In Memory Of
Lola Mary Deforest
1929
2020
Lola Mary Deforest
July 29, 1929 — June 21, 2020
Lola Mary (Carswell) DeForest, 90, of Olathe, passed away on June 21, 2020. She was born on July 29, 1929 to Edwin and Juanita (Bloyd) Carswell in Alton, KS.
Lola grew up on a farm south of Alton, KS. She graduated from Alton High School in 1947, and attended college where she obtained a certificate to teach school. She taught school in a one-room schoolhouse for a year before her marriage to Merle Eugene DeForest on May 19, 1948.
They farmed near Alton until the spring of 1951 when they moved back to the farm near Osborne, KS where Merle was born. When Merle died in 1965, Lola took on the responsibility of providing for herself and three children. In addition to being a devoted mother, she worked as a cosmetologist, then as an office manager in the Osborne County Hospital, and eventually as a certified medical aide until her retirement in 1994. She then moved from Osborne to Wichita, KS where she moved in with her daughter, Bernice, in anticipation of Bernice's adoption of Sean.
Lola enjoyed life in many ways. She was able to find good church homes wherever she lived and loved the fellowship of believers at Community Bible Church in Olathe, KS. She spent many happy hours going with her church friends to theaters and going out to eat.
She especially loved spending time with her children and grandchildren. She loved to bake pies, cinnamon rolls, and meals. She enjoyed crocheting, making many afghans for family members. She cherished traveling with Bernice to such places as Yellowstone National Park, Mount Rushmore, and Washington, D. C.
She is survived by her three children: Marvin Ray DeForest and his wife Debra; Allen Dale DeForest and his wife Christine; and Bernice Ann DeForest Averill and her husband Glen. She is survived by six grandchildren: David DeForest and his wife Jeni, Carrie DeForest, Dr. Cole A. DeForest and his wife Robin, Kyla DeForest, Sean Averill, Megan Averill, and six great-grandchildren. Lola is also survived by her sister, Verla LaRue; sister-in-law, Mary Jo Carswell, and many loving nieces, nephews and friends.
Lola was preceded in death by her husband, Merle DeForest; parents Edwin and Juanita Carswell; brother, Richard Carswell; sister Retha Lewis and her husband Don; and brother-in-law Darrell LaRue.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday June 27, 2020 at Community Bible Church in Olathe, KS
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to Camp Barnabas, P. O. Box 3200, Springfield, MO, 65808.
To leave a message of condolence for Lola's family, or to share a special memory of Lola, visit the guestbook below.
Lola grew up on a farm south of Alton, KS. She graduated from Alton High School in 1947, and attended college where she obtained a certificate to teach school. She taught school in a one-room schoolhouse for a year before her marriage to Merle Eugene DeForest on May 19, 1948.
They farmed near Alton until the spring of 1951 when they moved back to the farm near Osborne, KS where Merle was born. When Merle died in 1965, Lola took on the responsibility of providing for herself and three children. In addition to being a devoted mother, she worked as a cosmetologist, then as an office manager in the Osborne County Hospital, and eventually as a certified medical aide until her retirement in 1994. She then moved from Osborne to Wichita, KS where she moved in with her daughter, Bernice, in anticipation of Bernice's adoption of Sean.
Lola enjoyed life in many ways. She was able to find good church homes wherever she lived and loved the fellowship of believers at Community Bible Church in Olathe, KS. She spent many happy hours going with her church friends to theaters and going out to eat.
She especially loved spending time with her children and grandchildren. She loved to bake pies, cinnamon rolls, and meals. She enjoyed crocheting, making many afghans for family members. She cherished traveling with Bernice to such places as Yellowstone National Park, Mount Rushmore, and Washington, D. C.
She is survived by her three children: Marvin Ray DeForest and his wife Debra; Allen Dale DeForest and his wife Christine; and Bernice Ann DeForest Averill and her husband Glen. She is survived by six grandchildren: David DeForest and his wife Jeni, Carrie DeForest, Dr. Cole A. DeForest and his wife Robin, Kyla DeForest, Sean Averill, Megan Averill, and six great-grandchildren. Lola is also survived by her sister, Verla LaRue; sister-in-law, Mary Jo Carswell, and many loving nieces, nephews and friends.
Lola was preceded in death by her husband, Merle DeForest; parents Edwin and Juanita Carswell; brother, Richard Carswell; sister Retha Lewis and her husband Don; and brother-in-law Darrell LaRue.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday June 27, 2020 at Community Bible Church in Olathe, KS
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to Camp Barnabas, P. O. Box 3200, Springfield, MO, 65808.
To leave a message of condolence for Lola's family, or to share a special memory of Lola, visit the guestbook below.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Lola Mary Deforest, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Memorial Service
Saturday, June 27, 2020
Starts at 11:00 am (Central time)
Community Bible Church
Guestbook
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