Lorraine Escola

Lorraine Escola, 91, Topeka, passed away Saturday, January 11, 2014 at a local hospital.

Lorraine was born June 30, 1922 in Grantville, KS, the daughter of Melvin and Eva Sears. She graduated from Napa High School in Napa, CA and attended Santa Rosa Junior College.

She was employed at the Mare Island Ship Yards in San Francisco Bay, CA during World War II. After the war, she and her husband moved to Topeka where she worked at Goodyear Tire and later was Secretary at First Presbyterian Church for 28 years, retiring in 1990.

She was a member of Town & Country Christian Church where she was active in Senior Saints and the Crusader's Sunday school class. She also held several offices in E.H.U.

Lorraine married Russ Escola on February 7, 1943 in Reno, NV. He died August 24, 1979. Survivors include daughter, Janet (Kenneth) Tillery, Topeka; son, Charlie (Gail) Escola, Poulsbo, WA; son-in-law, Derek Shafer, Topeka; grandchildren, Kerri (Dave) Holtzman, San Diego, CA; Dr. Zack (Ashlee) Shafer, Durham, NC; Andrew Shafer, Seattle, WA, Kelsie Shafer, Topeka; and Jake Shafer, Lawrence; 4 great-grandchildren and 4 step-great-grandchildren; sister, Phyllis Furgason, Topeka; nieces, Linda Johnson and Nancy Wheeler, step-grandchildren, Heather (Clint) Jones, Chris (Jessica) Fleming, Eric (Caitlin), and Andrew Fleming. She was preceded in death by daughter, Karen Shafer; and brother, Gene (Rosemary) Sears.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 16, 2014 at Town & Country Christian Church. Burial will follow at West Lawn Memorial Gardens. Lorraine will lie in state at Penwell-Gabel Southwest Chapel, 3700 SW Wanamaker Road after 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 15, 2014 and visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Topeka Rescue Mission, Inc. 600 N. Kansas Avenue, Topeka, KS 66608 or Town & Country Christian Church, 4925 SW 29th, Topeka, Kansas 66614.