Dr. Laura Lee (Workman) Eells, 68, of McPherson, KS, passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 29, 2023, at Ascension Via Christi-St. Francis Regional Medical Center, Wichita.
Dr. Laura Eells was a member of the McPherson College faculty for 26 years and served as a Professor of Sociology, the department chair, and the academic dean. She retired in May of 2022. She was also the Assistant Professor of Sociology at Wichita State University and the Executive Director of the Wichita Area Sexual Assault Center.
Laura was born on September 22, 1954, in Seward, NE, the daughter of Robert LeRoy “Jack” and Laura Bell (Snavely) Workman. She graduated from Seward High School in 1972 and received a PhD degree from the University of Nebraska. On November 22, 1979, Laura was united in marriage to Michael Allan Eells in Seward, NE. This union was blessed with a son, Dan.
She was a member of the First United Methodist Church, McPherson.
Survivors include her loving husband of 43 years, Michael of the home; a son, Dan Eells (Elizabeth) of Newton, KS; a niece, Kris Finley (Aaron) of Lincoln, NE; a great-niece, Morgan Finley of Lincoln, NE; a great-nephew, Logan Finley of Lincoln, NE; and many friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Jack and Laura Workman, and a sister, Susie Urbanek.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 PM, Monday, May 8, 2023, at the McPherson Church of the Brethren with Rev. Kathryn Whitacre and Rev. Darren Frazier officiating. The family will receive friends from 12:30 PM until service time at 2:00 PM, Monday, at the church.
Memorial donations may be given to the Newton Public Library or McPherson College (for the Department of Behavioral Science) in care of Stockham Family Funeral Home, 205 North Chestnut, McPherson, KS 67460.
Personal condolences may be sent to the family at www.stockhamfamily.com.