Thelma Louise Robbins Dillon

Private family graveside services for Thelma Louise Robbins Dillon, 93, Lawrence will be held at Washington Creek Cemetery in rural Douglas County. She passed away Wednesday, January 7, 2015 at Arbor Court (formerly Drury Place).

Thelma was born December 13, 1921 in Williamsburg, KS the daughter of Lloyd Jacob Robbins, Sr. and Emmeline Rebbecca Pingree Robbins.

She graduated from Appanoose High School in Franklin County in 1939. She then attended Ottawa University.

She taught for five years at rural Minneola School in Franklin County. She then worked as a secretary to Dean Lelon Capps in elementary education and Dean Karl Edwards in secondary education at the University of Kansas. She later was Executive Secretary to Dr. Richard Schiefelbusch and Dr. Stephen Schroeder at the Bureau of Child Research and The Institute for Life Span Studies at the University of Kansas from 1968 until she retired in March 1991.

She married LaVerne Eugene “Bud” Dillon December 31, 1943 in Lawrence. He preceded her in death April 8, 2008.

She and Bud spent many wonderful years together raising cattle, milking, gardening, and farming.

Survivors include two daughters, Judy Ann Dillon Elliott, Lecompton, KS and Linda Mae Dillon Madl, Merriam, KS; three grandchildren, Tracy Harmon, Overbrook, KS, James Hazelet, Parker, KS, Kelly Eggers, Frisco, TX; five great grandchildren, Cole and Jodie Hazelet, Brandon Elston, Colton and Cayden Harmon; and three sisters, Nina Bainer, Fremont, CA, Mabel Gilliland, Ottawa, KS, Shirley Simmons, Ottawa, KS. She was also preceded in death by her first born grandson, Greg Dillon Smith; two sisters, Betty Susan Robbins and Florence Gamet; and one brother, Lloyd J. Robbins, Jr.

Family will greet friends from 3–5 p.m. Saturday, January 10, 2015 at Warren-McElwain Mortuary in Lawrence.

Memorial contributions may be made in her name to Washington Creek Church and may be sent in care of the mortuary.