Lorraine Walterscheid

Lorraine (Seifert) Walterscheid was born August 21, 1930, in New York City and was educated there. She met her husband, Paul, a native Kansan, while both were working for the New York office of the FBI. They moved to Manhattan in 1963. Mrs. Walterscheid had loved the movie “The Wizard of Oz” as a girl, so maybe it was no surprise she found herself swapping places with Dorothy. She never got used to Kansas tornadoes, however. In the 1980s and 1990s Mrs. Walterscheid held clerical positions in various departments on the Kansas State University campus, the last being in the College of Veterinary Medicine in the Diagnostic Laboratory. She loved animals and all her pets, including the virtual ones: Rover, Mooch and Earl. She was active in the Riley County Extension Service, serving as a 4-H leader and member of the Extension Council. She was also a volunteer in the school reading and pen pal programs. Her social activities included membership in the Stardusters Study Group and a longtime association with a local literature club. In Spring 2016 she joined the local “Writing Your Life Story” group, which prompted her to turn out regular essays about her adventures old and new. She was also a member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church and had previously served on the vestry. A lifelong music lover, Mrs. Walterscheid could be found singing in her favorite clubs: The Living Room and The Grocery Store. She was also a great letter writer, sending a constant flow of witty missives to her children, grandchildren and friends. Fortunately for them, she never chose to use a computer, so her handwritten treasures remain. Mrs. Walterscheid’s favorite song was one she learned as a child: “I’m Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter.” She is probably singing it right now, somewhere in the great beyond. She was preceded in death by husband Paul and one sister, Carol Lucas. Survivors include one brother, William Seifert (Rebecca MacFadyen) of Queens, N.Y.; three children, daughter Susan Keller (Dennis) of Manhattan, son David Walterscheid (Sandra) of Shawnee, Kan., and daughter Ellen Walterscheid (Randall Weinstein) of New York City; two grandchildren, Steven Walterscheid (Kimberly) and Michelle Nashatizadeh (Muhammad); and three great-grandchildren, Charles Paul, Lena Aspen and Autumn Rose. Cremation is planned and inurnment will be in Sunrise Cemetery. A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, March 29, 2019, at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, with Fr. Patrick Funston officiating. It is requested memorials be made to the Riley County Humane Society or the Manhattan Public Library. Arrangements have been entrusted to Carlson's Irvin-Parkview Funeral Home and Cremation.