Elaine Sehon Taylor, 91, gently passed on April 9, 2015. Elaine was preceded in death by her husband Charles Taylor, Jr.; two brothers, Duane and Russ Sehon; and granddaughters, Shelley, and Chelsea Zwirek. She is survived by her children; Nancy Shivers (Robert), San Antonio; Jo Ann Renning (Allen), Laguna Niguel, Ca; Charles Taylor, III (Debi), Lawrence; Kathy Taylor Mitchell, Lawrence; and Marilyn Zwirek, Houston. Eleven grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren also survive.
The family wishes to extend gratitude to her daughter, Kathy; granddaughter, Brenna Wulfkuhle, and special friend, Dianne Throop for their unwavering attention to Elaine.
Elaine came to life February 7, 1924, in Lecompton, KS, to Candace and Frank Sehon. She grew up in Lawrence, KS, graduating from Liberty Memorial High School in 1942. Her knowledge of Lawrence history is unparalleled. Elaine attended Kansas University, worked for Chancellor Snow in Frazier Hall, also learning to shoot rifles in Frazier Hall basement . She worked as secretary for the Department of Defense in Washington, D.C. Marriage to Charles Taylor in 1947 followed with life on the farm near Lakeview, raising five children while tending to newborn lambs and calves in her kitchen. Elaine was adult leader for Sunflower 4-H Club and took five members sponsored by the Rotary Club to a national leadership program in Washington, D.C. She also squired Lawrence High Debate teams to tournaments in Kansas and Missouri.
Friends, family and farm workers were privileged to sit at her dinner table for scrumptious home cooked meals. Elaine made time to work for the Douglas County Election Board and in 1960, the U.S. Census Board.
Minervian Club of the Lakeview area was her passion, as was La Sertoma, then the Phoenix Club which she started.
Children scattered through the U.S., Elaine began traveling again to Virginia Beach, San Antonio, Houston, and California to visit her brood. Elaine took it upon herself to volunteer at the Lawrence Visitors Center at the Union Pacific Depot. Traveling to Ireland, Paris, London, and numerous bus trips throughout the U.S. was of great enjoyment. First Presbyterian Church, Autumn Club, Pilot’s Club, Douglas County and Lecompton Historical Society, and Kanwaka Literary Club were on her list of memberships. Attending sales in search of antique toys and sad irons was of delight. Mothering and dispensing knowledge and advice never ceased to the day of her passing. Elaine’s mother appeared as a cardinal upon Elaine’s passing to lead her home. Wow, what a ride.
Memorials to Ronald McDonald Charities of NE Kansas should be sent to Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, 601 Indiana, Lawrence, KS 66044.
Online condolences may be sent at rumsey-yost.com
Jo,
So sorry to hear of your Moms passing! She and my Mom were in the same clubs together throughout the years. I will keep your family in my prayers!
The loss of your mother, Weston’s great grandmother was a loss to all of you. I’m just so glad that they touched each other this Easter.
My thoughts and prayers are with your entire family.
The loss of a mother, no matter how old is still so difficult to realize, she’s not on the other end of the phone.
She is now at peace in her everlasting home with God. She will always be a Angel looking after all her family and friends.
Praying for the entire Taylor family in this time of need.
I loved this lady, her farm, and her family! I spent many weekends as a child being nurtured and well fed by Elaine while I learned the duty of farm chores with her energetic, youngest daughter Marilyn. Some of my favorite memories are drinking fresh cows milk, climbing the hay bales (when Charles was not watching), bringing in the cows, hauling buckets of feed to the feed troughs, collecting chicken eggs, washing black angus for the 4-H fair, and feeding the twin lambs in the kitchen! I could go on and on! Thank you, Elaine, for making the texture of my childhood richer and more colorful. I felt your love and care and it meant a lot to me.
We would like to give our condolences to Marilyn & Chuck as well as the Taylor family at this sad time. Thinking of you, Mike & Michele Garrett.
I am so very sorry to hear that Mrs. Taylor passed away. I have had the pleasure of meeting her years ago. My heart goes to Marilyn and Kathy, special to my heart, and who I have been blessed to know. My love and my heart are with you always.
Merrie Ross
Taylor Family,
Truly sorry to hear about the loss of Elaine. Sending thoughts & Prayers your way.
God Bless
The Tuckel Family & The Wolford’s
What a remarkable life she led. Condolences to her family from the Blevins family. We feel we’ve been blessed to have had her and her family as neighbors for many years.
I am so sorry to hear of Elaine’s passing. So many memories from when we lived at Lakeview and Sunflower 4-H Club. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Mary Trybom
Love, thoughts, and prayers are shared with all of the family and especially to my precious, forever friend, Kathy! You followed your heart and God as you cared for your Mom, Kathy. Be at peace with her transition home to be with the Lord – you shared love, care, and time with your Mom, and gave your best. She is dancing in the streets of gold with her Lord. It is time to rest, my friend and be at peace you have helped her into glory land.
Love you!
Jan
i am so sorry for your loss! What a fascinating life she had!
Chuck,and family. I saddened to learn of your moms passing. She was a outstanding lady. I can remember being with my Aunt Dora when I was little, and stopping at the house to visit her. She can now serve on all the committees up above with Charlie. God bless your family.
sorry to hear of Elaine’s death,she leaves behind a lot of great memories. All the way from Breakfast in the kitchen with a couple of new born lambs to Sundays with your folks & Mary Ann & I going to a flea market. Then trying to decide on the way home from that flea Market who got the best deal on our unneeded items.
She lived life to the fullest
Earl Van Meter
Elaine will always be in my heart she was a wonderful friend, she will be missed.
To the entire ‘brood’ – so sorry to hear of Elaine’s passing. She will be sorely missed for her humor and words of wisdom in our Minervian Club gatherings.
Thinking of you all during this sad time…
Valerie Farley Moreau