Mary Gail Lagrone

Mary “Gail” LaGrone, age 74, of Topeka, passed away Thursday, August 6, 2020 at the Stormont Vail Hospital in Topeka.  Gail was born November 16, 1945 in Washington D.C. the daughter of John R. and Mary Lois (McWhirter) Grantham.  Gail grew up in McGregor, Texas before moving to Oklahoma City where she graduated from high school.  She then went on to graduate from Oklahoma State University before earning master’s degrees from Kansas University and Kansas State University. While at OSU, Gail was a proud member of Kappa Delta sorority. She met Charles “Steve” LaGrone during her freshman year. They were married after graduation on June 1, 1968 in Oklahoma City, OK.

Gail was a beloved elementary school teacher for over 30 years. She taught at CDO at First Lutheran, Topeka Collegiate and Whitson Elementary, spearheading the formation of the ESL (English as a Second Language) program at Whitson. After retirement from her career in public education, Gail worked at the Kansas Statehouse as a member of the Chief Clerk's staff for the Kansas House of Representatives.  Gail was a dedicated member of Fellowship Bible Church, attending both Urish and Hi-Crest campuses, and was previously a 30-year member of First United Methodist Church. She was an active member and later a Sustainer of the Junior League of Topeka and co-chaired the Next-to-New fundraiser in 1986. She was a member of PEO in Topeka and the Pioneer Jubilee Women’s Club of Lake City, CO.

Gail and Steve enjoyed spending their retirement years as seasonal residents at the family cabin in Lake City where they loved mountain hiking, fly fishing, picnics, cooking breakfast outside on the "monkey stove" and visiting with their many friends. They were also associate members of Lake City Community Presbyterian Church and St. James Episcopal Church. In recent years, Gail and Steve began spending time in Green Valley, Arizona, during the winter months. They loved hiking, bird watching and eating the local cuisine. Gail cherished her time in the mountains and in the desert with her family and friends.

Gail loved her church families, spending time in Colorado and Arizona, traveling, cooking, reading, gardening, painting, music, puzzles and games, socializing with her many close friends, and attending theatre and music events. Gail was extremely passionate about educating children and watching her children and grandchildren grow up. Gail was preceded in death by a brother, James “Jimmy” Grantham. Gail loved her family which she leaves behind, her husband, Steve of over 52 years; a son, Chris (Ivy) LaGrone of Topeka; a daughter, Amy LaGrone Sander of Olathe; two sisters, Becky Grantham of Oklahoma City and Susan (Jim) Goodman of Jones, OK; sister-in-law, Myra (Garry) Smith of Cushing, OK; and four grandchildren, Andrew, Elana, Caleb and Austyn. Also surviving are many nieces, nephews and friends.

Memorial services will be Saturday, August 22, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. at Fellowship Bible Church.  Memorial contributions may be made to the Stormont Vail Hospital Cancer Center or Fellowship Bible Church and left in care of the Davidson Funeral Home. davidsonfuneral.com .