Elizabeth R. Ashbrook

Elizabeth Ashbrook 84, Shawnee, Kansas passed away March 8, 2010.

She was born November 24, 1925 in rural Fort Scott, Kansas. She was the daughter of Herman and Lottie Toepfer. Elizabeth attended grade school in rural Fort Scott at the Pleasant Valley School. She graduated from Fort Scott High School and Fort Scott Junior College then attended the Pittsburg State Teachers College, now Pittsburg State University. Directly after graduating, Elizabeth taught three years at the Pleasant Valley grade school, a one-room schoolhouse with all eight grades. Later before getting married, she taught three years as a second grade teacher at Caney, Kansas. Then she was a substitute teacher for several years.

Elizabeth married Orville Ashbrook on June 5, 1949. Elizabeth and Orville lived in Caney, Kansas with their daughter until 1964 when they moved to Shawnee, Kansas. Elizabeth worked for the Pyramid Life Insurance Company for twenty-two years in Mission, Kansas. She and her husband both decided to retire in the year 1988. She enjoyed the friends that she made at work and in the community and continued to have get-togethers even years later.

Elizabeth loved to travel, cook and do new things, but being with family was where she was happy. In her earlier years, she enjoyed being a Brownie and Girl Scout leader and Bible School teacher. All through the years she enjoyed being a volunteer for charity work by helping at church events or even sending out mailings. She was a member of the Caney United Methodist Church and later a member of the Shawnee United Methodist Church.

Elizabeth was preceded in death by her infant son, James Scott Ashbrook, her parents, a sister, Mildred Defebaugh, and brother, Kenneth Toepfer. Survivors include her husband Orville; a daughter, Denise Dickson and spouse Jaye; a granddaughter, Michelle Blaske and her spouse Keith; a grandson Jason Dickson; two great-grandchildren, Serena and Harley Blaske; one brother Earnest Toepfer and his spouse Freda; sister in law Wilma Toepfer; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

In lieu of flowers please donate to the Stafford County Hospital, 502 S. Buckeye, Stafford, Kansas 67578, Reno County Hospice, 1600 N. Lorraine, Suite 203, Hutchinson, Kansas 67501, or a charity of your choice.

Vistation and Graveside Services

The visiting hours will be 6 to 8 pm. Thursday, March 11, 2010, at the Amos Family Chapel of Shawnee. Graveside services will be 1 p.m. Friday, March 12, 2010, at the Sunnyside Cemetery in Caney, KS.