Eva Elaine (Cook) Alexander passed away on October 23, 2021 at Legend at Capital Ridge in Topeka, KS. She was born Jan. 8, 1927 in Sumner, MO., the daughter of Fred Lindsey and Eva Adeline Davis Cook.
After graduating from Chula, MO. High School, she was employed by the Chillicothe Constitution Tribune Newspaper as Society Editor. Elaine married Charles Ray Alexander Aug. 18, 1946 in Chillicothe, MO. Charles' work with Southwestern Bell Telephone Co. took them to Salina, Manhattan and their last home in Topeka, KS. Elaine and Charles had four children: Barbara, Susan, Michael and Philip.
In 1971 Elaine began employment with Washburn University Business and Physical Plant office; she retired in 1992 after 21 years. She was honored with the designation of "Eminentes Universitatis", an honor given to administrative employees with 20 years or more of employment, who retired in good standing and who have performed their assigments meritoriously, as judged by the employee's Department Head, Area Head and President of the University.
Elaine loved playing golf and played at courses around Kansas and other states with her husband and friends. She belonged to Cypress Ridge Golf Course and The Women's Golf Assoc. She also enjoyed playing cards, reading mysteries, sewing, gardening and was a member of the WU Retired Secretaries Luncheon Group and Trinity Presbyterian Church. Charles and Elaine enjoyed dancing and belonged to several Dance Clubs. After Charles retirement, they enjoyed traveling, visiting places of interest around the country and in Canada.
She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, three sisters: Mary W. Buck, Frances L. Crowe and O. Fern Long, and two brothers: Hugh E. Cook and Fred L. Cook.
Elaine is survived by two daughters: Barbara K. Alexander (Leroy) Johnson, Hutchinson, KS; Susan E. (Guy) Andreoni, Edwardsville, IL; two sons: Michael L. (Vicki) Alexander, Lawrence, KS. and Philip G. Alexander, Topeka, KS.; grandchildren: Andrea Johnson, Trisha Johnson (John Evertson), Briton Avis, Cassidy (John) Gianforte, Kyle Andreoni, Christopher Andreoni, Sean (Angela) Alexander, Derick Alexander; one great grandchild, Isobel Alexander and several nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held October 29, Friday, at the Penwell Gabel Funeral Home, 1321 SW 10th Ave., from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. followed by a graveside service officiated by Pastor Meredith Kent-Pappan, at West Lawn Memorial Gardens, 820 SW Auburn Rd.
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