Anita Loraine Elder

Flossie (Atherton) Drake on Thursday, September 6, 1923, in Ottawa, Franklin County, Kansas. She was raised from infancy by Hiram and Elizabeth (Drake) Browning, who officially adopted her in 1981. A lifelong resident, Loraine made her home in Ottawa until her death on Saturday, August 11, 2007, at the age of eighty-three years. Loraine graduated from Ottawa High School with the class of 1941. She worked from 1952 until 1972 as a clerk and bookkeeper for Brown's Hardware, and thirteen years as payroll clerk for H. D. Lee, retiring in 1985. Loraine was a member of First Christian Church, Home Builders Sunday School class, and later the Wifani Sunday School class, NARFE, and Elmgrove Homemaker's Unit. Loraine was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, who loved spending time with her family and visiting with her many friends. An excellent seamstress, she enjoyed sewing, creating various craft items, and caring for her garden. Following her retirement, Loraine became more active in her Church and Homemaker's Unit. On January 1, 1944, Loraine was united in marriage with John Calvert Elder in Baldwin, Kansas. He survives of the home. She is also survived by three granddaughters, Trisha Lynn Kaub and her husband, Dan, of Ottawa, Traci Ann Martin and her husband, Mike, of Lubbock, Texas, Tori Sue Wilson and her husband, Russ, of Ottawa; grandson, Timothy Allen Wolfe and his wife, Cindy, of Olathe, Kansas; ten great-grandchildren, Levi, Tyler and Zachery Kaub, of Ottawa, Seth, Audrey and Jared Martin, of Lubbock, Texas, Christian and Travis Wolfe, of Olathe, Kansas, Kelsi and David Wilson, of Ottawa; and daughter-in-law, Carolyn Elder, of Ottawa. Mrs. Elder is preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Sandra Jewell Wolfe; two sons, John Calvert Elder, Jr., Hiram D. 'Bud' Elder; and brother, Don Drake. SERVICES: Funeral services will be held at First Christian Church in Ottawa at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, August 15, 2007. IN STATE: Friends may pay their respects to Mrs. Elder from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Tuesday at Dengel & Son Mortuary, where the family will meet with friends 7 to 8:00 Tuesday evening. CEMETERY: Greenwood Cemetery in Franklin County. MEMORIALS: The family suggests memorials to Ottawa Senior Center, Inc. and First Christian Church for the Christian Education Fund, c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067. Condolences may be e-mailed to the family through dengelmortuary@sbcglobal.net.