Louise M. Graybill

Louise M. Graybill born September 11, 1918 in Topeka, Kansas was the only child of Ralph and Maurine Smith. Raised in Topeka, she graduated from Topeka High School and attended Washburn University where she participated in women’s field hockey and was active in Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority. She met her future husband, Shelley, and they married shortly after his graduation from Law School. Louise spent the war years tending to three of her four children while Shelley served in the Army in Europe. In 1946 the family relocated to Elkhart, Kansas where her fourth child was born and where she spent the balance of her life.

Louise was active in many civic and social organizations including the Elkhart United Methodist Church, Morton County Hospital Auxiliary, VFW Auxiliary, women’s golf association, and several bridge clubs. She was instrumental in the development of a youth swimming program, a youth bowling program, little league baseball, as well as cub scouts and brownie scouts. In her later years she as active in senior citizens affairs including helping establish a senior center and managing the Morton County housing units. She was honored as women of the year by the Elkhart Area Chamber of Commerce and the Morton County Historical Society. In her spare time she was an avid golfer and bridge player.

Louise left this life on March 24, 2011 and was preceded in that journey by both her parents, her husband Shelley, grandson Stephan Graybill. She is survived by her four children, son Jacob Graybill and wife Susan of Wichita, Kansas, daughter Nancy Carroll and husband Sam of Colorado Springs, Colorado, son James Graybill of Houston, Texas, son Bill Graybill and wife Janet of Elkhart and Lawrence, Kansas; nine grandchildren, Mary Jane and husband Jeff of Fairway, Kansas, Grant Graybill of Wichita, Kansas, Tracy Graybill of Kansas City, Ryan Graybill of Queens, New York, Zach Graybill of College Station, Texas, Nathan Graybill of Arlington, Texas, Kellie Graybill of Denver, Colorado, Jennifer Filla and husband Ed of Monument, Colorado, Matthew Carroll and wife Erin of St. Charles, Missouri; four great-grandchildren, Kylie Graybill of Conroe, Texas, Lauren and Katelyn Filla of Monument, Colorado, Zoe Carroll of St. Charles, Missouri, and a host of friends.

While she will be dearly missed she leaves this life deeply loved by her family, liked and respected by friends, and having experienced the joy of both a hole in one and a 13 spade bridge hand. It does not get much better than that.

Graveside service will be held 10:30 AM, Monday, March 28, 2011 at Elkhart Cemetery with Pastor Bruce Ferguson officiating. Friends may call Sunday, March 27, 2011 from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM at Garnand Funeral Home, Elkhart, Kansas. In Lieu of flowers memorials may be given to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation in care of Garnand Funeral Home, PO Box 854, Elkhart, Kansas 67950.