In Memory Of
Elwanda R. Sewell
1928
2013
Elwanda R. Sewell
April 4, 1928 — June 7, 2013
Elwanda Rose Sewell, 85, of Topeka, died on Friday, June 7, 2013 at her residence.
She was born April 4, 1928 in Sabetha, KS to John O. and Zelda (Yoder) Maynard. Elwanda attended Summit Grade School and graduated from Sabetha High School in 1945 and she received a certificate of graduation from Kansas City Secretarial School of K.C., MO, and then began 38 years of state employment in Topeka.
Her hobbies through the years were roller skating, embroidering, crocheting, sewing, and mending, reading and writing poetry, gardening, singing and traveling. In addition, she loved her Maltese Poodle, Jenny Lee. Elwanda was definitely a people person.
She married William C. Laidler in 1947; they were divorced. She and Clifford J. Sewell, the love of her life, were married June 1, 1968; he died December 5, 1987. Elwanda later enjoyed a close friendship with Gilbert Roduner for 15 ½ years; he died in January of 2007.
Mrs. Sewell was an active member of the New Hope United Methodist Church, serving as Trustee and on other committees. She thoroughly enjoyed being a choir member. She was a member of ICT (International Center of Topeka, Inc.), Friends of the Library as well as Saturday Women's Connection.
Her volunteer work included Ronald McDonald House, the Olive Branch store and 11 years at Washburn International House teaching English to the foreign born.
Survivors include her daughter, Janice M. (Jim) Murray, Beloit, KS; a son, Mark A. (Carol) Laidler, Belton, TX; one granddaughter, Courtney (Josh) Brewer, Temple, TX; three step-grandchildren, Heather (Shawn)Vann, Woodbridge, VA; Charity Casey, Belton, TX; Corey Casey, San Marcus, TX; three step-great-grandsons, Hunter, Chandler, and Kalon Vann all of Woodbridge, VA. She is also survived by many beloved nieces and nephews. Preceding her in death were her parents, four sisters and brothers-in-law and a brother and precious sister-in-law.
Services will be held at 10 a.m., Tuesday, June 11, 2013 at New Hope United Methodist Church, 2915 W. 8th St., Topeka. Interment will follow at West Lawn Memorial Gardens, Topeka. Mrs. Sewell will lie in state after 3 p.m., on Monday at Penwell-Gabel Mid-Town Chapel, 1321 SW 10th Ave, Topeka where the family will receive friends from 6 – 8 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made either to Elwanda's Food Pantry c/o New Hope United Methodist Church, 2915 W. 8th Street, Topeka, KS 66606 or to Helping Hands Humane Society, 5720 SW 21st Street, Topeka, KS 66604.
To share memories of Elwanda or leave a special condolence message for her family, please visit the guestbook below.
She was born April 4, 1928 in Sabetha, KS to John O. and Zelda (Yoder) Maynard. Elwanda attended Summit Grade School and graduated from Sabetha High School in 1945 and she received a certificate of graduation from Kansas City Secretarial School of K.C., MO, and then began 38 years of state employment in Topeka.
Her hobbies through the years were roller skating, embroidering, crocheting, sewing, and mending, reading and writing poetry, gardening, singing and traveling. In addition, she loved her Maltese Poodle, Jenny Lee. Elwanda was definitely a people person.
She married William C. Laidler in 1947; they were divorced. She and Clifford J. Sewell, the love of her life, were married June 1, 1968; he died December 5, 1987. Elwanda later enjoyed a close friendship with Gilbert Roduner for 15 ½ years; he died in January of 2007.
Mrs. Sewell was an active member of the New Hope United Methodist Church, serving as Trustee and on other committees. She thoroughly enjoyed being a choir member. She was a member of ICT (International Center of Topeka, Inc.), Friends of the Library as well as Saturday Women's Connection.
Her volunteer work included Ronald McDonald House, the Olive Branch store and 11 years at Washburn International House teaching English to the foreign born.
Survivors include her daughter, Janice M. (Jim) Murray, Beloit, KS; a son, Mark A. (Carol) Laidler, Belton, TX; one granddaughter, Courtney (Josh) Brewer, Temple, TX; three step-grandchildren, Heather (Shawn)Vann, Woodbridge, VA; Charity Casey, Belton, TX; Corey Casey, San Marcus, TX; three step-great-grandsons, Hunter, Chandler, and Kalon Vann all of Woodbridge, VA. She is also survived by many beloved nieces and nephews. Preceding her in death were her parents, four sisters and brothers-in-law and a brother and precious sister-in-law.
Services will be held at 10 a.m., Tuesday, June 11, 2013 at New Hope United Methodist Church, 2915 W. 8th St., Topeka. Interment will follow at West Lawn Memorial Gardens, Topeka. Mrs. Sewell will lie in state after 3 p.m., on Monday at Penwell-Gabel Mid-Town Chapel, 1321 SW 10th Ave, Topeka where the family will receive friends from 6 – 8 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made either to Elwanda's Food Pantry c/o New Hope United Methodist Church, 2915 W. 8th Street, Topeka, KS 66606 or to Helping Hands Humane Society, 5720 SW 21st Street, Topeka, KS 66604.
To share memories of Elwanda or leave a special condolence message for her family, please visit the guestbook below.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Elwanda R. Sewell, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Visitation
Monday, June 10, 2013
6:00 - 8:00 pm (Central time)
Penwell-Gabel - Mid-Town Chapel
Service
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
Starts at 10:00 am (Central time)
New Hope United Methodist Church
Guestbook
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