Rhonda Humble, 1956-2022

Feb 1, 2023

Rhonda Kaye Humble, 66, of Olathe, Kansas, peacefully passed away Sept. 24, 2022, at Olathe Medical Center.

Rhonda was born in Kansas City, Missouri, on Jan. 13, 1956, to Frank Henry Kearney and Frances LaVerne (Huttsell) Kearney. She grew up in Missouri, graduating from Raymore Peculiar High School in 1974. Rhonda went to college for journalism and earned an associates of arts degree from Johnson County Community College. She married Mark Joseph Humble on November 28, 1980, at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Olathe, Kansas.

Rhonda recently retired as publisher and owner of The Gardner (Kansas) News. She had also owned The Spring Hill New Era, Merchandizer, Southwest Journal, Wellsville Globe and The African Voice publications. She received the 2006 Boyd Award; Award of Excellence for column writing, Kansas Press Association’s Lady of the Year Award — Gardner Beta Sigma Pi. Rhonda was Gardner Area Chamber of Commerce president, 1991; Kansas Press Association president, 2001, and Southwest Johnson County Economic Development Council president. She was part owner of Whiskey River Dance Hall & Saloon in Olathe. She was a key supporter of The Bank of Knowledge Library, Edgerton. She worked tirelessly to get free metro phone service locally. She taught people to think and defend their point of view.

Her hobbies included visiting with friends, genealogy, tarot card reading, playing Scrabble (nationally ranked) and dominoes. Rhonda’s most valued time was spent being with her family, especially her two grandchildren. She will be remembered as a very caring person with a big heart, someone who helped many people when they were struggling.

Rhonda is survived by her son Brandon Mark Francis Humble and his wife, Katherine Elizabeth (Leckner) Humble; grandchildren Grace Francis Anne Humble and Vaughn Mark Kearney Humble, and many nieces and nephews and numerous lifelong friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and LaVerne Kearney; husband, Mark Humble, and brother, Mike Kearney.

Visitation was held Oct. 15 at Bruce Funeral Home in Gardner.

Private family graveside service immediately followed.

Memorial contributions may be made to:

Bank of Knowledge Library, 319 E. Nelson, Edgerton, KS 66021 or Unity Village, 1901 NW Blue Parkway, Unity Village, MO 64065

Condolences may be left at https://www.brucefuneralhome.com/.