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
