Laura Jayne Michels

Laura Jayne Michels, 61, of Topeka, passed away Saturday, October 24, 2009 at St. Joseph Medical Center in Kansas City.

She was born January 27, 1948 in Topeka, the daughter of Gaetano and Marguerite (Slusser) Arace.  Laura graduated from Hayden High School in 1966 and later attended Emporia State Teacher’s College where she studied English and Art.

Laura was employed by Josten’s Printing & Publishing from 1968 until she retired in 2008.

She volunteered with Ballet Midwest and served on their board.  Everyone remembered her as the “prop lady”.  Laura served on the board of directors for the Girl Scout of America for many years.  She was a Girl Scout troop leader at Holy Name Catholic School.  Laura also volunteered at Holy Name School and was involved with the PTO.

Laura was a member of Mater Dei Parish.

She is survived by a daughter Heather DeYoung and her husband Joe of Prairie Village, two sisters, Sharon Arace and Carol Arace both of Topeka and two brothers, Nicholas Arace and his wife Karen of Olathe and John Arace and his wife Terri of Topeka, two grandchildren, Owen and Sierra DeYoung.  Six nieces and nephews and five great nieces and nephews also survive.

Laura will lie in state after 2:00 p.m. Wednesday at the Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home where the family will receive friends from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.  A parish rosary will be prayed at 6:00 p.m.  Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Thursday at Mater Dei’s Holy Name Catholic Church.  Interment will follow in Mount Calvary Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Holy Name Church, St. Joseph Hospital, Ballet Midwest or Girl Scouts of America and sent in care of the Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home, 800 SW 6th Ave., Topeka, KS 66603.