Rossetta M. Johnson Lawson

Memorial services for Rosetta M. “Rose” Johnson Lawson, 81, Lawrence will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, May 17, 2013 at Warren-McElwain Mortuary in Lawrence. She died Tuesday, May 14, 2013 at her home.
Rose was born on March 18, 1932 in Burlington, KS the daughter of Howard A. and Ruth L. (Howard) Johnson. She married Robert “Gene” Lawson on February 14, 1953 in Eureka Springs, AR. He preceded her in death March 23, 1986. They lived in Alaska from 1957 to 1971. After moving to Lawrence in 1971 Rose and Gene operated the Kerr McGee gas station at 9th & Illinois until 1981. She then worked in concessions at the University of Kansas until she retired in 1996.
After retiring, Rose continued to help at the KU football and basketball games. She was a volunteer at the Lawrence Visitor’s Center and an usher at the Lied Center of Kansas where she was the volunteer of the year in 2012 and the award was named in her honor. She was the recipient of the Phoenix Award in 2011.
In her spare time she enjoyed gambling, yard work and baking.
Survivors include one daughter, Regina “Gina” Santaularia, Colorado Springs, CO; one son, Barry Lawson, Olathe, KS; five grandchildren, Peter, Christopher, Nicholas, Alexandra, Matthew; two great grandchildren, Brayden Grae, Gianna; three sisters, Luella Malloy, Wichita, KS, Elizabeth McGee, Burlington, KS, Darlene Smith, Westphalia, KS; and one brother, Howard A. Johnson, Wichita, KS. She was also preceded in death by her parents; and one son, Brian Lawson on December 10, 1960.
The family suggests memorials in her name to the Education Fund at the Lied Center of Kansas, 1600 Stewart Dr., Lawrence, KS 66045 or may be sent in care of the mortuary.
Online condolences may be sent to www.warrenmcelwain.com.