Orene Madonnacarroll Edmonds

Orene "Renie" Madonna Carroll Edmonds, 70, of Topeka died April 25, 2005 at her home after a long battle with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). She was born Feb. 12, 1935 in Kansas City, Kansas, the daughter of Oren and Peggy Carroll. She graduated from Argentine High School and the University of Kansas with a degree in education where she was a member of the Alpha Delta Pi sorority.

She married Robert Edward Edmonds on June 12, 1955 at Countryside Christian Church in Mission, Kansas. Robert preceded her in death on Nov. 8, 2001.

Renie was a school teacher, first at Eudora High School and then at East Topeka Junior High School. After retiring from teaching to care for her children, she became a civic volunteer, pursuing quality in Topeka's public schools. Her involvement ranged from teaching Great Books at the elementary and junior high school levels to district- and state-wide advisory committees.

Renie also founded and managed the Memorial Hospital of Topeka Auxiliary Shop, where she was also President of the Hospital Auxiliary. Renie was involved in the Topeka and Kansas Bar Association Auxiliaries and the National Society of Tole and Decorative Painters, as she was a gifted tole painter.

She, along with her husband, were long-time members of Countryside United Methodist Church, where they were both active in many aspects of the church's ministry. Renie and Bob also were active in the Topeka arts scene, serving in many roles at Washburn's Mulvane Art Museum, the Topeka Jazz Workshop, Topeka Civic Theater and in the formation of the Topeka Performing Arts Center.

Survivors include two sisters, Merry Ross of Dallas and Ree Katz of Waseca, Minn.; two sons, Christopher Edmonds, his wife Sonnet and their daughter Margaret of Atlanta and Timothy Edmonds, his wife Kerrie and daughter Joey of Palo Alto, Cal.; and a daughter, Karen Shafer, her husband Derek and children Kerri Holtzman, Zack, Andrew, Kelsie and Jake of Topeka.

A memorial service will be held at Countryside United Methodist Church on Thursday, April 28, 2005 at 1 p.m., followed by visitation at the church. Memorial contributions may be made to Countryside United Methodist Church, 3221 Burlingame Road, Topeka, Kansas, 66611 or to Midland Hospice, 200 SW Frasier, Topeka, Kansas, 66606.

Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel is in charge of arrangements.