Winifred Crapson

Winnie Crapson, 85, of Topeka, died Aug. 11 at a local care facility.
She was born Aug. 5, 1925 in Irving, Kan., the daughter of Nellie and Clarence Stiles. She graduated from Irving High School at age 16 and began working for the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad the next year. She moved into the law department, eventually becoming senior legal assistant. She was lead investigator in employment discrimination complaints in the company and assisted attorneys in litigation. She earned an Associate of Art degree in Legal Assistance from Washburn University in 1981 and oversaw technology automation of legal offices in nine cities across the company. She retired in 1987 after 46 years with Santa Fe. She later served as a consultant for a Washington, D.C., law firm, assisting with their operations in five cities. She also spent four years as secretary to the Tax Committee of the Kansas House of Representatives.
Winnie was active in the Episcopal Church throughout her adult life and was a member of St. David's in Topeka for 50 years. She held many leadership positions at the local, diocesan and national levels and was involved in international Anglican Communion activities. Most recently she was a member of the board of the Archives of the Episcopal Church. She also had been president of the national liturgical officers association, board member of the national ecumenical officers association, secretary and board member of the national deacons association, board member of the Episcopal Theological Seminary of the Southwest in Austin, Texas, secretary of Province 7 and a reader of General Ordination Exams. She also was involved in liturgical reform and revision of the Book of Common Prayer in the 1970s through Associated Parishes. She was a deputy to General Convention, a member of the Council of Trustees for the Episcopal Diocese of Kansas and president of the diocese's Northwest Convocation. She represented the diocese on a number of area ecumenical associations. She received the Bishop's Vision Award in 1997 for outstanding service to the church. At St. David's she had been a member of the vestry and numerous boards and organizations.
She was a member and vice chair of the Topeka-Shawnee County Metropolitan Planning Commission and president of the Community Resource Council. She was a founder of the Children's Hour day care center and was a 50-year member of the League of Women Voters. She also was an accomplished needlework artist.
She was married to James Crapson; he died on April 4, 1982. She is survived by a nephew, the Rev. James Crapson of College Springs, Iowa, and numerous friends.
A graveside service with inurnment will take place Aug. 25 at 9 a.m. at Mt. Hope Cemetery. A memorial celebration of Winnie's life will take place at St. David's at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. David's Endowment Fund, 3916 SW 17th St., Topeka, KS 66604 or the charity of the donor's choice.