Penwell-Gabel Funeral Home - Loreen Caraway 1931 - 2015

In Loving Memory of

Loreen Caraway

1931 - 2015

Services & Gatherings

Service:

Wednesday, August 26, 2015 at 2:00 PM
Beagle Cemetery, rural Osawatomie, KS

Loreen “Laurie” Caraway, age 83 passed away August 20, 2015 at Olathe Medical Center.

Loreen was born Aug. 31, 1931 in Melville, Saskatchewan, Canada to Levi and Ellen Watt Walden. She grew up in Canada and graduated from nurses training in Weyburn, Saskatchewan, Canada in 1954. She then came to the United States on a work visa to work as a psychiatric nurse where she met her late husband Kenneth "Kenny" while he was home on leave from the Marine Corps. They were united in marriage on May 16, 1955 in Holbrook, AZ.

In the years that followed Loreen worked at K & I Psychiatric Hospital in Topeka, KS. After their move to Olathe, KS, she worked at Osawatomie State Hospital in Osawatomie, KS. Once the family moved to Paola, KS Loreen took the position of school nurse at Lakemary Center when they opened their doors in 1969 and continued to be "Nurse Caraway" to many special needs children until her retirement in 1994.

She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Paola and taught Sunday school for over 30 years to the first grade class. She and Kenneth moved to Fort Scott, KS in 2003 where she enjoyed attending the Fort Scott First Christian Church and she was a member of the “Wendy's Day” ladies group where they would all go to eat after their monthly meeting. She loved her fellowship with this group of ladies very much and treasured every outing with them.

She then moved back to Olathe, KS in 2011 to live with her son Russell where she remained until the time of her passing. Her hobbies where many but after moving in with her son she became an avid sports fan and they spent many times together watching the Chiefs.

Loreen was forever in love with Kenneth and was a very compassionate and caring Mom, a loving and fun-filled G-Ma and had just recently become a Great-Grandmother. Loreen will be greatly missed but never forgotten by family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Kenneth, brother Harvey Walden, sister Marion Meko, and brother Lee Walden. Survivors are one brother Elmer Walden of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, daughter Kathy Boswell and husband John of Camdenton, MO, daughter Tammy Medlin and husband Rick of Paola, daughter Kindre Einerson and husband John of Smithville, MO, son Russell Caraway of Olathe, KS, 5 grandchildren Tanis Caraway, Jeffrey Caraway , Kylie, Ian, & Summer “Princess Elf” and one great granddaughter Nalu Caraway.

Memorial contributions by be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the ASPCA.

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Memories & Condolences

To Kindre and to the entire Caraway family, my thoughts and prayers are with you. May God bless, comfort, and watch over each of you during your time of sorrow.

~ Tom Reed PHS '81 - September 4, 2015

It was such a long time that we lived behind each other. We had a rocky friendship but our moms always always kept us in check. I'm sorry to hear ip of her passing. She was a good woman, and those children at Lakemary loved her. Must comfort to you and your family.

~ Laura Prothe - September 3, 2015

My condolences to all of the family. Loreen was always a wonderful co worker and friend. She was such an asset to Lakemary for many, many years. Her heart was always with the kids. Her poems were so unique for each of us as we retired and received one of her special poems. I enjoyed living in the same neighborhood and she would watch our foster daughter, Angela, out her back window as she jumped on the trampoline. We shared many good times together. She had a positive influence on many people and will be missed. In later years, we just had brief phone conversations, but always fun to catch up.
Russell, Kevin sends his condolences too.

~ Marilyn Barbour - August 26, 2015

Our lives crossed paths both through Ron working with her at Lake Mary and we attended First Baptist Church together. Loreen was a great card and letter writer. She had a special heart for our Daniel. She attended his baby shower they had at Lake Mary for him and taught him Sunday School when he was in the 1st and 2nd grade. She remembered his birthday with a card, a letter of encouragement, and sometimes a stick of gum. We also feel we were able to get to know the family, as her letters all told of how proud she was of her kids. We will miss her cards and letters, and her telling us, "she hadn't heard from us for awhile...we need to write and tell her how things are going." She truly cared and loved the Lord.

~ Ron and Joyce Smith - August 26, 2015

I will always fondly remember the many visits to the Great White North. Be it the camper rides looking out at the valley from above the truck cab to the chuckles and excitement many of my friends showed when meeting her daughters or her patching Grant up when he fell off the stairs. Aunt Loreen took it all in and cheerfully ensured she would be remembered by all.

~ Glenn Walden - August 24, 2015

Kathy, Tammy, Kindre, and Russell:
Please accept my deepest sympathy and heartfelt thoughts for you and your families. I have many fond memories of your family living across the street from us on Miami street in Paola. I babysat for you many times!!! Your mother was very sweet and such a caring person. May God give you strength during this time of sorrow. People pass on, but their memory lives on in our hearts.

~ Carol (Chronister) Schwarz - August 24, 2015

I remember working with Loreen when I first began at Lakemary in 1992. She was devoted to the children there. She would write special poems upon their Graduating from School and created special books for them of their time with her so they could recall their childhood and those who loved them like, Loreen. She made a difference in their lives and cared about them and they knew they were going to be ok when she told them it was ok. I know she is loved by many still. She could talk in a certain voice to some of the children who had very specialized needs and they would respond to her when they needed a extra reassurance. She made the world better for many young children.

~ M Smith - August 24, 2015

Loreen Caraway devoted her life to caring for others. I worked with her for 23 years at Lakemary. She was devoted to each of the children there. But her special love and caring was for the most severely handicapped/disabled, and they knew it, responded to her voice as she walked into the classroom, to give them care or medication. Even more recently she was a fellow resident herself at a rehab center, where a former LMC student was in rehab. Others had difficulty communicating, but he remembered "Nurse Caraway", and she got his full attention, in conversation, a good accomplishment for him at that time. I will remember her fondly, a dear friend, and coworker.

~ Joyce Wassmer - August 23, 2015

Cathy, so sorry to hear about your mother. We will be thinking about you at the Roots Festival this weekend in Paola. Peace and love to your family.

~ Gordon Brown - August 23, 2015

I was very sadden today when I learned of Mrs. Caraway's passing. So many memories of her passed through my mind. As I was growing up, if I was not at my house I was at her's. What a sweet and loving person.

Cathy, Tammy, Kindre and Russell, you are in my thoughts and prayers.

Love,

~ Tammy (Bickerstaff) Grosskreutz - August 22, 2015

Loreen touched so many lives, mine was one of them. I missed her when she retired from Lakemary and thought of her often. She was a very special lady!

~ Kitty Brockett - August 22, 2015

I always enjoyed coming over to the Caraway house and spending time. Your mom was an awesome, spunky little lady. Sorry for your loss.

~ Dee Anne Witt Mendel - August 21, 2015

Your mom and dad will always have a special place in my heart! Loreen was a great nurse and I enjoyed working with her out at Lakemary. She is giving service to her "many" children now in Heaven.

~ Susan Kierl Carpenter - August 21, 2015