Laura Margaret Crabs

Laura Margaret Crabs, 92, of Wamego,Kansas, passed away peacefully in her home in the early morning of November 13, 2024.

Laura was born on June 8, 1932 to Lucy and Joe Enlow of Wamego, the eldest of four daughters. As a young girl, she relished in the times she would accompany her mother, a nurse, on house calls. She attended Wamego schools, and later married John Brown. They had two daughters, Karen Sue and Kathryn Ann, and moved often as an active military family to places like California, Germany, and Wisconsin. They eventually settled in Wamego, where they became owners of a thriving community restaurant known as Trade Winds Supper Club. 

After Susie and Kathy were grown, and after she and John had divorced, Laura moved to Manhattan. She met Cork during this time, and they would eventually marry. She worked several years for the mail department at Kansas Farm Bureau. She loved to check in with each of her colleagues daily, and never forgot the importance of being a good listener and treating each with kindness. Laura and Cork were members of the Manhattan Church of Christ, where she enjoyed teaching Sunday School and was never found without a bit of candy in her purse for the youngest parishioners. Once Laura retired, she and Cork took great pride delivering Meals on Wheels for over 18 years for the Manhattan Senior Center. They not only delivered hot meals, but checked in on each senior, who was never a stranger, always a friend. Laura also enjoyed driving rental cars back from different states with Cork on occasion. They loved a good car trip, especially to see family out of state .

Those who knew Laura would agree that her greatest passion was for her family. She was famous for calling all five of granddaughters on their birthdays. She would not utter a word, but would open a music box to play the birthday song through the phone. Once retired, she found time to help with before or after school care of her many great grandchildren. An avid reader and collector of books, she is credited for passing on her love of reading to many family members.. She was a creature of habit; her daily routine included writing in her journal, checking on and feeding her late cat, Kiki, making a to-do list, calling friends or family, watching her shows, and crafting a beautifully scripted letter or two that she would get mailed out as soon as it was ‘wrapped up’ as she would say. In the last year of her life, you could find her cooking or baking with her daughter; she would pour over recipe books, and even though she couldn’t venture far from her walker, she could cut veggies and spoon out cookies, always ready for a lovely treat or meal. 

Laura is survived by her daughter, Sue Hofmann, who rarely left her side throughout her hospice journey; her stepson Lonnie Anderson and his wife, Melinda (children Caitlin and Matthew); her five granddaughters, Jayme Reid (Bilal), Wendy Murphy, Jenn McCown (Greg), Jill Rush (Mike), and Marilyn Ortega; her great grandchildren, Branden, Vanessa, Jenna, Cate, Nate, Ben, Melanie, Jordan, Malina, Nia, and Gracie; and her great great grandchildren, Aubrianna, Trinity, Isaac, and Noah; Kingston, DJ, and Rylee; Ollie; Paisleigh and Norah. Her dozens of nieces and nephews were cherished and close to her heart, too.

She is preceded in death by her parents and three sisters; her beloved husband, Kerwin “Corky” Crabs; her daughter, Kathy Love; her great, great grandbaby, Reiker Murphy; and her sweet cat, Kiki, who we know she is holding right now in heaven.

Laura’s family would like to express our heartfelt thanks to the many supporters from St. Croix Hospice who never rushed their visits, always had an answer for the hardest questions, and truly were cheerleaders for both her and her family who were caring for her in these final few months. We would also like to thank Heartland At Home Care of Wamego; the tireless, above and beyond special care that they gave Laura each and every visit won’t soon be forgotten. It should also be noted that on the day Laura passed away, November 13th, it was World Kindness Day. A perfect tribute to a perfectly kind lady.

An Open House Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, November 30th, 1:00 - 3:00 p.m., at the Irvine - Parkview Funeral Home of Manhattan, Kansas. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Manhattan Senior Center Friendship Meals program in the name of Laura Margaret Crabs.