Richard Robert Elstun

Richard Robert Elstun, 65, of Lyons, Kansas, passed away July 31, 2025, at Hospital District #1 of Rice County, Lyons. He was born January 22, 1960, in Lyons, the son of Walter and Irene (DeForest) Elstun. Richard was a lifetime Lyons resident. He graduated from Lyons High School, with the class of 1978, and received his associate degree in nursing from Hutchinson Community College. Richard was a registered nurse at Hospital District #1 of Rice County, retiring in June of 2016. From 1979-2003, he was a welder, maintenance supervisor, mill supervisor for North American Salt and Compass Minerals Salt. Richard attended the Church of the Nazarene, Lyons. He enjoyed guns, fishing, loved watching “Gun Smoke”, was a car enthusiast, and most of all telling nurses what to do. On October 19, 1984, Richard was united in marriage with Susan Monroe in Lyons. Richard is survived by his wife, Susan Elstun of Lyons, KS; son, Jacob Elstun and significant other Francisco Ponce of Lyons, KS; two daughters, Jessica Cunningham and husband Brent of Glen Elder, KS, and Mandy Coon and fiancé Michael of Overland Park, KS; brother, Walter Elstun and wife Vicki of Council Grove, KS; three sisters, Ellen Eaves and husband Joe of Garden City, MO, Susan Gross of Lyons, KS, and Betty Jo Elstun-Cochran and husband Vincent of Fairbanks, AK; two brothers-in-law, Douglas Monroe of Glen Elder, KS, and David Monroe and wife Barbara of Franklin, KY; and nine grandchildren, Morgan Elstun, William Poe, Allison Poe, Tatum Elstun, Drew Cunningham and wife Adrina, Tanna Cunningham, Bailee Cunningham, and Alexa Elstun. Richard is preceded in death by his parents; son, Nicholas Elstun; brother, Sam Elstun Sr.; and sister, Billie Jean Elstun. Funeral service will be at 11:00 A.M., Monday, August 4, 2025, at Birzer Funeral Home, Lyons, with Pastor Cody Fears officiating. Burial will follow at the Geneseo Cemetery, Geneseo. Visitation will be from 10:00 A.M. until service time at the funeral home. Memorials may be given to the National Kidney Foundation or Reno County Hospice in care of Birzer Funeral Home, Lyons.

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