In Memory Of
Lorraine Catherine Chandlee
1930
2024
Lorraine Catherine Chandlee
February 8, 1930 — July 27, 2024
Lorraine Catherine Heitert-Chandlee, who grew up listening to FDR's fireside chats, witnessed the attack on Pearl Harbor, the Vietnam War, Neil Armstrong's moon walk, and the first personal computer, passed on July 27, 2024, in Topeka, Kansas. She was 94 years old. Lorraine was a mother, grandmother, and great grandmother to three daughters, four grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.
Lorraine was born on February 8, 1930 in St. Louis, Missouri to Lillian Smith Heitert (1909-1997) and William L. Heitert (1907-1980). She was the oldest of five siblings. Lorraine was married to Richard “Dick” Kenneth Chandlee (1924-2005) for 56 years, until his death in 2005.
Lorraine was a stay-at-home mom, raising their three daughters: Debbie Chandlee of Washougal, Washington; Donna Casement of Topeka, Kansas, and Denise German of Camdenton, Missouri. A fourth daughter, Diane, passed at birth in 1955. The family grew up in Springfield, Missouri, Overland Park, Kansas, and Louisburg, Kansas.
When the family moved to Louisburg, Lorraine became involved in multiple community projects, including the Miami County Hospital Auxiliary and the Miami County Mental Health Association, where she was selected their “Outstanding Volunteer” for 1976. For many years Lorraine was Louisburg’s blood donor coordinator and was a multi-gallon donor.
Lorraine was chosen Louisburg’s Woman of the Year for 1976-77 and was the story time lady for hundreds of kindergartners at Louisburg Library and Circle Grove Elementary School. Lorraine also facilitated a safe shelter for women in need and volunteered to help hospice patrons.
In her spare time Lorraine received her GED, having left school as a 14-year-old to help with the war effort, and made straight A’s during her two-years at Johnson County Community College. Lorraine was a voracious reader, watched world events and kept up on the latest in politics.
Upon Dick’s retirement the couple traveled, visiting Europe on multiple occasions. She also spent time with her grandchildren, babysitting and taking them on excursions that always provided colorful and funny stories retold decades down the road.
Lorraine is survived by her younger brother Bobby Heitert of Imperial, Missouri, her three daughters (mentioned above), two granddaughters, Lynn Lewis-Evans (Clint) of Byers, Colorado; Heather German-Bill (Bill) of Ft. Worth, Texas; and her two grandsons Ryan German (Jennifer) of Camdenton Missouri; and Daniel Casement (Whitney) of Topeka, Kansas. Preceding her death are two sisters Lillian Tosie and Ellen Brown, and a brother Billy.
Lorraine has five great-grandchildren: Caleb Phillips, Taylor and Bailey Bill of Ft. Worth, Texas; Chandlee German of Camdenton, Missouri; and Mazie Casement of Topeka. Lorraine was preceded in death by her husband Dick and a daughter, Diane.
The family will have a quiet memorial at a later date.
In lieu of flowers the family is requesting donations in her name to be made to Helping Hands Humane Society, Topeka, Kansas.
Lorraine was born on February 8, 1930 in St. Louis, Missouri to Lillian Smith Heitert (1909-1997) and William L. Heitert (1907-1980). She was the oldest of five siblings. Lorraine was married to Richard “Dick” Kenneth Chandlee (1924-2005) for 56 years, until his death in 2005.
Lorraine was a stay-at-home mom, raising their three daughters: Debbie Chandlee of Washougal, Washington; Donna Casement of Topeka, Kansas, and Denise German of Camdenton, Missouri. A fourth daughter, Diane, passed at birth in 1955. The family grew up in Springfield, Missouri, Overland Park, Kansas, and Louisburg, Kansas.
When the family moved to Louisburg, Lorraine became involved in multiple community projects, including the Miami County Hospital Auxiliary and the Miami County Mental Health Association, where she was selected their “Outstanding Volunteer” for 1976. For many years Lorraine was Louisburg’s blood donor coordinator and was a multi-gallon donor.
Lorraine was chosen Louisburg’s Woman of the Year for 1976-77 and was the story time lady for hundreds of kindergartners at Louisburg Library and Circle Grove Elementary School. Lorraine also facilitated a safe shelter for women in need and volunteered to help hospice patrons.
In her spare time Lorraine received her GED, having left school as a 14-year-old to help with the war effort, and made straight A’s during her two-years at Johnson County Community College. Lorraine was a voracious reader, watched world events and kept up on the latest in politics.
Upon Dick’s retirement the couple traveled, visiting Europe on multiple occasions. She also spent time with her grandchildren, babysitting and taking them on excursions that always provided colorful and funny stories retold decades down the road.
Lorraine is survived by her younger brother Bobby Heitert of Imperial, Missouri, her three daughters (mentioned above), two granddaughters, Lynn Lewis-Evans (Clint) of Byers, Colorado; Heather German-Bill (Bill) of Ft. Worth, Texas; and her two grandsons Ryan German (Jennifer) of Camdenton Missouri; and Daniel Casement (Whitney) of Topeka, Kansas. Preceding her death are two sisters Lillian Tosie and Ellen Brown, and a brother Billy.
Lorraine has five great-grandchildren: Caleb Phillips, Taylor and Bailey Bill of Ft. Worth, Texas; Chandlee German of Camdenton, Missouri; and Mazie Casement of Topeka. Lorraine was preceded in death by her husband Dick and a daughter, Diane.
The family will have a quiet memorial at a later date.
In lieu of flowers the family is requesting donations in her name to be made to Helping Hands Humane Society, Topeka, Kansas.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Lorraine Catherine Chandlee, please visit our flower store.
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