Romona K. Staus

Romona K. Staus, 82, of Pampa, passed away on January 12, 2015 in Pampa, with her family by her side. Services will be at 2:00 PM Thursday, January 15, 2015 at Memory Gardens Mausoleum, with Rev. Paul Carruth, pastor of Chalice Abbey of Amarillo, and also Mrs. Staus’ nephew, officiating. Entombment will follow in Memory Gardens Mausoleum under the direction of Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors. Mrs. Staus was born December 4, 1932 in Offerle, Kansas to William and Helen Burkhart. She graduated from high school in 1950 at Cheyenne Wells, Colorado. She attended St. Joseph’s School of Nursing in Wichita, Kansas from 1950-1953, graduating as a registered nurse. She worked at the hospital in Lamar, Colorado for a year. Romona married Jim Staus on August 2, 1954, and moved to Pampa that same year. They attended and raised their children at St. Vincent dePaul Catholic Church, where they were very active for many years. Romona worked for a number of doctors in Pampa, Dr. Hampton and Dr. Laycock, to name a couple, and was with Dr. M.C. Overton, Jr., for 15 years. She also worked at both Worley Hospital and Highland General Hospital in Pampa, Hemphill County Hospital in Canadian, Agape Home Health, and also completed insurance exams, finally retiring in 1985. She was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Viola; a son, Harmon in 2003; and her husband Jim in 1981. Survivors include her son, Jimmy Staus and wife Susie of Lake Charles, Louisiana; 2 daughters, Troi Day and husband Rodney and Kelle Staus and companion John Allen, all of Pampa; three sisters, Thelma Weakley and husband Elvin of El Paso, Henrietta Owen of Cheyenne Wells, Colorado, and Willadean Kisner and husband Gaylord of Dodge City, Kansas; two brothers, Elmer Burkhart and wife Donna of Rock Springs, Wyoming, and Ervin Burkhart and wife Connie of Spearville, Kansas; six grandchildren; Derek Staus and wife Elizabeth and Megan Staus, all of Lake Charles, Louisiana, Ryan Staus of Duncan, South Carolina, Dennis Beisaw, Catherine Fitts, and Carson Fitts, all of Edmond, Oklahoma; and five great-grandchildren, Brianna Beisaw and Dylan Beisaw, both of Edmond, Oklahoma, Charles Staus, Adrian Staus and Edgar Staus, all of Lake Charles, Louisiana; along with many nieces and nephews. The family would like to give special thanks to the nurses (RN’s and CNA’s) Shellie, Cassie, April and Linda, and Jennifer, our social worker, and the rest of the staff from Hospice of the Southwest for all your care and love you have shown and given through this difficult time. We would also like to thank Fran Turner (RN) for all her love and support, and extend a special thanks to our girls from Caring Senior Services, Shelbi Cross and Hannah Lake, for all your love and compassion you gave our momma. In lieu of flowers, the family would like for memorials to be made to the Harmon Staus Memorial Endowed Scholarship at Texas Tech College of Agricultural Science and Natural Resources; Pampa Meals on Wheels, P.O. Box 939, Pampa, Texas 79066-0939, or a charity of choice. The family will receive friends at 1901 N. Faulkner in Pampa.