Funeral Directors Association, Rotary Club, Shrine Club, Masonic Lodge, Eastern Star, served as president for the Douglas Area Chamber of Commerce, Lions Club, 4-H, and a Master Gardner. In 2014 he was presented with his 50 year pin for Masons and Eastern Star.  He enjoyed fishing, hunting, gardening, traveling, photography and was a toy tractor collector.  Most of all he enjoyed spending time with his family, friends and members of his community.
Surviving family include his wife of 55 years, Lois of the home, daughters, Heather Jarvi and husband, Jim, of Overland Park, Kansas; and Heidi Whitehurst and husband, Keith, of Olathe, Kansas; sister, Eileen Felton and husband, Gilbert, of Northfield, Minnesota; sister-in-law Mary Ellen Lapham of Caledonia, Minnesota; and two grandchildren, Emilia Anne and Joshua James Jarvi.
He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Lyle L. Lapham.
A celebration of Kent’s life will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, June 2, at Trinity United Methodist Church in Russell, with Pastor John Thompson officiating.  Burial and graveside service will take place at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, June 4, at the Portland Prairie Cemetery near Caledonia, Minnesota. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday, June 1 at the mortuary with family to greet guests from 6 to 7 p.m. Monday evening. Memorials may be given to the Kent Albee Lapham Memorial Fund and sent in care of Southwind Bank, PO Box 433, Russell KS 67664. Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.