Elaine Laughlin

Elaine Knecht Laughlin, 88, formerly of Wamego and Manhattan, passed away Saturday, August 8, 2015 at Aberdeen Village in Olathe, KS. Elaine was born on July 22, 1927 to Alvin and Ella (Scholer) Knecht in Wamego, KS. She graduated from Wamego High School in 1945 and went on to get her Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Kansas and Master’s Degree from Kansas State University. She was united in marriage with John “Bruce” Laughlin on June 27, 1948 at the Presbyterian Church in Wamego. Elaine taught the 5th grade at Marlatt Elementary School in Manhattan, KS until she retired in 1990. Bruce preceded her in death in 2006. Elaine loved to spend time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and attend their events. She enjoyed sewing, knitting, researching genealogy, and traveling to places like Hawaii, Denmark, Scotland, and Bermuda. When she was younger, she played the clarinet and was in a trio playing the violin. Elaine was a member of the First Presbyterian Church and never lost her love for Wamego. She is survived by two daughters: Amy (Philip) Woodworth, Lenexa, KS, and Jan Laughlin and partner, Kathy Piotruszewicz, Eureka Springs, AR; two sons: Jay (Robin) Laughlin, Yuma, AZ, and Ron (Julie Williams) Laughlin, St. Louis Park, MN; a sister-in-law: Janice (Charles) Krahenbuhl, Gilroy, CA; a cousin: Larry (Sandra) Knecht, Nederland, CO; nine grandchildren: Jill Nachtrab, Kristin Shore, Sarah Smith, Lisa Smith, and Andrew, Mark, Tiffany, Caitlin, and Brittney Laughlin; nine great-grandchildren: Logan, Liam, and Meyer Nachtrab, Garrett and Casey Shore, Carter and Isaac Smith, and Adeline and Charlotte Laughlin; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, August 15, 2015 at the Stewart Funeral Home of Wamego. Visitation will be an hour prior to the service. Burial will be at the Wamego City Cemetery. The family has suggested memorials towards the Alzheimer’s Association or the Ernstene Laughlin Masterson Nursing Scholarship fund at Kansas State University, and may be left in care of Stewart Funeral Home, P.O. Box 48, Wamego, KS 66547. The family wants to give a heartfelt thank you to Aberdeen Village and their staff for the care of their loved one.