Rachel E. Laughman

Rachel E. Laughman, 95, of Topeka, passed away on Saturday, January 5, 2008 at Midland Hospice House in Topeka. She was born on November 5, 1912 in Clearwater, NE, the daughter of Walter and Hazel Hoffman Snider. Rachel had two siblings, Thelma Snider and Wayne Snider. She graduated from Clearwater High School in 1930 and received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Lindenwood College in St. Charles, MO, in 1934. Rachel completed her graduate studies at the University of Missouri-Columbia. She taught Home Economics in Meadow Grove, NE, and later in Leeton, MO and Cape Girardeau, MO. Rachel became the head teacher in government-sponsored nursery schools during WWII in Kansas City, MO. Rachel was a member of the Christian Church in Clearwater, NE, and in 1960 became a member of St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church in Topeka. She married Richard E. Laughman on December 23, 1943. Richard preceded her in death on April 12, 2002. She was also preceded in death by her sister, Thelma. She is survived by two sons and their families: W. Kent Laughman of Lawrence, KS, and R. Keith Laughman of Valencia, CA, and their wives, Carole and Eileen. Rachel has 3 grandchildren, Jeffrey, Ginger and Ryan and 3 great-grandchildren, A.J., Ava and Kenten. Graveside services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday at Mount Hope Cemetery. Burial will follow. Rachel will lie in state after 2:00 p.m. Tuesday at Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel where the family will receive friends from 6:00-8:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to the American Diabetes Association, 837 S. Hillside, Wichita, KS 67211 or to St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, 1821 S.W. 37th St., Topeka, KS 66611.