Carol B. Bonebrake

Carol Llewellyn (Buchele) Bonebrake, AKA "Carol Lew" to her husband, "LuLu" to her sisters and "A.R." for Always Right to her children, 65, of Topeka, died on February 26, 2015 at the University of Kansas Medical Center. Carol was born on December 28, 1949 in Arkansas City, Kansas, the daughter of Julian and Vergie (Bryant) Buchele. Carol grew up in Cedar Vale, Kansas where she graduated from high school in 1967 and was highly involved so much that she was even asked to anchor the Boys 4 X 100 Relay, and won. She received her Bachelor's degree with honors from Kansas State University in 1971. Carol was a member of the Alpha Chi Omega where she was the Homecoming Queen Candidate in 1971. As a three year student senator, Carol, always being a wordsmith, was able to translate her future husband's words. She was frequently quoted in the student newspaper by simplifying his ideas but her looks didn't hurt either. This always made them laugh as Carol always had the last word. To quote Carol, "There are three sides to every situation: the right side, the wrong side, and my side". She graduated cum laude from DePaul University with her Juris Doctorate in 1975. She was a member of the DePaul Law Review from 1973 to 1975. Carol was a partner with the law firm of Cosgrove, Webb and Oman since 1987 where her areas of practice included, taxation, litigation, wills, probate and contracts. She was a member of the Kansas and Minnesota State Bar Associations. She had worked for the law firm of Dorsey and Whitney in Rochester, Minnesota from 1975 to 1979, as counsel for the Mayo Clinic and then later served as the Director of Taxation for the State of Kansas from 1979 to 1987. She was a member of the Topeka Lawyer's Club, SOAB, and had served on the Board and was a past Board President for CASA of Shawnee County, and a member of the Board for the YWCA. Carol enjoyed reading, watching movies, and taking long walks. She especially loved spending time with her children and grandchildren. She was an avid K-State fan and was one of the original Gibson Girls for Coach Vince Gibson. Carol married Richard Bonebrake on May 23, 1971 in Cedar Vale, Kansas. She is survived by her husband Richard Bonebrake M.D., their children, Dr. Michael (Dr. Laura) Bonebrake, of St. Louis, Missouri, Ashley (Troy) Fairchild of Gardner, Kansas, Natalie (James Bowman) Bonebrake of Denver, Colorado, and Matthew Bonebrake of Kansas City, Kansas; her sisters, Judge Nancy (James) Parrish of Topeka, Barbara (Dietmar Georg) Buchele of Winter Park, Florida, and Phyllis (Ron Spangler) Buchele of Lawrence, Kansas. A visitation will be held on Friday, March 6, at Highland Park United Methodist Church where the family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. concluding with a sharing of memories from family and friends. Everyone is encouraged to wear purple in honor of Carol. Services will be private. In lieu of flowers the family suggest contributions be made to C.A.S.A. (Court Appointed Special Advocates) in Shawnee County, W.A.S.P. (Women's Air Service Pilots) to honor her mother's service during World War II., or to Kansas State University for a fund to be designated by her family at a later date and sent in care of Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home, 800 SW 6th Avenue, Topeka, KS 66603