Charlotte Orton

Charlotte Ruth Graham Orton, 78, of Sabetha, Kansas, entered eternal rest on Thursday, June 1, 2023 at the Sabetha Hospital in Sabetha, Kansas.

Charlotte was born on March 9, 1945, in Hamburg, Iowa to Clarence David Graham and Margaret Ruth (Ditmars) Graham. Charlotte’s early years were spent on the family farms near Farragut and Sidney, Iowa. She attended Sunny Side Primary, a one-room schoolhouse, Farragut Schools then graduated from Sidney High School with the class of 1963. On December 19, 1964, she married her high school sweetheart, La Verne Everett Orton, at the Methodist Church in Sidney, Iowa.  Together they started building a family and home following La Verne’s career across Nebraska and Iowa. In 1984, Charlotte and La Verne would make their final move to Sabetha, Kansas where their family continues to call home. Charlotte and La Verne welcomed three children: a son, Lance and two daughters, Julie and Kristen. 

Charlotte took great pride in her responsibilities at home, at work, and in the community. At home, she cared for her husband, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, providing organization, love, and devotion. She enjoyed hosting family gatherings, had a love for her flower gardens, and dedicated many hours to following her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren’s activities. Over the years, Charlotte shared her talents with others by way of her creativity and compassion as a paraprofessional, bookkeeper, interior designer, and florist. In addition to being a member of the Sabetha Methodist Church, she was a member of countless local organizations including the Sabetha PEO Chapter and Sabetha Booster Club. 

Charlotte was preceded in death by her parents, Clarence and Margaret; her brothers Howard, Don, Lester, and Leonard Graham; her sister June Graham Brown; and her son Lance Orton.

Left to cherish her memory are her husband of 58 years, La Verne; two daughters, Julie (Steve) Howard, Kristen (Scott) Lekatz; daughter-in-law Linda (John) Orton Hopp; seven grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren; other relatives and dear friends.

Funeral service will be held Monday, June 5, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at the Sabetha Methodist Church in Sabetha.  Prior to the funeral service, a visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the Sabetha Methodist Church.  Memorial contributions are suggested to the Sabetha Methodist Church or the Stormont Vail Health - Cotton O’Neil Cancer Center in Topeka, Kansas sent in care of Popkess Mortuary, 823 Virginia, Sabetha, Kansas 66534.